Chapter 9

Hi again I loved writing this chapter I've been thinking about it all week, there's a little surprise!

Enjoy :)

Pulling away Caspian caressed Susan's cheek looking into her crystal eyes and kissed her softly, he lowered his hands onto her hips. Susan shivered as his hands glided across her skin she loved the way Caspian held her, it felt right.

After returning all the sacrificed people to their homes, Caspian decided to sail to the utter east to see what was there. Aslan's country? Nothing? His Father? He gave all his sailors a chance to turn back, but none of them did, they were loyal to their king and would follow him to the ends of the earth.

The Dawn Treader bounced over the waves splashing the mouse once described as cute by Lucy, but he didn't seem to mind. He was singing to himself;

When sky and meet,

Where waves grow sweet,

Doubt not, Reepicheep,

To find all you seek,

There is the utter East.

'That's pretty' said Lucy coming up behind him. Reepicheep jumped but regained his composure when he saw who it was.

'Thank you, it was my lullaby when I was a mouseling, I have yet to find out what it means'

'I'm sure you will someday' commented Lucy, thinking the words over in her head as she left him to his own pondering.

Just then the ship crashed into a huge wave soaking Reepicheep, in the process of getting splashed he swallowed some of the water and instead of the sharp salty taste of the sea in his mouth he tasted fresh cool water. Getting a small cup he waited for another wave and after tasting it once more to make sure he wasn't mad he jumped up and ran to Caspian's study, all the while shouting its sweet!

Caspian was sitting at his desk rubbing his temples. They had been sailing east for 3 ½ weeks and nothing had happened. Maybe he shouldn't have set out on this voyage to the utter east. Just then Reepicheep came bounding in.

'Sire its sweet, the waters sweet!'

Caspian stood up sharply almost knocking his chair down.

'What? That's impossible we are in the middle of the ocean!' he exclaimed he looked shocked but also pleased that they hadn't sailed there for nothing. Without saying another word the noble mouse presented Caspian with the small cup of water he had collected. Caspian's eyes widened with delight, he thanked Reepicheep and rushed out of his study to find Susan and the others.

'Hi Susan' said Lucy returning from talking with Reepicheep' Oh hi Ed, Peter what are you doing?' Lucy frowned at the cards splayed out on the bed.

'We're just starting to play, do you want to join?' asked Ed as he gathered the cards up to deal again.

'Oh yes-' but Lucy was cut off as the door was thrown open revealing an over excited looking Caspian, holding the small cup in his hands.

He strode over to the bed and shoved the cup in Peter's face.

'Drink it!'

Without asking Peter took a sip of the water.

'Why am I drinking water?' said Peter confused as to why a cup of water was so exciting.

'It's from the sea!' exclaimed Caspian he looked as though he were about to start bouncing up and down, Susan thought he looked rather sweet.

'What but it's sweet' all their eyes turned to him shocked.

'But we're in the middle if the ocean, how could it be-' she took the cup from Peter and also took a sip, her eyes widened as she swallowed 'It's sweet!'

'King Caspian!' a shout resounded from the deck, all five of them were up there in a flash. Standing at the bow of the ship they gazed out at the expanse before them their mouths hanging open. The sea was covered in lilies it was spectacular. Beyond the lilies they could just make out a thin stretch of beach. They all knew that this was where the world ended.

Peter heaved on the oars as they made their way to the stretch of land; the boat contained Caspian and the Pevensies and Reepicheep who insisted he come with them.

Susan and Lucy were gazing at the lilies, Susan knew they were Lucy's favourite so she picked one up out of the water and tucked it into the hair behind her ear.

Lucy giggled happily, and secretly she hoped that one day a boy would tuck lilies in her hair.

Looking on at this scene Caspian hoped he could do that with Susan, except with red roses since they were her favourite.

Without most of them noticing they reached the beach and bumped up onto it. They all clambered out of the boat apart from Reepicheep who bounded out of the boat with anticipation. Now that they were closer they could see that sand wasn't the only thing on the beach firstly there was a never ending wave that glistened in the sun and then there was Aslan.

