𝐶𝐻𝐴𝑃𝑇𝐸𝑅 𝐸𝐿𝐸𝑉𝐸𝑁
→𝑮𝑶𝑶𝑫𝑩𝒀𝑬

𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐅𝐄𝐋𝐓 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐘 𝐌𝐔𝐂𝐇 at peace when the boat was gliding through that field of white flowers that was floating on the water surface.

They had defeated the dark forces and the peace in Narnia was finally restored.

Edmund and Caspian where paddling at the front of the ship while Reepicheep, Lucy, Eustace and Adeline gazed out onto the horizon.

"So what was it like when Aslan changed you back?", Edmund suddenly questioned his young cousin curiously.

"No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't do it myself— then he came towards me. It sort of hurt— but it was a good pain. You know, like when you pull out a thorn from your foot", Eustace discribed the feeling to them while he shrugged.

"Being a dragon wasn't all bad. I mean, I think I was a better dragon than I was a boy, really", he told them honestly while he made eye contact with Lucy. "I'm so sorry for being such a sop."

Edmund gave him a small smile, "It's okay, Eustace. You were a pretty good dragon."

Everyone smiled at him before Reepicheep's voice spoke, "My friends, we have arrived!"

Everyone stopped in their movement and gazed past the mouse, their eyes landing on a little island with a gigantic water wall on top of it.

After everyone had climbed out, Caspian and Edmund pulled the ship a bit further up into that sand and then they all approached the large water wall.

Everyone was eyeing the wall when Eustace voice surprised suddenly caught their attention, "Aslan."

The group followed his gaze and spotted no other than the large lion, who was walking besides them. "Welcome, Children—  You have done well— very well indeed."

He circled them slowly before he stopped infront of the group, "You have come far, and now your journey is at it's end."

Lucy and Edmund exchanged confused looks, "Is this your country?"

"No, my country lies beyond." The lion gazed at the water wall.

Adeline noticed that Caspian seemed to be deep in his own thoughts before he spoke, "Is my father in your country?"

"You can only find that out for yourself, my son— but you should know that if you continue— there is no return.", Aslan told him calmly.

Caspian stared at the water wall before he started to slowly approach it. Adeline felt her heart stop when the young man slowly stepped into the water and let his hand run through the wall infront of him.

After a small moment the long haired man spun around to them, avoiding eye contact while the tears were shimmering in his brown eyes.

"You're not going?"

"I can't imagine my father would be very proud that I gave up what he died for", Caspian stated while he made eye contact with them. " I spent too long wanting what was taken from me and not what was given.— I was given a Kingdom— A people."

The young King then stepped infront of Alsan, "I promise to be a better King."

The lion nodded at him, "You already are." He then faced the other's, "Children —"

Edmund voice came from behind the two girls, "I think perhaps it's time we went home actually, Lu."

"But I thought you loved it here", Lucy stated confused while she gazed at her brother.

Edmund gave her a sad smile while he sighed, "I do— but I love home and our family as well— they need us."

Suddenly Reepicheep cleared his throat before he jumped forward and approached Aslan, "Your Eminence—"

He bowed to the lion and took of his feather, "Ever since I can remember, I have dreamt of seeing your country. I have had many great adventures in this world— but nothing has dampened that yearning. I know I am hardly worthy—but with your permission, I would lay down my sword for the joy of seeing your country with my own eyes."

"My country was made for noble hearts such as yours— no matter how small their bearers be", Alsan answered him and Reepicheep bowed to him once more. "Your Majesty!"

"No one could be more deserving", Caspian told the mouse honestly while he smiled. Reepicheep smiled as well, "Well—"

"It's true", Edmund quickly agreed with Caspian before the mouse could say anything else. The brunette boy then bowed to Reepicheep with a smile on his face and Reepicheep bowed back to him.

Adeline then quickly got onto her knees infront of the mouse and gave him a sad smile, "May I?"

Reepicheep nodded slowly, "Well, I suppose — just this—" Adeline immediately grabbed him and hugged Reepicheep tightly while Lucy quickly joined in. "We're going to miss you."

The mouse hugged them back and whispered, "Goodbye, Lucy— Adeline."

The three then let go of each other and Eustace stepped forward, kneeling down infront of Reepicheep while he cried.

"Don't cry."

