And so it goes...

Alex ran and ran until he made it to the house. knocked on the door and it was answered by Mr Walters, the caretaker of the grounds. He looked a little surprised to see Alex back here so soon.

"Good evening," Walters said, "again."

"Where is Susan!" Alex said urgently, "I must speak with her again. I don't care if she doesn't want to see me, she can't go on like this I have to see her. Please understand, I must see her!"

"Susan isn't here presently," the man said slowly, "she went walking in the grove a hour ago and I haven't seen her since..." Alex didn't wait for the man to say more he took off toward the grove, Susan shouldn't be left alone at a time like this. His heart raced at the thought of her possibly ending her own life or turning to the darkness that now surrounded her. He could not allow it to happen he must hurry. His heart pounded hard in his chest as he realized how much he loved her and how much he needed her to survive. As he ran in desperation and neared the grove he could see a light. Suddenly he felt something, a warmth that he had not felt for a very long time and as a roar sounded through the groves of trees he knew immediately, a heart had been redeemed.

All his fears were expelled in that moment.

The glow of Narnia had returned.

Susan closed her eyes as the lions breath washed over her and the sound of the roar filled her ears, she let it all soak through her mind taking over every fiber of her being. A renewing, refreshing wind blew through her. Her heart began to rest for the first time in years a peace began to fill her soul.

"Dear child," Alsan said as she looked at him through tear filled eyes, "you're free of the chains that bound you." Susan felt the weight of the past lift from her shoulders more real than anything she had ever known. The lion took a step toward her as she opened her eyes trembling before him, he stepped right in front of her and she was unable to contain herself anymore. She threw her arms around the lion burying her face in his mane and crying her heart out for the new found peace that had filled her heart and mind. When she let go she took a step back as unworthiness filled her soul.

"I am unworthy," she said to him, "you are the storm that has calmed my soul." The lion looked at her.

"All is forgiven," he said and she felt it as her heart became whole, "and all is once again restored, your life from this day forward will be filled with joy for you have discovered the truth." The light behind him increased as she felt love and warmth coming from him, Aslan had forgiven her and her legacy in Narnia would now be beautiful and no longer shameful.

"SUSAN," she heard a voice and she knew who it was. She turned to see Alex running toward her and suddenly Alex stopped and his eyes widened as a smile filled his face.

"Faithful child," Aslan said as Alex knelt before him in reverence, "Rise, for you have been steadfast and true even though it meant that you would have to wait a lot longer for the things you desired." Alex stood up and walked next to Susan, she slowly slipped her hand into his. It all made sense now, somehow Alex had known Narnia was real all along and that is why he had tried so hard to get her to believe. He had been there when she had no one even when she rejected him he was there.

"Though time is short for your lives are not yet over," Aslan began, "there are many who wish to see you before you return to your world to live our your days." Susan understood, knowing that there was still so much for her to do in her world before she was allowed to return to Narnia for good. Aslan turned to walk while Susan and Alex followed him into a small valley filled with fresh flowers. The stood their waiting but everything was still and silent. Aslan stepped into the middle of the valley and let out another large roar. Susan looked around and saw nothing when she turned back to Aslan behind him stood scores of creatures and people, she recognized many of them from her restored memories.

Fresh tears rolled down her face as the creatures paraded in a line before her, each saying it's greeting to her. Mr. Tumnas, The Beavers, Trumpkin, Trufflehunter, Horses, Dwarfs, Dryads, Centaurs, Minotaurs, Fauns and many other creatures. It took a long time to see the citizens of Narnia and after that they found themselves alone in the meadow again. When Aslan roared again many human citizens paraded before her. She saw Professor Kirk, Lady Polly, King Caspian X, Shasta, Avaris and many others. They all greeted her as the great Queen Susan the Gentle and in that moment she realized how much she had missed by ignoring Narnia. When everything was over the sun began to set over the hills.

"When the sun sets you both will be returning to the grove I took you from," Aslan said turning to them, "but before that happens there are three people who have cried for you a long time and now will be most joyous at your return." With that Aslan roared louder than before and motioned for Susan to turn around.

