Our Long Awaited Return Book #8

Chapter 26 They Won't Be Coming Back

Verity's pov
A month later, Caspian was crowned as King of Narnia.
"Verity!" Susan called, "Are you ready?"
"For what?" I asked, walking out of my room. My older sister wore a horrified look on her face.
"Your dress, Verity!" She exclaimed.
"So," I replied confused.
"Short sleeves, it isn't proper to show off one's arms," she answered, "But of course as if you care about what's proper or not."
"What about bare shoulders," I retorted, pointing to her dress."Anyways it's freedom." I replied.
Susan rolled her eyes and was about to open her mouth.
"Key!" My oldest brother came up to us, "Aslan wants to speak with us."
He took my arm and followed him, "Thank you," I sighed with relief, "You saved me from a lecture, which is pointless."
"What is it now?" He asked.
"My dress," I scoffed, "My sleeves are too short. I mean it's a dress."
"I like it on you," Peter remarked, "It makes you look like yourself."
"Myself?"
"It's the kind of dress my sister would wear," he explained.
"I'm pleased with both of you," Aslan told us, as we met with him.
"I promise to be a better leader, Aslan, to let go of my pride," Peter tells him.
"You already are," Aslan answered.
"You are; I mean, all we did was mess things up with our pride," I ask, confused.
"That is true, but you repented," Aslan answered."You've changed direction. Don't forget I've forgiven you of so much in your world."
Peter stopped in his tracks, "What do you mean?"
"Perhaps it's time to tell you the real reason You've been brought to Narnia."
"Don't we already know the reason to save Narnia?" My brother says.
"There's a different reason, Pete," I explain.
"In your world, I have another name,"
Aslan tells him.

Peter's shocked for a moment."Who are you?"
"Greater love has no man than this that he lays down his life for his friends," Aslan answers.
"That verse is in the Bible," Peter exclaimed."You're Jesus!"
"Yes," the lion nods, "The lion of Judah."
"I've never taken any of my parent's faith seriously, so that's probably why I never really knew this," he looks at me, "You did?"
I nod, "I've been given the gift of discernment to understand what Narnia really is. And because I was a Christian I knew who Aslan was immediately, but my gift doesn't work without faith. Andrew found out later too."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Peter lay a hand on my shoulder.
"Because Aslan told me you'd know in time," I look over at the lion."What do you mean in time? Does this mean Peter won't..."
"We'll talk about this later, Verity," Aslan says gently, "But first I need to talk to Andrew, Susan, and Peter."
"I'll get them," Peter says, I follow him.
"You know, Verity," Peter tells me slowly, "I understand now; I mean, Mom and Dad have been praying for me for a while that I'd come to Christ." He looked straight into my eyes."I think when we get home, I'll be ready."
"Oh, Peter," I wipe a few tears away.
"What are you crying about now," he asks jokingly.
"Just that God has answered my prayers," I tell him, I give him a big hug.
"You don't have to make such a big fuss," Peter, but he gave me a big hug back.
"Well, I'm sure there's a big celebration in heaven about now," I grin at him.
He chuckles and takes my hand and both of us go get Susan and Andrew.

Leona's pov
We were to have a meeting today with all the Narnians and Telmarines.
I still couldn't believe it. My brother was King! I don't remember when Father was King.
My brother had gone to check on Aslan to tell him everyone had assembled. I followed him.
"What's the meeting about?" I ask my brother.
"It's about a new start for the Telmarines," he explains
"A new start for what?" I turn to find Verity.
"For the Telmarines," I answer.
"Do you know where Aslan is?" Caspian asks.
"With Peter and Susan and Andrew," she replies, "He wanted to talk to them about something."
"About what?" Caspian inquires curiously.
"I think I have a clue, but I'm not sure. I'm sure we'll know what it was about at the meeting." She says.
We walk down the steps of the castle. I can see the three oldest Pevensies with Aslan, talking in the corridors of the courtyard.
"Your majesty," Aslan stops talking to them and turns to my brother.
"We're ready, everyone has gathered," he eyes on Susan before leaving.
I follow him, but Verity lingers for a moment then she joins us.

