Part Twenty-Four:

A/N: Sorry about the delay in posting, real life got in the way again. There is one more chapter planned for this story (after this one) but we already have a plot planned out for the sequel, so stay tuned!

Part Twenty-Four:

Aslan had assured them he could send those Telmarines who wished it to the island they had originally come from, but Peter still couldn't really fathom how the great lion was going to do it. He just had faith that he could and left it at that.

After the morning meeting had broken up, the Pevensies had invited Caspian to accompany them to the nearby encampment to mingle with the Narnians still assembled there. Many had already begun their journey home, but there were those who planned to remain longer to get to know their new allies.

"Peter?"

The blonde's head jerked up as Caspian called his name. "Yes, Caspian?" he said, meeting the other King's eyes now that he had been jarred from his thoughts. "Did you say something?"

Laughing, the Telmarine nodded. "I did. I was wondering if there was any Narnian in particular you thought I could speak with about building suitable barracks for the members of the Narnian army who will remain here."

Frowning, Peter thought for a moment before indicating a nearby party of dwarves. "They are talented smiths," he said. "And it would take someone talented in building to advise you on that. You should speak to the dwarves." The High King turned toward his brother. "Edmund always did well dealing with the dwarves. Perhaps he could be of assistance."

The King in question glared at Peter. "Sure, Pete, just foist the duty off on your little brother, why don't you?" The twinkle in his eyes gave away that he was jesting and the smile tugging at his lips reinforced it.

"Oh go on," Peter laughed, nudging Edmund off toward the dwarves. Caspian chuckled and followed the other dark-haired King, talking in low tones about what the King and his new centaur advisor had discussed earlier.

"Peter?"

This time it was Lucy's young voice that chimed in. "Could we find Aslan, please? I wanted to ask him about Mum and whether we can bring her to Narnia somehow?" The young Queen's eyes were shining at the thought of bringing their mother to the beauty that was Narnia. Away from war and the pain of their father's death.

"That's a good idea, Lu," Peter said. But inwardly, he had a different question for Aslan. One that he had been fearing to ask for a while now and one that he feared the answer to, though he was sort of sure he already knew what it would be.

As they walked through the camp, he glanced toward Lucy and realized his question was one he didn't want to ask in front of her. Lucy, of all of them, loved Narnia more than perhaps she should. Peter knew they were not meant to live here, that they would need to return to their world some day. He wished it weren't so, but something was nagging at him, telling him that it was.

"Aslan!"

Lucy hurried forward, dropping to her knees as she flung her arms around the lion's neck in greeting. "Dear one," he said in response, looking up to gaze on the approaching High King and Gentle Queen. "Can I do something for you, young ones?"

Without wasting a moment, Lucy nodded. "Can you bring our mother to Narnia? Like you can send the Telmarines away from it? She would love it here, Aslan, I just know she would be so happy."

The lion didn't answer immediately. "Lucy," he said quietly. "There are some things that we dearly want, but cannot have. I am afraid that at this time, your wish is one of those things."

Lucy's face fell. "You can't bring her here, then?"

Shaking his head, mane cascading in golden ripples, the lion chuckled. "I can bring her here," he said. "But not at your request. I can only bring one to Narnia when there is a need for them and when the time is right."

Frowning, Lucy looked at him with her head tilted to the side. "So you can or you can't, I don't understand…"

Peter knelt beside her. "I think what Aslan is saying, Lu, is that if Mum was supposed to come to Narnia, he would bring her here. But the fact we want her to come is not enough for him to act."

Nodding slowly, Lucy smiled faintly, though the smile was nothing near to the radiant ones she was known for. "I understand," she said quietly. "I just miss her, I guess. And I wonder if she's all right, all by herself."

Aslan rested a paw on her knee. "Your mother is well, Lucy. Even though I cannot bring her to you, I can assure you of that at least. Fear not, you will see her again soon."

Lucy brightened at that, taking it to mean that Aslan would bring her soon. But Peter, and it seemed also Susan, realized there were two possible meanings to Aslan's words. One, they would dearly love – the other they hoped wasn't to be.

"Why don't you visit with Halston, young Lucy," Aslan suddenly said. "He is most lonely with his father engaged in state affairs and his mother helping the Head Healers in their rounds."

Lucy stood and brushed the bits of grass off her red gown with a smile. "Ok," she said, before turning to Peter and Susan. "Should I meet you at the castle for lunch?"

They both nodded in agreement and watched as Lucy hurried off.

"You have another question for me," Aslan said, startling the two oldest Pevensies.

Susan glanced to Peter, deferring to him to voice the question on both their minds.

