Disclaimer: Okay I'm really starting to get annoyed with how fanfiction keeps mashing together my paragraphs even though I put like booku enough space in between them so I'm going to put a little dash thingy in between paragraphs, this does not mean that it is a new setting.
The sun was high in the sky as the group trudged along.
Peter leading the way, the girls hanging slightly back talking and laughing, and Edmund and Trumpkin in the rear.
"I don't remember this way at all." Susan said as she looked around her.
Bemused Peter called behind him, "That's the problem with girls. You can't carry a map in your heads."
Lucy smirked, "That's because our heads have something in them."
Susan turned to Addye, "I wish he'd just listen to the DLF."
"DLF?" Edmund asked intrigued.
"Dear Little Friend." Lucy smiled cleverly.
Trumpkin stopped for a moment, "Oh, that's not patronizing, is it?"
Peter steps into a rock passage and stops as he looks around for a moment.
"I'm not lost." He mumured
"No… you're just going the wrong way." Trumpkin said as he gestured around himself.
"You said you last saw Caspian at the Shuddering Wood, and the quickest way there is to cross at the river rush." Peter argued.
"But, unless I'm mistaken, there's no crossing in these parts." Trumpkin replied slightly annoyed.
"That explains it then. You're mistaken." Peter said stubbornly and continued walking.
"Was he always like this?" Addye asked tiredly.
Lucy nodded, "Always."
--
They walked for a while until they came to the gorge. They look down at the rushing water below.
Addye gulped nervously taking a step back.
" You see, over hundreds of years, water eroded the earth's soil…" Susan said logically and just to annoy her brother.
"Oh, shut up. Is there a way down?" Peter asked bitterly.
"Yeah, falling. Come. There's a ford at Beruna. Any of you mind swimming?" Trumpkin began to walk along the gorge.
"Any thing's better than walking." Susan said following.
They start to walk away. But Lucy glances back…
"Aslan? … It's Aslan! It's Aslan over there! Well, can't you see? He's right…"
--
She turns back and sees nothing. Her smile fades.
"… there."
Trumpkin looked around, "Do you see him now?"
"I'm not crazy. He was there. He wanted us to follow him." Lucy said desperately trying to get them to understand.
"I'm sure there are any number of lions in this wood. Just like that bear." Peter said placing a hand on her shoulder.
"I think I know Aslan when I see him." Lucy replied.
Trumpkin stared at each of them in turn, "Look, I‟m not about to jump off a cliff after someone who doesn't exist."
Edmund sighed, "Look, the last time I didn't believe Lucy, I ended up looking pretty stupid."
Peter looks across the gorge and frowns.
"Why wouldn't I have seen him?" He asked Lucy quietly.
"Maybe you weren't looking." Lucy said desperately.
Peter shook his head, "I'm sorry, Lu."
--
As they begin to walk away Lucy looked across the gorge sadly.
"I believe you Lu." Addye whispered in her ear.
"Why didn't you say anything then?" Lucy whined.
"I'm not sure my vote counts, plus Peter seems to be determined to figure this out be himself. And when Peter Pevensie has his mind set on something nothing can change it."1
Lucy shrugged, "I guess I understand."
"Lets just follow his lead for now, and then you can gloat when you're right." Addye encouraged her as they followed the others.
"Aslan wouldn't like that very much, he would want me to accept my victory humbly." Lucy smiled up at her.
"Then do that, and let nothing taint your humility." Addye said tapping the younger girl's nose.
--
As they approach the river the tell tale signs of hard labor were present all around them.
Telmarine men worked to build a bridge across the river.
The group hid behind a group of felled trees to watch the procession.
"Perhaps this wasn't the best way after all." Susan whispered.
Peter gestured for them to stay low and go back up to the gorge.
Lucy shot Addye a triumphant smile.
Addye shook her head and mouthed, 'What happened to humility?'
Lucy pulled her bottom lip in between her teeth and followed the others.
--
As they came back to the spot where they had previously been standing Peter sighed defeated.
"Where do you think you saw Aslan?" He asked Lucy.
