anoint her with oil.

Elia felt the coronation robe placed on her shoulders, heavy with fur trimmed with yellow, almost gold with opal colored accents, to represent that they were an island known for their opals and wealth. Something that the very first monarch had worn on her coronation. Elia wore a red gown, with gold accents something different than any other Galman monarch had worn- except for one. Queen Catherine had work a plain red gown for her coronation when she became Galma’s first monarch, and Elia chose to pay tribute to it. Sebastian, her advisor, came in and let them know the carriage was ready. Elia nodded and thanked him, leaving the her chambers and making her way down the steps. Her ladies in waiting all carrying the train of her gown and robes not allowing them to touch the floor. 

As the gold and opal carriage rode Elia smiled at her people as they threw flower petals for there new Queen. She then looked down at the floor of the carriage, thinking about how young she was. How before her grandmother’s death weeks ago, she was just a ordinary young woman, and how if her father had lived she wouldn’t be Queen. But yet- she was in this very moment. And she couldn’t have helped to feel immense pressure. 

When the carriage door opened, Elia had realized they were now at the Grand Cathedral. Elia stepped out, as flower petals were being thrown from windows of surrounding homes and shops, it made her realize how many people there were in her country. Her ladies in waiting slowly put her train and robe to touch the floor for this was like a moment of transformation. Elia walked slowly into the Grand Cathedral, everyone bowed watching her walk into the abbey and make her way to the end of the aisle where the throne was. 

Everyone stood as she kneeled and her robe was now removed and replaced with a grand robe, that was gold with roses and lions- a more religious robe for this. As she rose she sat on the throne and the Royal priest had appeared with a gold bottle of oil decorated with roses- oil that was used for every coronation that was almost holy. 

“Is your majesty willing to take the oath?” asked the Royal priest. 

“I am willing.” answered Elia. 

“Will you maintain and preserve inviolably?”

“I will.”

The Royal Priest nodded as Elia rose and began her annointing. 

“By thy hands, anointed, with oil. By thy breast, anointed with oil. By thy head, anointed, with oil. As Queen Caroline was once anointed by Aslan and many monarchs after her, to be thou anointed, blessed, and consecrated Queen over the peoples, whom the Lion hath given thee to rule and govern, in the name of Aslan.” 

“In the name of Aslan.” said Elia and the rest of the people in the abbey. 

The Royal priest then turned around and placed a golden orb with a flower on the top in one of Elia’s hands, and a scepter in the other. He then grabbed the crown, and began to place it on Elia’s head, for she was now transformed, and Elia sat on the throne as the new Queen of Galma. 

The people all placed on their cornets and began chanting “Aslan save the Queen!” 

And it made her think about how she was something else to the Galmans, and to herself about who she now was- or what she was. 

She was no longer human, for who wants transparency when you can have magic? Who wants prose when you can have poetry? Pull away the veil and what are you left with? An ordinary young woman of modest ability and little imagination. But wrap her up like this, anoint her with oil, and presto, what do you have? A goddess. 

Elia had rose, and they changed her robe back to the previous one, and this time as she walked to the doors at the end of the aisle to show her people their new queen, her train nor her robe touched the ground. 

And in that moment, Elia Mayfire was now dead buried with Cornelia Mayfire and those before them. 

For Elia Regina was now in her place, and she felt a tinge of happiness- hoping the monarchs before her are proud of her. 

Edith, the servant to Queen Cornelia was making her way to the Queen’s chambers, to awake her. For Queen Cornelia for sometime was ill, but was making a slow recovery. Edith walked in and said “Good morning, your majesty.”, as usual, and opened the curtains up. She turned and looked at the lying Queen. “Your majesty?” Edith, then walked over to the bed and noticed the Queen was laying there, looking lifeless. Edith sat down, and felt the Queen’s wrist for a pulse, and realized that the Queen was dead. Edith leaned forward and kissed the now passed Queen’s hand. She placed both hands on top of of each other on the torso, and got up and quickly left the room, and began running, to notify the rest of the family. The palace began to go into commotion, servants and palace officials running all over the place, and Elia’s aunt the Duchess Ida running to the chambers in tears with her husband the Duke Bjorn. Helga and her siblings lingered outside in confusion, wondering where her twin brother Tulle was, but mostly...the new Queen. 

Inside the chambers, the Duke looked at Cornelia’s private secretary, Charles. “Has the Princess been informed yet?” asked Bjorn. 

“If you mean the new Queen, no she is on a hunting trip a few kilometers away..” responded Charles. 

“Tell Sebastian to go with. Tell him Hyde Park Corner, he’ll know what that means.” 

“Yes, your grace.” 

As the arrow hit the animal, Elia smiled as her friends were clapping. “Marvelous, your royal highness.” said Catherine, a courtier who was working to be a Galman historian. Someone...close and dear to Elia. Elia smiled at her and nodded. The servants picked up the animal, and everyone got on their horse. 

