Disclaimer: I do not own the Chronicles of Narnia. C. S. Lewis does.
Author's Note: It was totally worth the time and effort I spent on the last chapter when I got your reviews. They were all amazing in their own special way.
Alice Ann Wonderland: Most of Isabela's life after Peter's return to this world is still secret. Even I don't know what happened to her. I'm trying to compose that up now… You know…. How did she survive? Where did she go? How did she become involved in the resistance? And I hate cliffhangers too.. They make me want to strangle the one who wrote them so it's pretty ironic that I'm doing it myself now. I suppose every writer has a devil within them. Oh and about the word ambivalence. I learned it from you actually (I had to look it up the dictionary). And yes it definitely is crazy how Peter goes back and forth in his feelings.
newgirl5: Yes. Isabela's back. And about Lionel…. Well…..
Marianne 16: Thank you! Actually I was thinking that since Peter and the others had been attacked so many times, my vocabulary and expression might be repeated which makes reading the story boring for everyone. So I was very apprehensive. But thank you for calming my worries.
mliaab: Yes Isabela is here but no one knows where Lionel is. Yet. Oh and the idea you put forward about Isabela turning evil, that is very good and a complete stunner. I'll definitely be taking that into consideration.
MythicalGirl17: When Lionel comes in is still a mystery. But one that will be solved soon. And thank you
Myra: I know. I'm glad that Peter is finally realizing his true feelings about her and is becoming less of a big-head and more of an open-hearted person.
Guest: Updates are upcoming but often I get dragged away by other work. Exams and school plays etc. But rest assured the updates will definitely keep on coming. I love Narnia too much to abandon it in the middle.
Mizukinakamura Yuki: Your pen name is very creative. And I was so happy to learn about how you felt about Isabela and Peter. It's so heartening to see readers love your characters. Thank you very much for your review!
Tedda369: Well here's the update. And thank you for the review.
TJT01856: The new update at last! Thank you for the review and the compliment.
Isabella: I'm sorry but how exactly will you publish it? I know about WattPad but will it be under my name or yours? I hope you understand if I want to retain its rights because even though the series belongs to C. S. Lewis alone, some of the characters and some of the plot are mine. But thank you for your love for this story!
Danman: Thank you!
Loveurstory: Again thanks a lot!
Mollyc66: Here's the update!
Glamaaj: Thank you very much!
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Isabela tried to smile. But it was too difficult and in the end she gave a half-smile and half-grimace. A glance at Finn's fathomless face showed her that there was no support coming from him. Finn had been against rescuing Peter, Edmund and Lucy and deep inside her heart, Isabela too had wanted revenge for how easily they had blamed her. But then she had thought of Aslan. And she knew that if she hadn't rescued them, Aslan would never have forgiven her. So she had sent out the best she had at her disposal even though they were less in number.
Besides, she knew that if their positions had been reversed, Peter would have rescued her too despite what he felt about her.
Peter. It seemed ages since she had last seen him. Too much had happened, too much had gone by and now it felt as if a stranger, not her husband, was standing before her. He was taller. She could see that even from this distance. His body was still lithe and muscled but his skin was tinged tan as if he had spent a lot of his time out. And there were shadows under his eyes. But his hair was as golden as a lion's mane and his eyes were still the same shade of blue.
Currently he was stunned. His expression was controlled but his eyes were filled with turmoil like a storm. Beside him, Lucy was openly gaping, her face shell-shocked and grief-stricken. Edmund however was grinning. Without missing a beat, he strode forward and engulfed her in a hug that was so strong, Isabela felt her bones almost crack.
"Lia." He said fiercely. "Are you a ghost? You don't seem like a ghost."
Isabela laughed. It felt as if her laugh was slightly hysterical. "No." She said shakily. "I'm as much of a ghost as you are."
Edmund gave a bear-like grin and turned to address a raven-haired young man standing beside Peter and Lucy.
"Caspian, this is-"
"The lady Isabela." Caspian cut in. He bowed to her. "I know. There is no shortage of stories about you, my lady."
Isabela gave a tight smile. "I've had a fair share of stories about me." She was determined not to glance at Peter while she said this. "Rise and be welcome, King Caspian."
Then she saw a Badger, furry and striped all over, come forward and shakily kneel. "My Queen, it is an honor to meet you."
Isabela knelt and gently raised him to his feet. "Your faith and loyalty commends you…."
"Trufflehunter. I am Trufflehunter, my lady, and one of the Badgers."
