"Come. Follow me."
2021 Month of Writing: Day 10
Prompt: (I took a little liberty with this and changed it up a little)
Word Count: 1,004
Author's Note: please don't steal my work! you can choose to respond to the prompt as well, but don't steal my work.
Y/N sighed, throwing her bag onto a nearby chair. It had been a long and stressful week at work, and she just needed to relax. She had gotten food on the way home and she silently celebrated the fact that she didnât have to work the next day. With these things in mind, she knew that she could mentally crash and not have to worry.
She grabbed her book off the coffee table and fell onto the couch. She opened the book, smiling at the familiar words.
Ah, the Chronicles of Narnia.
A beautiful series that she had read more than a dozen times. It was a comfort book to her. The simplicity, even with its many layers of complexity, resonated within her. The words of C.S. Lewis spoke to her in ways that others couldnât relate.
Y/N often dreamed about going to Narnia⌠traveling the world and interacting with mystical talking creatures. She was able to do so by reading the novels and watching the films, but it still felt⌠lacking in a way. She couldnât quite describe it other than the fact that she felt as though something were missing in her life, and that the world of Narnia helped to fill that void.
The long weekâs toll finally began taking hold of her, dragging her away from her lovely words and into her dreams.Â
When she opened her eyes again, she blinked in confusion. She glanced at the window, noting that it was dark out. She couldnât understand why she had woken up despite her exhaustion. She sighed and got off the couch.
I should sleep in my own bed, she thought. Probably change into something more comfortable too.
She put her book down and made her way back to her room. She slowly took off her clothes, conscious just enough to do what she needed to and not fall over. She threw her clothes into the hamper and changed into new ones. Just as she turned to climb into bed, she heard a rustling noise. Y/N paused for a brief moment before she continued moving.
Suddenly, a low growl echoed through her room. Y/N froze at the noise, her eyes wide. It felt like the growl vibrated through her entire body. Her eyes darted to the window just as a large shadow passed by, obscured by the curtains. She could faintly tell that her window was open, something she had done earlier to let air in. Another small growl came, followed by more rustling, almost as if something was rubbing against the wall under her window.
Y/N slowly walked forward. Her heart felt like it was in her throat. She pulled part of the curtain away so she could look outside. Something flashed gold as it stopped in front of the window. Some part of her knew that she should have gotten as far away as possible, but for some reason, she felt safe. She pulled the curtain back all the way, and her breath hitched in her throat.Â
Large, golden feline eyes stared back at her. The lion was nearly as tall as her window. Despite the silver light of the moon, its coat seemed to glow gold. The lion tilted its head just slightly and smiled.
âY/N,â it said. The singular word resonated into her very soul. She should have been frightened by a talking lion, but she only felt peace wash over her. âIt is good to see you, dear one.â
âAslan?â she said.
The lion dipped its head in a nod and smiled.
âCome,â he said. âFollow me.â
Y/N pushed her window up so it was fully open. She carefully maneuvered herself through so she was sitting on the ledge. She pushed herself off, landing on Aslanâs back. She couldnât help but smile at the feel of his fur.
âHold on tight,â he said back to her.
She dug her fingers into his mane. Aslan took off, building speed as he ran from her window. Y/N kept her eyes forward, curiosity overflowing as he brought her further and further away. However, the further they got, the more Y/N could sense a change. The sky became more clear and star filled, the trees seemed to grow taller and wider. Even the air felt different.
Eventually, Aslan came to a stop. Without a word, Y/N slid from his back and stood beside him, her fingers remaining in his mane. She smiled at the sight below her.Â
She recognized the ruins of Cair Paravel. It was something that always saddened her while watching the films, but seeing it was something entirely different. She could feel the magic surrounding the ruins. It was easy to picture the castle in its glory, alive with music and creatures during the golden years of the Pevensie reign.
âI canât believe it,â she breathed. âI didnât think this existed.â
âBut you did,â Aslan said. âDeep down, you always knew.â He looked at her. âYou were born in Narnia, taken when you were a baby many years ago.â
Y/N knew his words were true. She wasnât sure how, but the fact that she never felt more at home than she did at that moment spoke volumes.
âSo why have you brought me back now?â she asked.
âThe time was right.â
Y/N didnât push further. She knew Aslan knew what he was doing. He always did.
The great lion looked up at her.
âNarnia will be in need of your assistance very soon, dear Y/N,â he said. âWill you help them?â
She smiled.
âIn every way that I can,â she replied.
She didnât know what year she had been brought to, nor did she know what struggles Narnia was currently facing. But she knew deep within herself that she would do absolutely everything in her power to protect her country and her people. As she began walking beside Aslan toward the Cair Paravel ruins, two words echoed through her mind:
For Narnia.
