Thank you to Terra for reviewing-We shall see!

Due to the somewhat violent content of this chapter, I believe I should warn you. It's nothing inappropriate, but I just feel I should warn you, because even though this is a major plot point, it is different than any of the other chapters I have written. As I have said before, I do not know how anyone likes the chapters if you do not review. Yes you!

I know the chapter title is kind of cliche, but it fits.

Chapter 17: Confessions of a Teenage Ice Princess

Susan ran through the castle, calling Nerina's name. Suddenly she stopped. She heard crying. Following the noise, she entered a sitting room. Shutting the door behind her, she softly called her friend's name.

I will not make the same mistakes that you did

I will not let myself cause my heart so much misery

"Nerina? It's Susan. Where are you?"

"Right here," replied Nerina, her quivering voice coming from behind a sofa. Susan went over and found Nerina sitting with her legs clutched to her chest.

"Nerina, what's wrong?"

"I can't do it," the Princess sniffed.

"Do what?"

"Be in the musical."

"Why?"

"Because-… because-…because I can't."

"Is it because of Jadis and Bersaro?"

Nerina became rigid.

"I'm right," said Susan sadly. "It's because my brother and you would have a romantic relationship. Why don't you like Peter?"

"It's not just your brother," replied Nerina softly. "It's all non-Arcadian men."

"Why? What did they ever do to you?"

"He ruined my life," Nerina looked up at Susan, and started sobbing uncontrollably.

"Who? Peter?" asked Susan, sitting down and hugging her friend.

"No," Nerina said between sobs. "That-that-that-thing did."

"Who?"

"Hunter," spat Nerina, her tears still running down her face.

"What did her do to you?"

Nerina remained silent.

"Nerina," coaxed Susan gently, "I think that the only way for you to move on is to tell someone what happened. I'll listen."

"You really think so?" sniffed the Princess.

"Yes," smiled Susan.

"Alright then," she took a deep breath, and began her tale.

Because of you I find it hard to trust

Not only me, but everyone around me

Because of you I am afraid…

"It all began when Hunter arrived at my palace. He was sent as an ambassador from his alleged "country" to meet with my parents to discuss what we would do about Jadis ruling Narnia. My father sadly told him that we could not help free Narnia because the Arcadians would easily die from being away from music. Hunter stayed in the castle anyway, because it was soon to be my presenting day.

"After a girl's presenting party, she is able to see prospective husbands, but not court them. Hunter was taken by me, and I him. We would talk in the garden for hours. He even tried to write a song for me, and I loved the thought in the gift, because it was really bad. He loved to hear me sing most of all, and would always come to my practices at the theater to listen to me.

"One day he told me that he loved me. I thought I loved him too, so I said I loved him too. He told me that he wanted to marry me, and take me to his country. I told him I did not want to leave. Hunter said that I did not truly love him then, because a girl in love will do whatever the man asks. I told him that he was wrong, that it was not like that in Arcadia, and he responded by saying that he had traveled the world, and everywhere else beside Arcadia agreed with him- even in Narnia. Part of me believed him, but I still did not want to leave. He kept telling me things about how love really works, and finally I believed him.

"At my coming of age ceremony, he gave me a special jewel to wear on my head. I was told later on that it brought out my true feelings for Hunter, and that's why I sleepwalked to his carriage during the night and woke up in his castle when it was removed from my head.

"The jewel had some magic in it that removed my voice at the same time it was removed from my head. Hunter was able to control my singing that way, along with when I spoke. I was forced to sing the same song everyday for Hunter and his family. His nine brothers' wives mocked me daily, and everyone continued to make sure that I knew what true love really was. One day Hunter started killing everyone. First his father, then a few weeks later his eldest brother, and down the line. No one knew he was responsible except for me. He would tell me in detail how he murdered them at night. He would put the collar around my neck and take me for a walk. I was told the collar symbolized my devotion to Hunter, and that all betrothed women wear them. After the first time I tried to escape, I was told that in order to gain Hunter's forgiveness I had no choice but to wear the collar all day, no matter what.

"The wives continued to ridicule me, and I was beaten more than once for not obeying my future husband." Nerina pointed to her feet. "The small cuts I used to have were from my attempt at climbing over the spiked fence. These," she stretched out her legs and lifted her dress up to her thighs, "are various whip marks from my walking to fast, going the wrong way, or doing something else wrong. The circles around my wrists are also whip marks from trying to pick up something that I dropped. I spent too long in the bath and now I have a slowly healing "X" on my stomach. The marks on my back are also whip marks." She fixed her dress, then pulled her collar down slightly. "These four lines here, and here," she added, pointing to her cheek, "are from slaps by the wives, and the other scars on my face are from falling out of that cage. I was put into that after my final attempt to escape on my birthday. Hunter was planning our wedding the day you came. He had killed his last brother the previous day. "I had given up hope of ever escaping, but you came and rescued me, even though I did not want to live anymore."

