Chapter Text
Chapter 04
Among Kings and Centaurs
Faster than shadows, the group rode onward under Aslan’s lead. Near the journey's end, he mentioned rest would be possible soon - dawn crept close, exhaustion obvious in their steps. One girl, the blonde one, believed him instantly, heavy eyelids fighting a losing battle. Speed blurred every shape into streaks of dark and light. Only two figures stayed clear: Rei beside her, solid as stone, and ahead, the steady glow of the Lion’s mane.
Into the curve of the other she fit, head tilting sideways onto a shoulder. Surprise flickered across Rei’s face - then melted into something warm, slow, like sunlight pooling on skin.
“Will you still be here when I open my eyes?” Serena asked.
Rei's grin spread wide when she turned to her friend, then pressed a soft kiss to the cheek while pulling them closer. A quiet moment lingered after that.
“Of course! I promised I would never leave.”
Her voice fading into stillness, Serena let go, drifting under a quiet sleep. Without seeing it happen, Rei missed how Aslan's steps grew slower, just as she didn’t feel herself slipping away moments later.
Sunlight touched Serena’s face when she woke up. Safety wrapped around her like a blanket, though confusion lingered. The previous evening came back - running away from the place where her father left her without saying goodbye. Deep inside woods, someone appeared. That person now sat beside her, arms gently around her shoulders. A girl with dark hair slept lightly, still cradling Serena close. Movement stirred under the morning light as Serena turned just enough to see her protector’s calm expression. Trust formed quietly between them, wordless yet strong. This girl had become an anchor in one restless night.
Floating up from sleep, Rei found herself warm inside. Nights lately had been restless - her parents gone, shadows creeping through her thoughts when lights went out. This morning though, nothing dark pulled at her mind. Whatever played behind her closed eyelids stayed hidden, yet left a trace: softness, laughter, arms like sunlight wrapped around her heart. Blinking awake, two pools of sky-blue held her gaze, deeper than anything she thought possible among stars. A grin curled slowly as memory filled in whose face framed those eyes.
“Are you sure you’re not an angel?” Rei ventured to ask.
A soft laugh bubbled up from the girl with light hair, her lips briefly touching the side of her friend's face.
“Thank you for keeping your promise.”
Up rose Serena, eyes sweeping the space. They were Inside some kind of shelter, huge beyond belief, stretched out beneath thick covers on earth. Standing now too, Rei scanned every corner, puzzled by how they got here - or why. Just then, thoughts drifting to the great lion who pulled them through frost and dark, something moved at the edge of sight. A shape stepped forward - not quite right, not quite familiar - a being with a woman's upper half yet below? The form shifted into that of an animal, strong haunches, hooves firm on soil, part human, part horse, standing calm.
She moved back, uneasy beneath that looming shape - towering past Aslan, beyond any height Serena could recall. That shift didn’t escape Rei; reading hesitation in her stance, she shifted forward instead, blocking the view while still watching what stood there.
“I also promised to protect you, don’t be afraid, Sere…”
Not afraid, okay? She came close, set down a tray. A smile warmed her face. Food sat there, also steamy milk. The table took its weight gently. Her voice stayed soft like morning light
Breakfast made her grin. Holding Rei’s hand they walked toward the table.
“Thanks,” Serena replied before picking up her fork.
Even so, Rei kept her eyes on the odd person, while that one did nothing but return a quiet smile.
“Who are you, and where are we?” Rei asked firmly.
“My name is Elineda. We are in the Dancing Meadow, near the Torrent River. Aslan awaits you outside once you have finished breakfast, little ones… both of you.” She gave Rei a meaningful look, and Rei understood the message, beginning to eat alongside Serena.
Elineda stepped out from the tent moving toward Oreius - the head of the Ranetco centaur group - deep in talk with the Great Lion. When she reached them, a bow came naturally to Aslan, then quiet stillness at her partner's side.
“The little ones have already awakened and are having breakfast,” Elineda reported.
“Aslan asks that we not only care for them, but also train them as warriors within our clan. What do you think?” Oreius asked his partner.
Something about the way he looked made Elineda pause. His eyes held a flicker of worry, just beneath the surface. She didn’t know why, but the choice now rested with her - left by him without explanation.
“If Aslan asks this of us, we must not refuse, but I am intrigued to know why,” Elineda concluded.
“These girls represent the future of their world, which will be in danger,” the Lion began. “And if they do not learn to defend themselves, that place will vanish. I brought them here because I know I can trust you, and that they will learn what is necessary to guide their people.”
