Aslan's golden eyes widened inside a pub as the deep, resonant sound of the horn pierced the air, cutting through the stillness of the village he was in like a divine call. The villagers paused in their daily tasks, sensing something profound had occurred, though they couldn't comprehend its significance.

The hooded silver-white-haired man stood frozen, his heart pounding in his chest, his hand tightly grasping the wooden mug. It had been centuries since he last heard that sound, a sound tied to a time of great hope and love. He closed his eyes briefly, the memories of the horn's owner—Queen Susan—flooding his mind. More importantly, the connection to Elizabeth, his beloved Empress, stirred his soul.

He clenched his fists, his composure faltering for the first time in an age. "Elizabeth..." he murmured, the name escaping his lips like a prayer.

The ground beneath his feet seemed to hum with magic, and the air charged as if the world acknowledged the ancient magic at play. He put the wooden mug down, turned around, and walked out of the pub. He looked up at the sky, feeling the shift, the opening of pathways between the two worlds.

The horn had done more than summon aid—it had reawakened a rope between realms, bridging the world of Narnia and the Earth where Elizabeth and her siblings had vanished so long ago.

His heart, weighed down by centuries of grief and longing, now flickered with a fragile ember of hope. Could this be the moment he had yearned for?

Aslan turned, his hood down, revealing his silver-white hair. His voice was calm yet commanding as he addressed the villagers, who gazed at him with awe and curiosity. "Prepare yourselves. The world as we know it is about to change."

Without waiting for a response, he strode toward the edge of the village, his movements purposeful and swift. Every step carried the weight of his renewed determination.

In his heart, he knew the sound of Susan's horn was not just a call for help but a sign that the time had come. The portals were open, and destiny was at hand. For the first time in centuries, Aslan felt the pull of hope guiding him toward a reunion he had nearly given up dreaming of.

Elizabeth sat at her tiny desk in the corner of her apartment, the lamp's soft glow casting a warm light over her journal. She carefully wrote down the thoughts swirling in her mind all day, her pen gliding across the page with practiced ease. It had become a routine that comforted her in the quiet moments when the weight of her responsibilities felt a bit too much. She wrote to Aslan, as she often did, updating him on their son, Alistair.

"Dearest Aslan," she began, her words flowing with love and longing. "Another day has passed, and I reflect on how much Alistair has grown. I know you are not aware that I was with child when I disappeared, but I hope these small details will bring you closer to knowing the young man he is becoming."

She paused for a moment, her eyes drifting to the window. The sun was setting, casting a golden hue over the city below. In these moments of calm, her mind wandered back to Narnia, to Aslan, and the years she had spent without him. She pushed the pain aside, focusing instead on the joy Alistair brought her.

"He is strong, Aslan," she continued, "stronger than I could have ever imagined. His heart is kind, but his spirit is fierce. He faces challenges head-on, even when they seem impossible. I see so much of you in him, in how he carries himself, his courage, and his unwavering loyalty."

A soft smile tugged at her lips as she thought of her son's quirks.

"He also has his moments of humor, as you'd expect. Alistair can always be counted on for a witty remark, sometimes even at the wrong time, but I can't help but admire his ability to make those around him laugh and bring light to dark moments. I often think you'd be proud of the young man he's becoming, even if he is unaware of how much he's like you."

Elizabeth set her pen down and leaned back in her chair, her thoughts growing quieter as she let the warmth of the words settle within her. She thought of the adventures they'd one day share again, of Narnia, and of a reunion that seemed closer now than ever. She would show him these letters when they reunited when the time was right.

"There is still so much for him to learn, and I cannot wait for you to guide him, as only you can."

She closed her eyes for a moment, the ache of missing him always present but softened by the hope that, somehow, they would be together again soon.

"I remain steadfast, as always, in the belief that we will be reunited one day. Until that day, I carry you with me in every thought and moment. And Alistair does, too."

