Chapter One

I smoothed down the silver material of my dress, smiling at my reflection in the ornate mirror. The dress clung tightly to my form, slightly low cut, dropping to just below my feet in the front. The back was also low but travelled far behind me, pooling in a ring of silver. My shoes were a slightly darker shade of gray then the rest, wrapping up and around my ankles. Lady Prunaprismia's maid had done up my hair, weaving silver ribbons into the curls that hung in waves down my back.

A ball was being thrown in Prince Caspian's honor, for his eighteenth birthday, by his aunt and uncle, the 'King and Queen' of Narnia. The lords of the land, along with their families and other important diplomats of Narnia would be present to pay homage to the crown prince. I smiled to myself at the thought of my best friend. Caspian was two years my senior, acting as a sort of big brother. When I'd first been found in Narnia years ago Caspian and his family had taken me in. One of the lords had adopted me, making me a lady of the court.

"Lady Isabel," I turned to the door, one of the maids standing there looking at me, "His Lordship and the Lady are waiting for you. Prince Caspian as well," I nodded my acceptance, taking one last look at my reflection before striding out of my chamber.

The throne room was magnificent. The tapestries shining in the afternoon light, metal gleaming from several cleanings. Palace staff lingered still, setting up the rest of the festivities. Lord Miraz and the Lady stood near the throne; Lady Prunaprismia, several months pregnant, motioned about the room, giving orders as to the rest of the decorations. Caspian stood slightly aside, looking bored and uninterested. My heels clicked on the stone floor as I approached, Caspian looking up with a smile.

"Isabel!" He cried, stepping forward towards me. He hugged me tightly, his slightly shaking hands my only clue as to his anxiety. Not that his worries were unfounded. We both knew his uncle was not to be trusted. The ball was just a show, for what we had yet to figure out, but it was no good will on Miraz's part.

"My Prince," I curtseyed deeply, my head bowed in respect. I could feel the Lord and Lady's eyes on us. Miraz never did truly trust me or my origins, but he allowed me to stay none the less, "What a pleasure it is to be invited to this ball in your honor. Truly a delight."

I turned then to their majesties, bowing even lower to the floor, "My lord," Miraz held out his hand, which I ghosted my lips over, "And my lady," Prunaprismia nodded at my bowed form.

"What a beauty you are tonight," Miraz purred. I bit my lip to keep from angrily retorting or barfing. Miraz apparently took my lip biting as embarrassment for his praise, "My dear, no need to be embarrassed. You truly are a sight this evening. Go, go. You and Caspian enjoy yourselves. The guests will be arriving soon."

I bowed again, trying to hide my disgust for the man as Caspian took my arm, leading me away from the dais. Miraz was right; the guests did indeed arrive soon. Caspian and I stood near the door, greeting the guests as they entered. After which we proceeded to the dance floor, dancing with each other for the rest of the night.

Caspian led me away from the ball, down a darkened hallway, through many doors and out onto a breezy balcony. I giggled as he made a couple faces about the party. Neither of us had ever been one to love these stuffy court functions.

The Narnian night was still young, stars just beginning to twinkle into existence. I sighed as I starred up at the familiar constellations, "Happy birthday Cass," He grinned giving me a one armed hug, "Almost eight years to the day that I appeared in Narnia. Can you believe it?"

He laughed, "No, not really. It seems like just yesterday I found you wandering around in the woods. Tiny scrap of a girl who had no manners."

I elbowed him in the side, "And you, Prince 'Listen to me, I'm so AMAZING!' You were oh so charming at that young age."

We both laughed at the memories, smiling out into the dark night. A flash of light and a large bang brought our attention to the fireworks above the castle. An announcement could be heard throughout the guarded city proclaiming Caspian's birthday and soon to be coronation.

