Wish [Sequel to Hope]

Chapter 5

A/N at End, please read! 

Ashlynn's feet felt like they were going to fall off. The group had been wandering aimlessly through the woods, following Peter's lead. 

          "I don't remember this way," Susan spoke. 

Peter turned back to face Susan, an annoyed look on his face. 

            "That's the problem with girls, they can't keep a map in their heads," he mocked while tapping his temple. 

            "That's because our heads have something in them," Lucy jabbed back. 

Ashlynn coughed back a laugh. Subtly, she threw a high five Lucy's way, proud of her apprentice. If there was anything Ashlynn loved most about Lucy, it was her sense of humor. 

          "I wish he would have just listened to the DLF," Susan continued.  

          "DLF?" Edmund questioned. 

          "Dear little friend," Ashlynn explained nonchalantly. 

Trumpkin shook his head, "Oh, that's not at all patronizing, is it?" 

Ashlynn giggled silently at the dwarf. She was glad they had rescued him, his sarcasm bouncing off her own. She shared a humorous glance with Lucy and Susan, who were also quite fond of the man. Slowly, Ashlynn turned forward, seeing Peter falter in his steps. He had come across a tall rock wall blocking the path. 

         "I'm not lost," Peter muttered to himself. 

          "No, you're just going the wrong way," Trumpkin replied. 

Peter turned to face the dwarf, a scowl on his face. "You last saw Caspian at the Shuddering Wood. The quickest way there is to cross at the river rush." 

         "Unless I'm mistaken, there's no crossing at these parts." 

          "That settles it, you're mistaken," Peter concluded before turning back to face the large blockade. 

The group continues to trudge forward, keeping their eyes open for the old crossing. It was completely silent, until Ashlynn decided to speak. 

           "Peter," she started, breaking his concentration. "If we really have been gone for so long, it's entirely possible for the geography to have changed. The water could have eroded..." 

          "Oh shut up." Peter interrupted. 

          "Peter!" Edmund scolded, surprised by his action. 

Peter rolled his eyes at his siblings, ignoring them as he turned back to the gorge.  

            "Is there a way down?" He asked, no one in particular.