A New View

The four kings and queens of Narnia sat in the council rom of Cair Paravel. Although the battle against Lena was only a month ago they were still dealing with the aftermath. The Archenlandians had returned to their own country, the Telmarines remained in Narnia, scattered across the land and Lena was spending most days in the library, often with Edmund, working on her case.

"How's it going with Lena Ed?" Lucy questioned her brother, who had been silent most of the meeting, his mind focusing on other things.

"It's… going, I guess." Edmund replied with a heavy sigh. "She doesn't say much. Spends most of the time in the library reading books. If I'm going to help her I need to understand her, but it's proving to be hard." He sat back in his chair, his exhaustion showing. Lucy leaned forward and put her hand over his.

"Maybe there is no getting through to her." Susan said tentatively, her eyes full of concern for her over-worked brother.

"No!" At this, Edmund sat back up, "I know I can get through to her. It's early days, just let me try!"

"It's ok Ed, keep trying with Lena. I'm sure if anyone can understand her its you," Peter said, watching his brother relax as he spoke.

"Have the scouting groups returned yet Peter?" Lucy asked, changing the subject. Peter frowned, he had wanted to avoid talking about this and Lena at the same time but he couldn't lie to his siblings.

He sighed, "Yes." A long pause as he thought about the news he was about to share.

"The forces we sent to Lena's castle reported that it was completely abandoned, they searched the whole place and found nothing. They could find to evidence of Lena's wand anywhere. It's disappeared." As he uttered these words his siblings let out a joint sigh of despair. Sparks flew off of Susan and there was a slight rumble of the earth. Whilst the two sisters reeled their powers back in Edmund thought about how the case of the missing wand would effect Lena's trial and sank back into his chair once again.

Once the meeting had finished the four siblings went their separate ways. Lucy to the grounds of the castle, Susan to the archery ground, Peter to his study and Edmund went to find Lena. When he found the library empty he headed to her room. When he entered he found her on her bed reading a book, which she abruptly shoved closed and hid underneath her pillow.

"Good afternoon Lena." Edmund addressed the young witch as she got off her bed and approached him.

"Your majesty." she replied curtseying with a sneer on her face. "This isn't our usual meeting time… you miss me?" she retorted.

"Cut it out Lena I'm not in the mood for your games." he snapped back.

Lena's eyes flashed in anger "What's your problem? had a bad day being a king so come to take it out on the witch girl?" she replied curtly. Edmund sighed as he regretted his anger "Sorry Lena. We've just had some bad news that's going to affect the case. Our forces scoured the castle and there was no sign of your wand."

"What?!" Lena exclaimed, a look of panic flashing across her face before she resumed her usually emotionless expression.

"Do you have any idea where it might be?" Edmund asked her.

"The last time I saw it was the same time you did, when your brat of a sister knocked it out my hands when she captured me in those roots in my castle." As she was saying this, she crossed over to the corner of her room to where there was a table with a bowl filled with water in it, for her to wash her face in. She gripped the back of the chair and stared into the water as fear began to rise in her.

"Don't talk about my sister like that!" Edmund shot back. When he got no response he crossed over to her. "Lena? Are you listening to me? If we can't find the wand it won't look good for you. Especially if even you don't know where it is." As he was getting no response from the girl he paused and then gently placed his hand on her shoulder. "Lena?" he tried again. "Are you alright? Look it's not the end of the world. We can still work on your case without the wand… "

"Edmund," Lena said quietly as Edmund continued to talk about their options without hearing her. "Edmund!" she said louder.

"What?" he said, caught off guard by her suddenly raised voice.

"Look at the water," she replied, staring into the bowl. Edmund, confused, looked into the water that Lena couldn't tear her eyes away from. As he stared into the bowl he began to see images forming in the water. He leaned closer as the pictures slowly became clearer, "What in Aslan's mane…" he began but stopped as suddenly the images in the water surrounded them and they were standing in the White Witch's castle.

Edmund looked around at the scene before them. When he realised where they were, fear flooded through him. His childhood room was before them. Wait. That wasn't right. This wasn't his childhood. This was a memory, but not his. He turned to look to his left and saw Lena stood stock still, staring at the room before them. This was her memory. Suddenly Edmund heard a noise and he spun round to see a small figure hunched up on the bed clutching the fur of a young wolf. As Edmund moved forward he noticed the girl was crying. Tears flowed down her face and her hand covered her mouth as if she was trying to stay silent. Suddenly she let out a sob and her eyes filled with fear. Edmund's heart thudded as he watched the girl desperately try to stop crying as footsteps were heard, getting louder and louder. Suddenly the doors to the room flew open and standing there was the White Witch. Edmund stumbled back to where Lena was standing as the woman who had tortured him entered the room.

"What is going on?" he muttered to himself. Lena beside him had yet to move and was watching the scene unfold.

"Lena!" the shout of her name coming from the White Witch's mouth made old and young Lena flinch with fear, and the wolf, who Edmund had realised was Aaron, growl. At the noise from the wolf the witch's piercing gaze turned to the animal and she lifted her wand. Aaron immediately became quiet as young Lena stood up before her mother. When she wasn't curled up on her bed, Edmund could see her more clearly and could tell that the girl was only 3 or 4 years old. He flinched, as her mother looked away from the wolf and turned her wand to Lena. Edmund remembered being on the receiving end of the wand and remembered the fear that came with it. 4-year-old Lena looked up at her mother "Please don't hurt him. I promise I'll be quiet." The White Witch's icy stare bore into her daughter and noticed her tear stained cheeks.

"Have you been crying you pathetic child?" she asked Lena, disgust in her voice. "I don't know how you're my daughter, you're weak and useless!" With every word present day Lena seemed to flinch a bit more whilst her child self stood completely still staring right back up at her mother and the wand that was still pointed at her. The two stared at each other for a second before the Witch turned on her heels and left the room. As soon as she had gone the girl collapsed to the floor breathing a massive sigh of relief and curled into a ball hugging herself. Edmund stood still not sure what to do or say. Lena however, finally moved from where she stood, towards her younger self. She crouched down in front of the child and her eyes filled with tears.

"Lena?" Edmund approached the girl tentatively. She looked up at him the tears in her eyes burning with anger.

"What did you do?! GET US OUT OF HERE NOW!" as she screamed those last words, the scene around them fell away and suddenly they were back in Lena's room in Cair Paravel, with Edmund's hand still on her shoulder. Lena jerked away from him.

"GET OUT!" she yelled. Edmund hesitated, he had no idea what had just happened but one look at Lena told him that she was extremely shaken by it. Without saying a word he left the room and Lena collapsed to the floor, the tears of anger running silently down her cheeks.