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FIVE | THE COUNCIL

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"I DON'T REMEMBER THIS WAY AT ALL." Susan murmurs as she reaches for Lucy's hand, pulling the tired girl along as a sigh leaves her lips

The four Pevensies, along with Trumpkin the dwarf, walk through the forest almost silently as Peter directed everyones way - despite the fact that he hadn't been in Narnia for hundreds of years and everything had changed. Whilst the trees around them no longer danced, they were tightly-knit as their visions filled with various colours, green leaves, yellow leaves, red leaves. It was an abyss of rich, autumnal colours.

"That's the problem with girls." Peter smirked as he carried on. "You can't carry a map in your heads."

"That's because our heads have something in them." Lucy stated, watching as Peter lost his smirk and shook his head.

"I wish he'd just listen to the DLF." Susan says, Lucy smiling as she swings her sisters hand as they walk.

"DLF?" Edmund asked in confusion from the back of the group, Lucy turning to him and giving him a smile.

"Dear Little Friend." Lucy clarified, Trumpkin rolling his eyes at the name as he walked forward with a grunt.

"Oh, that's not patronizing, is it?" He mutters before he stops as he watches Peter step onto a rock passage, the Magnificent king looking around in confusion before he notices Trumpkin sigh.

"I'm not lost." The king declared, the dwarf giving him a look before he shook his head.

"No," Trumpkin agreed before he rolled his eyes. "you're just going the wrong way."

"You said you last saw Caspian at the Shuddering Wood, and the quickest way there is to cross at the river rush." Peter stated, Trumpkin scoffing as he gave the King a pitiful look.

"But, unless I'm mistaken, there's no crossing in these parts."

"That explains it then." Peter declares as he gives Trumpkin a stern glare. "You're mistaken."

They continue walking until they come to the gorge. They look down at the rushing water below.

"Over hundreds of years, water eroded the earth's soil..." Susan begins as Peter glares over at her.

"Oh, shut up. Is there a way down?"

"Yeah, falling." Trumpkin grunts as he looks at the group. "Come. There‟s a ford at Beruna. Any of you mind swimming?"

"Anything's better than walking."

They start to walk away but Lucy glances back as a gasp leaves her lips, a smile forming on her features. His golden paws crossed before his snout and shaggy brown mane as the all familiar lion's rib cage expanded and fell with the rhythm of one as if in deep sleep, yet by the way he was looking at Lucy you could tell he was quite conscious and alert. In this early summer daylight he was simply golden like he was back in the day, his sleek fur laid over his elegant frame and lean muscle. He was much bigger than Lucy remembered and she smiled as she stopped in her tracks and screamed.

"Aslan? It's Aslan! It's Aslan over there! Well, can't you see? He's right..." Lucy started as she pulled on Edmund's arm, the group turning back in confusion before Lucy turns back and sees nothing. It is then her smile fades. "there."

"Do you see him now?" Trumpkin asked with an eye roll, the valiant queen crossing her arms at the dwarf as she sees it.

"I'm not crazy." Lucy declares before she looks to her family. "He was there. He wanted us to follow him."

"I'm sure there are any number of lions in this wood. Just like that bear." Peter tried to sway the girl, Lucy's eyes beginning to brim with tears at the fact that they didn't believe her.

"I think I know Aslan when I see him."

"Look, I'm not about to jump off a cliff after someone who doesn't exist." Trumpkin stated with another eye roll before he scoffs. "Your imagination is almost as bad as Angelina's."

"Who is..?" Lucy begins before Trumpkin gives her a silencing glare.

"It doesn't matter."

There is a tense silence for a moment, the valiant queen's eyes pleading with the group to believe her before that meet Edmund's who smiles at his sister. In Narnia you never know what's real and what's not and Edmund knew that first hand, especially when he thinks of his childhood alongside the White Witch when he was made her pawn. Edmund shivers for a moment before he wraps his arm and Lucy's shoulder and sighs, suddenly feeling eyes on him as she looks up and sees the exact same woman again from earlier. Edmund freezes before he blinks, the woman disappearing from sight before Lucy gives the boy pleading eyes again.

