AN: I know that it has been a while since I last updated this story, and I apologize for it. To be honest, I did not know where to take this story next, so I put it on hold (and longer than I expected too). But I would like to thank those who have continued to follow and review this story. It is you who made me remember why I decided to write this fanfic, and gave me what I needed to keep writing. Thank you so so very much. You are wonderful.

*KM*

I fought to open my eyes. It was odd to see so much chaos occur in complete silence. With blurred vision, I watched figures run about, a good number of them falling without standing once more. But what did it matter…

I gazed upwards at the clouds passing over head. As I did so, I attempted to recall what had happened. I could not remember how I came to be lying in a field with vast numbers of people. A festival, perhaps? And the fallen are just drunks? But why in the middle of the day?

I hadn't gotten very far past this point of thought when two red heads, practically identical save for their garments (one was in blue, the other in orange)came into view. It looked like they were talking. To me? To each other? But that was soon over. Each took one of my arms and dragged me away. Somehow, this simple, albeit painful, action seemed familiar, and brought about some memory of clothes.

I looked wildly about me, not quite comprehending what was going on. Other than it was not a festival.

We were on a hill, and most were charging down it. In the valley, not far off, were more men and creatures, fighting for some reason. Maybe it is a festival, and I am being dragged to one of the tents atop the hill?

I was wrong. I was brought into the arms of an old man, clearly wise beyond his years. The two who had brought me quickly conversed with him before dashing down towards the action. From deep within me, I felt an urge to follow, but my body would not cooperate, and my reason deemed it folly.

The old man held me upright, to allow for me to watch. I was terribly confused, not sure what this event was or why I was there.

Suddenly, a ringing filled my ears and shook my skull. Pain shot throughout my body. I would have curled into a ball were I not restrained by the old man. But he soothed the pain away, perhaps by magic, as he petted my head. Noises returned. First, the man's breath in my ear. Then the distant shouts and cries from below. And finally the soft sounds a nature – a brook, some birds, the breeze.

"Calm yourself, Cressida," was the voice in my ear. I first thought it was another. But alone on this hilltop, the only one to have spoken to me was the old man. "I understand the tumult in your mind. It seems to me you have forgotten much."

I could not open my mouth to reply. So we sat together, and he explained what was going on below.

"It is hard to tell, but there are two forces down in the valley. There is our side, fighting for a just cause, and then there is the White Witch. She has brought destruction and terror to this land, and we are fighting to bring her reign to an end."

Simple enough, it seemed. He pointed out the White Witch, who, like us, was sitting away from the action. He said that she and I had been dueling. She had attacked me rather fiercely, and I had gone flying. Were it not for the old man, I (and many others) would probably be dead, and the White Witch would not be nursing her wounds.

He then talked about six knights, who were fighting valiantly for me. They were not from this land, and had no business in our affairs. But they had become my friends – how I cannot recall – and were thus impelled to aid in our battle. The old man identified each of them for me. Two of them were the identical red heads, dashing about with their broadswords. Another sat behind a boulder just a bit bellow us, shooting arrows at the enemy with a calculating look. Then there was what appeared to be a little boy, whose blond hair glinted as he fought off his armed attacker with impressive skill by only using his fists and feet. There was another, much taller and with dark hair, doing much of the same, but not afraid to wield a long sword, which would otherwise occupy its sheath at his hips. And lastly, there was another blond, upon horseback, charging at the enemy and somehow managing to come out victorious and unscathed.

I sat in awe of them. To be friends with these courageous young men was a surprise and honor. How did it occur?

By accident, came a voice deep within me.

Pottery shattered. I looked about to find it atop the hill, but I was in a pink room with the six knights about me, all wearing some variant of sardonic smiles.

Visions sped past my eyes. Instant coffee. A spinning platform. Pink and blue hair. An rude elementary school boy. The ocean...

I was suddenly engulfed by it. But I was rescued by…

Yelling. Slamming of doors. Running down the hallway. There! It was…

Dark. Where was I? Atop a hill? Running down towards a village. The old man, Aelius his name. The six knights. Endless forests. A faun – Mr. Tumnus? Beavers? Quite helpful. A lion – Aslan!

But he, Aslan, wavered and slowly fell. Never to get up again….

The hilltop swam before me. I hiccupped, allowing tears to flow from my eyes. The old man, who I now knew to be Aelius, comforted me.

"Do not give into despair yet, my child."

"Why?" I managed to ask through choked sobs.

"Because the end is near. And it will be a good ending." He dried my eyes, and told me to look into the valley. I saw the White Witch, coming towards the knights, all of whom had moved into the valley and stood facing outwards in a circle. Aelius forced me to watch, though I wanted nothing more to advert my eyes.

There was a flash. A flash of gold. Where it came from, I would never know, but it flew over the knights. Its target was the White Witch. She was brought roughly to the ground, and there she expired.

The earth shook violently. Once it ceased, all felt right with the world – as if everything had finally come into harmony and unity.

Then darkness overtook me.