What happened?

The question that clouded the minds of the Pevensies as they returned home from Raina's place. After a month of not responding to letters, suddenly she moves away? Why? What happened? Why did she cut them out? Susan broke the silence as they walked to the train station.

'Maybe she's just visiting family? I mean, it makes sense.' She proposed, unsure. Edmund maintained eye contact with the ground, as Peter spoke up.

'The lady back there said she moved in. That means she's moved away permanently.' He corrected as Susan glared at him, before eyeing her younger brother, who did not look up.

'Ed, she'll come back-' Susan began.

'Don't.' Is all he said.

'Edmund, have some faith. It's Raina. You'll see her again.' Lucy implored, as Edmund looked up and met his sister's gaze. Lucy was slightly shocked at the emotion that was prevalent on his face.

'You can't promise that, Lu.'

********

'Would you like some tea, dear?' Claire asked her niece, who sat on a couch in the living room, idly staring out the window. Her suitcase was on the ground, as she clutched her carry-on bag to her chest. She slowly turned around to meet Claire's gaze, who was standing in the doorway to the kitchen. She nodded slowly.

'Earl grey?'

'Yes please.' Raina practically whispered, trembling.

As Claire disappeared inside the kitchen, Raina wordlessly opened her bag and took in all the unopened letters from the Pevensies. 6 letters from Peter, 4 from Susan, 7 from Lucy, and 13 from Edmund.

Raina felt nothing. She numbly stared at the letters, perhaps feeling a slight tinge of pain as she saw Edmund's handwriting. It was so beautiful, she thought. She always loved his handwriting, but never said it, to not inflate his already large ego. She smiled slightly as she remembered his cocky moments in front of her, believing she would be impressed. Spoiler alert, she wasn't.

But she ruined it. No, life ruined it. The smile was wiped off Raina's face as her past came rushing back. She squeezed her eyes shut to expel those horrifying images from her mind. She buried her head in her hands.

'No, no no no, please no.' She whispered, as flashbacks gripped her. Her grandmother's lifeless figure on the ground, her father's coffin being lowered into the ground, a sheet being placed over her mother's face, and of all things, a strange creature, wreathed in shadow and lightning came forward. It hissed as as lightning struck and it let out a blood curdling scream. That creature haunted her nightmares, as did everything else that came rushing back to her, just as she tried to remember her past, no matter how sweet, or special.

'NO!' Raina screamed, as her chest heaved. She felt a hand being placed on her shoulder. She looked up to meet the concerned eyes of her aunt.

'Is there anything I can do?' She asked, softly.

Raina always loved Aunt Claire. She was perhaps the most understanding person in the world. She knew when to press Raina about what was bothering her, and when to back off. She always appreciated her for that.

'No, I don't think so.' Raina admitted, quietly, as her aunt nodded. 'Thank you.'

'I'm always here for you dear. Whatever you need.'

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

11 months later:

'Are you ready, dear?'

Raina sighed, as she faced her aunt.

'Not really, but I'll deal with it.'

'Let me know when you want to go home. There's a train leaving in 45 minutes, another in an hour and half, and another one that leaves in 2 and a half hours. Accordingly, tell me.' Aunt Claire said, kindly as Raina nodded.

The pair walked down the streets of Sutton, to attend a small gathering for her late family. Just her immediate family was attending. No one had the mental capacity to face a larger crowd than 7 people. Aunt Claire squeezed Raina's hand, reassuringly.

'We'll leave as soon as we can, okay?' She reassured Raina.

'Thanks, Aunt Claire.'

They finally walked up to a cozy house on the main residential street, and knocked on the door. It was around 4 o' clock in the afternoon. The door opened to reveal an elderly woman, approaching her 80s. Raina's other grandmother, Thea. She had a sad smile on her face. Aunt Claire walked up first to embrace her mother.

'Oh Claire, I'm so glad to see you. How are you doing, sweetheart?' She asked her daughter, mirroring her expression.

'I'm fine, mum. Things are going okay.' Aunt Claire responded. 'Are the others here?'

'Yes, Judy and Donny just arrived. Will's brother and sister are here too.' She responded. She then turned to Raina and opened her arms wide.