I still remember the world from the eyes of a child

She turned to see three figures moving toward her from the shadows of the trees and when they stepped onto the meadow she recognized them instantly. She could not contain herself for very long as she watched them walk toward her and she ran toward them, her strength increasing with each stride and they began to run toward her.

"Lucy! Edmund! Peter!" She yelled their names.

"Susan!" They all yelled her name at different times. Edmund was the first one to reach Susan and he jumped on her in one of the biggest hugs she had ever had from him. Lucy was next tearing through Edmund and grabbing her sister in one long embrace. When Lucy let go Susan turned to see Peter standing there with a huge smile, he hugged her and she let tears she had contained flow from her eyes.

"You've come home," Peter said.

"And I'll never turn my back on it again," Susan replied. When she let go of Peter she noticed the sun beginning to fade over the hills, "When the sun set's I'll be going back."

"For now," Lucy replied, "for your life still exists back there."

"But we'll come back after it all," they turned to see Alex had spoken as him and Aslan had approached the group of reunited siblings.

"Alex," Peter said with gratitude in his eyes, "take care of her."

"Can't she stay," Edmund asked with pleading eyes looking at Aslan. Susan laughed, Edmund was never one to beg for anything or even show his feelings about things. How much had she missed in those years?

"I'm afraid she still has to return," Aslan said to Edmund, "but as long as she holds true she will return here someday."

"We'll miss you Susan," Lucy spoke up, "but time will go by quickly for us."

"I'll never forget," Susan said putting a hand on her little sisters shoulder, "and I'll tell the world that believing is better than doubting. I will never again deny the truth no matter how silly it sounds to them."

"And you will never be alone," Aslan said motioning to Alex to stand by Susan's side.

"Never," Alex said taking her hand and looking into her eyes.

"And now the time has come to say goodbye," Aslan said breathing on them, "but only for now."

"Goodbye Susan," Edmund said.

"Bye Susan, I'll keep your room nice," Lucy said with a slight giggle between the few tears that were rolling down their cheeks.

"Take care Susan," Peter said giving her one last hug, "and always remember."

"I will," she said. With that Aslan breathed on her one last time, Alex and Susan closed their eyes and when they opened them they were in the grove. The rain had ended and the sun was shining clearer than it had shone in a long time.

"We will see her again," Lucy said turning to her brothers, "I am more sure of it than ever that she will never forget again."

"I know," Ed said with a laugh.

"What are you two talking about," Peter said in confusion.

"When Susan looked at Alex," Lucy replied, "there was a beautiful spark, they're in love!"

"And as long as they have each other they'll never forget," Edmund spoke up loudly.

"Alright you three," Aslan said turning to them. He had brought them into a meadow in between the two worlds to meet with Susan as it was impossible for her to go into Narnia until her life was over and it was impossible for the three children to go into their own world. Now it was time to take them back to Narnia. They all braced themselves as he roared loudly and they found themselves back in Cair Paravel, happier than ever for their sister would be coming home to stay soon enough."

"Susan," Alex said turning to her as they watched the sunset from a hillside on the landscape. She looked into his eyes with love and truth, there was a light he had never seen before dwelling there. She had truly been restored, "I love you and I've loved you since the first day I met you. I want to face this world with you, and I want to be with you on every step of the journey."

"I love you to Alex," She said grabbing his hands and kissing him. He was a bit surprised by her sudden action but he kissed her back. When they broke apart he knelt down.

"I don't have a ring yet or very much to offer you," he said, "but I am yours heart and soul. Marry me and we'll face whatever comes our way together."

"Yes," Susan said with tears in her eyes, "I love you." He stood up and wrapped his arms around her and as the sun faded in the background happiness overwhelmed them. A light shined within their souls greater than anything they had ever felt before, together they would face this world and together they would someday return to Narnia.

When they returned to the big house where everything had begun Alex kissed Susan one last time before leaving to his own home. He promised he would be back the next day.

They were married a month after that day, in one of the brightest and happiest weddings the countryside had ever seen.

It's not over yet. For my last chapter I plan to put an epolugue and another Narnian return. I'm going on vacation this weekend so I'm not sure when it will be up but stay tuned and please REVIEW!!! REVIEW! I want to know what you think about the story REVIEW!

REVIEW!

-Winterschill