Hello. My name is Laura and I have a rambling addiction. I can ramble on and on in authors notes and really need to work on cutting myself off.
Anyway, here is the fourth chapter and I hope that you like it. My computer exploded and deleted like half of the chapter. I just died. Sorry if the plot is going fast. I'm trying to give you long chapters and "get the ball rolling"
Where we last left off…"Home it is child." Aslan said. Then he let out a giant roar and I fainted onto the forest floor.
I awoke to a warm breeze wafting over me. Had I forgotten to close the window last night? No that's not it- the breezes that come into my room are never warm. England doesn't have warm breezes. I rolled over in my sleep, noticing there was some loose…dirt, maybe…on my mattress. I reached for my blanket, only to realize it wasn't there.
What was going on?
The breeze came by again and everything came flying back. The festival, Scott, Peter and Ari, Nazis, running and Aslan. His roar rang in my ears and I shot straight out of my slumber. It couldn't be…and yet it was. I was no longer in my aunt and uncle's house, but in a forest. And not an English forest.
I stood up and pulled a small twig from my hair braid, which was even more loose and tousled. I was still in my costume, but I was not longer in the forest outside of festival grounds. No, I was home.
I was in Narnia.
(I knew it, you knew, she knew it. Come on, we all knew it!)
A laugh escaped my lungs and I ran to hug the nearest tree. Tears of happiness pricked my eyes and I spun in circles with my arms wide. Narnia. I was in Narnia. I was finally home. I couldn't believe it. I sat on a large root and pinched myself. I laughed again when I could tell this was no dream. I fell back over the root and let the breeze wash over me again.
After an eternity had passed I pushed myself onto my elbows. I noticed that near I had been sleeping lay the bow and arrows from festival. I went over to check the weaponry. I checked the bow and noticed it was tauter than before. I checked the point of the arrows and realized they were sharper than before.
Biting my lip, I pulled out the dagger. It glinted in the morning sun and I felt its weight. It defiantly looked sharper. A quick cut through the air confirmed that it was much, much sharper. I checked the bottle at my side and couldn't hold back the disappointment that washed through me when I found it empty.
Shaking it off, I looked around again. Then I furrowed my brow. I really had no idea where I was besides the fact I was in Narnia. I rubbed my face, feeling the dried sweat from my running last night.
I sucked some air in and listened hard. I could hear the creatures stirring in the forest, hooves of some kind (centaurs perhaps), and the wind through the trees. Shaking my head I listened harder still, willing my instincts I developed from wars in Narnia to come back. The faint bubbling of water to my left caused me to sigh in relief. I would find some water, and then figure out what I was going to do. I headed to the left slowly, not wishing to disturb the peace of the morning.
I moved slowly, wishing to spend my energy sparsely, especially because I didn't have any water yet. I would slide over fallen trees and walk around large boulders, as where I would normally bound over the trees and climb over the boulder. Walking this way took me a long time. I had been walking for over an hour, and thankfully the water sound was getting louder and louder. I was getting to be rather tired. By the time I had reached the water, I fell to my knees and used my hands to drink from the stream.
After taking my fill, I sat back on my heels. I had found water, but what now? I looked around the forest and saw a small cliff a day or two's journey to what I believe was west. The height might give me a better view and help me find a town or at least the sea. I took my empty bottle and filled it with water. It would be a long journey and I would only be able to follow the river for so long. Food on the other hand might prove more difficult. Hopefully I would be able scavenger enough food for the one to two day journey.
I decided that before I started my travels I would take a nice stream bath. I cautiously stripped my clothes off, my eyes darting to make sure I was alone. I rinsed my clothes out and laid them on a boulder to dry. Wading into the shallows of the river in my underclothes, I pulled my hair from its braid. I ducked under the water and savored the feeling of no longer having sweat on my skin.
I splashed water over my skin, ignoring the slight chill it brought. It was well past noon, but the air still held a slight chill. It was possible that it was because I was in the forest, but it was also possible that autumn was also coming in Narnia. I clambered out of the river and sat on a boulder adjustment to wear my underclothes were. I lied back on the rock, allowing my hair to drip down the side, the ends barely touching the ground. I had shivers from the chill in the air, despite the sun beating down. As I slowly dried off, I got a little warmer. I closed my eyes and soaked in all the sun I can. I slowly fell asleep, allowing myself a little nap before I started the journey.
