𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 || peter pevensie [1]

chapter three ~ aslan

A few days passed and Maria, having once more taken the name Nimueh, was able to walk around the maze of tunnels and rooms created by the Dryads. She spent a little bit of time each day practising with her weapons, getting a feel for them again. Her new clothes suited her; they were flexible and well-made. She felt just like she used to, and that was something that the sickness of Narnia couldn't change.

Eventually, Elijah showed Nimueh the way to get above ground to collect wood for the fires. She hadn't seen much of the snow-cursed Narnia, except for the cliffs and sea, and if she hadn't known that the winter had lasted a hundred years, she would have thought the forest was incredibly beautiful. If she hadn't experienced the wild dancing of the naiads, Dryads and fauns, she would have thought the stillness of everything to be wonderfully peaceful. But in the knowledge of spies whispering and secrets closely kept, the woodland felt awfully sinister.

Nimueh swept through the forest, gathering fallen branches and twigs, always glancing around for movement, her hand never far from her blade. When she had gathered enough wood, she walked swiftly back to where the Dryad's had made an entrance out of a tree. But before the tree was in sight, Nimueh heard something move a few feet away. A flash of colour burnt against the white of the snow. Dropping the firewood, she drew her curved blades and prepared to attack.

"It's alright," came a voice from behind a tree. "I'm not here to hurt you."

"Who are you? Show yourself."

A Fox stepped out into view. He was small, very red, and had eyes filled with more hope than any Nimueh had seen for a good while. "I'm recruiting for Aslan's army."

Nimueh lowered her weapons slightly. "Are you sure it's safe to talk about such things in the open?" she asked, quietly.

"What does it matter when He is here? She can't do anything to stop that now. I see you have returned, Nimueh Firesong, to fight alongside Aslan, I hope."

"I would already be at his side if I had been allowed to leave sooner."

"It is certainly an honour," the Fox bowed so low that his nose touched the snow-covered ground, "to have you defending Narnia with us."

"So, you've seen Aslan?" The Fox nodded. Nimueh had only even met Aslan once, on her first visit to Narnia when she had been very young. One could never forget a face like Aslan's, but she wondered if He had changed just as she had. "What is he like?"

"Everything we could have ever have hoped for, and more."

"Well, if you need to recruit for His army, then I will let you go. I'm sure to join you soon, and my friends will follow, no doubt."

"That's good to hear. We have made camp between her and the Ford of Beruna, near-"

"The Stone Table, of course. Be safe," Nimueh called after the Fox, who made to disappear into the trees. Picking up the kindling and twigs, she continued back to the tree entrance, but with new life and new hope in her heart.

♛

A Satyr arrived in the forest the next day, with a horse for Nimueh to take to Aslan's camp. Elijah was still reluctant to let her go, but knew that Nimueh would become unbearable if she were cooped up underground for much longer. She threw a cloak over Nimueh's shoulders and fastened it firmly.

"The camp isn't too far. Keep going through the woods, southwest. Cross the river and travel south until you reach the valley." Elijah was looking paler by the second.