Name: Andromache Greengrass
Age: Twenty-Four
Born-in: Beruna, Narnia
Residing In: Cair Paravel, Narnia
Species: Faun
Position: Handmaiden
“I am not scared of death anymore. I’m scared of being alone.”
Andromache was born during a blizzard in the Hundred Year Winter in the town of Beruna. For the first nine years of her life, all Andromache knew was snow, her mother, and panic. Her father and brothers died months before she was born, fighting against the White Witch’s police and for freedom. Her mother, worried about losing her only remaining child, kept her sheltered and inside near the fireplace, always warning her about the Witch and those who sided with her. Andromache didn’t mind so much, at least inside it was warm, and Beruna may be the largest town in Narnia but during the Winter the townspeople kept to themselves, unless they were being attacked, and so she didn’t have anyone to play with regardless. Besides, there were always Wolves roaming around the town, and Andromache did not like Wolves, in fact her bad dreams always involved Wolves. When she was nine, life as she knew it changed radically. It was a beautiful day out, no blizzard in sight, and she was outside collecting dead wood for the fire when she noticed it: a dandelion. Andromache wasn’t sure what to do—she barely recognized it for what it was as she’s only seen pictures of flowers from the books her mother had—but she knew she wanted to show her mother, so she grabbed the flower and ran back home, forgetting all about the wood. Her mother didn’t mind though, for as soon as she saw the flower, she let out a gasp, hugged Andromache close, and cried out spring is here, spring is here, spring is here; Aslan has come at last! For the first time in her memory, the Narnians of Beruna gathered together in celebration, making music and celebrating Aslan and the coming of spring. Yet this did not last long and soon on the outskirts of the town a battle was being fought between Narnians and the White Witch. Andromache stayed huddled in her house while this occurred, covering her ears to block out the sounds of swords and screams, while her mother huddled with her. The battle didn’t last very long, however, and soon the Narnians had won and Andromache and her mother ran out to help however they could.
Andromache desperately wanted to follow everyone to watch the Kings and Queens be crowned, but her mother refused, saying it was for those who fought in battle. Nevertheless, Andromache spent as much time outside as she could and she swore she heard the music from Cair Paravel. But, as soon as it began, it ended, and life continued on as normal. She spent as much time as she could out-of-doors, gathering flowers, helping her mother, and properly acquainting herself with her neighbors. Andromache supposed she should maybe feel a bit resentful at how asocial everyone had been during the Winter, but she understood it too much and was too happy to really feel such a way. She didn’t hear anything about these new monarchs and Andromache couldn’t help but wonder if they even really existed at all. It rained quite a bit, more than twice her house ended up flooded, but Andromache didn’t let that dampen her spirits. The year after the Winter ended was one of her happiest.
The Autumn Festival came to Narnia, for the first time in a century, and Andromache begged for her mother to go with her to the capital to celebrate. After some convincing, and the realization that the festival was taking place in Beruna the two decided to go. It was the most elaborate festival Andromache has ever been to and she danced more than she ever had before. However, it quickly came to an end once it struck midnight and chaos took over the festival. To her fright and confusion, it appeared that ghosts were invading Narnia. Not sure what to do, unable to find her mother, Andromache followed the Kings and Queens – they did really exist! – back to Cair Paravel. There she searched for her mother and found her in the healers’ quarters, badly wounded. Through the Winter, Andromache developed some healing skills. Nothing fancy but she could assist the healers with her mother without getting in the way. It was in this manner that Andromache nursed her mother to her death. Devastated, scared – she was all alone now – Andromache didn’t know what to do, but she noticed that Queen Susan seemed to be in charge of the castle, and so Andromache began to follow her around, offer her help, and the like. The Queen didn’t seem to mind and was very kind besides. When Queen Susan left with Queen Lucy to go safe Narnia from the ghosts, Andromache went back to gaining more hands on experience with the healers. The attacks only seemed to get worse and no amount of experience was able to stop Andromache from crying every time she lost someone (she saved people too but it always felt like she lost more than she healed).
Once the ghosts were vanquished, Andromache remained at Cair Paravel, unsure of what else to do. She was still very young and had no home now. She was offered a position with the healers but Andromache had no desire to have her time filled with such unpleasantness. Instead, she still kept close to Queen Susan and spent much of her time in the gardens. Once the sickness hit Narnia, Andromache felt obligated to assist and she was part of the team that personally looked after Queen Susan and the High King once they fell ill. Andromache was breathlessly glad that Queen Susan was one of the few people she saved. Afterward, Queen Susan offered Andromache a position as her handmaiden. It sounded like just the thing Andromache wanted – it would give her a home again – and she accepted. Andromache has been at Queen Susan’s side ever since, doing all that was requested of her, and doing whatever it took to ensure the Queen’s safety and happiness.
Full Titles: Andromache Greengrass, Handmaiden to Queen Susan
As handmaiden, Andromache is meant to serve Queen Susan. She assists the Queen in dressing and hair, keeps her chambers tidy, delivers her letters through the castle, and does whatever Susan asks. Andromache is, also, meant to act as a companion to Susan, being there for company when need be. In addition to this, Andromache is also meant to keep Queen Susan informed of the happenings around court. Ever since the failed coup, the Queen has been keen to be kept informed of people’s opinions and thoughts and possible actions. At first Andromache found this difficult – she didn’t consider herself the sneaky sort! – but she soon got the hang of it, being the type who easily blended into the background and people took little to no notice of. When she isn’t busy with her duties, Andromache enjoys spending time in the gardens and dancing in the Great Hall.
(possible ones) Susan’s adviser, Peter’s manservant, Lucy’s handmaiden, Edmund’s manservant.
APPEARANCE:
Being a faun, Andromache has goat legs with her upper body like that of a Daughter of Eve. She is quite slim and small, even for a faun, and the tiny horns upon her head are often hidden under her medium length, straight brown hair. Her eyes are round and brown, and quite earnest looking. Her smile is a shy sort and her hands are rough and calloused from her work. She knows appearances matter to Queen Susan, so Andromache attempts to keep herself tidy looking (whether or not she succeeds is a different matter entirely). While she doesn’t consider herself a great beauty, she certainly doesn’t consider herself hideous either, quite content with how she looks.
Faceclaim: Alicia Vikander
