"Aslan's country."...
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"We must be close." Caspian stared at the scene wistfully. Edmund pursed his lips in thought.
"Well….we've come this far." He pointed out. Raelyn grinned in excitement.
"Are any of the lifeboats still in good condition?" she asked with a giggle. Everyone grinned tiredly. With that prompt they set out to find a suitable rowboat for them to use. Eventually it was decided to use one of the ones that the hostage Narnians arrived on. Anchoring the ship, the group left and headed towards Aslan's country. As they got closer, they were amazed to see that the water was filled with pure white lilies, just floating and never wandering away from their spots. Raelyn reached over and gently touched the flower petals as the boat made its way through the literal sea of flowers.
"So what was it like? When Aslan changed you back?" Edmund inquired as he helped row the small boat. After hearing Eustace's story of how he became a boy again, the group continued to ask questions.
"No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't do it myself. 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." The boy summarized quietly. Raelyn watched him curiously, pleased to see such a change from him. At the beginning of this journey he was squawking and whining about everyone and everything. Now he was very calm and accepting of the world around him.
"Being a dragon wasn't all bad. I mean, I think I was a better dragon than a was a boy really." He admitted with a wry grin, glancing around at his cousins.
"Maybe better than the boy before. But now….I think it's pretty on par." Raelyn pointed out with a gentle grin. Eustace smiled at her.
"I'm sorry for being such a sop." He apologized to the boat, particularly Edmund who he had the most animosity with.
"It's ok Eustace. You did make a pretty good dragon." Edmund accepted, grinning at his cousin. Eustace chuckled.
"My friends….we have arrived." Reepicheep alerted them from the front of the boat. Edmund and Caspian turned around from where they were rowing and looked with the rest of them. Just up ahead was a strip of beach with a towering wave of water, constantly flowing but never changing in height. They beached the small boat and one by one hopped out onto the sand. The winds that kept the water flowing blew all along the beach, creating a mild breeze as they walked closer. Raelyn grabbed Edmund's hand and jogged a bit closer to the tower of water, utterly in awe of what she was seeing. They stopped just in front of it. Raelyn closed her eyes and grinned, feeling the sea spray on her face. Eustace glanced down the group, his eyes widening as he spotted an additional figure.
"Aslan." He breathed in surprise. They all turned.
"Welcome children. You have done well. Very well indeed." The great lion praised in his deep soothing voice. He made his way to the front of the group, facing each of them as he spoke.
"You have come far, and now your journey is at its end." he told them.
"Is this your country?" Lucy inquired.
"No, my country lies beyond." They all looked up at the giant wave, unable to see what was on the other side.
"Is my father in your country?" Caspian asked hesitantly.
"You can only find that out for yourself. But you should know that if you continue there is no return" Aslan explained, letting Caspian make the decision. The rest of the group watched as Caspian stared thoughtfully at the water. After a moment he began to walk forward towards it. Raelyn grabbed Edmund's arm an leaned her head against his shoulder as they watched. Caspian walked into the water at the base of the wave and slowly reached up to let run his fingers along the water. The four teenagers shared concerned looks among one another. Was this really the right thing for him to do? As if hearing their thoughts Caspian drew his hand back. With tears in his eyes he turned back around and went back to the group.
"You're not going?" Edmund asked in confusion.
"I can't imagine that my father would be very proud that I gave up what he died for." The man explained with a pained expression.
"I've spent to long wanting what was taken from me and not what was given. I was given a kingdom. And a people." Caspian turned to face Aslan with a new determination.
"I promise to be a better king." He assured.
"You already are." Aslan told him. The lion turned to face the others.
"Children." Lucy beamed at the lion, excited for what was to home. However, Edmund frowned and turned to look at Raelyn who was just as solemn as he was. He squeezed her hand before addressing his sister.
"I think it's time we went home actually, Lu." Lucy's grin dropped and she whipped around to face her brother.
"But I thought you loved it here." She asked, confused.
"I do. But I love home, and our family as well." He explained. Lucy looked down sadly. Edmund looked down at Raelyn.
"They need us." He told Lucy, while never losing eye contact with a redhead. Raelyn grinned and nodded her head in support of his decision. A small throat clearing caught their attention. Everyone looked down at the large mouse beside them. Reepicheep approached Aslan.
"Your Eminence." He bowed, taking off his feather in respect.
"Ever since I could remember I have dreamt of seeing your country. I've had many adventures in this world, but nothing had dampened that yearning." The rodent explained, clutching his feather anxiously.
"I know I'm hardly worthy but…with your permission, I would lay down my sword for the joy of seeing your country with my own eyes." Reepicheep explained.
"My country was made for noble hearts such as yours. No matter how small their bearers be." Aslan told him. Reepicheep beamed and bowed once more.
