Disclaimer- I do not own Narnia

Moving on....

The next morning I woke up in a bed that was very unlike any I had ever slept in. It was not soft like the bed I had waiting for me back on the Upper West Side and wasn't firm like the one in my room at Cair Peravel. No, this bed was different. I slowly opened my eyes to see a room fit for an Arabian queen. I vaguely remembered it from the previous night but everything was clearer in the daylight.

There were turquoise pillows thrown in a corner that I assumed was to be used as a sitting area. The clay walls were painted a bold gold color that made you think you were living in King Midas' palace. I sat up and realized that the bed I had been laying on was not a bed at all. It was a huge cushioned mat that laid across the floor like a rug.

I rubbed the sleep and remaining salt from last night's tears out of my eyes before slowly getting up and walking over to the terrace. The sight was beautiful, like all of the views I have seen on this planet, but it was not the same any more. Sure, all of the same clay buildings still stood tall and the sky still sparkled blue but it wasn't a welcoming sight to me because I knew I wouldn't be able to explore any of it. Not anymore.

I was a prisoner and this city had become my prison.

It had been this way for roughly twelve hours now and already I felt the pains of isolation press down upon my chest. By now, I knew Edmund and Susan would be a safe distance away from Calormen land and back on their way to Narnia and I was happy for them.

I could rest easier knowing that they would not be in reach of Rabadash's jurisdiction but I could not help but be selfish and wish that they stayed to try and save me. It is horrid to think something like that and I should be slapped for it but it was true. When I first came to Narnia, it felt strange to be welcomed into the Pevensies' family-where people were actually nice to each other and spent time together-since I never had a family like that if you could consider my parents family at all. But now, I realized that I had became dependent on those things and it scared me to death to think that I might not get the chance to experience them once more.

A small click sounded from behind me and I turned to the great wooden door to see a small girl come into the room. She couldn't have been more than thirteen but it was hard to tell her exact age due to the veil she wore that covered most of her darkly complected skin.

Her dark brown eyes made contact with mine for a second before dropped her gaze as she scurried over to the bed mat and laid a dress down upon it. "The Prince requested you wear this, My Lady," the girl said, eyes still staring downward. I smiled warmly at her and went over to the bed to examine the dress.

It was, for lack of a better word, stunning beyond belief. It was unlike any of the dresses found in Narnia with it's long layers of silky emerald green material that matched perfectly to the scarf Edmund bought me our first day here. I ran my fingers over the smooth material and traced the intricate pattern that the sparkling gold beads made around the scoop neck line.

"Why did he want me to put this on?" I questioned the small girl who stood a few feet behind me, studying my face as I studied the dress.

"He did not tell me, My Lady," The girl said timidly.

I pursed my lips as I looked at the dress on the bed and then the one I wore on my person. The dress I wore now was one that Susan had made especially for me back in Narnia. It was the color of midnight blue and made of the softest material I have ever wore. It had tight, long sleeves and a square neck line. As I looked back at Rabadash's dress I felt like I would be betraying Susan if I put it on. It was silly, I know, but I felt that if I wore his dress I would belong to him or something.

I turned to the girl and smiled slightly. "Tell the Prince that I will not be able to comply with his request."

The look she gave me was one of complete terror. "He-he will not be h-happy, My Lady."

I took a deep breath before looking back at the dress. I'm sure he wouldn't be too pleased with me declining but what was he going to do about? He could hurt me, I suppose, but what would that help him gain? A small rush of fear came over me but I still wouldn't put it on. "I know he will be," I smiled down at her. "Thank you."

She nodded once and curtsied before exiting my quarters. I sighed and collapsed onto the bed with a small thump. I began to think about everything that happened to me since arriving in Narnia over a month ago.

I remembered my first meeting with Peter in the forest, dancing with him at the balls, and our first kiss that made me forget how to breath for a moment. I remembered the feel of confidence I got when practicing with my bow for the tournament. I remembered the friendship I had formed with Susan and the sisterly love I had for little Lucy. I remembered Edmund and all of our ups and down. From him being mad at me for calling him too serious to us forming a strange but strong friendship then me breaking that trust we had when I didn't tell him how much of a tool Rabadash was.

I remembered all of these things and realized that my life in New York really was no life at all and that I only began to live when I came to Narnia. I found a home here, and a family, and consequently a psycho stalker prince; but I would chose this any day over my sheltered, lonely life back in NY. And if Rabadash comes through that door I won't be afraid because if anything happens to me I will die knowing that I was loved and I had family.

I think that was why I was sent to Narnia in the first place. It was to show me that I didn't have to be afraid of love and that I could not give up hope that I would some day be wanted. The Pevensies forced me to come out of my shell and begin to feel, whether those feelings were good or bad I needed to experience them and I am happy I did. I have learned what I need to learn in Narnia and now Aslan or God or Rabadash or whoever could do with me what he will.

I suddenly heard the door crash open and feet slapping hard against the marble floors. I shot up from the bed, startled by the sudden disturbance in the quiet room, and looked to see Rabadash before me with a small, malicious smile on his handsome face. "Lina, I have received news that you are being difficult," He said in an almost too calm voice.

I took a calculated step away from the bed, smoothed the skirt of my dress down, and cleared my throat before speaking in an even tone. "I am not being difficult, just refusing to put on the dress. I am more comfortable in my own clothes, I'm sure you understand."

