As soon as I fell unconscious, I dreamed.

I was in a large, open field, and by large, I mean large. I'm talking miles of grassy terrain, the occasional tree, and a gentle breeze stirring the near emptiness around me.

Out of nowhere, there was a light. Not a blinding light, though it was very bright, but a soft, gentle light. A glow, almost. But it vanished as soon as it came.

Out of the light, however, came a lion, a few yards away from where I stood. A giant, majestic, and rather proud lion. He stood on all fours, golden eyes seeming to bore into my own.

"Dear one," he said softly. Wait... he was talking? I would've freaked out, if it hadn't been a dream. Animals don't talk, and besides, it's just a dream. Right?

I didn't know what to say, so I didn't respond. The lion continued. "You have come for a purpose. A purpose I shall reveal in time. A purpose for which you befriended Lucy Pevensie, though you didn't know why you were drawn to her when you first met in England. A purpose for which you bear a striking resemblance to her brother's beloved."

"Hold on," I said, raising one hand. "I... resemble who?"

"In time, dear one," the lion chuckled. "In time. But that is not your purpose. Your purpose is greater, and much more important. Had you not spoken with Lucy at the time you did only hours ago, the outcome of their journey would change greatly."

My brow knit together. "How different? What would've happened?" With a sigh, I added to the question. "Better yet, what will happen?"

"No one is told what would've happened," the lion answered. "And you will realize your importance soon enough, dearest. But now, your friends worry for you. You must wake."

Wait... how did he know I was dreaming?

"This is too weird..." I mumbled. "Speaking of which, I don't know you're name. And I'm tired of referring to you as 'the lion' in my head. What should I be calling you?"

I could've sworn the lion smiled. "I am who you believe I am, Crystal. But you must discover yourself before you discover me."

"Well, that certainly clears things up."

With a lion-like laugh, whatever-his-name-is breathed on my face, regardless of the distance between us. Which made me wonder how I could hear him so well, despite how far apart we were.

"We are not as far apart as you believe, dear one."

I woke up.

It took a few moments for my eyes to open, however. Even then, I had to blink a few times, to adjust to my surroundings. I was in a boat, a canoe, in someone's arms.

… Hah. I was in Edmund's arms.

I sat bolt upright next to him, my cheeks turning red. "Uh..."

He only laughed. "Glad you're awake, Dolly Daydream."

"Hah hah," I mumbled, rolling my eyes. "You're funny."

"Thought so."

Someone at the front of the boat ahem-ed. I turned my head toward them, only to meet gazes with that one dwarf guy. I swallowed hard.

"Uh…" Edmund laughed. I shot him a glare. "Hello… ur…"

"Trumpkin," the dwarf answered gruffly. He turned back to the water, which allowed me to take in our surroundings. We were on some sort of river or lake, in the middle of a chasm, with all sorts of plant life decorating the rocky chasm walls. Sunlight peaked between the two walls of stone directly above us.

"They're so still," I heard Lucy murmur forlornly. Trumpkin gave her an odd look.

"They're trees. What did you expect?"

Lucy gave him a sad look. "They used to dance."

… Dancing trees?

Yeah. If it hadn't been official before, it certainly was now. This place was beyond weird.

"When you four left," Trumpkin said, "all the Narnians retreated to the woods. The trees… retreated into themselves." He scoffed quietly, nearly glaring at the water. "No one's heard from them since."

I looked over at Edmund, who was staring intently at me, with a look of extreme concentration. That concentration was underlined with such a troubled expression that I had to force myself to look away.

My eyes widened, my head was spinning. What was that? I'd never been given such an odd look in my entire life. That somehow reminded me of those random visions I'd gotten earlier. Could he have possibly seen the same thing? No, no. I was being ridiculous. Visions. I was just imagining things. I was making it up as I went.

… Wasn't I?

"We didn't mean to leave, you know," Peter muttered, his voice quivering.

Trumpkin scowled. "Doesn't change anything."

In my mind, though I pitied the oldest boy greatly, I thanked him for interrupting my thought process. It was becoming overbearing to think of so many complications at once.

Somehow, Edmund caught my gaze once more. His expression had shifted, it was now concerned. "You alright?" he asked.

I nodded slowly. "Just fine."

Yeah, I didn't really believe it, either.

Ahhhh, I'm so sorry! I've been in over my head with homework and slipping grades (URGH. *Kills math*) and all kinds of writer's block, so it took me a while to type just this up. I know it isn't much, but I promise the next chapter will be longer!

Reviews are love! And encouragement- I really need some. :P