The Choice

Cair Paravel

All my worries vanished the moment I saw my siblings laughing and running toward the glittering blue sea.

"A shame you're not as quick as me, Ed!" Peter shouted over his shoulder.

"The last one in's a rotten egg!" Susan called, her voice light with laughter. Grinning, I sprinted after them. My sudden burst of energy surprised them, and they chased me down the sand until we all splashed into the waves together.

I don't know why, but this place feels like freedom. Like home.

For a while, we played in the surf like children. Then Edmund paused, water dripping from his hair "Where do you think we are?"

I already had a witty remark ready, but Peter cut me off with a laugh. "Where do you think we are?" He echoed mockingly.

"But I don't remember any ruins in Narnia," Edmund muttered.

"I say we take a look," I offered. "If we're here, why not make an adventure of it?"

Four pairs of eyes turned on me like I'd just grown wings.

"What?" I asked, defensive.

Lucy leaned in, whispering with a knowing smile, "I told you you'd like it here."

Peter's grin widened. "Great idea, sister. Let's find a way up to the ruins."

We left the shoreline, climbing the path that wound toward the broken stone towers above. My breath caught as the landscape unfolded around us—rolling green hills, ancient trees, wildflowers scattered like jewels.

Why does this place feel so familiar?

I was pulled from my thoughts by Lucy's voice. "Who do you think lived here?" She asked.

Susan bent to pick something from the grass. She froze, staring at it. "I think...we did."

Edmund peered over his shoulder. His eyes widened. "Hey—that's a piece from my golden chess set!"

I blinked. "Golden chess set? What golden chess set?"

Peter frowned. "You didn't have one at home."

Edmund chuckled. "Exactly, I didn't have a solid gold chess set in Finchley, did I?"

What the actual hell are they talking about?

Before I could demand an explanation, Lucy suddenly darted ahead, her eyes shining. She stopped in a clearing, staring at four broken stone chairs.

"Don't you see?" She yelled. "Imagine the walls restored, the columns rising high, a glass roof above..."

"Cair Paravel," Peter said softly, reverently.

I stood there, lost. Left out. Peter caught my eye and gave me a small, reassuring smile, as if to say: It's okay. You'll understand in time.

I shook my head. "So let me get this straight—you lived for almost a decade in a beautiful palace, then came back home, and in less than two years this place has been wrecked."

"Yep," Edmund said casually.

This is messing with my head. I rubbed my temple; "Okay. I'll...try to wrap my head around it."