Chapter Two: There's No Place like Narnia

Nina awoke feeling slightly groggy as she opened her eyes and looked around. Here she found herself on the forest floor, leaves crunching underneath her hands as she pushed herself up into a kneeling position. Looking around she found herself in the middle of an unknown forest and in the middle of the day. Standing up she looked about and turned this way and that trying to make sense of things. For one moment she had been at her high school prom and now she didn't know where she was. She looked down at her dress to find she was still in her prom clothes so…what on earth was going on? Dusting herself off she began to walk around slightly still feeling cautious and what's more scared.

"Hello?" she called out. "Is anyone there?"

She was met with silence and she leant against a tree and felt like crying. She didn't know why but she did…and it wasn't because she was afraid of the woods because she had often traveled around the woods at home but this was utter isolation.

It was then that hooves where heard and she jumped having been startled and then bolted as she found a large tree and hid behind it.

"I swore I heard something." Said a young man's voice.

"You are probably hearing the sprites and dryads singing your majesty. It's perfectly natural." Came another voice, more gruff than anything.

It was then that the sounds of a heavy footfall indicated that whoever was talking had dismounted their horse and was now walking about surveying the area.

Nina peeked around the tree slightly to get a better view and found that the man who had dismounted the horse was young and handsome. In his twenties perhaps with a youthful tan face and dark eyes and hair, with a regal posture and a kind look about him. He looked around and then almost instantly looked over at the tree she was hiding behind. She gasped lowly and hid behind it once more holding a hand to her heart and hoping he hadn't seen her.

She was in the forest by herself and there was a scary man in armor astride a horse and another who also from the looks of things had a sword at his side. Nina put a hand over her mouth to stay her heavy breathing but it did no good as the man walked up behind her from around the tree trunk.

"Are you lost madam?"

Nina screamed as she turned around and flattened herself against the tree her eyes wide and fearful. It was then that this man looked upon her not only amused but with appraise. For in his eyes he was seeing a woman, dressed beautifully in cloth made for a princess with a tiara on her head.

"I-I am unsure. I don't know where I am, please don't hurt me." Nina said softly and he looked upon her sadly.

"Madam there is no crime such as hurting a woman here in Narnia. Though to say you are in the woods alone, and without an escort. That can prove to be fatal." His accent was rich and smooth almost sounding English.

"Narnia?" she asked still confused. "Where is that?"

"You don't know what Narnia is?"

"No. One moment I was at my high school dance and the next I'm here. I-I went through the mirror." She said.

"You're in shock." He said. "Please allow me to take you back to my castle where we will get you some water and something to eat."

"What? Castle?"

"Yes, I'm the King madam." He smiled. "And I promise you I will not hurt you."

Nina was unsure but as he extended his hand to her she knew deep down as she looked into those rich chocolate eyes she could trust him. She shakily placed her hand in his and he led her around the tree to see that not only was he accompanied by one guard but a centaur and a faun as well.

"Oh my." She said as she looked at the creatures. "I'm in wonderland."

"Not quite." The King said as he helped Nina mount his horse and then pull himself up skillfully behind her. "Let's head back to the castle."

As they rode on Nina was met with the sight of the village as they parted from the forest. And beyond this bustling village was a tall castle erected on a mountain cliff. Nina gasped upon seeing it her eyes going wide like they had before and the man behind her chuckled.

"This is Castle Telmar. My home. I did not introduce myself properly before. I am High King Caspian X."

"Nina Gilbert." Nina said offhandedly as she still stared around in awe.

"You are not from around here are you?" he said as it finally dawned on him and she looked over her shoulder at him and shook her head slowly.

"No. No I'm not."

"Well we shall get you situated none the less." He smiled.

As they neared the castle and into the courtyard Caspian stopped his steed and dismounted before he handed the reins to the stable boy and then held his arms up for Nina. She looked at him unsure but pulled her leg around and he took her from her underarms as hers rest on his shoulders and help her slid gracefully from the tall animal. As her feet padded on the stone floor she looked around as many where staring at her as they passed.

"Come with me." He said as he led her through a set of open doors and all Nina could do was follow.

She was met with a heavily decorated castle with many tapestries and paintings. The rugs under her feet were finely embroidered and beautiful and she slowed down a few times but was always coaxed out of it by the King. Finally he led her to a room where he opened the door and allowed her to step through. Though he himself did not enter any further he stood in the doorway and looked upon her.

"I know this is all very fast moving for you but everything will be explained in due time. I will have a ladies maid be sent to you for your every need and while you are here this will be your room. Feel free to roam the castle and gardens at your leisure and the library upstairs is also open to you. I have some quick business I must attend to but I will see you for dinner Lady Nina."

"Lady Nina?" Nina asked now amused and skeptical.

