Chapter 7✨

Raina was the first to wake up. It was still dark, but sun rays were making their way through the sky. It's quite early, she thought. She tried to sit and found Edmund very close to her, and she very close to him. It's strange considering they slept some distance apart the night before, and he now had both arms wrapped around her waist, and her hand was flat against his chest, as her head rested on his shoulder. Butterflies couldn't help overwhelming her stomach, and a blush made its way to her cheeks, confusion permeating her thoughts.

Why is it that when you're trying to push someone away, they just get even closer? She thought. Yes, she wanted to go back to who she was before she met him again, but her decision began to waver. She slowly sat up, keeping in mind not to wake him up. After a few tense seconds, she sat up straight, and stretched her arms, stiff from sleeping on the ground.

The sky was beautiful, dark with flashes of orange and pink, almost like an artist's canvas. Raina couldn't help but gawk at how stunning it was. Through all of the shocks she had coming to Narnia, this calmed her of all of it. She decided to braid her hair, as it got tangled from sleeping on the ground. As she did this, she didn't notice Lucy stirring as well.

'Psst. Raina.' She whispered, as Raina turned around to see Lucy up.

'You wanna..' Raina gestured to the forest, ahead. Lucy nodded, as Raina grabbed her sword and they made their way through the forest, quietly.

The sky changed colours as it became lighter and lighter. They walked some distance from the camp.

'How are you liking Narnia?' She asked, sweetly. Raina smiled.

'A culture shock to me, but it has been wonderful.' Raina replied as Lucy laughed.

'I have to say, Edmund's been a lot happier now that you're back. And don't think I didn't notice youse cuddling together.' Lucy said, smirking. Raina blushed furiously and looked away.

'We weren't cuddling, Lu! It just happened sometime over the night, I did not realise it until this morning.' Raina replied, shyly.

'Suuuuure.' Lucy said, smirking and trying to contain her laughter. Raina swatted her arm.

'Besides, I'm sure he's happy because he's back in Narnia.' Raina maintained, and Lucy gave her a 'yeah right' look.

'He's changed a lot, hasn't he?' Raina asked. Lucy nodded, a tender look in her eyes.

'Lucy, can I ask you something?' Raina said. Lucy nodded.

'What happened the last time you were here? You said you've been here once before. Don't get me wrong, Ed wasn't a complete jerk before but he had his moments, but now he's changed completely.' Raina asked, curiously.

Lucy pursed her lips, and looked down for a moment.

'Oh you don't have to tell me. I was just wondering because..' Raina trailed off.

'Because..?' Lucy asked, when Raina quickly pulled her down behind a rock.

'Wha-' Lucy began but Raina clapped a hand over her mouth, and gave her a warning glare that said 'stay quiet'. Lucy nodded wordlessly, as they peeked out. An animal was walking up.

'What is that?' Raina whispered. 'Is it another wild animal?'

'No, I don't think so. I-I think that's a Narnian.' Lucy whispered.

'Are you sure?'

'Mhmm, look at the armour.'

Lucy was right, the creature walked like a human, and had armour and weapons.

'Okay, we can approach it, but at the slightest sign of trouble we're out of here.' Raina whispered to Lucy, who nodded.

'Stay behind me.' Raina said, as she quietly unsheathed her sword, and brought it forward, cautiously. She inched forward slowly, when a flash of steel caught her off guard, striking her sword.

'Huh?!' Raina yelled in confusion, as the attacker struck her again. Lucy jumped back out of fright.

Raina whirled around and met the eyes of her attacker. He had shoulder length black hair, a kind face whose features were contorted out of anger perhaps. He strikes her again, but this time Raina's ready for it. She parries his attack with her sword.

'RAINA!' Lucy screamed in fear.

By now everyone back at camp has heard Lucy's screams and the clashing of swords. It didn't take more than a few seconds for Edmund to burst into a run, his own sword at the ready, with Peter, Susan and Trumpkin following behind.

Raina wasn't prepared for an attack like this. She hasn't used a sword in over a year, since her father left to fight in the war. Her skills were undoubtedly rusty. She was only getting by with her defenses, and her small figure made it easy for her to evade her opponent's attacks, who was taller and stronger. She realised her best shot was to outsmart him.

He struck low, near her feet, which she jumped over, and she struck him from the side. He parried, and tried to sling her sword out of the way, and disarm her. His strength forced her back, as she tried to evade. As she tried to disarm him, she tripped on some roots, and fell backwards. Before she could get up, someone else joined the fray. It was Peter. Before Raina could rejoin the fight, someone stood in her way.

'Oh, you are not going back in there.' Edmund told her. She narrowed her eyes.

'Who are you to tell me what to do?' She asked, her eyebrow raised. Now Edmund narrowed his eyes at her, and was about to fire off another witty remark when Lucy yelled,

'No, stop!'