Elizabeth closed her journal with a final, tender pen stroke, a soft sigh escaping her lips. She stood up and walked toward the window, looking out at the city, her heart full of sorrow and hope. She would hold on for as long as it took.

Elizabeth heard a knocking sound and approached the door. She opened it and looked forward. She smiled warmly as her younger siblings stood before her.

Peter, Edmund, and Lucy had always been a comfort to her, and today was no different. Their bustling energy filled the apartment with a familiar warmth that she cherished. She wrapped her arms around each of them, taking in their presence, something she never quite took for granted.

"Look at you three," she said, stepping back after the embrace. "You're all as lively as ever. It's so good to see you."

Peter, tall and broad-shouldered, grinned at her. "We wouldn't miss catching up with our big sister, especially now that we're in the city for a while."

Edmund, with his ever-present crooked smile, nodded in agreement. "And besides, you always make the best tea. We need our fix."

Lucy, the youngest but never short of energy, beamed brightly. "And I've missed our talks, Lizzie. I've got so many stories to share."

Elizabeth chuckled softly, a fond smile crossing her face as she stepped aside to let them in. "I've missed you all too. You're always welcome here. I've been keeping busy with work and, of course, with Alistair. He's out with his friends today but should return this afternoon."

Lucy raised an eyebrow, her gaze playful. "Out with his friends? That sounds suspiciously like something we should hear more about."

Peter laughed, slinging an arm over Lucy's shoulders. "She's right, you know. We haven't heard much about Alistair's friends. Is he keeping any secrets from us?"

Elizabeth grinned, but her eyes softened with a quiet affection as she thought about her son. "Alistair's growing up so fast. He's made good friends, and I'm proud of the man he's becoming. But as for his secrets, you'll have to ask him about those when he's back."

Edmund leaned in with mock seriousness. "You're just trying to make us wait, aren't you?"

Elizabeth's laughter filled the room. "Maybe a little. But he'll tell you everything when he's ready. You know how he is."

Peter nodded. "I'm sure he's just like you, Lizzie. Stubborn and loyal, but with a heart of gold."

The three siblings made themselves comfortable, sharing small stories and laughter as the warmth of family filled the apartment. Even without the certainty of when Alistair would return, Elizabeth felt a sense of peace in having her siblings by her side. It was always a reminder that, despite the years apart and the things they had endured, they were still a family — and nothing could change that.

As Elizabeth set the tray down on the coffee table, she couldn't help but feel a pang in her chest as Edmund spoke of visiting Susan in New York, America, and how she had gotten very distant. The teacups clinked softly as she poured the hot tea, but the warmth of the gesture didn't quite reach her heart as it usually did. Her eyes lingered on Edmund, a mixture of sadness and understanding in her gaze.

Edmund, noticing her discomfort, sat back in his chair, his expression softening. "I didn't want to upset you, Elizabeth. I just... I wanted you to know that she's still our sister but is different now. After everything she went through, I think it's hard for her to believe in Narnia anymore. She wants you to move on, to live in the world we're in."

Lucy, who had been biting her tongue during the conversation, could hold back no longer. She huffed in frustration, her voice sharp. "It's ridiculous! I know what she's been through, but Narnia is real, Edmund! How could she forget? How could she—"

"Lucy," Peter interjected gently, holding her arm to calm her. "We all know what Narnia means to us. But Susan... she's changed. It's hard, but we can't force her to remember things like we do. We all went through so much, and people cope differently. She's just..."

Peter's words trailed off, but the unspoken understanding was clear. World War II had changed them all in different ways. He glanced at Elizabeth, his voice quieter now. "We just have to respect where Susan is in her life, even if it hurts."

Elizabeth nodded slowly, trying to come to terms with what Edmund had said. She had hoped for more — for Susan to remember somehow the magic and adventures they had shared. But hearing about Susan's insistence that it was all just a fever dream left her disillusioned. Still, she tried her best to hold onto her love for her sister, even if it felt like it was slipping away.

