Hey guys! This is my first author's note. I just want to say that I'm very thankful and appreciative to those of you who have posted reviews, and who have put this story on their alerts and favourites. And also, when you read this chapter, you may think it's the end of my story, but it isn't I promise! So keep looking out for the next chapters :)

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*~To Narnia And Back~*~Chapter Eleven~*~The Door In The Air~*

We had been at the castle for five days now, and it was a very different castle to the one we had tried to take over not a week ago. It had a warm and comfortable atmosphere, and it was much brighter now. The people and the Narnians were responding well to Caspian as their new king, and he was doing an amazing job of it. He just seemed to know what he was doing and what would please his people and his kingdom.

He had given Lucy, Peter, Edmund, Susan, and I each our own rooms, and they were huge! We were very grateful to be given the space all to ourselves. We girls were issued with gorgeous gowns and dresses, and the boys were given wonderful Narnian clothes. I was really starting to feel at home here, but one thing I did miss was Caspian. As he was now King, he had a lot of things to do during the day, and so my siblings and I only got to spend some time with him in the evening. He had counsels with the Lords to establish new laws for Narnia and all of these other things that I really didn't understand. It was hard that I couldn't spend hardly any time with Caspian, let alone unable to spend any alone time with him. He's either always doing something, or with some Lord, or when he is alone and I'm just about to talk to him, he gets called away to do more of his new duties. After a few days, I gave up trying.

The day we got back to the castle, we had a celebration for a new King and a free Kingdom. We had a miraculous ball, at which everyone dressed up in astonishing gowns and formal wear, and we all had an amazing time. Lucy and I were dancing to many songs as we finally had the chance to really loosen up since we got here, and before we got here actually, as things are still really stressful with the war and father being away. But, we had spent some evenings together as a family, and Caspian was able to escape from his work for a few evenings. One of the evenings, we had gone on horse riding. The six of us had a very good time, having races with the horses and travelling many miles in the evening. Caspian, and the others as they knew a lot about Narnia, had shown me many famous sights that were near Caspian's Kingdom, and they were all astonishing. Almost as good as seeing the Pyramids and the Sphinx in Egypt, or the Statue of Liberty in New York, or the Great Wall of China. We told many stories, and we had our own camp fire in one of the huge hills near the castle, and so we were able to see the castle at it's full magnificence. It was probably the best evening of my life.

But anyway, the ball. I had danced with many people that day. Peter, Edmund, some of the Fauns, the nicer Telmarines who were happy for the change, and then Caspian. The dance with Caspian was a lot different to the others. Typically, you would dance a waltz or a slower dance with your hand on the man's shoulder and then he'd hold your other hand. But with Caspian, it started out like that, but as we danced further into the song, it got much more intense. We completely forgot that we were in a room with hundreds of other people, and we danced very closely, and didn't look out of each others eyes. To each other, we were the only ones in that room. It was the first time since our almost kiss that we had a chance to be just with each other. Half way through the song, he had let go of my hand and moved it to my lower back, pulling me closer to him, and I wrapped my arms around his neck and shoulders, and rested my head on his collarbone, trying to hold him as close as possible. This was the moment that all of our feelings for each other were expressed, not verbally, but through our actions and the closeness. He had wrapped his arms tightly around me and lowered his head a little so that his face was buried in my hair. I then realized that I didn't want to ever leave. It was the moment that I knew that I couldn't bear the thought of going home, and that this was home. In his arms was my home. And I never wanted to leave.

Today was a bright and sunny day, much like the rest of the days had been, but it was warmer today, and so I sat on my window seat for a while, just looking out over the castle and the land of Narnia. This really was such a beautiful and magical place, and I understand why Susan, Lucy, Edmund, and Peter had stayed here for fifteen years when they were here the first time. I could easily do that now. I could live the rest of my life here. But I know that that will never happen because it would never be allowed. At least, I think it wouldn't be. Not for me anyway because I am no King or Queen and I am not needed to rule.

After sitting there for the nearer part of an hour, I got up and went out of the room. I went down a few corridors and down a few flights of stairs, heading to the lunch room. But before I got there, Susan rounded the corner. I waited at the corner for her, for when she looked up at me, she had a little bit of a subdued expression.

"Hey." I greeted, smiling at her, but not as much a I would have done because of her expression.

"Morning" She replied, coming to stand in front of me.

"What's wrong?" I asked, concerned for her.

She took my hands in hers. "Aslan has just talked to Peter and I. He says that soon we're to go to the courtyard, and Caspian will give a speech to his people. And then..." She hesitated. "...and then we're leaving, We have to go back to England."