Verity's pov
When we all gather for the meeting, we listen as Caspian begins.
"Narnia belongs just as much to the Narnians as it does to man. Any Telmarines who want to stay and live in peace are welcome too." He explains, "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 Telmarine answers incredulously.
"We're not referring to Telmar," Aslan replies, "Your ancestors were seafaring brigands, pirates run underground on an island. There they found a cave, a rare case, that brought them here from their world. The same world as our Kings and Queens. It is to that same island I can return you. It is a good place for anyone who wishes to make a new start."
"I'll go," says General Glozelle, "I'll accept the offer." He and his niece Thornea followed
"And so will we," Prunaprimsa adds as she and her father step forward.
"Because you have spoken first, the future in that world will be good," Aslan tells them; he roars, and the tree beside us begins to form into a door.
Thorne walks over to Edmund and me. "I guess, this means goodbye."
"We'll miss you," I said, "You were a good friend."
"Was I, I mean I almost killed you," Thornea asked.
"We forgave you for that didn't we?" Edmund asked, "Sister."
"I'm not your sister," Thornea replied.
"Well, you look exactly like Verity," Edmund answered.
Thornea hugged him, and he hugged her back. Then she pulled away and hugged me.
"Remember you can now put your past behind you for good," I said to her.
"I know," she nodded, "Because of what Aslan has done." She ran over and hugged the lion, "Thank you," she whispered.
Then she went over to her uncle and took his hand. Smiling up at him he smiled down at her.
The crowd behind us gasps. We watch as The General, Thornea, Miraz's wife, and father-in-law, disappear as they walk through the door.
"How do you know he's not leading us to our deaths!" A Telmarine asks vehemently.
"Because Aslan doesn't do that," I say boldly.
"Sire," begins Reepicheep, "If my example can be of any service, I will take 11 mice through there with no delay."
"We'll go," Peter says abruptly.
"We will?" Edmund asks in surprise.
"Why, we can't leave yet," protests Ruth disappointed."Can't we stay?"
"But we have no choice," Andrew responds, his eyes falling on Gwen, who's rather surprised.
"Come on. Time's up. After all," My oldest brother walks over to Caspian and gives him his sword."I'm not needed here anymore."
"I'll look after it until you return," Caspian promised.
" I'm afraid that's just it, we won't be coming back," Susan answers.
"I knew it," I sigh sadly.
"We won't?" Lucy asks confused.
"You four are," Peter places a hand on her shoulder, "At least I think he means you four."
"Did they do something wrong?" Asked a confused Lucy.
"Quite the opposite, my dear," Aslan answers, "All things have their time. Your brothers and sisters have learned what they can from this world. Now it's time for them to live on their own."
"It's alright, Lu," Peter takes her hand in his, "It's not how I thought it would be, but it's alright. One day, you'll see, too."
He leads the way over to Glenstorm, Trufflehunter, Trumpkin, Bugly Bear, Leona, Dr. Cornelius, and Reepicheep.
I watch as Lucy hugs Trumpkin. And Peter shakes hands with Glenstorm.
Andrew walks over to Beth and takes her hands in his, "I'm sorry, I thought we'd be able to stay longer this time."
"It's alright," their eyes meet, as she speaks, "I love you, but if you can't stay..."
"I love you too," he answers, as the crowd gasps. He leans down, and the two share one last kiss as they hug. When he pulls away, he walks over to us. Ruth looks up at him, and her small hand grasps him, giving it a comforting squeeze.
We turn around and wait for Susan, who is saying goodbye to Caspian.
"I'm glad I came back," she tells him.
"I wish we had more time together," says the disappointed King.
"It would never have worked away," Susan jokes, "I am 1300 years older than you."
She walks to join us, but then turns around and they both kiss.
"Seriously!" I groan.
"What?" Ruth laughs.

I shrug my shoulders," Does she have to fall in love that soon?"

"She'll be coming back with us, Key, don't worry," Peter squeezed my shoulder, knowing if I could stop it, I would try to keep Susan from getting married. I hated the idea of any of my siblings leaving us.
"You sure when I'm older I'll understand?" Lucy asks Peter.
Peter chuckles, and I think Andrew is almost out of breath from laughing.
"I'm old enough, and I don't think I want to understand," Edmund comments, disgusted.
"Who would want to?" I say."I understood once when I was 28, but now I don't."
Susan walks back to us, and we go through the door. I look back at Aslan, the Great Lion. I'll come back soon, but I don't know when.
We're back at the train station where it all started.
"I guess back to school," I comment.
The train door opens and that same boy, who Susan was talking to, looks over at her, "Aren't you coming, Phyllis?"
"Phyllis!" I exclaim, I exchange confused looks with my brothers.
"That's the name she gave that boy," Ruth explains to us.
"So that explains it," Peter mutters.
"When do you think we'll come back?" Edmund asks; he looks into his bookbag; the look on his face is priceless, "I left my torch in Narnia!" He exclaims.
We all begin to laugh as the train door closes