༄ 𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒙 𝑾𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒓 (𝑽𝑫𝑻) ༄

Chapter 25: Caspian Finds Out

The next thing Ana knew, the sun was rising. She awoke with the feeling that something was off but didn't know what. Her memory was hazy. The last thing she remembered was running off to find Aslan. Now she was lying under a tree, covered in a cloak for a blanket. She didn't remember how she got there nor where the cloak had come from. Ana sat up, brows furrowing as she tried to recall what happened the previous night.

She was still on Ramandu's Island as were most of the others. It appeared a few were missing, but she knew they couldn't have gotten far. Most likely they had returned to the ship. Ramandu's Island was one of the safest places and there was nothing dangerous. At least to those who meant no harm. And Caspian was sleeping soundly nearby, so she had no reason to be concerned. So why did something feel wrong?

Slowly,  Ana made her way to her feet. The cloak quietly fell to the ground around her ankles. She absentmindedly picked it up as she tried to figure out what was wrong. But there were no obvious signs of trouble.  Those who could perhaps provide answers from the previous night were either gone or asleep. Lilliandil was nowhere to be seen and she couldn't sense Aslan's presence anymore. She hoped Caspian or one of the others would know what happened. At the very least how she made it back. But they were all sleeping soundly.

Frowning, she took a step forward and nearly fell. Ana felt unsteady and weak, almost like something was missing. But she could still feel her magic so she knew it wasn't that. She struggled to remember what happened with Aslan as she suspected that held answers. But it only ceased to make her head pound.  Ana placed one hand on the trunk of the tree to steady herself and the other on her temple.

By the time she could focus again, the others were starting to stir. Most ignored her, preferring to eat a hearty breakfast before starting their day. There was a ship to repair after all. But Caspian made a beeline straight to her. He didn't even bother to hide his concern. Ana halted him before he could speak, hoping to wave off his concern.

"I'm fine," she said. "Just a bit of a headache is all."
Caspian's brows furrowed. "I'm more concerned with what happened last night," he stated rather gruffly.
Her gaze snapped to him. "What do you mean?"

He huffed in what was clearly annoyance but Ana honestly had no idea what he was talking about. She couldn't remember what happened. Though he was still frustrated, Caspian seemed to realize this as both his tone and demeanor changed.

"You disappeared without a word last night. And you were gone for quite a while. I almost left to find you when you came stumbling back. You were pale and seemed a little confused but otherwise appeared unharmed. I tried asking what happened but you pushed past me and mumbled something I couldn't understand. Then you slumped near that tree and didn't move all night. So... what happened?"
Ana frowned. "I-I don't know. I can't remember."
His concern only grew when he realized she wasn't lying and wasn't trying to push him away. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you had a bit too much to drink. You're displaying similar symptoms to when men return  from a tavern."
"But... I don't drink."
Caspian nodded in agreement. "Do you remember anything?"
"I remember leaving to find Aslan. That's why I left. But after that... I don't know what we discussed or what happened."
"So Aslan is the cause of this? Are any other memories gone?"
He sounded concerned but Ana knew Aslan wouldn't take memories without her specifically asking him to. "I don't think so. Why? Do you think He  took them?"
"I think it's possible you may have asked Him to."
"But why would only my memories from last night be gone? Did something happen?"
Caspian shook his head. "No more so than usual. Do you remember what happened... between us?"
She looked at him for a moment. "If you're referring to when you confessed your love for me, then yes."
He smiled a little at that, seeming relieved. "Good. But I do believe I wasn't the only one to confess such things."
"No...  you're right. I did as well," Ana stated slowly as if only just recalling that fact. His smile faded and she shook her head. "I'm sorry...I'm trying to piece together if other memories are missing."
"It's alright," he assured her, placing a hand on her shoulder. She barely reacted to the gesture. "Just let me know if you remember anything."