Year 1944

Edmund stared at Raina's letter, as emotions he had repressed for the past 2 years bubbled to the surface. He could never hate her, but he was still angry, hurt and frustrated. He now knows what she felt the last time. Was this revenge? Was this her way of levelling the playing field? Did she want him to hurt as much as she did? Just so he would treasure her? It seemed far-fetched.

'Edmund?'

He shook himself, as Lucy looked at him, concerned.

'Yes, sorry.' He mumbled, as he carefully put the letter in his coat pocket.

'Are you okay?' Lucy asked.

'Lu, I'm not sure. I didn't really expect this.' He admitted. Lucy gave him a sad smile and placed a hand on his shoulder.

'Look, what happened with Raina, as much as it hurts, know that she probably has a good reason. I'm really sad too, maybe even a bit angry. But there's always two sides to a story.' She explained as Edmund nodded.

'If she sent this letter, does that mean she's here? In Cambridge?' Edmund asked, his voice a mixture of hope and slight anger. Lucy mulled it over.

'I think it's possible, but there could be another explanation.' Lucy admitted. 'Do you want to see her?'

Edmund looked down at his pocket, which had the letter. He sighed.

'I just want to know what happened. I need closure.' He said, softly. Lucy nodded.

'Maybe you will see her again. Now that I think about it, it's possible she's here.' Lucy said, sincerely. 'Don't lose hope, Ed. I know how much she means to you.'

'I don't know if I feel that way anymore.'

Lucy looked at him, pointedly.

'You do. Right now, you feel hurt and frustrated and that's covering up how you really feel about her.' Lucy maintained.

'Probably. Come on, we should get back. I'm guessing Pete isn't coming then.' Edmund grumbled.

'He is busy with his studies. He'll come next week then. He said so.' Lucy piped up. Edmund just gave her a tight-lipped smile.

'Yes. Next week.' He breathed. 'Come on, we should get back. Aunt Alberta and Uncle Harold will have our heads if we don't. Ugh, how long do we have to live with them? I can't deal with Mullet Mouth Eustace anymore.' He said, annoyed as Lucy nodded, understandingly.

'Hopefully not much longer. Once Susan comes back from the States, and Peter's done with his studies we can all go back home.' Lucy reassured him.

'Hopefully.'

********

Raina settled into her dorm room at Cambridge University. She had an option to live with her Aunt Debra who lived close by, but Raina decided to adjust to dorm life first, and on the weekends, visit. Just as she set up her room, she plopped herself on her bed, and stared at the ceiling as she took it all in.

She saw Edmund after more than 2 years.

Her heart was beating a million miles an hour. So many emotions ran through her mind. She came to realise she didn't just like him, she wasn't just attracted to him, it was something more than that. But she didn't know how to confront that.

For the first time, in over two years, Raina decided to use her powers.

She closed her eyes and tried to telepathically connect with Edmund. She opened her eyes and found them pulsing violet in the mirror. She reached out to him mentally.

She got no response.

Why am I not getting anything? She asked herself. If my power depends on my will, why isn't this working? She wondered. Her eyes faded back to their normal colour.

Suddenly, a voice spoke in her head.

'Raina.'

Raina jumped slightly, as her eyes pulsed violet again, but it wasn't her.

'Aslan?' She asked.

'Yes, dear one.'

'Wh..What going on?' She asked, warily.

'I should be asking you that, dear one.' Aslan replied, sadly.

Raina slowly got up from her bed and walked towards her mirror.

'What?' She asked, again.

'Your will is weak, Raina.' He stated. Raina's eyes widened.

'H-how is that possible?'

Aslan suddenly walked up to her, and stood by her side. Raina turned to see no one standing next to her. She frowned as she faced Aslan in the mirror.

'You are hurting, child. You are hurting so deeply, you shut that part of yourself out so that you don't feel it.' He said, sadly.

'You went through a painful ordeal. You need to let yourself feel.' He explained. Raina's face began to harden.

'Aslan, what's the point? I lost everyone I loved, and when I should've been able to bring them back, I couldn't. What's the use for me having this anymore, anyway? Feeling anything will just.. doesn't matter.'  She spat, as she gestured to the blue crystal necklace around her neck. Aslan hummed and looked away.

'That decision is yours, Raina. I have come to warn you. Narnia is in trouble.' He said, as Raina's eyes widened.

'Wait, what?!' She exclaimed.

'The fate of Narnia lies in your hands. You are a warrior, no doubt. But you are also a Protector. Your people need you.' Aslan explained.

'Aslan, what happened?' She asked, warily.

'Nothing, as yet. But it won't be that way for long.' He warned.

'Your will is your greatest strength, dear one. But it can also be your worst weapon. You must learn the difference. Only your will can take you to Narnia.' He spoke, as he began to walk away.

'Aslan, wait! Why can't you help?' She hurriedly asked. Aslan simply smiled.

'This is your battle, Raina. All of yours.' He replied, as he disappeared.

Raina's eyes faded back to their natural colour, as she collapsed on the ground.

'All of ours?'

