The next morning dawned fair and clear.
At the crack of dawn, I awoke. Judging from the absolute silence, I knew that no one else except for a few creatures (who were strolling in the castle grounds) and I were awake.
I glanced over at Lucy and Susan who were sleeping peacefully in their beds a few feet away.
Deciding to take a walk to the balcony, I slipped into a silky gown with the shade of pink daisies.
The halls were hauntingly quiet.
I had no idea where I was going so I found myself to be traipsing around.
After a few moments, I saw an opening.
Maybe that leads to the balcony.
And it did.
I leaned over the balcony’s rail and I drew a deep breath.
I watched as the thunderous waterfalls unfolded down into a peaceful river to become peaceful itself.
In the midst of this, a voice interrupted my thoughts. “Are you nervous?”
I whirled around to see Edmund standing below the ark which led to where I was.
“Edmund! I didn’t know you were there…good morning!”
He grinned and neared closer, repeating, “Are you nervous?
“For what?”
“The coronation.”
“I-I don’t,” I paused, “…know.”
He became silent.
“Why? Are you?”
He shrugged and just stared at the trees.
I began softly,” You feel unworthy. Afraid you won’t fulfill your duty as king—properly.”
With our turning his head, he gave me a long sideways look, saying dryly, “Was it that obvious?”
“I read your diary.”
“WHAT?!”
“You actually have one?!”
“Did you read it,” he clenched his teeth, “or not?”
“Calm down, relax yourself! I was joking; I didn’t actually think you had one.”
He continued to glare at me.
“What? Look, I’m sorry!”
I laughed suddenly.
“Fine. Laugh all you want, Anne! I don’t care! What’s wrong with a boy writing in a diary?!” He threw his hands up in despair.
“Why, I wasn’t laughing; not to you at least.”
“Huh, I am pretty sure about that.”
I ignored his sarcasm. “Why are we worried about whether we’ll fit our role properly?”
“So it wasn’t me; it was you who felt that way!”
“Shush, Edmund. So why are we worried? I’ve got you, Peter, Susan, Lucy, and Aslan to help me! We’re in this together! We don’t need to fuss and worry—Aslan in on our side!”
“Well!” was all he said.
“Oh no!”
“What is it?”
“It’s almost time! Susan will be looking for us!”
We rushed out of the balcony and sped up the stairs to our rooms.
Immediately, as I opened the door leading to the girls’ chambers, Susan turned quickly and said, “Anne! Good morning!”
“Where were you?” Lucy asked.
Susan interjected,” Hurry—we’ve got no time to spare. Go choose your outfit for the ceremony.”
I did not hear the last sentence for I saw Mrs. Beaver in the room as well.
“Mrs. Beaver! What a lovely surprise!” I smiled broadly. “Good morning!”
“And good morning to you, dearie. Now choose your outfit so Lidia may fix your hair.”
“I—what?” I thought this was my outfit!”
Susan spoke up in horror, “Of course not. Now go choose it,” she pointed to my bed.
I reluctantly averted my eyes to where she had pointed.
I gasped.
On my bed were hundreds of clothing piled neatly onto one another consisting of dresses, scarves, and hair accessories.
“Why, I can’t choose from so many! Can’t I just wear what I am wearing now?”
“No. Please, just choose one.”
I reached out and rubbed the fabric of the dress with a single finger. Silk.
My eyes wandered to the other clothing. I just couldn’t choose! Suddenly, my eyes caught sight of a lavender/blue/pink dress—the color of dawn! Excitedly, and as if in a dream, I seized it and ran to the dressing room.
I twirled out of the dressing room in my gown. It had long, drippy sleeved that flowed nearly to the ground when I put my arms to my side. Its train brushed against the floor. Intricate embroidery swirled about the dress artistically.
It was perfect.
Lucy exclaimed warmly, “You look wonderful, Anne!”
Lucy was lovelier still. She wore a sleeveless dress that reached to her ankles. The color was of emeralds. Over it, she wore a short sleeved elegant type of jacket that covered her dress partly with a single emerald. Her hair was twisted into a braid and a turquoise colored ribbon had been weaved into her braid.
