Hey all! I give you this new chapter the same day as I've finished my last exam with an A+ in English, which means that I'm practically finished and have summer vacation until it's called the Gymnasium for the next three years :) I'm really forward to it, but I've also been looking forward to summer vaca for a bit time now - and I've also looked forward to being able to write more - which I have now ;)

I've used a line (more or less) from Dean O'Gorman's (Andrew) audition for the Hobbit as inspiration in this chapter. If you can spot it, then you're really good ;).

Without further ado, I would just like to thank everyone reading, reviewing, putting on alerts and favorites! :) And remember, even a couple of words is enough for me in a review - it keeps the inspiration and morale up - I don't bite :)

Disclaimer is the same for all chapters.

Enjoy ;-).


Goldenflower

Chapter Nine – Wild Heart:


"Andrew, can I get an ice cream?" an eight year old Cornelia asked innocently, tugging timidly at her brother's sleeve. Andrew looked down at his sister, chuckling softly as those big blue eyes pleaded softly with him.

"Sure, squirt." Andrew smiled, digging into the pockets of his trousers for his wallet. Andrew found it and then held it up in the air. "Where to, m'lady?"

Cornelia frowned. "I don't know. I can't decide."

Chuckling, Andrew ruffled her blonde hair before taking her hand. "Don't you worry your pretty little mind with that. I know a place you'll love."

"Where?" Cornelia exclaimed gleefully.

"You'll see," Andrew replied with mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Andrew!" The youngster exclaimed, slapping his side gently.

Andrew just laughed before bending down and kissing his sister on the crown of her head.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw someone bulldozing into Andrew's side. It all happened so fast; Cornelia didn't have a chance to react before she felt herself falling, dropping like a sack of potatoes onto her back, the back of her head hitting the concrete. When a tremendous pain first cut through her head and then down her whole body, she released a shrill cry that sounded haunted even to her own ears. Soon her body was shaking with the force of her sobs.

"Cornelia!"

Andrew and a couple of other people were at her side almost immediately.

"Do you hear me, you scum?!" Andrew bellowed, and the venom in his voice surprised her. "You'll answer for this!"

Cornelia started seeing double; it was like the ground was spinning.

"Andrew, I feel dizzy," she managed to choke out between sobs.

"I know, baby girl. The ambulance will be here soon. Just keep your eyes open for me, okay?" Andrew's voice shook.

"B-But I'm tiiiired," Cornelia drawled, holding on to Andrew's large hand for dear life.

Andrew smiled. "I know, but you have to be a good girl and keep looking at me, okay? Don't close your eyes."

He then turned to the concerned bystanders. "Has anyone called an ambulance?"

A woman, probably in her mid-thirties, sidled up to the group. She nodded, smiling softly. "Ambulance is on its way. Shouldn't take more than ten minutes."

Andrew nodded, his lips twisting upward in a thankful smile. A moment later he was biting on his lower lip, his narrowed eyes flicking back to his sister.

"Hey, Lia? You remember that story about Sleeping Beauty, where princess Aurora was hurt and she fell asleep and she could only be woken by her true love's kiss?"

Cornelia's eyelids fluttered as she struggled to stay awake. "Yes?"

"Well, you're not allowed to fall asleep like Aurora, 'cause I won't let any boy near you until you're at least thirty." Andrew chuckled, brushing some her hair away from her eyes.

Her brother's comment made Cornelia giggle, making her forget the pain she was in for a split second.

"Just thirty?" Cornelia retorted, causing her brother to smile wickedly.

"Oh, you like forty better, do you?"

The siblings laughed before Cornelia squeezed Andrew's hand and added softly. "Fifty at least."

"Nah, more like sixty-two." Andrew chuckled, brushing her knuckles with his thumb.

A siren wailed in the distance.

"You hear that, Cor? The ambulance is almost here." Andrew spoke softly, Cornelia responding with a soft, yet tired smile. Her eyelids became heavier as the siren became louder and louder.

"Oh no, you don't," Andrew chided softly by the view of his sister's eyes slowly closing. "Yes, there you go. Big girl."

Tires shrieked. A vehicle came to a sudden stop. Footsteps hurried toward Cornelia and her brother.

