Disclaimer: I do not own the Pevensies, Tumnus, or any other traditional characters. I especially do not own Narnia itself - that belongs to CS Lewis. This is just for pure fun; I am not making any money off of it.
Disclaimer II: Some aspects may resemble other stories, but it is not intentional if they do. I've simply read a thousand stories and they're floating in my subconscious state. So if I copied you, it was inadvertent, and I apologize to you.
Disclaimer III: I own Athylt, Koru, Runo, Fylder, Sihet, Wazari, and that dog creature thing - they are my own characters for my own purposes. I ask if you would like to use them to please message me first. Also, I ask that no one steals any of the plot ideas in this story. Again, if you would like to use them, please message me first. Thank you.
Rating: T - Contains some graphic descriptions as well as medium language. Intended for ages 13+.
Time Period: During The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, in the Golden Age, year 1005. Lucy is 13, Edmund is 15, Susan is 17, and Peter is 18.
Pre-Reading Notes: Let the adventures begin! I'm afraid there will be many errors because I am posting this before the story is completed. A lot of foreshadowing is happening, so I will let you know (when new chapters are posted) if anything in previous chapters has changed to make the story more... correct. With that in consideration, all I ask is that you critique and enjoy!
"Aslan!" Lucy ran towards Him with arms outstretched. In her rush, she nearly knocked Aslan over. "You've come back!"
Aslan chuckled. "Not for long, my dear one."
"Can't you stay longer?" asked Susan. "We've missed you."
"I'm afraid I only come when there is business to sort," said Aslan.
"What kind of business?" Edmund pondered aloud.
"You shall see," said Aslan, "In time."
"Wars?" prodded Peter. "Narnia isn't in danger, is it?"
"Have peace, my son. No danger will befall Narnia." Aslan's velvet paws made no sound as He walked across the marble floor. Peter shot a questioning glance to his siblings before following Aslan. The Lion stopped at the stained glass window with the view of Narnia. "It will not be long."
"Until?" asked Lucy. Her voice quivered. Aslan never came unless something grave was in their midst.
Aslan's big head turned to face Lucy. "Come with me, daughter." Lucy walked beside Aslan with her hand in his mane. Aslan stopped at the eastern hall. Lucy's hall. A breeze blew through, ruffling Lucy's hair. "Did you not wonder why your siblings' and your rooms were in separate halls? Did you not wonder why yours faced east?"
"Yes, but..." Lucy let her words trail off. "But..."
"You have my attention. Speak."
"You have always said there are some things that aren't meant for me to know," Lucy said.
Aslan chuckled. "You have learned well. Things have their time, though." Aslan continued down the hallway until He came to the end of the hall. A balcony overlooked the glistening ocean. The sun had just begun to set, casting a red-gold light over the waves. Lucy thought she saw a mermaid splashing with glee in the waters. "Listen well and remember. There are four steps, but you must figure them for yourself."
"I think I can remember," said Lucy. "I'm not sure I could figure them out, though." She began to bite her thumbnail without realizing. Aslan placed His paw on her hand. Lucy turned bright red.
"First, you must take the Lion's head-"
"Lion's head?"
"Did I not say you would have to figure it out yourself?" Lucy nodded. "First, you must take the Lion's head in your right pocket. Second, you are to go the farthest east you can go."
"In Narnia? Or the farthest east? Isn't the world round?"
Aslan chuckled. "You are quite amusing, beloved, but it is time for me to speak and you to take advice. There is a time for everything."
"Sorry, Aslan."
"Third, you are to befriend the creature. This will bring you to where you need to be. Lastly, you are to talk to who you meet. Then you shall learn the rest on your own. Repeat the steps to me, Lucy."
Lucy had to repeat the steps several times before she got them correct. Aslan listened intently, making sure she did not mess up. At last, He said, "You are ready. I hope to see you soon. For now, you must visit those who will be missed. All of them."
"I'm not sure I get it, those who will be missed? I'll miss you, Asla-" Lucy blinked. Aslan was no longer with her. She ran out of her hall, back to the throne room. Only Edmund was there now, watching out over Narnia.
"Where's Peter gone to?" Edmund jumped. He hadn't expected Lucy to come up behind him. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you."
"To talk to Aslan," said Edmund.
"He was just with me, though?" Lucy was puzzled. Edmund smiled. His lips twitched a little. The smile was a fake one. "Something wrong?"
"Nothing, no, I mean, well, no. Aslan said things that bothered me."
Lucy repeated herself. "Aslan was just with me."
"I'm pretty sure he has the ability to be in more than one place, Lu. In fact, I think he's talking to Susan, too," said Edmund. He placed an arm around her shoulders. His normally comforting arm was shaking, instead making it worrisome to Lucy.
"Edmund, what is wrong?" She pulled back. Edmund was startled at Lucy's face. Her eyes were concerned, but her mouth was pressed into a straight line. It was not one of her better faces, for sure.
"Nothi-"
"Don't nothing me." Lucy grabbed Edmund's hand and held it in between them. His fingers quivered. "You're trembling, Ed."
