Unaware of the peril his family and new friends were in, Eustace landed on an atoll not too far from Dark Island. The sword in his shoulder hurt unlike anything he had ever felt before and all he wanted at that moment was for everything to return to normal. He did not want to be a dragon. He wanted to be a boy. He wanted his cousins to be safe, wanted all of it to be over.

Weakly opening his eyes, he saw the most magnificent sight. A large lion, gleaming and golden in the sunlight. He knew its name. He knew why it had come.

Aslan.

Eustace pushed himself up on his front paws, lifting one to scratch over the scaly skin of his chest. Take it off. Let me be free.

Aslan moved his paw, claws scratching lightly over the sand. A beautiful pain seared through Eustace's body. Then again. And again. An almighty roar. Never before had Eustace felt so free, so clean.

When he woke up again, it was on a bed of dead leaves. He was back on Ramandu's Island. As was, he realised as he pushed himself off the ground, the last of the seven swords.

Edmund climbed up the rope ladders while the others pulled the serpent down towards the ship. Down towards him. Adeline was right. If only they could keep it occupied long enough for Eustace to place down the last sword, all would be well. They would be victorious.

He pulled himself up into the crow's nest. It would all be over soon.

Edmund, darling.

It would haunt him forever, that voice. Her voice. His mistakes then had nearly cost the lives of everyone he had come to know as friends over his years in Narnia. She was the cause of all his pain, of all the suffering that had befallen Narnia. Yet, he could not help it. He froze. And he listened.

What is this, Edmund? Do you truly believe you are proving something? You can't be the hero, boy. You need help to be the hero. My help. Let me make you the great hero, the great king you have always been meant to be.

His greatest weakness. The shadow of his brother looming over him. Expectations he would never live up to.

Are you trying to prove that you're a man, Edmund? A man they can follow, a man worthy of being their beloved leader? Let me help you.

But he knew better. He had learned to be better. For his family, for Caspian, and for Adeline. For a people who loved him, who would give everything for him.

For Narnia.

Eustace fought against the mist, struggled against the dark and treacherous thoughts it put into his head. He had to be better. Had to prove to his cousins that he had learned. That he understood.

In a show of strength, one he did not know he possessed, Eustace tore free and placed the final sword.

"No." Edmund pulled Rhindon from its sheath, watching as a blue light emitted from the blade. Below, he could hear Caspian and Lucy shouting his name. "I never had to prove anything," he said, facing the ghost of his past one last time. "Not to anyone other than myself."

Without a second thought, he turned away from the Witch and raised the sword towards the serpent. It was agitated by the glow, as though it knew what it meant. But evil, pure evil, could never resist destruction, even when it knew it was at risk of being destroyed itself. That was the one thing that the Witch had taught him.

The serpent lunged. And so did Edmund.

Adeline helped Caspian to his feet as they watched Edmund drive Rhindon into the roof of the serpent's mouth. She faltered as she felt the hold on her release, falling against Caspian. The weight on her shoulders was gone. Not like before, where it had gotten lighter each time she learned to accept the parts of herself and her past she hated. No. This time it was gone, never to return.

Filled with joy and relief and light, Lucy watched the spell lift. Around her, columns of darkness fell, disintegrating into nothingness as the Dark Island and the mist disappeared for good. No more evil. No more nightmares and terrible temptations. Only light and kindness and warmth swayed in the breeze, as though there had never been anything else there.

And from the fading remnants of the darkness, boats appeared. Lucy felt tears of happiness sting her eyes and looked over to where Gael and Rhince watched the boats. When they saw Helaine, there was no hesitation from either as they leaped into the water and swam the distance. At last, their family was reunited.

She joined Edmund, thinking about her own family. It had grown, over the years. Not only because they had come to love and understand each other, but because others had been let in. The Beavers. Tumnus. Oreius. Argus and Garion. She missed them all dearly.

"Edmund!"

With a joyful smile, Lucy watched her brother pull Adeline into an embrace. The blonde was a part of their family too. Had been, for many years, as their mentor and as their friend. Averting her gaze as Edmund kissed Adeline, Lucy bit the inside of her cheek bashfully. If Edmund was as smart as he sometimes made himself sound, he would ensure that Adeline became a part of the family permanently with a ring and a vow.

An arm wrapped around her and Lucy grinned up at Caspian. A brother in all but blood. "We did it," she said, hugging him. "We won."

"We always do," Adeline said, squeezing herself in between them. "That's what happens when we believe in ourselves and each other."