Both Peter and this unknown man stopped fighting, and now stared at Lucy. As they did so, tens, if not, hundreds of human/animal species gathered around the fight. Raina recognised some of them as minotaurs and centaurs. She noticed badgers and even more dwarves. Her eyes were the size of saucers by this point.

Peter now had his own sword pointed at him, by his opponent. Something clicked together in his mind.

'Prince Caspian?' Peter asked.

The man squinted his eyes before answering.

'Yes? And who are you?'

'Peter!' Susan yelled, as she and Trumpkin joined Edmund, Raina and Lucy, and stood side by side. They gawked at the Narnians that had gathered.

Prince Caspian looked at the Pevensie siblings, and then looked down at Peter's sword. He faced Peter again with a surprised expression.

'High King Peter.' He breathed out.

'I believe you called.' Peter replied.

'Well, yes but, I thought you'd be older.' Caspian admitted.

'Well if you like, we can come back in a few years.' Peter sassed. Raina snorted quietly, pleasantly surprised.

'No! No, that's alright..' Caspian began. 'You're just.. You're not exactly what I expected.' He spoke as he faced each of the siblings. Raina noticed his gaze linger on Susan for a moment longer than necessary. She hid a knowing smirk.

'Neither are you.' Edmund spoke, eyeing a minotaur standing a few ways away from him.

'A common enemy unites even the oldest of foes.' A badger wisely spoke.

'Hold on, if you are the Kings and Queens of old..' Caspian began, looking at Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy. 'Who are you?' He gestured to Raina, his eyes narrowed.

Raina felt like a deer caught in the headlights.

'I-uh...' She stuttered as she met his intense gaze. She swallowed and put on a confident smile.

'I'm Raina Laurel, the Narnian Protector.' She replied. Caspian stared at her for a few moments, as the remaining Narnians gasped.

'Yeah, right. The Narnian Protector died over a thousand years ago.' He said, with an attitude. Raina squinted.

'And the Narnian Protector was widely believed to be a man.' He continued.

Raina's mouth hung open. She was hurt that no one believed her. When Peter was about to speak up, she lifted a hand up to stop him. Something glinted in her eyes, which Edmund was able to recognise. Mischief. He knew she was about to do something reckless.

'Would you like me to prove it then?' She asked, confidently.

'It's not possible! The Narnian Protector died years ago!' A centaur piped up, annoyed. Raina had a mini stare-off with him before turning to Caspian.

'I'd believe you if you were wearing The Imperium, but as you are not...' He shrugged. In her sleep, the necklace was jostled around, and the pendant was now behind her neck.

'Well, actually-' Peter began, when Raina cut him off again.

'Alright. How about a demonstration?' She asked, a challenge in her eyes. Caspian raised his eyebrows, and for some, it almost seemed as though they were flirting.

Edmund was not having it.

'Raina what are you doing?' He asked, angrily.

'I know what I'm doing.'

Raina now opened her hair from the braid it was in earlier. Her long brunette waves fell down to her waist, and to Edmund, it was nothing short of captivating.

'Um, Raina, why're you opening your hair?' He asked, weirdly.

'When you have hair like this Pevensie, you'll understand.' Raina sassed, as Peter, Susan, Lucy and Trumpkin suppressed giggles. Edmund looked away, embarrassed

Raina looked around, when her eyes landed on Lucy's dagger.

'Hey, Lu? You mind if I borrow your dagger for a second?' She asked. Lucy's eyes widened, as she tried to understand what Raina's intentions were.

'Um..' Lucy began. 'Sure, but be careful.'

'Raina what are you doing? Don't-' Susan tried to reason with her.

Lucy's dagger in her hand, Raina looked at Caspian again.

'Hey! Pretty boy!' She yelled, as she tossed the dagger to him, who caught it. He gave her a strange look.

'Pretty boy?' Edmund whispered.

Raina just rolled her eyes. Lucy laughed and Susan squinted at her. No one knew what Raina had in mind to prove herself.

She gestured to them to make some space for her, as she stood.

'Fling it at me.' She told Caspian, whose eyes widened. Raina gave him a strange look before realising.

'Oh I'm sorry. Ed, hold my sword, will you? Thanks.' She shoved her sword into Edmund's hands, whose eyes were falling out of their sockets.

'Fair now?' She asked Caspian again.

'I can't fight an unarmed opponent.' He choked out. Raina raised her eyebrow, menacingly.

'Oh don't worry about it.' She reassured him, yet taunted him.

'Lady Raina, are you sure about this?' Trumpkin asked, kindly yet worriedly.

'Yes Trumpkin, I'm sure.'

Raina faced Caspian again.

'Well? Come on, we haven't got all day.'

Caspian's hand tightened around the dagger.

'Here's some free advice, it's not wise to fight an unarmed opponent. It's unfair for you.' He said, a challenge in his voice. Raina was getting annoyed.

