(Last time…)
Lucy turned to Helen and gestured for her to follow. "Come on, mum." She cried, her eyes full of joyful tears once again.
But Helen did not move.
Your majesties.
The words rang through her head.
He had referred to her children as "your majesties."
Clearly, they still had a lot of explaining to do...
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Lucy approached her, the concern evident on her face.
"Mum, are you alright?" she asked, gingerly reaching out to place a hand on Helen's shoulder.
Helen's eyes met hers for a moment and she took an involuntary step away from her daughter.
She felt numb, again.
Confused.
This entire experience was so incredibly bizarre, but for a few minutes she had felt as if she was finally getting her bearings. She had still not been quite sure what to think, but her children's honest expressions and earnest answers had been starting to, slowly, convince her that this was not a dream. She had touched them, hugged them, and they had not faded away…they had suddenly seemed so real and this place had seemed to truly exist…she had almost been willing to believe.
Now, however, soon after the arrival of the strange new man (Mr. Tumnus, as Lucy had called him) her doubt was flaring up once again. He had spoken to them as if they were royalty. Addressing them as "you majesties" and telling them that he would escort them back to the castle.
Helen glanced to her right for a second, her eyes resting on the magnificent white structure which crowned the highest cliff.
Surely he couldn't be taking them there; she tried to convince herself that this could not possibly be the "home" her children had spoken of with such yearning. It was difficult however, to forget the looks of desire on their faces as they had stared up at it several moments ago.
As much as she loved them, and no matter how wonderful and amazing she thought they all were, Helen knew that her children were not royalty. They were middle class Londoners; they got by well enough, in a mid-sized house with plenty of food to eat, but they were not among the elite of society. Passing by Buckingham palace on one of their many trips to central London was as close as any of them had ever been to royalty, and she was certain that this new arrival had to be off his rocker.
It simply wasn't possible.
Then again, she reminded herself as she averted her gaze back down to the beach, they were a long way from London, and aging fifteen years in five minutes and ending up in a far off land wasn't supposed to be possible either.
…or at least, that is what she had always thought.
She needed to know more.
"Wh…what does he mean?" She stuttered, hating how meek her voice sounded; she wanted so desperately to stay calm and collected, but every new revelation made that harder to achieve. She looked first at Lucy, then at Peter, hoping for some sort of explanation.
Peter's brow furrowed. "What does he mean about what?" He asked, clearly confused (as everyone else seemed to be) by her sudden state of shock. Apparently, no one else had given a second thought to the way in which the stranger addressed them, a fact which only worsened her confusion.
Why didn't they find the idea as unbelievable as she did, she wondered.
The mother drew a deep breath before speaking again, hoping to make things clearer then before.
"Why did he refer to you as "you majesties"?" She paused. "You're not…you can't be…"
Realization dawned on the oldest siblings face, and he raked his hand through his hair. It was a nervous habit he had not grown out of, it seemed.
"Ah, right. That." He muttered, taking a few steps towards her. "I don't exactly know how to put this without making it sound terribly odd…" The man trailed off, clearly struggling to find the best way to continue. After another moment, he gave up, and turned back towards the two middle siblings. "Ed, Susan," He began again. "Maybe you can explain things more eloquently then I can."
Sighing, Edmund decided to take up the challenge. "Mum," He started, in a way that (perhaps unintentionally) made her feel like the child in the conversation. "Tumnus referred to us as "you majesties" because, well, we are…errr…majesties, or rather, royalty, here."
She said nothing, and he continued, stumbling over his words much less the second time around. "What I mean to say is, we didn't just live in Narnia for fifteen years, we were in charge of it. We ruled over it, as kings and queens."
The others did not correct him, and Helen could tell that this was an explanation they all agreed on. She had half expected somebody to laugh as he spoke, and tell her that it was only been a joke; but evidently, no one thought it was funny.
They believed it.
And she had little choice but to go along.
Denying things, at this point, would achieve little.
"All of you?" She asked slowly, trying to gather her frantic thoughts and quash the dizziness that was threatening to overcome her. She had never heard of a country with four monarchs before. "You were…are…" She faltered before finally finishing her question "Kings and queens?"
