Sunlight dimmed its glow over the island, as dusk approached. An eerie calm settled over the island, as some of the crew members gathered on the shore of the island, gawking and trying to come to terms with the fact that Eustace was now a dragon.

Eustace squirmed, as something glinted on his arm, ahem, claw. As Raina stepped closer, she realised it was a bracelet of sorts, solid gold with some emeralds on it. It was quite beautiful, but her heart ached when she realised what led to it.

'He must've been tempted by the treasure.' Edmund pointed out, looking back at Lucy, Caspian before his eyes landed on Raina. She didn't return it, but somewhere deep inside, it was a cut to her heart, and if there's anything she'd succumb to, it would be death by a thousand cuts. Cuts she inflicted, on herself, at the expense of herself, because of Edmund, and how deeply she wanted to not fall back into a cycle that would hurt even harder. She felt tears build as she cautiously eyed him, his eyes turned away from her. She quickly wiped at her tears.

'Well, anyone knows a dragon's treasure is enchanted...' Caspian began, as Eustace's head snapped to him, annoyed and glaring, when Caspian stopped.

'Cas...' Raina mumbled, warningly.

'Well, anyone from here.' He concluded, trying to save himself.

'Smooth.' Raina whispered, as she turned back to Eustace.

'Are you alright?' Raina asked, somewhat dumbly, knowing he probably wasn't. Eustace gave her a look, that if he were in his human form, would be the definition of exasperated, a visual expression of the phrase 'ya think?'.

'Sorry.' Raina mumbled, as she looked down.

Lucy then walked to Eustace, and noticed him cringing, unable to put pressure on one of his claws, which bore the large bracelet. She carefully walked closer and stretched her arms out to take it out. Eustace adjusted as he reached his claw-like hand out, and Lucy abruptly pulled it off. Eustace let out a dragon-like yell and turned away, scratching his other arm. It was a little funny, as Lucy cracked a smile, and Raina snorted slightly.

Edmund's face spoke of emotions he never thought he'd feel for his cousin, and Raina saw it all. There was a speck of anger, as to why did my dumb mollycoddled cousin fuck up so epically?, along with an unexpected outpour of concern, as to I should've been there. I shouldn't have let him go, I shouldn't have let him make the mistakes I did. Raina wondered if she should read his thoughts, but she didn't need to, because she could feel it anyway. If there was one person in the whole world, who could understand him, who knew when to be with him and when to leave him alone, and who could read his thoughts without even trying, it was Raina. And what hurt the most? Is that she knew it, but she still felt as though she couldn't be with him, because she didn't deserve him. And for a moment, when Edmund saw himself in his cousin, feeling so deeply ashamed, hurt, and unwanted, Raina wondered if she was making the right decision leaving him for good.

'Is there any way to change him back?' Edmund asked, turning to Caspian.

'Not that I know of.' He admitted, looking at Drinian, before his eyes fell upon the High Queen of Narnia. She was lost in her thoughts, namely her decision to stay away from Edmund, and clearly didn't realise that she was looking at him, who stared back at her confused and shocked.

'Ahem.' Caspian cleared his throat, snapping Raina back into reality. She looked dazed, and shy, as she realised she didn't avert her gaze from Edmund when she began to mentally traipse down her decision making process with regards to him.

'Yep?'

Caspian made a face and gestured to Eustace, squirming in his new, scaly skin. Raina opened her mouth and shut it as she realised what he meant.

'Right. Sorry. Let me see what I can do.'

She stepped closer to Eustace, placing a hand on his claw. She shut her eyes, and willed Eustace into turning back to a human. She felt her power swirl in her as she directed it outward, as her entire body began to glow. She opened her eyes, and sure enough they were glowing blue. The palm that rested on Eustace's claw began glowing as well, creating a sort of otherworldly ringing sound. Raina's light began swirling around Eustace, the whole area being lit up by Raina's glow. Everyone took a step back as the power created a powerful wind, making it difficult to stay upright.

