𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐄𝐎𝐔𝐒 [chronicles of narnia]

10

"I understand child," Aslan began, "You are scared. Scared of change, scared of losing your brother, scared of sacrificing your old life. I understand, but- no one will force you to adorn an ornate dress or to 'set an example'. You have Susan and Peter to do that. Maybe they need someone to look up to in the midst of a battle. Maybe they need a Knight, someone who isn't in full command but someone who will lead them, even if that's usually the High kings job."

The girl was silent trying to process what the lion had said, "What a-are you saying-?" Eliza stammered, her nerves rising.

"Eliza Pevensie, Daughter of Eve, you will be our Knight of Narnia, A great leader of the Order of The Lion. You are young and in dire need of training but I believe one day, you will do Narnia justice." Aslan nodded, making the girls mouth open slightly in shock.

Eliza gulped, "Aslan... how do you know I'm ready when I don't even think I am." She sighed, "It's a lot to take on."

"My child, Narnia needs you and your siblings in order to reach its destiny." Aslan continued, "Do you know what's inscribed into the metal of your sword?". Elizas hand gripped the hilt and she drew her sword out slowly.

"I don't speak Narnian-" Eliza began, only to be cut off by a deep chuckle from the lion.

"It's Latin, Young one." Aslan smiled encouragingly, "Audentis Fortuna Iuvat, Aut Viam, Iveniam Aut Facium." Eliza scrunched her eyebrows in confusion.

"Do you know what it means?" The lion questioned making the girl shake her head, "Fortune Favours the Brave, I will either find a way or make one." Eliza studied the sword, her fingers once again tracing the silver lettering.

"That's- incredible." Eliza stammered in bafflement, as the lion turned to her.

"Eliza, place the sword in front of you." Aslan suddenly instructed, as the girl obliged, "Now, Kneel."

Eliza knelt down on a singular knee, her head bowed as Aslan looks down to her. The lion placed a heavy paw on her shoulder, making her a unsteady for a few seconds before she regained her balance. "Queen Eliza, Second Daughter of Eve, I grant upon you the Knight of the Noble Order of the Lion. Rise, Dame Eliza, bringer of peace and protecter of the people." The lion roared loudly, as he lifted his paw, signifying that the girl had officially been knighted.

A few cheers from below rang through The Valley as the girl stood. She hadn't realised that there were onlookers watching the ordeal from below. The people on the ground all let's out yells of joy at their newest knight.

"Thank you, Aslan." She nodded in gratitude, her face plastered with a grin, the smile soon turning to a straight line as her nerves once again spiked... surely this wasn't happening, she was still a kid, a kid who was barely reaching eleven years old.

"You are braver than you think, Eliza." Aslan stated, The girls eyes widened upon hearing. First Father Christmas, now Aslan? Surely she couldn't be that brave.

The girl opened her mouth to reply but the sound of a horn echoed through The Valley, "Is that-?" She began

"Susan's horn." Aslan interrupted gravely, "Let's go." The girl nodded and sprinted down the hill following her brother who was sprinting ahead of them, crying out for their sisters. Eliza finally arrived at the scene, while Aslan and a small group of soldiers appeared. Aslan pinned the second wolf to the ground as Eliza drew her sword ready to help Peter.