hiraeth

thirty

xxx. Enne

Enne inhales the scent of sweet gardenias and traces the horizon, catching the sun's glare before blinking away. they're standing on a cliff overlooking the land, and Susan and Lucy twirl around to get a good look at the fields, mountains, and blazing sky streaked orange and pink.

It's beautiful. It's also incredibly quiet.

"Narnia!" Lucy exclaims.

"It's like a picture book," adds Susan in awe. She pauses. "Nia isn't here. Neither is Peter."

Enne groans. "No one is here. And listen."

"I don't hear anything."

"Exactly," says Enne. "No bugs, no signs of life. Nothing."

"Are we really surprised, though? Peter's drawing was terrible."

There's no quick (or safe) way to climb down lest they drop off the cliffside, so they head east and trudge down the path, hoping to get to lower ground. They spot the remnants of a fire at the base of a small, jagged cove, but whoever had made it is long gone, the pit empty.

It's only after a few minutes that they reach an intimidating display of old ruins still on higher ground. What's left of the stone walls isn't much. They seem more like pillars now, the floor caked with dirt and overgrown ivy.

"What do you think happened?" asks Lucy as they step through one of the openings. The only thing of any remote interest is the dais at the far end, but there's no throne or prized possessions occupying it.

"perhaps it's a capital of Narnia," Susan replies.

"A what?"

Susan puffs out her cheeks. "I dunno. It randomly popped into my head. Capital. Like, a main area or landmark."

Enne gestures towards the platform. "Which capital is this?"

"I'm not sure. But I'm certain we've been here before. I just can't place a finger on it." Susan taps a foot on the ground. "It's so familiar, it's annoying."

Lucy nods mutely. "I recognize this general area, though. The Eastern Ocean should be nearby. We can go to Cair Paravel if we find the Great River and walk along it."

Enne blanches. "How can you remember that but not remember this significant ruin in comparison?"

"Can't be that significant if I don't remember it."

"Lucy's right," Susan says. "Cair Paravel would be our best starting point to look for Edmund."

"What's Cair Paravel?"

"The main capital. Well, last time we were here. It's where we live. Or lived."

"And Nia and Peter?" Enne asks.

"They'll manage," Susan says. Then she laughs. "Assuming they're separated. I wish them good luck if they're together."

"That'll be a disaster."

Lucy tugs at Enne's sleeve. "What was with the tension anyways?"

"Those two? When is there ever not tension between them?"

"Yeah, but that was scary tension. Not like, cute tension."

"Define cute tension"

"Pining. Longing looks. Shy glances." She waves an arm. "Not death glares and hurling insults."