Eustace crashed onto a sandbar in between the two islands, unable to fly anymore due to the searing pain in his shoulder caused by the sword still lodged in his flesh.
When he opened his eyes again, he saw a lion slowly but confidently approaching him. Eustace immediately knew that this was the Great Lion he had heard his cousins talk about so often. He felt embarrassed at being seen in this state, ashamed at his behavior while in Narnia and long before then, and deeply unworthy to be in his presence. But Aslan looked at him as if he knew exactly how he was feeling, knew every single one of his faults, and still felt a deep sense of compassion for him regardless.
Eustace didn't know how someone could feel such love for him after the way he'd acted and treated everyone who had only been trying to help him, but Aslan very clearly did all the same.
He desperately clawed at his scaly chest, tired of being a dragon and wanting nothing more than to return to being a human.
Aslan lightly ran his paw over the sand and claw marks suddenly appeared on Eustace's skin. The pain was deep and intense and like nothing he'd ever felt, but he accepted it without complaint since he knew it was the only way he would ever return to normal. Aslan repeated the action twice more and several more claw marks appeared on his body.
Then the Great Lion let out a tremendous roar that made Eustace tremble at the sheer power standing before him. Magic surrounded his entire dragon form and lifted him up into the air. His whole body ached and stung as he felt the dragon scales burn away.
In a matter of seconds, the transformation was complete, and Eustace crashed onto the ground of Ramandu's Island unconscious.
After a few moments, Eustace's eyes popped open again. He quickly sat up and felt his body. To his overwhelming relief, he was a boy again.
Immediately remembering the dire situation his family and friends were currently facing, he looked around him and found the sword that had previously been embedded in his shoulder.
He knew exactly what he had to do.
Eustace picked up the sword and ran across the island in his bare feet as fast as he could to reach Aslan's Table. As he approached the other six glowing swords, the sword in his hand began to glow a bright blue as well. He went to place the final sword on top of them, but the green mist wrapped around him and yanked him backwards to prevent him from doing so.
Eustace cried out in surprise and tried to stand back up. If the mist thought that he wasn't going to fight back like before, then it had another thing coming.
Eustace frantically swung the sword at the mist, trying to keep it away long enough for him to reach the other swords. With barely seconds to spare, he reached his arm out and placed the final sword onto the Table.
On the lower deck, Elizabeth cautiously watched over the unconscious lord laying in one of the hammocks. She wasn't completely sure what she would say and do if he awoke. If he started panicking again, it might be impossible for her to be able to help him calm down. She wished that she could be above decks helping the others fight the sea serpent, but she knew her skills were of better use here.
The green mist slowly seeped throughout the lower deck until it reached her, and Elizabeth heard that awful voice again.
"Do you think you're helping? Do you think any of the people on this ship truly need you?"
Elizabeth shut her eyes, trying to block out the voice. It wasn't real. He wasn't really here.
The mist materialized into Martin once again, and his hand roughly gripped her face. "Look at me when I'm talking to you!"
Martin was even more intimidating than she remembered, if that was even possible.
"You don't belong here. You don't belong anywhere."
"No…" she said softly. "That's not true."
"What would make you think that? If you had never set foot on this ship, everyone would be better off. You've managed to get yourself in trouble on every single island you've stopped at. Does that sound like something a useful person would do?"
"They…came for me."
"You think it's because they cared? Why would they ever care about you?"
"Stop!"
"No. You may have escaped from my house, but you never escaped me."
Abandoning her position by Lord Rhoop's side, Elizabeth raced back up to the main deck. She had to get away. She had to get away from him.
The mist continued to follow her everywhere she stepped.
"Do I need to shove you back inside that closet? Do I need to starve you? Do I need to beat some sense into you? I'll do it all if it makes you realize the truth."
"Stay away from me! Please!"
"You are an entire world away from me yet you act as if I am still right here with you."
"Stop!"
"You are mine, Elizabeth. You will always be mine to control."
"No!"