"I wish you'd all stop acting like grown-ups. I didn't think I saw him, I did see him. At least Addye believed me, you're all so stubborn and determined to be who you were. Well you're not so get over it and be who you are now!" Lucy yelled frustratedly.
Trumpkin shuffled his feat, "I am a grown-up."
Lucy smirked, "Anyways,it was right around…"
Lucy steps to the edge of the gorge and the ground collapses underneath her and she screams.
The others rush over and see her sitting safely just a few feet down.
She smiles up at them, "… here."
--
Looking down, they see a steep and narrow path going slantwise down into the gorge between rocks.
Peter tilts his head sideways a bit, "That'll work."
He lowered himself down and then preceded to help everyone down.
When Addye was lowered she automatically pressed against the rock wall behind her.
"Scared?" Susan smirked.
"I hate heights." she murmured walking slowly down behind the others.
Peter stood behind her and grabbed her shoulders when she got her foot stuck into a hole that would've made her tumble into the gorge.
She gasped, and with wide eyes stares at him, "Thanks."
He just frowned and motioned for her to keep moving.
As they came to the river in the gorge they walked single filed and when Lucy slips, Trumpkin catches her.
Lucy gives him a smile of gratitude and then looks up at the trees.
They had finally stopped for the night, the boys were asleep and Susan and Lucy stared at the night sky above them.
"Lucy, you awake?" Susan asked quietly.
"Hmm." She smiled, adjusting a little.
Susan murmured, "Why do you think I couldn't see Aslan?"
Lucy sits up.
Lucy looked at her hopefully, "You believe me?"
Susan sighed and turned away, "Well, we got across the gorge."
Lucy frowned, "… I don't know. Maybe you didn't really want to."
Trumpkin and Addye lay silently listening to the exchange.
Susan contemplated her words for a moment, "You always knew we'd be coming back here, didn't you?"
Lucy smiled, "I hoped so."
Susan groaned, "I just got used to the idea of living in England."
Lucy looked hurt but her sister couldn't see her, "But you're happy to be here, aren't you?"
Susan closed her eyes, "While it lasts."
Everyone seemed to drift away, in their own time falling asleep.
But Addye couldn't.
She placed a hand on her chest as a sharp pain ripped across her.
She gasped in quiet pain trying to sit up.
"Please, not now. Dear God not now." She murmured.
And as quickly as it had started, it stopped, "Heavens, Addye you're getting more and more paranoid by the minute."
She lye still and fell into a shallow slumber.
--
Addye decided that Lucy must have many night terrors.
Around dawn she started talking in her sleep, and now she was up trying to wake Susan.
Lucy crawled to her sister, "Susan, get up!"
Susan turns and murmurs in her sleep, "Certainly, Lu. Whatever you like."
Lucy sighed and walks away again, placing her palm on one of the trees.
Sadly she whispered almost inaudibly, "Wake up."
Tiredly Addye wiped a hand over her face.
Peter was on his knees beside her a finger pressed to his lips.
He motioned for her to wake the others and then left to follow Lucy.
--
As she placed a hand on Edmund's shoulder she heard Lucy's small voice call out, "Aslan?"
He looked up at her surprised and she gestured in the direction Peter and Lucy had gone.
He nodded and helped her wake Susan and Trumpkin.
There came the tell tale sounds of clashing swords and then Lucy was screaming, "No!"
Horrified everyone sprints over to the voices.
Peter sounded winded as he asked, "Prince Caspian?"
The proclaimed Caspian answered, "Yes. And who are you?"
--
"Peter!" Susan cried out as they rounded a bush to see the Narnians.
Caspian looks down at the sword in his hands and then looks up at Peter.
Puzzled he asked almost hesitantly, "High King Peter?"
Peter put on a face of dignity and wrapped an arm around Lucy, "I believe you called."
Caspian shrugged, "Well yes, but… I thought you'd be older."
Peter began to turn making eye contact with Edmund and winking, "Well, if you'd like, we can come back in a few years."
"No! No, that's alright. You're just… You're not exactly what I expected." Caspian cried out.
Caspian looks between Susan and Addye.
"Neither are you!" Edmund says as he looks at a minotaur.
Trufflehunter smiled, "A common enemy unites even the oldest of foes."
