AN: Readers! Sorry I took longer than usual to update. I love the feedback I got. It's encouraging and very helpful at times.
To the Guest reviewer: I haven't read the Mediator series but I've read other books by that author and they were great, so I'll definitely check it out!
Chapter 23.
Liliandil led Edmund, Caspian, Lucy, and I for a long time until we finally approached the edge of the island on a cliff that was overlooking the ocean. The sun was beginning to rise.
"The magician Coriakin told you of Dark Island?" Liliandil questioned, walking a few feet ahead of Edmund and I.
"Yes," Caspian said in answer to her question. Naturally, he was glued to her side. Seeing Caspian all weak-kneed over a girl was kind of cute, as well as annoying considering his choice. After all, she glowed. Personally, I found that to be slightly creepy. Though at least we didn't need the flashlight anymore, she was bright enough to light our way. I wondered if it would be considered "inappropriate" if I started to sing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer".
Probably. Caspian was weird about those things, especially when he didn't even understand the joke.
Speaking of, he was the only one talking to her. Lucy and Edmund were being quiet, while I was trying not to say anything offensive.
My jaw dropped when we reached the edge of the cliff, for in the distance on the water was what I assumed to be the source of the green mist. It was glowing and green covered by a thick layer of black smog.
"Before long, the evil will be unstoppable," Liliandil said solemnly. Aside from the swirling mass of evil, the view was breathtaking as dawn was approaching.
"Coriakin said to break its spell we must lay the seven swords at Aslan's table," Caspian said.
"He speaks the truth," she said simply.
"Okay, so where is the seventh one?" I asked impatiently, seeing that she wasn't going to give any more information without being pressed for it.
She raised up an arm, pointing towards the disturbing mass of darkness.
"In there," she answered. "You will need great courage."
I looked to Lucy who grimaced. Courage wasn't something any of us were short of. Sanity, on the other hand . . .
Liliandil looked away from the view to face Caspian. "Now, waste no time."
"I hope we meet again," he said softly, his mouth parted slightly.
Her face softened and she smiled shyly. "Good-bye."
He smiled back, gazing at her ruefully.
Suddenly, she began to glow even brighter than before as she shifted back into her star self and shot up back into the sky.
I blinked rapidly for a moment. Forget staring straight into the sun, don't stare into a star. I really hope I don't see her ever again or I'd go blind.
The four of us stood there in thoughtful silence for a moment, staring up at the sky to where Liliandil disappeared.
"We better head back," Lucy spoke up. "The crew is probably wondering where we are."
Caspian reluctantly nodded, tearing his eyes away from the sky.
I sighed. "I suppose it would have been too much to ask her to just float in there and grab the sword for us, wouldn't it?"
"She's far too delicate to fight such evil," Caspian said, as he walked away.
I looked at Lucy, my eyes narrowed. "I feel slightly insulted, how about you?"
She shrugged with a roll of her eyes and followed him.
I turned to Edmund and said, "Well he moved on from your sister after a few years and got a long distance relationship with a rock instead. We should start a bet with the crew to see how well THAT goes. I say it'll last six years this time. What say you?"
He smiled halfheartedly and I felt all trace of humor wipe from my mind.
"It's going to be okay," I said quietly, not sure if I was trying to reassure him or me.
I wrapped my arms around his waist and laid my head against his chest. He put his arms around me and for a long time we just held each other, both of us fearing the same things. Would we make it out of this? And if we did, what was in store for our future? Would we be together, or doomed to never see each other ever again?
I lifted my head up and kissed him gently, but it wasn't enough. He kissed me back so hard I would have fallen backwards if his arm hadn't been around me. My hands went up to his head and I locked my fingers in his hair. The thought that this could be our last intimate moment together made my heart ache to the point where I wanted to just rip it out to get it over with.
Finally, I tore my lips away from his. I smiled when he groaned in annoyance.
"We should go," I said apologetically.
"Yeah," he agreed. "We'll have time later."
I bit my lip. "Glad you're so confident."
"Have faith," he whispered, laying his forehead against mine.
Despite myself, I smiled. "I love you."
"I love you too," he said before kissing me one more time.
He pulled away and took my hand, looking considerably more cheerful. "Let's go."
