There was a knocking at the door. Susan was waiting for them. She was wearing a blue silk gown. On the bodice there was what might to mistaken for sequins but were actually gems sewn onto the garment. It was a gown designed for a queen and Susan felt at home in it. She opened the door.

"Mrs. Rogers, Mr. Miller, Stevan, we've been waiting for you." She motioned for them to enter. Col was standing by the fireplace, where his turban was resting by a photo of Professor Kirke. Tumnus was sitting in a corner chair, wearing his turban and sipping tea.

Mrs. Rogers entered, followed by Miller and Stevan. They were dressed in the clothing of Rabadash's world. Mrs. Rogers wore a pink gown similar to Susan's.

"I see we're dressed alike," said Susan.

"Yes, we are. I hope you approve of it," said Mrs. Rogers. "I would hate to disappoint you."

"You could never disappoint me, Mrs. Rogers," said Susan. Col looked away to the photo of Kirke.

"I suppose you know why we three are here," said Mrs. Rogers.

"Isn't there a Christmas song like that? We three kings," sang Achilles. He was rummaging through the packages on the coffee table. "You rather fit it, with the turbans and all." He lifted up a wrapped package. "And here are the gifts."

"How do you know about Christmas?" asked Susan.

"I'm not blind or deaf," said Achilles. "We animals know more than you think."

Mrs. Rogers smiled at the animal. "How very clever you are, little Achilles," she bent over and patted his head. "For a rat that is."

Everyone but Susan and Achilles laughed. "I am not a rat and you know it," said Achilles. "I don't have that ghastly tail or the pointed nose."

"I want you to know that I forgive you for frightening the princess," said Mrs. Rogers. She turned to Susan. "The first day we were there, Achilles approached the princess and spoke to her. She nearly fainted. There are no talking animals in that land. It took awhile before she calmed down. But before the end of the week she had adopted Achilles as her 'little pet'."

"Yes, I'm rather fond of her," said Achilles, looking at the food on the table. "It was hard to leave her."

"And her treats," said Col with a smile.

"Tell me more about the princess, I mean the queen,"said Susan, looking at Col. "What did you think of her, Col?"

"Oh, she is very beautiful. Large eyes and beautiful smile, " said Col. "She is actually very nice too."

"Oh, really?" asked Susan.

Mrs. Rogers laughed. "Susan you don't have to worry about Col. He didn't stop talking about you the whole time. Besides the queen is very much in love with her new husband, Rabadash."

"Rabadash," remembered Susan, "can be very charming. I hope he's good to her."

"Rabadash isn't so very bad," said Tumnus. "He seems very suited to his situation. He'll be a good king and husband."

"He wanted Tumnus to stay and be his chief advisor," said Stevan.

"And you turned him down?" asked Susan.

"Not in so many words," said Tumnus. "I like to keep my options open."

"Which brings us to the question at hand," said Mrs. Rogers. "Do we stay here, or return to Nelirion?"

"Excuse me," said Susan. "What is Nelirion?"

"Nelirion is the land where Rajiisha and Rabadash reign," said Mrs. Rogers. "Susan, would you consider going there?"

"Going to a land where Rabadash rules?" said Susan. "It's a bit of a leap for me. I know you have all been there and apparently love it. But I do not know the place and if any of you know my history, you will understand why I am hesitant to call Rabadash my king."

"Yes," said Tumnus. "I can understand your reservations. But it might be possible for you to simply visit the place and then decide."

"Not today," said Susan. "Not now. I've had enough for one day. Being rescued from the pit is enough adventure for one day."

"How about a fresh pot of tea?" asked Mrs. Rogers. "Susan, will you come help me in the kitchen?"

Susan and Mrs. Rogers went into the kitchen, while the men continued their own discussion. Mrs. Rogers put the kettle on. They were quiet for a moment.

"Susan, please don't feel that we're ganging up on you."

"It does feel a bit like that. I know everyone wants to go back to…what is it called again?"

"Nelirion. Yes, it takes some getting used to. But it really is a delightful place."

"I'm sure it is."

Mrs. Rogers touched Susan's arm. "You know I care for you, Susan. You and Col seem like family to me. But I simply must move on. This world seems so drab by comparison."

"It is winter. Springtime will come. It won't be so very drab then," said Susan. "And the witch is gone now. We can live in peace. Right here."

"You can live in peace here. I must go, Susan. I simply cannot go back to pretending to be a housewife. I am a princess, Susan."

"And I am a queen, Mrs. Rogers. I understand how you feel."

No one said anything for awhile. Then Susan whispered, "It's not like it's Narnia."

"Narnia?" said Mrs. Rogers. "I think we would all choose Narnia if we could. Oh, how I wish that was an option." She turned to Susan. "Susan, you don't have to go. I don't want to pressure you. But with the time between the worlds being so different I feel I must go now."

"Well, the tea is ready. Shall we go?" asked Susan.

The men were silent when they came back into the room. Everyone's eyes were on Susan. She put the tea service on the table.

"Just so you all know, I will not be going with you to Nelirion. Not today," said Susan. "But I will not keep you from following your dreams. I don't want you to feel guilty about leaving me." She looked at Mrs. Rogers. A tear was rolling down her cheek. "Even you, Col. If you decide to go with them, do not feel bound in anyway to stay here with me."

"Susan, you know better than that," said Col. "I left Narnia to find you. I'm not leaving you now."

"Well, it's getting late, Rogers," said Miller. "You made me promise that I would keep you from long goodbyes." He stood up and picked up several large bags. "Tumnus, are you coming?"

Tumnus rose, he walked over to Susan and put his hands on her arms. "I too did not travel to find Susan, just to leave her behind. I'm sorry, Miller, Mrs. Roger, Stevan. I can't go. Not just yet."

"Well, don't wait too long. It might be too late," said Miller. "Susan, I hope you don't mind if I use your wardrobe, this one last time."

"I don't mind."

They walked down the hallway to the spare room. Susan opened the door to the wardrobe and checked the back wall of it. "It's open."

"Then we'll be off," said Miller. The men shook hands. Everyone hugged Susan. Miller and Stevan disappeared into the wardrobe.

"Susan, do reconsider," said Mrs. Rogers. "You and I and Rajiisa would have such fun together."

"I'm sure we would. Now you have fun without me. Remember the good times," said Susan. "And keep an eye on Rabadash. Don't let him mistreat the queen."

"Goodbye dear," said Mrs. Rogers. She hugged Susan one last time and walked through the coats.

"Well, that leaves me in a tight spot." It was Achilles. He was standing behind them. "You sure know how to pull on the heartstrings don't you, Sue?"

"Achilles, go ahead. I know you want to go to this new land."

"And leave you behind with these two?" said Achilles. "They couldn't take care of you. Besides, there are still some cakes on the table."