Chapter Twelve
Carolyn awoke to an owl hooting overheard. She was still laying that rock and the sun had gone down. She groaned and sat up and smoothed her hair out.
"Good evening, Carolyn," said a voice next to her. She looked at saw Aslan sitting there.
"Oh, hello," said Carolyn smoothing her dress out and fixing the chain mail that she managed to fall asleep in.
"I sense you are not in high spirits, even though Caspian is now king and you won the battle," he said.
"Yea," she said not really wanting to talk to him.
"Why is that?"
"Look, it's nothing important."
"You are a dear friend to all the kings and queens so there for they are worried about you."
"Well if you must know, the answer is in that sentence you just said."
"Ah, the friend part. You wish to have some respect as a royalty."
"Well, not that much, but just to have some respect, and so that I wouldn't have to keep remembering why I wasn't here the first time."
"If I may, why weren't you here?"
"They forgot me outside. Before you met me I couldn't walk, but I got an injury yesterday and Lucy gave me some of her potion and if made me able to walk. Those noble kings and queens forgot me outside, even after they had come back."
"I see."
"I don't even know why I m here now. That horn was to summon the kings and queens of old, not extra baggage too."
"So that's how you see yourself?"
"Yes. I serve no purpose in being here. I m not here to lead anyone into battle, to rule over anything, I just get in the way. An extra character that did nothing for the plot."
"I think you did more then you give yourself credit for."
"Like what?"
"From what Lucy has told me, you were always there to support what was right."
"So was she, and since she s the queen they listened to her more. I know your trying to help, but you re really just pointing out more and more how I didn't help. So unless you have something less depressing to talk about I like for you to leave."
"I would like for you to have this medal showing what service you did for Narnia. You and three others received one for your noble behaviour throughout the entire experience."
"No thanks, I didn't even want to fight."
"Please Carolyn, take it," said Lucy. A few lamps were lit and it revealed the kings and queens and a couple Narnians.
"You know it too. I didn't want to fight for Narnia," said Carolyn crossing her arms and looking at Lucy.
"But you did fight for Narnia," said Susan.
"I'm sorry, Aslan, but I cannot accept it," said Carolyn jumping off from the rock and walking in the direction away from them.
"Carolyn, I'm sorry!" yelled Edmund. She stopped and looked at Edmund.
"What?" she asked.
"I'm sorry, for everything. For forgetting you outside, for calling you selfish, for every time I talked about Narnia in front of you," he said.
"I'm sorry too," said Peter.
"Me too," said Susan.
"And me," said Lucy.
"All of you have apologized many times before," said Carolyn.
"You stubborn girl, just take the medal," said Edmund walking over to her.
"Why should I?" she asked crossing her arms and looking at Edmund challengingly.
"Because you deserve it," he said, "and you have battle scars to prove you defended Narnia." He poked her side where she had the scar from the Telmarine arrow.
"Ow! Don t do that!" hissed Carolyn grabbing her side.
"If anyone deserves a medal, it's you. You are probably the bravest, most stubborn girls I have ever met," said Caspian. Carolyn looked around the circle at all the faces watching her.
"Fine, I'll take it. But not because I deserve it but because I want you all to stop harassing me," she said.
"Shut up already," said Edmund as he took the medal from Aslan and placed it around Carolyn's neck. It was a gold medal with an intricate design on it involving a lion, of course.
The coronation was very nice. Carolyn was dressed up in a green and blue dress and was riding a horse behind Edmund and Peter. She was shocked that she got to ride with the kings and queens in the procession through the town. She smiled slightly but mostly kept her head down, feeling very out of place. The other noticed but let her be, knowing her discomfort.
The next day, after a wonderful night sleeping in a bed in the castle, Carolyn awoke and changed into a light green dress with large, billowy sleeves. She found her way to the courtyard and saw Edmund walking by. She nodded at him and intended to keep walking when he ran to catch up to her.
"Carolyn wait," he said. She stopped and turned to look at him. She was still a little upset about the forest incident the other day. And she was not comfortable being in the castle.
"Yes?" she asked looking at the ground.
"I just wanted to say I'm sorry," he said.
"You already apologized, remember."
"I know, but it didn't seem enough. Not enough to bring my old friend back. So will you forgive me?" Carolyn looked up at him and sighed.
"I'm not the only who has changed," she said.
"What do you mean?"
"Well ever since we got here. You seemed to act older and not like the Edmund I knew back in England."
