Author's Note: Only one chapter to go after this one! Gah! I can't believe that I've completed two stories already! It doesn't seem like it's been that long since I've started, but it has. Thanks to everyone who has stuck by me, reviewed, and offered your criticism for my story! After this next chapter, there will be a long author's note, and then it's off to my other story! I'll be writing that one as I go along, for the most part, but I have a general idea of how I want things to go. I've already gotten three chapters typed up! :D Anyways, here's another chapter!
Song for this chapter: The Call by Regina Spektor
The next several days passed by in a blur. Caspian had been coroneted as Narnia's king only four days after the victory against Miraz' army. The Telmarine people were taking the news of the Narnians' existence in stride, and were well on their way to accepting it. Edmund had been giving Caspian tips during a few of the council meetings with the Telmarine Lords on the laws of the land. He had a strong opinion on some of the laws that should be abolished. Such laws were on things like women having rights to own property. The Narnians had been given equal representation in the council and were well on their way to helping Caspian govern the country in a way that would make Narnia flourish.
Peter had practically locked himself away in the library whenever he found a moment to spare. He spent countless hours poring over old tomes that were large enough to use as footstools. He relished reading what had been happening to the country over the past thirteen-hundred years since they had been carted off to England, but he had some doubt in his mind about some of the events. They glorified the Telmarine kings and nobles, and left the peasants and townspeople looking like nothing more than common trash in the streets.
Lucy spent her time in the gardens. The loved to sit outside and talk to the Telmarine children and Narnians while amongst the flowers and trees. It gave her peace to know that some things didn't change. Narnia was still as beautiful a country as it had been when she first arrived.
Susan had taken her time to brush up on her archery skills. To be honest, she didn't want any company. As shocking as that was, she had too much on her mind to think about in the presence of other people. She wouldn't have been able to commit herself to the conversation and would have nothing to offer when asked a question.
Ari was somehow coping with her traumatizing experiences. Every now and then she would have horrible flashbacks, but none of them were as horrible as the actual events. Her nightmares had subsided., and she had finally come to face her demons and told the rest of the family. Lucy was really the only one of the family that had no clue what really occurred in the castle that they were now living in, but she decided to explain it to Caspian as well. He had been shocked beyond all belief and was furious. He discovered the soldiers in charge of her torture, and had them stripped of all military ranking. Even though Ari was angry at the men that had done this to her, she of all people knew that they were only acting under orders.
Almost two weeks after the Kings and Queens had entered Narnia for a second time, Aslan had called a meeting with all of the people of the country. It was to take place on the outskirts of town in an open field with a few trees scattered round. Not one person had a clue what was on the Lion's mind when he had called this assembly, but they knew it must have been necessary.
Caspian walked down the steps to the courtyard of the castle that was his home. He looked over to the side and saw Peter and Susan speaking with Aslan in hushed voices. The two royals had pained looks on their faces. The three of them looked up as Caspian approached.
"We are ready." He said to them. "Everyone has assembled."
Outside the castle, all of the Telmarine people and Narnians had gathered. Caspian looked out over his subjects and took a deep breath before he began to speak.
"This country belongs to the Narnians just as much as it does to men. Any Telmarine who wishes to stay and live in peace with them are welcome to." He said as he looked out over the faces in the crowd. "And for any of those who wish it, Aslan will return you to the land of our forefathers."
"It has been generations since we left Telmar." Said one Lord.
"We are not referring to Telmar." Aslan spoke up. "Your ancestors were sea-faring brigands, pirates run aground on an island. There they found a cave, a rare chasm that brought them here from their world. The same world as our Kings and Queens." Aslan said as he looked over at the five royals. "It is to that island that I can return you to. It is a good place for any who wish to make a new start."
There was a pause.
"I will go. I will accept your offer." Glozelle said as he stepped forward. "There is nothing here left to offer me."
"We will go as well." Said Prunaprismia, holding her newborn in her arms.
The former queen, her infant, Glozelle, and another Telmarine Lord stepped forward out of the crowd. The four of them stood before Aslan. He gave a gentle smile to them.
"Because you have spoken first, your life in that world shall be good." He said. He turned and breathed on a lone tree that stood behind them. The tree twisted and turned until it formed an opening. The four humans stepped through the door in the air, and vanished from sighed. A gasp fluttered through the crowd.
"How do we know he is not leading us to our deaths?" Shouted a Telmarine from the crowd.
"Sire," Began Reepicheep. "If my example can be of any service, I will take eleven mice through with no delay."
From where they stood, Peter and Susan looked at each other, and then to Aslan. Aslan gave a small nod and Peter stepped forward.
"We'll go." He said.
"We will?" Edmund asked, confusion crossing his face. His grip on Ari's hand tightened.
"Come one. Our time's up." Peter said to his siblings. He turned to Caspian and walked over. He unhooked his sword from his side and held it out to the new king. "After all. We're not really needed here anymore."
Caspian gripped the sword tightly in his hands. "I shall look after it until you return."
"I'm afraid that's just it." Susan said softly as she stepped forward. "We're not coming back."
"We're not?" Lucy asked, her voice raising in pitch.
"You three are." Peter said, gesturing to the youngest siblings. He looked to Aslan. "At least, I think he means you three."
"But why?" Lucy asked Aslan. "Did they do something wrong?"
"Quite the opposite, dear one." Aslan said, a chuckle in his voice. "But all things have their time. Your brother and sister have learned all they can from this world. Now it's time for them to live in their own."
"It's alright, Lu." Peter said softly. "It's not how I thought it would be, but it's alright. One day you'll see too. Come on."
Peter shook Glenstorm's hand. Edmund, Lucy, Ari, Cornelius and Trumpkin bowed. Lucy curtsied to Trumpkin and he nodded. Then, on impulse, Lucy lurched forward and gathered the dwarf in her arms. Edmund slipped his hand around Ari's waist as they backed off from the rest of the group. They watched as Susan approached Caspian.
"I'm glad I came back." Susan said to him.
"I wish we could have had more time together." Caspian replied softly, his voice laced with thick emotion.
"It would have never worked anyways." Susan chuckled. Caspian looked at her in confusion.
"Why not?" He asked.
"I am thirteen-hundred years older than you." She grinned. She sighed and turned away. She took two steps before she turned back and before Caspian could blink, she leaned up and kissed him gently. She pulled back and he gathered her in his arms. From a distance, Lucy looked to her siblings with an expression of disgust.
"I'm sure when I'm older I'll understand." She said, sticking her tongue out.
"I'm older and I'm not sure I want to understand." Edmund said, chuckling. Ari gave him a sharp elbow to the ribs and he winced. "What was that for?"
"Just kiss me you fool." She said, rolling her eyes. Edmund leaned down and pressed a gently kiss to her lips and pulled back.
"I love you." He said, grinning at her.
"And I you. That will never change." She replied and leaned into him. Lucy just rolled her eyes and threw her hands up into the air. Peter looked over to Edmund and Ari.
"Let's hope she stays like that for a long time." Peter said. Edmund chuckled and Ari snorted.
Susan walked over and joined the group. Edmund, Peter, Susan, Ari, and last of all Lucy started to walk away. Lucy took one last look at Aslan, and then walked through the door and back into England.
Author's Note: Well, this has been one of my favorite chapters to write so far. I have one last chapter to post, and then an author's note, and the story will be complete! Thank you so much to those who have stuck with me through the ups and downs of my story.