After a few moments, nothing changed, and Raina felt herself growing weak, stumbling, unable to stand straight. She dissipated her power, as she stepped away from Eustace, an apologetic look on her face.

'Sorry, I uh...don't think it's working.' She slurred as she felt herself grow lightheaded.

She stumbled again, and tripped on a rock, almost falling to the ground. Edmund ran up to her and steadied her, his arm around her waist, his other hand holding hers. When she realised who it was, she felt her heart break as she stepped away, looking down.

'I'm fine, thanks.' She said shortly, as she walked to Caspian's side. The hurt on Edmund's face was insurmountable, and I have a feeling that everyone caught onto it.

'Is there any other way to change him back?' Raina asked Caspian, feeling guilty for not being able to help. 'I feel my strength is back, and it is! You saw it, but I don't know, something on this island is blocking me from using it.'

Caspian knew what she meant, as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, rubbing her arm, soothingly.

'It's alright, Raina. You're doing what you can. As for your question, not that I know of.' Caspian replied, sadly.

Raina's heart tugged for the boy. He wasn't a bad person, he just didn't know better. And Edmund felt the pain so sharply, he never thought possible. This was the first time he really saw how he and Eustace were actually carbon copies of each other. His go-to defense mechanism came out as he tried to lighten the mood.

'Aunt Alberta will not be pleased.' He commented, as Eustace appeared to scoff, and look down.

'Sorry about the hand, old boy. I...' Reepicheep chimed in suddenly. 'Can be a little overzealous at times.'

Raina looked at him, questioningly.

'I may or may not have stabbed our pal here with my blade, when I thought he was an enemy, trying to break the mast of the Dawn Treader.' He rambled, as Raina's eyebrows shot up. Her lips were pressed into a thin line.

'Alright then.'

'The boats are ready sire!' Tavros called out from the boat, some feet away.

'We can't leave him alone.' Lucy alerted, raising her eyebrow.

'Well, we can't bring him on board, your majesty.' Drinian pointed out.

Caspian exchanged glances with the royals before turning to Drinian.

'Drinian, you and the others take one boat back.' Caspian stated, handing Drinian the sword they retrieved from the island. 'The rest of us will stay here till morning and...' He eyed Eustace, worriedly. 'Work out what to do.'

Raina walked over to Eustace, as Edmund stood barely a foot away from her. He was about to leave, when Raina gave him a look.

'I don't bite, you can stay.' She mumbled, without looking at him. She turned to Eustace, and carefully reached out to stroke the top of his head, comfortingly.

'But you've no provisions!' Rhince suddenly chimed in. 'A-and no means of staying warm, your majesty!'

Raina and Eustace eyed each other, mischievously, before simultaneously lighting up a single stick with fire, Raina with her palms, as Eustace breathed fire on it, catching everyone off-guard. Lucy smiled, surprised. Raina turned away and closed her eyes, willing some food into being, a bunch of grapes and apples, and marshmallows too.

'You were saying?' Reepicheep sassed, as Rhince smiled, and bowed his head, amused. Raina turned back, as everyone looked surprised at the abundance of food in her hands.

'Who knew being a magical being meant you could summon food at will?' She remarked, as everyone gave her dazed smiles. Edmund specifically, appeared to be drooling over the marshmallows. Raina caught his eye, and offered a serving of it on a stick.

'Here.' She reached them out to him, who gratefully took them from her, before eyeing her closely. She pulled herself away, because she knew the moment she looked into his eyes, that's the moment she'd lose control. She handed out the food to everyone and they settled in around the fire, toasting marshmallows, and eating some grapes and apples.

