Sorry this one took so long everyone! Life has been nuts lately, but do not fret, for I will finish this story no matter what.

Thank you to all who have reviewed,

Aslan's Princess-Thank you so much for your tips, as soon as this Act is finished I am going to go back and fix all those little things. The music is such a major part of this story, I am glad you picked up on it. Thank you so much for reviewing

Copperfox-The only thing besides thank you that I can say is keep reading and you will see!

tookieclothespen-I'm trying, I'm trying. I know how hard it is to wait for the next chapter.

Here is chapter 9!

Chapter 9: Pins and Needles

Edmund's heart went into his stomach he slowly rolled Nerina onto her back. All four gasped when they saw her face. It stared back at them-Nerina's eyes were wide open, which added to the look of shock on her face. Edmund felt for a pulse. All was silent as he searched for one.

He breathed a sigh of relief. "She's still alive, but her heart is beating very slowly."

Susan reached over and put her hands on Nerina's eyes and carefully shut them so they would not dry out. "Come, let's take her to her room and get the nurse," she said, sad that they were used to the drill.

"What do you think is wrong with her this time?" Edmund asked once Nerina was laid on the pillows of her bed. He looked at her. He had a feeling in the pit of his stomach that this fainting spell was different from her other lapses in strength.

"I really don't know Ed," Susan sighed. She turned to Peter. "Any ideas?"

"None at all," came the reply.

Edmund looked at the still figure of the girl he and his siblings had grown to know and love. They had all grown attached to her, and did not want to lose her. "She looks worse than the other times she's fainted. Her breathing is shallower and sounds weighted."

Will we be friends when we grow old?

Or is this the end of the line?

Lucy was sitting on one side of the bed holding Nerina's hand. "She does." A tear rolled down her cheek. "What can we do to help her? Nothing works. She needs help, but we don't know where to find it."

"Oh yes we do," said Edmund with a sudden realization. "Aslan will be here for our coronation. We can just as him then."

As soon as the words came out of his mouth, the Beavers came in and bowed. "We are sorry to hear about Princess Nerina Your Majesties, and even more sorry to interrupt, but Aslan is here to start the coronation."

"Perfect!" the siblings all exclaimed.

NTMNTMNTMNTM

Susan was the first to reach Aslan. After the formalities were through, Susan burst out and said, "Aslan, we found Princess Nerina, but she's sick and nothing, not even Lucy's cordial, is working to heal her, and right now she's upstairs in an odd state, and we don't know what to do anymore!"

Aslan smiled kindly. "I have known of your trials with Nerina's health."

"Then you can help her?" asked Lucy hopefully.

"I will only say that the remedy for her sickness is known by only one person."

"Who?" the Pevensies asked.

"By Nerina herself. She alone knows what will help her now. She might have to search for the answer, but deep down, she knows what it is."

And before the Pevensies could ask him to explain more, the trumpets sounded the beginning of the ceremony, and the five walked through the large oak doors.

As she walked through the arched swords, Susan's mind was on Nerina, despite the grandeur of the event. Nerina had looked very bad, but Susan still held the hope that she would recover soon. However Aslan's words perplexed her. He said that Nerina was the only one who knew the remedy. This made the situation more complicated.

I hurt with you I love with you

Is this the end of the line?

Oh please, don't leave me…

As she was beginning to fully contemplate all that had happened, she, her siblings, and Aslan reached the thrones and Susan's mind suddenly remembered the full extent of what was happening. She listened as her younger siblings were crowned Queen Lucy the Valiant and King Edmund the Just. As Mr. Tumnus came toward her, her excitement that had been dampened earlier overflowed, and she could not help but to smile when she was crowned Queen Susan the Gentle.

NTMNTMNTMNTM

Peter's heart swelled as he stood, now High King Peter the Magnificent. The "Magnificent" part he felt was undeserved, but he still liked the sound of his title.

His title.

Nerina's gifts were to have the monarch's titles on them. As he sat down and surveyed the room, he felt a twang of sadness that Nerina was unable to join in the celebration. He too went over Aslan's words, but not for long, because it was time for the feast.

Although the food was delicious, and they were hungry, Peter and his siblings did not eat too much during the dinner. When speeches were called for, each monarch gave an excellent one, but after being so close to them, Peter knew he and his siblings' thoughts were truly elsewhere.

Don't let your heart let go

We'll find a way

The journey has only begun

Is this the end of the line?

Peter danced at the ball afterward, as did Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, since they all decided to try and have fun, because they knew Nerina would not want them to spend their special day worrying about her. Peter would have liked to see Nerina having a really good time, but there was no way for her to be with them. He did crack a smile as he twirled one nymph around during a dance. She had been following him all afternoon giggling and blushing, so deciding that at least one person should extremely happy that day, he asked her to dance.

NTMNTMNTMNTM

Near sunset, Lucy saw Aslan leaving. She expressed her concern to Mr. Tumnus, who told her that he was never around for long. Tears came to her eyes. She had wanted Aslan to heal Nerina. As she dabbed her eyes with her returned handkerchief, she reminded herself that Aslan knew best. She would make sure to tell Nerina his words after the celebration. She had grown fond of Nerina, and wanted to do everything she could to help her.

Don't let your heart let go

We'll find a way

The journey has only begun

Is this the end of the line?

She remembered that she did not have a chance to get the answer from Aslan as to why her cordial had not healed Nerina. As she thought about it, she remembered that Aslan had said only Nerina could heal herself. Lucy hoped and prayed that Nerina had not been hiding the remedy from her and her brothers and sister because she wished to die. She sighed, fully confused, but she fully trusted Aslan, and so the first moment they could, she and her siblings left the Hall to relay the message and check on their mysterious friend.

Is this the end of the line?
Song used-End of the Line from The Cheetah Girls Soundtrack.

Please review. I read and take all into account.

Haras