"Your Majesty." Everyone smiled sadly at the mouse. Knowing he had more than earned this honor, yet sad to see their friend go.
"No one would be more deserving." Caspian chimed in.
"It's true." Edmund tagged on, not allowing the humble mouse to negate the claim. Edmund bowed reverently; Reepicheep returning the favor. Lucy sniffled and walked forward to kneel in front of the mouse.
"May I?" she asked.
"Well…I suppose...just this ohh…" Reepicheep grunted in surprise as Lucy reached down to hug him tightly.
"Goodbye Lucy." He whispered, hugging the girl back. Raelyn stepped forward and took a knee.
"It has been quite an pleasure to have known you Reep." She told the mouse, holding out a hand to him. She knew one hug would be more than enough for the mouse. Reepicheep grinned and shook her hand with both of his.
"The pleasure was mine." The girls stepped back and allowed Eustace to approach. The boy had grown quite attached to the warrior he saw as a mentor throughout this journey.
"Don't cry." Reep consoled, seeing the boy sniffle back tears.
"I don't understand. I might not see you again…ever." He pointed out sadly. Reep stared up at him with a curious grin.
"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." Eustace smiled sadly at the mouse and bowed his head, wishing the rodent farewell. Eustace stood and made his way back to the group, allowing Raelyn to pull him into a side hug of comfort. They watched as Reepicheep scurried back to the edge of the wave where a small boat had appeared.
"I won't be needing this." he mused, stabbing his sword into the sand. With a large grin Reep pushed the boat forward, hopped in, and rode upwards before disappearing over the top of the wave. Realyn pulled Eustace tighter as the boy let more tears run down his cheeks. Meanwhile Edmund had a comforting hand on Lucy's shoulder.
"This is our last time here isn't it?" she asked, already dreading the answer.
"Yes. You have grown up my dear one. Just like Peter and Susan." Aslan confirmed.
"Will you visit us in our world?" she inquired, reaching out and running a hand through the lion's mane.
"I shall be watching you, always." He gently assured.
"How?"
"In your world I have another name, you must learn to know me by it. That's the whole reason you were brought to Narnia."
"Will we meet again?"
"Yes, dear one. One day." He assured. Turning his head Aslan roared, prompting a whirling hole to appear among the water of the wave. Knowing they had to leave they all turned to Caspian. He looked around at all of them sadly.
"You're the closest thing I have to family. And that includes you Eustace." Caspian told them with a grin, clapping the boy on the shoulder. Eustace smiled in relief. Edmund stepped forward first, wrapping his arms tightly around the man that was like another brother for him. Without words they hugged and let go, nodding as they separated. Lucy hugged the man before quickly turning and lathing onto Aslan tearfully. Now that it was her turn Raelyn grinned sadly up at Caspian, holding back her tears. She stepped forward and tightly wrapped her arms around him.
"Promise that you'll go back and find Lilliandil? You deserve so much happiness." She whispered, clenching her eyes shut as the tears began to flow. Caspian chuckled.
"I promise. After all, I need another glowing woman in my life." He teased. Raelyn chuckled despite how sad she felt. With one last squeeze she let Caspian go, wiping at her eyes. The red head turned and stared out over the water, barely spotting the Dawn Treador in the distance. This was her last look at Narnia. Edmund came up from behind and laid a hand on her shoulder. Instinctively Raelyn turned and buried her face into his chest, letting him hold her in comfort. The four of them walked over towards the hole. Eustace turned.
"Will I come back?" he asked.
"Narnia may yet have need of you." Aslan told the boy. Eustace turned back towards the others, meeting up with them before they walked towards their exit together.
...
Turning back they watched as the water filled up the hole before engulfing them in it. In surprise as the sudden immersion the four quickly swam upwards towards the light. Raelyn frowned as the looked down to realize that it was harder to swim with her legs…..because of her skirt. Suddenly the water began to recede, quickly revealing the small bedroom where they had started. Raelyn felt her hair curiously as it remained dry and back into the style it was in originally before they set out to sea.
"Eustace! Eustace! What are you doing up there? Jill Pole dropped in for a visit." Aunt Alberta hollered from downstairs. The four teenagers grinned wryly at one another as they listened to the familiar sound. Silently they watched as the last of the water filtered back into the painting on the floor. Slowly Eustace stood and picked up the painting, gently placing it back where it belonged on the wall. Edmund, Lucy, and Raelyn shared longing looks, trying to keep the tears back as reality set in. They would never return to Narnia again. This is where their life would be from now on. It was time to embrace it.
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Well...this story has officially ended! Very bittersweet. But no worries, like my Peter Pevensie story I plan to put up another installment to this tale. I will let you all know when it goes up on my profile. Thanks for sticking with it this long! Hope you liked it.