༄ 𝑇𝐻𝐸 𝑃𝐻𝑂𝐸𝑁𝐼𝑋 𝐴𝑅𝐶𝐻𝐸𝑅（𝐿𝑊𝑊）༄

Chapter 24- Aslan Leaves and the Celebration Party

There was a wondrous party after the crowning ceremony. Everyone was celebrating the coronation of their Kings and Queens. Dancing, laughing, and singing with joy. All the Pevensies got several offers to dance, but Susan was the only one to accept most of them. Lucy preferred dancing alone rather than with a specific partner while Edmund seemed to detest dancing altogether. Peter exchanged in conversations with Oreius and some of the other high ranking Narnians in lieu of dancing. Though he did have a dance or two with a dryad. It was a good day for everyone, including me. But I had snuck away from the celebrations.

I should've joined in on the fun, but parties and celebrations weren't my thing. They made me uncomfortable and I snuck away as often as I could. Many times I showed up late, after they had gotten started and left early. It was likely that no one would actually notice that I wasn't there as they were so busy with everything else.

Instead, I found myself out on the balcony watching the water lap against the shore. It was a beautiful sight and I enjoyed the fresh air. Inside felt stuffy with all the Narnians. As the party raged on, I remained undisturbed for quite awhile. No one came to talk to me or even notice I was no longer inside. It was times like this that I really enjoyed the silence and peace of being alone.

I remained on the balcony for a couple hours. The sun was beginning to set and it was starting to get dark, but you could still see perfectly fine. There were still plenty of Narnians dancing and enjoying the celebrations, as the volume hadn't changed since I went outside. To stay out of view of most of the castles occupants, I settled on the balcony edge closest to the castle wall. It was pretty easy, and I knew I could save myself should I start to fall. There I remained, head in the clouds.

Movement on the shoreline drew my attention. In my current position I couldn't quite make out what it was, so I got down from the ledge and approached the end of the balcony. In the slowly fading light, I could make out Aslan walking across it and I sighed.

Running footsteps came from behind and I turned around. It was Lucy and she seemed to be looking for something. When she noticed I was there, she smiled at me. However it faded as she looked towards the water. I followed her gaze, knowing what she saw. Aslan slowly walked away, His task complete. Narnia would be safe for now and He could focus His protection on other countries. A feeling of peace and sadness washed over me. Neither one of us spoke for a brief moment.

"Don't worry. We'll see Him again," Mr. Tumnus said, starling me. I had been so focused on watching Aslan that I didn't hear him approach.
"When?" Lucy asked with a glance back at him.
"In time," I answered instead.
"One day He'll be here and the next He won't," Mr. Tumnus explained as he joined us. "But you mustn't press Him."
"After all, He's not a tame lion," I finished for him with a light smile.
"No," Lucy agreed. "But He is good."
"Here," Mr. Tumnus said as he pulled a handkerchief from his scarf. "You need it more than I do."

He handed it to her and she smiled as she took it. Mr. Tumnus and I smiled comfortingly before all of us looked to the shore. In that brief time Aslan had disappeared. He was nowhere to be seen. Mr. Tumnus sighed, trying to hold back his tears. Lucy's where evident as she stare aimlessly at the shore. I was much the same, but I wasn't sad about it. Yes, Aslan was gone but that meant He knew the Kingdom would be in good hands. I only wished I knew when I would see him again.

Tumnus held Lucy's hand and I placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. We stood in silence for awhile but eventually Mr. Tumnus returned to the party, leaving Lucy and me alone. Lucy couldn't seem to pull her gaze from the shore. She seemed to be wishing for His return and while I wanted Aslan to stay I knew He would return on His own terms.

I squeezed Lucy's shoulder, gently trying to comfort her and she looked at me. She was sad but tried to plaster on a smile. It wasn't supposed to be a sad day, but rather a joyous one. I smiled softly, letting her know it would be okay. She returned it genuinely in response, as if she knew exactly what I was trying to say. Then she took my hand and pulled me back to the party. As much as I didn't want to go back inside, I knew this was what Lucy needed and I followed her inside.