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P E T E R
I couldn't believe my eyes. One minute we were at the train station and the next, we were ankles-deep in the Golden Narnian sand.
I wiggle my toes, feeling the grittiness of the leftover sand still stuck between them as I resisted the urge to pinch myself. A part of me was still convinced that this was a dream. I had to be dreaming, right? Why else would we be back here?
We've tried to return countless of times, but all attempts seemed to lead us nowhere. The only thing that seems to convince me that this is all reality is the dull ache of my knuckles from when I socked that dimwit back at the station- not one of my finest moments, I supposed. The fella had just caught me on a bad day.
Truth be told, I was frustrated that we weren't making any progress on finding a way back. I'm not even remotely ashamed to admit that was I was desperate, and insanely so. How could I not be when I had left behind a piece of my heart- my soul- here in Narnia when I left?
The days that dragged on without out were torturous. I missed her so much it hurts to breathe. I couldn't forget her even if I tried. The image of her was seared into my brain, never to be erased again.
She was mine, and I, was undoubtedly, inescapably, undeniably, completely and utterly hers.
There was nothing in this world that I wouldn't do for that woman. I would crawl to the ends of the earth if it meant I could have those burning amber eyes staring back at me again, with that smile on her face that I would never grow tired of seeing.
"I wonder who lived here." Lucy's voice pulls me away from my thoughts.
We were exploring the ruins that Edmund has spotted and if I were being honest, this was the last place I wanted to be. If I had it my way, we would be out looking for Nerissa, the only problem was, I wouldn't even know where to start. Was she searching for me like I was her?
Susan furrows her brows as she studies something on the ground, before bending over to pick it up. "I think we did."
I glance at the familiar golden chess piece in her hand as Edmund approaches, "Hey, that's mine." He says, "From my chess set."
"Which chess set?" I question.
"Well, I didn't exactly have a solid gold chess set in Finchley, did I?" My brother sasses.
I was just about to retort when Lucy mumbles, "It can't be," before taking off like she as usual.
I let out an exasperated sigh before following after her, with my two other siblings close behind. Lucy grabs my hand, tugging me along with her.
"Don't you see?" She exclaims, coming to a stop by the dais.
"What?"
"Imagine walls," Lucy positions me, before moving on to Susan, "And columns there!" She says before taking her spot, "And a glass roof."
The image conjures in my head. The venue of so many fond memories; where Nerissa and I had our first dance, our first kiss, where I confessed my feelings and finally told her I loved her.
"Cair Paravel."
I smile at the happy memories, but it's not Long before it falters. What happened here? If Cair Paravel was in ruins, where has Nerissa gone?
"What happened here?" Susan echos my thoughts.
"Catapults," Edmund observes.
My eyes snapped up to meet his, "What?"
"This didn't just happen," He says, causing a knot to form in my stomach, "Cair Paravel was attacked."
Was Nerissa here during the attack? My heart sunk as thoughts of the worst filled my head. What if... No, she couldn't be.
My thoughts must've been showing on my face as Susan places a hand on my shoulder, squeezing comfortingly, "Peter..." She trails, her voice laced with sympathy.
I shrug it off, "She's alive." I know she is. I didn't how, but I did.
The three of them exchanged uncertain glances. They probably thought that I was in denial and I couldn't blame them.
I knew my siblings wouldn't understand, they've never been in love with someone as deeply as I was with Nerissa. We had a connection that was difficult to explain, but I still felt her. I clutch the ring-turned-necklace I had hung around my neck, still waiting for the time where I can finally slip it onto her finger- where it was supposed to be.
She's here, somewhere in Narnia. I just had to find her.
*
N E R I S S A
"Caspian! Would you just stop and think about this for a second?" I scold as I follow him through the forest, "You're acting on impulse, which is- mind you- exactly what you shouldn't be doing."
"We have to stop him, Nerissa." My knuckle-headed brother argues.
"We will, but we'll have a better chance against him if we had a plan."
Caspian stops abruptly, causing me to run right into his back.
I click my tongue in annoyance, shooting him a glare which he ignores.
With a sigh, he runs a hand through his hair. "I can hear you."
Sheepishly, Trufflehunter and Nikabrik poke their heads out from behind some trees before moving forward to join us.
"I'm disappointed, Caspian. Did you really just notice them now."
Caspian simply shot me a look that clearly conveyed, 'Please shut up'.
I let out a huff in annoyance before crossing my arms over my chest, shaking my head at him.
"I just think we should wait for the Kings and Queens," Trufflehunter says.
My heart squeezes at the mention of them. Rolling my shoulders back and straightening my spine, I ignore it and clear my throat. "More importantly, I think we should be preparing ourselves for what would happen for a scenario in which they do not return." The words feel like knives driving into my heart as speaking them just makes it real.
The Narnians glance at me with shock etched onto their features.
