This is the tale of a journey that takes Luna not only to discover the world beyond Narnia's borders; she will find a purpose that goes deeper than protecting her king.
» That's why. I can't protect you the way I should... « As she looks into his ey...
As I am sick a lot lately, I don't get to writing as much as I'd like, my apologies. BUT it gave me the idea to upload the one or other deleted and alternate scene. Here you go with the first one, taking place sometime before the Dawn Treader reaches the Dark Island - the green mist messes with our heroes' heads!
Let me know what you think ^^ (e. g. Should I make a separate book for these scenes?)
~ Lola
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Caspian pushes through the crowd towards her, tears already blurring his vision. Her name sits on his lips, but his voice dies in his throat every time he tries to call out. As he finally reaches the spot, he falls to his knees, paying no regard to the pain of the impact. He cares for nothing but her. She doesn't move, her chest doesn't rise and fall. He scrambles closer, taking her hand in his while his other comes to rest on her forehead.
» Luna, « he says gently, placing a kiss on her hand. No answer.
» Luna? « His tone grows frantic as she remains as she is, unmoving. No flutter of her eyelids, no incomprehensible breaths, nothing. Her cool fingers rest in his, offering no sign of her presence. Her lips stay still. Oh, how he yearns to see her smile once again, hear her voice, her laugh. The crew step back respectfully. Those wearing hats take them off, lowering their heads. No one dares to address the king. His features distort into a picture of pain and loss. He doesn't even try to suppress the tears welling up, nor the sobs overcoming him, shaking him to the core. He wails, howls like a wounded animal, and calls for her to return to him.
» Don't go where I can't follow, « he pleads as he leans over her, stroking her hair. Deep down he knows she is gone, maybe he will see her again one day – surely, she will be waiting on the other side. That, however, is only a weak consolation. Now, the ache in his heart grows like icy vines that proliferate, crushing it and then reach for his soul. It feels like a shadow falling over him, and the people around the king see it – his eyes darken. To the day he dies, they will never lighten up again. Their sparkle is only reserved for the one he would have called his queen.
» Luna... « Caspian croaks, searching for a sign of life for one last time. He leans down further, pressing a lingering kiss to her forehead, then her lips. Salty tears drop from his cheeks to hers, glimmering in the dim light of the dawning day. Then he rests his head on her chest, clinging to her hand as if it was his anchor in a storm. It is, it was. His throat burns, yet he swallows like someone in the desert who hopes to find water. His eyes sting as he closes them, imagining hearing the comforting rhythm of her heartbeat. There is only silence meeting him.
~
Caspian startles awake, sitting up with a low whelp. His chest rises and falls unregularly as he tries to calm his frantic breathing. In the dark he feels around, hands only meeting air and the fabric of his hammock. His heart won't cease to race, and his mind focuses on the one thing that could possibly console him. Quietly, the king slips from his bedstead and into the shadows of the ship's belly.
It takes him mere minutes to get to the study. Fast steps carry him towards the door leading into the royal quarters aboard. He stands and listens for a moment before making his way to his desk. From one of the four drawers he pulls a notebook. Settling down on the windowsill, he feels his clammy shirt stick to his back. In the little light the moon sends through the porthole Caspian starts to flip through the pages. Various notes and drawings wander through his hands until he reaches the portrait of a young woman. She wears light armor; her hair is pulled into a braid. Dark eyes look somewhere past the beholder, light catching in them just right to give the drawing live. The straight posture of her shoulders makes her the image of a stern soldier – weren't it for the gentle expression of her eyes and the upwards-twitch of her lips. Seeing this, and knowing Luna is just in the next room, probably sleeping soundly, finally calms the king. Unknown to him, she has a similar nightmare, only are the main roles reversed.
Lucy finds the King of Narnia the next morning in the same spot, fast asleep. She is up early because the Valiant Queen is due to help in the galley.
