I finally finished Ch. 25 so feel free to go back and read that and let me know what you think!

I hope the ending doesn't seem too rushed. There was so much more I wanted to put in here, but decided against it because it didn't help the story progress. So I've cut it with plans to maybe do something with it later (see the end author's note). For now, the final chapter!

Epilogue

As the days stretched, Ana got better but she still awoke some mornings in pain. Although it wasn't as intolerable as before she couldn't wait for it all to end. Especially since there had been no outward change to her appearance—based on what she could catch in reflections and the lack of any comment from others aboard. No visible explanation as to what was happening.

The journey home was a little quicker and easier than the trip to Ramandu's Island. They sailed past Deathwater Island, having no reason to go ashore and it reduced some of their travel. There was no fear of the mist and they had mostly clear skies. While it did storm on occasion, it was nothing like the violent tempest they had experienced before. It seemed as though things were on their side now. So this also helped cut some time off the journey. Ana could also tell that the crew was appreciative of the smoother sailing.

Though they still had enough food, Caspian wished to stop at Coriakin's Island. It gave anyone who wanted to go ashore some freedom to move around. After all, conditions aboard the ship were still quite tight. Some were starting to get antsy from being in such tight quarters for so long. So many took the opportunity to go ashore and explore the island. It not only provided everyone with some space for their companions but a chance to breathe in fresh air. Ana knew she could take this opportunity to also freshen up a bit.

Before they reached the shore, they were greeted by some of the Dufflepuds. They had learned to use their oversized foot as a boat and even fashioned paddles so they could steer, courtesy of Reepicheep. He had taught them how to do all this before they had departed the first time. Ana was glad to see they were still using the skills he taught them. When one inquired as to where Reepicheep was, it was hard to tell them what had transpired. It was still difficult for her to acknowledge the Mouse's absence.

The Duffers were friendlier than their first arrival. Ana suspected they were glad to have visitors and that they hadn't frightened the crew away. They did apologize to Ana for kidnapping Lucy and her. She accepted it on both of their behalf. Although she never felt in danger around them, Caspian was still a little upset by the whole thing. He had warned the others about them before coming to shore. But his worries were unfounded the second time. Though they behaved a little childishly, they did try to be more welcoming than when they had last met.

Caspian, the lords, Drinian, and Ana all had dinner in Coriakin's mansion. The rest of the crew and passengers that had come ashore were also invited, but most declined. They were more interested in exploring and stretching their legs than eating in the mansion. Ana also suspected that they felt it might've been a bit too crowded, though none would say it aloud. But the others took the opportunity to talk and thank Coriakin for his help. He was just pleased that they had been successful and everything was put right.

They spent the night on the island, all declining Coriakin's kind offer to sleep in the mansion. It seemed everyone agreed in that regard. Though a bed would've been nice, everyone wanted to feel like they had more space to stretch out a relax. Especially since they didn't have to crowd onto the beach and were able to spread among the island. Ana still dreaded the mornings and couldn't wait for things to get back to normal—when she wouldn't have to worry about pain. Caspian had been concerned but seemed less so now that he could see that Ana was doing better.

Most of the crew was awake before sunrise, being used to early mornings. It wasn't until the sun began to shine over the horizon that Ana and the rest of the passengers awoke. Between ferrying people back to the ship and gathering supplies, it took over an hour before the Dawn Treader was ready to set sail again. They had even double-checked to make sure they had more than enough food and fresh water for the remainder of their journey. Ana had overheard Caspian speaking to Drinian and knew they had no intention of stopping until they reached the Lone Islands. Weather withstanding, it would only take a few weeks.

After a few more weeks of being cramped and irritable, they finally reached the port of Narrowhaven. By then, Ana's pain had dissipated entirely and she could finally enjoy the last legs of their trip. Their arrival at the Lone Island marked nearly a year since they had left the Narnian port. Everyone was eager to finally return home—to Narnia and the islands alike. Even Ana was missing Narnia. As far as she could recall, this was the longest she had ever been away from home. Although she knew some correspondence had occurred between Caspian and Trumpkin, she didn't know how long it had been since the last message was sent. She knew the Narnians would relieved when their King finally returned.