Addye leaned over towards Susan, "Did that badger just...talk?"
Susan almost laughed at the similarity of her own original words and nodded, "It does take a bit of getting used to, even if you have heard the stories."
Addye nodded eyebrows raised with an, 'Uh huh.' look on her face.
--
Reepicheep bowed and then looked up to Peter, "We have anxiously awaited your return, my liege. Our hearts and swords are at your service."
Lucy gasped and then whispered to the two older girls, "Oh my gosh, he is so cute."
Reepicheep draws his sword and points it around himself, "Who said that?!"
Lucy flushed and Addye and Susan had to hide pearls of laughter, "… Sorry. "
Reepicheep looked flustered for a moment, "Oh, uh… your majesty. With the greatest respect…I do believe courageous, courteous, or chivalrous might more befit a knight of Narnia."
Peter smiled, "Well, at least we know some of you can handle a blade."
Reepicheep smiled at the praise, "Yes, indeed. And I have recently put it to good use acquiring weapons for your army, sire."
He nodded, "Good. Because we're going to need every sword we can get."
Caspian smirked, "Well then, you'll probably be wanting yours back."
Caspian gives Peter his sword, who sheathes it, and walks away.
--
The Narnians, led by Peter and Caspian, walk through the forest.
Trufflehunter finally asks, "So, what are they like?"
Trumpkin sighed, "Complainers… Stubborn as mules in the morning."
Nikabrik smirked, "So you like 'em?"
Trumpkin smiled and replied gruffly, "Well enough."
"This is so weird." Addye groaned as she walked next to a chattering squirrel.
"You get used to it fast," Lucy smiled with a slight skip in her step, "He's kinda cute."
"Who?" Susan asked all the while staring ahead of her.
"Who, oh I guess she must be talking about the other hunk of marble you're staring at." Addye teased, the smile didn't meet her eyes.
"Oh! Him....I don't think he and Peter get on very well if you catch my meaning."
Lucy nodded, "They're fine now, but I figure when it comes to any type of tactic they'll be butting heads."
"Can I tempt you with some fruit?" A fawn asked them as he held a golden pear in his hand.
Addye rubbed her stomach, she was starving but out of insulin, "Sure."
--
As they enter Aslan's How, they see Centaurs standing on either side of the entrance with raised swords. Caspian stops and lets the Pevensies go first, walking with Addye upon entering.
"I'm afraid I haven't been a very hospitable host." Caspian apologized.
"I'm sorry?" Addye asked confused.
"I haven't caught your name." He offerred.
Addye flushed, "Oh, it's Addye. Adelynn, really."
"And are you royalty as well? Perhaps from somewhere up north or beyond the seas?" He questioned.
"Oh, no. I'm just a friend." she smiled.
"You seem too much of a pretty a thing to be just a friend." He smiled flashing all of his teeth.
Addye's cheeks burned, "Hiding in the background has always been my specialty. My sister loved being the center of attention."
"Hiding, such a shame. Perhaps you need to ge..."
Peter abruptly interrupted him. "Shall you show us around?"
"I will speak with you again later, Adelynn?" He asked.
Addye nodded, "That'd be...nice."
"Addye! Come on we're going to look around!" Lucy called.
Addye gave Caspian a half curtsy and then walked briskly to catch up with Ed, Susan, and Lucy.
--
"So what were you two talking about?" Lucy nudged.
"Hmm? Oh nothing really, he was just being coy." Addye shrugged.
They walked along lit corridors until they found a wall decorated with many pictures.
"Hieroglyphs!" Addye said excitedly bending down to examine them.
"Is that?" Edmund asked.
"Oh my..." Lucy said surprised.
Susan ran to find Peter.
--
Lucy pointed at a picture of a faun with an umbrella, "That's Mr. Tumnus, he was the first person....err fawn I ever met in Narnia."
"Do you miss him terribly?" Addye asked.
Lucy nodded, and then Susan came back pointing to the wall.
"It's us."
Lucy looked to Caspian, "What is this place?"
Caspian looked puzzled, "You don't know?"
They all kind of shook their heads as if saying, "Obviously not, if we're asking you..."
Caspian picked up a torch and leads them down a dark tunnel.
