3.5 ~ Daughter of Aslan ~ Chronicles of Narnia

What a family is

Aslan has returned from his journey with Lucy. And was strolling alongside his beautiful daughter, Hana. Hana personally requested that he talk with her.

She's been having dreams lately. In her dreams, she was in a green pasture with flowers and trees. Animals and tree spirits ran about laughing and playing, everyone was inviting Hana to come and play with them. She was so happy with seeing the people of Narnia laughing and gathering around, their smiles made Hana smile a gentle and calming laugh. When she tried to join them in their dances, she was held back. Like an invisible force tied her feet and rooted them to the ground. She turned to look back and a fierce storm was raging on.

A cry for help, full of love and compassion, rang through the storm. A couple cries. That the seas bring their daughter to safety. Hana didn't know why, but suddenly she started crying. Tears flowed from the sad and longing eyes of the princess. She found she could no longer turn her eyes away though she commanded every muscle in her body to do so.

Hana cried and the green meadows and raging seas vanished and she fell into a deep and bottomless pit. Big and cold hands started to grab her trying to strangle her but she kept struggling and kicking and she suddenly found that she was in an ocean. It was deep and lifeless; no light, no fishes or anything. She couldn't swim, she tried kicking and punching the cold water, but it burst her lungs and she fainted. When she woke up she was sweating in the cold night. Aslan was beside her sleeping silently and fondly. Hana laid there staring at the ocean wondering what her dream meant.

Aslan was not so surprised of his daughter's strange dreams. "What do you suppose it means father." She asked, they had reached the top of a small mountain. She expected an answer, but Aslan stared out to the scenery "It must be time you knew." He turned and walked back down the mountain. Hana followed, wanting more answers from her father.

They were in a small town beside Archenland, the village was lively yet peaceful despite it being in the middle of nowhere. Kids were running and playing while their mothers were gathering around gossiping. Hana and Aslan strolled in town, no one paid much heed to the great lion; it was not rare for animals to wonder about in town. They reached the end of the small town and were sitting on the green grass. Hana and Aslan moved to where cottages were spread out thinly, away from the business of the town. The town's main industry was agriculture and livestock raising. So those who owned ranches and farms needed big wide spaces and there were plenty of that by the pastures.

Hana walked around town to buy her lunch as well as her father's. She caught a whiff of a fragrant aroma and followed her nose to the smell. The smell beckoned her to move and every muscle in her body responded. When she saw the source, two delicious meat buns. Juicy cow meat baked in warm bread. She drooled and stared at the huge bread set on display by the bakery window.

For a long time she stared and came closer and closer until she heard a giggle nearby. She turned to see a small boy laughing behind her. "If you want to, you can buy some." He walked over to Hana. And Hana, who was annoyed with someone laughing at her; just stared, all thought of food forgotten. "You don't have any money do you." He smiled at Hana. She just stared at him. "I see you don't like talking. Here." He gave Hana the two meat buns from the window. "My sister works at this bakery. I think that she can forgive this once, right?" Hana looked down at the two warm buns on her hands. She was about to thank him when she heard a loud slam from the door.

"Mathius! Where did the meat buns go!" A girl, a bit older than Hana, came out from the door. She was yelling so loudly and her head steaming. The boy Mathius ran behind Hana to shield himself. He tried looking sorry and clueless, but his sister knew him too well for that. Mathius, or Thius for short, wasn't too afraid of his sister Wein. But she can be a real devil if you get her angry. So he tried running away but Wein grabbed his shirt and looked him in the eye. "Why did you give it the Princess?" She asked, trying to sound as calm as possible.

"I am terribly sorry that my brother Thius was causing such a misunderstanding. Here have another cup of tea." Hana was suddenly brought to their home by the boy named Thius. As an apology for accusing the princess of the forest for stealing; Thuis' sister, Wein, gave her some cookies for lunch. And their mother insisted that they stay for a cup of tea.