The four nodded, all looking at her as if she might ether collapse or explode at any moment. Helen, however, had no intention of doing either.
"Well, it's a bit more complicated then that." Edmund continued cautiously. "We all have out own titles and duties. I am called King Edmund the Just." He explained a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "I handle most of the legal and constitutional matters."
The woman nodded, her mind flickering back to the dusty old law tomes she had caught her youngest son reading during the past few weeks. It had seemed so odd then, but suddenly, it fit. Once again, being in this strange place and listening to these strange things was filling in the gaps that had been eating away at her in recent weeks.
"Lucy is known as Queen Lucy the Valliant, and she is the one that spends the most time meeting with our subjects and listening to their grievances." Lucy smiled as Edmund spoke and, much to Helen's confusion, Tumnus beamed at her with a look of fatherly pride on his face. "And Susan is Queen Susan the Gentle here. She keeps the castle running, and ensures that all of our subjects and foreign visitors are met with the best hospitality in the land."
Edmund paused for a moment, a slight smirk passing across his face, before finishing his explanation.
"Then there is Peter who, for some inexplicable reason, most people call High King Peter the Magnificent. I have never quite understood how that title got started, as it is clearly not as appropriate as the others…"
"Thanks, Ed." Peter cut in, folding his arms across his chest and trying to keep a stern expression on his face. Helen could tell, however, that he was quite used to his brother's teasing and didn't particularly mind. "I'll remember you said that next time you need me to save your ass in battle."
Edmund scoffed. "Yeah, like I need your help. I don't think I need to remind you who beat who in last year's tournament." He shot his brother a cheeky grin (some things never change, the mother noted with both exasperation and relief), before turning back towards her.
"Well, as I was saying," His playfulness faded as he spoke, "Peter is the High King, which means he is technically a bit above the rest of us. He usually focuses on foreign policy and military pursuits, though he is responsible for overseeing pretty much everything else as well. We all live there-" he paused and pointed at the castle on the hill, "At Cair Paravel, and have ever since our coronation fifteen years ago."
Edmund stopped, his explanation complete, and Helen attempted to come to terms with what she had been told.
She found it hard to believe, but she could see no reason why they would lie to her about this. She could see the castle from here (indicating that it definitely existed- or at least, existed to the same degree that the rest of this place existed) and if, as Mr. Tumnus had suggested, they were about to make the trek up there she would soon have all the proof she needed to confirm their rank in this strange kingdom. It could, plausibly, be a joke they had decided to play, but she did not see how they could have possibly conspired with Tumnus on this if they had only just arrived back in this land. And, she mused, Edmund's explanation had seemed so natural and sincere; she had to admit that he had spoken with a convincing degree of conviction.
Despite her best logic, Helen found herself beginning to believe.
"Alright," She began, her voice much steadier then before. "Then let's go to the castle."
She felt Lucy take her hand, and she allowed herself to be led into the thick forest, too wrapped up in thought to notice the rough branches and prickly bushes brushing against them as they went.
Looking back over the past several weeks, more pieces began to fall into place. Edmund's studying, Lucy's compassion, Susan's planning, Peter's authority, the way they all walked and spoke with a new-found air of nobility; she had taken note of all of these things, been confused by them, but had never managed to put it all together.
She couldn't really blame herself for not finding the answer, she supposed, no sane or rational person would ever come up with something like this…but, now that it had been placed before her, she was beginning to understand.
It was crazy.
It was shocking.
But, somehow, it made sense.
"Mum." Lucy tugged on her arm, snapping her out of her daze. "I must introduce you to Mr. Tumnus!"
She picked up her pace, noticing for the first time that her tired legs were beginning to burn from the uphill walk towards the palace. Trying her best to ignore it, she smiled at the strange man who seemed to have befriended her children.
"This is our mum, Helen Pevensie, as you may have guessed," Lucy began, as they caught up to Tumnus. "She has come back to Narnia with us."
He smiled, and Helen took note of his oddly shaped ears and the tiny horns protruding from his head. When they had said that this was another world, they had not been exaggerating; she had never seen anyone like him in England and she wondered if it would be rude to ask what exactly he was.