Elizabeth fell over onto the deck with soft sobs. She knew she should be far more scared of the attacking sea serpent looming over the ship than of a hallucination of Martin. But to her, there was nothing more terrifying than hearing his voice and being reminded of all the pain he had inflicted on her for two entire years.
"We have to get it closer," Edmund said to Caspian regarding the sea serpent.
"All hands to the main deck!" Drinian yelled to the crew members rowing below him.
"Ready the harpoons!" Caspian ordered.
The sea serpent gnawed the top sails and threatened to overturn the ship.
Eva and Edmund raced to the opposite railings and swung onto the two rope ladders leading up to the crow's nest.
"Ready!" Caspian yelled. "Now!"
He and several other crew members launched harpoons at the sea monster, and the weapons lodged themselves into its body.
"Pull its head down!"
Edmund and Eva made it up to the crow's nest at the same time and struggled to keep their balance as the sea serpent angrily pulled at the harpoons sunken into its flesh and rocked the boat as a result. Edmund unsheathed Peter's sword while Eva took Elaine's staff out of her belt.
"Edmund, Eva," a familiar voice whispered.
The green-mist version of the White Witch floated by them, and Eva's scar began to sting once again.
"What are you trying to prove? That you're a man? That you're a true Lady?"
"Edmund! Eva!" Caspian yelled from below. "Do it!"
The sea serpent angrily yanked backwards, and several crew members went flying when they couldn't hold the ropes from the harpoons any longer.
"I can make you that. I can make you my king. I can make all your pain go away. Just take my hand." The Witch held her hand out for them. "Just give in."
Eva's scar burned even more and she cried out in pain.
Down on the main deck, Caspian noticed Elizabeth curled up on her knees as the mist-version of Martin continuously tormented her. "Elizabeth!" he called while simultaneously trying to keep a tight hold on the rope attached to one of the harpoons.
Elizabeth looked up with tear-stained cheeks.
"Tell me the reasons why I love you!"
She couldn't believe him. He was struggling to fight a monster that was threatening to kill them all while she sat on the deck completely useless, and he was still helping her?
Taking quivering breaths, Elizabeth tried to remember all of the things she'd said in Caspian's chambers last night. "I'm kind," she whispered.
"What has being kind ever done for you?" Martin taunted. "It didn't save you from me, did it?"
"I'm strong."
"You're weak. It's why you couldn't stop me from doing whatever I wanted to you. It's why everyone on this ship is fighting that creature and you're sitting here doing nothing."
Elizabeth clenched her hands into fists, tears still sliding down her cheeks at his harsh words. "I'm…I'm beautiful."
"You? Beautiful? No one would ever look twice at you. You're undesirable. No one cares about you."
Elizabeth looked back up at Caspian fighting to protect her, his crew, and all of Narnia. Then she looked at all of the other people on deck that she had come to call her friends. Caspian may love her romantically, but she was also loved by Lucy, Edmund, Eva, maybe Eustace, and most importantly, Aslan. Even if things didn't work out with Caspian in the end or if his feelings did end up changing when he went back home, her final statement was still true. "I'm loved."
"By who? That young king? How long do you think that will last? He could never truly love you. He is someone important. You are nothing."
Elizabeth slowly stood up. "I'm kind."
"Being kind will never—"
"I'm strong."
"You're pathetic and weak and—"
"I'm beautiful."
"And who led you to believe—"
"I'm loved."
"Who could ever—"
"I'm kind! I'm strong! I'm beautiful! I'm loved!" She stood up tall, looked Martin straight in the eye, and walked directly towards him. "I am kind! I am strong! I am beautiful! I am loved! And I refuse to give you power over me any longer!"
Up on the crow's nest, Edmund's sword and Elaine's staff suddenly turned sparkling blue in their hands, and both of them suddenly felt Peter's courage and Elaine's bravery seeping through their weapons. The Witch alarmedly looked at the glowing sword and staff.
