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When they all gathered that morning to set sail to Dark Island –– even with the gloomy atmosphere on the main deck, Anna seemed unaffected by the evil that would test them. She was cheery and radiating in anticipation and adrenaline. The gazes of the crew of the Dawn Treader starred down at the island that etched closer every second as if they could prolong the inevitable.

Shrouded in sudden silence Anna could feel the ooze of fear that poured off each and every soul aboard the ship. Her heart dropped as she too felt afraid and she wondered if this was how her father felt when he was drafted and left for the war.

Her father's voice was clear and unblurred and recalled at ease as it would forever remain to haunt her memories, I will come home Anna. I promise. Until then you must take care of your mother. Her father never came home. It was a knawing thought, what if she died here at the hands of this lurking evil? Would her aunt be alright?

Settled beside the helm of the ship, only a metre or so away from Anna Tavros broke the silence, his voice booming across the Dawn Treader, "What do you think is in there?"

One by one people offered their thoughts.

"Our worst nightmares," Edmund drawled grimly.

"Our darkest wishes," Caspian guessed.

"Pure evil," Captain Drinian silenced.

"Why not think happy thoughts? Lovely things like tea parties or chocolate would suffice," Anna blurted in an attempt to make the atmosphere lighter.

It was strange, Captain Drinian's lips curled slightly at her words before he moved from the helm of the ship to Tavros with a stern expression, "Tavros, unlock the armoury. . . Archers! Prepare yourselves!"

Anna watched as the crew hustled about, listening to their captain's orders, perhaps that was the best way to go about things.

"Let's get ready," Caspian informed the three but his eyes lingered on Anna for a second longer as she looked back at him with tender, devouring but worried eyes.

The thought of it made his stomach flip –– she really cared about him.

Anna's eyebrows furrowed together as Lucy interlinked her arm with her own, "Come on, Anna. We'll help each other."

They scurried into their sleeping arrangments only to find when they entered to see that Gael had curled up on the armchair by the fire, staring deeply into the flames. Anna hated the look on Gael's face, she was too young and so little with her brown hair and stubby legs to know of what was happening.

Anna and Lucy smiled at one another before they went about to seek their weapons. Lucy had offered a light leather armour to Anna but she crinkled her nose at it, it made her feel catastrophic. Anyways, Lucy didn't wear armour so why should she?

Anna noticed that Lucy was fumbling to adjust her belt and she moved to help her. "Lucy, I would like to thank you for being my friend. I've never had many friends before. You've been nothing but kind and sweet to me so thank you."

Lucy looked like she was going to cry as she wrapped her arms tightly around Anna, "Oh Anna, I consider you more than just my friend. I consider you my sister!"

Even Anna's eyes blurred at the thought, she had grown up as an only child and it was quite lonely.

"Me too?" Gael asked her eyes lighting up at the thought as she stood and bounded over to Anna and Lucy.

"Of course," Anna answered, pulling the girl into a hug which Lucy joined. When the three broke apart, Gael looked up at them murmuring, "When I grow up I want to be just like the both of you."

Anna could feel her eyes widen in shock at the little girl's words as Lucy peered down and then wrapped her arms around her small frame, "No, when you grow up you're going to be just like you."

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Anna stumbled down the hall, her boots thudding against the wood. Suddenly, she halted and brought a hand to her forehead and leant against the wall, letting out a shuddering breath.

"Anna?" The voice whispered delicately.

She turned her gaze to see Caspian standing before her and she smiled so much it almost hurt her cheeks.

Anna took a step forwards and stepped into his arms, they held each other tightly for a long moment before letting each other go reluctantly.

"I never knew you wore this," He said as his fingers fiddled with the heart-shaped locket.

A distant smile riddled her lips as she glanced up at the King, "It was my mothers and her mother before that. If I have any children I pass it to them. It's sort of a family heirloom."

Caspian studied it carefully, before letting it's chain drop back against her neck, "Anna, this is star steel. It's a Narnian metal."

"I-I don't understand. . .? I've never been to Narnia before now."

Caspian hand rubbed at his jaw in deep thought, his mind whirling of different possibilities.

"Neither do I if I am being honest here –– but you and I, we can figure out this together later."

