A great thanks to Queen Su, my very good friend, for all the reviews and extra. And thanks to hisanachan for reviewing the last chapters. And if anyone else is reading this, PLEASE REVIEW.
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Good-bye to Narnia
Caspian raced down a short flight of stairs, turning his head first left, then right. He was now dressed in olive green and brown clothing.
"Where are they?" He thought.
He had been searching for a good while when he finally found the four he had been looking for.
Aslan walked slowly with Susan on one side and Miranda and Peter on the other. The two siblings were dressed in royal clothes of blue, and the warrior was wearing a rust colored shirt with a dusty brown jerkin. Aslan's mouth was moving, and Caspian had a feeling that this was a bad time to interupt. He turned around preparing to leave, when he heard;
"Your majesty?"
He turned back to Aslan, and he had a feeling that something had just happened. Susan's eyes were sad and her head was heavy. And both Peter and Miranda looked older and taller for some reason.
"We are ready. Everyone has assembled," Caspian said.
Aslan nodded his head, yet continued walking with the three. Caspian left them to that, knowing that Aslan would come in his own time.
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It was perhaps the worst news Peter could have imagined. But surpisingly, he didn't quite feel that way. He felt as if he had come to the end of a great journey, and was just sad that it was over.
His eyes turned to his sister, and he was surprised with what he saw. Her face was trying not to cry; trying to be strong. He had always known Susan to be the most practical and strongly minded. But she looked as if she had been crushed with a stone.
"It's time you lived in your own world," Aslan continued. "In that world, you must come to know be by a new name."
Aslan's face turned towards Miranda.
"As one of you already has."
Peter's face turned to Miranda's. Her hazel eyes were shining bright, and a soft glow seemed to surround her.
"You have found his name already?" Peter asked.
"I have."
"What is it?" Susan said, a strength in her voice he had not heard in a long time.
Miranda didn't answer at first. Instead, she looked into Aslan's eyes. Seeing something there that only she could understand, she said;
"It is a name that you have to come to know on your own. As much as I would like to tell you, the journey is for you to make alone. I cannot interfere with that."
Peter let out a soft laugh.
"You're beginning to sound like you used to when Narnia was in its Golden Age."
"Isn't that a good thing?" Miranda teased.
Peter laughed and Susan smiled; but more wonderful than that was the sound of Aslan's beautiful golden laugh. A sound that made mountains fall down and seas roar.
"Now," Aslan said as the last notes of his laugh died away, "Let us go to the others."
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Caspian stood at the center of a lifted daise, his back to a great tree, watching the eyes of the crowd closely. He only stopped for a moment when he noticed movement on his right. He turned to the approaching forms of Aslan and the others. He let a relieved smile cross his face as they drew close. Peter and Susan went to Caspian's left, standing with their brother and sister. Aslan stood next to Caspian's right, and Miranda stood with Glenstorm, Trumpkin, Reepicheep, and Professor Cornelius.
Caspian turned to Aslan, and Aslan gave a nod of his head. It was time.
Caspian turned back to the crowd.
"Narnia belongs to the Narnians just as it belongs to man. Any Telmarines who wish to stay are welcome to. If not, Aslan will return you to the land of our forefathers."
"It has been generations since we left Telmar," a man shouted.
"We are not referring to Telmar," Aslan said. "Your ancestors were once seafaring brigands. Pirates run aground upon an island. There they found a cave, a rare chasm that led them from that world to this. The same world as our Kings and Queens."
The people began murmuring amongst themselves and pointed at the four young monarchs.
"It is that island I can return you to. It is a good place for anyone who wish to make a new start," Aslan continued.
The crowd looked at each other with shifting eyes, until one voice shouted;
"I will go."
Caspian's eyes searched the crowds to find the source of the voice.
"I will accept the offer," the voice said again, stepping forward. It was Glozelle!
Caspian gave a slight bow of respect towards the general. Glozelle nodded back.
"So will we," a feminine voice said, and Prunaprismia stepped forward, holding her child closely in her arms, guided by her father.
"Since you were first to speak, your future in that land will be a good one," Aslan whispered to them. Then, opening his great mouth, he breathed upon them.
Suddenly, from behind Caspian, the great tree began to slowly twist itself around. It creaked and groaned until it revealed a small arch; just large enough for a person to walk through.
