Author's Note: Here it is, the last full chapter of The General's Daughter! This was seriously really difficult to write because I had to say goodbye to a few characters I really loved. I hope you all like it and review. Don't worry, this isn't the last chapter, there is going to be a little epilogue letting you all see how Maria and the Pevensie's are doing in England. :)
The next morning Maria was invited to breakfast with the royals. So this was what normal life was like now. She got to live in her home in the village and remain close with the Pevensies. Maria couldn't help but feel special as she walking into the castle and people held doors open for her and greeted her as she walked by. It was like they had a new found respect.
Maria entered the dining room and the men stood up. "Good morning Maria!" Lucy said cheerfully from her seat. "Good morning Lucy," Maria smiled at her than looked at the other monarchs as she took her seat between Susan and Edmund. "Peter, Caspian, Edmund, Susan."
The servers brought in all sorts of fruits, rolls, and other things that she wasn't quite sure what they were. Did they dine like this every day? They all walked around and placed the food on the plates, filled their glasses, and then left them to their meal.
"So how did everyone sleep?" Caspian asked after his first bite.
"Very nicely," Maria sighed. "I never realized how much I loved sleep until I finally was able to get a full night's rest."
Edmund nodded, "After traveling for almost two days with no sleep I can say that everyone is better off with a full night."
"Some people can get a little off balance," Maria teased, eyeing Edmund with a smirk.
"Agreed," Peter raised his glass in a mock toast. Everyone laughed and raised their glasses. Maria could get used to this.
"So what does the rest of the day look like for us?" Edmund asked.
"Aslan has requested that we meet at the drop off at noon. He said there was to be a celebration," Caspian explained.
"There has been a lot of celebrating lately," Susan commented before taking a bite of fruit.
Lucy smiled, "There is a lot to celebrate."
Peter looked at Caspian, "But once all of that is done. You have important things to handle."
"I was actually going to meet with you about that in a few days. I would like to hear some of your techniques from your Golden Age."
"Ed and I have a lot of advice to pass on," Peter said looking at his brother. This only made Maria wish she knew more. Edmund had told her that basics but there was so much more she wanted to learn. But there would be time for that later.
Before the group could start another conversation the doors were opened and Aslan stood there. All of the people seated at the table stood up and bowed before making eye contact with him. "Hello children." He looked at all of them. "Peter, Susan, may I have a word?" Aslan turned his head towards the door and motioned for them to follow.
"We'll find you later," Susan said that followed after her brother and the lion.
As they left the room another young woman came in, a servant. "King Caspian, King Edmund, General Glozelle would like to speak with you about upcoming plans."
"Of course," Caspian turned to both the girls. "I will see you two at noon." He kissed their hands and followed after the servant.
Lucy looked at Maria, "I guess that leaves us. Do you want to go for a ride?"
"I haven't gotten a chance to really see Melosa and Tulio since we got back."
"Then it's a plan. I'll meet you down in the stables. I need to go change into some riding clothes." With that Lucy disappeared into the hallway.
Maria than looked up at Edmund, "You shouldn't keep my father or Caspian waiting," Maria said in a sing-song voice.
"I know," Edmund grabbed her hand and led her out into the hall. "But what kind of man would I be not to walk you at least halfway to your destination." Maria laughed, how did he do that to her so easily. "But on a more serious note, there was something I wanted to talk to you about."
"What would that be?"
"How would you feel about me," Edmund stopped walking and looked at her. "Asking your father if I could court you?"
Maria grinned. "Edmund you are sweet. I love that you want my father's approval. Which means that I would love for you to ask him," she started moving again, trying to stop blushing.
"Good." The couple reached the door that lead out to the courtyard. "This is halfway. I'm afraid I am already running behind." Edmund kissed her cheek. "I'll find you after the meeting."
Maria waved him off, "Go." Once Edmund turned the corner, Maria finally allowed herself a moment, smiled, and bounced on her toes from excitement.
She made her way to the stables where Lucy had Melosa and Tulio out and ready for riding. Lucy could tell by the look on Maria's face that her brother had done something sweet, she laughed to herself, "Tulio has requested that you are his rider."
Maria walked over and climbed onto his back. "How have you been?"
"Much better, the humans are different without Miraz," Tulio started off walking through the courtyard and out into the fields.
"I've heard that you have been taking care of Ramillo."
Tulio scoffed, "Really? Who has been making up stories like that. I bet it was the rodent himself."