"Look." Edmund spoke after a moment, a sigh leaving his lips as he looks to his older brother especially. "The last time I didn't believe Lucy, I ended up looking pretty stupid."

"Why wouldn't I have seen him?" Peter asks as he looks back, his eyes full of hope before he turns back to Lucy with a sigh.

"Maybe you weren't looking." Lucy whispers as she clutches Edmund's arm, the raven haired boy looking down at her and giving a reassuring smile before Peter turns to them both and gives another sigh.

"I'm sorry, Lu." Peter mutters to the girl before he advances with Trumpkin and Susan, the two youngest Pevensie siblings hanging back as Lucy looks back with a sad look in her eyes.

Edmund sighs as he grasps Lucy's hand and gives it a reassuring squeeze, the youngest Pevensie looking at her brother with sad eyes. Edmund just smiles at her, a small smile gracing Lucy's face as she and Edmund follow the group hand in hand. Edmund had certainly changed since their first adventure to Narnia and she couldn't be happier that at least her believed her about Aslan even when the others didn't.

But she knew there was something wrong with Edmund.

Ever since they had arrived the boy seemed to be on edge, his eyes darting around in fear as he visibly shivered or jumped at the littlest things which didn't sound like the Edmund she knew. But the fear laid within his eyes and Lucy could see the pain that he tried to hide. Lucy didn't know why Edmund was so afraid to be back in Narnia but she wanted to help him.

Edmund paused in his step as he looked up to the trees momentarily, Lucy stopping abruptly behind him as she saw him shiver again despite the summer air being extremely warm - especially in the long sleeve tunic he wore. Lucy furrowed her eyebrows as she looked up, her eyes widening as she caught glimpse as a figure retreating through the trees. Lucy squeezed her brothers hand in comfort before he gazed at her, Lucy's eyes widening as she saw his pale face and trembling lip but that wasn't the worst part. His eyes were coated in fear.

And Lucy didn't know what to do to help him.

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Glenstorm, upon meeting Caspian for the first time, had called a council and to say the Narnians were angry was an understatement. The very sight of Telmarine solders in their woods made their blood boil - especially since one, despite being a Prince, held one of the most precious pieces of Narnian history in his hands upon entering. So it is no surprise that as the night dawned and the council begun, the Narnians were angry. They began to shout within their inner circle of the dancing lawn, almost every Narnian creature present to decide a verdict of what to do about Caspian - especially since he was the one who acquired and blew the horn that had brought the Kings and Queens back to Narnia in the first place.

Angelina really saw almost no point in the trial for they would likely come to a similar verdict that they had about the girl - perhaps a better one considering that Caspian could aid the Kings and Queens if they actually arrived. She knew how it would go down. The Narnians would shout, Caspian would explain how he could help and then Glenstorm would announce what it said in the stars and a battle plan would be formed. Angelina knew the Narnians wouldn't dare murder Caspian and be the savages that the Telmarines deemed them to be for they were better than that. They wanted equality and in Angelina's eyes, despite her dislike of the Prince, she knew that Caspian could help with that.

"All this horn proves is that they've stolen yet another thing from us!" Nikabrik shouts into the circle, Caspian turning as he tries to meet every Narnian's eyes to plead his innocence before it lands on the dwarf as he glares.

"I didn't steal anything."

"Didn't steal anything?" A minotaur scoffs as he looks to the Prince, others bitterly laughing at the statement. "Shall we list the things the Telmarines have taken?"

"Our homes!"

"Our freedom!"

"Our lives!"

"Calm down you lot!" Angelina says as she enters the circle and stands next to Caspian. "At least hear him out.

"Shut up witch." A faun at the front of the council shouts, Angelina flinching at the name as she glares at him and clenches her fists.