As they were all in the estate, eating dinner and drinking,  Catherine leaned and nuzzled Elia, and Tulle was next to them on the floor. All the friends dancing, drinking and being merry. However, their fun was interrupted when Elia saw a familiar face of Sebastian from the royal palace, whom was speaking to Tulle. Sebastian nodded at Elia, and left to pour himself some wine, as Tulle looked back at Elia. The two looked at each other, and Elia knew by his look what it meant. 

Hyde Park Corner. 

“Everyone, leave.” said Elia. “Out! Please.” As the room was being quickly emptied, Elia looked at Catherine before she left, and Tulle walked over to his cousin, embracing her. “I’m so sorry.” She began to cry into his arms-not over the death of her Grandmother. But the fact that she was not ready. Elia then went into the bath chambers, and closed the door behind her, crying. 

A few moments passed, and Sebastian knocked on the door. “Your majesty, I would like to speak to you.” 

Elia got up, and opened the door, wiping her last tears, and walked over to the couch sitting down. Her dog running to her feet, and Sebastian sitting in the other chair. 

“Your servant Margaret forgot to pack you a black dress, but I brought one for you. But I think it’s best here and now to decide your name.” began Sebastian. 

“My name?” pondered Elia. 

“Yes, your Reginald name. The name that you will take as Queen. As you know, your Grandmother’s name was Mary but when ascending the throne she took the name Cornelia. If your father did not die years ago, he would’ve taken the name Edward, though his name was Alfred.” 

“What’s wrong with my name?” 

“Nothing, your grace!” 

Elia sighed and looked down. “Well then, let’s not overcomplicate matters unnecessary. My name is Elia.” 

She got up and began to walk away. Sebastian rose and nodded. “Then Long LIve, Queen Elia.” 

Elia stopped, and looked down, then continued walking. 

The next morning, Elia was being dressed in a black gown, and shortly was taken to the carriages when Sebastian handed her a letter. “From the late Queen, she wanted wrote this for you for when you take the throne, your majesty.” 

As the carriage was moving and approaching the palace, Elia was reading the letter, written by her grandmother. 

My dearest Elia, 

I know how you we grew closer and that you loved me. And I know you will be as devastated by this loss. But you must put those sentiments to one side now, for duty calls. The grief for my death will be felt far and wide. Your people will need your strength and leadership. In history there have monarchies that were weak through their failure to separate personal indulgences from duty. You must not allow yourself to make similar mistakes. And while you mourn my death, you must also mourn someone else. Elia Mayfire. For she has now been replaced by another person, Elia Regina. The two Elias will frequently be in conflict with one another. The fact is, the crown must win. Must always win.

Cornelia Regina.

As they approached the palace, the carriage door was open. And Elia handed the letter back to Sebastian. “The people know, your grace.” said Sebastian. Elia nodded and gave him a small smile, and left the carriage, and made her way inside to see her Grandmother. 

Elia noticed everyone was bowing and keeping their eyes to the ground, and Elia went inside the chambers. Her Grandmother, dressed in black, with funeral regalia. Elia began to cry, her back turned and sat on the bed. For she never expected it to be like this, but was at ease that it was a peaceful death. 

Moments passed, and Elia got up and left the chambers. Her family there. They all gave her a kiss on the cheek and bowed to her, and Elia responded with a stoic look. She then began walking, Sterling next to her to meet with the small council of lords and dukes and discuss funeral preparations. Tulle and Helga were about to follow her right away until heir mother said, “wait”, and they stopped in their tracks. The Sebastian followed who was now her private secretary, and then her ladies in waiting, and then her family. 

House Galrose of Galma

Sister house to House of Mayfire(head house of Galma). 

My Dearest Brother Venin,

The rescue of our dear mother and sister was successful. Well- almost. While I was able to get her out of the harem along with Shanti, the guards had caught us. And during this Tamara had given herself up, to the guards to help get us out. However I want to go back to the castle and try to get her out, but our mother forbids me. The Lion knows what they are doing to her, and I pray that she gets out. Is there anyway, you can perhaps get her out? I am extremely worried about her, Venin. 

We are currently in a inn outside of Tashbaan, but are hoping around, for Shanti is worried we might be spotted. Tulle did recently meet us, as I sent him a letter. But he recommends that we move quickly back to the boats so we don’t loose it. Yet...I can’t help but wonder about you...

Where will you be in all of this? As you did serve as a distraction, will you come by to the inn to see our mother and sister? Will you come with us back to Narnia? Venin, you’re making me worried, but our mother is extremely worried. 

She said “Elia is my pride, and Shanti is my joy.” And then she looked down and said “And Venin is my light.” She misses you, truly. If you do not come back to Narnia, please at least come and see her before we go back. 

Were you and our mother close? Shanti is also worried, and keeps asking me about Narnia and Galma. Mother said Galma is beautiful but insulted Cornelia, very quietly. I told them Narnia is interesting, and that they should be ready to see creatures that they’re not use too. 

I wish you can find a way to come see us, and hopefully come to Narnia with us. 

Your sister,