The Choice

a decision to make

When we returned to the castle—Caspian's castle now, and by extension, Narnia's once more—I could finally admire it in peace. The tall arches and pale stone glowed gold beneath the afternoon sun, and for the first time since the war began, I let myself breathe. It hadn't changed at all, and yet it felt utterly different. The halls no longer echoed with fear but were now filled with laughter, footsteps, and life.

My chamber was impossibly vast—filled with tapestries, soft light, and carved furniture that looked older than time itself. And still, somehow, I felt at home.

A knock at the door startled me.

"Come in," I called.

Trufflehunter's snout appeared in the doorway. "Lady Maria, Aslan requests your presence in the gardens."

My heart skipped. "I'll be right there. Thank you."

I changed quickly—trousers, a soft white blouse—and made my way through the winding corridors. The scent of roses grew stronger with each step, but so did the knot in my stomach.

The lion stood waiting among the flowering trees, golden mane stirring gently in the breeze. His calm eyes met mine, and all my anxiety melted away in an instant.

"Aslan," I said softly, bowing my head.

"Maria," his deep voice rumbled, warm and kind. "You've done well, my brave one. But now, a choice lies before you."

"A choice?"

He nodded slowly. The time has come for Peter and Susan to return to their world. They will not come back to Narnia again."

I froze. "What? No. No, they can't—"

"You, however, have been given a gift they do not. You may stay, if you wish—among your people, with the one you love. Or you may go home with your family. But you cannot have both."

The words cut deeper than a blade, "How could anyone chose between their family and the person they love?"

"That is why it must be your choice alone," he said. "Think carefully, Maria. You will have but one chance to decide."

I nodded numbly, tears stinging my eyes. "I...I need some time."

He inclined his great head. "Then time is what you shall have." And with that, he turned and padded silently away. As soon as he was gone, I sank to my knees in the grass, pressing my hands to my face as if I could hide from the choice I had to make. The garden blurred before me. How was I supposed to decide. Caspian was my heart, my home—but my siblings were my life.

"Maria!"

The sound of his voice made me look up. Caspian stood a few paces away, concern shadowing his face. "I've been searching for you everywhere—" He stopped short when he saw the tears glistening on my cheeks. "What happened?"

"Aslan," I whispered. "He told me Peter and Susan must leave...and that I have to choose whether to stay here or go with them."

For a long moment, Caspian said nothing. Then he stepped closer, brushing a tear from my cheek with his thumb. "That's no easy choice," he said quietly. "But whatever you decide, Maria...I'll understand. I only want you to be at peace, to be happy."

His gentleness nearly broke me. "Thank you, Cas." I murmured. "But I can't tell you my answer yet. Not until after your coronation."

He smiled faintly. "Our coronation."

I blinked. "What?"

"Aslan and I spoke," he explained. "We agreed that Narnia should be ruled by those who fought for it. You led them, Maria. You earned their trust, their hope. You deserve to be crowned beside me—as High Queen."

I stared at him, speechless. "Caspian, no. I'm not—I don't deserve that. This is your moment, not mine."

He shook his head, eyes soft. "You still don't see it, do you? You gave everything for this land. You are as much a part of it as I am. I would be honoured to call you my queen."

My breath hitched. He said it simply, without a grand gesture, but the sincerity in his tone left me trembling.

He took my face in his hands and pressed his forehead to mine. "I love you," he said quietly.

A single tear slipped down, "And I love you, my prince. More than words will ever describe."

We kissed then—not desperate or hurried, but deep and steady, as if sealing a promise neither of us could yet speak aloud. When we pulled apart, the sun had already begun to set, washing the gardens in amber light. We stayed like that, side by side in silence, until the last of the day disappeared.

Later as we walked through the dim corridors, I hesitated. "Cas?"

He turned.

"Would you mind if I...stayed with you tonight? I don't think I'll be able to sleep otherwise."

His smile was soft, almost shy. "Of course."

His chamber was grander than mine, though still warm, lit by a single flickering fire. A portrait hung above the mantle—a man with the same eyes as Caspian.

"Your father?" I asked.

"Yes." His voice grew quieter. "I wish he could see this. See us."

"He would be proud," I said, tracing the edge of the frame. "You've brought peace to Narnia. You've given them hope again. He's watching, Cas. I know he is."

He looked at me for a long moment, then reached out and drew me into his arms. "You are the best thing that's ever happened to me," he whispered.

I smiled against his chest. "And you to me."

For a while, we stood before the fire, saying nothing. Then he turned me gently to face him, and kissed me again—softly, reverently, as if the whole world had gone still for us alone.

When we finally pulled apart, we lay together, the fire crackling quietly beside us. His fingers traced slow circles through my hair. My thoughts drifted somewhere between peace and sorrow, torn between two worlds.

But as I fell asleep against his heartbeat, I knew one thing for certain—whatever choice I made, a part of me would always belong here, in this moment, in his arms.