The Choice

The warmth of the evening still lingered in the castle when I finally slipped into my bed The coronation left me exhausted in the best possible way. I had celebrated, laughed, and had felt the warmth, dizzying pulse of joy that came from seeing a kingdom stand free. The bed welcomed me, heavy with golf-embroidered linens.

I pulled the covers closer and closed my eyes, but sleep did not come immediately. My thoughts drifted like leaves on a gentle stream, carrying images of the day, of my siblings' proud tear-streaked faces, of Lucy's grin, Susan's bittersweet smile, Edmund's quiet approval, and Peter's unguarded pride.

Even in the quiet of an empty room, I felt him near—not in body, but in thought, in memory. Caspian's presence lingered in the soft echo of the day, in the warmth of the crown I had worn, in the way me heart still thudded at the memory oh his hand brushing mine. I let myself be comforted by the thought of him, a steady anchor through the storm of celebration and the dizzying weight of what had just begun.

Sleep found me slowly, unhurried, and when it did, it was a soft surrender, not an escape. And in my dreams, I walked through the halls of this castle, feeling the echo of my coronation, the weight of the crown, and steady beat of a love that did not need to speak to be understood.

Morning arrived gently, sunlight spilling across the floor and warming my face.

A soft knock drew my attention.

"Come in!" I called, slipping into a bathrobe. Emma entered with her usual cheer.

"Good morning, Maria! Ready for your preparations?"

I nodded. "Good morning. Let's get started, then."

I opened my wardrobe for the first time since arriving here and gasped. Rows of pristine white pants, blouses, and jackets, each set carefully chosen—Emma must have seen the grin on my face.

"Caspian picked them out," she said knowingly. "He knew you'd like these."

"Like them?" I whispered, tracing a hand over a jacket embroidered in gold. "I love them."

We spent hours laughing as she worked her magic on my hair and makeup.

Finally, it was time. I left my room and sought out Lucy, who greeted me with a hug that felt like pure sunlight.

"Look at you, Lu," I said, taking in her bright eyes and eager smile. "You're beautiful."

"Not as beautiful as you," she countered, squeezing my hand.

We made our way to the square, where my siblings, Aslan, Caspian, and the others were already gathered around an enormous tree. The air was crisp, the kind of quiet that thrums with anticipation.

Caspian began to speak at last. "Narnia belongs to the Narnians just as it does to men. Any Telmarines who wish to stay and live in peace are welcome. And for any of you who wish, Aslan will return you to the home of your forefathers."

The Telmarines murmured, uneasy. One lord spoke of the generations since leaving Telmar.

"We are not referring to Telmar," Aslan said gently. "Your ancestors were sea-faring brigands, cast ashore upon a strange island. There they found a chasm, a rare passage that brought them here from their world, the same world as our kings and queens." His golden eyes swept over us, and I felt the gravity of this word press gently against my chest. "It is to that island I can return you. It is a good place for any who wish to make a new start."

A hush fell over the crowd. Then the former general of the Telmarines stepped forward; "I will go. I accept the offer."

One by one, others followed. Aslan breathed out, and the three twisted, revealing a gaping hole, a portal that would lead them to a new beginning. Step by step, they vanished into thin air. The crowd gasped at the sudden disappearance and grew uneasy,