To Learn

Chapter 6: A New Life

Who would've thought I would ever presence a coronation of all things?

Cair Paravel; the Capital of Narnia, a structure not short of majestic. The throne room was decorated with bright reds and golds, and full of joyous Narnians and humans alike (the Pevensies of course). They were dressed as they should, as Kings and Queens-to-be. Each gown and tunic reflected their personality perfectly. Lucy's innocent yet brave. Susan's logic and gentle. Edmund's intelligent and calm. Peter's fierce and magnificent.

We, meaning Raphael, Brenna, Gabriel and I, wore nothing. If you wish to be particularly technical about it, we were naked. Don't fret, so were most of the talking beasts around here. Although as far as technicalities go, we weren't humans either.

I cannot deny that I was very out of my element. But I wanted to see this, so I steeled my resolved and came. I would accompany and then bid Edmund farewell; wander the forest and help them if they needed me. That was my original plan of action. Was.

Then we're told by Aslan himself that we had to take part in it. He said that "It is of utmost importance you do so." What was I going to do? We followed each Son and Daughter according to the current age. Brenna with Peter, Gabriel with Susan, Raphael with Lucy, and I with Edmund. I truly felt like in the very middle of the attention. A wolf. Why me? I stood out horribly, I was a wolf for- for heavens sake!

We walked through a walk between Centaurs, raising their swords as we passed. The others might feel at ease, but I had way too many reasons to turn tail and leave. I did not survive so long under the Witch doing nothing. I got blood on my name and they knew it. It felt like a cruel walk of shame. I was so uneasy I just walked straight and looked at Edmund's back. Keep looking forward. Don't give in. Keep it up.

They make a slight pause at the stairs, which was our cue to stop and sit.

They kept going until each reached their own throne; Aslan turned around.

"To the glistering Eastern Sea," he begins "I give you Queen Lucy the Valiant." I hear Lucy breathe in amazement and out of curiosity glace to my right. The beavers each carried two crowns; they had smiles on their faces. Mr. Tumnus followed closely, smiling timidly. Lucy, as they all did, knelt. He picked a thin silver crown, fashioned so that the delicate flowers were kept together by the tip of their petals and placed it on her head.

"To the great Western Wood, I give you King Edmund the Just." Edmund's was also silver, but looked more like the crown of a king, thicker, still elegant but, somehow, modest.

"To the radiant Southern Sun, I give you Queen Susan the Gentle." Susan's was an elegant and simpler gold crown, with beautiful flowers but not as many as in Lucy's.

"And to the clear Northern Sky, I give you King Peter the Magnificent." Peter's gold crown and the thickest and most, -without insulting-, extravagant. I can't make justice with my words alone, I'm afraid.

"Come forth, brave warriors." he told us.

I felt anxiety hold my chest in a tight grip as I walked the short amount of steps. We all sat again and bowed our heads. "I will bestow upon you the gift of protection."

"Sir Raphael, Knight of the Valiant."

Wait...

"Dame Brenna, Knight of the Magnificent."

He wouldn't...

"Sir Gabriel, Knight of the Gentle."

Impossible!...

"And Dame Julia, Knight of the Just. Commander of the Narnian army."

"Embrace your destiny and be born anew." the he blew a breath to us.

I felt my fur ruffle slightly. I heard gasps and surprised sounds. "Stand, Guardians of Peace."

I eyes snapped open because I almost felt forward when I tried to do so. I saw two things, the floor... and a skirt. As I straightened my eyes widened even more. I looked at my toes, human toes. At the dark blue and gold dress I wore. At my dangling hair that fell in wavy curls. At my hands, now soft and delicate. And finally felt my face, soft like that of a baby, my lips, my eyes. I was flabbergasted. I barely managed to not jump in joy.

I'm human!

"Go stand with them."

I smiled excitedly as I barely kept my skipping habit on check. I ,only when I reached him, looked at Edmund and he smiled just as brightly back and discretely -what a cheeky boy- took my hand. A blush, a real human blush warmed my face.

Aslan turned to look at the now Kings and Queens. "Once a King or Queen of Narnia, always a King or Queen of Narnia. May your wisdom grace us until the stars rain down from the heavens."

"Long live King Peter! Long live King Edmund! Long live Queen Susan! Long live Queen Lucy!" the Narnians cheered, all suddenly leaving me half-deaf with the thunderous applause.

The party appeared to never stop. Twirling, laughing, eating, talking, dancing like any human would do was a wonderful thing to experience again. However...

"Aslan?" I called timidly. He looked at me. "I need to ask: Can we still... transform?"

He nodded "That is the form your heart has taken; long before the Witch's curse hit you." I smiled gratefuly "Thank you and... can I?..."

He nodded and, I swear I saw him, smiled knowingly. I came near him and timidly embraced his neck, then as I got more sure I hugged him tighter. "Thank you." I let him go and step back, I smiled and ran back. Giggling and squealing like the child I haven't been in too long. Feeling the breeze of the ocean, the sand that got stuck on my feet, my hair bunching along. I could finally breathe.

I was free.

"What are you doing here?" Edmund asked.

I shrugged, "Nothing. Just... watching." I closed my eyes bliss.

"You looked cute."

I looked at him in surprise, and smiled inquiringly. "You look happier than I've ever seen you before; you look very pretty." then, he gave me a cheeky smile. The nerve. I was, to my shame, too amused.

"You look very handsome yourself," I bowed low, in playfulness "your Majesty."

"Oh, stop it." he laughed.

I looked at the still ongoing sunset. Once again I felt foreign warm cover my hand. I squeezed and looked on to the approaching twilight. I was so happy, I cried tears of joy and smiled at Edmund. I felt and smiled like the sun. My cheeks didn't even hurt. I would keep smiling, laughing and cheering with those I love. That day, and in the years to come.