***********

Night fell by the time everyone finished their meal, and everyone was readying themselves to sleep. It had been a long day. Raina lay next to Lucy, who was next to Gael, Edmund and Caspian were some feet away, Rhince was asleep, while Eustace lay some distance away, requiring considerable space for himself. Everyone seemed to have fallen asleep, except for Caspian, Edmund and Raina, whom no one seemed to realise was awake. She lay still on her side, feeling her thoughts haunt her, possibly on the cusp of another stream of nightmares. Wonderful, she thought. Edmund and Caspian were staring at the night sky, dotted with stars, conversing softly.

'I've never seen these constellations before.' Edmund remarked, as he lay on his back, tilted slightly upright, as Caspian sat up and looked at the sky.

'Me neither.' Caspian concurred. 'We're a long way from home.'

Caspian maintained eye contact with the sky before he spoke again.

'When I was a boy, I imagined sailing to the end of the world. Finding my father there.' Caspian spoke, reminiscently. Edmund sensed his pain before speaking again.

'Maybe you will.'

Caspian looked back at Edmund, nodding slightly, still slightly on edge after their cavern incident. By now, Raina's ability to keep the nightmares at bay by staying awake was failing, as she felt herself grow tired and was lulled into temporary oblivion, but not a peaceful one.

'How do I patch things up with Raina?' Edmund suddenly said to Caspian.

'What are you trying to fix, Edmund? You need to figure that out first.' Caspian stated, as Edmund sat up at that.

'Well, I should've been more considerate? And not call her, um...you know.'

Caspian looked down and ran a hand through his hair.

'Edmund.' He began. 'I know what it's like to lose a family member so abruptly, and she's been through the wringer. You also know how empathetic, kind, and caring she is, so for her to do what she did took more strength and inflicted more pain on her than it did on you.'

Edmund listened carefully, because things started to make sense, more than they did before.

'I've only known her a short time, but I know how much she cares, and from what I can tell now, she's hurting, deeply. If you want to figure out how to patch things up with her, you need to first put yourself in her shoes. Things will make better sense.' Caspian explained.

Edmund then got to thinking deeply about just how much Raina suffered over the last 3 years or so. It was enough to physically break someone down, even if they weren't on the receiving end of it. He even remembered the time Raina let him into her mind, and showed him herself at her lowest. When she tried to take her life. A single tear fell from Edmund's eye onto his tunic, as he realised the girl he could never stop caring about, went to hell and back over the past 3 years, all alone. And he didn't even try to understand her point of view, instead he succumbed to an easy explanation, painting her as evil and cruel, and finding someone to blame. He felt sick thinking of it, and even sicker thinking he believed it.

Edmund didn't sleep well that night. All he could think about, is making up for what he did to Raina. Maybe he'll come through, maybe he won't, but one thing's for sure; he's not going to give up without a fight.

************

You could've saved them...You could've changed the ending if you cared enough...But you didn't, because you don't care.

The voices surrounded her like a vortex of her painful past, as a figure walked forward, the one who Raina spent almost 3 years trying to forget. The man who claimed her life almost twice, the man who gave her panic attacks almost once a day, the man who haunts her nightmares, and also, the one who kills her family in her nightmare palace, and claims it's her fault.

It's an oldie, but a goodie. Glozelle gestured to the poisoned longsword in his hand, as he shoved it into Raina's chest, all the way up to the hilt, impaling her on the spot. In the moment, she feels her life being squeezed out of her, and in those fleeting moments, Glozelle pushes 3 people forward, as he stabbed them, before the faces revealed to be Raina's parents and grandmother. The pain was so deep, it choked her, she couldn't speak. Glozelle then rushed at Raina, and grabbed her throat, lifting her into the air, squeezing the life out of her.

But something was different this time. Raina always tried to resist, someway or the other, be it kicking, punching, or something, because she wasn't about to go down this way. But this time, she did nothing. She just went limp, as Glozelle squeezed her trachea with his hands, and felt herself slipping away, again. Just as she was about to slip into oblivion, Glozelle whispered in her ear, but it wasn't Glozelle.

