-ˋˏ *.·:· CHAPTER TEN ·:·.* ˎˊ-
— ASLANS HOW —

2306 | NARNIA — Everyone stopped, right on the edge of the dense forest path, which was decorated with oaks, beeches and firs. Directly under the warm midday sun was the holy place of Aslan the Lion. A huge fortress that resembled a mountain. Star was amazed every time, how big and exciting everything looked. And although the magic was long gone, the Narnians had now hope that it would return soon.

The centaurs were the very first to feel a change. They recognized the new constellations that appeared in the dark of night, the extraordinary sheen of silver that the twinkling stars possessed. Every morning and evening the believers sang and prayed to the deceased saints of Narnia, asking that their prayers be heard and answered...

The group continued to walk through the tall grass, but shortly afterwards they lingered once more directly in front of the entrance when they spotted the centaurs in a lined up position. Each and every one of them proudly held up a sword to greet the kings and queens of the old.

Edmund was standing on the far left, Susan next to him, Caspian in the middle and then Peter and Lucy followed. And Star? She stood in the background and just watched, as always. A mixture of envy and admiration was hidden in her gaze, but she saw something similar in Caspian as well.

The Pevensies stepped forward, heads held high, but the rest of the Narnians let them go first. Only when Caspian felt a warm hand on his upper arm did he seem to want to walk on. The worry on his face evaporated as soon as he found her encouraging smile. Then he sweetly gave Star his arm so she could hook herself in and only then did they start walking together.

The two didn't belong with the kings and queens of Narnia, and that was perfectly fine, because they had each other. And that would always be enough.

Outside it was bright and sunny, peaceful and quiet and teeming with bright colors. Inside it was gloomy, cold and the only lighting was the torches that hung on the stone walls. In addition, it was incredibly noisy during the day because there was a forge there. "I know it may not be what you are used to. But it is defendable." Said Caspian to Peter, as he looked around curiously in the underground stone fortress. But before he could even answer, Susan called him over from the top of the stairs. "Peter, you may want to see this."

Without replying, the five followed her into a dark corridor that was decorated with old wall paintings. Peter, holding the torch, lit the first picture – Susan and Lucy riding on Aslan. After further steps, the next story to be told revealed itself – The crowned Pevensie siblings beside their thrones, in the palace hall of Cair Paravel.

Peter lifted the torch higher, illuminating the missing piece of the puzzle – Sun summoner Alina, on a mountain, surrounded by shadow and darkness. Wrapped in a dress made of gold and a blue cloak with star dust patterns. A bright and golden light lay in her hand. And on the top of her head was placed a crown resembling a halo made of rays of the sun.

Peter's eyes rested on Alina, then briefly on Star and then he shook his head in silence as he withdrew the image from the light. "That's us." said Susan, because no one else could open their mouth in awe. Even Star stared a little too long at the paintings. The very first time the two strolled past the paintings, Caspian had noticed how Star lost herself in them, but he just put it on the fact that she loved art and was a little dreamer.

"What is this place?" Lucy asked, confused, shortly after she took her eyes off the picture of Mr. Tumnuss under the lamppost. "You don't know?" Caspian asked before grabbing a torch from the stone wall and leading them all down the next corridor. This one was much longer, much darker than the one before. When they got there, Caspian dipped the flame of the torch in oil to light the room. In seconds it was light, but instead of hidden warmth, the siblings got shivers down on their backs when they saw the huge stone relief of Aslan.

Lucy was the first and the only one to stir and walk forward, straight towards the broken stone table. It was not only the place where she saw Aslan die, but also the place where the white witch tore his bones from him – Jadis wore a crown and the boy had a bracelet, just like Alina had to wear one, so they were connected. Like handcuffs, she had to carry the heavy bones that made her the property of the white witch.

Lucy put a gentle hand on it and closed her eyes for a brief moment, letting all memories come up in her, as well as any spark of hope and belief. "He must know what he's doing." She said in a calm voice and turned to her siblings. "And Alina will also give us a light when we don't know what to do next..."

Caspian and Star exchanged uncertain looks. Actually, they should think it's good that Lucy had so much hope. But in their distress they could hardly trust a miracle. "I think it's up to us now." They heard Peter say, who clutched the torch so tightly that his knuckles turned white. He didn't seem to like the idea either. Maybe this time they really had to do it on their own ...

The Telmarians found them. Now every second counted before they would attack. An emergency meeting had to be called immediately, so they were in the great room of the broken table. "It's only a matter of time. Miraz's men and war machines are on their way. That means those same men aren't protecting his castle." High-king Peter stood in the middle of the group and explained his best plan.

