Can you believe this is the last act. There are four acts, Daughter of Eve, and thanks for reviewing.
So, I will finish the behind-the-scenes story
I left off when I wrote the first few chapters. The title for the story hit me at some point during the writing process. As I wrote, I kept getting more and more ideas of what should be put in the story. I wrote all of this down in my famous purple notebook. Eventually I organized them into chronological order for the acts, and then into chapters. Soon after I decided that I wanted to have song lyrics to emphasize my point to the readers. I listened to all kinds of songs to find the perfect ones. I knew when I had the perfect song if I heard a song, thought it would be perfect, and go to write it down only to find out that it was already there for that chapter! Eventually I also decided to try and publish a chapter a week, and I have been trying hard to get that in place. For creating characters, I based some off of people I know. Koros is based on the guy I think is the most awesome person in the world. Anthea and Filia are based on two friends, King Arion is based on Andrea Bocelli, and the charming Dralyra is fully based on a girl that is just like her, self-centered and attention seeking. No, Nerina is not a MarySue character, and I will explain more about her later.
Enjoy the last act!
Chapter 31: Act 4, Scene 1
"I can't believe its today!" Lucy sighed. "After four years, Adelphos is really coming here today!"
"It is so nice of the King to send Adelphos to check up on our theater groups, and to help expand Narnia's music program," agreed Susan. "Did you make sure his old room is all set Ed?"
"Yes I did, and everything is perfect," smiled her brother as he buttered his breakfast muffin. Turning to Peter he asked, "When is he supposed to arrive?"
"Right before lunch, so any last minute things must be completed before then," replied the High King. "There is a council meeting this morning, but I hope it will be brief. We must welcome him in front of Cair Paravel."
Unfortunately it did not work out that way, for the council meeting lasted longer than expected. When the meeting was adjourned, a servant informed the four that their Arcadian guest had arrived, and was waiting for them in the Dining Hall. Quickly but regally they all rushed across the castle and opened the doors to the large room. Their friend was sitting at the table with the chair's back to them.
"Welcome back Adelphos!" exclaimed Peter.
A face peered around the chair's tall back.
"Surprise!" Nerina sang.
"Nerina!" Everyone shouted.
For all those times you stood by me,
For all the truth that you made me see,
For all the joy you brought to my life,
For all the wrong that you made right…
She laughed, stood up, and walked over to them. After hugging them she said, "Can you believe its been five years since you rescued me? My have you all changed!"
"Well look at you!" laughed Susan.
For every dream you made come true
For all the love I found in you
I'll be forever thankful baby
You're the one who held me up
Never let me fall
You're the one who saw me through, through it all…
Four years apart had changed the five friends' appearances greatly.
Now twenty-two, Peter had fully reached his manhood. He had become broader and more muscular from his sword training. His hair was a little longer, and the beginning of a beard was seen.
Susan was twenty, her birthday was in one week, and she was very beautiful. She was tall, slender, and her dark hair was still soft and shiny.
Edmund was seventeen, and was beginning to share the build of his brother. He too was growing his hair longer, and his voice was deeper.
Lucy's age of twelve had not taken away her innocence or wonderment of life. Her hair, like her siblings, was growing longer, and she was beginning to show signs of womanhood.
You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Nerina had turned twenty-one the previous month, and, in the Arcadian fashion, now wore her hair up. To anyone from our world who has studied ancient civilizations, her hairstyle would remind them of an Ancient Greek. She, like Susan, had reached womanhood, and carried herself differently, but the air of something special that hung around every Arcadian was still there, and she sang to her friends in jubilation.
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'cuz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me
When she had finished, they all sat down to lunch. After thanking Aslan for the meal, Nerina asked, "So what have you all been doing these past four years?"
"Oh we've kept busy," replied Peter. "We had to find the remnants of Jadis' army, and that took a long time. We helped Narnia return to normal, and so far everything has been running smoothly. How about yourself and Arcadia?"
"Of Arcadia is doing wonderfully. Chorevo and Anthea finally got married. Oh it was a beautiful wedding. I got to be a bridesmaid. Koros is still playing the flute, and the boys the same with their instruments. Filia has started courting the stage manager from her ballet school, and Mother and Father are well."
"What about Adelphos?" asked Edmund. "How come we were told that he was coming?"
Nerina's face reddened. She smiled. "Well it was originally planned that he would come, but all of a sudden he decided that I should go. He told me that it would be better if I went, and that he should stay home and work on his musicals. He's so kind to me."
