Night fell over the Narnian waters, the stars and moon lighting up the sea, and casting light over the Dawn Treader. The shipmates, Caspian, Lucy, Edmund and Airies were all together on the bow, singing merrily and feasting like they had never feasted before.
Eustace, though he was asked many times by all of them, did not join them. He was sea sick, and in shock as to how he could have been pulled into such a journey. He never read fairy tales, so he had no idea that real magic even existed.
Caspian pulled Lucy to her feet and danced her around the deck in time to the sailors' music. Edmund followed suit and pulled Airies to her feet, spinning her around.
As they danced Edmund said, "It feels so good to be home."
Airies smiled at him and said, "I know exactly what you mean my king. Narnia does wonders with you. Within ten minutes of being here, you grew stronger," she told him, reminiscing on the duel that Edmund and Caspian had shared this morning.
And she was right. Already Edmund was feeling stronger than he ever had before. He had beaten Caspian at their duel, feeling very proud of himself afterwards. He was still a king here, despite his doubts.
The two stopped dancing and went to the opposite end of the deck, where it was quieter and more peaceful. They stood next to each other, leaning over the railing, and Edmund casually took Airies hand, lacing their fingers together. She smiled at him and rested her head against his shoulder.
"I've always loved the Narnian moon. It's much bigger and brighter than the one in England," he stated.
"Yes. It's the best I've ever seen," Airies agreed.
"And how many have you seen?" he questioned.
Airies laughed in response. "Many."
"Every time I see you I just find another mystery," Edmund said with a chuckle.
They were silent after that, until Airies asked the question that she had been brooding over for the past three years.
"How's… How's Peter?"
"He's, uh, he's sulking, upset and angry all the time. Kind of like last time. He's studying with Professor Kirke over the holiday. Airies, he's trying to find any way that he can to get back to you," Edmund told her.
Although truthfully, he hoped that Peter never found his way back to Narnia, back to Airies. But that was just him being selfish, and he knew it.
Edmund loved Airies, almost, if not as much, as Peter did. She had always stuck by him, even when he turned traitor against them. No matter what his decision, she was there for him.
She was both beautiful inside and out, and Edmund loved her every flaw, of which she did not have many, and her every perfection.
He stared at her now, watching the way the moonlight hit her eyes, her hair, the way it perfected her and made her seem almost unreachable, like she was just a dream, and he was just waiting to be woken up from it.
She was looking out over the water, her eyes distant and glimmering, when an idea struck into Edmund's mind.
He pulled his sketch pad out from underneath his tunic and flipped it open to a blank page, and then he proceeded to take out his pencil.
"Airies, I want you to stay frozen like that for just a few minutes, alright?" he asked her softly.
Airies nodded and froze. He wished he could keep her frozen in this moment forever, just so that she would always be his.
Edmund touched pencil to paper and began to draw. Drawing came easier to him now; it was almost like he didn't even have to try anymore. He sketched her, his eyes flicking up and down, trying to get everything about her captured on this simple piece of paper.
Airies stayed frozen, listening to the steady rhythm of Edmund's heartbeat. Her mind, of course, was on Peter, like it always was. She was thrilled to hear that he was trying to find a way to get back to her. Her heart just about soared with the thought. And, he was with Professor Kirke, who had gotten to Narnia with the magician so many years ago, so Peter had an even greater chance of figuring it out now.
"Finished," Edmund whispered, breaking her thoughts.
Airies unfroze and looked towards him. He was holding up his drawing, which was of herself. She took it in her hands, admiring Edmund's skill.
"Ed, this is more beautiful than I actually am. Well done. You're a true artist," she told him, but Edmund shook his head.
"No, the real thing is much more beautiful," he protested quietly.
Airies smiled and quickly kissed his cheek.
As she pulled away, Edmund froze in place.
"What is that? That beating noise?" he questioned, looking around wildly, his hand resting on the hilt of the sword that Caspian let him borrow.
Airies laughed softly and took his hand off of his hilt, and placed it against her chest, directly over her heart.
Edmund could feel her heart beating beneath his fingers, and it went in perfect time with the beating sound that he was hearing.
"I can hear you heart," he whispered, realization dawning on him.
"You've found your magic," Airies responded.
"How?"
"I've told you before that everyone has magic in them. Well, for some people, their magic comes out when they have found their talent, their one thing that they excel at above all others, which seems to be drawing for you. And since our magic was combined those many years ago, it allowed me to hear your heart and gave me a deeper connection to you, because I already had my magic. Now that you've found yours, you can hear my heart, and we are now even more connected," she explained to him.
Edmund was silent, enjoying the sound of her heart, which echoed his. "This is a beautiful sound," he said quietly, not wanting to break the magic surrounding them by being too loud.
He slowly moved his hand away from her chest, and traced his fingers up her neck, until his hand rested against her cheek.
"Airies," he sighed.
She heard his heart speed up. He was nervous.
"Ed, please, don't," she whispered, knowing exactly what was coming.
