10

Maxine awoke to Caspian and Lucy leaning over her, Lucy putting a cork back on her cordial. She looked at them and smiled.

"What'd I miss?" She asked quietly, they both let out a relieved laugh at her words.

"A lot, actually." Caspian said, he leaned down and kissed her forehead, "But at least you are alive." Maxine smiled at him, and looked up in surprise when she saw that holes were appearing all along Dark Island.

"What happened to the sea serpent?" She asked, moving to sit up, feeling Caspian's hands steady her as she did.

"We beat it." Lucy said happily, "How's your neck?" Maxine reached up where her neck had been cut, feeling no wound.

"It's fine." She said, she pushed herself to stand, and Caspian stood by her side, his hands on her shoulders.

"Narnians!" A member of the crew shouted, pointing to a fog that had been hidden by the island where many groups of boats waited in the water, "Narnians!" The crew shouted and hollered at them to get their attention and they hollered back. Maxine and Lucy went over to the side of the boat and looked out at all the people there. Rhince stood beside Gale as they went over to the side of the railing as well, looking out at all the boats. Gale's eyes widened as she saw the one she wanted to find.

"Mummy!" She cried.

"Helen!" Rhince shouted out, seeing his wife was safe. Gale jumped off the boat and into the water, swimming towards her mother, and Rhince followed her, helping her along. Lucy smiled at the happy reunion.

"Rhince! Gale!" Helen cried, seeing her family. Once they got to the boat, she hugged her daughter tightly and kissed her husband, holding them close. Maxine wiped away a tear that was about to fall from her eyes. Caspian's arm went around her shoulder, gently rubbing it as he turned to the crew.

"Let's get them on board!" He ordered, "Clear the decks!" The crew bustled about, clearing all the debris from the battle off their decks as Caspian and Max went over to Edmund and Lucy, smiling at them.

"We did it." Lucy said, "I knew we would."

"It wasn't just us, though." Edmund pointed out. Caspian looked at him curiously.

"You mean…" Caspian was cut off by someone's shouts.

"Hey!" He shouted from the opposite side of the boat, "Hey! I'm down here! Lucy! Over here!" The four of them went over to see who was calling out, "Hey, Lucy! I'm in the water! Lucy!"

"Eustace!" Lucy cried happily, seeing her human cousin swimming around in the water. He smiled up at them.

"I'm a boy again!" He shouted happily, "I'm a boy!"

"Eustace!" Reepicheep cried joyously at the sight of him, "I see your wings have been clipped! Ha, ha!" He jumped into the water to join him, splashing some of the water on Eustace's face. Normally, Eustace would have complained about getting splashed on, but this time, he only laughed happily. Lucy let out a giggle at the mouse's enthusiasm, Maxine did the same as he began to sing, "Where sky and water meet! Where the waves grow ever sweet!" He reached his paw into the water and drank some of it, pausing when he realized the water tasted more like water from a river than the salty water of the ocean, "It is sweet!" Eustace drank some of the water as well, looking at it in surprise at the taste, "It's sweet!" Maxine quirked a curious eyebrow at the water at his words, sharing a glance with Caspian, who only shrugged, "Look! Look!" Reepicheep swam over to Eustace's shoulder so he could get a better look at what lay ahead. In the distance, he could see mountains that rose so high, they were lost in a sea of clouds that stood over a glittering ocean.

"Aslan's country." Caspian murmured, seeing it as well, "We must be close."

"Well," Maxine began with a smirk, "We've gotten this far. What's the end of the world?" Caspian smiled at her and she smiled back.

Maxine sat down next to Eustace on the longboat as they rowed out to Aslan's country. They couldn't take the ship because they were still preparing to take in all of those who had been 'sacrificed' to the mist. As they came closer to the end of the world, Maxine saw that the water was covered in floating lilies in front of them. They weren't the kind of lilies you'd find in a pond, more like lilies that you would find in a garden, and they didn't seem to have any roots in the water, so they didn't have to worry about running aground any time soon. She reached down into the water and picked one up, sniffing it, and finding that it smelled sweeter than any flower she had ever encountered in her life. She passed it around so everyone could see it, and Eustace asked to see it first, saying the same thing she had thought about it. Now that Eustace was no longer a dragon, Maxine couldn't help noticing that his overall demeanor had changed. He was a much more pleasant person than when she had first met him. She asked him how he had returned to normal, and he told them that a great lion had helped him to transform back into himself.

"So, what was it like?" Edmund asked his cousin, "When Aslan changed you back?"

Eustace took a moment to think about it, "No matter how hard I tried," He began, "I couldn't do it myself. Then he came towards me. It sort of hurt, but it was a good pain. You know, like when you pull a thorn from your foot."

"What was it like to be a dragon?" Maxine asked.

