My King // Peter Pevensie

FIFTEEN

It had been roughly more than a week since the war ended, and my brother, now King Caspian, had called an assembly in the courtyard. My servants had already prepared a dress for me to wear. It was a dainty dress, very unlike the kind I normally wear. It was a pale blue and quite sheer. It had a low back, and long, open sleeves that went all the way down to my wrists. Its fit was tight to my body, with a V trim at the waist and a half circle neckline that showed my collarbones. Additionally, I had a number of white crystals scattered around the skirt and its neckline and back were lined in lace.

When I met my brother at the central gatehouse, I noticed that his outfit was not quite as nice as mine. "Is that a skirt, Cas?" I scrunched my nose.

My brother looked down at his... tunic and back at me with an annoyed face. "No, Mila. And for the record I didn't pick it out." he then looked past me to my right and I followed.

I saw Aslan, walking in between Susan and Peter. My brother stared at her with a clear longing and I could tell why. She wore a beautiful blue dress with white puffed sleeves. The neckline was straight, showing her shoulders and the blue layer cut a stiff 'v'. Her dress was finished nicely off with several gold designs and trim and a flower pattern. Her hair was curled in tight rings, and pulled back in a half-up style.

My eyes traveled to Peter. He looked quite dashing as always, with a darker blue shirt. The shirt puffed at his elbows, giving a princely look, and they had small slits showing the light gray under shirt he wore. His hand rested on his sword which is something I noticed he does all the time. I assumed by now that it was quite a habit.

As Caspian and I began to walk away, Aslan stopped us. "Your majesty?" he asked.

Caspian looked at Susan once again before answering. I looked at Peter. I was slightly held back as I observed the look in his eye. It was sad... devastatingly sad. His eyebrows were furrowed and his ocean blue eyes looked, almost glistening, into my own. I wished to ask him what was wrong, but Caspian's voice interrupted me. "We are ready. Everyone has assembled."

...

"Narnia belongs to the Narnians just as it does to man." My brother said, opening his speech to the crowd of thousands below us. Caspian and I stood next to each other on a large platform along with Glenstorm, Trumpkin, the mice, Trufflehunter, the Professor the Pevensies (which I had only recently found out was their surname), and Aslan. "Any Telmarines who wish to stay and live in peace are welcome to. But for any of you who wish, Aslan will return you to the home of our forefathers."

"It's been generations since we left Telmar." a citizen spoke up.

"We are not referring to Telmar." Aslan stated. "Your ancestors were seafaring brigands. Pirates run aground on an island. There they found a cave, a rare chasm, that brought them here from their world. The same world as our Kings and Queens."

What? I pondered the thought that we were not as different as I once thought.

"It is to that island I can return you." Aslan continued. "It is a good place for any who wish to make a new start."

"I will go."I looked into the crowd to see the General raise his head as he said this. "I will accept the offer."

"So will we." I then saw my aunt step up, holding my cousin in her arms. I almost felt sad to see her go. She was never the one who thought ill of Caspian and I. Her, the General, and one of the men of the counsel stepped up to Aslan.

"Because you have spoken first, your future in this world shall be good."Aslan breathed on them as a blessing, then looked to the tree behind us. Suddenly, it began to twist, causing it to form an open ended hole in the center of the trunk. My aunt and the two others walked through slowly, and I saw, right before my eyes, them vanish in mid air.

The crowd gasped when they saw this and many murmured accusations. "How do we know he is not leading us to our deaths?" One man shouted.

"Sire," Reepicheep stepped up. "If my example can be of any service, I will lead eleven mice through with no delay." I smiled at the kind offer.

"Well go." Peter's voice echoed in my brain and my smile faded instantly at the words.

"We will?" Edmund asked.

"Come on, our time's up."My heart dropped to my stomach and my throat choked up. He walked up to Caspian, holding his sword to him. "After all, we're not really needed here anymore."

"I will look after it until you return." Caspian said.

"I'm afraid that's just it..." We all turned to Susan. "We're not coming back."

"What?" I choked, tears already ready to fall. Peter looked at me. I could see the same sadness in his eyes from before, but this time, it was clear.

"We're not?" Lucy asked.

"You two are." Peter said, trying not to focus on me. "At least, I think he means you two."

"But why?" Lucy asked Aslan. "Did they do something wrong?"

"Quite the opposite, dear one." Aslan answered. "But all things have their time. Your brother and sister have learned what they can from this world. Now it's time for them to live in their own."

I watched as Susan walked up to my brother. "I'm glad I came back." she said.

"I wish we had more time together." my brother answered wistfully.

She gave him a small smile. "It would never have worked anyway."

"Why not?"

"I am thirteen hundred years older than you."

My brother forced a small laugh and Susan turned away. Then, at the last second, she went up and kissed him. The crowd carried a gasp as they kissed. Once. Finally. They hugged, and Susan went back to her brother and sister.

I lowered my head, tears beginning to fall. Peter stepped up to me. "I'm sorry." he took my hands. "I didn't know it would go this way, but I have to go."

I didn't answer. My throat was jammed up with little sobs as the thought of living without Peter forever sunk in. my head stayed looking to the ground, unable to look at his face or I might burst into tears.

"Camila..." he held my chin and lifted it up, reminding me of the first time I ever felt for him. I took in a shaky breath as more tears fell. He lifted his left hand up to tuck a loose hair behind my ear, letting his hand linger on my cheek. I looked up to him, pain in both our eyes. He held my face still then leaned in and kissed me one last time. This one was different from the others. This one was sweet and painful at the same time. Part of it was because of the way and time, but the main reason was the weight of knowing that this was the last time I would ever kiss Peter Pevensie again. He was my protector. My light. My world. My King. I wished for this moment to last forever so I could never lose him. Our lips danced together, gently, sadly, idly. We leaned into each other, him holding my face and waist, and I holding his chest and arm. I don't think either of us wanted to let go, but we had to. When we did, Peter and I held our foreheads together. "I will find my way back to you." my breath shuddered as I hoped he was right. he subtly reached into his pocket and I felt something small and cold toutch my palm. I looked to see that it was a beautiful, gold ring with a blue gem in the center. I didn't need an explination. it would have only made things worse. I cried even more as I realized what the ring was meant for. I closed my eyes tight. "I love you." he said to me. 

And there it was. That was my breaking point. Tears streamed down my face as I watched him walk away, his eyes just as longing as mine. As he turned to look at me one last time, I whispered the words. "I love you too." he smiled at me, a single tear leaving his ocean blue eyes. I reached out weakly one last time, but it was too late...

Peter Pevensie was gone.