'Come here, baby. Oh, I haven't seen you in a year.' Thea mumbled, as she tightly embraced her granddaughter. Raina wordlessly hugged back, her face impassive. As she pulled away, Thea placed her hands on her face.

'It's hard, baby, I know. You're going to be okay. Come in.' She beckoned them in, as Raina took off her coat, and hung it on the coat rack. She wore a simple black dress that reached her knees, along simple black shoes with her black coat. She caught a glimpse of herself in a nearby mirror, her dark brown locks now till her shoulders. She looked so different to who she was a year ago. She couldn't recognise herself.

'Dear?' Thea called out to Raina, who jumped slightly. Thea smiled, ruefully. 'We're in the living room.'

Raina nodded and walked over to the room, where her uncles and aunts were seated. She had two aunts and an uncle on her mother's side, Aunt Claire, of course, Aunt Judy and Uncle Donald. She had an aunt and uncle on her father's side, Aunt Debra and Uncle David. They each had some form of drink in their hands, as they looked up to see Raina. They all smiled as she walked in.

'Oh Raina dear, you've grown so much. You're a lady now. How's school going?' Aunt Judy asked. Raina sat on an empty seat as she gave a tight lipped smile.

'Thank you. School's fine. Starting my final year in a week.' She said, somewhat shortly, clearly not wanting to talk much.

'Raina's doing very well at school. She's well on her way to Cambridge University next year.' Aunt Claire answered, to take the heat off Raina, who smiled gratefully at her.

'Oh Cambridge. Lovely University, boring town though.' Uncle David replied, prompting some chuckles.

'He's right. I lived there for a few years. Everything is monotonous.' Aunt Debra spoke. Raina nodded, politely.

'I'm just trying to get into Cambridge. It's really hard.' Raina admitted, softly.

'Don't worry, I'm sure you'll get in.' Uncle Donald replied. Raina smiled, politely.

An awkward energy filled the air. Everyone sank into silence as they began to recall the reason why they had gathered. A heaviness filled the air.

'You know..' Aunt Debra began. 'Will was one of a kind.' A glazed look was on her face. Raina kept her head down. She can't let herself remember the past.

'He was the type whose shoulder you could cry on every night, who'd console and be there for you, and the next day beat up the asshole who made you feel that way.' Aunt Debra chuckled.

'I can't begin to count the number of times he landed in trouble because of it.' She said, shaking her head.

'I remember this one time..' Uncle David piped up. 'This bloke at school, I'm sure he was wasted, began swearing and tried to push me and hit me. Will bounded up to us, and sucker punched him. The bloke passed out immediately after. I think Will got suspended too.' Uncle David laughed, as the rest of them joined in.

'Mum would have his head every time he did something like that. He never listened. He wanted to be a judge.' Aunt Debra said, sadly.

'Will and Mia really were meant for each other. He was fire, she was water. They were made for each other.' Aunt Judy said, distantly.

'Mia, oh what can I say? Heart of pure gold. Couldn't hurt a fly.' Uncle Donald said, reminiscently.

As everyone began delving into nostalgic times, Raina tried to steady her breathing, steady her racing mind, and took deep breaths to aid it. About 25 minutes had passed since they arrived. Aunt Claire kept looking back at Raina to make sure she's okay. She noticed Raina on edge, the latter desperately trying to center herself and not lose control.

'Everyone, I think it's time we get back. Raina has school and assignments and it'll take us some time to get back.' Aunt Claire said, sadly. The others were about to interject, but seeing the look on Claire's face, and the state Raina was in, they nodded. They exchanged embraces, as Raina power walked out of the room, and physically relaxed, taking deep breaths to calm herself. She grabbed her coat off the rack, just as Thea walked up to her.

'Raina, dear. I know this is hard on you, sweetheart. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have made you come-' She began when Raina shook her head and took her grandmother's hands in her own.

'Grammy, no. I'm glad I came. But, I think it's best I just try and focus on school for some time.' Raina explained, softly. Her grandmother embraced her, patting her head.

'Stay strong, baby. You'll get through this. Someday.'

'Yeah. Someday.'

*******

1.5 Years Later

Raina sighed in frustration as she crumpled up her 13th piece of paper. Why is it so hard to write letters? She asked herself. So what if it's to someone you haven't spoken to in over two years? She rolled her eyes.