Swallowing, the High King nodded. "We…were wondering, Aslan, if we would be leaving Narnia again soon? I think we both have a feeling we will be leaving." He looked to Susan at that, who nodded that it had been the thing she was thinking as well.

"Walk with me."

Peter and Susan fell into step on each side of the great lion as he padded softly from the camp into the nearby forest. "Tell me, Peter, Susan, do you dislike your home?"

The two exchanged glances across Aslan's back.

"Well, we do find Narnia to be far more pleasant," Susan said slowly. "There is war here, yes, but we can do something about it and we don't live every day in fear of the unknown while someone far away decides what to do to protect us."

Peter piped up too. "In Narnia we can make a difference," he said quietly. "In England , we're just kids going to boarding school. Even when I was fighting in that war, I could do little good. I was just another body. In Narnia, everyone means something. It isn't the same there, I don't think."

Aslan didn't respond to either of their comments. "I asked if you dislike your home, not what you like about Narnia and how the worlds differ."

Peter frowned. "I suppose not, I mean, there isn't anything wrong with it. It's just different. And Mum is there, and we miss her dearly."

The lion nodded. "You will be leaving Narnia soon," he said. "But it will not be forever. You will return when you are needed. You will all face challenges in readjusting to your new roles in England."

The siblings sighed. They had expected this answer, but hearing it still hurt.

Aslan stopped walking and waited until the two were standing and looking at him again. "You will always be a King and a Queen," he said lightly. "Even when you are sitting in your boarding school. Remember what it is like to be a ruler and employ it in your lives. You will find you can make a difference, one small piece at a time."

Turning away from them, he said, "Now, I must ask you not to follow me. There are things I must do in order to prepare for tomorrow's gathering. Things to be set in motion to give the Telmarines a choice – to stay or to leave."

Peter and Susan nodded and watched as Aslan moved off into the forest.

With a start, Peter realized there was one more thing he had to ask Aslan. "Aslan, wait!" he called out, running forward to meet the lion, who had stopped at the call. Susan, confused but not about to question her brother, waited where she was as Peter reached the lion.

"Aslan," the High King said breathlessly. "I wanted to ask you something. I don't know if you can do it, or not, but it's about our mother. You see, she's…well…she's going to be all alone while we are in boarding school. Could you…could you do anything for her? Help her any way? She's been so sad since Dad died and without us around, I worry about her."

Aslan looked closely at Peter before speaking. "I cannot make any promises, Peter," he said. "But your mother is a strong woman. She will remain strong, if not for herself, than for you – her children."

He turned and ran into the forest, his golden fur soon fading from sight. Peter hurried back to Susan and brother and sister looked to each other, each with a sad expression on their face.

"We always knew it would happen, Su," Peter said quietly, reaching forward and gripping her hands. "When we first came back, I felt we had to do right by Caspian. Something just told me he would be Narnia's future. As much as I wish it could be different, I think I understand."

Susan sighed. "I do too, but I had hoped we would have more time. Last time, it was many years. This time…this time I fear it will be far, far less."

The two remained quiet as they picked their way back through the woods and out into the field that held the Narnian encampment. It was nearly lunch time and with great difficulty, the two put on happy faces and went to meet their siblings and the King who would hold up Narnia in their absence.

Edmund was waving his fork around as he enthusiastically explained to Caspian all the fine points of the Narnian justice system that he had helped to revamp during the Pevensies' reign.

"Very few Narnians ever had qualms about our decisions," he said. "When things simmer down here, we can help you find the best way to meter out justice fairly to both Telmarine and Narnian subjects."

Caspian was hanging onto his every word, obviously pleased that Edmund, known as the Just for a reason, was willing to spend time helping him. The two continued their talk, oblivious to Peter and Susan, who were pushing their food around their plates, lost in thought.

They are so happy here, Peter thought to himself. I can't stand the thought that they have to go back to England, back to a world where they are just kids, just students. I'm nearly an adult there and even I can't make all that much difference. This is going to really hurt Lucy, especially. She is so full of energy and needs an outlet for it. At least in Narnia she can use that energy to help our subjects.

Susan was thinking along the same vein, her gaze focused on Edmund.

Edmund comes out of his shell here, she thought wistfully, remembering how Edmund was quiet and withdrawn in England . He wasn't unhappy, not really, but he wasn't as outgoing as he was here in Narnia. Look at you, Ed, she said inwardly. You haven't let that smile drop from your face at all this meal. You are so excited about helping with the justice system, I hate to think you won't be able to do that because we're leaving. Soon.