'Now that I'm done with you, I'll pay a visit to that boy of yours. I hope he loves these as much as you do.'

That's when Raina snapped and felt her will rush back at her, willing her to fight back. She tried with all her might to escape Glozelle/The Umbra Regem, but it was too late. Her vision began to darken at the edges, and just then, the poison in her system took effect. And before she closed her eyes, Glozelle's figure changed into someone else. Someone familiar, someone...

Raina's face came into being, a shadow version of her, who is killing the light version, because her shadows were stronger than her light.

**********

Raina jolted awake, her heart pounding in her chest, her ears, her head, and pretty much everywhere, as she grabbed her neck, to feel no bruises, and later her chest, feeling the smooth skin underneath, no traces of a sword wound. She looked around to see it was still dark out, but it looked as though dawn was approaching. She noticed everyone still fast asleep, as her mind went haywire, coming to terms with the fact that the Umbra Regem was practically the worst version of herself, the one who believed in nothing, the one who didn't have any hope for herself, and the one who felt that she deserved nothing, making it easy to succumb and controlled, and that was terrifying.

Raina felt her blood run cold, as she buried her head in her hands, not even bothering if the tears fell. She didn't sob, she just wept quietly, not understanding how she would be able to stop herself from succumbing to the darkness inside her. The darkness that came into being after her family died, the darkness she'd fought for so long to contain, to keep at bay, and for a moment she wished she could hug her family once more. And felt herself descend even deeper when she realised she couldn't. She lay back down, trying to fall asleep, but to no avail. She groaned softly, before carefully standing up, and walking along the edge of the shore, as the dark sky twinkled with stars.

She found a lone rock on the edge of the water, and plopped herself on it, as she threw pebbles into the water. Something felt different this time; she knew her family was gone, but she didn't know they were gone. Instead of fighting in her dream, she gave in, she stopped. That's when it hit her.

She'd finally accepted that her family was gone.

The pain wasn't as strong as before, just a dull ache in her heart, at the back of her eyes, and in the pit of her stomach. It felt similar to the pain she felt when she wore her mother's ring, back in the dorm room. It felt almost necessary, vital. She finally accepted that they were in a better place, and maybe one day, she'll see them again, tell them everything that's happened, laugh with them, hug them, and most importantly, just be with them, and tell them how much she loved them. Maybe not now, maybe not in many years, just someday.

Before she could think of anything else, she heard the sound of a foot on a pebble, as she rapidly turned around, her power glowing in her palms, and her eyes flashing blue. She turned to see Edmund standing there, hands up alarm on his face, as his hair went in all different directions. She let out a sharp sigh, as her power went away, and she fixed him with an annoyed look, trying to hide the blush on her cheeks, seeing him that way. Ugh why is it that when you're trying to push someone away, they just come even closer? She wondered.

'Sneaking up on me again?' She asked.

Edmund looked down, scratching his head.

'No, I uh...just wanted to make sure that...you were okay.' He mumbled. Raina narrowed her eyes at that, trying strongly to keep up her uninterested and distanced persona with him.

'Whether I am okay or not, is none of your concern, Edmund. You can go back and sleep for another hour or so, we're not leaving before that.' She stated, her tone void of emotion, as she turned back to the sea, avoiding the look of sheer pain on Edmund's tear slicked face. Raina nervously cracked her knuckles, as she watched the waves lap on the shore. The sound of the waves was calming, as for a moment, she felt as though she was the only one in the world, until Edmund cleared his throat.

'Um...can we talk?' He asked, so softly, Raina didn't hear him clearly. She turned around.

'What?' She asked, no malice in her voice, just plain confusion. Edmund pursed his lips, as he took a step closer.

'Can we talk?' He raised his voice slightly, so that she may hear. She heard it, and looked down for a moment. Her dream came rushing back, as she wondered why she didn't fight for her family, but fought for Edmund, even though she didn't succeed in the end, she did fight.

