Naryssa's Choice (The Fate and Destiny Chronicles Vol. 3)

Reminiscence

Three months later it was time for the final push that would drive the rebels into the center for the siege that would end them once and for all, we were preparing for battle. Darren and I were ready, side by side, prepared to lead our army to a victory that would lead to the final battle to end this civil war. The end of this forsaken hell was so close we could taste it. but as the time for battle drew nearer, I began to see flashbacks. Mor memories, that were not my own as if I were flipping through a scrapbook to reminisce. The first one came that morning.

At sunset I was sitting outside of the medic tent alone while Seth was being tended to by healers again trying to work past the shock of being free again, how funny that a similar sky of pastel reds and oranges was among my last sights the last time I was truly free. Only then it had been rising not sinking. Darren approached and sat down on the dry, grassy ground beside me and I felt him watching me. Those evergreen eyes so full of caring and sincerity I found them hard to look at were studying me as I turned my gaze back to the sunset sky. "I'm sorry for what you must have gone through" he said and I just shrugged feeling more guilty as he did. If only he knew the truth, if any of them knew would they still care so much? "It's over now" I said but as I spoke the words I felt as if they were false, maybe because deep down I knew it would never truly be over. Not for me.

"You know if the burning was a year ago, that means it's my birthday again" I said with a small laugh. "So, what will you do now?" He asked me and for a moment I wondered before I spoke "No, clue. Could always join the cause like I planned when I turned sixteen last year" I said to him almost as a joke. "If it's really what you want, I'll save a spot for you but I can't say I recommend it" he told me taking me more seriously than I had intended. "I feel like there's a but coming along" I said with a small smile which made him laugh as he spoke "Yes, being that I want you to take some time in the city first" he said. "Make sure you heal, recollect, and make the decision after you've thought it over. After what you have probably been through, I don't blame you wanting to take a stand but you need a clear head" He finished and I sensed a strange sense of wisdom within this man who was so kind.

Then more memories and flash backs began to follow throughout the day, each of them centering around Darren, and I found myself wondering why so many of her memories were spilling through the sicker I grew. It was nice though. To see what she had of Darren. "I'm with you, Annabelle, until to the very end" Darren swore to me loyally, "We've lost too much to let it be meaningless". His words made my heart hurt. What had I done to earn such loyalty from him? I almost felt guilty that I needed his help. " I'm with you Annabelle, Until the very end." Darren vowed passionately as his forest green eyes met my gaze. "I know you don't know me well" Caspian stated seriously, "But my mission was clear from the start, find you or your father and restore your family to the throne" He answered me. "You need to take the throne, Annabelle. More now than ever to end this war like you were destined to" He continued seriously sounding more passionate than I had ever heard him sound before. "I won't rest until the throne is yours and order is restored" He swore to me with a sincerity I did not doubt. He was right, we didn't know him well and though I wasn't sure about his motives for wanting the war over or me on the throne I knew what had to be done. I believed him when he swore to help make it happen. "So, what now?" Darren asked me

Then the next few began to hit me so much harder than the first couple of memories, these ones leaving me haunted and pained. "Wait" I said before we crossed into the other side turning to my dear friend whom I had come to trust more than anyone, "This is where we go our separate ways for now" I said fighting back the tears that wanted to spill. Confusion and betrayal filled his gaze as he looked at me trying to comprehend why I was telling him this. "I need you to stay here" I said to Darren, "Gather the light fairies and help prepare this side for what is to come" I commanded more than asked. "You're a born leader Darren, they'll trust and follow you" I explained before he could ask anything, "This is all for nothing if there's nothing left on this end and I'll need the support of the light to make peace when this is all over". He nodded solemnly, still looking hurt, giving me a small bow with a fist over his heart before speaking up, "Just promise me you'll make it" He pleaded with his voice serious and full of worry. "I'll see you again and I'll send word when I need you and your forces" I told him reassuringly before I pulled him in for a hug, holding him tightly hoping I would be able to keep my promise before letting him turn to leave.

It was immediately followed by the next. As the sun began to rise, we began the siege. This was it. It all started with Darren who shouted loudly, "The king is gone, all hail and long live the queen!", it was then echoed by Caspian as we began to walk the streets with our massive army following behind the chant catching on like a wildfire igniting. People began to emerge as the march and chant continued making progress, some of the citizens joining in, but as we reached the palace, we saw large groups of rebel forces gathered prepared to defend the castle. The energy of the city was almost tangible as we reached the palace and with one final "Long live the queen" all hell broke loose as both armies lunged head first at each other, I leaped into the fray with Caspian and Darren by my side as we made our way through the bloodbath.

Then the next. The instant the fight was over I sprinted to my fallen friend who'd been run through with two different swords in two different places. He lay unconscious and bloodied on the marbled floors. When I reached him, I fell immediately to my knees in hopes of finding some sign that he was alive, that he was okay, I just thought over and over please not him. Not Darren, I couldn't lose him or anyone else. I couldn't be the cause of death to yet another person I had loved. I could have chosen to help a friend or complete our mission and without hesitation I had chosen to risk sacrificing yet another person, one I held so dear, and I knew regardless of the outcome I had made the right call even if it felt so damned wrong and hurt so fucking much. Much to my relief Darren had survived, he was alive, barely alive. Yet he was alive. It was a miracle I thanked the goddess for.

Then came the final memory, a memory I had not read about because it came after they were written, a final moment. Only this time I wasn't her while I was in the memory, I was watching from the distance as I witnessed this one. As if I were a ghost watching from the other side, nothing more than a helpless spectator.

Annabelle was stumbling, coughing and gagging on her own blood while struggling to breathe. She smiled at the sunset in front of her before falling to her knees. Then came Darren, who was now sprinting forward as fast as he could while screaming her name with so much fear within his voice. It was like she couldn't even hear him as she went down but he caught her just in time so she didn't hit the ground, he was weeping as he did so. Pleading to the deity for them not to take her from him and telling Annabelle how he loved her and should have told her sooner. He told her how it would all be okay somehow as he held her, the amount of pain and devastation on his face was indescribable and I found myself running over to him even though I knew he couldn't see me. I was simply a ghost witnessing a moment that had already come to pass, a testament to the past. His words were unintelligible gibberish as he sobbed with such force over her, the life fading from her as she smiled blissfully at the sunset. I could see her suddenly behind him, or rather her ghost. Who also could not tell I was there witnessing this moment from so long ago. She looked to be full of regret over the pain she'd caused him as she placed her hand on his shoulder before running towards another ghost, one of a boy in a soldier's uniform. They embraced and kissed each other in a passionate reunion before taking hands, she only looked back once or twice before they faded into the sunset. Then I looked to see what she was staring back at, Caspian crying as he put a hand on Darren's shoulder as he tried to comfort him. I knelt beside them sobbing as I also held Darren, or rather the memory of him even if he couldn't actually feel or see me. As I felt the memory fade, I could hear Darren's devastating cry of agony as Caspian took her from his arms.

I saw Darren a bit differently after seeing the series of memories, it was one thing to read about these experiences or to simply know what had happened, it was another to witness the moments he had lived through. Finally, the time for the battle had come and no more memories plagued my mind that day as we stood side by side, I gave his free hand a brief squeeze as I spoke to him but he caught me off guard by saying the same thing at the same time. "Until the very end, together..." we had said and as we exchanged one last longing look only to let go and be pulled into another battle, the battle before the final siege. We knew after the siege my destiny would come and with it would come the end we vowed to reach together. The one I knew might destroy him further.

Soon it would truly be the very end...