Chapter 29
Farewell
The crowd noisily made its way into the courtyard, there was a little bit of pushing which caused some uproar amongst the crowd. Everybody was chatting excitedly about why they thought their new king had called this gathering. Eventually the crowd fell silent as King Caspian made his way to the front accompanied, by Aslan, the High Protector, the Kings and Queens of old and other Narnians who had played a part in the revolution. Caspian raised his hands to signal the last few people who were whispering.
"Narnia belongs to the Narnians, just as it belongs to man. Any Telmarine who wishes 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". Caspian announced
There was a break out of murmuring at the announcement, many Telmarines looked nervous at the news of returning to their old home.
"It's been generations since we left Telmar" One of the last remaining lords said
"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" Aslan explained nodding towards the four Pevensie's at the last bit. "It is to that island I can return you; it is a good place for any who wish to make a fresh start"
Nobody in the crowd moved, they just stood looking at one another waiting to see if anyone was brave enough to accept the invitation of the great lion. Eventually a voice did shout from amongst the crowd.
"I will go, I will accept the offer" Shouted General Glozelle.
He walked forward from the crowd and stopped in front of Caspian who bowed at him, Glozelle bowed back and continued to walk forward.
"So will we" announced Prunaprismia who walked forward cradling Miraz's son in her arms and being accompanied by another lord of the council.
"Because you have spoken first, your future in that world shall be good" informed Aslan
The great lion then breathed on the small group, he then looked towards the huge twisted tree that stood in the courtyard and it started to move. It didn't move like the other trees had done in the battle it just untwisted itself until an archway had formed into the centre.
With one last look at Aslan and Caspian, Glozelle lead Prunaprismia and the Telmarine lord in walking through the tree. As soon as they stepped into the gap in the tree all of them disappeared causing many nervous and shocked sounds erupting from the surrounding crowd.
"How do we know he is not leading us to our deaths" A Telmarine man in the crowd demanded.
Everybody looked at the man, then looked at Aslan trying to see if he fit the profile of tricking people to their deaths. Suddenly a noise of a tiny sword being drawn happened next to Aslan.
"Sire, if my example can be at service I will take eleven mice through with no delay" Reepicheep said.
Aslan then looked at Peter, a look of understanding passed between them. Peter thought about all the good times he had had in Narnia, but now the story was over the storybook had been closed.
"We'll go" Peter said walking forward
There were more gasps of shocks from the crowd, but Peter ignored them he instead turned to his two youngest siblings and saw the look of confusion on their faces.
"We will"? Edmund asked
"Come on, times up" Peter replied looking at Susan who understood.
Peter then turned and faced Caspian; he smiled at him and approached him. As he approached he untied Rhindon from the belt around his waist.
"After all, were not really needed here anymore" Peter said handing Rhindon to Caspian, acknowledging him as the rightful king.
Caspian hesitated for a minute then grabbed Rhindon and looked straight into Peter's blue eyes.
"I will look after it until you return" Caspian said firmly
"I'm afraid that's just it, were not coming back" informed Susan
Caspian had a look of shock on his face, the girl he had fallen in love with during this short time was leaving him forever. William who stood next to Aslan was shocked as well; they both had the same feeling of never returning to the magical land of Narnia.
"Were not"? Lucy said distraught and looking at Susan.
"You two are, at least I think he mean's you two" Peter said looking at Aslan
"Why, did they do something wrong"? Lucy asked Aslan still shocked
"Quite the opposite dear one, but all things have their time your brother and sister have learnt what they can from this world, now it is time to live in their own" explained Aslan
"It's alright Lu, it's not how I thought it would be but it's alright, one day you'll see to" Peter said holding her hand and smiling.
He then led Lucy and Edmund over to all the other Narnians to say goodbye. Peter bowed and shook hands with Glenstorm, Edmund and Lucy smiled and bowed to doctor Cornelius, trufflehunter, Reepicheep and Trumpkin before lucy burst into tears and hugged Trumpkin tightly who looked on the verge of tears himself.
