Chapter 11: The Last Goodbye
I was sitting in a little boat opposite Edmund. We were staring at each the entire time not wanting to turn our gaze away. We both knew what was coming. Edmund would be going home, to earth and I would be staying here in Narnia. We would never see each other again and that thought shattered my heart.
_Flashback to yesterday evening_
When the water meets the sky,
where your heart is free and hope comes back to life,
when these broken hands are whole again,
well will find what we've been waiting for,
we were made for so much more
We can be the kings and queens of anything if we believe.
It's written in the stars that shine above,
a world where you and I belong, where faith and love will keep us strong,
exactly who we are is just enough,
there's a place for us, there's a place for us
So hold on, now hold on,
there's a place for us.
"That was beautiful", a voice said, while two arms slid around my waist. A tear rolled down my cheek.
"I don't wan you to leave", I said looking out over the water. In the distance I could already see the barrier that would separate us…Aslan's country.
"You know that I love you", Edmund said.
"And I love you."
"Why don't you come with me?", he asked. I turned around in his arms so that I was facing him. I caressed his face studying it.
"You don't how badly I'd want to, but I'm afraid it's impossible."
Edmund gave me a confused look. I looked at my feet. "I spoke to Aslan."
Edmund nodded in understanding. He clenched his jaw and swallowed.
"We're from a different period of time Edmund." Our eyes met again. "Even if I cross that gate, we wouldn't end up being together." I moved closer to him, letting our noses touch.
"Then I guess this will be our last night together", he said.
I nodded.
We kissed until late in the night. The sun had gone down and darkness was surrounding us. The only light coming from the moon.
I lay in Edmunds arms, on his bed. He gave me sweet kisses, from my mouth to my jaw and down to my collarbone.
I wanted to stay like this forever but it would be impossible.
I stared deeply into his eyes, seeing the pain inside. I kissed him, trying to make it go away. He deepened the kiss, as our movements started to get more intense.
That night, was the first night that Edmund and I made love to each other.
_End of flashback_
I watched the waves, forming a wall around Aslan's country, wondering what would be behind it, even though it was originally meant as distraction.
Now was the time to say goodbye, to Lucy, to Eustace…and to Edmund.
I embraced him…for the last time. My heart sank, broke, burned. He was leaving me, going back to his own world. I couldn't bare the thought of being without him. Edmund pulled my as closely as possible holding me as if he never wanted to let go.
"Edmund", I whispered caressing his face. The sound of the waves broke the silence that would have been dominated as Edmund and I stared into each others eyes. A single tear rolled down my cheek, but got dried of by Edmund warm hand.
"Don't leave… I can't live without you… I love you."
Edmund took my hands in his stroking them with his thumbs. "I love you too… more then you'll ever know. But I have to go back. I don't belong here anymore. Narnia is in Caspian's hands. I have to go back to my home now, to my family…"
I couldn't listen to those heartbreaking words anymore. I kissed him passionately. Oh how I would miss his kisses…
I didn't want to let go but I had to break away for breath. Edmund held my face in his hands. "Please forgive me." He kissed my forehead one more time before letting go of me and walking to Eustace and Lucy, whom were already standing in the gate, created by Aslan.
Once side by side with his sister and cousin, Edmund turned around and stared at me, not wanting to tear his gaze off mine.
I felt a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "I'm sorry", Caspian's voice said. I didn't react. The only thing that got my attention was Edmund.
It was time for them to go, and so they did. All three of them turned around, looking back one more time, before disappearing into the long tunnel.
"NO!", I screamed trying to chase after them, but Caspian had his arms around me preventing me from going after them. "No please! Let me go!", I cried, kicking with all of my strength. The gate was diminishing rapidly, until there was nothing left but a wave of water. Caspian released me. "NO!", I said running as fast as my legs could possible run. "No-o-o", I cried collapsing on the ground, my hands slightly touching the wave.
"Come", Aslan's calming voice said.
"Why?", I said looking up at the lion next to me. "Why couldn't I go with them?"
"You are from a different century. I do not know whether you would end up in Edmund's world in his time or in your own. Unfortunately, the last is most likely." Aslan paused. "You're home is here, in Narnia. Narnia is where you were born Daphne, even if you don't recall it as your home. Narnia is in your heart and the place where you shall live." I stared at the sand for what seemed ours, though it was only two minutes.
I got up, my legs still feeling numb. In the meantime Caspian had also walked to where I was now standing, and helped me on Aslan's back. I grabbed his manes and buried my face in his neck. Tears kept escaping my eyes.
That night I sat at my own spot on the ship again, looking up at the stars. I twisted the book that was given to me by Coriakin in my hand. I studied the cover one more time before throwing it into the water. Everything written in the book, was supposed to be my destiny, but it hadn't been all those years, so why would it now? I never knew birth mother… or father. I grew up on the earth. That is where the place that has been my home for most of my life. I sighed.
A few weeks later I was lying on the green grass looking at the Narnian constellations. A shooting star fell from the sky. My wish…I thought. My wish is…
Suddenly there was a roar. I quickly turned around, being faced with the great lion.
"Aslan", I exclaimed getting up and hugging him.
"Your wish…is my order", he said bowing. I smiled. "Tell me child, what is your wish."
"My wish is to return to my world.", I said looking at the sky. "To return to Edmund."
Aslan sighed. "Daphne, I told you. I cannot be certain if…"
"I know but I want to try…please, just give me a chance, Aslan", I begged him.
Aslan thought for a moment. "Very well", he said. "Now turn around."
Behind me was a gate opened. I gasped before thanking Aslan. I slowly walked towards the gate, looking back one more time at Aslan to thank him.
"Goodbye", he said.
"Goodbye."
The next chapter will be the last!