*******

Edmund and Lucy began to return home, just as Lucy finished lecturing Edmund for trying to get enlisted for the army, despite being underage. This was perhaps the 10th time in a month he's tried, but failed.

'Edmund, you'll be of age in a few months, can't you just wait?' Lucy pleaded.

'It shouldn't matter! If I'm a few months too young, who cares? Besides I'm a better fighter than all of those stupid blokes. What was the guy thinking calling me, squirt? I'm a King! I've fought wars, and I've led armies!' He exclaimed with annoyance. Lucy shook her head.

'Not in this world.' She reminded him.

'Yeah, instead I'm stuck here. Doing battles with Eustace Clarence Scrubb, if anyone so deserves a name.' He grumbled. He noticed Lucy staring off somewhere, and tucking some strands of hair behind her ear. He frowned.

'What are you doing?' He asked, a confused look on his face. She turned to him, as she looked caught.

'N-nothing.' She stuttered out, looking down. Edmund gave her a weird look.

'Come on then!' She urged, as she pushed her cycle forward. Edmund looked back at where she was looking, not finding anything as he followed.

They came back home, Lucy hauling a box of groceries in her arms, as she opened the door and entered, Edmund following. Uncle Harold was on the sofa in the living room, reading the newspaper with the radio on. Edmund took off his coat, as Lucy walked into the living room, towards the kitchen.

'Hello Uncle Harold! I tried to find some carrots, but all they had was turnips again.' She chirped, as she went into the kitchen and put the box down.

'Should I start making soup? Aunt Alberta's on her way home.' Lucy asked, taking off her coat, holding it in her arms. Uncle Harold rudely ignored her as he continued reading.

'Uncle Harold?' Lucy called out, a little annoyed. Edmund stood just outside the living room, next to the stairs. He shook his head at his rude uncle, and stuck his tongue out at him.

'Father!'

Edmund turned around to see the human form of pure annoyance, his cousin Eustace, standing on the staircase.

'Edmund's making faces at you!' He screeched, as Edmund's eyes widened, angrily. Eustace blew a spitball at him, as Edmund jerked away, placing his hand on the back of his neck. He gave Eustace a look that clearly read 'you're dead'.

'Why you little-!' He exclaimed as he turned around and began to bound up the stairs to maybe beat Eustace up.

'Father, he's going to hit me!' Eustace exclaimed, as he cowered on the stairs. Just as Edmund reached him, Lucy yelled, gleefully.

'Edmund, look! It's from Susan.' She exclaimed, holding a letter from their older sister.

The two Pevensies went up to Lucy's room in the attic, as they sat down on the bed, and opened the letter.

I do wish you were here with us. It's been such an adventure, but nothing like our times in Narnia. America is very exciting, though, we never see Father, he works so very hard. I was-

'-invited to the British Consul's tea party this week by a Naval Officer, who happens to be very handsome. I think he fancies me.' Lucy read and paused. She hummed. Edmund was reading over her shoulder. He got up and walked around.

'The Germans have made the crossing difficult right now. Times are hard, Mother hopes you won't mind another few months in Cambridge.' Lucy concluded. Edmund turned around, an annoyed look on his face, just as Lucy looked up.

'Another few months?! How will we survive?' She whined, as Edmund came and sat next to her, taking the letter.

'You're lucky. At least you've got your own room, I'm stuck with the mullet mouth.' Edmund grumbled as he stared at the letter.

'Susan and Peter are the lucky ones.' Lucy spoke getting up from the bed and walking towards the mirror, just as Edmund put his feet up and lay down on her bed. 'Off on adventures.' Lucy continued.

'Yeah, they're the oldest, and we're the youngest. We don't matter as much.' Edmund said, somewhat sadly. Lucy observed herself in the mirror, and tucked her hair behind her ear.

'Do you think I look anything like Susan?' She asked, sadly.

Edmund sighed and put the letter down. He sat up, suddenly.

'Lucy, have you seen this ship before?' He asked, gesturing to a painting of a ship sailing on an ocean. Lucy turned around, smiling slightly.

'Yes. It's very Narnian looking, isn't it?' She spoke.

'Yeah.' Edmund agreed. 'Well, it's just another reminder that we're here and not there.' He said, sadly, as the two siblings observed the painting.

'There once were two orphans who wasted their time..' Edmund and Lucy turned around to see Eustace in the doorway to her room. Edmund immediately scowled at the sight.

'Believing in Narnian nursery rhymes.' Eustace continued in an annoyingly haughty tone.

'Please let me hit him.' Edmund growled as he almost lunged for Eustace, had it not been for Lucy pulling him back by his arm.

'No!' Lucy warned.

'Don't you ever knock?' Edmund asked in an accusatory tone.

'It's my house. I do as I please. You're just guests.' Eustace spat. He entered the room and plopped himself on Lucy's bed, just as the other two turned back to the painting, clearly finding it more pleasurable to see than Eustace's scowling face.

'What's so fascinating about that picture anyway?' Eustace said, annoyed. 'It's hideous.'

'You won't see it from the other side of the door.' Edmund sassed, still observing the painting. Eustace made a face behind his back.