“Are they from the same place as the Kings and Queens?” Oreius asked. Aslan nodded. “Then we shall train them. We will not allow the world of the sons of Adam and the daughters of Eve to disappear.”
A soft grin touched Aslan's face when he shifted his weight and caught sight of the children stepping from their tent. Their fingers linked together stood out clearly under morning light. Rei moved slightly forward, placing herself between the blonde girl and anything unknown. Safety seemed built into each stride she took.
A flicker passed through those violet eyes, odd yet familiar, though Oreius couldn’t name it. It stood out - he knew that much
“The brunette would die before allowing anything to happen to the other little one.”
“That is right, my friend. It is in her nature. Serena would do the same for Rei. Though they do not know it yet, the two of them need each other,” Aslan explained.
She thought about what Aslan had said, sensing hidden meaning behind his voice. Yet it wasn’t her place to challenge the intentions of such a powerful being.
Something moved near the edge of sight. Rei and Serena turned slowly, eyes scanning shapes that shifted in the half-light. Not people - creatures, all resembling Elineda but stretched or small, maybe young, maybe old. Hard to tell. Up front, one figure stood out: it was here again, Aslan, the lion that helped them the night before.
“Welcome to the land of Narnia, Rei and Serena. Do not fear, for we are among friends,” said the Lion.
Smiling, the blonde found comfort in the thought of companionship - right now, Rei stood alone as her closest companion.
"What makes them look strage?" Serena asked, wide-eyed, then got a sharp nudge from Rei.
"you are the strange ones" A strange voice piped up, sharp with irritation. It came from nearby.
“Arius, behave, for they are daughters of Eve,” Oreius ordered.
Out of nowhere, sharp breaths filled the air. Back came Oreius with the rest of the Clan’s fighters, fresh from crowning the new rulers once the fight with the White Witch ended. Most young ones and mothers among the centaurs stayed behind that day for different causes. Because of that, none had seen the royal faces up close until now.
“My mother’s name is not Eve,” Serena said.
Loud laughs spread through the group, mostly from those with gray hair. Those still young, such as Arius, stayed quiet, faces tight. Confusion showed clearly on the smallest faces.
"Of course you can’t be serious, Dad, calling them queens," Arius muttered, almost scoffing. It didn’t matter to him if they came from Eve’s line - he saw only kids, nothing more, and if those girls could stand on a war field, then stopping him from joining made no sense at all.
“They are not, young Arius, but they come from the same place as the Kings and Queens,” Aslan intervened.
Something strange hung in the air between Rei and Serena - eyes on them, unseen but certain. Quiet stretched out, heavy, for what felt like ages. Out of stillness came an older man, slow in step. He didn’t tower above; instead, he shifted down, wanting to meet their gaze straight on. A glance passed first - to Aslan, then to Oreius - for unspoken approval. Only after their quiet yes did he reach forward, palm open
“Hello, my name is Radames. Aslan told us your names, little ones, but who is who?”
Her fingers slipped free of Rei’s grip, reaching now to the unknown figure standing there. That person took hold, their touch surprisingly soft.
"Four years old - that’s me, Serena. How old are you?" Her buddy jabbed an elbow her way. Letting go of Radames’ hand, she rubbed where it hurt. "Ouch. That was not meant to keep me safe, you'll leave a mark. Why are you hurting me, Rei?" Tears slipped down her cheeks - sudden, quiet - because maybe she didn’t care anymore. The idea stung worse than any hit. She stared at her, voice thin like paper breaking. Being close used to feel like shelter. Now it just felt cold. Her breath shook, unsure how things got so sharp between them. She stood there silent, which somehow said too much. Trust had cracked without warning. A moment ago, everything seemed steady. Then this. Pain wasn’t supposed to come from someone who promised warmth. She wiped one cheek slowly, watching her eyes look everywhere but hers. Distance grew where laughter once filled space. Words stuck in her throat, heavy and unhelpful. Nothing made sense except the ache under her ribs. His hand twitched forward then stopped - almost sorry, almost something more. But she turned first, stepping back into stillness. Moments pass louder when they break what should stay whole.
Fingers trembling, she stepped forward when seeing those tears fall. Hugging tight, the dark-haired girl held the weeping figure close, regret heavy in her chest.
"Sorry, Sere, I never wanted to upset you… yet asking someone older their age isn’t quite right." That appeared to ease the tension in the blonde, who eased back just a little from Rei - still held, still looking toward the centaur.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Radames, I didn’t mean to offend you,” Serena apologized.
