Wish [Sequel to Hope]

Chapter 4

The group decided to travel up the river on hopes of meeting up with the centaurs. The dwarf, Trumpkin as Ashlynn had learned, filled the Pevensie's in on what occurred while they were gone. Ashlynn couldn't believe their once proud kingdom was nothing more than a handful of creatures on the verge of extinction. It saddened her heart to see what had become of her home of 15 years.

Peter rowed the boat down the Glasswater river, keeping an even pace. Ashlynn sat near Lucy, who was admiring the deep crevice the water had created.

"They're so still," Lucy spoke, breaking the silence.

Ashlynn knew she was refering to the trees. She too noticed their stoic appearance, nothing like the graceful nature they once knew.

"They're trees, what do you expect?" Trumpkin remarked.

"They used to dance," Ashlynn mused.

She heard Trumpkin scoff. "It wasn't long after you left that the Telmarines invaded. Those that survived retreated to the woods. And the trees retreated so deep inside themselves no one has heard from them since."

Ashlynn let Trumpkin's words mull over in her head. She couldn't help but feel guilty. She was, after all, supposed to be loyal to her people, fighting alongside them till her death. But instead, she was hidden away in the mundane countryside of England, twittling her thumbs and enjoying leisurely activities. She wished Trumpkin could understand the pain she, and probably Lucy as well, felt.

"I don't understand." Lucy spoke up. "How could Aslan let this happen?"

Trumpkin coughed awkwardly. "Aslan?" He said skeptically. "Thought he abandoned us when you lot did."

Trumpkin's words made Ashlynn feel another wave of pain. Tears were beginning to prick her eyes as she realized the Narnians had lost all hope.

'I should have been there,' She thought to herself, grappling with her newfound sadness.

Edmund seemed to pick up on Ashlynn's emotional struggle, for he reached his hand over to hers and gave it a tight squeeze. Ashlynn smiled weakly at the boy, comforted by his actions. At least one good thing did come from her return.

"We didn't mean to leave you know," Peter defended, frustrated by the stubborn dwarf before him.

"Doesn't make much difference now, does it?"

"Get us to the Narnians, and it will."

Ashlynn could tell Trumpkin was rubbing Peter the wrong way, and she was frightened for the troubles it might cause. Peter was stubborn as a mule, Ashlynn knew this. She also knew that when it came to someone challenging his power, Peter would stop at nothing to one up his opponent. According to Lucy's letters, Peter had been getting into fights more and more frequently, due to his assumption that he should be treated like royalty, even outside of Narnia. Now that the siblings had returned, Peter entitled to his former throne. Ashlynn could only guess his views would cause trouble.

When the boat finally arrived ashore, Ashlynn practically leapt out of the vessel, relieved to be back on dry land and out of the tense atmosphere. She'd never been a fan of sailing, her father being a part of the navy that would ultimately be the cause of his death. She also didn't enjoy the unspoken hatred floating between Trumpkin and Peter. Ashlynn let out a breath of relief when she stepped onto the beach, following Lucy's lead. She turned back to ask if the boy's wanted help, but it appeared they had it handled.

"Hello there!"

Ashlynn turned to see Lucy approaching a small black bear, pawing at the ground. The animal perked up when he heard Lucy's voice, his ears flat against his head.

"It's alright, we're friends," Lucy went on, continuing to approach the creature.

"Don't move Your Majesty!" Trumpkin suddenly exclaimed, halting Lucy in her tracks.

Ashlynn saw the bear growling, preparing to charge toward the young girl.

"Lucy run!" Ashlynn yelled when the bear began to charge.

Ashlynn, being the protective girl she was, ran forward, desperately trying to reach Lucy to rescue her from the monster. She could vaguely hear Edmund shouting in the distance, but her attention was solely focused on Lucy's saftey. Her breath hitched in her throat when Lucy slipped on loose rocks, causing her to tumble down. Ashlynn pushed herself forward, sliding in front of the petite girl. The bear was a mere meter away, roaring angrily. Ashlynn threw her body over Lucy's in a final attempt to rescue the girl. She glued her eyes shut, praying that Peter, Edmund, or Susan found a way to save them.

Then it was silent. Ashlynn opened her eyes to see the bear lying dead before them, a thin arrow in its back. Slowly, she stood, allowing Lucy to be scooped up by Peter. Edmund wrapped his arms around her waist p, pulling her close.

"Never do that again," He muttered, his voice trembling.

"No promises," She replied, just as shaken as him.

Susan studied the scene quizzically, not fully comprehending what just happened.

"Why didn't he stop?" She asked, refering to her earlier threat.

"I suspect he was hungry," Trumpkin replied, looking over the beast.

Edmund pulled away from Ashlynn. "He was wild."

Ashlynn shook her head, agreeing with Edmund. "I don't think he could talk at all."

Trumpkin gently shook the beast, ensuring it was indeed, dead.

"You get treated like a dumb animal long enough, that's what you become." He drew his knife. "You may find Narnia a more savage place than you remember."

Ashlynn buried her face into Edmund shoulder as Trumpkin slit the bear's throat. The sound resonated through the woods, murdering any hope Ashlynn had for her home.

Word Count: 942

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