Three weeks after the battle, three weeks of funeral services, cleaning the camp, and preparation of the palace, the coronation finally arrived.
Cair Paravel was a magnificent palace, made entirely of white marble and gold, with rich beautiful halls and balconies, all overlooking a marvelous beach. For the coronation, flowers and banners and flags were hung everywhere. Clear silver trumpets rang through the halls, announcing the arrival and start of the ceremony.
Centaurs lined a large aisle, holding flags and swords in salute. Fauns and satyrs were lined behind them, holding their weaponry in salute as well. Aella stood closer to the thrones, next to Oreius, holding out her sword. She was no longer wearing her tunic, leggings, boots, and braid. She wore a slim velvet green dress lined with gold trim, and stitched with small yellow leaves. Her long brown hair was curled, and cascaded down her back.
Aslan, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy regally strode down the aisle, smiling and looking magnificent. The boys were to Aslan's left, the girls to his right. Peter was dressed in gold hose, black boots lined with gold, a rich blue velvet shirt, and a gold cape. Edmund was the same, except in silver instead of gold, and his shirt was grayish-silver, his cape silver as well. Both boys had the Tree of Knowledge stitched on their shirts, leafy, glorious, and exuberant.
Susan was magnificently dressed in a lovely gray-blue dress, with flowing blue bucket sleeves and gold trim, her cape blue, her hair pulled back in a magnificently curled braid. Lucy was in a lovely bright silver-blue dress inlaid with pearls, her cape red and hair curled. All children wore beaming smiles and shining eyes that could melt the coldest hearts. Peter smiled at Aella as he passed her, who beamed lovingly back.
They each stepped up to their thrones and regally stood before them. Each throne had a symbol to signify each monarch: Peter's a sword, Edmund's a smaller sword, Susan's a horn, and Lucy's a cordial.
"To the glistening Eastern Sea," began Aslan. "I give you Queen Lucy the Valiant."
As Aslan spoke, Tumnus and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver stepped up from the audience. Mr. and Mrs. Beaver were grasping pillows, each with two crowns on them. Mr. Tumnus was wearing a velvet green scarf and a very big smile. He took a tiara from Mrs. Beaver's pillow, and placed it gently on Lucy's head. The tiara was silver carved into a juniper vine, with little juniper flowers. Mr. Tumnus and Lucy beamed at each other.
"To the great Western Wood, King Edmund the Just." Tumnus took a silver crown from Mr. Beaver's pillow, the points of the crown carved in the likeness of birch leaves. Edmund positively radiated when he heard his new title.
"To the radiant Southern sun, Queen Susan the Gentle."
Tumnus placed a golden tiara (much like Lucy's) atop Susan's head, her flowers little daffodils instead of juniper.
"And to the clear Northern Sky, I give you King Peter the Magnificent."
A golden crown with oak-leaf shaped points was placed on Peter's head, who gazed proudly at his subjects, his head held high. Though he still bore a proud air about him like he always did, it was now a more accomplished pride than a defiant one. Watching him stand there with the beautiful crown on his head and eyes that matched his title brought tears of joy streaming down Aella's face. She felt so happy for Peter, for all four monarchs, that she could not contain her joy. She stood in her place, still holding her sword, and, for the first time in her life, crying of happiness.
The four new monarchs sat in their thrones, and Aslan turned and addressed them. "Once a king or queen of Narnia, always a king or queen. May your wisdom grace us until the stars rain down from the heavens."
He turned to the crowd, and everyone began shouting. The loudest of all were the Beavers, Aella, and Mr. Tumnus. "Long live King Peter! Long live King Edmund! Long live Queen Susan! Long live Queen Lucy!"
Late that night, when it was total darkness and everyone was asleep, Aella took a walk to the balcony, overlooking the sea. Breathing in the salty air, she let her mind wander, thinking about the day's events.
