A Narnian Love Story : A Place in this World Chapter 14: xiv heart to heart, a chronicles of narnia fanfic

AUTHOR'S NOTE : Hello there, no this isn't a dream. Yes, this is a real update.

First and foremost, I owe everyone a really huge apology for leaving this story midway like this for almost 2 years now..

That being said, well, tbh idek how to start.. I started writing this when I was just 14, now I'm turning 19 almost. A lot has changed and needless to say I most definitely am not the same person I was when I started working on 'A Place in this World'. However, I think I am extremely proud to say that though a lot has changed over the years, one thing that I'm most certain hasn't is my love for writing and my love for this magical universe C.S. Lewis gifted us with.. Narnia. And well, since I rediscovered the whole rough idea draft on this story on wattpad, I have decided to continue this.. so i'm not going to be wasting any more of your time and I really hope you enjoy this chapter :)

P.S : Since it has been almost 2 years, I have lost quite the touch with the story-line and therefore am starting this chapter with a generalized point of view kind of like an update of what had been going on. I will be going back and editing chapters out and will be mentioning the major changes. I hope it isn't too confusing though and please feel free to ask me anything you want to know :)

-xXx-

Chapter 14; heart to heart

The Cair buzzed with activity. It has been a few rough days since the attack on the Ball and a lot has transpired since. Though the damages to the Castle itself and its residents and guests were minimal, a lot had to be taken care of diplomatically. Just last week, The Sovereigns, upholding a joint front had issued an official statement on what had transpired, including revealing to the public what they think to be the cause of the attacks, though quite some information, such as what took place in the throne room and the identity of the captured prisoner, upon discretion was indeed withheld from the public.

Needless to say though, the news was met with severe skepticism and in some places outright mayhem. To furthermore complicate things, not all Narnians took kindly towards the arrival of another Daughter of Eve, now bestowed the title Lady Aline of Narnia for political purposes since none of the Pevensies were in favor of revoking their Earthen friend of the privileges she'd enjoyed at the castle under their own personal wing.

Meanwhile the royalty had other problems to deal with. Guests had traveled far and wide from across the lands to participate in the famed Narnian Summer Festivities, which was set to be inaugurated with the Summer Ball. Some of said guests being foreign dignitaries and noble blood, weren't exactly impressed over the circumstances and especially at a crucial time like this, the Pevensies had to go to extra lengths mainly strengthening bonds with allies, engaging in negotiations. Narnia needed all the support she could get.

To say life at the Cair was hectic for Lady Aline was an understatement. But today, seemed to be extra taxing for the poor girl. It had been two weeks now since the Just King had taken it upon himself to train her to defend herself and after that unfortunate first training where they'd discovered archery sure wasn't her strong forte.. the King conceded to start from the bare basics. And before they were done with today's session Edmund could proudly say his protege *cue a very unladylike eye roll* could not just physically defend herself but also throw a punch in proper form; a bluing bruise on his cheek being proof.

During those sessions, it was pretty obvious to any observant eye the palpable chemistry and tension hanging in the air between the two, which was exactly what the ever observant Gentle Queen noticed as she made her way through the training soldiers towards her brother and the girl who'd grown to become her friend

"Apologies for interrupting," the Queen cut in, worried crease on her forehead as her gaze settled somewhat uneasily on Aline. "but I think you two need to follow me, right now."

"What is it, Su?" Edmund questioned.

Susan's gaze flitted as if this wasn't the place for this conversation yet her gaze went to Aline, "Your brother is awake. And wants to see you." With that the Queen spun on her heel given the two no choice but to follow her.

Aline felt her heart freeze.

NO! She wanted to yell out. She didn't want to do this. She didn't want to see him and when Susan hadn't even given her time to voice her objection.

Edmund seeming to sense her discomfort reached out for her hand and shocked as she was at the gesture, she wasn't complaining instead she squeezed his hand and he sent a quick glance her way, "Are you alright?"

She didn't trust herself to answer.

"Aline?" he called again, this time loud enough to make Susan stop and turn right in front of the secluded infirmary space behind which she knew her step brother rested. "Are you sure you want to see him?"

"Yeah," she replied, like she even had a choice.

"I guess we'll give you two sometime first." Edmund looked at her before turning to his sister. "And then you know we'll have to question him, we still need to know what's going on."

Aline nodded.

Stepping in, there he laid, healing stitches along his body at places magically gashes opened up. Aline shuddered at the memory.

Sam stirred.

"Aline," the words came out his lips sounding more like a prayer than her name.

The girl in question wasted no time, "What did you want to tell me?"