I lose my way

And it's not too long before you point it out

I cannot cry

Because I know that's weakness in your eyes

"It's our duty, and we couldn't have just left you there," said a shocked Susan. "What about your hair?"

"Oh. That was from the weird dirt around the castle. It caked my hair and after my final escape attempt I was not allowed to bathe."

"Nerina, I am so sorry you had to go through that." Susan was silent for a moment, pondering something. "Nerina? That song that you mentioned? The one you were forced to sing everyday? By any chance was it-"

"The one I had to sing to get my voice back? Yes." She sighed. "I guess I had to face it one more time before I could sing anything else again. Hunter liked it because he misinterpreted the lyrics. He thought he was the "somebody to love" in the song, but I was really singing the song for the part about being free."

I'm forced to fake, a smile, a laugh

Every day of my life…

"You know now that Hunter was lying to you about everything, right?" Susan asked cautiously.

"No, he was telling the truth," replied a serious Nerina. "The Arcadians have it all wrong."

"No no no! Nerina, he lied to you! Love is not what he said it is. That is not what any Narnian believes, nor do I think that many besides Hunter and his family believe it. Can you think of any time that he did not tell you the truth? First off, he told you he ruled a country, when his family simply lived in some old castle. He probably lied about traveling the world too!"

Now it was Nerina's turn to be silent. "Well," she said after a few minutes, "he did lie about his name."

"How so?"

I watched you die…

"Remember when I told you how names mean a great deal to Arcadians?"

"Yes."

I heard you cry

Every night in your sleep

"Well, Hunter must have found out. He said his name meant 'hunter of evil', but his sister-in-laws said he was a hunter of women. He had been searching for his perfect bride, so I don't think he lied about traveling. How can you be sure he lied about love?"

Because of you I tried my hardest just to forget everything,

"I know that love is supposed to be much more wonderful than that. How could an entire race created by Aslan himself have that conception wrong? All of your romantic plays and musicals can't be wrong."

Nerina was silent again. Suddenly she smiled. "You know, I think you're right. He was wrong."

Susan smiled back. "So can you accept that not every non-Arcadia man is like Hunter, knowing that it was he and his family that were mistaken?"

The Princess looked at her warily.

"Nerina," Susan said gently, "Hunter was just one guy. When have Edmund or Peter ever tried to harm you?"

Slowly, the Arcadia replied, "Never."

Because of you I don't know how to let anyone else in

"Exactly. So I know you have no problem with Edmund, so why not Peter too? With the musical, you will just be acting. He would never harm you."

Tears sprang up once more. "I know, but I'm not ready yet. Even to just act it out, I'm not ready. I don't know if I want to go home, because everything will remind me of Hunter."

Because of you I'm ashamed of my life because it's empty

"Well you're going to have to face it sometime. You need to go back, you know you do. You belong in Arcadia. And when you do go back home, the new, happy memories we will make will replace the old, bad ones."

Because of you I am afraid

"Really?"

"Yes. Now why don't you just try acting again? I think it will be really good for you. And also, if you don't do it now, when will you?"

"Good point," Nerina sighed. "I guess I could try."

Susan hugged her friend. "Great. And if it's too much for you at any point, we can back off a little. However you do want to push yourself, because otherwise you will never be able to move on." She stood up. "If it's alright with you, I will let my siblings and Adelphos know your decision."

"That's fine." Nerina wiped her tears. "Thank you for your comfort and advice Susan. I believe now I will be able to truly enjoy myself here, and laugh and smile without forcing it."

"You haven't been happy here?" asked a shocked Susan.

Nerina looked down. "No, not even when Adelphos came, because he is a friend from Arcadia, where my troubles started. The euphoria when I play music or sing is real though, so I have been happy here, just not when I wasn't doing anything musical."

Because of you

"Well I'm glad you feel better now," Susan smiled. "I will go to the others now."

"I will be there in a minute," responded Nerina.

"That's alright. I will tell everyone practice is over for today. We can start fresh tomorrow." With that, Susan left.

She did not have to go far, for her siblings and Adelphos were waiting outside the door. Shutting it behind her, Susan shook her head.

"What is it?" Peter asked.

"That girl has been through so much. She told me everything."

"Hunter," he spat.

She nodded. "She's been brain-washed, beaten, kidnapped, and treated like a diseased creature. She was forced so long to be something she's not, she forgot who she is, until Adelphos came." He smiled, sadness showing in his eyes.

Susan continued. "She will play Jadis, but we have to be easy on her. She is still mentally recovering from everything."

Everyone silently took one last look at the closed door where inside the abused Princess sat, before sadly walking back to the theater.

Because of you

Song Used-Because of You by Kelly Clarkson

I have been planning this chapter since Day 1. I hope you enjoyed it. Please let me know by reviewing.

Thanks a bunch!

Haras