₁.₀ YES TO HEAVEN; peter pevensie ✔

030.

author's note

I really wanted to finish this ff before the year comes to an end, and now that I'm home for Christmas break, I can finally fulfill the promise I've made to myself. So, as an early Christmas gift for both myself and all of you who follow this story - the last actual chapter. Since the epilogue is already half done, it should be up sometime this next weekend (and then the temptation to write when I should be studying for the approaching exam session will be gone).

de-lia

🍂

Peter's movements are gentle as he guides her onto her feet by her elbow, her surprise so great she allows it with no resistance whatsoever.

It's only when she finds herself standing with her back straight that Birdie realises the connection between her position and Aslan's words. She falters then, yanking her arm away from Peter's fingers as her head whips toward him, more than ready to scold him from putting her in such an uncomfortable position; for what else is she supposed to do now?

However, she is given no chance to make a single sound, because Aslan speaks up once again, "Your title was granted to you by the people of Narnia. There is no greater power that can name one a ruler. And when I called upon the Kings and Queens of Narnia to rise," he continues, his voice deep and steady, directing his gaze towards Caspian next, "I meant all of you."

The Telmarine prince - now turned a Narnian king - appears no less surprised than Birdie herself. "I do not think I am ready."

"It's for that very reason I know that you are."

As she watches Caspian straighten, Birdie takes a second or two to wonder how his cousin shall take the news. From what she has gathered about Leda during the little time they've spent together, Birdie can tell that the princess was more than serious about her wish to take the throne for herself. She imagines she will feel betrayed, at the very least, to learn that Caspian had been named a king while she wasn't present to put forward her own claim.

What will it be, then, that greets them as they arrive upon the castle gates?

Her considerations come to a halt, though, as her attention is stolen by a group of mice coming their way. Birdie's throat goes dry, her hand instinctively seeking Peter's for comfort, as she realises that what they carry is a stretcher, and the motionless figure on it - Reepicheep.

It's Lucy who springs into action first, wasting no time before falling to her knees on the gravel. The cordial appears in her hand almost out of thin air, and Birdie worries it's an indication that the girl had been in a similar situation far too many times before.

It's a good thing, though, that the resource of healing cordial never seems to run out, for soon enough Reepicheep takes a deep breath, his small chest regaining its proper rhythm of rising and falling as he moves to sit up. "Oh, thank you, Your Majesty," he smiles at Lucy warmly, gratitude and devotion clearly audible in his voice. That is, until he takes notice of Aslan's silhouette, and his entire demeanour changes in a blink of an eye. "Oh, hail Aslan! It is a great honour to be-" Without warning, he stumbles forward during an attempt to bow down, and it's that lack of stability that draws everyone's attention to the fact that something is still lacking. The realisation that his tail had been lost during the battle seems to fill the mouse with shame, for he begins apologising almost instantly, "I am completely out of countenance. I must crave your indulgence for appearing in this unseemly fashion. Perhaps a drop more?"

"I don't think it does that."

Still, Reepicheep clings onto hope. "You can have a go."

"It becomes you well, small one."