A Different World

"Gimli, my friend, how did you like Fangorn Forest?" Legolas asked, as they rode out of the ancient forest. The golden plains of Rohan stretched out before their eyes, and the sun started setting in the west.

"The journey was uh… most enjoyable." Gimli replied, his gruff voice penetrating the silence in that clung to the air.

Arod strode out of the forest his powerful muscles making the soft dirt collapse under his hooves. Suddenly, Legolas made him halt, and listened back into the forest.

"What is it now?" Gimli demanded in an annoyed tone.

"Horses hooves; they are very near."

"From the forest?"

"Yes... the horse just halted… he is now walking in the opposite direction."

"Why would there be a horse in Fangorn?" Gimli pondered out loud.

"That is exactly the question on my mind." Legolas echoed.

Both of them heard another sound much closer. Footsteps; heavy and loud.

"Orcs!" Gimli shouted dismounting as he spotted the Orcs approaching from the right side of the wood.

Legolas swept his bow off his shoulder, drawing an arrow to his ear. Gimli gripping his ax he charged, and the contest began.

"Two," Gimli yelled.

"Four," was the reply from Legolas.

A few moments later they both noticed that the Orcs were falling faster than they were killing them. Suddenly, an arrow whizzed past Legolas' shoulder, he turned as the arrow struck an Orc behind him.

"Five!" Gimli answered letting out another war cry.

"Nine!"

Erie shadows of the ancient forest crept along the dry grass as the sun sank, and stretched towards the Dwarf, the Elf, and the Orcs. The battle continued and the two friends swiftly fell the Orcs.

"Eleven!" Gimli shouted as he hewed the last Orc's legs out from under him.

Legolas did not reply and stared at a white horse that walked out of the forest towards them. A young lady led the horse, she clothed in dark purple, her hair fell to the middle of her back, and her gown had gold trimming all along the hems. A golden crown rested on her dark brown hair; the affect was striking. Legolas noticed that she had a bow and quiver full of red feathered arrows. He looked around and began to count.

Gimli walked up to his friend as the lady approached them.

Legolas turned sharply towards Gimli and asked, "How many?"

"Eleven. You?" Gimli answered glaring at him. The lady that stood before Gimli seemed to have said something to the dwarf before Legolas interrupted them.

"Fourteen. I count fifty-one lying dead." He replied. Gimli and Legolas turned their heads and stared at the lady in shock.

--

Thwack! A black arrow hit the tree next to me. I peered out at the grassy plain that stretched for miles and saw a band of creatures fighting a young man and a dwarf. Another arrow whistled past my ear. About ten of the creatures spotted me, and charged. I quickly galloped back into the trees. Turning, I saw the creatures that were pursuing me, halt. Several of them shot arrows into the forest; missing me by a few yards.

Sliding my bow off my back, I pulled an arrow onto the string, and released it among them. One fell; the others retreated as I loosened more arrows upon them. I dispatched them one by one, soon the last one fell and I aimed my bow towards the main combat.

As I shot my arrows, I looked more closely at who I was defending. The dwarf had a reddish-brown curly beard; he was stocky and was fighting with an ax.

The young man was quite tall, and had long blonde hair. He expertly strung his bow and released his arrows like lightning.

The creatures had somehow circled them, one raised his bow, and slowly pulled a black arrow onto his string, he aimed the arrow right at the man's back. Let's get rid of this coward. I thought as I raised my bow and loosened the arrow with a satisfying twang. The arrow flew over the young man's shoulder and pierced my victim in the heart.

The battle subsided and I dismounted off of Clisendal. I wearily led my horse out of the wood. Cringing, I wove in and out of the dead bodies. What are these creatures? I have never seen them in Narnia. The faces are so ugly and the smell is awful! I thought as I approached the warriors.

"May I have the pleasure of an introduction?" I smiled.

The young man just gazed at the surroundings, but the dwarf answered my question. "I am Gimli, son of Gloin." He slightly bowed and glanced at the man.

The young man turned to Gimli and inquired, "How many?"

"Eleven. You?"

"Fourteen. I counted fifty-one dead." He responded. They both turned, staring at me with a look of admiration.

"Gentlemen, would you please tell me why you stand there gawking at me?" I asked getting uncomfortable under their intense stare.

"My lady, you shot twenty-six Orcs." Gimli said seriously.

"Orcs? Is that what these vermin's are called? I have never heard of such a creature in Narnia." I queried. Turning to the blond haired man, I said. "Young man, I would love an introduction."

I saw Gimli hide a smile.

"Forgive me; I am Legolas, Prince of the Mirkwood Elves. May I ask what Narnia is? Who may you be?" Legolas said politely, giving me a deep bow.

"There is nothing to be forgiven. I am Queen Susan the Gentle of Cair Paravel, my brother is High King Peter the Magnificent. Have you not been to Cair Paravel?" I spoke dipping a formal curtsy.

