The Guardian of Narnia

VIII

Aslan, Lucy and Susan stood on the hill, flanked by newly regenerated people. Elvira gently coughed and smiled. Aslan jumped down and made for the Witch, pushing any others out of his way. He broke into a run and leapt on her. The actual demise of the Witch will not explain the exact demise of the Witch. But she did, in fact, die. Her army fled. The Battle was over. As Elvira relaxed, she was flooded with pain. Black dots surrounded her vision. She struggled to breathe.

"Vira!" It was Elodie. Elvira saw her limp over. She had a long gash down her leg. The Kings and Queens and Aslan surrounded her. Lucy took out her cordial.

"No, Lucy," she hissed.

"But it'll help you," she said. She burst into a violent fit of coughing, which brought about more pain. She opened it.

"The prophecy says this," she said. Elvira closed her eyes.

~

The Pevensies sobbed as Elvira, the Guardian of Narnia, breathed her last.

"Aslan, why?" said a tear-stained faced Lucy turned to the great lion.

"The Prophecy has been completed. Anything can happen afterwards," he said.

"Please bring her back, Aslan," Peter said, also having a tear-stained face, "We'll need help with ruling and you won't be here all the time, will you?" Aslan said and looked at the corpse of his younger sister. He gently breathed on her.

"Lucy, give her a drop of your fire flower cordial," he said. Lucy did so, opening her vial and pouring a drop into the lioness' mouth. A moment's pause. No one breathed. The lioness coughed slightly and opened her abnormal blue eyes. The Pevensies grinned and embraced her, their sadness ceasing. The lioness laughed and smiled at her brother. He returned it. Lucy sat up and looked at her cordial. She ran to the nearest person and poured a drop in. He began to move.

~

Horns blew as the Kings and Queens walked down the aisle of Cair Paravel. They stood in front of their new thrones.

"Bring forth the crowns!" Aslan announced.

Tumnus and the Beavers brought out the crowns. Tumnus picked up the small silver flower tiara and placed it on Lucy's head as Aslan said,

"To the glistening eastern sea, I give you Queen Lucy the Valiant."

The silver crown was placed on Edmund's head.

"To the great western woods, King Edmund the Just," Elvira said.

The gold tiara was placed on Susan's head.

"To the radiant southern sun, Queen Susan the Gentle," Aslan said.

Peter's golden crown was placed on his head.

"And to the clear northern skies, King Peter the Magnificent," Elvira finished. The four turned and sat on their thrones.

"Once a king or Queen of Narnia, always a king or queen. May your wisdom grace us until the stars rain down from the heavens," Aslan said. Elvira turned to the crowds and led the cheers.

"Long live King Peter! Long live Queen Susan! Long live King Edmund! Long live Queen Lucy!"

~

Aslan walked on the beach in the sunset during the dances. Lucy watched him from the balcony. Tumnus walked to her.

Don't worry," he said, "We'll see him again."

"When?" asked Lucy, her throat a little choked.

In time...you mustn't press him. After all, he's not a tame lion," Tumnus replied. Elvira smiled.