Chapter 2; Into this Unknown

She knew not how long it was, nor did she care. She didn't want to wake up from the cold comfort of sleep, or was it sleep? Was she even alive? She was numb. She couldn't feel the throbbing pain that should have coursed through her system.. but it didn't. Yet..the warmth that covered her body, and the cloudy haze clinging on to her eyelids like the shadow of a light, demanded her attention.

Wasn't death supposed to be cold and void?

Aline felt her eyelids stir, before they opened, to find herself lying in quite a cozy bed. She wondered for a moment about the unfamiliar surroundings, and then she remembered the strange dream of landing in a stranger land.

However, Aline had not much time to savour it for just then she tensed, hearing voices. "The Kings and Queens, should be informed." a kind of crunchy?? voice spoke.

"I already have, Mr. Tumnus." another replied back to it.

"Another Daughter of Eve..What do you think this means?" a third voice asked.

"I do not know. Maybe its for the better, or for the worse. Lets just hope Aslan knows what he's doing. Poor thing, was almost freezing drenched in the aqueducts!"

It took Aline a moment to realise that they were talking about her. "Well," she called out, "if you're talking about me, at least do it in front of me."

There was a sudden silence, and then the first voice spoke again, "Its awake!" Its awake? Aline thought vaguely as she slid off the bed, a sudden wave of nausea hit her as her feet touched the ground. She steadied herself her hand on the bed frame, taking in the surroundings. She was in a circular room which seemed to be made of stone throughout. A fire crackled in the fireplace right across casting the room in a warm orange din.

"Strange," she thought. Everything around her seemed so strange, perhaps she was in heaven? Except she did nothing to deserve the luxury of heaven.

But the rational part of her brain argued, perhaps this is just some kind of death-induced hallucination, caused by the force of the flower vase colliding with her head. Or maybe..

Just about then her thoughts were interrupted as someone walked in, or rather something, to be precise, a beaver, asking if she was okay! For a moment, she was stunned, not knowing what to do, whether to totally freak out, or laugh, at the absurdity of her own imagination. She decided on the latter, "This is a dream," the girl decided.

The beaver looked confused, "What do you mean, Daughter of Eve?" it asked. "You're a beaver, and you're talking. You're a talking beaver!" "Of course I talk, Daughter of Eve. Don't mistake us for those stupid dumb animals." the beaver said in a voice that said it was clearly annoyed.

"Erm, actually, my mother's name surely is not Eve, and this most certainly IS a dream!"

The beaver just smiled, well, if beavers could smile at least. "This is not a dream, Daughter of Eve, and well, I think the Kings and Queens would explain the situation better than I ever could."

"Um, my name is Aline, so please stop with the Daughter of Eve thingy, its freaking me out, and second, for the love of human sanity, how am I supposed to believe this isn't a dream?"

"Because" the beaver simply said, as if it made all the sense in the world. "It is real,"

"Alright, alright." she said, taking in a deep breath, calming herself down. "Alright, I want to go home, now." she said. The beaver had a sad look on its face. "You can't, dear." she said. "You're in Narnia, now. If he has brought you here, there must be some reason. You have to stay here for now, dear, at least until the monarchs arrive."

"So you're telling me to stay in a place I've never been before, with a talking beaver waiting for some goddamn royalty to come whisk me away. Oh, and hell, look at me talking to a beaver. I sure am losing my head!"

Just then, in trotted a man, at least that's what Aline thought, until her gaze fell beneath his waist. "You're a... faun?" she asked. This was just getting weirder and weirder.

"Yes, I am." he replied proudly, holding out his hand, she just glancing at it. "Well, arent you supposed to shake hands? Thats what humans do, am I right?"

Dazed in shock she froze.

"Well what are you waiting for?"

She moved her hand tentatively just as the faun grinned giving an I-told-you-so look at the beaver. "Greetings, my lady! I am Mr. Tumnus and welcome to our beautiful home land Narnia!"

Narnia? Aline thought, regarding his accent was this somewhere in Scotland? Had she been somehow transported to some unrealistically weird method acting set for animated creatures or something? No, no.. this seemed way too realistic to be so..

"Okay, um while I really appreciate this and thank you so much for everything. I think it's about time I take my leave." she said, picking up her shoulder bag.

If only she could find a way to wake up, she thought. But then, she wasn't even sure whether she wanted to wake up to her. Wake up to what? Back to her own insane world?

Right then, in walked a boy walked, and Aline's mouth dropped down. He was dressed in armor as if he'd just stepped right off a medieval film set. The beaver, and the faun both bowed their heads, saying something like "My, king." under their breaths.

Aline almost stumbled as she saw him. His brown eyes, and dark hair falling into his eyes, like Sam's did.

She cringed away.

