Chapter 05; a vision for the days to come

When Aline woke upthe next day, the first thing that hit her was the distant feel that she had fallen asleep for longer than what she was normally used to and then Aline remembered! Mr. Tumnus and his reed pipe of course! She shrugged it off, feeling her stomach rumble. Though judging by the golden rays of the Narnian sun falling on her bed spreads through a gap in the curtains further than what she was used to only proved the fact.

For a moment she gazed at tiny dust particles illuminated by the sun's rays, dancing amidst the beams of light. They seemed much clearer than they ever did back.. home. Aline cupped her hand around the wispy beam, attempting to trap the dancing particles within her long fingers. But alas, as usual, they escaped. Aline sighed. Shaking her head, a smile on her face at her own futile attempts.

She fell back on the covers, closing her eyes for a moment before snapping them open, finally convincing herself to drag herself away from the overlarge bed, that suddenly seemed all the more appealing, with a quick look to the mirror at she dragged herself to the bath.

And now that the fresh mint scented bath drove the sleepiness off her head she found herself in a cheery mood. That was when she'd realised with a start that it was almost a week, since she'd fallen -literally- into Narnia.

Just a week! she thought in a daze, and it already felt like she'd been there for a long time!

For a moment there, Aline paused to wonder whether she missed Earth, her home at all. The smile on her face slipped away.

Sitting herself down in the vanity seat, she began to think..her life before and now. Back at home, she never did have the luxury of an average life as a normal teenager. Ever since the accident- Aline winced- her life had taken a total turn around. All the normalcy and simplicity thrown right off the window. But she didn't want to think of that. Not now, that the day seemed to be very nice judging from the warm sunlight spilling through and the cheerful chirping of birds outside.

Within the very short time she was here, Aline found herself growing closer towards the Pevensie family, though more towards the sisters. Susan and Lucy.. they were so down to earth, seenung almost too eager and impulsive to actually be royalty, but then, she had seen the adoration in their subjects eyes as they spoke of their young monarchs and none had any but a good word to put in. The brothers on the other hand.. were more like just opposites of their sisters. While Peter was almost too busy to give a care about anything, Edmund.. well, the Just King was an enigma. A small smile crept up her lips as her thoughts drifted off to the dark haired King. She recalled exactly how rude he had been to her, the smile on her lips fading steadily as she noticed her eyes slit in the mirror in front of her as her line of thoughts gravitated towards him.

She hadn't spoke with him much- or rather at all- after the little episode up the library.. but that certainly wasn't the last she'd seen of him. At the meals, though the Just King mostly seemed to ignore her, Aline could not help but chance a glance at the sombre Royal, if only intrigued, nothing else and she most definitely could not forget that one time he'd caught her in the act and the way he'd stared right back at her.. an eyebrow raised and a smirk on his lips before she turned away. They never shared glances again. At least not at the Dining Hall.

But still.. Aline couldn't help but blush as her thoughts took a rather quick turn. He still was attractive, she thought off-handedly, with his dark eyes set in a rather pale face and his accented cheekbones.. she'd also bet he looked pretty great underneath whatever it was he wore as well. She knew he did train regularly after all, and rumor was that he was the best swordsman in all of Narnia so of course if all those movies were half right he had to have a pretty decent-

She froze to a stop, the comb she had been drawing through her hair stopping mid motion. What the hell? She thought before rising up with a rush, quickly deciding she looked set with her hair down anyways and without a second glance rushed out the door.

By the time she found her way to the dining hall, finding herself lost more than once in the process, Aline found the monarchs already seated respectively. Peter and Susan at both the high ends, and the others in between. Well, everyone except a certain someone. Aline blushed.

But as Lucy said, no one knew when he would disappear, for days on the end, and then come back as if nothing had happened. The Pevensie siblings had grown more or less accumstead to this phenomenon or so the sisters assured her.

Peter nodded wih a small smile acknowledging her presence, seemingly in deep thought as the other royals proceeded to greet her, as small talk was made in what Aline thought was quite a formal way, inquiring if she'd spent the night well, to which she'd replied politely.

"So, Ed's disappeared again?" Peter asked as a way of conversation, to which Susan sighed, "As usual. Anything else new?"

"He promised to sword-fight today." Corin said a frown marring his fair features.

"I saw Aslan."

Peter choked, and Susan looked like she'd swallowed an apple, whole.

"When? Where did you see Aslan?"

"Why didn't you tell us before?"

"Aslan is in Narnia?"