"It is lovely to make your acquaintance." He replied, pausing for a moment to make a slight bow in her direction. "I can see that our sovereigns are very happy to have you with them, and I look forward to welcoming you to Cair Paravel."
She was pleased to think that her children were, indeed, happy to have her there, though she was not yet entirely convinced that this was the case. Perhaps, she mused, it was too early to make such a judgement.
"And mum," Lucy continued cheerfully. "This, as we have said, is Mr. Tumnus. He is the first faun I met when I came to Narnia, and has been a dear friend and trusted advisor ever since."
Ah, he was a faun, she noted, trying not to let this revelation shock her too much. Clearly, Narnia was inhabited by more then just average humans and she suddenly had a nagging feeling that he would not be the oddest creature she would meet that day.
"Lovely to meet you as well." She reached out her hand for him to shake, and was confused by the small chuckle he let out.
"Ah, of course." He said quietly as he took her hand and swung it back and forth rather oddly. "I had almost forgotten about that strange custom from Spare Oom."
Helen had no idea what to make of this statement, but decided to let it go. It would be easier, she supposed, to not dwell on all of the small details; for the sake of time and her own sanity, she could not afford to question every little oddity.
Instead, she simply smiled.
A few seconds later she heard Peter, who was at the head of the group, call for Tumnus to come speak with him and Edmund. The Faun gave her another bow, before quickly bounding in the direction of her sons.
Helen tried to make out what she could from their conversation, but after catching only random words such as "Telmarines" (she wondered what that meant) and "giants," she gave up on getting anything meaningful out of them.
Instead, she turned to face Susan and Lucy who were both walking on her left. It was a bit difficult to speak, due to the effort involved in climbing the fairly steep hill, but her curiosity overcame her fatigue and she decided that there was more (much more) that she could not wait to know.
Wanting to get right to the most pressing question on her mind, Helen turned her head towards the girls and began. "How did you become kings and queens?" She asked, slightly breathless as she walked. "I may not know much about this place, but I do know that you were not born into the role- I think I, of all people, would know if you had been."
The two young women exchanged a look, and their mother was relieved when they began to explain.
Lucy spoke first, telling her about the wardrobe and her first meeting with Tumnus, her second adventure in the Narnia (with Edmund, this time), and finally the entry of all four siblings. She described getting separated from Edmund (though, Helen noted, she seemed to get a bit vague on the details at this point in the story), noted the importance of the prophecy, and told her about finally finding Aslan (who, she explained with clear reverence, was an important and well-loved figure for the Narnians). Helen was happy to finally find out who he was, after hearing her children mention his name several times during the past few weeks.
Susan had picked up when Lucy had grown tired, describing their reunion with Edmund, the sacrifice of Aslan, and the battle that (much to Helen's horror) Peter had commanded.
"But he was so young!" the mother exclaimed, disturbed by the thought of her children forging into battle. She found it hard to accept that Peter had been leading troops and witnessing horrible atrocities since the tender age of thirteen.
Susan merely smiled reassuringly and glanced up at her brother, who remained several meters ahead with Edmund and Tumnus. "I suppose." She said thoughtfully. "But Peter is made for that sort of thing. He did brilliantly."
She had gone on with the story after this, telling Helen about their narrow victory and final defeat of the White Witch.
"We saved as many as she could." Susan explained, the sadness in her voice indicated that some, despite their efforts, had been lost in the fight. "And Aslan brought us here, to Cair Paravel, where we were crowned as the sun set in the Narnian sky. It was overwhelming, but wonderful." She paused, letting out a wistful sigh. "It is a day I will never forget."
Helen looked down at the leaf-covered ground for a moment as they continued to walk. Although she knew that the story the girls had told her over the last several minutes was much abbreviated, it was still a lot to take in. Their coming had, evidently, been foretold, and after winning a battle (the thought of which made her shudder again), they had been placed on the throne by this mysterious "Aslan."
It was all so…extraordinary…and yet, she once again found herself abandoning all logic and wanting to believe every word of it.
