~Chapter 26~

Lucy studied the ocean; watching as each white foamed wave attacked the pale white sand before retreating. Reminding her of one of Edmunds battle plans. She missed Edmund. She missed home. This round in Narnia seemed depressing, as if she wasn't here out of its need for her but out of her need for it.

Looking up she glanced at the finished castle, no longer in ruins but a great fortress it once was. The stone walls glistened in the afternoon light, as if millions of diamonds were embedded into it. The surrounding trees and grass swaying in the breeze, almost like a picture. She scanned every angle, etching it into her memory. She couldn't bear to leave again. She couldn't survive in her own world, yet she did not belong in this one.

Sighing, she ventured up the cost and hill stoned path and into the courtyard. The soft pebbled way messaged her slippered feet with each step, with the sound of her silk skirt softly sliding over them like a lovers touch. Upon her arrival at the castle's large curve oaked doors the Minotaur opened them with a bow. Nodding her head in appreciation she entered the throne room.

It was just how she remembered it; six tall white marbled pillars held up the cathedral roof on either side of the honey oaked colored flooring. Four windows that reached from hip to the ceiling looked out upon the sea. Two giant chandeliers hung at the center, one towards the entrance with the other mirroring it above the thrones. Lucy smiled, she had some say in pedestals at the top of the three stairs that lead to the platform. She knew Caspian had only wanted two thrones to grace this hall but it seemed lonely and not right with just the pair. With one question the other two replicas on the missing thrones were completed in one week. Now, all four thrones sat as they should, tall and graceful in their proper places.

Lucy sat in the further throne on the left with her crown weighing heavily upon her head. She took it off and placed it on the arm rest as she had so many times before. Looking to her right she felt overcome with emotions. "They should be here. This is where we belong." Yet, the three matching stone chairs next to her where a reminder that this wasn't their world. "Aslan, where are you?"

"Lucy?" She glanced to the end of the hall seeing a figure emerge from behind a pillar.

"Eustace?"

He nodded at her, "I think there is something you need to see."

Rising Lucy followed Eustace out into the courtyard. The breeze had picked up, and the sky threatened with rain. "I don't recall thunder storms in Narnia." She said to herself. Eustace veered off to the left walking through a small hall way to an opening by the cliffs. "Eustace, I don't recall this place. Where are we?"

"It's a new area Caspian had built in." He stated as he rounded the corner of the outer wall.

Lucy froze, it was a garden. Grass lengthened to a soft size, bushes over flowing with blooming flowers, all arranged so path ways could cross. "It's beautiful, Eustace."

"Not really what I wanted to show you. We need to follow this path. It leads to an out crop above the sea." He started walk and Lucy followed mesmerized by the sight. "Here," he pointed.

Lucy's glaze slide to where his finger pointed. On a little rise, in the center of a stone circle was a tree; yet, not just any tree. It was the one that sent them back home when she and her siblings first came to Narnia to help Caspian. Like before, its trunk was untwisted leaving an archway between.

She knew what that archway meant, "It's time for me to go home now, isn't it?" Her heart was sinking. She didn't want to leave, there was so much more she wanted to do. People she wanted to see one last time. Lucy couldn't stop the tears that sprung into her eye and fell over her cheeks.

"Lucy, look around." Eustace ordered her. "I've read the event. Last time it was Aslan who opened the portal. Do you see him here?" Lucy looked around. "No," Eustace continued looking from his cousin back to the tree. "I don't know why it opened, but unless Aslan arrives, if he even comes, you are not to go near that tree. Is that understood?" Lucy looked to her cousin shocked that he would speak such a way with her. Although, it was Eustace she was dealing with. He sighed, "Look I don't know what's going on, and I sure as hell don't want to go through there and find out. Just promise me you'll stay clear until we can find an answer."

Lucy smiled, "I promise."

"Good." Eustace leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "How about we go for a quick ride before dinner?"

"That sounds heavenly, I'll order Theo to be saddled."