"Big Sis! Thius! Mom! I'm back! I bought the medicine you wanted" the door closed. "Angie! Welcome back! How was the tailor's?" Wein smiled as her sister came in the kitchen. She was shocked when she saw the princess sitting in her kitchen with her brother and sister, eating cookies and drinking tea. (Hana has never actually seen tea. She supposed it was a drink like milk so when she drank it she expected the creamy and milky taste but got a taste she didn't expect. Hana didn't like tea)

Angie worked at the palace of Arden. No wonder she looked familiar. Hana didn't really remember many faces. "Angie and I work at the palace of Archenland. That's why we know who you are." Wein explained as she tried keeping Thius from eating another cookie. Hana just nodded. "Why did you come from the bakery if you work at the palace?" "I was working for the extra money." Wein told her bitterly. (Hana got the feeling that Wein didn't like her so much)

"We need the money to help mom get better." Thius said cheerfully as he munched on another cookie. Hana looked at Angie for an answer. "Yes, well she has a rare illness that the doctors in town can't identify. But recently we found that there is a cure for her rare disease, but the price is too expensive and we can't pay for it." Angie explained. "So we need all the money we can get. Angie and I do various odd jobs to help support the family." "Isn't that the job of the head of family? Where is he?" Hana asked as she took another bite off her cookie.

"See our papa went off to sea one night, and he never came back." Thius told her as he swung his legs back and forth from the chair. Whatever Hana was feeling, it didn't show on her face. Angie just nodded, "That's true. There was a huge storm that night. But his apprentice and some friends went out to gather more fish, and when he got word that they were out at sea he hurried to his boat. Jordan (father's apprentice) and his friends returned back safely, but papa wasn't one of them." Angie smiled at Hana.

Hana recalled her dreams, though she did not know why. She recalled the faces of the crying couple. They smiled. She stared at Angie and her siblings. "Why?" Hana whispered, "Pardon?" Wein mumbled through her cookie, not so polite.

"Okay, that's enough children." It was the mother of the children. "Mother! You mustn't be up now. Your condition could get worse!" Angie ran over to support her mother. "Yeah mom. Don't you know what could have happened if you fell or tripped!" Wein's head started heating up again. "I'm quite alright dears. And I need to do something other than lie on the bed the whole day." She smiled as she sat down.

"Hana thank you for helping with the dishes." Merissa smiled. Merissa was a kind old lady, and a caring mother to her children. She was standing beside Hana and washing the rest of the plates and cups they used. "It's alright." She just said and continued working. Wein, Angie and Thius was out doing their chores around the house. The two were alone and clearing the table.

"You are troubled aren't you?" Merissa said as she washed and wiped the plates. "Hmm?" Hana stopped and looked at the old woman. "You have something on your mind. Do you not?" She smiled as she worked. "Yes. I do." Hana felt like she trusted Merissa. And it was rare that she openly admitted any worries. "I had a dream….." and she narrated the same dreams she has had for the past few days. "I am a fortuneteller. I help many townsfolk in deciphering their dreams and help then find their futures. Your dreams seem very vague yet they hold meaning beyond your understanding, child." She pondered on the message of Hana's dream.

Outside the window, yelling could be heard. Wein was scolding Thius for not doing his job. But Thius was just yawning and laughing at his sister's red face. Hana envied them. The normal life these children have. It seemed a world away from her own. Waking up to a delicious breakfast made by a mother and doing chores kids regularly do and going to school with friends and chatting of the silliest things. It was all alien, she felt like an alien.

"The green pastures and happy life is given to you by the raging seas that you see in your dream. Do you live in a place bursting with life and happiness? (Hana nodded) Ah, I see, I see. You remember some old memories, very important memories from childhood. But you refuse to admit these. You father or mother, you must love them very much. Don't you? (Hana smiled slightly and nodded)" Merissa smiled, happy to finally see the girl smile.

Those cold hands you felt grabbing you mean you yearn for warmth and love of a family, yet you're scared of rejection. Of loosing what you care for." She changed topic so suddenly "All life originated from the oceans, did you know that dear? (Hana would shake her head)" Merissa sighed and sat down on the table.

