Chapter 11: The End of This Story and the Beginning of All the Others
"You need no rings when I am with you," Aslan said, and the children and Uncle Andrew were gone.
Dione knew in her heart; she wouldn't see them again in this life. Their adventures in Narnia were over, but her life her was only just beginning.
A whole kingdom needed to be built, laws needed to be made, homes built, and so much more.
Aslan walked up to Dione's side, surprising the girl.
"Walk with me once more, young Witch."
She followed the Lion down to the stream, near the Tree.
"You swore to defend Narnia from your sister." It was a statement, but Dione nodded anyway. "Then take an apple, eat, and serve Narnia as its guardian to fulfill your oath."
Without hesitation, Dione took an apple from the Tree. There were no cheers this time, for no one was watching.
"Aslan will this – Will I –" Dione hesitated, not because she doubted, or because she didn't want to fulfill her promise, but she was worried. Living forever was never something she wanted. To see your friends age and die, broke her heart to think that one day King Frank and Queen Helen would pass on and she'd still be young.
"You will be ageless and have endless days," Aslan spoke. "You will have strength like your sister, and Magic will flow through you once more. It won't be an easy life, but I promise, when I am needed, I shall come. I will always come. Even to ease your sorrows. So, eat and you shall save Narnia."
Dione curtsied to the Lion ad then ate the apple, dropping the core in the stream to be carried out to sea.
She felt stronger immediately. She could feel the plants around her once again like she had on Charn.
"Come, little Witch, there is work to be done." Dione bowed. "No need for that anymore. You will eventually tire of all the bowing."
And so Narnia was built. King Frank and Queen Helen were fair rulers, as were their children after them.
Dione was a Lady of the Narnian Court, godmother to the princes, their tutor, and an advisor. She loved every moment. And she loved her dreams too.
In her dreams, she saw Polly and Digory. She saw them grow and she was happy.
Centuries passed for Dione. Narnia was peaceful. Then Tree fell. There was a terrible storm, hundreds of trees fell, including the Tree of Protection. Dione urged the King and Queen to prepare for Jadis' return, but they didn't listen to her warning. The Evil Witch had been a fairy tale for years, one that was used to scare children into behaving.
Winter came to Narnia, and the war lasted less than two years. Jadis cast Dione out of Narnia, using her magic to keep her out. But Dione knew the prophecy. She traveled far and wide, learning anything and everything she could. Magic, weapons skills, stories, anything. For nearly eighty years she traveled. Then she returned to the edge of Narnia. She couldn't pass the boarder, so she waited nearby, making friends, gaining spies.
Until one snowy evening, a little girl appeared from a thicket of fir trees.
But that is another story for another time.