It had been a glorious celebration. There was dancing and drinking, and everyone had a marvelous time. She and Peter had danced nearly the entire time, almost crashing into everyone. They both may have been able to control the sword, but what they could not do properly was dance. However, they did have fun, as did Susan, who danced with the Fox who had helped them earlier, and Edmund, telling wild stories to anyone who would listen, and Lucy, who spent the entire time with Tumnus. Aslan, however, had mysteriously disappeared during the festivities, but Mr. Tumnus said that was to be expected. Aslan was a wanderer, and he hardly ever stayed in one place longer than he needed to. Lucy cried her eyes out when she heard this, but she was soon comforted. Aella, however, felt a deep sadness that she could not express with tears. Aslan had become a mentor to her, a being of faith, trust, and wisdom. She knew Aslan hardly ever stayed in one place, but she had secretly hoped he would stay. She had grown accustomed to his presence, and he was greatly missed by all.
"Aella?"
Peter was standing behind her, back in his cotton pants and shirt, and leather boots and jerkin. He had silently snuck up behind Aella, who was so wrapped up in her thoughts of Aslan that she did not hear him approach.
She smiled, ran up to him, and hugged him tightly.
"What are you doing?" Peter asked. "It's late, you should be in bed."
Aella shrugged. "I wanted to take a walk," she said. "I've never seen the sea before, I wanted to see what it was like."
Peter sighed, wrapping his arms round her waist. "It's amazing… the simple things you've never seen before that my family and I take for granted every day! I could never live without spring. I don't know how you could live like that."
"Eh, I got accustomed to it," said Aella lightly, leaning against the balcony. "But, yes, it was rather bleak. I'm quite glad for some change."
She sighed happily, breathing in the salty air. "Peter, do you remember asking me if I thought you'd be a good king?"
Peter nodded.
"I've been thinking long and hard about that question, because when you asked me, I had no idea. I thought about when I first met you, when you grabbed my mouth to shut me up and I slammed you into the ground, remember? The reason I didn't kill you… was because of the look in your eyes. I could see such an amazing amount of determination and bravery, that it intrigued me. I also remember how you pushed yourself to make sure I was all right when I got sick, and the wolves were chasing us. I saw how you would not rest until all three of your siblings and me and the Beavers all made it safely to the camp. You are a natural born leader, Peter Pevensie. You are brave, loyal, determined, and proud. And all these qualities are what make a phenomenal king, and a good husband."
Peter stared at her. "Wh… what at are you insinuating?" he asked.
Aella smiled, and held up her left hand, showing him the ring Father Christmas had given her. "I'm glad you're here," she said. "Because I know what to wish for now, and I want you to see it. Just promise me you won't try to stop me, all right? I'm making the right choice for me. I know what I'm doing."
Peter hesitated for a moment, then nodded, unsure if he was prepared for what he was about to witness, whatever it may be.
"A month ago," Aella began. "I thought being a human meant being weak, like my father was. I considered my father to be weak because he gave himself up. But now that I know exactly what my father went through, and exactly what I want in my life, I see that being human is the best gift in the world."
Aella took a deep breath and a step back, and she squared her shoulders, preparing herself. She grasped the ring on her finger, and shouted.
"I wish I was a mortal, magic-free, one hundred percent Daughter of Eve!"
And, before Peter could say or do anything, she turned the ring once around her finger, concentrating on her wish. The ruby stone glowed brightly, and Aella cried out in shock and pain. Peter worriedly rushed over to her.
Suddenly, her whole body snapped rigidly upright like a poker, her arms held straight beside her and expression blank, and Peter was knocked backwards. She rose up in the air, floating onto her back so that she was lying down in midair. Her mouth opened, and a large jet of water began shooting up into the sky. Her hands opened, and jets of fire shot into the sky, twisting and braiding with the jet of water. Rocks came spiraling out of her feet, and interlocked with the fire and water, and out of her eyes came blasts of wind that swooped and spiraled around the fire/water/rock braid. Her whole body glowed pure white, and a beam of pure white light shot from her heart and shot up into the center of the braid.
Suddenly, as quickly as it had come, the light and the pillar vanished, and Aella dropped from the sky like a stone. Peter quickly ran forward and caught her just in time. "Are you all right?" he asked, kneeling on the ground and holding her.
Aella raised her head, and shook it like a dog shakes off water. "Whew!" she said. "That is one experience I'll never forget!"
