~Previously~

On my way to my chambers, I decided that I would talk with Mr. Tumnus and see if planned to stay at court or return home. I knew they had made him an offer to stay, bur wasn't sure what he had decided. That fact that I wasn't offered didn't bother me in the least. I hadn't intended to stay longer than I was needed. My only concern was how far away all my friends would be. Tomorrow was a new day.

Chapter 25 Fifteen Years Later

After staying in the castle for a few weeks and helping the Pevensies, I thought it was about time for me to return home. Tumnus had declined the invitation, saying castles weren't for him, but had agreed to visit frequently and often. He became an advisor and went on diplomatic mission with Edmund and sometimes Peter.

When the Pevensies learned that I planned to depart, they told me that they wished I would stay. So I did, finding myself more at home in the castle then I had been before. Besides, it was easier to be a protector when I was closer to where the threats would be. Mr. Tumnus brought my few belongings to castle on his next trip back to the castle—once I told him where I lived. He had some help from the Beavers, would visited often as well.

The Pevensies worked hard over the next decade and a half to create a time of peace and joy. The Golden Age of Narnia where it had flourished under their rule. There were a few tiffs here and there, but they were settled quickly. In the last few years, Peter left to deal with Ettinsmoor's giants while Edmund occupied Susan on a diplomatic mission to Tashbaan. The former had refused to take me with him, much to my frustration but I was thankful Edmund didn't make me stay behind with Lucy—it wasn't Lucy that was the problem, but rather staying in the castle.

Fifteen years had passed and I went from being around the Pevensies age to being the youngest. Peter was thirty-two, Susan thirty-one, Edmund twenty-eight, and Lucy was twenty-five. It was kind of weird for me at first because I wasn't used to comparing my age to humans. I had to explain to the Kings and Queens many times about why I wasn't getting any older. And the older they got, the younger I seemed so they started restricting what I could do. Which meant no battles unless it was absolutely necessary and that made my job harder.

Susan and I had quickly surpassed all the other archers in skill. Even trick shots we could make. Susan seemed to be the better archer, but unlike her, I wasn't practicing as much—due to restrictions on actually fighting—and I hardly had reason to use my bow. The Kings and Queens all thought I was too young to worry about it. Peter and Susan were the worst, but sometimes Edmund or even Lucy would comment on it. I was over a hundred years yet I was being treated like some teenage. My looks and energy was the only thing they made me fifteen. I was "wise beyond my years" to many foreign dignitaries and nobles. I had just as much skill in battle as the others. The only difference was that I didn't look like I should. So any time they all left, they placed me in charge of the castle. My task was to make sure it didn't fall to invaders, but it was a very boring tasks since we were at peace.

I did manage to practice some, but only when Their Majesties were too busy to pull me away. The standard targets had become too easy and I was forced to look for others. At first I made for the woods and practiced shooting pine cones. The wind and small size made them ideal targets. When the orchard was planted—with the help of Lilygloves and some dryads—I started using the bad apples as target practice. It kept me within the castle grounds should anything happen. There was also the addition of making it impossible for anyone to lecture me for wasting apples. They would've gone to waste so I made use of them.

There were many parties and celebrations throughout their reign. We had ones to celebrate each of the Kings and Queens birthdays. The Narnians themselves decided to celebrate the day the were crowned as well. The Kings and Queens didn't celebrate it themselves, but it became a Narnian tradition. Christmas and seasonal solstices were brought back and they were some of my favorite holidays to celebrate.

At the parties, I stayed in the corners a lot and surveyed the whole party. Susan would occasionally try to get me to join but I would politely refuse. As the parties became more frequent, I began engaging in conversations with other Narnians, but I still kept an eye out. Any suspicious person, anyone who moved too quickly, anyone who seemed a little to interested in Their Majesties. Orieus and some of the private guards helped me with this task as it made any one person less conspicuous.

As the peace stretched, there were always some who wanted to end it. Parties were there best chance to get in and attempts had become more frequent early on. So I found myself coming to the celebrations with a concealed dagger and my bow, which I often tucked behind a curtain to keep it out of sight. I remained nearby throughout the evenings so I could act quickly. It was my job to protect the Kings and Queens and any threat would be dealt with immediately. I didn't kill them because that what Their Majesties requested, but I often incapacitated the individual to prevent them from hurting anyone. These attempt caused an increase in guards and the problem began to teeter out.

Today was a normal day around the castle. Their Majesties were busy with council meetings and dealing with citizens' complaints. Judgement was often left up to Edmund, but they all would hear the cases. Occasionally a complaint would come from their individual area of the Kingdom and they would deal with them personally. Peter, the North, Susan the South, Edmund the West, and Lucy was the East. Hers often had to do with Narnian territories such as the Lone Island and Peter's with Ettinsmoor.