"What have we got here? Hello sweetheart." A man, dressed in a funny colored suit, greeted her as he knelt down beside Andrew.

"Hi." Cornelia responded weakly.

"Can you tell me your name?" the male asked kindly as he fiddled with some funny-looking tools.

"Cornelia Sprout Pevensie, sir. Nice to meet you."

The man chuckled as a colleague – she assumed – knelt by her head. "Nice to meet you too, Cornelia Sprout Pevensie. My name is Tom, and the other guy here is Terry, and we're going to help make you feel better, all right?"

Cornelia blinked. "All right. Is Andrew here?"

"I'm right here, Lia," Andrew replied concernedly. "I'm not going anywhere."

Cornelia winced as Tom gently lifted her eyelids and shone torchlight at her pupils.

"I don't feel so good." Cornelia groaned, nausea rushing through her in waves.

"We'll take you to the hospital now, Cornelia – you're going to be just peachy keen in no time," Tom replied softly, as the two men worked to get a board underneath her.

"Does your back or neck hurt, Cornelia?" Terry asked.

"They're just sore, I guess." Cornelia shrugged weakly.

"Now, there's a big and strong girl," Terry smiled. "Big brother must be proud of you, huh."

"He is, very much." Andrew smiled, taking Cornelia's hand as the two paramedics hoisted her up with a grunt.

"Andrew, don't leave me." Cornelia whispered as Andrew took a seat next to her in the back of the ambulance.

Gently, Andrew leaned over and kissed her brow, then pressed his forehead against hers before pulling back.

Andrew brushed a few strands of her hair away from her face. He looked straight in her eyes, tears rolling down his cheeks. "I would never do that to you, Lia. Never again."

Cornelia woke up with a start. At first, she looked frantically around, her world foggy, not recognizing the scenery around her. Her back and neck ached. She was sitting upright – Cornelia wriggled – and apparently tied to a tree. She winced as the rope around her middle tore at her skin.

Only then did she become aware of how cold her aching body felt.

Even so, she kept falling asleep and waking up abruptly because of her dreams. Some of them were dreams, memories or even nightmares. Not that there was much else to do when being a prisoner of Jadis. As far as Cornelia knew, the Witch had left them alone after she had gathered her soldiers and set up camp in the woods – but why did Cornelia still feel so… cold then? Light was slowly finding its way through the canopy of leaves, so she guessed it was at the break of dawn. The trees were twisted and tangled into each other, making the surroundings scarier and gloomier than usual.

What really scared her was all of the ugly creatures armed with weapons walking around wherever she looked.

She looked down at herself, and then plucked at her ruined dress (the same one she had worn since entering the wardrobe) which was covered in dirt and grime.

Cuts and bruises were all over her arms and legs, and her head was pounding something fierce. Her blonde hair was tangled, also full of dirt and grim. She shuddered at the thought of her mum seeing her state of dress. Another shudder shot through her when she thought of her dreams.

Her most recent dream reminded her of the day in Finchley when she had gotten a bad concussion and a sore back and neck, which had bothered her for a while. She had found out from Andrew that a pocket thief had tried to grab his wallet, but Andrew had been too strong and the sly opportunist had fled - and she had been in the way. Cornelia could never forget how her brother had roared his anger, how his voice had been laced with poison.

Cornelia missed him terribly.

She frowned when she heard something that must have been a horncall. Cautiously, she looked around to see if anybody else had noticed or if it had been a figment of her imagination.

"Don't worry about the rest of your family anymore, little one. They're with me. They're safe."

Cornelia's eyes widened, but at the same time she felt as if a heavy burden had been removed from her shoulders.

"Where are they? Where are you?" Cornelia thought.

"Your heart, and head, is troubled and clouded, my dear. We'll meet soon. Look out for Edmund until then."

"How am I supposed to trust you when I don't even know your name, but you know mine?" Cornelia suddenly challenged fiercely.

The voice chuckled. "You've heard my name before. Just dig deep down into your consciousness."

Cornelia closed her eyes, trying hard to remember something that could help her find out who the voice in her head was. Something inside her lit up. She would never have imagined that it was Mr. Beaver who had left such a huge impression on her – she blamed it on his funny accent and the endearing face (though she feared what he would do if she would openly speak of her adoration for him). He had said something back at his house…. 'The top geezer. The real king of Narnia'.

