Disclaimer: I only own the plot and the characters you do not recognize :)
A/N: So, hello! Here's chapter twenty-nine of "When Two Worlds Collide"! Wee, three more chapters to go :( But anyway, I hope you'll like this chapter!
Review afterwards! Enjoy!
Chapter Twenty-Nine: King of the Lions
Hermione stared outside one of the windows of the castle and frowned in worry. In just two days, snow had covered everything in Narnia. The vast and green fields were now carpeted with thick snow. Everything had wilted, even the trees and the flowers.
She tightened the thick cloak around her frame, slightly shivering from the cold. She sighed, her heart still heavy with fear and worry, as she walked slowly to the Dining Hall for lunch.
The moment it had snowed, they knew. Sybill's sudden outburst merely strengthened the thoughts that suddenly ran in their heads.
She heard from the other royalties' conversations that the fact that it had once again turned winter in Narnia had caused an extreme wave of panic in Narnia and some of its neighboring countries. Narnia was spring all-year round. Seasons were not evident as opposed to their London climate. But the moment the bright sun was covered behind thick, dark clouds, and snow fell down from the sky, they knew that they were in dark times.
"The White Witch is back."
Hermione remembered Sybill uttering those words out loud as soon as she gained some consciousness after her strange outburst. Although it had been two days, that simple sentence never failed to make her too terrified for words.
She had read about Jadis in the original series and she knew it was futile to deny that she was terrified of the White Witch. When she was young, her nightmares mostly consisted of the ice queen and her ability to turn everything into stone with just a wave of her magic wand. Although she had grown up and faced quite a number of other horrifying things in her life, that fear never diminished.
Hermione released a soft, tired sigh once she finally reached the Dining Hall. She pushed the doors open and noted that everyone, save for Peter, were already seated on their respective places. The difference today, though, was that Edmund and Lucy exchanged seats. She raised an eyebrow at this but she did not voice out her question. Instead, she strode to her usual seat and sat down.
Edmund immediately slipped his hands into hers, much to her surprise, but she did not complain. Holding his hand seemed frequent now, but Hermione did not mind. In fact, she welcomed his comforting hand.
He then squeezed her hand and Hermione had figured out that the mere touch of her hand could already calm down his frayed nerves. The brunette absentmindedly rubbed his knuckles, comforting him more, and looked at everyone else.
"We must increase your trainings, Hermione," Caspian said, his eyes lacking the usual twinkle.
She nodded. "I know," she whispered back, her voice strangely cracking. "The war is looming."
The just king's hand gripped hers so tightly. It was only when she flinched when he realized he was cutting her blood circulation. Immediately, he loosened his grip and this time rubbed his thumb all over her palm to soothe her pain.
"My dear girl, it is prophesized," Sybill said, smiling sadly at Hermione. "I do believe that… we can't do anything about it."
Hermione wordlessly nodded, pursing her lips. She should know, of all people, that nothing can be done when things were prophesized. Harry Potter was the perfect embodiment of this; even if he never chose to be the sole defeater of Voldemort, he knew he could not do anything but follow the prophecy. This did not exactly help her at all, though.
"Peter…" Lucy whispered, her voice almost inaudible, but the whole room was extremely quiet; even the softest squeak could be heard. "It was him, wasn't it?"
She saw how Susan gravely looked at her husband. Even baby Caspie was awfully quiet, looking as if he knew what something was going on. Sybill's eyes strangely glossed over but she, too, kept quiet. Lucy looked at her lap, obviously ashamed of the words she had uttered a while ago.
And Edmund… he tensed, and his grip on her hand tightened.
No one answered Lucy's question, but Hermione knew without even hearing their voices that they suspicion were all the same.
'Betrayal by the most unlikely,' she wistfully thought, pain piercing through her heart. It was a very vague line of the prophecy, but no doubt the most important since it was the very first line. It was the most essential, yet it was the most mysterious. All of them were so focused on Hermione, the Princess of the Lions spoken in the prophecy, that they already overlooked the other pieces of the prophecy.
