Author's Note: Thank you for all of your reviews. I don't like the beginning of this chapter because I felt I sort of rushed it. Things get better during the middle. To A Little Bit of Everything: -mischievious smile- Guess I'm figured out.

Quote from Chapter: "Not that one. I speak of yours."

Chapter Eight: A Discussion with Aslan

The next morning, Aceline found it extremely warm. She touched her forehead and found it sticky with sweat. Groaning in disgust, she got up and took off her coat. Then she realized that she was still wearing her sweater. She sighed in frustration and hurriedly took it off.

"When did it get so hot?" Lucy asked. The blonde girl had thrown her coat off in a rush. They gave each other grimaces.

"The snow's nearly melted all away," Peter's voice said. Aceline nodded in his direction. She didn't meet his eyes as she laid her coat on a tree branch. (She had made a vow not to do that too often.)

"Something wrong, Aceline?" Susan asked. She shook her head. She placed her sweater on top of her coat and started forward. The beavers appeared out of nowhere.

"Should we get a move on then?" Mrs. Beaver asked. Aceline nodded, glad of the distraction. She started first, Lucy behind her.

"Aceline?" she whispered.

"Yes?"

"What's wrong? You seem distracted..."

"I'm fine, Lu. Just a little bit tired." It was a bit more difficult to lie to the younger girl than Susan. Maybe it was because the blonde looked so innocent. Aceline was rather quiet the rest of the way there. She walked in between the sisters, her eyes focused on the ground. Suddenly sunlight came into view. The black-haired girl shielded her eyes with her hand. When did it get so sunny? She looked over to Lucy, who was waving at someone made out of leaves. She stared, dumbstruck. Then she remembered something Mr. Beaver had said: Even some of the trees are on her side. She shrugged and followed the rest.

As she walked on, she saw a camp a short distance away. Tents that looked like they were made of gold and red silk extended as far as she could see. Her violet eyes tried to take in everything all at once--a task that proved nearly impossible. A man, the shortest and fattest she had ever seen, looked closely at her. He had hair as red as the tent behind him. She gave him a small smile and was surprised when it was returned.

"Why are they staring at us?" Susan questioned. Lucy looked shrewdly at her friend before turning to her sister.

"Maybe they think you look funny," she said with a grin. Aceline giggled at the witty response.

"Good one, Lu," she commented, receiving a glare from Susan and a chuckle from Peter. In front of them Mr. Beaver was saying to his wife, "Stop your fussing. You look lovely." She smiled at the embarrassed, yet not displeased, expression on Mrs. Beaver's face. She glanced over her shoulder and was shocked to see that some of the creatures were following them. She shared a quizzical look with the boy, but then, remembering her vow, she looked away. Instead, she focused her eyes forward. The largest tent she had ever seen--it looked fifteen by fifteen feet--was perched in front of them. The flap fluttered with the lightest breeze.

"We have come to see Aslan," Peter's voice rang out, his sword raised up. She saw him addressing what looked like half-man, half-horse. A Centaur, as she now recalled. The sound of cluttering armor sounded behind them. She looked behind and saw all of the soldiers kneeling on one knee, their heads bowed towards the tent. The Centaurs offered their left arms in respect. Turning forward, she was momentarily stunned.

For in front of her stood a lion.

Yet, he didn't look like he was about to attack her. He had such a wise and noble face that she felt as if everything would be alright. He had tawny fur, his tail slightly golden and a little bit bushy. But what caught her attention was his mane--a mane so golden and soft-looking that it made everything seem dull. She kneeled, her face focused towards the ground. She had unsheathed her sword and had its point slightly implanted on the floor. Peter had done likewise.

"Welcome, Peter, Son of Adam," said a deep voice. It took a moment before she figured out that it was the lion who had spoken. "Welcome, Susan, Lucy and Aceline, Daughters of Eve. And welcome to you, Beavers. You have my thanks. But where is the fifth?" Aceline looked up at him, biting her lip. She stood and returned her sword to its sheath.

"That's why we're here, sir," Peter said.

"We had a bit of trouble along the way," Susan replied.

"He was captured by the White Witch," the boy stated. A murmur went through the crowd behind them.

"Captured?" Aslan asked. "How could this happen?"

"He-He betrayed them, Your Majesty," Mr. Beaver said hesistantly. Gasps surrounded them.

"Then he has betrayed us all," a voice said angrily. She looked over towards the Centaur, for it was he who had spoken. She gave him a quick glare. He's only ten! I don't think he even knew what he was doing!

"Peace, Oreius," Aslan said, in what sounded a bit like a growl. Everything became silent.

"It's my fault really," Peter said. "I was too hard on him." Susan put a comforting hand on his shoulder. She looked back at the lion.

"We all were," she said.

"Sir, he's our brother," Lucy answered.

"I know, dear one. But that makes the betrayal all the worst," was the reply. "I need you to understand--the future of Narnia rests on your courage. This may be harder than you think." Aceline looked down at her feet, waiting for the information to sink in. The future of Narnia? On our courage? She looked back at Aslan, but he had retreated back to his tent.

"Come with me, Daughter of Eve," said a showery voice. She saw what looked like the same thing Lucy had been waving at moments ago. But instead of being made out of green leaves, light purple petals floated in front of her.