"Thank you Trufflehunter." She said quietly, glancing back at Finn and said. "You are to accompany us to our stronghold. It is the only place safe enough, away from the influence of Jadis."
"You know about Jadis?" Lucy gasped. "But how?"
"My scouts keep me updated. Many of my people are skilled at stealth. Jadis has now claimed control over most of Narnia. Archenland has fallen as well." Suddenly she frowned. Her eyes did a quick sweep of the area and her voice was sharp when she spoke.
"Where is Susan? Is she not with you?"
"She didn't come." Peter said, his voice as even as hers. "Or if she did, it certainly wasn't anywhere around her."
Isabela bit her lip, wondering why Aslan would not send Susan back with the others.
"Isabela." Finn said suddenly, his face severe and his voice gruff. "This is no place to chit-chat. We can't rest until we are safely inside the fort. And the refugees are tired and sore and hungry."
Isabela gave him a rueful smile. "You never stop correcting me, do you, Finn?" Then she turned to Edmund, Peter, Lucy and Caspian. "Come. We still have some way to go."
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The tension in the air was tangible as the straggle of Narnians, Telmarines and others made their way through the thicket of forests. As they walked further, the ground seemed to slope up more so that finally they appeared in a cresting nest of mountains.
"The mountains of Queen Helen." Felan called out. The centaur was walking at the back of the group. "We call it Mount Helen."
Caspian could feel sweat dripping down from his forehead. Even though the mountain air was cool and he was riding astride a horse, it required a lot of exercise to move upwards. Somehow, he found himself riding next to Lady Isabela. It was impossible not to have heard about her, given his knowledge of Narnian history. She was the first and only High Queen of Narnia, the one who had led the final battle against the enemies of Narnia.
Somehow he had expected her to be more formidable. But she was slender, almost thin and not beautiful. But there was an undeniable grace around her, a sense of authority. He only had to look at how Finn and Felan adhered to her, to realize this.
"My lady?" He asked hesitatingly.
"Please call me Isabela. I would be grateful if you addressed me as you do with Edmund, Peter and Lucy."
"Well, Isabela." Caspian stated. He glanced around. Peter was in conversation with Felan with Edmund joining in and Lucy was helping one of the Badgers with their load. "Might I ask how are you here?"
Isabela stared at him. "I am from Narnia, Caspian. I was never from the human world."
"But then, shouldn't you be atleast a century old by now?" He asked and Isabela laughed at him non-plussed face.
"Caspian, shouldn't Peter, Ed and Lucy be a century old now too?"
"But they went back to their own world, where time runs slower. And you were here." Caspian said. He caught the slight look of sadness in her eyes.
"I never said that I haven't been to their world." She replied, keeping her eyes on the edge of the mountain pathway. "Dark times lie ahead, Caspian. It is better to think of the future than to uncover the past."
Caspian said nothing and they made their way through the path. It was rugged and uneven and in some areas in got precariously thin. The horses tittered with nervousness but in the end, passed through. It seemed ages as they passed. Conversation ceased and it was quiet. Caspian noted that as they went further into the mountains the air got foggier. A sheen of mist enveloped around the travelers.
"This mist helped our people escape in the last battle for Cair Paravel." Felan stated smoothly. "It made it impossible for the sorcerer Vladimar's forces to follow them. The fort is just around the precipice."
Eventually, the fog lifted and they were able to see the fort. It was a major structure, quite large, settled in the crook of the mountains, sheltered on all sides. They had to cross a bridge of reach it. The battlements were tall and made up of stone and bricks. Some structures were made of marbles. Heavy gates imposingly blocked the entry. Squinting, Caspian could make out the banners flying high. They were pale with a scarlet lion snarling in the middle. It was the exact replica of the coat of arms on Peter's shield.
Finn hollered out something and the fires burning at the edge of the battlements cast light on the gloom. Slowly the heavy doors reversed and the group trooped into the fort. Behind him, he heard Peter say.
"This is iron. Solid iron. Where did you get this from?"
"Mining." Isabela said shortly. "We have many deposits in the mountain." She dropped off the horse and issued instructions to the men on duty. There were many centaurs and fauns and a few dwarfs. There was also a Badger and Trufflehunter gave an exclamation of surprise.
"I believed that most of my people were gone."
"There are quite a few Badgers in the Fort." She turned to Peter, Edmund, Lucy and Caspian. "This Fort was built to fight against Vladimar and his forces. But now it will fight against Jadis. We were the resistance that survived in the past and we survive now. You are the leaders and we have to lead these people."
