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𝕭𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐈: 𝖂𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝖂𝐀𝐑

𝕮𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝕾𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧: to ransom a soul

A SUDDEN ICY CHILL HAD TAKEN hold of the camp. All cheer and laughter died away upon hearing the announcement of the guard. For a moment everyone stood frozen, as if the mere mention of the Witch was enough to turn them all to stone. But the silence was broken by another ominous blow of a horn, setting the camp into motion once again.

Beside her Ashara could feel Peter tense, his hand curling firmly around the hilt of his sword. He barely carried the weapon for a week and already it was becoming a comfort to reach for it. With a worried frown Peter searched the camp for his siblings. But there was no need. Lucy, Susan and Edmund already came running towards their brother. The four of them stood closely together, forming a united front in order to protect Edmund.

They were so focused on their brother that the Pevensies did not seem to notice how every Narnian present moved closer towards their Kings and Queens as well. As did Ashara. By now it came as natural to her as breathing.

A black dwarf came walking forward, shouting loudly for all to hear: "Jadis, the queen of Narnia! Empress of the Lone Islands!"

She couldn't help but wince upon hearing the false title.

The crowd parted and Ashara caught sight of four cyclops. The huge beasts carried a black throne, upon which the Witch was seated. She could feel Lucy shift uneasy beside her and realized then this was the first time the three Pevensies saw the Witch. Until now she'd only been a name, whispered in fear and anger. A phantom who'd taken their brother. But now...now, she was real.

Except for Edmund. Who looked her in the eye with as brave a face he could muster.

Ashara had to admit to his courage. It had been a while since she'd seen the Witch herself and she'd forgotten just how sharp her gaze was. How that icy glare pierced your very flesh, like frostbite slowly turning your skin b;ue, until moving had become impossible.

And then the shouting began. Years of oppression and anger, now unleashed by the coming of their Kings and Queens, gave the Narnians courage. She could hear the animals cry out in rage, fauns shouting at the imposter to leave, dwarves raising a clenched fist. The fire of rebellion had been ignited and the very sight of it was enough to melt the ice of her own shock.

When the cyclops reached the front of the crowd, they put down the throne. The witch rose to her feet, a threatening and cold presence. The shouting ceased, as though all those present were holding their breath in anticipation of what would happen next.

Jadis made her way forward, eyes catching sight of Edmund. The icy glare lingered on the son of Adam and Ashara felt herself reaching for the hilt of her sword, only to realize she'd taken it off to dance but the Witch focused her attention at Aslan, who waited patiently for her to speak.

"You have a traitor in your midst, Aslan," she said with a cruel sort of delight.

"His offence was not against you." Aslan's voice was like a summer breeze in comparison, warm and without malice.

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

The lion growled with warning. "Do not cite the Deep Magic to me, Witch. I was there when it was written."

As if Aslan's voice was a command, the magic came roaring alive inside of her. Ashara clenched her hands to resist the light from breaking free. Though she couldn't hold back the golden gleam that had appeared within her eyes. After all, she was simply a vessel, a protector, of a power much greater than her.

"Then you'll remember well that every traitor belongs to me," Jadis continued, though Aslan's response seemed to have thrown her off a bit. "His blood is my property."

The sharp bite of steel being drawn echoed through the glade. Peter stepped in front of his brother, sword up and eyes like fire. "Try and take him then."

Another golden thread escaped her fists as her eyes went back and forth between king and witch. She would join him in battle without a doubt, but she feared violence would not undo the law.

Apparently the Witch was of the same mind because she merely raised a brow. "Do you really think that mere force will deny me my right, little King?"

Slowly Peter lowered his sword and Ashara felt the magic within her calm slightly.

"Aslan knows that unless I have blood, as the law demands, all of Narnia will be overturned and perish in fire and water."

Gasps came from out of the crowd and emboldened by their fear, the Witch suddenly spun around and pointed her finger at Edmund. "That boy will die on the stone table. As is tradition." She didn't raise her voice, but still her words seemed to fill the air with their power. "You dare not refuse me."

Ashara took a small step closer towards Edmund. He exchanged a look with his brother, whose hand was clenched around his sword, as though he could raise it again any given moment. The sight somehow seemed to give Edmund whatever courage he'd been lacking. He still looked frightened, but also, in a strange sort of way, determined. Her heart broke when realizing he'd rather give himself up than see his brother fall from grace by trying to protect him with useless violence.

"Enough," Aslan spoke calmly but sternly. "I shall talk with you alone."

Without awaiting an answer the lion turned around and disappeared into his tent.

Jadis took a small measured breath, as if having to prepare herself somehow for a moment alone with him. Then, she followed him inside.

As soon as the Witch was out of their sight, Ashara felt the warmth returning in the air. She could once again breathe freely without feeling like frost was setting within her lungs. But it wasn't enough to stop her heart from beating nervously, or her hands from trembling ever so slightly.

Whatever Aslan had planned, she knew the Witch could not be denied her right. The law was clear. In order to restore balance to the deep magic, traitors had to die.

"Surely Aslan can do something," Susan muttered, her worried eyes focused on the tent. "Surely there is some law to prevent this from happening." With those last words she turned to look at Ashara. "I mean, there must be."

Ashara opened her mouth, but found she had no words and pressed her lips together.

A small gasp fell from Susan's lips and Lucy placed a comforting hand on her sister's arm.

