Cinderella in Narnia:
Chapter Fourteen
During the middle of the night, it began to rain. I woke up from the thunder. I saddled the horse and we went back to the forest. I had found the tracks of the hooves. "Thank Aslan!" I whispered. I heard a soft growl coming from around the trees. The sun was beginning to show from the horizon. It had indeed been a long night! My horse began to stop and his ears pricked up to the growl. "Hey, easy!" I whispered, patting him on the neck. As soon as the Lion appeared, my horse stood on his hind legs and I fell off with a shriek. My horse took off back to Cair Paravel. The Lion came up to me. I didn't move. "Peace, Daughter of Eve!" he said. His voice sounded like a symphony. It made me feel so warm even though the rain was bitter cold. "We are in time of war. You are in need of me and I have come for your aid."
"I knew you would!" I exclaimed. He came up to me and let me touch his mane. It wasn't even wet! "I thought you'd never come!"
"I always come for those in need, Dear One." The Lion said. "Climb on my back. We must get to Cair Paravel. You have strong will and courage. Narnia will need that—especially Edmund."
I climbed on his back. "And you may want to cover your ears," he added. I did and he roared so loudly that it stopped raining and birds flew out of the trees. I smiled after he did. I took hold of his mane and he took off in a canter. It felt like I was riding a horse—only he was so much smoother! The scenery went by so fast and at last we arrived at Cair Paravel. Aslan let another roar come and this time Edmund, Peter and Susan came out excitedly. Peter and Susan couldn't believe their eyes. They're expressions made me laugh as I came off Aslan's back. Edmund took hold of my hands and kissed me.
"I thought the raid would have killed the rest of us." Edmund whispered to me. "We've got her locked up."
"I shall deal with her. Take me down to her, please." Aslan demanded, but it was not harsh. Edmund nodded and Aslan followed him down to the dungeons. Peter hugged me as they left and so did Susan. "Thank Aslan you're alright." They said. I smiled.
"Come on, let's get something to eat." Susan inquired. We went to what was left of Cair Paravel. I missed the beauty and the glory. It was all completely shattered. I felt tears forming. I still blamed myself for this! Peter put his arm around my shoulder. I dropped my head onto Peter's chest and just stared at the crushed stone and marble.
"They'll never get this repaired." I whispered. Peter stroked my back as we walked up to the hills. Orieus the centaur was holding up his sword as he commanded the archers to release flaming arrows into the sky for honor of those who died. The Queen Mother had perished too. Edmund and Aslan came back out.
"It is finished." Aslan told. "She is gone. Peter, Susan, I am sorry but it had to be done." He explained. Peter and Susan nodded and Aslan turned to me.
"Lucy, I must speak with you alone."
Peter, Edmund and Susan left us alone as I sat on a large boulder and Aslan next to me. "I know the troubles you have gone through, Lucy. It is difficult for all. Your parents—Edane and Leist are in my country and are well."
I wiped a tear with the end of my sleeve as I began to think about my parents. "Will I ever see them again?"
"Yes, Dear One, you will see them again." Replied He. "You will see them in time."
"Is there any chance that I may see them now for a small amount of time?" I asked. Aslan smiled and laughed.
"I was expecting you ask this of me." Aslan commented, gaily. He breathed on me and as soon as he did—standing five feet away from me were my mother and father.
I ran over to them as they both hugged me. "Lucy you have grown and become a wonderful woman. I wished to have been on that earth to watch you grow, but we all have our time!" Edane told me. She kissed my forehead.
"Mummy, you don't know how much I've missed you! And you, Daddy!" I sobbed. They both smiled. Soon, they began fading. "Where are you going?!" I cried. "Please don't leave me!"
"Lucy, we'll always be with you. No matter what happens, know that your father and I love you. We will see each other again." Edane told, softly. I was sobbing. "We are protecting you."
I was back in Narnia—tears streaming down my cheeks. Edmund took hold of me tightly and pulled me to a hug as I remained sobbing. "Your father and mother spoke the truth, Lucy. Have faith and you will see them again."
Aslan had gone after our meetings and renewing of Cair Paravel. The same evening was my masquerade birthday. "Milady, may I have this dance?" Edmund inquired. I laughed and took his arm.
"Yes, of course, good sir." I replied. The ballroom was so colorful and filled with glittering lights and music that was so sweet to the ear. Peter was dancing with a dryad and Susan was dancing with Rôderan. They looked so cute together! After Edmund and I danced, another man asked for the honor to dance with me. I agreed and immediately Edmund tightened his fist. I kissed his cheek and he smiled. As I danced with this stranger, I felt suddenly frightened. "May I ask who you are, milady?" he asked. I could not answer.
"I can only say that we have never met." I replied, in a complete lie. This was the boy who had struck me and beat me four months ago on the streets. He began to remove my mask but I pushed his hands away. "Don't touch me." I hissed. He removed his mask quickly. Yes! I was right—it was that boy! He stared at me completely confused. Edmund walked up to us.
"Is there a problem?" he asked.
"N-n-no, there isn't." the boy stuttered. He fled from our presence and to the punch table. Edmund held out his hand again and I danced with him again. This dance was slow—a waltz of some sort. He locked eyes with me just like in the library the one night he was teaching me to dance. I returned to that moment. There were no people surrounding us as we danced. Ed spun me around once and got me back into his hold.
We stopped dancing as he leaned into kiss me. It was a small lovely kiss. People around us began to whisper after he had pulled away. His silver crown was luminescent in the candle light.
I felt everyone's eyes poured onto us. Edmund looked at the band and urged them to continue playing as we snuck away into the gardens. We were laughing as he pulled off his mask and I pulled off mine. "I think it was obvious to everyone now that you have a lover!" I told, as Edmund slid his arms around my waist.
"Well, I do love you, Lucy. I love you more than you know." Edmund responded. I could feel my head begin to pound and my heart begin to race. Adrenalin rushed through my veins. He kissed me again—this time passionately. I felt my arms go around him. He lifted me up and spun me around several times. I pulled away as we were both out of breath. His cheeks were flustered. We stood just staring into each other's eyes without saying anything. We were both lost for words.
:: A/N- I know I left this as a cliff-hanger but I'll update ASAP! Thanks for the great reviews! =) ::