Maria looked back at Melosa who nodded and whispered, "He's been watching over him." Maria rolled her eyes as Melosa came up next to Tulio.
"What did Ed do?" Lucy asked, giving her a sly grin.
Once again Maria felt an idiotic smile creep onto her face. "He is going to ask my father if we can court."
Lucy smiled, "Ed… He can be sweet when he chooses."
Maria nodded in agreement. "Now, what have you been up to?"
"Loads of stuff, all the cooks want my opinion, the people want help planning. It reminds me of my own time. What have you been doing when you aren't with us?"
"Mostly talking to my father and Hywet's family," Maria answered. "Lilliana wants to hear about all of my adventures with your brother."
"Lilliana was just adorable when I met her, she was so excited but she was nervous."
"She's a shy little girl. To be in the presence of a queen," Maria smiled at the mental image of Lilliana meeting Lucy and Susan.
"Queen Lucy! Maria!" A voice called out from the grass. Maria leaned over a little and saw Ramillo hobbling towards them. "Mind if I join you?"
"Not at all," Lucy said.
Tulio bent down without a word and allowed Maria to pick Ramillo up. Maria looked over at Melosa and shook her head. Tulio and Ramillo would never admit their friendship.
"Maria, did I tell you what happened with the rabbit at the ball?" Ramillo asked.
Maria raised an eyebrow and shared a glance with Lucy, "No you did not."
"Well, her name is Fola and she is beautiful," Ramillo sounded absolutely love-struck. "We spent the entire ball together. She said that it was brave of me and she admired how I burst into the castle and saved King Edmund, biting through the chains myself." Ramillo puffed out his chest, and then realized what he had said.
"Bit through the chains yourself?"
"I mean led him through the forest with you." Ramillo leaned down. "But then we went out for food and she told me all about the stars. She said that her family had passed down stories about all of the constellations. Fola," Ramillo sighed as he said her name. "She is one of a kind. I have never met anyone so smart and beautiful!"
They stopped as a bell tolled from the castle, letting everyone in the village know the time. "Oh," Maria rubbed her head. "I need to run home and someone know I'm well. My father likes to have me check in."
"That's no problem. I'll go with you." Lucy hopped down off of Melosa. "I could use a nice walk."
"I'm sure you three will be fine without us," Maria said to the companions.
"Of course," Melosa answered. "Come along you two." She herded them off further into the field.
"Now which way is your home?" Lucy asked looking around at all the similar stone houses.
"We live on the edge, one of the houses on the border."
Lucy and Maria walking into the village pasts a few stands of produce and crafts. With everyone person they passed people would stop and smile, "Good morning Queen Lucy."
Maria watched how Lucy greeted each citizen with respect and held herself high, like a queen should. Lucy seemed so eager to talk to them, get their opinion on things, and hear their stories. But she kindly told all of them she had to go.
"This is my home," Maria said as they came to a stone house. Maria pushed open the door and allowed Lucy to go inside.
"This is so nice and cozy," Lucy walked over to the table and pulled out a seat. "May I?"
"Of course, you are welcome anywhere in this house."
"How many live here?" Lucy asked as she looked around, trying to get an idea of the size.
Maria looked down the hallway for signs of her family. "Just my father and I. But Hywet, Helanna, and Lilliana are regular visitors. They have spent countless night here, as we have done at their house."
"It's nice that you are so close to another family."
"Yes, Helanna was my mother's best friend. She's taken care of us, and helped my father so much."
"Hello?" A voice from the back called. Helanna stepped out with a basket in her hands; she must have been picking fruit. "There you are Maria! I thought I heard my name." Helanna placed the basket onto the table and saw Lucy. "Hello your Majesty." Helanna curtsied.
Lucy stood and shook Helanna's hand gently. "Hello. How are you?"
Helanna looked at Maria then back at the queen. "Very good, would you like something to eat or drink?"
"I'm afraid we will have to be on our way soon. I need to find my brothers and sister before noon," Lucy answered.
"I'll go with you," Maria said, she walked over and hugged Helanna. "I'll be back soon, I need to find Papa."
"All right, it was nice seeing you Queen Lucy," Helanna went over to the door and just as she pulled it open Edmund had his hand up, ready to knock.
"Perfect timing," Edmund smiled at Helanna.
"Thank you King Edmund," Helanna looked at Maria, "I should get back to the garden."
Edmund looked at the girls. "Your father said you might be down here."
