After the End (Narnia)

Chapter XVIII - The Visitor

The next morning appeared, shrouded by a horrible storm. Thunder crashed around the castle as all available Narnians hurried to move metal objects from outside, working together in drenched teams. Heavier clouds had been seen in the distance, and no one wanted to be taking a chance against the forces of nature.

Harriet watched the oncoming storm from Edmund's bedside, the rain beating the glass windowpane in an alarming manner. She had learned quite quickly that the glass was quite old, and susceptible to cracking from the slightest force. Caspian had cracked the windowpane in his room the week before by throwing a grape at the glass. At least, Harriet thought with a slight chuckle, a dose of cold water would wake Edmund up.

The majority of the women had migrated to the kitchen to ensure there were enough dry ingredients to provide for the next few days. True Narnia's food supply still relied heavily on produce from the forest and surrounding country, a supply which would be damaged by the incoming storm. The wind battered the exterior of the castle, and if Lucy stood still, she swore she could feel the stones moving around her.

Caspian had ventured out into the forest with a team of men to issue crisis supplies before the worst of the storm hit the region. An unavoidable number of trees would most likely be blown down in the storm, preventing later access to the people that dwelt in the forest. Bundles of food and other supplies could be the saving grace of a trapped family, and Caspian was not going to neglect his duty as King.

Finally those outside had made it to safety, and the final set of doors were locked behind them as the storm rolled towards the castle. The majority of the Narnians gathered together in the Great Hall to pray for those outside the castle, petitioning for their health and safety. Harriet remained upstairs, holding Edmund's hand. She wondered if he could hear the thunder from wherever he was inside his head. She wondered if he could feel her reassuring touch.

The Narnians braced themselves as the worst of the storm hit the castle. Rain and wind battered the walls of the castle, thunder deafening it's listeners. The lightning seemed to strike at the hearts of everyone that heard it. It was almost as if the land itself was roaring for something, Susan thought as she stood in the Great Hall.

Peter had put on a brave facade for the Narnians, determined to be strong for his people. Inside, he was terrified. It was the worst weather True Narnia had seen in the time Peter had lived there. Fear's talons gripped Peter's insides, his heart rate increasing until he felt he could burst from the pressure.

Caspian stood next to Peter, feeling much the same. The unknown loomed ahead of him, a towering monster with sharp teeth. He could see through Peter's act of confidence, having copied it himself. He reached out for Peter's hand and held it tightly. The two men clung to each other like a lifeline.

Suddenly, a knock sounded on the main doors of the castle, surprisingly loud in the noise of the storm. Eustace hastened to answer it with thoughts crowding his mind. Who was knocking in the storm? How did they manage to make it to the door in these kinds of winds? And who on earth was in need of their help?

It took some time to open the multitude of doors that barricaded the main entrance, but Eustace struggled through each level of security with valiant determination. There was someone out there, and they needed his aid. The final door opened with an ominous creak, and Eustace felt dread sink down into his shoes. It's a feeling with no real back to it, he chastised himself. There's nothing to worry about.

The woman was a stranger, garbed in a dark cloak, her matted hair concealing her eyes. "I'm sorry, I didn't make it inside in time. Would you mind offering me shelter? This storm is unbearable to be in." Her voice was hoarse and grating, her breath smelling of rotten cabbages. The hygienist in Eustace felt like dismissing the woman straight away. Had she never brushed her teeth? But the feeling of disgust morphed into the compassion that Eustace more frequently associated with his post-dragon self.

"Come inside. We're serving up warm soup in the Great Hall," Eustace replied, answered only by a toothless smile. The doors were closed behind him. Eustace almost laughed at himself. That feeling before had been nothing but a malfunction in his neural pathways, a chemical imbalance. Old Eustace was getting paranoid.

The Great Hall was home to clusters of worried Narnians comforted by mugs of hot soup. A line to the pots manned by Susan and Lucy snaked down to the grand doors at the entrance to the room. The usual spectacular view of the ocean had been blocked by boards placed to protect the glass. Steam filled the room, the smell of soup and stew overpowering the pungent smell of the crowd.

Eustace led the woman to the front of the line, hanging her sodden cloak on a hatstand in the room. "She's just come in from the cold, poor dear. Can you give her a little more than usual?" Eustace asked Lucy. The girl nodded, ladling a large serving of the tomato soup into the cup. The woman sat by herself in a corner, quietly sipping the soup.

After some time, she stood up, pacing to watch the foaming sea through the small gaps in the boards. She smashed the mug, her emotions morphing into something purely dangerous. She lifted her hands to the roof, standing as she transformed into a younger woman, with piercing green eyes and thin hands that were not afraid of cruelty. The room filled with a green light as she cackled at the crowd. Her face turned deadly serious as she addressed the crowd in a cold, booming voice.

"Where is my Edmund?"

[Author's Note]

Hiya Readers!

Decided to give you a double upload this week, as I missed last week's and I now have a bunch of spare time! Woo! I just love exam block.

Thoughts? This part of the plot is really different to the previous version, but I thought there needed to be a little bit more build-up to the reintroduction and fighting of the villains (wow, great grammar Hannah!). Hope you like it!

Next update will be next Sunday. Get keen!

Sincerely,

The Author