"Oh, but you must understand that when we were here last, we grew up here-"
"And there you go and bring up the last time you were here. Really, a great way to apologize. Good bye, Edmund," said Carolyn and went to walk away. Edmund was desperate at this point. He didn't want to loose her. He ran and grabbed her shoulders, spinning her around and planted his lips right on hers. She stood there shocked, her eyes wide open. He pulled away and looked at her. They remained silent for a while.
"Oh, gosh, I'm so sorry. I don t know what came over me. I just kissed my best friend. Now things are going to be awkward aren't they."
"Edmund, calm down, I'm sure we can talk about this. This was probably just a desperate attempt to make amends with me. It had absolutely nothing to do with you liking me in that manner."
"Actually, Carolyn, now that I think about it. I have been feeling a little different around you."
"What?"
"Why couldn't this relationship work out?"
"Well we are a bit young."
"I know but in the future?"
She thought about it then smiled up at him.
"Sure. Now I m sure we have some where to be."
"Oh right," said Edmund and the walked off to the meeting area, "so that means you forgive me?"
"Maybe," said Carolyn before walking faster and stood up next to Susan.
"How are you?" she asked.
"I'm fine," said Carolyn smiling a reassuring smile.
"That's good," said Susan. Once everyone had arrived Caspian began his speech.
"Narnia belongs to the Narnians, just as it does to man. Any Telmarines who want to stay and live in peace are welcome to. But for any of you who wish, Aslan will return you to the home of our forefathers," said Caspian explaining the situation.
"It's been generations since we left Telmar," said a citizen in the audience.
"We're not referring to Telmar. 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. It is to that island I can return you. It is a good place for any who wish to make a new start," said Aslan. The crowd began to murmur amongst themselves.
"I will go," shouted one man, "I will accept the offer."
"So will we," said Caspian's aunt stepping forward as well, baby in hand. They walked up the steps towards Aslan.
"Because you have spoken first, your future in that world shall be good," said Aslan. He motioned towards the trees and it started spinning, creating an opening the showed that it was two trees. The three brave ones walked through and disappeared.
"How do we know he is not leading us to our death?" asked another in the crowd.
"Sire. If my example can be of any service," said Reepicheep stepping forward, "I will take eleven mice through with no delay." Aslan looked down at him and then looked at the five standing off to the side. Some got the message.
"We'll go," said Peter stepping forward.
"We will?" asked Edmund. Carolyn agreed with Peter.
"Come on. Our times up," said Peter facing them. Then he walked to Caspian, "After all, we're not really needed her anymore." He handed Caspian his sword proudly.
"I will look after it until you return," said Caspian grasping the sword firmly.
"I'm afraid that s just it," said Susan. They turned to look at her as she stepped forward. "We're not coming back," she said.
"We're not?" asked Lucy.
"You two are," said Peter walking over to his younger siblings, "at least, I think he means you two."
"But why? Did they do something wrong?" asked Lucy.
"Quite the opposite, dear one. But all things have their time. Your brother and sister have learned what they can from this world. Now it s time for them to live in their own." said Aslan.
"It's all right, Lu," said Peter walking over to her, "it's not how I thought it would be, but it s all right. One day you'll see too. Come on. Peter, Lucy, and Edmund walked over to the Narnians on the side to say farewell. Carolyn stayed on the side not really knowing what she was doing. She watched Susan as she walked over to Caspian.
"Brilliant," muttered Carolyn rocking back and forth on her heels. She wasn't paying much attention until she saw Susan kiss Caspian. She smiled at them but then quickly went back to being emotionless. One by one the other walked through the tree portal.
"Carolyn go!" said Aslan.
"Right, bye, and good ridden," she said rushing to the portal. The others laughed around her and she soon found herself on the platform where they started off. Carolyn was back in her wheelchair, but she was comforted by it. The train came to a stop and the people got off and filed. Everyone was still in a daze about their recent adventure.
"Aren't you coming, Phyllis?" asked one boy looking at them. That woke them from their daze and they grabbed their bags before getting on as well. Edmund helping Carolyn on, because there is a gap that needs to be minded. Once on, Edmund rummaged around in his bag and realized something.
"You don't suppose there's anyway of getting back?" he asked. They all looked at him, "I left my new torch in Narnia." Carolyn shook her head and laughed with the others as the doors shut.
"It really is nice to be back," said Carolyn.
"But you can't walk," said Lucy. They other were now sitting with Carolyn next to them.
"I don't mind. Edmund does though," she said shoving him in his arm.
"Actually," he said smiling at her, "I don't mind one bit." Carolyn smiled back.
"So, whose Phyllis?" asked Peter looking at Susan.