Cornelia gasped for air. "Aslan?"

Suddenly, a gentle and comforting breeze brushed her face, making her smile. It was him. Aslan. It had been him the entire time!

The heat rushing through her veins was immediately replaced with the same cold from before. What was happening?

Cornelia suddenly heard a mumble and looked to her left.

"Edmund!" she smiled.

Like her, her cousin was tied to a tree. He, however, had been gagged.

"Edmund, are you cold as well?" Cornelia asked slowly.

Edmund frowned, shaking his head, then looked at a bonfire that had been erected near to where they were being held captive.

"Something is most definitely the wrong with me," Cornelia thought as she opened her mouth, her breath misting in front of her. Her skin prickled with goose-bumps.

Suddenly, the dwarf approached Edmund.

"Leave him alone!" Cornelia warned the Witch's pet. She wrestled and tossed around to get free of the rope, but the rope only dug deeper into her wrists, making her bite down on her tongue, a pained expression on her face.

The dwarf just laughed at her before becoming serious again, staring her down. "Shut up, or you'll be gagged just like him."

Cornelia spat on the ground, mirroring the expression she had seen on her brother's face from her most recent dream. "Scum."

Edmund's eyes widened at his cousin's choice of word, while the dwarf ignored her, his eyes trained on Ed.

"Is our little prince uncomfortable?" he mocked, while circling around the tree, brushing his scarf against Edmund's cheek. Edmund ducked away from it, following the dwarf's movements as well as he could. "Does he want his pillow fluffed?"

"Special treatment for the special boy!" The dwarf bent down so that his head was close to Edmund's. "Isn't that what you wanted?"

"You'll answer for this!" Cornelia yelled, trying to get the dwarf's attention, this time succeeding as he practically stormed towards her, ripping a small piece of cloth from her dress off before gagging her, so that her next insults became mumbles. Then the dwarf took his leave.

"Mmmmm!" Cornelia croaked out in panic as the cloth cut sharply into her mouth, making it hard for her to breathe. As she struggled against her bonds, she watched as Edmund freed his mouth, his eyes glistening in alarm.

"Please, someone loosen the cloth! She can't breathe! Please!" He was pleading to no one in particular.

A minotaur approached the children. "Shut your mouth!"

"I don't think the Witch would like the Goldenflower dead, now would she?" Cornelia heard Edmund retort, her eyes slowly closing before snapping open.

The minotaur considered the situation for a moment. With a grunt, he loosened the gag the tiniest bit before walking away without another word.

Cornelia coughed violently, wheezing as she caught her breath before looking over at Edmund, her eyes shimmering with tears. "Thanks Ed."

Edmund nodded, not once looking away from her. "It's all my fault."

"Oh, Ed – no, it's not. She tricked you."

"But I should have known better!" Edmund exclaimed, tears welling up in his eyes. "Peter's going to kill me if we ever get back."

"Hey," Cornelia replied sternly, shaking her head so that the cloth slipped down her chin. "First of all, Peter isn't going to kill you, because I won't let him."

Edmund's eyes widened in wonder and awe.

"Two; of course we'll get back. We'll get out of here, one way or another. We just have to stick together and be there for each other. They'll come for us."

"Why are you being so good to me?" Edmund questioned tearfully. "I've been nothing but mean to you and Lucy."

"That's not entirely true. You've been good at times as well," Cornelia giggled when she saw her cousin's soft expression. "You're not the only one who has been underestimated or been treated like a child."

"But your family functions so well." Edmund stated.

Cornelia shrugged. "We have some good moments. But we also have ups and downs – just like you Pevensies."

"You're also a Pevensie, silly." Edmund chuckled.

"But first and foremost a Sprout."

"Oi, you two – shut up or I'll bloody gag you two again!" a goblin, sitting at the bonfire, yelled at them.

Cornelia shuddered but pulled herself together; Edmund visibly did the same.