Immediately shut my eyes tightly, not wanting to cry. I've been dreading those words since the moment I realized that I was in love with Caspian. I opened my eyes again, but a tear escaped, running the full length of my cheek and fell off my face to make a little splash on the floor. I couldn't look her in the eye. I ignored the lump in my throat and found my voice.

"I didn't think it would be this soon."

Susan hugged me tightly, trying to make me feel better, but I don't think anything would have worked at this point. "I know sweetie. None of us did. Lucy and Edmund don't know yet. I just thought you ought to know so that you can go and see Caspian if you want to." I nodded and Susan stayed hugging me for a while, with me trying to blink my tears away.

After a little bit, I thought it would be best to go back to my room.

"I better go and get changed."

"Okay. I'll meet outside soon."

I just nodded, then turned and walked back up the stairs. But, as I was nearing my room, I saw Caspian walking down the corridor towards me. I quickly wiped my tears away before he saw it was me. I didn't want him to see me upset. So instead, I put on a smile. At least it was a natural smile, because every time I see him I tend to smile automatically.
"Hi." I said, walking over to him. He looked up and noticed me, smiling.

"Alex. How are you today?" He asked, coming to stand close to me.

"I'm good." I said, a little lie but I didn't want to see him upset. "And yourself?"

"I'm very good now." He smiled and gave me a hug, at which I returned, but I couldn't help but feel whether this was the last time I would ever be alone with him. I pulled away and said,

"I was just on my way back to get changed. I'm told that you're going to give a speech to your people."

"Yes, I was just on my way now. But I'll wait and escort you down."

"Thank you." I smiled at him and briefly held his hand, and then I went into my room to get changed. I wore a long purple dress, with dark purple patterns on it. It was my favourite dress that I had been given. Caspian had given it to me himself. I then looked round the room, knowing that I'll never see it again. I looked over at my swords and bow and arrows. I've never fight with them again. I laid them out on my bed, thinking that when Caspian came in here after I leave, he'll see them and hopefully remember me.

Once I had everything in the room sorted, I made my way back outside the room, and found Caspian waiting for me. He smiled and offered me his arm, and then he led me down the corridors, down the stairs, and out into the open. Just as we were about to go down the main steps into the courtyard, from what I could see was piling up, I saw Peter standing on one of the upper levels, leaning on the balcony and looking down.
"Umm, why don't you go ahead. I'll be down in a minute." I said to Caspian.

"Okay." He said, and kissed my hand. It sent tingles all up my arm, and I momentarily forgot about the events that would soon unfold.

While Caspian walked down the steps into the courtyard, I climbed the steps and went to stand next to Peter. Neither of us said anything at first. But then he spoke.

"I always thought that the next time I came here, I would be here until I died an old age." I looked at him and he really did look upset, even though he was trying to hide it. I put my hand on his and said,

"I thought that when we arrived at this castle last week." I looked down and saw Caspian greeting people, and then greeting Susan, Lucy and Edmund, who were standing at the front. I then leant my head on his shoulder and gripping his arm with both arms. I felt him look at me.

"Don't worry, Alex. You'll come back here. I know you will." He comforted me, but we soon put on smiles and headed down to the courtyard and stood with Susan, Lucy, and Edmund on Caspian's left, while Aslan, Cornelius, Trumpkin, Reepicheep, and Glenstorm. Caspian was standing in the middle and facing the courtyard.

"Narnia belongs to the Narnians just as it does to man." Caspian told everyone in a strong and King-like voice. "Any Telmarines who want to stay and live in peace are welcome to. And for any of you who wish, Aslan will return you to the home of our forefathers."

A Telmarine Lord spoke up. "It's been generations since we left Telmar."

"We are not referring to Telmar." Aslan said. "Your ancestors were seafaring brigands, pirates run aground on an island. There they found a cave, a rare chasm that brought them here from their world. The same world as our Kings and Queens." My siblings and I were a little shocked that the Telmarines ancestors were from Earth. Caspian looked over at us, as did the rest of the courtyard. "It is to that island I can return you. It is a good place for any who wish to make a new start."

The chief who had fought against us in the battle, but had hesitated to kill Caspian, spoke up first. "I'll go. I will accept the offer." As he came forward, Caspian bowed his head slightly to him, and Glozelle bowed back.

Caspian's aunt then spoke. "So will we." Her, carrying her baby, and another Telmarine Lord walked up. They stood before Aslan.

"Because you have spoken first, your future in that world shall be good." Aslan then breathed on them, and then looked towards the giant tree that was situated on the edge of the cliff behind us. It started twisting slowly, and then it formed a round opening in the middle. Everyone gasped as they saw what the tree did, and everyone then watched as the Telmarine Lords and Caspian's aunt with her baby then walked through the door in the air, and vanished out of sight. Everyone gasped again and there was muttering throughout the crowd.

