The journey back to the castle was joyous and filling with laughter and smiles. The Telmarine soldiers had gone ahead to alert the city of the Narnians arrival and while they had been terrified, the people of Telmar welcomed the Lion and his comrades with smiles and flower petals falling from the windows of the houses. There were many people, Telmarines and foreigners alike, and they were all glad to be free of Miraz's rule.

Aslan walked through the entire city with the Pevensies and Lily and Caspian riding on horses behind him. Many cried out to Caspian, elated to see that he was alive and their new king.

A very strange and wonderful thing happened: As Aslan went through the city, the houses and the streets changed. The colors became brighter and the houses turned white, glowing in the sunlight. Flowers grew in the window boxes, banners appeared on the city walls, and the streets' cobblestone paths were washed clean. All of this happened with each step the Lion took. The people followed him and children cried out to him, laughing as they put flowers in his mane.

Aslan paused at the castle bridge and roared. The bridge widened and rose, turning into stairs and the bridge gate disappeared: the castle changed as well and was now closer to the city. It was grander than anything Lily and Caspian had ever seen

Aslan turned to Caspian, "A king should never be separated from his people."

As Lily marveled at the change, she saw two figures emerge from the new castle doors, wide tall wooden doors.

Lily's smile faded and then grew wider as she recognized the two men. She quickly dismounted and ran up the grand staircase, up to the doors. Leland looked around, confused and dazed by the bright sunlight, but once he saw his sister, he ran down to her, his arms open to her.

She crashed into him and he hugged her tightly. Eris was right behind her and jumped onto Gabriel who held her to him, laughing.

The crowd cheered and Lily smiled at her brother, her eyes shining with tears.

Leland pushed her hair out of her face, "I guess he wasn't so bad after all."

She shook her head then hugged him again.

Aslan and the Narnians ascended the stairs and Gabriel and Leland opened the wooden doors wide. They knew who he was: they smiled and bowed their heads.

Aslan walked through the castle, it's dark interior changing to bright white marble and stone, the windows growing and letting the sunshine in. The castle was completely different, big enough to hold the entire city. The crowd followed Aslan as he went through the castle, ridding it of its bad memories and dark shadowy rooms. Gold and red banners hung from the ceilings and balconies and fountains were in the middle of rooms, flowers were everywhere, and great feast tables big enough to hold dozens of people were in the great hall.

Lily smiled as she walked beside Susan, Leland, Eris and Gabriel, Caspian, Peter, Edmund, and Lucy. Everyone felt happier than they ever had been, marveling at their new home.

Aslan stopped in the middle of the great hall, its tall windows bathing everything in sunlight. The white and gold china on the tables gleamed and the banner at the head of the room had a golden Lion on it.

Aslan's voice carried throughout the castle: "Prepare the feast! Prepare the Prince to be crowned! Today is a day of celebration!"

Everyone cheered and quickly went to work: Caspian was carried off by smiling maids and fauns; Lily, Susan and Lucy, Marsonia, Eris and Genia went to run through the castle to search for gowns. The castle was filled with more people than ever before, laughing as they ran into each other and yelling down the corridors.

"This is unbelievable!" Lily shouted as they ran down a wide bright corridor, her boots echoing as her boots hit the new shiny marble floor.

Lucy smiled at her, "Isn't he wonderful!"

The girls went to what used to be Lily's room: it was filled with light and was three times the size it had been. There were trunks filled with dresses and beautiful clothes that Lily had never seen before. They were nothing like the dresses Miraz's wife wore. Lily touched the fabrics and smiled in disbelief.

The girls dressed quickly and they brushed their hair and washed their faces, splashing each other with water and chasing each other around the room and its adjoining chambers.

Everyone readied for the ceremony and the feast to follow, making every kind of food. The Narnians and humans worked together, smiling and welcoming. The two peoples melted together, creating one.

It was late afternoon when everyone finally gathered in the cathedral, the biggest room in the castle, with high arched ceilings and tall windows that covered the walls. Over 300 people fit into this room and all sat together, not separated into sides.

Lily stood at the front on the red carpeted stairs that led up to the golden throne. She held a velvet pillow that held an ornate golden crown with jewels embedded in it. She smiled down at her brother who was standing with Gabriel and her friends at the first pew.

Behind the throne were large painted windows, casting bright colors onto the floor. There was not a dark space to be found anywhere in the castle. And Lily loved it.

Aslan stood at the top of the stairs next to the throne along with the Kings and Queens of Old. Caspian entered the cathedral, all eyes turned to him.

Lily's breath caught when she saw him: he was wearing a white tunic, detailed in shining gold thread, a deep blue sash crossed his chest, and a red cape lined with fur fell to the floor from his shoulders. He walked slowly down the aisle, smiling at familiar faces, human and animal. His face was cleaned of the blood and dirt from the battle and his dark brown hair brushed his shoulders. He was very handsome and he looked like a king.

Caspian met Lily's eyes and he seemed to forget where he was. She was beautiful: a deep red gown embroidered with gold and long sleeves clung to her body gently and pooled at her feet and trailed behind her. Her long dark brown hair cascaded down her back and her face was bright with rosy cheeks as she smiled at him softly.

Caspian ascended the stairs and knelt before Aslan on the carpeted landing.

Aslan's voice filled with cathedral with its warmth: "This land shall never again be ruled by those with greed and hate in their hearts. You will protect these people, man and animal alike, and seek fairness and understanding in every decision. You will do what is best for the people and you will never act out in anger. This kingdom needs a strong noble leader, one who will lead it through both in times of struggle and prosperity. This kingdom will shine as it once did and be a beacon of truth and strength. Will you do these things?"

Caspian swallowed and though Lily saw the anxiousness in his eyes as he looked up at Aslan, his voice rang out clear.

"I will."

"Will you stay true to yourself and be strong in your decisions and be confident to rely on your own understanding?"

"I will."

"Will you face the greatest dangers and put your safety before all others and fight for your people?"

"I will."

Aslan nodded to Peter. The blonde king took the crown from Lily and went to Caspian. He lowered it until it rested on Caspian and he went back to Aslan's side.

Aslan looked up to the people, "Then, by the power invested in me, I now declare you, Caspian X, King of Narnia."

Caspian rose and went forward to the throne, turned, and faced his people.

Lily smiled up at him, pride radiating from her.

Cheers rang out, loud enough to echo in the mountains: "LONG LIVE KING CASPIAN! LONG LIVE KING CASPIAN!"