And...the second chapter! Enjoy!

Aslan's Country

I blinked, squinting in the bright light. I heard voices, Peter's I thought. "Lu, Lu?" He asked, kneeling down by me. Everything swarmed into focus. I was lying on the grass, Peter beside me. Edmund stood nearby, looking down at us. A crystal blue sky shone above, the grass a rich green. "Peter…what happened?" I asked.

"You remember the train station? Well, I think we all died. I just remember closing my eyes, and waking up here."

I shuddered, remembering watching Peter and Edmund die, then the horrible pain I went through before I too, slipped away. Peter noticed, and put a comforting arm around me. "It's all over Lu. Now look around you. Where do you think we are?

I scanned the area, noticing a wide valley below us, white clouds in the sky, a fresh, gentle breeze. A flare of hope arose in me.

"Aslan's country?" I guessed, eagerness in my eyes, and Peter nodded.

"We're home Lucy. We're finally home." I sat there for several minutes, the fact not quite sinking. And finally it did. We didn't have to live in Finchley any more. We could stay here. Forever. I let out a shriek of happiness, leapt to my feet, and took off. Peter and Edmund grinned at each, then tore after me.

I ran through the grass, never tiring, never slowing. I had never felt so happy. I could stay here forever, never having to go home again. Peter and Edmund were clearly as excited as I was. I was never really happy living in England. I had accepted it, tried to live with my life, but something was always missing. Some feeling that I wasn't where I was supposed to be. But now…I was home.

So far, we had seen no one else just miles and miles of clear blue sky, mountains, and grasses. We ran for a while, finally reaching a large pool with a waterfall. The water was so clear, and when I leaned down to get a drink, it tasted wonderful. I pulled off my shoes, suddenly aware I was still in my clothes from England, and dangled my feet in the water. It felt cool and refreshing, the water sliding over my feet. Peter and Ed got a drink, then jumped in, shoes and all. As I leaned back, staring up at the sky, someone appeared. Aslan.

His gold mane and fur gleamed in the sunlight, his golden eyes watching us.

"Aslan!" I jumped up, and ran to him, burying my face in his fur. He laughed, falling onto his side, me rubbing up against him. "I missed you."

"I'm always with you child. Always looking over you."

"You were the voice I heard on the train, right?" He nodded.

"You called for me, and I came."

"I felt like you were holding me."

"I'm always there for you Lucy, and I was there for you in the last painful moments of your death."

"So I did die? I don't have to leave?"

"No Lucy, you never have to leave." The biggest smile on my face appeared, my eyes shining. "Oh Aslan!" I cried, and he laughed again. Peter and Edmund jumped out of the pool, and ran to him.

"Aslan, Aslan!" They hugged him, and we finally all stood up.

"Where are the others? Is Mr. Tumnus here? Is Reepicheep?"

"You'll find out soon. And we have a ways to run." Aslan took off, his powerful legs propelling him into the distance. Peter, Edmund and I had no hope of catching up, but we ran after him. Though we couldn't run as fast, we never tired, never slowed, and within a few minutes, we could see Aslan waiting up ahead. Behind him was Cair Paravel.

"Cair Paravel." Peter breathed.

"No." Aslan said. "Though it's called Cair Paravel, it's not the same one. Remember, you're not in Narnia anymore."

"How is Narnia?" I asked.

"Narnia is no longer." Aslan replied. Our faces went downcast for a moment. "Narnia's time was up, just as yours was." Aslan said gently.

"What is it now? Does it no longer exist?" I asked softly.

"That doesn't matter Lucy." Aslan said. What we didn't know was that Narnia was now a barren, frozen, wasteland. But he didn't tell us, as we would have been saddened that the place we so loved was now so deserted and dead.

A sparkling blue ocean stretched out behind Cair Paravel, a sandy seashore in front of it. I stood in awe, just caught up in the feeling of actually being here. The boys had gone on ahead, and Peter glanced back at me.

"What you waiting for Lu?" He asked.

"Nothing. Just taking in the moment." He smiled, and I ran to catch up.