Cornelia woke at the sound of metal on metal. Groggy, she shook her head as her blurry vision slowly cleared. It had become dark, and every creature in the Witch's camp was working on different weapons. Bonfires were seen all over the camp and the hammering was a strange melody. Beside her, Edmund groaned, most likely also waking up due to the weapon-making – which apparently had to be done by night.

Nervously, Cornelia looked at Edmund, and she could see her own fears written across his face. The dwarf approached them and started pestering Edmund.

A growl rent the air, and Cornelia looked up in confusion.

Maugrim's companion had come back without him, prompting nearly the whole camp to pause in their work. Silence descended but it was quickly interrupted by a rustle of leaves. Then hell broke loose as creatures appeared from all sides, slashing down the Witch's soldiers.

Cornelia's lips curved into a smile when she saw the 'unexpected guests' – they had to be on Aslan's side.

Centaurs, fauns and other animals charged towards the Witch's army, which was pushed aside even though they outnumbered their attackers. A couple of cheetahs drove the enemy away from Edmund and Cornelia, so that a centaur – possibly the leader of his kind aligned with Aslan – could approach the children and their small warden. The centaur quickly had a longsword pointed at the dwarf's throat. Fauns approached the group to tie the dwarf to a tree on Cornelia's left, then they gagged him and raised the tip of his hat, nailing it to the trunk with a dagger.

"M'lady." The faun who freed Cornelia greeted her with a respectful bow before hoisting her up, only to gently place her behind Edmund on the centaur's back.

Out of the corner of her eye, Cornelia noticed a wolf lurking in the shadows. Quickly, she grabbed one of the faun's daggers, pulling back just as the wolf jumped out from its hiding place, heading determinedly towards an oblivious faun.

"Watch out!" she warned, and the centaur and the fauns all spun around. Inches from them, the wolf fell to the ground with a whimper, the dagger protruding from its chest.

Adrenaline was pumping in Cornelia's veins as she watched confusedly as Edmund and the surrounding Narnians stared at her dumbfoundedly.

"Not bad for a lady." The centaur acknowledged her with a noble nod of his head.

"Th-Thank you, my lady," the faun stuttered, gently grabbing her hand, kissing it softly. "You saved my life."

Cornelia blushed furiously as the small party took off without another word.

"Ho-How did you do that?" Edmund whispered as the chilly wind blew into their faces.

"I-I don't know." Cornelia admitted, her eyes wide.

"Well done, my lady Goldenflower," the centaur praised.

"Th-Thank you," Cornelia stammered, "but it's just Cornelia, really. I don't even know your name."

"It's Oreius, my lady. At your service." Oreius nodded minutely.

Cornelia wrapped her arms tighter around Edmund's waist as she rested her head against his back, treacherous tears rolling down her cheeks. She had just killed someone.

What had she done?

~~G~~

The group reached Aslan's camp nearly at the break of dawn. The sky was still dark, but streaks of morning light fell over the red, yellow and gold colored camp. The view was truly magnificent. A faun helped both of the children down from Oreius' back. A cheetah then came up to them and nudged them in the direction of a tent to get cleaned up.

"You go first," Cornelia told Edmund softly and the boy reluctantly left with the cheetah.

"Are you all right, my lady Cornelia?" Oreius asked her as the others had left.

Cornelia nodded, smiling weakly. "Yes, thank you, Oreius. I just need to speak to Aslan."

The centaur nodded, before motioning to somewhere behind her. "On top of that hill you'll find Him."

Cornelia nodded. "Thank you."

Oreius smiled curtly before bowing respectfully, taking his leave. The tween slowly made her way up the hill, but became a bit disappointed when she saw that Aslan, whoever he was, wasn't there. She was confused and an emotional mess, and he seemed to be the only one who knew what really was going on with her. She soon forgot that for a single moment, as she became intrigued by the most beautiful and magnificent view before her. In the distance, a great ocean glistened and shone beautifully in the early rays of sunshine. And in the middle of that, on a monstrosity of a cliff, sat a stunning castle that left her breathless. Suddenly, she became aware of heavy footfalls heading towards her. She twirled around, only to gasp in awe.

Before her stood a large lion with the most beautiful and magnificent mane she had ever seen. And she wasn't scared, oddly enough – there was this comforting aura around this creature.