A small crowd had begun to gather on the docks once the townspeople realized the Dawn Treader had returned. They were anxious to see if any of their family or friends had been found. But it would take several trips to ferry all the passengers to shore so Ana knew the anxiety of the crowd would only grow. Each was waiting to be reunited with family and disappointment would grow every time their loved ones didn't appear in the boats that docked.

Caspian and Ana arrived in the first longboat—along with Drinian and a few well-trusted crew—and Duke Bern rushed to greet them as they disembarked. He offered for them to stay and dine with him but Caspian was unable to answer as the four lords clambered out of another boat. They made their way forward and Duke dropped all pleasantries with his King as he rushed to greet his lost friends. As other lost families began to come ashore, the Duke was lost in the crowd. His offer for dinner was long forgotten by Caspian and Ana as they watched families being reunited.

Duke Bern wasn't the only person to approach and greet them. Each time a boat returned a lost family member, someone would come forward to thank Caspian and Ana. She lost track of how many people came forward. They would stammer out their thanks before rushing off to greet the individuals they thought were lost. Most of them would embrace and cry tears of joy before leaving the docks. The two happily watched as the Islanders were reunited.

With each family that reunited, the crowd began to disperse. By the time the last family left, the sun was setting. It was a day filled with overwhelming emotions and many were tired. Ana spotted several crewmen yawning, wanting to return to their beds. Caspian had noted it as well and seemed to be contemplating what to do next when Drinian approached to discuss their options.

Before he could speak, however, Duke Bern returned to the docks. His offer of dining at his house still stood. Rather, he had left with the lords to ensure enough food was prepared for the crew to join them. Caspian accepted, as did Drinian, who left to inform the crew. Ana wasn't surprised to see that they also agreed to a nice meal in the Duke's home. Everyone was tired and they had had enough of rations. They wouldn't turn down an opportunity for a nice meal.

After just one night on the Islands, the crew of the Dawn Treader was finally heading for the shores of Narnia. Here, Ana was forced to say goodbye to Gale and the young girl realized they likely wouldn't see each other again. But Gale had her family and she wouldn't be alone. It was all any of them could ask for.

Caspian gave the lords the option to return to Narnia with them or remain with the newly appointed Duke. Many chose to remain behind, with the promise to keep in contact. That settled, Ana and the remaining crew clambered into the longboats and boarded the Dawn Treader for what would hopefully be the last time. At least for a while anyway.

The rest of the journey flew by. Everything was back to normal no longer crowded so both Caspian and Ana got their rooms back. There was enough space and food for everyone aboard. Excitement was in the air. Everyone was eager to return home. They sailed past the Seven Isles, Terebinthia—where they fortunately did not run into any pirates—and Galma. Caspian didn't wish to go ashore at any of these, though Ana suspected his reasoning was more than just waiting to get home. He didn't want to exchange in any more formalities or have to turn down another marriage proposal.

꧁𝑽𝒐𝒚𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒂𝒘𝒏 𝑻𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓 ꧂

The smell in the air alerted Ana that they were home before one could see Narnia on the horizon. She tried to contain herself as she walked onto the main deck. Drinian was the only crewmember present, aside from the lookout. She stared out across the sea, hoping to catch a glimpse of Cair Paravel in the distance. She spotted it only moments before the lookout announced it. This was the signal that caused the deck to become a flurry of activity as the crew prepared to dock.

By the time they reached the docks of Narnia's port, Narnians had noted their arrival. They swarmed the docks, eager to see their King and if everyone had made it home safely. The only one missing from their party was Reepicheep and Ana noted only a few noticed the Mouse's absence right away. Most were just pleased to see their King and loved ones had returned. Aside from the company of mice he led, Reepicheep had nothing holding him in Narnia.

