Chapter 1

Darkness. All around me. As I stared into the darkness, I strained to see any light that might indicate where I could be. A low whisper echoed in my ear but I couldn't distinguish what it said. As I waited to see if it would speak again, a glow appeared and came closer and closer. As it drew nearer, I began to see the form of a human. When it was about 5 feet away from me, I was able to tell it was a girl about 16 or 17. She was dressed in pure white with white hair and stunning blue eyes. She stretched a glowing hand towards me and said,

"Help me."

I stared at her a few seconds before replying. "Who are you?"

She just stared at me and said, "Please help me. Time is running out!" And then, before my eyes, she started to fade.

"Wait, where are you going?" I called. She didn't reply, just kept fading until she was gone. I stared at the place where she had been just seconds before. Who was she, and what did she mean by "time is running out"? All of a sudden, I started to plummet in total darkness! As I fell helplessly, I called out to Aslan,

"Aslan, help me!" But nothing happened. I was still falling. Then I saw a light. As I drew nearer, I saw a glowing river of lava. I was headed straight for it!

I sat straight up. I was hot, and sweat poured down my face. I looked around expecting to see boiling hot lava about to envelop me. Instead, I saw the familiar surroundings of my bed chamber. 

Phew, it was just a dream! I thought, relieved. Still, as I thought about the dream, it troubled me. That girl had seemed so desperate for help and I hadn't given it to her. And her eyes! They were so strikingly blue! They were unearthly! Oh well, no need to worry about it now. It was just a dream, I reasoned.

I rose out of bed and got dressed. My dear sister, Queen Lucy, would be waiting for me to eat breakfast with her on the terrace. I exited my chambers and walked quickly to the terrace. On the way, I passed the library and saw my brother, High King Peter studying some books. That's my brother, always working hard! I thought. I arrived at the terrace and greeted Lucy.

"Hello, Lu! How are you this fine morning?"

"Quite good, Su. And how about you? Are you doing well?" Lucy replied, smiling her sweet smile.

"As well as can be expected. Although, I did have a very unsettling and queer dream." I replied, returning her smile.

"Oh? What about?"

"I'll tell you over breakfast."

Just then, our food was served and we thanked the servant, Elina, for it. After we had served ourselves, Lucy inquired again about the dream that I'd had.

"Well, it was quite queer. I was surrounded by darkness and then I heard a whisper but couldn't distinguish what it said. Then, a girl appeared in all white with these strikingly blue eyes. She stretched her hand towards me and asked to me help her. I replied by asking her who she was. And then she said, 'Please 

help me. Time is running out!' Then she started to fade. I asked her where she was going but she didn't reply and just disappeared. At that time I started to fall towards a river of bubbling lava. I asked Aslan to save me, and then I woke up."

"How strange! But that's just the way dreams are, I suppose." Lucy commented.

"Yes, I suppose you're right. But I just can't get her eyes and the way she looked so desperate out of my mind." I said as I rang Elina to come take away our dishes.

"Well, I wouldn't worry myself about it. After all, it was just a dream."

"Yes, well, I'd better be off. I've got archery lessons at 10:30. See you later!"

"Good bye!" Lucy called.

I walked briskly to the stables, tacked up my horse, Mystica, mounted, and trotted out of the stable yard onto a well worn trail. As I cantered to the shooting grounds, I enjoyed the beautiful Narnian landscape. Towering old trees waved at me and I waved back. Beautiful flowers of all different hues swayed gently in the cool breeze. I approached the shooting grounds and waved to my instructor, James.

"You're late!" he called with a teasing twinkle in his eyes.

"By what, 1 minute?" I called back.

"Yes." he replied. We both burst out laughing.

"All right, enough silliness, Your Highness, let's get to work."



I retrieved my bow and arrows as I prepared for a long day of archery practice.

"Whew! I'm exhausted!" I called to Lucy as I joined her in the library late that evening.

"Why?"

"Because I had a 3 hour long archery lesson and then I went into town with the dwarf, Ellia - you know, the one that works in the kitchen? Anyway, I went into town with her to get stocked up on food supplies for the festival, and that took up the rest of my day."

"Wow! No wonder you're tired! Speaking of the festival, are you excited about it?"

"Yes, from what I've read in the history books of Narnia, it sounds very exciting! Ed has already begun putting up the tents and tables for it. Anyway, how was your day?"

"Very good. Although, the dwarfs kept pestering me about what kind of ribbons and flowers we would need for the decorations, and what color tablecloths we would need. As if I had any idea of what color of tablecloths we would need! I've never been to a Fall Moon Festival!"

"Great, well, I'm off to bed! See you tomorrow!"I said.

"Alright! Sweet dreams!" Lucy called.

I walked quickly to my chambers and got ready for bed. I climbed into bed and blew out the candle on my bedside table. I hope Lu is right about my having sweet dreams, I thought sleepily. Then I fell asleep.