'Edmund, it looks like the water is actually moving.' Lucy said, fondly.

Eustace knew his cousins were weird, but this was a whole new level.

'What rubbish! See, that's what happens when you read those fanciful novels and fairytales of yours.' Eustace ranted.

'There once was a boy called Eustace, who read books full of facts that were useless.' Edmund sassed, as Lucy smiled at him and chuckled. He mirrored her expression. Eustace was definitely offended.

'People who read fairy tales are always the sort that become a hideous burden to people like me!' Eustace yelled, just Edmund turned around, surprised and angry.

'Who read books of real information.' Eustace concluded, as Edmund faced him with a very angry demeanour.

'Hideous burden?' He asked, narrowing his eyes. Eustace appeared to be afraid as he abruptly stood up, as Edmund walked up to him and got in his face.

'I haven't seen you lift a finger since we've been here.' He began, as he walked towards Eustace, the latter stumbling back, fearfully.

While the two boys had it out, Lucy observed the painting further, as she walked up to it and it appeared as though drops of water were falling from the side of the painting.

Meanwhile, Eustace tried to run, when Edmund slammed the door shut with his left hand. He rounded on Eustace.

'I have a right mind to tell your Father that it was you who stole Aunt Alberta's sweets!' He spat.

'Liar!' Eustace defended.

'Oh really?' Edmund cocked an eyebrow.

Lucy was now convinced that water was coming from the painting. An ocean breeze blew against her face as her features contorted in worry.

'Edmund, the painting..' She breathed. The water in the painting was moving, and so was the ship, which appeared to loom closer and closer. Edmund paid his sister no mind.

'I found them under your bed!' Edmund yelled at his cousin. 'And you know what? I licked every one of them!' Edmund spat, as Eustace cringed in disgust.

'Eugh! I'm infected with you!' He screeched.

Lucy was transfixed on the painting, which now sprayed in her face. She let out a surprised gasp and stumbled back. Eustace suddenly felt water on the back of his neck as he turned around, Edmund following as well. Edmund's face was a mask of shock and possible joy.

'What's going on here?' Eustace asked, terrified.

Edmund did not answer him.

'Lucy..do you think-?' He couldn't complete his sentence. Lucy smiled. Eustace wasn't having it.

'This is some kind of trick! Stop it or I'll tell mother!' He warned as he inched closer to the door. Edmund and Lucy smiled with joy as the room began to fill with water.

'Mother! Mother!' Eustace yelled in a high pitched voice, but got no response. His eyes widened at the sight of the room filling with water from a painting of all things.

'Oh, I'll just smash the rotten thing!' Eustace spat as he lunged forward and tried to take the painting off the wall. Edmund and Lucy intercepted him.

'No Eustace, no!'

'No, get off!'

'Get off me!'

'You can't!'

'Let go!'

The screams of the 3 teenagers filled the room as the water drenched them completely. They dropped the painting to the floor, as the room filled with water. Suddenly an unknown force began to pull them down.

The surprised gasps of Edmund, Lucy and Eustace filled the room, as they tried to stay afloat and breathe. They were soon pulled down into the water, furniture going everywhere. Lucy was the first to swim upwards, followed by Edmund, and Eustace who was flailing about. Lucy made it to the surface first, taking a deep breath.

'Edmund!' She yelled, just as he surfaced, gasping. Eustace surfaced moments later, coughing.

They turned around to see that same ship, except now, much larger in size, approaching them at a dangerous speed.

'Eustace, swim!' Lucy yelled.

'What's going on?!'

'Eustace, come on!'

The three of them began swimming away from the ship, as fast as they could.

'Keep swimming!' Lucy urged.

Suddenly a bright light shone down from the sky, creating a loud ringing sound. It looked like the sun, but it wasn't. Golden tendrils of light made its way to Edmund, Lucy and Eustace, engulfing them as they were lifted into the air.

'AHHHHHH!' Eustace screeched in a high pitched voice. Lucy covered her ears, as Edmund scowled. They safely landed on the ship's deck.

'Edmund! Lucy!'

The two teenagers turned around to see their old friend.

'Caspian!' They chorused.

Caspian, now King, had a full grown beard, as he continued to grow his hair. He looked much more mature than he did the last time they saw him. He bounded over and wrapped their arms around him. Caspian hugged back tight, not caring that he's drenched as well. As Caspian pulled away, he was now staring at the piercing light in the sky.

'What's going on?' Edmund asked, following Caspian's gaze.

It looked like a crack in the sky, as the light pierced through it. A figure, wreathed in pure light came forward, levitating in the air. It was so bright, no one could see who it was. The crack in the sky disappeared, as the figure came down to the ship. Everyone had to shield their eyes from the glow. As it landed on the deck, a strong gust of wind ripped through, almost like a shockwave, throwing a lot of people off balance, hurtling to the ground. Edmund was among them.

'Ow. What the..' He trailed off, as the light began to dim, and his eyes fell upon the figure. His jaw dropped. Those dark brown eyes stared back at him, but they seemed different. Dark, empty, somewhat broken. She cleared her throat.

'Well.' Raina began. 'This is awkward. You're welcome.'

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