"Well, you are dressed as a woman of some station in life. Surely you must be a Lady…"

"No I'm not. All I know is I was at my school dance, I went through a mirror and ended up here…wherever here is. I hardly know what's going on or what I'm doing."

"We shall figure this out. Perhaps needed rest is what is required."

"Perhaps." Nina agreed.

"I bid you farewell until we see each other for dinner." He said and closed the door behind him as he left.

Nina looked about this castle chamber and then slowly sank to her knees staring into space. What on earth happened and how was she going to get out of this mess? Perhaps she had died? Perhaps she had fallen off the stage and hit her head and she was in a coma and this was her dream world…but she was stuck in it and that was the only feeling she got in that moment.

She was here…in Narnia.

It was hours before anyone had come to call and Nina had settled herself in a chair by the window. The moment the door opened she bolted to her feet, straightening out her dress and was met with a girl around her age. This young woman so to say had long blonde hair braided over one shoulder and bright blue eyes. There was something familiar about her that Nina couldn't place but the girl smiled kindly.

"I am so sorry. His Majesty the King had pulled me from my duties in the kitchens and had appointed me to you as your new ladies maid. To say the least it was a fast promotion and I do hope I haven't kept you waiting long."

"No."

"Oh well, I'm Caroline." The girl dropped a curtsy then and stood straight.

"Caroline. I'm Nina." Nina said and she dropped a small curtsy back. Caroline seemed surprised and amused by this but said nothing for a moment before approaching closer.

"Let's get you into some more comfortable every day clothes. I'll have your gown washed and settled in the wardrobe. Let me help you with the lace and strings. Turn please milady."

Nina did and Caroline undid her dress and helped her out of it. Then getting a breathable and much less restricting pale yellow gown she helped Nina put it on and laced up the back. Caroline then reached up and gently took the crown from her head and undid her hair for her as it fell over her shoulder in waves and light curls.

"There, you seem much more refreshed already." Curling the clothes and gown around her arm she settled the little tiara on the vanity and walked towards the door. "I'll be back in time to take you to dinner with the King. Feel free to take a turn about the castle. Just remember the main stairs are marked with the official banners. That's how you know which floors are what as to not get lost. I'd give you a tour but I still have other duties to attend to. Is this alright?"

"Yes."

"You're a quiet one. I've never met a quiet noblewoman before. I do hope that's not…too out of turn to say." Caroline said quickly trying to recover from the comment. Apparently she wasn't used to working for someone directly.

"No it's quite alright. I'm still in shock a bit of all of this. I've never been here before."

"Well, just be careful not to wander down this floors main corridor too far. That's the main council chamber and usually women aren't allowed in there or non-council members for that fact. Otherwise than that you should be safe. I'll be back before sunset though, okay?"

"O-okay."

With that Caroline left and Nina went back and settled on her chair she had been previously sitting in. She looked at the dress she was wearing and found it to be quite beautiful as it fit her well but was rather long and trailed along the floor. She wondered who it had belonged to before she had come to wear it herself.

Finally standing she rubbed her bare arms and then walked to the door. She placed her hand on the door knob and gave it a light turn before opening it. She half expected a guard to be standing there ready to push her back and lock the door behind her claiming her as a prisoner but no such guard existed. Poking her head out first, Nina then slid into the hallway and shut the door behind her. She was met with the high arched ceilings and long hallways and before she knew it her adventure of this castle began.

Nina started with the main floor as she poked her head into the throne room. There was no one in there but it had high arched wood ceilings and it's bare floors commanded presence. Then there was a single throne and she walked up to it as she inspected it before she inspected the other chairs. Deeming that this room was nothing more than a room with fancy chairs she exited the hall and made her way towards the upper floors as which the royal purple banners indicated. She found herself on a landing with many rooms. One of which looked like a giant study. She didn't poke around but she did give it a look over before gently shutting the door and moving on. It wasn't until she reached the third floor did her interests truly peak.

There was a set of high double doors and she opened one and poked her head inside. She nearly gasped at all the books around her. For Nina had found the royal library. Walking in she looked about at all the shelves lined to the very top with tomes of knowledge. Nina wasn't much of a reader but she did like old books. Her father had been a doctor and had collected many old medical texts from various places as well as a few others that piqued his interests. So this was almost a happy reminder of her father.

Walking over to a shelf she pulled a book from it and then walked over to a table and settled down before she began to open it and page by page read it. I wasn't a hard read, just the history of this world she was in and all of the strange and fascinating things that went with it. It almost was like a children's book and Nina would have taken it that way if it weren't for the fact she got a gut feeling it was all real somehow. She was halfway through it, when she turned a page and there drawn and inked was a mirror. It wasn't like the mirror in her world per say but it had very similar qualities, like its oval shape and lion decorations. But this mirror looked to be woven from trees and plants.