I woke up, feeling only slightly stiff from my position. I ran my hair though my slightly damp hair. I smiled slightly. It had dried lying against the side of the boulder had kept it from becoming all tangled. My hair fell in damp curls and had no knots to speak off. I sat up and rolled my neck. I decided I would braid my hair to keep it out of the way for the long walk ahead. I put it in two braids, twisting parts of it like Ari had showed me.
I bit my lip. Aslan had said that everyone was safe. I sent a quick prayer to him to watch over them. They could take care of themselves of course, but everyone needed help. Edmund was sometimes much to hard on himself; Eustace was too into his studies. Ari needed help if she had a panic attack and Peter was all around just too serious at times. I prayed they could take care of each other, they could balance each other's quirks out. Edmund get Eustace out to town- Peter be able to calm Ari down. I smiled, trusting Aslan to help them.
Once my hair was set I walked over to my clothes. They were now dry and slightly warm. I put on the costume, although it was feeling less and less like a costume as time went on. I dressed quickly and then sat down. I found the thread like Ari had shown me and bit my lip. Sorry Ari. I ripped the thread out and then torn two inches of the shirt from ally around my waist, effectively give me a long strip of fabric (and showed the bottom of my navel much to my discomfort). I took that strip and ripped it in half. Two days is a long journey on foot.
I took one strip and wrapped it around the ball of my left foot, giving myself a slight barrier against the ground. I did the same for my right foot and then decided to check around for food. Finding none worried me slightly, but I shook it off and followed the river west towards the cliff.
The sun was slowly sinking and I decided to stop for the night. I had found a few nuts and berries that were juicy and sweet. I snacked on my goodies as I scouted for a good resting spot. There were a few large boulders that would effectively hide me from prying eyes.
I found a spot to curl up against one of the more comfortable rocks and quickly drifted off to sleep.
(Third Person's POV)
A young wolf cub watched carefully from the bushes, still confused by this strange young woman. She appeared to be about sixteen, a daughter of eve without a doubt and yet…she was one with the land. She seemed to be a part of Narnia as much as the trees and river.
She had all the weapons to trap, hunt and kill the animals of the forest, and yet she didn't even try. She was clearly a huntress, yet she stuck to nuts and berries, merrily in fact. The young woman settled down for the night, trusting herself to the forest.
Shrania decided to go see the old badger. Perhaps he could shed some light upon with mysterious woman.
(Lucy's POV)
I was watching my family and Ari louging in my aunt's sitting room. Peter looked a little bruised and beaten, by very much alive. Edmund also sported some scraps on his arms and one across his forehead. Eustace had a bruise or two, as did Ari. I saw to my satisfaction that Peter had an arm around Ari, holding her close.
"There is no other place she could have gone." Edmund said.
"But how? I thought she wasn't to return-" Peter started to speak but was cut off by Eustace.
"He said it was time for Lucy and Edmund to find him in England, but never directly told them they wouldn't return." He said smartly. I noticed Jill for the first time, who was leaning against Eustace. Like the other's she had a few marks, but nothing horrible.
"Edmund's theory is that she found Aslan by telling me about Narnia." Ari said.
"And given the choice, we both know where'd she go." Edmund concluded. Silence followed this statement, everyone off in their own thoughts. Ari yawned softly and leaned into Peter, nuzzling into his chest. He smiled and held her close.
I smiled at the scene before me. Peter and Ari were together, Eustace had Jill, and it wouldn't be long until Edmund had someone of his own. They were going to be fine. And best of all, they knew where I was.
They knew I was home.
I awoke with a smile on my face, knowing Aslan had given me the dream so that I could see my family was safe and well. The morning sun was shining bright in the sky, feeling slightly warmer than yesterday. I stretched my muscles and rolled over carefully to avoid injury. I lay looking at the sun through the trees, light streaming in filtered layers. I sighed in content, everything feeling right in the world.
I climbed over the boulder nest I had slept in a waded towards the river, bow and arrows secured on my back. I splashed some cool water on my face and patted my skin as dry as I could used the backs of my hands, drying my hands on my breeches. I glanced over at the cliff I was heading to and felt disappointment rise in my chest. It still looked just as far as it had yesterday. I sighed and then fell back. Berries and nuts don't exactly give you the best energy for long journeys.
I closed my eyes, debating just a few more minutes' rest when I heard a twig snap. I leaped up and had my bow drawn at the source. I saw a young wolf, a cub in fact, retreat back a few feet from my bow. I instantly lowered my bow, not missing the surprised look on the wolf's face. I set my bow down and stepped away from it, showing the cub I meant no harm. The cub looked at me, and then at the bow, and then back at me.
