The Jewel of Narnia (The Chronicles of Narnia) Complete

Chapter One

Mara sat on the window seat in her bedroom as she read a book. The sound of horses galloping towards the house had distracted her from her reading and she turned to see Mrs. McCready with two boys and two girls. She then remembered that her uncle had told her that they were going to have some guests whose father was in the war and was going to stay for awhile. 'As long as they don't disrupt my peace and quiet, I'll be happy.', she thought. The girl went back to reading until there was a knock on her door. She sighed as she placed her book down, placing her bookmark where she left off. Mara opened the door to her bedroom and said, seeing that it was Mrs. McCready, "Yes, Mrs. McCready?" Mrs. McCready replied, giving the girl a smile, "The professor requests your presence in his study, young lady." Mara nodded then made her way to the professor's study. With the Pevensie siblings, Peter looked around in awe. The sound of footsteps caught his attention and his eyes turned to see a young blonde haired girl walking down the stairs. She looked like she was around his age.

Mara's eyes glanced towards the guests and had caught the eye of one of the boys, the light haired one. She shaked her head then continued on her way, stopping in front of the door. Peter watched as the girl delicately knocked on the door then opened it after a few moments. His curiosity started to get the best of him but he knew that he needed to be with his siblings and look after them, just like he had promised to their mother. Mara entered the study and said to her uncle, with her hands clasped behind her back, "You requested my presence, Uncle?" The professor smiled at the young girl and replied, "Yes, I did, Mara. I would like to ask a favor of you, my dear." Mara said, as she sat in front of the desk in one of the chairs, "Of course, uncle. Anything." The professor replied, "I would like it if you befriended the siblings during their stay here."

Mara began to protest, she had liked being by herself and doing things on her own. Being friends with the guests was like signing her death warrant. The professor continued, "You spend too much time by yourself. I'm tired of seeing you by yourself without anyone to talk to who was your age. I'm not asking you to be best friends with them. I'm just simply asking you to be friends. They are going through a rough time right now and they need a friend." Mara sighed then nodded. She said, "Alright, but I'm only doing this because you asked me too......not that I don't want to." The professor smiled and replied, "Excellent. Now, I'm sure you know that Mrs. McCready is making dinner tonight and I expect you to be nice to the guests. You may go, Mara." Mara nodded her head then turned to leave, letting out a groan of frustration. On instinct, the girl went back to her room to finish the book.

That evening, everyone sat down in the dining table as they ate dinner. Of course, the professor was the one who began the conversation. Susan turned to Mara and said to her, grabbing the girl's attention, "So, Amara. What's your relation to the professor?" Mara replied, after she had swallowed her drink, "Well, he's my uncle. I call him that but he's not really my uncle. He's a good friend of my parents." 'If only I knew who my parents were.', she thought. Susan nodded then turned back to eating her food. After dinner, the siblings and Mara went to their respective bedrooms to get ready for bed. Mara stood by a window as she watched the stars, placing her hand over her lion necklace.

The sound of someone clearing their throat startled her and she turned to find the source. Peter gave the startled girl a small smile and said to her, "I'm sorry if I had startled you. *He gave her his hand* I'm Peter......Peter Pevensie." Mara replied, as they shaked hands, "I'm Amara......Amara Krike but everyone calls me Mara." Peter said, as they walked towards their rooms, "That's a beautiful name." Mara replied, chuckling, "Thank you. My uncle says that it was my mother who picked it. He says that my father wanted to name me after his mother... 'Lilliana'." Peter smiled and said, "Where are your parents, if you don't mind me asking?" Mara replied, with a frown, "Not sure, actually. My uncle claims that they were in danger and that they gave me to him to keep me from it. *She showed her necklace to Peter* This necklace is all that I have left of them." Peter glanced at the necklace around the girl's neck, seeing that there was a lion pendant. They arrived at their respective bedrooms then said goodnight to each other.