"Being a dragon wasn't all bad." Eustace said, a wry smile coming on his face, "I think I was a better dragon than I was a boy, really." He looked back at everyone, "I'm so sorry for being such a S.O.B."

"It's okay, Eustace." Edmund said, "You are a pretty good dragon." Everyone laughed a little bit at his words.

"My friends," Reepicheep said from the head of the boat, "We have arrived." They looked back to see a huge wave went around the entire land, never seeming to go down. The water just seemed to keep going and going in an eternal loop, making a wave, but not making it rise any higher. Maxine thought it was beautiful.

They ran the boat up on the shore line and they all left the boat, going up onto the shore that stood before the wave, walking up to it. Caspian's hand grasped hers as they walked and Maxine smiled at him. As they walked, no one noticed the shadow of a lion moving beside them. Eustace looked up, and saw the bearer of the shadow.

"Aslan," He said in surprise. Everyone looked over at the lion and stopped walking as he smiled at them.

"Welcome children." He greeted, "You have done well. Very well, indeed. You have come far, and now your journey is at its end." Lucy looked over at the lion.

"Is this your country?" She asked, gesturing the land they stood on.

"No." Aslan said, "My country lies beyond." He looked to the wave in front of them and the mountains that stood behind it. Caspian looked up at the wave, gazing at it.

"Is my father in your country?" He asked him.

"You can only find that out for yourself, my son." Aslan said to him, "But you should know that if you continue, there is no return." Caspian looked up at the wave, his grip loosening on Maxine's hand. He stepped forward, and she let his hand leave hers as he walked toward the wave. She knew how important this was to him, and she didn't want to interfere. Caspian walked through the water that stood at the foot of the wave, but stopped before walking into it. He reached his hand out and touched the water, feeling it run through his hands. Behind this wave was Aslan's country, behind this wave was his father, and his mother, and perhaps everything he ever wanted. He wouldn't have to go back to Ramandu's island and ask Lilliandil to marry him as he promised Maxine. His thoughts came to a screeching halt when he realized something. If he went through this wave to Aslan's country, he would never return to Narnia, to where his kingdom and his subjects waited for him. He would never see Maxine again, even if he was married to another woman, it would be a small price to pay just to see her once more.

He pulled his hand away from the water and stepped back from it, turning around. Tears had welled up in his eyes as he walked back to the others.

"You're not going?" Edmund asked in surprise.

"I can't imagine that my father would be very proud that I gave up what he died for." Caspian said, he looked over at Maxine, "I've spent too long wanting what was taken from me and not what was given. I was given a kingdom… a people…" He looked over at Aslan, stepping in front of him, "I promise to be a better king."

Aslan smiled at him, "You already are." Caspian looked back at Maxine, and she smiled and walked over to him, taking his hand in hers again.

"I'm proud of you." She said, reaching up and kissing his cheek. Caspian smiled at her, squeezing her hand tightly in his. Aslan turned to the Pevensies and Eustace.

"Children?" He asked, wondering if they wanted to keep travelling to see his country.

"I think, perhaps, it's time we went home, actually, Lu." Edmund said, Lucy looked over at her brother in surprise.

"But I thought you loved it here?" She asked him.

"I do." Edmund said, "But I love home and our family as well. They need us." Lucy nodded with a sort of reluctant acceptance. Aslan looked over at Maxine, silently asking her if she wanted to go forward.

"Oh, no thanks." She said, shaking her head, "I've had enough travelling for one lifetime." Aslan nodded once at her answer.

Reepicheep cleared his throat, getting everyone's attention as he walked over to Aslan, taking the feather off his head in respect and bowing deeply, "Your imminence," He said, "Ever since I can remember, I have dreamt of seeing your country. I've had many great adventures in this world, but…" He looked up at Aslan with the same look a child might have if they were asking their parent for that puppy they wanted so badly, "Nothing has dampened that yearning. I know I am hardly worthy, but, with your permission, I would lay down my sword for the joy of seeing your own country with my own eyes." Eustace looked at him rather sadly, a bit upset that he might lose the first friend he made in Narnia.

Aslan smiled at the mouse, "My country was made for noble hearts, such as yours." He said, "No matter how small their bearers be." Reepicheep smiled widely, and Maxine thought he might jump up and cheer in joy, but he didn't. Instead, he bowed deeply again.

"Your majesty." He said, his voice showing how grateful he was.

"No one could be more deserving." Caspian said. Reepicheep shrugged sheepishly.

"Well, I—" Edmund cut off the mouse from his excuse.

"It's true." He said, he bowed to the mouse, and Reepicheep bowed back. Lucy looked as if she was about to cry, and went over to the mouse, standing on her knees before him.

"May I?" She asked apprehensively, knowing how much it would wound Reepicheep's pride if she didn't ask.