Hermione refused to believe it was Peter, of all people, who had betrayed them by reawakening the White Witch. He was supposed to be the High King of Narnia, the first and foremost defender of such a lovely country. He was expected to love and care for this wonderful place, to pour everything he was doing all for the betterment of this country.
'But betray Narnia?' she thought, biting her bottom lip. It was so unlike Peter. Peter would never do that, but the prophecy spoke of the betrayal of the most unlikely. It was painful, yet perfectly logical and Hermione could not even begin to explain all of the emotions she was feeling right now.
She wanted to believe that another person had released the Witch from her curse of eternal sleep, but the next line of the prophecy somehow provided as a strong evidence against Peter's betrayal. 'Caused by a selfish desire,' she thought, her mouth growing dry and her heart going to her throat.
There were so many selfish desires in this whole world – money, fame, immortality. But as Edmund tugged her hand a little, making her look at him, she knew of what this specific line meant. As her eyes connected with his, she squeezed his hand in realization.
It was her fault. She was the reason why Peter had brought the White Witch back from the dead; the reason why Narnia was going to be confronted with another war in the future.
Her – Peter's selfish desire.
"Are you all set?"
Edmund sighed and frowned. "Don't you think - "
"No," she firmly said, her lips pressing together. "I don't."
In spite of himself, a small smile appeared on his face. "I thought so," he said, prompting Hermione to roll her eyes and shake her head.
Earlier that day, she had surprised him when she asked him to have a picnic with her in the Gentle Meadows. She actually used the word "date" when she told him, just further surprising him at her bluntness. He wasn't entirely surprised, though, since she was technically a "modern British".
As he held her hand and clutched the picnic basket on another hand, Edmund still pondered as to why Hermione suddenly asked him for a picnic. Firstly, everything in Narnia was frozen and it was very impractical to have a picnic on snow. And secondly, the current happenings in Narnia and the royalties made picnic seem a little frivolous, and perhaps insensitive. But Lucy and the others seemed to gladly agree with Hermione's request; thus, here was he now, escorting the girl of his dreams through the thick layers of snow.
It was freezing and Edmund realized it had been a while ever since he experienced snow. It took him a few days to adjust with the freezing temperature, having to bundle himself up with numerous thick robes he could find in his wardrobe. Even Hermione was wearing some ridiculously thick winter attire, almost burying her inside the layers and layers of her clothes.
"If you get sick, it's not my fault," he said, now wrapping an arm around her shoulders as he noticed her shivering.
She smiled up at him in gratitude, snuggling closer into his arms. "I think a break is necessary," she pointed out, noticing his disbelieving stare. "Just because a war is looming doesn't mean we can't be… happy anymore."
Her blatant proclamation about the war made him stiffen. If she noticed, he did not know. Edmund just looked at her peculiarly, his hold on her tightening.
It had been days now ever since Peter's disappearance and the reawakening of the White Witch. Edmund still refused to believe that it was Peter's fault as to why Jadis was released. Peter, of all people in the whole world, would not be able to do that to Narnia. This country was everything to the High King; betraying it would be close to impossible.
But the prophecy was very fitting to Peter's situation. 'Betrayal by the most unlikely,' he thought with a rueful sigh. 'Caused by a selfish desire.'
It did not need a genius to know what, or rather, who was Peter's selfish desire. Edmund knew that Hermione already figured that one line out, having seen that frequent guilt resurfacing on her face. He thought it was quite ironic that she was now blaming herself for everything that was happening in Narnia when she adamantly told him before that no one was to blame.
He had to admit, it had unnerved him when he realized it was Peter who was being stated in the prophecy. Everything was so surreal and improbable and just so wrong and yet, he fitted so perfectly. If someone were to tell him before that Peter would betray Narnia someday all because of a girl, he would have gladly sent him to the Narnian Healer to be checked.
A tug from Hermione's hand brought him back to the reality. He realized they were already in the Gentle Meadows, now covered unsurprisingly with blankets of snow. The brunette pulled him right at the very middle of the frozen field. He watched with mild amusement as she grabbed the picnic blanket from inside the basket and laid it on the ground. She then made herself comfortable as she plopped down on the blanket. Hermione expectantly looked up at him, a small smile on her face. Still thinking it was ridiculous, Edmund released a soft sigh and sat down right beside her.