"Mrs. Beaver " he said not in the least acknowledging her, "I believe you called, about something that needed handling."

"Why, yes! You're majesty, here she is.. the-" Mrs. Beaver's voice considerably lowered as she reached almost on her top toes beckoning the boy to lower his ears, "Daughter of Eve!"

Aline could stand this no longer, "Well, am right here, and I don't think I'm going nowhere with some scrawny little boy! And, as I'd said before my mother's name is not Eve!"

She was tired and irritated and angry, not to mention her stomach rumbling, and she just wanted to know what was going on.

The boy in front of her faked offense, "My lady, I don't think you're aware of the fact that you just called a King of Narnia- and the most handsome one, at that- a 'scrawny little boy'. Nevertheless I am willing to forgive you this slight fallacy if I were to be offered an apology."

Aline rolled her eyes, "I don't think the truth deserves an apology, my King." she said, sarcasm dripping off the last two words.

"Lying to a King could be considered an offense, especially on matters of such importance."

Was he flirting with her?

"You're too pompous!" Aline rolled her eyes.

"And for good reason. Most say that's my most endearing trait. And believe me, you shall come to see it soon." Did he just wink at her?

Aline just stared at the guy, she was hating him more and more by the minute.

He turned around casually toward the Beaver, "Thank you, Mr. Beaver, Mr. Tumnus." he said with a bow,"I'll take over from here." he said as if he dealt with delusional teenage girls almost on a daily basis.

"Woah! Hold on there! I'm going nowhere with him!" she said. "Unfortunately, you have no other choice but me, sweetheart. You should consider yourself lucky, ladies all over Narnia, would die for an opportunity to ride with the Just King."

Aline made a fake gagging noise, and the young King allowed himself a smile. "Well then, I'm sorry to disappoint you, my King." she said, throwing as much sarcasm as she could muster into the last two words. "but frankly, I'd walk half the country than ride anywhere with you."

"Then, have it your way." he said, as he started walking toward the horse.

She waited where she was. Somewhere deep down, she knew she had to go with him, for she had a sneaking suspicion that this wasn't a dream, it felt all too real. Maybe some freak accident took place and she'd been transported to another realm instead of a peaceful afterlife? she desperately tried to reason.

Despite it all, she knew she had to go, it was more than an urge, more like a deep intuition that she could not quite put her finger on that telling her to go with him. If she wanted her questions answered, and if there was one thing she hated it was not knowing things.

"Alright then, supposing I decide to go with you, where exactly are we going?" she asked.

"I'll tell you that after you've supposed to decide to go." he said. She rolled her eyes. "Answer me first, and I'll suppose to decide to come afterwards." He sighed, "Alright," he said, "so you're in Narnia, and were going to Cair Paravel. where me and my siblings live. Now are you going to come or do I have to knock you out, and tie you in a sack all the way? Trust me, it won't be a smooth journey though." he added.

And somehow she could say that he wasn't kidding, though she said, "I'd really love to see you try." Before he could respond, a shrill voice shrieked. "Edmund! Is that how I taught you to speak before a lady?" She turned around, and wasn't half surprised to see an angry looking beaver. This one, must be a female, she thought judging by the voice.

"Um, no offense, but you seriously take behavioral lessons from a beaver?" she asked. He just rolled his eyes. "She's no lady!" he replied, but Mrs. Beaver just glared at him, and he said, "Fine, Im sorry. Now, would you please permit me the pleasure of escorting you to my castle, my lady?" he asked with mock politeness, and for some reason she couldn't stop her laughter.

"See?" he said glaring. "she's no lady!"

"Edmund," Mrs. Beaver said, not unkindly, and Aline thought his name seemed strange, like old, but then what did not seem strange in this place? "Don't be rude," she chided, "Remember how you lot were when you first came here?"

Something hardened in the Kings face and he said his voice cold, "Yes I do. I remember it all." Mrs. Beaver looked shocked. "No, my king, I didnt mean to-" He cut her off, turning to Aline, "Do you know, to ride?" he asked, to which she shook her head, indicating that she did. She'd taken riding classes since she was a kid.

"Fine, then you'll be riding with me." he said a finalty in his tone, that said there was no use arguing.

As much as she hated the fact of riding a horse, riding with him seemed so much worse, for she just couldn't help seeing Sam in him, though now that she had a good look at him she noticed, they looked nothing alike. His face was more angular, deepest cheekbones and a jawline that she under any other circumstance would've found to be immensely attractive and those clear brown eyes were nothing like any she'd seen before. But before she could lose herself further in thought,

"No." she said.

"What do you mean?" he asked. "I mean, I'm not going anywhere with anyone until you tell me what shit, I've landed myself into this time."

"Look here, Miss. Whatever-Your-Bloody-Name-Is -"

"Aline," she said her teeth gritted, "My name is Aline."