"Alright," she answered, slightly nervous. As they walked--or rather, she walked, for the figure had broken apart and merely fluttered in the breeze--Aceline addressed her.

"What's your name?" she asked. The petals joined together to form a young girl.

"My name is Hollyrein," she answered and broke apart once more. Hollyrein's petals led her to a tent not far from Aslan's. She walked inside and found it cool and refreshing. On one side was a small table with towels and two or three dresses lying on it. On the other side lay a comfortable-looking bed with a red blanket folded neatly on top of it.

"I'll leave you to change, Daughter of Eve," Hollyrein said.

"Could you call me Aceline?"

"As you wish." The petals floated out of the tent, the flap moving slightly.

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About an hour later, Aceline was debating on what to put on. She had bathe in a nearby creek and had dried herself off with one of sheepskin towels. She was a bit reluctant to put on the dresses. They were the kind that almost fell to the ground. After seeing the choices she had--blue, gold and red--she felt that she was much too plain to put on such things. The blue had lovely golden stitching that traced the border on the neckline, waist and hem. The red had the pattern of the lion artistically sewn from the waist to the left side. The gold had no stitching on it, but the mere color looked stunning. She decided that the gold was the plainest. She fastened the belt that held her sword around her waist. She quickly brushed her hair and pulled it into a simple ponytail. Then, she stepped outside.

"You look nice," Susan's voice said. The two sisters came into view. They wore dresses that had the a leaf pattern at the neckline. The only difference was that Lucy wore blue while the other wore green.

"So do you," she smiled. Peter suddenly appeared. He wore a brown tunic with a green shirt. A pair of tan breeches and dark brown boots covered his legs. Like Aceline, his sword hung from his waist.

"I feel strange in these clothes," he said, looking down at his tunic. The oldest girl smiled.

"I'm sure you'll get used to it if you are to become king," she said. The boy looked at her, but she had already turned away. Instead, she was looking at the dwarf she had seen earlier. He was running towards them.

"Daughter of Eve!" he puffed, looking at Aceline. "Aslan would like a word with you." Her insides jolted and she felt that she was about to throw up. What does he want with me? She didn't speak her thoughts as she followed the dwarf.

"What's your name?" she asked, breaking the awkward silence. The dwarf turned to her in surprise.

"Reulel," he answered. "And yours?"

"Aceline." He nodded.

"Reulel?" she asked. The dwarf stopped and looked at her. "Do you know what Aslan wants?"

"No," was the response. "He just said it was important." She nodded, her stomach performing another backflip as she gazed upon the Lion himself. She bowed to him, not sure of what she was going to say. She didn't dare look him in the eye.

"Aceline," rumbled the deep voice. She looked up at the amber eyes. "Come, follow me." There was something about his voice that made her obey without question. It wasn't commanding; it was more like enticing. Like he was begging for her to come. He led her to a cliff that jutted out to the sea. From where she was standing, she could see white castle on a faraway cliff.

"What did you want to speak with me about?" she asked.

"About the prophecy," he stated.

"Alright. How are we going to stop the Witch's reign?" Aslan shook his head.

"Not that one. I speak of yours." The girl's jaw dropped.

"Mine?"

"There was one destined for you, dear heart," the magnificent creature said. Then he recited the following:

She who received her looks from a male
She who fought both tooth and nail
She shall free the lonely isles
And shall be gone for a long while

Aceline smacked herself in the forehead. She who received her looks from a male...Well, everyone back home said that she had looked very much like her father. Same black hair, same purple eyes--the only thing that she had inherited from her mother was her personality. She gazed at him, hoping that he had made some sort of mistake. But as her eyes connected with his, she knew that whether she liked it or not, it was her destiny.

"What do I have to do?" she asked. The Lion smiled at her.

"The Lone Islands are part of Narnia's territory. They lie to the south-Felimath, Doorn and Avra. At the beginning of her reign, the Witch sent her followers to take captivity of the islands. Your mission is to free them." She nodded.

"When am I to leave?"

"When you have a dream of me."

"And my return?"

"Also, when you have a dream of me." She nodded, unsure if she felt like passing out or not. She turned to leave but Aslan seemed to know what was going on in her mind.

"I understand that you feel this a burden. Especially with this new feeling. Am I correct?" he asked. She nodded, stunned. How could he have known that at the moment, she had been thinking if she should tell Peter?

"Aslan?"

"Yes, dear one?"

"Could you-" She stopped, clearing her throat and turning red. "Could you tell me if Peter likes me or not?" The Lion gave her a sad look.

"I'm afraid I can not. I have no right to interfere in matters of the heart. But just one question: how do you feel about him?"

"Well," she began, "I love him like a brother. I'm not sure if I feel anything more for him." He nodded in satisfaction.

"You may go. Call Peter to me." Aceline nodded and promptly left. The weight of this new prophecy rested on her mind. She saw Peter talking to his sisters.

"We'll be by the creek," Susan said, dragging her sister away. The boy looked at the approaching girl.

"Aslan wants to speak with you," she mumbled. He nodded and left. She stared at his receding back.

Pray, don't like me. I don't want to break your heart.

Like my little twist? Review and tell me what you think.