MistroStrings and MisticLight here! This, our dear readers, is our final chapter of our little Narnian adventure. The chapter following this is an epilogue/authors note thing (with a special surprise inside [; ).

Thank you to everyone for all of your reviews! 144 as of now! If we were somehow able to reach 150…we both would die with happiness and have a party in which you are all invited (although…you'll just have to be there in spirit…sorry guys).

Anyway, enjoy this final installment…UNTIL THE SEQUEL COMES OUT! :D

We love you all! And may the spirit of Aslan be with you always. Much love!

~MistroStrings and MisticLight

peter likes to ride unicorns. Lol –mistrostrings

O_O -MisticLight (PS, this totally describes us. HAHA.)

~.~.~.~.

"My dear Lady, I believe we are delaying Aslan's summoning by being so late!" A somewhat frazzled Reepicheep squeaked from his perch atop of Annette's shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Reep." Annette sympathetically said. There was a funny feeling swelling up inside of the dear girl, and she was walking rather slowly to the cliff's edge because of it. "Something just doesn't feel right." She looked to her feet for solace, but they offered her nothing in return. "I understand if you'd rather scamper ahead."

The little mouse patted Annette on her ear, his ears lowering as if mimicking her mood. "Do not fear what lies ahead too much. Charge at it head on!" Reepicheep proudly stated, making a smile appear on Annette's face. With his mission accomplished, the brave mouse plopped down onto the floor and scurried on ahead. This left Annette alone in the barren corridor.

Well, almost alone.

"So, I see we will be arriving late together?" An unmistakable Caspian said from behind, quickly placing himself beside her.

Annette's snapped her head up so as not to trouble him with her sudden worries. "It appears to be that way." She smiled. However, her smile quickly faded once she took in his attire. "What sort of pants are those?" Her nose scrunched with disapproval. "They're awful! Who dressed you this morning?"

"I did." Caspian gaped, glancing down at his pants. "And I thought they looked fitting for the occasion."

"Oh Caspian," Annette laughed, shaking her head. "You have much to learn."

"And you will be the one to teach me?" Caspian humorously asked, finally joining in with his laughter.

A thought suddenly crossed Annette's mind; one that made her laughter subside into a simple smile. She slid her hand into Caspian's, their fingers almost instinctively entwining. "I hope so, Caspian." Annette whispered. "With all my heart."

Caught up in the moment, she leaned her head onto Caspian's shoulder. They both didn't notice the group of slightly impatient citizens until one uncomfortably coughed nearby them. Caspian tensed up while Annette shot her into an upright position. She sheepishly smiled to the audience, squeezed Caspian's hand, and ran off to join Margaret and the Pevensies.

Her face was red hot as she took her stance next to Margaret, so obviously Margaret took this opportunity to pick on her friend. "I find today to be quite warm," she whispered.

"What are you talking about?" Annette replied, still unable to hide her rosy cheeks.

"I thought perhaps you were holding his hand because you were cold," Margaret smirked. "Naturally, I would view it as affection, but you're not often one for public scenes. It took me by surprise, to say the least." Annette could not find the proper words to respond with. In the back of her mind, she was unafraid to show affection towards Caspian anywhere. She was unsure of the time they had left and wanted to make every moment worthwhile. "Do you know what we're doing here?" Margaret's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Judging by the faces in the crowd, I don't think I'm the only one confused."

Annette could only stare out into the flood of people. The gathering. The tree. Aslan. The fact that they were standing like an attendance line. The point was clear, wasn't it? Though she hated admitting it, she knew this day had been creeping closer. Finally, it had come. And naturally, Margaret was unable to realize the situation. "Margaret…" Annette's laugh was tinged with sadness. "You really don't know, do you?"

"No…" She muttered, blinking away the bright sun. "Is this another crowning or something? More parties?" Annette could only smile. If she told her friend the truth, it would have been too painful for both of them. Though it took Margaret a while to accept Narnia, it had become her new home. Margaret always carried a big imagination, but Narnia was a paradise. She would not be quite ready to leave.

Both girls were taken by surprise as Caspian took center stage. Everyone grew quiet as his soft voice rose above them. "Narnia belongs to the Narnians, just as it does to man." Even though he had been ruling for a short while, his voice was strong and his nobility shone brightly. "Any Telmarines who want 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."

