𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙋𝙄𝙍𝘼𝙏𝙀𝙎 𝘿𝘼𝙂𝙂𝙀𝙍 • caspian

part fourteen

𝘼𝙎𝙇𝘼𝙉'𝙎 𝘾𝙊𝙐𝙉𝙏𝙍𝙔

𝘿𝘼𝙍𝙄𝘼 𝘾𝙊𝙐𝙇𝘿𝙉'𝙏 𝙇𝙄𝙀, 𝙃𝙀𝙍 𝙎𝙏𝙊𝙈𝘼𝘾𝙃 𝙒𝘼𝙎 𝙏𝙐𝙍𝙉𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙒𝙄𝙏𝙃 𝙁𝙀𝘼𝙍 𝘼𝙎 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙂𝙍𝙊𝙐𝙋 𝙈𝘼𝘿𝙀 𝙏𝙃𝙀𝙄𝙍 𝙒𝘼𝙔 𝙏𝙃𝙍𝙊𝙐𝙂𝙃 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙁𝙇𝙊𝙒𝙀𝙍 𝘾𝙊𝙑𝙀𝙍𝙀𝘿 𝙒𝘼𝙏𝙀𝙍𝙎. Reepicheep's song was right, the waves were sweet and it was absolutely gorgeous. But the overwhelming amount of fear churning in her gut caused her much discomfort.

Edmund and Caspian rowed with their backs to the giant, unmoving wave, as Daria, Lucy, Eustace, and Reep sat facing it. Their trip through the bright white lilies was silent. Until Edmund decided he couldn't hold back any longer.
"So, what was it like? When Aslan changed you back?" He asked to break up the peaceful silence.
"No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't do it myself." Eustace started quietly. "Then he came towards me. It sort of hurt, but...it was a good pain." When no one answered, he continued. "You know, like when you pull a thorn from your foot." Daria chuckled and the blond boy followed suit.
"Being a dragon wasn't all bad." The Scrubb boy shrugged. "I mean, I think I was a better dragon than I was a boy, really." He glanced around the listeners. "I'm so sorry for being such a sop."
"It's okay, Eustace." Edmund glanced to Caspian. "You are a pretty good dragon." The group chuckled.
"My friends, we have arrived." Reepicheep informed them from his perch at the end of the boat. They turned back and were met with the massive wave. It seemed to go on forever.

Reep jumped onto the wet sand as soon as the boat made contact. Caspian and Edmund were next, however before the king walked too far, he held a hand out to help Daria down. She took it with a smile and jumped down.
The wind was strong as the five humans and one mouse walked forward, Daria swore she could still taste the water in the air.
Eustace turned his head and halted in his steps. "Aslan." He mumbled. Lucy turned quickly and a smile broke out on her face.
"Welcome, children." The lion finally spoke. "You have done well. Very well indeed." He walked around to stand in front of the group. "You have come far, and now your journey is at its end."
Lucy glanced at her brother. "Is this your country?" She asked, eyes squinted to avoid the sun rays.
"No, my country lies beyond." He motioned to the wave. Caspian followed his eyes and stared at the crashing water solemnly.
"Is my father in your country?" The king asked without looking away.
"You can only find that out for yourself, my son." Aslan informed. "But you should know that if you continue, there is no return."
Caspian stood for a moment, Lucy sending him an encouraging smile, but as he began to walk forward, Daria grabbed his arm.
"Dar..." He whispered as he came to a stop in front of her.
"I just want you to know, no matter what you choose to do, I respect your decision and..." She tried off, tears forming in her eyes. "And I love you."
Caspian cupped her face and placed a kiss to her forehead. Without answering, he continued his walk to the wave.
The Lynx woman drew in a shaking breath as the man she never thought she'd love ran his hand along the water, however, he made no other movement. Edmund glanced at the girls next to him in confusion.
Finally, Caspian pulled his hand away slowly and turned, the unshed tears burning in his eyes.
"You're not going?" Edmund asked with genuine confusion.
"I can't imagine my father would be very proud that I gave up what he died for." The king explained. Even though he looked distraught, his voice still came out strong.
"I spent too long wanting what was taken from me and not what was given. I was given a kingdom. A people. And...a queen." He glanced to Daria before walking to Aslan. "I promise to be a better king."
"You already are." Aslan complemented smoothly. "Children." He turned to the Pevensie's and Scrubb.
"I think perhaps it's time we went home, actually, Lu." Edmund looked to his sister, her smile falling swiftly.
"But I thought you loved it here?" She looked around them.
"I do." Edmund began. "But I love home and our family as well. They need us."
Before Lucy could answer, however, Reep cleared his throat and squired to the lion. He took of his feather and bowed.
"Your Eminence, ever since I can remember, I have dreamt of seeing your country." He began. "I've had many great adventures in this world, but nothing has damped 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."
Daria looked over and saw Eustace sniff back tears.
"My country was made for noble hearts such as yours, no matter how small their bearers be." Aslan said calmly.
"Your Majesty." Reepicheep bowed excitedly.
"No one could be more deserving." Caspian smiled kindly.
"Well, I-" Reep tried to defuse the complements.
"It's true." Edmund smiled and bowed to the swordsmouse. Lucy sighed sadly and walked to the created, kneeling down in front of him.
"May I?" She chuckled softly.
"Well, I suppose. Just this-oh!" Reepicheep glanced around nervously as Lucy engulfed him into a hug. After getting comfortable, he hugged back. "Goodbye, Lucy."
Eustace walked forward next and squatted down, tears falling from his eyes.
"Don't cry." Reepicheep waved him off.
"I don't understand." Eustace's voice broke. "Will I not see you again? Ever?"
"What a magnificent puzzle you are..." Reepicheep looked up at the blond boy. "And a true hero. It has been my honor to fight beside such a brave warrior and a great friend."
Eustace chuckled and bowed his head, the mouse then bowed to him and turned to Daria. Taking off his feather once again, he held it out.
"Please, My Lady, keep it safe for me, will you?" He asked softly. Daria smiled and took it gently from his paws.
"On my life I will protect it. Thank you for the honor of holding onto it." She bowed. Reepicheep laughed and began running to the wave.
As the water pulled back, a Reep sized boat appeared and the mouse unsheathed his sword.
"I won't be needing this." He mumbled, sticking the sharp end into the sand. Pushing the boat forward, he jumped in and began rowing with the flow. Turning back one last time, he smiled at the memories and friends he had made throughout his journeys in Narnia. But as he turned to view over the wave, he smiled as he knew he would make more, and that soon, these friends he'd bonded with would join him again.

