*Chapter 5- Our Only Hope*

2 chapters in one day cause I feel bad! Huzzah! xD

I do not own the Chronicles of Narnia or any of C.S. Lewis' characters.

Please review! Reviews earn you an autographed pic of Mr Tumnus scarfless! (Ive got a crapload of these bad boys. lol)

NOW ENJOY OR DIE

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It was the next night, the first full day the True Narnians had a Telmarine in their company. Penelope sat outside at the edge of the clearing, right outside Trufflehunter's house. She knew she wasn't allowed to be out in the open by herself, but Trufflehunter's home was feeling very crowded and suffocating. The girl sat, staring at the stars with a thoughtful expression.

Penelope had always been an independent person, and preferred listening and observing rather than engaging when it came to things such as meeting new people. Perhaps that came from the fact that all her life she'd been alone. Her parents were, as far as she had been informed, dead and she had no siblings. So even though she had the badger, two dwarfs, and the squirrel, she felt very much alone as she trudged through life.

Apparently, one day 16 years ago, while Trumpkin and Nikabrik were on their way back from a hunting trip, they stumbled upon a young baby half dead from the cold. The dwarves brought her back to Trufflehunter's house, and after trying to locate her family and coming up unsuccessful, they decided to keep and raise her. That was how Penelope had come to live with the four Narnians, and she loved them each dearly. They weren't the only ones to raise her, however. At one point there had been a doe, and a female elf, but the doe had been shot down by a Telmarine hunter and the elf had been taken to be another's wife against her will and hadn't been heard from since. That had been along time ago, and yet it still brought tears to Penelope's eyes to think of either of the mother figures that had been robbed from her.

Only recently had she moved out of Trufflehunter's house and into one of her own. Well, not exactly-she had to share her new home with Pattertwig the squirrel. But she didn't mind. In fact, she quite liked the squirrel, and would go so far as to say he was the closest person to her. He was spontaneous and funny, but also kept his space. The two got along well, and he treated her more like a friend than his ward.

Suddenly, and this frightened Penelope out of her wits, there was a cry from behind her. She shot up, gasping but keeping herself from screaming, and span to see who the source of the noise was. She saw Caspian, standing fully dressed and armed, his cape over his shoulders. She jumped him, covering his mouth and dragging him behind her as she stormed off into the shelter of the trees.

"What are you doing?!" he demanded, throwing her hand off his mouth and looking cross.

"What are YOU doing, screaming like that? Do you WANT to get caught?!" Penelope shot back, looking just as annoyed. Caspian blinked, looking as if the thought hadn't occurred to him. Then he turned defensive again.

"Well, you frightened me, that is all. So excuse me!" he huffed. Penelope bristled, and then let out a long sigh and the fight visibly left her.

"It's alright." she muttered, her shoulders slumping as she ran a hand through her long blonde hair. The fight left him also, and his defensive position became relaxed. The two stood awkwardly for a moment, and it was then Penelope really took in his outfit, Her hands went to her hips and she became rigid. "And just where do you think you're going?" she demanded. He winced, having hoped to go unnoticed. Unfortunately for him, she was more observant than he'd given her credit for.

"I was just.. erm.." he gulped. Penelope's blue eyes widened as realization hit her. She grabbed his arm and leaned in close.

"Oh, no, you can not go!" she cried. He watched her with guarded eyes.

"I must." he said coldly. "I do not belong here."

"Yes you do! This is exactly where you belong!" she said. "Did you not hear what Trufflehunter said?" Caspian, who had started to walk off, paused and looked back at her over his shoulder.

She stood, shoulders sagging as if from a great weight. Her head was slightly tilted to the side, and a desperate look captured her featured. Her blue eyes were wide and shining, and they stood out against her pale skin. She was, Caspian noted, not that bad looking for a girl who lived in the forest with two dwarves and a couple of animals for companions. In fact, he dared say she was one of the more attractive girls he'd met.

"You're meant to save us." she said so softly the prince had to strain to hear it. She glanced up at him to see him looking intently at the forest floor as this sank in. The silence enveloped them for a good five minutes before he found himself able to speak again.

"Look, I think you have made a mistake. I am not meant to save anyone!" he said, turning to fully face her.

"Yes you are! It's the prophecy!" she snapped, her blood beginning to boil.

"Well, I do not mean to offend, but your prophecy is a lie," he said coolly, turning away and starting to walk.

"No, stop!" she called after him. He didn't pay her any mine, however, and kept walking. She started for his retreating form. "Please! Just give it a chance!"

He ignored her. She sped up, catching up with him and jumping in his path, her hands on her hips.

"If you abandon us, Narnians will have no chance. You are our only hope." she said, putting strong emphasis on the last two words. She then averted her eyes. "We have already had all the abandonment we can handle," she whispered to herself, her eyes going far away to a different time she did not live through but had heard much about. She quickly shook it off and turned back to him. "Please. You have to help us. Please."

He stared into her shining blue eyes, and suddenly had to look away, for he knew she was being earnest. He felt sickened with himself, but know he could not do what she was asking. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"Look, I apologize, but I just cannot do what you are asking me. I just do not feel ready." he said, opening his eyes to see her draw her breath sharply and pale a little. He instantly felt bad, but ignored her and turned quickly away and sped off into the forest. Penelope felt tears come to her eyes as she stared at his retreating form. Then she turned and ran into Trufflehunter's house at top speed to alert the others that their only hope had left as suddenly as he had gotten there.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hope ya liked it! Please review and let me know what ya thought! :D

Reviews make my day. I love to hear what y'all think of my story!