"Welcome, Cornelia. I have been looking forward to finally meet you." The lion spoke in a deep, soothing voice – that familiar, soothing voice.

"Aslan?" Cornelia gasped.

Aslan chuckled, walking up beside her. "You didn't expect that I would be a lion – a talking lion."

Cornelia smiled softly at the lion. "With what I've seen so far, it shouldn't really be a surprise."

Aslan chuckled warmly.

The two fell silent as they looked back towards the castle.

"That is Cair Paravel, the castle of the four thrones. There all of your cousins will rule, with Peter as High King."

Cornelia turned to look at Aslan, sighing sadly. "Why am I here, Aslan?"

Aslan looked deep into her blue eyes. "You doubt the prophecy?"

"That's just it," Cornelia replied. "I've seen what I can do and heard what I'm meant to be – but Aslan, I'm not what you all think I am."

"Cornelia Sprout Pevensie, formerly of Finchley. Lucy also mentioned that you have a brother fighting in a war in your world." Aslan stated, his mane brushing her right hand as if in some gesture of solace.

Cornelia nodded stiffly, her heart aching at the mention of her brother. "He is."

"Cornelia, there is a Deep Magic, more powerful than any of us, that rules over all of Narnia. It defines right from wrong, and governs all our destinies. Yours, your brother's…and mine." Aslan sighed.

Cornelia frowned. "How can it govern Andrew's destiny when he's not in Narnia?"

"The bond you share with your brother is unbreakable - almost magical. You seem to be one person, but then not anyway. The Deep Magic and Andrew's connection to Narnia goes through you, my dear. Your purpose here in Narnia is to protect and guide your cousins just as you've protected your brother and the other way around."

"But, I couldn't even look after my own family! How am I supposed to advise them and guard them with my life if I can't even look after them or keep my word?"

"You've brought them safely this far."

Cornelia's eyes flicked away as her thoughts circled around Andrew. "Not all of them."

Aslan nudged the eleven year old. Her eyes rose to meet his.

"Andrew's life is out of your reach, Cornelia. You may carry a heavy title with a heavy responsibility, but you must not forget that you still are a child. An extraordinary child with powers the world has never seen. You are gifted, Cornelia. You will never be a queen, but a lady, an adviser to the Kings and Queens of Narnia, but first and foremost, their cousin. You understand what I ask of you?"

"I think so," Cornelia replied weakly.

Aslan nodded. "Kneel before me, Cornelia."

Timidly, Cornelia kneeled before the great lion.

Gently, Aslan placed a paw onto her shoulder, looking directly into her eyes.

"Oreius told me you saved one of the fauns. You threw a dagger and hit a wolf square in the chest, although you have never wielded a weapon before." Aslan spoke seriously.

"That-That's right," Cornelia stuttered, her eyes downcast.

"Rise, Lady Cornelia Goldenflower, the Lionhearted, Knight of Narnia and Adviser to the Kings and Queens of old."

With trembling legs, Cornelia rose to her feet.

"I will be honest with you, my child. The road that you're about to take is long and dark, but in the dark, there will always be a light. A light you'll need to cherish. Stray just a little, and you will be lost to your family. What you've experienced so far is just the beginning."

Tears were building up in the tween's eyes, her voice barely a whisper. "What's happening to me, Aslan? Why am I feeling so cold?"

Aslan's eyes were sad. "When the Witch grabbed you by your throat, she put some dark magic into your veins. A strong, dark magic that not even I can challenge. The darkness will try to consume you, force your heart to become wicked."

"And if that happens?" Cornelia croaked.

Aslan closed his eyes, a single tear rolling down his face. "Then the free Narnia you see will be lost, forever."

A sob rose in her throat as Cornelia fell to her knees in shock. How could a person like her mean so much to a world she had just discovered?

"But fear not, little one," Aslan soothed her. "As long as you fight against the darkness within you and don't forget where you belong, then the true, pure and fierce love you hold for your family will be your guidance and the light in your heart will never burn out."

With knotted fists, Cornelia stood up, her eyes blank as a fierce determination swept over her. "I'm ready."


Sooo, that's that! :) Love it, loathe it? (I hope not) - Penny for your thoughts? :)