Author's note: Hello dear readers! I am about to embark on another journey, this time starring Susan and Edmund. (For those of you who haven't read "Airplanes in the Night Sky", my last story mainly focused on Peter, though Edmund played an important role as well.) I was originally going to wait until Saturday to post this after my writing teacher helped me edit it, but I could wait! :D This is my next long fic, chosen by your votes on my profile page.
I have made a trailer for this fic which is available at www. youtube watch ?v=D_rZzZJy ILw. You'll have to remove the spaces of the link or just go to youtube and look up Narnia: Born For This - FanFiction Trailer.
This is an end of the Golden Age/Invasion of Telmar AU. Please note that since it is AU, I have moved up the invasion of the Telmarines quite a bit. The year is 1015 and nearly a year after the events in "The Horse and His Boy". Hope you like it!
Chapter 1 - Hunt for a Wish
"Telmar is at it again," Edmund sighed as he slid into a chair beside his sister.
Susan looked grave. "Is it serious?"
"No," Edmund replied as he straightened. "Peter will know how to handle it."
"Where is Peter?" Susan asked as she remembered her elder brother.
"He went to tea at Tumnus's cave with Lucy," Edmund answered. "They'll be back soon. Lucy wanted to ask Tumnus about the White Stag." He chuckled. "I'm afraid that she has set her heart on catching that elusive Stag."
Susan smiled. "Yes. Ever since Mr. Tumnus said the White Stag had been sighted, Lucy has wanted to catch him so he will grant her a wish. But she won't say what she wants to wish for."
"You'll have to wait and see," Edmund replied. He stood up again. "We have an hour until the court meets."
"Thank you," Susan responded as she stood up as well. "I should get ready." She smiled at her brother before walking towards the door. She looked back over her shoulder. "Don't spend too much time worrying over the issue with Telmar."
"I won't, Su," Edmund promised as she closed the door. He sat down in his chair at his desk and stared at the papers in front of him. Moments later the door opened again and Susan reentered. "That was quick," Edmund commented.
"Sorry." Susan smiled. "I wanted to ask you something."
"Of course," Edmund answered, as he returned to his papers.
"Well, it's been almost a year since the affair with Prince Rabadash and the attack on Anvard…" Susan trailed off. "Are you listening?"
Edmund looked up. "What? Oh, yes, of course."
"Edmund, put the paper away until I am finished, please," Susan requested.
Edmund gave a smirk and pushed his papers out of reach. Then he folded his hands. "Now I am listening, Susan."
"Alright," Susan agreed. "As I said before, it's been almost a year since our near imprisonment in Tashbaan, due to Prince Rabadash, and the attack on Anvard."
Edmund interrupted. "Does this involve a celebration in honor of you not marrying the prince?"
"No, Ed," Susan laughed. "Would you like me to host one?"
"Of course not, sister," Edmund answered.
Susan came closer to Edmund's desk and leaned in. "I propose that we invite Cor, Corin and Aravis for a visit."
"So it is a celebration," Edmund answered.
"We haven't seen them in several months, Edmund," Susan reminded as she ignored his comment. "I think it would be enjoyable if they came for a week or so. Shall I write to them?"
"Well," Edmund replied, "it's not really for me to decide. You'll have to ask Peter when he returns, but I think he will probably agree."
"I knew that was what you would say," Susan replied. "Thank you. I'll see you in the throne room shortly." She patted his hand and disappeared into the hall. Edmund shook his head, an amused smile still playing on his face. Then he reached for the documents regarding Telmar and his smile faded.
"I wish Mr. Tumnus knew more about the White Stag," Lucy announced as they rode through the forest on their way home to the castle, Cair Paravel.
"I think you know plenty, Lucy," Peter answered.
"Yes, but I don't know how to catch it," Lucy replied, ducking a low branch that waved in the path.
"I think you can figure that out on your own." Peter smiled.
"Peter! Look!" Lucy exclaimed as her eyes locked on a bit of white in the bushes.
"What, Lucy?"
"I thought I saw the White Stag," Lucy answered, still staring at the same place.
"Come on, Lu," Peter replied. "Stop teasing me."
"No, I'm serious!" Lucy exclaimed.
"Well, where did you see it?" Peter asked.
"To the right," Lucy answered. "Follow me." She urged her horse into a trot and disappeared into the undergrowth. Peter quickly squeezed his horse with his heels and followed. "I saw it again, Peter!" Lucy shouted excitedly. They came to a path and could see the stag bounding away in front of them. Lucy spurred her horse forward and the chase began. The trees and floating leaves disappeared quickly as Lucy set her gaze on the back of the silvery creature ahead of her. But no matter how fast she rode, the stag was always faster. It puzzled Lucy.
"Can you still see it, Lucy?" Peter asked.