One of the Telmarines then yelled, "How do we know he is not leading us to our deaths?"

Caspian wasn't sure what to do, so thankfully Reepicheep spoke. "Sire, if my example can be of any service, I will take eleven mice through with no delay."

Peter and Susan then looked at each other, and then Aslan looked at them with a smile. Peter stepped forwards. "We'll go." My heart felt as though it had sunk to my stomach and I looked down slightly, wishing that this could all be a dream. Edmund and Lucy were shocked at what Peter had said.

"We will?" Edmund asked.

"Come on. Time's up." Peter said, addressing us. He then turned and walked over to Caspian holding out his sword for Caspian to take. "After all, we're not really needed here anymore."

Caspian took the sword with determination. "I will look after it until you return."

"I'm afraid that's just it..." Susan said. "...We're not coming back."

I looked up at Caspian's face, and his shocked and pained expression brought pain to my heart. Caspian looked at me, and this time I didn't smile. I was trying very hard not to break down.

"We're not?" Lucy was just as shocked.

"You three are." Peter said, walking back over to us. "I mean, I think he means you three." He glanced at Aslan. Lucy also looked at Aslan.

"But why? Did they do something wrong?"

"Quite the opposite, dear one." Aslan said. "But all things have their time. Your brother and sister have learnt what they can from this world. Now it's time for them to live in their own."

Peter walked over to Lucy and took her hand. "It's alright, Lu. It's not how I thought it would be...but it's alright. One day you'll see too. Come on." He and Lucy, followed by Edmund and Susan, walked over to say goodbye to Glenstorm and the others. I, on the other hand, went over to Caspian.

"I'm glad I was brought here." I said softly, looking up at him.

"I wish we had more time together."

That line made me tear up. "I'm gonna miss you." I told him, biting my lip. Caspian didn't hesitate to come over and hug me, even in front of all these people.

"You will always be remembered here. And I very much hope to see you again soon." We pulled away and looked into each others eyes. "I will see you again soon." I smiled at him, and he returned it. All I wanted to do was kiss him at that moment, but I didn't now whether it would make it harder for me to leave.

I turned to walk back to the others, but I felt Caspian grab my hand and pull me back towards him gently, kissing me on the lips. We both sank into the kiss, and it made me wonder why we hadn't done this before. It was only a short kiss, but his lips felt so soft that I would have kissed him for much longer if we weren't surrounded by hundreds of people. And he was also an amazing kisser; I could tell just by that one kiss. It was so tender, but also passionate, and we then knew how much we felt for each other. And I'm glad he did it, otherwise I would forever be wondering.

We pulled apart lightly to look into each other's eyes. I then tightly wrapped my arms around his waist, and he mirrored my actions, burying his face in my neck.

"I'm sure when I'm older I'll understand."

"I am older and I don't think I want to understand." I heard Lucy and Edmund say, and I pulled away from Caspian gently and laughed a little at their comments. I looked up and smiled at Caspian once more, who returned it. I then went over to stand with my siblings, finding that I had tears streaming down my face, but I quickly wiped them away. One by one, we then turned to walk through the opening, but Lucy and I briefly looked back, Lucy looking at Aslan, and me looking at Caspian. I decided to not let him remember me as crying the last time he saw me, and so instead I grinned at him, similar to the one that I had done just before Lucy and I set off on Destier to find Aslan. I made sure that Caspian could see the smile in my eyes. He returned my grin, and bowed his head slightly. I took one last look at him, and then turned with Lucy to walk through the door.

We found ourselves back on the underground station that we left on. I looked behind me, wanting to see Caspian, but all I saw was other kids ready to get on the train. I took a deep breath and forced myself to smile. I then noticed that the boy who was talking to Susan before we left got on the train, and turned to look at Susan.

"Aren't you coming, Phyllis?"

Peter, Edmund, Lucy, and I were all really confused, but we then hurried to grab our bags and things. We then rushed onto the train, and stood by the door, as there were no available seats. Peter put his arm around my shoulders, and I wrapped my arms around him, wanting someone to hug. Edmund was rummaging through his bag.

"Do you think there's any way we could get back?" We all looked at Edmund. "I've left my new torch in Narnia." We all laughed, and I felt a little better. I had my family, and so I would be okay. It's going to be hard for a few months, but, I have trusting shoulders to lean on.

The doors then closed, and the train pulled away into the tunnel, and this was the first stage of me moving on from my brief life in Narnia.