His face fell. "You know, actually," his voice was soft, but she knew better than to let her guard down, "I want to tell you a lot of things. But most importantly, I'm sorry."

"What are you sorry for Sam? Do you know what that even means?"

"For everything! I'm sorry that I never was the brother you deserved.. but please believe me when I tell you that I cared about you. But you wouldn't know now, would you? How would you when all I've done is treat you like a piece of shit all my life?"

The smile on his lips was melancholy, "You dont know.." he said, his blonde hair falling over his blue eyes made him seem almost cherubic. "You don't know Aline," he continued, "but that day, when I saw you there, all bleeding there, lying down, so.. broken and lifeless-"

"You mean that day when you smashed that vase into my head?" she cut him off, he could say anything he wanted, she knew that he was a expert in the field on how to manipulate people to bend to his will. And this time, she wasn't going to be a victim. Aline felt the sting of tears behind her eyes.

"Aline you don't get it," his voice was almost pleading and she could make out the glint of tears in his eyes. She held her hand out in a stopping fashion, "And I don't think I need to get it."

"GOD! Can't you just hear me out, just this once?" he yelled. Aline stared at him wide-eyed, her mouth open. She felt a distinct wetness fall from her eyes and onto her cheeks.

"Look, I'm sorry. I never- I did not mean to yell at you like that." he ran his fingers through his hair in an exasperated way. "Just let me explain, please?"

She didn't speak anything. She didn't want to. But he was going to anyway, he had a way of getting what he wanted.

Sam took in a deep breath, "When I saw you then, I was just.. I thought I had lost you Aline. All I could think of was that I did that to you. That I.. no matter what, you were still my sister, half-sister, whatever, but still my blood. And I- I've never drunk since. "

She couldn't believe this. Sam and 'not drinking' could never be put into a sentence together unless it was speaking of achieving an impossibility. He sighed, "I know you wouldn't believe me. You never have."

"I hated you then." he continued, "When you came, I couldn't see you more than something, that stole away that was mine, everyone's attention, my spotlight. And then you know what happened.." he trailed off there. A distant look in his eyes. "You were not the only one he was close to. Dad loved me as well. I thought he cared for me as much as he did for you, though I wasn't even his. And then that day, when Dad chose to drive you to that god-damned cinema rather that my baseball game-" He pinched the bridge of his nose while all she could think was how come she never knew this.. "I- you know? I was young then, and angry and for a moment then I wished he was dead, that you were dead."

Aline felt her head spinning in circles round and round, as her brain screamed 'information over-load'. How come she had never come to know this? How come?

"And then when I returned, and heard what happened.. I couldn't take it anymore Aline. I blamed me, for what I wished. I blamed you, for surviving, I blamed Mom, for her drinking and what she had put us through. Damn it! I blamed anything, and everything."

She just stared at him numb.

"And I, I'm sorry for all of this. I'm so sorry, Aline. And I know the things I have done to you are unforgivable. God! Even.. even that night.." his voice trembled, as he brought his hands through his hair, streaks of tears bathing his cheeks. "I swear to you Aline. That was not me. I would never have hurt you after that day. It was her. She made me do it. It wasn't me." His voice quivered, his lip trembling as he spoke. She had seen many emotions in her brothers eyes, but fear was never one of them. But right then.. in his eyes that was the only thing she could see as crystal clear.. Fear.

Who? she wanted to ask, Who is she? but she couldn't move her jaws, as if what he'd just said paralyzed her. It wasn't his fault, she thought. And she had never known, never known that he hurt so much.

"You still don't believe me do you?" Aline didn't know what to say back. Did she believe him? No, but then.. the person standing right in front of her barely seemed to be the Sam she knew. This broken down, fragile version of him, with tears pouring down his cheeks and his eyes looking up at her awaiting her reply.. "I don't know what to believe," she whispered almost to herself.

"I understand," he said, "I understand it, if you cannot forgive me now or ever. I know I've been such a douche. But I just wanted to get that off my chest. I cant take this any longer. This life filled with hatred, driven by nothing but hatred that I can almost feel it like poison slowly burning away the very edges of my soul." His eyes had a glazed expression.

"And, I just wanted you to know, that's all. I'll never bother you again, I promise."

With one last look at him she turned away briskly walking towards the door "Don't leave, Aline!" she heard him cry out desperately "DON'T LEAVE ME WITH THEM!"

-xXx-

UPDATES FROM NOW ON WILL BE ON A WEEKLY BASIS, and to make up for the two years, I already am working on the next chapter and will post it whenever it is ready. Please show some love and support, let me know what you think, and don't forget to follow and favourite!