Raina, Lucy and Edmund were then shown to some rooms where they could change, because their clothes were wet. Eustace was taken to a resting chamber, where he was still unconscious and honestly? That's better for everyone. Raina changed out of her wet shirt and pants, and slipped into an oversized white shirt and black pants and black boots. It was definitely more comfortable than what she wore prior, as it was body-hugging but this made her feel more relaxed. She thanked god that she always had a hair tie wrapped around her wrist, as she began to tame her hair and pull it into a medium high ponytail. She took a deep breath to calm her racing thoughts.

It's alright, Raina. You did this once before, of course you couldn't keep it up for long, but that doesn't matter. You're here, to help Narnia, not to get back together with him. Remember that. Don't get too deep, it'll just be even harder to get over when it ends. Raina told herself. She just needed to do what she needed to in Narnia, and go back home, finish her education, and move to the States, far away from the Pevensies, even when she wanted to tell Edmund that-

A knock came at the door, startling her. Raina walked up to the door and opened it to reveal Lucy, standing in similar clothing, her hair in a side ponytail, as she uncomfortably fidgeted in it.

'These are not comfortable.' Lucy whined. Raina chuckled.

'I think they're comfy. Certainly better than that clingy shirt I was wearing earlier.' Raina defended, jokingly. Lucy pouted as she entered her room and plopped down on a chair, giving Raina a serious look.

'Look, Raina, we need to talk.' She said, calmly. Raina's face was impassive, but nodded.

'I guess so. What's up?' She asked, subtly feigning cluelessness. Lucy pushed it aside.

'What happened?' She asked, simply. Raina maintained eye contact with Lucy for a moment before opening her mouth to speak. There was a slight degree of hesitation but she pushed it aside.

'Lucy, a lot of things happened over the past 2 and a half years which, truth be told, I don't have the capacity to delve into right now. At least not just yet, I'm sorry.' Raina admitted, her voice distant, with a twinge of sadness. Lucy noted the frown on Raina's face, along with her closed fists. She realised then that whatever happened, she still hasn't moved on. Lucy came forward and took Raina's hands and looked her dead in the eye.

'Raina, you know I care about you like you're my own sister. I also know how strong you are, so I trust you when you say you're not ready to talk just yet. I know you'll tell me when you're ready.' She explained as Raina noticeably relaxed.

'But I'm not the one you should apologise to.' Lucy said, knowingly. Raina took a shuddering breath as she faced Lucy.

'He hates me, doesn't he?' Raina asked, or more like stated. She chuckled mirthlessly. 'I don't blame him.'

'No.' Lucy defended, as she squeezed Raina's hands, encouragingly.

'He could never hate you, Raina. He just needs an explanation from you. He deserves that.' Lucy reminded her. Raina turned cold, distant.

'I don't think I can do that.' She stated in a voice, not of her own. Lucy looked concerned, but she also knew better not to push Raina.

'Let's go, the boys are waiting for us.' She urged as Raina nodded and they walked out the door.

********

Edmund changed into a shirt, pants, with a half-sleeved coat and emerged from under the deck. He took in the crew members at work, smiling with nostalgia. He walked across the deck, and met up with Caspian, who also changed.

'Much better.' Caspian said to him with a smile. Edmund returned the gesture.

'Ready, Lu?' Edmund called out, as Lucy emerged from higher up the deck, in men's clothing, clearly uncomfortable in it.

'Ah, excuse me lad, don't suppose you've seen a young girl anywhere?' Caspian poked fun at Lucy, as she gave him an annoyed look before punching his shoulder.

'All right!' She whined, as Caspian and Edmund laughed.

'Boys, behave, or you're going in the ocean.' A voice called out from above the stairs. Caspian and Edmund looked up as Lucy smirked to herself. Raina sauntered down the stairs, her hair blowing in the wind, as Edmund's breath got caught in her throat. Her eyes seemed to sparkle, but it almost felt forced.

'No, hell no, I just changed. I'm not changing again.' Caspian replied, warningly. Raina turned to Edmund, a challenging look on her face as she smirked.

'You already have experience.' She stated, and smiled. Edmund looked surprised at how quickly her demeanour changed. He played along, as he smirked.

'You wouldn't do it again.' He challenged.

Raina walked straight up to him and looked him in the eye. Her heart was beating rapidly, being so close to him after so long, but she wasn't about to back down.