"Aline," Mrs. Beaver called, "We're just trying to help you, he has brought you here, there must be some purpose, just like our Kings and-"

"Who the hell, is he?"she demanded, "No, wait! I don't really want to know. I'll find my way outta here, by myself."

And before Mrs. Beaver or Edmund could say something, she pushed her way out breaking into a run. She heard someone call her name but she just wanted to disappear.

Edmund watched the girl disappear into the dense woods almost in a daze and as if on cue Mrs. Beaver gasped. "My King, you have to stop her. It isnt safe out there!" He tried not to flinch. Edmund Pevensie hated it, when she called him that, 'King' As if he even deserved the title. He'd told her many times to call him, just Edmund, which she does, thankfully or it would be very embarrassing if she called him, 'My King' when she was scolding or telling him off.

"I think she just made it clear, that she doesnt want anything to do with us." he said not knowing why he said it. This girl, Aline, he didnt know what her appearance meant. What with the stirring of the Giants and Wild Magic, set loose in places. The Council would not be pleased by the sudden appearance of a mysterious girl, either. That too a Daughter of Eve.

A cold feeling crept up his spine, but all the same he said, "I think I'll go get her, before any beasts of the woods do." he said nodding towards the beaver.

It wasn't hard following her tracks, especially when Lora his leopard Shield was up in front. Though he thought her brave or perhaps foolish, to go this far out into the woods alone.

Lora came to an abrupt stop. "What's the matter, Lora?" he asked.

"My King, seems like I've lost her scent." the leopard replied.

"What do you mean, lost her scent?" the King asked.

"Its like, she just..disappeared, but not, I can feel her somewhere near, but it seems like something is preventing me."

Edmund looked at the trees surrounding, for the first time noticing the difference. The trees in front of them were different, from the trees behind. The didnt move, even though there was a calm breeze, and looked sickly with its leaves turning yellow and drooped. It almost seemed like he was standing on an invisible boundary line, separating the two places.

The King felt a knot of panic settle itself in his chest, as he realised what it was. "Wild Magic," Lora hissed.

"We have to get to her," he said.

"My King, No! It's too dangerous, we have no idea of whats lurking in there."

Edmund simply replied, "I have to, Lora. We have no idea who she is, but I have a feeling she's important." Then turning back to the regiment of soldiers, that Peter insisted go with him, he said, "Wait here until I come back." Though they weren't too happy about leaving their King unguarded, none argued against.

Edmund dismounted, taking a step towards the forest, without glancing back knowing that Lora had followed him by the touch of her feline feet rustling the leaves on the forest floor.

It wasnt too long, before they found her crouched on the forest floor. At first he thought, she was wounded, but as he drew closer he saw that wasn't the case, much to the King's relief. She'd stumbled down on probably some wild roots.

Edmund almost sighed but the relief was short lived. For from behind the girl, Edmund could sense a flicker of movement. And as if to prove his point, Lora growled, a soft warning growl in the back of her throat.

Then out of nowhere charged something big and burly. To his horror he realised what it was, a Minotaur. It charged straight towards Aline, who had no idea of the giant beast charging towards her.

Edmund had just a moment to decide, but before he could react someone else sprang into action. Lora sprang out, in a single jump, bounding over her, the startled girl looked up in surprise to see a leopard flying over her.

As Edmund watched, the big beast swatted Lora aside as if she were a fly, and charged towards Aline. The girl scurried behind, a startled scream leaving her lips as the beast neared.

Edmund charged, his sword drawn out, but the Minotaur didn't notice him, its eyes dead set on its target instead. Just as the Minotaur closed around her, Edmund's sword, pierced its thick hide, and it roared. A terrible sound that shook the woods, he couldn't help but wonder the trees didn't fall.

But that was the least of his concern, for now, the Minotaur turned to face him instead. However, the young King, did not feel any fear. In fact a smirk curled up his lips. This was what he was trained to do after all.

He swerved to the left, as it charged. The beast was big and strong, but that very fact was also its undoing. It couldn't turn or change direction as easily as him. Though the young King knew this couldn't go on forever.

This time he timed his move perfectly, as he sidestepped he thrust his sword forward, wounding the Minotaur in its side, just as a very angry looking recovered Lora landed on the surprised monster's back, raking her sharp claws through its hide, and so the Minotaur fell. A deafening roar the final of its goodbye.

Edmund felt a wave of anger, as he saw her, still on the floor her legs hugged to her chest. Not only did she endanger herself, but Lora almost got herself killed.

He cast her a distasteful look, which she didn't catch as he walked over to Lora who looked fine except for the limp in her leg, and insisted him to go check on Aline instead.