"She's always been so practical," Elizabeth said softly, her voice thick with emotion. "I never imagined she'd turn her back on Narnia like this. But I suppose... we all have our paths to follow."

Edmund looked down at his teacup, swirling it absentmindedly. "I didn't want to push her. Maybe talking about it would make her see, but she kept saying the same thing. It was just something we dreamed up to escape what we went through." His voice faltered. "It broke my heart, Liz."

Lucy, her frustration still simmering, crossed her arms. "She's wrong. She has to be wrong. Narnia is real. And one day, she'll realize that, whether she wants to or not."

Elizabeth smiled sadly at her younger sister's determination. "I hope you're right, Lucy. I really do."

Peter, ever the steady one, reached over to gently squeeze Elizabeth's hand. "We all wish it were different, Lizzie. But don't let this change you. Don't let it make you doubt what we know."

Elizabeth's lips trembled for a moment, but she composed herself. "I won't," she said softly, meeting Peter's eyes. "I won't forget Narnia, no matter how much time passes."

The conversation fell into a thoughtful silence, with only the sound of clinking teacups and the faint ticking of a clock filling the air. Elizabeth's heart was heavy with the sadness of knowing Susan had moved on, but she also felt the love and comfort from her siblings. In this moment, they were a reminder that, even when parts of their past felt lost, they still had each other. And that, she realized, was something worth holding on to.

Lucy noticed a beautiful painting in the living room and smiled, staring at the image fondly.

"It's so beautiful." She whispered.

Elizabeth glanced at the painting Lucy was admiring, a soft smile tugging at her lips. It was a painting of a serene beach, the waves gently lapping against the shore and the golden light of a setting sun casting a warm glow across the horizon. The familiar rocky cliffs and the silhouette of a distant castle in the background were unmistakably reminiscent of Cair Paravel, the great castle by the sea where they had spent so many magical days in Narnia.

"Thank you, Lucy," Elizabeth said softly, her eyes following Lucy's gaze. "I painted it a while ago... I suppose I was thinking of Narnia when I did." Her voice held a mixture of fondness and longing. "It's a place that will always be with me, even if we can't be there."

Lucy, who had always been the most passionate about their adventures in Narnia, smiled at the painting with admiration. "It's beautiful, Lizzie. You've captured the essence of Cair Paravel perfectly. Just looking at it, it almost feels like it's real again."

Elizabeth's eyes softened as she looked at her painting. "I suppose I always knew that Narnia would never truly leave us. Even though Susan doesn't believe anymore, even though the years have passed, I think... I think a part of us will always carry it with us." She paused, her gaze lingering on the soft brushstrokes that painted the beach, the golden light, the vast sky. "It's not just a place. It's the memory of who we were and who we became. And I think that's something no one can take away from us."

Lucy nodded, her voice full of quiet determination. "No, they can't. Narnia is in our hearts. It always will be." She stepped closer to the painting, running her fingers gently over the frame. "I'm glad you painted this, Lizzie. It reminds me that no matter what, Narnia is never truly gone."

Elizabeth smiled a warm but bittersweet smile. "I'm glad it reminds you of that, Lucy. Sometimes it feels like I'm the only one who holds on to it so tightly... but I know I'm not alone in that."

Peter, listening quietly, added with a reassuring smile, "You're definitely not alone, Lizzie. Narnia is in all of us. In the things we do, in the way we see the world. We'll never forget it. Even Susan... deep down, I think she still knows."

Elizabeth sighed, her gaze returning to the painting. "I hope you're right, Peter. I truly do."

The room fell into a thoughtful silence. Each person reflected on the magic of Narnia, the adventures they had shared, and the hope that one day, Susan would remember. For now, though, they had each other—and the memories that no one could ever take away.

However, the atmosphere suddenly shifted, and a ringing within Elizabeth and the rest of her siblings called them for help.

Lucy asked her siblings if they had heard a ringing, and they nodded.