It took him a full minute before speaking. "My bottom is damp," he simply said, a frown marring his handsome face.
Hermione released a soft chuckle, shaking her head. "Yes, mine too," she pointed out, removing contents from the basket and placing it on the damp cloth. "But am I complaining? No. So, don't be such a wet blanket and think of this is a nice, little picnic with your girlfriend."
He raised her eyebrows at her obvious joke. His eyebrows raised higher when she addressed herself as his 'girlfriend'.
It sounded a little juvenile to call her his girlfriend when he is a king of a whole country. Something different was fitting and yet, he was not able to come up with the right word as to what he and Hermione were. They were dating, that much was a fact. Today's picnic with just the two of them had proven that point.
Thus, he merely smile, accepting that she was, without a doubt, his girlfriend, and started to eat.
A few minutes passed and the king noticed that the brunette was keenly observing him. Her eyes always seemed to follow his every move, a contemplative look on her face. Edmund grew a little bothered, knowing that there was something that she wanted to ask, and finally released a soft sigh.
"What is it?" he asked, frowning when she blushed.
Hermione cleared her throat and looked away. "Nothing," she said a tad faster than normal.
Edmund smirked. "Is this some ploy of yours to let me persuade you more so that after speaking up, if offended by your words, you have a sound argument that it was me who forced you to say it?" he asked.
The brunette looked fairly surprised. "That was… accurate," she said, a small smile growing on her face.
He shrugged. "It is handy to read between the lines when I'm with an enigmatic person," he reasoned out.
Hermione sighed and closed her eyes, suddenly dropping the apple she was munching on top of the blanket. She then placed a hand on Edmund's, squeezing it tight to relay the tension she was feeling.
Edmund was surprised with her drastic shift of mood. He was equally surprised with how a mere squeeze, he could understand that Hermione was feeling bothered right now. Without thinking about it too much, he scooted closer and drew her into a hug, allowing her forehead to press lightly against his shoulder. He absentmindedly started patting her back for comfort, and he could feel her gently smiling against him.
"What are you doing?" she asked, her voice a little muffled by his thick robe.
"Hmm," he said, slightly frowning. "I honestly have no idea. I do believe my body had acted on its own accord."
Hermione chuckled, thinking his excuse was ridiculous, and lifted her face to stare at him. He noted that her eyes were a tad brighter and the smile she was sporting seemed a little rueful. Unbeknown to him, his gaze turned soft and fond.
"The war is looming," she simply said, and he nodded his head.
"I know," he answered.
Hermione drew in a deep breath and closed her eyes. "I'm scared," she whispered back. Slowly, she opened her eyes once again, letting Edmund see how vulnerable she was feeling right now. "I… think I'm not yet ready."
And then, it had struck him that she had been in a war before. His hold on her tightened when he felt that she was slightly trembling and he knew it was not because of the cold.
"I'm not really sure how your war with the Telmarines differ from the Wizarding War I've been into but great Merlin, it was horrible, Edmund. So horrible sometimes I still get nightmares about it," she continued, her eyes widening in panic after every word she was saying. "I still see them, people I know, in my mind, dead… lifeless. There was G-Ginny and I couldn't do anything about it when one moment I was talking to her and then she was gone. I…"
She paused, her eyes starting to water, and took a deep breath. He figured she was trying her best not to cry. "And then there was Harry… I can't even begin to explain the emotions I felt when I watched him die, Edmund," she softly cried, tears now streaming down from her eyes.
"Shh," he consoled, pressing his thumb to wipe away her tears.
Hermione closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. "I'm scared I will let you all down," she whispered mournfully against his palm. "I-I failed to protect my friends. I don't think I will be capable enough to protect you, all of you."
Edmund paused, his eyes widening when her words sunk into him. She was afraid and he thought it was because she did not want to die. He thought it was because she did not want to experience that same feeling of fear as she battled her way into her own survival. But no. She was afraid that she would not be able to protect those that she had come to love in Narnia.
