Hey guys. I want to start off with an apology! This is the longest I've gone without an update and I'm so sorry! I've been so busy with work and finals that I've lost precious time to keep up the story and post regularly. Plus, I was completely immobile last week. I got an intestinal infection and I was actually in the hospital for a week straight. I literally couldn't do anything but throw up and sleep, so I'm a week behind on everything. But, I'm better now and ready to get going once again! Although, I do find it ironic that I suffered from a pretty severe infection just like Ashlynn. So, no worries guys. Doc says I'm good to go and probably won't got through something as severe again!
Okay! Second, I need to address all my lovely reviews! You should all know that I read each of your reviews individually. No one is left out. I have them all sent to my phone, so they are saved there and I can read them where ever I am to cheer myself up if I need to! You should NEVER be afraid to give me any sort of criticism. I relish in improving and cannot do so if I don't know where I am going wrong.
SanguaroCactus: Ah! I hate it when I do stuff like that. I'm so sorry. For all who want to know, Ashlynn's eyes are supposed to be blue. I wrote them as brown at first and went back and changed it because I started to plan out the entire series of this story (and there will be many other prequels and sequels, don't worry ;)) and so I had to change what I originally wrote. I must have missed that one detail though, so I'm sorry! Thank you though, for letting me know. I've been thinking that I may want to repost this entire story after it's complete, just so I can fix the silly mistakes like that. But, I won't do it until I'm done with the series. :)
MellyJellyBelly: Ashlynn's been in Narnia for a few months now. She entered Narnia in August and it is now December. Her birthday is the 25th, so that should be showing up soon. She got sick in late October, and woke up just before December started. Susan, Edmund, and Peter were gone for nearly two months, so they return the week before Christmas and Ashlynn's birthday. I know the time line is kind of confusing. I hate to use the excuse that this is my first story and I'm kinda noobish to keeping up with minor details, but it is and I am. *sob* Anyway, I mention a few times in the story that it has been several weeks or days or whatever since the last episode, but its really hard to catch stuff like that, so I'll make sure to keep time in my mind as I continue to write. :)
Lov3Good: You know, I really regret that I haven't delved too much in to the psychotropic affects of Ashlynn's ordeal. That's probably something else I should focus on when I decide in the future to repost this story. Something that traumatic should affect a person mentally, and I haven't really shown that it has on Ashlynn. Let's just say that, for now, Narnia has eased the pain of the memories and she's sort of forgotten about the whole experience. Narnia tends to do that to a person, but I will definitely keep that in mind as I continue this story now and in the future.
xXrebel-angelXx: Aslan will show up towards the end, when everything is revealed. :) I'm thinking in maybe 6-10 chapters or so? I'm not nearly done with throwing stuff at you guys!
Storyseeker: In a few chapters, all will be revealed! I love your Username, btw!
Ivac38: Ah! Don't feel embarrassed to ask anything of me! I've been planning a juicy lemon chapter, but I've been exceptionally cautious about creating it. I'm worried that some readers might not appreciate it, but I've been getting a lot of yes's, and have yet to receive any no's. So, just for you (and for anyone else who really wants it) I will write one! And it will happen within the next few chapters! Also, Aslan is a big part of this story, but his importance doesn't reveal itself until the end. The end, I've already decided, is going to be written over the course of several chapters, in which everything will be explained. Aslan, who of course plans and creates everything in Narnia, is going to be all over the end. I'm actually kind of nervous about writing him into the story since he is such a magnanimous character, and I'm scared I won't do him justice. But, as he is pretty much Narnia, I have no choice. :) I love Aslan too. I have a lion pillow pet named after him!
