14

Caspian and Susan ran with the troops towards the river, weapons drawn. Caspian watched as the Telmarine soldiers headed for the bridge, but were stopped by something. He looked and saw Lucy stood on the other side of the bridge, her dagger drawn with a smile on her face. Coming up beside her was the largest lion Caspian had ever seen, and he knew that it was Aslan. The Telmarines tried to turn back, but found the rest of the Narnian army cutting off their escape.

Sopespian raised his sword and they charged at the two on the other side of the bridge. Aslan gave an earth-quaking roar that echoed across the forest. The soldiers stopped in surprise. The soldiers that were travelling through the river looked around in shock as the water suddenly began to go down, like when the water recedes at the ocean shore just before it creates a wave. The men began to shout in fear when a huge wave began coming downstream to them, and they quickly began to seek refuge from drowning, but the Narnians still blocked their path. Sopespian started charging his horse to go across the bridge to safety, even if it did mean being face-to-face with one of the most powerful creatures in Narnia. The wave suddenly began to change, no longer looking like a wave, but more like an old, bearded man made of water. Some soldiers jumped off the bridge as he came towards it, looking down at the leader. Aslan acknowledged the being with a nod, and he nodded back. He stared at the bridge, seeing more soldiers jump off into the river. He went down under the bridge and lifted it up on his shoulders, making any other soldiers left on it fall into the water, except Sopespian, who still sat on his horse. The man held the bridge, looking down at Sopespian, who swung his sword wildly at him, challenging him to do something. The man opened his mouth and swallowed Sopespian, splashing into the water. The remains of the bridge flowing with the river's current.

Once he was gone, there was a sort of peace surrounding the area. Caspian sighed in relief when he saw the Telmarine army had no choice left for them, but surrender.

The war was over.

The Narnians had won.

Caspian, Susan, Peter, and Edmund waded through the river towards Aslan and Lucy. Near them, the Telmarine soldiers were coming onto the shore, surrendering their weapons to the Narnians as they did. The four teens looked at Aslan in awe. Just from looking at him, Caspian felt a sort of relief, and his guard dropped, his body naturally knowing that he was safe with the lion. They all dropped to their knees in respect to him.

"Rise, kings and queens of Narnia." Aslan said, Peter, Edmund, and Susan stood up, but Caspian remained kneeling, "All of you." The prince looked up in surprise at the lion, then back down to the ground.

"I do not think I am ready." He said.

"It's for that very reason I know you are." Aslan said. Caspian slowly stood up, the Pevensies all smiled at him, and he smiled back. They turned around when they heard the sound of bagpipes being played and saw Reepicheep being carried by his mice soldiers and lying him down on the ground. Lucy ran over to the mouse, uncorking her cordial and letting a drop of it fall into his mouth. Caspian watched as Reepicheep took in a slow, deep breath, and sat back up.

"Oh… Thank you, Your Majesty." He said, he stumbled slightly when he stood up, and one of his mouse soldiers helped him to stand up straight. It was then that he noticed Aslan, "Oh!" He jumped up, "Hail… Aslan!" He said, trying to bow, but having some difficulty keeping his balance, "It is a great honor to be in your…" He almost fell over, and when he looked to see why, he saw his tail had been cut off. He quickly moved to cover it, "I am completely out of countenance! I must crave your indulgence for appearing in this unseemly fashion!" Aslan smiled gently at the mouse, saying nothing. Reepicheep looked over at Lucy, "Um…" He looked at her cordial in her hands, "Perhaps a drop more?"

"I don't think it does that." Lucy said sadly.

"You can have a go." Reepicheep said, Aslan chuckled.

"It becomes you well, small one." He said.

"All the same, great king," Reepicheep said, pulling out his sword and presenting it to him, "I regret that I must withdraw, for a tail is the honor and glory of a mouse."

"Perhaps you think too much of your honor, friend." Aslan said wisely.

"Well, it's… it's not just the honor." Reepicheep said, "It's also great for balance! And climbing… And grabbing things." Lucy looked to Aslan with a smile, and he smiled back.

"May it please your high majesty," One mouse said, drawing his sword and grabbing his tail, "We will not bear the shame of wearing an honor denied to our chief." The other mice followed his example, grabbing their tails in preparation to cut them off.