She raised her hand, and clenched it. Nothing happened. "No fire…" she muttered. She stood, and jumped into the air… and she fell to the ground. "I can't fly!" she said, standing up again. She laughed jubilantly, and ran forward, and tackled Peter. "I'm free! My powers are gone! I'm human! Every bit of me that came from my mother is gone. I'M FREE!"
Peter, still holding Aella, stood up, picked her up by the arms, and swung her around in circles, laughing.
"I love you, Aella!" he declared, stopping.
"I love you, Peter!" she answered, burying her face in his neck.
Peter put her down, took a deep breath, and knelt before her, picking up the ring that had fallen off her finger and holding it up.
"Will you marry me?" he asked quietly.
Aella's mouth opened wide, and she stared at Peter. "I… what… I don't…"
"I talked to Oreius," he said, still kneeling. "He says we're old enough, according to Narnian tradition, and he thinks I'm a worthy candidate."
Aella stared and stuttered at Peter, unable to answer. "But… I… I mean…"
Peter quickly grasped her hand. "Aella, I love you, and I was willing to marry you even though you were immortal. You were and still more than what your powers portrayed you to be. Like you said, any fool can carry a sword. It's how you use it that matters. Your powers were the same way. You used your powers for good, to free Narnia. You are everything I've ever wanted and more, and so I ask you again; will you marry me?"
Aella covered her mouth in shock, but she smiled and nodded her head. "Yes," she said, joyfully. "I will marry you, Peter. I will marry you."
Peter's face broke into a joyful smile. He slipped the ring on Aella's right hand, pulled her down, and kissed her. They kissed and hugged so vigorously, that they fell over on the balcony floor and hurt their heads.
"Peter!" Susan's voice cut through the air. She was standing on her balcony jutting out from her room. "What is going on? What are you and Aella doing?" she asked.
"We're getting married!" Peter shouted joyfully. "I just asked her to marry me! We're getting married!"
Susan gasped, and raced back inside. Peter and Aella laughed, and clutched each other in happiness, swinging in circles. Susan quickly ran downstairs and up to the two lovers.
"Are you serious?" she asked as Peter breathlessly put Aella down. "You're getting married?"
"Yes," gasped Aella. "We're getting married. And Susan, I would be honored if you were my maid of honor."
Susan stared at them, completely dumbstruck. "Of… of course!" she stammered. "But, isn't it a little soon? I mean you're a little young-"
"Peter's sixteen, I'm almost sixteen, and according to Narnian tradition, it's the perfect age to marry," said Aella breathlessly. "We know what we're doing, Susan. Somehow, I knew I'd marry him the minute I met him."
Peter laughed. "I wish I could say the same thing," he said. "But when I met you, I was scared out of my wits!"
Susan smiled. "Well, I guess all I can say is, welcome to the Pevensie family, Aella," she cried, hugging her.
"Trust me Susan, nothing would please me more than by becoming a Pevensie. And not because you're royalty."
Peter grabbed his fiancé's hand, pulling her into a tight embrace. "Are you ready to become Mrs. Peter Pevensie?" he asked.
Aella brushed his check with her hand. "Ready as I'll ever be."
"I now pronounce you husband and wife!"
It was one year after the proposal, and Cair Paravel was once again decorated lavishly, this time for a wedding instead of a coronation. The palace was packed full of subjects once again, and the largest wedding cake, baked expertly by Faun housewives, was included in the feast.
Peter and Aella were waving and smiling up upon the throne platform at their guests, who were cheering and clapping. Susan and Lucy were Aella's bridesmaids, and Edmund and Tumnus were the ushers. Susan was the maid of honor, and Edmund the best man. Oreius was there to give the bride away, and even Aslan had arrived at the last minute to bestow his blessings. Peter and Edmund were in their coronation outfits, but Susan and Lucy were in beautiful matching red dresses, and Aella was in a beautiful white wedding gown set with pearls and rhinestones. Everyone looked older, with longer hair and stubble on Peter and Edmund's chins. Aella carried a beautiful bouquet of red and white roses, which she threw into the crowd, and was caught by a sheepish Marbrush.