He stared at her, dumbfounded beyond comprehension, as he regarded this special, wonderful, magnificent girl in his arms. He had lived for quite a few decades already during the Golden Age of Narnia and never in his whole life had he ever met such a remarkable woman.
And she was his.
Without any warning, Edmund grabbed her chin and kissed her. He kissed her with all of his mind, heart, and soul. He kissed her with so much fervor, with so much adoration, with so much emotions flooding in his heart. He kissed her, asking what he had done in his past life to deserve such a wonderful person like her.
When he pulled away, her face was flushed. Her red-rimmed eyes were a little wide as she stared at him, surprised of what he had just done. Her breathing was a little short and quick, her lungs still greedily gulping down the air that suddenly rushed into her system.
"You are unbelievable," he whispered a little breathlessly. "Wonderful, amazing, good Aslan, beautiful, but you, Hermione Granger, are unbelievable."
Her eyebrows knitted together as she stared at him in confusion. "I… don't understand," she said, daintily sniffing and lifting her hand to wipe away the other tears on her face.
"A war is looming and all you can think about is us," he pointed out. A frown appeared on her face, thinking it was the most obvious thing in the world. "You are prophesized to face off with one of the most powerful being I have ever known, Hermione, and yet you do not fear for your safety."
She looked down, feeling a little embarrassed. "Is it wrong?" she feebly asked.
Edmund chuckled and held her face, gently forcing her to look back at him. "I don't know," he honestly whispered. "It's very… unusual. Have you always been like this?"
A watery smile appeared on her face. "Once a Gryffindor, always a Gryffindor," she said.
"Pardon?" he asked, looking slightly confused.
Hermione sighed and touched his face, her thumb absentmindedly rubbing his face. She could feel some growing stubble on his chin and gently smiled. Her tears had long stopped, although there were still traces on her eyes and cheeks. "Harry, my best friend," she started, "always had this 'hero complex' in him. I guess it just rubbed off into me. We, Gryffindors, are always labelled as loyal to one another, Edmund. The care I feel towards my deceased best friend might be the reason why I'm feeling like this."
Edmund smiled and kissed her forehead. "Good," he said. "Because I like this side of you."
She prettily blushed and smiled back at him. "I'm sorry I somehow ruined this supposedly innocent picnic with you," she said, sheepishly smiling. "I actually requested for this to give you a break, seeing that you are the most stressed of all. In the end, I brought up something unpleasant."
"It doesn't matter," he said. "After the war, I promise to bring you out on a nice picnic, Hermione. And on that day, I'll make sure that everything will be as pleasant as possible."
She kissed his jaw and smiled against his skin. "I like that," she whispered, her breath brushing against his bare skin and sending shivers down his spine.
After that conversation, they went back to eating and talked about other nonsensical things. Hermione seemed to have calmed down already and Edmund was glad. Hermione thought he was the most stressed of all but truthfully, he thought it was her. She had been working exceptionally hard these past few days. Her trainings increased and she attended all of them without a fraction of complaints. Somehow, the side-effects of her trainings had been becoming evident on her pale features and dark eye bags, but she did not seem to mind. Another great trait that Edmund had steadily grown to like on Hermione.
A few minutes, perhaps hours had passed, before the couple decided to leave and go back to Cair Paravel. Hermione was already showing some signs of a cold and Edmund insisted that they go back before it got worse. And besides, it was nearing twilight and both had been a witness first-hand of how things could become ominous and dangerous once night fell on Narnia.
It was when Hermione was slowly folding the picnic basket when Edmund saw a strange figure in the horizon. He thought he was merely imagining things, shadows playing wildly in front of his eyes. But as he squinted and shielded the top of his eyes, he was able to make out a figure of an animal in the distance.
"Can you… see that?" he asked, turning around to look at the brunette. She looked up at him in curiosity and followed his finger as he pointed towards the direction of the figure. Hermione slowly came up to stand beside him and squinted more.
