Over the next week our days were filled with meetings, talks and organizing. Whenever was possible I spent time with Caspian while keeping our relationship hidden from my highly oblivious brothers. We had been caught be both Lucy and Susan once while in the library together.
"I knew it!"
Caspian and I shot around from our place on the love seat in front of the unlit fire where we had been sitting together while Caspian read aloud from a book of Narnian fairy tales that we had found.
There standing behind us in the aisle of books were my two sisters. One beaming, the other with a slight frown. I don't think I need to tell you which was which.
Lucy bounded over to us happily, "I knew you two liked each other! It was so obvious but Susan wouldn't believe me, I didn't even try telling Peter and Edmund. They would just make things worse!"
I laughed at Lucy's excitement, pulling her down in between us causing her to give a loud squeal as I began to tickle her much to Caspian's amusement, "oh you knew, did you?"
"Dawnie! Stop!" Lucy cried out between her bursts of laughter but I ignored her continuing the torture of my little sister. She then tried with Caspian but he just simply laughed and joined me in tickling her.
"NO! Stop!"
Eventually we did, all of our excitement ended with Lucy curled up across Caspian and I giving off the odd little giggle ever now and then.
Susan had remained silent the whole time. Until now, but I rather wish she hadn't spoken at all.
"That is not a good idea. Getting to close, we could be leaving any day now and I don't want to have to put up with your moping about when we get home. Why do you think I never accepted any suitors back when we ruled Narnia?"
With that she spun on her heel and with her nose in the air marched out of sight. We knew that she had left the library by a distant yet loud slam of door.
"The only reason she never married any or even courted more suitors," stated Lucy sitting up in between Caspian and I and leaning against me, "was because she never thought they were good enough for her. She always thought she was above them all."
"She was rather rude to most of them," I sighed thinking back on all the lovestruck lords and knights who had approached our sister.
"Do you remember that one, Sir Destrius, sweet and smart, rather cute. Gave her a horse and gave her what ever she wanted just because she asked for it. Then embarrassed him in front of the whole court by saying he was childish and unskilled as a knight."
I nodded to Lucy, "and that wasn't even the worst she did. I am amazed the 'Gentle Queen' hasn't been named 'Queen Susan, the pompous'!" Caspian laughed at that as he listened intently to our stories.
"Or 'Queen Susan, the Stuck Up!'" cried Lucy.
"She couldn't have been all bad, you still seem to love her," spoke Caspian.
We nodded, "she has her moments and she always looked out for us but sometimes she was just so hard to put up with but, I guess thats just how big sisters are."
"Yeah, big sisters are so annoying."
This resulted in Lucy getting a hard shove.
Caspian leaned over Lucy and kissed me sweetly on the temple before he sat back and allowed us to listen while he continued to read. Lucy moved so she sat on my other side so she could cuddle up to me, while I held her and cuddled into Caspian. She eventually had us read her favourite Narnian romance of a mermaid and a Narnian Prince, with Caspian and I voicing the characters.
Time went by rather quickly that day.
Today though, Aslan and Caspian had called a meeting of all the Telmarines and the Narnians.
I wasn't for another hour or so, so Lucy, Edmund and I were wondering around the castle. Edmund was wearing a brown shirt under a golden tunic while Lucy wore a nice green flowery dress.
I wore a long, flowing deep blue, velvet dress with long sleeves as always, a long gold and silver belt made of circles of the expensive metals that fell down the middle of my skirt. My hair in an intricate style using braids and many long white ribbons. White lace fingerless gloves and tall golden sandles on my feet.
We sat down on a bench where I began to braid Lucy's hair back into two french braids.
"What do you think this gathering is about?" Lucy asked both Edmund and I.
I gave a small shrug and continued braiding while Edmund spoke, "it must be of importance if everyone must attend."
"Well nearly everyone, they wouldn't be able to fit everyone in one place would they, unless they used the area outside the Howe or another big area."
