Author's note: Well, here it is! The final chapter! I had originally only planned for this story to be about 20 chapters, but that didn't end up happening did it? I am satisfied with where it has ended, for now. Please let me know what you think, and also if you would like for me to do a Dawn Treader sequel or not!

I just want to take this opportunity to thank every single person that left a review, everyone who favorited/followed me or the story. I appreciate all your support!

Ok, so the last time (for now) I have to say this: I do not own Narnia! Please Enjoy!

***(2 weeks later)***

"Ari, I don't understand why I should wear this dress. It's just a ride."

"Because, King Caspian will love you in this color!" she cheered, finishing the lacing on the back of my dress.

My cheeks heated up and I distracted myself with brushing my hair as Ari grabbed my riding boots for me. Looking in the mirror, I was satisfied with my now faded bruises, they just made my cheeks look slightly yellow, but they were no longer purple.

Although I begrudgingly admit it, Tangela did a good job with my stitches, my cut was almost completely healed, and the scar was small and faint. Unless I was in a certain light, you couldn't even notice it.

"You know about that?" I asked quietly, liking the way the purple complimented my eyes.

"I have not said a word, my lady. But Nevin and I could not help but notice the change in your behaviors, since that morning, after… you know," she broke off, helping me into my boots.

"I appreciate your discretion, Ari."

A knock sounded at the door and my heart picked up immediately. I turned toward the door as Arianna opened it, revealing Caspian. My breath flew out of my entire body when I looked at him. I had never seen him dressed like this before.

He had on a navy blue tunic, and very light, cream colored trousers with brown riding boots. The contrast between the light pants and the dark tunic was striking, and made him look ten times more tan than he was. I felt very pale, being in such close proximity to him.

Ari bowed, with a small smile, and left the room, closing the door.

As soon as she was gone, Caspian crossed the room in two short bounds and encircled me in his arms.

"Wow, you look incredible," I told him, staring at his brown eyes, somehow shinier than usual.

"I am nothing compared to you, you are beautiful, as always."

I sighed and laid my head against his chest, embracing him for just a moment. Since he and I had talked about our feelings, we got few chances to actually exhibit intimacy with one another. It was mainly just sly looks across the room at a council meeting, or smiles at the dinner table.

Any moment we had alone was a stolen kiss, or fleeting embrace, never lasting long.

"Are you ready for our ride, love?"

I nodded, squeezing his hands and pulling away from his warm embrace, picking up the small picnic basket Ari had packed with snacks for us once we reached the beach. It was only about an hour's ride from the castle, but hopefully Caspian and I would be able to spend a whole day together, enjoying some much needed alone time.

He took the basket from my hand, I had yet to even look at what she packed for us, and he lead us out to the stables, where our two horses were waiting, already saddled.

When I had finally learned how to ride a horse, thanks to Caspian, I had been offered a talking horse to ride, but I could not bring myself to direct a talking beast as though it were a dumb beast, and I said I would prefer to have one of the dumb beasts.

It was only a few months after the Pevensies had left that Caspian had surprised me with my own horse, a gorgeous brown color, with a white diamond decorating his nose. The only name I could think of him was an Irish name I had learned long ago, before Narnia, meaning beauty.

"Ailill, my darling, it has been far too long," I cooed as I mounted.

Caspian situated our provisions in his saddlebag, and left the actual basket in the stables, and once he was ready, he gave me a nod and we were off.

The ride was pleasant enough; neither Caspian nor I spoke much.

Caspian seemed nervous or anxious about something, and I tried to think of what could be wrong while I spent my time admiring the landscape. It had been a long time since I had left the Castle, and even longer since I had actually been in the thick of Narnia. It made my heart ache for my friends the Pevensies. It had been so long since I had last seen them.

Upon our arrival, Caspian handed me a large blanket, and told me to set up the picnic while he dealt with the horses. He took off their saddles and allowed them to graze in the field of grass behind the sand. I laid out the blanket and placed rocks on each corner, to ensure the wind coming off the sea did not blow it away.

The air smelled of salt and fresh air, and I breathed deeply.

Ever since I was a child I had loved the water, but never in my life, until Narnia, had I seen water as clear or as beautiful. Being here was like a dream come true.

Being here with Caspian was a dream come true.

Caspian then came to join me, taking a seat on the blanket beside me, pulling out a canteen of water and sharing it with me. I drank deeply before giving it back and watching him also take several gulps. Then he brought out the food: some strawberry crèmes and warm bread with honey, and apples to wash it all down.

It was then that I noticed the tiny box placed on the blanket between he and I.

He must have placed it there while I was distracted with the bread and honey. I gulped down the food that was in my mouth, not really tasting. I swallowed again, staring at the tiny box that appeared to hold a very tiny, but important object.

Is that what I think it is?

Caspian too, stopped eating and looked at me.

Is this why he's been acting nervous?

"What is that?" I asked, not taking my gaze off the box, as if it was going to get up and walk away if I looked away.

"Would you like to see?" Caspian asked.