To his utter surprise, Hermione backpedalled, an astonished gasp tearing from her lips, as she stared at the figure, her eyes wide and her jaw slack. "Is that - "
Her words died down as the figure slowly walked. Towards them. Edmund immediately rested his right hand on the handle of his sword in case it attacked. As the figure neared, though, the form of a mighty Lion greeted his eyes and his hand fell limply to his side, his expression mirroring Hermione's.
A great roar tore into the silent meadow and Edmund gasped. The roar held so much might, so much hope and he could not restrain the growing, genuine smile on his face.
"Aslan," he simply stated, and the Great Lion walked closer. Edmund fell on his knees and bowed down, Hermione immediately copying him.
A strange sound, a soft chuckle, escaped from Aslan's mouth. "Rise, Son of Adam and Daughter of Eve," he said.
The just king immediately scrambled upright, his hand absentmindedly grabbing Hermione's to help her up. Aslan's eyes lingered on their linked hands before looking back at Edmund, great happiness shown on his furry face. "Edmund, it had been a while," he said.
Edmund beamed. "Likewise, Aslan," he said, a little disoriented with the sight of him. "I… I cannot believe that you are here."
"I arrive during times of dire need, King Edmund the Just," the Lion said. "I believe the time for me to show myself has finally come."
His eyes then slowly shifted to the girl standing beside Edmund. "Hermione Granger," Aslan stated with that deep, and profound voice of his. Hermione straightened up and stared at the Lion with so much awe written on her face. "Princess of the Lions, I have been waiting for this day to come."
"I… umm…" Hermione blubbered. She cleared her throat and deeply blushed, still in disbelief that she was staring right at Aslan and Aslan alone. "Likewise."
"Yes, and I believe we have so many things to discuss about," he said, his voice sounding graver. "Bring me to Cair Paravel, and I will answer the questions that had been plaguing your mind." Aslan then looked back at Edmund, a gentle smile on his face. "But before that, I believe I have someone you've all been waiting for."
Aslan turned around, his gaze looking at the horizon. Both Hermione and Edmund followed his gaze and were able to see a figure from the distance, now walking closer to them. As his face became clearer, Hermione released a soft sob upon the sight of Peter Pevensie.
The High King paused a few meters in front of the three. Aslan wordlessly stepped aside, his gaze firmly intent on the three people greatly involved in the prophecy of Narnia.
Perhaps it had been hours and hours as they stared at each other; nobody really knew. It wasn't really Edmund's intention to do the initiative of breaking the silence. But he did, and somehow he thought it was just fitting. The just king, without putting much thought into it, launched himself into Peter's arms and gave him a brotherly hug.
It was awkward, that much he knew, but he could not shake off that hot feeling in his eyes when his big brother then patted his back.
"I'm sorry," Peter whispered simply, yet it spoke volumes. Judging from the tone of his voice, Edmund figured even Peter was trying his best not to cry.
Soft sobs tore through the meadow and he knew it was Hermione who was crying. Awkwardly, Edmund pulled away from Peter and turned around, his bright eyes falling down on the crying brunette. She had her hand pressed against her mouth to stop her loud sobbing, but the tears that were streaming down from her eyes were continuous.
"I-I'm sorry," Hermione blubbered. Edmund impulsively walked towards her side and held her hand for comfort. With a jolt, he then remembered that Peter was standing a few meters away from them.
Slowly, Edmund turned around and saw how Peter's face held so much pain, just looking at their held hands. And then, slowly, the expression morphed into guilt and slight resignation. It was when Peter gently, yet sadly smiled at them when Edmund realized they were finally forgiven.
"We must go back," Aslan then said. "Night is falling and we must discuss about a lot of things."
Edmund curtly nodded his head and led the way back to Cair Paravel.
Lucy was brought to her knees and silently cried as the mighty Lion walked into the Throne Room. Susan had gasped so loudly, even baby Caspie was startled, and Caspian stared. The youngest queen then stood back on her feet and launched herself into Aslan, the said Lion chuckling fondly at Lucy around his neck.
"I do believe it had been a while," the Aslan said, looking all over the room. His eyes landed on Sybill Trelawney, who was looking at him with such warmth in his eyes. "Sybill, we meet again."
