Too much time had passed since he last saw her. Granted, Edmund was not entirely certain just how long it had been, all he knew was that he had not seen her in at least three minutes and it was worrying him. He had made it a point to keep her in his line of sight, just to reassure himself. With a sword in each hand to keep control of, and an insurmountable amount of enemies around them, he had lost her in the masses and he was growing more anxious by the minute.

"Edmund!"

"I'm a little busy, Su!" He cut one Telmarine down, immediately parrying a blow from a second while simultaneously stabbing at a third.

Firing an arrow, ridding her brother of one of his obstacles for the time being, Susan glared at him. "It's Adeline, you git," she groused, stabbing another arrow in the eye of an approaching soldier. "She's injured, badly."

The King of Narnia nearly lost his footing. "What?" He narrowly avoided having a sword shoved into his stomach, impatiently separating the Telmarine's head from the rest of his body. "Where?" In a few quick steps, he had traded places with his sister, slashing one of his swords across his opponent's chest. Taking advantage of the temporary reprieve, he rounded on Susan.

"Last I saw her she was heading west, towards the Dancing Lawn," she explained quickly. "There were at least six men following her, I think she's drawing them to different terrain." Before her brother could leave, she caught his arm. If things really were going as badly as she thought for the Commander… he needed to know. There was no telling what sights would greet him when he caught up. "Edmund, she was bleeding, and I think she might've broken an arm."

His blood turned to ice in his veins. Not even Adeline, though she was the Great Warrior, could hold off her adversaries long when so severely injured. The battle was overwhelming. Edmund tried to cross the battlegrounds as quickly as possible, hoping to get to his best friend before it was too late. But with every two steps he took, he was pushed back by one or several Telmarines.

An ear shattering crack. Before he could react, the soldiers he was fighting were pulled away from him by massive roots shooting out of the ground. Around him, the Telmarines were fleeing for their lives. The trees. Edmund searched the battlefield, meeting Susan's gaze. Lucy had come through. Again, he raked his eyes over the grounds. From a distance, he could see a figure draped over Ironhoof's withers, held up with the help of a satyr. Though it was difficult to tell through the blood and dirt, he was fairly certain that the figure sported a head of messy, gold locks. Confident that she was, at least, alive, Edmund followed the others as they pursued the Telmarines.

Peter felt nauseous as he took in the fully formed bridge across the river. With the dryads awake, he could not help but wonder how many of them had been killed by Telmarine axes for it to be made. On the other side of the river, Lucy stood, side by side with the Great Lion. So he pushed away his nausea, tamed his grief. The trees, they might have been friends of his from his rule. He would grieve them. But until the Telmarines surrendered, he had to focus on saving the Narnians who were still with him. And he would be proud of his sister.

Whether the Telmarines were stupidly brave or just plain stupid would never become quite clear to Edmund. Though he was leaning towards the latter as Sopespian let out a cry for his men to charge against Lucy and Aslan, clearly believing that they stood a chance. The king found himself to be very grateful for the lessons in history he had suffered through alongside his siblings. Had the people of Telmar truly learnt from history, they would have known that their reign would come to an end. They would have known that there was nothing they could do to defeat Queen Lucy the Valiant, not when she had the greatest power in all of Narnia by her side.

It was over quickly. The charge was stopped by a roar from Aslan, with the help of a furious River God. The Telmarines surrendered. Immediately, the Narnians took it upon themselves to disarm the defeated soldiers, not harming a hair on their heads. That was not the way of the Narnian people. Their enemies had laid down their swords. There was no need for more bloodshed.

The Kings and Queen of Old, alongside Caspian, waded cross the river to face the Great Lion. Immediately the took knee. He had saved them, again, and they all owed him their gratitude. He looked at them fondly. "Rise, kings and queens of Narnia," he said, giving them a lion's smile. "All of you."

"I'm not quite sure that I'm ready." Caspian lowered his gaze. The lion in front of him was, even to the Telmarines, someone to be respected. For a long time, he had thought Aslan to be naught but a fairytale, someone he would never be lucky enough to meet.

