So, I have to warn you all who are reading this story that this chapter is going to be kind of slow. There is some Edmund interaction in the middle part of the story, but I'm trying to develop the mystery of both Ashlynn's along with narrator-Ashlynn's emotions.
Once again, major props to Bexxii for reviewing! I have successfully written you into the story and you should be seeing your character in the upcoming chapters! Yay!
After a few moments of complete and utter shock, I crawled towards the mirror in order to get a better view of my new reflection. The lion mimicked my motions.
When I reached the mirror, I searched the face of the lion only to find it doing the same to me. I lifted up my hand, and it lifted up its paw, and placed it on the mirror. The lions paw and my hand were the same size. The realization that this was my reflection in the mirror hit me hard and I looked down in horror to see if I was the lion. My fears were proved wrong, however, when I saw my body crouched instead of a lions. I looked back up only to see my normal reflection again and let out another shriek of surprise. I jumped back, but quickly got a hold of myself once again. The reflection was back to normal. I was unsure of what happened and found myself afraid of the mirror. I quickly grabbed a sheet off of my bed and threw it over the mirror, hiding it.
I stripped myself of my dress and quickly threw on the clothes I had entered Narnia in. I crawled onto my bed quickly and grabbed a pillow. I hugged the pillow, sitting with my legs crossed, and stared at the comforter on my bed. I was terrified, shaken, nervous. I began to think of all the things I had left in Orlando: my friends, my family, my band, my school, my dog, my car. I started crying at the realization that I was probably never going home. I would be stuck in Narnia forever with talking animals and mythical creatures commenting on my eyes everyday. I started thinking about how I had arrived in Narnia, and how scarring and life-changing it was. I began to tremble violently, my tears becoming thicker and freer.
Eventually, I found myself too overcome with emotions to remain in my room any longer. I pulled on a pair of trousers, leaving on my tank top, and left my room as quietly as possible. I bolted down the corridors of the castle and out the front doors, heading towards the beach. The sun was beginning to set and I knew Merie would be calling upon me in my room soon, and I knew she would probably throw a fit about me not being there and have a search party sent out. I figured I had about twenty minutes before I was discovered. I raced along the cliff, taking care not to run too close to the edge. The drop wasn't too far, and I knew if I did fall I would survive. The water didn't look too rough, so I figured I could swim to shore had I fallen.
There was a slight breeze and it played with my hair, blowing it in all directions as I ran. I came upon the entrance into the small wood, and decided not to go into them. I was still unfamiliar with Narnian territory, and entering woods that I knew very little of would be stupid. Instead, I opted for following a path down to the beach. I looked over my shoulder at the castle of Cair Paravel and stopped for a moment to admire it. It was something directly out of a fairytale. The sun hit the shining castle and gave the castle a regal glow. I smiled before darting down the path to the beach.
There were small waves lapping at the shore. The sunset created sparkles on the water that shone into my eyes and caused me to squint from the brightness. The salty air reminded me of family vacations and summer. I frowned.
I found myself wading thigh deep into the water. My trousers were soaked through, but I couldn't care less. I was looking out into the east, searching for some place that my heart yearned for, but I couldn't remember. My heart pounded against my chest, blood rushed to my head, and I began trembling once again. There was something beyond the eastern horizon that was calling me. Something strong, good, and big; something I remembered in my heart, but couldn't for the life of me remember in my head. I noticed something in the water not too far away from where I was standing. I couldn't make it out because of the suns glare, but it didn't seem threatening. The waves brought it closer to me, and I saw it was a white flower. I plucked it from the waters grasp and held it in my small hands before me. Something in my heart told me the flower was precious. I brought it to my face and inhaled the sweetest scent I had ever known. My worries flitted along with the sea breeze and I found myself staring at the white flower until the sun fell below the eastern horizon, hiding from view my unseen and yearned for somewhere.
I realized that it was now dark and I was still thigh deep in the ocean. I walked out of the water and climbed back up the path that led to Cair Paravel. At the top of the path, I turned back and looked eastward.