The smile that radiated across her face was sleepish and smug then it fell away. She was remembering what was to come next. Anna nibbled at her lip for a moment, her arms locking around him in a tight, unmoving embrace.

"I absolutely loathe this armour you wear, your handsomeness."

"Handsomeness?"

"Yes," Anna blushed and playfully hit her palm against the armour's chest plate, "Stop it! Don't look at me like that! I thought––"

The King chuckled, his palms resting on her securely shoulders, "I'm only teasing you, Anna. It's flattering to know that you think I'm handsome."

Anna grumbled something inaudible under her breath. The King arched an eyebrow.

"Very well," Anna concluded with a firm nod as she stepped away even though her body ached for his touch, "I must go. I shall see you soon?"

"Of course," The King agreed with a heavy heart, he never wanted to ever let her go.

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Everyone grew silent when King Caspian stepped up the wooden steps on the main deck to address the crew. His dark eyes were firm but tender as he glanced down at them, "No matter what happens here –– every soul who stands before me has earnt their place on the crew of the Dawn Treader. Together we have travelled far. Together we have faced adversity. Together we can do it again. . . So now is not the time to fall to fears temptations. Be strong. Never give in."

Caspian paused relishing in the silence for a moment before he continued, his voice deeply mingling with emotion, "Our world. Our Narnian lives depend on it. Think of the lost souls we are here to save. Think of Aslan. . . Think of Narnia."

"For Narnia!!" The crew of the Dawn Treader echoed to the King raising their hands and crossbows. Caspian appeared to be slight disbelief as he began to step down onto the main deck.

Anna turned to Lucy and Gael, lifting her sleeve slightly with an airy, light laugh, "I got goosebumps. What a hell of a King."

It grew darker and cold as they entered Dark Island, swirling green smoke tangled through the air –– the green mist. Whispers from the smoke echoed around the ship. Anna shifted her footing as she rested her hand on the hilt of the sword, the green mist formed into a figure, floating at her height was her father dressed in his navy uniform. He looked just the same as Anna remembered.

"No," Anna croaked in a whisper with tears in the corner of her eyes as she covered her eyes with her palms, "It's not you! Go away!"

"Anna?" Her father's voice echoed in her ear, "You foolish girl! You disappoint me! I wish you were never born!"

"Go away!" She roared as her body shook. Arms circled around her and drew her close to his side and lips pressed against her hair before he whispered gently, "It's alright. It wasn't real." It was if it was him, Caspian, that drew her back to earth and suddenly she smiled –– warm and bright, letting her arms fall away from his embrace.

A wail was heard in the distance, ringing in their ears before it suddenly became profound and clear and pleading, "Keep away! Keep away!"

Everyone moved to the edge of the boat, peering out into the eery darkness whilst Anna peered over from her spot beside the helm of the ship thinking that being higher up to give her some sort of sight advantage.

"Who's there?!" Edmund bellowed from the wooden edge of the ship.

"We do not fear you!" Caspian contributed, his voice unclouded and firm.

There was silence before the voice answered back, "Who are you?!"

Edmund's torch shone a bright, gleaming beam across the darkness, shining against the large grey rock, bringing forth clarity that the voice was an aged man with a grey beard, pleading for them to stay away.

"We will not leave!" Caspian spoke, his voice laced with echoing authority.

The man raised his sword as if they were the horrors of Dark Island, "You will not defeat me!"

"Caspian!" Edmund breathed pointing to the man's sword, "Caspian! His sword!"

For a moment Caspian's mind reeled before he concluded and moved across the deck wedging himself between Edmund and Lucy, "Lord Rhoop!"

"Stand down," The King ordered and his crew obeyed lowering their crossbows. Caspian peered over the wooden edge of the boat, resting his palms against it as he stared down at the Lord.

"Let's get him on board. . .  quickly!" He urged.

Before the crew could even begin to rescue the Lord, Eustace the dragon swept down, collecting the Lord within his clawry grasp and lowered the man onto the boat with a soft thud.

Lord Roop circled, raising his sword in defence as the crew of the Dawn Treader raised their crossbows in defence.

"Be calm my Lord," Caspian spoke gently though it was more of a command.

