"So what was it like? When Aslan changed you back?" Edmund asked Eustace.
Edmund, Y/N, Lucy, Caspian, Eustace and Reepicheep were on a boat to Aslan's Country. Edmund and Caspian were rowing it, the oars pushing through the water lilies that covered the water's surface entirely.
"No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't do it myself," replied Eustace, "Then He came towards me. It sort of hurt, but it was a good pain. You know, like when you pull a thorn from your foot. Being a dragon wasn't all bad. I mean, I think I was a better dragon than I was a boy really. I'm so sorry for being such a sop."

"That's okay, Eustace. I know someone else who was that way the first time he came to Narnia," said Y/N.
"It's true," chuckled Edmund, "In fact, you haven't been as bad as I was on my first trip to Narnia. You were only an ass, but I was a traitor."
"But that's what Aslan does," continued Y/N, after pausing for a moment, "He sees those not-so-good parts of us and He teaches us to change them. He teaches us to believe in ourselves. To believe in Him. But, yeah, for what it's worth, you were a pretty cool dragon."
The others laughed a bit, and Y/N shifted to sit next to Edmund.

"If I was such a grumpy old bag when we first came to Narnia, as you say," said Edmund, "Why'd you follow me to the castle of a creepy witch?"
"I just didn't want you to face her alone. There was no way you would be a match for her! I mean, the first thing you asked her for when we got there was turkish delight."
"Ok, that part's fair, but I'm still not buying it."
"Well, why do you think I followed you?"
"I think you followed me 'cause you thought I was cute."
Y/N just giggled at that and kissed Edmund on the cheek.

"My friends, we have arrived," announced Reepicheep.
The others turned around to see a golden, sandy shore. Upon the shore stood a great wave, holding itself upright at a total standstill. Edmund and Caspian docked the boat, while the others got out and walked closer to the large wave.

"Aslan," said Eustace suddenly, and the others whirled around to find that Aslan was indeed standing behind them, looking as glorious as ever.
"Welcome, children. You have done well," He said, "Very well indeed. You have come far, and now your journey is at its end."
Y/N sighed. She knew that Aslan's words meant two things.

"Is this your country?" asked Lucy.
"No, my country lies beyond," the Great Lion answered, looking towards the great wave.
"Is my father in your country?" Caspian said softly.
"You can only find that out for yourself, my son," replied Aslan, "But you should know that if you continue, there is no return."

Caspian walked up to the wave, taking large strides. He put his hand out to touch the water, before turning around, his eyes brimmed with tears.
"You're not going?" asked Edmund.
"I can't imagine my father would be very proud that I gave up what he died for," Caspian responded, "I've spent too long wanting what was taken from me and not what was given. I was given a kingdom. People."
Caspian turned to Aslan and continued, "I promise to be a better king."
"You already are," Aslan's deep voice spoke.

Reepicheep cleared his throat and moved forward towards Aslan.
"Your Eminence," he said, bowing, "ever since I can remember, I have dreamt of seeing your country. I've had many great adventures in this world, but nothing has dampened that yearning. I know I am hardly worthy, but with your permission, I would lay down my sword for the joy of seeing your country with my own eyes."

"My country was made for noble hearts such as yours, no matter how small their bearers be."
"Your Majesty," said Reepicheep, bowing down low once more.
"No one could be more deserving," said Caspian.
"Well, I-"
"It's true," Edmund added, beaming and nodding at Reepicheep.

Y/N and Lucy stepped forward and kneeled down in front of Reepicheep.
"It is a pleasure to have served with you, Your Valorous Majesty," Reepicheep said to Y/N, bowing his head.
"The pleasure is all mine, my noble Reepicheep," Y/N replied, gently taking his paw and shaking it.

"May I?" Lucy asked, and though she hadn't intimated what exactly it was that she wanted to do, everybody knew.
"Well, I suppose. Just this-" Reepicheep began, but he wasn't able to finish his sentence, for Lucy had already picked him up and held him lovingly in her arms.
Reepicheep hugged Lucy back, chuckling and saying, "Goodbye, Lucy."

The girls stepped back, and next it was Eustace's turn.
"Don't cry," said Reepicheep.
"I don't understand," sobbed Eustace softly, "Will I not see you again? Ever?"
"What a magnificent puzzle you are," responded Reepicheep, "And a true hero. It has been my honour to fight beside such a brave warrior...and a great friend."

Reepicheep bowed to them all once more, before taking off towards the great wave, a tiny boat and oar already waiting for him.
"I won't be needing this," said Reepicheep, as he stuck his rapier in the wet sand.
He got in the boat and began rowing, and he cruised up the wave smoothly, until he disappeared behind it. Eustace had glistening tears streaming down his cheeks, and Y/N sympathised with him. She had some understanding of what he was feeling.

Then, Aslan looked to the others. Y/N knew what was to come, and she could feel her heartbeat getting louder and faster by the second.
"This is our last time here, isn't it?" Lucy asked, her voice filled with sadness.
Neither she nor Edmund dared to look Y/N in the eye. They had both avoided thinking of this moment the whole time they had been in Narnia. Now that it was finally here, they were too unprepared to actually deal with it.
"Yes," Aslan responded gravely, "You have grown up, my dear one, just like Peter and Susan."

"Will you visit us in our world?" Lucy asked Aslan, as she, Edmund and Y/N walked closer to the Lion.
"I shall be watching you always."
"How?"
"In your world, I have another name. You must learn to know me by it. That was the very reason you were brought to Narnia - that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there."