Trelawney nodded and walked towards him. Lucy reluctantly pulled away and stepped aside. "It's good to see you again, Aslan," she politely said. "It has been a while."
"Indeed," he said, slightly nodding his head.
The doors had burst open and in came Hermione and Edmund, Peter in tow. Lucy and Susan's reactions were instant upon seeing their eldest brother. Lucy ran and cried into Peter's arms. Susan, on the other hand, haphazardly gave Caspie to his father, and also ran to Peter to give him a hug. The High King was now silently crying as he held his sisters in his arms. Lucy pulled Edmund into their group, family hug, and the just king chuckled, a small tear also streaming down from his eye.
"Now, we are all gathered here," Aslan said, smiling warmly at the family in front of him, "I think I must now explain as to why I have suddenly appeared."
The Pevensies detached themselves from others and gathered around the Lion. Aslan, on the other hand, looked at Hermione squarely in the eye before continuing, "The White Witch is back, as prophesized by Sybill, and we all know that after this, a war will follow."
Peter guiltily looked at his lap and Lucy had to hold his hand for comfort. The High King smiled warmly at his sister and then, his attention turned back to Aslan.
"Miss Granger," he continued, "I believe the time you have been ardently anticipating for has finally come."
Hermione's eyebrows knitted together, frowning in confusion.
"May you please show your wand?" he asked. Realization dawned on Hermione as she stared at him, dumbfounded at his request. Shakily, she removed her useless, magical stick from her sleeve and gingerly showed it to the King of Lions.
Aslan then placed his paw on top of the wand. To everybody's surprise, the wand started to shake and glow, red sparks now coming out from its tip. When Aslan retrieved back his paw, he smiled gently at the stunned brunette. "Your magic is back," he said. "And this will aid you as you battle with Jadis."
Hermione stared at her now immobile wand with awe. Slowly, she clutched it and instantly felt that familiar, powerful surge coursing through her blood every time she held her wand. 'It's back. It's back,' she told herself, a little disoriented of everything that was happening to her.
Softly, she said "Lumos" and watched with delight, relief, and happiness all together as her wand tip lit up with unmistakable light.
"Bloody hell, did I just - "
Hermione turned around and pointed her wand at Edmund, who stared at her in stunned silent. "Petrificus Totalus," she said, and they all watched in amazement as the just king turned into stone and toppled behind. Before he could hit the ground, the brunette charmed the floor to be able to literally cushion his fall. He bounced back a little, his only moving body part, his eyes, watching Hermione as she crouched down in front of him.
"I told you the moment I receive my magic back, you will the first one to be the receiving end of it," she said, slight mirth in her eyes. A few chuckles erupted in the whole room, including Aslan, and she grinned. "Finite Incantatem," she then said, waving her wand. Edmund was released from her spell and glared at her.
"The brightest witch of her age," she reminded and he sighed.
"I'll keep that in mind in the future," he said, once again standing up.
Hermione grinned and fondly stared down at him, holding his hand to give it a tight squeeze. Slowly, she help him up back to his feet. Edmund's gaze landed somewhere above her and she stiffened, remembering that Peter was also in the same room.
She turned around, her eyes immediately landing on the High King. His expression was indecipherable and that was how Hermione noticed that he was covered in fresh wounds. Wordlessly, she let go of Edmund's hand and approached Peter. Her wand tip pointed on one of his huge gashes and Peter looked down at her, a little curious.
"Vulnera Sanentur [1]," she said. The dried blood on Peter's wound soon disappeared. "Vulnera Sanentur," she said for a second time, this time knitting his wound together. "Vulnera Sanentur," she finally said, and any traces of his previous wound were gone.
Peter was looking at her, his eyes soft and repenting. "T-thank you," he muttered.
Hermione smiled warmly up at him. "You are most welcome… Peter," she uttered. In that moment, the High King realized that whatever he had done during his most vulnerable state, he was forgiven by Hermione. It was enough for him, for now.
