The Return of the Pevensies (sequel to The Fifth Pevensie)

Chapter 2: Cair Paravel and Back

It was a new day when I reached Cair Paravel. I dived and dropped my quiver down in what seemed to be an apple garden. I changed back to a human when I'd landed and then fixed my bow. You never know what or who's around.

I was a little hungry and picked one of the apples on the trees around me. I ate while I walked up to where the thrones once were. They're gone now. I walked past the ruins of them and followed a narrow path down to where my favourite platform once was. I don't know if it's still there or not.

I realized that I'd gone the wrong way and turned around and climbed up again. I jumped on another platform and saw the one I used to sit on when I was younger further down. Nearly right under the one I was on. I stood still and tried to figure out the way down. I didn't notice the cracks where I stood before it was too late.

I screamed as the floor collapsed under me. I fell down and landed on another platform. It seemed to be in a better shape, but there was no way up again. I wasn't that far down, but I didn't reach up to the cliff edge.

I guess I could jump and change into a bird, but I don't want to do that too often. I've noticed that it's harder to change back when I change form to animals close after last time I did it. I don't want to lose myself. And it's also very tiring to use my powers that much.

I backed towards the cliff as the outer parts of the platform fell down. I really hope that my siblings are here. I need help.

I don't know how I did it, but I think I fell asleep standing up. That has never happened before. When I opened my eyes again, I looked at the sun. I figured out that I'd been stuck on this platform in three hours now. I was really stiff and there wasn't any room to move on.

I looked out over the beach far below me. It had really changed since I lived here. The sea had been right below these platforms then. Now it's far below. I wonder what had happened to Saphire, that kind mermaid I was friend with. I hope she had a wonderful life.

I became aware of voices right over me. Where the thrones once were.

"Imagine walls. And columns, there. And a glass roof," I heard someone say. I think it was... Lucy?

I decided to go for it.

"Help!" I yelled. I looked up. I was just maybe three meters away from the edge of the cliff.

"What was that?" I think it was Susan who said that.

"More important, where did it come from?" That was Peter.

"Hello?" Edmund yelled. I then saw the face of Susan, looking over the edge.

"Come over here!" she yelled and the others came and were soon looking down at me too.

"Can I get some help? I can't get up!" I yelled. As I said that, another part of the platform fell down.

Peter laid down on his stomach and told Edmund to hold his legs. He then stretched his arms down towards me. I stood on my toes, reached his hand and grabbed it. I grabbed his other hand and the platform collapsed completely under me.

With the help of my siblings, I could get up again. I climbed with my feet and they dragged me up. When I finally reached the edge, both I and Peter were exhausted. I rolled over to my back and breathed heavily.

"Thanks for the help," I said when I'd calmed down. I stood up.

"No problems. How did you get down there?" Peter said.

"I fell," I answered and looked around. Edmund was looking at the ruins of Cair Paravel. He bent down and examined a broken column. Lucy and Susan was sitting on another broken column, looking at me.

"What are you doing here?" Peter asked me. I looked at him and raised my eyebrows.

"Looking for you," I said. All of them looked older. Peter looked like he was the same age as I was, sixteen. Well, at least I looked like I was sixteen.

"Catapults," Edmund said.

"What?" Peter asked.

"This didn't just happen. Cair Paravel was attacked," Edmund explained. I decided to tell them.

"Yes it was," I said. "The same day you disappeared. The Telmarines were too many and our armies weren't..." My voice faded away.

"Wait. How do you know everything?" Edmund asked. "Who are you?"

I froze. They don't remember me? I thought they would. They're, after all, back in Narnia.

"Come on, Ed! She's..." Peter begun, but Susan interrupted.

"Peter, how do you know we can trust her?" she said, as if I didn't hear her. Only Lucy stayed silent.

"Well, maybe we should give her a chance to introduce herself!" Peter said, sounding a bit angry. He turned to me again.

"My name is..." he begun.

"There's no need for introductions," I said. "I already know who you are. Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy."

They stood there surprised. Then Lucy said:

"Who are you then?"

"I'm Emily. Your sister," I said sourly. I was a little sad and angry that they didn't remember me.

"You can't be!" Susan exclaimed. "Our sister Emily died in the bombings of our home!"

"Trust me, I know who I am. And you'll know when you're ready to remember," I said and walked away. I changed to an eagle again and flew back towards Trufflehunter's cave.