Peter linked arms with his wife, and turned, addressing the crowd. "Aella and I would like to thank everyone for coming today to show their support. We greatly appreciate you all coming to witness the most magical moment of our lives. I would also like to thank Susan, Edmund, and Lucy," he gestured to his siblings, who waved and smiled back. Susan wiped a tear from her eye. "For being the best brother and sisters anyone could ask for. You three are the best in the world, and I don't know what I would do without you. And Aslan," Aslan bowed back to Peter. "You have been our mentor, our guidance, and I would not have become a proper king without you, so my deepest and most heartfelt thanks to you, my friend."
Aella smiled at Aslan, and then turned to Oreius. "I would like to thank my father, Oreius, who has been the best person in the world, the one who has given me everything a father should." Oreius bowed, a small tear coursing down his usually emotionless face.
"I would also like to thank my good friend Marbrush, who has always been there for me, and never lets me down. Also, the Beaver family, who have not only led myself, but Peter, Susan and Lucy through our journey to meet Aslan before the war, and for helping us whenever we needed them. They have been my friends for a long time, and I love them very much." Marbrush and the Beavers beamed in happiness, and Mrs. Beaver fussed with her fur once again in a flustered way.
"And though, sadly, he could not be here today, I would like to thank my dear friend Griff, and all others who gave their lives in the battle against the Witch one year ago. They sacrificed their lives for Narnia, and we would not be here if not for them." She wiped away a small tear from her eye, but she continued, looking skyward. "Griff, if you can hear me, thank you. Thank you for always giving me the hope that one day Narnia would be free. You were the reason I fought in the war, and were it not for you, I wouldn't have had the courage to fight properly. So, thank you my friend."
She met Marbrush's eyes, which were tear-filled and sad. He and Griff had grown up together, from egg and womb to battle.
Peter wrapped his arms around his wife and kissed
her cheek. "I have a gift for you," he whispered. "Mr. Beaver,
Tumnus, if you will!" he called.
Mr. Beaver and Tumnus marched
up the steps, Mr. Beaver carrying a silk pillow, much like the one he
carried on the coronation. Resting on the pillow was an exquisite
bronze tiara, carved in the likeness of a thin vine with tiny
rosebuds.
Tumnus gently lifted the tiara, and gave it to Peter. Peter took the tiara, took off Aella's beautiful veil that cascaded down her back, and gently placed the tiara on her head.
"From the beautiful Northwestern caves in the Shuddering Wood, I give you Princess Aella, Warrior of Narnia."
Aella clapped her hands to her mouth, completely in shock. For a moment, she was completely speechless, and then she threw her arms around her husband, laughing and sobbing at the same time. Peter happily held his wife, kissing her face and neck. "I love you," he whispered.
"I love you too," Aella sobbed. "Oh, thank you so much!"
She broke away, wiping the tears off her face. "I thought… I didn't think… I didn't think I'd be royalty if we were married… I thought I'd still be a simple commoner! I… oh, thank you!"
Aslan approached her and put a paw on her shoulder. "Are you sure you're ready to be royalty again?" he said gravely. "Are you ready to assume this responsibility?"
Aella gave him a watery smile and a hug. "With you, King Peter, Oreius, and Marbrush at my side, I can do no wrong."
For the rest of her life, Aella lived up to her title with grace, beauty, and honor. She helped the royal family to govern Narnia, using her wisdom and skill in strategic planning in the times of battle and peace. Oreius continued to live at the palace as Commander of the Royal Army, so she always had him to guide her when she needed him. Marbrush became the Bard of the Royal Court, and remained Aella's best friend.
Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy were the greatest and most legendary kings and queens Narnia ever possessed. For years, they cared for and protected Narnia from the evil creatures that rebelled against them for their fallen queen. The malicious ones, however, were always defeated. The Pevensie family lived up to their titles better than any could expect. Peter grew into a very brave and strong warrior. Edmund grew into a wise, handsome man, excellent at making laws and planning battles. Susan became a long, black-haired beauty, causing princes from many lands to beg for her hand. And Lucy was always sweet and stunning, and neighboring princes also begged for her hand. Peter always remained faithful to his beautiful wife, and she too never wavered. True, they quarreled occasionally, but never fought so hard that they became truly angry at each other.
