It had been several days since the attack and Chloe was resting on the ground as the sun rose. Eringuard had promised that if she had slept well, and her wounds were healing, he would consider leaving today. Yet he didn't want to. Something made him want to stay here.
He had gotten to know Chloe a lot better, even if she was slightly angry with him and Sheerik for making her stay. Yesterday had been interesting, his wounded leg had completely healed, and the gashes on Chloe's back were still red, swollen and scabbed, but the hadn't reopened, and most signs pointed to her not having an infection from the wound.
Smiling, he watched her roll in her sleep. Sheerik who had been sleeping beside him aroused, pulling himself to his feet. "Are we?" he asked quietly.
"I do not know. I would have to see Chloe's wounds," Eringuard said turning to him, but keeping Chloe in sight.
"She will not stay for much longer, Eringuard. She is a strong willed woman. If she had not seen reason she might have struggled against the bindings for a much longer time," Sheerik said.
Eringuard nodded. That she was. "Shall we arouse her?" Eringuard asked. Walking forward Sheerik brought his nose down to nudge Chloe's sleeping form.
Moving she opened her eyes, smiling when she saw Sheerik's face. "Good morning."
"Good morning," Sheerik and Eringuard replied.
She readjusted her cloak as she stood. Stretching carefully, she asked Eringuard whether they would leave in the morning. "Yes," he said watching her bite her lip to keep from smiling. "Let me see how your wounds are progressing first."
Chloe removed her cloak and turned to allow Eringuard to check. As he undid all the buttons on the top half of the buttons he took in the sight of such a gastly mark on such beautiful skin. She'll have scars forever... he thought as he looked them over. "Alright, we shall leave." Chloe nearly jumped as she waited for him to redo her top.
Once the last button was done she turned her long red hair flying out before rippling gracefully onto her back. The look on her face told him everything. She was happy to be able to move, yet her concern for Susan, and the other Kings' and Queen, were plauging her.
"We will leave after breakfast," he said leading her to eat.
They had been traveling for several hours, Chloe sitting ontop of Sheerik, Eringuard beside. As they spoke, the silence of the forest made every sound echo. Since they had last seen the werewolves, there had been no signs of life.
"So what do you intend to do after the battle?" Chloe asked from atop Sheerik.
"I intend to leave Paravel and find myself a mate," Sheerik said in his horsy voice.
Chloe laughed. "You deserve to live out your days in pleasure, brave Horse. May you have many fouls!"
Sheerik nayed happily at the blessing. "Thank you, Daughter of Eve."
"And you, Eringuard? What do you intend to do?" she asked curiously.
Eringuard thought a moment. "I do not know. To be honest, I haven't thought about it." After another moment he looked up at Chloe. "What do you plan?"
Silence followed for a moment as she thought about it. He watched her face cloud over. "I have nothing after this battle, at least nothing in Narnia," she said quietly.
"I know the prophecy states that I will become Queen of Narnia, but I do not want such a title," she sounded sad. "I do not deserve it," she continued with conviction.
Silence surrounded them again. It seemed like a security blanket. Everyone knew everyone else intimatly, and at times they would just know what the other meant.
Sheerik spoke cutting the silence. "I may only be a horse, my lady, but I believe you will make a great Queen."
A smile brought out the beauty in Chloe's features as she leaned over to hug Sheerik about the neck. "Thank you."
"No thank you needed, Daughter of Eve," Sheerik responded. "I merely spoke the truth."
She laughed, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. "You are such a blessing, Sheerik!"
He nayed, his head held high.
"Maybe, if I stay, I will find love and have children," Chloe said. "Maybe I could live away in the countryside! Do you think High King Peter would allow me out of his sight long enough?" Chloe said with a laugh.
Sheerik laughed his horsy laugh. Eringuard smiled at the last comment. "Maybe..." They all laughed.