Hey guys,

So, I've been taking this writing class this semester and it's kind of opened my eyes to the world of writing. My style may change just a bit, but obviously for the better.

I know it's been forever since I last updated and I apologize. I've been dedicating my life to work and school, but I have a long break coming up. I should be able to get a few more chapters uploaded before the start of the new year.

This is sort of a filler chapter, but the next should be a bit enlightening. :D

Bexxi,

Words cannot even describe my heartache for you and your family. I'm packing as we speak. I'll stay as long as you need me to.

Always,

Ashlynn

A knock at my door diverted my attention from the letter I couldn't keep from re-reading over and over. I weakly shouted a 'come in' and dropped my head into my hands.

Poor Bexxi. I couldn't even imagine what she was going through. Her baby brother was gone. And not only did she have to suffer the death of her baby brother, whom she adored, she was now the sole heir to the throne of Archenland.

"Ashlynn?" I heard a familiar masculine voice say my name. I looked up into his dark eyes and saw anger in them. I had been avoiding him the few days since I had received both Bexxi's letter and the black metal swords from Father Christmas. All of a sudden, all the uncertainties about my time in Narnia were much more physically real. Something about the fact that even Father Christmas was laying hints about my history with Narnia terrified me. The worst of it wasn't that I had possibly been in Narnia before, nor that I had possibly loved Edmund before; it was that I didn't remember a damn thing. How could a part of my life so monumental escape my memory? And, more importantly, why?

And then, of course, true to my nature, these thoughts led off in to other speculatory thoughts and I found myself questioning every action I had taken in Narnia. Was it really so smart of me to fall for Edmund? Did I make a mistake in sleeping with him? At first, I wanted to say no. But the more I considered it, the more I began to doubt my actions. I should have been trying to find a way home. I shouldn't have been fooling around with some angry boy. How did my parents feel not knowing where I was or if I was even alive? Was I even alive in my own world?

"Yes, Edmund?" I questioned, folding Bexxi's letter up and putting it back into its envelope.

His eyes were hard, and he stared at me as though he were considering his next words cautiously.

"Is there any particular reason why it has suddenly become impossible to hear, speak to, or even see you this past week?" he asked.

"I've been quite busy," I said, getting up from where I sat and walking towards one of the many trunks and suitcases littering my room.

Edmund's eyes narrowed as he finally noticed the luggage decorating my room.

"Going somewhere, are we?"

"As a matter of fact, I am." I replied shortly, not offering any explanation. I couldn't see him, but I knew him well enough to guess that he was probably gritting his teeth in frustration.

"Oh? And where, might I ask, are you going?" He asked pointedly.

"Archenland." I replied quietly.

Edmund paused at my answer. "We heard about their terrible loss."

I couldn't even find it in my heart to reply, so I continued packing up my things.

"You can't leave, Ash," Edmund said quietly.

I stiffened at what he said and turned to him. "And why not?"

"It's not safe," He replied.

I felt myself filling with anger. "Becky just lost her baby brother. She needs me. I refuse to sit here and allow her to suffer alone."

"It's not your responsibility to take care of Rebecca. She is now the heir to the throne. She needs to learn to handle things on her own," Edmund snapped back.

"She is sixteen years old, Edmund! Sixteen! She isn't queen yet. I am her closest friend. There is nothing you can say that will make me stay in Narnia," I retorted.

"It just isn't safe for you to travel north right now, Ashlynn," he tried again.

"How not?" I asked.

"I can't explain it to you. But, I just cannot allow you to go," He said forcefully.

"You are not my father, and thus do not control me," I said angrily, walking towards my door. I leaned out the door and shouted, "MERIE!"

"But I am your king, and as your king, I am commanding you to stay in Narnia."

I turned around sharply and glared at him. "Oh really, oh mighty king? You're commanding me to stay in Narnia like a good little girl? Newsflash, your majesty, you have never been, nor will ever be, capable of ordering me around."

"What is wrong with you?" he nearly shouted. "You've been avoiding me like the plague all week and now I ask you to stay in Narnia and you completely blow up at me!"

"Ask me? You never asked me to stay in Narnia. You told me I couldn't leave. And it isn't your place to tell me what I can and cannot do."

"Then, please, Ashlynn, I'm begging you; don't go to Archenland. Will you please stay in Narnia?" his voice was laced with desperation.

"Why is it so unsafe to travel to Archenland? What are you keeping from me?" I asked.

"It isn't like I've actually had the opportunity to tell you anything considering you've been avoiding me and my siblings all week! What did we even do, Ashlynn? Why are you hiding from us?"

"Don't be silly. I'm not hiding from anyone," I said.

"Bullshit."

I started at his choice of language. "Excuse me?"

"That is the clearest lie if I've ever heard one. It has been so painfully obvious that you have been avoiding us, Ash. You haven't even left your room all week. The stable keepers told me Storm has been going crazy without you visiting her every day."

I felt an immediate stab of guilt over my neglect of Stormie. I doubted she would ever forgive me.

