It was my second full day being away from Narnia as Colt and I made our way back into the woods, and I was growing more and more frustrated. Frustrated, obviously, because I was away from what had become my new home, but also frustrated due to Aslan's words playing over and over in my mind. I sighed angrily as I sat down on the same stump as yesterday where Aslan appeared. Why wouldn't he take me to Peter? I bet he could have if he wanted to. Why was I having to wait?
Frustration built into anger as my thoughts wouldn't leave me alone. I couldn't help myself as I picked up a rock and chunked it towards a tree. Instead of hitting the tree, my rock flew right past it but quickly made a loud 'thud' sound before a groan was let out. I gasped in shock. Had I hit someone? I flew up off my stump and quickly made my way over to the direction where I had thrown the rock. What I found startled me.
There, lying on the ground was a raccoon and it was holding its stomach. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry," I apologized to the poor animal as I knelt down beside it. "Why would you throw a rock at me?" the raccoon asked, trying to catch its breath. "I don't know, I was just angry…" I explained before I gasped. "Did you just speak?" I asked the raccoon. "Of course I did!" it exclaimed. I quickly placed my hands around the animal to help it up, "I really am sorry," I said quickly before standing and calling for my dog.
"Colt?" I asked as my dog came running for me. "Rose!" he barked happily. I squealed in excitement. We were back in Narnia! "Come on, Colt," I called as we took off running. "Sorry Mr. Raccoon!" I shouted over my shoulder as we made our way out of the woods.
Colt and I ran for what felt like hours. My legs were exhausted and all I wanted to do was sit and rest, but I had to make it back to Peter and Cair Paravel. He must be worried sick. I continued on, but at a slightly slower pace until I saw it. There, standing only a few short feet away was Dusty, Peter's horse.
"Dusty!" I cried out as I ran towards the horse. He stared at me in shock as I finally made my way over to him. He was drinking from a river while Peter must have been out walking somewhere. "Rose?" Dusty asked in disbelief. I smiled excitedly, "Yes, Dusty. It's me!" I grinned as I pet his mane.
"Where have you been?" was all the horse could muster out. "I got sent back to my country for a bit, but I'm back now," I explained softly. "The high king will be so…" Dusty began but was quickly cut off.
"Rose?" I heard a familiar voice gasp out my name. I turned around to find Peter standing there. He looked so different. He looked slightly older than the last time I had seen him. "Peter," I whispered his name as we stood there staring at one another. "Is it really you?" Peter asked softly in disbelief as he slowly started to make his way towards me. I nodded, "Yes," was all I could muster out.
Peter quickly rushed to me as he engulfed me in his strong arms. He picked me up off the ground and spun me around excitedly before placing me down and pressing his lips firmly against mine. I responded by placing my arms around Peter's neck and reciprocating his loving kiss. We slowly pulled away breathlessly and Peter spoke, "I thought you were dead," Peter whispered softly as his hands caressed both sides of my face.
"What?" I asked in disbelief, "I was only gone for two days, Peter," I reminded him. Peter shook his head, "Rose, you've been gone for two years," he explained seriously, "I thought you had gotten kidnapped in the forest again…I thought," Peter trailed off as his voice cracked from emotion. My heart broke as I gently placed my hand on his cheek, "I am so sorry. It wouldn't have happened if I hadn't run away from you when I was running after Colt that day," I apologized sincerely.
"It doesn't matter now. All that matters is that you're back, and I'm never letting you go again," he said firmly as he pulled me in closer to his body. I took his left hand into mine. I couldn't help but wonder. I lifted his hand to see that the wedding band I had placed on his finger was still there. I smiled softly to myself as I spun his ring around his finger.
"I never took it off," I heard him whisper softly to me. I looked up at him with tears in my eyes before placing another soft kiss against his lips. As our lips parted, I lifted my hand to show him that I was still wearing my matching band. He smiled as he took my hand to his lips and kissed the ring.
"I love you, Rose, and I'm never letting you go again," Peter said firmly as he kissed my forehead. "I love you too Peter," I whispered in return as I leaned against his strong body. He held me lovingly for a few moments while we stood there in our content silence before Peter pulled away, "Let's go home. We have to let the rest of the family know that you and Colt are back," Peter said happily. I smiled joyfully in return, "Let's go home," I said reassuringly before Peter helped me up onto Dusty and we made our way home to Cair Paravel.
The End :)