Eva glared at the Witch. "We fell for your deception once, but not again. Our devotion belongs to Aslan and Aslan alone!"
"Do it!" Caspian yelled up to them.
Edmund and Eva turned around to face the sea monster. "Come on!" Edmund challenged.
The sea monster lunged at the two of them. Edmund plunged Peter's sword into the sea monster's mouth, and Eva stabbed its neck with the blade in Elaine's staff.
Both Martin and the White Witch vanished with a cry of despair and defeat.
Electrifying green light crackled around the monster and it fell back into the ocean where it turned into green mist and finally disappeared for good.
Breathing heavily, Eva and Edmund looked at each for a short moment and then tightly hugged.
Rays of light broke through the darkness as the mist, fog, and black clouds began to dissipate.
"The spell," Lucy said. "It's lifting! Edmund! Eva! Caspian! Look!"
Edmund and Eva looked down from their perch on the crow's nest.
As more and more of the fog and clouds faded away, the missing boats from the Lone Islands reappeared in the ocean floating towards the ship.
"Narnians!" Caspian exclaimed. "Narnians!"
The crew members cheered at the sight of their recovered allies.
Edmund and Eva climbed down from the crow's nest as Rhince stepped forward with Gael in his arms. He set her down, and both of them looked out at the longboats, hoping to see the one person they had been longing for all this time.
Then, in the middle boat towards the front, there she sat in the same boat she'd been forced into back at the Lone Islands.
"Mummy!" Gael cried.
"Helaine!" Rhince yelled.
The two of them jumped off the ship and swam over to the woman. When they got closer, she eagerly reached her hands out and pulled her daughter and husband into her arms.
Edmund put his arm around Eva's shoulders as they watched the happy reunion.
"Let's have them onboard!" Caspian ordered. "Clear the decks!" It was then he noticed Elizabeth still facing the stern and breathing heavily. He walked over to her and gently touched her shoulder. "Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth slowly turned to look at him. Then she smiled and said softly, "I'm free."
She let out a soft sob and fell against him. The relief that Martin no longer had any control over her and the effort it had taken to stand up to him had completely wiped her out and she could barely keep herself up.
Caspian quickly wrapped his arms around her to hold her close, feeling her tiny form shaking with soft cries. He gently pushed her back and cupped her face in his hands, wiping away her fresh tears with his thumbs. "This is not a time for tears. This is a time for celebration."
Elizabeth laughed and tightly hugged him again. She would never have found the courage to overcome her fear if it wasn't for his selfless and pure love for her.
The two of them walked over to the railing to join Lucy, Edmund, and Eva. Caspian proudly squeezed Lucy's shoulder.
"We did it," Lucy said. "I knew we would."
"I think Peter would be proud," Eva smiled.
Caspian smiled back. "All of them would be."
"It wasn't just us, though," Edmund put in.
"You mean…?"
"Hey!" they heard. "Hey, I'm down here! Elizabeth! Over here! Lucy! Elizabeth! I'm in the water! Elizabeth!"
Elizabeth's eyes widened, and she raced to the other side of the ship. She looked down in the water and laughed when she saw that Eustace had been returned to his former state. "Eustace!"
"I'm a boy again! I'm a boy!"
The others joined her at the railing just as Elizabeth jumped over the side into the ocean. She swam over to Eustace and enveloped him into a tight hug which he eagerly returned.
Elizabeth pulled back and put her hand to the side of his face. "It was you who put the final sword onto the Table, wasn't it?"
Eustace smiled shyly. "Yeah."
Elizabeth tightly hugged him again. "I am so proud of you!"
"Eustace!" Reepicheep called from the ship. "I see your wings have been clipped!" He too excitedly jumped into the water and began singing, "Where sky and water meet, where the waves grow ever sweet!" He put his paw to his mouth and tasted the water. "It is sweet. It's sweet! Look! Look!"
Eustace and Elizabeth looked behind them and though they couldn't make out anything clearly, there was definitely something special waiting for them in the distance.
