Finally, I'm back! It feels great to be writing Narnia again and it gets me out of going outside. I'm excited to get feedback once again. It was weird when I checked my email and no review alerts popped up.

I don't own Narnia, only anything you don't recognize.

Let's see what Joanna has been up to since we last saw her.

Chapter One: Eustace the Useless

*****Line Break*****

"Dear Diary,

It's been a long year, well almost. I feel as if I'm not only losing myself, but my family as well. Every day that we don't return to Narnia, Edmund's and my hopes grow weaker. Of course, not so little Lucy is as faithful as ever. I wish that the trait would rub off on me. We have been staying at Edmund's and Lucy's Aunt's house. It would be bearable if it was not for Eustace, their son, who has taken a fancy to me. Whether it is to annoy Edmund I don't know, but I can tell you that he makes our tempers shorter, a lot shorter.

Write soon,

Joanna the Determined

To think, we would never have to put up with Eustace in Narnia."

*****Line Break*****

I smiled as Lucy and I walked down the streets of Cambridge, our arms laden with groceries. As usual Edmund had evaded us, but I had a feeling I knew where he was. My long blonde hair that now reached the small of my back was tied up in a loose braid that hung over my right shoulder.

"Where is he?" I smiled at Lucy before nodding my head to the sign we were passing.

Mother England Needs You

Enlist Here Now!

"That's a typographical error. It's supposed to be Albert A. Scrubb." I let out a polite cough and tugged on the sleeves of my dark blue blouse.

"Honey…you're supposed to be us with the groceries." I bit my lip as the men around him laughed. He was almost transforming into Peter; the one angry at everything, the superior one. I watched with a sad smile as he was handed back 'his' credentials and the boy behind him ruffled his cap. "Let's go Edmund."

"Better luck next time, eh, squirt?" Edmund angrily fixed his cap as he meandered toward us. He was silent until we got outside.

"Squirt? He barely had two years on me." He ranted as he took the groceries from Lucy. "I'm a king! I've fought wars and I've led armies!" He angrily attached the package to his bicycle. My small hand found its way to his shoulder in a calming gesture.

"Not in this world." Lucy put a smaller parcel in the front basket.

"Yeah, instead I'm stuck here, doing battle with Eustace Clarence Scrubb." I watched as Lucy's eyes drifted from her brother to the woman and the soldier behind us. "If anyone so deserves a name." I watched as the blonde woman slowly tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. My eyes whipped around to see Lucy do the same. "What are you doing?" Her smile lessened as she faced her brother.

"Nothing. Come on then." Lucy then grabbed the handles and started walking away quickly. Edmund glanced over his shoulder then down at me in confusion. I tilted my head, which barely reached his shoulder, upward and shook my head. He understood my silent 'Not now' and left it at that. We were silent all the way back to their Aunt's house. I missed when we could stay up and just talk about Narnia. Now it seemed somewhat taboo. Especially when Eustace is around; he always makes some form of comment about him being better than us.

"I'm home. Hello!" I pasted on my fake smile as we entered the house. Alberta and Harold, Edmund and Lucy's aunt and uncle, were not pleased when they had to take me in and they showed it in every way possible. I just smiled and nodded, pretending not to care. I shrugged off my dark brown coat and smoothed out my simple black skirt. I walked quietly into the living room, following Lucy.

"That concludes the war news from the Western Front." I rolled my eyes and kept my hands clenched so I wouldn't turn the blasted radio off.

"Hello Uncle Harold. I tried to find some carrots, but all they had were turnips again. Shall I start making soup?" I put a hand on her shoulder. "Aunt Alberta's on her way home."

"I'll do it. You've cooked the last week; let me do something to keep my hands busy. Oh, and Mr. Scrubb, you could at least be a little nicer to your own family. " I turned on my heel into the kitchen just as Edmund made a face at Harold.

"Father, Edmund's making faces at you." I walked back into the living room as Eustace hit Edmund with what looked like a spitball. My husband made a dash for his cousin.

"Why you little-"

"Father, he's gonna hit me!" I rolled my eyes and made my way to the stairs.

"Shocking." My eyes once again rolled upward as I made my way past the two boys. "I'd hit you too." I quickly walked towards the room Lucy and I shared and once again wished that we were in Narnia. I found my place on the small bed as tears welled up in my eyes. I blinked to hold them back and thought of Aslan. He was always there with me, in my heart. I glanced up as Lucy and Edmund came into the room, holding a letter. "Is that from Susan in America?" While we were stuck here Susan was off frolicking in America, fantastic. Ever since we returned from our last Narnia adventure Susan had been growing distant, very wary of speaking about Narnia. She did on occasion, but more out of habit than anything else. I scooted over so they could have room to sit on the bed.

