Take a breath, just take a seat
You're falling apart and tearing at the seams

Edmund didn't know exactly how long he lay there on the beaches of the Eastern Sea, his tears almost as salty as the tide that began to edge its way towards him. He did know how long he wanted to lie there, though. Forever. Maybe if he stayed there long enough the tide would sweep him up in its watery embrace and carry him far far away from all of this. He didn't want to go back and see Peter crying. He didn't want to go back and see Susan clueless. But most of all he didn't want to go back and see Lucy dead. It was easier to lie there, away from it all, wasting away.

Soon enough, though, he got the uncanny feeling that he was being watched. Closing his eyes tighter, he wished the ground would open up and swallow him in. He didn't want anyone to see him like this, crying and sprawled out helplessly on the sand. Through clenched teeth he growled, "Just go away.."

The response was a deep rumble sounding like a purr or a growl, but whatever it was meant to be, it caused the young king to come to life and struggle to his knees. Looking up with watery eyes, Edmund choked out, "A-Aslan.."

Heaven forbid you end up alone
And don't know why
Hold on tight, wait for tomorrow
You'll be alright

A faint, knowing smile crept across the majestic Lion's lips as he dipped his great head, "King Edmund.." The boy sniffled in turn, breaking his gaze from Aslan's and staring down at his palms. The Lion continued, "..why are you weeping?"

The boy bit his lip, and Aslan noticed the flicker of anger in the young King. "Because Lucy is dead," he replied, emphasizing the last word. He looked up at the great cat and met the Lion's gaze, a mixture of anger, sadness, confusion, and hope manifested through his eyes. But much to his surprise, Aslan's smile did not falter as He replied, "She is only sleeping."

Edmund clenched his fists together, and repeated, almost in a defiant tone, "She is dead, Aslan."

To this, the Lion rumbled again, though this time Edmund was sure that it was a growl. Narrowing His eyes a bit, Aslan replied, "I tell you the truth: Queen Lucy sleeps, and I have come to wake her up."

Realization struck the young King, and slowly he nodded, clasping his hands together in fervent hope. The Lion touched his nose to the kneeling King's forehead before speaking again, "Come, Edmund, lead me to your sister." Silently the boy rose to stand and grasped the Lion's mane before heading towards the castle.

Forgive the urgency but hurry up and wait
My heart has started to separate

Edmund strode down the halls with the Great Lion at his side, and immediately everyone in the castle lowered into a bow as they passed. Finally they reached the healer's asylum, and upon knocking on the door the same nymph from before opened it, bowing as they entered. She closed the door behind them and once more led them through the shelves of healing supplies until coming upon the open door in the back of the ward. Edmund entered the room, Aslan following, and when his elder siblings looked up, mixed emotions flashed across their faces. There was a moment of silence before Susan finally spoke up, her voice dry and cracked from not being used in so long. "Aslan, if you'd have come sooner, my sister would have lived.." She was silenced by Aslan's knowing gaze, and in return the Lion replied, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. Do you believe this?" Susan was unable to break away from the Lion's gaze, and after a short pause, she managed to say, "Yes, Aslan, I do." The Lion nodded in approval, and, turning to look upon the body, Susan thought she saw a single tear roll down His great maw.

Peter moved away from the head of the table, still not saying a word, and rose to his feet silently. Watching with watery blue eyes, he saw the great cat lean over Lucy's body and exhale gently. Suddenly Lucy's chest rose as she took a deep, full breath. Smiling, Aslan stepped away as all three siblings rushed forward to meet the youngest, tears still rolling down their eyes. The fourhumans embraced, and silently Aslan left, unnoticed.


Something is scratching its way out
Something you wanted to forget about

Susan leaned back in the pulpit, smoothing out her dress and only half-listening to the Preacher talk. Since her family had died nearly a year ago, she had started coming to church, seeking the security that she needed, though she still hadn't found it yet. The Preacher asked for everyone to take out their Bibles and flip to John 11, and Susan obediently did so, expecting a parable or story that really didn't have any effect on her. As the Preacher began to read through the scripture, though, a memory she had worked so hard to destroy began to piece itself together again.

"…and after that He said to them, "Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up."

She began to listen more carefully to the scripture as it was being read.

"…Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.."

Her breath caught in her throat.

"…I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"

And in that moment, Susan knew. She knew that Narnia had not been silly games from her childhood. She knew that everything Aslan said was true. She knew that even though her siblings had passed away, they would never truly die, for they had never stopped believing. She knew why Aslan had allowed Lucy to die. But most importantly, Susan knew who Aslan was in her own world.And, taking a deep breath, she whispered, "Yes, Lord, I do."

End


A/N: So there you have it. This was the point of the story all along, and if you don't like the Christian perspective I ended with, then don't review. But if you do like it, the story of The Death of Lazarus is in John 11. Hope you enjoyed, and this chapter was horrible to write. I almost gave up on the whole story because of this chapter right here. So I hope it turned out alright, at least, and please review. Please no flames, though.