I grinned. "Do you suppose it had been a good idea to let Eustace be babysat by Reep?"
"Not particularly but when have we done something that's worked out according to plan?"
I laughed. "Good point."
Somehow, we managed to catch up with the others without getting lost, though we had to run.
To my surprise, there was still a ton of food left at the table. Maybe it refilled itself or something, because by the looks of the crew they were extremely full, which was a relief to see after the hunger we all had endured. The four of us quickly ate so we could get going. Once I'd eaten my fill, I wrapped a loaf of bread that hadn't even been touch in a large, fancy napkin with a couple apples, and a few bread slices and an apple in another napkin.
"We packed some food for later, you know," Ed told me as we began to walk back to the ship.
"I know. This is for Eustace and Reepicheep."
"That's nice of you," Lucy said with a smile.
I shrugged. "I'm sure they're hungry too."
Sure enough, when we got to them they both gratefully gobbled up the food. Of course with Eustace being a dragon swallowed the loaf of bread and both apples in one bite while it took tiny Reep awhile to get through his share.
"Just because you piss me off doesn't mean I want you to starve," I told Eustace who was looking at me gratefully. "Anymore, at least. Maybe a week ago I would have."
Reep chuckled. "Now, now, Rose."
"I'm just kidding," I said, patting Eustace's arm. "Deep, deep down I think he has some good in him."
If it were possible, I'm certain the dragon would have blushed.
Drinian and Caspian talked and decided to let everyone sleep for a couple hours before going off to face the unknown evil. I was glad, we've barely slept and the crew definitely needed a good nap after their nice little feast.
We all went back on the ship to sleep, except for Eustace and, of course, loyal Reep.
I followed Lucy and Gael back to our room and we got in bed, ready to sleep.
Of course, Lucy nor I could sleep knowing what was coming. We were both too jittery. So while Gael slept peacefully, Lucy and I laid side by side, talking quietly.
"What do you think we're up against?" she asked me, snuggling into her pillow more.
"I don't know," I said. "But whatever it is, it's not going to be as easy as those damn nightmares."
She cringed. "Those were awful."
I nodded. "Yes, but we got through them."
"I suppose we did," she admitted.
"No worries, Lucy. You've got a whole crew to stand up and protect you, as well as a big brother and Pretty Boy." I put a hand over hers. "And you've got me too. I'm not going to let a single creature or evil presence touch a single hair on your pretty little head."
She smiled. "Thanks, Rose."
"Anytime. Just remember our deal."
She giggled. "To slap you if you go crazy?"
"Exactly."
"I will," she promised.
"Good," I said in satisfaction. "Now go to sleep, Queen Lucy."
"Alright, alright," she said grinning before shutting her eyes.
The two of us managed to drift off to sleep. Whether she had a nightmare, I don't know.
But I certainly did.
I was surrounded in nothing but darkness. I couldn't even see myself it was so dark.
"Poor little Rose," a voice cooed in my ear."Forever doomed to be alone."
"I'm not alone," I said desperately. Not being able to see anything was making me want to curl up in a ball and sob. I felt so lost and scared.
"Look around you," the voice said softly as tears began to pour down my face. "Even escaping from your own world you're still alone in your time of need. You can't run from your fate."
I harshly crashed back to reality as I felt someone shake me.
"Rose, wake up. We're going now."
My eyes flew open and I saw Edmund standing over me. "Edmund," I said in relief, throwing my arms around him. Lucy and Gael were already gone.
"Are you okay?" he asked in concern, pulling back to look at me.
"Nightmare," I whispered, struggling to fight the tears that I felt building up.
He gritted his teeth and shook his head, closing his eyes briefly.
When he opened them, he cupped my face in his hands. "This is going to end. I swear."
"Yeah," I said softly. "I hope so."
Or maybe my dream was right. I loved Edmund and Lucy so much. I loved Caspian, Gael, Drinian, Reep, and, well, everyone on this boat. I was even starting to grow slightly, somewhat, kind of fond of Eustace.
What if once this was over, they all left me. What was the point of being in Narnia if I was going to be alone, just like back at home.
Well, if it was true I better end my short legacy with a bang.
I pulled away from Edmund and climbed out of bed, smiling brightly.
"Well let's go get this crazy son of a mist, shall we?"
