The sound of hooves echoed through the trees,
a rhythmic thudding that resonated deep within August's chest.

She turned,
her breath hitching as a group of centaurs emerged from the shadows,
their presence both majestic and intimidating.

The sunlight filtered through the canopy, illuminating their powerful forms and casting elongated shadows on the forest floor.

The leader,
a tall centaur with silver fur and wise, piercing eyes, stepped forward.

Glenstrom held a parchment in his hand, its edges worn and frayed, a testament to its age.

He cleared his throat, the sound deep and resonant.

“When shadows gather and kingdoms wane, a maiden shall rise, her power unchained. Lives will be lost, and treachery shall reign, yet through her dreams, a union will remain. Guided by echoes of the Kings and Queens of old, her heart with the prince, their destinies bold. With visions that weave the wisdom of the past, she’ll light the way for hope to outlast.”

“What the fuck?” August blinked,
her heart racing at the weight of the words.

The forest around her felt both eerily quiet and alive with a tension she couldn't place.

“Lady August,” Glenstrom continued, his gaze steady, “this prophecy was received by Narnians just after the golden age; it is said to be sent by Aslan himself.”

“You got this prophecy from an oracle?” August asked, curiosity mingling with disbelief.

The others in the clearing remained quiet, their expressions grave.

“No, my lady,” Glenstrom replied, his voice steady. “The stars—the stars sent us the prophecy.”

August's stomach twisted as she fidgeted with her fingers, uncertainty bubbling within her. “And you’re certain this is about me?”

“Yes, my lady, we’re certain,” Glenstrom said confidently, his wise eyes reflecting a knowledge that felt ancient and profound.

The gravity of the moment crashed down on her, making her pulse quicken. “What must we do then?”

“The union foretold requires unity among the chosen,” he explained. “You must learn to harness your gifts and stand strong against the darkness that threatens Narnia.”

As Glenstrom spoke,
August felt a strange connection forming between her and the ancient creatures.

It was as if they recognized something within her, a spark of magic waiting to be unleashed, a potential that made her both exhilarated and terrified.

“August,” a familiar voice broke through her whirlwind of thoughts.

Peter stepped forward,
his presence a comforting anchor amidst the chaos swirling in her mind.

“Whatever it might be, we'll do it together, okay?” His hands rested gently on her shoulders, grounding her as he peered deep into her mismatched eyes.

She felt the warmth of his touch seep into her skin, a familiar sensation that calmed the storm within her.

“As long as we’re together,” she replied, her heart swelling with a sense of solidarity.

Peter had always been her protector,
her confidant,
the one who made her feel safe even in the darkest of times.

Their bond had formed over countless shared moments—those late-night conversations filled with laughter,
the silly games they played to distract themselves from their worries,
and the way he always seemed to know when she needed someone to lean on.

“I’m not going to let you face this alone,” Peter said, his voice steady and reassuring. “You’re part of our family , and we’ll figure this out together. Just like we always do.”

The sincerity in his eyes reminded August of all the times he had stood up for her,
faced challenges head-on, and rallied his siblings to support her.

It was this unwavering loyalty that made her feel stronger, less burdened by the weight of the prophecy.

She could lean on them, her family, even as the weight of destiny pressed down on her.

The corners of her mouth lifted slightly, a grin breaking through her initial anxiety. “You know…sometimes I think you’re too good to be true.”

Peter chuckled, a lightness to his voice that brought a sense of ease to the moment. “Maybe, but I have my flaws. You should see me try to cook.”

August laughed, the sound echoing through the trees.

It was moments like these that made her feel alive, cherished.

As she looked into his eyes, she saw not just her protector,
but someone who genuinely cared for her, someone who believed in her.

With newfound determination igniting her spirit, August straightened her back, her resolve solidifying.

“Okay. Let’s do this.”

                               ~~~•~~~

Later,
after the centaurs departed,
August found herself wandering away from the group,
her mind racing with thoughts of the prophecy.

She needed to discover her powers, to understand what it meant to be the chosen one.

As August ventured deeper into the forest, the vibrant greens of the leaves mingled with the earthy scent of damp soil.

Sunlight filtered through the branches, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

She paused, taking a deep breath, trying to center her thoughts amidst the whirlwind of emotions.

What if I can’t do this?
What if the prophecy is too much?

The rustle of leaves behind her snapped her back to reality.

Turning, she found Caspian approaching, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern.

“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice warm and inviting.

The way he looked at her, as if she were the only one that mattered, sent a flutter through her chest.

“I just… I need to figure this out,” August admitted, gesturing to the scroll still clutched in her hands. “The prophecy—it feels like I know it, but I don’t know it.”

Caspian stepped closer, their eyes locking in a moment charged with unspoken emotions.

“Thats alright, you're not alone in this. I'll help you through it.”

August felt her heart flutter as they stood close, a warmth radiating between them that was both exhilarating and terrifying. “You'd really do that?”

“Of course, August.” His voice was steady, a promise wrapped in sincerity.