Eustace finally let his tears flow and he tried to stifle his sobs, it didn't work as Daria could hear them and pulled him into an embrace. Aslan turned back to them.
"This is our last time, isn't it?" Lucy asked through a heartbreaking tone. Edmund tried to comfort her, but to no eval.
"Yes. You have grown up, my dear one." Aslan walked to the girl. "Just like Peter and Susan."
Lucy also walked forward, Edmund following, and she reached her hand up to brush his soft fur.
"Will you visit us in our world?" She asked softly.
"I shall be watching you, always." He assured them.
"How?" Lucy pushed her hair out of her face.
"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 while, you may know me better there." He informed them.
"Will we meet again?" Lucy pushed, not ready to say goodbye.
"Mm...yes, dear one." Aslan smiled. "One day." He then turned and let out a loud roar. The waved before them broke apart to expose a walkway for them.
The Pevensie's and Scrubb walked to Daria and Caspian.
"You're the closest thing I have to family. And that includes you, Eustace." The king smiled and clapped the boy on the back. He laughed quietly.
"Thank you." Eustace placed his hand on Caspian's. Moving to Edmund first, the two pulled the other into a tight hug. Daria turned to Lucy and the girls crashed together.
"Oh, my dear, I wish I'd met you earlier." Daria whispered. "You are so sweet, and the closest thing I had to a sister. And for that I thank you."
"I'll miss you Dar." Lucy cried. "Take care of Caspian." She laughed as they pulled away. The Lynx woman then looked to Edmund, who pulled her into another tight hug while Caspian and Lucy did the same.
"Take care of yourself, Ed." Daria smiled. "And no more sea serpents." She laughed. Edmund chuckled.
"Yes ma'am." He smiled, pulling away. "Watch over each other, you're both made for the other." He teased.
"Oh hush." Daria nudged his arm. The Lynx woman then pulled Eustace into another hug, while the Pevensie's bid goodbye to Aslan.
"Oh, pipsqueak." Daria laughed. "You've grown, even in our short time together. Don't listen to what anyone says to you ever, you are the bravest dragon I have ever met."
"Thank you, Dar." He laughed sadly as well. "And thank you for being kind to me when I was acting a fool."
Daria pulled back and kissed the boys cheek, his face flushed red.
Lucy sobbed as she pulled away from the lion and walked to her brother. As Eustace began to move as well, he halted one last time.
"Will I come back?" He asked hopefully.
"Narnia may yet have need of you." Aslan nodded as he moved to stand next to Caspian and Daria. The two held the others hand tightly, unwilling to believe this was goodbye.
The three walked into the water, stopping to turn back to get one last glance of their family. Daria smiled through her tears and waved.
When the water covered them, Daria finally coughed out her cries and turned her face into Caspian's shoulder. He held onto her tightly, tears falling into her hair. They knew that now, they just needed to cry. Cry for the last time they would see their friends, and with it, they left.