They rode so far, trying mostly to avoid passing through the woods. But Cerlesta wished straight the opposite of what the others wished. She stole side glances at the woods. Her feelings were overwhelming at the thought of meeting Narnians by any chance.

After hours of ridding, they finally neared the ford of Beruna.
“Beruna!” a man who rode ahead shouted.

Cerlesta straightened herself and looked ahead.

“Cerlesta,” she heard her name being called by her uncle.

“Yes, uncle?” she responded.

“Are you coming with me to see the bridge? We’re nearing there.” He asked.

“Of course I’m coming! But maybe after I enjoy the place and rest, I’m a bit tired.” She replied.

She didn’t like the idea of going to that messy place where the bridge is building. She was a nature lover, she have always loved wondering in a quite nature without being disturbed by anyone.

“Oh, okay, as you wish. But don’t go any further from the camp and don’t go near woody parts, is that clear?” Asked Miraz.

“Yes Uncle.” Said Cerlesta.

As they neared the work site, sounds of so many things including the shouting of men were heard. Cerlesta stopped by a big tree and tied her horse to it. She also refused the guard to stay with her. She took two apples from the saddle and ate one by herself and gave the other to her horse. She took a walk around.

Suddenly a sound of someone passing nearby, with crack-crack sound of dry leaves and sticks caught her attention.

She stood behind a tree and peeked, then she thought that might be any of the workmen or guards.

She walked a bit further and reached face to face with five strangers. A sudden shiver of fear ran down her spine and her hand quickly reached and gripped the dagger’s hilt. Then her eyes caught the smallest of them, the one who looked aged with wrinkles, red long hair and long beard. He reached for his bow and arrow, which was hung on his back.

Cerlesta’s eyes widened in surprise, “A-A-Are y-you a Narnian dwarf?” she asked in utter shock.

That guy, who indeed was a dwarf, narrowed his eyes at her and muttered something to his companions. There were two boys and two girls with the dwarf. When the eldest of the boys was about to say something, Cerlesta began, hoping to ease their nervousness at her question.

“I-I mean no harm to you, I-I know my uncle won’t be...pleased if-if he finds out you. But y-you can trust me, I won’t tell anyone!” Cerlesta stammered at words.

“Who are you?” asked one of the boys, who had dark hair and was so cute in Cerlesta’s opinion, though he really was.

“I’m Princess Cerlesta.” She said with a small curtsey.

“Um…the…Telmarine princess of Narnia, you mean?” asked the dark haired boy.

“Yes?” replied Cerlesta confused at the statement of his question. She noticed them exchanging glances.

“Are you any kind of strangers here? I mean, you’re no Narnians, are you? The four of you?”

“Actually we are, in a sort of way. No strangers at all. Tell me, what do you mean by, your uncle won’t be pleased if he find us out?” asked the eldest boy among them.

“First, how can I trust you?” she asked.

“The same way we trust you, hoping you won’t tell about us to anyone as you promised.” Answered that boy. Cerleta smiled at him in agreement.

“Well, about what I said about my uncle, of if he finds you is because, he don’t like Narnians. And my brother has gone missing since yesterday midnight, if my calculations are right. Uncle said, Narnians kidnapped him, which I can’t still accept. His guards even found a dwarf while they were searching for him. The dwarf was brought to our castle before the grand counsel and later was sent to a river for his execution. That’s how I came to know about the existence of the Narnians, just today morning. So since he believes Narnians are behind the missing of my brother, you’re not safe.” She explained. She was an open-minded girl, and if she wants to know the truth about her brother from the Narnians, she have to explain the whole thing.

“And do you know what happened to that dwarf?” asked the dwarf.

“I’m afraid, I don’t. I didn’t even get to see him, at least I’m glad I came to see you. I only know what I’ve been told by my uncle that he sent that poor thing for execution. I’m so sorry for that dwarf, if he was someone to you.” She said.

“And I’m so sorry for the missing of your brother, princess. What’s his name, by the way?” asked the eldest of two girls, with her concern and caring filled gentle voice.

“Thanks, my brother is, Prince Caspian the Tenth.” Said Cerlesta, Her eyes began to wet as she mentioned his name.

“We’re so sorry.” Said the youngest of them. Cerlesta sighed with a smile.

“So what are you doing here, alone?” asked the dark haired boy.

“I came here with my uncle, he wanted to see how the work is going with the bridge. And I came along for some purposes. Listen, I need to ask you something and I dearly want you to answer it honestly, won’t you?” she asked them with a pleading look.

They all exchanged glanced with each other unsurely, but the older boy took a step forward and said, “We will!”

Cerlesta smiled at his response and asked, “Do you or your other Narnian fellows have my brother, kidnapped?"

“By the mane! We assure you, never a thing like that has happened!” that boy sweared.

“So it isn’t the truth”? she asked.

“No, we would never dare to do such a thing. We’ve been living, hidden from you Telmarines all our lifetime. So how would we dare to come to a castle and kidnap a prince? We are not that foolish, only the one who believes we did such a thing!” said the dwarf dryly.

Cerlesta thought for a second, “You’re right, I’m so sorry for misunderstanding you.” She apologized.

“You didn’t princess, only your uncle is the one whom he meant.” Said dark haired boy with a smile which nearly melted her heart. She smiled back.

“And…who are you all, by the way?” she asked. She found herself so drawn into them and found it so silly for not asking about them.

“We-”

“We-”

“We-”

They stammered as they felt unsure of telling her about themselves. Luckily Cerlesta didn’t sensed their nervousness.

“We..you know, it’s a long story and we’re not even-” The eldest boy began but was cut off by someone shouting,

“Princess Cerlesta!”

“Uh huh! I’m so sorry but I really need to head back or else whoever’s calling me will reach here in no time.” Cerlesta said in a panic.

“It’s alright princess, we should probably get going now too. It has been a pleasure meeting you, by the way.” Said the eldest boy.

“Will we meet again?” asked the dark haired boy who soon received chuckles from the two girls with him.

“The pleasure is all mine, I hope to see you again somehow, all of you. And I won’t tell anyone anything about our meeting other than to my trusty tutor, who has told us so much about you. Bye, try to go far from here, woods will be safer because, Telmarines fear woods. Take care!”

She said quickly and ran back, giving them one more look-back, especially to the dark haired boy, not waiting for their response.

Thank you TheGoldenAgeOfNarnia for the chapter cover ❤❤

Hope you all like it. Please let me know what you think.