***Let me first say that I know its been almost forever, but I havent forgotten this story nor my fans(if there are still any left). I've had a very ruff few years and it was hard for me to upload going through what I was going through. I'm sorry if I let anyone down by not uploading but just know that I intend to make it up with the ending of this story and the SEQUAL to it...that is...if anyone wants it. Now-onto the story!

Chapter Nine~

Shooting pain coursed threw my body as I laid there and I knew in an instant I was dying. From where the arrow had hit and the amount of blood, I knew it had hit the heart and that I had little time left. Looking up into the sky, I saw the beginnings of the twinkling stars and smile softly to myself. What a beautfiful sight I thought.

"ALICE!" screamed a voice and the voice was so harsh to me that I shivered. Must have been the effect of the pain. In my line of vision Mr. Tumnus came into view and I was soon sitting up on something breathing.

"Here, make her comfortable." He was saying as he laid me back onto the moving object.

"Easy now." Came another voice and I realized it was Sander who I must be lying against.

"Someone go fetch the cordial!" screamed a frighten sounding Mrs. Beaver being held by her husband.

"I shall send my fastest man." Said Oreius coming into view, his face filled with worry.

"No, don't." I said weakly. They all stared at me and it was Mr. Tumnus who asked,

"Why Alice?"

"I can see my father." I said feeling tears cloud my vision. For somewhere off in the distance of the night I could see him waiting for me on the other side. And he wasn't alone, for there with him was my mother and both were smiling down at me. But then I heard a soothing and warm voice saying,

"Have faith Mr. Tumnus." And into my clouded line of vision came the Great Lion himself. Yet he was blocking my parents and as I opened my lips to speak he said first,

"Your time is not yet over dear one for your time has just begun."

"I don't deserve it." I whispered feeling a tear fall down my cheek. A soft muzzle was nudged into the side of my face and the voice whispered,

"You risked yourself whole heartedly for Narnia, now let me give you your reward. And yes, you do deserve it." And then I felt lightheaded and cold. For a heart wrenching moment I thought I was dead, for I couldn't breathe or talk just stare at him wide eyed and dazed. Then, the cold went away to be replaced with a sudden warm tingling threw my whole body and I felt as if I had been electrified. Blinking, I looked down noticing how I was able to move my head and saw the arrow was gone along with the trail of blood. Blinking, I realized that my life had been spared and felt a few more tears fall down my cheeks.

"Oreius, hand her her sword." Said Aslan looking radiant against the dark sky. Still leaning against Sander, Oreius did so by kneeling down and I took it up into my hand and moved to a kneeling position before the Great Lion.

"For your deeds for all you've done for Narnia, I spare your life on this day." Called out Aslan so that all could hear. Rising, I could tell he wasn't finished.

"And for your willingness to die for Narnia, I will crown you Queen of it." This caused a shocked stir to go through the crowd and I couldn't help but say,

"But Aslan, I don't deserve it." Yet he smile at me and said for all to hear again.

"Because you showed no fear in the face of death, and meet it face onwards, you sacrificed yourself for something greater than yourself. You fought, willing never again to see the sunrise only because you knew in your heart it was the right thing to do. With all your strength and courage you showed me, you have all the true signs of a queen." And so, when we all returned to Cair Paravel, it was sent out that a new queen would be crowned and that all creature and beast were welcome as long as they saw Aslan as true ruler and not the White Witch. The very next day, when the southern sun was rising in the northern sky over the eastern sea, a wind blew in from the western woods and before the Four Thrones sat a single throne made especially for myself for I had asked that I didn't take one of the fabled Four Thrones for my own. The night before, they had been cleaned off and polished for the arrival of Aslan and they now shined with an inner glow of remembrance. The one I was to call my own, was just like the others only with a lions paw print in the circle. When I was being led down the aisle by Aslan I wore a pearl white dress with long sleeve and a circular neckline with a scarlet red robe in printed with golden lions around my neck dragging along behind me. All of the centaurs stood in a line with swords up in a sign of respect and I noticed Oreius standing along with them. Standing before the throne I would call my own, I bent down to receive my crown. Mr. Tumnus came out from somewhere along with the beavers carrying the crown on a red silken pillow. Made of gold, it was made of ivy braches and lilies.

"To the very heart of Narnia, I give you Queen Alice, the Lionhearted." Said Aslan as the crown was placed atop my head by Mr. Tumnus. Standing, I sat down on the throne and sat shoulders square head forward back straight.

"My you reign until the stars fall down from the heavens." He said the same voice from when I first met him. And as the crowd chanted,

"Long live Queen Alice!" I couldn't help but smile. When the ceremony was over, I walked over to the eastern wall of the Throne Room which was open to the air and watched as Aslan made his way along the beach shore far below me. Knowing he was leaving, I could only hope he would return someday and that I may meet him again. It would be years later though, that we would need him the most.

"He will return." Said Mr. Tumnus coming to stand behind me. Looking at him, I nodded and looked down to find him gone from the beach, his tracks too.

"I will await his return with joy." I said smiling to myself and it was in that moment I felt finally home.