Aslan hummed, regarding the young man warmly. "I have been told of your missteps and need for vengeance," he said regally. Caspian bowed again, refusing to stand. "But I have also heard of your bravery and kindness, of your choice to show your uncle mercy, and I have witnessed your candour for myself." The king looked up at him in surprise. "It is because, after all you've been through, you don't see yourself as worthy, that I know you are," he continued. "You must henceforth remember that your worth as king is not determined by you, it is determined by those who rely on you to lead them."

Stunned, but humbled, Caspian rose. He blushed furiously as the siblings gave him proud smiles.

"And where is my daughter," Aslan asked. "I imagine she would like to see that you're all well."

Reminded of his injured friend, Edmund looked around. "Ironhoof the centaur had her on his back as we came here, Your Eminence," he stated, skin crawling with anxiety as he remembered the sight, "I… I don't know if she's still alive."

"Your lack of faith in my ability to survive is appalling."

The group turned, finding Adeline standing behind them, leaning heavily on Ironhoof for support. She was very pale, a bandage wrapped around her thigh and a sling holding her arm up. Her breastplate had been removed, her ripped tunic bloody but not showing any signs that she was still bleeding.

"I found her in the forest, Your Majesties," Ironhoof said, helping her sit beside the Great Aslan. "It was a massacre, eight Telmarines slaughtered." He bowed deeply to both the Lion and the Commander before taking his leave. He had his own family to look after.

Adeline tugged irritably at the sling, happy to pretend like it did not hurt when it came off. She should have known better than to believer her father would simply let the matter rest. Before she could stop him, whether out of sheer stubbornness or to avoid looking like a wounded child not even Adeline herself knew, her father lowered his face and allowed his breath to fan over her face. She flexed her fingers and, upon finding that her arm had been mended, removed the bandage around her leg.

"You never were one for patiently waiting to heal, even in childhood."

"I assure you, Father, once time slows down, as will I."

The kings and queens of Narnia chuckled lightly, Caspian awestruck by the easy banter between father and daughter while the Pevensies simply revelled in having their Adeline back.

The sudden sound of bagpipes playing a sorrowful melody reached their ears. Gripping her father's mane, Adeline hauled herself to her feet. A troop of six mice marched up to them, carrying a stretcher between them. Reepicheep lay largely unmoving atop it. His breathing was shallow and Adeline's breath hitched. The last time she had seen him he had rushed head first into the Telmarine infantry. A noble and brave mouse he may be, but he was still very much smaller than his adversaries. His injuries could be life-threatening.

Lucy was on her knees in an instant, her flask of cordial in hand. Carefully, she let one drop slip. It fell into Reepicheep's open mouth and she sat back, waiting with a bated breath. The rise and fall of his chest evened out and the mouse gasped. The relief was palpable.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," he said graciously. "Thank you." With the aid of his comrades, the Mouse Chief got to his feet. Though he nearly fell over again at the sight that greeted him. The Great Lion, the One True King himself. To be present before Aslan, it was an honour Reepicheep would never experience the likes of again, lest he stand at death's door and greet the Lion as a friend. He bowed deeply, finding that his balance was not what it should be. To his horror, he found his tail to be missing. "Your Humblest of Eminences, pardon my inexcusable appearance," he said, embarrassed. "It is most unseemly for a mouse of rank to appear in such a fashion."

Adeline smirked. "I think it suits you," she teased. "Perhaps you'll inspire your kin to do the same, to bear the mark of Reepicheep, Courageous Mouse of Narnia."

"Even so, Commander, a tail is the honour and glory of a mouse," he retorted. "I'm deeply saddened to say that, in face of this devastating loss, I must surrender my blade and my title."

Chuckling, Aslan looked down at the mouse. "Perhaps you ought to think less about your honour, friend," he chided lightly.

"Well, it… it's not just the honour," Reepicheep quickly amended. "It's for balancing and grabbing things and climbing and really it has a great deal of practical uses and I—"

Even Adeline struggled to contain a coo when Reepicheep's people offered to sever their own tails for his sake. Her hand flew to her mouth, knowing the mice would not appreciate being seen as cute in any way. No, they were chivalrous and cavalier. Still, not even Adeline could refrain from laughing alongside her friends at the delight emanating from Reepicheep when he discovered that his tail had regrown. He thanked the Great Lion profusely before rushing off, telling anyone who would listen that Aslan himself had given him that tail.

"Now, I believe I must meet this dear little friend I've been hearing about."

