CHAPTER 24

POSTED 1/15/20

Fireworks were set off and Telmarines flocked to the streets to watch as the newly crowned King and Queen of Narnia, as well as the Kings and Queens of Old, paraded through the city. Aside from the coronation, they were also celebrating the freedom of the Narnians, thus a number of Narnians joined in the parade as well.

It was a beautiful celebration to say the least. Mary was pleasantly surprised to see most of the Telmarines be genuinely happy for the Narnians and welcome them with open arms. The actions of their ancestors and what they did to Narnia truly did not reflect on the people in the present, which led Mary to recall what Aslan said about what defines a person: their choices. It was heartwarming that despite the differences between the Telmarines and Narnians, they seemed to be accepting of them for the most part.

Naturally, King Caspian was in the lead, dressed in white, gold, and emerald and his new golden crown set on his head. Mary was behind him in a simpler outfit — an emerald dress with long sleeves — compared to the grand one she wore in her coronation. The Pevensies followed after her. Peter was clad in a blue and grey ensemble, Susan in a maroon and gold dress, Edmund in a brown and tan tunic and pants, and finally, Lucy in a baby pink dress.

As they rode their horses down the streets, the Telmarines lined the roads decorated with flowers and flags, waving at the kings and queens. Those who didn't stand in the streets leaned out from their windows and doorsteps to catch a glimpse of them. Several children and teenagers happily led the way for the royals, Aslan, and the other Narnians. People also threw flowers and petals and waved little flags of their own. Mary couldn't fight the wide smile on their face throughout the whole parade, starting from the castle, down through the main streets, and then back to the castle once more. At night, they released an endless amount of fireworks to conclude the celebration. Mary didn't want the it to end, but it eventually had to.

The next day, Caspian called for all the Telmarines — lords, nobles, and commoners alike — to assemble outside the castle by a rather large tree in the middle of a pavilion. Now that the Narnians had the right to their own land once more, this was the moment Aslan had been talking about: he was going to give the Telmarines an opportunity to begin a new life elsewhere.

"Narnia belongs to the Narnians, just as it does to man," Caspian began once everyone had assembled. The Telmarines gathered in a circle before the tree while Caspian stood at the center, facing them. To Caspian's left were the bear, Doctor Cornelius, Trumpkin, Reepicheep, Trufflehunter, Glenstorm, and Aslan, while Mary and the Pevensies stood on the right. "Any Telmarines who wants to stay and live in peace are welcome to. But for any of you who wish, Aslan will return you to the home of our forefathers."

"It's been generations since we left Telmar," one man interjected.

"We're not referring to Telmar," Aslan explained. "Your ancestors were seafaring brigands. Pirates run aground on an island. There they found a cave, a rare chasm that brought them here from their world. The same world as our kings and queens."

Aslan turned to face them and so did the other Telmarines who were shocked by the news. To be frank, the Pevensies and Mary were shocked as well. They shared surprised looks, clearly not aware that the Telmarines had come from their own world, too.

"It is to that island I can return you. It is a good place for any who wish to make a new start."

"I will go."

Heads turned to find the source of the voice that spoke up: General Glozelle, who stood hidden in the middle of the crowd. His eyes expressed his guilt from his previous actions and willingness to start anew. Edmund visibly tensed, but Mary shot him a pointed look before he could make any comment about him.

"I will accept the offer."

Caspian bowed to Glozelle as the man stepped out of the crowd. He did the same back and slowly lifted his eyes to meet Mary's as he walked up the steps. He gave her a small bow as well, which Mary assumed was his apology.

"So will we."

Lady Prunaprismia, carrying her newborn child, and another Telmarine man followed Glozelle up the steps and to where Caspian stood.

"Because you have spoken first, your future in that world shall be good," Aslan told them kindly. He breathed on them and gave them his blessing. And then, he looked at the giant tree and it started to unwind. Gasps broke out from the audience — not just from the Telmarines but also the Narnians — as it twisted and turned unnaturally until it created an opening on the trunk.

Without hesitation, Glozelle walked in first, followed shortly by Prunaprismia and the other Telmarine man. Once they had made it through the opening in the tree, they vanished into thin air, causing murmurs to break out from the crowd again.

"Where did they go?" someone demanded.

"They killed them!"

"How do we know he is not leading us to our death?"

"Sire. If my example can be of any service," Reepicheep began bravely. "I will take eleven mice through with no delay."

Mary didn't miss the looks Peter and Susan exchanged with one another, causing an unsettling feeling to form in the pit of her stomach.

"We'll go," Peter offered, taking a step forward.

"We will?" Edmund said confusedly.

"Come on. Our time's up." And then, he approached Caspian solemnly. "After all, we're not really needed here anymore." He removed his sword and its sheath strapped from around his waist and handed it to the newly crowned king.

"I will look after it until you return," Caspian promised.

"I'm afraid that's just it," Susan cut in. "We're not coming back."

"We're not?" Lucy asked, her voice almost cracking.

"You two are," Peter reassured his youngest siblings before glancing at Aslan. "At least, I think he means you two."

"But why? Did they do something wrong?"

"Quite the opposite, dear one," Aslan answered. "But all things have their time. Your brother and sister have learned what they can from this world. Now it's time for them to live in their own."