Margaret took a physical step forward, her eyes brimming over with fear. She had never fully expressed her displeasure at the idea of going home. She knew it was the right thing to do, but that didn't make it any less painful. Tightness wrung itself around her heart. Before she could get her thoughts straight, a small hand reached for her own. Lucy looked just as bewildered as she held onto Margaret for comfort. The two of them stood quietly in bewilderment, though they wished to express their sorrow aloud.

Annette could only direct her eyes at the ground. Looking at Caspian was too difficult, and the last thing she wanted was for him to see her wavering tears.

"It's been generations since we left Telmar!" A man from the audience proclaimed with uncertainty.

Aslan's head snapped towards him. "We are 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 expressions worn by the Telmarines were ones of shock. They did not know the truth about their ancestors, and were being informed too many years later. "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 for a few seconds. The Lion had come into the Telmarines life suddenly and said that their entire history was wrong. Believing him would not be easy and it was clear on most of their faces that they were not planning to.

Margaret desperately turned to lock eyes with Annette, but was distressed to see that her friend's focus was solely on the pebbles beneath her shoes.

"I will go." A man called out from the crowd, ending the silence. Upon recognizing the voice, Annette's head shot up to search the crowd of murmuring Telmarines. Her eyes never rested until they fell onto General Glozelle. "I will accept the offer."

Although saddened by the General's decision, Annette truly couldn't see it any other way. He of all people deserved a fresh start. One where he didn't need to suffer under the oppression of a vicious King. Where he could make decisions that he sought fit.

"What is it?" Margaret asked.

"It's the General I told you about." Annette explained, nodding at the man stepping out from the crowd. "He's leaving." Margaret gazed out at the man, instantly recognizing him. However, she still couldn't understand why Annette sounded so mystified by all this. "He's not that bad, you know. And I certainly wish that Aslan gives him something to help him succeed in our world."

General Glozelle must have heard Annette's final statement because he swiftly turned his head to face the two girls. His eyes settled upon Annette, offering her a smile and a small bow. Annette eagerly returned both to the General. She respected him for all he did during the revolution.

Their moment was interrupted by another voice, this time a female. "So will we." She softly uttered before making her appearance. It was Miraz's wife, the aunt of Caspian himself, along with her newborn son and father.

"Because you have spoken first…" Aslan nobly said to the approaching volunteers. "Your future in that world shall be good." The lion breathed his sweet breath onto them, gracing them with the good future they rightfully deserved.

"Wait," Margaret whispered loudly to Annette, slightly ruining the beautiful moment. "Aslan is sending them to our world, right?"

"Yes."

"Is he sure that's a good idea?" She chuckled nervously. "I mean, look at their clothing. I'm not sure if they're going to fit in properly. The technology will overwhelm them, and the war…"

"Margaret," Annette couldn't hide an oncoming smile. "I'm certain that Aslan has everything figured out."

Margaret's shoulders slumped as she allowed herself to relax. Annette had a point. Aslan never seemed to do anything without making sure there was room for a good outcome.

Still pondering over the idea, Margaret only noticed the tree beginning to creak and twist as soon as the crowd's gasps filled her ears. The beautiful bark began to crack and bend, the leaves staying still in the midst of the crowd's proclamations. A light breeze flew over the people and creatures. Soon, a large hole was created, ready for it's bait.

The volunteering Telmarines stared into the hole with worry, but Aslan sent them a nod of reassurance. Caspian locked eyes with them one last time before they stepped through the invisible portal. And like the magic that is so often found in Narnia, they vanished without a trace. Their lives were their own now, and their story would always remain a mystery. However, thanks to Aslan, their mysteries would have grand endings.

The crowd quickly responded in an uproar. Shouts rung out left and right.

"Where did they go?"

"They killed them!"

"How do we know he is not leading us to our deaths?"

The shouts were vicious. How could they not trust this gentle beast after all he had done for them? He invented their world. These people were nothing but ignorant in Margaret's eyes, and she had been there for a much shorter time.

"Sire…" A small, but strong voice called out. All eyes turned to the noble mouse. "If my example can be of any service, I will take eleven mice through without delay." Margaret's stomach twisted. She would be very sad to see her friend go, even if it was for a good cause.

Aslan said nothing. Instead, he turned his focus towards the two oldest Pevensies, who were already discussing the matter together through their stares. Margaret knew as she watched them that what came next was not going to be easy. For any of them.

