Chapter 14
Caspian looked regally handsome with his father's golden crown on his head as he rode Destier into the city below the castle. His smile melted any fear in the hearts of the people as he rode by. The crowds were full of Telmarines and Narnians, flowers and streamers flooded the city. Martin and I rode Tarva and Alambil behind the Peviensies, who followed Caspian. Susan had taken over the preparations, making sure we all wore our best clothes… she was like that. I wore my green dress with the shamrocks embroidered into to it. Lucy wore pink, Susan red and gold, Peter blue, Ed brown and Justin wore green that matched my dress perfectly. (Susan had planned that as well.) I watched as if in a dream as Caspian sat on his throne and became king of Narnia with Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy standing by. Aslan gave King Caspian his blessing and my heart shook. The last time we had heard that blessing was 1300 years ago, the day Justin and I were married. I swallowed hard and stood my ground… my emotions were taking hold.
The next few days flew by. Justin and I stayed out of the way as much as possible. We had spent so much time alone that the crowds made us nervous. It was a difficult time, all the stress had built up over the years of having the Telmarine's in Narnia and now, in one short day, all that stress was taken away. It was enough to leave us gasping for breath. Caspian and the other monarchs spent a lot of time with us, trying to get reacquainted. The siblings understandably had many questions about the happenings in Narnia since their disappearance.
I walked in the woods a lot, greeting the dryads and other creatures that had remained out in the forest. I was walking with a faun named Tarina, talking about literature and mythology when she said something that caught my attention.
"I have heard, guardian, that you are not from this world, is that right?" I stopped walking, puzzled for a moment. Then my memory cleared a little and I nodded slowly.
"Yes, why do you ask?"
"I have heard from the kings and queens of old that in their world, your world, there are books about creatures like me, and the others… but they say that we do not exist. Why is that? Are there no fauns or centaurs, minators or dryads in your world?"
I had to think hard to respond. Slowly, I opened my mouth but no words came. My legs began to shake and I had to lean against a tree to keep from falling to the ground! Several images flashed through my mind like lighting. A book, a library, full of books. A picture of a prince on a hill surrounded by creatures, Narnians. The prince had a horn to his lips and a sword in his hand. A lion, a great lion. a lamppost. A stone table. A green ship with a dragon's head. The same prince stood on her deck. A wand. A serpent and another prince who greatly resembled the first. A silver chair and a black knight. A horse. Sand. An apple, a silver apple. A wardrobe.
"I… I have to go!" thoughts raced through my mind as I ran for the castle. I prayed that I would not forget again. My feet were like weights but I hardly touched the ground as I flew for a hold on memory. I dashed through the gate of the city and staggered over the bridge. My breath came in great gasps as I fell before the doors of the great hall. Lucy and Edmund were walking around the courtyard and when I fell right in front of them, they were immediately at my side, expecting an attack of some sort. I managed to get up on one elbow as I tried to catch my breath. Lucy brushed my short red hair out of my eyes as Ed helped me to sit up against the wall.
"Mariel! What's wrong?" Ed asked. "Are you hurt?"
I shook my head. "No." I gasped for breath. "I'll… I'll be alright. I need a pen and parchment, QUICKLY!" Lucy nodded and sprinted off to get the items I desired. I gestured to the doors. "Edmund, go, find Justin and Aslan. I NEED them!"
No sooner were the words out of my mouth than Ed was running to find Aslan and Justin. I fought to keep my senses as my brain slowly shut down. My vision was fading and I was still breathing hard as Justin and Aslan dashed up. Justin knelt beside me and held me to his chest.
"Justin, remember, please remember for me. Write it down. The Magician's Nephew… the… the Lion, the Witch, and the… Wardrobe. Prince… Caspian. The Voyage of the… Dawn… Tre… Treader. The S-silver Ch-chair. Horse and, and His… Boy. And the Last, Battle. Justin, the Chronicles of Narnia. Remember Justin! The Chronicles… of… Narni…" the strain on my body from the shock and then the run was too much. I passed out in Justin's arms.
He sat with me on his chest, dumbstruck. The Chronicles of Narnia! He knew that name. He knew all the names that I had said. As he stared into Aslan's eyes, memory flooded back. The soft eyes of the Lion spoke comfort. The Lion turned and began to walk away. Justin picked me up and followed closely behind his lord. He led Justin to the highest tower in the castle. Justin lay me down close to him and sat against the wall as Aslan began to explain.
"My child, do not feel cheated. Yes, you have read the history of this country in your own world. You now remember when you were addicted to those books. I want you to know why I erased your memory of them. This you will remember for the rest of your life. You are not in the books where you come from because you were not even born when they were written. I did not want you to remember the books because then you would feel like you had no choice in your actions. I want you to know right now that you actions are your own choice. Now, of course time cannot stop forever in your world, since you have elected to stay here indefinitely, I must tell you what happened when you made your choice. As soon as you made that choice, you died you your world. In your world, your bodies were found and buried. Now a year has passed in your world and your death is still a mystery. But grieve not. You may yet see your friends again. Have peace, child. You are safe."
Justin nodded and looked down at me as he spoke to the Great Lion. "Aslan, Peter and Susan, are they coming back?"
Aslan bowed his head. "No. They are not. Peter you will see again at the last day, Susan…. Only time will tell if she will remain true."
Justin nodded. "They're leaving tomorrow, aren't they?"
Again Aslan nodded. Justin bowed his head. "I will miss them."