"Have a seat dear." She gestured to the seat across her. Hana followed, glad to sit again. "Now close your eyes." Merissa gently asked. Hana did as told. "Think of all the things that matter to you." Suddenly images of Hana's life flickered in her mind.

Images of the time she defeated the giant, when Aslan smiled at her victory over the many kings she defeated. The countless times she spent with her father. The forest animals that played with her who made her laugh and smile. Queen Lucy and her family. Narnia and Archenland. The beautiful sea and landscapes. All made her smile and laugh with joy. Suddenly she saw the recent times she's spent with Arden and Brune. Hana opened her eyes and saw Merissa deep in thought.

All at once, Merissa had trouble breathing and collapsed on the floor. Wein, Angie and Thius arrived, screaming for their mom to hold on. Hana helped carry her up. When Merissa's fever had gone down a bit, Wein had asked Hana to leave. "What did you do to her!?" She accused Hana, who just stood by the door. "Nothing, she just suddenly collapsed on the floor." She stated calmly, though she too was shaken. Angie and Thius were in the corner, looking at Hana with scared eyes. They didn't want to loose their mother. Not after they lost their father.

"You are bad luck! Just as everyone says!" Hana didn't move. "If you weren't here, dad would still be alive!" Wein yelled, tears forming on her eyes. Hana remembered. There was a basket out at sea, 15 years ago. During the biggest storm in history of Narnia. The baby in the basket was sleeping peacefully as if her mother was cradling her. But nearby, a small fishing boat capsized. A man drowned. "Get out! And don't ever return!" Wein yelled again, she was crying. Tears flowed from her eyes. Hana left the home.

Whatever Hana was thinking, it didn't show on her face. The old mask returned. Sealing her thoughts and pleasures. Now she knew. Wein was about 3 when she lost their father, Thius was only 8 months when he went. The storm, that day, Aslan found her on the beach, safe and sound. Of course, news spread that Aslan found a girl on the beach. It was only accusations that if Hana didn't appear, their father and the rest of the people who died in the storm, would still be alive. Angie and Thius were proud of their father. He died doing what was just. They loved their father, and grew up hearing many good things about him. So it was natural that they love him for that, despite not remembering much.

Hana returned that night, Aslan was angry. "Hana, you didn't return with the food you promised." He roared, he can be quite angry since Hana promised the meat buns. "Sorry I was busy." And she went into her corner of the tree. The night wore on. And at last, Hana fell asleep. Hana…. Someone's voice called out, it seemed familiar.

The next morning. She didn't know how, but she knew. All the troubles and confusion disappeared with the voice from last night. She knows. Hana sat down and looked at the sea. It was calm and clear in the morning sun. "All the pain is gone now." Aslan joined her and sat down. Finally enjoying the comfortable silence between them, Hana spoke.

"Father, I know. My real mother and father. They sent me here, to this future. If it wasn't for them, their wish for me to live. I wouldn't be here.

"I love you Aslan. I love our home. I love Lucy and Susan and Peter and Edmund. I love the animals of the forest. I love the sea and the nature of the world. I am thankful for all of it. But the pain and wounds of the hate, the scars they've left, haven't healed completely. A/N Hana must be referring to the spite and jealousy of the villagers. I miss them. I wish to know them. I want to be a normal family. I want the normal life kids, my age have." Aslan held his tongue and stared on. "But you're my family. I wouldn't trade any of that for the life I have now." Hana smiled and kissed her father.

That night. Aslan arrived at the home of Merissa. She was sleeping peacefully, the stars and moon glowing, illuminating the room. Wein was asleep, her head on her mother's bed. Aslan breathed on the sick mother and all her pain was gone.

The next day. Hana was at the palace of Arden. "Princess!" Angie was running towards her. "Our mother was healed! She is well now! Isn't that amazing! It's a miracle!" Angie smiled as she held Hana's hands. "That's great." Hana smiled, her genuine smile warmed the air around them. All tension gone, Wein apologized. "I am sorry for being so rude. Please forgive me." Wein bowed. Hana hugged them.