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 a while to keep her safe.
However, fate had a di...
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The atmosphere was alive with laughter and joy as Narnians celebrated into the night. Fauns twirled and danced around the bonfire, while others played flutes, weaving music around us.
Having lost sight of the Pevensies around me earlier, I settled onto a log, observing the fauns' spirited dance around the crackling bonfire before me.
"The White Witch is your mother?" queried the blond Pevensie, to which I nodded.
"I reckon you'll despise me now," I murmured, feeling ashamed.
"Why would we?" Lucy questioned.
"I mean, I'm the daughter of the woman who took your brother, plotted to harm you, and sought to conquer all of Narnia," I explained.
Susan then placed her hands atop mine, saying, "We will never harbor any ill will towards you, Cora. None of the awful things she did are your fault, alright?"
"She's right," Edmund chimed in, drawing my gaze towards him.
"It's not as if it's your decision for her to be your mother. You're nothing like her, as everyone else mentioned," he reassured. I stared at him for a moment before nodding in agreement.
Then I also told them my real name which is what everyone says.
"We'll just stick with Cora, which I prefer more," said Peter, igniting laughter among us.
As my thoughts about the conversation with the Pevensies drifted, I felt someone settle beside me.
"Enjoying the night?" Edmund inquired, to which I chuckled.
"It's rather pleasant," I responded, taking a sip of the Narnian-made juice.
Edmund fell silent briefly before rising from beside me. "Come, I'll show you something."
I furrowed my brow at his suggestion. "And what might that be, Son of Adam?" I teased, to which he chuckled and shook his head.
"It's a surprise," he simply said, prompting me to purse my lips before rising from my spot, trailing after him away from the sight of the Narnians.
As we moved farther from the Narnian celebration, silence enveloped us, drowning out the music, leaving only the occasional chirping of birds.
The spot where the brunette Pevensie led me was a breathtaking sight.
The night draped everything in its velvety embrace, with the moon casting its gentle glow upon us. The dark sky, adorned with scattered stars, seemed to paint a celestial masterpiece above. Amid this canvas stood a solitary, majestic tree, its branches reaching towards the heavens, casting enchanting shadows across the land.
"It's beautiful," I murmured, the words escaping me as I gazed in awe at the serene scene before us.
Edmund guided me towards the tree, settling down beneath its sprawling branches, and I followed suit, mirroring his actions.
"It's been my favorite spot ever since I arrived here, the day you were left behind," he revealed, his gaze fixed on the twinkling stars above. I didn't need to inquire further; I understood his meaning without him having to say it.
He continued speaking as I remained silent, "I wanted to let you know that I'm sorry."
My gaze shifted from the stars to him at this point.
"I never had the chance to apologize before I left," his eyes met mine now.
"I didn't mean any of the things I said to you back at the mansion. In truth, you were the complete opposite," he confessed. I remained silent, unsure of what to say.
"You're not just some random girl, Cora," he concluded, yet there was something in his eyes, a depth he seemed hesitant to unveil further, but I didn't press him for more.
"I forgave you a while back, Ed, ever since we got here. It was just my pride that got in the way. I really wanted to talk to you that day, but I couldn't," I explained, turning my gaze back to the dark sky adorned with scattered stars.
"If you were in my shoes, you'd understand the ache in my heart, knowing our last meeting ended without us speaking to each other," I confessed in a murmur.
Silence enveloped us, with Edmund offering no response. The only sounds that filled the air were the gentle whispers of the wind and the occasional chirping of birds.
A shooting star streaked across the sky, prompting me to sit upright in surprise.
"Did you see that?" I whispered, my eyes wide with astonishment, as spotting a shooting star had always been a dream of mine.
Edmund, seated beside me, nodded in agreement.
"Go on, Ed, make a wish!" I beamed at the boy beside me, urging him on. He closed his eyes in contemplation, and I waited quietly until he eventually opened them, meeting my gaze.
"What did you wish for?" I asked, genuinely curious.
"I'm not telling," he replied, causing my brow to furrow.
"Why not?" I inquired.
"Because wishes are supposed to be kept secret until they come true," he explained, a blush tinting his cheeks, scattered with freckles.
"Now your turn," the brunette Pevensie urged.
I gazed upon the shooting star that streaked across the night sky, and a heartfelt wish surged within me. My wish wasn't for personal gain or discovery but for something much more profound - the safety and well-being of my newfound friends and allies in Narnia.
In that fleeting moment, as the star blazed its trail, I silently wished for protection and security for those who had embraced me and accepted me despite my ties to the White Witch. Their kindness and unwavering support had touched me deeply, igniting a fervent desire to shield them from the perils and uncertainties that loomed in our turbulent times.
I hoped for their safety amidst the chaos that often enveloped this enchanting land. My wish carried the weight of genuine concern and a fervent yearning for peace and security to embrace those I now considered my companions, wishing for a future where they could thrive without fear or danger.
As I finished making my wish, I met the boy's gaze beside me.
"Shall we head back now?" he asked, a soft smile gracing his lips. I nodded, rising to my feet, my white locks swaying in the gentle breeze.
As we strolled back towards the camp, we noticed the music had ceased, signaling the end of the celebration.
Running my fingers through my white hair, I remarked, "You know, I sort of miss my brown hair."
Edmund glanced at me, studying my hair, "I think you look even prettier now."
I furrowed my brow, smiling at the boy. "You really think so, Ed?"
But the Pevensie boy averted his gaze, a blush tinting his cheeks. "I mean... I thought so," he muttered, loud enough for me to hear, eliciting a soft laugh from me in response.
As we neared our tents, silence enveloped us once more. I turned to look at the boy beside me.
"Thank you, Ed," I expressed softly.
He responded with a gentle smile and a nod. "Good night, Cora."
"Good night, Edmund," I bid him before parting ways and heading into the tent I shared with the girls.