Neither of the older Pevensies thought of themselves, though leaving was weighing on their minds too. They were more concerned with Lucy and Edmund, as they always had been.

"Hey, Peter," Edmund suddenly said, turning to his brother. "When Caspian brings back the tournament, are you going to compete? I think you should, you are really a sight when you used to joust and fight in the sword competition."

Caspian nodded. "I would be honored if you would participate in the tournament, Peter," he said. "I imagine it would be a great treat for the Narnians to see their legends in action. Would you also compete, Edmund?"

The dark-haired boy shook his head. "I don't know, I never used to compete because my skills are in two swords, not one. And I'm not a jouster."

From the other end of the table, Glozelle interjected: "In Telmarine tournaments, there is an event for dual-sword competitors." He chuckled when Edmund's eyes lit up and Peter, beside his brother, couldn't help the crestfallen look that crossed his face.

Of course, just when there would be a tournament that Edmund could compete in and probably win, we have to leave Narnia, he thought to himself. Why does fate have to be so cruel sometimes?

Edmund and Glozelle were soon engrossed in a lively discussion of Telmarine dual-sword tournament bouts that the general had either seen or participated in, and Lucy took up the conversation.

"Well, I don't know about Susan, but I can't wait to plan the Mid-Winter Festival with you and Miriam, Caspian," she said. "It was always the biggest banquet with all sorts of great food, dancing, games and it will be so much fun."

Susan wanted to come out and tell her brother and sister what Aslan had told her and Peter, but she caught her older brother's short nod and refrained from doing so. They would wait until they were in private before breaking the news. It wouldn't due to have the younger King and Queen get upset in public.

Caspian, Peter noticed out of the corner of his eye, was no longer listening to Lucy go on and on about feast preparations and some of the many grand feasts they had hosted in Cair Paravel. His eyes were locked on a lady a table away who was making eyes at him.

With a small smile, Peter nudged Edmund and nodded toward Caspian. Slowing the motion of his fork as he realized he had ground his vegetables into a paste instead of eating them, Edmund smiled back as he spied the situation.

"Oh, Caspian," he said in a sing-song voice, glancing at Susan as he did so. "I know you so enjoyed Susan's story of King Lune, Peter and I. How would you like to hear about one of Susan's many, many suitors?"

The girl in question nearly squawked. "Edmund Pevensie, you wouldn't dare!"

He only laughed. "It would help Caspian," he said, nodding discreetly to the lady who was still eying the new King with what could almost be classified a leer. "I'm sure he'll have his share of unsuitable suitors, he's got the devilishly handsome good looks and all."

It was Caspian's turn to blush, which he did quite nicely, before clearing his throat. "I would like to hear this tale," he said with a small grin. "But if it would greatly anger Queen Susan, I would say don't bother."

Peter laughed. "It shouldn't anger her, Caspian. Only perhaps bring back embarrassing memories. After all, if Edmund is thinking of the story of Prince Aedan, it's one that will teach you about suitors and how someone can fail miserably with court protocol."

Lucy chuckled. "Oh, yes, please Edmund, tell the story."

Susan huffed, but nodded her blessing.

Sitting up straight, Edmund smiled. "Susan grew from the gangly school girl she had been when we entered Narnia, into quite the beautiful Queen and by the fourth year of our reign, when she was 19, suitors began to come out of the woodwork. Some more colorful than others."

Peter adjusted his grip on the lance and looked across the jousting field to the Terebinthian prince preparing across the way. This young prince, Aedan, had been a surprise to almost everyone at the tournament.

Little was known of Terebinthia, as it didn't fall under the Narnian crown, so when the entourage from the island had appeared and asked to participate in the annual tournament at Cair Paravel, Edmund and Peter had been wary but had had no reason to refuse and had allowed them to join in.

It appeared they were skilled swordsmen and jousters, as Peter and the prince were the final two jousters and whoever won this bout would win the event and clinch the title of tournament champion.

As the flag slashed down, Peter kicked his mount into a gallop and lowered his lance into position. As he reached the prince he could feel the solid impact of lance against target and when he felt no answering crash, he knew he had won and let himself smile under his helmet.

Slowing his horse, he turned back and saw that the prince had not been unseated, but was rather heavily clutching his chest and his mount was sporting splinters from Peter's lance in its mane.

Riding back, he pulled the helmet from his head and offered a slight bow to the young prince. "You are a most skilled jouster, Prince Aedan," he said. "It has been a few years since I have had such a good bout. Will you and your entourage be attending the celebrations? I should like to learn more of your island."