"The mirror between the worlds." Was all it said underneath the caption and Nina feeling somewhat fearful as she snapped the book shut and looked around again. She replaced the book where she found it and went to go find another when she heard the door creak open and footsteps and shuffling was heard. An old man with grey hair and a stout frame walked past her and settled a bunch of books and scrolls on the table she had been sitting at moments earlier. She peered at him from behind the shelf and as he turned he jumped a bit and dropped his glasses off is nose.

"I'm sorry!" Nina dashed forward and bent down scooping the glasses off the floor and handing it to him.

"Dear it is quite alright." He chuckled good naturedly. "Now let me get a look at you."

He placed his glasses on his nose once more and then squinted for a moment before looking upon her.

"Ah! You must be the young lady that my dear boy found in the woods. And he did not exaggerate when he said you where fair."

"H-he did?" she asked and he nodded and then gestured for her to sit. She accepted and settled in a chair and so did he.

"I am Professor Cornelius, the Kings former Tutor. Now I just organize this library in my free time."

"I am Nina and this is quite a library you have here. I haven't ever seen so many books before."

"Well Nina dear, you seem to not be from around here."

"Am I that obvious?"

"You need not be afraid. You are most safe here."

"I'm beginning to see that."

"So…you are a Daughter of Eve."

"Well…my mother's name was Eve." Nina said carefully. "But she died six months ago along with my father."

"I am so sorry for your loss dear. One cannot truly be prepared for the loss of a parent. And you are so young."

"I turned eighteen before their death so luckily I wouldn't have to go live with relatives or a foster home."

"Well, what I meant was that any other person, being human brought into this world is a Son of Adam or a Daughter of Eve. They are supposed to be gifts by Aslan."

"Aslan?"

"The Great Lion dear, who created this lovely world you are standing in."

Nina thought on the name Aslan and it brought her a sense of comfort deep in her stomach and soul. She felt like she was five years old again and running around the park in the sunshine with her parents not far behind. How she picked delicate flowers and presented them to her parents as a gift. Such happiness that came from such a simple name.

"I am still confused. You mean to say a Lion created all of this?"

"Yes."

"I'm definitely not home anymore." She sighed. "Well, why do you think I was brought here? Surely I am not here without a reason."

"That dear I do not know myself. It was evident however that Caspian find you, for he was the one who had done so. And already you are a buzz in the castle. The first moment you stepped through those doors many of the servants, lords and ladies complimented on your beauty. They thought you to be a princess from another land coming to seek the hand of our King."

"Oh no….no not me!" Nina said incredulously. "I would never assume, or try…me royalty?" this caused Nina to giggle. "I am more common than what they think."

"You seem to have a nature about you that is humble and kind." He admitted. "Perhaps Aslan has sent you here to be of aid of some sort to the King. But patience is key and my dear you will have to be patient and fulfill the task set before you before you are able to return home."

"Home." Nina breathed. "They all probably am wondering where I went. All those people…and Karina."

"Karina, is she your sister?"

"Of a sort. She and I have been best friends since we were born. She was going to be crowned Prom Queen right before I was pulled through in the mirror and ended up here."

"You say you went through a mirror?"

"Yes." Nina said and her eyes flit to the book in the shelf that held the picture of said mirror she had gone through. "Yes, I fell through a mirror. It was supposed to be the enchanted mirror from a fairy tale in my land. It was a…ball you see. We have them for our schooling."

Nina was going to have to generalize these terms for a different time for the professor to understand.

"I was dressed as the Princess Snow White for mine and my best friend was Cinderella, then Jasmine was of course Princess Jasmine of Arabia and then Ella was Princess Aurora. We all dressed up as our favorites. And our school votes and whoever wins is crowned King and Queen. But the curtain to reveal the mirror had been caught on something so I went behind it to pull it away myself and that's when I heard something in the mirror. I turned, and words started to appear."

"And what did those words say?"

"Mirror, mirror on the wall….take me to a land afar." Nina recited though a bit fearfully in case she was to be sucked through something else to another place.

"Hm, well it is something to look into. It does sound oh so familiar. Well dear it is nearing sunset, and I do believe you have to be somewhere."

"Oh! Yes, thank you." Nina said as she stood from her chair and then politely as what she would assume was custom dropped a curtsy. This made the Professor chuckle.

"No need for that lass. Now, off with you. I do rather hope you come visit the library again. No one ever seems to read these books and it's always nice to have a guest. Even a pretty one."

"I'll be back tomorrow." Nina smiled.

She did rather like the Professor. He was a kind old man and seemed to be the only person here that made any sense right now.

With that Nina dashed off to get back to her room to meet Caroline so she could be taken to dinner with the King.