a dream is a wish +Open

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Aurora walked with slow, wandering steps. Her attention was focused on the sky as she moved closer and closer to a place which had only existed in her dreams. She didn't doubt for a moment that she was glowing, her complexion hinting at what she really was. Not many people would know though, only those who had found her. They were far and few but she was sure she couldn't pass as anything but she really was.

Ever since coming to Narnia she had dreamed of the day which she would venture to Aslan's How but she found herself prevented time after time. There had been so many things for her to explore, so many new places and people that she just kept putting it to the back of her mind. Tonight was different though and of that she was aware. For Aurora had done much traveling in these years and she felt as he slipped farther and farther away. She knew that as the brightness within her grew it grew within him too.

It had been three years since she had left and tonight the stars in the sky shone brighter than ever before. He was back where he belonged, amongst the heavens as all stars were meant to be. Aurora couldn't help but miss her father, for so long she had hoped to get away but she was heartbroken to have to leave him behind. She knew the day would come that he would ascend again but she had always hoped to be there.

Aslan's How was a dream she had shared with him on many nights. When she was a little girl he promised that one day she would go on a great adventure and see it. She never imagined that he would be right, but then again it had been rare for him to be wrong. Thoughts of Ramandu made her smile brightly as the stars twinkled above.

The grass felt refreshing against her bare feet and the light breeze pushed the scent of flowers through the air. Her blond curls danced on her shoulders as her eyes fell on the entrance to the How. She had waited fourteen years to come this far and here she was. A shiver ran down her spine as it all sunk in. To no one but her would this be as miraculous, but then again she appreciated things differently than most.

Aurora saw the world in it's most peaceful ways, believing that good would always endure and that it could be found in everyone. Her naivete often made people find her childish or unrealistic but that was not the case. "The world must look so different from there, so very beautiful," she said to herself in a soft melodious voice. She sat down on the grass before the How observing. She had waited so long and a little more time couldn't hurt her.

She wished the night could last forever, but she knew that every dream would come to an end. She wondered how long before this dream of Narnia revealed itself to be nothing more than that. When she would wake up to find herself alone on the island, believing that once upon a time there really had been a spectacular world outside her own. That she had met the Kings and Queens of Old which she had always heard of and the great King Caspian was more than words.

That day didn't seem to becoming any time soon and it made Aurora sigh with relief as she picked herself up off the ground. She continued forward, her eyes surveying the relics of the past. Aslan, another which was only a dream. She had faith though that his land did lye East as most suspected. She sang softly to herself some old lullaby she had always known. Her voice cut off though when she saw a silhouette in the distance. Aurora hadn't been expecting to run in to anyone at this hour. She was quite sure they hadn't either.

[bess]

There's a time for everyone, if they only learned...

"Go slower Briner! I am not good at this yet you know." Bess felt slightly queasy from the bumping of Briner galloping to his hearts desire. It was not the first time she had ridden him the horse, but she was not sued to him going so fast. Teasing the horse, Bess said "If you throw me off and I am never able to walk again, you shall become a meal to the castle hounds." Briner gave a neighing laugh and said "But I like to terrify you, have you not, realized it by now?" Rolling her eyes, Bess said "Just slow down, please." Briner listened and slowed his galloping to a trot, much to the lady-in-waitings relief.

The pair were in a large, open field and not knowing where they were, Bess said "Briner, might you know where we are located? I am sorry, it is just that I do not know this land very well yet." Briner reared his head slightly and said "We are near Aslans How." The lady-in-waiting remembered it had the stone table and the story of how Aslan had died on it. Oh how she would have liked to meet the Great Lion! Briner came to a halt and Bess dismounted the horse, telling him "I can handle myself now thanks." Briner trotted off in to the nearby woods, leaving Bess on her own.

Making sure no one was around, Bess ran through the open field with her arms spread wide out, feeling the cool breeze on her face. It was an unusually nice day, these of which Bess enjoyed very much. She decided to explore Aslan's how being she never actually been inside. As she looked around, the lady-in-waiting came to a girl, who seemed to be exploring as well. Bess was astounded by her beauty and even felt slightly jealous at the girls beautiful golden curls while she had plain straight dark hair. "Hello." She quietly, "I am sorry if I scared you for a minute."

