"Narnia? Wait, I've heard you all talking about that before. I just always assumed it was some kind of game you used to play. When you I heard you talking about wanting to go back to Narnia, I thought you just wanted to go back to your childhood so you could play that game again."

Eva smiled. "Narnia is a very real place. Lucy and Edmund have been here twice while I've only been here once."

"The first time me, my siblings, and our friend, Elaine, arrived, it turned out that my family was destined to become kings and queens and rescue the land from the White Witch who had cursed Narnia with eternal winter," Lucy explained. "We ended up staying and ruling for fifteen years, and Peter even married Elaine during that time. But then one day, we were suddenly forced to return home. And since no time passes back home while you're here, we went back to the same ages we had been when we'd first arrived."

"A year later, we all got pulled to Narnia when waiting for the train to take us to boarding school," Eva continued. "That was when I first discovered my friends' true identities. And it was during that trip that we met Prince Caspian and his older sister, Cassia. It was our job to defeat their uncle, Miraz, who had stolen the throne from Caspian by murdering their father and labeling Caspian and Cassia as traitors. There were a few times I wasn't sure we were going to succeed, but fortunately, we did, and Caspian was crowned the new king of Narnia. Then he, Peter, and Elaine named me a Lady and presented me with my official title."

"It was only with the help of Aslan that we were able to succeed both times."

Elizabeth suddenly felt a sense of safety stronger than anything she'd ever experienced envelop her when she heard that beautiful name leave Lucy's lips. It was as if someone had protectively wrapped their arms around her and didn't plan on letting go even if it put their own life at risk. "Who's…Aslan?"

"He is the Great Lion and the true King of Narnia. Everyone bows to him, even me, Edmund, and Caspian."

"The ruler of this world is a lion?"

"Yes. I really hope we get to see him again while we're here."

"Me too," Eva agreed. "For now though, we should get to the Chart Room."

"I suppose I'll head down to the bunks then," Elizabeth said.

"Good luck."

When the girls stepped out of Caspian's quarters, Caspian and Edmund had already changed and stood outside waiting for them.

Edmund's face warmed at the sight of Eva in tight breeches and a corset. With her hair tied back and her posture seemingly indicating she was ready to fight, she kind of reminded him of a pirate. And that wasn't exactly a bad thing.

Upon laying eyes on Elizabeth, Caspian felt the same flutter in his chest that he'd felt when she'd stepped onto the ship. He suddenly couldn't remember what Cassia looked like when she wore that blue skirt and red corset even though he'd seen her wear that ensemble at least five times in the last year or two.

"Well, shall we then?" Caspian said. "Elizabeth, the way to the lower quarters is just over there." He smiled at Edmund and Lucy. "I have something for you two."

Elizabeth made her way down the steps to the quarters beneath the decks. The minotaur from before had laid Eustace to rest in one of the hammocks. Her eyes looked over the towering creature before her. How was it possible that mere minutes ago, she was taking care of a house in Cambridge and now she was on a ship with a living, breathing minotaur?

The minotaur turned to look at her. "So you're going to look after him now?"

"Yes, sir."

But to her embarrassment, she couldn't get her feet to move.

"Is there something on my face?" he asked.

"Oh, forgive me, I don't mean to stare. I just…have never seen a creature like you before."

"No minotaurs where you come from, eh?"

"I'm afraid not."

"I suppose we take some getting used to if this one's reaction is anything to go by."

"I'll take him off your hands now."

"If you insist. Is there anything I can get you?"

"Um…would it be possible for me to get a cold cloth and a cup of water?"

"Right away, miss."

"Thank you."

Eustace began tossing and turning, and sweat formed on his brow.

"All right, come on, let's get this off." As gently as she could while he was still unconscious, she pulled off his sweater and overshirt.

"Mother?" he asked softly with his eyes still closed.

"No, it's me, Elizabeth."

"Where's Mother?"

"She's…not here right now. Just try to relax. You'll be all right."

Meanwhile, Caspian led Edmund, Eva, and Lucy back into his quarters.

Lucy looked at an intricate carving of the Great Lion above the fireplace that she hadn't noticed a few moments ago. "Aslan," she smiled.

Now that they weren't shivering and quickly trying to get out of wet clothes, everyone was able to take a good look at the beautiful space. Various paintings depicting events from Narnia's history sat on each wall, such as the lamppost where the adventure had begun and the five Kings and Queens of Old sitting on horseback. Above two of the paintings were the phrases, "Once a King or Queen of Narnia, always a King or Queen" and "In this world it was only as one remembers a dream".

Lucy's eyes fell onto a familiar gift. "Look! Susan's bow and arrows."

