(Natalie)

I had enough of a struggle staying alive without the Mist making it all but impossible to see what was directly before me. The ship rocked under me as the serpent, yet again, stuck it with a force so great the wood rattled beneath my feet. A crew member ran into me and nearly knocked me over the railing into the wailing ocean. Salty water sprayed over my clothes that were already moist from sweat; it stung at my eyes and I spat to rid the taste from my tongue. I hastily righted myself and strained to hear Caspian's voice over the wind, searching for any direction or aid in the confusing hell that was battle. Reepicheep dashed by,, waving his minute sword about with resolve. How were we supposed to defeat something like this?

I swear I imagined my mom's voice because it was so clear and unaffected by the mayhem. "What have you gone and gotten yourself into now, honey?" it said.

"Mom?" I whipped around with my heart lodging itself into my airways. I longed so desperately for it to be her.

And there she was.

She stood beside me with her typical grey sweater and polka dotted pajama bottoms. Her dark hair was tied in the sloppy bun she always wore it in on her lazy days when she didn't have to go out in public. Her brown eyes were alight with humor as if, somehow, she found my predicament amusing. She stretched out her hand to me. Her wedding band sat on her slightly chubby and pink fingers. These were hands I'd known my entire life.

I reached back.

"Let's go home," she said.

Such desire and nostalgia crashed over me. She was safe; she was home and I could trust her above anyone. I put my hand in hers. That's when I realized my mistake. The hand did not belong to my mother because it was freezing and offered no comfort. Terror now seized me up in its clutches because I couldn't get free of her hold. She pulled me closer to the side of the boat wearing the same smile I remembered my actual mother giving me just before starting my first day of high school. It was intimidating, sure, but I'd known she was there to support me.

Now, I knew she was preparing to drown me.

Fire cut through the storm and cast away the mist that made up my mother. The icy touch was replaced by searing pain that sent pain spiking straight up my arm to my spine. I jerked my hand away seeing the angry red marks that now covered it. Eustace flew past me. His wings sent a warm breeze over my body to replace the cold the Mist had carved into my bones. I only had a moment to silently thank him before the ship was rocked again.

I'd never given the talk of my friends regarding Aslan much thought. He was just another mythical aspect of the crazy world I found myself in. Sage spoke of her encounter with him and, I admit, I'd doubted she was telling the truth. Perhaps, she'd dreamed it like Lucy had dreamed of Aslan. Staring after Eustace, however, I realized how wrong I'd been. Aslan was more than just a fairytale; he was a King whose reach extended into the hearts of every one of his subjects. I saw him every day in Caspian and the Pevensies. Now, little bits of him had worked themselves in Sage and Eustace as well.

I knew suddenly that we needed his help to win this. "For Aslan," I murmured, running to Lucy's side.

The rest of the battle all merged together: slimy encounters when the serpent wrapped itself around the ship, slipping on the wet deck countless times and scraping my skin raw, and shouting myself hoarse to be heard over the havoc. One point I remember clearly, is when Eustace was lobbed against the rocks and flew away with the seventh sword embedded in his soft underbelly. My heart had felt as if the sword was twisted in it instead of Eustace's dragon flesh. I'd grown more careless after that, unable to keep my mind solely locked on the battle. Only because of Lucy was I still alive.

Finally, Edmund's sword glowed blue and he stabbed the revolting sea monster. No one moved at first. Then, a relieved laugh bubbled from me. Most of the crew stared at me in a numb daze, unable to comprehend what was happening.

We were victorious.

Edmund climbed down and hugged me to his side with a triumphant grin. I hugged back, laughter echoing over the stilling waters.

"Holy shit. Holy shit. We're not dead," I gawked. "You're not dead. That was insane and you're never allowed to face off solo against a lethal sea serpent again just so we're clear."

"Noted." Edmund offered me a pat on the head.

Lucy shouted his name and ran into his ready arms. She was beaming through happy tears. Caspian and Sage were in a passionate embrace, but I didn't feel out of place.

We were safe and that was all I could ask for.

The clouds parted overhead, allowing strips of sunlight to work their way down to us. The ravaging waves settled to a tranquil state. Even the contemptible smell vanished and left only a sweet perfume behind. Lucy turned and opened her arms to allow me to join the hug. Edmund's brown eyes smiled down at me with the same affection he showed his sister. I plowed into their welcoming embrace, closing my eyes to simply enjoy the shared bliss. I squealed when I felt long arms reach around me. Caspian nestled his beard right against my cheek.

"Awe, group hug," I cheered.

"Sage, get over here," Edmund called.

She slipped between him and Caspian and, for a surreal moment, no one said anything. I marveled at my fearless and remarkable friends and how I'd come to call them my own.

"I love you guys," Lucy said for everyone.

Caspian cooed in response making Edmund roll his eyes. Sage chuckled and said, "Same goes for me."

"Well, not to ruin the mood," I said. "But we all seriously need baths." Caspian cackled with laughter in my ear and ruffled my already hectic hair.

We separated and I winced when Lucy accidentally nudged my burned hand.

"Natalie!" she cried. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"I'm too kick ass to feel pain," I replied blandly.

She let out an exasperated sigh and reached into her boot to produce an off-white gauze.

"Arm," she instructed.

"Gross, no. That's been by your foot."

She took my hand with a roll of her eyes and wrapped it quickly. The pain dulled with each layer.

"Practiced with that?" I asked, testing out the hand with slow movements. I hardly felt anything, so I suppose that's good.

"Yes, now I'm going see to the rest of the crew." She dashed off.

Sunshine now filled the sky and illuminated my pale skin. Somehow the swords must have been all placed at the table. I knew without a doubt Eustace was involved and that Aslan had helped us all today. I glanced towards the sun high above and sent him a thank you. I wonder if he would ever be in me as prominently as he was in the others.