"I don't understand— will I not see you again? Ever?", the blond boy questioned Reepicheep, while the tears made their way down his cheeks.

"What a magnificent puzzle you are, and a true hero", Reepicheep stated before he placed a hand on his chest. "It has been my honor to fight besides such a brave warrior— and a great friend."

He smiled at the young boy infront of him before he bowed one last time and then approached the little boat that was infront of the water wall.

He then put his sword down into the sand and climbed into the boat. Reepicheep then pushed the boat further into the water and grabbed the paddle before he looked back one last time, smiling.

Adeline also felt the tears now running down her face while she looked after the mouse, who had now disappeared behind the water wall.

After a moment of silence Aslan turned towards them, making Lucy ask, "This is our last time here, isn't it?"

"Yes— you have grown up, my dear one. Just like Peter and Susan." The lion answered her.

"Will you visit us in our world?", Lucy questioned him while she patted the lion lovingly. He nodded his head slightly, "I shall be watching you, always."

Lucy sobbed loudly, "How?"

The Lion gave her a loving look, "In your world, I have another name— You must learn to know me by it— that was the very reason you were brought to Narnia— that by knowing me here for a little you may know me better there."

"Will we meet again?"

"Mhm— Yes, dear one. One day", Aslan told her before he slowly turned around and let out a loud roar. This roar let a long passageway appear inside the water wall.

"You're the closest thing I have to family", Caspian stated while they stopped besides him.

He gazed at the young blond boy besides him, "And that includes you, Eustace." He placed a hand on the boy's should and both smiled at each other. "Thank you."

Caspian then pulled Edmund into a tight hug and after the two young men had let go of each other Lucy jumped into the man's arms.

After letting go, Lucy quickly hugged Aslan and Caspian turned to face Adeline, who immediately pulled the young King into a tight hug.

The tears stared whelming up in her eyes and the brunette felt like she might die inside when she wouldn't be able to be with him everyday.

The young woman remembered that feeling of incompleteness that she had felt every day at home— like something was missing — like she wasn't where she was supposed to be.

When the two let go of each other, Adeline turned to face Aslan, "Aslan— what if one of wants to stay?"

Lucy and Edmund gave her a questioning look and Aslan seemed to think about her question.

"You can only live in one world— remember that." The Lion recalled the rules to her in a warning tone.

Adeline exchanged a glance with her siblings, "I would never see them again?"

"No."

Adeline slowly whipped the tears from her cheeks while she stared at the ground, deep in her own thoughts.

"Stay—", Lucy's voice suddenly interrupt her, making Adeline look at her in surprise.

"We all see how miserable you are at home—", the young girrl stated while she gave her a soft smile, the tears dropping down her cheeks. "You're happy when you're here."

The young girl them brought her sister into a tight hug and Edmund quickly joined in.

The three siblings hugged before Adeline made eye contact with Eustace and stretched out her arm, inviting him into the group hug.

The blond boy smiled at her before he slowly wrapped his arms around the other's in silence.

"We're gonna miss you, Adi", Edmund's voice told her and Adeline let out a sob before they let go of each other. "I will miss you lot too, and Susan and Peter— tell them everything, will you?"

Lucy and Edmund nodded their head heavily before Aslan interrupted them. "It's time."

Adeline gave Eustace, Lucy and Edmund a kiss onto their heads before they let completely go of each other.

"I love you."

Lucy smiled at her, the tears still streaming down her face, "We love you to."

"I will always think of you", the brunette promised them and they all nodded. "And we will always think of you", Edmund promised her as well.

There was a moment of silence and after the three children brought themselves to approach the passageway.

"Will I come back?", Eustace suddenly questioned the Lion curiously while he turned around to them one last time.

"Narnia may yet have need of you", Alsan told him calmly and Eustace nodded before he joined Lucy and Edmund by the entrance of the passageway.

The three started stepping through and the water slowly closed behind them. But before they disappeared completely behind it, the three turned around one last time, waving at Adeline, who immediately waved back, still crying.

After the water wall had closed, Caspian silently took her hand in his own and gave it a squeeze.

Adeline let out a deep breath, squeezing his hand back before the young King pulled her into a hug and she sobbed into his chest. But despite that she still felt at peace in his arm, and when she thought about their future, all she felt was happiness.