'Less talking, more throwing.'

For some reason everyone was fixated on Raina. She exuded confidence. It was almost magnetic.

'Are you scared?' Raina asked tauntingly, and that's when Caspian decided the hell with his thoughts. Raina noticed, and a mischievous smile made its way to her lips.

Caspian flung the dagger straight at Raina. Edmund screamed,

'No!' and before he could do anything, Raina causally lifted her hand up, and the blade stopped, midair. Everyone gawked. Raina's brown eyes once again flashed pale blue. Wind blew in her hair, and she looked powerful. The blade was frozen in place, and Raina snuck a look at Caspian, whose jaw dropped to the floor. Her smile only grew.

'Here's some free advice for you, duck.' Was all she said before flicking her wrist, and sending the dagger flying back at him. He ducked, as did the Narnians standing behind him. The blade whizzed away.

Raina raised her hand again, as the blade whizzed back into her open palm, and she held it loosely.

'Here, Lu. Thank you!' Raina said, sweetly, as Lucy took the dagger from her. She also had a smile on her face, almost as if saying 'damn'.

Raina turned to Caspian and the gathered Narnians.

'Well? Was that enough? And if it isn't..' Raina brought the necklace back into place, and everyone was fixated. If she could drop the mic right now, she would have.

Raina walked up to Caspian menacingly, despite him towering over her. She smirked.

'Some more free advice, don't underestimate me. Next time I won't warn you. Capisce?'

'I don't know if I should be in awe of you, or terrified of you.' Caspian admitted, still shocked. Raina smiled.

'You can be both.'

Another voice was heard.

'We have anxiously awaited your return my liege.' A mouse spoke up, with a red feather behind his ear. He was undoubtedly adorable. He approached Peter, who smiled.

'Our hearts and swords are at your service.' He spoke and again bowed reverently.

'Oh my gosh, he is so cute.' Lucy whispered to Raina.

The mouse perked up and unsheathed his blade.

'Who said that?!' He asked, angrily.

Lucy felt caught. 'Sorry.'

'Oh! Uh.. Your majesty! With the greatest respect, I do believe courageous, courteous or chivalrous, might more befit, a knight of Narnia.' The mouse replied, honour in his voice.

'And you, Your Excellency..' The mouse turned to Raina. 'I have heard tales of your strength and courage, and it would be an honour to fight alongside you.' He bowed soon after.

'Oh no no, please don't do that. And call me Raina.' Raina said hurriedly, as she gently helped the mouse to his feet.

'What is your name, noble warrior?' She asked. The mouse puffed his chest and stood up tall.

'The name is Reepicheep, Raina. I am honoured to make your acquaintance.'

'As am I, Reepicheep.'

'I can see some of you can handle a blade.' Peter turned to Reepicheep.

'Yes indeed, and I have recently put it to good use, securing weapons for your army, sire.'

'Good. Cause we're going to need every sword that we can get.' Peter turned to Caspian.

'Well then, you will probably be wanting yours back.' He returned Peter's sword to him.

A centaur named Glenstorm stepped forward. He turned to Raina.

'Your Excellency, standing in your presence has given us more hope than we have felt in 1300 years. None of us dared to hope of your existence, knowing it would be shattered. You are the only one who can finally restore our freedom.' He spoke, reverently. Raina's shy nature returned, as she struggled to reply to that.

'My Lady, it is no coincidence that you have returned along with the Kings and Queens of Old. Do not doubt the legend. You are not alone, we are all standing by you.' Reepicheep spoke up, as he bowed again, despite Raina asking him not to.

Before she could say another word, every Narnian, one by one, began to unsheathe their swords and hold it high to her in respect. Her heart started beating out of her chest, and sweat formed on her forehead. This was nothing she was ever used to, and this kind of attention was making her anxious.

Before she could request them not to do that, because of how unnecessary she found it, Caspian unsheathed his sword and raised it high, followed by Peter, Lucy, who unsheathed her dagger and Susan, who raised her bow. She locked eyes with Edmund, and gave a warning glare that said 'if you do that I will kill you.' He winked at her and followed his siblings by raising his sword high.

Suddenly, Raina's necklace began to glow, enveloping everyone in it. It felt almost as if someone was near her, who reeked love and warmth. It was soon followed by a roar. The hairs on the back of Raina's neck stood up, as did everyone else's. Somehow she knew exactly who it was. Aslan.

The light dimmed and everyone stared at Raina with pride. They knew this was it. Raina didn't know if she would crack under this kind of pressure, or if she would flourish.

'Oh boy.' Was all she said.

(YES BADASS RAINA IS HERE AND SHE IS HERE TO STAY BABY!!! THIS WAS HONESTLY MY FAVOURITE CHAPTER TO WRITE SO PLEASE COMMENT YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS ONE!!)

to everyone reading, i humbly ask you to vote on the chapters as it would really help my fanfic.