Finally, the words fell softly from Peter's lips. "We'll go."

Before Peter even finished his sentence, Annette felt her uneasy feeling from before. Her hand shot out to Margaret so as to keep her from disappearing, but her eyes sought out only Caspian. She wasn't about to let him part from her either.

"We will?" Edmund asked for confirmation. His face twisted at the thought of leaving Narnia behind again.

"Come on." Peter said in an attempt to round up everyone. "Our time's up."

Margaret held fast to Annette's hand, removing her vision from the Pevensies to her friend. When she saw that Annette wasn't even looking at her, she forced her hand away. Margaret had felt like an added load to Annette's worries as she gazed at Caspian; a feeling Margaret hated.. She hated it with every ounce of her being.

"After all…" Peter continued, making his way over to Caspian. "We're not really needed here anymore." Very gently, Peter removed his precious sword and handed it over to Caspian. There was admiration in Caspian's eyes as he grabbed hold of it.

"I will look after it until you return." He said, determined that they would all be reunited shortly.

"I'm afraid that's just it." Susan said from the side. Everyone's gaze fell to her. Annette even forced herself to look upon the elegant Queen. "…We're not coming back."

Her words hit Margaret and Annette much harder than they thought. They knew this day would come eventually, but they certainly weren't prepared for it to be today. For Margaret, this could be the day she loses her best friend; her family. As for Annette, she would cause pain to one of the two people she treasured most in this world: Margaret and Caspian.

Their frightened stares suddenly jumping to her didn't help calm her down either.

"We're not?" Lucy cried, just as upset to be leaving Narnia.

Peter calmly walked over to his youngest sister, a sense of knowing playing upon his face. "You two are." With a side look to Aslan, Peter finally allowed a small smile to cross his face. "At least, I think he means you two."

"But why?" Lucy's brows scrunched together. "Did Peter and Susan do something wrong?"

"Quite the opposite, dear one," Aslan answered with an evident smile behind his fur. "But, all things have their time." Though his words were meant to be comforting, Lucy's face held nothing but sorrow.

Edmund's expression was quite similar, until a look of realization hit him. "Wait," he interjected. "What about Lady Annette and Lady Margaret?" He was voicing the question they had all been thinking.

"Narnia's doors are open to those who need it," Aslan said. "I think Lady Margaret and Lady Annette have not seen all that they have yet to see of their new home, and should know that these doors are always open when they need her."

Margaret could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Though, with the time change, who knew when they would make it back to Narnia? A few months in England, maybe. But, it could end up being years in Narnia. Annette would no doubt worry about that.

"Your brother and sister have learned what they can from this world," Aslan continued. "Now it's time for them to live in their own."

"It's alright, Lu," Peter smiled as he crossed to his sister. A smile passed his face, and just looking at it put Margaret at ease. He gently took her small hands in his. "It's not how I thought it would be… but it's alright." Lucy finally allowed herself to come to terms with this, and in the end, she was more pleased than before. "One day, you'll see too. Come on."

All of them began to make their way towards the group of Narnian heroes standing nearby the trees. It was time to say goodbye, as hard as it would be. Standing proudly near Aslan, the Professor, Reepicheep, Trufflehunter, the Bulgy Bear, Glenstorm, and Trumpkin awaited their farewells.

Annette hustled over towards Glenstorm, not even bothering to make eye contact with Margaret or Caspian. Things were just running too fast for her at the current moment, and she needed time to think.

When she approached the mighty centaur, his knowing face picked up on her distressed one "What troubles you, my friend?"

"I can't…" Annette began, unable to finish her sentence. Instinctively, she grabbed a hold of her hair and began nervously twist it about. She had to take a few shaky breaths before continuing. "I can't choose." Her simple sentence brought tears to her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away. There was no way Annette was letting Glenstorm see her even weaker than she already was.

"Lady Annette," Glenstorm said, placing a hand upon her shoulder and stooping his head to her level. "Only you yourself can decide what next faces you. The path will be rough either way, but your friends will understand."

The centaur's kind words of wisdom took a while to set in, but once they did, Annette offered him a smile. A very dry smile, but a grateful one nonetheless. As she gazed up into her friend's eyes, she couldn't resist the urge to hug him. Glenstorm held a significant spot in her heart, and she would be eternally grateful to him. If she left, Annette would certainly miss her dear friend.