We walked slowly to Cair Paravel, our eyes taking in every bit of it. Even though it wasn't the one we had lived in, it still brought back memories.

"I just can't believe we're actually here." I murmured.

"Neither can I Lucy, neither can I." Peter responded. Edmund was softly smiling, his eyes drinking in every part of Cair Paravel. We walked up the pathway, nearing the entrance. Two Narnians stepped outside, walked across the bridge, and came to stand under the gate. Our eyes lit up as we saw them. I couldn't stand it anymore. I took off running, throwing my arms around one Narnian, Peter and Edmund doing the same with the other, though hugging the ways boys usually do.

"Mr. Tumnus, dear Mr. Tumnus!" I cried, hugging him tightly.

"Lucy, how good it is to see you again!" He shouted happily, hugging her back just as tight. I looked over at my brothers and found them hugging and greeted Caspian, our old friend.

"Caspian!" I jumped out of Mr. Tumnus' arms, and ran to him.

"Lucy!" He let go of my brothers, and embraced me in a tight hug. "It's been so long."

"Yes it has." I agreed. "I'm just so happy to be here."

"How long can you stay?" He asked. I looked up at him, my eyes shining.

"Forever." I whispered. He let go, his eyes wide. "You're joking."

"No. Peter, Edmund, and I were all killed in a train crash. We never have to leave." He started smiling, a huge grin on his face. "Then Susan…"

A hint of sadness appeared in my eye. "She is still living, but she's no longer a friend of Narnia."

"What? Why not?"

"It was hard on her, leaving the second time. Especially since she fell in love. She couldn't handle it. So she pushed it out of her mind."

Caspian's face went downcast. "She no longer cares?" He said softly.

I was silent for a moment. "She still cares she just doesn't realize it. I think, deep down, that she still loves you. She just can't think about it, knowing she'll never come back. Not until she dies anyway. Caspian gave a slow nod. "Well, let's not think about that. She'll come to her senses. Now, there's someone here you'll want to see." Despite his attempt to change the subject, I knew he was hurting, by the look in his eyes. But I knew he needed to move on for the moment, and not think about it.

"Who?" I asked.

I looked across the bridge, and who else would be scampering across but dear old Reepicheap.

"Reepicheap!" I ran forward, picking him up, cuddling him close.

"Your majesty, however good it is to see you, if you wouldn't mind, please set me down." Reepicheap said, though he looked excited at seeing me again.

With a laugh, I set him back down. "How have you been Reep?"

"Well, I have been well. Aslan's country has been everything I ever dreamed it would be, and so much more. You will love it here."

"I know I will. And this time, I won't have to worry about Aslan sending me back."

"Yes, that is very good news indeed."

"What are you all waiting for? Come in, come in!" Caspain urged, running across the bridge, the others not far behind him.

Inside, many Narnians walked through the halls, all laughing and talking with one another. Caspain called them to attention. "My fellow Narnians, today is a special day. One I know we have all waited for. Three people have come back to us. Three people we all have missed. High King Peter, King Edmund, and Queen Lucy have joined us."

The Narnians stopped, and stared, and I could see many familiar faces in the crowd. Then, the cheers began, as the Narnians rejoiced at having their Kings and Queen of Old back.

"But what of Queen Susan?" Someone called out.

"She is still living." I replied, leaving it at that, and not going into details.

Over the next hour, Edmund, Peter, and I greeted all our old friends. The Beavers, Glenstorm, Trumpkin, aka DLF, Trufflehunter, and everyone else we knew. The Narnians were all celebrating, happy to have their Kings, and Queen back at last.

Later, there was a feast in in honor of our return. I don't think Peter, Edmund or I stopped smiling the whole time. The joy, the happiness I felt was overwhelming. I could hardly believe we had returned. But we had. No more Finchely, no more school, no more longing. No more nights crying for Narnia, no more being treated like little kids, no more having to accept living in Finchely. I was finally, and truly, home.

I'll try to update soon. The next chapter is written, just not edited, and I'm trying to get a chapter for my other story done, so I may not get to it for a couple days. If you're lucky, it'll be finished by Christmas. And Happy Holidays everyone! Hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday season!