Edmund and I simply shook our heads, we had no idea.
Shortly before the meeting was to begin, I met up with Caspian who was dressed all in silver and grey. We excited the castle together and quickly moved down the stairs.
I came to a stop as I spotted Aslan walking with Peter and Susan. I couldn't hear what they were saying but their expressions were grim. Caspian also saw them and went to turn away, placing a hand on my lower back as he did.
But we were called back, "your majesties." It was Aslan who had called us. It felt strange for him to call me that, it sounded far to serious for my liking. Susan's hair was curled to perfection and wore a beautiful white and light blue dress while Peter was wearing a range of light and dark blues with a brown leather belt, his sword at his hip. I also had my staff, I rarely went anywhere with out it.
They were staring at us, waiting for either Caspian or I to speak. Seeing the saddened looks on both my older siblings faces I knew we were going home. Caspian saw their forlorn looks and glanced down at me. I looked up at him with watery eyes. His face filled with concern and worry for a moment before he composed himself and looked back at the three watching us.
"We are ready. Everyone has assembled."
Caspian went to walk to the castle taking my hand when Aslan spoke, "Dawn, walk with us." I let go of Caspian and with a sad smile walked away from him to join Aslan, Peter and Susan.
"Narnia belongs to Narnians just as it belongs to man."
We had all gathered in the square where Caspian and I had danced with the children and peasants.
There was a large tree at back in the middle of a stone platform where the musicians had been playing that I hadn't noticed before. Caspian stood a few feet in front of it with Aslan, Glenstorm, Trufflehunter, Trumpkin, Reepicheep, Professor Cornelius and a large bear on his right a few feet away from him with my family to his left standing in the formation of oldest to youngest.
"Any Telmarines who wish to stay and live in peace are welcome to," continued Caspian, "But for any of you wish.." a low murmur spread through the crowd.
".. Aslan will return you to the home of our forefathers." Aslan gave a small nod in agreement with what Caspian said.
One of the Telmarine Lords called out from the crowd, "It's been generations since we left Telmar." More talk spread throughout the Telmarines.
Caspian went to step forward but Aslan beat him to it, "We are not referring to Telmar."
"Your ancestors were seafaring 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."
This seemed to surprise everyone, including us as we shared amazed and surprised looks with each other while everyone stared at us, including Caspian.
"It is to that island that I can return you. It is a good place for any who wish to make a new start."
An uncertain hush fell over the crowd while everyone looked around waiting to see who will speak out.
"I will go!"
It was General Glozelle, "I will accept the offer." Everyone around him began to whisper and Caspian gave him a small nod in recognition.
As he stepped forward and passed a woman who I recognized as Caspian's aunt who was holding her young son, she spoke up, "So will we." This seemed to shock Caspian slightly but he did not speak up.
Prunaprismia stepped forward with her son and another Telmarine lord who I believe was her father to join Glozelle.
Aslan nodded and said, "Because you have spoken first,your future in that world shall be good."
Caspian walked backwards i our direction so he was no longer in the way of the large twisted up tree. Aslan gave a soft growl over the four of them. As he closed his mouth once more loud gasps of shock and amazement filled the square as the large twisted tree began to untwist itself. It revealed a large gap big enough for someone to go through.
Prunaprismia carrying her son with the help of her father walking behind Glozelle approached the tree until they disappeared completely.
More gasps were heard from those watching and we all took a step back in surprise at what had just happened.
Words and accusations were shot off by the Telmarines, "Where did they go?" "They killed them!"
A Telmarine man that I recognised as one of the many musicians from earlier called out, "how do we know he is not leading us to our death?"
A proud voice of a noble mouse was heard, "Sire. If my example can be of any service, I will take 11 mice through with no delay." I placed both my hands on Lucy's shoulders as Aslan turned his attention to us. I spotted Peter sharing a sollum look with Susan.
He then stepped forward and exclaimed, "We'll go."
