Authors note: Cady Groves "The Life of a Pirate."

Edited 3/4/13

Chapter Ten

"It's not easy to be this complicated
Cause I lose my way, I change my mind
and I'm more recently jaded
or I'll be indecisive, and always end up choosing
the wrong thing
but I can guarantee you'll never hear me say
that all I want's a home."

Two months.

In my world two months felt like nothing. You had calendars, clocks, cell phones, televisions, computers, or the internet to remind you what time of day it was.

Narnia was different.

There were no time clocks everywhere you went. There were clocks at the castle and in villages. Some Narnian's even carried around pocket watches, but wrist watches to constantly remind you that the time was slipping away.

Two months here felt like years.

It was such a long time since I had been to Cair Paravel. No Peter, Susan, Lucy… or Edmund. Not even that stupid mouse Mirach. I often wondered if they ever tried to visit me at Genesis's village, but neither Genesis nor I would be able to know. Both of us had left Narnia the night Peter had send Edmund and Sir Oreious to find me.

As soon as Edmund had left the confines of Genesis's once peaceful home; Mena and Oreious had a few spiteful words shot at one another. Mostly about Sir Oreious never being around. It only lasted a few minutes before the centaur left to bring his royal highn(a)ss back to Cair.

Genesis had entered his bedroom where I lay on his extremely quaint bed. I lifted my head, peering at his hunched shoulders and distraught expression.

"You okay?"

Genesis nodded his head. Although, I knew he was far from all right. The teal in his eyes seemed dull and murky.

"We should go someplace far away from Narnia…"

I did not think Genesis would take me seriously, but apparently the offer had sparked some sort of longing. I meant it as a joke; seeing as I figured Peter would come for me himself… if we left he would not be able to find me!

We packed supplies and ventured off that night in the direction of Archenland. Genesis informed me even if Narnia was a safe place; others were not. There were few places outside of Narnia that were welcoming to centaurs and other Narnian's.

Our adventure started thrilling. Long talks, galloping through lakes, picking apples from the tops of trees (which were amazing), running through fields, and discovering nature that I never dreamed of. Both of us wanted to escape our lives; specifically from the people within them. Those we cared about most.

Sadly, I ditched the dresses, since I had left all but the dress I had been wearing at Cair Paravel, and resorted to tunics and leggings since that's all the centaurs seemed to have available. I was happy I still had my boots though -that were now trashed. Plus, all this exploring toughened my leg muscles. If I were to kick someone in the head I bet I could snap their head off! Okay, not really. That would be awesome though.

We had only run into trouble once on our traveling. It had been with a small group of Calormenes. They had been capturing dumb beasts in Archenland and attempted to attack us. Luckily Genesis is good at a sword. Genesis tried to teach me how to handle a sword after that while we were sober and when my ankle healed, but it still did not work. I was not born to sword fight; that much was obvious. Although, I did learn how to defend myself a tiny bit, just in case.

Genesis and I held strong for the most part. We rarely ran into any other Narnian's or Archenlander's. Most of our journey was held of pointless conversations and laughs. After all, Narnia was in a time of peace.

But these last two weeks have been hell for Genesis and me. All we seemed to talk about were those we miss; Mena, Oreious, Lucy, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and even Mirach. Damn, I missed that bratty mouse.

"How old are you Genesis?"

He glanced over at me incredulously from where we laid on a blanket that we sprawled across the Narnian dewy grass. We finally returned to Narnian ground. We had reached the centermost part that afternoon and decided to rest under a tall tree with branches that reached over us with full leaves.

Genesis told me we were near the River Rush, which was a pretty huge river in Narnia I guess. The noise of the water whizzing past could be heard from a distance. I would not know of any sort of rivers or lakes in Narnia since the four monarchs' never took me outside the castle; except around the gardens and you could clearly see the ocean from the windows.

"I thought you already knew that," he laughed humorously as I shook my head in amusement. I really don't remember asking that question. "I'm twenty."

"Hah, I'm older than you."

"I know," he stated. Frowning I tried to recall any time I might have slipped my age to him. I have a pretty ridiculous memory so I don't doubt I might have mentioned it to him at some point.

A silence followed and I began to contemplate about the reasons why I could have come to Narnia. On our adventures I learned thoroughly what more had come from the four monarch's entering Narnia as well as the past King and Queen's. What was my purpose? All this time I figured I was in a coma or some odd event happened in my world. But it seemed like everyone that came to Narnia served a purpose. What was my purpose?

"Genesis, why do you think I came to Narnia?" I questioned softly.

The centaur's teal eyes met my olive ones. "I am not sure milady. For whatever reason you have a purpose here; Aslan does not bring people into our world with no meaning."

"I suppose so," I scrunched up my lips not liking his answer. I had hoped he would give me something more insightful and concrete. "Are you happy to be going home?"

