Quickening 10, 899
“It’s coming soon,” I said to myself one morn. “I can feel it.”
When I arrived at the training grounds, Bremton had a look of joy on his face, and Kaymen had a satisfied one. Not being able to stifle my curiosity, I headed towards them.
“What is it that pleases the two of you?” I asked.
A glance was shared between the Prince and General. Kaymen gave a nod to Bremton, and my son spoke.
“We have a new edition to Narnia’s officer chain.”
“Oh? And who is this Narnian?”
“Lieutenant Oreius. A Centaur from southern Narnia,” Kaymen answered.
“How far do you think he will go in the ranks, General?” I asked.
“I believe he will be one of Narnia’s best generals, Swanwhite. He has great ambition.”
“I must meet the lieutenant. Where is he?”
“He is training on the south side of the courtyard, Mother,” Bremton replied.
“Thank you. And General, we need to meet after training to discuss battle plans.”
Kaymen nodded gravely. “Yes, your Majesty.”
I made my way to the south side of the courtyard. I easily picked out Oreius, for he was the only Narnian I did not recognize. I watched his skill with the sword for a few minutes. The lieutenant was very talented. His moves were graceful, powerful, and properly executed – which was very advanced for one so young, by Centaur standards. I could definitely see that he would rise to the rank of General, and he would be a great deal of help to Narnia’s next monarchs.
There was a pause in Oreius’s training – he wasn’t even breathing heavily. I approached the Centaur captain Oreius was with, and asked him if I could have a few words with the lieutenant. The captain allowed me, and I stepped towards Oreius.
As I did so, Lieutenant Oreius bowed. “Your Majesty. It is an honour to meet you.”
“And I you, Lieutenant. Tell me, Oreius, why did you join Narnia’s army?” I asked.
“To defend my country, Majesty.”
“And if I were to leave you here for a battle because I thought it was for the best – would you argue my decision?”
“No, your Majesty.”
“Why not? Is it not unfair to keep you from a battle that would allow you to defend your country?” I asked, testing him.
“If I am to stay, it may be because I will be needed for something else. Going to battle may jeopardize my role in the other mission,” Oreius replied.
I smiled. The lieutenant hit it right on the nose. “You’re a good man, Lieutenant Oreius. You will make a fine officer.” I started to walk away, stopped short, and turned back. “Lieutenant, did you ever hear the songs that I spread throughout Narnia?”
“Yes, Queen Swanwhite. I carry them with me wherever I go.”
I gave a small smile. “Remember them, Lieutenant. You’ll need them.”
“Yes, your Majesty.”
I turned back to the captain. “Carry on.”
-x-x-x-x-x-
A map lay out on the table of the armory’s stateroom. The map showed the Tree of Protection, the border, and all the possible directions that Jadis’ troops could attack. There was a problem, however. Our army had slowly diminished in size over the years due to the many battles, though Jadis’ troops never seemed to decrease in their numbers.
“Kaymen, I am unsure of how long we will be able to hold off Jadis. From the reports, she has at least three times our number and probably more.”
“Numbers have never worried you before, Queen Swanwhite,” the General commented.
“Yes, but I didn’t know when the final battle was… I know that this next one is the last one.”
Kaymen nodded sadly. “Why do the numbers concern you so?”
I stood for a minute, thinking about his question. “Because I don’t want to leave Narnia without some kind of military support.”
“Even though you know that it will be many years before Narnia is freed,” he stated.
“She will need help getting off the ground,” I replied.
We were both silent for a while. “Then I suggest, Majesty, that you leave behind three officers and forty-eight soldiers.”
I rolled the thought over in my mind. It was a small number, so we’d be just under a thousand soldiers, but enough to start another army when needed. “Alright. The Satyr Captain Brezer, Lieutenant Oreius, and Lieutenant Quinton, the Faun.”
“Good assortment of the young and the experienced, Majesty.”
I nodded. “Will you pick the other forty-eight please, Kaymen?”
“Of course, Queen Swanwhite.”
“Now, onto our plan of attack.”
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Quickening 13, 899
I woke to an unusual chill in the air. Normally during mid-Quickening, the temperature would begin to rise, but not today. I also detected a sense of finality. For a moment, I was afraid of the report coming, saying that we needed to deploy. I pushed the feeling aside and knelt by my bed.
“Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the wickedness of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into Hell Satan and other evil spirits who prowl the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.
“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
“Jesus, please give me the strength to lead my people into this final battle. And may the Narnians be faithful and strong during the occupation. Amen.”
I rose to my feet and headed for my wardrobe. I couldn’t help thinking that despite the sixty years I had spent in Narnia, I still prayed as one from earth, not one from Narnia.
At my wardrobe, I picked out my red battle dress, stepped into it, and laced it up. Then I walked over to my vanity, and I brushed my long, silver hair. I put my brush down, weaved my hair into a French braid, and pinned the braid that fell down my back around my head. As I did this, I began to miss Gracia, for she had long ago returned to her Tree. Finally, I put on my Lion ring, my wedding band, and my Miraculous Medal on the short chain.
I took my crown from its pillow on the vanity and put it in a cushioned box next to the crown I wore when I was a princess. I placed the cover on the box and grabbed my cloak. I walked down to the stables, passing many curious Narnians along the way. I saddled Shema, and I strapped a shovel and a saddle bag with the box securely to her sides. I mounted my horse and rode out towards the beach.
I arrived at the cave within a few minutes. After I dismounted, I knelt in silence to remember the loved ones I had buried there: King Gabriel, Queen Atarah, King Amesh, Shream, and Famina. I then retrieved the shovel and began to dig near the entrance of the cave. When the hole was big and deep enough, I got the box, set it in the dirt, and covered it up.
I sat back on my heels. “My time as Queen is done, my family, and I bury my crowns according to the tradition that when a monarch feels that his reign is nearly over, he should bury his crown in a special place.
“May your graves be protected from Jadis and never be disturbed.”
I rose to my feet. I walked back to Shema, mounted her, and rode back to Cair Paravel. After I took Shema’s tackle off and gave her a rubdown, I turned to my guard and said, “Riker, please have General Kaymen report to me. I am heading for the Royal Dining Hall.”
“Yes, your Majesty.” The good Wolf ran off in the direction of the training grounds.
-x-x-x-x-x-
I met Kaymen at Cair Paravel’s gates, and we continued to walk to the Royal Dining Hall. The Centaur glanced at my attire, and he gave me a knowing look. “You wanted to see me, Queen Swanwhite.”
“I did.” I stopped my words short. I couldn’t think of how I wanted to speak my thoughts.
“Where did you ride?” the General asked, breaking the awkward silence.
“To the cave. I buried my crowns there,” I replied, taking the opening he gave me. I felt like I was that young, inexperienced Princess again, and not the well-learned, elderly Queen I was.
Kaymen sensed it too. “Why, Queen Swanwhite?”
I took a deep breath before I said, “Because I know my reign will soon be over.”
The General was silent for a moment. “I understand, Majesty. When do we leave?”
“In two hours. I need to eat some breakfast, and I would like to make sure everything that needs to be put in a safe place is in one.”
“Yes, your Majesty. I shall begin the preparations. If you will excuse me.”
“Of course, Kaymen.” The General bowed, and I entered the Hall.
I attempted to eat my breakfast, but I had no such luck. I ended up giving half of it to Riker.
When Riker finished licking his chops, and I rose from my chair, Riker stated, “I am going with you.”
I turned towards my guard. “Amber agrees to this?”
“Yes,” he said in a tone that said “no-arguing-with-me.”
“And your children?”
Riker gave me the Wolf equivalent of a smirk. “They said they would pray that I enter Aslan’s Country… I have guarded you most of my life, Queen Swanwhite. I will not let you stop me from doing that duty.”
I smiled at him. “I hadn’t planned on it.”
-x-x-x-x-x-
Two hours later…
Everything precious was safe and in its spot. Documents were made about the items and hidden in the unlived-in part of Cair Paravel with the hope that they would someday be found by the next kings and queens.
I mounted Shema dressed in my armor with Phraymore on my left hip, my hair dagger clipped to my head, and my shield across my back. To my right sat Riker and Bremton on his mount, with Petra at his side. To my left was General Kaymen. I gave one last look to Cair Paravel and the fifty-one soldiers left to bring Narnia up at the appropriate time. I then looked to the brave Narnians that I was about to lead into the last battle. I could see in their faces, their wish to protect their land and to fight for Aslan.
They would get their wish, but it would be a long time before I would thank them for their courage and persistence.
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