I do wish you were here with us. It's been such an adventure, but nothing like our times in Narnia." I rolled my eyes at her mention of Narnia and began undoing my braid, seemingly lost in thought. "America is very exciting, except we never see Father. He works so very hard. I was invited to the British Consul's tea party this week by a naval officer, who happens to be very handsome." I watched as Edmund stood and moved over to the painting above the fireplace. It very much reminded me of Narnia. "I think he fancies me." My thoughts once again shifted towards Narnia as I thought of how Edmund and I got together.

*****Line Break*****

"Lucy, slow down! We don't need to get to the library so fast!" I laughed as the younger girl dragged my small form down the hallway. "In the four years we have been in Narnia I don't think I have ever seen you this excited." I commented as I tripped over the hem of my emerald green dress. I laughed as Lucy shoved me through the library doors. "Lucy?" I heard a loud click as the doors were locked. "Lucy! Why did you lock me in here! Let me out!" I pounded my fist on the heavy door, only to retract it in pain. I ran my hand through my hair and bit my lip in frustration. "Unbelievable."

"Oh, they locked you in here too. At least I'm not alone." My body whipped around towards the voice and the owner's chocolate brown eyes. At nineteen Edmund had grown into a handsome man, one that I still fancied.

"Edmund. Do you have any idea as to why your sister locked us in here? And what do you mean, they?" He beckoned me over to the overstuffed sofa that he was sitting on. He had apparently been here for quite awhile as there were books scattered all around the aforementioned sofa. He stretched his arm over my shoulders as I sat down.

"Susan and Lucy. They have been planning something behind our backs for weeks, don't understand why." I nodded and picked up a book from the floor. Since we were stuck in here might as well get some reading done. We sat in silence as the hours past, day turning into night.

"Oh this is ridiculous! I am going crazy in here!" I marched over to the doors and started banging my fist on it, knowing that my hand would bruise later. "Let us out of here! Lucy! Susan! This isn't funny anymore!" I heard Edmund's quiet chuckle as I ruffled my hair that had long since fell out of its ponytail. "What can you possibly find funny? We are stuck in here and we don't even know why! Now get up off your royal bum and help me get out of here!" I saw a flash of anger in his eyes as he leapt off the couch.

"Oh and you think I want to be stuck in here with you! All you do is nag, nag, nag about something that isn't perfect in your mind! I can't pity the poor bloke that ends up married to you enough!" My hair seemed to stand on end as my anger bubbled to the surface like lava.

"Oh and you think you're so perfect? You are impulsive and rude and uncouth and just a pain in my ass! All you've done since we've been in Narnia is compare yourself to Peter, and I get mighty sick of it after the first three years! Any woman must be out of their right mind to marry you! You are a bastard," I took a deep breath and turned away from him, "and your swordplay is awful!" I jabbed. Before I could take one step he had me cornered like an animal.

"You, Joanna, have to be one of the most infuriating people I've ever met." I shoved his arm out my way and stepped into open space.

"You're not so easy to deal with yourself. First you're bitter and angry and now you think you are superior to everyone! It drives me hazy! I have to resist the urge to slap you every time I see you!"

"I am superior to you!" I could practically hear the electricity that flowed between us as I swung my fist at him. He grabbed my wrist before it could come in contact with his cheek and I screamed in anger. I elbowed him in the ribs and swung my fist once more, this time hitting my target. He stumbled back and fell on his back. I smirked at him, but it was washed off my face as he grabbed my ankle and yanked me down onto the ground. I flipped onto my stomach and pulled a small dagger out of my sleeve. He tackled me back onto the floor and I made a slash to his face.

The cut ran across a small part of his left cheekbone. The blood that trickled down his face dropped onto the fabric of my dress as I grabbed the back of his head and push him into a side table that crashed to the floor. He recovered quickly and tackled me once again to the floor, in the process knocking the dagger out of my hand. I kicked him in the stomach and he fell off me, holding his stomach in pain. He gingerly got off the floor and came at me with my own dagger. Thinking quickly I grabbed the small hilt of the dagger, Edmund's hand still attached, and threw it into the wall.

"I win." He smirked down at me, our faces mere inches apart. The blood on his cheek had dried, I noticed, just as his lips descended upon mine. We were still fighting each other as we kissed, battling for dominance of the kiss. I tangled one hand in his hair as I shoved him into a self. I could feel him smirk as he shoved me into a shelf farther down the row. I tugged on his hair and broke the kiss. My face felt red hot as I gazed into his eyes. "I must be out of my right mind." We once again locked lips.

"I don't feel any pity for the bloke you marry. I envy him." I rolled my eyes at him and patted his rapidly swelling cheek.

"I think I know why we were locked in here."

"Took you long enough."

"Just kiss me Ed."

*****Line Break*****

I was shook out of my stupor by Lucy's alarmed voice. "Another few months? How will we survive?" My eyes widened as I took the letter from the younger girl. I skimmed the words, frantically hoping that there was a mistake. Edmund sat down on the bed next to me and took the letter from my hands.

"You two are lucky; at least you've got your own room. I'm stuck with mullet mouth." I pinched the bridge of my nose as I sank further down into the bed.