On the surface, Raina seemed okay. She just graduated high school, and was offered admission to Cambridge. That was the first time she genuinely felt happy since...well whatever happened. Finally, things seemed to be getting better. Finally she was able to put her past behind her, mostly. There was just one part she wasn't ready to say goodbye to.

Him.

She knew he hated her, I mean why wouldn't he?

She did to him, exactly what he did to her almost 5 years ago. But she has a reason too. Will that stop him from hating me? Probably not. She wondered. I'm probably never going to see him again. She realised.

Ever since all that happened 2.5 years ago, Raina decided to forget her past. Just erase it. Lest she remember, and fall into a deep pit of nightmares and mental insanity. But she wasn't ready to say goodbye to him. Again.

She took a deep breath, as she held the pen in her hand and began to write. She wasn't going to send it, just hold on to it for a reminder of who she used to be.

Dear Edmund,

I'm sorry for everything. You probably hate me right now, and I can't blame you for it. It was my fault, I'm sorry.

I know you probably won't even read this considering you moved away too, but I have to try.

I just wanted you to know that everything that happened between us meant the world to me. I guess fate had other plans.

Thank you for the best times of my life.

Love,
Raina

Raina stared at the letter she wrote. She let out a sigh as she folded it, and placed it under a book. She changed into a blue shirt with grey pants and black shoes. She tamed her growing brunette waves, which grew below her shoulders. It's strange how quickly her hair grew from shoulder length to well below. She grabbed her suitcase, carry-on bag, and letter as she made her way down the stairs. She shoved the letter into her bag, as she met Aunt Claire's excited gaze.

'I can't believe you're already off to Cambridge!' She squealed.

'I know, I honestly don't know how.' Raina admitted, as she came to a stop at the bottom of the stairs.

'Take care, sweetie. I will come and check on you next week. I have a lot to do, I'm so sorry I can't come with you now.' Aunt Claire said, sadly.

'It's no problem. I have to go, the train leaves in 30 minutes.' Raina said, hurriedly as she lugged her bags and made way to the door.

'Bye sweetheart! Take care and have fun in Cambridge!' Aunt Claire called out.

'Will do, Aunt Claire! Thank you!'

*********

As the train rolled into the station, Raina was dozing off. She was up quite early to leave, and her sleepiness returned. She momentarily found herself back in Narnia, when Edmund-

RAINA NO! STOP THINKING ABOUT HIM! She screeched at herself.

Raina's eyes widened as she saw someone at the station. Clad in a suede coat, pants and a cap, he looked achingly familiar. If it was him, she didn't know how to face him.

Why is he here? Why the hell is he here? Raina asked herself, worriedly.

She grabbed her bags and got off at the station, careful to not have him see her. He turned to the side, and half of his face was visible, and, yep it was him. She just needed him to read the letter and that's it. She's not falling for him again. Fate will just rip him away. She'd fallen for him twice already, she can't do it again.

She found a man passing by, and walked up to him.

'Hi sir, I'm sorry to bother you but could I please ask you for a favour?' She asked. The man looked a little surprised but nodded. She fished the folded piece of paper out of her bag.

'Do you see that man there?' She asked, pointing to where he stood. The man nodded.

'Please give this to him. Don't say who it's from. Thank you.' Raina said to him, who gave her a strange look and nodded.

As the man walked over, Raina grabbed her bags and went to a shady part of the station, to watch what transpires.

'Excuse me sir, someone left this for you.' The man held out the letter.

'Who?'

'Can't say.' The man responded and walked away.

Raina wrenched herself away. She couldn't watch this. If he did hate her now, what's stopping him from crumpling the letter and throwing it away? No. She can't sit through that. She grabbed her bags and  walked out of the station, without a second glance, not knowing what impact the letter would have.

Meanwhile, Edmund stared at the letter in his hand. Lucy walked up to him.

'Ed? What's wrong? What's that?' She asked.

She looked over his shoulder and read the letter, eyes widening as she finished.

'Ed..' She breathed.

Edmund looked like he had tears in his eyes. He looked around the station to find her. When he didn't he just whispered to himself.

'I could never hate you, Raina.'

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