Chapter 12✨

Edmund took it upon himself to teach Raina sword fighting, because he knew if he didn't, she'd push herself too much and she'd faint, again. He made sure that she took breaks every 20 or so minutes just so she wouldn't get too tired out. Raina knew he was a good sword fighter, but seeing him in action really proved to her just how skilled he was. She watched as he casually disarmed two opponents in a couple of minutes.

'And that is how you outsmart your opponents, especially when they outnumber you.' Edmund concluded, holding two swords, as Raina's eyes widened. He laughed.

'Yes, I know that was very captivating, you're not the only badass around here.' Edmund said, flirtatiously. Raina raised an eyebrow at that. She walked over to him.

'Actually..' She spoke, seductively, causing Edmund to smirk. Raina's eyes flashed pale blue.

'I am.' She said quietly, as she used her power to wrench Edmund's swords out of his hands, and she caught them in hers, pointing them at him.

'Hey, that's cheating!' He groaned. Raina smiled innocently.

'Oh shut up, you'd do the same if you were me.' She replied, as Edmund nodded begrudgingly.

'But I have to say, Ed, you are good. Colour me impressed.' Raina said, sincerely. Edmund smiled at her as a light pink dusting covered his cheeks.

'Thanks Raina, you are too. Besides, you have an edge over everyone, with your whole ancient superpower situation.' Raina laughed at that.

'It's surreal that here I'm not even human, am I?' She asked, curiously. Edmund hummed in response and nodded.

By this point she'd learnt of the powers she wields. Including that of the White Witch. She remembered how Edmund tensed at the mention of her, so she never brought it up in front of him. When she was alone, she'd try to access that power, but was unable to do so, when she wondered how Narnian lore states that there was a possibility that Jadis may have taken the power back. It's strange how she apparently fought her some thousand years ago and yet has no recollection of it. At the time it happened, her name was Ranin, bearing great similarity to her current name. As a gender-neutral name, it was difficult to decipher whether she was male or female all those years ago. There were many gaps to her story. She wondered if they'd ever be filled. She was brought back to reality by the sound of Edmund snapping his fingers.

'Earth to Raina? Where'd you disappear off to?' Edmund jokes, as Raina shook herself.

'Nothing. Also Ed?'

'Yeah?'

Raina took a deep breath.

'I'm sorry for what I said back in the forest. I shouldn't have blown up at you like that. If you ever want to talk about what happened or anything, I'll always be here.' She said, emotion and sincerity lacing her voice. Edmund looked slightly surprised. When he didn't say anything, she continued.

'Whatever happened, I'd like to think you had a reason for it, and for the record, I could never pretend like you don't exist. You're annoying, stupid, and a total idiot, but..' She paused, noticing his playfully offended expression. 'You're actually not that bad. You've changed too, and I like this new version of you.' Edmund laughed as he looked at her.

'Raina, that means a lot, more than you know. And for the record? You're annoying and stupid, alongside being a colossal idiot.' He laughed as Raina punched his shoulder.

'Ow, what was that for?' He groaned.

'I'm a treat, alright?' Raina tried to put on a serious face, but failed as she burst out laughing. Edmund joined in, as they both collapsed on the grass. Raina's stomach began hurting from the amount of laughing. Edmund was fixated on the sound of her laughter, the way her eyes twinkled with tears, and the way she tried to stop herself from laughing, her lips forming a tight line as she snorted. He fell into a trance. A warm wind blew some leaves at them, as they tried to duck out of the way. Raina noticed Edmund staring at her.

'What're you looking at?' She asked, still laughing slightly.

Edmund snapped out of his trance as he replied.

'Sorry there's something in your hair.' He said, softly, as he reached over to pull it out. His hand lingered there even though it was gone. Raina's breath hitched in her throat as they stared at one another. She gulped, as she felt her cheeks warm up and her stomach filled with butterflies. His gaze made her heart rate speed up, who wouldn't? His eyes were piercing and captivating. Edmund knew he was blushing, but he couldn't bring himself to pull away. Their faces were roughly 3-4 inches apart. For a moment, Edmund's eyes dropped to her lips, when Raina gulped. The two teenagers were completely lost in each other; they just didn't know how to admit it.

'Edmund, I-' Raina began, when she cut herself off. All of a sudden, she jerked back, her eyes widening. Edmund glanced at her, sheepishly, wondering if it was because of the little situation they were in. He looked closer, and realised it was not the case.

'Raina? Are you alright?' He asked.

