Disclaimer: I do not own The Chronicles of Narnia, but thank goodness C.S. Lewis thought of it!!! ;)

Hello again! Thank you reviewers! You don't know how excited I get when I see that someone has reviewed on this story! :) So, what do you guys think? Do you like the direction the story is going in? Well, I hope you all are enjoying it! Anyways, here is the next chapter!

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Chapter 6: A New Acquaintance

I awoke to a sharp pain piercing my side. An overwhelming feeling of grogginess spread throughout my senses, leaving me unsure if I could stay awake. As I struggled to open my eyes, an unfamiliar shadow loomed over my vision. Suddenly I felt a burning sensation in my throat. I leaned forward and coughed, spitting out the remains of the water. Each cough killed my ribs; I hadn't felt this much pain in a while. Someone's hand was pounding on my back. I rolled myself over slowly, trying not to aggravate my side, which was hard because I was lying on my stomach. I blinked a few times making sure my sight wasn't doing strange things to me.

A round face with high cheek bones and purple eyes stared back at me. I blinked again. Purple eyes? Oh well, stranger things had happened lately. Long, reddish-brown hair framed her face and she had a warm smile spread across her features. I could tell she was a dwarf, but not of the Narnian sort. I had never seen a Narnian dwarf with purple eyes.

"Wh- who…" I began to ask. My throat was failing me, most likely due to all the water I had consumed and to the fact that my ribs had flared up. I put my hand on them and tried clearing my throat.

"Who are you?" I asked again, in a raspy whisper. I let out a small breath. My throat was dry and burning; I needed a drink but I wasn't too keen on water for the time being.

"Hi, my name is Telula. And what is yours?" she asked. Her voice was light and airy, almost like a fairies'. I wasn't sure if I should tell her my true identity or not, but I did so anyways.

"Peter Pevensie, High King of Narnia," I answered. I wasn't expecting it, but I felt myself wince. I hated feeling so vulnerable in front of a complete stranger.

"What's wrong, Peter of Narnia?" she wondered. Well, I could tell her nearly hundreds of things, but I decided to stick with only the small details.

"I broke a number of ribs recently and I knocked my head against that rock back there. My ribs hit it, too," I replied, my finger pointing towards the river. I clenched my teeth. I really needed to stop talking. I then realized my head was throbbing, almost to the point of where I could feel my heart pulsing through it.

"Oh goodness! You must be in pain!" Telula exclaimed, her voice almost raising an octave. I nodded, which made my head throb worse.

"Is there anything I can do for you?" she questioned.

"No, thank you," I said. My throat was beginning to fail me again. There was nothing she could do to help me anyways, though.

"Okay," she put in, sounding a bit dejected. I hoped I didn't hurt her feelings.

"So how did you get stuck in the water?" she inquired. I sighed. Lucy, what was wrong with her?! She'd never done a thing like that before! I wondered what had made her behavior so… so… different.

"I was pushed," I answered simply. I didn't feel like giving her all the details; I didn't feel like doing much of anything, really. The struggle to keep myself from drowning had really taken a lot out of me.

"How dreadful! What a cruel person to do such a thing!" Telula looked at me for some sort of feedback, but I just couldn't let myself call my little sister cruel. Though I did not know what was wrong with her, I would not allow myself to draw that conclusion. So instead I asked,

"How did you find me?"

A look of triumph fell upon her features. I could tell she was proud of herself for saving my life.

"Well, I was taking a walk by the river when I heard yelling. I ran towards the noise and saw you alongside a rock and beginning to go under. I jumped into the water and seized you just before your head disappeared. I pulled you towards the shore and laid you by this horse. I'm guessing he's yours," she explained. I checked my surroundings for the first time. Sure enough, Bill was a few yards away, keeping a close eye on me. I smiled. Good old Bill.

"How long was I out?" I wondered. I hoped I wasn't unconscious for too long in front of this friendly stranger.

"Long enough; I'd say a good fifteen to twenty minutes, easy," Telula replied. Oh, wonderful. Now I was embarrassed.

"And you stayed with me?" She nodded.

"I tried to wake you but you wouldn't stir. I feared for the worst for a little while," she confessed.

Huh. I wonder why she stayed with me so long.

"Well thank you, Telula, for everything," I said. I wasn't quite sure how to thank her for saving my life, but she grinned regardless.

"It was my pleasure. I couldn't leave you out here alone," she declared. Wow, Susan would love this dwarf. She'd think she was absolutely adorable. Susan. Oh no, how long have I been gone? She and Ed must be worried sick.