'You want to have a go?' She purred. Edmund thanked the lord he wore full sleeves else his goosebumps would be on display for all the world to see.

'Ahem.' Caspian cleared his throat, ending the little moment between Edmund and Raina, as the pair sheepishly pulled away from each other.

'Well, it looks like nothing's changed.' Caspian mused, as Raina tensed slightly. Caspian laughed to himself.

'Come on.' He said, as Lucy, Edmund and Raina followed him inside. As they walked inside the ship, Edmund walked close to Raina, his mind scrambled. One moment she looked like someone else, and then in another she looked similar to the girl he remembers and possibly cares about, more than he wants to let on. He wordlessly slipped his hand into hers, to see how she reacts, as he himself blushed.

Raina's heart quickened like it never did before as Edmund entwined his fingers with hers. She was sure he did not care about her the way he used to, but suddenly she was unsure. Why would he care about me after the way I treated him? She wondered. She doesn't deserve it. But she didn't have the heart to pull away. Just before they entered the main room, Raina turned to him, and gave him a small smile.

Edmund visibly relaxed, even as his heart sped up seeing Raina smile after so long. He swore he had butterflies every time he saw her smile. She had the same effect on him as she did almost 3 years ago. He looked down, shyly, as Raina giggled softly. Regardless of what happened, he couldn't deny that he still had feelings for her, and not even a 100 years apart could change that. He was hurt, no doubt, but he was not angry. Not anymore.

Caspian opened the doors to the main room, as the three royals looked around, in awe. Lucy went to the fireplace, where an ornament of the great lion hung over the top. She smiled.

'Aslan.' She said, as she lightly grazed the edges with her hand.

Raina walked to the other side of the room, where she found her swords and daggers hung as antiques. So many memories came back to her as she smiled.

'Too many memories with these.' She mused, as she grazed the edges of the hilts. Caspian chuckled before walking over to her and taking her two swords and daggers off the wall and handing it to her. She gave a confused look.

'They belong to you. I've just been saving it for you.' Caspian assured. Raina smiled, gratefully before taking them from him, as he walked away. She noted that she doesn't have a belt to strap them to.

'Here.'

Raina looked up to see Edmund holding out her belt to her. She looked slightly surprised before taking them from him. Her fingers grazed his, as both of them sucked in a deep breath. Raina smiled slightly.

'Thanks.'

She put the belt on and strapped her sword and daggers to it.

'Look!' Lucy's voice was heard.

'Susan's bow and arrows.' She continued, as she observed her sister's weapon of choice placed on a side table.

'Lucy.' Caspian called out. Lucy turned around to see him holding a box with her healing cordial and dagger. She smiled excitedly.

'My healing cordial! And dagger!' She reached for it but hesitated. 'Oh, may I?' She asked, timidly.

'Of course, they're yours.' Caspian reassured as Lucy took them and put them on.

'Peter's sword.' Edmund suddenly spoke, as he walked towards a compartment that held his brother's sword.

'Yes..' Caspian began. 'I looked after it as promised.' He remembered, as he pulled the sheathed sword out of its case.

'Here, hold it if you wish.' Caspian offered as he held the sword out to Edmund, who shook his head.

'No no, it's yours.' He explained. 'Peter gave it to you.' He stated.

Raina noted the slight tension in his jaw, and in his hands. Her heart tugged for him, she knew he wanted to hold it. Caspian thought nothing of it, as he smiled mischievously.

'I did save this for you, though.' He commented, as he walked over to another compartment, and pulled out Edmund's torch, smiling as he tossed it to him. The latter caught it with a dazed smile on his face.

'Thanks.' He breathed, as he turned the torch on, shining brightly in his face, momentarily blinding him. Raina laughed at that.

'Wait, wait, I'm getting a déjà vu. Telmarine Castle. Torch dropped to the ground. Soldier gets blinded.' Raina said, reminiscently and cockily. Edmund threw her a playfully annoyed look.

'That wasn't my fault.' He maintained, as Raina laughed to herself, shaking her head.

'Sure.' She mocked.

*********

Caspian gathered Raina, Edmund, Lucy and his advisor, Drinian in the map room.

'Since you left, the Giants of the North have surrendered, unconditionally.' Caspian began, pointing to a spot on the map.

