The Guardian of Narnia

VII

Elvira came back at dusk. She had run to cry. No one should see their guardian cry. She wanted to hide. No one should see her try to hide. She walked to her own tent. Someone had seen her.

"Vira?" Peter's voice rang out. She turned to see him carrying a blazing torch. Her initial reaction was to back away.

"You should be asleep, your Majesty," she said.

"I can't," he said, "What happened, El? Why did you run off all day?" She blinked the tears out of her eyes and looked up to Peter. He walked closer. She backed away. Peter looked at the fire.

"Oh, sorry," he said. He tried to put it out.

"Keep it alight, for your sake, my king," Elvira said. He smiled.

"Try and sleep, sir," she added. He yawned and tried to cover it up.

"Alright," he said, "You're sure you're okay?" he asked. Elvira nodded.

"I shall try to sleep tonight," she said. He smiled and slowly walked towards her, keeping the flames out of reach. He gently kissed Elvira's head. She smiled and gently nuzzled his hand. He walked over to his tent and she went to hers. It was mere hours before she awoke again.

~

"Elvira," said a wispy voice. Elvira opened her eyes. She saw a tree spirit.

"It has happened," she said. Elvira nodded. She disappeared in a burst of blossoms. Elvira walked out. She studied the breaking dawn for a few minutes, ignoring the aching in her heart for her older brother. Even though she knew his plan, part of her yearned for it to be her going through the pain he had felt. She saw Peter run out of his tent and into Aslan's, behind her. He walked out seconds later. He leant on the table, the one Elvira stood by.

"She's right. He's gone," he said. Elvira breathed through her nose, long and hard.

"The dawn is almost upon us. We must soon depart for war," she said.

"That's all you care for?" Peter snapped. Elvira looked at him, perplexed.

"Your brother is dead, and you're thinking about war?" he yelled.

"Of course I care, Peter," she said, "He is my brother of thousands of years. He plans all. I assist. He has left you to lead this army. You are king."

"But I'm not! I'm barely a quarter the man my father is and I'm leagues below Aslan and you."

"You are destined for kingship. Do you think you happened here by chance? That Lucy did?" Peter stopped in his place.

"Fight for Aslan, Peter. Fight for your destiny, written by him," she said. He sighed and nodded.

"Good," she said, "What are your orders?"

~

The army was in place. Elvira had sent a Gryphon ahead to check the Witch's army. He flew back to her.

"They come, my king, Guardian. In numbers and weapons far greater than our own," he said, panting slightly.

"Numbers do not win a battle," Oreius said.

"No. But I bet they help," Peter replied. Elvira smiled.

"Thank you. Return to your post," she said to the Gryphon. He nodded and flew back. Elvira felt the mute unicorn Peter sat on, bareback, tense. She purred gently, calming it.

"Are you both with me?" Peter asked Oreius and Elvira.

"To the death," Oreius said.

"And beyond," Elvira added. He smiled and took a large breath. Elvira watched the green as the Witch's Captain of the Guard, a minotaur, walked ahead and gave out a massive war cry. Her eyes widened, but excluding that, she made no movement as she saw what followed. Legions of dwarves, snow leopards, wolves, even a few giants followed the Captain. Then a carriage drawn by four raging polar bears came into view. The carriage held the Witch. She wore a scruffy golden fur around her shoulders. Aslan's mane! Elvira bared her teeth. Peter stood fast. He unsheathed his sword and held it out. She readied herself and allowed a small growl to rise in her throat.

"For Narnia! And for Aslan!" he yelled. The unicorn reared and Elvira let loose an almighty roar. Peter led the charge and Oreius and she swiftly followed. Time seemed to slow down. The army seemed to be getting further away. Until the Narnian army and the Witch's army collided.

Cat on cat, Critter on critter. Chaos ensued and the five-minute mark had not passed. Elvira swiped and bit and clawed at any enemy that would be unfortunate to cross the Guardian. As a limp snow leopard fell to the ground, an almighty pain raked through her shoulder. She roared and bit at what raked her. A Boggle, a type of pig-like human, fell to the ground. She couldn't lick the wound; her neck did not stretch that far around.

As the hour mark struck, Elvira continued slashing at enemies with her good front leg and her teeth were covered in blood. She was beginning to feel weary, having not stopped moving since the battle had begun. She spat some fur out of her mouth, having encountered more than a few snow leopards. She heard Elodie roar at her.

"Vira!" She ducked out of the way of a fatal blow from the Minotaur. She rolled onto her back and pushed her back feet up. He went flying and landed on a dwarf. Elvira jumped at him and slashed at him numerous times. She got off of him and he limped off. She saw King Peter's unicorn get shot down. He fell to the ground. She ran at him. She stood by him, her face looking at his. She smiled and he smiled back. He got up. She turned and saw Edmund jab a sword into a small Boggle.

"Ed! It's too dangerous! Get the girls and get them home!" Peter yelled and blocked a blow from the Minotaur. Elvira tried to help and jumped onto his back, as she would with Elodie in play when they were cubs. This was more serious.

"I thought you were down!" She said in his ear and pulled him down. She bit into his neck. He fell, lifeless.

"Thanks!" Peter said.

"Anytime," she replied. She saw a small red streak pass her. It was Edmund! He ran to the Witch. She had come off her carriage and was surrounded by statues. Her wand was out. He brought his sword out and Elvira watched as it collided with the wand. It burst in a shower of little gems. The Witch soon recovered. She disarmed him and moved to stab him. Elvira ran forward and felt the cold metal stab her in the lower abdomen.

"VIRA!" Peter and Edmund yelled. She fell to the ground. Peter ran to the Witch and an amazing duel ensued. Elvira slowly moved away and bided her time and watched. The prophecy... it was almost complete. A roar split the ground. Peter, Edmund, the Witch and Elvira looked up.

"Brother..." she whispered.