Too Many Sunsets (Prince Caspian)

A New Narnia

The next morning Caspian searched through the castle for Susan and Peter. He opened the doors to the smaller courtyard and found them speaking with Aslan. The Telmarine King turns to go back inside.

"Your Majesty?" Aslan acknowledges him.

They all look to Caspian. Susan watches him with sad eyes.

"We are ready. Everyone has assembled".

In the town, everyone gathered to hear the council of their new King. The Pevensies stand on one side of the tree with Red Feather stood next to Peter whilst the Narnians stood on the other side. Aslan stands beside as Caspian speaks out to the people.

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

"It's been generations since we left Telmar", one man spoke up.

"We are not referring to Telmar. Your ancestors were seafaring 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. 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.

"I will go", Glozelle speaks up, "I will accept the offer".

"So will we", Lady Prunaprismia says.

"Because you have spoken first, your future in that world shall be good". Aslan exhales and bestows the merit to them.

The tree behind them starts to twist and unravel itself. As it moved the tree split and created a gap between. The crowd gasps in shock. Glozelle looks at Aslan warily before walking with Lady Prunaprismia and a lord through the tree.

"Where did they go?" – "They killed them!" The crowd grew distressed and one man shouts out: "How do we know He is not leading us to our death?"

"Sire, if my example can be of any service, I will take eleven mice through with no delay", Reepicheep says.

Peter glances down at Red and then to his family. Aslan looks to him. The High King purses his lips and steps forward.

"We'll go".

"We will?"

"What?!" Red Feather feels almost like a needle has just burst her heart like a balloon.

Peter can hardly face Red so he concentrates on his family. "Come on, our times up". He walks over to Caspian. "After all, we're not really needed here any more".

Peter takes his sword and offers it to Caspian.

"I will look after it until you return".

"I'm afraid that's just it. We're not coming back".

Red's heart drops even more than she thought possible. She felt like she might collapse. Peter looks down but forces himself to meet Red's eyes who had tears threatening to fall.

"We're not?" Lucy asks quietly.

"You two are", Peter looks at his younger siblings, "at least I think he means you two".

They look at Aslan.

"But why? Did they do something wrong?"

"Quite the opposite, dear one. But all things have their time. Your brother and sister have learnt what they can from this world. Now it's time for them to live in their own".

"It's alright Lu. It's not how I thought it would be, but it's alright. One day you'll see too".

The Kings and Queens make their way to the Narnians to say their goodbyes. Glenstorm bows his head to Peter. Lucy stands in front of Trumpkin awkwardly. She smiles shyly and curtesys and the dwarf's eyes dart nervously and he nods his head. The young Queen gives in and hugs Trumpkin tightly. Lucy forces a final smile then steps away.

Susan steps to Caspian.

"I'm glad I came back".

"I wish we had more time together".

Susan manages a smile.

"It would never have worked anyway".

"Why not?"

"I am thirteen hundred years older than you".

Caspian smiles down at Susan. She turns to leave but pauses. Susan hurries back to Caspian and quickly kisses him. Their lips part and Caspian wraps his arms around her, burying his head in the curve of her neck.

"I'm sure when I'm older I'll understand".

Peter looks at Lucy amused.

"I'm older and I don't think I want to understand", Edmund states.

Peter looks at Edmund. He looks behind his brother to see Red Feather stood by herself. He hesitantly walks over to her.

The two try to think of something to say, but words just aren't enough. They scramble to hold each other tightly. Red could no longer hold back the tears and fell dampening Peter's top.

"I'm so sorry", Peter whispers into Red's hair.

Red tries to compose herself taking in deep breaths. "This hurts so much. I don't know whether I prefer you leaving without saying goodbye".

Aslan watches the two embrace.

"If you desired, you could go with Peter–".

They look over to the Great Lion still holding each other close.

"–But I must warn you, it will not be easy. The change might be too much to handle".

Red Feather pauses. Peter knew that her heart was tearing into pieces and he hated to see her in so much pain.

"I don't want you to change for me. You don't need to go through that. Besides there is so much here that needs to be done, so many who need you here".

"What about you? Don't you want me with you?"

"Of course I do! But think, if you don't like it in our world, I couldn't have you resenting me and regretting your decision".

"I could never resent you". She scrunched up Peter's shirt as she balled her fist in frustration. "I just got you back".

Peter pulled her in even closer. His eyes burned as he held back the tears.

"Stay".

The two pulled apart. Peter pinched his eyes with his hand as he took steps back to his family. For a final time, the Pevensies look back to the crowd, the Narnians and Aslan. They walk towards the entrance of the tree. Lucy turns back to Aslan tearfully, but the Lion gives her a reassuring nod. Peter looks up at Red Feather and with a small, sad smile he walks through the tree and onto the tube platform.

The family return to the beginning, wearing their school uniforms surrounded by other school children as the train passes.

Lucy looks back only to see the end of the platform.

The train comes to a stop and the doors open.

"Aren't you coming, Phyllis?"

The family snap out of their trance and hurry to collect their belongings. They hop onboard and Edmund roots through his satchel.

"You don't think there's any way we can get back?"

Edmund's siblings eye him curiously.

"I left my new torch in Narnia".