So, I found a bunch of pitchforks and torches in my yard this morning. Do they belond to any of you by any chance? Lol. I'm just kidding. I'm sorry (once again) for the delay. But on the plus side, I'm now a college graduate and my dissertation on gender identity in postmodern literature won an award for my school! That's good news, right? :)

I'll be finishing up this story soon. There is only one chapter left! Can you believe it?

"What else is there that I could possibly need to learn at this moment?" I said, watching Aslan in confusion. "I remember everything. Narnia needs me right now. It cannot wait."

"It can wait,"Aslan said. "And it will. There are more important things for us to see and discuss right now." His voice was stern and unyielding.

I bowed my head in respect and guilt for interrupting my father. I followed him as he turned and walked in another direction. We came upon a new image, one of a young woman dressed in a baggy brown dress running through what appeared to be a busy market, being chased by armed guards. Her face was covered by a black burqa so that only her eyes could be seen. She looked determined.

"I had you complete several small missions at first," Aslan started, standing beside me. My hand moved to his neck of it's own accord and gripped his mane. "I needed you to start learning the ways of the worlds I had created; their languages and customs, so that you could be as a chameleon in each of them."

The young woman darted into an alleyway and climbed up the wall of a home. The guards ran by the alleyway without noticing her. The girl pulled the burqa away from her face and smiled. I instantly recognized myself and smiled at the memory. I watched as I ran across rooftops before climbing down through a hole in one of the roofs into a home.

Three people were waiting in the home for me. The small family was in hiding from the King of Calormen for crimes they did not commit. A death warrant had been issued for the husband and then extended to the wife and child when he was never caught. My mission was to help smuggle them out of Calormen.

The man jumped to his feet as I landed on the floor with a soft thud, his sword drawn. He put the sword away when he realized it was only me. I smiled kindly at him and pulled papers from beneath my brown robes.

"These papers are your passes onto a ship heading towards an undiscovered land in the west," I explained, handing the papers over to the man. I looked over at the young boy wrapped in his mother's arms staring at me with wide, nervous eyes. I smiled at him and he returned it shyly.

"I can't thank you enough," the man said to me.

I smiled sadly at him. "The journey to this land will be wrought with danger. Not everyone on the ship will make it to the land. The captain will die midway through the journey. You must assume control of the ship and be sure that it reaches the undiscovered land."

The man nodded at me, a fierce determination in his eyes.

"Once there, you will find friends that you least expect and they will help you to create a kingdom out of the land. You will call it Archenland and you and your sons after you will rule it. This is the plan that Aslan has set aside for you. You must follow it."

His eyes widened as he took in all I said. "I will do as Aslan has commanded. He has saved mine and my families lives. I am eternally grateful."

I smiled broadly at him. "Be at the docks before sunrise. The ship makes sail when the sun first starts to peak over the horizon."

He nodded and I cast one more look at his family before heading towards the back door. Before exiting, I turned to him.

"You will be great, Col," I said, before running from the doorway.

"Col was a great man," I said to Aslan as the memory before us faded.

"His sons were great too," Aslan replied. "You traveled to Archenland in the form of a young woman when the little boy was grown and Col was dying. You helped him through the death of his father and through the early years of his reign. You helped him design the constitution of Archenland and establish free and just laws. He fell in love with you and asked you to marry him, but you did not reciprocate his feelings. You died just weeks after his proposal of a plague that had come unto his kingdom. His heartbreak over you caused him to fund great research into medicines, which allowed for greater and more effective healthcare for his kingdom and other kingdoms."

I frowned and looked down at Aslan.

"Do I always die when my missions are over?" I asked.

He chuckled. "You never die, Ashlynn. Sometimes you disappear and other times it appears as though you have passed away. But you have never actually died."

"But I have suffered," I said, recalling the effects of the plague that I had experienced.

"Yes, you have. It has made you stronger. These worlds are not perfect, Daughter. You have always known this."

I looked to the ground and contemplated my new found memories. "No physical suffering has ever hurt me as much as losing my loved ones over the centuries."

"But they are not lost."

"Just not where I can reach them."