"Not for the sake of your dignity," Aslan said, "But for the love of your people." Caspian's eyes widened slightly when he saw a tail suddenly grow from where his tail had been cut off previously. Reepicheep smiled in delight at it, taking hold of it in his paw.

"Thank you! Thank you, my liege!" Reepicheep said, "I will treasure it always! From this day forward, it will serve as a great reminder of my huge humility." As enjoyable as this scene was, Caspian could wait no longer. He came over to Lucy's side, and she looked up at him.

"Lucy, I need your help." He said, "Max was severely injured in battle, and she needs your cordial."

"What?!" Lucy gasped, "What happened? Where is she?"

"There is no need to worry," Aslan assured the two, "A friend is bringing her here to you as we speak."

"Your majesties!" A voice rang out, everyone turned to see Tristae galloping through the waters of the river with Maxine in her arms. Caspian felt his breath catch in his throat at the sight of her pale complexion, "We must hurry, she is fading fast!" She came to a stop near them and handed her to Caspian, who gently laid her on the ground, cradling her head in his arms. Lucy ran over and knelt down, pulling her chin down so her mouth would be open and she let a drop from the cordial go down her throat. Everyone waited with bated breath for a reaction, the Pevensies were more patient than Caspian was, knowing that it would take a moment to work.

Caspian smiled in relief when he saw her breathing become a bit stronger, and color returned to her cheeks. She took in a slow, deep breath, and her blue eyes slowly fluttered open.

Max POV

At first, it was a cold, sleepy sort of darkness that wrapped me up. I waited calmly for it to take me away to the afterlife, wherever it was, but it never did. For a while, I was just lying there, waiting for it to take me, and at one point, it seemed so close to doing it, but just as quickly as it had come, it disappeared. I felt warmth overtake me and I began to become aware of my surroundings. I felt that I was lying on a gravelly ground, and that someone was holding me in their arms. I began to hear the sound of a river flowing, and the sound of feet crunching the gravel as they walked around me. I took in a deep breath, smelling the clean air near the freshwater river, and I opened my eyes. It was kind of blurry at first, and I blinked a few times until I was able to see clearly, and I saw Caspian's smiling face leaning over mine. I looked at him in wonder, curious as to why he was here with me.

"…Am I dead yet?" I asked him, my voice a little hoarse. Caspian smiled and shook his head.

"No, you are alive and well." He said, "Lucy saved you." I looked over to my other side and saw Lucy looking just as relieved as Caspian.

"Oh." I said, smiling up at her, "Thanks, Luce. I owe you." Lucy laughed.

"Don't bother," She said, "If Caspian hadn't told me about you, I would have never known." I pushed myself up into a sitting position, Caspian's hand on my back to help me up, and I looked around, seeing the Pevensies, Reepicheep and his soldiers, and the biggest lion I had ever seen. I recognized his wise eyes right away.

"You…" I said, "You're Aslan." The lion nodded at me.

"Indeed I am." He said, "And I am just as pleased as your friends are to see you safe, Maxine." His voice sounded so… familiar.

I sat up a little straighter, "How do you know my name?"

"I know many things." Aslan said vaguely, "Tell me, Maxine, do you know why you were injured?"

"Yeah, I got skewered by a Telmarine like a freakin' shish kabob." I said, putting my hand over where the wound had been, but was now gone. The Pevensies smiled at me, and Lucy giggled. Aslan smiled warmly at me.

"More politely put, you were attacked by a Telmarine soldier," Aslan said, "Who meant to attack Caspian. Yet you took the blow in his place." I shrugged, not noticing how everyone's eyes went to me.

"I think I like the way I said it better." I said with a little, humorous smirk.

"Why did you do it?" Caspian asked me, I turned to him, shrugging again.

"I don't know." I said, "My body moves faster than my brain registers what's going on, so… I guess… It was just a natural instinct."

"It has always been a natural instinct," Aslan explained wisely, "For many years, you have fought for others."

"I have?" I said, my eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

"Yes, you have fought against those who hurt others." Aslan said, "Bullies, as you call them, I believe. The very first fight you where you ever threw a punch, was over ten years ago, and two boys were taking another one's food and throwing it away."