'Aslan!' cried Lucy and Susan both rushing forward and hugging the great lion who chuckled and gladly received their embrace.

Stepping away they all fell to their knees, bowing their heads in respect

'Welcome and rise, Kings and Queens of Narnia and Noble mouse' he said softly

'Is this your country Aslan? Lucy asked

Aslan smiled and replied 'No dear one my country lies beyond the wave'

Caspian looked at the wave wistfully and without taking his eyes off it he asked 'Is my father there'

'Yes' said Aslan tenderly 'You may enter if you wish, but you can never come back'

Caspian walked up to the wave slowly and brushed the wave with his fingertips, wishing he could see his father once more but it would cost his kingdom and what of Susan? As if Susan could read his thoughts she stepped forward.

'Aslan why are we here?' everyone knew what she mean there was no need for names.

Aslan said the one word that made her heart melt 'Caspian' after a pause 'I am sorry that I had to separate the two of you but for the future to be scene the path must be undertaken, if you did not return then you would forget Narnia and Caspian would never marry' he spoke calmly and slowly, so they could process it.

'But Aslan why did you send me back as well?' asked Peter

'Well it just wouldn't do if there were only three of the Pevensies in Narnia would it?'

'You mean we're staying!' Susan choked out

'Yes dear one' he smiled as their faces changed from shocked to euphoric.

Lucy who earlier was complaining about her brothers hugging her earlier thoroughly squished her big brothers.

Susan turned to Caspian beaming and he had a very similar expression on his face, she leaped at him locking her legs around his waist and kissed him fiercely as he gradually lowered her to the ground he pulled away.

'Susan, I want to ask you something-? He got down on one knee ' I have no ring but Susan Pevensie will you marry me' Susan had dreamt those words coming from his mouth a thousand times and thought of thousands of ways she would answer him but all she could do was nod and whisper 'Yes'

Caspian beamed, stood up and kissed her until three simultaneous coughs broke them up.

'What?' Caspian asked

'You're supposed to ask me before you ask her' Peter said smiling

'Hey and me I'm her brother too' piped up Edmund

'Oh-I-um sorry I forgot' Caspian replied sheepishly

'Don't worry you have my permission' Peter said looking to Ed who nodded 'And Ed's'

During all of this Reepicheep walked up to Aslan to talk to him.

Aslan cleared his throat to get the five monarchs attention 'Firstly I think I may be able to help with the ring' he stepped forward and breathed on Caspian 'What's in your pocket dear boy?' Caspian reached in his pocket and drew out a gold ring with tiny diamonds encircling a slightly bigger ruby. He looked at it in wonder it was the exact ring he was going to propose to Susan with if he could, he looked at Aslan and he looked back knowingly. Turning to Susan he gently took her hand and slipped it on her finger, it fitted perfectly.

'Thank you' breathed Susan

'It's not only beautiful but whenever you and Caspian are separated this ring will help guide you back to each other as it holds you love for one another inside it.' Looking back at the ring Susan could see that the ruby swirled slightly as if something was in it but you had to look closely.

'Secondly Reepicheep has something he wishes to tell you'

They all looked to the mouse puzzled,

'I am sad to say that I must leave you, for I must find out what lies beyond that wave'

All the monarchs were very upset but they felt that it was time to say goodbye. Kneeling down in front of Reepicheep Lucy asked 'May I?'

'Oh just this once' Reepicheep gave in he was going to miss her he thought.

When the hug ended he took the ring with the feather off his ear and handed it too Lucy.

Aslan then looked to the wave where a mouse sized whole had appeared, they all bowed their heads to him before he went into the wave and he bowed his back. The whole closed immediately after he went through, he was gone.

'Don't be sad dear ones for I know he shall find what he was searching for.' Spoke Aslan clearly breaking them out of their thoughts. 'Now it's time for you to leave and embark on an even bigger adventure'

Hope you enjoyed it and the next chapter will be up soon and I appreciate reviews ;)