Pulling his helm from his head to reveal a head of shockingly red hair, Prince Aedan nodded and smiled. "I vood greatly enjoy zis," he said, his accent thick and pronounced as he panted lightly from the blow. "Terebinthia vood be honored, High King Peter."

Peter smiled and turned away to return to Edmund, Susan and Lucy at his end of the field, Aedan close behind him as he rode back toward the temporary accommodations available to all visiting competitors.

The prince's gaze fell on Susan, who was smiling broadly at her brother and holding out a small towel for him to wipe the sweat from his brow. She saw Aedan behind him and waved lightly. "Congratulations on your second place finish, Prince Aedan," she said.

For a moment, he didn't reply, staring as he was at Susan. Then, realizing they were all looking at him, he bowed in the saddle. "Z…zank you, Queen S…Suzan," he stuttered. Obviously flustered, he nodded again and hurried off.

"Bit shy?" Lucy said with a smile. "He couldn't take his eyes off you, Susan." The youngest Queen dodged a small slap. "Well he couldn't! I'll bet you anything he will ask for your hand, just like the last three knights who looked at you like that."

Edmund and Peter sobered at that and watched Aedan disappear amongst the tents. The minute a suitor for either of their sisters appeared on their radar, the two Kings took notice and sometimes even took action.

"Good thing Peter didn't know that before the last ride," Edmund said with a small grin. "Otherwise he'd have hit the poor prince much harder."

Susan slapped him before he could move. "Ed, that's positively barbaric."

"Would you really have, Peter?" Lucy suddenly piped up. "Hit him harder?"

Peter smiled lightly. "Probably," he replied. "Ed and I were awfully protective of the both of you. And suitors were no different than warring lords sometimes. I might have had to turn down another horse…"

Beside him Edmund shook his head with a laugh. "The poor prince would have been much sorer in the morning if Peter had known his intentions, that's for sure." He looked at Susan. "Things went downhill from there, if I remember right. We soon realized this Aedan was no match for our Gentle sister."

"Announcing, Her Majesty, Queen Susan the Gentle, Empress of the Lone Islands, Lady of Cair Paravel, Duchess of the Lantern Waste, Duchess of Galma and Countess of the Western Marches."

Susan nodded and smiled as she made her way to the head table. As she passed the table holding Prince Aedan of Terebinthia, she couldn't help but notice his attire. Not something she normally saw at a feast, more like something one would wear on the battle field.

As the feast wore on, she could sense his eyes on her and from time to time he would make it a point to brush up against her in severe breach of protocol. Susan could tell her brothers were getting angry at each intentional touch. She wondered if the prince even knew what he was doing was inappropriate.

When Peter and Edmund were otherwise engaged, Susan found herself face to face with the young red-head. "Queen Suzan of Narnia. I vood be most honored if you vood allow me vone dance vith your radiance," he said.

Susan tried not to chuckle. He must have meant majesty, not radiance.

"Of course," she said with a small smile, holding out her hand. It wasn't taken. Instead, the prince pulled her right up against him and she almost shrieked in surprise, her eyes widening as she felt every inch that the two of them now had touching. "Prince Aedan!" she exclaimed. "This is not how we dance in Narnia!"

He frowned and pushed her back a little. "It iz not? It iz how ve dance in Terebinthia. How should I do it?"

She put him into the proper position, much, much further apart and they danced, or rather tottered, around the floor. Susan winced every time the prince trod on her feet but kept a smile plastered on her face.

When the song was over, she curtsied and then looked over Aedan's shoulder. "My brother is beckoning, I have to go. Thank you for the dance, Prince Aedan." Without waiting for him to speak, she brushed past toward Peter, who hadn't actually beckoned, but the prince didn't need to know that.

"Peter," she said, breathless. "Don't let that crazy prince near me again, please!"

The older boy frowned. "Did he do something to you, Susan? Should I have him removed? What happened?"

Susan shook her head, holding up a restraining hand. "No, none of those things," she said. "But he is hopelessly barbarian. Look at my feet, he must have strode on them at least a dozen times. And he thought to hug me to dance!"

Peter held in a smile. "Oh, is that all?"

She glared at him. "It's enough!"

Peter acquiesced and nodded. "I'll do what I can, Su," he said. "Why don't I go engage the good prince in conversation? Would that save you for a while?"

His sister nodded and Peter went off to do so, quickly learning for himself that while the prince held a title of royalty, he was far more like a general or a soldier than he was a prince.

"And zo, ve conquered ze rebellion," he said gesturing madly. "Because of zese exploits in battle, I vood like to ask for your sizter's hand in marriage. She vood make a most exzellent Queen of Terebinthia. Strong like a vorrior and beautiful like a glistening blade of steel."