The Lord mumbled something about demons before Caspian stepped forwards towards the Lord.

"No, my Lord. We are not here to hurt you. I am your King. Caspian."

"Caspian?" The Lord murmured under his breath and turned to face Caspian with eyes full of recognition as he raised his fingers to Caspian's cheek.

"My Lord! You should not have come! There is no way out of here! Quickly turn this ship about! Before it is too late!"

"We have the sword! Let's go!" Edmund yelled to Caspian.

"Let's turn her about, Drinan," Caspian commanded.

"Aye, aye your majesty!" Drininan agreed.

"Do not think! Do not let it know your fears! Or it will become them!" The Lord boomed.

Anna's eyebrows knitted together before it washed away as she blinked, "Think happy thoughts! Think of summer! Think of sweets! Think of––"

"Oh no," Edmund muttered his instantly face melting into a guilty expression.

"Edmund! What did you just think of?" Lucy asked her voice almost hoarse.

"I'm sorry," He confessed bounding towards the wooden ledge of the boat and peering out into the dark waters. A greenish long scaly creature moved through the waters a little distance away. The boat was knocked and Anna, like the rest of everyone on board fell to their feet.

It arose through the waters, breaking the surface, the monster's face as distorted and long much like a snake with bright, ugly, yellow eyes –– a sea serpent. Anna almost wanted to laugh despite her own raging fear –– perhaps sea serpents weren't just silly tall tales after all.

"No! Gael!" Anna screamed noticing that Gael was on the other side of the boat. Without a second thought and her body tingling with adrenaline Anna lurched forwards, her boots slipping against the wood deck as she made her way over to the girl and pulled her from her hiding spot by her hand –– racing back to the safety of the crew and was lulled into Lucy's worrying embrace.

Anna drew her sword from its scabbard as Eustace the dragon flew in with Reepicheep, attacking the serpent that wailed with his sharp claws and vicious teeth and fire.

The Eustace dragon was thrown in the air and as he went in for another attack he was clamped down between the jaws of the sea serpent and thrown in the air and thrown against the jagard wet rock. Anna's heart lurched with pain, knowing that there hadn't been anything she could have done to help. Then the Eustace dragon's head rose and breathed fire that scorched the face of the sea serpent forcing it to succumb to the safety of the depthful waters.

Lord Roop stepped forwards with his sword and threw it into the air like some sort of spear into the shoulder of the Eustace dragon despite the protest of 'No!'s that rang out across the ship.

"The sword!" Edmund cried as Lucy screamed for her cousin. Anna's heart plummeted.

"We're doomed! We're doomed!" Wailed Lord Roop as he darted up the steps and reached for the helm of the ship to turn the Dawn Treader around.

"Someone stop him!" Ordered Caspian and Anna scaled up the steps in an attempt to stop him, only to fall when the ship wobbled and shifted side to side against the water but Captain Drinian had already settled the job.

"On through to your rowing positions! Oars at double speed!" Captain Drininan ordered to the crew only to find that mere moments later the sea serpent scaled the water at a dizzying speed towards the ship and scaled across the ship, only to land on its main deck. Anna moved quickly following the others, despite panic arose and swallowed her whole, not just for her own safety but everyone.

Anna noticed that Gael was stagnant and very much in shock. Anna ushered the girl inside throwing open the door with Lucy clambering behind them ushering them down the passageway.

Lucy threw open the map room doors, clambering to the side to collect Susan's bow and arrows whilst Anna lowered Gael to the floor, kneeling in front of her with a gentle and reassuring smile, "Stay here, Gael. You'll be much safer. I assure you. Now think of a lovely story. Perhaps the one you think is wonderous –– Sleeping Beauty. Start off at once upon a time. . ."

The girl nodded curling herself into a little ball while Lucy pulled Anna along by the collar of her shirt almost falling in the process, whatever was going on upon the main deck didn't seem too good.

Darting onto the main deck with Lucy by her side it was baffling to see how the serpent had wrapped itself around the body of the boat. Together they darted up the steps by the helm where Caspian was steering it towards the rocks. Edmund had clambered into the dragon figurehead of the ship and shone his flashlight to attract the sea serpent.