He smiled down at me for a second before his face contorted into something furious and violent. His hand went out and instantly made contact with my cheek. My head jerked to the side with the impact of it and my hand instinctively went up to cover my stinging cheek. I had never been back handed in my life and let me tell you this now: I was not a fan. "You will do as instructed, Lina," He said with venom dripping from his voice. My wide eyes went back to him and my mouth dropped open at what he had done.

His face softened and his hand came down to my chin so I was forced to keep my eyes on him. "This isn't Narnia. The women in Calormen respect their men and it is high time you started to do so as well. I'm only saying this to protect you from the consequences you would face for not following instructions." He smiled like he was doing me a favor and I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Rabadash chuckled once and let go of my face. "Then again, that fight that you hold inside of you is what drew me to you in the first place. Without it you would be just like that barbaric queen you love so dearly."

I just stood there glaring at him. Saying nothing, doing nothing. The Prince began to pace in front of me, his eyes directed downward. "But just like a wild horse, I am sorry to say my beauty, I will have to break you." He stopped pacing as the last word left his mouth and he looked back at me with questioning, probing eyes. "Are you frightened?"

I bit my lip and looked down at my feet. Was I frightened? I knew I was intimidated by the Prince but was that the same thing as being terrified by his presence. The answer, I concluded, was no. He did not scare me one bit. Rabadash, I knew, could talk the talk but I somehow doubted he could walk the walk. "No, I am not." I stated confidently. One of his eyebrows raised high on his forehead as he studied me. I continued. "They will come back for me , I know they will."

He shook his head and rubbed his chin at my comment. "We shall see about that, Lady Lina. We shall see." He looked at the dress on my bed and nodded his head toward it. "Now, put it on. I cannot have you looking like one of those barbaric Narnians at dinner this evening."

I looked at the dress defiantly and then back at Rabadash. "I will not."

Rabadash looked at me with a surprised look splashed onto his features. I think it was due to the fact that even after he tried to scare me with talk of trying to break me I was still denying his request. Something was telling me that he had never had a woman say no to him before and he did not enjoy it. Rabadash suddenly rushed to the door and opened it in a angered fury, he turned to look at me before stepping out the door. "Then you will starve! I promise you this, Lina, one way or another you will obey me. Whether it be the easy way or the hard way, I assure you it will happen!" With those words he slammed the door and left me in deafening silence.

I just stood there for a moment, sorting through everything that had just happened and rubbing my cheek. "Ouch," I said out loud before going over to the window and looking out at the beautifully city and bay once more.

I knew it would be a sight I would become familiar with because I would have nothing else to do to fill my days other than wait to see a ship bearing the red and gold Narnian flag to come over the horizon.

A quiet tapping came at the door hours later and the small girl from earlier in the day entered. She carried a few books in her tiny hands and came over to set them on the table next to my chair on the balcony. I looked at the books and then at her with a bright smile on my face.

"The queen wished for me to send you these, My Lady, so you would not waste your day with idol thoughts."

I let my finger tips brush on top of the leather covers and trace over the gold lettering. "Send her my thanks, please," I requested. The girl smiled and curtsied like she had earlier before silently exiting the room. In all honesty, I wish she could have stayed a bit longer. Even though I was used to being so alone in the New York penthouse since coming to Narnia I had been getting used to the idea of company.

I took the first book on the stack and opened it up without even a glance at the title. I read the first sentence and instantly knew it was a book of astronomy. I didn't make it past the first page without looking back up at the skyline to see if there was a ship coming. Unsurprisingly, none were to be seen. I went back to the book, read another page, and looked up again to find the same results.

It was too the point that I couldn't even concentrate on what I was reading anymore after a mere three minutes so I decided to just put the book down and do what I felt I need to: sit, wait, and watch.

I couldn't help but wonder if this was how Rapunzel felt when she was stuck in a tower much the same as I was. It probably felt the same, I imagined. She was waiting for a prince to rescue her, I was waiting for a king to rescue me from a prince. Different story line but the same basic idea.

My mind got off track at that thought. Sure, I expected a king to come and get me but what one did I think would come? Edmund? Peter? I wasn't sure which one would come. I suppose I always thought Peter was my knight in shining armor but since Peter left to go sort things with the giants it seems Edmund had taken it upon himself to fill that role for for his older brother. Both were gallant men and I should consider myself lucky for even having anyone like them coming back. But no matter who came, I knew I could not make it out of Tashbaan alone.

It sounds weak and very 'damsel in distress' of me to say so but it was true. I was not strong enough to get out of there without help. Heck, I can barely do push ups in gym class without my stick thin arms wobbling, how was I supposed to fight off a prince and his army?

I was not intelligent enough either. Smarts and cleverness were never my strong points growing up and I couldn't outsmart Rabadash and I knew it.

Truth was, no matter how much I'd rather deny it, I was a damsel in distress and it was a role I had to take on right now. Even though it was painfully obvious I needed help to get out of the castle, at least I still had the power to shake things up a bit within it's walls.

I smiled to myself as I realized that missing a meal was worth infuriating the Prince of Calormen and teaching him a lesson in the process. My eyes soon began to slowly drift closed as my first day of imprisonment came to a close. The last thing I remember seeing before falling into a slumber was the vast body of water that stretched away from the city and toward the horizon with only the waves moving across it's surface.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I hate to say it but things are only going to get worse for Lina before they get better. Thank you so much for reading!