"Does that mean we won't get to bring Mary around Narnia? Tell her and show her all the things we've done and places we've been to?" Lucy questioned, looking from Aslan and back to Mary.

"That's not it, Lucy," Edmund finally spoke up in realization. "I think Mary gets to stay."

"Alone?"

"It's only right that she take her place as the new Queen of Narnia," Peter said, sending a soft smile to Mary. "I'm confident she can handle it."

"So, you're really staying?" Lucy looked at Mary worriedly. Mary forced a smile and nodded.

"I won't be long," she said. "I'll be back in time to go to school with you and Susan."

While Lucy still looked uncertain, Susan smiled knowingly.

"It's alright, Lu," Peter continued to comfort the young girl. "It's not how I thought it would be, but it's alright. One day, you'll see, too. Come on."

With a sad smile, Lucy accepted the hand Peter held out for her and allowed him to guide her to their newfound friends. Mary didn't want to say a word to Edmund in fear of her getting too emotional, so she was glad when he decided not to say anything yet, instead grabbing her hand to bring her along to the other Narnians as he bid them goodbye.

They bowed respectfully and shook hands with those who were there. Lucy couldn't help herself and brought Trumpkin into a tight hug. It was moving to see the man hug her back, especially when he was known to be very stoic most of the time. Even after they finished their goodbyes, Edmund kept his hand on Mary's, gripping it tighter as time ticked by.

"I'm glad I came back," Susan said when she approached Caspian.

"I wish we had more time together," he confessed.

"It would never have worked anyway."

Caspian frowned. "Why not?"

"I am 1300 years older than you."

While Caspian let out a breathy laugh and Susan began to walk away from him, Mary suddenly gasped and faced Edmund.

"You're that old?" she asked, hitting his arm. "Why didn't you say so? You're ancient!"

"Hey!" he shrunk back. "If we're being technical, I think I'm only fifteen years older than you. But all that time in Narnia didn't even feel that long, so I honestly still feel like my current age."

Mary huffed and folded her arms over her chest, knowing he was right. Before either of them could get another word out, Susan had marched right back to Caspian, placed a hand behind his head, and pulled him down for a kiss. Both Edmund and Mary shut up, mouths parted in surprise. The crowd murmured in interest as well, immediately gossiping about the romance unfolding between the two royals before them. Then, Caspian brought Susan into a tight hug.

"I'm sure when I'm older I'll understand," Lucy whispered unsurely.

"I'm older and don't think I want to understand," Edmund joked.

"Oh, really?" Mary challenged him. "Need help?"

"Wha —" Mary boldly pulled Edmund down for a quick kiss as well, giggling when she felt him smile into it. The crowd gasped once again, clearly reeling at all the drama happening one after the other.

"I take it back," Edmund said when they separated, a goofy grin on his face. "I do understand, after all."

"Why don't I have a love interest?" Peter muttered, looking up at the sky.

"Go kiss a shrub, Peter," Susan teased when she took her place beside them once again.

"Don't forget to pay me when we get back," Lucy then told her.

The oldest Pevensie girl groaned. "I thought you forgot about that."

"What are you talking about?" Mary asked them curiously.

"Oh," Lucy laughed nervously. "We sort of made a bet on when you two would end up together. I said it would happen during our stay in Narnia."

"And I said Edmund wouldn't have the guts to make a move, so I thought it would happen later on," Susan sighed.

Mary exclaimed, "You bet on us?" at the same time Edmund said, sounding offended, "I do have the guts!"

The five of them burst into laughter. When it eventually died down, Mary knew they had to leave. She felt Edmund's thumb rub her hand and she knew she had to let go soon. When Peter made the first move and stepped forward, she forced herself to look into Edmund's eyes.

"No getting emotional," Edmund ordered her.

"Easy for you to say. You'll be seeing me in a minute while I'll have to wait for who knows how long," Mary laughed shakily. Edmund smiled sadly and put a hand on her cheek.

"It will go by quicker than you think. Make the most out of it."

Mary could only smile thinly in response.

"By the way, could you please pick up my suitcase in the train station? I left it by the bench and I don't want anyone stealing it in those few minutes I'm gone," she added jokingly. Edmund laughed and nodded.

"Of course. You'll do amazing things while you're in Narnia without us, okay? They need you here," he reminded her.

"I won't forget."

"And don't forget to find your way back to us, too, okay?"

"Always."

They wrapped their arms around each other in an embrace, cherishing the moment. Mary was first to let go with a sigh and Edmund rested his forehead on hers for a few more seconds. Knowing they were only delaying the inevitable, Mary reluctantly gave him a light push towards his siblings. He sent her one last smile before walking towards the tree; he knew that if he stayed there any longer, he would be tempted not to leave.

Edmund walked through the opening first and he was soon followed by Peter and Susan. Lucy paused for a second just to look at Aslan, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. Mary could see from the young girl as well as from Aslan just how much they loved each other dearly. Eventually, Lucy turned around and followed her siblings into the opening in the tree, and then the four of them disappeared from sight.

A/N: I honestly don't know why so many of y'all are confused about Mary staying 😅 Remember that time works differently in Narnia — it's never constant. So, based on that concept and my creative freedom lol, barely any time would pass in the real world while Mary is still in Narnia. She just got crowned queen, too, so of course she deserves to rule while she can. Even if she decides to stay there for a long time, she won't just disappear from her real world haha :')