I apologize for the lack of updating, got in a bit of a slump but we are almost finished with this adventure! There is more to come, though, do not fear!

This is a very short chapter but it had to be done, so it's a little bit of a filler. Please enjoy the fluff!


Chapter 12: The King


The water was icy against her toes and Joanna let out a small gasp, retreating her foot back. It was silent in the nature around her, not a sound was made except for the quiet rushing of the water.

She slowly peeled off her nightgown and was left only in her undergarments. Slowly, she stepped back into the cool water and let the water run around her legs. Though it was cold, it was refreshing. The river did not go very deep but deep enough to where she could dunk her body underneath it.

She sucked in a deep breath and dropped below the water. Voices surrounded her and clouded her mind, but they were sweet voices. There were simple melodies hummed in her ears with heavenly sounds and deep whispers of strong men and angelic women. She could hear the voices of warriors.

When she emerged with a quick breath of air, all went silent again. She hadn't the faintest idea of who the voices belonged to but they did not scare her.

The voice that called out to her from the shore did scare her, though. She scrambled to the shore and threw her nightgown over her head. When she turned back to face the person, she saw Peter blushing furiously and looking away with his hands over his face. She cleared her throat and smoothed down the front of her dress.

He slowly looked up, "W-what are you doing in there?"

"Just washing myself off, taking a break." she shivered, wrapping her arms around her chest.

Peter smiled and looked away with a red face, "I'll be needing a break soon, I think."

"Then why not take one now?" Joanna quipped with building confidence. Peter's cheeks burned even more and he looked around, making sure no one could see them.

"Are you, um, clothed-"

"Yes Peter, I'm not one to run around battle camps stark naked."

Peter nodded his head quickly and peeled off his tunic, leaving his undershirt and pants on. He, too, gasped at how cold the water was. Joanna held her arms out to him in encouragement, "You get used to it."

Peter gingerly took her hand and she pulled him deeper into the river. The night was calm and their faces were lit by the moonlight off the water. Peter avoided Joanna's gaze as she smiled at him, her apprehension seemingly gone.

The voices of the water faded to whispers in the background.

Jo sucked in a deep breath and submerged herself beneath the crystal water once more. Peter still held onto her hand tightly and studied her from the surface. He could see the moonlight shine off her eyes when she opened them under the water and seemed to silently beckon him under as well. He squeezed his eyes shut and let the healing waters cover his body.

Her hand still held his as they lay under the water's surface, it was the only warmth he could feel. Yet the coolness of the water was refreshing and he could feel the day's work be swept away with the current.

Joanna resurfaced first and watched Peter with a small smile as he relished in the peace. When he finally came up, his eyes were sparkling and his cheeks were red from the breeze hitting them.

"Did you hear the voices?" She asked quietly as she wrung out her hair.

Peter shook his head, "I don't think I could hear anything under there,"

She began to braid her hair back, "I think they are the voices of past Narnians, they were giving me words of comfort and encouragement,"

"Like what?"

"I'm not sure exactly but I know they meant no harm."

Peter smiled at the girl and how mysterious her place in this world was. He enjoyed the part she played in the prophecy and he had a feeling she would be of great help when he was to be crowned King.

King of Narnia.

The sound of sloshing water broke him from his somewhat anxious thoughts as Joanna clambered over the slippery stones and sat down on the bank. She shivered slightly from the breeze and wrapped her arms around herself.

"Oh come on, once you turn numb it's not so bad!" Peter laughed.

She rolled her eyes, "I prefer to feel my hands, thank you!"

Peter cupped his hands and threw the small handful of water towards her. She let out a shriek when the cold water hit her and she immediately jumped back in to fight back. For awhile they splashed around and laughed loudly, pushing and pulling each other around.

It was when she found herself entangled in his embrace and her lips inches from his that she heard it.

The voices in the water began to sob and cry out to her, "He is dead!"

She violently pushed Peter away and held a hand to her chest, which held her pounding heart. He stepped back cautiously, "I'm so sorry, Joanna, I thought-"

"Something is wrong, Peter." She whispered gravely.

He quirked a brow, "Are you alright?"

"The voices, they're frightened and yelling!"

She ran back to the bank once more and began to throw her dress on over her wet underdress. Peter scrambled out after her and scooped up his clothes in an effort to keep up with her running figure. She stopped once she reached the top of the river bank and a chill stirred in the air. The leaves began to rustle and she gasped as a flower petal gingerly brushed across her cheek.

She let out a small shriek when she saw something stir next to her. Peter rushed to her side with his sword drawn in front of them.

"Be still, my Prince and Seer!"

Peter's grip on Jo's hand slightly relaxed at the soothing voice of the Tree Spirit. Joanna shook her head and pulled herself close to him, "You've come to tell us something horrible, haven't you?"

The Spirit nodded, "I bring grave news from the Queens."

Peter and Joanna exchanged worried glances and her eyes filled with tears.


Peter and Joanna sat in the tent with Edmund in the clothes they had on the night before. They were crumpled and wrinkled and still smelled faintly of the river's water. Joanna held her head in her hands as the two boys talked in hushed tones.

Oreius pulled the flap of the tent back slowly, "Your Majesties, Seer Joanna, I think it best if we meet in His tent to discuss matters further,"

The three children looked to each other in silent dread. Peter's heart pounded against his chest in fear of what was to happen. Without Aslan, what was to be done about the Queen? What was to be done with the Narnians? He had the suspicion that it would be his turn to step up soon and it frightened him so.

Edmund stood and held his hand out to his brother, who slowly looked to him. Edmund could see the tension in his shoulders and the way he gripped his hand to stand up. Joanna followed behind the boys quietly as they exited the tent.

Every Narnian turned their heads as they passed and not a word was uttered throughout the entire camp. Joanna kept her head down, deep in thought.

Pending doom was on her heart and she could feel it weighing down on everyone surrounding them. They feared for the future without Aslan and now had to look to Peter, a child in their eyes, to lead them and defend them. What scared her the most was just that, they truly were just children.

She followed them into Aslan's now-empty tent and stood around a table. A map of the land laid before them with marks and pawns on them, war strategies and planning was at hand. Peter swallowed slowly as he looked at it, trembling.

"He's gone," Peter whispered.

"Then you'll have to lead us," Edmund responded as strong as ever, "Peter, there's an army out there and it's ready to follow you."

Joanna felt pride swell inside of her at Edmund's words, "And you'll have us by your side every step of the way, Pete,"

He shook his head,"I can't,"

"Aslan believed you could, and so do I."

Joanna and Peter looked at the youngest child and stared at him in awe. He looked back at them with strong eyes and obvious determination in his stature. Peter smiled lightly at his brother, placing a strong hand on his shoulder. Edmund could feel the trembling in his muscles and placed a loving hand over his brother's.

"He's right, I believe in you too," Joanna said quietly with her hands folded in front of her.

Oreius nodded, "There is a reason you were brought here, my King."

Peter's head snapped up, "Right, King. . ."

"Don't let that scare you, we wouldn't be here if you weren't capable of leading us." Joanna said.

Peter looked to his three comrades and sighed deeply. He relaxed his shoulders a bit and looked back down at the map, beginning to formulate the best strategies he could. Oreius watched him carefully with his hands folded behind his back. The blond haired boy looked up to him sheepishly, "I might need some help with this,"

Oreius bowed low before him, "Of course, your Majesty."