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β€’ chapter five


From the shadows, mythical creatures Sarina had never imagined she would see began to emerge. She shot an annoyed glare at the minotaur who had summoned them for backup.


"Don't tell me Narnia has a dragon now, Pete?" she quipped, her tone dripping with sarcasm.


Despite her biting words, Sarina felt a sense of calm settle over her as she managed to diffuse the tension between the two fighters, preventing an all-out brawl from breaking out.


"Prince Caspian?" Peter asked, confusion etched on his face.


"Yes. And who are you?" Caspian replied, his expression wary.


"Peter!" Susan called out as she, Edmund, and Trumpkin burst onto the scene. Sarina quickly searched for Lucy and let out a small, relieved smile upon seeing her safely returned with backup. Though, the minotaur brought more to their side than Lucy had brought.


The man's gaze fell to the sword in his hand, and he noticed the lion's head emblazoned on the hilt. He looked back at Peter, recognizing the young man in front of him.


"High King Peter?" Caspian asked, astonished.


"I believe you called," Peter responded.


Caspian shook his head, still in shock, "Well yes, but... I thought you'd be older."


"If you'd like, we can come back in a few years."


Sarina let out a snort at Peter's response, causing both he and Caspian to turn their attention to her. Realizing she was still standing between them, she cleared her throat and said, "Sorry," before stepping back.


"No! No, that's alright. You're just... not exactly what I expected," Caspian said, glancing at Sarina who remained oblivious with his gaze.


"Neither are you!" Edmund chimed in.


"A common enemy unites even the oldest of foes," Sarina heard a voice say, and she blinked in disbelief. A badger was talkingβ€”an actual talking badger!


After meeting a dwarf she had initially mistaken for a goblin, a minotaur, and a host of other mythical creatures she had only read about in her books, she felt a rush of wonder. Despite her amazement, she managed to keep her curiosity hidden beneath a calm facade.


A knight-mouse turned to Peter and she swore she would almost squeal because of how cute he looks!


"We have anxiously awaited your return, my liege. Our hearts and swords are at your service."


"Oh my gosh, he is so cute," Lucy whispered and Sarina couldn't agree more.


The knight-mouse drew his sword, "Who said that?!"


"Who said that?!" the knight-mouse exclaimed, eyes wide with indignation.


"Um... sorry," Lucy replied, slightly taken aback.


"Oh, uh... your majesty," he continued, recovering quickly, "with the greatest respect, I do believe 'courageous,' 'courteous,' or 'chivalrous' might better suit a knight of Narnia."


"Well, at least we know some of you can handle a blade," Peter said.


"Yes, indeed," he replied, puffing out his chest. "I have recently put my skills to good use acquiring weapons for your army, sire."


"Good. Because we're going to need every sword we can get," Peter affirmed, glancing around at his gathered allies.


"Well then, you'll probably want yours back," Caspian said, stepping forward and handing Peter his sword.


As Peter sheathed the weapon, Sarina caught Caspian's eye. He looked at her for a moment longer than necessary. She felt a slight blush creep up her cheeks but quickly masked it with a composed smile.


Edmund, who is standing nearby, noticed the exchange and raised an eyebrow, a knowing grin forming on his lips. He nudged Lucy, "Looks like someone's got a little crush," he whispered, casting a sideways glance at Sarina and Caspian.


Sarina, catching the tail end of their conversation, shot Edmund a quick glare. Meanwhile, Caspian's gaze lingered on her for a heartbeat longer before he turned his attention back to the group, though a hint of curiosity remained in his expression.


The group moved forward, the atmosphere charged as Peter led the way through the forest. Susan, Lucy, and Edmund walked just ahead while Sarina trailed in the middle, flanked by centaurs, minotaurs, and fauns. She took in the vibrant surroundings, with the trees whispering secrets as they swayed in the breeze. The woods remind her of the Forbidden Forest in Hogwarts, dangerous but beautiful, she often spends her time there with her dear fellow Ravenclaw housemate, Luna Lovegood.


Lost in her thoughts, Sarina didn't initially notice the young prince walking beside her until he spoke.


"Excuse me," Caspian said, his tone polite yet curious. "I don't want to offend, but may I ask, who are you?"