"Aslan's Country," Caspian said. "We must be close."
"Well, we've come this far," Edmund told him.
Elizabeth smiled at Eustace. "Come on, let's get you into some real clothes."
"I'd like that very much," Eustace sighed.
Eustace, Elizabeth, and Reepicheep swam up to the Dawn Treader and once they had reboarded it, Caspian found some dry clothes for Eustace to wear instead of his ragged shirt and pants.
Caspian left Drinian to ensure that all of the returned Narnians were taken care of, then he, Edmund, Eva, Lucy, Elizabeth, Eustace, and Reepicheep boarded a longboat and rowed towards Aslan's Country. When they started to get closer, the longboat floated through an ocean full of beautiful white lilies. The brightness of it should've hurt their eyes, but all of them found they had no trouble looking at the wonderful sight before them.
"So what was it like?" Edmund asked Eustace. "When Aslan changed you back?"
"No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't do it myself," Eustace explained. "Then he came towards me. It sort of hurt, but it was a good pain. You know, like when you pull a thorn from your foot. Being a dragon wasn't all bad. I mean, I think I was a better dragon than I was a boy, really. I'm so sorry for being such a sop. Especially to you, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth gently smiled at him. "It's all right, Eustace."
"You were a pretty good dragon," Edmund smirked.
Everyone in the longboat laughed, even Eustace.
"My friends, we have arrived," Reepicheep announced.
They turned to look at the approaching land and were able to just barely make out beautiful, grassy hills and mountains overlooked by a colorful rainbow, but a constant ocean wave that would never crash down guarded the land and kept them from seeing anything very clearly.
Caspian and Edmund rowed the boat ashore, and then the passengers all stepped out and began making their way towards the ocean wave.
Eustace looked to his right and his eyes widened. "Aslan."
The rest of them stopped and quickly spun around at that one beautiful name.
Elizabeth couldn't keep her heart from pounding fiercely in her chest. Unlike everyone else, this was the first time she was seeing the Great Lion in person rather than inside a dream. All of the wonderful things she'd felt back in her dream seemed to pale in comparison to how she felt seeing him standing before her.
"Welcome, children," Aslan said warmly as he slowly padded forward to stand in front of them. "You have done well. Very well indeed. You have come far, and now your journey is at its end."
"Is this your Country?" Lucy asked.
"No. My Country lies beyond."
They all tried to look over the tall wave, but it just rose higher, as if knowing that they wanted to see what was there but would not allow them access.
"Is my father in your Country?" Caspian asked, his tone suggesting that he was almost afraid of the answer.
"You can only find that out for yourself, my son. But you should know that if you continue, there is no return."
Caspian hesitantly walked up to the wave and put his hand into the rushing water.
Elizabeth took a deep breath. She would greatly miss Caspian if he decided to go into Aslan's Country, but she would never question his decision or refuse him the chance to see his father. She just hoped he would at least tell her good-bye first.
But then Caspian removed his hand from the water and turned around, tears pricking his eyes. Elizabeth slowly walked up to him and gently took his hand. Caspian lightly put his other hand to the side of her face.
"You're not going?" Edmund asked.
"I can't imagine my father would be very proud that I gave up what he died for," Caspian answered. "I spent too long wanting what was taken from me and not what was given. I was given a kingdom. A people. A love." He squeezed Elizabeth's hand as he turned to face Aslan. "I promise to be a better king."
Aslan smiled warmly. "You already are." He turned to look at Edmund, Eva, Lucy, and Eustace. "Children."
"I think perhaps it's time we went home actually, Lu," Edmund said.
Lucy abruptly spun around to look at her brother, confused and hurt. "But I thought you loved it here."
"I do. But I love home and our family as well. They need us."
"The hard truth, Lucy, is that we're needed back home right now more than we're needed here," Eva added.
Lucy dejectedly looked away from them.