Peter's eyes widened, Edmund dropped his cup, and Lucy fell backwards into her seat.

"You, you're what?" Peter said, not believing what he had just heard. "Marriage? With Queen Susan? Prince Aedan, I'm afraid I am at a loss."

The prince shook his head. "Vorry not, I vood protect her vell, King Peter," the man said, not considering for a moment that he hadn't gotten an answer. "Ve can give her all zat she vood vant."

Peter shook his head. "Prince Aedan," he said. "It is not for me to decide."

The man frowned. "But you are King. She is a voman. She makes no decisions."

Edmund moved to stand, but Peter stilled him with a glance. "Not in Narnia," the elder King said. "In Narnia, Queen Susan makes as many, sometimes more, decisions than myself or King Edmund. As does Queen Lucy."

He would have continued except Susan showed up with a "Peter, what's going on? You look like you've seen a ghost…oh dear, I apologize. I didn't realize you were speaking with Prince Aedan!"

Edmund coughed. "More like he was speaking with us, Queen Susan," he said. "About you, actually."

"Me?" Susan turned to Aedan. "What about me?"

The young prince looked a little confused. "I had asked your brother for your hand in marriage," he said matter of factly. "I did not think you vood have to agree."

Her jaw fell open in an un-Queenlike way. "Marriage? I know nothing of you or your people beyond your names," she said breathlessly. "Why would I marry you?"

Aedan frowned. "I am strong. A vorrier. A prince. Need more reason?"

Susan drew herself up. "I most assuredly do need more reason," she said firmly. "If you wish to make such a proposal, you would have many months of courting before you could do so. And you would need permission to even begin that. Marriage is not entered into lightly or quickly."

Prince Aedan frowned. "Narnia is strange," he said. "Ve marry for strength. You are a strong woman, Queen Susan. It vood be a good match."

Susan shook her head. "I cannot believe we are even discussing this," she said, heaving a sigh. "I am sure you are a nice man, Prince Aedan, but it would not work out. I don't take kindly to being given away without my consent. Please do not ask again."

Humbled, the prince nodded, bowed and turned away.

Edmund burst into laughter, Lucy held her chest and hiccupped with giggles and even Peter was having a hard time not laughing hysterically. Susan glared at them all.

"It was funny for the three of you," Susan said, "but for me, the one who Prince Aedan was asking for like he would ask for a slab of meat, it was not so hilarious." She smiled lightly. "And I couldn't walk without wincing for a week."

With still-wide eyes, Caspian glanced toward the leering woman and then toward the Pevensies. "You wouldn't have advice on how to avoid such situations? Would you?"

Edmund chuckled. "'Fraid not, Caspian. You'll have to figure that out as you go."

Later, after dinner…

Sighing, Peter shut the door to his and Edmund's chambers and lightly rolled his aching shoulder. He watched as Ed whistled and began to shrug out of his tunics to change into his sleep clothes.

When he was halfway through dressing, he noticed Peter had not moved from the door and was watching him with an unreadable expression on his face. "Peter?" Ed said, taking a step toward the blonde King. "Is something wrong? You didn't get into the story at lunch and you haven't been saying much all day. You can talk to me, remember?"

Peter bit his lip. "Ed, there's something you need to know."

Edmund came to a stop a foot away from Peter, tilting his head to the side. "What? Peter you are beginning to worry me…"

The High King reached out and took hold of Ed's shoulder, leading him toward his own bed and pushing him down lightly on the edge. Sitting himself, he twisted until he was facing a frowning Edmund.

"Su and I spoke to Aslan this morning," he said. "We…I guess the easiest way to do this is just to come out and say it. Edmund, we won't be staying in Narnia. Not this time. We're going back to England."

Edmund said nothing, just stared at his brother. When the stare and the silence grew heavy, the younger King stood and walked across the middle of the room to the open balcony and strode straight out until he was leaning against the stone wall.

Breathing slowly and steadily, he waited until Peter joined him – he knew he would.

"Peter, did he say when?" Edmund whispered. "There are so many things I wanted to help with here."

Shaking his head, Peter said, "No, he didn't say. He rarely says anything straight out, Edmund, you know that. But I just know, somehow, that it will be soon. Caspian would benefit from our help, but he will do well without it too." He sighed and leaned against the stone. "If you think about it, by staying we are holding together a rift between the Narnians and the Telmarines. If Caspian is the only king for both kingdoms, things may meld together better."