"Yes. I miss my mother-" I 'awe'd and he rolled his stunning eyes. "- and my father is probably going to kill me when I show up at Cair Paravel tomorrow."

"Don't worry. I wrote my will."

Genesis laughed. I dug through the shoulder bag slung around me and reached for the piece of paper I had scribbled on back in Archenland about a month ago. I handed it to Genesis and his smile dropped from his face as his eyes scanned the parchment.

"You really made a will?" he asked confused.

"I am one-hundred percent sure Peter is going to kill me. I reached that conclusion after much debate over the possible ways he might react to my return."

Honestly, Peter was the only one I thought might have any violent actions toward me. I had a feeling he would throw me in a dungeon and feed me delicious juicy Narnian apples once a day. But he would do that with the utmost love he held for me in his big heart.

"Allow Susan to dress me in that burgundy dress she really likes that I refuse to wear because it is all itchy and makes my breast hurt immensely (for my funeral of course). Tell Lucy I danced naked with sea nymphs and that she can bury me next to the dumb beast we found dead in the garden. Inform Peter that I love him even if he killed me (I am sure he might do this with Rhindon). Punch King Edmund in the face for me. Genesis, I love you and I give you everything I have (which is nothing). Peace out," Genesis read my will; he paused every few seconds to laugh contagiously at my sarcasm. "I must say, your will is much better than what I would write. Do you have a writing utensil? I might be able to squeeze my will on the back."

I pulled out a coal crayon. He chuckled, "I was joking." Rolling my eyes I stuck the object in his rough hands and he shrugged before beginning to write his will.

As he wrote I gazed up at the black sky. The stars were bright. They looked as if I reached out my hand I could grab them all and eat them for breakfast. That thought totally came from Hamtaro; blame it on Asia. She always made me watch that damn cartoon.

Asia…

Closing my eyes I pictured my cousin with her thick chocolate hair and her bright blue eyes. If I could tell her one thing I would tell her she was right, Edmund is a spoiled brat. I missed her.

That night Genesis and I passed out quickly. We were both emotionally and physically exhausted from our two months of adventures. I knew it was time for me to go back. No more running.

The moment the blazing sun stirred my sleep I knew officially that we were back on Narnian ground. It never shined quite as bright anywhere else.

"Morning," Genesis yawned while stretching his arms over his head. Man, I missed sleeping in my underwear. His movements reminded me of the nice warm bed I left behind at Cair Paravel months ago… to sleep on soiled dirt. What a smart trade. Not.

Did I still have a bed in Cair Paravel? Did Susan give it to someone more deserving? Had they replaced me with another hot girl that somehow stumbled into Narnia a couple months ago? Why was I in Narnia?

So many question and I never get any answers.

"I'm going to bathe in that river then we will continue on our way to Cair, alright?" I all but ordered nicely. Genesis agreed without complaint and I ventured off towards the river I could hear loudly rushing past. I slipped off the gray tunic, leggings, under garments, and boots. Then I dipped into the icy liquid. I decided to make the bath quick because the water was ultimately freezing. That was one of my least favorite things about this world. I liked boiling water to cleanse in.

By the time I got back to our resting area Genesis had packed everything to leave. I smiled at him daintily then we both started our walk to Cair Paravel. Ever since my ankle healed I had walked pretty much everywhere because I felt rude riding on Genesis's back. Also, it made my crotch hurt. Did I mention that my legs looked amazing? I am pretty sure I did.

"What do you think they will say when you return?" questioned Genesis five minutes into our walk.

I laughed. "Peter will probably yell at me. I can imagine Susan scolding. Then Lucy might give me a hug and start talking about all that I missed with the fauns. And Edmund will be a douche and glare."

"You do not think Edmund has gotten over his grudge? I mean, Edmund is the Just King. He must realize his actions and words towards you were rash," Genesis suggested logically. But I'm not logical.

"Whatev's dude." I said in my American slang. "Edmund's a douche bag. End of story."

Genesis thoughtfully went over what I had just said in his head. The way I talked seemed to be another language for Narnian's sometimes.

"I really need to apologize to my mom…" muttered Genesis sorrowfully.

I agreed. He really needed to apologize for leaving her spontaneously… even if I suggested it. Mena was a very kind centaur and anyone could tell she really cared for Genesis. If I ever went back to my world I would apologize to my Aunt and Mom for being so moronic.

"I feel bad for leaving the Pevensie's, but I'm not going to apologize. They should have let me go freely."

"The least you could have done was left a note…"

I frowned at my friend for not agreeing with me, "Well, it's not like you left a note for your mom."

"…"

"We are assholes. Aren't we?"

"Yeah," he admitted amusedly. "Just a bit."

"Oh well. We've got some explaining to do."

Happiness? :-)