There And Back Again 》Sequel

Chapter 14

I scrunched my nose in thought. I wondered why Peter had been acting so different lately. Questions about his odd behaviour has crossed my mind over the past occurring days. He has never acted this way before, and it worries me that having 'power' is growing stronger in his mind. But what about Susan? She's been acting a little... rough too. Is it the fact that she's lonely and she wants company, or is she jealous of something? The questions began to ramble through my mind one by one and it was giving me an awful head ache. Luckily, Caspian broke the silence between us with a rather interesting question, "Is it true? You're the daughter of Aslan? The stories of you and the other Kings and Queens?"

The question caught my attention, and I began to think once again. But this time I didn't give myself a headache.... To my relief, "Yes" I answered, quickly. "I am his daughter and the stories you have been told are true. From Lucy finding Narnia and the five of us departing-" from there I began to babble on about the stories of the Golden Age. I wouldn't have expected someone to be so captivated and fascinated about the great adventures the Pevensie's and I had shared all those years ago.

Between all the laughter and sad parts, it was nice to converse with someone who could potentially be a wonderful friend.

"Do you miss it?" Caspian asked another question, as we continued deeper into the forest. I furrowed my eyebrows, puzzled as to what he meant by it. It was an awful habit of mine to scrunch my eyebrows when I was unsure of something. Caspian seemed to have noticed uncertainly written in my expression, so he continued on, "I mean Narnia. Do you miss Narnia before all of this?" I opened my mouth to talk, but stopped.... It took me a moment to rethink what I was going to say. But whenever I analysed my answer it would lead straight back to how the Telmarine's invaded Narnia and I didn't want to offend him. Caspian gave me a look, signalling me to give an answer. But I wished I could just tell him that 'It is harder than you think'.

Finally, after moments of not answering I sighed and responded. "Yes, the feeling is quite odd. Everywhere you go there would be dancing, laughter, and singing, everything was cheerful. You could even speak to the tree's and water dryads if you spotted them. Fauns would have celebrations all the time and sing songs, play their instruments and dance around." I gave a half smile to Caspian as Mr Tumnus, the Beavers and Orieus entered my mind.

Caspian nodded knowingly and gave a sympathetic smile, "Well hopefully we will be able to bring them back," Caspian reassured. I grinned at his comment. He really is determined to give Narnian's back there home, "Bring them all back."

"That would be absolutely spectacular!" I replied. Let's just hope what he says is true. After a few minutes of silence, Peter appeared by my side. I looked up at him to see him staring right back down at me.

"Do you mind if I have a word with him?" Peter asked, a little irritated. I nodded and walked to backwards, making sure I wouldn't take my eyes off of them just in case their conversation got ugly.

"Do you ever stop staring?" Edmund scoffed from behind. I whipped my head around to see an angry faced Edmund narrowing his eyes, enviously.

I rolled my eyes while I strolled to his side. His eyes were ever watchful, full of jealousy and hatred. "Whatever is the matter Edmund?" at this point I was so confused.

He raised an eyebrow in annoyance, irritated that I obviously had no clue on what he was going on about, "You can't take your eyes off Caspian!" he demanded, quite loudly.

"Hang on a second. You think I fancy him?" I snickered, lightly. Sometimes it worried me how very protective Edmund was over me. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, but then again, I'm not trying to say it's always a good thing either, "I was just having a normal conversation with him, that's all." I spoke truthfully.

I could see in his face that he wasn't fully convinced. "Well that's not what it looked like to me." Edmund sighed as he dropped his head.

Sadness suddenly filled my heart. "Do you not trust me?" the thought of me not having his trust dampened my spirit completely.

"No, it's not you that I don't trust-" Edmund groaned, bringing his head back up to face me. "It's just him I don't trust." he gritted his teeth resentfully as he eyed Caspian, attentively.

I then laced my fingers around Edmund's, warm, tender hands. "Well, there is nothing to worry about Ed. I'm pretty sure he's got a close eye on Susan," I reassured him with a smile. "He's the one that hasn't been able to stop taking his eyes off of her. It's quite disturbing actually." I laughed.

Edmund's lips formed a small smile and then erupted into laughter. The both of us began to laugh uncontrollably while creatures stared with baffled expressions. I don't know why this was so funny to us? Our sense of humour was never understandable.

As we came nearer to a clearing, I noticed Caspian and Peter halted at the brink of the forest. I suddenly let go of Edmund's hand and jogged to see what they were beholding. I froze between the two boys, mesmerised by a beautiful sight. Beyond my sight was a large, mellow field, the lush grassland was enclosed by beautiful woodland, it surely was breathtaking. But what really caught my attention was a monstrous temple- like building or tomb at the other end of the field. It had green flora scattered all over it, causing it to blend in with the world surrounding it. When we all finished observing the great structure, the six of us marched forwards as a group. Edmund to my far right, while Susan strutted beside him. Caspian and Peter stood proud and tall beside me. And Lucy looked as cheerful as ever, who was on the other side of Peter.

We finally made our way across the field and through the stone area and under an archway. As we approached the Howe, we stopped upon the pathway that led down into the tomb. And on each side of the pathway stood a row of centaurs, all waiting for our arrival. Together the six of us came to a stop and watched as the centaurs unsheathed their swords simultaneously, spinning them so that they were in a parallel position. They then let their swords fall, creating an archway for us so that we could walk underneath it. Instantly, the Pevensie's and I proceeded under the silver-gleaming archway. I smiled at centaurs I had past and they in return bowed their heads with honour and respect.

We were the first people to enter the spooky tomb which was lit by flaming torches that gave just enough light to see. Dozens of Narnian's of all shapes and sizes were working together, forging, creating and sharpening weapons. Lucy and Susan continued venturing into the tomb while Caspian, Peter, Edmund and I continued to observe the soldiers around us. I stared at some of them warily, unsure of what to think of the soldiers that were once the enemy. I knew that I will eventually have to have faith in them, but not yet. They will have to earn my trust.

"It may not be not you are used to, but it is defensible," Caspian announced. We turned towards him and nodded in understanding.

"Peter," Susan's voice called, from the other side of the hall. Her voice was gentle, but there was a sense of urgency. "You may want to come see this," she then vanished into what seemed like another part of the cave, leaving us to follow quickly behind her. Peter snatched a torch before entering a corridor, illuminating it by its hot flames. I squinted my eyes trying to identify the paintings on either side of the walls. I widened my eyes when I noticed that the paintings were depicting our adventures in the Golden Age, "It's us." remarked Susan.

"It's beautiful." I stated with a sad tone, as we all continued to stare at the artworks in awe. I don't know the real reason why I sensed this sadness... I just, did.

"What is this place?" Lucy asked Caspian.

He stared at us a little confused, "You don't know? he stated more than a question, but he did seem rather surprised that we had no idea what this place was. He grabbed a torch that was beside him and lead all of us into few more corridors. I lagged behind the bunch and traced my hands against the rough walls. I could feel the Deep Magic but it was very faint... weak.