'Then we defeated the Calormen army in the Great Desert.' Caspian continued. Edmund and Lucy stood in front of him, while Drinian stood to his right. Raina stood a few ways away, staring out the balcony. She didn't seem to be paying attention.

'There's peace across all of Narnia.' Caspian said, with a peaceful smile.

That got Raina's attention.

'Peace?'

'Peace?'

Raina turned around to see Edmund asked the same question. She gave him a sheepish look as she walked back inside.

'In just 3 years.' Caspian concluded. Raina's eyebrows shot up.

Why did Aslan say Narnia's in trouble?

'And have you found yourself a queen in those three years?' Lucy asked, with a smirk as Raina snorted.

Caspian gave her an amused look as he looked down for a moment.

'No.' He admitted. 'Not one to compare with your sister.' He explained as Lucy laughed and Edmund gagged.

'Oh god..' He breathed and shuddered. Raina chuckled.

'So hang on. If there are no wars to fight, and no one's in trouble..then why are we here?' Edmund asked, curiously.

'That's a good question. I've been asking myself the same thing.' Caspian admitted before turning to Raina.

'Hey, Raina. You never told us how you got here.' Caspian pointed out, as all eyes turned to her. She sighed.

'That's an interesting story.' She mused, as Edmund's eyebrows shot up, curiously.

'Do tell.' He said, crossing his arms and leaning back. Raina turned to him and shrugged.

'I was settling into my dorm room, when suddenly Aslan reached out to me telepathically.' She spoke as everyone's eyes widened.

'Aslan? We haven't heard from him since you guys left.' Caspian replied. Raina nodded.

'He told me that Narnia's in trouble.' She said, quietly, prompting deep frowns and confused looks.

'When I asked what happened, he said nothing yet, but it won't be that way for too long.' Raina said in a warning tone. Everyone exchanged worried glances, as Edmund came closer to Raina.

'Did he say anything else?' He asked her, concerned. She turned to him, momentarily flustered by how close he was to her before calming herself.

'No. He left right after. Then I created a portal, stepped right through, got youse out of the water and bing bang boom, I'm here.' She ended, cockily prompting raised eyebrows from everyone. She smiled to herself.

So what if I left out a few key details? Like the fact that Narnia's fate lies in the hands of a demigod whose greatest strength is weak? Not like they noticed me. She thought to herself. She didn't notice Edmund closely observing her.

'Huh. Strange.' Caspian mused, as Raina walked over, Edmund closely behind her. Raina felt slightly on edge being in close proximity to him. She wasn't mentally prepared.

'So where are we sailing to?' Edmund piped up, changing the topic.

'After I took back the throne from my uncle..' Caspian began. 'He tried to kill my Father's best friends and most loyal supporters.' He explained, turning around to a bulletin board with 7 sketches of men on them.

'The seven lords of Telmar.' Caspian continued. Edmund walked closer to get a good look at the Lords, as Raina observed them from beside Lucy.

'They fled to the Lone Islands. No one's heard from them since.' Caspian concluded as he pointed to the Lone Islands on the map.

'So you think something's happened to them?' Edmund asked as he observed the sketches. He turned to Caspian, who had a worried look on his face.

'Well, if it has, it's my duty to find out.' He said, gravely. Edmund nodded to him.

'Well, what's East of the Lone Islands?' Lucy asked, curiously.

'Uncharted waters.' Drinian began. 'Things you can barely imagine. Tales of sea serpents and worse.'

Raina felt her blood run cold.

'Sea serpents?' Edmund asked, cocking an eyebrow.

'Alright, Captain.' Caspian piped up. 'That's enough of your tall tales.' He smirked, biting into an apple.

He turned to Edmund, a mischievous smile on his face.

'Are you thinking what I'm thinking?' He asked, smirking. Edmund mirrored his expression. Raina and Lucy side eyed each other as they crossed their arms.

'Duel?'

'Duel.'

'Why don't you two make it interesting?' Lucy proposed, as the two men gave her a confused look. She gestured to Raina who had an infuriating smirk on her face. Edmund let out a chuckle and Caspian smiled.

'I could go easy on you.' Raina proposed, patronisingly. The two men's expressions hardened slightly.

'Let's do it. I've been training a lot.' Caspian taunted. Raina nodded with a smirk, as she turned to Edmund. He smirked as he cocked an eyebrow, making Raina suck in a deep breath. He leaned in close and whispered in her ear.

