The Katrina

Part One

There it was. The invitation my siblings had been shouting about all day. A invitation to sail aboard the finest ship ever built in Narnian history. The Katrina. I don't really see what the fuss is about. It's a ship. A piece of metal. If I dared say that to Peter, he'd be very angry with me. He'd tell me that girls knew nothing about ships and that I knew nothing of the sort. I suppose he's right. But back home in England, mother had to get a job at a factory, for the war effort. But I'm not in England now. I'm in Narnia, and I'm happily reigning with my siblings and best friends.

I knelt on the wooden floor boards, my fingers tracing the initials on the envelope. "Well. Open it!" Lucy said, beckoning me. I looked up and grinned. The envelope was soft enough to tear with the tip of my finger nail, I felt like a criminal for opening it up. I pulled out a piece of parchment.

'Dear Miss Charlotte Jessica Pevensie,

We would be grateful if you'd like to accompany your fellow royal Theodore Davis on a voyage from Archenland to the great land of Telmar this February. The voyage will be a week long trip, and will be setting sail on the 4th February and docking on the 11th. Accommodation has been arranged for you and his royal highness, whilst in Telmar. We would be delighted if you could accept.

Yours sincerely,

Asa Kent, owner of the ship'

I read aloud. Lucy smiled at me. "You have to go Charlie. It would be ever so fun. Imagine, dancing, meals-"

"I don't dance" I said coldly.

"No, but Theodore does" Edmund said, walking into the room. My siblings had grown a great deal since we first entered Narnia. Edmund used to be such a small boy, despite his feisty attitude. He was in fact courting Lily Pendragon, a beautiful queen from Camelot. Lucy was awfully tall now, and she had a beautiful face and still was childish at times. Susan was the same in my opinion. She was still gentle, and awfully considerate. But Peter, Peter was the one who had changed the most. He was a good king, he considered every Narnians complaints, even the untrue ones. He trained his army well and looked after us all. He is the big brother every child wish they'd had.

And then there's Theodore. When I first met him, he was a terribly immature boy. He was kind, and he was always messing around with Edmund. We're not actually courting each other yet, but I really like him. My siblings say he likes me, but I can't be sure. Theodore is the sort of boy who doesn't show his feelings. He's older than me, only by three months. He's awfully handsome in my opinion. Very.

And then it was, I realized. It was the first of February today! How in Aslans mane was I supposed to get prepared.

I alerted my siblings of this, and Edmund rolled his eyes. "I expect it went via Peter. He forgets that he owes us things and he checks all the letters we get. He checks every letter Lily sends me!" Edmund complained.

"Do be quiet Ed, I'm panicking!" I snap, playfully shoving him. He raised his hands in surrender.

"I thought I'd add something to what you've said. Lucy and Susan packed for you" he murmured, before running out the door.

I sighed and smiled.

"You could've bloody well told me that before!" I yell down the corridor, getting only a response of

"Oh well".

I glide to the mirror on my dressing table and smile, whilst tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. I curtsied and bowed, as if a gentleman were greeting me. Then, I prance around my bed room like in dancing , just when I hear a soft knock at my open door.

I jump, and almost fall but then I look up. It was Theodore, I had just danced around in front of Theodore.

"That was interesting dancing Charlotte" he laughed, putting a hand on my shoulder.

"Oh. I was just getting rid of a fly" I lie, sighing.

"Oh, yes of course," Theodore said sarcastically

"I came to tell you that Peter told me we'd be leaving today. He said we needed to get out of Narnia and into Archenland before the 3rd of February, simply because he thinks we'll get held up. I don't think your brother likes my Charlie. He must think I'm going to wreck and ruin his kingdom!" Theodore said, sitting on my bed.

"No, i don't think he likes you. But everyone else likes you" I whisper, looking at him.

We walked down the corridor, silently. As soon as I said my goodbyes to my siblings, I raced along with Theodore to the carriage that awaited us. It was grand, with golden handles and red velvet seats. Theodore grinned at me and held out his hand. I took it, then stepped in the carriage. I was going on the finest ship with Theodore Davis. I couldn't have been more happy.