Reepicheep cleared his throat and approached Aslan before respectfully removing the feathered ring around his ear. "Your Eminence," he said with a bow. "Ever since I can remember, I have dreamt of seeing your Country. I've had many great adventures in this world, but nothing has dampened that yearning. I know I am hardly worthy, but with your permission, I would lay down my sword for the joy of seeing your Country with my own eyes."
Aslan smiled again. "My Country was made for noble hearts such as yours. No matter how small their bearers be."
Reepicheep bowed again. "Your Majesty."
"No one could be more deserving," Caspian said.
"Well, I…"
"It's true," Edmund added.
He and Eva gave Reepicheep a small bow and he gratefully returned the gesture.
Lucy tearfully knelt down in front of him. "May I?"
"Well, I suppose. Just this—"
Lucy swept him up in her arms and hugged him tightly.
"Good-bye, Lucy."
Lucy gently set him down again, and then Eustace took her place in front of the mouse with stifled sobs.
"Don't cry," Reepicheep said gently.
"I don't understand. Will…will I not see you again? Ever?"
"What a magnificent puzzle you are. And a true hero. It has been my honor to fight beside such a brave warrior. And a great friend." He politely bowed towards his dear comrade, and Eustace stood back up as Reepicheep looked up at Elizabeth. "I'm very pleased to have made your acquaintance, Miss Elizabeth. Your compassion and your kind heart have been an inspiration to me, and I wish you and my king a bright and happy future."
Elizabeth smiled at the mouse's kind words. "Thank you, Reepicheep."
Reepicheep scampered over to the giant wave where a small boat now waited for him. "I won't be needing this." He removed his tiny sword from his belt and pushed the boat towards the water before hopping inside it. Using a tiny oar to paddle himself up the wave, he soon disappeared from view. Now, he was in Aslan's Country.
Elizabeth gently pulled Eustace into her arms as tears ran down his cheeks at the bittersweet goodbye.
Lucy looked at Aslan sadly. "This is our last time here, isn't it?"
"Yes," Aslan answered gently. "You have grown up, my dear one. Just like Peter, Elaine, and Susan."
"Will you visit us in our world?"
"I shall be watching you always."
"How?"
"In your world, I have another name. You must learn to know me by it. That was the very reason you were brought to Narnia. That by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there."
"Will we meet again?"
"Yes, dear one. One day."
Aslan roared loudly and a hole opened up in the wave that revealed a long pathway they knew would take them back to England.
The others circled around Caspian, realizing that they were now truly forced to part ways. There was no telling if or when they would ever see him again.
"You are the closest thing I have to family," he said to them. He smiled at Eustace and clapped him on the shoulder. "And that includes you, Eustace."
Eustace smiled. "Thank you."
Caspian hugged Edmund tightly, and Eva then saw just how much the brotherly bond between them could almost rival the bond between him and Peter.
When they released, Eva gently took Caspian's hand and held it next to hers so they were both looking at their scars, a permanent marking of the one powerful and life-changing moment that connected them on a deep and personal level. "Thanks for the advice," she said softly. Fighting back tears, she tightly hugged him, hoping and praying that even if she could never return to Narnia, their paths would cross again someday.
Caspian then hugged Lucy, and Edmund and Eva went over to Aslan and bowed before him. After Lucy had pulled herself away from Caspian, she tightly hugged Aslan and softly cried into his mane. She then gave him a small kiss before walking over to the ocean.
"Will I come back?" Eustace asked Aslan.
"Narnia may yet have need of you," Aslan told him.
Eustace nodded and walked towards Edmund, Eva, and Lucy standing in front of the wave.
Elizabeth tightly clutched onto Caspian's hands, any words she could say completely eluding her. There were just weren't any to properly express her gratitude towards him for all he'd done for her.
Her heart broke at the idea of leaving him. She'd only thought about what would happen to them when Caspian returned home, but she hadn't ever considered the possibility that she might be the one to return home first.
She reached her arms around his neck and passionately kissed him.
After what felt like no time at all, Elizabeth forced herself to pull away from him, and she started to make her way over to the others.