"Well… I suppose, just this—" That was all Lucy needed to hear before she picked up the mouse and coddled him in her arms. Reepicheep smiled at the young queen and hugged her back. "Goodbye, Lucy." She put him back down on the ground and stood up, going back to stand by Edmund as Maxine left Caspian's side to go before the mouse, smiling at him, "Ah… You want the same, I assume?"

"Not really." Maxine said with a shrug, she leaned down and kissed the top of his furry head, "Just that." Reepicheep laughed sheepishly, and Maxine almost swore she saw an embarrassed blush on Reepicheep's cheeks, but his fur covered it up, "And to let you know that you're the greatest mouse I've ever met. Much better than the ones back home." The Pevensies let out small giggles, knowing what she meant by that, while Reepicheep was only mildly confused. He bowed to her.

"Ever still, my lady is too kind." He said, Maxine's smile widened slightly as she remembered him saying the same thing when they first met. She stood up and went back to Caspian, who took her hand in his. After her was Eustace, who went up to the mouse, sniffling, with tears in his eyes. Reepicheep tried to comfort him by softly saying, "Don't cry."

"I don't understand." Eustace said, "Will I not see you again? Ever?"

"What a magnificent puzzle you are." Reepicheep said with a smile, "And a true hero. It has been my honor to fight beside such a brave warrior, and a great friend." Eustace smiled sadly at him and stood up. Reepicheep turned around scurrying towards the wave, over to where a small boat sat near the water with a single oar that was big enough for just the little mouse. He pulled out his sword, "I won't be needing this." He stuck it into the sand and pushed the boat forward on the water, jumping in once it was afloat and paddling his way up the wave. Everyone watched as he rode up higher and higher until he was at the very top of the wave. He looked back at them one last time before he went down the other side, and disappeared from their sight. Lucy and Eustace began to cry, and while Edmund knew his cousin wouldn't accept his comfort, he put a hand on his sister's shoulder as she turned to Aslan.

"This is our last time here, isn't it?" She asked him tearfully, Maxine felt her heart sink. Did that mean she would never come back to Narnia as well?

"Yes," Aslan said, "You have grown up, my dear one. Just like Peter and Susan." Edmund and Lucy walked over to him. Lucy gently petted the side of his face.

"Will you visit us in our world?" She asked him.

"I shall be watching you, always." He replied.

"How?" Lucy asked.

"In your world, I have another name." Aslan began, "You must learn to know me by it. That was the very reason you were brought to Narnia. That by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better, there."

"Will we meet again?" Lucy asked, her voice thick with tears. Maxine felt her own tears coming at the thought of leaving and never returning.

"Yes, dear one." Aslan said, "One day." He turned to where Maxine stood, "However, you, Maxine, will remain here." Tears fell from Maxine's eyes as she looked up at the lion with wide eyes.

"What?" She asked, "Why?"

"You cannot leave for two reasons." Aslan said, "One you know, the other you do not. Both prevent you from leaving Narnia." Everyone looked over at Maxine as she looked at the lion incredulously.

"But, I thought…" She began, "I mean… wasn't that all a dream? If I go back, I thought I would—" Aslan shook his head.

"No. The result would be the same." Maxine gulped nervously, her hand going to her chest as she remembered the burning feeling in her lungs when she was drowning.

"Why can't she leave?" Edmund asked the lion.

"The first reason," Aslan began, "Is that in her world, she suffered a tragic accident, and died." Edmund looked over at Maxine.

"You died?!" He asked in shock, Maxine nodded.

"When… When I was driving home," Maxine began, "I fell off a bridge and into a river. The— The seatbelt got stuck and I… I couldn't get out of the car." She looked back at Aslan, "What's the other reason?"

"The other reason," Aslan said, "Is that you are now carrying the heir to the Narnian throne." Maxine's eyes widened to the point that she feared they might pop out, "If you left, you would take it with you, and Narnia would be without its next ruler." Maxine put her hands to her stomach, feeling her heart pound, and her breath come a bit faster as a result of it.

"…Pregnant?" She whispered quietly. She looked back up at the lion, "I-I'm pregnant?" Aslan nodded once and Maxine turned around to Caspian, wanting to know his reaction to this news. The second she faced him, Caspian took her in his arms, kissing her passionately as he held her close. When he pulled away, he picked her up and spun her in the air with a smile, bringing her back to the ground and hugging her closely to him. Maxine laughed, "I take it you're happy about this?" Caspian nodded, kissing her again, but more sweetly than before.

"More than you could ever know." Caspian murmured, Maxine smiled and nodded. Her smile disappeared when a thought occurred to her and she turned to Aslan.

"But what about my mom?" She asked, "And my brothers and sister? I… I don't want to leave them."

