moon

When you first opened your eyes this morning, you knew there was something very different about today. You inhaled deeply and the cool air soared into your lungs. The chill in the room was heavy. It took a lot of motivation to get up out of your warm bed. But you were immediately rewarded with the sight of the first snow of winter in Narnia. The snow in London was well... regular snow. Not nearly as remarkable as the shimmery white tufts that covered the courtyard. It almost doesn't look real, as if you woke up in a painting by accident.

Was everything in Narnia magical? You wouldn't be surprised if it was. The snowflakes that fell added a perfect ambience to your freezing room. When you took your first steps out of bed, the floor was very cold. You reached quickly for your slippers and slid them on.

You walked over and opened your wardrobe to see your winter wear ready for you to put it on. The colors were similar to ones you normally wore, only now the fabric was much thicker to combat the chill. The many layers did their job in warming you initially. But once you stopped moving to apply the next layer, you began to cool off a bit. There was only so much that could be done when the winter wind seeped through the window seals and doors.

You had only been in Narnia for a few weeks, and it felt like the true winter weather had not hit until now. You had not started your hearth because there was not much of a need until now. You liked to sleep cold most of the time, but clearly you overestimated how cold this morning would be.

You sat at your vanity and did your hair. Nothing special really. You detangled your mane and styled it in something simple. You then cleaned your teeth, before heading out to see the best view of the snow in the castle. You had been in this library more than a few times already. All because you could not get enough of a certain view near the back.

"Good morning, Princess Y/n," a passing maid said to you. You were not a Pevensie but instead a friend of Susan, so you were not a queen. Instead, you were considered a princess, and no one, including you, seemed to mind.

"Good morning, Mildred," You responded with a smile. She was carrying a few books with her; she must have just left the library and are delivering those to someone, you thought. I wonder if there may be a crowd at my spot?

Upon arriving, you walked to a large window behind some shelves. The window showed a beautiful scene of the castle gardens. Luckily the spot was vacant. So, you had the entire view to gaze at to yourself. The bushes and trees were covered in a coat of snow looked out of a dream. You could not help but stare out on the landscape and notice every small detail there is to be seen.

You arrived in Narnia in the fall, and then you thought this place could not get more beautiful. Now this wintery scene is rivaling that. "Good morning, Princess Y/n," said a familiar voice. "I knew I would find you here." You could hear the smile in his voice.

You smiled as you responded, "Beautiful morning, Prince Caspian." He walked over and stood next to you. You both admired the scene and quietly stifled a laugh at the use of each other's title. The laughter naturally drifted into a comfortable silence. Out of the corner of your eye, you noticed he too was dressed in winter furs. He looked like a king, and to you, he was.

He reaches over and takes your hand in his, "How are you this morning, my dear?" He turns to you, letting his gaze roam over you. You loved the way he looked at you. If you weren't already a princess, his attention would make you feel all the same.

"I fear," you look at him, "a bit cold." His brows knit and he takes a step closer to you. He extends his arm and wraps it around your waist. The feel of his warm hands are very welcomed by your chilled ones. Your engagement rings glimmered due to the reflection of the snow.

"We cannot have that." He walks with you away from the window and closer to the fire. You both sit down on the couch and Caspian guides you to rest on his shoulder. There was less of a need for propriety since you both were hidden near the back of the library. And you both were grateful. You loved moments like these, where you both could just be in love and together, instead of strong governing leaders. "Have you eaten yet?" He asks with a gentle voice.

"Not yet. I came straight here," you whisper, and he chuckles in response.

He kisses your hair and says, "Of course you did. But that's why you're cold. Come now," he leans back, "let's properly warm you up." He smiles warmly at you and takes your hands. Once you're on your feet, you both leisurely stroll towards to dining room.

You are holding tight to his arm as you walk. Attempting to steal all the warmth his body has to offer. The hearth in the dining room is massive, and you feel the impact of the flames the moment you walk in. You sigh and allow your body to relax in the warmth.

"May we start with some hot tea?" Caspian asks one of the kitchen assistants. They accept the request and head to the kitchen to fulfill the order.

You had places to be this morning. You had a strong hankering for honeyed biscuits, and nothing was going to get in your way. Once dressed, you headed out.

The sun was warm on your face as you opened the door. The smell of fresh air filled your lungs. However, the smell did not satisfy them. The only scent you wanted was the smell of the biscuits. Neighboring fae would have thought your stomach was touching your back, for the speed you displayed heading to the bakery. By 'bakery' it was really just your nice friend. Mrs. Langtree made the best biscuits known to this side of the Moors.

