Wunderkind

XII. Always a King or Queen

It was coronation day at Cair Paravel. Aslan stood next to Mila, two Pevensies on either side.

They walked up the aisle, wide smiles on their faces. Mr. Tumnus was to be distributing crowns and the Beavers were holding the crowns.

Aslan spoke. "To the glistening eastern sea, I give you Queen Lucy the Valiant. To the great western woods, King Edmund the Just. To the radiant southern sun, Queen Susan the Gentle. To the clear northern skies, King Peter the Magnificent. And to the clear crystal night, Queen Mila the Merciful. Once a king or queen of Narnia, always a king or queen. May your wisdom grace us until the stars come raining down from the heavens."

Everyone started yelling, "Long live King Peter! Long live Queen Susan! Long live King Edmund! Long live Queen Lucy! Long live Queen Mila!"

That evening, Aslan was walking along the beach, and Mila was watching after him. Lucy came running out and watched Aslan walking off. Mila smiled at the girl. "We'll see him before we know it."

Lucy looked up at her. "When?"

Mr. Tumnus, who had appeared, said, "In time. One day he'll be here, the next he won't. But you mustn't press him. After all, he's not a tame lion."

She gave a small smile. "No. But he is good."

Mr. Tumnus handed her a hanky and said, "Here. You need it more than I do."

Lucy took it and started dabbing her eyes. They noticed that Aslan had disappeared into the sunset.

Mila walked back inside and Peter grabbed her gently and kissed her.

He stepped back. "I'm so sorry. I don't normally do that. It's just that I like you, and-"

Mila smiled. "Well, rest assured I feel the same. So, your advances are appreciated."

Years later

The adult Pevensies and adult Mila were pursuing the White Stag. Mila noticed that Edmund wasn't with them.

Edmund slowed down and asked, "Are you all right, Philip?"

"Not as young as I used to be," Philip replied.

The others made their way back to him. "Come on, Ed," Susan taunted.

"Just catching my breath," Edmund replied.

Susan scoffed lightly. "Well if that's all we'll catch at this rate."

"What did he say again, Susan?" Lucy asked.

""You girls wait in the castle, I'll get the stag myself!""

Peter noticed an ancient looking lamp post and asked, "What's this?"

They got off of our horses and walked towards the lamp post.

"This seems familiar," Peter muttered, as he took Mila's hand.

"As if a dream from a dream," Susan said.

"Or a dream of a dream," Lucy added. "Spare Oom..."

Lucy ran off and the others eventually followed. "Lu? " Peter called.

"Come on!" Lucy cried.

They entered the back of the wardrobe and Peter said, "These aren't branches..."

"They're coats," Susan realised.

"Susan, you're on my foot," Edmund stated.

The wardrobe door suddenly flew open, and the five of them fell to the floor. The door opened, and they were met with Professor Digory Kirke smiling down at them.

"Oh. There you are. What were you all doing in the wardrobe?" Digory asked.

Peter shared a look with each of them and said, "You wouldn't believe us if we told you, sir."

Digory thew a cricket ball to Peter and he caught it. He smiled and said, "Try me."

Mila looked around and darted to the window. "So, this is your world. I shall quite enjoy getting to live life here I should think."

LATER - NIGHT

Lucy opened the door to the wardrobe, Mila close behind.

"I don't think you two will get back in that way... You see, I've already tried."

"Will we ever go back?" Lucy and Mila wondered.

"That is my home," Mila added.

Digory smiled. "I expect so. But it'll probably happen when you're not looking for it. All the same... it's best to keep your eyes open."

They walked out of the room. The wardrobe door opened a crack and a light and smoke came out. A lion roared.

Mila paused momentarily, hearing the lion's roar and smiled, knowing she'd likely be back before she knew it.