"Quit sounding like a stuck-up brat." Finn muttered and for a moment Peter thought that Isabela was going to strike him but she just threw him a glare that clearly said shut up.
Finn threw up his hands in defeat and asked: "Before you give your highly eloquent speech, Isabela, would it not be more pertinent to allow us all some rest?"
"I hate it when you're right." Isabela grumbled, crossing her arms but there was a smile in her eyes. "Felan, order the guards to send out patrols to check we were not followed. Melia," This was to a female faun who hastily stepped forward. "Take the women and children to their lodgings. Get other women to help you. Finn, you can deal with the men. And as for you four," She turned to Peter, Edmund, Lucy and Caspian. "We have too much to discuss."
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The room to which they were taken was located underground and lit with flaming torches on the walls.
"It's almost like Aslan's How." Lucy said, her cheeks a little rosy now that she had food.
"I've never been there." Isabela said. "But our early constructors must have visited it if this place resembles it."
"Who were the early constructors?" Edmund burst forwards, his stride hurried. "Lia, what the hell happened when we left?"
"Hell happened." Isabela said and there was a terrible weariness in her eyes. "That's what happened."
There was silence and finally Caspian spoke up. "My lady… I mean Isabela," He cast a glance at Peter's silent face hoping the High King wasn't offended. "If you were present in Narnia, why did you not come to our aid?"
Isabela glanced at him through her lashes, a little anger in her gaze. "That's because we were barely able to survive Caspian. You think that if we strong enough to fight for your right to the throne, we would not have fought for Narnia? You think that if I was able to stand up-" Here, Isabela suddenly bit her lip and turned quiet. When she spoke again, her voice was slightly hard. "I will tell you of what happened to Narnia. Every detail but do not ask me of what happened to me for on that matter I will lie to you."
There was another terrible silence in which Isabela dared any of them to speak. When none of them did, she spoke up. "After you left, we sent Narnians throughout the country. Mr. Tumnus and some of our best detectors went to follow your trail. They were able to follow it to the lantern that lies on the very edge of Narnia and your world, where you first met Mr. Tumnus, Lucy. There they found Philip, Edmund. He told us what he could: how you had went into a thicket and never come back even though he waited. The Narnians combed every inch of the area but in the end they had to give up. Meanwhile at our Northern borders, the giants were gearing up. They had not been seen since our last major battle against them and one Griffin reported that he had seen them crossing our frontier. Towards the south, the loyal dwarves sent reports of strange and evil creatures gathering, under the command of a sorcerer who could shape magic with words."
"Vladimar." Lucy whispered. Isabela nodded and continued, plowing around as though she could relieve her tension through walking. Caspian noted that Peter's eyes were fixed on the fires flaming across the walls. He could see their flames reflected in his normally blue eyes.
" Well there wasn't much we could do. Messengers were sent to call for aid but even Archenland could only send a few. They themselves were in a desperate position. Their lands were being overrun by barbarian men from some distant lands, who were pillaging every village. I set up several battalions to combat in the different regions. But it was too much. Vladimar used his incantations to create more and more forces. Many Narnians were killed and others wounded. They were closing around us. Finally only Cair Paravel lay with some resistance. Vladimar, he offered to stop waging war if I declared him as the rightful sovereign and gave him power. He called me a fool."
Caspian, who had not heard this apart of the story, prompted her on. "And what did you say?"
"I told him to go to hell." She replied coolly. Edmund whistled and smacked Peter across the shoulder.
"Bet you wouldn't have dared, would you, High King?" He teased. Peter tried to smile but it would not reach his eyes.
"You're right." He agreed. "I don't have as much courage by half."
"Which, I've been saying for over fifteen years-"
"The point-" Isabela interrupted, her voice loud. "Is that Vladimar launched an attack on the castle. I ordered the women and children to leave to the refuge of the Western Wood. We had a pact with the dryads that they would save us and they did. The survivors straggled back as Vladimar's forces converged. The dryads guided us through the forest an eventually after days of travel the Narnians ended up here. Over the hundreds of years, they built a fortress here, stocked with food and weapons which we ourselves learned to develop. We knew little of the world beyond and then we started training: it was mandatory. We had no hope of help from outside. Finally our people were strong enough to defend themselves if need be. Scouts were launched in various parts of the country. Around a week ago, we heard news that Telmar castle had been attacked. We did not know who reigned Narnia at the time for even Vladimar and his minions had left Cair Paravel. We heard once that you had come back to Narnia but they were unconfirmed reports. But one of my men reported that you truly had returned and had been besieged whilst at Telmar castle. So we set out to find you and recruit you to our cause."
