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...
A/N: The GIF up top is Timea - you find more information in the Chapter overview.
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Neither the cold nor the wetness wake her. No, it is a worried out of her mind mermaid shaking her and screeching into her ear,
» Aslan's mane and Neptune's beard, Luna! « The warrior shoots up – and instantly regrets it. A wave of nausea and dizziness pushes her back onto the rock. She coughs and with Timea's help turns to the side to empty her stomach over the edge of the rocky island. Their current residence doesn't really deserve that name – it is tiny, barely enough space for a grown human to stretch out. Lichens of moss and algae cover its surface, making it slippery. Luna's hands have difficulties to find support without cutting herself at the rough barnacles or the sharp shellfish. Weren't it for Timea holding her friend's shoulder and leg, she may have skidded off. The scaled body is angled over the opposite edge of the cool rock – the low standing sun warms it only scarcely. Luna shudders as she rolls onto her back, concentrating on her breathing. In and out as regularly as possible until her stomach ceases to rebel. Timea remains beside her, brushing her sticky hair to the side while humming a gentle, yet unfamiliar lullaby.
After what feels like hours but couldn't be more than a couple of minutes, Luna's body calms and relaxes. The storm in her mind clears and allows her memory to set it. She was watching the sun rise as sudden fog veiled the surroundings. No, not the green mist as she first feared, no mist at all – it was smoke. A warning call from the crow's nest. Pirates. The hopeless fight. As if on cue her injuries start to throb, numbed and cleaned by the seawater. The worst cuts on her left leg and arms are bandaged with large leaves of seaweed, Timea must have taken care of it. The green straps rest cool against her skin, and a little slimy. Hopefully, nothing is inflamed by poison or dirt. She must get back, must help her crew! Her face scrunches up as she remembers Pug's triumphant smirk as he stepped onto the Dawn Treader, probably already setting prices for each and every one of them. The slave trader poisoned the Narnians to make it easier to defeat them. Hot rage, an old friend by now, flares in Luna's chest. She balls her hands into fists,
» What happened? Where's the Dawn Treader? « She forces the words out between clenched teeth. Rage and worry increase the spinning of her vision. Timea remains quiet for a moment, taking her friend's hand,
» The pirates... They threw you into the sea. You wouldn't wake up, so I pulled you down and brought you here. « Luna blinks against the dizziness, lifting her head to look around. Nothing but water and different sized columns of stone as far as the eye can see,
» Where exactly is here? « They can't be far from where Pug's ship, the Devil's Tide, surprised them. Then again, these rocky islands are a labyrinth. And, according to the position of the sun, she has been unconscious for hours. Without letting her saviour answer, their gazes meet,
» Timea, what happened to them? «
» I'm not sure... « the mermaid shifts uncomfortably,