'I already have an edge.' He whispered. Raina felt her cheeks blush as she looked at him, their faces 2 inches apart.

'We'll see about that.' She said in a breathy voice, and winked. Now it was Edmund's turn to get flustered.

'See you out there, boys. Spoiler alert, I'm definitely not going easy on you.' She smirked as she walked out. Edmund shook his head, smiling.

'Safe to say she hasn't changed.' Caspian chuckled. Edmund walked out next.

'She has.' He said to himself.

As Caspian, Lucy and Drinian left, Edmund hung back and tried to figure out what was going on with Raina. He knew something was wrong. He just didn't know what. Seeing her after so long, he couldn't in his right mind feel angry at her. She was not the type to push people away, unless something truly terrible happened. He knew her, and that was his greatest strength. He left the room and stood outside Raina's room. He stood in the doorway and watched as she readied herself for the duel.

'Hey.'

Raina froze up as she heard his voice from the doorway. Oh boy this is it she thought. She took a deep breath and faced him. He had a small smile on his face, which Raina found nothing short of breathtaking.

'Hi.' She said, in a small voice. Edmund walked inside her room, as she met him halfway. The two of them just stared at each other for a few moments, feeling the weight of their time apart from each other.

'How are you?' He asked, softly.

Just that simple question was enough for Raina's eyes to well up. It's not that no one has asked her how she's doing, almost everyone who heard her tale of woe has, it was just something about the way Edmund asked, that made her crumble slightly. She didn't know if she could tell him just yet, the things she barely admitted to herself.

'I'm fine. It's just been kind of rough these past couple of years.' She admitted, softly. Edmund eyed her closely and stepped closer. Raina's heart beat a million miles an hour.

'I got your letter.' He whispered. Raina gulped as she met his gaze.

'I meant every word.' She whispered. Edmund's face softened as he gently placed a hand on the side of her face. Raina took a shuddering breath just as his hand grazed the side of her face. No matter how many years go by, he could effortlessly speed up her heart rate and make her blush by a simple action. She found herself getting lost in his eyes, so captivating and piercing.

Then she realised what she was doing. She was setting herself up to feel pain, the same pain she spent the last 2 and a half years running from. If I don't have him, I can't lose him. She thought. Not again.

She pulled away, not meeting his gaze. He looked confused as he tilted her chin upwards to face him. Her features clouded over as the sparkle left her eyes.

'I'm sorry.' She mumbled, as she stepped away from him and walked away.

'We should go for the duel.' She said, quietly before power walking down the ship, towards the deck, leaving Edmund utterly confused and maybe even a little heartbroken.

Raina, what happened to you?

*********

Raina stood in a ready stance, two swords drawn as Caspian and Edmund circled her, sword in hand. Her eyes flitted from one opponent to the other with deadly precision.

'You're going down, Raina.' Caspian challenged, with a smirk.

'Bring it on.' Raina challenged right back.

'Ahem, I'm here too.' Edmund groaned. Raina met his gaze and smirked.

'Oh, I didn't notice.' She taunted. Edmund smirked, as he turned to something behind Raina, as Caspian struck her with his sword, which she parried at the last moment. The crew cheered the royals on.

'Seriously?!' She yelled, annoyed. Edmund shrugged.

Edmund struck her from the other side, as Raina ducked and Edmund struck Caspian's sword instead. In that split second of confusion, Raina used both her swords to twist it out of their hands, with a kind of precision that was terrifying, yet supremely awesome. By twisting the swords out of their reach, they were flung high into the air, before they fell on the ground at Raina's feet. She levelled the tips of her swords at Edmund and Caspian's necks. They stared at her in utter disbelief, as the crew erupted in loud cheers. She smiled and shrugged.

'You were saying? Caspian?' She taunted. Caspian whined.

'Not again.' He groaned.

Edmund stared at her, awestruck. The precision, the skill, it's like she's the same powerful, skilled warrior he came to care about almost 3 years ago. But her eyes gave it away.

'I'd say good match, but it wasn't completely fair now was it?' Raina taunted, eyeing Edmund. He gave her a smile and ran his hand through his hair. In the sunlight, Raina's breath got stuck in her throat. A crew member came up to Edmund and Raina with two glasses of water.

