Chapter Text
Athena exited her new tent that she shared with Lucy and Susan wearing a royal blue Narnian dress. She had her sword sheathed and around her waist and a book on battle strategy in hand. Susan and Lucy were sitting by the river and Athena had decided to join them, even if only to sit and read her book. When she got to the river they were talking about the war back home.
“The professor doesn’t tell me much of the war” Athena said as she looked up from her book for a moment.
“It’s terrible, the things they are doing. Thats why we are staying with you in the first place.” Susan replied.
“I like these dresses” Lucy said.
“Mum used to have lots of dresses like these before the war Lucy.” Susan whispered.
“Maybe we could bring her a whole trunk full of dresses when we get home!” Lucy said excitedly to Susan.
“If we ever get back” Susan said. Athena had never heard her sound so defeated, so she did what any good friend would do and she gave Susan a hug.
“You will get home, you will see Edmund again, and everything will be just fine” Athena assured her. She felt Susan relax slightly at her words. Athena then remembered a song, as if she had known it by heart, though she had never heard a it. She began to sing sweetly “
‘You’re headed for heaven
The sweet old hereafter
And I’ve got one foot in the door
But before I can fly up
I’ve got loose ends to tie up right here
In the old therebefore
I’ll be along when I’ve finished my song
When I’ve shut down the band
Played out my hand
Paid all my debts
Have no regrets right here
In the old therebefore
I’ll catch you up when I’ve emptied my cup
When I’ve worn out my friends
When I’ve burned out both ends
When I’ve cried all my tears
When I’ve conquered my fears right here
In the old therebefore
Where nothing is left anymore
I’ll bring the news when I’ve danced off my shoes
When my body’s closed down
When my boats run aground
And I’m flat on the floor right here
In the old therebefore
Where nothing is left anymore’”
“Where did you hear that song?” Lucy asked in awe.
“It just came to me, like a vision from the future, or another world. Aslan knows.” Athena answered.
Susan got up, trying to break the odd tension, and splashed the water at Lucy and Athena. Soon they were all splashing the water back and forth giggling at each other while doing it. Eventually Susan got out of the stream and went over to the towels, Athena’s necklace began to warm up and when Susan pulled a towel a wolf appeared and growled. Athena saw Susan’s horn nearby and ran to it grabbing it before running back to the others and scaling a tree to get away from the growling wolves.
She handed the horn to Susan and Susan quickly blew into it, calling for help. It wasn’t long before Peter showed up with his sword drawn. There were three wolves circling Peter. Some of the Narnians came through to see what the noise was about and were about to attack when Aslan told them not to. He pinned one wolf to the ground with his paw and left the other two circling Peter. Athena could see one of the wolves getting ready to pounce so she dropped from the tree with her sword drawn and stabbed the wolf. It seemed, at the same time the other wolf had pounced on Peter, making Athena slightly worried but she saw he was alright.
Aslan released the third wolf, “go, he will lead you to Edmund.” A large herd of Narnians took after the wolf.
—
The next morning when Susan, Lucy, and Athena exited their tent they saw Edmund speaking to Aslan, looking ashamed. Lucy screamed his name and tried to run, but Athena grabbed hold of her.
“Lucy, let him speak to Aslan.” She said.
It was too late, Aslan and Edmund had heard them and turned towards them. Then Aslan dismissed Edmund.
“Get some sleep” Peter said to him. As Edmund began walking away to the tent he called out again “Edmund? Try not to wander off this time.” His joking had already improved Edmund’s mood, that much was obvious.
—
The white witch had arrived at their camp and made some sort of negotiation about Edmund with Aslan. She emerged from his tent looking victorious and turned to him.
“How do I know you will keep your word?”
To this, he roared loudly, making her drop to her seat in fear. Before the white witch left, she paused for a moment and stared at Athena. Her pale skin and white hair shined in the sun as she stared at Athena’s matching features. Once she seemed satisfied by her observations, she tapped her seat to tell them she was ready to leave. The white witch left and people were happily talking about Edmund being back and the white witch renouncing her claim on him. Athena could see the pain in Aslan’s eyes though, she knew something wasn’t right.