Aslan? she thought, like the Lion King whom they claimed was the one who could send her back? She listened in, obviously interested.

Ignoring her siblings inquisitive questions, Lucy continued with a solemn, sombre expression. "In a dream, or," she lowered a voice, "Perhaps I ought to call it a.. vision."

The youngest Pevensie looked directly at Aline, a dangerously neutral expression on her face and the latter felt shivers work their way down her spine. Wasn't Asian like the God character to the Narnians?

"What is it, Lu?" the Gentle Queen questioned, ever in character, "What did he say?" Susan placed her hand on her younger sisters shoulder in a distinctly motherly fashion that made Aline want to look away almost as if she were looking at something she wasn't supposed to.

Lucy looked like she was almost in tears. The younger girl averted her eyes down towards her plate. "Lucy," Peter called kindly, "what is it dear? You do know you can tell us anything right?"

Aline couldn't shake away the awkward feeling that she was eavesdropping on a family moment. She stood up, "Um, I could leave if you want me to I do understand if this is something private."

Peter opened his mouth, but Lucy beat him to it, "No! Aline, stay here. It's something you need to hear as well."

"Aslan!" the Valiant Queen yelled, all regalty abandoned, squealing like the little girl she was, running towards the majestic lion a distinct skip in her step."We missed you, Aslan," she sobbed into the golden hair burying her face in the rippling mane of the magestic creature that stood before her, taking in the warm scent of everything good in the world that emanated from him, not in the very least seeming intimidated.The lion just smiled at the little girl. "Me too, little one," he replied letting her run her hands in an affectionate manner through his golden mane. Affection shine in his golden eyes, but Lucy thought she could see something else in there. Something that caused the gold to dissipate into darker patches of black.With a start, the Valiant Queen realised, Aslan was no tame animal. She ought to be afraid, terrified even, of him. But even as she thought of it, the feelings began to disappear. It was impossible to feel that way, especially when her heart was so light, and filled with joy, trust, love, hope and everything that was beautiful to feel in the world."Lucy," the lion called in a commanding, yet gentle tone, that Lucy looked up instantly, to be met with her own reflection in the glistening golden orbs of the creature she loved and respected. "How have you fared over the years, my child? You and your royal siblings?"Somehow Lucy had a suspicion that the Great One knew everything, but oh well, if he wanted to hear it from her, she would indulge him. And so the young Queen began to relate everything that had happened since their coronation. She told him about the remaining minority of the rebels of Jadis' Army that had fled to the Northern Mountains and that they hadn't heard about them since, though her brother's did insist on occasional patrols in the area. She told Aslan about the neighbouring nations which had come to them with gifts, seeking the allegiance of the brave rulers who faced off the White Witch only to be disappointed to find four kids instead. Though, she was sure to assure him with a laugh, their disappointment only turned into respect once they'd beheld them at court.Lucy spoke of how hard it had been at first, garnering the trust and fear of their own subjects. She told him of how they had all held them with regard at first, but then as days passed by and things returned to nlormal did the realization sink in that it was four kids who ruled their land. Their land ancient as time, with creatures that had easily outlived a century or two. She spoke of the hardships of ruling a nation and Aslan listened, his soft eyes intent and gleaming with respect that made her somehow feel strong.And finally she told Aslan of the arrival of her another daughter of Eve in Narnia. Aslan's eyes softened at that a low rumble sounding from the depth of his throat.Lucy wanted to ask him if he'd sent her and if he did what was his purpose, and she did.Aslan paused a moment before he answered. "Dear one," he called, "the wheels of destiny are turning once again and it seems fate wants to claim what was hers, Little Lucy. And this time, I'm afraid I am just a mere onlooker by the sidelines of time.""What do you mean, Aslan? I- I don't understand anything at all. Is Narnia in danger? Was that why you brought her here? Does she have a part to play in all of this?"Aslan turned his bright kaleidoscopic eyes towards her, but they held in them a distant look as if he were he really looking at her."Things are changing dear one. I hoped you had more time, or maybe it didn't even have to be- anyways, Destiny chooses her own victims and fate caters to her call and no man could ever stand in between.""But you can," she said, her brown eyes wide with fear for what she could not understand, "You can change fate , you can rewrite destiny.""I'm afraid not, dear one." Aslan's eyes were kind.

"You do have an innocent heart child." he spoke, just as his form began to shimmer,"don't ever let anything change it. And remember Lucy, there is always the sun shining bright above the treacherous storm clouds."

A/N: As usual, a kind reminder to RR :)