The Heart Of Gold: Book 1 (A Narnia Fanfiction)

Chapter 6: A Second Visit.

The music slowly ended and both Hamish and Lucy clapped loudly.

Lucy said, "That was spectacular! I had no idea you could play so well!"

Anna beamed at her and they all made their way to their bedrooms. Just as they all passed Susan bedroom, the brunette girl emerged out, "Heard the violin. It was beautiful."

"Thank you." Anna smiled at her as Lucy yawned, "I'm tired.." she said.

"It's alright. Let's get you to bed." Susan took Lucy to her bedroom.

Anna and Hamish too retreated to their bedrooms. Hamish sat on his bed as Anna took off his braces.

"You really believe us?" He asked, the hope evident in his voice.

"Of course." She said, softy and ushered him to bed.

What she didn't expect was seeing the pine leaves stuck to the screws of his braces. Her eyes widened and she stood, gaping at the braces. Shaking her head, she took a deep breath and retreated to her bed, thinking that a good night sleep, could really do her well.

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When the rest fell asleep, Lucy got up silently from her bed and tiptoed to the spare room with the wardrobe. Her excuse of going to bed early, just so that she could go to Narnia again, had worked outstandingly. She quickly wore her boots and lit a candle in the iron candelabra. Edmund who was trying to find his way to the washroom, saw Lucy and followed her.

As soon as the door to the wardrobe was opened, a gush of cold wind followed and extinguished the burning candle. Lucy entered, disappearing into the wardrobe with Edmund following her closely and quietly.

"Lucy? Lucy? I hope you're not afraid of the dark!" Edmund called out, entering the wardrobe and closing the door behind him.

However, his eyes were almost pulled out of their sockets on seeing the winter wonderland with no Lucy in sight.

He was mesmerised and couldn't help but say, "Lucy? I believe you now!!"

It was beautiful. The light from the lamppost illuminated the dark surrounding and the snow on the leaves shone in the light.

The sound of bells could be heard at a distance.

"Lucy?" Edmund asked.

"Yah!!" A voice was heard along with a sharp whipping sound.

Edmund turned around and quickly dived out of the way into the snow, his eyes widened on seeing a small creature riding a sledge on which sat a woman.

The dwarf jumped out and threw a whip around Edmund's leg. Edmund scrambled around, filled with fear. The creature even put a knife to his throat.

"What is it Ginnarbrik?" An eerie and commanding voice inquired.

Edmund shouted as an impulse, "He won't let go!"

"Is that how you address the Queen Of Narnia?!" The dwarf named Ginnarbrik spat, his knife edging closer to Edmund's throat.

"I-I di-didn't k-know!!" Edmund shouted, his neck stretched back with helplessness in his voice.

"Well? You shall know her better afterwards!" Ginnarbrik declared as he rose the knife above his head, ready to deliver the blow.

Edmund shut his eyes closed and hid his face with his hands, bracing for the impact.

"Wait! What is your name Son Of Adam?" The same cold voice from before asked.

The dwarf stopped immediately as Edmund blinked his eyes open, looking at the woman and said, "Ed-Edmund, y-your majesty!"

The blonde woman was not beautiful, no, she looked downright scary. She had an eerie aura surrounding her. Her face was pale as snow, her dress white and elaborate with icicles and snowflakes. Her eyes were sky blue, filled with authority and a crown made of crystals and ice rested on her head.

"And how was it, Edmund, that you came to enter my domain?"

"I walked through a wardrobe, following my sister." Edmund said, slowly getting up.

At the word 'sister', the witch's eyes gleamed with malice, "Your sister? How many are you?"

"F-Four." Edmund stammered.

Her eyes started twinkling and her voice became suddenly sweet, "Edmund! You look so cold, dear! Come and sit with me on my sledge!"

Edmund sat beside her as she asked, "Now, would you like something warm to drink?"

"Yes, your majesty.." He said slowly and the witch took out a vial and put one drop on the snow. It became a hot drink. The dwarf gave the drink to a shocked Edmund as he asked in disbelief, "H-How did you do that?"

"I can make anything you like." The Queen replied, a smile plastered on her face.

"Could you make me taller?" Asked a bewildered Edmund.

"I can make anything you like to eat." The Queen corrected, gritting her teeth.

"T-Turkish Delight", replied Edmund.

Once again, the drop from the vial on the snow created a box of Turkish Delight and the dwarf gave it to Edmund.

"I'd love to see your family, Edmund." The witch remarked.

"They're nothing special.." He grumbled.

"Oh, Edmund. I have no children if my own and you are such a good little boy." The witch said. "Where I could see, one day, you becoming prince of Narnia, maybe even king."

"Really?" Edmund asked, his mouth full of Turkish Delight.

The Queen nodded, "Of course, but you'd have to bring your family."

"Oh? Peter will be king too?"

"No! But a king needs servants." She said immediately.

"I-I guess I could bring them." He replied back.

"Beyond these woods, do you see those two little hills? My castle is right between them. You'd love it there Edmund, it has whole rooms simply stuffed with Turkish Delight!" She explained.

"Couldn't I have some more now?" He inquired.

"No!" She shrieked but then quickly plastered the same smile on her face and continued, "Don't want to ruin your appetite."

"I'm going to miss you Edmund but we are going to see each other soon." She added.

Edmund stepping out of the sledge, replied, "I hope so.."

"Until then.. dear one!" She waved and drove away, leaving him alone.

"Edmund? Oh, Edmund!" Lucy cried, running towards her brother, now emerging from between the pine trees. She hugged him tightly and said, "I saw Mr. Tumnus again and he's fine! The White Witch has not found out about him, helping us!"

Edmund's face paled considerably as he pushed her away, "T-The W-White Witch?"

"She calls herself the Queen Of Narnia but she really isn't." She said and then noticed Edmund's pale face. "Edmund? Are you alright?"

"Well! What do you expect! It's freezing!! How do we get out of here?!" He explained quickly, recovering from his shock.

"Come on.. this way." Lucy said, grabbing his hand and taking them back towards the wardrobe.