✲⋅*♚ ,∴°

𝕭𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐈: 𝖂𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝖂𝐀𝐑

𝕮𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝕰𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧: sacrifice

AFTER THE CHEERS OF CELEBRATION back at the camp, the quiet of the forest weighed heavy on her shoulders. The only sound to be heard were her soft footsteps on the ground and the steps of Aslan, who walked beside her. His earlier words still echoed through her mind. She knew he was right, yet she couldn't let go of the small flame of anger burning within her heart. It was foolish to blame the Deep Magic, as it was an impartial force, still in that moment Ashara hated it. She hated its laws, which so unfairly demanded an innocent life be taken in order to restore the balance. She hated her connection to yet, which demanded she was the living embodiment of that balance.

Though, most of all, she hated that she could not protect anyone from it.

Edmund's treachery, no matter the reason, had caused innocents to suffer. Which meant that black magic had gained the upper hand. And so, to make sure white magic would be stronger once again, the only way to save him was for a willing innocent to suffer for him. The white side of the Deep Magic did not demand a life to be taken, except the life of someone willing. It was the only way the Deep Magic could assure Edmund would not be tempted to make the same choices and cause unbalance once again.

Ashara knew this and some small, hidden, part of her even agreed with it. After all, she'd been raised to understand and enforce the laws of magic. But she blamed herself for not failing to see it sooner, to not have stopped Edmund, to not have saved him and stop all this suffering. She was starting to fear her father may not have taught her enough to guide the kings and queens...

"Clear your mind, child," Aslan's calming voice spoke from beside her. "Do not add more worry to an already troubled mind."

Suddenly, she felt selfish for only thinking about her own failures and fears. It was Aslan who had willingly chosen to make this sacrifice. She should be comforting him, not the other way around. Yet she could not find the words to do so. It felt like the words to comfort the most powerful person she knew did not exist.

A branch snapped behind them. Ashara spun around, hand reaching for her sword, only to remember she'd left it back at the camp. The only weapon she'd brought was the concealed knife in her boot but she wouldn't be able to reach it without their attacker noticing.

But Aslan stood calmly and looked over his shoulder, saying a few simple words: "Shouldn't you both be in bed?"

Hesitantly, Lucy and Susan appeared from behind a tree.

With a sigh, Ashara relaxed and dropped her hand.

"We couldn't sleep," Lucy said.

"Please, Aslan, couldn't we come with you?" Susan asked.

Everything within her protested at the very idea. They shouldn't have to witness what was about to happen. But it wasn't up to her to decide.

"I would be glad of the company for a while," the Great Lion answered. "Thank you."

Lucy walked up to Aslan's right side, softly stroking his mane. While Susan came walking next to Ashara on his left. They continued in silence, but it felt different this time. The air weighed far less heavy on her shoulders, as if the company of the queens had brightened the night. She realized then that she did not need to use words in order to comfort Aslan. Simply being here, walking with him, was enough to expel the loneliness.

As they walked, Susan looked at her with questioning eyes, but Ashara shook her head. It was up to Aslan to tell them, or to say nothing. Susan frowned and looked away, lost in thought. Wordlessly, Ashara hooked her arm through Susan's. The daughter of Eve pulled her closer, the two of them leaning on each other as they walked further into the night.

They were reaching the edge of the forest when Aslan came to a halt. "It is time." He turned to face the three of them. "From here, Ashara and I will go on together."

Susan stepped forward. "But Aslan-"

"You have to trust me," he interrupted her gently. "For this must be done. Thank you, Susan. Thank you, Lucy. And farewell."

With soft steps and a low hanging head, he walked on.

Ashara tried to offer the two of them a reassuring smile but couldn't manage one. "I will see you at sunrise," she whispered. Then she turned and followed the lion.

As the trees were getting thinner and more widespread, Ashara could see the flickers of torches up ahead. Screeches and howls grew louder as they walked. Her heart was racing in her chest but she took a deep breath and forced herself to keep moving forward.

At the edge of the forest stood a hill. Placed at the top was the Stone Table. It was created to hold ceremonies in accordance with the Deep Magic. Ashara could still remember many weddings and celebrations of a new law happening on top of the hill. Though since Jadis had taken over Narnia, it was mainly used as an execution table. She doubted it would ever be used as a place of celebration again after today.

The entire hill was swarming with dark creatures, their faces even more cruel in the shadows created by the torches they held. Their cheering, howling and screaming made her wince and she clenched her fists to stop herself from trembling. She refused to show weakness.

