Disclaimer: Everything belongs to me except for Edmund Pevensie and the Chronicles of Narnia characters. (Sadly)
Chapter One: Hannah
"Who gave you permission to cut your hair?" my Aunt Millie asked me angrily.
"There was something sticky in my hair." I quietly said.
"I could have washed it out for you!" Aunt Millie yelled. She glared at me. "You stupid girl!" She raised her hand, preparing to slap me. I sat on the chair waiting for her to do it. But it never came. Instead she put her hand down and sighed. "My sister, why did you leave me with such a foolish girl?" she asked looking at the ceiling of her cottage.
I tried not to grin. Aunt Millie looked back at me and said, "Don't smile like that. It's not attractive," she muttered. She then headed for the kitchen.
I let out a relieved sigh. My face was spared from her slap!
I stood up and walked over to the small oval mirror hanging on the wall. I didn't understand why she was so mad- my hair didn't look that bad. My light brown hair used to be up to my back but now it was up to my shoulders. Easier to clean and deal with. I heard my Aunt Millie's footsteps coming back. I turned around and saw her with a pair of scissors in her hand.
"We have to make it even at least," she sat me down on the chair and made me sit still. I closed my eyes as I heard the snippety snip of the scissors. After a few minutes, Aunt Millie was done. "Okay, I think it looks better now," she put her hands on her hips and examined me. I blinked and then stood up once again to look at myself. My hair was even shorter now, up to my ears. I tried not to laugh at myself, but I burst into giggles anyway.
"Oh shush girl! It's better than before!"
"Aunt Millie! This is just wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Now I can mix well with the boys while playing ball!"
Aunt Millie rolled her eyes. "Lucky you have such pretty hazel eyes. Those eyes of your will hopefully distract the nest on your head."
She left the room to put back the scissors and I followed her into the kitchen. "So what are we having for lunch?" I asked.
"Well we were supposed to have potato soup but it seems we're out of potatoes. Go to the square and fetch me potatoes, Hannah."
I nodded my head. "Okay. Anything else?"
Aunt Mille shook her head. "No that's about it. There's money in my cloak. Be back quick or other wise there won't be any lunch," she threatened.
My eyes widened in fear. "No lunch? Aunt Millie are you trying to kill me?"
She grinned. "No dear. Stop being dramatic and be on your way!" she pushed me out of the kitchen. I quickly grabbed my cloak and ran out of the door. The thought of having no dinner nearly made my heart stop beating!
The court square was the marketplace of Narnia. It was filled with many different things, such as clothing, food, and as well as shows. I tried not to get distracted by the play that the local drama group had been putting on. Afternoons at the court square were always busy. Dwarfs, centaurs, and many creatures were bustling around. A badger passed me by with a basket in his mouth. I stopped to look at the new display of scarves that the dwarf merchant was showing off.
"Finest silk in the world! Buy two, get one free!" He shouted. I gently touched a purple, sparkling scarf. It was beautiful! The flower designs looked like they were real. I could imagine myself wearing it, and twirling around in a field. Oh, if only I had more money.
"Miss! If you're not going to buy any of them, don't touch!" the dwarf merchant yelled at me.
I frowned. I touched the silky scarf once more and quickly headed to the grocery part of the marketplace.
"Tomatoes! Fresh and ripe tomatoes!"
"Sweet strawberries! Sweet strawberries!"
"Carrots! Get them carrots!"
I took in the smell of the fresh vegetables and fruits. I always liked coming to the court square, everything was fresh and new daily. I headed to the potato stand, where a female beaver was sitting and knitting away. "Hello," I greeted her.
She looked up from her knitting and smiled at me. "Why hello there dear, and how may I help you today?"
"I would like five potatoes, please." I said. I held up the basket my Aunt had given me to hold the potatoes in. The beaver nodded her head and stood up. She picked out five, round and heavy potatoes and placed them in the basket. "That'll be five Narnian gold please."
I handed her the gold. "Thank you very much," I said with a smile. I turned around to head back, when I heard a loud trumpet.
The bustling crowd had suddenly separated on either side of the road. Two fancily dressed centaurs kept on blowing their loud trumpet, and I saw huge giants carrying pretty covered sedan chairs and horses pulling carriages. My mouth gaped open the beautiful scene unfolding before me.
Beautiful women had popped their heads out of their carriages and giggled. They waved their hands around, sending kisses to everyone.
"Make way for the suitors of the King!" cried the centaurs. "These princesses have come for the King!"
I held my basket closer to me, trying not to get in the way. Small creatures were dancing and flying birds were throwing down confetti. It was like a party. I grinned. This was just so exciting!
I felt confetti fall into my hair and I giggled. I looked up at the carriage and made eye contact with one of the princesses. She had blonde curly hair, and deep ocean eyes. Her cheeks were rosy. She smiled at me. My face heated up. I quickly looked down at my feet, suddenly feeling shy. I couldn't believe such a beautiful princess looked at me!
After a few seconds, I looked back up, but the carriage she was in was already up front. Everyone around me was whistling and waving goodbye as the parade of the suitors was coming to an end. They were heading to Cair Paravel, obviously to meet the king; one of them that was luckily going to wed.
I longingly watched, until I couldn't even see a thing. They were gone. I felt a bit sad. What I would give to be a princess. Wearing the finest silk in all of Narnia, eating large dishes of exotic food and dancing all night with attractive men. Life for them sounded excellent.
I let out a sigh and headed back home to my Aunt Millie's small cottage with my basket full of potatoes.