As they come to a halt, Caspian lights a fire and it spreads around a room.
In its path revealing carvings of Narnians and Aslan… and the cracked Stone Table.
Lucy looks at the carving of Aslan and slowly walks forward.
She turns back, "He must know what he's doing."
Peter frowned, "I think it's up to us now."
"I don't understand..." Addye whispered.
They all looked up at the carving of Aslan.
"It's only a matter of time. Miraz's men and war machines are on their way. That means those same men aren't protecting his castle." Peter finished.
Reepicheep looked dutifully towards Peter, "What do you propose we do, Sire?"
"We—", Caspian began.
"Our—" Peter started.
Peter looks at Caspian, whom concedes.
"Our only hope is to strike them before they strike us." Peter said placing his hands on the stone table.
Caspian shook his head, "But that's crazy, no one has ever taken that castle."
Peter shrugged, "There's always a first time."
Trumpkin nodded in favor of Peter's plan, "We'll have the element of surprise."
Caspian began to defiantly answer, "But we have the advantage here."
Susan nodded, "If we dig in, we could probably hold them off indefinitely."
Trufflehunter agreed, "I, for one, feel safer underground."
"Look, I appreciate what you've done, but this isn't a fortress, it's a tomb." Peter explained to Caspian.
Edmund nodded and gestured around, "Yes, and if the Telmarines are smart, they'll just starve us out."
Pattertwig excitedly jumped around, "We could collect nuts!"
"Oh yes, and throw them at the Telmarines! … Shut up!" Reepicheep retorted sarcastically and then turned to Peter.
"I think you know where I stand on this, Sire."
"I don't understand why there must be war at all." Addye said from her seat on the ground.
"Why not compromise or make a deal. Killing for peace makes no sense to me. All it does is kill innocent people with families who will probably forever hold a grudge against you. All because you wanted peace."
"There can be no compromise made with one who has blood lust seeping from his lips. And as for the innocent people, they would fight only to guard their lives if they are truly innocent." Peter said giving her the basic principle of the thing.
Addye shook her head, strong dislike for the topic incinerating from her eyes.
Peter shook his head and then looked towards the mighty Centaur, Glenstorm, "If I can get your troops in, can you handle the guards?"
Glenstorm nodded placing a hand on his chest. "Or die trying, my liege."
"That's what I'm worried about." Lucy spoke for the first time from on top of the stone table.
"Sorry?" Peter asked uncomprehending.
Lucy looked around, "Well, you're all acting like there are only two options: Dying here, or dying there."
Peter frowned, "I'm not sure you've really been listening, Lu."
Lucy shook her head violently, "No, you're not listening. Or have you forgotten who really defeated the White Witch, Peter?"
Peter glared at her, "I think we've waited for Aslan long enough."
And with that he left the room.
Lucy and Addye sat in the Stone Table room while everyone prepared for war.
They won't listen to me. Without Aslan here, we're not going to win!" Lucy said about to cry.
"Lu, the only thing we can do now is wish them well when they go, have faith when they're gone, and give them our love and support when they come back. Aslan will...keep them safe. Whether they want him to or not. But you are right, without him here, without our whole army's faith being in him, we will lose."Addye said to the girl.
"Can't you at least talk to him?" Lucy begged.
"I'll try, but you know how he is..." Addye said standing.
"Pigheaded. When he has his mind set on something, nothing can change it." Lucy sighed.
"But you can always try." She added quickly.
Addye smiled, "I'll be back."
-
She walked slowly down the corridors, counting turns carefully as she traced her fingers upon the walls.
As she came to the main area of the cave, the one that had been bustling with activity not but a few hours before, everything was still as everyone was around the caves retrieving what they needed.
But Peter stood with armor laid out next to him, as he dressed.
He knelt to retrieve his gauntlets but Addye was already handing them up to him.
"Thanks." He murmured gruffly.
"You know why I'm here." Addye said with a weak smile.
Peter nodded and continued to dress, "Lucy wants you to talk me out of going through with it. She did it all the time before."