"Trust me, while it would be absolutely amazing to witness their return," I swallow the lump that has formed in my throat, "It's been centuries, and I think it's time we entertain the possibility of them not returning to Narnia...ever."
I blink hard and fast, willing the tears that are burning at the back of my eyes away.
Turning around on his heels, Caspian continues his journey on his suicide mission, no amount of words appearing to make it through that thick skull of his.
"Caspian, slow down!"
"Fine! Go then, see if the others will be as understanding." Trufflehunter huffs.
"Or maybe I'll come with you," Nikabrik starts tailing after Caspian, "I want to see you explain things to the minotaurs."
And that catches Caspian's attention and mine as well. Minotaurs? fighting alongside Narnians?
"Minotaurs?" Caspian questions eyes wide as he turns to look at me, "They're real?"
"What do I get out of lying to you, Caspian?" I roll my eyes at him.
He simply shrugs as Trufflehunter replies, "They're real and very hot-tempered."
"Yeah, not to mention big," Nikabrik adds.
"Huge," His companion emphasises.
"What about centaurs, do they still exist?" Caspian asks, curiosity getting the better of him.
Trufflehunter glances at me and I gesture for him to answer. After all, they'll probably know more than I do, considering the fact that I've spent all this time hidden behind walls, not being able to do as much exploring as I would've liked.
"Well, the centaurs will probably fight on your side. But there's no telling what the others would do."
"What about Aslan?"
I gaze down at my feet. I haven't seen Aslan ever since the defeat of the White Witch. There's no telling where he is now.
"You told him about Aslan?" Nikabrik asks, his question obviously directed at me.
I shrug, "There were stories. He wanted to know."
The two Narnians exchanged a glance, "Wait a minute," Trufflehunter speaks, "Your father told you stories about Narnia?"
Caspian shifts uncomfortably, "No, our Professor. Listen, I'm sorry. These are not the kind of questions you should be asking."
I watch, brows furrowed as Trufflehunter pauses before sniffing the air, my first instincts to scan the area.
"What is it?" Nikabrik questions.
"Humans."
I spot them just as the word leaves Trufflehunter's mouth, bows aimed and ready to fire.
"Run!" I yell.
Thankfully, the others heed my warning and take off. Immediately, I reach for my bow as I walked backward, nocking an arrow before letting it loose. It soars through the air, landing right at the Telmarine guards' feet and bursting into flames and creating a line of fire between us and the guards, but not before an arrow manages to shoot past and sink into Trufflehunter's hind leg.
"Oh no," Nikabrik starts forward to get his friend but Caspian stops him, yelling over his shoulder, "No, I'll go!"
More Guards seem to pour from other directions, with arrows flying through the air, barely missing us.
"Take it and go! It's more important than I am!" The badger yells, holding out Susan's horn.
Caspian quickly tucks the horn into his belt before picking up Trufflehunter and handing him over to Nikabrik, "Get him out of here." He orders before joining me.
We unsheathed our swords and I smirk over at him, "Ready for your first real battle, brother? This should be fun."
"I'm glad at least one of us is amused." He grumbles, making me laugh.
Just as we were about to land our attack, the soldiers start going down one after another, seemingly taken down by an invisible force.
"Holy..." Caspian mutters as he stares at them, looking just as confused as the Telmarine guards who were blindly swinging their swords around.
Then, we watch as the ferns rustle as the unseen creature starts to make its way towards Caspian. Suddenly, something flips into view, swiftly knocking Caspian off his feet and onto his back, and landing on his chest is...a mouse?
"Choose your last words carefully, Telmarine." It threatens.
"You...you are a mouse." Caspian stutters and I can't help but snicker.
The mouse sighs, "I was hoping for something more original." Before gesturing to Caspian's fallen sword, "Come on, pick up your sword."
"Uh, no thanks." Caspian's eyes dart towards me, wide with panic, "A little help, Nerissa?"
"Actually, I think I'm good, Caspian," I say, earning me the deadliest glare I've ever seen coming from him.
The mouse opens his mouth to speak as he glances over at me, before doing a quick double-take.
"You're- oh my goodness." Recognition passing over his features, "It's a pleasure to meet you, great Warrior." He bows, "Forgive me for asking. You know this Telmarine?"
I raise a brow, watching the scene unfold before me in amusement, "I do, and I assure you he's harmless."
"Stay your blade, Reepicheep!" Trufflehunter decides to intervene.
"Trufflehunter?" The mouse- Reepicheep turns towards the badger, "I trust you'll have a good reason for this untimely interruption."
"He doesn't," Nikabrik says, "Go ahead."
"Reepicheep, he's the one who blew the horn!"
"What?" The mouse stares at Caspian in disbelief.
"He's right." I confirm, "I didn't even know he had it with him."
Just then, I hear the trees rustle, followed by a deep voice that says, "Then let him bring it forward." A tall centaur appears, "This is the reason we all have gathered."