Margaret, on the other hand, had to stoop a bit lower to say her farewells. "I guess this is goodbye," she muttered quickly and quietly to her mouse friend.

Reepicheep wore a smile tinged with sadness. "For now, Lady Margaret. I expect to see your smiling face back in Narnia very soon. We shall certainly miss it." He held out his hand for a shake. Margaret began to reach out her finger, but instead picked the small critter up and held him tightly to her chest. "Lady Margaret…" He laughed nervously. "I'm not sure if this is proper-"

"Don't tell me what is and isn't proper," she said as she gently set him down. "I wasn't about to leave without hugging my favorite mouse." Playfully, she flicked his feather. "That's for all of the times you've poked me with that silly sword of yours." Reepicheep smiled throughout it all, and gave her a low bow before she stood back up.

"I will miss you very much, Lady Margaret," he said sadly. "You are not just my leader, but my dear and truest friend." Margaret had to turn away before her tears fell onto the mouse and squashed him. The last thing she wanted to do was drown him with her tears… literally.

When Annette spun around to finally face the upcoming decision she so wanted to avoid, the sight she saw startled her. Caspian and Susan were embracing one another, sadness burrowed in the creases of their frowns. Though it was intimate, it was one of friendship. Annette knew who their hearts belonged to, and she felt all the better for it. If Annette did choose to leave, Susan would be missing Caspian just as much. There was a special bond between the King and Queen. Although it was in friendship, this bond wasn't about to be broken by a change in worlds.

With two huge breaths, Annette took her first step towards Caspian. Now was the time to decide her fate.

"Is this our farewell?" Caspian asked, sadness failing to be hidden from his features. Annette tried to avoid this by looking to Margaret, but she was only met with the same face. Everything was just piling up.

So instead, Annette looked to Aslan. He nodded his head forward, not to rush Annette, but to offer her his support. No matter what she chose, the kind Lion will be proud of her.

"Someone very dear to my heart once told me I had strength within me." Annette said, smiling at Aslan before turning back to face Caspian. "They also said I was pushing it down, keeping it hidden." Taking another deep breath, Annette continued onto a new train of thought. "I love Narnia. It's taught many things about the world, but mostly it's taught me about myself. I'm sure everyone here can say this, which is why the thought of staying here forever seems like the greatest wish anyone could ever ask for. I adore every second I'm here."

From behind, Margaret lowered her head. It was clear Annette was staying, and this frightened her. Something soft brushed against the back of her hand. Looking down, she was surprised to see Edmund's fingers gently placing themselves over hers. She turned her eyes towards his own, the message in them clear.

Don't be sad, Margaret. A girl like you should never be sad.

"However," Annette said, sending an unwanted pain through Caspian. Margaret's ears perked up at the single word. "I also don't think I'm ready for Narnia. There are still a few things in my world that I'd like to learn about. More importantly, another half of my soul is going back home." Here, Annette glance back at Margaret before turning to a less happy Caspian. "And I don't plan on leaving her yet."

Caspian looked to the floor for a few moments, composing himself before facing Annette with a sense of understanding surrounding him. Margaret wanted to smile, but the sight was far too powerful to make any movement, period. "I hope this isn't the end for us."

"It can't be." Annette hurriedly said, rushing towards forward to place her hands upon his shoulders. She paused, thinking over her word choice. "It won't be."

He smirked, absorbing every ounce of her face. Ignoring all the onlookers in the crowd, but realizing Annette's distaste for displaying her affections for all to see, Caspian leaned forward and quickly planted a peck upon her lips.

Annette wasn't ready to leave Caspian's embrace though, so she stayed. Her arms found their way around him as she mumbled into his collar. "Please don't forget me." She whispered before backing up a little and smiling his way. "I'll be leaving my dagger here as a reminder."

"I wouldn't even need it." Caspian responded, laughing at her final comment.

Margaret and the remaining Pevensies watched curiously from the sidelines. Lucy's lip curled in confusion as she shook her head back and forth. "I'm sure when I'm older I'll understand."

Edmund did not fail to hide his playful smirk. "I'm older and I don't think I want to understand." Knowing full well that he would have to understand to be with her, Margaret nudged him firmly. He smiled down at her, giving her hand a small squeeze of reassurance. "Don't worry," he whispered. "You can teach me."

Margaret's cheeks had never been so red in her entire life.