"I have to. I can't keep this to myself any longer. I've tried to keep these feelings at bay. I've tried to make them disappear. But it's like the harder I try, the stronger they become. Airies, I am in love with you. I have been since you rescued me from Jadis. I've known for over 1300 years here that you will be the only one who I will ever feel this way about, and I can't deny it any longer. I won't deny it any longer," he told her.
"Ed, my heart belongs to Peter. He is the one that holds claim over it. You know this," she said quietly, avoiding his eyes.
"Airies, I do know this, and I also know that nothing I can do will change that. What you and my brother share is passionate, and real, and never ending, and I understand that. Airies, I would never even dream of asking you to choose between me and Peter. But what I am trying to tell you is that right here, right now, while we are on the Dawn Treader, I am here, and Peter is in England, and I love you, and I know that you are in love with Peter, and you will always be in love with Peter, but I also know that you care about me deeply, because I can hear your heart beating so quickly right now," he said in just about one breath.
Airies blushed and looked away.
"My heart always betrayed me, and you've known how I've truly felt for a long time, and I am going to kiss you in five seconds, and I will not be offended if you turn around and walk away," he told her with confidence and authority, and Airies found that she could not disobey.
She stayed right where she was. She could not move. And part of her believed that she did not want to move.
Edmund closed the distance between them, and gently lowered his lips against hers. They could hear the others heart nearly pounding out of their chest. Edmund slid his hand down her neck and tangled his fingers in her hair as Airies moved her hands to his neck, and held one hand to his cheek.
After what seemed like an eternity, Edmund pulled away from her, pure love reflecting in his eyes.
"I apologize, Airies, I just could not control myself any longer," he apologized, embarrassed now that he had actually done what he had only dreamed of doing for a long time.
Airies kissed him softly and quickly.
"You were right, I care for you. And as long as you are here, I am yours, just so long as you remember who I truly belong to," she said to him.
"Thank you, that's all I'm asking for," was all he could say before going in for another kiss.
The next morning, Airies awoke bright and early as the Dawn rose over the sea. She had had that nightmare again, the one that always seemed to haunt her. It was of Peter, as most of her dreams were, but this was not a dream, this was a nightmare, in which Peter no longer loved her.
Airies walked out onto the deck, leaning over the railing, letting the warm sun bathe her and take away the bad dream. As she looked out over the horizon, she was surprised to hear someone come up next to her; Lucy.
She was holding a piece of parchment in her right hand.
"Peter told me that if I were to get back to Narnia, I should give this to you. I had just enough time to grab it and stick it in Edmund's water proof drawing pad before we were pulled into the painting," Lucy said.
Airies slowly and shakily took the parchment from Lucy.
My dearest Airies, my love,
Never a day goes by when I don't think about you. I've been back in England for a month now, and the hurt is not getting any better, as Aslan said it would. I do not say that I've been "home", because you and I both know that my home is where you are, and that is how it will always be. My sweet, never doubt that I will always be thinking of you, and missing you, because every moment of every day I am. The slightest touch from anyone sends my mind tumbling back to the times we shared holding each other late into the night. Anytime that the wind blows the smell of fresh grass and lilac my way, I am sent spiraling into memories of being with you, running my fingers through your soft hair. I can almost feel you in my arms now. How I wish I was with you. When the summer holiday comes up, I will be spending it with Professor Kirke. While I am there, I will be finding any way that I can to get back to you. We will see each other again.
I miss you. I love you.
Yours always, Peter.
Airies finished reading and clutched the parchment to her chest. She slid down the side of the boat, until she came to rest with her knees drawn tight to her body. She could not help it as she sobbed. The tears just came of their own accord.
Lucy slid down next to her, and wrapped her arms around her friend.
"Oh, Airies, what did it say?" Lucy cried, wanting to sob herself at the sight of Airies looking so heartbroken and sad.
"He's… trying to get back to me… but Aslan's decision is always final," she cried, clutching onto the younger girl for support.
"No, Airies, Peter will get back to you. There must be a way. Not even Aslan can keep true love away from each other," Lucy told her.
"Oh, Lucy, I can't stand being away from him any longer. I thought it would get easier, but it's only gotten worse. And now Edmund-" Airies sobbed, feeling more vulnerable and weak than she ever had in her entire life.
"Airies, Peter will find a way, please trust me. I know Peter, and his love for you is real, and when Peter is determined to do something, nothing stands in his way," Lucy convinced her.
"What has happened?" Caspian questioned as he ran over to them and kneeled down on Airies other side. He had walked out of his cabin to see the two girls slumped against the wall, with Airies crying very hard onto Lucy's shoulder.
He wiped the tears away from her face and asked, "Who has done this to you?"
"Caspian, please, nothing has happened," Airies tried to explain.
"It is him again, isn't it? The High King. What is that in your hand?" he said, trying to snatch the letter from her, but Lucy was quicker. She took the letter from Airies and tucked it under her own tunic.
"King Caspian, this is none of your business. You do not read other people's letters without permission," the Queen growled, sounding angrier and more forceful then she ever had before.
"He's written you a letter? Hasn't he done enough?" Caspian exclaimed, jumping up from his kneeling position.