"Nerina, there's something you are not telling us," teased Susan. "I know it. What is it?"
After a moment, Nerina gave in. "Oh alright, you win. Adelphos told me that he loved me."
You gave me wings and made me fly
You touched my hand I could touch the sky
I lost my faith, you gave it back to me
You said no star was out of reach
The girls' eyes widened. Edmund stood up.
"With your permission ladies," he said jokingly, "I would like to take my leave, and I'm sure my brother does as well, before there is squealing and all sorts of giggling."
"Oh Ed!" said Susan, rolling her eyes.
Nerina laughed. "No, it's alright." Turning to Edmund with a sad look on her face, she said, "Actually there's not much to tell about that, and I still have more to tell you all about what my purpose here is." She looked down, then back up at the young women. "After you left, he took me to my favorite ocean veranda, and told me he had been trying to tell me something for years, but couldn't. I asked him what it was, and he said that he loved me, and that he had loved me since we sang our first duet."
"What did you say?" asked Lucy.
Her eyes fell. "Well, I told him that I was honored and flattered-"
"But," Susan said.
"-But I loved him like a brother, and that was all. I felt horrid. It took some time, but things are back to normal between us now, except that I can fully appreciate everything he does for me. He wrote "The Ice Queen" for me."
You said no star was out of reach
You stood by me and I stood tall
I had your love I had it all
I'm grateful for each day you gave me
Maybe I don't know that much
But I know this much is true
I was blessed because I was loved by you
Peter joined in with the "Reallys?" and "Wows", the whole time feeling sorry for his friend.
"So anyway," Nerina continued, "the reason I am here is very exciting. You already know about me checking up on your theater program, but I am also here to spread the music. I am here to teach Narnians how to sing, act, dance, and play instruments so that they may teach others one day. We know that Narnia has their own musical culture, but Arcadia would like to add some of ours to it."
"That sounds wonderful!" said Lucy.
"I will have a class everyday on a different subject. You are all welcome and encouraged to join one."
"Well we will get the word out," Peter said. "When do classes start?"
NTMNTMNTMNTM
A few weeks later, after Susan's birthday, the lessons started. As Nerina said, every day was dedicated to a different subject. She taught vocals, acting, formal dance, the basics of ballet, and both string and wind instruments. The mornings were for younger Narnians, and the afternoons were reserved for older students.
You were always there for me
The tender wind that carried me
A light in the dark shining your love into my life
One day Peter walked down the hall, and stood in a doorway. He watched with a smile as Nerina taught her morning formal dance class. The Furlings, young nymphs, and other Narnians tottered and squealed with delight as they spun with their partners on their tiny legs. Nerina laughed, and coached them. When the song ended, Peter clapped. Everyone looked up, and either bowed or curtsied to the High King.
Nerina walked over.
"Yes Your Majesty?" she asked with a smile. "I'm afraid you're late for class. As you can see, the rest of your classmates have all been paired up."
The children giggled.
"Ha ha," chuckled Peter. "No, I was just stopping by to see how everything was going."
"It's going well, thank you," Nerina smiled. Turning to her class and the musicians she said, "You're dismissed everyone. Great job this morning. Wait for your parents in the foyer, and don't wander! I will see you all next week!" She walked over to a pitcher of water and poured a glass for herself.
You've been my inspiration
Through the lies you were the truth
My world is a better place because of you
Peter followed.
"I'm glad then," he said, continuing their conversation. "You're a wonderful teacher."
She wiped her brow. "Thank you." She drank, and then raised her eyebrow at him. "So what class are you signing up for? I thought you and your siblings decided that the Kings and Queens would take lessons to promote them and to get others to sign up. Susan is taking singing, Edmund acting, and Lucy ballet. What about you oh High King?"
Peter laughed. "You caught me. Alright, I'll decide." He thought. "Let's see, I should pick a different class than my siblings, so that leaves instruments or formal dance. I think I will take formal dance, if it's not full."
You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
"No it's not. Great! Our first class is this afternoon."
"I'll be there," he said, leaving.
"Wait!" Nerina called, and ran up to him. She handed Peter a letter. "I keep forgetting to give this to you. It's from Adelphos."
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'cuz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me
"Thanks," he said, taking it, and leaving. "I will see you this afternoon."
I'm everything I am
"Don't be late!"
Because you loved me
Song Used-Because You Loved Me-Celine Dion
Please review!
Haras