Edmund stared at the painting, squinting his eyes as he saw the waves start moving. He rubbed his eyes to see better, and his eyes widened when he saw water dripping onto the carpet.

Elizabeth's heart skipped a beat as she looked toward the floor, where Edmund stared in shock. The sound of water dripping became more distinct, and the room, once filled with the quiet of their conversation, now seemed to pulse with an eerie energy.

Lucy was the first to react, her voice filled with surprise. "What's happening? I hear something... it sounds like water, but the painting..."

Edmund took a cautious step forward, his eyes still wide. "The painting... it's... moving. The waves. Look!" He pointed at the painting where the waves seemed to come to life, gently lapping against the shoreline as if a real scene was unfolding right before their eyes.

The water began to drip more rapidly, pooling around their feet. Elizabeth gasped, instinctively stepping back. Her mind raced. The ringing, the water, the painting—it couldn't be. But deep down, a part of her knew. This was Narnia calling.

"It's Narnia," Elizabeth whispered, a sense of urgency washing over her. "It's happening again."

She turns, grabs her bag, and puts all her diaries inside, which contain everything about Alistair.

Peter stepped forward, his gaze locked on the painting. His expression had shifted from curiosity to realization. "But how? We haven't... I mean, it's been so long. How can this be happening now?"

The water on the carpet continued to spread, and the waves in the painting grew larger, crashing against the painted shores. The sound of the waves grew louder, and the air in the room seemed to shift with the growing power of the magic.

Lucy, her heart racing, turned toward her siblings. "We need to go. We have to go now."

But as she reached out, she felt something—an immense pull from the painting itself, as though it were reaching out to them, urging them to step closer. The ringing grew louder, and the room faded as the boundary between their world and Narnia blurred.

Elizabeth stepped forward, holding her bag tightly, her eyes alight with wonder and excitement. "It's real. It's happening. We're being called back to Narnia."

Edmund looked at her, his voice shaking. "But... we don't know what's happening there. We can't just—"

But before he could finish, the water surged forward, and the painting seemed to burst to life in a flash. The water flooded the room, and Elizabeth, Peter, Lucy, and Edmund were pulled into the waves.

For a brief moment, everything was chaos—the sound of rushing water, the feeling of being pulled through a vortex, and the overwhelming sense of magic that had always been a part of Narnia.

Then, with a final rush, the room was gone. They were no longer in Elizabeth's apartment in London. They were somewhere else—somewhere familiar, yet different. Somewhere they hadn't been in far too long.

Narnia had called them back.

Elizabeth's head spun as the water swirled around her. The currents were strong, and for a moment, she thought she might be pulled under. Her vision blurred, and she felt her body grow lighter, as though it were no longer the same.

What's happening? she thought desperately as she fought to steady her breath.

The sensation of shifting, changing, filled her like a wave crashing over her, and suddenly, the heavy years that had weighed on her seemed to vanish. The aching in her joints and the weariness in her heart all seemed to fade away. When she opened her eyes, it felt like her body had returned to a time long past—before the weight of loss and the burden of time.

The world around her was still spinning when Peter's familiar arms wrapped around her, pulling her from the water's grasp. She gasped for air, her chest heaving as she felt herself being carried away from the dangerous currents. Peter's strong arms held her close, and as her vision cleared, she realized she was no longer the same.

She looked down at herself, noticing her clothes fitting differently. "I'm younger," Elizabeth thought, her voice barely a whisper. Her body felt like it had reverted to the age of 25, and her skin was smoother, free of the lines and wear of time. Her damp hair looked like it had regained its youth, the silver strands now hidden beneath the pale waves of gold.

Peter set her down gently, his hands still steady on her arms as he pulled away slightly to look at her. "Elizabeth?" he asked softly, his voice filled with concern but also a trace of wonder. "What... what happened to you?"

Elizabeth blinked, her mind racing. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words caught in her throat. Before she could respond, Edmund and Lucy stared at her, eyes wide, clearly shocked by the transformation.