"What have you done to her?" Edmund had come out of his cabin to find Airies, her face tear streaked, with Lucy sitting next to her, looking menacing, and Caspian towering over them.
"What have I done to her? It is what your selfish brother has done!" Caspian shouted.
"My brother is not selfish," Edmund growled, whipping out his sword.
"Ed, stop!" Lucy shouted, standing up.
Caspian took his own sword out as well. "He has written her a letter, tearing her heart apart again. Too many times I've had to see her cry over him! I won't stand for it any longer! Clearly, he does not love her, or he would just let her move on!"
"My brother does love her! How dare you accuse the High King, who is still King over you I might remind, of treachery of the heart!" Edmund yelled, stepping closer to him.
"That is enough!" Lucy shouted, getting between them.
"You two will lower your swords, now! Can you not see how badly you are upsetting her? I am taking Airies to my cabin. You two are not to follow. You will get over your petty differences. There is absolutely no reason to be fighting. Airies will not speak to you, either of you, until she is ready, and only when she is ready, that is if she can find it in her heart to forgive you both for the idiocy, and inappropriateness of how you've acted," Lucy threatened, her expression dark.
She took one more moment to glare at the two kings before taking Airies by the hand and leading her to the cabin.
"Airies, oh Airies, please, relax. They are boys, stubborn and immature, and they know nothing of a girls feelings," Lucy told her once they were inside the cabin.
After a while, Airies' tears subsided, and her breathing became normal again. Lucy continued to rub circles on her back until Airies bent over and hid her face in her hands.
"I am a mess," she mumbled.
"Let me go get some cool water so you can wash up," Lucy told her.
As soon as the door was shut after Lucy, a warm breeze ruffled Airies' hair. She sat up and looked into the golden eyes of a large lion that was standing in front of her.
Without wasting any time, Airies wrapped her arms around the lion, sobbing into his mane.
"My daughter," he began, his voice very slow and sad, "I have caused you more pain than I ever intended. How will you ever forgive me?"
"I just miss him, Father. I want nothing more than to be with him, and it is a horrible feeling knowing that I cannot," she admitted to him.
Aslan pulled back. "Let me breathe on you, my daughter. I will not make you forget, but it is the only thing that I can think to do for you," he said solemnly.
Airies pulled away and kneeled before him. She had never let him do this before, but she needed his magic now more than ever.
Aslan moved his face close to her, and a warm breath hit her head on. All at once, her thoughts of sorrow and grief left her, and were replaced with feelings of strength.
At that moment, the door opened, and Lucy stepped inside, nearly dropping the basin of water which she had brought with her at the sight of the lion who was sitting in front of her.
She placed the basin down on the floor, and ran over to Aslan, burying her face in his mane, and showering him with kisses.
"Oh, Aslan!" she cried.
Aslan laughed and said, "Dear One, you have behaved most admirably. Standing up to a brother and a close friend is not an easy thing to do."
"Is there anything that you can do for Edmund and Caspian? They are blinded by fury and jealousy," Lucy requested.
"I will do what I can for them," Aslan told her.
"Thank you, Aslan."
"I must take my leave now, Dear Ones, but I will first tend to Caspian and Edmund. Take care, both of you."
Aslan kissed both girls and gave Airies a strong hug.
"I love you, Aslan," they said right before he disappeared.
"Lucy?"
"Yes Airies?"
"I just want to thank you, for, you know, looking out for me before," Airies said gratefully.
"Oh, Airies, I know how you must be feeling. I feel it every time that I leave Narnia. It's like a hurting that stays with you, no matter how much you try to push it away. I also understand that it must be so much worse for you. Though I love Narnia, I have never been pulled away so abruptly from someone that I am in love with," Lucy told her.
"You pretty much said it perfectly. When it first happened, my entire body ached with the hurt, but now it's just subsided in my chest, right near my heart. Some days are easier than others, but I can never truly make it go away," Airies said.
As she said this, Lucy got up and picked up the basin she had left by the door and carried it over to the bed. She dabbed a cloth in it and said, "May I?"
After Airies nodded, Lucy started dabbing the wet cloth against her cheeks, washing away the tear streaks and cooling her warm skin.
"It's the same for Peter. When we first got back, he didn't speak for days. I remember seeing him with a pained expression on his face, and he would clutch his chest over his heart. Mum was frantic, she didn't know what was going on. And he wouldn't talk about it, not to me, or Edmund, not to any of us.
"And even though he's talking and getting back to normal, there are still days when he seems so distant and sad. Airies, he really does love you. He's never given any other girl a chance since he's met you. I know that since he chose to leave you've been doubting his feelings for you, but they're stronger now than ever. Please don't doubt them," Lucy told her.
Airies hugged the younger girl, acknowledging her wisdom.
"Thank you, Lucy, I will never doubt again."
Author's Note: I'm just obsessed with uploading this story. Now that I have it done, I just want it to be read. But I don't want it to go by too fast either. But anyway, that was chapter four. Please let me know what your thoughts were, whether they be good or bad, I'll take anything.
And thank you for reading! :)