"You would hold me accountable for all the crimes of my people?" Caspian asked in disbelief, many of the Narnians nodding.

"Accountable..." Nikabrik starts as he glares at the Prince. "and punishable!"

"That's words from you, dwarf. Or have you forgotten that it was your people who fought alongside the White Witch?" The noble mouse Reepicheep asked as he glared at the dwarf, Nikabrik in turn scoffing at the mouse.

"And I'd gladly do it again if it would rid us of these barbarians!" Nikabrik declares, uproar beginning as all the Narnians begin to shout at once at his words. Angelina shared a look with the injured Trufflehunter, the badger sighing as he walks into the circle and joins Caspian and Angelina's side.

"Then we are lucky it is not in your power to bring her back." He spoke, the same faun from earlier scoffing as he pointed at Angelina.

"No, but she can." He accuses, many Narnians turning to give Angelina a glare as the girl crosses her arms over her chest.

"No, I can't."

"Not you," The faun scoffs as he meets her glare with another. "I mean the other one."

"Enough. Angelina would do no such thing or do you want us to ask this boy to go against Aslan?" Many Narnians begin to shout again as Angelina sighs, unaware of Caspian looking at her with confusion as he takes in the faun's words. "Some of you may have forgotten, but we badgers remember well, that Narnia was never right except when a son of Adam was king."

"He's a Telmarine!" Nikabrik shouts with a scoff. "Why would we want him as our king?"

"Because I can help you." Caspian states, determination clear in his voice. "Beyond these woods, I am a Prince. The Telmarine throne is rightfully mine. Help me claim it, and I can bring peace between us."

"It is true." Glenstorm states as he steps into the circle, demanding everybody's attention. "The time is ripe. I watch the skies, for it is mine to watch as it is yours to remember, badger. Tarva, the Lord of Victory, and Alambil, the Lady of Peace have met, and here a son of Adam has come forth to offer us back our freedom."

"Is it possible?" A squirrel amidst the audience asked. "Do you really think there could be peace? Do you? I mean, really?"

"Of course there can Pattertwig." Angelina says with a smile, the squirrel giving her once back before a clear scoff is heard.

"That is," The very same faun from earlier starts with a glare. "if you don't let her out."

"Right, I've had enough of you." Angelina grumbles as she tries to advance towards the faun, the girl being stopped as two arms wrap themselves around her waist preventing her from moving. The girl grunts as she looks at the faun, her hair turning black as the all familiar runes begin to appear.

"Calm yourself girl," Glenstorm acknowledges her, the girl realising the change before she meets the centaurs eyes. "or you will only do worse."

"Sorry." She muttered as the two human arms release her and she sits on the grass, the girl taking a few deep breaths as she begins to return to herself. Caspian watches her with worry clear in his eyes before he addresses the council again.

"Two days ago, I didn't believe in the existence of talking animals, or dwarfs, or centaurs. Yet, here you are... in strength in numbers we Telmarines could never have imagined." Caspian starts before he lifts the horn, much to the Narnian's dismay. "Whether this horn is magic or not, it brought us together. And together, we have a chance to take back what is ours."

"If you will lead us, then my sons and I offer you our swords." Glenstorm declares as he draws his sword in front of the Prince, the other centaurs following as they project their loyalty to the Prince who smiles at them.

"And we offer you our lives... unreservedly." Reepicheep says as he bows, his mice following in suit.

"Miraz' army will not be far behind, sire." Trufflehunter warns as he looks at Caspian who nods with determination clear in his eyes.

"If we are to be ready for them, we must hurry to find soldiers and weapons." Caspian notes as he looks to the circle of Narnians. "I am sure they will be here soon."

"But where could we go to hide those things and prepare?" Pattertwig asked, silence coating the group as everyone began to think, Angelina immediately jumping up as a smirk forms on her face as she gives Caspian a smile.

"I know a place."