"Well, those guys deserved more than a slap on the wrist, so I did a little bit more than the teachers." I said, "So what?"

"So, it shows who you truly are," Aslan said, "A pure-hearted, strong woman, who protects all those that she can from any harm, and protects those she loves." I blushed a little when he said this, knowing he meant Caspian.

"Did you mean it?" Caspian asked me quietly, I turned to him.

"Of course I did." I said earnestly, "If I didn't mean it, I wouldn't have said it." Caspian smiled at me, and leaned forward, kissing me softly. I felt my heartbeat quicken again, and I felt those same chills from before run down my spine. He pulled away all too quickly, and I blushed, looking around at the people who saw us kiss.

Edmund did one of those wolf-whistles at me, and I threw a pebble at him.

"Shut up." I said, Edmund laughed, and after a second, I laughed, too.

"As such, I see it only proper to reward you." Aslan said, I looked over at him.

"Reward?" I repeated in surprise, "I don't really think I need one for getting stabbed."

"Not just for that," Aslan said, "But for all those you have protected. Your friends, and your brothers and sisters." I looked at him in surprise, how did he know about the foster care? "And, as such, you are to be hereby dubbed Queen Maxine, the Strong." Caspian and the Pevensies smiled excitedly at me, and my eyes widened even more at the lion. Was he serious?

"You're joking." I said, Aslan laughed appreciatively.

"I promise you, I am not." He said, I took a deep breath in surprise. This was a lot to take in, I mean, me? A queen? It just sounded so unnatural for me. Aslan turned to Lucy, "Now, where is this dear little friend you've told me so much about?" Lucy smiled and looked over at Trumpkin was, taking some of the weapons from the Telmarines. He looked over at the group and saw Aslan. He slowly walked over to him and kneeled down before him. Aslan let out a roar, but it seemed more playful than intimidating.

"Do you see him now?" Lucy asked with a smile, I looked over at Caspian for an explanation, but he shrugged, not sure of what she meant. Must be an inside joke.

When everyone started to leave, I began to stand up, but Caspian seemed to have other ideas. I let out a small yelp when he scooped me up in his arms and began to carry me. I blushed embarrassedly as he began to walk.

"Caspian, I can walk." I said, lightly hitting his chest. Caspian smiled.

"I know." He said, he leaned down and kissed my forehead, "But I want to hold you in my arms for just a little longer, since you'll let me."

"Who said I'll let you?" I said, not that I wasn't enjoying being carried around, but it was still embarrassing, "Caspian, put me down."

"Do you really want me to?" Caspian asked.

No. "Yes." I said, Caspian complied and let me walk, but his arm didn't leave my shoulders. I didn't say anything that would make him take his arm away.

When we went back to the castle, we were welcomed with a huge parade by the people. Everyone rode on their own horse as we walked through the streets, except for me. I sat behind Caspian as he rode, leaning my head on his back and with my arms around his waist. It was good to be able to be this close to someone and not worry about getting hurt. Caspian's hand went over mine as he waved to the people who were cheering for us and all of our soldiers who were following behind us. Confetti rained down on us, and the village seemed so much more cheerful than when Miraz was in charge. I slightly tightened my grip on Caspian's waist.

"Have you ever seen them so happy?" I asked him, whispering in his ear. Caspian shivered slightly, but turned his head slightly for me to see it.

"Only when my father was king." He whispered back, I smiled at him and leaned up, kissing his cheek. Caspian smiled back at me, his beautiful brown eyes shining in happiness and (I'm so happy to say this!) love.

I looked over myself in the mirror, still not used to wearing dresses. The dress I wore now was a silver dress with an off-shoulder peasant top. The skirt spread out around my feet, giving it a sort of elegant ball-room look to it. There was a knock on my door and I turned around, "Yes?" I saw Corrin poke his head through the door, smiling at me and bowing.

"Milady." He greeted formally, "The great lion Aslan has requested your presence in the castle courtyard." I stepped away from the mirror and smiled at him.

"Thanks, Corrin." I said, the man stood up straight and nodded at me.

"And, if I may say, milady," He began, "You look rather stunning."

"You don't look so bad yourself." I said, patting his armored chest and walking out of the room. I picked up my skirts as I walked, because I didn't want to ruin the nice dress, and headed out to the courtyard, where I saw Aslan waiting for me. I smiled at him and walked down the stairs towards him.