"You intend going on the offensive?" Peter asked, for the first time taking part in the conversation.
"Not at once, no." Isabela replied. "You are safe here because Jadis does not know that this part of Narnia exists. As soon as she does, she'll come. Its flee or fight."
"But you can start taking over small towns and cities. Narnians live there still and if provided the incentive they'll come to our aid." Edmund put in.
"Yes but we must develop this fortress better." Peter cast a critical eye around him and moved to touch the walls. "What do you think, Caspian?"
"I agree with you. If we were driven back, all of Jadis' forces would know we were here. We must be strong enough to resist attack." Caspian paused. "I was thinking to develop small forts all over the mountains, setting traps for Jadis' people."
"If only we had cannons and machine guns, it would have been so much better." Edmund said wistfully. And then, his face lit up. "Hey! We can make them here."
"And how will you do that?" Isabela asked skeptically. "We don't have gun powder or the machine parts and-"
A hush fell over them and all of their eyes fell on Isabela.
"Isabela." Lucy asked. "How do you know all that?"
"I'm not stupid." Isabela retorted. "I have my sources. And as I told you before, I am not going to tell you about myself."
Peter rallied and began speaking again. "First of all, we have to send out people to spy on Jadis. Tell us about her, her allies, her actions. I think this task should go to-"
"Edmund." He and Isabela said simultaneously. They turned to one another surprised. Caspian saw Edmund grin and step forwards.
"He's the best in stealth and he is wise. He'll know when to retreat and how to hide." Isabela clarified, clearly at unease.
Edmund grinned even more, drawling out: "Why I never knew I was held in such great regard! I, Edmund the Just, King of Narnia, Lord of Cair Paravel, Emperor of Lone Islands, Count of-"
"Ed, shut up." Lucy sighed. "What shall I do?"
At this both Peter and Isabela quieted. To save the moment, Caspian offered: "Perhaps Lucy can train the healers. She has her cordial and I have a feeling we would need more of that. She can work with them to develop cures."
"That's a splendid idea." Peter said relieved. "What do you think Lu?"
"I wanted to fight." She bit her lip.
"You're underage Lucy." Isabela said gently. "And you would be doing a lot more for Narnia by developing those healing potions."
"Alright." Lucy finally said though unhappily. "The real question is what are you, Peter and Caspian going to do?"
"I'll train the men?" Caspian offered realizing that probably Isabela and Peter would want to do that.
Peter, however, glanced around the room, his sharp eyes missing nothing.
"How good are you at construction, Cas?"
"I.. I would say I have small experience." Caspian felt apprehensive.
"You built Telmar castle again, didn't you? After Miraz?"
"Well, just its foundations and a few forts." Realization dawned on him. "You want me to oversee the construction of new forts?"
"Yes and plan them too. The best places. Edmund and I will help you with the traps. And all of us will train the men. Well," Peter amended. "Except for Lucy."
"And that is alright with you, Isabela?" Caspian questioned the girl who had remained quiet for a long time.
"That is fine, provided that you know about building and fortification." Isabela added. "I would like to send some of my more trusted commanders with you. They have more knowledge of this mountain than you or I."
"Alright." Edmund stated. "Now can we go to dinner?"
"You never change, do you Ed?" Isabela asked, crinkling her nose.
"What? I am hungry. In the utmost spirit of generosity, I donated all my bread to a poor woman and her son on the journey."
"That's because the woman threatened you with her stick if you did not give her a piece." Lucy retorted. "But we should go now. And start tomorrow?"
Isabela nodded. "Report to the courtyard as early as you can."
As Lucy and Edmund went away, they could hear Edmund saying in a falsely injured tone: "I was being generous."
Caspian pushed his black hair out of his face and pointed randomly at the door. "I… uh… I have to go see… um…. My people! Yes! And give them assurance."
Before Peter or Isabela could say anything, he was out of the room.
"They did that on purpose, did they not?" Isabela frowned.
"Probably." Peter confessed, running a hand through his hair. They stayed quiet for a long time, each unable to start the conversation they were both aching to have.
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A late update again. But in my defence, I had important exams and could not update. Hopefully, now that they are over, the updates will come faster. As always, the same ending: A little review would be highly appreciated
L. Potter