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Chapter 51.

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I am sorry for the delay. I have moved back to the United States on a Friday and began summer school the following Monday. I had jetlag and am barely recovering, but I'm sadly going to bed at 9 or 10 PM when I usually stay up until at least midnight. Sigh.

Now Enjoy:

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ONE YEAR LATER...

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"Are you falling asleep again?"

My eyes struggled to remain open. "N-No."

Peter sighed, "We only have a few more minutes."

"Okay..." I adjusted my sitting position and groaned when I felt how sore my bottom was. It had been Peter's idea to come out and spend the night under the stars to see the sunrise. I didn't mind, but I was cold and exhausted. My body hurt in awkward places from laying and sitting on nothing but a thin blanket over grass. We were on a hill, overlooking our countryside. I was a bit cranky as well, I knew it. But I had reasons! I was cold, my hair was in desperate need of a brushing, and I didn't get much sleep.

And so there we stayed for the night, shivering in the darkness, waiting for the hours to pass.

Besides, what brought this along?

Curious, I asked quietly, "Peter, why are we out here? Our anniversary isn't for another three days-"

"I know, but the idea of seeing the sunset just struck me and I couldn't let it go."

"Oh." I chuckled. "And you claim that I am random?"

Peter just tightened his hold, "Just because I'm King now doesn't mean I can't be fun anymore. Do you want to go home now? I'm sorry if you're not enjoying-"

I held up my hands. "No, I am. I'm just cranky, forgive me. "

"You aren't just saying that-"

"I promise, I am enjoying myself. It's nice, you know, out here with the quiet and just the sky... But," I gave him a shy look. "It is a bit chilly."

He winced. "I know, I should have brought some blankets."

"I don't mind." I smiled and just enjoyed the moment. More than a year ago I would have never believed that this could happen, for me to see within the arms of the one I loved. It was a fairtytale and as fairtytales go, I would have a happy ending.

Time healed me, like I always knew it would. With the loyal help of Ed, I was back in action with my trusty Sais . Sometimes, though it was rare considering his demanding schedule, Peter would even spar with me. My life had turned from a nightmare to a fairytale. I was living in a castle as a Princess, my best friends were Kings and Queens... And I was happily and completely in love with Peter. As my friend, Peter had been courageous and wonderful... but as my love he was everything. Simply everything. Wherever I went, my thoughts found a way to him. I felt lovesick, but I didn't mind it one bit. Everyday, no matter how busy Peter made sure to make time for me. Whether it was a short ride to the forest or a simple picnic in the gardens... He made time for me. Peter was perfect. Peter was loving. Peter was mine. And I was his...

We didn't speak, we didn't talk, and we didn't look at one another. Instead, we sat there in our heaven, our heaven on a hillside of our kingdom.

And heaven has a beautiful sunrise.

Even though it was slow, the sun rose with such strength and power. Rays of red, orange, yellow streamed onto Narnia awakening the world. Suddenly, all my complaints subsided. Everything, everything was worth seeing the sunrise.

The country was illuminated, the darkness pushed back and beaten. The sunlight reached us and I gasped. The familiar, warming sensation enveloped me, setting my skin on fire. I gasped and closed my eyes, lifting my head up higher... I felt so powerful, so young, so strong. The sun was my source, the sun was my king the sun was my everything...

Then something else burned my skin, the softest touch of a stroke set my cheek ablaze. My eyes shot open, and I found myself looking into Peter's blue eyes. He was giving me the strangest, yet loving look. I tried to speak, but found my voice stolen from me.

"You're beautiful." His voice was thick and intoxicating. "You're so... beautiful. And the sun, the sun illuminates you. Your eyes sparkle, your skin glows, and your face is that of an angel's..."

His face moved in closer... The space disappearing between us.

And without warning, the spell ended.

The hot tingles left my body, only leaving goosebumps. I blinked and felt my mind clear again.

What in the name of Aslan came over me? I'd been referring to the sun as if...

Peter's lips reached me, cutting off my bewildered thoughts.

And the heat returned... with fury. Fire shot through my body, sending fireballs inside of me, my face flushed red and I couldn't breathe. All the same, it felt wonderful. It brought strength and I embraced it. My mind lost control, giving into the rush of power, letting it overwhelm my senses.

A strong wind passed, making the turquoise flags wave wildly. They were held by men on horses, faces set in sheer determination as they rode. Five humans rode fiercely and without delay, scenes of lovely countryside were a blur behind them. Nothing stood in their way nor would they stop, their leader would not let them.

Their leader rode in front with a small smirk on her face. Her skin was flawless and a pale, it glowed with the same softness as the moon. No, she was the moon. With her silver eyes, pale skin, and silver hair Lady Marie's beauty was unmatched.

Marie rode without fear and never did the smirk leave her face.

Behind her, three of the men gave the fourth meaningful looks. He took in their expressions, and nodded in silent agreement. Straightening his posture, the brave man urged his tired horse forward. The horse struggled, but with it's master striking him most cruelly it finally picked up speed. The guard moved alongside Marie and cleared his throat, "My Lady?"

"Yes Jagar?" She replied with a voice that matched her beauty. It was sweet as honey and soft, her voice was hypnotic.

"The horses need rest and the we food."

Suddenly, Marie wasn't so beautiful. Her eyes narrowed and face tightened, she gave her guard a glare.

He gulped, "T-That is if such a stop would p-please you."

Her glare lessened, and Marie pulled in her reigns. "We rest for ten minutes and no more."

"M-My Lady," The Guard looked at his fellow men for support. They offered weak nods but did not dare look at their Lady. "W-Why must we travel at such a pace? Cair Paravel is not much farther and we have no enemies in Narnia if we are welcome as you say we are..."

