My Narnian Tale

Chapter 20

I'm awoken by a knocking at my door. I get out of bed, put on my dressing gown, and open the door. I see Peter standing there, wearing a loose white shirt and brown pants. I step aside and let him in.

"Good morning Peter." I greet him as he walks in. He kisses my cheek and smiles. But he looks nervous. "Peter, what's wrong?"

"Elizabeth, you know how last night, during dinner, Oreius came and needed to speak to me and Edmund?" I nod my head, urging him to continue. "A portal back to your world has opened near the lamppost that we found when we came here." My jaw drops.

"So, does that mean I have to go home?" I ask quietly. I sit down on my bed, letting my head hang. I feel the bed dip next to me and I know Peter has sat down.

"If you want to go home, you can. But Elizabeth," he takes my hands in his and makes me look at him. "I would like you to stay. Stay here with us, with me." I look at him, not knowing what to do. Part of me wants to stay here more than anything. But the other part of me misses my family and friends back home. I even miss school. Peter sees my hesitation and his expression turns sad.

"Peter, I love you and I love being here. But I miss my family and friends back home. I need to think about it, okay?" I say gently. Peter looks down, but nods his head.

"Alright. I understand. I'm not sure how long the portal will stay open for. But I have scouts there to keep an eye on it. Take your time to think. I love you and I'll support whatever decision you make." Peter stands up and kisses the top of my head before leaving the room. Sighing, I decide to get dressed and go for a walk to clear my head and think. I dress in a simple light blue dress and flats, and make my way outside. It's a cool, sunny day and a light breeze is blowing off the sea. I walk along the cliffs, arms crossed, thinking.

If I stay here, I can be with Peter. I've always dreamed of coming to Narnia. I've dreamt about it since I read the books when I was a little girl. I could stay here, marry Peter, hang out with Susan and Lucy, torment Edmund, sword fight, practice archery, become queen. Okay, the last part is a little nerve-wracking, but the rest all sounds amazing. But, if I stay, I'd never see my family again. My father wouldn't be able to give me away at my wedding. I wouldn't graduate from college and become a historian. Being a historian has been my dream since I was 13.

"Oh Aslan, please tell me what I should do." I whisper, facing the ocean. A cool breeze blows against my face and I close my eyes at the smell of the ocean.

"That is a decision you must make for yourself, dear one." I hear a familiar voice behind me. I turn around and see Aslan smiling kindly at me. "Sit with me, Elizabeth." The Great Lion lays on the soft grass and I sit in front of him.

"Aslan, I don't know what I should do. I love it here in Narnia and I want to be with Peter. But at the same time, I miss my home and my family and friends." I fidget with my hands, nervously.

"I will tell you that you are meant to be with Peter. But, you are also meant to go back and see your family. However, I will not tell you when each of those will happen. That is for you to decide. You know me well in both worlds, yours and this one. You know that one cannot know their own destiny. What are your fears with this decision?"

"That if I go back to my world, I will never see Peter again. And that if I stay here, I will never see my family and friends again."

"I can assure you, that no matter your decision. The person or persons you leave, will be with you again, though not in the way you'd expect." My gaze lifts to Aslan when he says this.

"I will?" I question, full of hope. He simply nods his large head and I smile. "I think I know my decision then." Aslan smiles knowingly at me. "You knew what my decision would be, didn't you?"

"Of course I did." I laugh lightly and thank Aslan before getting up and heading back to the castle. I know my decision.