A year later, everything went back to normal. Well, almost everything. But nothing would ever be the same again.

"My lady Kayla!"

"Yes, Oreius?"

"The White Stag has been seen again in the southern hills. Should I tell their majesties?"

"I might tell them. I still don't see why we need to hunt this creature. What do we need it for? Everything is fine for us where we are now. But thank you for letting me know, Oreius."

Of all the things the rulers of Narnia wanted to do, Kayla felt that hunting the White Stag was the most unnecessary. She felt that just because the stag could grant wishes, that did not mean they had to seek it out. And Kayla was not even the logical one.

Ivar had been acting very strange around Kayla for a few days, and whenever she asked why, he avoided the question. He could only talk about it with Peter.

"Peter! What are you doing at the moment?"

"Reading a book. What do you need me for?"

"What I'm about to tell you stay between us until the right time, because then, all of us will see it happen. Can you promise me that?"

"Yes, I can."

"I want to propose to Kayla."

"But you two aren't even courting."

"Yes, but the tension between us. The tension that is always between us. Do I need another reason? I am in love with this woman, Peter. And it honestly did not take me fifteen years to realize that."

"What makes you think she will say yes?"

"If she doesn't, then I will keep asking until she does."

"And what will happen if she does say yes?"

"Then there will be a wedding to plan. And even though she's your sister only in bond, I don't know of who else's permission I can ask to marry her."

"There's Edmund. And Aslan."

"Yes. I talked to Aslan about it early this morning. Not in person, but I know he heard me."

"He hears everything."

"And honestly, I don't think he could agree for a better man than you to marry his daughter, so I say the same to my sister."

"Thank you, Peter! And if she does say yes, that does not mean the wild one that she is will be tamed."

"That is something that will never happen."

One day, while Kayla was on her way to tell a story at Dancing Lawn, Ivar snuck into her room to get a ring, so he could get her ring size. He then went to the jewellery maker in the Cair Paravel citadel.

"Lalnus!"

"My lord Ivar!"

"You're not too busy today are you?"

"No, my lord. What can I do for you?"

"I need you to make a ring."

"A ring?"

"Yes. Here is one for the ring size you'll need. It's for Lady Kayla."

"Any particular gem you want on this ring?"

"Just a simple diamond. After I give her this ring, I'll let you know if you need to make two more."

"Two more?"

"Yes. The ring I'm giving her is an engagement ring. I'm going to propose marriage to her."

"I hope she accepts, my lord."

"Thank you, Lalnus. But do not tell her. And if she asks where the ring I gave you is, tell her you were doing repairs on it."

"You have my word, my lord."

"Thank you."

A few days later, Mr. Tumnus came to the citadel to give word to the family that the White Stag had been spotted in his part of the country.

"Your majesties! Your majesties! My lord and lady!"

"What is it, Mr. Tumnus?"

"Let him catch his breath first."

"The White Stag has been spotted in the Western Wood."

"The White Stag?!"

"Yes, your majesties."

"Well, it's too late in the day to go hunting him now. We will set out early tomorrow and find him. Thank you, Mr. Tumnus."

"You're welcome, High King Peter."

"What's going on, Peter?"

"Are you up for a ride tomorrow morning, Kayla?"

"How early in the day?"

"Oh, early."

"I'll be up for it, but there are no guarantees Erdudvyl will be. Am I the only one that will be riding?"

"No. All six of us will."

"Where are we going?"

"To the Western Wood, to hunt the White Stag."

Kayla had a feeling in her gut that said something would happen when they go out riding, and that sent a certain look to her eyes. The family knew that look well.

"Kayla, you have that look in your eyes."

"Of course I do. I'm not pessimistic or anything, I just know something will happen."

"What? What will happen?"

"I don't know at this point. I can't for see into the future, and believe me, sometimes I wish I could."

She walked out of the throne room and headed to the pastures to talk to her horse, Erdudvyl.

"Erdudvyl, are you up for a ride early in the morning?"

"What for?"

"The family wants to go hunting for the White Stag."

"Aren't you against this whole hunting of the White Stag?"

"Yes. Why do we need a deer who can grant us wishes? We are all fine right where we are."

The next morning, Mrs. Beaver had made her marmalade roll to go with everyone's breakfast, then after everyone had eaten, they headed to the stables to saddle their horses.

"Come on, Dagvid. No water this time. Except for the rivers."

"We're just going over land?"

"Just land."

"Kayla. You're out here?"

"Yes. Why wouldn't I be? If something happens, we should all go down together."

"Don't talk like that, Kayla."

"Sorry, Ivar. You seem nervous this morning."

He had every reason to be nervous. He was going to propose to her that day. They rode off across the country to the Western Wood, about a good five hour ride.

"You alright there Philip?"

"I'm not as young as I used to be."

"Come on, Ed!"

"Just catching my breath!"

"Slow down, Erdudvyl!"

"You girls stay at the castle, I'll go get the stag myself."

"Oh, hush, Peter. We're hunting this stag together. Like we should, as a family."

"I guess you're right, Ivar."

"What is this? There seems to be a tree of iron."

"Madam, if you look closely upon it, you will see it is no tree of iron, but a lamppost."

"It seems like a dream."

"Or a dream of a dream. Spare Oom!"

"Not again."

"Come on!"

"She's always running off."

"I told you something would happen!"

"These aren't branches."

"They're coats."

"Stop pushing!"

"Ah!"

The family's voices and bodies begin to change, and then the wardrobe door flies open and all six of them fall on the floor. Everyone looks at themselves and each other, noticing they are not their adult selves. The door to the spare room opens and the professor walks in with the ball.

"There you are. What were you all doing in the wardrobe?"

"You wouldn't believe us if we told you, sir."

The professor throws ball to Peter and with a twinkle in his eye.

"Try me."

They hear Mrs. Macready yelling about what broke, wondering why she would still be yelling about it, until Peter comes to a realization.

"You realize that no time has gone by at all, since we climbed into that wardrobe?"

They all head down to the professor's study, to explain the missing six fur coats and six pairs of boots.

"Which is why we felt we had to explain, sir. Why the coats and boots from your wardrobe were missing."

"It was very cold there."

"Not too cold, just a simple winter."

"And we didn't even know if we'd ever get back."

"And it was the most sensible thing to do."

"We'll go back and try to look for them if you-."

"Oh, come now. Nobody wants you to go back searching for a few moth eaten old coats."

"You, you do believe us, sir?"

"Naturally. Once a king in Narnia, always a king in Narnia. By the way, I shouldn't mention this to anyone else, unless you find that they've been there, too. You don't think you're the only ones to have such an adventure do you? Oh, bless me! What do they teach them at these schools?"

Later that night, Lucy tries to get into the wardrobe, when she hears the professor's voice.

"I don't think you'll get back in that way. You see, I have already tried."

"Will we ever go back?"

"Oh, I expect so. But it will probably when you're not looking for it. All the same, is to keep your eyes open."

They walk out the room and the wardrobe door opens to a small crack. A light and smoke come out, and then there is a lion's roar.