Eva lightly ran her hand over the weapon secured next to it. "And Elaine's staff."

Caspian pulled a chest out of his cabinet. "Lucy."

Lucy smiled broadly. "My healing cordial and dagger." She started to reach for them but then stopped. "Oh, may I?"

"Of course. They're yours."

Propped in between two cabinets, Edmund noticed a special weapon that had saved his life on multiple occasions. "Peter's sword."

"Yes. I looked after it as promised." Caspian picked it up and held it out for him. "Here, hold it if you wish."

"No, no, it's yours. Peter gave it to you."

Caspian smiled. "I did save this for you though." He went to the cabinet next to the fireplace and pulled out the torch Edmund had accidentally left behind on their previous trip to Narnia.

Eva laughed, still vividly able to remember the moment Edmund had realized his new torch was missing just after they'd gone back to England.

"Thanks," Edmund smiled. He checked to see if the torch still worked after all this time and flinched when he ended up shining the bright light in his face.

Caspian chuckled. "Come, Drinian is waiting for us in the Chart Room."

They all left Caspian's quarters and entered the room where Caspian kept all of his maps and plotted out the course of the ship.

"How long has it been for you three?" Caspian asked.

"Two years for us," Eva answered. "How many for you?"

"Five."

"That's a lot better than 1,300. How is Cassia?"

"She continues to aid me in ruling over Narnia and serving as my advisor. I definitely couldn't do all this without her. She's also recently become engaged."

"To who?"

"Sir Drystan."

"That's amazing, I'm so happy for her! It's a shame she isn't onboard with you. I would've loved to see her again."

"There were too many things she had to take care of in my absence."

"Why was your absence needed?"

"Look." Caspian pointed to the upper left corner of a map of Narnia that rested on the table in the center of the room. "Since you left, the Giants of the North have surrendered unconditionally, then we defeated the Calormene armies at the Great Desert. There is peace across all of Narnia."

"Peace?" Edmund asked.

"In just five years."

Lucy once again tried to tuck her hair behind her ear and smiled. "And have you found yourself a queen in those five years?"

"No," Caspian admitted. "Not one to compare with your sister."

Eva let out a barely noticeable sigh. That probably wasn't the best thing to say to a girl who had lately been constantly comparing herself to her older sister. She wondered if Caspian was remembering Susan with rose-colored glasses. They'd only known each other for about a week and had actually spoken even less. The only indication that there was any attraction between them was the kiss they had shared just before she'd gone back to England. But maybe Eva had been too distracted with her own troubles throughout their time in Narnia to notice anything else.

Regardless, she had sensed much more of a connection between Caspian and Elizabeth already, and if she was being honest, she liked the idea of them together much more.

"Hang on," Edmund said. "If there are no wars to fight and no one's in trouble, then why are we here?"

"It's a good question," Caspian answered. "I've been asking myself the same thing."

"So where are we sailing to?"

"Before I took back the throne from my uncle, he tried to kill my father's closest friends and most loyal supporters. The seven Lords of Telmar." Caspian turned to face the wall behind him where he had pinned up drawings of seven different men. "They fled to the Lone Islands." He pointed out the islands on the map. "No one has heard from them since."

"So you think something has happened to them?"

"Well, if it has…it's my duty to find out."

Lucy ran her hand across the ocean on the map. "Well, what's east of the Lone Islands?"

"Uncharted waters," Drinian answered. "Things you can barely imagine. Tales of sea serpents and worse."

"Sea serpents?" Edmund smirked.

"All right, Captain," Caspian smiled, picking up an apple from the bowl on the table. "That's enough of your tall tales."

Eustace turned and vomited into a pail for the third time.

Elizabeth gently wiped the sweat from his forehead with a cold cloth. "It's all right, it's all right."

"I want Mother."

"I know."

Lucy peeked her head down. "How is he?"

Elizabeth leaned back in her chair and sighed. "He's horribly seasick which is making him get dehydrated. And I think the shock still hasn't worn off. He's beginning to show signs of delirium. I'm doing the best I can, but…"

"Hold on, I have something that will help."

After a few minutes, Lucy returned with a small cordial full of red liquid. She tilted the bottle towards Eustace's mouth and let one drop pass between his lips.

"What is that?" Elizabeth asked.

"It's a healing potion I received from Father Christmas."

"Father Christmas? He's here too?"

"It's been a long time, so I'm not sure if he still is now, but he was on our first trip here."

Elizabeth didn't think she was ever going to be able to process the full magic and mystery of this world.

"Why don't you take a break for a little while and get some fresh air? I'll look after him for now."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Thank you."

