DISCLAIMER: I do not own Narnia, no matter how much I wish I did. Sadly, I only own Riley.

Riley stirred and found that it was dawn and that everyone else was asleep. She slowly stood up, thankful that Peter turned over and released his hold on her. Riley felt like she was being watched and found herself walking deep into the woods. She walked passed the trees and saw them swaying back and forth, welcoming her. She smiled at the fact that they finally woke up, and then she heard a growl. Riley turned and found Aslan standing in a clearing. Riley slowly walked up to him.

"I'm dreaming, aren't I?" Riley asked.

"In a way. You're dreams have lead you to me. There are things on your mind dear one, and I'm here to answer any question," Aslan answered.

"I guess I'll start with the one that's been bugging me the longest. Why did you wait to end the minotaur attack after they killed Isabelle?"

"I am sorry for hurting you, but by allowing Isabelle to live, it would have caused the future to change, and not in a good way. What had happened in Narnia with the Telmarines would have been ten times worse. Narnia would have ceased to exist." Aslan told her.

"Because Narnia would have tried to fight back instead of fleeing."

"The Telmarines would've still taken over, but would have succeeded in destroying all Narnians." Aslan said. "You see now why I did what I did?"

"Yes, I do," Riley answered. "But, why am I here? I thought I fulfilled my purpose here."

"You did, but it created a ripple, if you would remember. That ripple placed everything back in order, but a few things changed. It was not a drastic change, but you are here because of it." Aslan explained. "I also sense that there's something about your life away from Narnia that's on your mind."

"It's nothing. I should get going, Peter and the others will be up soon," Riley said. She turned to walk away, but what Aslan said next made her stop.

"He forfeit an eternity in Narnia to be with you."

"What?" Riley asked, confused.

"You know how the stories of Narnia end, as do I. You have a way to forget it all until the time is needed, but you know what I say." Aslan told her. Riley's mind suddenly clicked. The Last Battle, it was the last installment in C.S. Lewis's classic tale. When she thought of the ending, her heart dropped. She knew Peter's fate.

"Him, Lucy, and Edmund die in a train wreck. They end up in the true Narnia. So, are you the Aslan from now or in the future?"

"In your home world I would be the present," Aslan answered.

"I guess that's your way of saying the future. But, why are you coming to me here? Won't the Aslan of now know you're here?"

"He already does, but he knows that I have business to attend to with you concerning your future. Plus, Lucy Pevensie is talking to him."

"It's a little weird hearing you talk about yourself like you were two different beings," Riley said. Aslan chuckled.

"Although I sense what is to happen when it comes to the future, I never act upon it, unless it was a matter like the one in which I summoned you. Thus is the reason I, from the past, do not disrupt this conversation." Aslan told her.

"Okay, so…wait, what do you mean he forfeit eternity?" Riley asked.

"Peter made the choice and was reincarnated into your time, as a way to have a second chance to be with you."

"What about his siblings?"

"Edmund and Lucy decided to go with their brother. As for Susan, after realizing her mistake in not remembering Narnia, I let her be reincarnated , as a way to redeem herself." Aslan said. "I gave Peter the choice to remain in Narnia or be with you."

"And he chose me. That's true love, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is. And, now you must make a choice of your own. I do not know which one you will choose, but I do know the outcome of both. For I have been to both and seen what each one plays out to be."

"What do I have to choose?"

"You can either go home when this is all over, or you can return to 1940s London with the Pevensies. No matter which on you choose, the future will be safe. The paths to the future are different, but end the same. Give it time, but do not let it get in the way of the task ahead." Aslan told her.

Riley's eyes flew open and she found herself laying in the grass, Peter's arm still draped around her waist. They were facing each other and Riley smiled at his sleeping figure. She remembered what Aslan had told her.

"Susan, Susan wake up," she heard Lucy whisper. Susan mumbled something and there was shuffling. Riley turned over just a tiny bit to see Lucy walking off. Riley shook Peter and he slowly opened eyes.

"What is it?" Peter said.

"It's Lucy, she just walked off." Riley told him. Peter sat up and grabbed his bearings.

"Why does she always do this?" Peter mumbled. He stood up and walked after Lucy. Riley grabbed her scythe and ran after Peter. Peter stopped for a second and stared through the trees. Riley looked and saw what he was looking at. A minotaur was walking in the direction they were sure Lucy was headed. Peter started to walk again but at a much faster pace. Riley had to run in order to keep up with him. Peter finally caught up to Lucy, put his hand over her mouth and pulled her down behind a boulder. Riley knelt next to them. They all peered over to see the minotaur. Lucy gasped and hid once more. Peter put a finger to his mouth, signaling for her to remain silent. He slowly stood up and unsheathed his sword. He began to walk toward the minotaur. Suddenly another guy jumped out and attacked Peter. Peter began swinging his sword and hit the other guy with the blunt of his sword. Riley and Lucy sat there and watched.