With a smile, Radames rose, resting a hand on the blonde's shoulder while touching Rei’s head with the other.
"Fear not, your words didn’t hurt me. Time has passed in such amounts that keeping track feels pointless now." A quiet smile formed on his lips. Something flickered in Rei’s gaze - unusual, sharp. That flash wasn’t missed by Oreius either. As Radames drew near and murmured close, clarity arrived like dawn.
“That little one seems to have the gift of vision. She must be taught to use it, my Lord.”
“If you accept, I would like to entrust you with that task,” Oreius offered.
“It would be a great honor,” said Radames. He dipped his head toward Aslan, then slipped back among the people.
Out of nowhere, Oreius knelt by the children, his face softening. Not a tear in sight now on the girl with light hair, yet she stayed locked around her companion, arms tight like a shield. That friend didn’t pull away - just kept one hand steady across her back.
“Rei and Serena, I am Oreius, leader of the Ranetco Clan. We centaurs live in the forests, and some of us are part of the Royal Guard. Welcome to the Dancing Meadow, your new home.” Rei and Serena nodded and separated to make the traditional bow, thanking him for his kindness.
“CENTAURS! These girls are now part of our Clan. It is our duty to care for them and train them to be noble warriors.”
A few folks grinned, others shouted happily - yet a teenage centaur stood quiet. Looking down another path, he stopped cold when the huge lion appeared right there.
“Arius, your father only sought to protect you and the Clan. Do not be angry with him. Besides, I have a special mission for you…” said the Lion, knowing this would hold the young centaur’s attention. “… Rei and Serena are young and will need help to adapt. I want you to care for them as if they were your sisters.”
“They already are. My father welcomed them into the Clan,” Arius said angrily.
“You know that is not what I mean. I understand the pain you felt at losing your sister to Jadys, and nothing can bring her back or ease your sorrow… these two have also lost someone. Care for them.” With that, he turned and walked away. Arius returned his attention to his father’s words.
“Our sisters now need a name by which they will be called only by other Centaurs, and which no one else will know until they find the person with whom they will share their life…” Oreius said firmly.
A pause settled before Radames moved toward the circle's heart. The young faces watched close. He saw that opening, stepped into it.
“I believe Rei may be called Tletl,” Radames offered.
“Tletl? That’s a strange name, I think it will be hard to get used to…” Rei said.
“It is a beautiful name, and only Centaurs would call you that, especially those of other clans, Rei…” Elineda began. “Do you know what Tletl means?” Rei shook her head. “It means fire.”
For a second, Rei paused. Something about it clicked inside her, though she could not say what
“Very well, if that is to be my name, could Sere’s be something that means or represents the Moon?” the little one asked.
"What makes you want that, then?" Oreius asked, watching Rei turn a bit red.
“Because the first time I looked into her eyes, I saw the full Moon reflected in them.” She spoke still blushing, but smiling at her friend.
"Fine by me," Serena said, her smile spreading.
“Then you shall be known as Metzli,” Elineda concluded
Time moved on. By now, Rei and Serena knew how to live deep in the woods, their hands steady with a bow, just as sure with a long staff - this one suited the golden-haired girl best. Swords were new to them, practice just starting.
Ferocity marked Rei’s moves, while Serena covered each opening without fail. A strong pair emerged whenever they fought side by side, thanks to their instinctive defense skills. Their joint attacks struck hard because one shielded all routes, the other pressed forward relentlessly.
From the very start, Oreius treated them like his own, raising them without hesitation. Love grew slowly, feeling more real with each passing season. Seeing Arius show little kindness weighed heavily on him. Still, there was relief in knowing he guided their days, shaping their skills. Now word had spread - Rei’s Fire Readings caught royal attention. Summoned by the Kings and Queens, Oreius went back to Cair Paravel. Alongside him, they summoned Arius, Rei, and Serena too.
Last winter took Radames, yet every lesson he gave on watching flames stayed sharp in Rei's mind. At first, understanding the fire felt impossible for her, still practice under his guidance plus Serena always standing by made the skill take root slowly. Not perfect, true, reading embers held risks if twisted toward personal gain - so she chose a boundary: never using it for herself, only offering clarity when someone else needed sight.
