I Believe (Sequel to 'Believe in Me')

Nine: Choosing a Future

Nine: Choosing a Future

Lilith sat silently under a large willow, staring over the field which stretched out before her. Daraya was grazing somewhere behind her, and for once Lilith was not sure where exactly. Her mind was otherwise occupied.

The shadow that the tree cast seemed to move with life as it awaited the message she contemplated sending. She desperately wanted to one-day return to the world of her childhood. While most of her memories involved training for an army she didn't believe in and then fighting in against an enemy she believed to be undeserving of the fae's hate; there were also many memories of that held a happy note. They were memories of fields as far as the eye could see of flowers. There was laughter as her, and her friends chased each other. She could recall so many happy mornings away from training when she would joke with the bakers as she ate her breakfast, or when she was on watch, away from the prying eyes of her cruel commander.

Lilith desperately missed her home. There had always been an ache in her heart for the happy memories and now that she knew she could return to Avalon and not be surrounded by darkness, that ache had only grown stronger. However her deep love for Peter overruled that ache. It always would. Love for the fae was everything. Once one found love there was no going back, it was eternal for the fae. However as Peter was human there was always the fear that he would one-day reject her. He was not bound to love as she was.

Shaking her head Lilith tossed the thought from her mind. Peter loved her and even if it was not binding, it was still just as deep as her's. It was with this though that she made her decision. Peter loved her, he would help her in his world. She knew it was different, having once ventured there long ago to steal a sword from a certain nymph. She hadn't wanted to steal the sword, but her commander didn't want peace in Peter's world and so the King had to be kept from his precious sword. However that was in the past. Today she had to send a message to an old friend.

Hovering her hand over the shadow the tree cast, she watched as it writhed when she filled the dark with power. The words of the tip of her tongue she went to speak when the appearance of the Great Lion gave her pause.

"Aslan?" She questioned, lowering her hand once more. As much as she cared for the lion she did not want company when she informed Tatiana she would not be joining her in Avalon. "How may I help you?"

"You seem troubled child," Aslan spoke, ignoring her question for he knew she had asked it simply as a formality. There was something far greater weighing on her mind. "Is there anything you wish to ask me?" He asked.

Lilith sighed, looking down at her hands, there was no harm in seeking Aslan's wisdom and advice. "I am free to return to Avalon without fear of execution or breaking my promises to you."

"Isn't that what you have always wished," Aslan smiled softly at her, his voice kind. "So what is it that troubles you so?"

"Peter," she stated simply. "I cannot tear Peter from his world or his family. While I thought maybe he would want to join me I see now that it wont happen. He has his world and if cannot come with me I will go with him."

"If you have made up your mind to follow love, why is it that you are still troubled?" Aslan asked, taking a seat beside her.

Lilith did not respond for a time as her and the lion looked out over the field together. He waited patiently for her, never one to rush the thoughts of another. The sun was it its peak by the time she finally settled on an answer.

"I love my home," she started, "and I love Peter. My love for him binds me to him for that it the way of the fae. I will always choose him so long as he loves me for I will always love him more than anything..."

"But..." Aslan prompted when she fell silent.

"But I miss Avalon. While I know leaving when I did was the only choice I possibly could have happily made, the chance for me to return without the evil that I once fought for ruling me..." She drifted off once more before continuing. "The idea of never seeing my home again pains me. But the idea of abandoning my love pains me more for I know that Peter loves me."

"I wish I could tell you what it is you should do, however that is not what I do," Aslan smiled down at her. "I will tell you this though, before I leave you to your thoughts; choose whatever will bring you the most joy in the future."

Lilith sighed once more as Aslan walked away. There was a part of her that knew Aslan would not give her the answer when she decided to speak with him, however there was another part of her that hoped he would tell her exactly what to do.

Raising her hand once more she enticed the shadows to life once again, her mind made up. As long as Peter loved her she would always choose him. 

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So I know it has been a very long time since I updated last. However I didn't know what to write (still don't). Now, as I had some time on my hands I decided I would post this chapter. I am sorry for its short length, but I really want Peter's proper response to Avalon to be its own chapter. That will be in the next chapter, which will be the last one ever for this 'series'. 

Sorry guys. I hope you all don't hate me for this chapter's length or the ending that is coming next. 

-Z