(My first Disclaimer) I do not own any of CS Lewis ideas or Characters. I do own all other Characters and Ideas.

The

Double

Princess

By Kathleen Abaestian

Chapter One

This story begins in a tall dark castle in the middle of winter. The snow outside the east side chamber is falling in sheets so nothing can be seen beyond the castle gate. That is why no one sees the threatening dark shapes of soldiers creeping up and surrounding the castle. Not only does the snow disguise these men, but also the screams coming from the queen's chamber. Everyone in the castle is listening for a different screams, that of one many years younger then the Queen. Then the newborn baby's wail echoes down the stone corridors. This is the 3rd child born to King Christopher the XI of Gael. His wife the Queen Violet has born 2 boys before, but this is her first baby girl. She was named, Princess Elizabeth-Rose Kathleen Grace of Gael. Her parents wanted to make sure if they never had another girl that they'd covered all their favorite names.

Throughout all the turmoil of the new princess no one noticed the sound muffled by the snow coming from the gate grating lifting and being secured or the sound of an army stealthily creeping into the inner courtyard. Not one knew of their presence until a fire roared through the courtyard and unearthly cries vibrated the windows as the army advanced into the castle's corridors. A group of soldiers suddenly busted into the Queen's chamber ransacking and stealing the babe from her arms. The Queen's scream of anger and love ripped through the castle sending chills down the bravest of backs. From that moment on the young princess was carried farther and farther from the castle and not seen again for more then 15 years.

Our story picks up when the Princess her named now changed to Emma turns 15 years old. "Papa! Oh thank you!" Her childish giggles surround the only family she's ever known. The sleek chestnut mare stopped her hooves.

"Better be careful Emmy, you don't want to get trampled!" A tall 15 year old said whom Emma thought was her twin brother.

"Violet would never trample me!" Emma said indignantly. Her Papa, King Henry the IV coughed. "Something wrong?" She asked suspiciously.

"Oh course not, where did you get that name for your horse?" King Henry asked.

"I don't know… it's always just been a… pretty name!" Emma answered cheerfully.

"Emma? Do you want to try out your new mare?" Emma's "older Brother" who was 17 asked.

"Of course Bryce! You always have been able to read my mind!"

"Can Prince James come?" Prince James asked.

"You are my twin after all, so I guess so,"

"What does being your twin have to do with anything?"

"Absolutely nothing… Does someone mind helping me up onto the horse?" Emma asked with a blush.

"Of course, dear little sister," Jacob her 16 year old brother said. He made a move to help her when suddenly the royal barn door flew open and a tall beautiful wavy brown haired girl stood in the doorway. Her dress was misty blue and very flattering of her figure. "My Anna, where are you going?" Jacob asked with mock politeness.

"Father?" Anna asked completely ignoring her younger brother. "Will you order Conner to escort me to the Gael town's annual ball?" Her Father went pale.

"A ball? Oh say I may come! Please Anna? Father?" Emma cried.

"It's your birthday dear, do go for a ride on your new horse," the King replied.

"But!"

"Honey, this ball is one only I was invited to…" Anna explained with authority. This was only half a lie. There had never been an invite to the Gael town ball, but since king's Henry had taken control of the town 15 years to the day ago, what they wanted they got. So it was like an open invite to all their parties!

"Alright, help me up Jacob!" Emma pouted. For the next 3 hours Emma and her 3 brothers rode through every kind of terrain, conveniently in the opposite direction then the way to Gael. Some how the people of Gael always managed to have a ball the day of Emma's birthday as if trying to call the "dead" princess back.

It was 2 months later that the battle began. It was an uprising of the most amazing power. Gael town was stronger then the few soldiers placed there had suspected. So within a week the King Henry himself and his 2 older sons were on their way to Gael. Anna who had come home with the loveliest tales of Gael, completely unaware of her father's worried glances at Emma had sparked a longing inside Emma to see this interesting town. King Henry never once suspected that one day Emma might take her mare Violet and ride to Gael in disguise as a commoner. Well as would happen that's what did happen. 3 months after her 15th birthday.

Chapter Two

The day was proving itself to be a sunny and mild day, even at 6:30 AM. The mare, Violet had been saddled in moments and the horse boy had been paid to keep mum about it. Emma's long golden Brown hair hung in ringlets out of a braided bun. Her rosy face and long velvet green cape make her look like a painting. The sea to the right of her billowed and crashed. The spray managed to reach her and makes the air smell like salt. No one saw her leave. Just like no one saw the soldiers 15 years earlier.

Time past quickly in the invigorating air. The kingdom of Gael was soon on the horizon. Emma was so busy admiring it's magnificence she didn't hear the horses closing in around her. Only when the group rode in upon her did she see them. Their armor and swords didn't look like some men out for a fun ride... it looked like danger! At tall youth threw back his helmet so his face could be seen. His dark hair brushed his forehead. Emma's horse shied as he reached out and grabbed Violet's bridle. "Well little Missy, where do you think you're going?" The handsome boy asked.

"For a ride!" Emma replied with the posture of a princess.

"Really? I have orders to kill any spy I find," The youth threatened.

"I am no spy!"

"You look it!"

"I do?"

"You are dressed as a peasant and speak like royalty!"

"I..."

"Come along men, we'll take her to the castle there could be more to her then meets the eye!"

"You're not going to kill me?"

"I never said that..."

Burning indegition suddenly flared to life. He could not threaten her! She was royalty! Daughter of the most power king in the kingdom's whose only competition was High King the Great, who was only barely in the same league as her father. After all he had only been king for 4 years while her father had been king for 25 years! But of course he had many opportunities to fight giants and minotaurs and wild creatures that did not roam into her father's kingdom. But on the other hand her father ruled many kingdoms and castles and was never told no. King Peter only had Narnia.

After going through all this in her mind Emma decided she had every right to not obey this stuck up fool.

"Let my horse go," She commanded.

"Oh, ho? Why?" The youth laughed.

"I am Princess Emma of Hendersburg! My father is king Henry the IV! Out of my way commoner!"

"Oh, but I am no commoner, you highness, I am Prince Mason of Gael!"

"Of Gael? Oh please! My father is crushing your dear kingdom as we speak!"

"Do not be so sure little princess, Your Daddy is being driven out, as we speak!"

"How do you think that, that could ever happen?"

"The Narnias are on their way!"

"Let go of my horse!"

"No, you'll be good ransom... Take her to the palace I will inform my father..." The youth sneered and rode into the lead of the small procession. Emma held her head high.

"My father will have your head when he is in control again!"

"Brave words, when you know your father cannot beat the Narnians" The youth called back in much too cheery of a voice. Emma Sruvayed her surroundings. The men rode tight around her but wait, here was her chance! She spured Violet. The mare reared up! The men screamed. She drove the frightened horse down and on the addrenaline of fear they tore off back to the castle. Faster, Faster! Then suddenly... MORE LATER TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK SO FAR