back, again | prince capian

four

A sudden jolt disrupted my peaceful sleep, jolting me awake. Groggily, I burrowed deeper into my blanket, desperately wanting to drift back into slumber. But a persistent voice broke through the haze.

"Wake up! Wake up!" It called the urgency unmistakable.

"Ugh, what is it?" I groaned, squeezing my eyes shut tighter, wishing the world away.

"Please, let me give her a little shove so she'll wake up on her own," a deeper voice chimed in, feigning exasperation.

That got my attention. I snapped my eyes open, blinking against the bright morning light, and squinted at Lucy and Edmund Pevensie standing beside me, their faces a mix of mischief and urgency.

"What's happening?" I grumbled, irritation creeping into my voice as I pushed myself into a sitting position.

"Our brilliant brains insisted we wake you up before you missed something important," Lucy said, bouncing slightly on her toes, her excitement bubbling over.

"Why do you think I want to wake up?" I shot back, my tone sarcastic.

"We're here!" Edmund declared, throwing his arms wide as if unveiling a grand spectacle.

Confusion washed over me as I scanned the woods around us. My foggy mind slowly processed the vibrant reality: the whispering leaves, the dappled sunlight between the branches, the familiar warmth of Narnia. Reality surged back and settled like a weighted cloak.

A beat of silence passed before I turned back to the Pevensies, still trying to shake off the remnants of sleep.

The younger siblings exchanged awkward glances, their cheerful expressions faltering as they avoided my gaze.

As clarity returned, a grin broke across my face. This was too good to resist—the two of them were undoubtedly in trouble for pulling me from my sweet slumber. I detested being awakened late, and if they had robbed me of precious sleep, they would pay the price.

"Well?" I quirked an eyebrow, feigning nonchalance.

"...We are here?" they both replied, their confusion mirroring mine.

"Uh-huh." With newfound determination, I leaped off the horse and lunged toward them.

"Stop! Stop! No, Tori!" Edmund yelped, bolting away, his feet pounding against the ground.

"I'm just a victim here! Edmund made me wake you! It wasn't my idea!" Lucy shouted, her panicked voice ringing out as she sprinted after her brother.

"Not, huh?" I called back, determined to ting my tone.

"I mean, who doesn't want to wake up?" Edmund panted as he skidded to a halt, chest heaving from the sudden sprint.

"Well, apparently not when I'm the one doing the waking!" I retorted, catching my breath but refusing to relent.

The playful tension draped around us like a veil, but as I stepped closer to Edmund, Lucy's shout pierced the air.

"Oi! Maintain your distance!" she cried, eyes darting nervously between us.

"What's going on here?" a deep voice boomed from behind, commanding attention.

"Oh—this should be entertaining," Peter chimed in, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Why?" Susan whispered, leaning in slightly, trying to catch a glimpse of the unfolding drama.

"Tori's about to embark on a rampage," Peter chuckled, thoroughly enjoying the chaos.

"Oh, please don't encourage this, Peter!" Susan hissed, a hint of desperation in her tone.

"Nothing's happening... yet," I declared, my irritation flaring again as I stepped toward them, a playful glint in my eye.