And as he neared her even as he felt it the anger evaporated replaced by something akin to understanding and even a little pity. Her legs hugged to her chest, she looked so freaked out, and frail. He knew how it was to be pulled into a strange land, and see things youve always believed as myths, come to life.

"Please, tell me," she begged, a crack in her voice "that this is a dream. And I'm going to wake up somehow." While he didn't say anything, she just continued, "No, this isnt a dream. All this stuffs too real to be a dream. This maybe, no IS a hallucination. Half human, half bull..." she trailed on, "What are those things called, Minotaurs? Exist only in mythology, none of this is real, or maybe.." she laughed, "maybe Im dead and this is my hell."

Edmund stood up awkwardly, he wasnt good at comforting hysterical girls - that was Susans department- and this one, he knew was in the very verge of tears.

He put his hand awkwardly on her shoulder, she flinched away, and he drew back, "I know what you're going through, it was the same for us when we came. I know it's hard to believe, but I can assure you, it is all real. Its hard at first, but you'll get used to it."

"You mean, you came here from erm- where I come from? and what do you mean by 'us'?"

"Yeah, me and my siblings, we-"

"My siblings and I" she corrected asif on instinct. He smiled briefly.

"Alright, my siblings and I, and yeah, we are- were from London."

"Were from London?" she asked.

"You are quite nosy arent you?" he said, and before she could say something back he said, "We'd better get moving unless you fancy spending the night in the forest."

"Very tempting, but no thank you."

And so they rode, it was a long journey and it wasn't long before Aline's eyes began to close, and she found herself leaning back into his chest. She wanted to stop herself, stay awake, and have the least to do with him. But even before she finished that train of thought, sleep overtook her senses.

She didn't feel it when his arm rested on hers, or when they reached the castle nor the others waiting. She slept soundly even as the strange boy in medieval costume carried her upstairs placing her to rest on the bed in the middle of a room fit for a Queen.

She stirred not as he untangled her hand from his as he pulled up her covers for her nor did she hear him whisper, "Who are you?" as he tucked a stray strand of her jet black hair behind her ear.

Maybe it was because she was tired, but she slept soundly during the night, no nightmares nothing, the first time in months.

The same though could not be said for the Just King, the young King kept tossing and turning, half wishing that sleep never came, for with sleep came the nightmares.

But, too tired after the days events, that not long after he felt his eyes grow heavy and he didn't even try to resist. Sleep was inevitable. He fell asleep.

It was her again, Jadis. Her wand, sinking into his flesh. Her last taunting laugh, as he lay dying, more and more Narnians, falling around him.

Jadis whispered, "All because of you, my little traitor, I would never have seen such great victory if not for you." Its just a dream, just a dream.. he kept telling himself, willing himself to wake up but he just couldn't.

"It's still not too late, my little traitor. Just renounce Aslan, just once and you could rule by my side, just like you always wanted."

"No," he said, looking the Witch in the eye. "Maybe, I've made mistakes in the past Jadis, but I'd never renounce Aslan, no matter what."

Jadis flashed her deadly smile, "Then so be it!" she said, and he saw her raise her wand once more, closing his eyes relieved that it was finally over.

But alas! for the young King, it was not so, for he was pulled into yet another web, his mind had woven.

This time it wasn't any of his usual nightmares. He found himself crouching over sombody. With a start he realised that, the 'somebody' was her- Aline, and worse, she was lying in a pool of blood, her blood, he realised. All, he could do, was hold her his heart growing cold and void of any warmth very much like the frozen castle of his nightmare as life slowly bled out of the broken shell of her body.

Her lips were moving softly, as if whispering a final prayer, only it wasnt. Instead she kept repeating the words, 'Im sorry,' Why should she say sorry when it was all his fault? he thought. His fault? his brain echoed right back as a vague feeling of guilt settled in his chest. What had he done this time?

With a start, the Just King sat up, wide awake, his heart beating like crazy. It's inly a dream, just a dream, not real..he kept saying to himself, but it did nothing to reduce his erratic heartbeat.

It was only because he'd just met her for the first time and by some miracle the new girl managed to make enough of an impression for his brain to incorporate her into his dreams, he reasoned. But for some reason, somehow this seemed different, real even, like it was more of a vision than a nightmare, and he felt this sudden urge to go check on her. Edmund chided himself at the very thought.. Don't be silly, its just a freaking dream, nothing else.

All the same, the Just King did not go back to sleep again. Nothing could clear up the mind like a midnight ride.

A/N : If you have made it to reading this far, congratulations! And my apologies if this is extremely slowburn or too long and dragging. I have to say least until Chapter 5, it'd be fillers as I set the whole Narnian scene and I hope you don't get too bored and give up :(

Anyways, I hope this was upto your expectations and enough to keep you intrigued to read more. Kindly do follow/favourite and review! I'd love to hear from you :)