"Riley, look," Lucy said. Riley saw what Lucy saw; centaurs, fauns, dwarves, and many other creatures. Riley and Lucy looked at one another and then at Peter. He swung his sword at the guy and got it stuck in a tree. The guy kicked Peter, sending him flying backwards. Lucy stood up and ran out of their hiding place.

"No! Stop!" Lucy cried out. Peter was about to hit the guy with a rock but stopped and looked at his sister. Peter looked around and saw many creatures come into view. Riley stood up and walked over to him.

"Are you okay?" Riley asked.

"Yes, I'm fine." Peter answered. He looked at the guy once more and he finally figured out who it was. "Prince Caspian?"

"Yes, and who are you?" he asked with a Spanish accent. He had long black hair and dark skin.

"Peter!" Susan shouted as she, Edmund and Trumpkin ran over to them. Caspian looked at them and then at Peter's sword that he pulled out of the tree. He looked up at Peter and gave him a questioning look.

"High King Peter," Caspian said.

"I believe you called," Peter replied.

"Yes, but I thought you'd be older," Caspian told him.

"Well, if you'd like we could come back in a few years," Peter said as he started to back away.

"No, that's alright. It's just you're not exactly what I expected," Caspian responded. He turned and stared at Susan. Riley noticed and it reminded her of how her and Peter looked at each other.

"Neither are you," Edmund replied as he stared at one of the minotaurs.

"A common enemy unites even the oldest of foes," a badger said. The Pevensies looked at one another and then at a mouse who stood before them.

"We have graciously awaited you're return my liege," he said.

"Oh my gosh, he is so cute," Lucy whispered to Susan. The mouse pulled out his sword and looked around.

"Who said that?" he asked.

"Oh, sorry," Lucy told him.

"You're majesty, with my deepest respect, but I do feel that courageous, courteous, or chivalrous might more befit a knight of Narnia," the mouse replied.

"Well, at least we know some of you can handle a blade," Peter said. He glanced at Caspian and then back to the mouse.

"Yes indeed, and I have recently put it to good use securing weapons for your army, sire," the mouse replied.

"Good," Peter said. Then he turned to look at Caspian. "Because we're going to need every sword we can get."

"Then you'll probably be wanting yours back," Caspian said. Peter grabbed his sword and put it back in it's scabbard. He rolled his eyes as he turned and walked away. Riley glanced at Edmund and they both followed Peter back to camp. Lucy and Susan stayed behind to explain to Caspian everything and to get acquainted with the creatures.

Peter, Riley, and Edmund got back to camp and started to pack things up. Riley grabbed Susan's bow and arrows while Peter and Edmund grabbed the supplies. Edmund had gone ahead and headed back to Susan and Lucy. Riley watched as Peter got his shield and swung it over his back. As if knowing she was watching him, Peter turned and made eye contact with her. For the first time in a long while Riley's stomach got butterflies and her heart began to race. She was still trying to wrap her mind around what Aslan had told her. Peter had, or would give up being in Narnia forever and forget everything just so he could love her once more.

Riley walked over and kissed him on the cheek. Peter gave her a look as if to say, "What's gotten into you?" Riley just merely smiled and walked off. Peter smiled to himself before following her. When they got to the others, Riley handed Susan her bow and arrows. They got everything in order and began their journey. Peter was in front with Caspian and they discussed battle strategies and weapons. Lucy was near the back with the mouse, who Riley learned was called Reepicheep. Susan and Edmund walked with Riley in the middle of the rather large group.

"…so Susan decides she needs to kick me in the gut in order for me to wake up." Edmund said. He was telling Riley what went on once her and Peter ran after Lucy.

"Well, you wouldn't wake up. I tried everything," Susan defended.

"Did you try throwing cold water on him?" Riley asked.

"Shoot! That's what I missed. At least I know that for the next time," Susan replied.

"Susan, if you even think about pouring water on my head, you'll be very sorry," Edmund warned her. Riley and Susan looked at each other before bursting out laughing. Edmund rolled his eyes and continued to walk.

"So, Riley did you sleep well last night?" Edmund asked, after ignoring the girls for a while.

"Um, I had a weird dream last night, but other than that I slept fine," Riley answered.

"What did you dream about?" Susan asked.

"Aslan. But, I don't think it was just a dream. I believe he really was there talking to me," Riley told them.

"He does have a way with talking to us without actually being seen. What'd he say?" Susan replied.

"Just that he was there to answer a few questions that I had swimming in my head."

"Like what?" Edmund asked.

"Well, for starters, I asked him about Isabelle's death. I asked him why he didn't come sooner so he could save her. His reply was that had she been saved, the Telmarines would have succeeded in destroying all the Narnians." Riley told them.

"That's stupid, she would have fought back," Edmund pointed out.

"That's why the Telmarines would have succeeded. It was a surprise attack, and had the Narnians tried to construct an army instead of fleeing, no one would have gotten out alive," Riley explained. "I know that it's a lot to handle, but give it time and it will all make sense."