"So, you ruled for most of the fifteen years you spent here." Helen stated, more to herself then to her companions. Saying things aloud, she sometimes found, helped them to better sink in.
Susan and Lucy both nodded their cheeks flushed from their steady climb.
"Yes," Susan replied. "We were young, and it wasn't easy at first, but we grew into it. Peter took the brunt of it, initially, though I tried to help the best I could. It was easier once everyone was older."
Another thought struck her, and after trying (unsuccessfully, in her frazzled state) to calculate it herself, she decided to give up. "How old are you?" She asked, glancing at them both and trying to guess from their current appearances, feeling (once again) like a horrible mother for not knowing. Though, she reminded herself, this was a highly unusual situation and it was not really her fault that she was unsure of her suddenly grown children's ages in this alternate reality.
"When we left, I was twenty-seven, Peter had just turned twenty-nine, Edmund was twenty-five, and Lucy was almost twenty-three." The oldest girl explained. "Judging from how we look and what we are wearing, I don't think that has changed, even though four months have passed in England and a year has passed in Narnia." Sensing Helen's confusion, Susan added. "Time works differently here."
"Ah, of course." She muttered, bemused by the fact that such proclamations were, already, starting to shock her less and less.
Countless other questions were swimming in her mind, but as she looked up at the sight emerging before her, everything else was pushed away.
They were finally approaching the magnificent white castle (not a moment too soon, she thought, unable to ignore the pain in her legs), and she could do nothing but gape at the sight of it. Helen had seen her fair share of British castles, but no crumbling stone structure on the coast of the Atlantic could possibly compare to this. It was massive, bigger then any building she had ever seen; the central portion was huge, and there were countless wings and towers branching off from it. Even more remarkably, it seemed to be made almost entirely out of white marble, which glinted beautifully in the clear sunlight.
The sight nearly left her breathless.
She had stopped just behind Peter and Edmund, who had halted their trek as soon as the ground had levelled out. Tumnus had rushed ahead, it appeared, but (after a quick glance at her children's faces) she chose not to ask them about his departure; they were all staring up at the palace, the awe, admiration and happiness evident on their faces.
She could not bring herself to interrupt this moment.
"Home." Edmund muttered, for the second time that day.
The others nodded in agreement, their eyes fixed on the stunning structure before them. It was a far cry from their humble abode in Finchley, but Helen could understand their attachment to this amazing palace, even if it still seemed strange and foreign to her.
"Home." Lucy confirmed.
After a few more moments of silence, Peter turned, and offered the explanation she had been hoping for.
"Tumnus has gone ahead to tell the court we have arrived." He said, his eyes full of anticipation. She had missed seeing him filled with such happiness. "He should be back in a moment."
They waited (Helen starring at the marble structure and wondering how many people, and creatures, this castle contained) and, true to his word, Tumuns soon bolted back out of the main entrance.
"They are ready, your majesties!" He proclaimed, hopping giddily from foot to foot. "Everyone is being summoned to the great hall. Come. They are overjoyed by the news."
Nodding thankfully at their friend, the four began the final leg of their journey. As they took their first steps towards the castle, Helen hesitated, feeling terribly out of place and wondering if she should follow. They may have felt like they belonged here, but she (despite her slow acceptance of the situation) most certainly didn't. It may have been their home, but it was not hers.
She felt a gentle hand on her shoulder, and she turned to see Mr. Tumnus smiling warmly beside her.
"Come, Lady Helen." He said, his gentle tone suggesting that he could sense her apprehension.
"Oh, I'm not…" She began, wanting to correct him and explain that she was just an average housewife with no title at all, but he did not allow her to finish her statement.
"The court is eager to meet you as well," The faun continued, nudging her forward "And I know the Kings and Queens will be happy to have you at their side."
Helen opened and closed her mouth several times, unable to find an appropriate response. A part of her was suddenly overcome with the desire to run back to the safety of the trees, and wait there in seclusion until she was able to find a way back to Finchley. She did not know what to expect inside the castle (though she supposed it would be just as shocking an unexpected as everything here seemed to be), and she needed some time to deal with all of the information she had already received.
