The Valley Between Us (1)

Chapter 1: We're Home

Prologue:

"You better stay out Eustace!" Edmund yelled in rage as he slammed the door shut and locked it. He had had quite enough of his pesky cousin lately. "You okay Lu?" He asked, putting his hand on his sister's shoulder.

"Yes." She sighed, wiping a tear from the brim of her eye. "It's just that ever since Mum and Dad died on the plane, I...I don't know. I guess I've just been overly sensitive." She shrugged, hanging her head and fiddling with her bracelet. Just months ago Frank Pevensie, their father, had been injured in the war. Their mother Helen went immediately to see him. As Susan had mentioned in one of her letters, the Germans were making it hard for people to cross over to the United States. When Frank had regained enough strength him and Helen had been trying to cross back to the States when they were taken captive and later killed. This of course brought much pain to the children especially since they couldn't be home for another few months, and Eustace was definitely not making it any easier for them.

"Well that pig head needs to stop making jokes about us." Edmund grumbled. He glared towards the door he had just shoved Eustace out of.

Lucy turned to grab a tissue but her attention was immediately directed toward a bright light seeping through the crack in the door. "Edmund look!" She shouted raising her arm and pointing.

The light was growing at a fast rate and before they could even scream they were engulfed by the light. Both of them knew where they were going. In a flash - just as quickly as they had disappeared - they were in Narnia, aboard the Dawn Treader, along with their dear friend Caspian, and their annoying cousin Eustace.

This story starts at the end of the Voyage of the Dawn Treader right after they defeat the sea serpent and are back on Ramandu's island celebrating their victory.

"I am very proud of you." A soft, echoing voice sounded behind him. He turned to see the beautiful star approaching him. Her step was light, and it looked as if she was floating. Her eyes were as bright as her radiating body and as blue as the Eastern Ocean.

She is most beautiful. Caspian thought. That thought had been ricocheting off the walls of his mind ever since the first time he had seen her. But her beauty only reminded him of his first love. The gentle queen who had left him three long years ago. Caspian hadn't fallen in love since, and hadn't wanted to, until now.

He had waited for three years hoping that somehow, someday, she might return. There had been mention of finding him a wife and some suggested he hold a royal ball, but he always refused.

Fear. Fear was what his refusal was made of. He was afraid of a second heartbreak. He was afraid of having to relive the days after Susan left. He was afraid of having to cope with the anger, devastation, and pain again. He remembered those days as clear as the night sky he was standing under now. He remembered them as if they were still happening today. The pain still screaming loud and clear, the tears still stinging the corners of his eyes.

At one point he was convinced he could never love anyone else again, then he met Lilliandil and all his thoughts took a one hundred and eighty degree turn. As Lilliandil drew closer he stared at her with eyes he had only ever stared at one other person with before.

"Thank you." Caspian bowed his head slightly towards her.

"I used to doubt that anyone would ever be able to defeat the mist, then I met you." She said, her lips curling upward into a pleased smile. "Right away I could tell there was something different about you, about your crew. You were determined, and courageous. More than I've ever seen before."

Caspian flashed back to the night they had landed on Ramandu's Island. They certainly hadn't felt courageous! They were hungry and drained from the long journey. But nevertheless they had defeated the mist.