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Aurora was taken slightly a back. People seemed to surprise her often lately. She credited it to the fact she had grown up alone for most of her life. She didn't get a chance to learn the habits of others. She was practically a child in this world if not for all the things she knew. "Don't worry, it seems to happen to me quite often these days," she replied with a bright smile and a small giggle. Aurora so dearly loved to laugh and for this she was extremely grateful.

"I am Aurora and I am terribly sorry if I have disrupted you, I did not know anyone else was here," she remarked with a soft smooth voice. Aurora's eyes surveyed the girl before her, she was quite beautiful, different than she had ever known. It was so refreshing, the new beauties that came with this new place. Things were so very different and she loved every bit of it.

Aurora took a step forward her delicate fingers holding on to her robes and her eyes bright with curiosity, "Do you come here often?" If she had the chance Aurora probably would have visited everyday. Aslan meant hope and there was only one thing she held in higher regard then hope. That was love. Love worked in funny ways, it had saved her, it had saved the Kings and Queens of old and it had saved King Caspian. There was nothing stronger than love and thoughts of it made Aurora glow.

"Sorry," she remarked with a blush. She was often side tracked by her own thoughts when she wasn't thinking properly. For some people it wouldn't make a difference but she was sure she certainly looked strange. She was quite odd and Aurora knew that. She was just hopeful that she could be accepted as all others had been.

[bess]

To Bess, this girl was one of the most beautiful girls she had ever seen in her life. When she spoke, Bess recognized a slight accent and thought maybe she was an islander like the lady-in-waiting. It seemed like she was...glowing as if she was a star in a woman's body. The lady-in-waiting laughed slightly when the girl laughed after she said how she was frightened often these days and giggled slightly. "The same happens to me as well", Bess said to her.

She introduced herself as Aurora and said how she was sorry if she had interrupted Bess. The lady-in-waiting shook her head and said "No, Aurora. It is me who interrupted you seeing as you were here before I was." This girl was very kind to Bess and seemed to have a natural beauty, unlike most court ladies Bess had met. Now she did not know if this girl was of noble blood or not, but Bess thought she was beautiful enough to maybe be a princess, or even an Empress.

Introducing herself, the lady-in-waiting said "I am Elizabeth Sidorov, but most people call me Bess. I serve Queen Susan as a lady-in-waiting." Cocking her head, Bess said "Do I not hear an accent from you? Are you from one of the islands? Became I am as well."

[star]

Aurora smiled softly at Bess, " Well I guess it's safe to say neither of us has disrupted the other." A small sigh of awe escaped her lips as she took in her surroundings. Her eyes scanned every drawing of the cave, every detail, every crack. She wanted to commit it to marry down to the last very last flaw.

"It's lovely meeting you Bess, Lady-in-waiting to Queen Susan. I fear I don't have a title of any importance besides hopeless romantic," she commented with a grin. She was joking of course, but Aurora had never been an admirer of titles. She turned back to Bess, curtsying to her acquaintance. She believed that workers deserved respect just as the royals they served did. The world would cease to exist peacefully with out them. "It must be delightful serving Queen Susan, I've heard nothing but praise on her behalf. I'd very much like to meet her one day," said Aurora cheerfully.

She had always been fascinated by the Kings and Queens of Old. The stories of their reign and what they had done were so noble and valiant. Aurora had the honor of meeting King Edmund and Queen Lucy once with out even knowing it. That had been the greatest day of her life, they day on which she was promised freedom. Ever since she had come to Narnia she was busy exploring. Aurora, with great misfortune, had yet to meet Susan and the High King.

Aurora was surprised that Bess had caught her accent. Most people assumed she was from Calormen, though she looked nothing like them. "Yes, I hail from an island in the far east, from where do you come?" Aurora asked with enthusiasm.