"I was just going to find him," Maria walked out of the door. "How was the meeting?"
"It went well, Caspian discussed that he wanted to start work with the giants very soon," Edmund explained.
"What about that other thing?" Maria asked.
Edmund hung his head. "I didn't get around to asking. Your father seems so serious, I'll never admit this again, but I was nervous."
Maria laughed. "Nervous? Edmund, my father has a lot of respect for you."
"How do you know?"
"He's told me at dinner."
Lucy laughed at the conversation. "Ed, you better hurry before you miss your chance."
Edmund rolled his eyes. "I'll ask him next time I see him, Maria are you going to be there?"
"I wouldn't miss it."
The group of three arrived at the castle; Lucy looked at her brother and Maria. "I'm going to go find Susan and get changed. Don't be late, Ed."
"I'll see you soon," Edmund sent his sister off. Edmund took Maria's hand in his own, "Now let's go find your father."
"You're doing this now?" Maria raised an eyebrow.
"Why wouldn't I?"
"Don't you have to get ready?"
"We have until Susan finds us; I think we have a good amount of time. Last time I saw your father he was finishing up talking with Caspian."
Edmund pulled her along as he changed direction. "Edmund, I want you to know how much this really means to me," Maria said as they continued their walk.
"Maria!" Glozelle turned the corner, dressed in formal clothing. "You need to get ready."
Edmund let go of Maria's hand and looked back at her before starting to walk towards Glozelle. "Edmund! I've been looking for you," Susan walked up to her brother, just before he got to Glozelle.
Edmund looked back at Maria. "Go," she whispered with a smiled, Edmund followed his sister.
Glozelle walked up to his daughter and put an arm around her. "Let's go find you a dress."
Maria stood in the crowd by the drop off along with all the people and Narnians in town. The drop off was an area between the castle and the village with a phenomenal view of Narnia. Caspian had said many times that this was his favorite place when he was young.
"There they are!" Lilliana shouted from her spot on Hywet's shoulders. "Maria they're coming!"
Maria stood on her toes, using her father for support and saw the royals coming down the pathway on horses. Flowers had been handed out to people in the crowd, and Maria handed her flower petals up to Lilliana who tossed them excitedly into the air. Cheers erupted from the crowd as the group passed them and eventually stopped next to Aslan. They all climbed off their horses and stood in a line by the lion.
"Men and women of Telmar," Aslan shouted to calm the crowd down. "I stand before you with an offer."
Caspian left the line and addressed his people. "Narnia belongs to the Narnians and to the men for all who want to live and peace. But, if you wish, Aslan has offered to return you to the land of our ancestors."
Murmurs broke out in the crowd. "No one has been to Telmar in ages."
"It is not Telmar that we speak of," Aslan said. "Your forefathers came from an island in another world. The same world as High King Peter, and if you wish I can return you there. It is a good land, for any who wish to make a new start."
The crowd started to talk quietly. Than a voice shouted, "I will go!" Maria looked up in shock at her father. He looked at her and licked his lips. "I will accept the offer."
"Papa what are you doing?" Maria asked in shock.
"Creating a better life for us," he whispered and offered her his hand. Maria took it and allowed her father to lead her out of the crowd.
"We will also go," Hywet said, wrapping his arms around his sister and niece. "We will go with my old friend, Glozelle." Hywet walked up and patted Glozelle on the back.
Prunaprismia also volunteered to go along with her father. "Come before me." Maria looked back at the Pevensies, feeling tears start to come. "Because you have spoken first, your lives will be good." Aslan breathed on them and then turned, the whole audience gasped as the tree appeared to unwind, creating a doorway. Prunaprismia and her father took the first steps and disappeared.
Maria felt fear clench her heart, they were actually going. "How do we know he is not sending us to our deaths?" a man shouted from the crowd.
"It's our time to go," Peter said. Lucy and Edmund looked at their brother, confused. "We will go back."
"Peter what do you mean?"
"Our time is up." Peter walked over and handed his sword to Caspian.
"I will watch over it until you return," Caspian patted Peter on the shoulder and took the sword.
Susan stepped forward and spoke up, "That's just it, we aren't coming back."
"We're not?" Lucy asked.
"Well Susan and I aren't," Peter started to explain.
Aslan spoke, "Your brother and sister have learned all they can in Narnia."
Peter wrapped an arm around Lucy, "It's our time to go."
Glozelle walked towards Aslan. "Is there a way my family could not be sent to the island?"