"Yes," Lucy answered. "But I don't know how we are going to catch it."
"We'll think of something," assured Peter. Lucy nodded and they increased their speed again. Peter caught a glimpse of the stag as it darted off the path. Without hesitating, the siblings raced after it.
"Just a little farther," Lucy whispered to herself in her excitement. Peter had followed closely behind Lucy but now he was beginning to fall behind. Soon he lost sight of the stag and Lucy slowed down a little. "Come on, Peter!" she exclaimed. "You're riding so slowly! I can just barely make out the stag's antlers now!"
"I'm coming, Lucy!" Peter called back. "I'm just a little more tired than usual."
Lucy wheeled her horse around so she could face Peter. "Are you unwell, Peter?" she asked in concern.
"No, Lucy," Peter answered reassuringly. "I stayed up too late last night."
Lucy frowned. "Is it that conflict with the Telmarines again?"
Peter avoided her gaze. "It's nothing to worry about, Lucy."
"What are you hiding from me, Peter?" Lucy asked. "You and Edmund have spent countless nights pouring over it."
"We just want to make sure that nothing serious becomes of it," Peter answered. "Oh, Lucy! I think I saw your stag bounding away." Lucy sighed longingly as she turned her horse around. "Don't give up on him yet, Lu," Peter announced. "Besides, we might still catch up!" With that, Peter spurred his horse forward. Lucy laughed and tried to catch up with him. They rode side by side and Lucy was thankful for the afternoon she had with her brother. The horses began to gallop faster through the forest as if they knew what quarry the siblings pursued. Peter's horse jumped a fallen tree as they arrived in a silent clearing.
"Hold, Artos!" Peter shouted as he reigned in his horse. He stared at the center of the clearing, forgetting the stag, and he dismounted from his steed. "What is that peculiar piece of iron?" he asked, staring up at an iron tree that caged a single flame of fire on its top.
Lucy frowned as she slid off the back of her mare and came to stand beside Peter. "It seems familiar, yet I can't think of what it is."
Peter frowned for a moment but then recalled what the thing was. "A lamppost," he explained. "After all, this is Lantern Waste, is it not?"
"True," Lucy agreed. "But as I look upon it, it works on my mind curiously. I think I can remember a road of solid rock with these lampposts standing on either side. There were people walking along the sides, near the lampposts, and strange iron beasts rushing down the middle though none of the people felt afraid."
"Quite curious, Lu," Peter answered. "Yet I think I can remember the same road of rock. I also remember a woman with hair like Susan's. She was kissing you on the cheek."
"Was she our mother?" Lucy asked.
"I don't remember," Peter confessed. "It seems so hard to grasp at these memories."
"Spare Oom," Lucy suddenly muttered.
"What?" Peter asked.
"Spare Oom," Lucy repeated. "The spare room! The wardrobe!" She picked up her trailing skirt and began to run west into the thickets.
"Lucy!" Peter exclaimed in surprise. "What about the stag?"
"Come on!" Lucy urged.
"Ow! These branches are so thick!" Peter observed as one tried to seize his crown. "The trees are so close together." He could just make out Lucy's golden hair through the green branches. "Slow down, Lucy," he urged. Lucy waited for him to catch up before seizing his hand and dragging him further into the trees.
"Can't you remember, Peter?" Lucy asked.
"Remember what?" Peter asked. "Hang on, these aren't branches."
"No, they're coats," Lucy answered.
"The wardrobe, that's what you meant," Peter exclaimed as he suddenly remembered. "Lucy, stop! We can't go back through the wardrobe!" He pulled his hand free from Lucy's grip. He could just make out her shape standing in the shadows.
"Why can't we go back?" she asked.
"Lucy, I thought you loved Narnia. We have a kingdom to rule and Susan and Edmund are still back at Cair Paravel," Peter protested.
"Just a peek, Peter," Lucy pleaded.
"Lucy, there is nothing there for us," Peter reminded. "Everything we love is here. Aslan is here."
"I know." Lucy sighed. "But I just can't help but want to see a peek of our world after all these years."
"Lucy, it's foolish," Peter replied.
"Something is pulling me," Lucy whispered. "I feel like – Oh! Help, Peter!"
"Lucy!" Peter shouted and fought his way through the coats. "Lucy?" But Lucy didn't answer. Peter could see a sliver of light ahead and it began to widen. "Lucy, no!" But it was too late and they tumbled out onto the dusty floor.
Author's note: Sorry to leave you hanging, er, falling out of a wardrobe. Lol. I'm not sure when I will update because my school schedule is really intense right now (studying for a US History CLEP exam). And I promise that I will not neglect my other stories either.
I sincerely hope you enjoyed this new story. Do you have any suggestions for me regarding this chapter or future ones? I'd love to hear from you! Review. :)