Authors Notes: (scroll down to skip to chapter)
Friday, June 30th, 2006
Okay this chapter is somewhat shorter then my others. It doesn;t involve alot of plot advances in regards to the mystery, but it does involve more romance. I really just wanted to keep my updates coming daily. So here we are. I will update again tomorrow because I know where I am going next. I just need to sort a few ideas out. I'm also helping some family move into their new home tomorrow. well thanks to my one reviewer! I was sooo excited when I got your comment.
Monday, July 3rd 2006
It has beenfour days since my last update. I am working nine days straight so my next chapters will most likely not be up until the weekend. The story is finished, so basically I am just going chapter by chapter and beefing them up. Most chapters are very brief notes. So no fear this story will be reach the finish line! Thanks to XavierStar for all your help in proofing! Also thanks go to saygoodnightx for commenting :)
Saturday, July 8, 2006
Wow, this has been a crazy week for me because on top of working I got sick. We also got two new family members, Tango & Cash ( 2 kittens)..yeash they've been nutzo! Anyhoo, I hope to have a chapter up tonight if not I am off Monday. Sorry for the delay, thanks :)
Friday, July 28, 2006
I have two more chapters written and their just being edited for spelling and what not. Thanks for reading!
Chapter # 6 - Obvious
Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to Narnia, just my OC Stephanie
This story is rated M for later chapters.
Stephanie was once again dreaming. The visibility was poor and the path was treacherous. The rain was turning the dirt into slippery mud. The four armored travelers galloped on, silent and troubled. When the lights of flickering fire became visible through the trees, they all let cried out in anger, charging forward. Shrill laughter. An unnaturally tall women, dark hair, sharp features, somewhat only skeletal. Evil. Pure evil. Witch. She stood behind a large table of stone that was surrounded by ruins. More anguished cries. The woman with the crimson gown was tied down to the table. Her wrists and ankles bleeding from the struggles she made against the ropes. The witch stepped onto the table and kneeled over her. She grabbed her face, digging her claw like nails into her cheeks. She knelt further, "you shall pay with your life girl, never to see your love or the light of the Narnian sun.. again"
Peter POV
He stirred awake from slumber, then shot up in his bed. Cries, he could hear someone crying. He rapidly rose from his bed. His feet hitting the cold marble floors at a run. He's immediate thought was his youngest sister Lucy, for her room was across the hall. When he hastily opened the door, he found her sleeping still and peaceful. He returned to the hallway and listened. The cries lead him to Stephanie's bedroom door. He charged in. She was reeling around in her bed, eyes tightly shut, her face slightly contorted with tension. He raced to the bed and placed his hands upon her burning cheeks. Cupping her face in his hands he gently rubbed it with his thumbs. He urgently said her name, trying to break her from her obvious nightmare.
Stephanie thrust forward into Peter, jolting him backwards. Her breathing was quick and shallow. Instinctively, Peter moved his hands from her cheeks, brushing her hair back. His hands continued down her neck, over her shoulders and rested midway on her back. Stephanie leaned in curling her head into his neck. Her hands were clutching the silky fabric of his nightshirt. The two just sat there in silence for several minutes. Peter's senses were pinging as Stephanie's steamy breath tickled his neck and rippled his shirt. He whispered slowly into ear "It's okay, your safe, you can relax" he paused to bring one hand to her head, he gently took her chin, tilting her head to look into her eyes. "I didn't realize your dreams were so violent, you were screaming"
"I was trying to get to her, to save her, oh Peter it was awful." she said shuddering at the thought and burying her face back into his neck.
"You don't have to tell me now, it was a dream and now your awake, safe with me" he said caringly "I won't leave you" he snuggled her closer then pulled away. Stephanie shivered from her once burning sweat turned cold. "We must get you warm, I shall run you a bath". Stephanie was still clutching his nightshirt, she reluctantly untangled her fingers from the fabric and Peter made his way to the bathroom.
A little later, after having a hot bath and changing into dry night clothes, Stephanie returned to the bedroom. Peter had made a blazing fire, the spring night was curiously cold. He was now sitting on her bed, he gave her a slight nod, asking her to join him. Her heart fluttered at the sight of him sitting on her bed. His face was shadowed from the firelight, but she could still make out his fine facial features and steel blue eyes perfectly. By now she was on the bed next to him. Without a word he fluffed the covers over them, laid himself down on his back, and pulled her down next him. He nestled her head on his shoulder. One arm was slung around her waist, the other hand taken one of hers and intertwined it with his. Sleep never came as fast for either of them.
Stephanie and Peter slept straight through the morning, it was nearly noon when a servant entered to tell them that brunch would be served shortly if they wished. He discreetly disappeared embarrassed to have found them together. They both lay there chuckling at what the servant must of thought. Peter and Stephanie's bodies had be knotted together. Peter shifted, turning on his side, propping his head up on his elbow. He looked at Stephanie fondly "I like when people are honest with their feelings"
Stephanie smiled and agreed "Yes, I like that too". she was wondering where he was going with this statement.
"I want to kiss you" Peter boldly said shuffling closer to her.