"What do you propose we do, your Majesty?" Asked Reepicheep when suddenly Peter and Caspian answered at the same time.

"We need to get ready for it-"

"We have to start planning for-"

The boys fell silent and looked at each other. In fact, it was so quiet that the fire was the only source of sound at the moment. Oh saints, Star thought as she exchanged glances with Ed, Lucy, and Susan, but Caspian just shook it off and let Peter go on. Even if he meant well, the High-king didn't seem willing to accept his help.

"Our only hope is to strike them, before they strike us!" Said Peter confidently, but Caspian protested. "That would be crazy. No one ever made it into the castle." He answered, because he knew Telmar best, after all. "There's always a first time." Said Peter and shrugged his shoulders. "And we'll have the element of surprise on our side!" Added Trumpkin to support Peter's argument.

"But we have the advantage here!" Objected Caspian, before Star answered next. "Nobody knows the castle better than Cas and I. Here we have forest, river and tunnels. In Telmar, on the other hand, we are surrounded by walls, cannons and oh, that's right, the castle is on a deadly high mountain. And it might sound harsch, but it would be suicide to show up there!" The others had never heard her otherwise delicate voice, so serious and alarmed. It made clear how serious this situation was.

Peter didn't seem satisfied with her answer. Nor with the fact that she was just persuading a handful of Narnians that if they followed his plan they would run to their deaths. He turned around to face her, stubborn as he was and wanted to tell her that she had no idea what she was talking about, just like Caspian.

But she was right somewhere, which is why Susan stood up to Star. "I can only agree with her, if we dig in, we could probably hold them off indefinitely." Said the Queen and nodded to Star, who was sitting next to Lucy on Aslan's table. Star actually had a guilty conscience because she was sitting up there, but Lucy had forced her and held her by the arm the whole time so she couldn't run away. And although Lucy, already completely trusted in Star, not everyone did. Peter wasn't exactly happy that Susan was now not choosing his side either. He seemed to cast a disappointed look at her too.

"I, for one, feel safer underground." Said the Trufflehunter, before Peter turned to Caspian. "Look. I appreciate what you've done here ... but this isn't a fortress. It's a tomb!"

"Yes, and if they're smart, the Telmarines will just wait and starve us out." Edmund, who was on Peter's side, objected. "We could collect nuts!" suggested one of the cute little squirrels, trying his best to help. "Yeah! And throw them at the Telmarines. Oh stop it! I think you know where I stand, sire." As soon as Reepicheep stopped joking, it was clear to everyone how serious the situation was. They had to make a decision.

The room was silent once more, and Peter was thinking deeply. "If I get your troops in, can you handle the guards?" He asked Glenstorm the centaur. First there was a long thought, then he looked at Star, who was begging him with her eyes not to do it, then he looked at Caspian who was standing right next to her, there was something similar in his gaze, but now he too seemed to be more and more concerned. "Or die trying, my liege." said Glenstorm, bowing his head in respect.

Star swallowed hard as her eyes sought Caspian. He did the same, probably thinking exactly the same thing at that moment. Even if they meant well, nobody wanted to listen to the two children from Telmar because now the real kings were here, and of course they knew better ...

"That's what I'm worried about." They all suddenly heard a small voice say as their heads turned to face her. "I'm sorry?" asked Peter, confused because his youngest sister was now speaking. "You're all acting like there's only two options. Dying here,or dying there." She explained, but Peter shook his head. "I'm not sure you've been listening, Lu." but she could not be held back. "No, you're not listening! Or have you forgotten who really defeated the white witch, Peter?"

An uncanny tension came over the room again, and no one dared speak a tone. Star was surprised that Lucy could be so serious – so she wasn't called the valiant Queen for no reason after all. But there was something else that puzzled Star even more. As she watched Peter carefully, she noticed that he was tensing his jaw. But then, she felt a little compassionate for him when his beautiful blue eyes became more and more glassy.

"I think we've waited for Aslan long enough." He began, with a certain amount of anger and disappointment in his voice. Then his eyes fell on Star, but shortly afterwards he seemed to regret it. "And Alina has suffered enough already, let her Rest In Peace." he finally said and left the room because he wanted to be alone.

AUTHOR NOTE — Merry Christmas! I wish you all happy holiday's and a happy new year🎄🎁 As always I hope u guys enjoyed the new chapter :) take it as a little Christmas present Hihi, because I intentionally wanted to post it next week hahah😂 okay so, thank you all so much for reading and I'd love some sweet comments or just a little vote/Star on my story!☀️ – Love Nini