Elizabeth stood up from the chair and climbed the steps to go up to the main deck. After spending so long in the lower quarters, the fresh salty air and the warm sunshine felt wonderful.

She looked around her at the various sailors and supposedly mythical creatures. Every crew member had a specific task, and no one appeared to be sitting around and letting everyone else do the work. She felt out of place amongst the workers and decided to rectify that.

"Your Majesty," she called to Caspian towards the helm.

"Caspian is fine," he told her. "Where's Eustace?"

"Lucy's watching him for the moment. Back at home, I worked as a housekeeper, so I can cook, clean, mend, and I know a little bit of basic medical care. So please, tell me how I can be of help."

Caspian was impressed with her. As a stranger to not only this ship but also this land, and as someone who had been strictly watching over Eustace for the last couple of days, it would've been easy for her to simply wander about the decks with no sole purpose in mind. But instead, she offered herself up to be put to work however he deemed fit. "Have you eaten at all today?" he asked.

"Uh, Eva brought me a little bit of breakfast this morning. It was enough though, I'm not hungry."

Caspian knew that had to be a lie because everyone on the ship had since taken their lunch except her. "You're not going to be able to take care of Eustace or anyone else if you don't take care of yourself too. Head down to the galley and see our cook, Astram. After getting yourself something to eat, you can help him prep supper. Between us, he could use all the help he can get."

Elizabeth smiled and curtseyed. "Right away, Your Majesty."

"There is no need for such politeness aboard the Dawn Treader. I insist you call me Caspian."

Elizabeth didn't know why he wanted her to address him by his first name because she was sure that none of the other crew members did, but perhaps it was because she was close friends with Lucy, Edmund, and Eva, and he felt she should be offered the same privilege as them. She wasn't sure she was comfortable addressing the king of the land so familiarly, but she also didn't want to disagree with him. "As you wish, Caspian."

"Where sky and water meet, where the waves grow ever sweet. Doubt not, you Reepicheep. To find all that you seek, there is the Utter East. Doubt not—"

"That's pretty!"

"Oh!" Reepicheep abruptly stopped singing and turned around atop the ship's figurehead of a dragon to see Lucy and Eva standing at the bow and smiling at him. "Thank you. A dryad sung it to me when I was just a mouseling. I can't divine the meaning, but I've never forgotten the words."

"What do you think is past the Lone Islands, Reep?" Lucy asked.

"Well, I've been told the furthest east one can sail is to the end of the world. Aslan's Country."

"Do you really believe there's such a place?"

"Well, we have nothing, if not belief."

"…Do you think you could actually sail there?"

"Well, there is only one way of finding that out. I can only hope I will one day earn the right to see it."

"I can't imagine anyone more deserving to see Aslan's Country than you, Reep," Eva smiled.

"I hope Aslan thinks so too, my Lady!"

Reepicheep turned around and faced the ocean to continue his job as lookout.

Lucy and Eva looked over the side of the ship and smiled when they saw mermaids racing alongside them in the water. One of the creatures who looked like she was made of the ocean herself floated on her back and looked up at the passengers before smiling and waving at them. Lucy and Eva grinned as they waved back.

Eva laughed lightly and turned away from the bow. With a small sigh, she sat down on one of the crates along the starboard side of the deck. Then she opened her right hand and lightly traced the long, thin scar that ran almost all the way across her palm.

Across the deck, Caspian noticed what Eva was staring at and slowly walked up to her. Once in front of her, he held out his left hand. "I still have mine too."

Eva tightly pressed her lips together then looked up at him. "When we return to our world, it's supposed to be like we never left. So…why do I still have the scar?"

Caspian sat on another crate across from her. "You know, most people don't have the luxury of erasing their scars by traveling between worlds."

"I know," she admitted. "But…I don't understand why Aslan would force me to keep a reminder of the biggest mistake of my life."

"I don't see mine as a reminder of my mistake. I see it as a reminder of who I'm supposed to trust when it seems that all is lost. Maybe that's what he intended for you too."

After she'd returned from her last visit to Narnia, it had taken several hours for Eva to realize she still had a scar on her hand. She'd received the injury when a hag who was a follower of the White Witch had sliced her hand open and nearly gotten her to release the Witch into Narnia again.

She'd been frustrated and disappointed that the cut hadn't completely disappeared when she'd once again arrived back at the train station, and she had spent a lot of time in the days following staring at it as if it would go away if she looked at it long enough. Not even Edmund knew how much she hated the scar.

But maybe Caspian had a point. Perhaps instead of letting the pale line represent her greatest failure, it could instead serve as a reminder that Aslan was their true King and the only one deserving of her trust when circumstances were at their worst.