When they reached the foot of the hill, they slowed to a stop, facing a group of Minotaurs guarding the perimeter. She turned to look at Aslan and knew this was where she would have to leave him.

"I wish you did not have to do this alone," she said softly, struggling to hold back tears.

Aslan looked at her with sorrowful eyes. "We each have our own path to take."

She bowed, as deeply as she possibly could and when she stood, her tears were gone. He didn't need her sadness. He needed her faith. She inhaled deeply and walked up to one of the Minotaurs. His fur was white as snow and two golden bands were wrapped around his horns.

"Take me to her," she demanded, standing straight and voice like steel.

The Minotaur grunted and grabbed her arm. He walked with great steps and Ashara had to struggle to keep up, knowing that he wouldn't stop if she fell. The beast took her around the hill and she was thankful for not being taken through the crowd. Jadis had probably ordered that the path leading from the bottom of the hill up to the table, was to be taken by Aslan alone. She couldn't see him any more but judging by the sound victorious howls, he had started his climb to the top.

They approached the Stone Table from behind and she involuntarily shivered when her eyes fell upon the Witch. Jadis awaited Aslan with a knife in her hand,wearing a long black dress that made the night seem like her home.

The Minotaur placed Ashara at the left corner of the table and though he let go of her arm, he remained nearby, his axe ready should she try anything. But even if she desperately wanted to, Ashara knew there was nothing she could do.

"How good of you to finally come out of hiding, Watcher," Jadis spoke without even looking at her. "You've chosen quite a moment to do so."

Ashara pressed her lips together.

"You would ignore your queen?" the white-furred Minotaur growled.

"She's not my queen," Ashara hissed through clenched teeth.

He raised his axe but Jadis held up her hand.

"Don't you dare touch her, Talos," she said, her voice eerily calm. "If she dies, the Deep Magic will be unleashed upon this world, uncontrollable."

For a moment Talos studied the Watcher before him, as if considering his chances. Then he scoffed and lowered his axe.

Ashara turned her back to him and focused her gaze on the stairs.

Aslan walked calm and without haste. He ignored every growl and snarl in his direction and kept moving forward with grace. When he reached the top, Jadis climbed upon the table, eyes glimmering with the pleasure of having the King at her mercy.

"Behold. The great lion."

Sneers and laughter broke out amongst her followers. Yet Aslan did not so much as blink.

General Otmin, a great black Minotaur and Jadis' second in command, walked up to meet the lion. He poked his side with the blunt end of his axe. Aslan growled softly but otherwise did nothing.

The general looked at his queen questioningly.

The witch raised her head, granting him permission.

With a roar the Minotaur turned back to his prey. He swung his axe and threw Aslan on his side. The lion hit the ground hard and Ashara winced. The dark creatures howled with deafening cheers as Otmin raised his axe to show off his daring approach to the King.

"Bind him!" Jadis demanded.

Thick, black ropes were brought forward. For a moment Aslan was taken from her sight completely as Jadis' followers crowded around him, all of them eager to be the one to bind him. When they finally stepped back, Ashara could see the ropes were pulled unnecessarily tight. Still, Aslan did not resist.

"Wait," Jadis said, "let him first be shaved."

A trembling gasp fell from her lips as she watched a Black Dwarf pull out his knife and cut off part of his mane. He held it up in the air, receiving cheers and laughter. Then he threw it on the ground, the golden hairs trampled as the creatures swarmed even closer. Hands, knives, claws, everything pulled and tugged at the golden crown on Aslan's head.

She kept telling herself he needed her faith. It was the only thing keeping her tears at bay. Their cruelty sickened her and awoke a long forgotten battle rage within her. The adrenaline pumping through her veins right before charging into the enemy came rushing back at that moment, overwhelming her. How dare they, cried her heart, how dare they lay hands on him.

Jadis watched the carnage with an eerie calmth. "Bring him to me."

His body was dragged along the ground, then pushed up on the table. The ropes were pulled even tighter as they bound him upon the slab of stone. Victorious snarls and shouts echoed through the night. Then the Witch raised her arm and suddenly all was quiet.

Ashara took a deep breath.

It was time.

She barely had to call upon her magic. It came rushing to the surface immediately, as though it had been watching the cruel proceedings closely and knew what it had to do. Her veins lit up with golden light and flames flickered within her eyes. She held out her hands, palms turned upwards. In her right hand appeared a ball of golden light, steady and glowing softly. The light in her left hand, however, was an icy blue, restless shadows swirling within. It was far larger than the sphere of gold, but not for much longer.