"You are very strange daughter of eve." The wolf said to me after a long moment of silence.
"I've been told." I grimaced.
"You have the tools to hunt, yet you don't try." The wolf continued on as if I hadn't spoken. "You are a part of the forest and trust the beast's with your life, sleeping in the middle of the forests when most humans only ride through."
I looked at the young cub. How long had see been watching me? She looked a little young to know who I was. Perhaps she knew of me, but know me personally? She couldn't have been old enough to be one of those who fought against Caspian's uncle.
"Yes, I have been watching you." The cub said, "I protect my land just as family does." I smiled at her.
"You did very well, I didn't even know I was being watched." I said. The cub bristled at the compliment but then regained composer. "Thank you."
"Your very welcome. I'm Lucy." I introduced myself. The wolf smiled slightly and said, "I'm Shrania." I smiled, glad to know more about my newest acquaintance.
"Pleasure to meet you Shrania. If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?"
She puffed out her chest, "I am four years old, but I can take care of myself and the forest!" She said, a little defensive.
"I'm the youngest in my family too." I laughed, sensing the reason for the harshness behind her words. "It took me a long time to convince them I could take care of myself." Shrania's face softened, glad someone understood. Then her face lit up! "Oh Aslan!" She exclaimed, "I nearly forgot."
"What is it?" I asked, startled slightly by her outburst.
"If I was able to talk to you and see you were friendly, I was suppose to take you to the old badger's home. He wanted to know how such an odd huntress came to Narnia." I smiled at her childlike honesty. I didn't mind being called odd, I knew she didn't mean it as an insult.
"I'll be glad to come with you Shrania." I said. "May I take my bow? I promise to not use it against you in anyway."
"Of course Lucy," She swished her tail, "I trust you." I smiled again at her ability to trust easily as I grabbed my bow. I put it on my back and carefully stepped across the river rocks to where Shrania was. She smiled at me and then led the way through the woods.
"You mentioned something about humans riding through the forest?" I prompted her gently, wanting to know more about where I was. I was very glad that I had someone who knew the forest who could hopefully help me get to town. What I'll do when I get there…
"A few travelers." She answered, "Very few human's stay. The last human who visited that I can recall was his majesty."
"Who might that be?" I said, as butterflies filled my stomach.
"King Caspian the Tenth." She recalled proudly, remembering the full title. My heart soared- he was still alive! My best friend was still living. "He visited shortly after he had a long voyage to the eastern sea, just a month ago or so."
I stopped walking. I didn't know Caspian's traveling time or how long they stopped on any islands, but that would put Edmund, Eustace and I leaving Narnia about seven months ago. Had so little time really past?
Shrania looked at me oddly, wondering why I had stopped walking. "Sorry, caught up in thought. You were saying?" I asked as I started walking again. I didn't want to cause an awkward silence.
"My father says that his majesty came back with five of the missing seven lords, which was wonderful according to him. My uncle complains that it would be more wonderful if he came back with a queen."
My stomach did a back flip. He hadn't found a queen? What does that mean? What of the star's daughter? I shook my head out of my thoughts, not wanting to startle Shrania again. I was glad that she was willing to help me, the fact she could answer my unasked questions was a mere plus. The young wolf looked at me. "How did you get here Lucy? To Narnia?"
"It is a rather long story." I admitted shyly.
"Perfect then." She gave me a wolfish grin; "The old badger loves stories to go with his tea time." I noticed we had stopped outside of a large tree that was clearly a home of one of the talking animals. Shrania pushed the door open with her head and bid me inside. I entered the small dwelling and saw a graying badger bustling with a kettle.
"I found the huntress. She's really nice." Shrania said excitedly, the young childlike joy and innocents shining in her eyes. "I brought her here." She added proudly.
"Very good Shrania." A familiar voice praised. The badgered turned to face me and then shock took over his face. "Aslan…Queen Lucy?"
"Trufflehunter?" I gasped.
I hope you liked it. To some reviews- As I am planning now- Peter, Ari, Eustace, Jill or Edmund will not be returning to Narnia (however plans change). When is Caspian coming in- what a hint? Caspian will not find Lucy- Lucy will come to him! How? That's for me to know and you to find out :)
Review for me? Let me know what you think. :D