I had no tasks for the day, which wasn't surprising given how Their Majesties saw me, and I planned to go outside later for practice. There was talk among the Narnians of me surpassing Susan in skill, but I doubted it. The Gentle Queen, though opposed to fighting in battle, was often prepared should the need come. And I wasn't practicing as much as I should have.

I was on my way to collect my weapons and then met Orieus on the practice field when Susan showed up and began talking to me. "Ana?"

"Yes?" I asked.

"Look," she seemed hesitant, almost unsure, "I know we haven't really done anything together in awhile."

"I get it. You have your duties to attend to and you don't have time to hang out with a fifteen year old. It's fine." I wasn't fine but I did understand.

"No, Ana. That's not right. We used to be good friends.

"We all used to be real close, but now we're not. I get it. It's hard to maintain friendship outside of those that frequent court." She sighed, knowing I was right and shouldn't have been. To assuage her, I offered her a chance to join me. "I'm going to be practicing later today, if you want you can join me. Orieus has promised me some fencing lessons first though."

"Fencing? Why in Aslan's name would you need fencing lessons?" she asked and I could hear the judgement in her tone.

"It's a good skill to have," I answered simply. "I'll be on the archery field around midday if you're coming."

"I'll be there," she promised, letting the other matter drop. I was immensely grateful. I didn't need another lecture about was proper for me.

Then she left and I was on my own again. I retrieved my weapons and grabbed a sword from the armory on my way out. Orieus was waiting for me, a little disappointed that I was late. But he said nothing of it when I apologized and explained who had detained me. It was the first of many lesson I would take from him.

~The Chronicles of Narnia~

About midday I headed to the archery field. Though I was exhausted from my time with the General, I knew archery would be a good reprieve. I had planned to make it an easy and relaxing practice, just to brush up on my skills. I wasn't aiming to improve them that day.

Susan was already there when I arrived, but she wasn't alone. Lucy came with her and she grinned at me. She also had her bow and asked if it was alright if she joined. I smiled, glad the three of us could practice like old times. Lucy was skilled with a bow and sword and she used both in battle. Whichever they needed the most. She always had her dagger on her and was the best at throwing them, but that wasn't always useful in a battle. So she had gotten training in whatever her siblings would allow her to. While she couldn't quite match her brothers' sword-fighting or Susan's archery skills, she could certainly give them a run for the royal treasury.

We had shot a few rounds at the targets and found them too simple, much to my dismay. I wasn't looking to turn the outing into a competition but the Queens insisted on it. So another field was being set up when Mr. Tumnus came running up. He had stopped by the previous evening and I planned on spending sometime with him after practice. If had time that was.

"Your Majesties! Ana!" Tumnus exclaimed.

"What is it? Has something happen?" Susan asked.

"There's been a White Stag spotted in the Western Woods. I was sent to find you. High King Peter said you might wish to join the hunt."

Their faces lit up in excitement. The White Stag was very rare and special. Legend had it that if you could catch it alive, the stag would grant you one wish. It was an exciting thing and I smiled, hoping I would be able to join them this time. Very few managed to catch it. So few, in fact, that there is no record of it ever being done. Susan looked over her shoulder, ready to apologize when I assured her it was alright. I wouldn't hold them back.

They both thanked me and went to get their horses. I waited for a few moments, debating if I should follow before making my way to the royal stables. Tumnus grinned as I passed, seeming to know what I planned, and I heard him following me. I knew what the likely response would be, but I still had to try.

"Ana... I know how much you want to go. But someone has to stay and protect the castle," Peter tried to explain once all four of them were together.

"Can't Oreius do it? He is older than me. It would be a better task for him," I said, practically begging.

"Orieus is busy with training. You're needed here," he ordered as he mounted his horse. "You can come next time. I promise."

I nodded in understanding while trying not to show my disappointment. They couldn't stop treating me like a child, like some wild teen that would run off. I assumed it was a force of habit, but that didn't make it hurt any less. I was hardly a protector, much less a warrior. What was the point of having a 'title' if you couldn't even do your job? Just because I looked young didn't make it fair to leave me behind. Again.

Tumnus approached and placed a hand on my shoulder as I watched them leave. Just before they were out of my earshot, I heard Edmund tell his sisters to just wait at the castle. He said something about getting the stag himself, but I shrugged it off—and Tumnus' hand— and sighed before heading back inside. It wasn't fair. I tried so hard to put on a brave face, to not be disappointed but it didn't matter. They kept treating me like some child and I was frustrated with it. I wanted to scream, to shout but that only made me seem more childlike. I needed to be alone. Alone so I could cry and let all these emotions out. I was beginning to feel like I didn't matter.

A/N: Just one more chapter left and then this story is complete. In the meantime, do you think I should post the Prince Caspian story? Updates will be slow but I'll try to be more consistent than I was with this one. No promises because... well... Real life.