Three Hags, standing in a circle around the table, hit their staff on the ground in a steady rhythm, breaking the silence. The sound was like a pulse, sending waves of warnings through the crowd. Beware all who dare to cross the will of the Witch.

Then the howling and snarling picked up once again and Ashara felt repulsed. They were cheering for his death. How could anyone be so cruel?

Behind her though, it was strangely quiet. She dared a quick look over her shoulder and frowned when she saw Talos standing still as a statue. He made no noise, his brown eyes focused on the beaten and bruised shape of the lion bound to the table. He looked almost...apprehensive.

As if he could feel her staring, his gaze snapped back to hers and Ashara was quick to turn back around. Though the image of the Minotaur watching the proceedings with such hesitation was burned into her mind.

Slowly, almost delicately, Jadis sat down beside Aslan and whispered something only he could hear. Even if she strained, Ashara could not make out the words above the noise. Maybe she should have been glad of it because the way Aslan slightly sagged made her heart tremble in her chest.

Jadis rose to her feet and addressed her army with a booming voice. "Tonight, the Deep Magic will be appeased!"

Ashara could feel their cruel and taunting eyes turn towards her as she held up the two glowing spheres. Many of them looked afraid and she briefly wondered what they even knew about the workings of magic. Maybe they feared it because the dark magic they saw Jadis using was the only side they knew. Could she have convinced them otherwise, had she tried?

"But tomorrow," Jadis continued, "we will take Narnia forever!"

The Hags fastened the rhythm, joined by the Dwarves beating their drums and the Minotaurs stamping their feet. Ashara could feel magic gathering around her, like the waves of the ocean were pulling her, but she kept standing. She knew she didn't need to fear the tide.

"In that knowledge, despair," the Witch raised her knife, "and, die!"

Jadis fell to her knees, bringing the knife down with her.

It struck his heart.

Aslan breathed out slowly, then closed his eyes.

The two spheres of light moved towards each other and with a blinding flash of light, they merged into one. Blue melted into gold, the shadows now trapped by strings of light. Ashara closed her hands and like a candle being blown out, the light vanished. It was done, but the cost had been far too high...

"The Great Cat is dead!"

While the dark creatures celebrated, Ashara sobbed. She covered her mouth with her hands, shaking all over. Though, through her tears she noticed Jadis taking a controlled breath. It seemed like killing Aslan had shaken her more than she wanted to show. Slaying a being of such might must be felt in some way.

"General," Jadis said, turning to Otmin. "Prepare your troops for battle. However short it may be."

The Minotaur nodded and roared ferociously, gathering his men to him.

The Witch descended from the table, stone cold gaze now turned towards Ashara. "You lose, Watcher."

Ashara held her head high. "I have been fighting for a hundred years. I don't plan on ending this quietly."

Jadis snorted in disdain. She raised a casual arm, then backhanded Ashara with a blow so powerful that her body lurched and spun, then fell to the ground. The world spun in blurred colours. She had to remind herself to keep breathing. She tried to get up, but her legs were trembling. She couldn't move. Through her blurred vision she could see Jadis walking away, black dress trailing behind her like a shadow as she disappeared into the night.

A great white shape knelt down next to her. A hand grabbed her arm and hauled her to her feet. She was almost sick from the sudden overwhelming dizziness.

"I'll see you on the battlefield, Watcher," Talos said before following the rest of the army down the hill.

She stumbled towards the stone table and held onto it for support. Then was almost sick again when her view finally sharpened and she caught sight of the slain lion. With her back against the stone, she sunk to the ground, yet she did not cry.

This was no time for tears. Not when there was still a battle to fight.

And fight she would.

✲⋅*♚ ,∴°

Chapter 18 is here!

To be honest, I kind of procrastinated on this chapter. This scene was very hard to describe and I really wanted to capture the emotions that I feel whenever I watch this scene. I'm not sure that I've done so, but still, I'm proud of how it turned out! I hope this chapter gave you guys at least some feels ;)

The part where Jadis' slaps Ashara is inspired by a scene in first book of the Mistborn trilogy: Final Empire. I recently finished reading it and thought it was an awesome scene. All credits go to Brandon Sanderson for that one!

Please let me know your thoughts in the comments. I'd love to hear from you guys! And as always, thank you all so so so much for the support on this story! It does not go unnoticed and I'm super grateful for every vote, comment and read!

Much love,

Nelly