"You've given nearly everyone in the castle a fright." A voice stated, jarring me from my eastward stare. I jumped and looked over at Edmund, who held a sword in his hand, and reigns to his horse in the other. My heart began beating wildly, and I couldn't decide if it was because he had startled me, or because he was in my presence.
"Is my appearance at dinner really such a thing to miss?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"One wouldn't think so, but apparently it is." Edmund jibed with a small smile. I grinned at him and began walking towards the castle.
"How long have you all been looking for me?" I asked as he joined my trek towards the castle, leading the horse behind him.
"Not long. I found you about an hour ago and sent everyone back to supper."
"You've been waiting on me for an hour?" I exclaimed, turning and facing him as we quit walking.
He smiled and nodded. "We were all waiting on you. We were unsure as to what you were doing, standing in the water and watching the horizon like that. Then we saw the flower and we knew Aslan was with you. Not physically," He started with a defensive smile when he saw my skepticism. "But in essence, Aslan was with you."
I smiled softly at him and turned back around. We reached the castle a little while later in silence. I turned around to thank him for finding me when his eyes zoned in on my neck, narrowing in displeasure. I followed his eyesight and found the necklace I had discovered earlier with Susan.
"Where did you get that?" He asked harshly.
"Oh, Edmund. I'm so sorry. Susan and I were in the market earlier today and I found it at one of the stands. Susan told me all about it." I reached up quickly and unclasped the necklace, holding it out for him. I was blushing like mad and I found I couldn't bring myself to look at him. "She told me I could keep it but I should have asked you first. I'm so stupid." I muttered the last part to myself, berating myself for not thinking about how emotionally trying it must have been for Edmund to see the necklace on me.
Edmund, however, made no move to take the necklace from me. I held it out for a few moments before looking back at him. His eyes this time were not on the necklace. They were on me. He had an intense look on his face; one of extreme concentration. My eyes met him and for the second time that night, my heart beat soundly at his presence.
Our staring contest lasted only a few seconds, but it felt as though a lifetime had passed. His dark eyes enchanted me so that I had imaginary flashes of memories that could not have possibly existed. Witty arguments, genuine arguments, crushes, first kisses, and new love all flashed before my eyes so quickly that I thought they were a figment of my imagination. He must have recognized the flash through my eyes, because his eyes widened in hope. I looked away from him quickly, and luckily I missed the look of disappointment cross his face. My eyes darted back to his face quickly, but returned to a spot on the wall beside him.
"Will you," he started, taking a step closer to me. I looked back into his face and saw apprehension lining it. "Will you hold on to it for me?" He asked, referring to the necklace. I looked down to my hands and saw them holding the necklace out still, though slightly trembling.
I opened my mouth to speak, but he beat me to it. "I mean, I haven't anywhere to put it. I can't very well wear it, and I don't have a jewelry box or anything. It would please me greatly if you kept it for a little while."
I watched his hopeful face a little while longer before nodding and pulling the necklace back towards my neck. I clasped it back on and watched Edmund's face as he stared down at it resting in the hollow of my throat.
He reached out, as though to touch it, before quickly withdrawing his hand. I blushed more, if that were even possible, and asked Edmund if I could take my leave, as I had heard everyone else say when they wanted to leave the presence of a respectable figure. He bowed his head slightly and I quickly curtsied and darted away.
I entered my room and approached my bed, stripping off my damp trousers. I looked over towards my vanity and cautiously approached it. I pulled the sheet aside from my mirror and started when I once again saw a lion's reflection. The lion seemed to be mimicking my movements and I found myself looking over my body, as I had done before, to ensure it was not my true reflection. Just as it had done so the first time, when I looked back into the mirror, my reflection was back to normal. I shuddered in my fear of the unknown reflection malfunction and climbed into my bed.
That night, I dreamt about a place far more beautiful than even Narnia. After I dreamed of this beautiful, foreign country, I dreamed about furtive and meaningful glances with dark eyes; eyes that very much reminded me of a certain dark king.
Thank you so much for reading! Please review! I need some more feedback!