"Hello, Maxine." He said.

"Hello." I greeted back, giving a curtsy, which I thought was an appropriate greeting for him, but I messed up on my footing and stumbled a bit. I laughed at myself as I stood back up, "Sorry, I'm still not used to acting all lady-like." Aslan smiled at me.

"Come and walk with me, Maxine." He said, and I did just that, walking beside him as we went through the stone courtyard. I looked up at the sky as we walked, seeing how it was a perfect balance of blue sky, and scattered clouds. "Tomorrow is a very important day, Maxine."

"I know." I said, looking back at him, "The Telmarines get an awesome king to rule over them."

"Yes, but there is something else," Aslan said, "Tomorrow, I shall be opening a portal back to your world, and from there, you will return home." I froze, not walking any further. Aslan seemed to see this coming and stopped walking as well. I was leaving? Why was I leaving? I didn't want to leave. I wanted to stay here, with the Narnians, and with Caspian. Aslan waited patiently for me to do something, and I eventually looked at him.

"…Why?" I asked him quietly.

"Because this is not your world," Aslan said, "Because there are things in your own world that must be resolved." I knew what he meant. Talking to Marcus and Lisa, and Jeremy, and everyone else who's ever been my friend in that house.

"But… I don't want to leave." I said, walking forward. Aslan followed me, "I-I mean… I love it here. This is home to me, and I've never felt that home was anywhere! I've made good— No, great friends here, and… I…" I blushed slightly, "Caspian will be so miserable when I leave. I can't just… leave him! I mean, after everything that's happened? I just… He couldn't take it. I couldn't take it."

"It may hurt you to leave," Aslan said, "But you have friends, and family. You have a life to lead, but not here." We came up to a stone bench, and I sat down on it, worried I might collapse on the ground if I didn't. Aslan sat down on the ground, waiting patiently for me to speak as I tried not to cry. I felt the tears welling up in my eyes, and I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. Just the thought of leaving of leaving this place, of leaving Caspian, made my heart clench painfully and my throat tighten up, "It is best you shed your tears now, or the pain will be that much more immense when you return." I listened to him, and let the tears fall, with a sob escaping my mouth.

"But… But he…" I tried to speak without having sobs break my sentences so he could understand me, "But… I love him! I can't… I can't just…" I sobbed, and Aslan came over to me, gently nuzzling my arm with his nose. I took his comfort for more than it was worth, and cried into his mane. My shoulders shaking violently as I cried. The tears came from my eyes in rivers down my cheeks.

"It will be hard," Aslan said, his voice calming me a little bit, "But you will live, and so shall he." I calmed myself down a little bit more to stop sobbing, but I still kept my face in his mane. His voice still sounded so familiar…

"Will I ever come back?" I asked into his fur.

"That has yet to be decided." Aslan said, I sniffled a little bit more, feeling my throat tighten up again. "Do not be so sad, my child. There will come a day when you feel this love once more. It may be with Caspian, it may not, but you shall not be miserable for the rest of your life." My eyes widened when I recognized his voice, and I pulled away.

"I remember now!" I gasped, "When I was in the tree! I heard your voice! You told me I shouldn't be scared!" Aslan nodded once, "But then… Why did I recognize your picture?"

"Believe it or not, this isn't the first time we've spoken." Aslan said, "When you were troubled, as a child, I visited you in your dreams. It has always been your destiny to come to Narnia, and so, I was given the right to speak with you."

"In my dreams…" I murmured, now that I think about it, I do vaguely remember dreaming about a talking lion when I was a kid, but that was years ago. Aslan nodded again.

"Yes, in your dreams." He said. I looked up at him.

"…Does Caspian know that I'm leaving?" I asked quietly.

"No, that is something you must tell him." He said, "Only you can help him to understand why you must leave." I didn't say anything, but I did wipe my cheeks of any remaining tears. "It can be difficult to love, Maxine, but it is a great feeling to have your love returned to you." I smiled.

"Lucy said something like that once." I said, Aslan smiled.

"She is very wise." He said, he got up from where he sat, "Now, I do believe a young prince is awaiting your company in the gardens." From where we were, I had a very clear view of the flowers, and I saw Caspian standing amongst them, looking around at them, as if to pass time. I nodded and got up, wiping my eyes.