Six years after their marriage, Aella came running down the halls of the palace, declaring she was pregnant. Peter rejoiced at the thought of becoming a father; he'd wanted to be one for a long time, but somehow Aella could not become pregnant. For a while, the pregnancy went smoothly. They even picked out names for the baby before Aella's stomach got large. The names were to be Rose if it was a girl, Shane if it was a boy. Then, seven months into her pregnancy, Aella went into premature labor.
She struggled and fought as hard as she could, but she could not save her baby. Despite her pains and struggles, the baby did not survive. But even after the baby was born, Aella continued to bleed. For at least an hour after the labor, she kept hemorrhaging. Peter hovered outside Aella's room, waiting to hear of any news, good or bad.
An hour after the labor, the doctor, a Dryad, came out of Aella's room. He looked extremely grave. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty," he said quietly. "We managed to slow down the bleeding, but she has lost too much. I'm afraid she will not survive."
Peter's face crumpled. He brought his hands to his face, trying to control himself, but he could not keep the tears from rolling out of his eyes.
"She has already given us burial instructions for herself and the baby. She wishes to see you before she dies."
Peter wiped his face. "How long does she have?" he choked.
The doctor shrugged. "A minute, five minutes, I don't know. But I know for sure she will not last longer than fifteen."
Peter nodded. "Does she have any messages to pass on?" he asked.
"She only said she wanted to see you before she died. She seemed to know before we even told her. You must hurry, I don't know how much longer she has."
Peter nodded again, and he slowly entered the room, trying to compose himself as best as possible. Aella was lying on the bed, the sheets covered in blood. She was pale and haggard, but beautiful as ever. Dryad doctors still hovered over her, still trying to stop the bleeding.
"Leave us," Peter commanded. The doctors looked at each other in shock, but they obeyed their king. Once Aella and Peter were alone, Aella opened her eyes and raised her head slightly.
"Peter…" she rasped. Peter rushed over to his wife, and cradled her head in his arms. "I'm dying, Peter," she continued. "I'm going to die."
"I know," Peter choked. "The doctor told me. Are you scared?"
Aella weakly shook her head. "I'm not afraid. Griff will be there. He's been waiting for me. He's the one who told me I was going to die." She paused, diving into a severe coughing fit. "I'm not afraid of dying. In fact, considering what I used to be, I'm glad. I couldn't die before, remember? Besides, Griff and the baby will be there."
Peter broke into tears at that moment, no longer able to control himself. "It's not fair," he said, pressing his chin on her forehead. "You're so young!"
"That doesn't matter," she said. "What matters is that I lived, and lived well."
"I don't want you to leave me," Peter buried his face in her damp hair.
"I won't. I'll always be with you. Rose and I will be waiting for you."
Peter looked at his wife in surprise. "Rose?"
Aella nodded. "It was a girl," she said. "That was what we were going to name our baby if it was a girl."
Peter nodded. "Yes, you're right. A girl! I had a daughter!"
Aella nodded. Then, she plunged once again into a fit of coughing, and her sheets became redder with fresh blood. "I don't have much time," she choked. "Just hold me, please."
Peter held his wife tighter, rocking her back and forth. "If I could, I would hold you forever," he said desolately.
Aella pulled her arm up with great effort, and wrapped it around Peter's shoulder, holding him closer. "Peter…" she rasped. "Please… sing to me. Sing."
Peter stared at her. "Me? But, I can't sing!"
"Please… just sing. Sing me to my death, please. I want to die hearing your voice. And you know how much I love music. Please… sing to me."
Peter hesitated, but he laid his wife back down on the bed, rushed to the door, and peeked his head out. Marbrush was waiting outside the door.
"Marbrush! Thank Aslan you're here. Do you have your lute and flute?"
Marbrush looked shocked, but nodded.
"Good. I want you to play the song we were constructing for her, for the baby's baptism."
"But, my Lord, it's not finished! I mean, I have the notes, but the words are not finished!"
"I will improvise. We must hurry, she is dying!"
Peter and Marbrush rushed back into the room. Aella was still lying on the bed, coughing up a storm. "Hurry," she choked.
Peter gathered his wife up in his arms, and placed her in his lap. "I'm here. Marbrush is here too. He's going to help me, he's going to play his lute and his flute too."
