The Early Chronicles Book Three: Narnia and the North

Chapter 8

Swanwhite jolted awake and listened.  Yes, there it was.  Loud crunches of rocks synced with the rumbling.  Everyone else around her lay asleep and it was very dark in the cave.

"General!"  She whispered, "General, are you awake?"  She whispered for Goran several more times before she saw his shape get up and come over to her.

"What is it, my lady?"  He whispered.

"Listen!"

Goran listened for several moments until the sounds and vibrations sounded again.  He put a finger to his lips and motioned for her to follow him.  They crept around the many sleeping bodies to the mouth of the cave where they pressed their backs against the wall and looked out.  Swanwhite looked out into the dark grey light of approaching dawn and at first saw nothing but large boulders along the rocky wall, until part of the wall seemed to move.  She thought her eyes were playing tricks on her until the shape turned and she saw the outline of a man, but far bigger, taller than any tree they had seen in that wilderness.  It towered above their cave with footsteps large and heavy enough to create the trembling in the ground Swanwhite had felt.  When she saw the Giant, she gasped audibly until Goran put a hand over her mouth and drew her back against his chest.  She tried to calm her breathing as they stood motionless, watching the Giant.  

"Don't make a sound."  Goran whispered very faintly into her ear and then gently removed his hand.  Swanwhite remained still as they watched the Giant gradually walk farther away until they couldn't see it anymore from the cave.  Swanwhite let out her breath and realized she was clutching Goran's sleeve.

"Sorry."  She whispered and released him.  

"Are you well?"  He looked down at her in the darkness.  She nodded.  Something about his presence made her feel so safe, it was a strange feeling.  She would have to sort it out during their riding.

"Do you think it will come back this way?"  She asked.

"I don't think so.  Perhaps I should keep watch just in case."  

"I'll watch with you."

"You need your rest, your highness."

"I've gotten enough, and I don't think I'll be able to sleep now."  She smirked.  Making jests seemed to calm her even if the situation was stressful.  Goran hesitated.

"I suppose I can't order you otherwise."  He consented.  They sad down on a large boulder at the mouth of the cave that wasn't too far out in the open.  

"Have you ever had a civilized conversation with a Giant?"  She asked softly.

"Very few.  I came across some female Giants who tried to coax us to come into their house once."

Hope rose within Swanwhite.  "Really?  What happened?"

"They were planning to cook and eat us."  

Swanwhite's hope was replaced with pure shock.  "What?!" She whispered harshly.  Goran shrugged.

"I suppose we're like wild game to them.  I actually took a peek at the recipe book and-"

"Oh for heaven's sake, stop!"  Swanwhite shook her head.  This trip was becoming more and more unpleasant.  Goran looked at her with an amused look on his face.

"You're right.  Let us talk of more pleasant matters.  How came you by your fine stallion, Kismir?"  He asked lightly.  Swanwhite was surprised at his pressing to talk with her, as his conversations usually consisted of very short sentences.  But she was welcome to happier thoughts other than images of Giant cook books.  She settled onto the boulders and reached back in her memory to days when she was still a young princess living at Kent without a care in the world.

"When my father was still alive, he was on a hunting trip with some of his finest men, and he came upon a beautiful mare lying dead, with her young colt standing by her side.  The colt was very feisty and put up a great fight, but my father knew he wouldn't survive in the wild so young, so he brought him back and entrusted him to my care.  Kismir has grown up with me you see, so it's as if we can read each other's thoughts when we ride.  He's been one of my greatest companions."  Swanwhite smiled and looked over at her stallion sleeping peacefully on his feet.  

"When I watch the two of you riding, it is obvious you trust each other."  Goran smiled at the beast.  

"At the most pressing times when any other horse would have bolted or become skittish, Kismir has never let me down.  I can't imagine riding any other horse."

"As it should be.  You must have been grateful for his obedience during the battle with the Tisroc a year ago."  

The mention of the White Battle sent a shiver down Swanwhite's spine.  "Yes.  I don't know what I would have done without Kismir and Captain Rufus and... General Cygnus." 

Goran's eyes saddened as he looked ahead.  "I wish I could have spent more time with the general, and with your parents.  They are known as two of the greatest rulers of Narnia."

Swanwhite was grateful at his words.  "I appreciate that, General.  More than you know."

The air was growing cold and lighter, and Swanwhite began to shiver slightly.  She tried to fight the cold feeling and rubbed her numb hands together.

"Do you feel cold, my lady?"

"Only just.  I'm sure I'll warm up soon."

Without warning, Goran wrapped an arm around her shoulder and drew her closer to him.  At first she was shocked at the motion and couldn't believe the reserved general would attempt such a liberty, but she did feel warmer and allowed herself to rest against him with his arm around her.  It brought back the same strange feeling she had, a feeling that made her warm and safe.   She had recently begun to think them as good friends, even though they still addressed each other as "General" and "Your majesty".  His bravery and compassion hadn't escaped her notice.  Was she actually developing feelings for him?  She shook off the thought and scolded herself for being silly.

"How came you by your horse Valeon?"  She asked to break the awkward silence.  During his several months at the castle, she'd never thought to ask.

"He was a gift from King Rynard after my first successful patrol.  We may not be lifelong partners like you and Kismir, but we understand each other.  The king was right when he said he had expected Valeon would fit me well."

"You and he were a stellar team at the Great River the other day."  She yawned.

"You can go back to sleep if you want."  Goran offered.  

"That's all right, I'll stay awake."  She had barely finished her sentence before her head dropped onto Goran's shoulder and she fell asleep.