She wasn't sure if she could take much more today.
As she glanced ahead at her four children, however, so determined and noble as they walked towards the castle, she was also struck by a combination of curiosity and pride. She did want to be there for them, if their arrival was the joyous event that they suggested it would be. She wanted to see them happy, and she wanted them to know that (despite her shock) she loved them dearly and was proud that they meant so much to the people of this strange land.
In the end, it was the latter urges which triumphed and inspired her tired legs to walk behind the four siblings as they came to the unbelievably large entrance hall of Cair Paravel.
The main doors were opened by two guards (she did not know what they were, but noticed that they were extremely hairy), and her eyes widened when various creatures and animals inside the entrance bowed as she, Tumnus and the four siblings approached.
Already, this was proving to be a very surreal experience.
The interior of the castle was just as striking as the exterior, and Helen found herself mesmerised by the beauty and luxury of it. Perfect marble floors, ceilings with elegant golden chandeliers, the variety of rich paintings and tapestries hanging from the walls…it was a spectacular sight, and if it had not been for the sound of the large trumpet (which was blown a few meters in front of her by a dark brown centaur), she probably would have paused in the hallway a moment longer.
As it was, the horn broke her daze, and she turned her attention back to her four children, who were lined up, shoulder to shoulder, in front of her. They were slightly tousled from their trek up the hill and she (always the observant mother) could see flecks of sand and dirt on their strange medieval-inspired attire, but they held themselves with such grace and dignity that those things became of little importance.
It was their presence, rather then the details of their appearance, which was most striking at that moment.
They were a far cry from the lifeless and forlorn children she had known in Finchley.
The large oak doors before them swung open as the trumpet sounded again. She felt Mr. Tumnus gently nudge her forward, and she soon found herself stepping into a grand hall which was even more elegant then the entrance way. As they walked between the two central rows of marble columns, Helen tried to take in the scene before her. Her heart began to beat rapidly once again, and the dizziness threatened to return, but she did her best to remain calm and composed.
She could do this.
She had to.
For them.
There were several creatures in the gigantic room; fauns, centaurs, animals of every colour and description…and all, much to her amazement, fell into silent bows as they walked past. The trumpet had stopped, and there was (surprisingly, considering how many individuals were present) scarcely a sound as the Pevensie's made their way towards the front of the hall. There were four thrones in front of them, Helen observed as they continued their surreal march, and as she fixed her gaze on them the reality of the situation stuck her once again.
This was really happening.
They had been telling the truth.
Tumnus rushed ahead, stepping up onto the platform which contained the thrones and motioned for all present to rise (he was the master of ceremonies, it seemed). The four siblings stopped, just before the step, and Helen quickly halted her movement as well, wondering what was going to happen next.
"People of Narnia." Tumnus began, suddenly more assertive then he had seemed earlier. "It is my great honour, and humble privilege, to announce the joyous return of our beloved sovereigns to this great land."
Helen jumped slightly as a deafening cheer erupted around them. "Joyous," it seemed, was a bit of an understatement.
As the cheers continued (thankfully, a bit less rambunctiously then the initial outburst had been), the four stepped forward (Peter giving a grateful nod to Tumnus as he passed) and took their seats in the elegantly carved marble thrones. Helen did not move, too stunned and transfixed on the sight before to do much of anything.
She fought back a myriad of emotions as she watched them smiling graciously out at the crowd from their four thrones. They looked a bit overwhelmed and tired, she observed (though she doubted that most onlookers would notice such things), but the happiness and contentment on their faces was genuine. Her heart nearly burst with pride; they were so regal, so beautiful and, if the reaction of the crowd was any indication, their deeds during their time here were revered and loved. And yet, she noted with a pang of sadness, there was no doubt in her mind after that moment that their childhoods were truly gone. As they sat before their people, they looked more mature and adult then they had before; they were no longer children from Finchley, but kings and queens, responsible for the survival and wellbeing of their country.
Although, she was finally beginning to understand them again she could not suppress the feeling that something irreplaceable had been lost.
She had found Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy, but she knew that they would never again be the children she had once known.