He nodded at Marbrush, who nodded back. Marbrush picked up his lute, and put the small flute in his mouth. It was a type of flute that did not need fingers to function. All it needed was breath and the tongue. Marbrush first blew on his flute, bringing forth an enchanting, spellbinding tune. Then, he began strumming his lute, bringing forth the happiest and brightest song Aella had ever heard. After a few minutes of strumming and flute whistling, Peter began to sing, rocking his wife back and forth in his arms, stroking her hair and face.
"I found you in the most unlikely way,
But really it was you who found me.
And I found myself in the gifts that you gave,
You gave me so much and I
I wish you could stay, but I'll
I'll wait for the day.
And I'll watch as the cold winter melts into spring,
And I'll be remembering you.
Oh, and I'll smell the flowers, and hear the birds sing,
And I'll be remembering you.
I'll be remembering you.
From the first moment, when I heard your name,
Something in my heart came alive.
You showed me love that no words could explain,
A love with the power to
Open a door to a world I was made for.
And I'll watch as the cold winter melts into spring,
And I'll be remembering you.
Oh, and I'll smell the flowers, and hear the birds sing,
And I'll be remembering
The dark night, the hard fight
The long climb up the hill
Knowing the cause.
The brave death, the last breath
The silence,
Whispering all hope was lost.
The thunder, the wonder,
The power that brings
The dead back to life!
I wish you could stay,
But I'll wait for the day
And though you've gone away,
You'll come back!
And I'll watch as the cold winter melts into spring,
And I'll be remembering you.
Oh, and I'll smell the flowers, and hear the birds sing,
And I'll be remembering you!
And I'll watch as the sun fills the sky that was dark,
And I'll be remembering you,
And I'll think of the way that you fill up my heart
And I'll be remembering you,
I'll be remembering you!
I'll be remembering you!
I'll be remembering you!
I'll be remembering you."
As the last few notes rang beautifully in the chamber, Aella lifted her hand to Peter's face. Peter could see her eyes dimming, and he knew she was almost gone.
"I love you so much," he whispered.
"I… love you…too," she faltered. She lifted her eyes to the ceiling, and Peter could tell she could no longer see him anymore.
"Griff?" she whispered painfully. "Is… that… you? I can't… I can't come…yet… I have to… tell Peter… and Marbrush… I'll … I'll be… waiting…"
She shuddered, gasping in her last breath. Then, her body turned stone cold and limp, and her head flopped backwards. She was dead.
Peter froze, his face full of shock and grief. Then, he picked up his wife, walked over to the rain-spattered window, and let out a loud bellow of anger, hurt, and loss. He roared so loudly; it shook the entire castle, causing all to tremble in fear.
For days afterwards, King Peter didn't eat, drink, or sleep. When he wasn't sobbing his heart out, he was off riding on his unicorn for days on end, visiting the places that had meaning to him and Aella, including their hill in Beruna, the Beavers' home, even the little cherry tree. He planted rose bushes at every stop he made to honor her memory.
Finally, when he was ready, the funerals were performed. Baby Rose was buried in a cemetery close to the palace. Aella, however, at her request to the doctors, was cremated. One fourth of her ashes were thrown into the sea, another fourth was buried with Rose, another fourth cast into a strong west wind, and the rest was kept in a jar to stay in the palace. Creatures from all over Narnia came to honor Aella and all the great deeds in her life. Oreius and Marbrush both spoke at the service, telling the mourners of Aella and her life, her likes and dislikes, her hopes and dreams, her love for Peter, life, and for all friends that she made.
"Aella loved life the way it was, and she cherished it," said Marbrush. "She always thanked Aslan for all that was good in the world."
"Aella had so many burdens, with the shame of her mother being the White Witch and watching her father die. But she was able to bear them all with a smile on her face," said Oreius. "She was beautiful in mind, body, and soul. She was very lucky she was able to give her love to so many people."
After a few more days of mourning, Peter, Susan, Edmund, Lucy, Oreius, Marbrush, and the Beavers went through Aella's things to pack away, sell, or save. All her weaponry was hung and encased in glass with her portrait in the armory. In fact, those items were still there when the Pevensies returned for the battle with Prince Caspian. Aella's clothes were given to the poor, along with all her jewelry, except her wedding and engagement ring, which Peter saved. And, at the very bottom of her trunk, Peter found a leather-bound, pocket-sized diary. Inside was a record of the battle of Narnia, from the moment Aella first heard of Lucy coming to Narnia, to every conversation she had with Peter, the battle, the coronation, her wedding day, and the last entry was the day she found out she was pregnant with Rose. Peter found a drawstring bag in which he put the diary and Aella's wedding and engagement rings, tied it to his belt, and kept it with him.