Eustace smile broadened, "No need, I already have."

Laughing they raced towards the stables. Soon they were racing through the woods. Enjoying the call of the wild. The wind raced with them turning the petals from the trees into animals as it weaved all around them. This is what she needed. With each yard they gained, Lucy felt a heavy wait lifted off her shoulders. This is freedom.

In the distance she saw a small light that grew as they approached. Her heart plummeted when she saw the lonely lamppost. "Spare Room." Pulling suddenly on Theodora's reins they stopped. "I'm sorry. I can't go any further."

Eustace rode up beside Lucy. "What's wrong?"

"The wardrobe. The reason we came entered Narnia the first time. It's around here somewhere. This is Mr. Tumnus's lamppost. Please, can we go back?"

"Of course," Eustace agreed. "Race you back?"

Lucy nodded before turning Theodora around. With one last glance she looked at the lamppost remembering the day when she tied his scarf near its top. I miss you old friend.

The day was turning out to be an emotion filled one. By the time Lucy and Eustace arrived back at the castle she felt exhausted. It's wasn't every day you come close to two ways to get home and not take a single one of them. When they dismounted, Lucy thanked Theo for the ride and again apologized for her abrupt stop. After receiving an acceptance from her mare, Lucy joined Eustace near the stable entrance.

"Well, how about we dress and go to dinner?"

"Sounds good to me. I'd like to wash up some."

Eustace laughed, "You know what would really go with your dinner wear?" When Lucy tilted her head at him he leaned in and whispered, "Your crown."

"Oh," feeling the top of her head she realized he was right. "I must have forgotten to put it back on from earlier."

"Do you at least know where it is?"

Lucy nodded, "Yes. I took it off in the hall, it should still be on my chair."

"Alright, let's go gather it and then freshen up for dinner."

Arms linked they made their way to the throne room, half way there they began to sing, "We're off to see the wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz." Laughing they skipped into the throne room.

"Lucy!" Came four voices from up ahead.

Lucy and Eustace froze mid-step, there up ahead rising from their seats on the dais stood Peter, Edmund, Susan, and Thomas. "What are you guys doing here?"

As Susan ran forward and embraced Lucy in a hug, Peter spoke. "Looking for you."

It was Edmund's turn next to hug her, "You been missing for a month, Lucy. Why wouldn't we be looking for you?"

Lucy was speechless as Peter joined his siblings in hugging the youngest, "We needed to know you were alright."

"But, how did you know where I was."

"I can answer that one," Susan spoke wiping tears of joy from her eyes. "When we last spoke you whispered 'Aslan'. Then when we made it to your apartment we found this." Hold open her hand Lucy starred at Susan's horn. "We knew where you were, we just didn't know how to get to you."

"That's what I'd like to know." Lucy stated.

The eldest siblings looked back and forth from each other, reminding Lucy that she once thought they could read each other's minds. Peter sighed, "We don't know exactly. After we found the horn we went decided to walk in the park to come up with a plan. In the middle of it, Thomas blew the horn and we sort of…. walked here?"

"We came through a garden." Susan added.

Lucy's mouth dropped. "The tree? You came through the twisted tree, it opened up for you?"

"So it would seem. Scared Thomas out of his pants though." Edmund whispered.

All four turned to look at a pale white faced Thomas still seated in Lucy's chair clutching her crown in his hands. Lucy was concerned, "Is he going to be alright?"

It was Susan's turn to sigh, "I hope so."

Lucy smiled, "Why don't we all change into proper attire for our stations and sit down for dinner. We can explain it to him then."

Susan smiled, "Sure." Leaning into Lucy she asked, "Please tell me if you have your elixir?" When Lucy nodded her confirmation Susan continued, "Good, for I think we may need it."

A/N: OMG, I haven't posted for almost a year?! How did I become that busy? I am so sorry everyone. I promise to update sooner than that. Hope you like this new addition, please review. Only 4 more chapters to go!

-KyssMe007