The High Queen II

You are never Alone

That night, as the moon hung high and full in the sky, Eleanor found herself nestled in a small clearing deep within the woods. The others were nearby, wrapped in their blankets, but her mind was restless. She stared up at the twinkling stars, the distant sounds of the forest surrounding her, and felt the weight of the day's events pressing down on her.

As she drifted into sleep, the world around her began to fade, replaced by a vivid dream. Eleanor stood in a vast, sunlit meadow, the grass swaying gently in a warm breeze. She looked around, confused but strangely calm. The beauty of the place was breathtaking, and for a moment, she forgot about the struggles that lay ahead.

Then, a figure emerged in the distance, slowly walking toward her. The air around him seemed to shimmer with a golden light, and Eleanor felt her heart race as the realization struck her— it was Aslan. His majestic mane flowed like rays of sunlight, and his eyes glimmered with wisdom and kindness.

"Aslan," she breathed, her voice a mixture of reverence and longing.

He stopped before her, his powerful frame towering over her, yet there was an undeniable warmth in his gaze that made her feel safe.

"Eleanor," he spoke, his voice deep and resonant, echoing through the meadow like a gentle rumble of thunder. "You seek guidance, yet you are burdened by doubt."

Eleanor felt a pang of guilt. "I don't know what to do. Peter... he's struggling. I want to help him, help all of us, but I keep questioning myself. Am I even worthy to be here? To be part of this?"

Aslan stepped closer, his presence enveloping her like a comforting blanket. "Doubt is a shadow that can cloud even the brightest of hearts. It is not the worthiness that matters, but the strength of your spirit and your love for your family. Each of you carries a unique light that can guide the others through darkness."

"But what if my light isn't enough?" Eleanor whispered, the fear of inadequacy twisting in her chest. "What if I let them down?"

"Then you will rise again," Aslan replied, his tone soothing yet powerful. "Remember, even the greatest of leaders falter. It is not failure that defines you, but your willingness to stand and fight for what is right. Trust in yourself, Eleanor, and in the bond you share with your siblings. Together, you are stronger than you realize."

Eleanor looked up at him, hope blossoming in her heart. "I'll try," she said softly, feeling the warmth of his words wrap around her like a protective shield.

"Trust in the journey ahead," Aslan urged, his voice now carrying an undertone of urgency. "Dangers lie in wait, but you must hold fast to your courage. The path may twist and turn, but I am with you, always."

As he spoke, the meadow began to shimmer and fade, and Eleanor felt herself being pulled back to the waking world. She reached out, desperate to hold onto the moment, but it slipped away like sand through her fingers.

"Wait!" she called out, her heart racing as the dream faded.

Then, just before everything dissolved into darkness, she heard his voice one last time: "Remember, Eleanor. You are never alone."

Peter shook Eleanor awake the next morning. She blinked her eyes open groggily, trying to shake off sleep, and glanced around, immediately noticing Lucy was missing.

"Where's Lucy?" Eleanor asked, her voice still thick with sleep.

Peter gestured ahead, where their younger sister wandered near the edge of the woods, her soft voice calling out for Aslan.

"She thinks she saw Aslan," Peter muttered, rubbing his temple in frustration.

Eleanor quickly sat up, her eyes narrowing. "Alone? She could be in danger!"

Before either of them could call out to Lucy, she suddenly stopped in her tracks, staring at something hidden among the trees. Eleanor's heart skipped a beat. From behind a bush, the silhouette of a large creature emerged — but it wasn't Aslan. It was a minotaur.

Peter acted quickly, grabbing Eleanor by the wrist and pulling her into the bushes for cover. He covered her mouth with his free hand, holding her close so she wouldn't make a sound. Her panic subsided when she realized who had grabbed her, and she gave him a small nod to let him know she was alright. He released her, but their attention was still on Lucy, who hadn't yet noticed the creature.

Eleanor clenched her fists as she watched Lucy get closer to danger, but before she could react, Lucy turned and bolted back toward them. She stumbled into the bushes, wide-eyed, and flung herself into Eleanor's arms.

"That wasn't Aslan," Lucy whispered, fear lacing her voice as she clung to Eleanor.

Peter drew his sword, stepping away from his sisters. "Stay here," he ordered in a hushed tone, his voice firm. He moved toward the minotaur, sword at the ready.

But just as Peter neared the creature, a flash of movement appeared out of nowhere. A boy, around their age, with long brown hair and a leather vest over his tunic, intercepted Peter. The boy's sword met Peter's in a loud clash, sparks flying from the force of their strikes.

"Who is that?" Eleanor whispered, her eyes wide as she watched the two boys engage in a swift, intense duel.

Peter, caught off guard, swung his sword with fury, but the mystery boy met him blow for blow. At one point, Peter managed to land a punch to the boy's face, knocking him back a few paces. But the boy recovered quickly, dodging another strike and trapping Peter's sword into the trunk of a tree with a swift kick.

Peter grunted, trying to free his sword, but before he could pull it loose, the boy kicked him away and yanked Peter's sword free, now wielding it against him.

"Peter!" Eleanor shouted as she leaped from her hiding spot, her eyes blazing with anger. She snatched her axe from her belt and sprinted toward the boy.

"No one kicks my brother!" she snarled, swinging her axe with precision. The boy blocked her strike with Peter's sword, but he struggled to hold his ground as the blade of her axe slid past his defense. Eleanor was relentless, her strikes swift and forceful, a blur of fury.

The boy was a decent fighter, Eleanor admitted to herself, managing to keep up with her for longer than she expected. But he wasn't using his whole body in the fight — his movements were predictable, and his lack of versatility was his undoing.

Their weapons clashed once more, but this time, Eleanor planted her boot firmly against his chest and kicked him hard. He stumbled backward, crashing into a tree, and Peter's sword slipped from his grasp, falling to the ground.

Eleanor lunged at him, her axe raised, and the boy squeezed his eyes shut, bracing himself for the fatal blow. But instead of bringing her axe down, Eleanor stopped it just inches from his throat. The blade hovered over his skin, but she didn't strike.

The boy opened his eyes, startled, and his breath caught in his throat when he saw her. Eleanor blew a few strands of hair from her face, her eyes sharp and unyielding. Up close, the boy noticed the striking beauty of her features — her deep blue eyes sparkled like the midday sea, and the fierce determination in her gaze left him speechless.

Before anyone could move, Lucy stepped forward from the bushes. "No! Stop!" she cried, her voice filled with urgency.

At the same time, a group of Narnians, including centaurs, fauns, dwarves, and even the minotaur, emerged from the trees, surrounding them with their weapons drawn.

Peter, now back on his feet, stepped to Eleanor's side. "Ellie, wait."

Eleanor didn't lower her weapon right away. Her eyes darted between the boy and the assembled Narnians. Peter gently placed a hand on her shoulder, a signal that it was time to stand down.

Reluctantly, she lowered her axe, allowing the boy to breathe a sigh of relief. He stared up at her, still in awe of how close he'd come to meeting his end.

"Prince Caspian?" Peter asked, his brow furrowed as he recognized the boy.

"Yes?" the boy — Prince Caspian — responded, his voice accented and cautious. "And who are you?"