Ana realized she had missed home more than she thought she would. Everything she had was linked to Narnia in some way and being away from it felt like a part of her was missing. Even though she had two of her closest friends with her on the ship, she didn't feel whole until she reached Narnia.

Reepicheep's second-in-command, Peepiceek, was the first to inquire of his chief's whereabouts. Ana was the one who informed them of the Chief Mouse's decision to not continue his journey in this life. All were saddened by the news but they were also happy to learn that it was a choice he had made. The mice decided to have a small gathering in which they would commemorate Reepicheep and invited Ana to attend. She gladly accepted the invitation and the Mice went straight away to making preparations.

Feeling quite fatigued, Ana couldn't wait until things settled and she could relax. Even though she was delighted to see her friends again, she knew everything she had been through in the past year was weighing on her. A lot had happened and she had been through a lot. A trip to find lost Telmarine Lords had led to a journey of self-discovery for herself. Ana had learned a lot about herself and found out what she really wanted.

She was grateful for the friends they had. They noticed that Caspian and the crew all needed to recuperate from the journey and tried not to pressure them too much upon their return. Only Trumpkin had grumbled about their arrival and proceeded to explain to them all that had occurred while they were gone. Being left temporarily in charge, no one was worried about him being incapable. But the task of keeping the country going had been too much for the Dwarf, so he claimed. 'I'm quite content with the job I have and do not need to lead a country!' he had grumbled. Caspian and Ana both laughed and he promised not to leave him in charge again.

As things began to return to normal, Ana grew—in both beauty and grace if you asked Caspian, but she wasn't one to say such things. After being home for just a little over a week, Ana appeared to have aged ten years. With that came a whole slew of other issues, but between her attendant, Nerissa, and Caspian they were quickly remedied and she was able to continue as if nothing happened.

Well, almost nothing. There was no need to feel embarrassed about being seen together so Caspian took this opportunity to ask permission to officially court her. Ana had wholeheartedly agreed. They didn't try to hide the relationship, but they weren't quite ready to make it public. Both were content to let the castle staff who saw them gossip to their hearts' content. Though talking behind other's backs wasn't common in Narnia, it happened. And something as serious as Ana's aging and the King's possible nuptials was cause for discussion.

By the end of the year, Caspian announced his engagement to Ana in front of the court. Everyone cheered and news of their engagement spread quickly throughout the countryside. Many had already speculated about the courtship but now it was official. Even more, they now had a royal wedding to prepare for.

Their wedding was planned for Spring so that it could be held outside and any Narnians who wished to attend could. Ana was never one for anything fancy and was quite overwhelmed with the thought of trying to plan a wedding. It was way out of her area of expertise and was more than happy to let the Narnians plan it. Of course, Caspian and her offered their opinion when it was asked. But for the most part, they were content to leave it in the hands of experts. Neither one of them knew anything about wedding planning or the ceremonies involved.

Ana's dress was elegant but simple, just how she wanted it. Aslan officiated the wedding and Caspian pulled her close to kiss her softly on the lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back as the crowd cheered. Caspian placed the crown on his Queen's head. Ana felt both a mix of joy and anxiety at the thought of being Queen. She felt as though she was undertaking a huge task, but Caspian assured her that she had been a leader for her people long before their marriage.

As the celebrations began, Aslan departed from their presence. Ana had slipped away from the crowd and stepped onto the balcony where she watched him walk away. He disappeared in the sunset, just as He had done centuries ago.

It was there that Caspian found her. He approached and wrapped his arms around her as he hugged her from behind. He kissed the top of his head and she smiled as she leaned against him. They both stood in silence, staring off into the distance. Nothing needed to be said. They simply enjoyed each other's company away from everyone else.

After quite a long time of silence, Caspian spoke up. "We're missing our own party, you know?"

Ana smiled. "Let them enjoy it. I was never much of a party person."

"I don't much care for them either."

"I hear there are lots of feasts and celebrations one must attend as a King." She tried to tease and felt—rather than saw—him smile at her quip.

"Yes. But I prefer to be a silent observer rather than an active participant. Like you. I've always had something distracting me from enjoying them anyway."