The party came a stop and the horses made noises of relief.

Marie gracefully slipped off her silver horse and handed the reins to the guard without warning. "Gentleman, don't you see?"

The men shuffled uneasily.

Marie scoffed, "You fools, I thought my Father only hired intelligent men..." Looking at them all, her smirk grew. "We hurry because I am most eager to meet my fiance."

A guard with a short, black heard spoke in confusion. "We were not informed that you were betrothed. What man in Narnia is to be your good husband?"

"The High King Peter of course. We are to marry and I will be High Queen of Narnia, Queen!" Marie laughed softly but her eyes twinkled dangerously. "Peter though, simply does not realize that I will be his Queen and this... witch of a princess."

The guards avoided her eyes, but said nothing.

The instant Peter pulled away, it all ended. Once again, my eyesight returned to normal and my thoughts were clear.

"Whoa..." I took deep breathes and held my head.

"You look ill Kay..." Peter rested his hand against my forehead. He shouted in arm, and threw his hand away from me. "Bloody hell! You burnt my hand! You feel like you're on fire!"

My eyes were wide and my mouth hung open, I was in shock. D-Did I just have a... No, that's impossible. That ability ended along with magic, there was no way... But...

"Kay?" Peter inquired, his hand reaching out towards me. He was just about to touch me-

"No! Don't!" I scooted back. "I think I'm still hot."

Peter's voice was no longer thick, it was now demanding and frantic. "What's going on?"

I looked at him and told him in all sincerity. "I think I just had a vision."

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"That's impossible." Edmund declared. "You lost your "sight" with your magic, the last time you had a vision was during-"

"The war, I know." I snapped.

"Well then, how can you say you had a vision?" Ed retorted.

I crossed my arms defensively, and looked at him from across the table. "And how can you say that I did not? You have no idea what it feels like to see, you do not understand the intensity of power that surges through you."

Susan bit her lip, "Ed I think she's right, Kay knows that it is to have a vision. Besides, Peter says that she was fully awake when it all happened."

"So she couldn't have been dreaming." Concluded Lucy, giving her youngest brother a look of disbelief. "I don't see why you don't believe her."

"You would if you had been there Ed." Peter said quietly. The rest of us fell silent and watched Peter as he held his head in his hands. "When the sunset hit her, something changed. It was as if her magic awoke, but instead of her magic it was just her sight. Kay's eyes brightened and sharpened, but it was like she wasn't actually seeing me. She was looking at me, but didn't see me! She was seeing something completely different... And then when I touched her forehead, I felt like I had just put my hand through a fire."

Terror filled me, "I-I didn't burn you did I?"

Peter finally looked up and shook his head slowly. "That's what's strange about it too, but then again you defy the word strange."

I frowned, "Why thank you for that Peter."

Lucy cleared her throat, "This is a serious matter... or am I the only one who realizes this?"

Bloody hell, she sounds older than me! Soon, Lu would be more mature that I was!

Pinching his nose, Ed said, "If this... vision is real, then we do have a problem. Well, mainly Peter."

Puzzled, Susan said to Peter, "You didn't tell us that you had invited anyone-"

He looked annoyed and nodded in agreement. "Su, I didn't invite anyone. You know well enough that I'd ask all of you whether or not are in support of having guests, but it seems that a certain member of the Archenland court has misinterpreted my words."

"What words?" Lu questioned. Oh yes, she was growing wiser as the months flew by. Peter and I had been together for almost a year now, though it seems like just yesterday I was bedridden from my injury and she was giggling with me like a young girl. Yet not, her she sat speaking with an adult's authority. Time just flies by...

"Kay, you may recall this," Peter smiled slightly at me but then frowned once more. "During our stay in Archenland Lune had me give a toast on the eve of our departure… And at the end of my speech I said 'Fellow men and women, you are most welcome in Narnia'."

This was followed by silence, and then Ed began to laugh. "Surely as members of the court, they are educated enough to understand that you simply said that in friendliness and politeness!"

It was true, in the world of politics one always had to act generous and welcoming, but everyone knew that it was just words… Unless there had been actual friendship and bonds made, such formal and open invites were not to be taken seriously. Even I knew that!

It was like two friends meeting and one saying, "We should dine together sometime." In most cases, it is not an actual invitation... simply a polite statement.

This made Peter even more irritated, "Well it would seem that Lady Marie has taken the invitation to heart."

Susan listened to our tones carefully, "She's not very pleasant is she?"

"No!" I exclaimed, and closed my eyes. Although her name was innocent enough, the noble woman herself was dangerous. "I've explained how much gossip there is in Archenland, but I failed to mention that Lady Marie is at the centre of it. Be warned Edmund, she is beautiful and her voice silky soft... But her true self is far less attractive."

"Did she support Patdor's marriage?" Ed asked, seeming surprised at my description.

"No, she was one of the main nobles to give them trouble." I narrowed my eyes. "Patdor's letters worry me, it sounds like she's leading an attack on himself and his wife."

"I don't like this, what are we going to do?" Susan ate a grape. We were all sitting outside for today, seeing that it was a sunny day... Thought there was a strong breeze, just like I had seen in my vision. This only further proved that it was real. While all the others faced outward and overlooked the ocean view, I made sure to keep my back to the waters of hell. I refused to even look at that blue trap of death. The smell made me anxious, but I could handle it.

"We will have to welcome her," Peter shrugged. "I'm sure that she won't stay long."

I snorted to myself, I was sure that Marie was going to be quite the bother.