'What's there to talk about?' She asked, again her voice devoid of malice, bitterness or emotion. Just a plain questioning tone to it.

Edmund came closer, and eyed the spot on the rock next to her. Raina nodded almost imperceptibly, as he took a seat next to her.

'Raina, I-' He began, but his voice cracked, and he stopped. It sent shivers down Raina's spine, but she kept her composure. This was a side of Edmund she had never seen before. Frail, broken, exhausted, hopeless, and these were words she'd never use to describe Edmund Pevensie.

'I didn't know what happened, and you have no idea how much I wish I could take my words back.' He began, his voice soft, yet firm.

'I'd do anything to take it back, but I can't. But what I can tell you is that I'm sorry. I didn't know the truth, and I fell for what that Umbra Regem showed me and I just- I didn't realise what I saw was a lie. I lashed out at you, and I wish I could take all my words back. I never meant anything I said. I'm sorry.' His voice grew deeper, as he mentioned the Umbra Regem, before softening as he apologised profusely. Raina stayed silent, taking in his words.

'I told you he was a liar.' Raina whispered, as she looked out at the ocean, the sky showing signs of brightening, as dawn was on the horizon.

'I should've believed you.' Edmund responded, sincerely.

Raina felt the sincerity and honesty in his voice, as she felt her wall of defenses grow weaker and weaker, but she forced herself to keep up the walls.

'I appreciate your apology, Edmund.' She began, as Edmund looked up, and turned to her hopefully. It physically hurt her to break him down this way.

'But it's not changing the end result here.'

Edmund deflated, as if someone placed a boulder on his chest. Raina looked down, to hide her tears and the growing pain in her heart.

'Raina, please...just give me a chance..give us a chance-'

'Edmund, there is no us.' Raina felt the pain slice through her heart, as she said these words.

'Whatever happened before, was meaningful, no doubt. But it doesn't mean we're meant to be together, because everytime we try, it doesn't work.'

Edmund stopped her midway, in disbelief.

'Raina, how can you say that? We are-'

'Let me finish. Everytime we try, it doesn't work. I don't know about you, but I don't think I can deal with losing you again and-' She cut herself off, when she realised what she said. Edmund's eyes widened, before he rushed forward, taking her hands in his.

'Raina.' He said so softly, it gave Raina butterflies. And this felt so new, but so familiar, because Edmund always gave her butterflies, but she hadn't felt it in so long.

'You're never going to lose me.'

'You're wrong, because I already have.'

Raina was walking away, when Edmund called out to her.

'Raina please! Please don't walk away from me again! I-' He cut himself off as his voice cracked. Raina stopped, but didn't turn around.

'I have never, once in my life, trusted anyone with what I've trusted you with. I don't know what I would do if I had to forget you, because I CAN'T forget you!'

Raina felt her walls break down slowly.

'I never thought we'd be here today, and you know what? I don't regret it at all, because if there is even a chance that things will work out, I'll take it because you're worth every risk.'

If Raina wasn't crying before, she definitely was now.

Edmund walked up to her and took her hand, as she turned around.

'I have never felt this way about anyone. I don't think I ever will. Please don't take that away from me...' Edmund pleaded, tears sparkling in his eyes. Raina was choked up at the sight, but she still felt the need to stay away, she didn't deserve him. She pulled away, shaking her head, and began pacing. The sun was about to rise on the horizon.

'Edmund stop! We can't! Stop doing this to me, please!'

'Raina what's going on?! Why-'

'Edmund just stop! Please don't say anything else again, I-'

'Raina hold on-'

'Don't you see?! We can't be together, and even if we were, we'd just crash and burn again!!'

'No we wouldn't! We just need to-'

'Edmund STOP! Please don't say anything else PLEASE! If you do, I-'

'You what, Raina?!'

'I'LL FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU... AGAIN!'