For a moment she said nothing as her nerves whirled her stomach and screamed in her head. "I want to kiss you too, Peter" and with that he leaned further forward until their lips were only millimeters apart. He hovered there for a moment before crashing his lips onto hers. They broke apart, Stephanie made a small playful gesture of resistance, then gave into her desire for more of his kisses. Completely enveloped in each others arms once again, they passed a delicious few minutes, oblivious to the world.
Peter spent the remainder of the day tending to his royal duties. Since the festival had finished it was back to governing the Kingdom and helping Edmund train the cavalry. Stephanie spent the day with Susan and Lucy while they'd continued their research of the mysterious woman. Nothing had turned up. Stephanie didn't reveal her slumber party with Peter. She was enjoying having a secret tryst of her own. Dinner had arrived and Stephanie was anxiously awaiting Peter's arrival. When he finally did join her and his family for dinner, he greeted her with a warm smile and brushed his hand across her back as he passed. The five new friends and Tumnus were eating in near silence. Tumnus was making faces at Lucy, causing her to giggle occasionally. Peter and Stephanie hardly broke eye contact. Susan was reading a novel and Edmund was playing with his food while humming to himself.
"Edmund, do stop humming," Susan pleaded with him "It's awfully distracting and I'm trying to read"
Edmund seemed unconscious to his sister's request as he pushed some peas around his plate. "Edmund!"
"Wha..what?" Edmund's transfixion upon his plate finally broke.
"You've been humming nauseatingly since dinner started" Susan reported with slight agitation in her voice.
Lucy giggled "Yes, Edmund whatever is wrong?"
"Oh, nothing is wrong with him my dear Lucy" Tumnus answered with a grin "Our Edmund has a very deep crush"
"What's a crush?" Lucy asked
Susan put her book down and smirked at her younger brother. "Well Lucy, its when one person fancies another person, you know more than a friend"
"Oh…well then I want Peter to crush on Stephanie!" Lucy exclaimed excitedly
Stephanie nearly spat her milk out, and Peter blushed at Lucy's outburst. Everyone giggled noticing the pair's obvious embarrassment. Stephanie wanting to shift the attention from herself and Peter quickly asked "Edmund, when is your dear Isadora coming to visit Cair Paravel?"
"Within a few days" Edmund replied happily, he then went silent again returning to his thoughts.
When they'd all just about finished their dinner. Peter walked behind Stephanie's place, he leaned in and asked if she'd join him for a walk. Of course she accepted. Stephanie and Peter made their way out of the grand doors of the castle. They were now walking down the garden path, shoulder to shoulder. After the kisses they shared that morning, Peter wasn't shy to take her hand in his own. He enjoyed the feel of his larger hand overlapping hers. The night was getting a bit chillier as the wind picked up off the ocean. Stephanie fussed with her hair, trying to keep it out of her face. The sky was darker because a thin sheet of clouds shielded the moon. "I never thanked you for your kindness, you know looking after me when I had my nightmare" Stephanie fondly told Peter. "You're very good at comforting people"
"Well, I do have three younger siblings, nursing a nightmare scare comes with being a big brother. Lucy had many nightmares when the war began in England"
"I think we all did" Stephanie said with a sigh. It pained them both to think of what may be going at home in their natural world.
"oh and I think kissing you was thanks enough" he added with a big grin.
"Would you please tell me of your dream, I think its important you continue to share incase something significant comes from them. Something that will lead us to the woman's identity" Peter asked gently. He didn't want to push her. Stephanie wasn't normally so shaken by dreams, but she'd never had any so violent and so vivid. It was like she could feel the woman's physical and emotional suffering. They settled on a ledge to a fountain. The fountain had a round basin, and the middle featured three mermaids atop a rock, holding shells that cascaded water back into the basin. Stephanie recounted her dream moment to moment the best she could. Peter just sat and nodded, making mental notes.
"I think the table in your dream, was the stone table. It's one of the most ancient spots in Narnia. It's where the deep magic was written. There were sacrifices and executions made there."
"I see" Stephanie paused loosing herself in the horrible flashbacks of her dream. Peter placed his hand upon hers and said that they best be returning to the castle. They walked again hand in hand until they reached the entrance. Although apprehensive of sleep for a fear of another dream, Stephanie said she was ready to retire to her room. Peter kindly escorted her. When they reached her door she turned to face him.
"I shall only be a few doors away, please wake me if you need me" Peter said looking into her eyes, he wanted to show his complete sincerity in his offer. She knew he was being completely sincere, especially after his actions the previous night,
"Thank-You" She said placing a hand on his chest. They both checked to see if they were indeed alone. Neither of them really knew why they were being secretive about their affections because the others knew about their feelings for one another before they themselves did. When they knew they were indeed alone. They hugged before bidding each other goodnight with a soft kiss.
Peter almost floated down the hallway after their kiss. He sauntered into his room. As he was preparing to disrobe he noticed Stephanie's locket upon his desk. He walked over and picked it up. Movement caught the corner of his eye. Something had moved on his balcony. Maybe not. He went back to studying the locket. "Hmmm, who did you belong to?" he asked the empty room.
"Perhaps, I can be of service your majesty"
Peter snapped his head towards the shadowed entrance of his balcony. Peering out into the night he demanded "Show yourself! Who goes there" By now he'd reached his sword and drawn it.
Slowly a caped figure emerged from the balcony's shadow and into the soft light of his room.