"Telula, if you don't mind my asking, could you please move over so I can sit up?" I wondered.

"Oh, of course, sir," she stated, shuffling over to the right. Sir? I was only seventeen, not even old enough to be considered an adult back in England. But then again, I was called "your highness" on a regular basis. I lightly chuckled to myself. I braced my body up using both of my arms, noticing that they were very sore. Then a light breeze blew against my body. I shivered. I forgot that I was still wet, and it was beginning to get considerably chillier outside. Telula noticed.

"Are you all right? Are you too cold?" she inquired.

"I'm fine," I assured, though it wasn't the truth. I pushed myself slowly upward. This was more difficult than I expected. My whole body was sore and trembling with cold. I must've swum harder than I thought.

"Here, let me help you," she offered. I looked up at her. Her violet eyes were pleading. If I didn't let her help me, I was afraid she might have a breakdown or something.

"Okay," I said, not sure of what else to say. She came beside me again. My head was already practically to her shoulder and I was just barely halfway up. I put my arm over her shoulder; it wasn't that much of a stretch. She helped me up. Telula was very strong; I was slightly surprised. I tried to scoot myself to the left; the ground was too uneven where I was sitting. It didn't work. I turned just enough to the point where I felt an unpleasant twang in my side. I let out a small yell. Telula looked taken aback. Before she could say anything, though, a voice called out from the distance.

"Unhand him!" it said. I turned my head towards the voice.

"Susan, it's fine, she's helping me!" I exclaimed loudly. Goodness, speaking that loudly hurt almost as much as sitting up! Susan lowered her bow, which she had previously been ready to use, and then Edmund and Zylar stepped out from the trees. My siblings came towards Telula and I, a look of worry plastered on both of their faces.

"What happened?" Edmund wondered.

"Lucy," I replied. They both shared the same confused expression.

"I was getting a drink of water when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned and saw Lucy behind me. Of course I was slightly in shock and completely overjoyed, but she looked as if she was ready to kill me! I stood up and then she rammed me in the ribs and pushed me into the river. I struggled to swim"- I cleared my throat; my voice was going hoarse again-"because the current was too strong. Before I knew it I crashed into a rock and woke up to Telula," I explained. My siblings looked as if they were in a state of shock.

"Lucy pushed you in?" Ed asked in disbelief. I nodded.

"Peter, are you sure it was Lucy?" Susan questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"Susan, I'm not going mad… I know my youngest sister. She wasn't acting like her usual self; I'm not quite sure how to describe her behavior," I confessed.

"Goodness, I wonder what's gotten into her! First she runs away in the middle of the night, and now this! Oh! Peter, are you all right?" Susan asked. It seemed almost as if she had just taken in my current condition. I looked up at her.

"As all right as one can be after nearly drowning. My ribs are acting up again and my throat is fervently sore," I answered.

"You must be freezing, too. What if you catch a cold?" Su wondered.

"I'll be fine," I assured. But I had to admit, I was overly chilled. Edmund came over and sat down beside me.

"Do either of you know which way Lucy went?" he asked, glancing between Telula and me. She shook her head and I shrugged.

"I'm guessing she ran west, but honestly I don't know," I answered. He sighed.

"I can't believe she did that to you, Pete. It's not like her," he said. I could tell this was really getting to Edmund. Of course, I found it quite bothersome as well.

"I'm going to go look for her," I declared, preparing myself to stand. Susan placed a hand on my shoulder.

"No, Peter. You need to sit and rest. I'm sure you're sore and walking isn't going to help right now. Ed and I will search. Telula can join us as well," Susan pointed out. Telula nodded and walked in my sibling's general direction.

"Okay, we'll be back as soon as we find anything," Edmund put in. I began to respond but Susan cut me short.

"And don't try anything while we're gone. We don't need your injuries to be any worse than they already are. Just lie down and relax," Susan demanded. I gave a light chuckle. I was high king and she was bossing me around.

"Don't worry, O Great One. I know what my limits are and I won't exceed them," I said, slightly bending as if to bow in her presence. She gave me a slight smirk.

"But seriously, Peter, be careful," she added. I nodded, fully meaning it. The three began heading west while I made myself comfortable. I gently lowered myself to the ground and lay down, stretching out. I was feeling unbelievably stiff. I put my hands behind my head so that my elbows came out to a point. I closed my eyes and tried not to think of my youngest sister. Just let her be safe, I silently prayed. I sighed and just lay there, blocking out thoughts of everything.

