My Narnian Tale

Chapter 18

Peter and I laid in his bed for a few hours, just talking.  Eventually, Peter fell asleep.  I sat up and propped myself against the headboard.  I began playing with Peter's blonde hair.  He looked so much younger when he was asleep.  The worries and stress of being high king melted away.  His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm and he snored lightly.  Laughing to myself, I slowly got out of the bed.  I needed some time to relax.  The past two days had been extremely stressful.  I decided to take a walk in the palace gardens.  I walked outside and into the beautiful gardens that spread out along the northern side of the palace.

"Elizabeth!"  I heard a small voice call.  I turned and was met by Lucy running towards me.

    "Hello Lucy!  How are you?"

    "I'm well.  How are you?"

    "Fairly better, now that Peter is mostly healed."

    "Thank Aslan he's alright.  I've been meaning to ask you, how did your plan go?  Susan told me about it."

    "Other than Peter getting injured, it went pretty well.  And Peter has agreed to let me accompany him in battles from now on so that's something."

    "I wish he would let me come."  Lucy said sadly.

    "You'll get your chance eventually, Lu.  I know you want to fight but it's still too dangerous, even for a brave lioness like you."  I told her.  She laughed and we found our way to a bench in the middle of the gardens.  Lucy and I didn't get to spend much time together so it was nice to be able to just sit and talk to her.

    "Elizabeth?  Can I ask you something?"

    "Of course, Lucy.  What is it?"

    "Do you love Peter?"  I smiled at her question.

    "I do Lucy, I really do.  He means the world to me.  You all do.  You've become my family."  I told her, wrapping my right arm around her shoulder.

    "Do you miss our world?  Like, do you want to go back?"  I thought for a moment before answering.

    "I do miss our world.  I miss my family and friends.  And surprisingly, I miss school.  College is a lot different than regular school.  It's a lot more enjoyable even though it's more stressful.  But I'm not sure if I want to go back just yet.  I feel like when I'm meant to go back, I'll know.  Or maybe I'll just be surprised.  You never know what Aslan has planned.  All I know is that I don't want to leave all of you."

    "I don't want you to leave.  You're like my sister.  Plus, I don't know what Peter would do if you left.  He'd be miserable.  I've never seen him as happy as he is when you are around.  I definitely think you two are going to get married.  And I'm hoping it happens soon."  I laughed loudly at that comment.

    "You know Lucy, don't tell anyone this, but I'm hoping it happens soon too."  Lucy smiled brightly at me.  Lucy then said goodbye because she had to go for a dress fitting.  She was growing so much lately that she constantly had to get new dresses made.

    I decided to head back to my room for a little while, before supper.  I needed a bath and now was the perfect time.  Changing into my silk robe and sandals, I made my way down to the royal baths.  No one was there so I entered and drew the bath, putting in lavender oil to relax me.  Taking off my robe and sandals, I slipped into the warm water, my body immediately relaxing.  I closed my eyes and leaned my head against the edge of the bath.  I begin to think of my time here in Narnia.  I have been here for almost a year already.  It has been an amazing year, despite the difficulties.  As a child, I always dreamed of finding Narnia.  I never would have thought I would actually end up here.  My friends and I used to joke about going to Narnia so we could escape our responsibilities of our world.  But now that I'm here, I have new responsibilities.

    I have the responsibility to fight to protect Narnia.  I have the responsibility to be there for Peter and eventually, responsibilities as queen.  Imagining myself being queen is strange.  Every little girl dreams of being a princess.  But here I am, in love with the high king, and probably marrying him sometime in the future.  Me, Elizabeth Ryan, marrying a king.  King Peter, the Magnificent.  My Peter.  He truly is amazing.  Despite being from different time periods, we understand each other perfectly.  He knows when I am happy or sad, troubled or depressed, angry or scared.  And I know when he's feeling any of those things.  We respect each other.  Just by being with him, I am instantly happier.  Without even trying to, he makes my depression go away.  Lost in my thoughts, I didn't hear the knock on the door. 

    "Oh my gosh!  Elizabeth, I am so sorry!  I knocked and when no one responded, I assumed no one was in here."  I hear Peter say.  My eyes shoot open and I see Peter turn his back to me so he doesn't see me without any clothes. 

    "Peter!  No, it's alright.  I wasn't paying attention.  I didn't hear you knock.  Just give me a minute."  Dear Lord, this was awkward.  I quickly got out of the bath and put my robe and sandals back on.  I walked to the door, where Peter was standing.  We looked at each other awkwardly and both opened our mouths to say something, only to close them again.  I smiled uncomfortably and walked as quickly as I could out of the room.  I ran back to my chamber and closed the door behind me.  Could that have been anymore awkward?