"We will?" asked Edmund in confusion.
"Come on," said Peter looking to all of us in turn, "our time's up."
He then turned and approached Caspian, the whole square silent as they listened to us.
"After all..." said Peter as he came to a stop in front of Caspian, "we're not really needed here anymore." he removed Rhindon from his hip and handed it to Caspian.
After a moment of hesitation, Caspian reached forward and gripped it tightly with one hand before saying, "I will look after it until you return."
"I'm afraid that's just it," spoke up Susan, grabbing all of our attentions, "we're not coming back."
Caspian's froze, his eyes settling on me in shock, had Aslan himself not said we were to be. Was he going back on his words to his. Was it all just false hope to that I would be with Caspian?
"We're not?" asked Lucy, her heart breaking at the thought of never returning to Narnia just as mine was.
"You three are," spoke Peter which calmed my beating heart which had felt like it had been about ready to burst from my chest at any moment.
"At least, I think he means you three."
"But why?" asked Lucy to Aslan, "Did they do something wrong?"
"Quite the opposite, Dear One," replied Aslan, "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."
Peter approached our younger sister who had reached up and was gripping my right hand on her right shoulder tightly out of nerves, "it's all right, Lu. It's not how I thought it would be... but it's all right. One day you'll see too."
He took Lucy's and my hand hands and lead us over to the Narnians on the other side. Glenstorm smiled down at me, "thank you for returning my son to me. He speaks fondly of his new friend."
"I did nothing, it was all Aslan."
Glenstorm shook his head fondly, "Us centaurs believe differently." I smiled as he leaned down and hugged me tightly before I moved on to say goodbye to Trufflehunter and Reepicheep.
"I am sure we will meet again, my lady," spoke Reep. I nodded and smiled. I looked over and smiled when I spotted Lucy holding Trumpkin in a tight hug which he was returning, they had become close friends and she would miss him greatly.
Once I said goodbye to Cornelius, I turned and walked away from my family, which they didn't notice and approached Caspian.
"I'm sure I'll come back, Aslan said it was so."
Caspian nodded yet reluctantly, "I wish we had more time together."
"Just remember one thing," I said to him.
"What?" he asked with a sad smile.
I rose up onto my toes and he leaned down further so I could sing softly to him, "I'll come back when you call me."
Caspian gave a small laugh which caught in his throat slightly. He took my hand and squeezed it tightly for a moment before I turned to walk away.
"Dawn!"
I was sharply pulled back by Caspian and before I knew what was happening, he kissed me. Right there, in front of his entire kingdom, the Great Lion Aslan and my family. Not caring that all eyes were on us. We didn't hear the gasps of the crowd or the loud "WHAT?" from Peter or the "How could I have missed this?" from Edmund. We were far too lost in each other as we said goodbye.
I stepped away from him and took my staff from my back and handed it to him, my face slightly red and I dared not look at any other than him unless I exploded from the overwhelming feelings and stares. "I entrust my staff to you. Keep it safe until my return. You are the only one I could trust with this. Do not let it fall into the wrong hands. Then you might have another war on your hands."
Caspian nodded and placed his hands over mine, "I will protect as though it was my life. In other words, I shall protect it as I would protect you." I beamed hearing him call me his life.
He kissed me once more, softer and more gentle then the one before. Glad to have something that he could have of me with him other than my heart.
"I leave with you my heart, keep it safe," Caspian whispered to me. I laughed at the cheesiness but nodded with tears in my eyes. Caspian brushed a stray tear from my cheek, "until we meet again." He hugged me close, "go before I make you stay with me forever."
I heard Lucy speak to Peter and Edmund and Susan, "I'm sure when I'm older, I'll understand."
Edmund the spoke with a bit of disgust yet humour and a bit of happiness for me in his voice, "I'm older and I don't think i want to understand. In fact I'm older than her!" Peter shook his head at his siblings. "They are sweet together." All of her siblings' eyes looked to Susan, "what?!" They just shook their heads before looking back at Caspian and I.