"No, Peter and Susan are the lucky ones. While they're off on adventures we're stuck here, with only memories." My voice was laced with bitterness as I fell back onto the bed, staring at the blank ceiling; wishing it away.

"Yeah they're the eldest and were the youngest." I swatted his leg off my lap as he laid down, the letter still firmly attached to his hand. "We don't matter as much." I blew out a breath as he finished his sentence.

"Do you think I look anything like Susan?" My head shot up at Lucy's question. I hit Edmund's leg and he sat up as well, if only to obey me.

"It shouldn't matter if you look like Susan. You should look and act like you, it fits you better. Besides I like you better when you're you. The unique Lucy." She smiled at me through the mirror. "That's who you're supposed to be." My husband cocked his head and stood once again, looking at the painting.

"Lucy, have you seen this ship before?"

"Yes, it's very Narnian-looking, isn't it?"

"I have been thinking the same thing since we arrived. Do you think they'd notice if I took it when we returned home?" I stepped between the two siblings as we stared at the picture.

"We'll try to sneak it out of the house." I laughed at him as my eyes were analyzing the painting. It was beautiful. The storm tossed sea was forever depicted in the painting, as was the Narnian-looking vessel. "Yeah, this is just another reminder that we're here and not there." My heart sank lower in my chest we I heard an intake of breath.

"There once were three orphans, who wasted their time, believing in Narnian nursery rhymes." I grabbed my husband's arm, locking it in a tight grip. I could have gotten away with hitting Eustace, but he couldn't.

"Please let me hit him."

"You know you can't do that. Not only will your aunt be furious, but you would have to deal with him…" I lowered my voice to a whisper, "complaining."

"See Joanna's on my side. I do believe she fancies me the superior one." My eyes widened at the younger boy. I glanced up at my husband's set face, his jaw locked in anger. My grip on his arm loosened and I let him go.

I leaned up to his ear and whispered; "Now you can hit him." His eyes widened in delight as he made a move towards the boy.

"Joanna, Joanna, help me! Don't let this orphan hit me!" I watched as Edmund's eyes darkened even more in anger.

"You don't even know her! How can you possibly think that she would take your side? She's my wife!" I slapped the back of his head as the words slipped out of him mouth.

"Don't you ever knock, Eustace?" Yeah, let's try diverting the conversation. Eustace's eyes bored into mine, telling me he wouldn't drop that.

"It's my house. I'll do as I please. You're just guests. I will be telling mother about your, relationship status." Great, another reason Alberta will want me out of the house. Just what I need. I glanced over at Eustace, who was making his way deeper into the room. "What's so fascinating about that picture anyway? It's hideous."

"If you leave you won't see it." I bit out, glaring at the boy. I made a face at me and I moved threateningly towards him one step. He shrunk back.

"Edmund, it looks like the water is actually moving."

"What rubbish! See! That's what happens when you read all those fanciful novels and fairy tales of yours."

"There once was a boy called Eustace, who reads books full facts that were useless."

"Huh, Useless Eustace." I saw the two siblings smile.

"People who read fairy tales are always the sort who become a hideous burden to people like me who read book with real information." My eyes closed as the Peter-like Edmund turned to face his cousin.

"'Hideous burden'? I haven't seen you lift a finger since we've been her." I squinted my eyes at the painting. Were those waves actually moving? My eyes followed the water drop from the edge of the painting as Edmund slammed his hand on the door to keep it closed. "I have a right mind to tell your father it was you who stole Aunt Alberta's sweets."

"Liar." The drops of water soon became a small trickle and then a steady stream.

"Oh, really?"

"Edmund, the painting." The boys ignored Lucy as they continued their argument. I sent a smile over to her, knowing what she was thinking.

"I found them under your bed, and you know what? I licked every one of them." The sea in the painting became rougher as more water flowed out of the frame.

"Ugh, I'm infested with you!" I coughed as water splashed out of the painting and onto my face. The stream turned into small waterfall as water droplets sprayed all of us. "What's going on here?"

"Lucy, do you think-?" I nodded excitedly as we were splashed with more water.

"It's some kind of trick! Stop it or I'll tell mother! Mother! Mother! I'll just smash the rotten thing!" He quickly grabbed the frame and we dove for him, wrestling it out of his hands.

"Eustace, no! Don't smash the painting. Let go of it!" As we dropped the painting the water was steadily rising to our waists rather quickly. I smacked the hair away from my face as the water rose to my neck. I took in a deep breath as the water rose over our heads. My hands and feet knocked into the furniture as I swam upwards. I let in a gasp of the fresh Narnian air and smiled.

We were back!

*****Line Break*****

Okay! ATTENTION! If there is anything that you wish you could see from Edmund and Joanna either in a one-shot or a flashback please tell me! I would really like to know, something just fun or cute or whatever…

READ AND REVIEW my pretties!

WhiskeyGirl (Dana)