However, the time had finally come and the group was silently making their way towards the tree. There was no turning back. When they went through the portal, they would be back in the world of British accents, tea and biscuits. Margaret smiled. She could already smell the butterscotch scent of her living room as the distance between her and the tree shortened. She was actually looking forward to it now that the time had come. Her time in Narnia was not over yet. In fact, as she took one last look out into the tumbling, beautiful cliffs on Narnia, she knew it would not be long. Just before they were about to enter, her hand was lifted up towards a pair of soft lips. Margaret watched as Edmund gently placed a lasting kiss upon her skin, smiling all the while. Ignoring her fluttering heart, Margaret realized that Annette and Edmund would both be returning with her. She suddenly felt like the luckiest girl in the world.

From the back of this line of theirs, Annette watched Edmund and Margaret's interaction. It was a sweet gesture before departing into to England for however long it may be. A few weeks. A year…forever.

Although Annette stood by her decision to go back with Margaret, the thought of possibly never seeing Caspian again was more than she could bare. She quickly spun back around, nearly melting when she saw Caspian's smiling face. He was supporting her, even if her decision wasn't what he had wanted. This was enough to start a spark up inside of Annette.

As fast as she possibly could, Annette ran the short distance back to Caspian. When she reached him, she held no fear in pulling Caspian closer and placing one final passionate kiss upon his lips. It didn't matter who was looking, or what anyone may be thinking. This timeless kiss was for Annette and Caspian alone.

With a rapidly beating heart, Annette pulled away. Caspian gently placed his hand on the back of her head to push her forward until their foreheads met. They were both breathing quickly, but somehow Annette was able to squeeze in one final word, "Goodbye."

Caspian chuckled, shaking his head. "Not goodbye." He corrected to Annette's bewildered eyes. "Until we meet again."

Annette couldn't contain herself from giving him one final sweet kiss before finally pulling away from him and joining the others. Her eyes never left Caspian's until the last possible second.

And then it was silent. For a brief moment, time froze and worlds became one. Light and dark intertwined and roar of Lion matched roar of train. Peace washed over the group until they were once again in the underground tube. Uniforms back on their bodies, hair in tight braids and caps on the boys, things were certainly back to normal.

They all spun around, just to make sure that there wasn't a tree or mythical creatures waiting behind them. Sadly, there was nothing but the busy traffic of the tube as people continued to live their lives.

None of them said a word. Their exchanged glances held enough memories than words ever would. Margaret briefly wondered if it had all been a dream, but as she felt the soft touch of another hand in hers, she knew that was not the case. Annette stood by her side, a small smile creeping onto her face. With her empty hand, Margaret reached out for her best friend. Forever and always, they would hold each other's hand when they needed it the most.

"Aren't you coming, Phyllis?" A mocking voice asked from the train. A tall, lanky boy with glasses stared intently at Susan. His face was gentle even though it was clear he was mocking her.

The situation was obviously not worth explaining, and everyone shrugged it off as they went to fetch their bags. Margaret and Annette were a bit surprised when they found their luggage piled neatly by the Pevensies, but it was clear this was all Aslan's doing and the pair simply smiled. As Margaret reached for her bag, she noticed an open book lying next to it. Annette stepped a bit closer to take a look at the page.

"That's it," she sighed breathlessly. "It will always be there."

"Yes," Margaret smiled as she ran her fingers over the drawing of the tree. "However, I don't think we'll be getting in that way again."

Annette smiled and gently folded the cover back. "Then we'll just have to find another way. With your wits and my sensibility, it shouldn't be too hard, should it?"

The train let out a warning whistle and the two giggling friends quickly rushed onto the train before they missed any more adventures.

"You don't think there's any way we can get back?" Edmund asked as they all hurried inside. Everyone glanced at the frazzled boy curiously as he rummaged through his sack. "I've left my new torch in Narnia," he mumbled with a pout.

Everyone couldn't repress their laughter, and Margaret quickly leaned up to peck him on the cheek. Edmund was clearly frustrated, but the situation was too humorous for anyone to take seriously.

As the train began to click into motion, Margaret and Annette locked eyes from across the space. Margaret's eyes twinkled knowingly. It wouldn't be long. Annette nodded her head ever so slightly. Their adventure had been big, but it was nothing compared to what was to come.

But as long as they had each other, anything was possible.