The sea serpent struck against the dragon figurehead, its teeth digging into the wood. In that very moment both Caspian, Lucy and Anna had called out for the boy, worry and fear clamping down on their hearts with a consumable force.

Lucy drew an arrow and let it fly, hitting the sea serpent directly into its slimy and scaly flesh as the serpent was smashed against the rock letting out a wail. Edmund crashed down onto the serpent and into the floor of the deck.

"Brace yourselves!" Echoed Caspian.

Anna was knocked to her feet and onto the floor of the deck with a thud onto her behind. The serpent rose like a mighty cobra ready to strike but Anna was too slow to her feet. A voice familiar and heartwrenching had called out to her but Anna didn't hear them her fear had grown, paralysing her to the spot she stood. Someone had pushed forwards darting to her side just in time as they both tumbled forwards onto the safety of the other side of the main deck.

Her heartbeat thumped faster in her chest as it flooded with a warmth that made all her insides flutter. He had saved her for the third time. There was no time to waste as he reached out for the sword on her scabbard and drew it, slicing the strange tentacle-like flesh clean before it faded away into green mist.

"We can beat this!" Caspian spoke firmly as he made eye contact with Edmund who had reached out to pull the both of them to their feet.

The sea serpent sank its teeth into the mast, making the ship away, struggling to balance on the water as it swerved closer and closer to the left and to the depthful waters.

"It needs to come closer to us Caspian!" Anna muttered to the King, her eyes meeting his for what felt like forever even if it was just a few seconds as an idea found its way into her mind.

"All hands to the main deck!" Ordered Captain Drinan.

"Ready the harpoons!" Caspian called.

It was almost as if she didn't hear them as their voices echoed across the boat. All Anna could focus on was the sword, King Peter's sword –– Rhindon, that was merely two feet away from her. Anna reached out, the hilt heavy in her grasp as tucked it away into her scabbard before darting forwards.

"No! Anna!" Edmund called to the blond but even he couldn't reach her now, she was too far away. Anna was gone, already climbing what was left of the rope ladder, nimbly climbing upwards as she made her way to the crow's nest.

Anna heaved herself onto the wooden platform of the crow's nest as she drew the sword, only to be thrown back against the wooden barrier of the crow's nest as the men on the main deck pulled against the harpoons to draw the sea serpent closer to the Dawn Treader.

The sea serpent stared at Anna, its ugly features clear and defined. From every story Anna had ever read, the heroine was brave and heroic and Anna felt that she was none of those things. She trembled with fear, almost nauseous, she did not feel brave but she felt unwavering love –– she looked down to the deck, spotting a familiar dark-haired figure down on the deck glancing up at whilst he pulled down at the harpoon rope so tight as if he, himself could stop and protect her from the sea serpent itself.

"Anna! I believe in you! Do it!" Caspian bellowed unwavering faith flushing through his veins as he encouraged the young woman who was the queen of his heart.

Love was at the heart of every story. No matter what it be. Love was what made the heroine brave, Anna realised and it was her own love, his face flashing in her mind's eye first then other faces of those she loved and held a place in her heart. Her mother and father. Lucy. Reepicheep. Edmund. Even that overdramatic dragon boy Eustace and possibly her overcomplicated Aunt.

The sword –– Rhindon grew a mighty glowing blue and with that very realisation she was no longer shaking, she was brave and she felt strong as she roared to the sea serpent, "Come here you horrible monster!"

The sea serpent struck down upon the crow's nest where Anna stood with her jaw clenched, positing the sword as it sagged through at ease the roof of the sea serpent's mouth as she let out a cry. The sea serpent shook, it's body encasing itself with bright blue sparks of electricity before its body slammed down onto the surface of the water and was succumbed by it.

Anna felt back against the wood with the hilt of sword tight in her grasp, inhaling and exhaling as she took in what had just transpired mere seconds before whilst patches of light broke through the darkness. She looked up at the horizon with a smile of disbelief and misty eyes.

Anna tucked away King Peter's sword into her scabbard as she climbed down the rope ladder, only to have arms engulf her, lifting her off her feet and spinning her before they pressed a passionate and consuming kiss to her lips until she was rendered breathless.