The three of them then finally reached William who smiled at all of them as they approached. Lucy had tears in their eyes, and smiled at him sadly as she looked at him.
"I will never forget you, you have been like siblings to me and fear not as we will meet again, one day" William said, they all nodded at that and one by one they all gave him a tight hug they all thought of William as their brother.
Susan then very slowly walked towards Caspian; she gave him a sad smile and tried to stop the tears from falling from her eyes. Caspian looked like he was trying to do the same thing as well.
"I'm glad I came back" Susan said
"I wish we had more time together" Caspian replied
"It would never have worked anyway" Susan said with a small smile
"Why not"? Caspian asked
"I am thirteen hundred years older than you" Susan said smiling
Caspian gave a little laugh at that, Susan then looked over at William. He looked at her and gave her a small smile; she returned it before looking back at Caspian. She then started to walk away before she quickly ran back and placed a kiss on Caspian's lips, he kissed her back and when they broke apart they embraced each other in a hug.
"I'm sure when I'm older I'll understand" Lucy whispered to Peter who laughed
"I'm older and I don't think I want to understand" Edmund muttered
Susan and Caspian broke apart; Susan gave him one last smile and walked over to join her siblings. Lucy squeezed her hand and Susan squeezed back and smiled at her, Susan then looked at William. She looked into those emerald green eyes and realised that she still loved him deeply she could never get rid of those feelings for him.
Impulse took over her and she found herself running towards him, she jumped into his arms and just like she did to Caspian she planted a kiss on William's lips. He eagerly kissed her back, his arms wrapped around her waist. This kiss was different to the one she shared with Caspian, this one was deeper, more meaningful, this one was everlasting. What seemed like a lifetime later they broke apart, it seemed that all eyes were on them, Susan looked into his eyes for one last time.
"I will never forget you" Susan whispered
"I will never forget you either" William breathed back
Susan then rejoined her siblings they smiled to everyone one last time, Edmund then led his siblings through the portal back to Earth. Lucy turned around to have one last look at Aslan who smiled reassuringly to her.
They were back in the train station; no time seemed to have passed at all. Lucy looked round hopefully to see if she could still see Aslan and Narnia through the portal but there was no sign of it, it had been closed.
Their train then arrived; everybody on the platform seemed to hurry onto it. The Pevensie's just stood there staring around and thinking of their recent adventure, the boy that tried to chatting to Susan earlier walked onto the train, he then turned towards Susan who he recognised.
"Aren't you coming Phyllis"? He asked
The siblings just looked at each other before reality hit them; they all reached for their bags and suitcases and walked onto the train. Edmund was searching through his bag making sure he had everything he needed for school.
"You don't think there's anyway we could get back"? He asked still looking through his bag; he then stopped and looked at his siblings in shock "I've left my new torch in Narnia"
All four of them then started to laugh, although Peter and Susan would never return to Narnia they could cope as long as they had each other and their younger siblings, together they could do anything.
William was staring at the twisted tree, which had now closed the portal. Caspian walked up beside him and looked at the tree with him.
"William I want you to know, I never meant for you and Susan to end like that"
"It is fine Caspian, do not worry yourself" William replied smiling.
Caspian breathed a sigh of relief, he smiled back at William and together they both started to walk back towards the castle. They walked in silence for a few minuets until Caspian turned to William; he had to ask what was on his mind.
"William, will you stay and help me rule I feel Narnia still needs you" Caspian said
"Sorry Caspian, my time is up as well I must return to Aslan's country; plus you'll do just fine" William replied smiling.
Aslan approached them and smiled at William who took that as a sign that it was time to leave. William and Caspian embraced in a brotherly hug, Caspian owed his life to William on more than one occasion and he would never forget it.
"I guess this is the end" Caspian said sadly
"Caspian, It is not the end yet it is only the beginning" William said smiling and giving Caspian a wink.
Caspian smiled back, William then walked beside Aslan and then very slowly they faded away and leaving no trace behind them. The High Protector had finally left Narnia for the last time.