"Good morning! Why the rush, Y/n?" A water nymph said. You almost didn't hear her, at first.

"Good morning, Nicey," you smiled back.

"Looking for Diaval I expect," Mrs. Treetrunks grumbled. She wasn't a bitter mud fae. Just an old one. And by the looks of it, her mud wasn't smooth enough for her taste.

"Actually," you announce to the both of them, "I am headed to breakfast." You looked at Mrs. Treetrunks as you spoke. Then turned to Nicey and whispered, "Where I am sure Diaval will join me," you say with a smirk. You begin walking again as you both giggle.

"Tell him I said, hello. And to pass on my message!" You didn't understand what the last part of what she said meant.

"Will due!"

~

Once you arrive at Mrs. Langtree's home, you knocked gently on the door. She opened it with her usual warm smile. "Oh, hello dear, do come in!"

You had to bend a bit at the waist to fit through the doorway, but once through, you quickly found a seat. "Thank you, ma'am."

"Now let me guess why you stopped by," she raises a finger to her chin in thought. "Berry muffins? Mmh no," she begins to pace in her living room. "Lemon bars? Hmm not right either," then her face lights up. "Honeyed biscuits, by chance?"

"Yes! That would be wonderful. If it isn't too much trouble."

"Child, this is my life. It, or you," she places one hand under your chin, "could ever be any trouble." She tilts your chin up and heads to her kitchen.

"Mrs. Langtree?" you ask once she is far in her pantry, "have you seen Diaval recently?" You fumbled with the hem of your dress as you spoke.

"Yes I have," how deep is her kitchen? Her voice sounded more like an echo than anything else. "I believe I saw him flying about this morning. Some shiny new gem in his claws. He has been flying quite a bit as of late, hasn't he?"

"Indeed, he has. I wonder what duties he has been given to keep him so busy." You attempt to hide your unhappiness in your voice but still fail.

"Surely he has still come to see you?" You heard pots and pans fall to the ground. "I'm quite alright!"

You grimaced at the sound but continued speaking. "He has not. I worry at times at what he could be doing to not have any time to see me." Right as you were done speaking, you heard rattling at Mrs. Langtree's living room window. Looking over at the sound, you saw the one and only.

"Come in, dear," Mrs. Langtree calls from the pantry. Diaval pushes the window inward with his beak and flies in. He hovers in front of you for a moment until you hold your arm out for him to land on. He holds your favorite flower in his beak and tilts his raven head upward for you to take it.

"Where have you been?" You ask in a quieter voice than the one you used to speak to Mrs. Langtree. He opened his beak but then closed it. He clearly wanted to speak but was not in the right body to do so. "Where's Maleficent?" He only shook his head in response. "She left?"

He jumped and shook his head again. He shifted his claws up your forearm and rested his head on your bicep. His shut his eyes and took deep breaths. "Sleeping?" He nodded. "Oh, makes sense. She used a lot of power to arrange and protect Aurora's wedding.

He nods again. He flies up to rest on you shoulder and rubs his head against yours. it always makes you laugh when he does this. For someone who hates cats... he sure does act like one. Just then, Mrs. Langtree comes out with two plates. One has biscuits with a fresh glaze of honey, and on the other is full of peanuts with the shells on.

Diaval excitedly snaps his beak at the plate. "Now, where have you been?" Mrs. Langtree chides. "You had your beautiful girl worried sick!" He sheepishly tries to hide in your hair. "Eat your breakfast," she points at you both, "the both of you."

~

There were still two more days until Maleficent woke up. And in that time, you felt just like her. Having a large raven resting on your shoulder most of the time took a while to get used to. But it was doable. You had made it clear that you always wanted him around, no matter his form. And in return, you now have a long-term shadow.

He only left your side to prepare Maleficent for when she wakes. And unbeknownst to you, he also took that time to find flowers and shiny things he thought you would enjoy.

By the time he was turned back into a human, you shined in all types of treasures. Everything that Diaval could carry that glimmered, you wore. And when he saw you that morning in the sun, all he could do was stare.

"Good morning, my love. It's nice to see you in this form," you closed your door and walked over and took his hands. He looked at you like you were the answers to all of life's questions. The love in eyes was palpable and there was a faint blush growing on his cheeks.