ShellyForMeh: I know! I do hate authors who don't update regularly and I'm so sorry I made you wait! I'm going to try not to let it happen again! *sob*
Now, for my review of Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Two words: AH-MAZING. I loved it. It was, of course, much more childish than were the first two movies, but this is to be expected as it is the story of the youngest two Pevensie's and is generally a favorite in the category of children's novels. But, Skandar Keynes was absolutely GORGEOUS and, THANK GOD, had more screen time than he did in the previous movie. Ben Barnes was great, as usual, and Georgie Henley impressed me a lot in this movie. But, and I'm sorry to say this to all my lovely readers, I think my favorite actor in the movie was Will Poulter, who played the character of Eustace. I was very impressed with his portrayal of Eustace and thought he was a brilliant actor. Edmund was my favorite character (duh) and Skandar Keynes my favorite hottie (once again duh), but Will Poulter did an amazing job. The sea monster at the end terrified me! Omg. Did anyone else think about the aliens from Dreamcatcher when they saw that thing? Jesus. That thing's mouth went down its body. Ew.
Gosh, the more I think about it, the more I just want to devour Edmund. lol. Alright, I hate to break it to you guys, but he is not in this chapter. *sob*, I know. This is actually a chapter dedicated to an interaction between Ashlynn and Peter. Ashlynn has to set the boy straight, and this won't be the last time she has to do so.
Enjoy my loves!
The lion was back, and I found her more comforting than I had expected. I had woken up with Edmund on my mind, and discovered Merie had, once again, removed the sheet from my mirror. I had approached it cautiously, and had not started when I once again saw the reflection of the lion. This time, however, the lion wasn't MY reflection. I saw myself, as I was as well as the lions reflection. And, instead of the lion copying my movements, it was watching me. As surprising as it sounds, it was creepy at all. There was something soothing and comforting about the way the female lion watched me. She was lying down in front of the mirror, watching me. She was still, except for the movements of her golden eyes. Several times, I found myself looking from the mirror to check and see if the lion was actually in my room. She wasn't. But, instead of the reflection disappearing as it always had before when I had looked away, the lioness's reflection remained. What was also strange about the lioness's reflection, was the necklace it wore around it's neck. Edmund's necklace rested carefully against the lion's throat, the red stone dangling and contrasting strikingly with the gold of it's fur.
Occasionally, I would reach out as though to touch the lion, but never proceeded to the point of actually touching the mirror. The lions eyes would calmly follow my hand as though it weren't the strangest thing in the world that she was there and I was trying to touch her through the mirror.
There was a knock at my door and I started and looked away from the mirror. When I hastened a glance back at it before answering the knock, the lion was once again gone, and I found myself disappointed.
I ran over to my door and pulled it open and came face-to-face with Susan. I greeted her with a grin and hug and ushered her in the door. We both sat down on my couch.
"How are you?" She asked before I could first ask her the same question.
"I'm fine, I suppose. Although I can't help thinking on the occasion that I'm going mad." I replied with a smile. Susan laughed at me.
"Well, I was just dropping by to remind you about our lunch. It's in an hour in my chambers. I've sent a servant to run by the royal dressmakers shop to see when our gowns will be ready. Perhaps we will have a fitting at lunch."
"Another gown? I was just going to wear the one I wore to the last ball." I said with a frown.
Susan seemed horrified at that thought and quickly reprimanded me. "No, no, no. You never wear the same gown to more than one ball! And I do hope you don't mind that I took the liberty of choosing a blue silk gown for this ball for you."
"Not at all." I replied with a smile of gratitude. "So, how went ruffing it with the boys in Ettinsmoor?" I asked teasingly.
Susan laughed at me. "It wasn't too bad. It's been a while since I've had to sleep outdoors. Actually, I haven't done so since I first came to Narnia. Of course, Edmund and Peter loved it. They claimed real men loved living out in the wilderness and off the bare essentials."
"What about the giants? What was all the fuss about that you all had to handle?"
"The giants think the northern regions of Narnia should belong to them There was some sort of agreement between the White Witch during her reign and the giants of Ettinsmoor that said they would receive the Northern parts of Narnia if they worked for the crown of Narnia. And now that we have taken over and declared they cannot have those regions, they are upset." She explained.
I nodded in understanding. "Is the whole ordeal over?"