I took a deep breath, mentally preparing myself for whatever was about to come next, and nodded my head. My heart beat in my ears as I watched him pick up the box and slowly lift the lid from it.

Oh thank god.

"What is this?" I asked quietly, as he took the small charm out of the box.

"I had this made for you. I know you're not the kind of girl to wear jewelry much, but I thought about everything we've been through, and I wanted to give you something that mattered. So this is-"

"My first sword," I cut him off, looking closely at the tiny details, accurate all the way down to the decorated hilt.

He nodded, gesturing to me. Asking me if he could put it on me.

I lifted my hair from my neck and shifted so that he could fasten the simple gold chain and gold charm around my neck. It fell delicately in the hollow of my throat, and felt cool against the skin there, but somehow it felt like it belonged there. Like I had always had it.

"Do you like it?" he asked as I turned back toward him.

"I love it. I love you," I answered, leaning forward and kissing him.

He smiled into the kiss, but pulled back far too soon for my liking. I frowned and he chuckled, cupping his hand around my cheek and looking deeply into my eyes.

"Christina, I want to let you know, this is more than just a gift. It is an indication of my intentions. I know that you are not yet ready to be married, and I will respect that. I will not ask to court you or propose to you until you tell me you are ready. But I want you to know that I am yours. Forever."

I felt like I was walking on air, once he finished, looking slightly concerned.

"And I am yours," I told him, placing my hand on his heart. "Forever."

I leaned in to kiss him again when something moved about 50 yards behind him. I furrowed my brow and pulled away, leaning to the side to get a glimpse of what, or who, was back there. My breath left me when I saw.

"Aslan," I whispered, immediately getting to my feet.

Caspian, also catching a glimpse of the Lion, followed my lead, and bowed his head.

"Your highness, my lady," the lion greeted, coming closer to us.

I noticed, with every step closer he got, the waves on the sea began to grow. Before he had appeared, the sea was almost completely still, with a light breeze blowing off of it. Now large waves broke on the sand, and a strong wind blew my hair in multiple directions.

I did not have a good feeling about this.

"Aslan, is something wrong?" Caspian asked, it seemed he had not yet caught on.

"Tell him, Christina," the great lion said, looking at me with knowing eyes.

So I'm right?

Yes child.

Caspian turned to me, even more confused as tears began falling down my cheeks.

But why now?

Everyone has their own time, dear one.

But why NOW?

"Chris, what is going on?" Caspian asked me. His brows furrowed together, and the wind from the sea forced me to squint as I looked at him.

"Now is my time," I choked out, trying my hardest not to sob.

"Wait…what do you mean? What do you mean your time? Time for what?"

He didn't get it, and the tears only came faster as it began to sink in what was really happening. By now the water was so violent that the tide came sweeping in, soaking my feet and taking the remains of our picnic out to sea.

"Aslan has come to bring me back to my world, Cas," I whispered.

Despite the thunderous storm around us, I know he heard me.

My heart broke even further when I watched realization dawn on his face. This past year had been so perfect, I almost forgot where I had come from: the same world as the Pevensies. Memories of my sister, or my mother, came flooding back to me. New York City, that was where I was going back to.

"I don't have a choice, do I, Aslan?"

The look in the Lion's great golden eyes told me everything I needed to know.

"Caspian, it's happening now. You need to go. Get the horses out of here, the storm is scaring them."

Caspian shook his head, grabbing onto my arms, I could see the beginning of tears in his eyes and it only made me cry harder. Why now? None of this was fair.

"I am not leaving this beach without you, Christina."

"Caspian, neither of us has a choice."

I put my hands on either side of his face and kissed him gently. Our tears mixed together as rain began to fall, and the sea rushed up to our thighs. I couldn't imagine letting go of him now, but I had to.

"Will I see him again?" I demanded, turning toward Aslan.

"Yes, dear one, in due time you will return to him."

"See, Cas? I will see you again. I promise. You have to go; your kingdom and your people need you, Caspian. You can't come with me. Just please remember, I love you. You will always have my heart."

The water was around my chest now, and tears fell freely from both our eyes as he started walking backward, toward the field where the horses had been trotting back and forth, nervous around the weather.

"Chris, please come back to me."

"I will, I love you."

The water rushed around my head, and swept me from my feet. I grabbed hold of the small charm around my neck, holding on for dear life, terrified it would wash away in the water. As the waves rocked my body, I heard a loud, howling sound grow louder and louder.

Suddenly I was dry, laying on the ground in the subway, wearing a plaid skirt and a sweater vest.

I brushed myself off and stood up right as the train slid into the station and the doors opened. Tears sprung in my eyes as I prepared for school, but I couldn't wrap my mind around the fact that I was expected to return to life as normal while I had just lost the love of my life.

With a gasp, my hand flew up to my neck, and I felt the small, cool charm there, sitting in the hollow of my neck. My heart ached, at least I knew he was real, and not some delusion, but now my only problem was figuring out how to get back to him.

Gripping the small charm, I wiped away my tears as the train left the station.