( 𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗟𝗬 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 )
𝐈𝐍 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐂𝐇
⸻ Cordelia Winterbourne's ordinary life with her mother was shattered by the onset of war, prompting Cordelia's mother to make a gut-wrenching decision by sending her daughter away for...
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I awoke once more, my head throbbing in agony as though it had been repeatedly stabbed, and my body ached all over.
Footsteps approached the tent from outside, heralding the arrival of the Witch.
"Get up," she demanded. "We're going on a little trip," she declared before exiting the tent.
Despite my weakened state, I managed to rise and step outside.
Amidst their preparations for the journey, a minotaur abruptly shackled a chain around my wrist. I refrained from protesting further, my throat sore and parched.
Our journey to wherever their destination lay commenced. Jadis' minions hoisted her on a chair equipped with a long handle, allowing them to carry her, while I simply walked beside her, flanked by her followers, a chain still encircling my wrist.
After that, it felt an eternity before I finally recognized our destination upon spotting the familiar camp.
"Jadis, the Queen of Narnia!" proclaimed the dwarf with pride as we strolled through the camp, flanked by centaurs and fauns, with Aslan reigning at its heart.
Glancing beside me, I beheld the Pevensie siblings; a silent joy overcame me witnessing their well-being and unity. Their countenances displayed a blend of relief and worry as they saw me.
Jadis’ minions came to a halt, setting her down, which made me pause alongside them. Rising from her seat, she approached the King of Narnia with a measured, deliberate pace.
Standing before Aslan, she broke the silence, "You have a traitor in your property, Aslan."
All eyes turned to the brunette Pevensie, who hung his head in shame.
"His offense was not against you," Aslan responded calmly.
"Have you forgotten the laws upon which Narnia was built?" Jadis retorted, unyielding, which made Aslan lose his composure.
"Do not recite the Deep Magic to me, Witch. I was there when it was written," he stated firmly. Jadis fell silent before speaking again.
"Then you'll remember well that every traitor belongs to me," she declared. For the first time that day, I interjected.
"He's no traitor!" I exclaimed, capturing everyone's attention, including Jadis'. "You deceived him."
Jadis let out a laugh before giving me a smug smile. "His blood belongs to me, as does yours."
All eyes fixated on Peter as he unsheathed his sword, aiming it at Jadis.
"Try and take him then," he declared, stepping forth with courage, though it did concern me.
"Do you truly believe mere strength will deny me my rightful claim... Little King?" Jadis taunted, causing the blond Pevensie to falter, losing his composure.
"Aslan knows that unless I claim blood as the law dictates," she continued, "All of Narnia will be overturned, and perish in fire and water."
She then shifted her focus to the Pevensies, singling out Edmund, "That boy will die, on the Stone Table..."
I caught my breath as she declared, "As is tradition."
"And my daughter here," she proclaimed once more, leaving the Pevensies looking baffled and taken aback, while others seemed to have already grasped the revelation.
"Will stand by my side when I reign over Narnia," she announced, turning her gaze to Aslan, "You dare not refuse me."
"Enough," the King of Narnia intervened calmly, "I will converse with you alone."
Jadis appeared momentarily puzzled but eventually yielded, following Aslan into his tent.
A tense silence enveloped us as we awaited the return of the King of Narnia and the Witch. I tried to move towards the Pevensies, only to be restrained by the Minotaur.
"You are not to move," he asserted. I sighed in resignation, turning my gaze once more toward the Pevensies, who regarded me with worry.
The anticipation seemed endless until the duo emerged from the tent; Aslan's eyes held a deep sorrow while Jadis appeared content as she returned to us. She nodded to the Minotaur by my side, and I felt the chains around my wrist release.
Aslan then addressed us, "She has relinquished her demand for the Son of Adam's blood and Cora's freedom."
The air erupted with triumphant cheers, especially from the Pevensies, who embraced their brother in pure elation. Yet what drew my attention was Aslan’s expression—calm, thoughtful, and far from celebratory.
"How do I know your promise will be kept?" Jadis questioned.
Promise? What promise?
Rather than addressing her query, the King of Narnia roared at her, causing Jadis to recoil in her seat. Laughter erupted, accompanied by applause.
Jadis’ attendants then lifted her, escorting her away from Aslan’s camp. She shot me a smug smile before departing, leaving me standing amid the jubilant crowd.
I
weakly approached the siblings, standing before them. They gazed at me briefly before Peter drew me into a tight embrace.
"You're such an idiot, you know that?" he remarked, a mixture of relief and laughter in his tone. After he released me, Susan embraced me, followed by Lucy.
As we separated, I found Edmund before me, his expression a blend of relief and sheepishness.
Unexpectedly, he stepped closer, enveloping me in a tight hug as if afraid I might vanish from his arms. Surprised by his gesture, I reciprocated, holding him just as tightly.
"Thank you," he murmured softly, meant for my ears alone. Without a word, I nestled against his neck, returning the embrace with even greater warmth.
"What's happened to your hair?" inquired the youngest Pevensie. I looked down at my hair, taken aback by the sight.
"What in the world?" I gasped, noticing it had turned completely white, my once brown locks vanished entirely.
"I reckon it's from what Jadis did to me," I muttered.
"What exactly did she do?" Edmund asked, his expression now filled with anger.
Pausing for a moment, I let out a deep sigh, realizing it was time to disclose the truth about my past, a revelation I had only discovered yesterday.
