Chapter 4

The next day we made our way to Cair Paravel. For even though we were wary we were in good spirits. The next day though Peter, Lucy, Edmund, and Susan were crowned. I stood with the rest of the Narnian's as Aslan called out, '' Long live King Peter, Long live Queen Susan, Long live King Edmund, Long live Queen Lucy.'' I stood next to Mr. Tumnus smiling and cheering with the rest of them. I danced with Peter and Mr. Tumnus and was and was having of a great time. I had stopped dancing and was catching my breath when I saw the shadow of Aslan leaving the castle.

I began to follow him but stopped, and had turned to go back when I heard his voice, '' Come child I need to speak to you.'' He kept walking and I ran to catch up with him. I walked with him along the beach, he seemed peaceful but sad. It was then I knew that he was leaving. '' Yes I am leaving,'' he stopped and looked at me, '' kneel.'' I obeyed and he placed a paw on one of my shoulders. '' Do you know why you were given those gifts by Father Christmas.'' I shook my head no. '' Would you like to know.'' I nodded.

"Daughter of Eve you have a choice, on one path is Finchley. You will be sent back to your homeland immediately. On the other path lies Narnia, but on this path you will have to carry a burden.''

'' What kind of burden?''

"One that will separate you from the rest of the Daughters and Sons of Adam and Eve. Not physically, not for very long, but mentally. You will have to keep many secrets from them, and I'm sorry to say that they will never fully trust you.'' I closed my eyes and though over my options. As much it would hurt I couldn't go back to Finchley. Narnia had become my home, and the Pevensies were my family.

"I choose Narnia.'' I heard him sigh and I opened my eyes and looked into his solemn looking ones.

'' Very well then. Rise Anna Lady Knight of Narnia.'' I rose from the sand brushed off my dress.

"I will miss you Aslan.'' I said kissing his snout and hugging him.

" Do not worry dear one I will always be with you. And when I do come back I will lead you to where you will carry out the duties that have been placed on you. Until then dear one live freely.'' I closed my eyes as he breathed on me. I then felt a gust of wind and opened my eyes to find him gone.

'' Anna.'' I turned around to see Edmund standing there. I curtsied but he just waved it off.

'' Edmund, what are you doing here?'' He shrugged his shoulders.

"Taking a walk.'' I looked around at my surroundings. I was on the beach and I could see Cair Paravel far off in the distance.

'' Following me?'' Even in the darkness of the early evening I could still see the blush that crept into his cheeks. '' At least you have the decency to blush. ''I sighed and began walk back to the castle with Edmund following me.

" Did you hear?'' I asked him.

"Yes.'' I stopped and stared at him.

"Then you know everything.''

"Yes.'' I nodded my head and kept walking back to Cair Paravel. A silence fell over us and I was glad. I wasn't in the mood to talk. As we neared the entrance Edmund stopped me, '' I know what Aslan did.'' I saw that his face was guilt stricken.

'' He did so you could live and be king.''

'' I don't feel like a king.''

'' It'll come with time Edmund. All of you will soon live up to your titles.'' He smiled a little and as we were under the arch of the entrance he said,'' I'll always trust you.'' I smiled and gave him a grateful hug.

'' Thank you.'' I sighed and slipped into the room without much acknowledgment.

'' Three years and as I had guessed they lived up to their titles. Peter had become magnificent, riding on the unicorn sword held high. Susan had become what some would call the mother of Narnia. She cared to all Narnian's as well as the rest of us. Edmund became somewhat of a judge. He was cold and calculating to all of the strangers that passed through the halls of Cair Paravel. Lucy was still as spirited and was like a ray of sunshine on Narnia. As for me, I learned to actually use my sword. I became good. I actually beat Oreius once, not that he would admit it. Anyways, I guess you could say that my adventure started right after my sixteenth birthday. Aslan came for me that day. ''

I moved through the gardens loving the aroma and the sun on my face. I finally sat down beneath one of the many trees and closed my eyes. I had only closed my eyes for a moment when I felt a presence in front of me. I opened them to see Aslan staring at me, and I quickly repositioned my body so that I was on my knees.

He chuckled,'' Rise.'' I did as I was told but not before hugging him.

'' What brings you here Aslan?'' I asked. As I looked into his eyes my smile dropped. His eyes looked sad, even reluctant.

" It is time.'' I opened my mouth to say something but no words came out, I just resigned to nodding my head.

"When?''

He sighed, '' I will meet you tomorrow at the stone table. I will permit one of the kings and queens to bring you as far as the edge of the forest. Bring as little as you can. You will be provided for.'' I nodded but I had one more question to ask.

'' Aslan it's been so long since I went to the Stone Table. How will I know where to go?''

'' Use your compass dear one, for that is why it was given to you. Merely think of the place you want to go and the compass will guide you.'' I nodded again and walked back to the castle.

'' For you see I had not told them. I didn't want them to worry. They had more pressing matters to worry about. After all, the witch might have been dead, but her followers were still out there, looking for some way to bring her back. When I told them though they were shocked. They knew that I had been knighted but they didn't know why.''

''But why?'' Lucy asked.

''Because I promised I would.''

'' Did he say what kind of burden?'' Peter asked. I shook my head no.

'' It just seems awfully strange.''

''I know, but Aslan would not put me in danger, or place some kind of burden on me if he did not think I could not handle it.''

''It was decided that Edmund would escort me to the edge of the woods. We thought that since Aslan permitted Edmund to hear our conversation, that it would be fitting that he would escort me. The next day I walked down the main stairwell looking upon sad faces.''

I saw that Lucy had tears streaming down her face, and saw that Susan was trying to hold back her tears. I tried to hold back my own tears as I hugged everyone goodbye. My heart ached and it was then that I realized how loved I was here. As I got on my horse Lucy ran up to me, ''When will you return?''

"As soon as I can I promise.'' With that me and Edmund started to make our way to the woods. It took most of the day to get to the woods, and during our ride we didn't say anything to each other. There wasn't much to say; we had both known this was coming. We reached the woods when the sun was highest in the sky, and I was at once glad that I had worn my tunic and leggings. I got off my horse and Edmund looked surprised by this.

'' You're not taking your horse.''

" Aslan said to bring as little as I could.''

He got off his horse and walked with me to the forest. When we were at its edge he pulled me into a hug, '' I'm going to miss you.'' I pulled out of the hug and looked at him. If a stranger were to look at him right now they would see nothing but a polite face. I saw through the facade, and saw the sadness in the depths of his eyes. I don't know why I did it but I kissed him on the cheek, '' I'll miss you too.'' I turned to the woods and started to walk; not knowing what was awaiting me.

'' I f only I had known.''