Shifting so their shoulders touched, Edmund let his head hang down until his fringe was in his eyes. "Somehow I think I knew," he said, still so quietly that Peter nearly couldn't hear him. "I didn't want to believe it. I made myself not believe it. I don't want to go back to England , Pete. We're nobody there. Just kids. What can we do as kids?"

The elder boy shook his head. "Very little, Edmund, that's the same fear I have about going back. Feeling useless. But Aslan said that we can make a difference, just by acting as if we were royals. With impeccable manners and unending care for others. It's bound to rub off."

Edmund looked up at his brother, the golden crown still perched on his head glistening in the moonlight. "I always thought you managed to be magnificent even in England, Peter," he said. "But I never have cause to be Just."

Peter turned his own gaze onto Edmund. "School, Ed," he said slowly. "You can show them your Just side in school. You can be a defender of the weak there, just as you could here. Just without swords or armies. With your words, Edmund."

He gripped the boy's shoulder. "I believe you can do it."

Edmund smiled and returned the grip. "And I believe you can be magnificent." He looked out. "And Su can be Gentle and Lu can be Valiant. I think we'll just have to work a little harder to do it."

Peter nodded and the two watched the stars until each was too tired to keep their eyes open a moment longer, and they retired to their beds.

"Susan?"

Lucy tugged on Susan's dressing gown. She frowned when she saw her sister's somewhat distant expression. "Something's bothering you, Susan," the young Queen said, sitting beside her sister on the bed. "Please, tell me."

Susan turned red-rimmed eyes on Lucy and the younger girl gasped. Susan had been crying, or so it seemed. What in Narnia would cause the usually stoic girl to become so upset?

"Lucy," the elder Queen said. "I have to tell you something, and then you'll understand why I'm upset." She patted the duvet beside her and Lucy lay down on the bed next to her. "Peter and I spoke to Aslan this morning and he told us we would be going back to England soon."

She waited as Lucy stiffened and turned over swiftly until she was practically laying on top of Susan's side. "What do you mean, going back? Why do we have to go back? Did we do something wrong?"

The older girl put a hand on Lucy's shoulder and shook her head firmly. "No, Lucy, we didn't do anything wrong. I think it's just that we aren't needed here anymore, and we have to live in our own world for a while. He said we could come back when we're called."

Lucy sighed at that and lay back down. "Oh, well that's all right then," she said quietly.

Susan frowned. "All right? Lucy, I thought you'd be more upset about this."

Lucy took her sister's hand in hers and played with it like a small child just learning to explore their world would. "I am a little upset, Susan," she said. "But if Aslan said we could come back, then we will come back. Don't you believe that?"

Sitting up and drawing her hand back, Susan sighed. "I don't know," she said. "He said we could come back if we were called. What if we aren't called? What if this is our last night in Narnia – ever?" She turned back to face Lucy. "I don't feel like England is home anymore, Lucy. I don't dislike it, perhaps, but it's just not home."

Lucy sat up as well.

"No, it doesn't feel like home," she said quietly. "But that's probably because we've all lived in Narnia for longer than we have in England . Even Peter, though it's close for him. We got used to living like Kings and Queens and we can do things here we could never do there."

Susan nodded, leaning back against the headboard of her bed. "Yes, we can make a difference here. I know that is what most bothers all of us about England , feeling helpless. Aslan said we could make a difference there, and I want to believe him, but the English are so very different than Narnians, or even Telmarines."

When Lucy didn't answer, she turned back toward the younger girl and found her staring out the window. "Lu?"

Face sad, but resigned, Lucy turned back toward Susan. "I'm all right, Susan," she said. "I'm not happy about it. But I trust Aslan. He wants what's best for us, and that's what this is I guess."

Susan wasn't so sure England was what was best for them, but she didn't say so aloud to Lucy, whose faith in Aslan refused to be shaken. The two remained side by side in Susan's bed until they drifted off into an exhausted sleep.

The next morning…

Aslan had been gone for a full day and when he returned, his first words were to Caspian. "Assemble all the Telmarines in the large courtyard at the edge of the cliff," he said. "Give them no reason, just that they are to assemble. Be sure your advisors are also in attendance."

Caspian nodded and hurried off to spread the word, locating the fastest heralds and couriers and tasking them with assembling the Telmarines at the designated location. Aslan then turned to the four Kings and Queens of Old.

"I will need your aid," he said. "You will know when." His gaze lingered on Peter as he spoke and then he turned and was gone down the corridor leaving the four Pevensies to exchange sad glances.

