Author's Note: Hey guys… so I know it's been a LONG time since my last update and all I can say is sorry. I know that ya'll were all probably used to my daily updates, as was I, but my internet connection was tragically disconnected for roughly 4 days. So now that you know this, you are probably thinking to yourself, "Well, she still had a week to write, so she's probably ahead on chapters." If you are thinking this, you are wrong. Yes, I've had a week – a whole week – but this is all I've written, and I happen to think it's the worst chapter yet. Between panicking over my sister's cheer try-outs Wednesday, from TAKS testing Tuesday, to golf practices and Relay For Life meetings, this has been an extremely hectic week. I know that those are all feeble excuses (except the no internet connection one) for not writing, but that's all I have. You also can't expect another update before Tuesday (Tuesday night will be the earliest time of update). Each day of the weekend, along with Monday, is packed, so I'm hoping to write some Tuesday so I can start posting regularly again. So, here is chapter eleven. I know it is not up to standards but I'll try my absolute hardest to make chapter twelve more pleasant to read.
Falling Together
Closed Doors
By: Chelsea
Disclaimer: I don't own Chronicles of Narnia or anything related to the series. I'm not C.S. Lewis. The only thing in this story that I own is Anna.
Chapter eleven…
Anna sat on the top step of the grand staircase in the front of the castle. She was, once again, alone. Anna found herself alone a lot of the time now because the Pevensies were often busy taking care of important Narnian business. It wasn't that she got lonely, in Narnia she found plenty of things to do, but she did sort of feel left out. Anna understood that they were kings and queens, so they had priorities, but she could feel that her and some of the Pevensies relationships were starting to change…
Mainly hers and Susan's. Susan would never be anything less to Anna than a sister with different parents, but Susan was taking her role as Queen of Narnia very seriously. Susan rarely made time to talk to Anna and when she did, it was before bed and the conversation was full of yawning. Susan was maturing faster and faster, not allowing herself to have fun like she used to.
Lucy and Edmund were never quite as busy as the older two siblings, so they had free time when Susan and Peter did not. Anna actually noticed that she was getting closer to the two, especially Edmund. Anna could only figure this because they were closer in age to him than to Lucy.
Now Peter was a different story entirely. After they kissed 11 days ago on the beach, things were either great or really strange between them. Around the other siblings, Anna and Peter sat away from each other, showing no special affection at all. When they found some alone time, Anna loved it. They talked about everything that was on their minds, they laughed, and, occasionally, they would kiss. Anna was really beginning to care for Peter, but it annoyed her that they were only like that in private.
Anna and Peter had decided to not share their secret with Peter's siblings quite yet. Of course they wanted to, but everything was so stressful right now. The Pevensies had to learn the laws of Narnia, get acquainted with the citizens and listen to their concerns, learn the geography, and warm their way into the hearts of many creatures. Her and Peter thought that they should just wait a few weeks for some of the pressure to die down before they threw something like that on top of them.
Anna stood up and smoothed the wrinkles out of her deep green casual dress. She walked down the stairs, into the foyer and then turned towards the door where the Kings and Queens of Narnia were discussing some treaty that had been signed years and years ago. Anna lightly put her hand on top of the doorknob, would it be rude to interrupt them? She removed her hand when she couldn't think of a reasonable cause for walking in.
Anna slumped back against the opposite wall and stared at the door. Stupid doors, she thought. They were always behind some closed door discussing some order of business! Anna sighed out loud. When they had been crowned, she was fine with the fact that she wasn't a queen, and she still was, but why was she the one who was chosen to be left out? She honestly didn't mind not being a queen, but she did mind not being able to converse with them about important matters, not being able to sit in on their important meetings, being confused when they would suddenly begin talking about something she didn't understand. Anna was happy for them, but it annoyed her.
With another sigh, Anna straightened up off of the wall and walked off towards the kitchen. Once again to the protests of the kitchen staff, she helped them prepare supper like she did every couple of days.
** ** **
Supper was uneventful and mostly filled with Lucy complaining about how boring treaties were. Peter laughed and Edmund added to the conversation a little but Susan just shook her head. After supper, Anna quietly went to her bedroom instead of lingering in the dining hall.
Anna changed into her nightclothes and was completely ready to go to bed when she heard a knock on the door. Anna cringed at what she was wearing and quickly put on her white, silk robe. "Um, come in," she said.
Not to her surprise, Peter entered the room. "Sorry," he said, "Where you about to go to sleep?" Peter closed the door behind him and he took a step into the room.
Anna shrugged. "I was… but if you want to talk I will gladly postpone those plans," she said as she sat down on her bed. Peter smiled at her and nodded and then walked over to the bed and sat down next to her. "So," Anna began, running the silk of her robe through her fingers, "how did the meeting go today?"
Peter shrugged and leaned back on the headboard. He shut his eyes halfway and looked tired. "Extremely boring. Honestly, I think the only person who enjoys that sort of thing is Susan," he said lightly. Anna smiled, "I bet she would." Peter nodded seriously. They were both silent a moment and Anna readjusted her sitting positing so that she facing Peter better.
"Are you alright?" Peter asked suddenly. He was looking up at the ceiling, but his face had taken on a thoughtful look.
Anna shrugged, "Yeah, why?"
"You just seemed… I don't know – upset – at supper," Peter explained. His face lowered and he looked from the ceiling to her.
Anna began to gnaw on her lower lip. She thought that she should tell Peter what had been on her mind all day, but why worry him over something so miniscule when he was clearly exhausted already?
Anna shook her head, "No, nothing is wrong." She surprised herself by lying so convincingly. Peter nodded and smiled wearily as he laid his head back on the headboard. Anna watched him as he shut his eyes. Peter looked peaceful and serene as he lay there quietly resting. Anna pulled herself up farther into the bed and situated herself so that she was next to Peter. He rolled his head over and peered down at her through half-opened eyes and smirked at her.
Anna looked up at Peter and smiled at him. She loved it when he twisted his mouth into that adorable half-smile. The two of them talked almost constantly when they were together, but Anna liked the moments like this: quiet. Neither one said a word to the other, yet they understood what the other wanted completely. Peter slid his arm around Anna and then rested his head on the top of hers. Anna could no longer see his face, but she was sure that his eyes were once again closed and his face had the peaceful, serene look. Anna leaned over and rested her head in his chest and closed her eyes.
Author's Note: So there was chapter eleven. I'm thinking that I might write the next chapter in my notebook while I spend an hour and a half in a moving vehicle tomorrow, but I'm not sure yet, so continue not to plan on another update before Tuesday night. I'm so sorry but I will try my hardest to try to start updating more regularly. Don't forget to review and let me know what you think!!!