I feel the long grass move fluidly around my shins as I dip into a curtsy, head bowed, legs straining, and back protesting.

"Rise, child, be at peace."

"Thank you, your Majesty."

"It relieves me to see you freed, Princess Cressida."

"You know who I am."

"Of course." The lion smiles. "I only wished I could have helped you sooner, but everything happens in its proper time."

"Nine years she held me," I sigh, "Your Majesty, do you know anything of my family?"

"In your homeland, the late King Erato was succeeded by his eldest son, King Eroan the steadfast, and Queen consort Brydia of House Cetae."

"My father is dead."

"Yes, child, he passed two years ago."

It's sad, knowing he's gone, but in a way, I barely know him anymore. I can't remember the sound of his voice or the smell of his clothes. I've lived more of my life remembering him than with him.

"My other brothers and my mother?"

"Your mother and all but one of your other brothers are alive and well; your brother Daysus set sail looking for you and never returned."

Again, Daysus' death hits me as a sad thing; another member of the family I cherished lost, but he feels so removed from me. I'm surprised he was the one to look for me. He hardly paid attention to me while I was there.

"I am sure, child, when all is said and done, you will see them again."

"Thank you, Aslan."

"Now, remember, Princess, it is your choice to fight; no one expects it of you."

"I have to. I expect it of myself, Your Majesty; for years, I've watched her torture and kill with no remorse, and it has to end."

"You could make a great leader one day, Princess, should you choose."

"Thank you, Aslan," I curtsy again and turn to leave, "please don't tell the others who I am. I'm not ready to be a Princess again."

"You have my word; now go eat and rest."

The Pevensies are sat on plush cushions around a low table. They're arguing about something as I approach, and Peter has a concerned look on his face. Clearly, his siblings aren't agreeing with him.

"Lucy, it's too dangerous. You almost drowned; Edmund was almost killed!"

"Which is why we have to stay." Edmund offers calmly.

"I'm sorry to interrupt," I say quietly, choosing to talk normally. They deserve that.

Peter shoots his gaze up to mine and moves to stand.

"Please, don't concern yourself on my account," I argue quickly, "may I sit?"

"Of course, there's a spare seat here." Lucy offers with a smile, gesturing between herself and Edmund.

I sit directly across from Peter between the two youngest Pevensies.

"Please, Cressida, surely you'll be on my side about this." Edmund implores.

"And what side would that be?" I ask before eating a mouthful of porridge.

"That Narnia needs us, all four of us." Lucy looks pointedly at Peter.

"I said you were going back, and I meant it." Peter argues, gritting his teeth and looking down at the table.

"Cressida, please convince him. You know the witch's power better than anyone." Edmund asks.

"I do, but that doesn't mean I'm at liberty to decide on anyone's behalf," I answer gently, "this choice must be yours alone; it's your prophesy, not mine."

"I'm the eldest. I promised to keep you all safe, and I can only do that if you return." Peter says, he's less firm this time though almost resigning himself to the fact he's lost.

"And what of you, Peter?" I ask.

"He wants to stay without us." Susan muses.

"Alone, yes, you will be strong, Peter, I'm sure, but the four of you together will be far stronger." I offer.

Peter finally looks at me, and he looks tired and frustrated.

"I've seen what the white witch can do, and I've helped her do it. And we can't leave these people behind to suffer for it." Edmund argues.

"Well, I suppose that's it then." Susan says as she stands.

"Where are you going?" Peter asks, looking up at his sister.

"To get in some practice." Susan smirks as she picks up her bow and quiver.

Lucy grins from ear to ear, quickly standing to follow her sister.

I watch them go for a moment before turning to Edmund, "Edmund, why don't you go find Oreius? I'm sure he'll be happy to give you both some swordplay lessons."

Edmund takes a last bite of his toast before wandering off to find the centaur general.

"You know what we're facing, and you should have helped me to convince them to go."

"If they weren't going to listen to their brother, they weren't going to listen to me." I level a pointed look at Peter.

He huffs and looks away.

"Peter, this is destiny we're talking about. You were all meant to find this place, and you are meant to save us."

"We're just kids." He clenches his fist on the table and looks me dead in the eyes.

"You're so much more than that now. With what you've been through, you have to give yourself more credit."

"All I set out to do was get my brother back."

"Did he tell you what happened?" I ask.

"No, Aslan said there was no need to speak to him of what has passed."

"And even if you tried, I'm sure he would not tell you. The witch is persuasive in a magical sense, Peter."

"What do you mean?"

"Do you remember when I told you Jadis gave Edmund enchanted sweets to lure him, something...delights."

"Turkish delight, it's his favourite. I remember you mentioning it." Peter interjects.

I nod, "As I said, they were imbued with magic. I've seen creatures twice Edmund's age fall victim to the same magic. He couldn't help himself."

"So she really did put a spell on him?"

"Yes, Peter, someone Edmund's age is easily bewitched. She promised him power and freedom like he's never had before, and I'm sorry to say I helped her."

"How?"

"I'm...different. I'm certainly not a daughter of Eve like your sisters. Jadis used me to...tempt males in her court into breaking rules so she could make examples of them. I also helped her break her prisoners, trick them into confessing their crimes."

"You convinced Edmund to help the witch?"

"A smile and some sweet words are usually all it takes. I never want to use the power on anyone, but I had no choice."

"So you say you're different, then what are you exactly?"

"It doesn't matter what I am; I left my heritage behind long ago."

"Mr Beaver said you had magic; is that true?"

"Yes, it's true."

"Can you show me?" Peter asks softly.

I open my mouth to speak when Edmund jogs back towards us.

"Oreius is ready for us."

Peter looks between me and his brother before he stands.

He circles around the table and holds his hand out for me, "I suppose it'll have to wait."