"I'm afraid you must." Aslan said, "Your mother and her children learned to live without you, and they shall keep doing so." Maxine frowned, but nodded in acceptance. Aslan turned to the wave and roared, making the waves open up into a tunnel that would lead them home. Edmund, Lucy, and Eustace walked slowly over to where Caspian and Maxine stood next to each other. Caspian looked at the three of them, wondering how to say goodbye.

"You're the closest thing I have to family." Caspian said, he looked over at Eustace, seeing his gaze was looking at the ground and smiled, clapping him on the shoulder, "And that includes you, Eustace." Eustace smiled at him, bringing his own hand onto Caspian's shoulder.

"Thank you." He said, he pointed at Maxine, "And it looks like you might have more family soon." Maxine laughed, putting her hands on her stomach. Caspian smiled at her, putting his hand on the small of her back.

"I guess so." Maxine said, smiling at him. She went over to him and embraced him. Eustace was startled by the sudden movement, but hugged her back nonetheless. Edmund went over to Caspian and they shared a brotherly embrace. Edmund moved over to Maxine, and embraced each other, Maxine giving Edmund a small squeeze as she felt tears come out of her eyes. She kissed his cheek as he pulled away.

"I still have so many questions." Edmund said, "I want to know what it's going to be like, how people will act, who's in charge… There are so many things I want to know."

"You know I'm not going to tell you." Maxine said, Edmund nodded.

"Will you at least tell me if we'll see each other again in the future?" Edmund asked, "Well, my future, your past." Maxine's smile faltered at his words. She had never seen Edmund, or Lucy, or Peter, or Eustace when she was growing up, and she couldn't meet up with them again. She knew this because when she had asked Susan why she had never seen them, she had told them that they had all died in a tragic train accident. Maxine's eyes welled up with tears once more and she pulled Edmund back in, giving him a tight squeeze.

"I can't." She said, tears falling freely from her eyes, "I'm sorry Ed." She pulled back, "Promise me you'll be good." Edmund nodded and moved away from her. After Lucy had hugged Caspian, crying herself, she went over to Maxine. The two girls shared a tight hug, tears coming from their eyes, "You too, Luce. Promise me." Lucy only nodded, fearing that if she spoke, she'd start to sob. Maxine pulled away first and Lucy looked up at her, still crying. Edmund went over to Aslan, bowing slightly to him, and the lion bowed back. Lucy went up to the lion, hugging him around his neck, and kissing him when she pulled away. They walked over to where the watery tunnel waited for them. Eustace hesitated before he went in. He turned back around to face Aslan.

"Will I ever come back?" He asked him.

"Narnia may yet have need of you." Aslan said. Eustace only nodded once, following his cousins into the tunnel and letting the water engulf them, returning them home. Maxine kept wiping away her tears after they had gone. Caspian put his arm around her shoulders to comfort her as she sniffled sadly.

"I never see them again." She told Caspian in a broken voice, "They die before I get a chance to." Caspian held her close, and she cried softly into his chest. He kissed her cheek and she pushed herself away from him, wiping away her tears and forcing herself to calm down. She looked at Aslan, "Thank you, for… letting me stay." Aslan nodded. Caspian turned to the lion, bowing deeply.

"Thank you." He said, echoing her words, "Once we return to Narnia, things will be different, I promise."

"I know they will be." Aslan said. Caspian took Maxine's hand and they walked back to the longboat. He looked over at her, noting she still had a sorrowful aura around her.

To try and lighten the mood, he leaned down and asked in a quiet voice, "Still want me to marry Lilliandil?" Maxine smacked his chest, "Ow!"

"No, I don't want you to!" Maxine said, trying to sound mean when she had an amused smile on her face, knowing he was just kidding. He smiled at her and helped her into the boat, "But… I think I'll take you up on that proposal." Caspian's smile widened as he pushed the boat off into the water and jumped in once it was floating.

"That would make me the happiest man alive." He said, leaning over and kissing her softly. She smiled at him as he pulled away, going to the oars and using them to bring them back to the Dawn Treader.

"You know," Maxine began randomly, "The trip back is going to be total hell."

"And why is that?" Caspian asked.

"Because, in a couple of weeks, I'm going to have to deal with morning sickness." Maxine grimaced, "Not looking forward to that." Caspian laughed and after a moment, Maxine laughed with him.

END

Okay, I want to thank all the people who reviewed and favorited my story.

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Yaoi Fan Girl 14th

Thanks so much! You guys inspired me to keep on writing every single day! Don't expect there to be a sequel any time soon unless I can get my hands on a new Narnia movie IF it comes out any time soon, but maybe a little one-shot about what happens in the future? I don't know, you guys tell me if you want the one-shot or not, because I'm not writing up any sequel to this.

Love y'all so freaking much! ^_^

Thanks again for reviewing and reading and favoriting!