Addye took a deep breath, "You're going into this because you are trying to prove something, to yourself or to Caspian, I'm personally not sure. But I am sure that you are putting many lives at risk because of your selfishness, Lucy doesn't want you to go because you don't have Aslan defending your army, don't do this because of your own selfish desires Peter. You know it won't end well."
Peter's eyes were cold and emotionless, "You know nothing of war little girl. You don't know how fantastic these opportunities are, they'll never happen again, NEVER. And you have no right to tell me I have some selfish desire, I'm not trying to prove anything!"
"LIAR!" Addye screamed, "You think you can just come back and rule this country again, you don't even know what's happened. You left, be it by accident or not, you did. And though you may think things are the same, everything is different, Peter. Everything." Addye began to turn, "And Peter, you have never lived through the things I have, so as far as I'm concerned I'm no little girl."
Peter grabbed her arm roughly, "Don't you ever, tell me how to be a king again, little girl. Why don't you run back to your sister in England and cry like you used to always do, or go be a burden upon the profesor. Leave, and tell Lucy she needs to get her knickers out of a bunch, we'll be fine."
Addye was still, unmoving, and hardly breathing.
Desperately she tried to fight the tears, "Peter, I never knew someone could be such an arse about things which they barely understood."
And as she turned to leave she saw Susan staring at her in horror.
"I helped rule this country for fifteen years, I think I understand." Peter said hotly.
"I wasn't referring to your leadership capabilities, Peter." Addye said as she continued to leave.
As she walked, she placed one hand on her chest to stop the newly revived ache and the other over her mouth to stop the sob trying to escape.
Susan's eyes were apologetic as she watched Addye go from a slow walk to a sprint.
--
"Why did you say that?!" Susan yelled.
"She started it, and I knew she wouldn't let it go anytime soon." Peter said as he adjusted pieces of the armor here and there.
"You don't even realize what you've said. My God! She's already sick and now you...with this!" Susan cried out in horror.
"If you haven't realized Su, she's in perfectly fine health." Peter said picking up his sword and walking away.
"I'll apologize when we get back."
"I don't know you anymore." Susan said looking after her brother.
Edmund placed a hand on Susan's shoulder, "What happened?"
"He's a complete idiot." She said shaking her head.
"And we follow him to the death anyways." Edmund stated.
Susan nodded, "Touché."
--
She raced around each turn, running until she was winded.
And then she just collapsed, in a ball on the floor rocking slightly.
She hadn't thought of her in four days, she had been having fun, and then a single sentence ruined everything.
Suddenly she couldn't stop thinking of how Rayne would've liked this and the other in Narnia.
And she also couldn't stop thinking of why her Da was out of money.
All of her medicines, after all these years must have cost tons.
Her whole body trembled as she thought of her sister; frozen, hardly moving in her arms...
"NO!" Addye shouted.
But the memory was already there, forever engrained in her memory.
--
Lucy sat atop the Stone Table when Addye came in wiping her eyes.
"What did he say?" She asked, her eyes hopeful.
Addye shook her head, "He refuses to believe what is laid so blatantly in front of him. He will go on with the raid. He also said something about you getting your knickers out of a bunch."
Lucy frowned, "Did he honestly say that?"
Addye sighed, "Word for word."
Lucy shook her head, "Well, best of luck then."
"I hope they come back alright." Addye whispered.
"They will." Lucy said calmly.
"I shouldn't have blown up at Peter like that, I'll have to apologize when he gets back."
Lucy smiled, "Will you stay here?"
Addye looked at her confused, "Pardon?"
Lucy snuggled against the table, "If I fall asleep will you stay here?"
Addye nodded, "I'll be here. Will you if I fall asleep?"
Lucy nodded, "I'll be here."
--
Peter, Edmund, and Susan walked back into the room to tell Lucy goodbye to see her atop the Stone Table asleep with Addye on the floor head against it.
"They'll be fine." Susan said to comfort them all.
"I hope Lucy won't be too mad at me for not listening to her."Peter whispered, but he was looking at Addye as he said it.
"I'm sure she'll be able to find it in her heart to forgive you." Edmund said with a smile, "Remember, all the times she forgave me."
With one last glance at the sleeping women they left for war.
--
She slept dreamlessly for the first hour or so, but then it was there.