"Not yet."

I grinned and looked up at Aslan to find him watching me. My grin faltered as I thought of something.

"Aslan, did I know the Pevensie's before now?" I asked, finding myself not remembering ever having known them.

Aslan watched me for a few moments.

"You do not remember?" he asked.

I shook my head.

"Of course you knew the Pevensie's. You've known them their whole lives."

I looked at him strangely. "What? How?"

"You were there when each of them were born. You were there throughout the moments in their lives that made them who they are today. You were there when they each first entered Narnia. You were with them during their battles against the White Witch. You were present for their coronations. And they met you for the first time when I sent you to them."

I immediately felt myself flooded with memories.

"Nurse Peterson to room 15. Nurse Peterson to room 15."

I rushed down the white halls as quickly as I could. I arrived at room 15 in the GYN surgery quadrant. The doctor walked down the hall towards me in his scrubs.

"Helen's gone into labor," he said, smiling at me. I smiled back and we walked into the room together. Helen was propped up on the bed breathing heavily in and out. Her husband was standing next to the bed watching her worriedly. He looked up as we walked in and immediately walked over to us.

"My wife is in a lot of pain. What can we do to alleviate it?" he begged.

"Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do but make her as comfortable as possible," Dr. Reynolds replied.

"She didn't hurt this bad with our first two children," Mr. Pevensie continued.

Dr. Reynolds put his hand on Mr. Pevensie's shoulders. "She is going to be fine. I assure you. Nurse, please assist Mrs. Pevensie and prepare her for delivery."

"Yes, Doctor," I replied, walking over to Helen.

She looked up at me with a nervous expression, still breathing heavily. I grabbed her hand and smiled softly at her.

"Don't worry, Mrs. Pevensie. You're going to be fine. You've got a little fighter in there."

She smiled back at me. "So is my husband. If it's a boy, I think we'll name him after him."

"What's your husband's first name, Miss?" I asked as I began to prepare her for delivery.

"Edmund."

"A fine name, ma'am."

I looked down at my golden paws as I ran through the snow covered forest. I did not know why Aslan was sending me to this part of the woods, but I did not hesitate to obey him.

"In the western wood, there is a lamp post. You must travel to it and await someone very important. They must not know of your presence, but I need you to insure their safety. You will know who I speak of when you see them," Aslan had told me back at our camp. He had been sending me on missions similar to this for several weeks now. I had been charged with protecting certain individuals and encouraging uprisings in different places. The White Witch's reign would come to an end soon.

I had been running for two days straight now, only taking short breaks to eat and rest. I had found myself in the western wood earlier that morning, but still had yet to find the lamp post that Aslan had spoken of. I slowed down to a walk to catch my breath, which was coming out in fast, white puffs. I heard the crack of a branch behind me and swung around, claws extended and ready. Something shining through the trees in front of me caught my eye and I walked slowly towards it. I realized after walking a few feet that this was the lamp post that Aslan had been speaking of. I walked up towards it and sniffed it cautiously. Another snapping branch caused me to whip around and hide myself in the bushes near it.

A small human girl stepped out into the clearing across from me. My heart began to beat faster. This was who Aslan wanted me to protect. The Daughter of Eve whom he had foretold decades earlier would come with her siblings to end the century long winter. I recognized her as Lucy, the youngest of the Pevensie children, whom I had watched over for years.

Lucy walked up to the lamp post and placed her hand upon it. Another branch cracked behind her and she whipped around with a scared expression on her face. My muscles tensed and I prepared myself to protect the girl when I saw a hoof retreat behind a tree and a red scarf blowing in the wind. A faun peeked his head around the tree and Lucy slowed approached him.

I stood alongside my fellow soldiers and watched in awe as the Son of Adam and two Daughters of Eve walked towards Aslan's tent. I darted behind the other creatures beside me and walked behind them, eyes watching the three humans greedily. I darted quickly to the end of the line of soldiers and stood nearest to Aslan's tent, continuing to watch the Pevensie's. They stopped before the centaur Oreius. Peter drew his sword and held it in the air. I tilted my head to the side and wondered what he could possibly mean by doing so.