"If you don't mind me asking, Aslan," Susan said, drawing everyone's attention to her. "Why is it really necessary for Hermione to train hard for the coming war when it was already prophesized she would defeat the White Witch? Wouldn't anything that Hermione does in the war always lead up to Jadis' death?"
The brunette stared at Susan, impressed. It was actually a good question and Hermione smiled. She knew that if Susan were to be sorted into a House in Hogwarts, she would most definitely be in Ravenclaw.
"Ah, but you see, my dear Susan," Aslan said, "some prophecies, even the great ones, can be changed. Only the determined ones will be able to do so." The Great Lion then stared at Hermione, a knowing look on his face. "I am sure that Miss Granger here knows what I am talking about."
And then, it had hit Hermione that he was talking about the Chronicles of Narnia book series she had when she was young. Hermione figured that all of the events that had happened in the book were prophesized [2] but now that she was here in Narnia, everything changed. Hermione also realized she still had not told them that even before she had met them personally, she already knew about them, especially the Pevensie siblings.
"I… well," she started, feeling slightly awkward. "Before I was sent here in Narnia, I actually already knew about this world, and all of you."
Lucy frowned. "How?" she asked.
"Well, you see, during my time, there was this famous book series entitled the Chronicles of Narnia. There were seven books, mind you, and I've read each and every one of them when I was still young," she explained, watching as astonishment appeared on their faces. Sybill nodded her head for confirmation, smiling widely at everyone. "And in that series, the first book until the war with the Telmarines already happened. The rest… changed. Specifically, when I was suddenly brought here."
Aslan smiled and walked closer to Hermione. "I do believe my friend Clive [3] has written the chronicles reverently," the great Lion said. "The only thing that he did not foresee was the possible changes that could happen after I told him the whole story of Narnia, from start to finish."
He then looked at each and everyone at them intently, his gaze turning serious and slightly grave. "Therefore, the future will be ominous," he said. "Even I am unfamiliar with it. Jadis is steadily regaining her power and is waiting for the right time to battle against the Narnian royalties once again. I believe she had already detected the shift of power in Narnia since it gave way to Hermione's magic."
"I am warning you, my dear Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve," he continued, his voice now laced with worry. "Be ready and do remember that I will always come to your help."
"You're leaving again?" Lucy asked, her voice small with disappointment.
Aslan warmly smiled at Lucy. "Alas, that I must do," he said. "But call for me, Lucy, and I will help all of you."
The youngest queen mournfully nodded, her eyes already brimming with tears again.
The Great Lion then looked back at Hermione. "Be ready, Chosen One," he said. "Always stay brave whatever happens and do remember that there are those around you who are willing to help you."
Hermione determinedly nodded her head. "I will," she promised.
With one last look at all of the people in the Throne Room, determination showed clearly on their faces, Aslan left with his mind and heart at peace.
With their leadership, he knew Narnia would be in safe hands.
[1] Anyone remembers this spell? This was what Snape uttered after Harry 'Sectumsempra-d' Draco. Just so you know :D
[2] So, I know that the only prophecy in the Chronicles of Narnia was the Golden Age Prophecy (you know, about the Pevensies' reign). Or were there others stated in the series? Well, if none, let us all just pretend that there were other prophecies in the book XD Also, for clarity's sake, Books 1-4 (I mean, the one based on the order of events) had already happened in Narnia. All of the books after "Prince Caspian", meaning "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader", "The Silver Chair", and "The Last Battle", did not happen as soon as Hermione was brought to Narnia.
[3] Well, if you must know, "Clive" here is none other than C.S. Lewis. His whole name is Clive Staples Lewis :D
A/N: So, end of chapter! Good? Bad? Eh? Meh? Tell me in your reviews :)
Lol, yeah, I know the title is somehow a giveaway. But eh... I still hope you liked it :) For all those who are reading "Mister Granger's Mission", I'm sorry but I have to update on Saturday instead :( I still haven't finished the last chapter and well, it's already the first week of our classes (GAAAAAAH), so I'm still a little busy with all the orientations and whatnots.
I'll keep this short . I still have some stuff to do.
Once again, review! It will mean a great deal to me :D
With love,
WickedlyAwesomeMe