Chronicles of Narnia: The Warrior of Narnia (Completed)

Chapter Three: Aslan's How

They reached their destination late that morning, having stopped a few times to gather recruits and help the injured soldiers. Nora watched as the assembled group left the woods to find a great mound that towered over a long plain. She didn't recognize where they were, having gotten her inner-compass turned around as they had journeyed. Nora certainly didn't recall a hill of that size so near the Dancing Lawn. After only a moment's pause, the Narnians moved forward and entered the doorway that led down into the hill.
The opening tunnel led into a series of caverns and branching tunnel systems. It had apparently been used by the Narnians for years, as the torches lining the caves were fairly recent and easily lit. Nora listened intently as Glenstorm explained the layout of the tunnels, their holding capacity, and uses. She was quite impressed by the system, and could see how the place could be used as a center for planning attacks.
"What is this place called?" Nora asked Glenstorm curiously.
"Aslan's How." This caused Nora to become quite confused. She did not think Aslan would have a tomb. After all, the Lion had created Narnia even a thousand years before the four Pevensies and Nora had entered Narnia the first time. Nora did not really think Aslan could ever remain dead. He certainly had not when he had given his life to save Edmund from the White Witch.
"Why is it called that?" Nora asked him.
Glenstorm did not answer her straightly. "Come, this way."
Nora silently followed the Centaur through the tunnels. When they reached the lowest section, they noticed that their torches were casting light upon old, faded paintings on the walls. Nora's eyes widened and her steps slowed as she realized what the pictures portrayed.
There was the coronation of her and the siblings; across a picture of Peter, Susan, and Lucy entering Aslan's camp at Beruna with the Beavers. There was Tumnus at the Lantern, Nora becoming the First Warrior of Narnia, and the girls riding Aslan to the Witch's castle. Sharpshooter gave her a wide-eyed stare as they passed the painting of Edmund's short duel with the Witch, but neither of them spoke.
A sense of power and sanctity grew as they walked to the end of the tunnel and reached a dark cavern. Stepping into the room, Glenstorm moved to one side and lowered his torch. Quickly, a line of fire blazed up, flying around the room and casting a golden light. Nora gasped at the sight before her.
The Stone Table, worn and broken, stood on a dais, surrounded by both upright and fallen stones. Behind the great arch, a carving of Aslan gazed down on them, glistening gold in the firelight. Nora stared at the Stone Table, this place still sacred to the Narnians hundreds of years after the Lion's miracle had occurred. Her mind was transported back to that terrible night, waking to find Aslan gone and dead. She remembered the wonder when, healed her battle wounds, she had looked up to see Aslan, alive and still loving her. And she remembered her own journey to the Stone Table a month before, remembered being brought to her knees in awe at the sight of the broken stone, the symbol of her undeserved chance of becoming the sworn Warrior of Narnia.
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By the time they found the leaders and their friends, they heard the sounds of a scuffling battle amongst a Black Dwarf, a Hag, and a Werewolf. There was an animal roaring, a clash of steel; it didn't take long for both Nora and Glemstorm to join in the sudden fight with the five royal kids, Professor Cornelius, Trumpkin, and Trufflehunter. There was complete yelling and chaos in the chamber. Then the light was knocked over by a sudden, familiar chill in the air and it was all swords, teeth, claws, fists, and boots for about sixty seconds. Then silence.
"Is everyone all right?" Peter spoke up wearily.
"I think so," said Edmund, panting. "I've got that brute Nikabrik, but he's still alive."
"Weights and water bottles!" came an angry voice, making everyone else jumped in place. "That's me you're standing on! Get off!"
"Oops." Edmund's voice held a touch of apologetic sheepishness. "Sorry about that." The sound of him and a grunt showed that the king has gotten off Trumpkin.
"We're okay," said Susan, also speaking for Lucy. "We got Nikabrik."
They all heard the noise of someone striking up the flames again. It was Edmund. The flames showed his face, looking weary and startled. When the flame rose clear, the group scrambled to their feet and rejoining the others. Ten faces blinked at one other in the alit flame.
Nora glanced at Glemstorm, her eyes held a twinkle of playful humor before gazing back at her friends. "When I wanted to reunite with you guys, this isn't what I had in mind."
A stunned moment of silence could be sense in the air.
"Nora!" exclaimed Susan and Lucy joyfully.
"Nora?" Edmund's voice shook with emotion. "But how? I saw you and the others jump into the moat."
"We followed the current of the river near here," Nora replied. "I would have met up with you all sooner if I knew where I was. I was exercising Hope when I was brought into Narnia."
Caspian looked at the four siblings and their friends with slight confusion. He gazed at Nora curiously, but his eyes widened once he recognized her name. "Wait. Nora? As in Nora Archer the Steadfast? The First Warrior of Narnia?"
A little surprised, Nora gave her friends a confused look before she replied to Caspian's excited questions. "Umm... Yes? But how do you know that?"
"I've heard about you from my father," Prince Caspian told her, a touch of smile entered his expression. But he soon read the mood when he saw Edmund looking at her fondly.
Nora looked up at Edmund, studying his face just as she had the first time they met. Edmund's hair was a mess from all the fighting he has done earlier. "Thank you." Nora clung onto the boy with a smile. Edmund wasn't expecting the hug, but he felt himself soften as he wrapped his arms around Nora.
"You really had me worried you know," Edmund stated as the two of them remained in their embrace.
"What matters is that we're reunited." Nora continued to rest her head against the Just King's chest, listening to the soothing sound of his heartbeats. While everyone else smiled at the duo could tell that they are going to be an interesting pair. The two of them have finally been reunited.