lunam et stellas

chapter three

There is always a choice...

Alex stared across the ravine for the second time that day while she listened to Peter try to understand what Lucy had seen.

"So, where exactly do you think you saw Aslan?"

Alex tried not to smack him over the head. His tone sounded so demeaning. Lucy glared at her brother. "I wish you'd all stop trying to sound like grownups. I didn't think I saw him; I did see him."

Trumpkin raised his eyebrows, mildly amused by her outburst. "I am a grownup."

Lucy walked towards the spot where she had seen Aslan. "It was right over-" The ground gave out from under her, and her siblings screamed out. "Lucy!"

Alex's heart dropped, and she ran to the edge where Lucy had fallen.

"Oh, my lord." Alex sighed heartily when she saw Lucy still intact. "Nearly had a heart attack."

Lucy smiled up at her family guiltily. "Here."

One by one, they all jumped into the hole Lucy had mistakenly created and walked carefully down the ravine. The youngest Pevensie led the way across the stream, slipping on a scum-covered rock. Trumpkin reached out, grabbing her before she could fall in.

Alex tried not to smile at the dwarf finally warming up to the group. Susan went behind him, and Edmund followed closely to his sister. Alex extended her leg when a voice timidly called out. "Watch your step."

She nodded, not looking back to glorify him with a response.

He called after her again, but she ignored him, walking ahead and stopping beside the younger brother. "Making camp for the night?"

"Precisely." He nudged her gently. "Be a dear and get some wood for the fire?"

Alex glared at Edmund, smacking his arm. "Don't call me dear, dear."

Edmund laughed, pushing her towards the woods. "Just go."

"I'll help her." Alex's shoulders fell. Peter appeared eagerly in front of her. "Shall we?"

Alex smiled lightly and walked past him into the woods. Edmund turned to his brother, whispering. "Be gentle with her."

Peter almost glared at his brother. "I'm her husband. I know how to talk to her."

Edmund sighed. "Can you just listen to me? She's very sensitive about this- this predicament. She barely started talking to me about it before we- Just listen to her."

Alex walked through the trees, praying to Aslan that they woke up, that Narnia would suddenly awake, and that they could enjoy whatever amount of time they had here peacefully. A hand landed on her shoulder, and she tensed, reaching for her swords.

"Alex, it's just me."

She lowered her hand, walking away from Peter. "We need to get wood. It's getting dark."

He followed after, taking in her demeanor. "Alex-"

"I don't want to have this conversation right now."

"Well then, when will we have this conversation? Because Edmund tells me you have been dealing with this by yourself for decades."

"I didn't want to worry you."

Josephine blushed as Dario grabbed her waist, pulling her closer to him. "It is my job to worry about you, Your Majesty."

Josephine scoffed. "I told you to stop calling me that."

He smirked. "Well then, what shall I call you?"

She was sure she was bright red by now. "You know what to call me."