Ana's brows furrowed. "What?"

"You."

"Me?"

"You... Every time you would attend, I would watch you, study you. I knew you were only there because you had to be. And when you weren't obligated to be present, you always were. Hiding in the shadows, keeping an eye on me. I saw you. Every time. And I never told you how grateful I was that you were there, watching my back so I didn't have to. So I could enjoy the celebrations and not worry about if someone wanted to do me harm. I knew you would always have my back."

Ana turned around in his arms and reached up to touch his face. "And I always will. We both will. I see now that it was meant to be this way. It all makes sense, all those years of loneliness. It was all so that I could meet you. Aslan waited until I was happy and had someone by my side as I grew. He knew it would be you. All he had to do was wait for us to admit it to the other," she told him.

He looked so loved, his dark shining brightly with unshed tears of happiness as he smiled back at her. "You really mean that? I... I feel like you deserve so much more..."

She smiled back at him and gently cupped his cheek. "I have everything I could want right here."

Caspian pulled her close to kiss her softly on the lips and Ana leaned into it, kissing him back. There were tears in both their eyes. The emotions each one felt were overwhelming.

Here, in the arms of the man she loved, Ana was truly happy. Just being with him was enough to fill her heart with so much joy. Knowing she could grow old with him, that they had a future together. It was a relief that she wouldn't have to watch him grow old while she remained in that same painfully familiar small frame of a teenage girl, watching him change while she remained stagnant, a constant in time. And of course, the biggest fear of all, losing him when death came knocking on his door, living on without him. How could she even do that? How much pain could her broken heart take? After years of living with the knowledge that this was her future—that losing everyone she loved was inevitable—being with him and having the opportunity to grow old with him was almost too overwhelming, in the best way possible.

She was so very excited. Yet it was not without a pinch of nervousness about what the future would bring. She was too realistic to expect their happiness to remain unclouded for the rest of their lives. There were going to be challenges, she was aware of that, every life had those. But gazing into Caspian's loving eyes, she felt reassured, she knew that no matter what, they would face it together. And as time already proved many times, they made a great team.

As for Caspian, he was overjoyed. He could hold his beloved Ana and be with her, marry her, be happy with her and share his life with her. It was more than he could ever dream of. As a King, he was aware from a young age that marriage was not the same for royals as it was for most people. He couldn't let himself dream of marrying for love without feeling a little bitter, fully aware that it might never happen, that he might find himself in a loveless political marriage. He had a responsibility to his kingdom and his people. He had to do what was best for them and the same applied to his future wife. She had to have the same convictions as him, so even if they couldn't share love, at least they could share a devotion to his kingdom. But Ana? He neve expected Ana to happen. He loved her desperately, with all his heart. He admired her with his entire being. She was everything he secretly wished his queen would be.

He was elated to have found someone more than worthy of wearing the Narnian crown, someone who cared more about the people than themselves. Being absolutely smitten with her was just an added benefit in his eyes. He couldn't wait to see what they would do as not only King and Queen but also as husband and wife.

The celebration continued but neither one moved. Wrapped in each other arms, both were content to just be. Only Aslan knew what the future would bring, but they wanted to spend every moment together they could.

𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓔𝓷𝓭

Thanks so much for reading and sticking through this story with me! Hope you enjoyed it despite the long hiatus!

As for the future… Technically there is another story where I combined The Silver Chair & The Last Battle. But because of the events that occur in those books, I'm thinking of just scraping the story entirely. Or at least do a major rewrite of it & include some of the events that happened before Silver Chair. But I'm not sure there would be enough to fill a whole book. So I'm not going to post it here at this time.

Instead, I've decided to go ahead and post the short stories book and make those stories my priority for now (at least where Ana's concerned). It's where I'm working on the HHB stories as well as potentially adding what I cut from this chapter. So feel free to check that out and if there's anything you'd like to see that's not in one of the three books you can let me know. It's calledPhoenix Warrior Short Storiesand should be out shortly after I get this chapter published!