At eleven, she moved through the trees beside galloping hooves toward Cair Paravel. That city pulled at Serena like a thread tied deep - ever since the name first reached her ears. Before this trip came ruins humming near stone pillars, sunlight breaking thick under green canopies, frozen light by broken lamps. Nights were spent near rushing bends where water curled around rocks, voices exchanged under open sky with folk whose homes sat beyond hills in Archenland. Somewhere ahead, maybe salt wind would slap their faces while ships pitched over eastern waves. Tall figures with heavy steps somewhere north stirred thoughts when silence fell between words.
Fans blew loud horns as they stepped into Cair Paravel, where a long table groaned under roasted meats and fruit for the Ranetco folk and their fighters. The royal siblings showed up after dark, robes sweeping stone floors, yet Rei's breath caught tight each time Serena turned away, deep in laughter with Queen Lucy by the firelight.
Pain tugged at Rei’s side as she stepped back from the noise, taking position near the edge of the Great Hall. Her eyes stayed fixed on Serena, alert, prepared to move if trouble appeared. Something about the way the blonde laughed with someone new - someone unknown - sat wrong inside her chest, especially since they both knew better. Yet across the space, Serena kept glancing her way, curious, studying how the dark-haired girl held herself apart. That moment ended when Arius came close, speaking into the quiet around Rei, whose jaw was already tight with irritation.
"It's okay not to fret. This spot, Cair Paravel, keeps everyone safe," mentioned the centaur, aware of what truly bothered her.
"Who can say? One never knows", Rei said while moving off beside the path.
Arius found the thought hard to swallow, yet he’d watched how “his sisters” grew close through time. Still children, really - same age as him back when they first stepped into Narnia - and he could tell shifts would come once they noticed what their glances truly meant, especially toward anyone causing harm. Curious, he brought it up with his mother; her words made sense, and suddenly he stood there puzzled, thinking about how they might one day see it in themselves. A promise given to Aslan weighed on him - he vowed to protect them both - but now protection felt uncertain, unclear if holding space between them or guiding them forward counted more.
Maybe a handful of years remain. That’s when he’d start caring, thought Arius silently - unaware a shadow stood near, eyes fixed on the woman with brown hair since dusk began.
“They may be children, but the bond that holds them is incredibly strong.”
Arius spun around, meeting the gaze of King Edmund the Just. Bowing low, he spoke with quiet curiosity
“King Edmund, what do you mean?”
“Just call me Edmund, and I think it’s obvious.” He directed his gaze toward Serena, who was excusing herself from Lucy and heading toward Rei, surely about to leave the feast. “That pair is made for each other, though they have not yet realized it. It is fortunate that looks cannot kill, and that my sister is Queen - otherwise she would have been gravely wounded by Rei for stealing the attention of her heart.”
Days became rutine. Warriors already on site shifted into fresh routines, reshuffling guard posts and timing across the hours. Peace mattered deeply here, everyone agreed. Still, rulers understood - calm needed strength behind it when danger came near. Some fights happened far north, where Telmarine holdouts clashed again. Others unfolded at southern borders, facing soldiers out of Calormen.
Not far past the border, Archenland stood as a steady ally to Narnia. Lately though, Calormene raids grew sharper, pushing closer to Anvard’s walls. Still, the defenders held their ground. In those fights, Serena and Rei fought with unmatched precision - each move fitting like stone into mortar. Word reached camp through centaur scouts: they moved as one, never stumbling over each other's rhythm. Around the firelight, Lucy shared laughter easily with Serena. As for Rei, her sharp edges confused Lucy - but not once did that flame fail when guidance mattered most.
Music lessons were the last thing on Rei's mind before arriving in Narnia - but her parents had insisted. Finding fauns playing tunes at Cair Paravel brought it all back. She started meeting with them regularly, drawn by rhythms older than memory. Serena lit up whenever she heard, always requesting new pieces. Despite that, Rei held her ground, declining every time.
Time moved slow in Cair Paravel, and Rei felt its weight each day. Staying there wasn’t easy, yet Serena kept her rooted. A vow made long ago played a part - she had sworn never to walk away. Beyond duty, though, came the truth: mornings without Serena felt hollow. What lived between them defied words, nameless but real.
They turned fourteen, and still Rei and Serena kept close, which stirred Arius’s worry anew. The king saw too - saw how truth leaned on Edmund’s earlier words, ones Peter had brushed aside back when the pair first stepped into Cair Paravel’s halls.
King Peter planned a journey into Archenland. On it went Lucy, Edmund, Arius, Rei, Serena, plus two fauns - Orek and Ordan. Trouble stirred before they even left the borderlands. Not all magic sees clearly, especially when flames cannot light the path ahead.