One day, the four siblings were hunting down the legendary white stag, and stumbled upon the lamppost that they'd seen years ago when they first came to Narnia. They followed the path, and ended up tumbling out of the wardrobe from whence they came, at the exact day, age, and time they'd left it. They'd turned back into children once more. The only things that had not changed were the bag tied to Peter's belt, and the wedding ring around his finger.
Sixteen, fourteen, thirteen, and eight once more, the Pevensies returned to their home in Finchley after World War II was over. Before doing so, however, Peter left Aella's diary in the Professor's care, asking him to keep it secret should anyone else find out about Narnia. The Professor granted Peter's wish, and did not show the diary to anyone else, not even Clive Staples Lewis, who was collecting evidence of Narnia, and wishing to write about it (this was before the Professor died in the railway accident).
Peter kept his wedding ring on his finger, and had no desire to remove it. He kept it on all through his school years until his death by railway accident at the age of twenty-two. At his request, no one, not even Susan, Edmund, or Lucy, mentioned Aella when Mr. Lewis talked to him or her about Narnia and wrote the story. Even Eustace Scrubb, Jill Pole, and Polly Plummer didn't know about Aella.
The Professor eventually became very poor, and he had to sell his house and most of his belongings. He decided then, to keep from breaking his promise to Peter, to bury the bag with the diary and Aella's rings in the garden, along with the rings he and Polly Plummer had used to get into Narnia years ago. Peter and Edmund left behind the bag when they collected the rings to get Jill and Eustace into Narnia to save King Tirian. Years later, the bag was dug up by accident by a plumber checking the pipes. He gave the diary to his daughter, a fan of the Chronicles of Narnia, who gave it to her daughter, who gave it to me. I then decided to write the story of Aella and Peter, though I will not publish it, for Peter's sake. I can only hope the soul of Peter Pevensie will not be offended. As for the song Peter and Marbrush wrote for Aella, Peter had written it on a piece of paper in the diary. When Mr. Lewis came to interview, he decided to give it to him, but say it was written for Aslan, not Aella, and later wrote it again in the diary. And so, the song was found years later, and was used in the movie made in 2005.
But what happened to Peter? In fact, what happened to all the Pevensies? Well, we know there was a railway accident when Peter was twenty-two, in which he, Edmund, Lucy, Polly, the Professor, Eustace, and Jill died. Their souls were then taken to Narnia once more, where they lived in happiness for all eternity. However, it was not the Narnia they knew. It was Narnia, but it was a more glorious, advanced stage of Narnia. There, they were reunited with all their old friends: Reepicheep the Talking Mouse, the Beavers, Tumnus, Griff, Marbrush, Oreius, Caspian, Puddleglum, and so on.
However, the happiest sight at that place was meant for Peter. For there he saw, once again, his beautiful wife, Aella. She was there along with all the other old friends, still gloriously beautiful and radiant, and, holding her hand, was a young girl of at least fifteen, and she looked exactly like Aella, only she had Peter's piercing blue eyes and sandy hair. It was Rose, their daughter. Peter rushed up to his wife and daughter, crying happily and hugging them tightly and kissing them both. He and his family were reunited in death, and Aella's promise was kept. She and Rose had waited for him, and they were together again at last.
And so, despite her struggles, despite her parentage, despite the hostile and evil environment she grew up in, Aella was able to love more than anyone could ever imagine, and she gave more than anyone else could possibly give. Peter Pevensie taught her that one doesn't need to carry all their burdens, that it is all right to let someone who loves them help to lighten the load and take care of some of the conflicts. Peter loved her, and both he and Aslan taught her to open up to others, instead of isolating and shutting herself out. And so, with love, luck, and a little magic, she finally turned from Aella, daughter of Jadis the White Witch, to Aella, King Peter's wife, Princess and Warrior of Narnia.