Raina barely heard him, as she said,

'Ed, something's wrong..' She said in a distant voice. Edmund recognised it. It was the same way she spoke when she had a vision of Trumpkin in danger. He looked into her eyes, and sure enough, they pulsed violet.

Raina found herself at Aslan's Stone Table. Caspian stood there with his hand reaching out to a wall, it's surface, iridescent. His palm was bleeding. By his side, stood Nikabrik, a dwarf, a hag and a werewolf. As she looked closer, there was someone behind, no, in the wall, which she realised was ice. Somehow she just knew who it was. Jadis. A kind of fury awoke in her, something she didn't recall feeling before. As her eyes faded back into her normal colour, she turned to Edmund.

'Caspian's in danger.' Was all she said before sprinting back to Aslan's How, Edmund hot on her heels. As they ran, Peter and Trumpkin joined them, also having a feeling something's wrong. As they neared the doorway to the Stone Table, they saw everything Raina did, just a few moments ago. Peter rushed in first.

'Stop!' He yelled, as everyone but Caspian jumped. The hag rushed at Peter, as the werewolf made its way to Edmund. Trumpkin fought Nikabrik, who overwhelmed Trumpkin, and Lucy suddenly stepped in, holding her dagger at Nikabrik's throat. He quickly grabbed Lucy's arm, and brought it behind her back, as she let out a strained cry of pain. Before Nikabrik could harm her, he dropped dead, Trumpkin standing behind him.

Raina summoned her power. Her eyes flashed blue, as she walked into the room. At the first sight of her, Jadis paled. She pushed her attention back to Caspian, whose hand was getting closer and closer, as she reached out her own. Raina rushed and pushed Caspian out of the way.

'Was last time not enough for you?' Raina asked, her voice loud and powerful. Jadis smiled, coolly.

'Ahhh, Ranin, you haven't aged a day.' She seductively spoke. Raina didn't flinch.

'Actually, it's Raina. Can't say the same for you, though, you old hag.' Raina spoke with venom. Jadis looked offended, but smiled nonetheless.

'I gave you so much, why are you so naive? I could help you get anything you want...' She said, invitingly. From the corner of her eye, Raina noticed Peter struggling, and without even turning around, summoned her powers of control over the elements. She used her right hand to pull the hag high into the air, and slam it on the floor, killing it on impact, while using her left hand to create a massive boulder that fell directly on the werewolf, killing it immediately.

'You are nothing but an old, vengeful spirit that doesn't seem to die. I don't need anything from you.' Raina angrily spoke. The fury in her voice was palpable. It felt as though the ground shook with the intensity of her anger.

'Maybe killing you with your own gift to me should be fitting.' Raina spoke as her eyes turned icy blue, and frost surrounded her open palms. She brought them forward as a long, sharp icicle formed. Jadis was terrified. Raina smiled, sadistically.

'Rot in hell, bitch.' Raina spat.

She stabbed the wall of ice, with her icicle and the wall broke into a million pieces, shattering at her feet. Jadis let out a blood curdling scream, as the wall shattered. While everyone scrambled for cover, Raina stood tall, unflinching, even as shards of ice streaked past her. Her cheek was sliced open, but she didn't move.

Silence. That's all that was heard. Edmund was the first to look up. The chunks of ice covered the floor at Raina's feet. She turned around and met his gaze. She looked confused and terrified.

'What just happened?' She asked, shaking. Suddenly everything went black.

********

At an icy mountain top, completely abandoned, stood a slightly older Raina, her palms glowing with power, as she frantically searches for her.

'Where are you?! Show yourself!' Raina shouted. She felt a presence behind her as she ducked, a sharp icicle shooting past. Raina whirled around as she met the eyes of the woman who almost forced her to betray Aslan.

'Why resist your destiny, Ranin? I could give you everything you want.. All you need to do is join me. I could give you a family..' She cooed, as Raina stilled.

She wasn't born into a family, she was created directly by Aslan, to be his right hand. He gave her everything, just not a family like everyone else. She wavered for a moment.

'I have a family, Jadis. One you could never force me to betray!' Raina yelled, but her power began to waver, as the light in her palms fizzled. Deep down inside, she wanted a normal family, and Jadis played on her temptations.

'Oh Ranin...' Jadis cooed as she glided towards her. 'I know you don't feel like you have a real family yet... I can change that.' She reached out and touched Raina's cheek. She was trapped in a trance.