"We have come to see Aslan," he said, his voice slightly shaky.

A hush fell over the entire camp as everyone turned to look towards the giant red tent. As one, everyone began to bow. I grinned and followed suit as Aslan emerged from his tent, sending me a quick wink.

"For Narnia! And for Aslan!" Peter shouted before leading the charge towards the approaching army.

I took off as fast as I could, darting around the other soldiers charging alongside me. My heart beat fast. The blood shot like lightening through my veins. My eyes locked onto the approaching army, choosing my first victim. I found myself darting past Peter on his white unicorn. I counted down the seconds.

5

4

3

2

I collided with my enemy.

I stood in the front row facing the four thrones. I watched as the four humans, dressed in the finest attire, approached the dais with Aslan between them. As they walked up the steps, Aslan turned to me and smiled with his eyes. I returned it.

He introduced the four new kings and queens and the crowns were placed upon their heads. I felt a surge of pride race through upon seeing them in their rightful places. I looked back at Aslan who looked to me and nodded his head. I returned the gesture and quietly made my exit from the room. My mission here was complete. I had more to do elsewhere. Everyone in attendance cheered as the new royals took their thrones. I smiled as I escaped through the door.

I stared back at the young dark eyed boy who was watching me curiously. I shifted in my seat and looked towards the doors behind which the Great Lion, Aslan, was speaking with the older boy and girl.

"What's your name?" the little girl sitting beside him asked me.

The boy turned sharply towards the girl and shushed her. I watched the two of them nervously and folded my arms tighter around myself. The little girl gave me a sympathetic look before standing up and walking over to sit next to me. She placed her small pale hand on my arm and smiled at me.

"It's alright," she said. "You're safe here. I'm Lucy and this is my brother, Edmund."

I looked back up at the dark eyed boy who continued to watch me with curious and somewhat suspicious eyes. After a few silent moments, I spoke up.

"I'm Ashlynn. Ashlynn Peterson."

"Leave me alone, Edmund," I gritted through my teeth. The dark eyed boy was following me back to my room, taunting me about my embarrassing displace earlier at the ball. I had tripped while dancing and accidentally pushed the prince of Archenland into the refreshments table, which had collapsed underneath him.

"I never knew that two left feet actually existed until I met you," he sneered. "It amazes me how uncoordinated you are."

My eyes filled with tears out of frustration and embarrassment and I tried to escape him by quickening my speed towards my room.

"I don't know why you fled like you did. It isn't like the whole party saw what happened...oh wait..."

I stopped walking and spun around to glare at Edmund. He started when he saw the tears on my cheeks.

"Would you just drop it? I know it's in your nature to be vile and demeaning but for just this once could you leave me alone?" I shouted, trying my best not to sob.

He stared at me in shock for a few moments before I abruptly turned around and retreated to my room. I was too busy trying not to cry to hear the soft apology pour from his lips.

The clanging sound of metal on metal filled the courtyard.

"Good job, Ashlynn! You're a real natural at this," Peter congratulated me from beyond the fence. I lowered my sword from it's position against my opponents sword and grinned over at Peter.

"I have a great teacher," I replied.

"You'd be better if I were your teacher," I heard Edmund call out from further down the courtyard.

I grinned as Peter's face screwed up in displeasure.

"She chose me because she knew I was the better swordsmen!" he called back.

I turned to watch Edmund as he quickly finished his duel, disarming his opponent efficiently. He lowered his sword, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and grinned at us.

"She chose you to avoid any distractions my own teaching would have caused her," he said, sending a wink in my direction.

I blushed furiously and turned away from him.

"You're right, Ed," Peter shouted back. "She didn't want to get distracted by your ugly mug."

Edmund yelled out in mock outrage and took off for his brother, who started laughing and running in the opposite direction, calling out more taunts over his shoulder as they ran. I smiled at the boys and willed my blush to disappear.