She watched, a lump building in her throat, as Tumnus scuttled across the platform, placing intricate crowns (which had been lain out on a table to his right) on each of their heads.
Their were more shouts from the crowd as he reached each of them.
"Long live King Edmund!" The room roared, as her youngest son was crowned.
Susan was next, and her crowing was accompanied by a similar shout. "Long live Queen Susan!"
"Long Live Queen Lucy." Her youngest was third.
And finally, the large gold crown was placed atop the oldest siblings head. The cheers, if possible, grew even louder then before.
"Long live King Peter, High King of Narnia!"
Peter gave a small smile, and Helen watched as he stood up from his throne and took a few steps forward. When he stopped, he held up a large hand, and the crowd instantly fell silent. It was amazing, Helen mused, that he could control such a gathering with a simple gesture; if she did not have such faith in the goodness of her children, she would have found such authority to be a troubling thing.
"My brother, sisters, and I thank you for your warm welcome." Peter began, addressing all that had gathered. She was struck by the balance of warmth and power he was able to portray with his tone. Susan had been right, Helen realized, Peter was made for this sort of thing. "And we ask you to forgive us for our sudden departure. I assure you that we never intended to abandon our kingdom, and that we did everything in our power to find our way back. Our absence pained us greatly, and we are happy that we have been able to return to our beloved country at last. Aslan willing, we pledge never to leave again."
As he paused, Helen could not help but mull over his final statement.
They never wanted to leave…never wanted to return to Finchley…
Deep down, she knew that she should not be surprised by such a proclamation (the happiness that had filled them since their return indicated that they were much more content here), but it still hurt to hear it said so plainly.
"There was, however, some good that came of our unwilling departure." Peter began again, looking (much to her surprise) in Helen's direction. Her sadness was quickly replaced by shock. "We were returned to the place of our origin and reunited with our mother, who has now returned with us to this great kingdom. I trust that you will help us welcome her to Cair Paravel."
There was a moment of silence after this declaration, and Helen felt as if every eye had turned to her as Peter stepped over and helped her onto the platform. She stood at his side for a moment, feeling horribly out of place (her simple blue skirt and brown cardigan seemed to mark her as an outsider), and she could hear a few whispers from among the generally good natured crowd. Her arrival must be unexpected, she supposed, and (at the age of forty) she likely looked much too young to be the mother of the nearly-thirty year old Peter. Nevertheless, after a few uneasy moments, the crowd cheered again and she felt Peter drew her into his arms for a warm embrace.
"I know it must be a bit overwhelming, mum." He whispered so that only she could hear. "But you'll get used to this sort of thing. I promise."
When they drew apart, Helen took a few steps to the side, hoping that the pillar on the left of the platform would hide her (at least partially) from the curious eyes which continued to follow her.
She reminded herself to stay calm, and tried not to focus on the crowd before by starring up at the intricate architecture of the ceiling.
Meanwhile, Peter continued. "I have been updated on the current situation in Narnia." He said, his tone more sombre then before. "And I assure you that we will all work tirelessly to ensure that our kingdom remains safe and secure. We-"
The High King was cut of suddenly by the sound of trumpets at the other end of the hall. The main doors swung open again, and Helen inched forward, wondering who else would require such fanfare (perhaps Narnia's government was even more complex then she thought, and there were other monarchs as well). At first, all she could make out was a warm orange glow, but as the light dimmed, she could see that the new arrival was, in fact, a large lion.
She noticed, from the corner of her eye, that Edmund, Susan and Lucy had bolted up from their seats to join Peter at the front of the platform and was even more perplexed when, moments later, all four knelt down.
The rest of the hall, she noticed, had also begun to kneel as the lion walked slowly down the main aisle. They were silent again, as they had been when she and her children had entered.
Although logic told her that it was a bit odd to bow to a large feline, she was overcome with a similar urge as he came nearer and she fell quickly to her knees. She knew that she should be afraid (lions, after all, were not tame animals) but, much to her confusion, she found herself filling with adoration rather then fear.
This, clearly, was no ordinary lion.
When he reached their end of the room he stopped his graceful walk and nodded towards the kings and queens.