"What else did he say?" Susan asked. Of course, Susan was able to tell that there was more. Riley debated on whether to tell them about Peter or keep it a secret. And what about her choice? Should she tell them and have them help her make the decision? She knew they would right away tell her to stay with them and not even think twice about telling her to return to her own time. But, she needed to tell them something.

"He told me I have to make a choice," Riley told them.

"What choice?" Susan and Edmund asked in unison.

"He told me that when this is all over I can either return to my time or stay with you four," Riley answered. "And, please don't try to persuade me to pick one or the other. I need to place it in the back of my mind until the time comes for me to choose. Aslan said it cannot interfere with what's going on."

"Of course, that's understandable. It's a huge decision. Are you going to tell Peter?" Susan asked.

"No!" Riley snapped. Susan was taken back by that.

"I mean, I don't think he needs to know until I've decided." Riley calmly said. "He would just worry himself over what I choose. Plus, he does have a way with making me make rash decisions."

"Isn't that true," Edmund mumbled. Riley and Susan gave him a questioning look but Edmund didn't turn to look at them. The two girls shrugged it off and continued walking.

After a while of walking they came to a clearing and way at the other end was what looked like a temple. It was covered in plants, but that didn't make it any less grand. There was also a ruin in front of the temple with only a few pillars still standing.

Lucy caught up to Riley, Susan, and Edmund and then they all moved up so they were next to Peter. When they reached the path that lead to the entrance, centaurs stood on each of the path and had their swords in the air, signaling that royalty had arrived. The Pevensies looked at one another before walking toward the entrance. Riley stood behind and walked with Caspian. Peter turned his head to look at Riley and signaled for her to walk with him. Riley smiled and ran over to them. Peter grabbed her hand and he escorted her. She turned to Susan and smiled. Susan shook her head and let out a small laugh. They walked inside and found many creatures working and making weapons. Susan, Edmund, and Lucy walked off, leaving Riley and Peter. They stopped and looked around.

"It may not be what you are used to," Caspian said as he walked over to them. "But, it is defensible." Riley turned and saw several Narnians staring at them. She began to stare at her feet and wrapped her arms around her body. Peter leaned over and whispered in her ear.

"Don't worry, no one here is judging you."

"Peter," Susan called from across the room. "You may want to come see this." Peter and Riley looked at each other before walking over to Susan. She led them over to a hallway that had drawings all over the wall. But, when they looked at them, they saw the pictures were of them. Peter grabbed a torch and explored the area.

"It's us," Susan said as she looked at a picture of them in the throne room.

"Hey, look over here. It's Riley and Peter's wedding," Edmund said. Everyone walked over to him and stared at the drawing. Sure enough, it was of Peter and Riley looking at each other with Aslan between them. Riley was in a white dress and red roses framed the drawing.

"What is this place?" Lucy asked Caspian who just walked over to them.

"You don't know?" Caspian replied. He grabbed a torch off the wall and led the Pevensies down a flight of stairs. They made it to the bottom and Caspian lit up the entire room. What they saw put them in utter shock. Along the walls were stone murals depicting scenes from various Narnian stories. But, what really got them all was that in the center of the room was the stone table. On the other side of it, behind a large arch was a mural of Aslan himself. Lucy walked over to the table and examined it before turning back to her siblings.

"He must know what he's doing," Lucy told them.

"I think it's up to us now," Peter said. Everyone looked at him and then at one another.

"Lu, let's go look around some more." Edmund suggested. Lucy nodded and walked over to him. Ed looked at Susan who followed him and Lucy out of the room.

"I better go and see if General Glenstrom needs help with training," Caspian said. Without another word he walked off, leaving Riley and Peter alone.

"It's probably a good idea if I go and practice a little. Haven't really fought for a while." Riley said nervously. She began to leave but Peter grabbed her arm and stopped her.

"I know you saw him," Peter said.

"Saw who?" Riley asked.

"Aslan. I don't when, but I know that look in your eye. It's the same look you had when we were on our way to Archenland the first time you were here, after you first met him." Peter explained.

"Have I ever told you that I hate the fact that you can read me like an open book?" Riley asked, joking. Peter smiled and gave a small laugh.

"That's what happens when I know a person for years," Peter told her. "And, don't worry you don't have to tell me what he said. I figure that if you want to tell me you can. I won't force you."

"Not only can you read me, but you learn from past mistakes," Riley joked. Peter laughed again and wrapped his arms around Riley's waist. Riley placed her hands on his shoulders and stared into his eyes. Peter began to lean in, but Riley pulled away.

"I really should be practicing right now," Riley said before practically running out up the steps. Peter huffed and turned to look at the picture of Aslan.

"What can I do to prove to her that I'm still me?" Peter asked himself. He turned and faced the stairs. Slowly, he began to walk up them.