"I'm scared, okay!" Edmund spun to leave. Peter bumped into Edmund. "Sorry," said Edmund. He peered up at Peter. Peter's face was not much better than Lucy's. His jaw was clenched and his hands were balled into fists.
"Peter?" asked Lucy.
"You can't!" yelled Peter.
"Can't... what?" Lucy said.
Peter was startled. He expected Lucy to know what he was talking about. Peter frantically waved his arms, thinking it would help Lucy understand. Seeing her confusion, he finally said, "Go!" Peter crossed his arms. Susan entered, though she seemed much happier than everyone else.
"What's going on in here?" demanded Susan. She glanced from Peter to Lucy to Edmund.
"Susan," said Lucy, "What did Aslan say to you?" If Edmund and Peter refused to tell her, maybe at least Susan would.
"He said I would be High Queen," said Susan. She smiled, unaware of the others' glares.
"Is that exactly what he said?" asked Lucy.
"No, I don't remember exactly what He said." Lucy mentally repeated the steps Aslan had given her. She didn't want to end up like Susan and forget the details.
"Hmph," said Edmund, "It depends on how you interpret that..." He slumped against a wall. Susan rolled her eyes.
"You're all being a pain. So tell me what's going on, right this instant." Lucy shrugged. Edmund kept his gaze on his hands. Peter stepped towards Susan.
"Aslan wants Lucy to go somewhere-"
Lucy cut off Peter. "You were eavesdrop-"
Susan interrupted Lucy, saying, "Where?" Lucy clamped her mouth shut. At this rate, nobody would get to tell the full story of what they wanted to say. Lucy took a seat next to Edmund, allowing Peter and Susan to argue it out, as usual.
"When do you think they'll stop?" whispered Lucy to Edmund.
"Hard to tell," whispered Edmund, back to Lucy, "I don't know what they're arguing about so I couldn't say. Now be quiet so I can hear."
Peter said, "I don't know, somewhere. Aslan didn't say; He said Lucy would be going on a journey."
"Peter, do you think its fair-"
"What's fair?" Susan let out an exasperated sigh when Peter didn't allow her to finish her sentence.
"I was going to tell you, if you'd just shut up for one second. Do you think its fair that you're stopping Lucy?"
"Yes," started Peter.
"If my memory is correct, your first battle was when you were thirteen. She's thirteen." Susan stared at Rhindon.
She remembered when it held the blood of Maugrim, when it had held the blood of Narnia's enemies, and most importantly when it had held the blood of Jadis the White Witch. Her gaze transfered to the four thrones, mostly Edmund's throne with the picture of the broken wand. Sure, he had almost died, and sure, they were all young when it had happened. It seemed Peter and her argued over this every day. Still, Lucy hadn't had any adventures. Susan often saw Lucy sulking alone in the gardens or the trees. She knew the younger girl was looking for a chance to prove herself. Peter's voice shattered her thoughts.
"So, she's... she's... she's..." Peter stuttered, unsure of what to say.
"A girl?" interrupted Edmund. Lucy elbowed him. She wanted the argument to play out. Edmund stuck his tongue out at her, then continued to put in suggestions. "Too small? Too young? A Queen? Your sister?"
"Hush up, Ed!" Lucy hissed.
Peter shrugged. Susan said, "See, there's nothing wrong with it. So drop it. I'm getting to bed, it's late." Susan backed towards the southern hall, her hall. "You should, also. And I don't want to hear anymore arguing." Susan spun on her heel then began to skip down the hallway, muttering, "High Queen... High Queen..." Peter watched her disappear.
"I'm going to go, too. I think tomorrow's going to be a big day." Edmund and Lucy waited until Peter's figure was engulfed in the darkness of the northern hall.
Edmund stifled a yawn. "Goodnight, Lu."
"Wait! You're not going anywhere until I get my answer."
"And that answer would be... ?" Edmund waved his hands, trying to get Lucy to talk faster. His eyelids drooped.
Lucy gave him a seriously? look. "Why were you all... weird before?"
"Go to bed."
"I'm not going anywhere until I get my answer," repeated Lucy. She planted her feet firmly on the ground.
Edmund sighed. He hated it when Lucy got stubborn. Whenever the four siblings had different opinions, it came down to Lucy and Edmund, who held out so long they often called it a tie. Edmund took a deep breath. "You'll get it soon enough."
"What do you mean?" Lucy was confused. Edmund was already leaving the throne room. She tailed after him into the western hall.
Edmund stopped outside of his room. "Aslan comes bringing prophecies. So, unless something goes off plan - which I doubt - you'll see, soon enough." Edmund entered his room. As the door was closing, she thought she heard Edmund mutter, "I just hope it isn't too late."
Lucy retreated to her own room not long after, pondering the events of the day. Edmund was right. Aslan usually came bringing prophecies. They were never wrong, but always encrypted, not straightforward. Lucy sighed. She pulled the covers up to her neck. To help with sleeping, she recited the steps to herself. She was fast asleep soon enough.