Peter recovered first, straightening and gripping Edmund and Lucy's shoulders in a comforting gesture of support. "We'll be all right," he said quietly, looking to Susan with a small smile. "As long as we're together, we'll be fine."

They didn't answer, but he knew they had heard and understood.

Now, his thoughts turned to that conversation in the courtyard with Aslan. I wonder what my next challenge will be? he thought to himself. I only hope it doesn't take me away from Ed, Su and Lu. And Mum. I don't want to hurt them again.

Adjusting Rhindon on his belt, he nudged Lucy and Edmund forward when they appeared to be loath to move toward the courtyard. Falling into step beside each other, the four Kings and Queens appeared to those they passed as if they had just walked off a storybook page.

Susan's dress was light blue with designs embroidered in tan threads and flowing white off-the-shoulder sleeves with light brown bands. The dress was vastly different from the coronation gown and many of her Narnian dresses.

Unlike the loose clothing he was used to, Peter was wearing a white undershirt with a darker blue tunic, fitted tightly to the forearms and puffed out from the elbow to the shoulder. The deep v-neck ended just above his sword belt, and the tunic came to mid thigh.

Lucy's dress was a dark green with orange and tan leaves strewn about it. The sleeves ended at mid-upper arm and long white ones continued to her hands. She had her hair tightly braided, while Susan's was curled and mostly down.

Edmund's black tunic with collar matched his nearly black hair, and the dark grey vest-like tunic over it gave him the appearance of a dark knight. Like his brother, his vest went to mid-thigh level.

None of them wore crowns, which wasn't entirely unusual during the day, but might be considered out of the ordinary since they were going to be appearing before an assembly.

It took half an hour for the courtyard to become packed with chattering, wondering Telmarines. From a nearby alcove, Edmund, Peter, Lucy and Susan watched the assembled men and women. They could see Prunaprismia and Miraz, the second, and Caspian, who was moving toward them.

"It is time," he said, gesturing that they join him at the front of the group.

Aslan was waiting and he looked on them with both pride, and sorrow, as the four stood to the side and let Caspian address the crowd.

"After observing and speaking with some of you, it has become obvious that not all of you are comfortable living and mingling with the Narnians," Caspian said, drawing a few nods of agreement from a few in the crowd. "And some of you will likely never be. It is for you that we assemble. Aslan --" he pointed to the lion – "has found a way to give you a new home, where there are no Narnians."

Murmurs grew in volume at the announcement and Caspian was forced to raise his voice above the new din. They increased ten-fold when the golden lion spoke next. "Good Telmarines, I can send you to the land of your ancestors," he said.

One Telmarine spoke from the crowd. "It has been long since we visited Telmar," he said. "It may not be as it used to be."

Caspian shook his head. "He does not speak of Telmar," the young King said, turning back to Aslan to continue.

"The first Telmarines were sea-faring brigands – pirates – who ran aground on an island. This island was not a part of Narnia, it was part of the world our Kings and Queens of Old hail from." All eyes snapped to the Pevensies at that, and the four gave their most reassuring smiles. "On this island, there was a fissure between their world and this one and those pirates and their families crossed through it and settled it what became Telmar."

He gazed out over the crowd, more than once alighting on Prunaprismia.

"I can send you to this island," he said.

There was a roar of confused and excited voices at his words and it was a few moments before the Telmarines noticed Caspian gesturing to quiet them. Once he felt he could be heard, the young King spoke.

"Aslan has assured me this island is safe and will make a good home for any Telmarine who wishes not to remain here," he said. "He said he could open a gateway directly to that world, from this very courtyard.

"You must choose if you believe you can live with the Narnians, or if you would be happier away from here. I know this sounds crazy, but I swear, as your King, that this is not a joke, nor is it a way to harm you."

Aslan, without waiting for any indication, turned to two tall trees at the very edge of the courtyard, twined together. As he gazed on it, the tree began to move – twisting and unwinding until there was a wide archway between the two trunks.

He turned his gaze back toward the Telmarines.

"Those who wish to live this new life, need only pass through the gateway."

For a moment, there was no movement. Not even a whisper from the crowd. Then, one person stepped forward. Clutching Miraz to her chest, Prunaprismia moved forward until she was standing in front of Caspian.

"I wish to go," she said quietly. There was no longer fight in her eyes, only acceptance, resignation and perhaps even a little bit of hope, if you looked hard enough. "I wish to accept the offer."

Caspian smiled lightly at her and put a hand on her shoulder, guiding her toward Aslan.

"Since you acted first, with no hesitation, you will have a good and prosperous future in that world," he said, ghosting his breath over her and the baby. "May you find the peace you seek, Lady Prunaprismia, and may your son grow to be a fine man."