Halfway there, her steps slowed and she stopped walking. Then she quickly turned around and asked Aslan, "Am I allowed to decide?"
"The choice is yours," Aslan told her.
Elizabeth looked at Caspian then back at the others waiting for her then back at Caspian and Aslan again. Had she been given the choice to live in England or to stay in a magical world entirely different from her own on the day she'd arrived, she would've chosen to stay in Narnia in a heartbeat. She never could've guessed that she would actually ever have a hard time deciding. But she was a different person now. Just as Aslan had promised in her dream, she had regained her confidence and she was stronger than ever. She now understood that she had people here and back home who loved her and cared for her and that she didn't have to do everything herself. Her heart now rested in two places, and it was difficult to choose which one she wanted to live in more.
However, unlike before when she would've chosen Narnia only as an escape from her life back in England and all of the terrible things that had happened to her there, she made her choice now because Narnia was where she knew she belonged.
"Then I want to stay," she stated.
Caspian smiled broadly at her.
"You're not coming with us?" Lucy asked.
Elizabeth turned to the others. "There's something that all of you don't know about me, though by now, you might have some idea. Before I came to work for Alberta and Harold…I worked for another older couple. And…the man I worked for was very abusive. Over the course of the two years I lived and worked there, he did everything he could to hurt me and make me feel like my life wasn't worth living. But being here and learning who I truly am, I was able to confront him and finally put him behind me. I want to stay here and continue to grow and to heal."
"Elizabeth…I am so sorry," Eustace said quietly. "I didn't know. You went through all that, and then I just…"
"It's okay. I forgive you."
"What are we supposed to tell Aunt Alberta and Uncle Harold?" Edmund asked.
"Tell them the truth. We all got transported to a magical land and I fell in love and decided to stay."
The others let out small laughs, only imagining Alberta and Harold's reactions if they tried to explain to them the real reason why Elizabeth wasn't in the house anymore.
"Tell Alberta…I found where I need to be. She may not like it but she'll understand."
Eustace ran up to her and hugged her tightly.
Elizabeth smiled as she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him back
"Thank you. For always being there for me. I love you."
Elizabeth let out a small laugh and kissed the top of his head as tears formed in her eyes. "I love you too."
Edmund, Eva, and Lucy walked forward as well and took turns hugging Elizabeth good-bye.
"You're so lucky," Lucy told her.
Elizabeth smiled at her and indicated the close friends and family she still had by her side. "You are too."
Lucy nodded. "I am."
With bittersweet hearts, Edmund, Eva, Lucy, and Eustace walked over to the portal in the ocean wave while Elizabeth returned to Caspian's side. He took her hand in his as they watched their dearest friends walk through the large ocean wave and disappear.
As the four children looked behind them one last time, the portal closed and submerged them underwater. They swam up and up until Edmund touched a familiar bedframe.
The water level began to decrease, and the four of them found themselves back inside Lucy's bedroom in the Scrubb home. Eustace and Lucy ended up on the floor while Edmund and Eva sat on the bed. They all watched as the rest of the water retreated back into the painting.
With the exception of one missing housekeeper, it was as if they had never even left.
"Eustace!" Alberta called. "Eustace! What are you doing up there? Jill Pole's dropped in for a visit!"
Eustace smiled at his mother's question. How could he ever tell her about the adventure he had just experienced?
Everyone in the room looked at one another sadly. Eva knew that they belonged here in England, but it still didn't seem fair that their time in Narnia had come to an end. All of them already missed Elizabeth, Caspian, Aslan, and all of their other dear friends.
Eustace picked up the painting and hung it back on the wall. Edmund took Eva's hand and stood up from the bed, then they all walked out of the room to go back to their regular lives in their own world.
The ship in the painting sailed away until it was out of sight.
Lucy shut the bedroom door, ending her final Narnian adventure.
Eva smiled. "Wait until Peter, Elaine, and Susan hear about this."