'I just need a drop of your blood, dear, and you will have everything you have ever wanted..' She smiled, as Raina voluntarily cut open her palm, still keeping her eyes on Jadis, as she moved forward. Just before Jadis could reach for it, a mighty roar made her jerk away, as Raina broke away from the trance. Her face contorted in rage, as she realised what Jadis was trying to do.

'You will never, ever, do that again.' She hissed, as her body began to glow with a white light. She reached a glowing hand out, as she glared at Jadis.

'Rot in hell.' She hissed, as she began to drain the life out of Jadis. She screamed, and suddenly grabbed The Imperium off Raina's neck.

'No!' Raina yelled, as she reached for it. She was too late.

The Imperium filled Jadis with power, as she looked upon Raina with a cruel smile.

'You said you loved winter? I hope you enjoy an eternity of it.' She said, cruelly as she froze Raina where she stood, and pushed her off the mountain. She couldn't break out. She felt her soul leave her body. She felt herself slip away. Before she was completely gone, she called out to Aslan.

'Aslan, I know you can hear me, please help..' She whispered mentally, as she slipped into oblivion.

She died.

********

Raina awoke in a cold sweat, her heart racing and hands shaking.

'NO!' She yelled as she jerked awake. As her vision adjusted, she noticed Edmund, Susan and Caspian on her right, with Peter and Lucy on her left.

'Raina, oh my god, are you alright? You passed out a long while ago..' Susan began.

'Are you hurt? Do you need anything?' Peter asked.

'I-I..' Raina tried to speak, but her dream kept replaying in her mind. It didn't seem like a dream. It was too real. It was a flashback. Raina's chest heaved from the fear.

'I think I saw the truth of what happened to me all those years ago..' Raina breathed, her eyes wide. Everyone exchanged worried glances.

She told them everything. Gasps and widening eyes became mundane for her after a point. Once she concluded, she noticed Doctor Cornelius in the room.

'Raina, I believe your being in Narnia, is helping you unlock the identity you previously held. The battle you are referring to was in the Narnian Year 899, I believe. Just before the reign of the White Witch. This is why a large number of Narnians believed you were dead. Based on the legend, you were created during the time of Narnia's creation.' He paused.

'If this is what happened, my theory is Aslan revived you, and somehow transported your soul to your world.' He gestured to the Pevensies.

'As you know, the White Witch's reign kept Aslan at bay for a hundred years. And you returned with the Kings and Queens of Old, as per the prophecy. This dreamlike vision is the way you are able to reconnect with your previous persona. The longer you stay here, the more you shall remember.' He explained. Raina didn't know how to react to that information.

'I felt myself die.. I felt all of it.. I-' Raina sobbed, as she felt multiple pairs of arms wrap around her.

'You're here, you're safe. We're all here.' Edmund mumbled as he held her tight. Some sniffles were heard, as everyone found comfort in each other. They stayed in each other's embrace, no one wanting to pull away.

'Uh, guys? I can't breathe.' Raina laughed slightly, as she felt herself get wrapped even tighter.

'GUYS COME ON!' She groaned as everyone pulled away. Everyone, Peter, Caspian, Susan and Lucy pulled away. Edmund didn't, as everyone watched the pair with pure amusement. Once Edmund realised it, he pulled away, sheepishly, not meeting anyone's eyes. Lucy let out a snort, to which Edmund glared at her.

'Well! I shall take your leave, you must relax. It's getting late.' Caspian spoke, not before smirking slightly, eyeing Raina and Edmund.

'Yes, we'll go too.' Lucy spoke, while Peter looked surprised.

'We will?' He asked, to which she sent a knowing look his way. He and Susan smiled.

'Yes, yes we will!' Susan concurred, as they shuffled out of the room. Raina shook her head.

'Your siblings are weird.' She stated.

'Don't I know it?' Edmund replied, shaking his head.

(A/N OMG GUYS SO NOW YOU KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT RAINA'S IDENTITY. THIS CHAPTER IS SHORTER THAN MY PREVIOUS ONES. SHE AND EDMUND HAVE MADE UP, BUT THERE IS STILL SOME UNRESOLVED TENSION, WHICH WILL BE RESOLVED SOON I PROMISE. I HAVE NOT DECIDED ON HOW MANY CHAPTERS THIS WILL HAVE BUT IT WILL SURELY BE MORE THAN 20 BUT MAYBE LESS THAN 30. I HOPE YOU GUYS ARE LIKING IT SO FAR!)

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