Time passed awfully slowly as they waited for Aslan and Jadis. At some point, Lucy had taken a seat on the ground and the others had followed her example. Edmund was nervously pulling at the grass, tearing it into tiny pieces between his fingers.

No one had any words of comfort for him or for each other. They all trusted Aslan with their lives but even he was bound to the laws of the world. And that thought was terrifying, so much so that they all kept quiet instead.

Every now and then her gaze crossed with worried blue eyes.

Ashara couldn't even begin to imagine what Peter was feeling. He'd promised their mother to get all of his siblings home safely and now, once again, their life was uncertain. She had to physically hold herself back not to reach for his hand and hold it tightly. Anything to make that awful look disappear from his face. Instead, she clenched her fist into the cloth of her dress.

And then her eyes would drift to Edmund again, eyes casted downward, hands turning white from gripping the little straws of grass so tight. If only she could have somehow spared him this fate...But it was in Aslan's hands now. She would have to trust that he would find a way to spare the Son of Adam.

The sun was beginning to set by the time she heard the faint rustling of cloth being moved.

Quickly everyone got their feet. When, at last, Jadis exited the tent the air seemed filled with tension as, like a thunder storm ready to burst any moment. For the longest moment the Witch simply kept her gaze focused on Edmund. Then, wordlessly, she turned away.

With wide eyes Ashara looked at Aslan, who stood silent and solemn before the tent.

Edmund breathed in sharply, his hands trembling at his side. Aslan held his gaze, as Jadis had done seconds before and then turned to address the entire crowd gathered.

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

All around her the Narnians broke out into cheers, while the siblings pulled Edmund into a tight hug. Ashara felt a trembling breath escape her lips, yet her stomach still ached with worry. A feeling she couldn't quite explain, but she knew was justified. The law wasn't easily bypassed...What sort of deal had Aslan been forced to make?

"How do I know your promise will be kept?" the icy voice of the Witch sounded above the joyous cheers of the Narnians.

The answer came in the form of a deafening roar from the great lion.

Jadis sat down immediately.

Cheers broke out once again and while the White Witch was carried away, seemingly defeated, the Narnians celebrated. Everyone huddled closely together around Edmund, trying to shake his hand or simply patting him on the back. All to let him know they were glad he was here and that he was forgiven.

But despite the joy she felt, Ashara couldn't help but keep her eyes focused on Aslan for a moment longer. There seemed a certain sadness about him. His head hung low and his brows were furrowed. She watched as the lion turned away from the happy crowd. Though, right before entering his tent, he turned around. His golden eyes met hers and without exchanging a single word, she knew. She knew what the cost for Edmund's life had been.

Her somber thoughts were interrupted by the joyful tone of a flute, as the fauns continued with their music as though nothing had happened. Laughing and chatting, the Narnians moved to dance once again. But her feet remained frozen to her spot.

A small hand landed on her arm and pulled her gaze downwards. Lucy smiled up at her. "Come celebrate with us, Ash!"

She cleared her throat and tried her hardest to smile. "Actually, I'm rather tired. I think I'll go to bed early tonight." When Lucy's features saddened, she quickly added: "Peter said something about wanting to dance with you. Why don't you go look for him?"

Her smile returned almost instantly and she nodded. "I will! Goodnight!"

"Goodnight, Lucy," she replied, watching her run off with a smile.

It wasn't a lie, she really did feel exhausted all of a sudden, but instead of heading towards her tent, her feet led her to where the cliff overlooked the camp. All she needed was a moment alone with her thoughts.

Far in the distance, shining in the last rays of the sun, she could see Cair Paravel. She smiled wistfully. Soon she would be able to safely set foot inside those walls again. Walk the endless hallways, dance beneath the glass ceiling and sit quietly in the garden. But all of that would be impossible without the sacrifice that still needed to happen...

She opened the palm of her hand and let the magic within her flow free. A small golden ball of light appeared, floating above her hand. Never before had her powers felt like a burden...As the only Watcher left she had to be present. She had to see it was done right, or else the balance would still be off.

With a frustrated groan she smothered the ball of light by hitting her hand against the grass.

"Anger will not make what has to happen any easier, child," a warm voice spoke behind her.

Her heart jumped in her chest as she spun around.

Aslan greeted her with a smile and despite everything awaiting him, the smile had lost none of its warmth.

"I know," she muttered. "But it seems the easiest thing to feel."

The lion walked forward, his paws making barely any noise despite his weight. "The easiest thing is not always the right thing."

She inhaled deeply and knew he was no longer talking about her feelings. "No, it's not," she echoed, staring at the castle into the distance.

"This is what your father has prepared you for your entire life," Aslan spoke softly.

Ashara struggled to speak through the lump that had appeared within her throat. "He never prepared me for losing you."

The lion hung his head slightly, bent by an impossible weight. "He made you strong and that is all you will ever need, dear one."

The only reply she could muster was a nod.

"Come," Aslan said as he began to walk away. "It is time."

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Hey guys! I'm finally back with another chapter!

I really wanted to focus on Ashara and her powers this time. How she feels the weight of being a Watcher and being responsible for keeping the balance. I absolutely love exploring her powers and how they work. Especially considering what's about to happen...

Also, I made a new cover and gif banner. I'm insanely proud of they both turned out! Hopefully you guys like them as well. You can take a look in the Graphic Gallery if you want to see the cover more closely.

As always, please comment your thoughts. I love hearing from you all!

Much love, Nelly