Disclaimer: Edmund and Peter Pevensie and all the characters and situations in the Chronicles of Narnia belong to C. S. Lewis and not to me. Oreius also does not belong to me. I do, however, wish I could play in Narnia.

Epilogue

"My Sovereigns," I said, and the High King slowed his unicorn beside me.

"What is it, Oreius?"

"Look there."

A small figure rode at a near gallop over the road from Cair Paravel.

"It's Lucy!" Edmund stood in his stirrups and waved his cap. "Lucy! Lu!"

His brother and older sister shouted and waved, too, and I could not suppress a smile. It was no surprise to see her there. The High King had sent a Hawk back to the Cair to give the Valiant Queen the news of their sister's return to life and of their brother's return to health. There was very little likelihood of Lucy staying put after that.

When she reached us, the younger Queen immediately threw herself into her sister's arms.

"Susan! Oh, Susan, I can't believe it. You're all right. Aslan brought you back home."

"He brought all of us home." Tearing up herself, the Gentle Queen smiled into Lucy's eyes and kissed her wet cheek. "Home safe."

The two girls clung together, and then Lucy turned to Edmund. "And you're all right?"

He grinned. "Just ask Peter. He can't get me to shut up now."

She squeezed his hand and then, laughing with pure joy, threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. "Oh, Ed, I'm so glad."

He squirmed a little at the public display, but I could see he was pleased as well.

At last, the younger Queen turned to the older of her brothers, leaning over in her saddle to nestle against his chest. "I'm sorry, Peter. I know I was supposed to stay at the Cair, but once I knew–" She sobbed and he held her tighter. "I had to come. I just couldn't wait."

"It's all right, Lu," Peter murmured, kissing the golden cascade of her hair. "It's all over now and we're back together again."

She huddled there for a long moment. Then, blinking hard, she turned her bright smile on me. "Did Peter give you the order I asked him to, Oreius?"

"Order, My Queen?"

"In my note." She looked with mock reproach at the Just King. "When Edmund ran away and left me sick with worry."

Edmund had the grace to look ashamed. "I'm sorry, Lu. I had to–"

Over his bowed head, Peter gave Lucy the tiniest hint of a grin. "No. I completely forgot. I think, given the gravity of the offense, it is something I should attend to at once. General?"

I came up beside them. "You wished something, Majesty?"

Peter gave me his most serenely regal nod. "Yes, General, we did. It is our royal will, as High King of Narnia, that you take the King Edmund and, with a right good will, spank him no less than thrice and no more than five times upon his royal backside."

Edmund's eyes widened as he looked at his brother and then at me. "Peter . . . "

I had to work to keep my mouth from twitching. "You wish this done now, High King?"

The girls stifled giggles, and Edmund managed to look even more horrified. "Peter!"

Again Peter gave me that serene nod. "Yes, General, it is a royal command."

"Peter, you can't!" Edmund turned to me. "Oreius–"

I made a slight bow. "If you would dismount, King Edmund."

Edmund froze for only a second. Then he dug his heels into his Horse's sides. "Go, Phillip! Go!"

Phillip took off at a gallop, Edmund leaning low over his neck, but I was certain I could hear the Horse's whinnying laugh as his boy's brother and sisters galloped after him, laughing, too.

I kept up a slower pace behind them, still leading our soldiers, watching and smiling as my four Sovereigns raced together towards Cair Paravel. Towards home.

The Great Lion had chosen well when he gave us these four to rule. They were only foals, it was true, and they yet had much to learn, but they loved this land and each other and Him with all their hearts. And, through everything, He kept them safe in His paws.

No Narnian could ask for more.

THE END

Author's Note: That is absolutely the end. If you'd like me to keep writing, please let me know what you thought of this story. Thank you so much for reading. I appreciate all of you.