The last part was directed at Drinian, who looked down shamefully. "I've come to see that I was wrong about you, about a lot," he acknowledged. He would have more time to dwell on the lessons he had been taught during their voyage later though. He turned to King Caspian. "What's to be done about the Narnians, Your Majesty?"

"Let's welcome them aboard," Caspian stated. "Clear the decks."

"Aye, Your Majesty."

Drinian walked off and started barking orders, far more comfortable in his role as Captain than as a man stood before four of the leaders of Narnia.

Lucy looked around. Reepicheep was, as much as his size would allow, helping the crewmen clean up. And so there was only one person missing from her immediate circle of friends. "We couldn't have done this on our own," she said. "Has anyone seen him?"

No one responded.

"Hey!"

All of them frowned.

"Down here!"

Following the sound of his voice, the four of them found themselves looking down into the water, where Eustace, the boy, was happily waving up at them. A happy shout from behind them, followed by a streak of brown and red. Then Reepicheep was in the water next to him.

"Look at you," he said jovially. "Back on two legs, I see!"

"I'm a boy again," Eustace replied, just as ecstatic as the mouse. He looked up at his cousins. "I'm a boy!"

"Yes, we can see that," Edmund said with a laugh. "How about you come back on board so we can all get changed into something a bit more dry?"

"Wait!" Reepicheep lifted a paw to his mouth, tasting the water to be sure he was not imagining things. "The water, it's sweet!" He flicked some at Eustace. "When I was a wee mouseling, a dryad sang to me about the Utter East, remember how I told you, Your Majesty?"

Lucy's eyes widened. "The end of the world," she recalled. "Aslan's kingdom."

Caspian nodded towards the horizon. "Look."

It was barely distinguishable, but it was there. Land. The land Adeline hailed from. A land Aslan reigned over.

Edmund held on to Adeline for as long as he could. Even as he helped Caspian row the longboat to shore, he kept his eyes locked on her. Both of them were quiet, neither participating in the conversation around them. When Reepicheep announced that they had arrived, when they laid eyes on the wall of water separating Aslan's kingdom from the rest of the world, Edmund took Adeline's hand in his. Their time was running out.

Once they stood in the sand in front of the watery wall, they could see the mountain ranges stretching just above. Proof, more than anything else, that there was something waiting on the other side.

"Father."

They all jumped, turning to face Aslan as Adeline smiled at him.

"Welcome, children," the Lion said proudly. "You've done well."

"So, this is your country," Lucy said, in awe.

Aslan nodded. "This and what lies beyond." He nodded towards the wall. "A home for all those whose time has come to pass."

"Is my father there," Caspian asked. "Is my father in your country?"

"Only you can ever find that out, child," Aslan responded. "But you should know, there is no return for those who cross into my kingdom."

The warning left Caspian conflicted. He longed to see his father, wanted to tell him about all the things he had accomplished and the people he had met. He wanted him to know that, after all, he had become a Narnian king over a united, Narnian people. But therein lay his dilemma. His people. They expected him, their king and defender, to return to his throne, and Caspian found himself unwilling to leave them behind. As much as he wished that he could see his father again, he loved and cherished his people. He walked forward, letting the water run through his fingers. There was a vast ocean between him and Narnia, a mere watery gate between him and his father.

"My father died for Narnia." He looked back at Aslan. "I can't imagine he'd be proud that I gave up what he gave his life for." With a bittersweet smile, he looked up at Adeline. "Someone once taught me that predecessors must teach in order for the successor to learn," he stated. "I cannot in good conscience leave Narnia in the hands of a ruler who may not have had the privilege to learn the lessons I have."

Aslan nodded. "And that, my son, is why you'll return a better king than before."

Reepicheep cleared his throat, loathe as he was to interrupt the tender moment. "Your Eminence," he said, bowing deeply as he approached the Great Lion. "Though I shan't ever be so bold as to presume that I'm worthy, it has been my lifelong dream to see your country with my own eyes." He took off his feathered headpiece, clutching it to keep from fidgeting. "I have seen many a wonderful thing and had many a great adventure, but, with your permission, I would lay down my sword for the joy of being allowed this one last honour."

"Never doubt your worth, dear mouse," Aslan said seriously. "My country was made for noble hearts such as yours, no matter how small their bearers be."

Overwhelmed with joy and humility, Reepicheep bowed again. "I will forever be grateful for your kindness, Your Majesty."

"Would you be willing to embark on this last journey with a friend?"

Adeline gave a watery smile as all eyes turned to her. It had been a long time coming and, no matter how much she loved the people she had found herself surrounded by in her last few years of life, she was ready. For centuries, she had been fighting to go home. Now, home was no more than a few steps away.