Bemused, Adeline turned to Edmund. "Who?" He grinned at her, nodding towards the riverbank. The dwarf Trumpkin, feeling their stares on his back, turned around. The Commander's hand once again covered her mouth to smother the laugh threatening to burst forth. He was flushed so red he was slowly turning purple. Gaze sparkling with amusement, Adeline watched as Trumpkin took knee in front of her father. The Great Lion's roar echoed through the mountains around them, leaving most of the Telmarines and Narnians in an awed silence.

Lucy giggled. "Do you see him now?"

"I still don't quite understand how he couldn't believe," Adeline stated. "I am a direct descendant of Him, His daughter by blood, and, unless I missed something, I'm quite real."

Peter chuckled as they started walking away. "Perhaps he thought you were delusional," he suggested playfully. "You make it rather easy to think that, you know." He dodged her as she pounced on him, knowing her well enough to see the attack coming. His brother was not quite so lucky and before either Edmund or Adeline could stop it, they toppled to the ground.

"Doesn't this technically count as treason," Edmund wheezed, trying to catch the breath that had been knocked out of him. "I think it does."

Tittering, Susan leaned closer to Peter. "It would, if he hadn't enjoyed it so much." They chuckled as the pair on the forest floor got to their feet. Lucy helped Adeline remove some leaves and pine needles from her hair, while Caspian looked on in horrified fascination. "It's not actually treason," Susan rushed to assure him. "It's play fighting, primarily meant to keep us vigilant."

"Primarily?"

Laughing, Peter patted his back. "Don't worry, most of her lessons are fairly painless."

"Most of them?"

The feast that night was unlike any the Narnians had seen in a long time. The five kings and queens of Narnia sat at the head table in the dining hall, watching their people, unified. Adeline had declined the invitation to join them, surprising Caspian. The Pevensies explained quickly that she meant no offense, that she simply preferred dining on her own.

No matter how many hours passed, it seemed the unadulterated joy in the air would not dissipate. Adeline watched from the battlements as all of Narnia cheered for the colourful explosions lighting up the night sky. It was, she supposed, quite beautiful. Yet, her skin crawled uncomfortably. Happy as she was for the people, the peace unsettled her. She had not known peace for over thirteen hundred years.

A warm presence beside her broke her out of her restless thoughts. In the corner of her eye, she saw a figure clad in brown lean against the stone.

"How long will you be staying?"

"Longer."

Edmund nodded, used to her vague answers. "Caspian will need to learn Narnian customs and traditions to make it easier to keep the people united," he observed quietly. "You have your work cut out for you."

"I'm not meant to be his tutor," Adeline replied, voice just as quiet, "I don't have to stay."

He inclined his head. "Perhaps not," he acknowledged. "But you will, because you want the best for Narnia."

Adeline sighed heavily. He was right, of course. She only had so much time to teach the young Telmarine how to govern his people in the New Narnia. His services would be required immediately after celebrations were over. The Calormene Empire was still a threat in the south, waiting for Narnia to show weakness. The giants in the north were still causing trouble. Undoubtedly, issues would arise among the newly united people of Narnia. "I'm not quite certain I can stay," she whispered, trying to voice the concerns in her mind. "It's not… I can't…"

"I know." Edmund held his hand out between them, allowing her to either accept or reject the gesture. He knew her. He knew that she was restless, trapped by her destiny. Her aversion to touch was part of that, part of her worries about being held back. When she carefully slipped her fingers through his, he felt honoured that she seemed to trust that he would let her be free. "They'll rely on you and you hate that," he continued. "You want to disappear before they start to expect things from you that you'll never be able to give."

Silently, she nodded. A gentle hand on her jaw turned her to look at him. The way he looked at her, his gaze full of admiration and void of expectations… it was all she could do not to let him tug her into his arms. Her face burrowed into his chest, she let herself breathe for a while. Breathe like she only ever could with him.

With Adeline so close, Edmund was engulfed by her scent again. Sunshine and wildflowers. He held her tighter, knowing she trusted him enough to let him, all while wondering while it felt like they were saying goodbye.

