Chapter Text
Days past and still no word from Cair Paravel. As each day passed, Elena could feel herself getting more anxious. She did not like sitting around, nor did she like doing nothing – albeit that nothing included fierce training but it seemed dull to the hunter compared to what she normally faced. For Elena feared that the sorcerer in the North could invade any minute and Narnia would be caught off guard.
While it was true, more soldiers were in the Northern borders than usual, there were not enough to repel a large assault and they were scattered. This meant that if a large army came alone they could wipe out a legion before the neighbouring one could render assistance.
Elena wanted nothing more than to just go north and see for herself, but she knew that Aithusa would never allow such a thing and there was a constant round the clock watch that prevented her from sneaking away at night.
“You look concerned my Lady,” said the Lieutenant, Elena was still surprised he had not given her his name yet but decided not to press the issue as it was his business.
“I am worried for the sanctity of this nation,” she shook her head. “If Cair does not come up with a response to this sorcerer soon, Narnia will be caught off guard with little to defend her.”
The centaur nodded in agreement. “I agree, but I am afraid that neither of us can do anything without orders from the Regent.”
She sighed. “I know. I suppose I am used to a different form of hierarchy, one where I need the permission of one person,” she pointed to herself. “Me.”
The centaur smiled. “Must be pleasant for you,”
“It can be,” she confessed. “I value my freedom, but it also means that I am the one who decides right from wrong, which can be a challenge. Often what is right for one person may be wrong for another. I have learnt that all I can do is be true to myself, and obey my own code as best I can.”
The day passed slowly for the young hunter, each second she had the fate of Narnia weighing on her mind. It bothered her such to the point that she began to feel sick, in the past she had faced Giants without a single butterfly in her stomach but this matter was so much worse. Elena could not understand it; she tried to ponder it as she lay in her hammock, what could cause this amount of fear? Surely, she was not afraid for herself.
No, she thought, not for herself but for others. For the people that were here and the others who lived in this remarkable country. Elena knew that whilst in blood she was only part Narnian, she could not help but feel like this was her homeland, these people had sheltered her mother in her time of need and now they were allowing her to stay among them despite the fact she appeared Calormene and could easily be viewed as someone not to be trusted.
Elena pulled herself out of the hammock, taking care not to disturb Captain Aithusa in the other opposite her. The hunter had made her choice, if Cair was not going to investigate this matter, then she would. The fate of a country was at hand, and she would rather die than watch this land fall to destitution and ruin.
With haste and a fast beating heart, she collected her things and left the tent seeking shelter out of eye and earshot behind it. There she changed into her hunter’s gear, her knives strapped to her legs and most importantly her trusted sword Venandi now hanging at her side. For the first time in months, Elena felt whole as while the sword was a source of guilt for the nomad it was also a source of comfort, a reminder to herself that she could do anything she set her mind to.
She began to head out, hoping that the patrols would not be as thorough as they were normally. Elena headed west, as if to go back to her natural realm but in fact with the intent of heading northeast.
She passed the last of a group of tents when she heard a voice call.
“Halt,”
Elena stopped, feeling that running would so nothing in her favour, and flinched. She then turned to face the source of the voice only to see the Lieutenant look at her, puzzled.
“My Lady?” He said. “What are you doing out at this time?”
“I…” she paused and sighed. “I feel I must speak truthfully. I am going to the Giant’s Lands to investigate this sorcerer. For if there is a threat to this land, then I must know of it. We cannot allow the people in Cair to bicker among themselves any longer, we must act whether it is against their orders or not.”
The centaur said nothing and seemed to think. “I know, Lady Hajjar and I concur. Unfortunately, there is nothing the Captain to do in that regard. She would lose her position should lest she defy the orders of Cair.”
“Which is why I have not asked it of her,” she informed him. “I intend to investigate this matter alone.”
He paused to think again. “Alone? I do not think that is wise, my Lady.”
“I did not say it was wise,” the hunter stated. “But it is right. I cannot continue to ignore what my instincts tell me. I will do what I must to protect this nation.”
“Then let me occupy you, for I then we can equally share the blame and will double out odds of returning.”
Elena smiled and shook her head. “I cannot ask that of you, Lieutenant. No, I must go on alone if you will allow it.”
“Of course,” he said. “May Aslan be with you Lady Hajjar.”
“Thank you,” she said. “Thank Captain Aithusa for her kindness, and inform her I have decided to return to the Western Wilds.”
“Yes my lady,” the centaur nodded and then bowed respectfully. “I hope we meet again.”
“As do I,” she said and began to walk away. Elena then paused and turned. “Lieutenant, may I ask one more thing of you?”
“Yes?”
“What is your name? I have not heard it in all the time I have spent in your company.”
“I am Oreius,” he spoke. “I am Lieutenant Oreius of the Narnian Army.”
The trip through the Western Wood heading north seemed to take an eternity to the young hunter. She passed tree after tree, but she seemed no closer to the point she was attempting to each and yet she knew well that she was going in the correct direction.
Elena briefly considered whether it was her mind playing tricks on her. After an hour or so of a steep upward climb through the forest, she came to realise that this was no trick of the mind.
She was exactly where she intended to be, for she had not realised that the forest also covered part of the mountains that surrounded the Giants’ realm. As she climbed, the forest began to reach an extreme angle, causing Elena to slow her pace in an attempt to prevent falls.
“I shouldn’t have taken this route,” she murmured to herself as she came to a stop for a break. Elena then remembered that there was an increased presence at the passing into the Giants’ lands, so her chance of passing through that route was even slimmer than the route, which she was currently taking.
The hunter looked up, spotting the fading light trying to pass through the treetops, ironic and almost metaphorical given that Elena like the sunlight felt like she was attempting to pass something impassable. She briefly considered climbing the trees and making her way through the treetops but she knew that method would not serve her this day. For if she tried she may risk injury, and this was no time for her to take any risks that put herself and her mission in jeopardy.
She continued to climb and climb, and past the hour of midnight, she found herself on top of one of the peaks that surrounded the Giants’ lands.
Unfortunately, from this height, she could barely see anything, especially in this darkness. However, there was a sight that impressed Elena to no end, that of the sky. The sky was filled with a variety of lights that spanned the entire sky, the stars shining gold, cyan and white. Around them was a line of what looked like clouds that were red, blue and purple in colour. The sky had never looked so fantastical to Elena’s eyes, and she could think of no other sight she would rather see before she made the final step on this journey. One that she feared would lead to her death.