"Rise, sons of Adam and daughters of Eve."
His voice was warm, yet Helen sensed that he was not one to be disobeyed.
Turning her head ever so slightly, she watched the four siblings stand. They smiled down at the lion and (although she didn't think it was possible) the lion smiled back.
Much to her surprise, Lucy spoke first. "Aslan! I have missed you terribly!" She proclaimed, her face beaming at the sight before her.
So this was Aslan, Helen realized, slightly shocked.
Lucy had mentioned him during her stories that day, but had failed to mention that he was a lion. Helen had pictured him as some sort of knight though, she noted, the lion motif she had noticed on their clothing now made much more sense- as did the strange expressions (such as "by the Lion's Mane" and "thank the Great Lion") she had heard the children using during the past few weeks.
Clearly, he was a figure of much importance in Narnia.
The lion chuckled, breaking Helen out of her daze.
"And I have missed you, my kings and queens." He replied graciously.
"Did you call us back, Aslan?" Lucy pressed. "We've been wondering why we were returned so suddenly." Helen noticed Peter nudge her- he was clearly not as comfortable addressing the lion in such an informal manner.
She wondered why her youngest child seemed to have such a bond with the creature.
The lion nodded its shaggy head. "I did indeed, Queen Lucy." He replied, not seeming to mind her blunt questions. "You were never meant to leave before full peace had come to Narnia, and your departure was not to be permanent." He gave the four another warm smile. "Your work here is not complete, and you will remain in your kingdom until you have done all you can."
There was a long pause.
"If I may ask, is there any indication of when that will be?" Peter questioned, more hesitant in his words then Lucy had been. "Will we be drawn away so suddenly again?"
Aslan turned towards him.
"Unfortunately, King Peter, I cannot say when or why you will depart again. It could be days, weeks, or years from today." Sensing the king's apprehension, the lion gave another reassuring smile. "But do not let it worry you, when the time comes, it will feel right, and you will know."
Peter nodded, seeming to find this answer at least somewhat satisfactory.
"And what of our mother?" Lucy piped in again, glancing in Helen's direction. "Will she stay as long as we do?"
The woman froze.
This lion seemed to have such great power...perhaps he would send her back, tell her that she was not welcomed here, and tear her away from her children once again.
She did not think she could bear another separation.
"Ah, yes." Aslan said simply, with another look at the youngest monarch. He paused for a second before, much to Helen's dismay, taking a few graceful steps in her direction.
Let me stay, her mind screamed as he approached.
Please let me stay.
I can't leave them again.
"Rise." He commanded, and she obeyed.
She looked straight at him for the first time, and his gentle amber eyes instantly drew her in. Her heart rate began to slow and her fear began to fade.
Suddenly, and despite her best logic, she knew that everything would be alright.
"Fear not." The lion said, smiling again. Helen knew that she was in a hall crowded with people but, somehow, it felt as if they were now the only two beings in the room.
"I know you heart, and I know your mind." His words were mesmerising, and she found herself unable to reply. "I can sense that you can do much good here, and I suspect," He paused for a moment, carefully considering his next words. "That you might be the reason behind the early departure of the kings and queens. You were needed here, and without you, things could never be complete."
With that, the lion turned his golden head and his eyes locked on hers for a brief but powerful moment.
He smiled at her gently, knowingly.
And she believed.
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A/N Phew! That took ages!
If you are a bit confused by the very end, never fear, it will be explained in more detail later.
Thanks again for the great response- I am glad people are enjoying it. Let me know what you thought, and if you want more!
Some Answers:
RixxiSpooks- I am leaning pretty heavily on the movies, though I am trying to work in things I remember from the books (I need a refresher though). Hope there are not too many inconsistencies. Thanks for the review!
Jade Star- the trouble should be made more apparent in the next chapter, and I will try to work in a few favourite characters.
Anime Princess- I incorporated mention of their ages into this chapter (after consulting the trusty Narnia timeline that came with the books)- so yes, I have got it set now.
Cassandra's Paradox- yep, totally wish fulfilment. What would fanfiction be without it?