"Well, I hope so. A war with the giants would have devastating losses and consequences, and I can only see the matter escalating to that point, if it should go on. The giants seemed persuaded of Peter's terms. He agreed to allow them to use some part of Northern Narnia for farm land, but they are not allowed to trespass on Narnian citizens land."
"I think that sounds fair enough."
"It should, but we will see. Edmund is being really cautious about it. He's not too sure of the giants agreements. Peter doesn't think it will go any farther though. And I'm not sure what to think. I hope it doesn't" She said, smiling at the end. I returned her smile.
She left a few minutes after that, reminding me lunch was at noon. I was left alone again in my room and I immediately ran back over to my mirror to see if my lion was back. The mirror bore only my own reflection.
Lunch with Susan and Bexxi had been somewhat uneventful. Susan and Bexxi clicked immediately and I found myself excluded from a few of their conversations due to lack of knowledge of the subject matter. It didn't bother me, to be honest. I wanted Bexxi to make as many friends possible here at Cair Paravel, especially in the forms of Susan and Lucy. I figured they could help her more than I, since they had experience as rulers.
"When are you returning to Archenland, Becky?" Susan asked.
"I'll being returning day after tomorrow. I need to be home by Christmas so I can celebrate with my family. Also, my baby brother is ill, and my mother wants me home to help watch over him." Bexxi explained, throwing a cube of sugar at me to get my attention.
"I'm listening, Bexxi!" I exclaimed with a smile, blocking her second cube of sugar. Susan grinned at mine and Bexxi's childishness and continued her questioning of Bexxi.
"That's dreadful that your brother is sick right before the holidays." Susan commented as she stirred her tea.
"Yes, well, he has been sick on and off for several months now. He's nearly two, you know. And my parents have the highest hopes of him as future king already." She laughed and it sounded like tinkling bells. I smiled at her. She was very fond of her baby brother, and often talked about him. "I think they shall start training him after his third birthday, to be honest. He will know parliamentary regulations before he can even talk properly!"
We all shared an amused laugh. Our dresses were brought in not long after that, and Bexxi was very surprised when Susan presented her with a gown as well.
"Queen Susan! You didn't need to purchase me a gown as well." The young princess exclaimed as she held the yellow gown against her.
Susan waved her off. "It was Lucy's idea. It's a belated welcome gift from the both of us."
"Where is that girl?" I asked with a smile. "Why didn't she come to lunch?"
"She is with Edmund today, learning how to handle minor foreign affairs." Susan replied from behind her dressing screen as she tried on her gown. Becky and I shared an amused smile.
I ran down the castle hallways chasing after Merie. We were laughing gaily and making a ruckus. Susan hadn't confined me to my rooms this time before the ball, not that it had mattered before. Merie and I had been playfully arguing over how my hair should be done and when I had suggested she leave it be and float away, she snatched up Edmund's necklace and floated off. I was chasing her petals as well as I could, but she was much faster than me.
"Merie! You weed! Come back here!" I shouted with a childish grin as I ran as fast as I possibly could. Merie simply giggled and floated around a corner. I pushed myself harder and slid around the corner only to run straight into someone. I felt backwards and found myself dizzy from the sudden change in direction. I looked up to a pair of angry blue eyes and couldn't help but wonder if I had been the one to make them such.
"Peter, hi." I mumbled as I rubbed my head and shot up to my feet. Peter was still glaring as though I had done something heinously wrong. I gave him a questioning look.
"I'm sorry I bumped you." I apologized. His glare softened slightly and he grumbled and pushed past me, saying "Watch it next time."
"Peter, what's wrong?" I asked, confused at his hostility.
"That's none of your damn business, now is it?" He snapped back at me with a glare over his shoulder. I jaw dropped in shock.
"You make it my damn business when your foul mood effects my cheery one." I growled back, with an overwhelming urge to want to fight back at him.
Peter spun on his feet and glared at me, almost in shock.
"I am the king! If I want my mood to affect others, then it is so! You dare question me?"