My heart lurched in my chest and I ran out from the cover of the archway in the courtyard. The rain soaked through my dress as I sought out the castle to avoid the heartbreaking pain I was leaving behind me but still couldn't quite escape. I stormed through the doors of the castle and ran blindly through the hallways until I found an empty room. I looked around me and realized I had made my way into the throne room. I let out a bitter laugh and walked towards the center of the room, staring down at the floor. I turned and walked towards the doors leading to the balcony and opened them up. I walked back out into the rain and willed it to wash away the ever present pain pounding through my skin.

"Please," I begged. "Don't let this be real."

I grabbed onto the railing of the balcony and leaned heavily against it, my chin dropping to my chest as I continued to beg some unknown force to not allow this to happen to me.

"Ashlynn," I heard Edmund call quietly, desperately, behind me.

I felt myself nearly sob at the sound of his voice. I refused to turn around. I heard him walk out into the rain behind me. I could just imagine him reaching his arm out to comfort me and pulling it back, knowing that nothing he could do would help.

"Ashlynn please," he begged.

I shook my head and refused to look at him.

"Look at me," he continued.

"I can't," I whispered.

"Yes you can. Please. I can fix this."

I whipped around and looked at him. His dark hair was plastered to his forehead and his nice blue tunic was ruining in the rain. There was a distraught and desperate look on his face as he looked at me.

"How? How could you possibly fix this?" I demanded.

"I can refuse. I can..."

I tried to choke back a sob and failed. He reached toward me and I moved away. The look on his face broke my heart even further.

"You can't, Ed. You have to marry her," I replied.

He had a completely helpless look on his face as he stared at me. He was crying.

"Ash," he started. "I love you."

"Ashlynn," Susan began looking at me. "Do you think there are more stars than creatures in Narnia?"

I turned my head to smile at the beautiful girl beside me. We were laying in the field in front of Cair Paravel, watching the stars above us.

"I think there are just as many stars as are creatures in Narnia," I replied.

She grinned at me. "Oh really?"

"Yes. I think for every creature or human in Narnia, there is a special star up in the sky specifically made for him or her."

"That's a very romantic notion."

"It's a very true notion. Stars are light and so are all of Aslan's creations."

"I wish I were a star," she whispered. "So I didn't have to fool with all of the silly expectations of court. I wish everything could be simpler. I wish everyone didn't expect so much of me."

"Susan, you are a star. And you're a queen, which means the only person who has any viable expectations is yourself."

She laughed.

"But," I continued softly, "the reason everyone expects so much of you is because of how much they love you. Your subjects adore you and you are so kind to them. They expect that you will always take care of them. They don't expect too much of you because I know you will always take care of them. It isn't in your nature to do anything less."

Susan turned to look at me with teary eyes.

"Thank you."

"You are always welcome."

I giggled as Edmund placed another kiss on my neck.

"Ed, stop. If I don't leave now, I'll never go."

"Good. Stay here. Don't ever leave me," Edmund said, nuzzling into my neck. I could feel his smile against my skin. I pulled away from him.

"You're rotten. I have to go. Stormie hasn't been ridden in a while and I promised her a ride today for just the two of us."

"Ach. Making promises to horses. Why don't you just let Phillip and I come with you? I'm sure Stormie won't mind."

"She will mind because she's still mad at you for putting troll weeds in her oaks last week," I said, pushing gently away from him and gathering my things.

"She kicked me!"

"You were groping me and I told you to stop and you didn't. So she ensured that you would stop."

I looked over my shoulder and caught his delighted grin.

"It was totally worth it."

I strolled over to him and placed a chaste kiss on his lips.

"I'll be back before dinner."

"You better."

"I love you," I said.

"I love you more."

I fell to my knees at the impact from the onslaught of my memories. My heart ached at how I treated Edmund over the course of my stay in Narnia and I clutched desperately at my chest. He was right all along and I had treated him poorly for it. My chest swelled with my love for him and I looked pleadingly towards Aslan.

"Aslan, please. Peter, Susan, Edmund, they need me. They need you. They can't win this war without us," I begged.

Aslan bowed his head towards me.

"Then it is time we helped them."

The darkness around me began to fill with light. I looked down at my hands and saw they were glowing a bright white and it was pouring into the dark around Aslan and I.

"Wake, my Light. It is time for you to shine."