𝐈𝐍 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐂𝐇
⸻ Cordelia Winterbourne's ordinary life with her mother was shattered by the onset of war, prompting Cordelia's mother to make a gut-wrenching decision by sending her daughter away for a while to keep her safe.
However, fate had a di...
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"Am I back in Narnia?" I queried, the sense of disbelief evident in my voice, while I shrugged my heavy, drenched coat around me. Caspian, ever the attentive host, swiftly wrapped a warm towel around my freezing body.
"Indeed, you are," he affirmed with a reassuring smile, but his gaze flickered towards a different direction. "And you're not the only one."
Following his nod, my eyes widened in astonishment as I caught sight of the two familiar figures standing nearby—the two youngest Pevensies, their expressions mirroring my surprise. The realization that we were reunited in the magical realm of Narnia once again dawned upon us, filling the moment with an inexplicable mix of wonder and joy.
Without a moment's hesitation, Lucy dashed towards me, wrapping me in a warm, tight embrace.
"Cora! Oh, my Aslan, it's good to see you again!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with heartfelt joy as she pulled away, a radiant smile gracing her face.
"Gosh, you're getting taller than me now," I teased, puckering my lips in mock dismay, to which Lucy responded with a cheerful giggle, the familiarity of our banter rekindling a sense of comfort and ease in our reunion.
With our shared moment of reunion, our attention naturally shifted toward the brunette Pevensie who called out my name. A fleeting glance exchanged between Lucy and me conveyed a mutual understanding, prompting a knowing smirk from her.
As if drawn by an invisible force, we both instinctively rushed towards one another, our hearts leading the way. In an almost synchronized motion, we collided in the middle, embracing each other tightly, as if by some unspoken agreement.
With an overwhelming rush of emotions, the connection between us was instant and undeniable. It was as though the years apart had dissolved within that single embrace, and we found ourselves back in the comforting shelter of each other's arms once more. Time and distance seemed inconsequential in the presence of the cherished bond we shared.
As Edmund's gentle voice reached my ears, whispering in relief against the crown of my head, a rush of emotions flooded through me.
"My love," his whispered words filled me with a sense of profound relief, and I responded in kind, my whisper echoing softly, "I missed you so much."
Caspian's commanding voice echoed across the ship, drawing the attention of his crew members. As he stood on the stairs, his gaze rested upon us, his words carrying both reverence and warmth.
"Men," he called out, a commanding tone in his voice that instantly commanded respect. "Behold our castaways..." A pause followed, allowing his words to resonate throughout the deck.
"Edmund the Just, Lucy the Valiant, and Cora The Seraphic Monarch," Caspian announced, each name bearing weight and significance. We exchanged sheepish smiles, both honored and humbled by his words.
"High King and Queen of Narnia," Caspian continued, his proclamation ringing out with an air of reverence. In response, the crew members respectfully kneeled and bowed before us, acknowledging the titles bestowed upon us with utmost respect and deference. The weight of responsibility and honor settled upon our shoulders as the crew paid homage to the legacy we carried in the realm of Narnia.
Caspian, ever attentive to our needs, swiftly provided us with clothes, apologizing for the limited options available.
"Sorry, this is the only thing that I could find in your sizes," Caspian smiled as he handed over the garments to Lucy and me.
"It's no problem, Casp. I think it's much better than my now uncomfortable clothes," I chuckled lightly, gesturing to my drenched attire, which clung uncomfortably to my body.
Caspian joined in with a laugh, nodding in understanding before giving us space to change, granting us a moment of privacy to transition from the drenched clothes into something more comfortable.
As Lucy and I changed into the same room, a folding screen offered us the necessary privacy. After we were both finished, I styled my brunette wavy locks, tying them into a low ponytail before twisting it at the center. The distinctive white strand, now fashioned into curtain bangs, gracefully cascaded across my forehead, framing my features with an effortless elegance.
Despite the unconventional nature of the pirate attire, it seemed a tad loose around us, not originally tailored for girls.
However, with a touch of adjustment here and there, we managed to make the garments look surprisingly good on our bodies. The slightly loose fit didn't detract from the overall look, and we managed to carry off the pirate-inspired clothing with a sense of style, making it seem as if the attire had been custom-made to suit us perfectly.
"Do I look pretty now?" Lucy asked, displaying her attire to me.
"Of course, Lu, you've always been pretty," I complimented her, but she responded by pursing her lips and gently shaking her head.
"Never mind that, let's go," she said, taking the lead and stepping out of the room. Her sudden change in demeanor caught me slightly off guard, but I shrugged it off and followed her down.
"Ready, girls?" Edmund's voice reached us from the deck where he stood alongside Caspian as we descended.
"Ah, excuse me, lad," Caspian started, his tone laced with sarcasm. "I don't suppose you have seen a young girl around here anywhere?"
"Alright!" Lucy chimed in, playfully slapping Caspian's arm, eliciting a grin from him. I chuckled at their banter, enjoying their light-hearted interaction, before following Caspian as he led us inside the ship, ready for whatever lay ahead in this adventure.
Entering the room, I surveyed the surroundings, presuming it to be the place where Caspian had stowed our important belongings. Each of us was scattered around, exploring the room's contents.
Amidst the array of designs, my attention was drawn to a painting depicting the five of us during our chase of the stag. A smile naturally graced my face, memories flooding back from those cherished days of our past adventures.
As I stood there lost in nostalgia, examining the painting, I sensed someone joining me. Without a doubt, it was Edmund, standing by my side as we both gazed at the depiction of our past escapades.
"Remember this?" Edmund's voice broke the quietude, carrying a tone laced with fondness and reminiscence as he gestured towards the painting.
"Yeah," I replied, a soft chuckle escaping me. "That was quite the chase."
"Look..." Lucy's voice echoed through the room, drawing our attention towards her. "Susan's bow and arrows," she remarked, her gaze fixed on her sister's weapon.
Caspian interjected gently, directing Lucy's focus to a box containing her healing cordial and dagger. Lucy eagerly claimed her belongings while Edmund noted, "Peter's sword."
Acknowledging the sentiment behind it, Caspian carefully retrieved the sword, offering it to Edmund. However, Edmund hesitated, refusing the gesture. "Peter gave it to you," he reminded Caspian, a hint of conflict visible in his eyes.
The momentary tension hung in the air, and a pang of concern stirred within me. But before I could voice my thoughts, I bit back the words, choosing instead to divert my attention back to the painting, silently pondering the intricate dynamics between them.
