The Guardian of Narnia

XVII

Caspian walked down the steps at the courtyard, and saw Aslan and Elvira talking to Peter and Susan. Elvira looked over at him, the others reciprocating it.

"We are ready. Everyone has assembled," Caspian said.

Outside the castle, all the Telmarine people and the Narnians had gathered.

"Narnia belongs to the Narnians just as it does to man. Any Telmarnies who want to stay and live in peace are welcome to. And for any of you who wish, Aslan will return you to the home of our forefathers," Caspian said.

"It has been generations since we left Telmar," called out a Telmarine Lord.

"We are not referring to Telmar. Your ancestors were sea-faring 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," Aslan explained. He looked over at the Pevensies.

"It is to that island I can return you. It is a good place for any who wish to make a new start," Aslan said. There was a full beat of silence.

"I'll go. I will accept the offer," the Commander said.

"So will we," Prunaprismia said. Prunaprismia, carrying her baby, and another Telmarine Lord followed the Commander and stood before Aslan.

"Because you have spoken first, your future in that world will be good," Aslan said. He breathed on them, and then the tree behind Caspian twisted, forming a round opening. They walked through the door in the air... and vanished from sight. The people gasped.

"How do we know he is not leading us to our deaths?!" called out a Telmarine.

"Sire, if my example can be of any service, I will take eleven mice though with no delay," Reepicheep said. Aslan looked over to the Pevensies. Peter stepped forward.

"We'll go," Peter said. Elvira looked down. That is what they were talking about.

"We will?" Edmund asked.

"Come on. Our time's up," Peter said. He walked over to Caspian and offered his sword.

"After all, we're not really needed here anymore," he added. Caspian took the sword.

"I will look after it until your return," Caspian said.

"I'm afraid that's just it... We're not coming back," Susan said. Elvira rubbed her cheek and looked down at the tears that had gathered.

"We're not?" Lucy asked.

"You two are," Peter said. He looked at Aslan.

"At least, I think he means you two," he added.

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

"Quite the opposite, dear one. 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," Aslan said.

"It's alright, Lu. It's not how I thought it would be, but it's alright. One day you'll see too. Come on," Peter said. Elvira watched the four monarchs bid farewell to some people. The Guardian stood at the end. Lucy did not bother with the formalities and hugged her tightly. She knelt down and wiped away the young Queen's tears.

"We shall see each other again, Lucy," she said. Lucy smiled slightly. Edmund hugged her as well. Elvira looked at him and he smiled slightly.

"See you next time, Vira," he said. She smiled. Susan hugged her, crying slightly.

"Remember Narnia, Susan," Elvira said. She nodded. Peter stood in front of Elvira. He rubbed away the tears on her cheek. She kissed him. They both wrapped their arms around each other's necks. He broke away from me. Elvira looked at him.

"Remember me, Peter," she said. He nodded. Elvira rubbed away his own tears.

"Good luck in your life, Peter. I will see you another time," she said. He smiled and kissed her one more time. They turned to see Susan and Caspian kiss as well. Peter and Susan joined the group.
Edmund, Peter, Susan, and last of all Lucy started walking away. Lucy took one look back at Aslan, then Elvira, and then walked through the door in the air, and back to London. Elvira shared a glance with her brother and walked off.

For three years, The Guardian worked under King Caspian's rule and joined the Voyage of the ship of the Dawn Treader. It was one of the more interesting adventures she was to have.