She nodded to the lion, still unnerved by the large being, and then turned to Caspian. Looking up at her taller nephew, she let a small smile cross her face. "Thank you," she said. "I know my case probably spurred you on, and I appreciate it."

Then she turned and with only a small hesitation in her step, passed through the archway and disappeared.

Gasps and cries of disbelief erupted. One man called out, "How do we know that gateway will not lead us to our deaths!?" There were echoes of agreement and all eyes shifted from Aslan to Caspian and back again.

Peter, who had been watching quietly from the side with his brother and sisters, knew this was the time Aslan had been talking about. "We will go through the gateway," he said. "Surely Aslan would not harm us?"

There were slow nods of approval for this suggestion and resigned sighs from Lucy and Edmund. Susan was strangely silent. Peter swallowed with difficulty, the moment he had been dreading yet expecting was here.

Stepping forward, he moved toward Caspian, who's eyes were wide with shock.

Smiling lightly, the young High King came to a stop in front of the Telmarine boy. "It's time for us to go and for you to do what you were born to do, Caspian," he said. "You don't need us right now, but if there is ever a time when you do, you know how to reach us."

He lightly gestured toward Susan's horn, which the young Queen was holding out for her brother to take and hand to Caspian. Turning the white horn over in his hands, the Telmarine nodded. "I shall not hesitate should the need arise," he said quietly.

Peter still did not move away.

It wasn't something Aslan had told him to do. Nor was it something that custom dictated, since there was no precedent for this situation, but it was something Peter just felt he had to do.

Before he could change his mind, he pulled Rhindon from his belt and held it out to Caspian. "Take care of them," he said quietly. "As I would have done."

Eyes hardening with firm resolve, Caspian nodded and grasped the sword and sheath without so much as a shake in his hand. "I swear it," he said. "I promise I will restore Narnia to its former glory in your absence," Caspian said, gripping Peter's forearm in his now. "And I shall begin by rebuilding Cair Paravel. Such beauty should not remain tainted by ruins."

That brought a broader smile to the Pevensies' faces and Peter stepped back to join his siblings now. The advisors who had so recently been seated, were lined up beside Aslan and the four monarchs stepped over to them to say goodbyes.

Lucy and Trumpkin eyed each other until the young Queen snapped and moved forward with astonishing speed to envelope the dwarf in a strong hug. "I'll miss you," she whispered. "Think of me?"

"All the time," he whispered back.

Peter bowed to Glenstorm and Glozelle, Edmund mirroring his brother. "I know Narnia and the Telmarines are in good hands should there ever be another attack," Peter said lightly.

The centaur and the man nodded their thanks and then the Pevensies moved toward Aslan.

"We will come back, won't we Aslan?" Lucy said quietly.

The lion smiled at her. "Someday, Lucy. Someday, all those who have been to Narnia return to Narnia, in one form or another."

She frowned in confusion, but didn't press.

Edmund was the first to move toward the gateway in the tree and with a brief glance backwards, he moved through and was gone. Susan followed behind him, smiling lightly at the people watching them before disappearing like her brother. Peter and Lucy stood side by side. The oldest and the youngest, so similar and yet so different. Both shot looks toward Aslan, then Caspian, and then turned and were gone.

The rushing train to their left would have drowned out any conversation, so Edmund and Susan said nothing as Lucy and Peter appeared behind them seemingly out of thin air. No one noticed anything amiss around them, but the Pevensies felt like fish out of water suddenly, dressed in their school clothes as if Narnia had all been a dream.

Spying the bench they had been seated on, Edmund made to move toward it when he heard a muttered curse and turned to see Peter hit the ground on his hands and knees, an expression of bewilderment on his face.

The expression quickly turned to one of fear and disbelief and Edmund dropped down beside him, Susan and Lucy on his heels.

"Peter, what's wrong?" Edmund asked.

"Help me up," the older boy said, barely audible over the din of the trains.

Edmund stood and reached out a hand to his brother, pulling him up. Peter put no weight on his right leg at first, eying his brother and sisters nervously. Then he pushed his right leg out and leaned just slightly, putting weight on that leg.

It quickly buckled and he only just caught himself on Edmund's shoulder.

"What in the blazes?" Susan said, gripping her brother's shoulder. "Peter?"

The blonde-haired boy looked up with wide eyes. There was recognition in them, mingled with fear and resignation.

Swallowing, he said slowly. "I…I can't feel it. It's as if it wasn't there."

(evil laugh) Sorry, we just couldn't resist. Don't forget to read and review!