Both of them fell silent. Raina was shivering from the cold, as her face was slicked with tears, her heart hammering in her chest.

'And it won't work out...again.'

Edmund's jaw dropped as he registered what she said. Raina felt as if something was lifted from her chest. Edmund's cheeks were glistening with tears, but he made his way over to Raina. Raina couldn't meet his gaze, as she maintained eye-contact with the ground. He brought two fingers under her chin, to lift her face up to meet him. Even when she was in tears, her sparkling brown eyes and her blush pink lips she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Raina studied his face, the bags under his eyes, the pinkness of his lips, the freckles dusted across his nose and cheeks, but he was still the same handsome boy she fell head over heels for, and nothing could ever change that, no matter how hard she tried to deny it or stay away. Their faces were inches apart, as Edmund's fingers grazed the sides of her face.

'It'll work out this time...because I love you too.' Edmund whispered. Raina felt her heart race, as she knew what was about to happen.

As dawn broke, before any of them could make another sound, both of them leaned in and sparks were flying as their lips met for the first time in almost 3 years. Both of their faces were slick with tears but it didn't matter, because in that moment nothing mattered except each other. Raina's hand went to the side of Edmund's face, cradling it, as she surrendered to the emotions she'd been keeping at bay for years. Both of them let go, and they caught each other in the free fall. Edmund relished the feeling of finally getting his feelings off his chest, feelings he never thought he'd feel for anyone, feelings he never thought he'd be able to say. The early morning sunlight washed over them, as the chill breeze made Raina shiver, and Edmund brought her even closer, his lips still on hers, desperate, gentle, unwilling to ever let go. Edmund dipped her back slightly, still having a secure hold on her, as he leaned further into her, so much so their chests were touching, and their hearts beat together, as one.

They were both running out of breath, as Edmund pulled away first, looking Raina in the eye. She was shivering from the cold, and possibly in his presence, as he brought her close to him, their faces 2 inches apart.

'Took me way too long but, I love you Raina Laurel..' He whispered, as Raina felt tears in her eyes again, and for the first time in a long time, it was from happiness. Edmund reached up and gently wiped them away, as Raina met his gaze, still sniffling, as a small smile made its way to her features.

'I love you Edmund Pevensie. Always have, always will.'

Edmund smiled brightly, as he embraced her, burying his face in her hair, as Raina clung to him tightly, giving into the feelings she had been hiding for the longest time. It was a beautiful image, two people, who couldn't be more perfect for each other, finally admit it.

As they embraced, Raina felt something course through her veins, as she noticed her arms began to glow. She gently pulled away from Edmund, as her necklace and her entire body began to glow. Edmund's eyes looked alarmed as he quickly grabbed her arms.

'Are you okay?! What's happening?'

And in that moment, Raina realised what was missing. She grabbed Edmund's hands in her own, as the two of them lifted off the ground, surrounded by an aura of golden light. Raina felt Venus' Crux on her head, as she felt herself transform the same way she did the first time she came to Narnia. The golden glow enveloped the entire island, as she felt herself whole. She met Edmund's gaze, as they were suspended in the air, and smiled.

'I finally realised what was missing.' She whispered, giddily. 'It was you. It was always you.'

At the dawn of the new day, everything changed. After years of denial, torment, trauma, loss, abandonment and pain, all the puzzle pieces fell into place.

They fell into place.

(A/N OH MY GOD IT HAPPENED OH MY GOD OH MY GOD IM SCREAMING WIFIEKFJKDN I CANT BELIEVE IT FINALLY!!!!! THIS WAS MY LONGEST CHAPTER OVER 4700 WORDS WOOOWEEEE!!!! I REALLY HOPE I DELIVERED ON THIS ONE AND I HOPE YOU WILL VOTE AND COMMENT AND SHARE THIS TOO!! I LOVE YOU ALL AND HAVE A LOVELY DAY)

please vote on the chapters guys, it would really help my fanfic!!