"Yes I do! King or not, you are supposed to be my friend. Friends don't act like whimpering brats."
"I should have you locked up for saying that." He threatened, though I didn't actually feel threatened by it.
"Lock me up, Your Majesty. What a great king you are, threatening your subjects with confinement when they ask you what's wrong. Sounds tyrannical to me." I threw back, glaring just as hard at this point. His glare softened and was replaced with an astonished and hurt expression.
"I am not a dictator."
"Then stop talking like one. I asked you what was wrong and you threatened to put me in the dungeons." I replied less harshly.
His hard expression dropped and he looked to the ground and ran his hands through his blonde hair.
"I'm sorry." He apologized without looking at me.
"Peter," He looked up at me and I could tell he was completely exhausted. "What's so wrong that has caused you to act like this? This is so unlike you."
He sighed again and looked away from me. "It's complicated."
I rolled my eyes. "I assure you, nothing in your life can be more complicated than what is in mine."
He gave me a skeptical look. "I am a king. That is the epitome of complication."
"Peter, I show up in Narnia beaten to a pulp with different hair and eyes than I have had all my life. I have creatures left and right telling me I look like the daughter of Aslan and calling me "the Light". Not only is that an issue, but I also look, talk, and act like a chick that shares my name and was in Narnia before I arrived. And, people think I'm her. And even I am starting to think I am her. On top of that, I keep discovering weird things about myself that make me almost positive that I'm her." I paused and looked at Peter who had a small, understanding smile on his face. "Peter, I don't know who I am."
He laughed softly and looked at the ground. "Yeah, I guess your life is more complicated right now than mine is."
I gave him a half grin. "What happened, Pete?"
He frowned and looked back up at me. "Territory issues keep arising and it's becoming ridiculous to have to deal with."
I scoffed. "That's not a good enough reason for you to act hostile towards someone who has nothing to do with the issue."
Peter rolled his eyes and turned to walk away. "I know, I know. I don't need a lecture or any more advice. I get enough from Susan and Oreius."
"You're twenty-four years old and High King of Narnia. You should be seeking as many lectures and as much advice as you possibly can."
He paused and turned to me. "I've been on the throne since I was sixteen years old. I think I know what I'm doing."
"I've been playing guitar since I was five. I learn new things every time I pick it up and play. I still mess up. I still get hurt."
"Playing an instrument and ruling a kingdom are two completely different things." Peter exclaimed.
"I'm just saying that nothing can ever be perfected. Whether you spend five years or ten practicing a trade, you will never be able to perfect anything. You'll still have issues. You should never assume that you know all there is to know and stop listening to the people who are there to help you. I'm here to help; don't brush off what I have to say just because you think I don't know what I'm talking about, or you assume you already know what I'm going to say." I explained. Peter watched me a moment before smiling.
"You're just like her, you know." He gave me an amused look. "Or, just like yourself. Whichever it is, you both teach me humility; something, unfortunately, I always need to relearn."
I tried to hide a smile and keep my serious demeanor. In the end, I couldn't, and succumbed to his boyish grin.
"There's a reason Ed likes you." He nodded at me and started trotting away. "See you at the ball, Ash! And thanks!"
"You're welcome!" I called back with a small smile. I watched him walk away and thought about how it was always rewarding when someone actually listened to what I had to say.
I felt a flowery touch on my left arm and turned to see Merie floating next to me and watching the High King walk away. "You have a way of making people listen to you, Ashwood. It's not a common gift."
I smiled at the young dryad and noticed she was still clutching Edmund's necklace in her hand. I snatched it away from her.
"And you have a way of driving me insane!" I exclaimed as I clasped the necklace back around my neck. Merie giggled and grabbed my hand.
"Let's get you ready for the ball!" She exclaimed before she dragged me back towards my chambers.
Finally! I know! Next chapter, Edmund will return and the events of yet another ball will be told! I know you lovelies don't need encouragement to review, because you are all so damn good at doing it! :) I love you guys.