"Yeah… I'll see you." I said, walking away from the lion and over into the gardens. As I walked, I couldn't help but see all of Caspian's best features as he walked around. The wavy, dark hair, the shining brown eyes, the broad shoulders, and the muscular figure that was hidden under his shirt. He didn't notice me when I first came in, but when he did, he frowned when he saw my face. He came over to me and pulled my face into his hands.

"Why are you crying?" He asked gently, rubbing his thumb on my cheek. I closed my eyes for a minute, loving the feel of his hand on my skin. I wrapped my arms around him and held him close.

"I love you." I said into his clothes, "You know that, right?"

"Yes," Caspian said, putting his arms around me, "And I love you, too." I felt him put his head on top of mine, his hand gently stroking my back. I breathed in his scent, smiling when he smelled of sweat and chai spice. I knew he was smiling as he held me in his arms. "Tomorrow shall be a day I will never forget."

Yeah, no kidding.

"Are you nervous?" I asked him.

"Only a little." He said, "When I think of how you will be there with me, I am not so nervous."

"Yeah…" I mumbled, "Can't you imagine it, though? Us, ruling an entire country? Well, mostly you. I'd be terrible at it." Caspian shook his head in disagreement.

"You will make a fine queen." He said, pulling away and looking at me, "I know you will. It is just as Aslan said, you are strong, pure-hearted woman. Narnia will be honored to have you rule it."

"Mostly you, though." I said, Caspian sighed.

"And me as well." He relented. His eyes held the softest love as he cupped my cheek in his hand, "Are you nervous?"

"Yeah…" I mumbled, looking down, "I keep on worrying that I'll say something stupid when we're crowned."

"I don't doubt that." Caspian said with a smile, I lightly smacked his shoulder, and he laughed, "But it's not as if coronation requires a lengthy speech. You have nothing to worry about." I sighed and leaned into him. Caspian reached down and took my hand in his, linking his fingers with mine.

"What about when we get older?" I asked, "I mean, will we have to get married? 'Cuz then there'll be two kings and two queens like with the Pevensies, and I'm not so sure as to how that would work out."

"Oh, I suspect there will only be two when we get older." Caspian said knowingly, bringing up my hand, looking at the way my light skin clashed against his coffee-and-cream colored skin, "You're so pale, did you know that?"

"If you don't like it, go bother someone who cares." I said, shivering a little when his thumb, ever so lightly, rubbed the skin on my hand.

"No, I like it." Caspian said, he turned to face me, "I also like your beautiful blue eyes. That's not very common around here, you know."

"I guessed as much." I said, with a small smile. Caspian looked down at me for a minute, his eyes smoldering into mine, and he leaned down. I felt myself melt into him as I kissed him back. He put both hands around my waist, and I wrapped mine around his neck. My hands traveled up to his hair to tangle my fingers in his dark locks, while one of his hands traveled up my back, pushing my chest up against his. His tongue slipped past my lips and mingled with mine. My knees felt weak, and they were close to buckling when Caspian raked his teeth against my bottom lip as he pulled away for only a second, and then came back to kiss me again. I pressed myself into him, I wanted to be closer to him. I wanted to feel every part of him that I could. When Caspian's hand went a little further south down my back to my butt, my legs were shaking. When he squeezed it, I was caught so off guard that my knees did buckle. Clearly not expecting it to happen, me and Caspian fell over into some of the flowers. When I looked at Caspian, I froze. He was on top of me, hands on either side of my head and legs on either side of my body. We both blushed bright red.

Caspian was off me in a second, rolling to the side away from me. I slowly sat up, looking over at him. He didn't meet my eyes, his cheeks still glowing bright red.

"Well… that was…" I paused to think of the right word to use, "Different." Caspian cleared his throat awkwardly and stood up, holding a hand out to me to help me up.

"I… apologize for that." Caspian said, "I didn't mean for that to happen."

"Don't worry about it." I said, I looked away awkwardly, "Well, I'm just… gonna go get ready for the coronation ceremony… So… I'll see you later." I walked away from him, heading up to my room. Although, I didn't have much to get ready for. I was already in a dress.