"Where do you wish to go?" Aslan asked.
"To the country of the Pevensies, where my daughter and my family can live a happy life," Glozelle said, pulling Hywet and Helanna over with him.
"Because you have done well, I will allow you to go to England." Aslan said.
"Thank you sir," Glozelle bowed and walked away.
Maria, who was holding hands with Lilliana watched as her father walked away. "I'll be right back," she whispered and approached Aslan.
"Aslan," she stuttered out. She was just on the verge of tears and knew what was coming soon. "Will I ever come back to Narnia?"
Aslan smiled, "In time, you will return. But you won't be alone." Aslan turned his head towards Lilliana who was talking to Susan. The little girl caught sight of them staring; she smiled than went back to her conversation. "You have much to learn, as does she," Aslan than looked over at Lucy who was with Peter and then motioned to Edmund who was saying goodbye to Tulio and Ramillo.
Maria smiled, so she would see them again. "Will I meet them in their world, in England?"
"Not this time, my child," Aslan spoke slowly.
Maria allowed a few tears to slip from her eyes. "Thank you Aslan, I hope to see you again sometime." She bowed before turning away and walking back to the group.
Maria went up to Peter and Caspian, when Caspian saw her, he pulled her into a hug. "It's been great knowing you Maria. But I have no doubt I will see you again."
"Thank you Caspian, you will be a great king," Maria said and then she looked at Peter. "I'm sorry I didn't get to know you better, but you were so brave when I did see you."
Peter smiled at her, "Thank you Maria, for helping Narnia. Thank you for helping my brother." Maria smiled at him and bowed. Maria made her way over to Lucy and Susan; Lilliana turned and wrapped an arm around Maria.
"Susan, you have been a great friend to me," Maria said, she felt so embarrassed to cry in front of the queens. "You have been so kind and helpful. I thank you for that."
"Maria," Susan put a hand on her heart. "It has been a pleasure knowing you. We had a great adventure. Thank you for being there. I know we will meet again."
Maria stopped holding back now and wrapped her arms around Susan in a hug. At first Susan stood, a little shocked and then hugged Maria back. Maria looked at Lucy, who spoke up, "Maria, it seems I will meet you again in Narnia. I look forward to that day. Although I didn't get to know you very well, I know that we will be great friends in the future."
"I hope so," Maria said as Lucy hugged her.
Maria let go and found herself by Ramillo, Tulio, and Melosa. "Ramillo, I will miss you," Maria said, picking him up and cradling him in her arms. "Please be careful and stay out of trouble."
"I'll keep an eye on him," Tulio teased.
Melosa stepped forward, "Don't worry, I'll watch over both of them. Maria, it was a pleasure having you as a rider."
Maria put Ramillo down and stroked Melosa's coat, "I couldn't have asked for a better horse."
After sad goodbyes to the three, Maria found herself face to face with the one person she had been putting off saying goodbye to, Edmund Pevensie.
The second they made eye contact, Maria threw his arms around him. Edmund pulled her into a tight hug. Maria looked up at him and wiped a stray tear, "People are watching," she hiccupped.
"Don't worry about them," Edmund whispered into her hair. "Maria, I am so thankful that I met you."
"Edmund, you spend a lot of time thanking me. Now it's my turn, to thank you for all that you have taught me. I was terrified before I met you, but you taught me about Aslan and so much more," Maria could have gone on forever. "I really don't know what would have happened if I didn't know you. But I know that I am glad I did."
"I am too."
Maria forced a sad smile. "Goodbye Maria," he said, hugging her again.
"It's not goodbye, Aslan said we'll see each other again. I think until next time is more fitting."
Edmund laughed silently, "Until next time Maria." He kissed forehead one last time before sending her on her way.
"Until next time Edmund," Maria stood on her toes for one last hug. Maria and Edmund stood like that until Lilliana came up and grabbed her hand.
"Come on Maria," she said pulling her towards the tree.
Glozelle looked at his group. "Is everyone ready?" With no one making a comment, Glozelle took the first step towards the arch, followed by Hywet and Helanna. Maria looked back at everyone and waved to the Pevensies and to her friends.
Lilliana tugged on her hand, "Let's go Maria." Lilliana took the next step and Maria picked her up and walked through the door.
Author's Note: I hope you all liked it! Please review and let me know what you think. Remember there will be a little epilogue so don't leave just yet. Also, one more time: sequel or no sequel?