“You know you’re not done yet, right? You still have to choose—shoes, some hair clips, scarves--” she spoke faster,” …but that’s optional, and you have to choose a headpiece.”
I groaned and marched to my bed, “I’m only going to choose my headpiece and my shoes. That’s it—forget about the rest!”
After a few moments of silence, I called out, “I’ll have this one.”
Lucy narrowed her eyes in fun, “Are you just choosing randomly now?”
I grinned sheepishly. “Maybe. I guess I will choose my headpiece now.
“You didn’t know? I was merely playing in fun with you.”
“What? Playing in fun for what?”
“Aslan will crown us. We don’t need a headpiece.”
“Oh,” I became silent, then brightened. “Let’s explore! We have plenty of time. Wait, where’s Su—“
…”She went somewhere to get something.”
“Alright, then let’s explore the gardens and sit by the lake. If Susan needs us, we won’t have far to go.”
So four hours later found ourselves to be walking down towards the four thrones---where Aslan and the other Narnians awaited for us eagerly.
Joy burst from our hearts; lighting up our radiant faces.
I look my place beside Aslan. Beside me was Lucy, then Edmund, then Susan, and then Peter.
Boldly, Peter took one step forward and he kneeled down. Aslan gently placed a crown of gold on his head.
Next, Susan stepped forward and she received her crown made simply of rare jewels and nothing else.
One by one, they stepped forward and they were crowned.
Then I was last.
Aslan brought forward a crown of leaves made of silver. It had tiny designs engraved on it. Aslan announced, “To the entire region of Narnia—to the farthest parts of the North, South, East, and West, I give you—Lady Anne the Advisor. Albeit she shall not rule over the Kings and Queens, she shall merely become their advisor and the advisor of Narnia. Thus so, I give you this crown, Lady Anne the Advisor.”
Cheering burst from the crowd.
My cheeks turned scarlet from embarrassment. I was not used to all the attention.
He brought the crown closer.
I hesitated to kneel down, almost contemplating, at the last moment, if I really wanted to become an advisor of Narnia.
Don’t you remember what you told Edmund this morning? Don’t you?
I took a deep breath and nodded half shakily and half confidently to Aslan; telling him with my eyes that I was ready.
Instantly, an invisible burden I had been carrying all along—from my world and into the world of Narnia just tumbled off me!
I gasped, as I felt it…peace, joy, happiness!
I shook my head, staring at Aslan and I thanked him.
So he placed that crown on my head.
I felt a small weight try to push my head down but I only lifted my head higher.
Then Aslan looked deeply into my eyes.
Startled, I almost drew back. The way he had looked at me; it was the same way that he had looked at me right before his death! The same kind of penetration. The way his look sliced into me…it was as though he wanted me to know something; to remember something!
Oh, what am I forgetting?
‘Susan. Susan. Aslan. Aslan,” a voice whispered.
And what about Susan?
What is wrong with me?
Long Live King Peter! Long Live Queen Susan! Long Live King Edmund! Long Live Queen Lucy!
The other Narnians and I shouted the aforesaid and we fell down to our knees before Aslan; for he was our king, our only king that would rule forever into eternity.
Enchanting, but above all, rich voices flowed with the wind and swept into the Hall. Harps and other beautiful instruments weaved through their song.
The glorious dancing, the lovely orchestra, the luscious food, and the heartfelt conversations all made that night one of the most grandestly ethereal night I had ever experienced.
But there were many more such days to come…
Aslan slipped quietly away that evening.
When I realized it, I made no remark, but yet, inside, a pang of sadness haunted me. And by the tell-tale faces of the others, I knew that had noticed as well.

**Questions that are not needed to be answered when you review, but I would extremely appreciate it.
What struck you as sentences that are not necessary? Where does my humor fall flat and you can just say in disgust, “She’s trying too hard.” Any parts that don’t flow smoothly? Any parts that need to be explained more?