"Adeline?"

Lucy could not quite come to grips with what was happening. Surely her friend was not suggesting that she follow Reepicheep into Aslan's country? But then she looked at Caspian and Edmund. The former only appeared somewhat taken aback, and the latter did not seem to be in any way surprised by Adeline's words. "How long have you known that she would leave?"

Swallowing thickly, Edmund looked down at his boots. "Since I met her," he admitted, voice rough with emotion. His sister stared at him, astonished. "There hasn't been a moment in our history together where I haven't known."

"Lucy." Adeline reached out for the girl, taking her hands. "I have lived a very long life," she explained. "The time has come for me to let go of this world and return to my own." She pulled Lucy closer, hugging her. "I want to go home, rest, and see my family again." Tears flowed freely as Lucy hesitated for a moment before returning her embrace, holding so tight Adeline wondered if she would ever let go. "You will forever be a part of my life, Lu," she whispered. "But, for now, we have to go our separate ways."

Gently untangling herself from Lucy, Adeline turned to Caspian. No words were needed. He had known she had left Narnia with no intentions of coming back. Still, her tears stained his shirt as he tugged her close to press a kiss to the top of her head. They were at peace with their farewell. She had taught him lessons he would carry with him for the rest of his life, lessons he would pass to his heirs and his people.

Eustace shuffled nervously as Adeline turned to him. They had never had much of a chance to grow closer. He resented the person he had been for that. The blonde was someone he had, in the last few days, learned to see as a source of knowledge beyond the books he read at home. He wondered what she would have taught him. Her embrace took him by surprise but warmed him nonetheless. It was a sort of approval, he could sense it, and it made his desire to continue growing into a better person all the stronger.

Last of all, Adeline faced Edmund. She could see how proud of her he was, could read in his expression that he was happy for her. But there was wistfulness there too. Just because he had known she would be leaving, that did not mean it would be easier for him. It was not any easier for her. Without a second thought, she threw her arms around him, burying her face in his neck. His own arms wrapped around her waist, holding her close. Neither wanted to let go. "No matter what," she whispered. "For however long it takes before we see each other again."

Easing up his hold on her, Edmund rested his forehead against hers. "There won't be anyone else," he murmured. "Never." He brushed his lips against Adeline's in a kiss before letting her go. Even though it hurt more than anything he had ever experienced, he was calm. He would see her again. Maybe not soon. No, not for a long while. But he would see her again.

Adeline crouched by Reepicheep. "Let's go on one last adventure, old friend."

Both of them laid down their weapons in the sand and, with one final look back at the people who had come to be the most important parts of their lives, started towards the water. A tunnel opened, showing them both what lay in wait on the other side.

"Adeline!"

"Little sister!"

Edmund watched as Adeline and Reepicheep disappeared. "I think it's about time we went back home too, Lucy," he said. "As much as Narnia will always be a part of us, we don't belong here anymore."

"Your brother is right, dear one," Aslan stated, turning kind eyes to Lucy. "Just as Peter and Susan learned all they could from Narnia, so have you."

Throwing her arms around the Great Lion, Lucy hugged him tightly. "Will we ever see you again?"

"One day, child," he promised. "When the time is right, you will see all the friends you've made in your time here again."

There was no stopping the tears streaming down her cheeks. The idea of having to wait so long to see everyone cut to her very core. She missed them all so dearly, her Narnian friends. Tumnus. The Beavers. Argus and Garion. Oreius. Adeline and Reepicheep. Not knowing was so much more difficult than it ever had been before.

"It's all right, Lu," Edmund said gently. "We may have had our adventures here, but there's still so many waiting for us back home."

It did not stop her tears, nor did it make her feel much better. But the fact that he was trying even in the face of his own loss helped her remember that Narnia would still be with them, always, so long as they had each other.

While Edmund and Lucy bid Caspian a heartfelt farewell, Eustace turned to Aslan. "Will I be allowed to return," he asked. "I'm not quite sure that I'm ready to—"

"There is still much for you to learn, my son, and Narnia may still have need of you."

Eustace bowed, stepping back to let his cousins do the same. He jumped when the Lion let out an almighty roar, opening yet another portal in the wall of water. He could feel the magic sweep over his skin like a gentle caress, leaving him tingling with an odd sort of excitement. He would see Narnia again someday, would be able to keep it alive for his cousins.

Together, the three of them stepped into the portal. The water closed in around them, swirling and bubbling. And when they swam up to the surface, they found themselves back in Lucy's room in Cambridge with nothing to show for their adventure except the silly grins on their faces and the memories they now shared.