The announcement also called out the eleven tolls of the tower clock. I sighed. It was time to turn in. Caspian walked me back to my chambers in silence. He hugged me goodnight, laughing at my sullen expression. Miraz had enforced a strict curfew recently. But everyone knew the REAL court was held at night.

Caspian woke me late that night, placing a hand over my mouth, "Shhh," he whispered, glancing frantically around my room, "We have to leave," The professor stood behind him, motioning frantically.

I jumped up, throwing on a cape as Caspian averted his eyes from my night gown clad form. Caspian grabbed my hand once I was clothed, dragging me with him and into the wardrobe. I was about to question him when the professor pressed a secret button. The back of the armoire swung open revealing an underground passage. My mouth fell open in surprise but I shut it quickly at the sound of footsteps outside my bedchamber. Caspian yanked on my hand, pulling me fully into the passage way.

Down the stairs we flew, around corners and along hallways until we reached the armory. Caspian grabbed sword and armor, passing me a sword. I glanced at it skeptically, trying out its balance in my hand. It was ok, and it'd have to do. I glanced at the professor as he spoke, telling Caspian to ride to the woods. We made our way then to the stables, Caspian mounting his horse, turning to pull me up beside him.

I hung back, glancing at the palace as I did so, "Caspian, I can't. This is your battle. Not mine. I need to stay here."

"What?" He whisper yelled. His eyes grew wide as he stared down at me. The way he looked at me made me feel small again, like I was a little kid and he was the adult reprimanding me, "Izzy what are you talking about? You can't stay here! Miraz will kill you!"

I shook my head, "Cass, I can't come. Don't you get it? I CAN'T. You need to go. I have to stay. HAVE to. Now go. If Miraz catches YOU, he'll kill you. I'll be fine. I promise. We'll see each other again. You can count on it," I tried to smile reassuringly but judging from the look on Caspian's face I failed.

Caspian looked as if he wanted to argue but the professor grabbed his arm, turning his attention away from me. With one last look at me Caspian spurred on his horse, riding towards the gates. The alarm was sounded, and I could hear the guards going after Caspian.

Professor Cornelius stood next to me, watching as Caspian rode off. Once Caspian was out of sight he turned to me, "Quickly, we must go. Come," He took my arm, pulling me back along the same passages we'd just taken. He left me at the hallway to my room, going his own way.

I could hear footsteps behind me again and I ran forward, running blindly towards what I thought was the secret entrance to my room. I hurtled through corridors and passages, glancing back every so often. The foot falls were getting closer, causing me to run faster.

The door was right ahead of me, I could see the light. I ran into the doorway, falling onto my knees on the other side. But it felt weird. It wasn't stone under my skin. It was wood. And the room felt much too warm, too light to be part of the castle. And my clothes felt much tighter than they had been. I looked up, taking in a bare room, a large wooden wardrobe behind me the only item in the room.

Glancing down at my body I saw I was wearing the same dress I'd been wearing at eight years old when I'd first wandered into Narnia. The light green sundress was shorter than it had been then but not much tighter. I thanked the stars above that I had been a tall chubby little kid. I'd never thought I'd be glad of that before but if I hadn't than I'd be much less covered then.

I heard footsteps again, watching as if in slow motion as the door handle turned, the door opening to reveal an old, white haired man, with circle spectacles looking oddly at me. I realized I was still kneeling on the floor, undoubtedly looking out of place.

"Hello my dear," The old man smiled kindly at me, crossing the room to help me stand, "Where have you stumbled out from?" he glanced behind me at the old wardrobe as I smoothed out my dress, "Ah. The wardrobe. Narnia perhaps?"

I raised an eyebrow, glancing around me once more, "Where am I?"

"London," was his prompt answer, "Or the London countryside to be more specific."

Gulping as I nodded another thought occurred to me, "When am I?"

The old man looked down at me sadly, "1940 my dear. It's World War Two," He patted me on the back, smiling sympathetically.

Oh shit. I was back in my world. Only I was fifty-three years before I was born.