A breeze blew across my face, feeling like a shallow breath from nature. The sound of the waterfall crashing against the crystal-clear river was oddly soothing to me. I felt a light mist sweep against my skin with the precision of an artist's brush stroke. In that moment I knew everything would eventually turn out to be fine. An inner peace consumed me that could only be due to Aslan.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice barely audible. I took in a breath of the serene air. A few minutes passed, and then I heard footsteps coming towards me. I opened my eyes and slowly sat back up. Edmund was rushing towards me, something bluish-gray in his hand.

"Peter! It's a small bit of Lu's dress! It must've gotten caught on a twig! We know which way she's going!" he exclaimed. I grinned.

"Praise be to Aslan!" I rejoiced. Susan and Telula were a few feet behind Ed, running to catch up to him.

"We have to find her before she gets too far away," I pointed out. Everyone nodded.

"But Peter, can you travel? I'm positive you haven't made a full recovery yet," Susan put in.

"I'll manage. I'm not going to be the reason we lose this lead on Lucy," I simply stated.

"All right, well then let's do get a move on. Peter, let me help you up," Edmund declared. I put my arm over his shoulders as he lowered himself. I pulled my legs up and stood, leaning into Edmund. I clenched my teeth.

"You okay, sir?" Telula questioned. I smiled down at her.

"Yes, I'm okay," I replied. Edmund chuckled.

"Sir?" he wondered. I nudged him playfully in the side. He laughed harder.

"Boys…" Susan started, rolling her eyes. Susan never had nearly as many good times as Ed and I had. We sighed and then walked to Bill. My legs were terribly stiff. I mounted my horse and then my siblings mounted theirs.

"Telula, you can ride with Ed or me if you'd like. I don't think it would be the best of ideas to hold onto Peter's midsection," Susan pointed out. Telula nodded and walked over to my sister. She reached her small hand up and Susan pulled. She was on Avery within a second. Telula must be very light in order for Susan to have lifted her so quickly.

"We ready?" Edmund inquired.

"Yes," I answered for everyone. And we started off. It was hard to maneuver our horses through all the trees, but they didn't seem to mind. Just then Edmund, who was leading us, brought Zylar to a halt.

"This is where we found the small part of her dress. Which way would you say she went next?" he asked.

"North," Telula answered. We all turned to look at her.

"How do you know?" Susan wondered.

"Easy. You can tell this part of the forest has been trodden on. The ground has slight indents where human footprints have stepped," Telula replied. I stared ahead at the ground. Nothing looked walked upon to me. But then again, I don't encounter these woods everyday like she does.

"All right, well then let's head north. Thank you, Telula," Edmund declared. She smiled sheepishly. I could tell she wasn't used to so much attention; she must've kept to herself quite often. We rode forward for what seemed like several hours. I was now completely dry, which I was entirely grateful for seeing as it was getting windier out. But we had found no sign of Lucy yet. Whenever we doubted ourselves, though, Telula always assured us we were heading in the right direction. Honestly I think she was a gift from Aslan himself. We would've never gotten this far without her guidance. I might not even be alive right now if it wasn't thanks to her. Our family owed her so much. Suddenly I heard a crack in the distance.

"Did you hear that?" I wondered aloud. The others shook their heads.

"Hear what, Peter?" Susan questioned.

"Never mind," I said. Huh, maybe it was just me. Then I heard it again, only it was a few notches louder.

"Okay, now I hear something," Ed pointed out. Something rustled in the trees. I looked around and saw the silhouette of a man beginning to illustrate itself on the ground. I grasped Rhindon's hilt.

"Susan, get out your bow," I whispered hastily. She obeyed. I tilted my head to the east. Her eyes glanced in that direction, obviously understanding my gesture. Within a split second the arrow was strung, pulled, and successfully aimed. The conspicuous man sank to the ground from between two trees, Susan's arrow in his stomach.

"Excellent precision, Su," I declared. She nodded gratefully.

"It's a Telmarine, you can tell by his olive skin," Edmund explained.

"That's what I'm concerned about. Telmarines travel in numbers. There must be more around here somewhere. If anyone hears or sees anything, speak up," I put in. We rode uninterrupted for about five minutes. Then I heard Susan's voice.

"Someone's out there," she stammered. My eyes scanned the forest, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Then the arrow flashed above my face.

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A/N: So what do you think of Telula? I hope you like her character so far! Reviews are appreciated! :)