"No I have not. You are in the land of Rohan, just outside of the forest, Fangorn." Legolas informed me.

"Is that a land in the Western Wild?" My eyebrows shot up. This is strange. Where am I?

"Western Wild? We are in Middle Earth." Gimli answered looking a bit confused.

"Middle Earth? You mean to tell me that I am not in Narnia?" I said. Is this a different world? How could I have blundered into this place?

"Yes... I think." Gimli thoughtfully stroked his beard

My eyes widened. What's going to happen? Peter, Edmund, and Lucy will be sick with worry! Should I trust Legolas and Gimli? Oh Aslan, what should I do?

--

Peter walked into the library and found Edmund reading on the window seat. A breeze fluttered thought the open window, rustling the red velvet curtains.

"Edmund, have you seen Susan today? I have looked everywhere for her and cannot find her." Peter asked the younger king.

"I met her for breakfast; she did not look very happy and did not say much. I have not seen her since. Why?" He replied looking up from his book; The History of the Lone Islands.

"Susan and I had a discussion…more like an argument, and I am worried." Peter sighed heavily.

"Peter, forgive me if I'm being nosey, but what was the argument about?"

"Prince Rabadash."

"I'm assuming that didn't go so well." Edmund guessed adjusting the cushion behind his back.

"No. That's why I'm worried. I have asked almost everyone in the castle and no one has seen her since this morning." Peter said in a grave tone.

"Where would she have gone? You're sure that you have looked everywhere?"

"Yes of course! I even sent someone to Beruna!" Peter cried.

The kings sat together in silence, both in deep thought. A voice interrupted their thoughts, making them both jump up from where they were sitting.

"Your Majesties excuse me, but I have some information on Queen Susan." A dwarf that severed in King Peter's court said.

Peter turned towards him and asked, "What is your news?"

"Collin, the stable boy, saw Her Highness this morning. Collin?" The old dwarf replied and turned to the boy behind him.

Collin stepped forward; shaking.

"Please, tell us what news you bring." Peter said gently, seeing the boy's trembling.

"S-sir." Collin's voice faltered.

"Go on. What happened?" Edmund encouraged.

"Well…" Collin replied, trying to gather his audacity. He had never spoken to the Narnian kings, except when taking orders from them. "Queen Susan came into the stable this morning and asked for Clisendal to be saddled. I couldn't help but noticed that Her Majesty seemed a little upset. I helped the Queen mount and she rode out of the stable."

"Did you see which way she went?" Edmund questioned.

"I did not Your Highness…I'm sorry." He replied sympathetically.

"You are not at fault, Collin. Thank you kindly for the news. You may both be dismissed." The High King said graciously.

"You're welcome, Sir." Collin answered, before following the dwarf out of the room.

--

"The day is growing short. Let us go and question the guards at the main gate." Peter said after they had a lavish supper.

"Sir, yes Sir!" Edmund teased playfully, saluting his older brother.

They strode down to the courtyard. The sun was setting and the rays reflected off the clouds creating a rainbow of colors. The golden light streamed though the west tower and lit the courtyard with a soft summer haze. The gatehouse stood near the large castle gate; looking imposing. The stones stretched towards the vast sky, and looked like as if they were guarding Cair Paravel.

The kings rushed towards the gatehouse, fearing the worst.

The guards that had been on duty that morning said that the Queen had rode out at about mid-morning and rode west.

"…she has not yet returned." The guard said finishing what he had remembered.

"Thank Aslan that she did not ride south! I had feared that she might have gone to Calormen." Edmund said to Peter later as they walked to the garden to talk privately.

"I had feared that as well, but we still do not know where she went. I wouldn't rule Calormen out yet." Peter said wisely. "We have to organize a search team. We are going to look for her."

They paced around a gushing fountain while they made their plans. The birds started to quiet as dark clouds came creeping up to the castle. The sun had already faded behind the mountains and night was coming on quickly.

"When shall we leave?" Edmund asked finishing up their plans. "Tomorrow morning?"

"No tonight."

"Peter! We cannot possibly find her tonight! There is a storm approaching. Didn't you see the billowing clouds? Can't you hear the rumbling thunder?" Edmund burst out.

"We can't leave her out there!"

"Susan is not a little kid. She can protect herself. I think we should wait until dawn."

"I just don't want to leave her out there!"

"I understand, but we won't be able to make any progress in searching for her in the dark with a rainstorm bearing down upon us. It would be wise to wait until morning. Agreed?"

Peter was silent for a few moments and the only thing that could be heard were the murmuring of far off voices and a cricket chirped in the dark green bush next to them. A light cool rain started to bless the earth and the thunder stormed closer.

Finally he sighed, "Agreed."