Born For Better (A Peter Pevensie/ Narnia Fanfic)

Chapter 17- Past Pains and Hopeful Promises

Annabelle's POV

"The Telmarines took control of Narnia after the Battle for Cair Paravel. The native Narnian's retreated into the woods, and those who fought back where killed. While I remained a prisoner. For the first few years of my imprisonment, I was used as leverage against the Narnian's who tried to attack. I was forced to watch as familiar faces were executed for just trying to get their home back. 

Until, the Telmarines began to notice that I was not aging. Or at least, not aging as fast as they were. To them, the years that went by only seemed to affect me like I was going through them like they were days. This was brought to the attention of the King at the time. He accused me of being a witch and mocked the fact that I had been taken down by mere men. When it was discovered that I was the Seer of Narnia, he had me tortured for information. 

Of course, my visions had ceased since the disappearance of my Kings and Queens, but he refused to believe me. So I continued to recite the final prophecy I had been given. He claimed I was mad, and decided to keep me locked down here. Each new king found their own uses for me, choosing to see how long I would survive. I am sure that none of them believed that I would last this long. I have been beaten, starved, and deprived of sunlight for centuries now.

This new king, Caspian IX, is kinder, in the fact that he has not tortured me as of yet. I even begin to wonder if I have been forgotten by him all together. His brother, Lord Miraz, however, has visited once or twice demanding I tell him the future. I spit fake prophecies at him, in fear that if I remain silent, he may kill me. Though at this point, death seems like a much sweeter fate than this one." I looked up to the slightly graying man standing on the other side of the barred door of my cell. His eyes were wide and his mouth hung open in shock as he processed what I had just told him. 

"You mean to tell me... you've been locked away for 1300 years?" He asked. 

"1,272 years, 6 months, two weeks, and four days to be precise." I murmured, my eyes scanning the walls that I had scratched small tally marks into. "You believe me then?"

"Though you do not look it, your eyes reflect more age an wisdom than anyone I have ever come across." He said. "And this...prophecy you spoke of... what did foretell?" He asked. I sighed. 

"In Narnia's greatest need, a Son of Adam shall come forth,
And with the strength of Aslan behind him,
Will bring Narnia out of the dark and wicked.
The Kings and Queens of Old shall return,
Through the sound of a ivory horn,
Offering their wisdom and grace
To guide Aslan's next chosen King,
Delivering Narnia into a new age of peace and rebirth." I recited the words smoothly, as I had spoken it many times through out the years. 

"And do you know who this son of Adam is?" I pursed my lips, looking the short, fat man over once more. 

"What was your name again?" I asked. The man stood a bit straighter, though his stature still left much to be desired. 

"Doctor Cornelius, your majesty." He bowed his head slightly. The corner of my mouth twitched upward, forming into a slight smile. 

"You are Narnian, aren't you?" I asked. At this, the man's face flushed bright red and tried to sputter out some sort of explanation. "Dwarf." I confirmed. 

"O-only half, milady." He finally got out. 

"Of course. If you were a full dwarf, the Telmarines would have never let you passed the castle walls, let alone come down here and speak to me." 

"They say you're mad." Cornelius said. I sat up slightly, leaning towards him. 

"And what do you think?" I asked. 

"I think you're mad, alright. But not in the way they perceive the word. You're angry. At yourself. At them. At your Kings and Queens..." He's voice was barely a whisper. I felt a tear escape down my cheek and I watched it fall on to the tattered fabric of my dress. I bit my lip and turned away from the half-dwarf. He remained quiet, watching me closely 

"I don't know." I finally said after a few moments of silence went by, composing myself.  

"I'm sorry?" He asked. I let my eyes rest on him again. 

"I don't know who the son of Adam is, but I have my suspicions..." Cornelius pressed closer to the bars of the door, his face eager for information. 

"Who? Who is it?" He pleaded. I stood up from where I was curled in the corner, walking forward. 

"The King's wife is with child, correct?" Cornelius nodded. "If she gives birth to a son...I believe that is who Aslan has chosen." 

"How can you be sure?" 

"Because the prophecy states this new King shall bring Narnia out of darkness and wickedess. And out of all the Telmarines I have ever had the displeasure of meeting, Lord Miraz is the wickedest of them all. Narnia cannot survive while he still draws breath." I hissed, coming to a stop directly in front of Cornelius, only the barred door separating us. "Can you make me a promise?" I asked. Cornelius nodded quickly. 

"Anything!" He said. 

"Protect this child when he is born, tell him the tales of Narnia. Of the Golden Age and all I have told you."

"I promise." He moved to turn way.

"And..." Cornelius halted, looking at me expectantly, "Promise me you will not return here until you are able to get me out." 

Your majesty, I don't know if I can-"

"Just promise me, please." I pleaded. Cornelius nodded. 

"I promise." He breathed out. 

"Thank you, Cornelius. And may Aslan be with you, my friend."