For a moment, Susan could not turn around. She could hear the Lion walking closer to her, and her heart pounded in her chest. She drew in a sharp breath.

"Are you afraid, child?" he said.

"No," she whispered, shaking her head. Finally, she turned around and faced the Lion. "I've never been afraid of you."

"Then why are you trembling?"

"I—" Her voice caught in her throat. "Aslan, is this really Narnia?"

"No," Aslan replied. "You already knew that."

Susan nodded. "Why am I here?" He did not answer her, but only gave her a long look. She could feel his eyes looking right through her. "Why did you ever bring us here? What is the use of coming to Narnia if we couldn't stay here?" He gave a very low growl. "You're angry with me."

"I could never be angry with you, Susan," said Aslan. "You have always spoken from your heart. But I know that you are angry with me." His voice grew gentler. "You must know, dear heart, that I did not call you out of your world. The Deep Magic brought you through that door—just as it brought you again when your horn was winded. We are all governed by the Deep Magic. Narnia needed you, and so it called to you."

"Why, Aslan? Why did all of this happen?" Susan's voice shook.

"Because it was meant to be, child. Even I cannot stop what is meant to be. You and your brothers and sister and cousin have come to Narnia. Others have come before you, and still others will after you. You had a purpose to serve, and you served it well. You came to Narnia, and you knew me. But this is not your world, and you must know me now in your own."

"I don't want to, Aslan." Susan bowed her head. "It's too difficult. I'm not like the others, who can accept all this without question. Even the first time, I did not believe Lucy. I never really understood if it was all a dream. When we came again, to help Caspian, you did not show yourself to me until last. I—I wish I was more like Lucy, or Edmund, or Peter. They always believed without question." Bitterness had begun to creep into her voice again. "Did you love them more than me?"

"I love all of my family. Even when they do not remember." He flicked his tail. "Ask what you want to ask."

"I want to return to Narnia, Aslan," she said. Susan raised her head and looked at the Lion. "I want to be a part of Narnia, completely. And if I cannot, then I want to leave it behind me. Completely."

"I owe you a debt of gratitude, Daughter of Eve. You and your sister comforted me in my greatest hour of need. You did this without second thought, and your strength gave me strength to do what needed to be done. Because of this, I will grant you your wish. But you must be absolutely certain."

Aslan's eyes were so sad; Susan thought her heart would break. But she kept her resolve. "I am certain."

Aslan walked closer to her. For just a moment, Susan hesitated. She felt the hairs on his mane brush her arms, and felt his warm breath on her face. She closed her eyes as he breathed on her, and he whispered, "Forget, Susan. Forget all that you can." She shivered, and it felt as if a cool breeze had traveled up her spine. "Aslan?" she breathed.

"You can never completely forget, child. Deep in your heart you will always know me. Perhaps one day, you will decide to remember again. Until then, it will stay locked inside you. I hope this gives you some comfort. Now, return to your own world." Then, suddenly, he was gone.

Susan's eyes flew open. She was completely alone. Susan looked into the tall mirror behind her, and smiled at her reflection. She smoothed her skirt down and straightened her stockings, giving herself one closer look. Then she went to the window and looked outside. There was the coastline, and if she looked to the left she could see a huge sea, glistening in the dusk. The sun was going down, and the world seemed peaceful. Not a creature stirred, no birds called to each other, and no one was walking outside. Susan looked down, and saw the small clearing in which they would have their autumn feast, when the nymphs and the fauns would dance for the last time until spring. Even when there was not a celebration going on, there would always be someone down there. She strained her eyes to catch sight of anyone, but soon couldn't quite remember what she was looking for.

The room was growing darker, but the beginning of twilight was gleaming in through the large window. Susan walked through the room, marveling at the tapestries on the walls, depicting unicorns and mermaids and other beautiful creatures. They reminded her of a song she had heard, perhaps as a child, and she hummed it while she examined them further. She could not remember the name of the song, or any of the words, although she felt as though they were on the tip of her tongue. She traced her hand along the huge chest at the end of the large bed, and over the patterns intricately carved into the wood. On a table nearby was a collection of trinkets and rings and necklaces, each more beautiful than the last. "Whoever owns these must have many admirers," she thought aloud. As she held one of the necklaces up to her own breast, she had an image of a handsome young man and sweetly whispered words, but then the thought was gone.

Susan pulled open the door that led out into the hallway. Her footsteps echoed on the stone as she walked, and it struck Susan as strange that there was no one else there, no one to challenge her. She passed another door and almost reached out to open it. No, he hates it when others simply barge in, she thought, making her pause. "Who?" she asked, but received only silence in return. Susan started to feel unnerved by the quiet, and quickly made her way to the large staircase at the end of the hall. It was darker down here, and across the foyer she could see another door, which she knew must lead to the outside. "This isn't like any castle I've ever seen before," she said, and then regretted it when her voice echoed back at her, rising up to the high ceiling. She caught sight of another large room as she glanced around, and through a trick of the light, it looked as if there were four thrones on the other side. "Four thrones?" she whispered. "I've never heard of such a thing." Finally, she reached the huge door. She grasped the large golden handle and pulled. The door swung slowly towards her.

Lucy stood on the other side. "Susan?" she said. "Are you all right?"

Susan blinked. "Of course I am." She opened the door wider so that Lucy could enter their bedroom. Lucy walked in and sat on a chair near the window. "Were you sleeping?" she asked.

"I think I must have been," said Susan. She looked very seriously at her sister. "But I must tell you, Lucy, you really must do something about your hair. You're not a little girl anymore, who can simply get away with pigtails. Here, let me show you." She stood behind her and began to comb and twist Lucy's hair.

Lucy turned her head and looked at her sister strangely. "Are you sure you are all right?"

"I think I might still be recovering from my trip to America. Don't let's talk about that now. There is no need to worry so much about me."

"Oh, Susan," said Lucy. "I feel so terrible about the argument. Do come back downstairs with us. I'll tell the others not to mention Narnia again, if that is what you really want."

"Narnia?" Susan asked. "What—oh, are you talking about that game we used to play when we were younger?" Susan thought for a moment. "We started that during the war, didn't we? How funny you should bring that up now! Is that what we argued about? I really can't seem to remember."

"But Susan—the things you said about Narnia—"

"There you go again about that! What a memory you have, Lucy! Why, I haven't thought about that silly game in simply years." She laughed and started to comb Lucy's hair again.


A/N: Thanks again to everyone who reviewed and gave your ideas. I'd love to hear what you thought of the ending. Since Aslan was in every story, I felt like he needed to be in mine as well. On another note, I'm working on a new story, and I'll hopefully be ready to start posting in a week or two. Make sure you look for it!