Come morning, he was glad he had been given a chance to see her alone. Of course, Edmund had known that whatever was said at Aslan's assembly would be significant to all fo them. He had smiled during Caspian's impassioned speech to his people, even more so as he glimpsed the barely concealed approval in Adeline's expression when one of Miraz's closest men, alongside Caspian's aunt and cousin as well as a Telmarine lord, volunteered to go first through Aslan's gate to the world where it all started. He had frowned when the new Narnians questioned Aslan's motives for giving them a way out, a chance at a fresh start. His heart had broken when Peter volunteered them to step through the gates as proof of the Great Lion's good intentions.

"Come on," Peter said solemnly. "Our time's up." The smile on his face was bittersweet as he regarded his siblings. Edmund and Lucy looked shocked. Susan had tears in her eyes. He turned to Caspian, who seemed equally as surprised as the youngest Pevensies. "After all, we're not really needed here anymore." Ceremoniously, he held out Rhindon for the younger king to take. It had been a trusted companion. Now, it was time for someone else to use it to protect the kingdom.

"Trust that it will be taken care of until your return."

Susan sighed shakily. "Except we're not coming back," she stated tearfully. "This is goodbye."

"We're not?"

Edmund had never been more grateful for Lucy than he was in that moment. He could not speak, could barely even think. Across from him, his best friend stood, leaning against Glenstorm. Her eyes shone as they caught his and he knew, in an instant, what she was thinking. When would they see each other again?

"You two are," Peter said gently, noting the way his brother's shoulders sagged with relief. "At least, I think he means you two."

Aslan nodded. "Narnia has nothing more to teach your brother and sister, little one," he said, giving them his lenonine smile. "Now it's time for them to live in your world."

Crouching in front of his little sister, Peter took her hands. "It's all right," he whispered, meeting her watery gaze. "It's not what I expected but… I've learned that most things aren't." He glanced over his shoulder at the beautiful blonde he would forever think of as his first real fancy, before turning back to Lucy. "It was meant to be this way," he assured her, standing. "One day you'll see too."

Lucy was the first of the four to reach Adeline, who had slipped away from the group of friends bidding them farewell. For a moment, she wondered what to say to convey what she felt, seeing as the warrior was unlikely to take a hug well. But then the tears spilled down her cheeks as Adeline initiated the embrace. Lucy sobbed into the older girl's chest, already missing her friend deeply.

It was different for Susan. Though a few drops slipped before she could stop them, there was a mutual understanding between them. "Are you ever going to tell him?" Adeline met her gaze, shining but teasing all the same.

"Are you?"

The two girls smiled at each other. Then Susan moved on to bid their other friends goodbye, allowing Peter to step closer. For just a moment, he hesitated. When he had last been so close to her, he had kissed her. Standing before her for the last time, Peter knew that, while Adeline was not quite what he expected, he would hold all other girls he met to her standard. "Thank you," he murmured, thrumming with pride as she seemed to welcome his embrace. "For helping me become a better person and for loving my brother the way he deserves."

"He doesn't know yet."

"He will."

Just as Edmund moved to approach her, a gasp from the crowd drew his attention to his older sister. He dearly wished he could say he was surprised to see her kissing Caspian, as he never wanted to know anything about his sister's love life. But to say he had not seen it coming would be a lie. A blind giant would have seen it coming.

"I'm sure when I'm older I'll understand," Lucy muttered, eyeing Susan and Caspian with distaste.

Edmund shook his head. "I am older and I don't think I want to understand."

At that Peter was unable to contain his scoff. He nudged his brother in Adeline's direction, smiling sadly. "You sure about that?"

Confused by his brother's words, Edmund shoved him off and walked up to the Commander. Barely had he reached her before he was surrounded by the scent of sunshine and wildflowers, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck. He breathed her in, trying to dispel the turmoil inside him by noting with some amusement that she had to stand on her tiptoes to reach up properly. But then he felt his shirt dampening and he knew she was crying. "Please be careful," he whispered, holding her tight. "I'd appreciate if you refrained from hurting yourself until I'm here to help."

"Is that an order, Your Majesty?" She pulled away slightly, supported by his arms around her.

"Yes, Adeline, that's an order." He expected her smile, knowing that the familiar routine comforted her. What King Edmund the Just, Duke of Lantern Waste, Count of the Western March, and Knight of the Noble Order of the Table did not expect, was Adeline pressing a chaste kiss to his cheek before letting him go.

Ignoring his siblings' teasing smiles, he followed them through the gate to their world, wondering why on earth his skin was still tingling.