Disclaimer: I don't own Narnia, C.S. Lewis's Stepson does. All I own are Petra, Sandai and Annis.
Chapter 11
Purpose
Petra found herself lost as preparations were made for their journey. People and various creatures bustled here and there and everywhere getting Rilian and Petra ready to go. They had all sent people off on adventures like this before, and therefore knew exactly what to do. Petra, on the other hand, had never been on an adventure like this before, and therefore did not know what to do, and therefore was more in the way than of help.
So she spent most of the day being lost, and somewhat resenting having to go on this quest. Having Susan for a great-grandmother, sure, that was cool. Actually traveling to Narnia and to Cair Paravel – that was cool too. But fighting a dragon was … not cool.
It sounded rather hot, actually. Hot as in, she was probably going to end up fried like a crisp.
But there was nothing for it, since she was here, and everyone seemed to think that she was the one would bring this dragon to its doom. She could, she supposed, run away – but how? There were guards everywhere and she didn't know where to go. She barely knew her way around the castle, and only enough that she could usually get back to her room from wherever she got taken.
So the rest of the day passed like this, and eventually, she found herself in her room that night in her nightgown. She was too worked up to fall asleep, so she read instead.
She reached into her satchel, as she didn't have any other books in her room, and randomly pulled a book out of it. It proved to be The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. She opened it up at a random point and began reading at a random line. She was sure that she would soon have these books memorized soon, she'd been reading them so much.
Suddenly, a picture of Susan moved. Petra gasped.
Susan in the picture blinked, and set down the bow and arrow, and turned to Petra in the room. "Aslan has given leave for me to speak to me through these books," Susan-in-the-picture told Petra.
"You're just a picture!" Petra squeaked.
Susan-in-the-picture laughed. "In a way, yes, I suppose so," she said. "I am a picture, since I'm using a picture to talk to you. But I'm also right where you left me this afternoon, in the nursing "
"Three days ago," corrected Petra.
"Three days then," said Susan. "Time flows funny between worlds. Have you discovered your mission here yet?"
"They want me to fight a dragon!" Petra blurted out.
"I see," said Susan. "And you are afraid?"
"I've never fought a dragon before!" said Petra.
"My brothers and sisters and I had never fought a witch before, either," said Susan. "Petra, when Aslan gives one a task, he doesn't do it on your merits. He likes to use the most unlikely – for his power shines through the best when yours does not obscure it. Trust Aslan, Petra. If he gives you a task, he will also give you the strength to fulfill it."
"But –," said Petra, then sighed when she realized the picture had gone back to normal. "That was … freaky," she muttered as she shut the book. "I must be really tired, or … that must be it! I'm asleep! This whole venture into Narnia and finding out Great-grandma is Queen Susan is all a dream. And it doesn't matter what I do in a dream, I'd just wake up if it got too scary. I guess I'll go."
And with that happy thought put the book back into the satchel, climbed under the covers and fell asleep, failing to wonder on how especially long this dream was.
Next thing she knew, it was morning, and traveling clothes were laid out for her to change into. It was still a dress, but it wasn't quite as long, and there were leggings under it. It was a sturdy, brown material, which would travel well, and protect some against thorns and such. There were also some boots for her to put on, which she did, then she headed down to the breakfast hall for breakfast.
Author's Note: And there you go for Chapter 11. Please leave a review!