"Don't you fall asleep, I believe you owe me a song."
"Why, yes. Now let me think."
I pulled away from Caspian and walked to join my family, forcing myself not to look back.
"It started out as a feeling, which then grew into a hope.
I joined my family, a small smile on my face as I stood in between Lucy and Peter, all of them giving me looks of amusement. Peter and Edmund with a look in their eyes saying that we were going to talk later.
Which then turned into a quiet thought, which then turned into a quiet word.
Lucy gripped my hand tightly and I shared a smile with Susan who seemed happy for me at last. Accepting my feelings for Caspian couldn't be changed. The Narnians all watched us intently as we shared a silent moment letting it sink in that it was time to go.
And then that word grew louder and louder until it was a battlecry.
We all walked to the tree with Lucy and I at the end with our hands still clasped together. While the others continued on slightly. Lucy and I stopped to glance back at Aslan who smiled at us and nodded. I then looked to Caspian and mouthed the words of the song I had sang to him.
I'll come back, when you call me.
No need to say goodbye.
He nodded and mouthed back, 'I love you'. Before I turned away with Lucy to join the others who were waiting for us. One by one, walking through the gape. I glanced once more over my shoulder before passing through after Lucy. Finding myself back in my school uniform, my hair back in a bun with my rose clips, my satchel over my shoulder, al of us standing back in the train station. Nobody even giving us a second glance.
Just because everything's changing,
doesn't mean it's never been this way before.
Lucy and I turned back hoping for some glimpse that we didn't just dream it all up but we saw nothing but we knew it had happened. There was only so much your imagination could do. All we saw was a bunch of boys from st. Finbars walk down the station.
All you can do is try to know who your friends are
as you head off to the war.
Our train came to a stop in front of us. The very train which we had watched disappear down the beach at the destroyed Cair Paravell about two weeks ago. We all stood together in a line, taking everything in.
Edmund and I glanced behind the group at each other as we stood on either end. The doors of the train opened and the boy which had been trying to talk to Susan what felt like years ago got on.
Pick a star on the dark horizon
and follow the light.
"Aren't you coming, Phyllis?" he called out to her. Causing us all to give her strange looks which she rolled her eyes at. Peter and Edmund shared a puzzled look. We all quickly went to grab our things so we could head back for the summer holidays. Bags and cases in hand we rushed onto the train.
You'll come back, when it's over.
No need to say goodbye.
You'll come back, when it's over.
No need to say goodbye-
We all rushed in and grouped together, I fixed my satchel strap on my shoulder while trying to balance my case.
"You don't think their is anyway we could get back?" asked Edmund. We all looked to him questioningly.
He was looking through his satchel before he looked up at all of us, "I left my new torch in Narnia."
We all burst out laughing at this and I quickly rooted through my bag and waved my torch in his face. "Use mine if you need it. I wasn't stupid enough to work my torch into our battle plans!"
The doors of the train sealed together once more, the boy behind us watching us in confusion at our conversation and wondering why we are laughing. We felt close again, like we did when we ruled during the Golden Age. I could only hope that things would be better now.
The train began to move out of the station leaving our second journey to Narnia behind us. I knew we would go again. At least, Edmund, Lucy and I would. I couldn't wait until that day came.
I was almost certain I heard a lion's roar as the train was almost out of the station, causing a smile to light up my face. My siblings looked at me in confusion. They hadn't heard it. I just smiled wider and shook my head, they didn't need to know. I wrapped my arm around Lucy looking forward to the next few weeks of no school.
Now we're back to the beginning,
It's just a feeling and no one knows yet.
And just because they can't feel it too,
doesn't mean that you have to forget.
Let your memories grow stronger and stronger,
until they're before your eyes.
You'll come back, when they call you,
No need to say goodbye.
You'll come back, when they call you,
No need to say goodbye.