The memory she'd been trying to suppress.
"And we'll meet back here for seven thirty." Her sisters words rang through her ears.
"Come on Rayne, it's eight." Addye grumbled as she looked around the empty streets.
A hand rest upon her shoulder so she turned around with a great smile on her face, only to disappear.
A tall man, with broad shoulders, and an extremely beefy exterior stood there, "Where's the closest restaurant?" He slurred, slightly rocking on his own two feet.
His breath reeked of stale beer and crackers.
Addye just shook her head, "I have...to go," she managed to stutter and quickly she began to try to walk away.
But as she managed to round one corner there were more men, and it appeared that the other man and these all knew each other.
She turned back and did the two things she knew how to; scream and run.
She ran as fast as she could, screaming all the way until something hard collided with her leg.
--
She rolled uncontrollably until she was stopped by a foot crushing her rib cage.
She cried out in pain as they picked her up and threw her against walls.
They punched her in the face and twisted her arms until she was sure they would break.
As they beat her with merciless hands a hand always covered her mouth, keeping her from screaming.
They dropped her onto the ground and began grinding their shoes into her spine enjoying her whimpers of agony.
Over and over they beat her until she couldn't fight, until she was completely immobilized and every ounce of her being was in utter agony.
--
"ADDYE!" She tried to open her eyes up, and managed to crack them enough to see her sister running towards them.
"Rayne..." Addye gasped in pain.
The first man looked up to find the seventeen-year-old's fist colliding with his nose.
"Son of a...." The man howled, holding his nose with one hand while he grabbed Rayne's throat with the other.
He lifted her from the ground, her nails raking furiously into his skin as she tried to breathe.
"Let...go." Addye whimpered as the other men continued to assault her.
--
So he did, he released her and she fell to the ground gasping for air.
Then he kicked her, stepped onto her wrist and ground the heel of his boots into her flesh and grinned a sardonic smile as blood began to pool there.
He bashed her head against the coble stone street.
He drew his pocket knife from his pocket and began digging it into her flesh.
Addye screamed, "Don't hurt her! PLEASE! DON'T HURT HER!!!!"
Over and over again, she begged. Each time was met with a harsh kick or a sharp punch.
--
She couldn't remember when they left, but she pulled herself weakly to her sister's side, wrapping her arms around her frigid body and trying to stop the bleeding.
Her vision was hazy and she couldn't see straight, their blood had mixed and formed a puddle of crimson tears about them.
"This is ALL my fault, I'm so so..sorr...sorry Ra...Rayne. I'...I'm soo...s..sorry." Addye choked in tears.
"It's not.....you're fault. L....lo...look at me, th..this will n...never be your fault. Add...Addye it isn't your fault." Her sister said a hand gently placed on her cheek.
Rayne began to gasp and a small trickle of blood oozed from the corner of her mouth.
"NO! D...don't go R..Rayne, p..please Ra...Rayne, you...you've gotta make it puh....please Rayne."
"Ah...I'm so t..tire...tired Addye...Ju...just a...few momens...." Her voice continually became lower and her eyelids were drooping.
"S..some....somebody he...help!" Addye cried out in pain.
--
She tipped over onto the ground and held her sister to her chest.
She heard the screams, and then a few minutes later the sirens, but they were muffled and seemed far away.
But the voice that was the loudest was the one leaving this world, "Addye..."she choked slightly, her eyes fluttering closed even more, "see ya....in the woods."
And then nothing, for months, there was nothing.
She'd woken a few days later and demanded to see her sister, so they brought her there.
Rayne had been connected to about forty tubes, she was unmoving, and the blip of the heart monitor was barely even there.
She felt a hand on her shoulder and she panicked, but she didn't have to worry it was James.
He was broken looking at her, his eyes were puffy and tears were threatening to fall.
She was getting worse, the doctors couldn't help her, they were going to let her go.
When they pulled the plug on Rayne, and her sister's last heart beat sounded off like the final gun shot, Addye fell from her wheelchair and into a coma.
Chapter Note: So there you have it, how Rayne died. I didn't want to go too into detail, and plus this is the first time I've ever written abuse. So I would appreciate tips on how to make it better!