Sarina turned to him, surprised, and let out a soft chuckle. "You're not going to offend me," she assured him, a playful smile dancing on her lips. "I'm Sarina Silvermist, the Pevensie siblings's cousin."


"Sarina," Caspian echoed, liking the way her name forms in his lips, "What brings you to Narnia?"


Sarina thought for a moment. "I don't know. But I can't wait to find out." she said excitedly before she turned to the prince with a curious smile on her face.


The prince is a bit surprise to the way she is acting. But smiled regardless. It's refreshing to see a girl as carefree as her.


"What about you? From what they called you earlier and Trumpkin's brief description, I gather you're a prince?"


He smiled shyly, "I'm Caspian," he said simply. "Just Caspian."


Sarina noticed the way his expression dimmed at the mention of his title, and she nudged his shoulder playfully. "Okay, so Just Caspian, how about you give me a crash course on this world while we walk? I'd love to learn more about Narnia, and you seem to know a lot about it."


Caspian looked a bit startled by her sudden gesture, warmth creeping into his cheeks, though he tried to mask it. "Crash course?" he echoed, unfamiliar with the term.


"Yeah! A quick explanation about Narnia and all its wonders. Come on, be my professor for a bit," she urged, her enthusiasm infectious.


Caspian was taken aback but found himself liking the idea.


As they walked side by side, Sarina and Caspian fell into a comfortable rhythm. She fired off questions about the land, its creatures, and its history, and he answered her eagerly, never once complaining. In fact, he relished this exchange, grateful for the distraction and the companionship.


As Sarina and Caspian continued their conversation, they lost all track of time, oblivious to the distance they had covered. The vibrant sounds of the forest faded into the background as they shared stories and laughter. They didn't notice the curious glances cast their way by the centaurs, fauns, minotaurs, and even by Trufflehunter and Reepicheep, who watched with intrigue.


During their journey, Sarina made a point to introduce herself to some of the creatures, so that they wouldn't remain nameless in her mind. The Narnians, though they couldn't quite explain it, felt a subtle shift in the atmosphere with the arrival of this newcomer.


Sarina exuded a warmth and familiarity that seemed to envelop those around her. Whenever she was near, the Narnians sensed a profound feeling of protection and calmness. It was as though she belonged here, in this land just as much as they did.


As they approached Aslan's How, the towering structure loomed ahead, a sense of reverence filling the air. The centaurs stood sentinel on either side of the entrance with their swords raised.


Caspian paused, allowing the Pevensies to lead the way through the imposing archway. Beside him, Sarina walked in step with him. Out of the corner of his eye, Caspian caught sight of her while she smiled at a young centaur nearby, who was struggling to hold his sword properly. Sarina's laughter rang out like music, and the young centaur beamed at her, a grin stretching across his face while his eyes followed the Kings and Queens of Old.


Caspian felt a warmth spread through him at the sight, but he set it aside. He gestured toward the Narnians around them. "It may not be what you are used to," he said, his tone firm yet hopeful, "but it is defensible."


Sarina took in her surroundings, her eyes scanning the underground chamber bustling with activity. Narnians worked side by side, their hands skillfully crafting weapons for the armory. The air was filled with the sounds of clanging metal and focused chatter.


She noticed some of the weapons had an unfamiliar design, probably from the Telmarine's army based on the knight-mouse Reepicheep's statement from earlier.


"Peter, you might want to see this," Susan called out.


The Pevensies and Sarina along with Caspian moved as a unit, carrying torches that flickered with life. As they approached the walls, their eyes widened in disbelief at the intricate carvings etched into the stoneβ€”depictions of themselves as kings and queens of Narnia.


"It's us," Susan breathed, her voice tinged with awe.


Lucy turned to Caspian,"What is this place?"


Caspian looked at her, a hint of surprise crossing his features. "You don't know?"


Without waiting for a reply, he picked up a torch and gestured for them to follow him down a dark tunnel.


They walked deeper into the shadows, anticipation building. At the end of the passage, Caspian lit a fire, and the flames spread quickly around the room, illuminating more carvingsβ€”figures of Narnians in various heroic poses, alongside the majestic likeness of Aslan, and the haunting image of the cracked stone table.


Lucy stepped forward, "He must know what he's doing," she said softly.


Peter nodded, his expression serious as he took in the scene before them. "I think it's up to us now," he replied. 


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