"I've been a bit overwhelmed," I said

"With what?"

"With everything, Edmund! Becky's situation, my own situation! I've needed space to think. I can't do so properly with all of you crowding me!"

"Oh, I'm so sorry we're such an inconvenience to you," Edmund snapped.

"Don't be such a child. You know what I meant."

"I'm afraid I don't. What situation are you talking about anyway?" he asked.

"It's just everything. Being in Narnia, how I got here, all the strange and unusual things that have been happening to me, you. It's all a bit much," I tried to explain.

"What about me?"

"I just don't know if I've made all the right decisions with you," I said slowly, not sure if I was saying the right thing and how he would react.

Edmund's back straightened defensively at my words and he froze. His face erased of emotions and I immediately regretted my words.

"I see," he replied.

"Edmund, I…"

"I need to think," he interrupted me, moving towards the door.

"I'm leaving this afternoon," I shouted after him.

He didn't reply. The door slammed after him.

I stood for what seemed like hours, though it was truthfully only minutes, staring at the door, when a knock interrupted my silence. I rushed to the door, thinking it was Edmund.

"Ed," I started, wrenching the door open.

"You called, Lady Ashlynn?" Merie asked softly, staring at me with a knowing look. I sighed and opened the door further.

"I was just calling to see if you knew when the carriage would be arriving," I said softly.

"It is here now, ma'am."

I shot her a stern look. "Will you ever learn to speak to me like I ask?"

She smiled at me. "I'm afraid I will always have to be reminded."

I shook my head. "You silly tree. Come along then. You're accompanying me to Archenland."

Her face filled with glee. "I have sister-trees in Archenland!"

I smiled at her. "Then at least one of us will have a grand time. Will you inform the stables to prepare Storm? I would like to take her to Archenland with me."

"Yes ma'am."

"Merie!"

I knocked softly on the door and waited patiently for the owner to open it.

"Ashlynn?" Susan questioned softly, looking at me in confusion.

"Hey Su," I greeted bashfully.

She smiled at me and reached down to hug me. "I knew you would come speak to me when you were ready. Come in."

"Actually, Su, I wanted to apologize for avoiding you this week," I said, not entering her room.

She smiled wider at me. "All is well, Ashlynn."

"Also, I'm leaving for Archenland in a few moments. I wanted to say goodbye."

She paused and looked startled. "You are leaving?"

"Yes."

"Will you be returning?"

I paused, considering my answer. "Of course I am, Susan. I am going to help Bexxi and her family as they recover from their loss."

Susan nodded and looked at the ground in contemplation. "It is just as well that you go, I suppose. I would go along as well if…" She stopped.

"If what?" I asked.

"Ashlynn, things are not right in Narnia at the moment. I think it best that you not return until I ask you to."

I was struck immediately by the command in her voice.

"What do you mean things are not right?" I asked.

She shook her head and gave me a stern look. "No questions, Ashlynn."

I found myself feeling somewhat petulant and wanted to stop my foot at basically being told that I wasn't important enough to know what was going on. I resisted the urge to snap at her, trying hard to convince myself that Susan would not keep information from me if it were not necessary.

"Fine. No more questions."

"Ashlynn?" I heard my name called. I turned to see Lucy approaching me with an unsure face.

I grinned at her. "Hey, Lucy."

"Is it true you are leaving?" she asked.

I nodded. "I was just about to head towards your room to say goodbye."

Lucy acknowledged Susan with a small smile.

"I saw the carriage and Stormie in the courtyard."

I nodded.

"May I accompany you to the courtyard?" she asked.

"Of course you may, Luce."

"I will accompany you as well," Susan said, stepping out of her room and following us to the courtyard.

I climbed into my saddle atop Storm and looked down at Lucy and Susan, both of whom seemed remorseful that I was leaving.

"Give our love to Bexxi?" Lucy asked, looking up at me.

I smiled and nodded. "Of course."

"Be safe, Ashlynn. It is not the safest of times for you to travel, but it is necessary that you do so," Susan said, reaching out to hold my hand as she said so.

I squeezed her hand. "I'll try my best, Su."

Stormie snorted and pawed at the ground, glad to be out of the stables and ready for a ride.

"Tell Peter that I'm sorry I didn't get to tell him goodbye and tell Edmund…" I trailed off, unsure of what I wanted them to say to him.

"I know," Susan said, smiling slightly at me.

I nodded my head again and looked forward.

"Until we meet again?" I said with a smile.

They both grinned at me and I lightly kicked at Stormie and she took off at a fast pace. The carriage carrying mine and Merie's luggage behind us started following us, making all kinds of racket. I turned around to take one final look at the castle and saw a dark figure standing on the balcony overlooking the courtyard. The sun glinted off his slightly crooked, silver crown and his hands gripped the railing. He was beautiful, as usual. I turned forward and forced myself not to turn and run to him.

I've been a terrible author with my lack of posts, so please. Give me your worst. Aslan knows I deserve it! :'(