The Lost Elf of Narnia

Chapter 10: The Witch's Deal

Elentiya POV

I tripped Peter with my foot, then spun and knocked the sword from Edmund's hand, also tripping him.

The two boys stared up at me, eyes wide.

I smiled, sheathing my sword and holding out my hands.

"When I go to trip you, jump in the air over my leg."

They took my hands and I pulled them up.

"Try again."

Edmund sighed and picked up his sword.

He was skinnier than before he had left us at the Beaver dam and he had a split lip and a bruise on the side of his face, other than that the Witch hadn't hurt him.

I blocked thrusts from their swords, swinging my leg towards Peter's legs.

He jumped up, avoiding it.

Edmund did the same, grinning. I nodded.

"Nice job."

We practiced for a couple of days, Peter was doing very well, but Edmund was excelling at it. He'd come very close to beating me a few times.

We were exercising our horses, Peter on Augustus the Unicorn, Edmund on Philip, and me on the black mare Zira, when Mr. Beaver ran up to us.

"The Witch has demanded a meeting with Aslan and Elentiya."

The boys looked at me as I blinked.

"Why me?"

"You're Aslan's daughter. Technically, you're second-in-command of the Narnian army."

I never thought about that. I thought.

"She's on her way here!" Mr. Beaver said.

I leaned forward.

"How fast can you get there, Zira?"

"Fast enough for us to be a blur," Zira said.

I reached down to Mr. Beaver, he took my hand in his paw and I pulled him up behind me.

"Go!" Zira lunged into a gallop, Philip and Augustus on her heels.

When we made it back to camp, the Witch was just entering it.

I slid off Zira, walking up the ridge to stand between Aslan.

His tail was twitching back and forth, for he was that mad.

Edmund, Peter, Susan, and Lucy were next to the ridge, looking nervous.

A high pitched voice rang out and the Narnians parted for a dwarf.

"Jadis, the queen of Narnia! Empress of the Lone Islands!"

Four cyclops followed, carrying a platform with a chair on it.

The White Witch herself sat on it.

Aslan let out a growl, His face full of rage.

I did the same, just lower.

The cyclops lowered the platform to the ground and stepped back.

Jadis stood, walking forward and staring at Edmund the whole time.

He raised his chin, fiery determination shining in his eyes.

"You have a traitor in your midst, Aslan." The Witch said.

Whispers spread through the crowd.

I glanced at Edmund who was looking down now.

Ghost appeared beside him and said something that made him look up again.

"His offence was not against you." Aslan said calmly.

"Have you forgotten the laws upon which Narnia was built?"

"Do not cite the deep magic to me, Witch." Aslan growled. "I was there when it was written."

"Then you will remember well that every traitor belongs to me," Jadis said. "His blood is my property."

I grabbed the hilt of my sword, a hiss escaping my lips.

Jadis smiled.

Peter drew his sword, stepping forward.

"Try and take him then."

Jadis' minotaur gaurd snorted, also stepping ahead.

"Do you really think mere force will deny me my right, little king?"

Peter faltered.

"Aslan and his daughter know that unless I have blood, as the law demands, all of Narnia will be overturned and perish in fire and water. That boy," Jadis pointed at Edmund. "will die on the Stone Table."

I clenched my jaw as Peters face filled with guilt.

Edmund didn't look scared, he looked as if he had accepted it.

"As is tradition. You dare not refuse me." Jadis looked at Aslan again.

"Enough. We shall talk with you alone." Aslan glanced at me and turned to His tent.

Jadis gave me a wicked smile as she passed.

I followed her into the tent, folding my arms.

The Witch and Aslan spoke for awhile, I listened carefully.

Pure horror filled me at Aslan's next words.

"I will take the Son of Adam's place on the Table. Do you agree, Witch?"

Jadis's face shifted to pure glee.

"Done."

"Wait!" I blurted.

They looked to me and I stared at Aslan.

"Please don't do this. We need you. I need you."

Aslan smiled gently.

"You will be just fine without me, dear one."

I looked at the Witch now.

"Take me instead of Aslan. I am the last elf. I'm their biggest weapon against you other than Aslan."

"What do you mean, child?"

She didn't know.

The trees had not betrayed me.

"I can....I can shift into a dragon."

Jadis smiled again, stepping closer to me.

"Very well, Aslan's daughter. I shall have you come to the Stone Table the first hour of the morning. Do you accept? You're giving yourself a death sentence."

"I accept. Edmund is more important than me."

Jadis looked to Aslan who hadn't said anything.

"You're losing your greatest weakness, Aslan. Nothing to say?"

He gazed at me.

"It is her choice. I will still love her."

Not exactly an answer. I thought before nodding to Him and then the Witch before turning and going outside again.

Everyone had been sitting or laying down, they all jumped to their feet.

Edmund locked gazes with me and I forced a smile.

The Witch came out next, staring at Edmund as she stalked to her chair.

Aslan appeared beside me.

"She has renounced her claim on the Son of Adam's blood."

Cheers rang out, Peter and the others smiled and laughed.

"How do I know your promise will be kept?" Jadis looked between me and Aslan.

He answered for me and roared.

Everyone laughed.

Jadis sat on her chair, the Cyclops picked up the platform and they left.

No one noticed Aslan and I staring at the ground, filled with grief.

No one but Lucy.