'Your majesties.' He bowed.

'Thank you so much.' Raina said, gratefully taking the glass.

'Thank you.' Edmund responded as he took the glass, chugging the water like he was parched, while Raina gently sipped hers. They came across Lucy sitting on a barrel.

'Edmund. Do you think if we keep sailing to the end of the world, we'll just..tip off the edge?' She asked, curiously. Raina raised her eyebrows at the question as Edmund responded.

'Don't worry, Lu. We're a long way from there.' He reassured. Just then, Raina observed Eustace emerge from below deck, a scowl etched on his face.

'I see you're still talking nonsense, the two of you.' He spat. Raina raised her eyebrows at that. He then finally noticed Raina. His eyebrows shot up at the sight of her, not expecting her to look the way she did. He shook himself as he scowled.

'Who are you?' He asked in a rude tone. Raina's face was impassive as Edmund boiled.

'Don't talk to her like that.' He hissed. Raina looked surprised as Eustace made a face at him.

'Just because you have a crush on her, doesn't mean I have to be nice to her, cousin.' Eustace taunted, as Edmund's eyes widened and his cheeks turned red. Raina smiled to herself as she walked towards Eustace.

'I'm Raina. Nice to meet you.' She greeted, kindly. He scoffed at her.

'Eustace.' Is all he said. Raina cocked an eyebrow at him.

'You know, I thought you'd have something else to say.' She mused as Eustace gave her a weird look.

'I don't have anything to say to you. I don't know you.' He spat. Raina smiled to herself.

She decided to shut him up once and for all. She summoned her power, which she noticed took more active effort than before. She looked up at Eustace and felt her eyes flash blue. Eustace jumped back out of fright.

'Wh-WHAT'S HAPPENING?!' He screeched as Raina's palm began to glow. He was then lifted high up into the air.

'AHHHHHHHH!' He screamed at the top of his lungs as everyone else laughed heartily. Edmund smiled infuriatingly. Lucy turned to Raina.

'Raina...' She reprimanded as Raina shrugged.

'This'll remind you that if it weren't for me, you'd become fish food right now.' Raina said sweetly.

'PUT ME DOWN NOW! I ORDER YOU TO PUT ME-' Eustace yelled as Raina dropped him on the deck, not enough to hurt him, but enough to shock him. He faced Raina, his face a mask of fear and anger.

'Wh-who are you?' He asked, his voice trembling. Raina smiled.

'I'm Queen Raina of Narnia. And you will treat me with respect. Next time, I'll dump you in the water without a second thought, do you hear me?' Raina said in a low voice. Eustace nodded.

Edmund had never been this happy in his entire life. Lucy broke the silence, as she turned to Eustace.

'Are you feeling better?' She asked.

'Yes, no thanks to you.' He answered.

'As effervescent as ever, I see.' Reepicheep piped up, from next to Lucy. 'Find your sea legs?'

'Never lost them.' Eustace answered quickly. 'I'm simply dealing with the shock of things.'

Edmund threw an annoyed look his cousin's way as he drank the remaining water in his glass.

'Mother says I have an acute disposition. Due to my intelligence.' Eustace explained as Edmund practically choked on the water he was drinking, while Raina snorted and Lucy tried to hide her smile.

'I don't think he has a cute anything.' Reepicheep commented.

'I agree.' Raina replied.

'I'll have you know, as soon as we find civilisation, I'm contacting the British Consul. And having you all arrested for kidnapping.' Eustace threatened as he began walking away. He bumped into someone's chest, as he stumbled back. It was Caspian.

'Kidnapping, is it? That's funny. I thought we saved your life.' He mused.

'Uh hello? I saved his life.' Raina interjected. Caspian smiled.

'Ah yes, you are right.'

Eustace turned to Raina.

'Well, I suppose I must thank you.' He said, catching everyone off guard, especially Edmund. He stared at his cousin, dumbfounded.

'I suppose so as well. Maybe next time, you don't scream bloody murder?' Raina proposed. Eustace looked offended, but seeing the look on Raina's face he stood down.

'Fair enough.'

(A/N two chapters in one day, damn i surprise myself. i know this feels really drawn out but i'm trying to build tension between edmund and raina. it's going to get darker going forward and i reiterate, there will be mentions of depression, anxiety and ptsd. so please read at your discretion. love you all!)

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