"They will hear of you, in their dreams, they will see you. Remember that I have another name in your world."
Justin nodded. I remember now. Your name is Jesus, the Christ." Aslan nodded.
"I am the same here as I am there, except in your world, I am human."
"Truly, Lord." Justin bowed.
"We must go now. I have something to say to the people. Bring Mariel. She will waken soon."
Justin nodded and picked me up, holding me lovingly in his arms. I awoke as he caressed my cheek. I just had to look into his eyes to learn the truth. I nodded and leaned against his shoulder for comfort.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Caspian stood before the people or Narnia as he gave a speech of peace. Justin and I, the siblings, Aslan, Trumpkin, Trufflehunter, and Glenstorm stood behind him on a platform out of which a large, twisted tree grew. I held onto Justin's hand, hoping that this would not be the time, but my heart knew better.
"Narnia belongs to the Narnians just as it does to man. 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 man spoke up. "It has been generations since we left Telmar!"
Aslan stepped forward. "We are not referring to Telmar. Your ancestors were sea-faring 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."
No one spoke. Suddenly, Glozelle stepped forward. "I'll go. I will accept the offer."
My jaw nearly hit the ground. Glozelle? The one who had been my enemy for so long was actually accepting Aslan's offer? Another human stepped forward, and that really surprised me.
"So will we." Prunaprismia and her baby came forward to stand beside Glozelle.
Aslan nodded to them. "Because you have spoken first, your future in that world will be good."
He opened his mouth and breathed on them softly. Then, turning, he simply looked at the tree. Almost everyone cried out in alarm as the tree began to untwist. When it stopped, there were two trunks instead of one and a perfect whole through the center, broad enough to walk through!
Justin squeezed my hand as Prunaprismia and Glozelle started forward. To my amazement, the former queen stopped by me and took my hand.
"You must be Mariel. Justin told me what my husband did to you. Please, don't hold it against me or my child."
I kissed her hand gently. "No, never. He did not deserve one such as you, m'lady."
She bowed her head gratefully to me and walked through the door followed by Glozelle… and vanished!
"How do we know he's not leading us to our deaths?!" a peasant shouted.
"Because he has spared your lives so far! Why would he keep you alive if he was simply going to kill you?" Justin's voice rang out like a bell. "He is my king, I trust that if any of us, you, I or anyone, went through that door in the air, we would still be safe in his paws!"
Reepicheep stepped forward. "Sire, if my example can be of any service, I will take eleven mice through with no delay."
I shook my head. "No, Reep. In our world, talking mice would be captured and put on display as a freak at every fair. You shall not go through, valiant though you may be."
Peter and Susan looked at each other. Susan had been crying, it was obvious. Her lovely off the shoulder, blue and white dress had small tear stains on it and her crimped hair was damp from tears.
"We'll go." Peter said finally.
Ed looked at his brother, shocked. "We will?"
Peter nodded and took Lucy's hand. "Come on. Our time's up." He approached Caspian and handed the new king his sword and sheath. "After all, we're not really needed here anymore."
Caspian took the sword and clasped Peter's hand warmly. "I will look after it until your return."
Susan's voice caught Caspian off guard. "That's just it… we're not coming back."
Lucy's face fell. "We're not?" Caspian went white and all life left his face.
Peter nodded to Lucy and Edmund. "You two are… at least." He glanced at Aslan. "I think he means you two."
Lucy looked to the Great Lion. "Buy why? Did they do something wrong?"
I sighed and put my hands on her shoulders as Aslan spoke. "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 is time for them to live in their own."
Justin ruffled Ed's hair as Peter squeezed Lucy's 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."
The High King reached up and clasped Glenstorm's hand warmly as Ed shook Cornelius's hand and Lucy curtsied to Trumpkin. Then emotion took over and the good dwarf embraced the sorrowful queen. Then all four turned and hugged Justin and I fiercely.
Susan broke away from the group walked up to Caspian who had been holding Peter's sword with a dead look on his face.
"I'm glad I came back."
He bowed his head. "I wish we had more time together."
The queen shook her head. "It would never have worked anyway."
Caspian's head shot up. "Why not?"
Susan almost laughed. "I am 1300 years older than you."
Caspian almost smiled at this, but then Susan turned and began to walk away. The new king's head fell and a tear rolled down his cheek. Suddenly, Susan stopped, turned and ran to Caspian. She laid her hand on his cheek and kissed him. Caspian gave all he had back and then hugged her, kissing her neck and letting the tears fall.
Lucy stood beside her brothers and whispered, "I'm sure when I'm older I'll understand."
Ed groaned. "I'm older and don't think I want to understand."
I was surprised when Justin leaned over to them. "I've been older, and I'm glad I understand!"
I smiled and hugged him.
Finally, Susan detached herself from Caspian and rejoined her siblings. They all took one last look at Aslan and the rest of us and Ed led the way through the door. Susan went next then Peter. Lucy stopped and took one last look before also heading though the door in the air. A tear rolled down my cheek, they had vanished into thin air. And two of them I would not see again in this life time.
Justin squeezed my hand and held me close. I looked up at him and he nodded. Together, we both bowed to Aslan, I hugged Caspian and Justin shook his hand warmly.
"We'll be around." He assured the new king. "If you ever need help, just ask."
We started down the steps, but the king called after us. "Where will you be?"
I turned and flashed him a smile through my tears. "Where the water sparkles in the sunlight, and where, once, four thrones were filled and two guardians forever reign."
The End