Glozelle, Prunaprismia, and her father, walked slowly towards the arch. Almost as soon as they went under the arch, they disappeared.
The crowd now murmered in fright and doubt.
"How do we know that he is not leading us to our death?" a voice shouted.
"If my example can be of any help," Reepicheep exclaimed, "I will take eleven mice through with no delay."
Aslan didn't say anything to Reepicheep, but smiled in the direction of the four.
"No," Caspian thought. "Not now. Not when I can still learn so much from them."
"We'll go," said Peter, stepping forward. Caspian's hopes shattered.
"We will?" Edmund questioned.
"Come on," Peter continued. "Our time's up."
Peter stepped towards Caspian, making a movement with his right hand.
"After all, we're not really needed here anymore."
Then, to Caspian's surprise, the High King handed him his sword.
Caspian hesitated. This was the great Rhindon, the sword of the High King. Caspian's eyes searched Peter's, looking for some hisitation. But found none.
Caspian reached for the sword.
"I will look after it until you return," he promised solemnly.
Peter gave him a sad smile and gave a slow shake of his head.
"I'm afraid that's just it," Susan said behind Peter. "We're not coming back."
Caspian's gaze went from Susan back to Peter, then to Lucy and Edmund.
"We're not?" Lucy asked worriedly.
"You are," Peter assured her. Then, looking to Aslan, he said, "At least, I think he means
you to."
"But why?" Lucy asked. "Did they do something wrong?"
Caspian looked to Aslan.
"Quite the opposite dear one. But your brother and sister have learned all they can from this world. Now it is time for them to live in their own."
"Miranda," Edmund quickly voiced, "Surely you will come back to Narnia again."
"Yes," Caspian thought. "Surely the warrior will be allowed to return."
But the look on Miranda's face told him that she would not. She didn't say a word, but instead, drew her sword and knelt at Aslan's feet, the hilt of the sword facing him. Aslan put his paw upon the sword. Suddenly, the silver blade began to rust and the golden hilt began to darken. The ruby embeded in the hilt disappeared, and the sword shortened in length. Then, without a warning, the entire sword disintegrated, leaving nothing but dust and ashes in a pile in front of Miranda.
All of them looked in shock at Aslan, but Aslan did not return their gazes. Instead, he kissed Miranda on her forehead and whispered something in her ear. Miranda nodded her head, and Caspian saw a tear slide down her cheek.
Miranda stood up and faced Caspian and her past kings and queens.
"It is time for the first warrior of Narnia to step down," she said, her voice quiet. "My time here in Narnia is finished. I can do nothing more for this land. But before I leave again, I must choose another to take my place as Narnia's warrior."
She turned to the Narnian beasts standing beside her.
"My thanks goes to you, dear Reepicheep," she said to the talking mouse. "I owe you my life. For it was your courage that kept a knife from finding its prey on the battle field. I would choose you as the next warrior. But..." she said with a sly smile, "I think that we both know that it is not your wish. Your wish lies beyond the eastern sea, and so it will remain."
Reepicheep, who had become a little tense, now made a chivalrous bow to Miranda.
"My thanks to you warrior," he said in a relieved voice.
Miranda laughed, then her eyes found Glenstorm.
"Glenstorm," she began, "Our relationship has been bumpy, and our anger has gotten the better of us at times. But you are the only person whom I would trust with this great weight."
"Warrior!" Glenstorm started.
"Your life, love, and loyalty, belongs to Narnia, its people, and its king. You are strong and brave, and wise enough to choose whom will become the warrior after you pass on. I give this burden, and this gift, to you Glenstorm."
Glenstorm seemed shocked for a moment, but quickly recovered.
"I will do the best that I can for Narnia."
"And that is all I expect," Miranda replied.
"But..." Lucy began, looking at Peter in confusion.
"It's alright Lu," Peter said. "It's not what I'd thought it would be. But that's alright. One day you will see too."
Caspian watched in silence and sadness as one after another, the kings and queens of the Golden age said their good-byes to the Narnians that they had become such good friends with. It was especially hard to watch as Lucy and Trumpkin shared a hug.
After the Narnians, they came with tight hugs and promises for Miranda. They had left without saying good-bye the first time. They weren't going to allow that to happen again.
Then, one by one, they said good-bye to Caspian.
"Take good care of Narnia," Edmund said, shaking his hand.
"No problem there," Caspian said, smiling. "And thank you."
