𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐀𝐍 || 𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐚 [ I ]

Chapter 28

Muriel hadn't sat on a horse in quite some time. Two years without any practice could make anyone feel like their legs were about to fall off. They hadn't even been riding for that long, on the contrary, they had just set foot in the shuddering woods. But even a short distance was enough to remind her of her soreness.

With every slight movement she made the tension that had built up in her muscles increased. Her back was practically killing her and Muriel had already stopped herself twelve times from saying some very unladylike things under her breath.

It was for that reason that both she, Reepicheep and Caspian had stopped riding for a while, even though Muriel had insisted that they'd had to keep going. But the truth was that the princess of Archenland was very glad she could stretch and rest. She was leaning against a tree, one hand resting on the bark and the other messaging her side. The stretching had really helped to relieve the tension in her muscles.

Caspian was sitting across from her, his back leaning against a tree, his eyes closed. However, Muriel knew that he was 'only resting his eyes,' instead of trying to fall asleep. Muriel had noticed, after some observation, that whenever Caspian fell asleep, it was almost impossible to wake him up again. She found it rather funny, sweet and annoying at the same time. Caspian seemed self aware and tried not to fall asleep.

As for their courageous companion, Reep had at one point climbed in a tree. Muriel wasn't sure if the mouse was still sitting somewhere on a branch, hanging from it or exploring the surrounding area. She knew he was too curious for his own good and that, if he had been given the chance, would've explored every bit of forest they'd passed. Sadly they did not have the time for that.

It was disappointing really, because Muriel knew the Shuddering woods all too well. In the last two years she'd tracked these paths, though not often. These were the parts where Telmarines would travel from one point to another. Sometimes, when the sun had disappeared behind the treetops and it was dark enough to hide between the bushes and trees, she had observed them. They would walk with hesitation in their steps, seemingly scared as they walked between the tall trees. They feared the 'ghosts' and 'spirits' that haunted the Shuddering Woods and often shared scary tales about the Narnians. However, they always spoke of them like just that, tales and ghost stories.

But their conversations had given Muriel hope. The Telmarines had always underestimated their numbers, were absolutely terrified and had no idea there were still Narnians out there, planning and waiting for the right moment. Muriel hadn't known when that moment would be either, but she had always hoped that it would happen soon.

She hadn't expected to wait two years though.

Much had changed since then.

Not this road though.

Muriel let her gaze wander around some more before letting out a soft sigh and lowering herself against the tree across from Caspian. His brown eyes slowly opened at the sound of her movements and the Narnian king smiled when she'd finally settled on the ground.

She glanced up from the grass beneath her, into Caspian's eyes, and smiled back at him. It was a sweet moment, but the young woman, whose cheeks were beginning to turn red, thought it would be appropriate to interrupt it with a slight jab at the king.

"Thank Aslan you're not asleep," chuckled Muriel. "We'll need to continue riding soon and I wouldn't have had the heart to wake you up."

The Narnian King pushed himself up on his arms until he sat up straight and raised an eyebrow lazily. "I'm not sure if I believe that," smiled Caspian as he rubbed his eyes.

"You see right through me," laughed Muriel. She shifted so she was more comfortable and pulled her legs up to her chest, letting her chin rest on her knees. "How do you do it, sleep through everything? I wake up at even the smallest of sounds."