"Aslan," said Edmund suddenly.
"Yes, son?" replied Aslan, as if he already knew what Edmund was going to say.
"I know it's a lot to ask, but can Y/N come with us?" spoke Edmund, a hopeful tone in his voice.
"No," was the response, but it didn't come from Aslan.

It came from Y/N. Edmund and Lucy turned to face Y/N with questionable and hurt looks. Y/N looked at Aslan, silently asking for His permission for her to tell them all that He had told her, to which Aslan nodded.
"This is the way it has to be. This is the path Aslan has chosen for us. I don't like it either, at least not at the moment. But we must believe in His plan. Besides, I've still got family back home. You do too. They need us."

"So you're okay with never seeing us again?"
Y/N had never heard Edmund sound so hurt in her life.
"I don't believe that Aslan won't ever let us see each other, Ed. It's complicated. But I've made my peace with it, and you should too." said Y/N.

Lucy turned around to face Aslan again, tears brimming in her eyes, and asked Him, "Will we meet again?"
"Yes, dear one. One day."
With that answer, Y/N was satisfied. But that did not stop the tears that were now streaming down her face.
"I don't know what we'll do without you till then," said Edmund to Y/N, fully sobbing now.

Aslan interrupted the emotional moment, turning towards the wave and roaring loudly. A sort of tunnel formed in the water, and the others knew that it was time to say goodbye.
"You're the closest thing I have to family," began Caspian, "That includes you, Eustace."
"Thank you," said Eustace, smiling.

Edmund was first to hug Caspian, then Y/N, and finally Lucy.
"Good luck, Caspian. Although I know you don't need it. Narnia is in very capable hands. I'm sure your father would be more than proud," said Y/N, trying to wipe away her tears.
Caspian was too overwhelmed with emotion at that statement to speak, so he just nodded appreciatively.

"It was good getting to know you, Eustace," said Y/N, turning to the boy.
"You too, Y/N. You and Edmund sure do make a fine couple."
Eustace held his hand out for Y/N to shake, but Y/N pulled him in for a hug.
"Oh, come on, we're technically family," Y/N laughed, tears still in her eyes.

Y/N turned to Edmund and Lucy.
"Alright, let's get this over wi-" Y/N started, but she was cut off when Lucy practically jumped on her.
Y/N hugged Lucy tight, her tears falling into Lucy's hair, but she was sure Lucy wouldn't mind.
"Oh, Lucy. I'm going to miss you so much."
Both the girls were weeping messes.

"Take care of the others," continued Y/N, "I'm counting on you for that. But most importantly, Lucy, take care of yourself. I can't believe I'm going to miss watching you grow up."
"Well, you've seen me grow up once before."
Y/N chuckled, pulling back from the hug and tucking a string of Lucy's hair behind her ear.
"You're the best younger sister I could ever ask for."
Lucy just cried harder at that. Y/N placed a kiss on Lucy's head, and sniffled a little, because she knew that it was now Edmund's turn.

"Hi," Edmund said, as Y/N turned to him.
"Hi," Y/N giggled, still teary-eyed.
"I don't really know what to say."
"Me neither."

There was too much pressure on them. It was not that they had nothing to say; it was that they had too much. The problem was, there wasn't enough time to say it. So the only thing they could do was state the obvious.

"I love you, Y/N," sobbed Edmund.
"I love you, Ed," Y/N cried back, and the two met in an emotional kiss.
Somehow, their embrace was able to convey all the messages their words could not.
"I don't want to leave you. I don't want to leave Narnia," said Y/N.
And it seemed like they had swapped their views on the matter, because Edmund then said, "Hey, hey.  It's like you said. It has to happen. And Aslan told us already - this is not the last time we're going to see each other. We'll meet again. No matter what."

Y/N sniffled and wiped her red, swollen eyes. She gave Edmund another quick kiss on the lips, before both of them and Lucy turned to Aslan. Edmund bowed to the Lion, before Y/N and Lucy went and hugged Him, burying their heads in His mane. Aslan gently shook His mane, which prompted to the others that it was time to go.

Edmund, Y/N and Lucy walked towards the tunnel in the wave.
"Will I come back?" Eustace asked.
"Narnia may yet have need of you," answered Aslan.
Eustace nodded, and followed his cousins and Y/N.

Lucy held out her hand to Y/N, saying, "One last time?"
"One last time," Y/N affirmed, grabbing Lucy's left hand with her right, and Edmund's right with her left.
Eustace held on to Lucy's right hand, and the four of them walked into the tunnel. They walked on for a few moments, before pausing and turning around to get one last view of Narnia (well, it wouldn't be Eustace's last, but still). The aperture of the tunnel began to close, and Aslan and Caspian's faces became more and more blurry by the second, until they weren't there at all.

The next thing Y/N knew, she Edmund, Lucy and Eustace were swimming to the surface. And soon, it was only Y/N swimming. Before long, Y/N had reached the surface of the water.
"Y/N?! Y/N! Oh, thank goodness!" Y/N heard her friend, Y/F/N, call out from the shore, "For a second there, I thought you had drowned!"
Y/N walked back to Y/F/N, wiping away any signs that she had been crying previously.

"Are you okay?" Y/F/N asked.
Y/N looked back to the sea, at the spot she had just emerged from. It wasn't going to be forever. Yes, she would have to wait a long time, but she would make that time worthwhile. While in Narnia, Y/N realised the mistake she had been making - during her time in her world, her heart was so busy missing the Pevensies, Caspian, Aslan and Narnia, that she had forgotten about the other people in her life. They mattered too. They didn't deserve to be shut out.

So when Y/N turned back to Y/F/N, she replied, "Yes. Yeah, I'm okay."
And Edmund's words echoed through her mind. "No matter what."