This is the last official chapter. Only the epilogue remains after this. I hope you have all enjoyed this journey as much as I have!
(Natalie)
When Nikky, my youngest sister, first became old enough to understand stories, she would demand them constantly. She harassed my mother all day for another fairytale and when she went to daycare, she would relay these stories to all her friends. At bedtime, she requested me to talk her to sleep because my tales were always full of adventure but never had happy endings, much unlike our mother's. To me, they just seemed more realistic that way and Nikky seemed to enjoy the variety. Right now, this ending didn't feel happy or sad; it was a baffling mix of the two. I was ecstatic at finally getting to go home, but I would miss my friends terribly. I was not upset that Aslan had given Sage a choice while I received none; she needed it. She had begun to question everything on this journey. Her place was at Caspian's side now, and my place was with my family.
I fell into Lucy's arms for my first goodbye, refusing to cry just yet. She, however, didn't appear to be holding herself to that. Her tears dampened the fabric on my shoulder. She smelled of the sea air I'd grown to love aboard the Dawn Treader.
"Don't have too much fun in Mother England without me," I told her.
She laughed and wiped her nose onto her sleeve. "I most definitely will not, Nate," she promised. "I don't believe I will ever find another friend as dear as you." She locked her arms tighter around my back.
"Now you're just flattering me." I teased.
"I mean it," she said.
"I know, Louie," I murmured, growing serious.
We stayed in each other's arms for a long while till Edmund tapped my shoulder. I turned into his waiting arms.
"I hate this," I grumbled.
"We all do," he said.
We didn't speak anymore after that. I could see Lucy speaking softly to Sage and Caspian. Edmund tapped my chin with brotherly affection when we separated and gave me an encouraging smile. Lucy came to stand beside him, having finished her farewells. I took a moment to commit each of the Pevensie siblings to memory. The Pevensies; the King and Queen of Narnia in its Golden Age. They were truly an awe inspiring sight.
"Nate, are you ignoring me for any specific reason?" I turned towards Caspian's voice and flung myself at him. He grunted and steadied himself before setting me down.
"Keep that spirit, ok? Don't ever lose yourself out there," he instructed with kind eyes.
I nodded and messed up his floppy brown hair. Sage squeaked and quickly began fixing it.
"I would say the same, but I know Sage will keep you in line. You just keep an eye on her for me, yes? Make sure she gets in a good laugh at least once a week. That's better than any medicine," I said.
Sage pulled me into her own hug. "I love you," she whispered.
"I know, it was inevitable." I grinned wildly up at her. She rolled her eyes, but the corner of her mouth quirked up. "I'll see you again, though," I continued. "Aslan said I wouldn't come back to Narnia. Maybe next time you guys can make a trip to see me." Caspian smiled sadly but agreed. We all knew it was pointless to hope for. If Aslan wanted us together, he would find a way. Until then, we had to go on living our lives.
"Go say goodbye to Eustace," Sage nudged me.
"Do I have to?" I complained loud enough for the blond haired boy to hear.
"We could possibly prevent injury, if we don't make them," Caspian noted with a stroke of his beard.
"Too late," I called, dashing off.
Eustace was not as strong as Caspian and not quite capable of catching my flying hug. We landed on the sand with my chin hitting his chest. I rolled off panting, hair covering my face and sand sneaking up the hem of my pants.
"I give it a solid 4," Edmund said.
"That's generous," Lucy jested.
Eustace turned his face to me, blowing sand off his lips. "Warning next time would be appreciated," he said before getting back to his feet.
"Maybe you should bulk up and that problem could be avoided," I retorted.
He offered me his hand and I took it readily. Eustace didn't hug me at first. He seemed a bit nervous for some reason.
"Are you not going to miss me?" I taunted with an easy smile.
Then he hugged me. It wasn't tight like Lucy or gentle like Sage. It was just something purely Eustace.
"I will," he whispered. "like hell, everyday."
My throat closed up at his sincere words. My tears finally escaped and fell onto his shirt. Blubbering is not an attractive state, but I found myself unable to stop at the prospect of letting him go. Once I did, I would have to leave him and Narnia. I wasn't ready just yet.
"You are a spectacular friend, Stacey," I hummed.
I could tell from his smile against my shoulder that he didn't actually hate the nickname. I leaned across quickly to press a kiss to his cheek. His cheeks dusted with blush that made me grin broadly as I backed away.
"Now you can tell me goodbye," I told him.
He shook his head. "Goodbye means I won't see you again. I'm still praying that I might be so lucky."
"Oh, so we're calling that lucky now?" Caspian cut in.
Eustace bowed his head with a faint smile. Lucy and Edmund had erupted into laughter at the last comment.
"Natalie," Aslan's voice came and I knew I must go first.
I drew slow steadying breaths as I walked to the opening in the water wall. My toes drew lines in the sand to leave my mark. I turned when the water sprayed lightly on my brow. This was as close to a happy ending as I would ever get, I decided. I would thank Aslan for the rest of my life for allowing me the chance to experience his world and make such lasting memories with the best people I will ever know.
The wall closed in around me, leaving my friends only as images in my mind.
"Natalie, honestly, how long does it take to pee?" Ashley's voice floated to me through the halls of her house. "I know it's sad that Sage had to leave so abruptly for her early orientation at Julliard, but we can still have a good trip."
"Actually," I stepped out into the hallway to face her. "I think I'll just call my mom. I'd like to go home."
Anyone else crying?