As their eyes scanned the piece of parchment multiple times,
a soft breeze rustled the leaves around them, carrying with it a sense of destiny.

August gasped, the sudden surge of energy coursing through her.

“What?” Caspian asked, his eyes wide, a mixture of confusion and intrigue.

“My dreams! My fucking dreams!” she exclaimed, the realization hitting her like a lightning bolt.

“What was that?” he asked, eyebrows raised, surprised by her language.

“I… I think I figured it out,” she stammered, excitement bubbling within her. “There’s something more to this prophecy, something I need to understand.”

Caspian’s gaze intensified. “Tell me about it.”

That was it—all those years, all those dreams—they were real.

That’s what the prophecy meant.

She was more than just a girl from a bakery; she was a part of this world’s fate.

As she began telling Caspian about it, August felt a rush of hope

She wasn’t just a bystander;
She was part of something larger.

And as they moved closer together, she couldn’t shake the feeling that her heart was beginning to fall for him.

It was a new feeling for August,

But a feeling completely right.

“Hey one more thing?“ August suddenly asked.

“Yeah tell me.“ He said taking a step forward towards her.

“teach me how to fight?“ she said with a mischievous grin.

                                ~~~•~~~

Back at camp,
the atmosphere buzzed with energy as laughter erupted among the Pevensies.

The earlier training session went more than well for August,
Not to mention when she tripped and fell on top of him and his locket got stuck in the fabric of dress.

And now,
Sitting between the siblings,
August felt the warmth of camaraderie wrapping around her,
but her thoughts lingered on the growing connection she shared with Caspian.

The moment they’d spent together earlier replayed in her mind—his unwavering support, the intensity of his gaze.

It left her heart racing in a way that was both thrilling and terrifying.

As the teasing continued,
Susan turned to August,
her eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Did you see the way Caspian looked at you earlier? It was like he was about to fight a dragon just to get your attention!”

Edmund chimed in with a grin, “I’m starting to think we need to start taking bets on when you two will finally admit there’s something going on.”

August rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress the flush creeping up her cheeks. “Oh, please! We were just discussing strategy and he was teaching me how to fight!”

“Discussing the way you're strategising into his heart?“ Edmund smirked.

While the others laughed at the question, August rolled her eyes,a deep blush creeping up her cheeks.

Peter was leaning against a tree,
arms crossed, watching the banter unfold with an amused smile.

But beneath his playful demeanor,
August sensed a flicker of protectiveness in his gaze,
especially when the topic of Caspian arose.

It was a subtle shift, one that reminded her of how much he cared about her well-being.

“Just remember, Caspian has a kingdom to think about, too,” Peter interjected, a teasing tone masking his underlying concern. “You might have to fight for his attention, August.”

“Fight for it?” August shot back, her sarcasm coming naturally. “As if I would ever be that desperate!”

Peter chuckled, but she could see the way his expression hardened slightly.

“I just want to make sure he’s worthy of your time,” he said, his tone shifting to something more serious. “You’ve been through so much. You deserve someone who truly cares for you, not just for who you are or what you can do.”

Her heart fluttered at his words, realizing how much he valued her. “I know, Peter. And I appreciate that you care, but… I think Caspian is different.”

“Different how?” he asked, stepping closer, his expression earnest.
“You hardly know him, August. He’s a prince with a lot of responsibilities. What if he breaks your heart?”

She sighed, feeling the weight of his concern.

“I understand your worries, but there’s something about him, Peter. I can’t explain it. I feel like he sees me for who I truly am, not just as the ‘chosen one’ or because of some bond with the Prince—whatever this prophecy means.”

Peter met her gaze, his blue eyes searching hers. “Just promise me you’ll be careful. If he hurts you, I’ll—”

“—you’ll what? Challenge him to a duel?” August interrupted, a teasing smile playing on her lips despite the seriousness of the moment. “I can handle myself, you know.”

“I know,” he replied softly, his protectiveness still evident. “But I can’t help but worry. You’re like a sister to me, and I just want to make sure you’re safe.”

Touched, August stepped closer, placing a hand on his arm. “I appreciate it, Peter. You’ve always been there for me. Just know that whatever happens, I’ll talk to you about it. You’re not losing me to some prince.”

Peter’s expression softened, and a small smile tugged at his lips. “Good. Because I’m not letting you go that easily.”

With that,
the moment passed,
and the laughter from Susan and Edmund brought them back to the lighthearted atmosphere of the camp.

August felt a renewed sense of belonging wash over her—a sense that she had found a family in the Pevensies who would stand by her no matter what.

                             ~~~•~~~

Later that night, as the stars began to twinkle above the vast Narnian sky, August found herself lying on her back, gazing up at the heavens.

The prophecy weighed on her mind, but so did the possibilities of her feelings for Caspian. She felt a rush of determination surge through her.

“I’m ready to embrace this,” she whispered to herself, “ready to discover my powers, confront the prophecy, and forge my path in this magical land.”

But first,
she needed to understand just how deep her feelings for Caspian really ran.

With the support of her newfound family, she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, including the turmoil of her heart.