Edmund has felt time, the world around him, stop only three times in his life. The first time was when he was on the brink of death on the Narnian battlefield when he was young. The second time was when (R/2) had kissed him softly on her doorstep. And now, a third time is because he is watching the Dawn Treader sail off into the horizon; becoming smaller and smaller like a dot that he could pinch between his fingers.

He sighs when he accepts that he's failed. He's failed his brother. But as always, (R/2) was there to comfort him. She places her hand gently onto his shoulder, making him feel a touch of color in the world that had suddenly turned grey. She smiles at him and he places his hand on top of hers, squeezing ever so slightly. Then the two of them look around the dock that now has few people standing on it to look for Peter.

They almost cannot spot him, even though there's barely anyone left. But then they see him at the edge of the dock looking out at the Dawn Treader like Edmund had done not so long before. (R/2) and Edmund walk over to the older Pevensie slowly, not sure on how he is going to react. As they near him, Edmund places his hand on his brother's shoulder.

"Peter," He starts.

But then the man turns around and it's not Edmund's brother at all.

"Oh, sorry." He says quickly, not expecting to find an unfamiliar face.

The man just nods his head and then walks away from him and (R/2). Edmund looks down at the dock and then over at (R/2) with a confused expression on his face. Where could his brother be? Could he have already left the dock? But Edmund had seen in the distance (R/2)'s horse, so Peter had to still be around. Otherwise, where on earth would he have gone?

Edmund and (R/2) turn to look out at the ocean, and they stare at the Dawn Treader as it slowly disappears into the horizon. 

Where is Peter?

xxx

(R/1)'s elbows press into the wooden rail of the Dawn Treader, her gaze fixated on the waves that are lapping against the sides of the ship. The sound of the water calms her down, even though her heart was still hammering from sailing away from Narnia. She never wanted to leave, but she thought that it would be best for everyone. Even for her. But (R/1) feels as if she has left her heart back in Narnia.

She breathes in the salty air as the wind blows past her; whipping her hair around her face. Caspian and majority of his crew had descended below deck as they got further out to sea, and so (R/1) had not worried about seeing a figure pass her every now and then. But even though she was focusing out at the ocean, she could see a figure stand by the railing further down from her. And the figure wasn't moving.

When (R/1) turns her head to look, the last face she expects to find is Peter Pevensie's. Her heart stills in her chest for a moment as she wonders if she is imagining things. Is she so love-struck, so lovesick, that she has now resulted in fantasying about the man she had fallen in love with to be standing only some distance away from her?

But then he starts to walk towards her, and each step he takes is in sync with her heart as it jumps back to life. His eyes never leave hers, and his face is sober. The sunlight catches his eyes and makes the blue of them sparkle. Everything about him-- the way his golden hair waves as the wind brushes through it, the slight clench of his jaw which makes his cheeks indent and then soften once again-- all of him makes (R/1) know for certain that he isn't imaginary.

Peter is truly standing in front of her. His hand sweeps down the length of the rail and places itself on top of hers resting there. (R/1) takes a deep breath in, now smelling the mint perfume on his skin as well as the ocean breeze. He's warm and gentle and real. Peter somehow boarded the ship, leaving his life in Narnia behind-- his brother-- all so that he could be with her. (R/1) had never imagined that she would be loved back the way she loved first.

The world around them stops. The wind slows and the sun keeps its place in the sky, not setting just yet. Because now Peter is leaning forward and (R/1) meets him halfway, letting their lips do the talking for them. She doesn't need words, anyway. She can hear Peter's heart. And he is pouring all of his love for her in the kiss that they share on the deck of the Dawn Treader.

His lips are slightly chapped, but they still taste delicious. Peter's hand rests on (R/1)'s waist, pulling her into his chest. Her arms wrap around his shoulders as he kisses her even more powerfully than before. More powerfully than he's ever kissed any woman before in his life.

Suddenly everything makes sense. Why Edmund sent Peter's sketch, why (R/1) wrote their love story, why she came to Narnia to marry. It all makes sense. Destiny brought them together.

And destiny will forever hold them close.