"I have never met someone so alluring," Caspian said to her as he settled her feet to move away but Anna clung to him, unable to let him go and pressed her lips to his once more.

"Anna one –– Caspian two and a half," She murmured against his lips with a smile.

"What's the half?" He asked her with a chuckle.

"Pushing me out the way with the sea serpent," Anna said softly, brushing a lock of his dark silky hair out of his eyes with a sunlight smile.

"Get a room!" Edmund bellowed to Caspian and Anna who was nearby them with Lucy.

Lucy rolled her eyes at her brother before she said to him, "Edmund, it's rather sweet and very romantic."

"Hush, Lu," Was all Edmund said to his sister before Anna broke away from Caspian's embrace, drawing Rhindon from her own scabbard and presenting it to Edmund.

Anna sent Caspian a look as sharp as daggers who stood behind them, "Sorry, Caspian stole the one I was borrowing before."

Edmund took it from the young woman with a gentle, unwavering smile as his voice wavered with emotion, "Thanks, Anna."

From the distance and as they distance around them cleared, the lost souls who had been captured from the mist returned. At Edmund and Lucy's side, the three together watched as the boats etched closer, it warmed her heart when Gael and Rhince were jumped into the ocean to be reunited their mother and wife –– the woman they called Helaine.

"Let's help them onboard! Clear the decks!" Caspian echoed to his crew before joining the three as they peered out into the distant waters.

"We did it!" Lucy said to the three with a wide smile, "I knew we would."

"It wasn't just us though," Edmund emphasised.

"Of course not," Anna started with a ramble as Caspian suddenly wore a large smile at what was coming, "It took teamwork all along on this grand adventure––"

"Hey. Hey!" A voice called from the water. "I'm down here! Lucy! Over here!"

Turning on their heels the four moved across the other side of the deck and peered down into the waters below to find a familiar face.

"Eustace!" Lucy smiled.

"I'm a boy again! I'm a boy!" He said with unwavering relief and delight as he wore the most real smile Anna had ever seen him wear since she met him.

"Eustace! I see your wings have been clipped!" Reepicheep called from the wooden ledge before jumping into the waters below.

Anna let out a laugh, before clambering up into the ledge and cannonballing into the waters below, spraying both Eustace and Reepichiepp in salty water.

"How did I do? Rate my splash from one to ten!" Anna asked the three peering from above.

"It was more of a belly flop than anything. . .," Edmund replied in a mumble above before Lucy elbowed her brother to the ribs.

Suddenly, Reepichiepp began to sing, "Where sky and water meet, where the waves grow ever sweet ––," Reepichiepp, Eustace and Anna brought the water to their lips.

"It is sweet!" Reepicheep spoke in delight whilst Anna made a slight face of disgust.

"I don't think the ocean would be very sweet, although it tastes sweet it lurks of a lot of saltiness. . .," Anna paused for a moment before her eyes widened in the distance of what she saw and pointed at it, "Look! Look!"

"Aslan's country," Caspian spoke softly from above her as he stared out into the distance, "We must be close."

"Well, we've come this far," Edmund admitted with a slight shrug of his shoulders.

Anna spoke the silence, "If it's alright, can we please bring out the pully thingy or a rope? I might possibly sink in the distant future as my arms and even my poor overworked legs are getting very tired."

"Perhaps, this time you won't need my assistance in prying you off a mermaid if I lower a rope," Bellowed Caspian leaning over the ledge with a hearty laugh before Lucy pushed him in a mighty splash.

Caspian looked up to Lucy with a dagger-like glare whilst she and Edmund laughed together, "You know exactly what that was for!"

"Honestly, if we don't hurry, I'm going to sink sooner or later, from physical exhaustion, y'know," Anna admitted to the two siblings above, "We can leave Caspian done here for a bit. It should serve him well seeing he refers to young girls as lads when they merely dress like a pirate."

Salty water splashed over Anna's face as Eustace and Reepichiepp laughed at her annoyed expression which did nothing but show a reflection of her emotions as seawater dripped down her face then morphed into a sudden bright smile as she glanced over at Caspian.

How could you be annoyed at someone when you loved them with all your heart?