"No problem there," Edmund stated, a grin on his face.
Lucy came next.
"Thank you for calling us back," she said softly. "It meant more to us than you can realize."
"I am glad I did," Caspian replied.
Then, quite suddenly, Lucy came up and gave him a tight hug. Caspian was surprised, but happy nonetheless. It felt good.
Susan stepped forward.
"I'm glad I came back."
"I believe that all Narnia was glad."
Susan looked like she wanted to say something more, but decided against it.
And once more, Peter stepped forward.
"Thank you for helping me reclaim my throne," Caspian said, everything inside him feeling only honor and respect for Peter.
"Thank you for giving me a chance to be a king again. And for reminding me that I was here to help you in the first place."
Caspian nodded his head with a smile.
Peter turned to his siblings. Then, they all turned to Aslan.
Aslan gave a nod of his great head. Then, one by one, they went through the arch in the tree, disappearing from his sight. Peter and Susan; he would never see them again.
Caspian hid the tears that threatened to run down his cheeks. There was still one more.
Miranda turned to those beside her. She shook hands with the professor and Trumpkin. Trufflehunter came up with a hug for her. Reepicheep was content with a bow from each side. Glenstorm looked down upon her with a strange look, then he bent down to her level, and gave her a small hug. It wasn't long or tight, but it was enough for her; and for Caspian.
Finally, Miranda turned to him.
"I wish that I could have stayed longer to fulfill the greater part of my oath."
"What greater part? You risked your life for me. You were willing to die to save my life. What else could you have done?" he asked in a mock annoyed tone.
"You'd be surprised," Miranda said.
Caspian looked closely at the warrior, not wanting to forget her.
"It's going to be fixed."
"What?" Miranda asked surprised.
"The pictures and paintings in Aslan's Howe. The ones of you looking like a man with short hair. I'm going to have them fixed."
"You don't...." she started to protest.
"History messed up once with the warrior. I'm not going to have it messed up again."
Miranda had no answer for that.
Suddenly, Caspian couldn't hold it in any longer. He pulled Miranda into a fierce hug, giving way to the emotions inside him. He cried. He cried until his shoulders shook. But Miranda didn't move.
"Normally, I wouldn't be dealing with this as a warrior," she said in a soft voice.
"I can't do this," Caspian whispered. "I'm not ready to be king. Without any of them to guide me...."
"Aslan would not put you in the position as king unless you were ready... my king."
Caspian still didn't let go.
"Uumm, Caspian...."
"Sorry," Caspian exclaimed, letting her go. He quickly wiped the tears off of his face.
"Susan would have been better at this," Miranda said, laughing.
Caspian gave a little chuckle.
"Thanks Miranda. For everything."
"No thanks needed."
Miranda turned around, then Caspian remembered.
"Wait."
Miranda turned to him.
"I found this. Maybe you can return it to its rightful owner."
He handed her something wrapped in white cloth, and Miranda placed it in her belt.
"I'll see what I can do," she said with a smile.
Then, with a straightening of her back and a nod of her head, she walked through the arch.
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Miranda turned her head to the place where Narnia had been just moments ago. But nothing was there. Just a park filled with green trees.
A golden light suddenly erupted from the corner of her eye and she turned her head.
"Aslan!" she exclaimed, running once more into the golden paws of the Great Lion.
Aslan pulled her close and licked her forehead.
"One year," he whispered. "This gift I give to you."
Miranda felt a weight upon her neck, and looked down to see the miniature of Alanosa dangling from its leather string.
"Thank you Aslan."
"Now, dear one, go home. And remember."
"I will," Miranda promised.
With a great light, Aslan disappeared, leaving Miranda once more alone. Tears began running down her cheeks as she felt the energy once more drain her and watched her body become thin and pale again.
"No more of this again," she thought to herself.
Her eyes went down to the bundle that Caspian had given her. Curious, she opened it.
"No," she laughed out. For within the bundle was Edmund's torch.
"Looks like I'll have to find them after all," she laughed.
Suddenly, Miranda felt her heart give a great pain.
Worried, Miranda turned to go back home. As she walked across the street, she felt the pain again. She opened the door to the house.
"Miranda, is that you?"
"Yes Mom," Miranda replied smiling.
Suddenly, she felt the pain again.
"Mom," Miranda said in a weak voice.
The pain came once more, like a slash across her chest. And everything went black.
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