Will Briar begin a new era of witches, or will history repeat itself? Either way, Edmund won't be tricked twice.
.
"If I perish, I perish. You can take my life, but you can't take my will." In which a girl born of Narnia's two greatest adversaries...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The trek back from the Lantern Waste could only be described as uncomfortable. The shift in the air provided tension that could only be broken by conversation. Eventually, there was a slight change to their surroundings, one Briar noticed when trying to distract herself. Although she didn't turn around, she knew Basken, Peepiceek, and a few others walked behind her. Instead, she kept her eyes forward–watching a certain, little queen explore ahead.
Golden rays of sunshine beamed vibrantly through the canopy and down to the forest floor, giving a pleasant, green tinge to the light about the traveling troupe. Pure light peaked through the leaves, radiating off of Lucy's deep, golden hair. Briar had never seen someone with hair like hers. One minute it looked like cinnamon tea, the next it was a flickering flame.
Briar didn't realize she'd been staring until Lucy twirled around, a smile spreading across her face as their eyes met.
"The trees are asleep," she explained.
Briar squinted up at the puddles of sun that dappled the treetops. Can trees even sleep? she wondered. Well, trees were alive–so maybe they could?
Lucy seemed to notice her silence. She smiled sheepishly back at her. "That's what Trumpkin told me. They've been asleep for too long."
Briar decided to leave it be. "The woods do seem a bit different," she agreed.
"I hope they wake up, but I don't suppose it'll be for a while," Lucy said in a downcast tone. Her fingers trailed along the bark of a passing tree, lingering over it forlornly. She whispered something to the tree, sensitively brushing her fingers down the bark's exterior as though she were caressing the cheek of a dear friend.
Briar stood still, not quite sure what to do. Her head tilted as she studied the discouraged look on the young girl's face. Although she barely knew her name, something inside her twisted. The way she gazed about–the sparkle in her hazel eyes, the loving way she touched the foliage–spoke volumes. There was a sense of wonder, and a sheer awe for the world around her.
Was I like this once?
Lucy's eyes met hers, and Briar found herself stepping around the passing Narnians. Her eyes shone sadly up at her. The corners of her lips tried to lift, and Briar instantly knew she'd do whatever it took to wake up the trees, even if it were impossible for trees to sleep. Gently, Briar placed a hand on the girl's shoulder, letting it trail down her arm to clasp her hand.
"Give them time," she said. "You wouldn't easily get up after a good nap, would you?"
"No," replied Lucy thoughtfully.
"Unless they get a rude awakening," said Edmund from behind as he brushed past them. "Like, oh I don't know, somebody messing with their mind?" He turned around and, walking backwards, purposefully staring at Briar. His eyes glanced at the way Lucy's hand in hers.
