AN: This is an English assignment that I had to write last year. Hope you enjoy. I appreciate constructive criticism…
Today was the day. Jesse Aarons was finally going back to Terabithia. After Leslie's death he couldn't bring himself to go back to their special place, but he was finally ready.
The walk through the wood was quiet, peaceful, not a thing moved. It was almost as if the forest knew that the mighty king of the great land across the river was finally returning. He eventually reached the river, on the other side of the raging torrent was his-no their- beloved Terabithia, but how to get there now the rope was gone. He spotted a wide bridge-like branch that stretched across the width of the river. Almost like a drawbridge to a moat. He crossed.
He was back. Back in Terabithia. He didn't feel as sad as he thought he would. It was as though he knew something was going to happen. Looking around he saw that Terabithia had a different air to it, an almost regal air. He walked into the stronghold and stopped dead. Sitting in front of him on a throne in Queen-like clothes was none other than his best friend Leslie Burke.
"Are…Are you real?" Jess stammered, staring at her with tears in his eyes.
"Here I am" She replied, looking at him smiling.
They had a ball that day. Attending royal functions and addressing the people of Terabithia. Unfortunately the time for him to go came eventually.
"Will you be here when I come back?" He asked, looking at her sadly.
"Yes Jess, I will always be here" She replied, smiling at him.
He went back every day from then on, and then whenever he could. The summer after his first visit he built a proper bridge.
15 years after first visit back
Jesse Aarons sprinted through the forest and across the bridge straight to the stronghold where he knew Leslie would be.
"Leslie!" He shouted, as he ran in.
"Yes Jess?" She replied regally, as she got off her throne.
Jess had aged, but Leslie hadn't. She was still as youthful as she had been when she died 15 years ago.
"I'm getting married!" He beamed at her.
She beamed back at him, genuinely happy. She ran up and threw her arms around his waist hugging him tightly as she conveyed her congratulations. He knew that she would be at his wedding in spirit. Prince Terrian ran into the stronghold yapping. He had died a few years after Leslie did and ended up in Terabithia with her. They broke apart and he said his goodbyes stating that he would be back soon. Then he left.
17 years after first visit back
Jesse Aarons walked across the bridge beaming and clutching a photo in his hands. He walked into the stronghold and was immediately greeted by P.T and Leslie.
"I'm a father" He said, beaming and holding the photo out to her, "That's Sofia Leslie Aarons".
"Congratulations Jess… Wait… You named her after me?" She threw her arms around him silently thanking him through the tight hug she was giving him. They sat there talking about the baby for hours.
Jesse and his wife went on to have 3 more children.
92 years after first visit back
Marcus Jesse Aarons wandered through the forest just outside of his great-great grandparents – now his parents - house. He eventually came to the river and saw a moss and vine covered bridge. He curiously walked across it. He came to some sort of fort, walking inside he saw two thrones. On those thrones were people dressed up in royal clothes barking out orders to people he couldn't see. The boy looked up and saw him. Marcus immediately recognised him. He had seen pictures of his great-grandfather as a child, and the girl next to him was the girl that his great-aunt Sofia was named after. He could recognise her face anywhere.
"Marc?" the boy, his Grandpa, asked.
"Yeah Grandpa, it's me" he replied.
Marcus Jesse Aarons returned to Terabithia every day.
Long Live Terabithia