This sequel chapter was written for Adventures in Narnia 2023, Prompt 23: Give a glimpse of Narnia shortly after the Four go back to England.

sitting in the rubble, i can see the stars

"Ho, here are the horses!" cried the cheetah Lightfoot at the front of the group.

"Secured to these trees, aye," Eilslin the naiad said as she reined in her steed. "Yet where are their majesties?"

"Look, here is a thicket." Lord Peridan, lately of Archenland, dismounted his horse. "Think you that they ventured inward on foot, with the branches too thick for their mounts?"

"Most assuredly," answered Loprunn, leader of the hounds. "The Stag's scent as well as theirs leads into the brush."

Theenabeek leaped down from the large empty quiver on Eilslin's saddle and considered the bushes. "I have the size for an easy passage. Shall I try it, and save your lordly tallness a scratching?" She twitched her whiskers at Peridan, and the whole party laughed.

But it was a moot question, for next moment the leaves of the thicket parted and the high Queen Ailena emerged. Her face was pale, her eyes red. She was alone.

"Ah, your majesty!" Peridan cried, not noticing these. "What news of the Stag? Hast caught it at last? Certainly your horses were fleeter than—"

He broke off at an abrupt gesture from Eilslin. The naiad was staring at the flaxen-haired woman with concern. "My queen, what ails you? Where are your fellow consorts?"

Queen Ailena closed her eyes. She took a deep breath, then another.

"They are gone."

For a moment there was no sound in the clearing but the wind in the trees. Then, a cacophony of barks and shouts. Horses reared at the commotion. Theenabeek, Lightfoot, and three hounds plunged into the thicket without stopping to hear a word more. With a splash, Eilslin poured in watery shape from her horse. She reformed at the side of the queen, who was swaying a little, and steadied her.

Queen Ailena raised her hand. Slowly the noise calmed.

Those who had searched the thicket returned with a look of dejection on their faces. "The trail runs straight through the brush and simply vanishes two score steps beyond the iron post," said Swiftpaw mournfully.

"I tell you they are gone," said Queen Ailena. Her voice, though stronger now, still held the rasp of one who has recently wept. "They were brought to us from another world, and to that other world they have returned. The Lion has given and the Lion has taken away."

"Praise to him in sun and storm," murmured all the Narnians. (Except for Peridan, who had not yet lived in the country long enough to learn all its traditions.)

"Then...you are Narnia's sole remaining ruler," he said slowly. "And we here present are but a small company, attired only for hunting. With all respect, majesty, we cannot risk you a moment longer on this chase. We must return to Paravel at once."

"Yes," said Queen Ailena, casting a final glance behind her at the thicket. "We shall make a solemn holiday of mourning and thanksgiving, and I must speak to the full council. There is much to be done."