Lucy stepped forward, her voice filled with disbelief. "Elizabeth? Is it really you?" Her expression mixed with confusion and awe. "You... you look like you're 25 again! We are the same age!"

Edmund stood next to her, equally stunned. "How? How is it that Elizabeth got younger, and yet Peter, Lucy, and I are the same age—31, 27, and 25? I've never seen anything like this."

Elizabeth's heart raced as she finally found her voice. "I... I don't understand. The water, the painting... everything changed. And now—" She paused, taking in her younger appearance with awe. "I'm younger. This doesn't make sense."

Peter looked at her carefully, a soft but curious expression crossing his face. "Narnia has always been full of surprises, Elizabeth. We've seen magic do strange things before."

Elizabeth nodded, her head still spinning. But how? The last time they had been in Narnia, she hadn't experienced anything like this. This felt different, more powerful, yet she couldn't shake the feeling that something was pulling at her heart.

Lucy frowned, looking at the water around them. "But if Narnia is calling us back, something must be wrong. We've never come back like this before. There's something else at play here."

Elizabeth nodded, her mind still racing to make sense of everything. She felt an odd sensation in her chest, like a whisper calling to her, beckoning her forward.

Peter met her eyes, his brow furrowed with determination. "We need to find out what's happening here. The Narnia we knew has changed, and so have we. But whatever it is, we'll face it together. We always have."

Elizabeth smiled softly despite the confusion and uncertainty that hung over them. "Together, as always," she agreed, their bond more powerful than ever.

With that, the four siblings turned their gaze toward the unfamiliar landscape of Narnia, ready to face whatever awaited them despite the mysteries that had brought them back.

Elizabeth's heart skipped a beat as the realization suddenly hit her. Her hands trembled, and her breath hitched in her chest. Alistair.

"Peter... Edmund... Lucy," she whispered, her voice shaking. "Alistair... He's still back on Earth. He doesn't know that we got called to Narnia." Her voice quivered with panic as the thoughts of her son, alone on Earth, flooded her mind. What if he comes home and sees that we are not there? What if the evidence of us being at Narnia is gone, and all he sees is an empty living room?

She looked at her siblings desperately, her eyes wide with fear. "He has to be here with us. He's part of this world, part of Aslan's legacy. But if this place is changing... If Narnia calls us back like this, what if it's too late for him? What if... he doesn't make it?"

Peter stepped forward, his strong presence offering her comfort, though his concern was evident. "Elizabeth, calm down. We don't know what's happening, but if Narnia has called us, there's a good chance it's called Alistair, too. He's Aslan's son. He's part of this world. Aslan would never let him be left behind."

Edmund nodded, his usual skepticism tempered by a deep concern. "Peter's right. Narnia has a way of knowing who belongs here. Alistair is Narnian through his father, and Aslan will make sure he finds his way."

Lucy stepped up to Elizabeth, her hand gently resting on her sister's arm. "He's strong, Elizabeth. Alistair's always been strong. If anything's happened, he'll find a way through it. And Aslan... Aslan will be there for him, just like he's always been there for us."

Elizabeth closed her eyes, taking in the comfort of her siblings' words, but her mind refused to quiet. She couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something had changed. If she had been pulled back to Narnia, what about Alistair? Would he have been affected by this strange magic, too? And if so, where was he?

"Do you really think... he's here too?" Elizabeth asked quietly, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Peter placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I do. Aslan will guide him, just like he guided us. We don't know how or when, but we'll find him. We'll bring him back together, all of us, and we'll make sure he's safe."

Edmund added, "No matter what happens, we'll be a family. And families stick together."

Elizabeth took a deep breath, letting her siblings' words sink in. She couldn't afford to panic—not when her family needed her strength. She had to trust Aslan, their bond, and the magic of Narnia.

"Alright," she said, her voice steadier now. "We need to find him. We need to make sure he's alright. But we do this together. We don't leave anyone behind."

Lucy nodded firmly, a determined glint in her eyes. "We won't. Alistair's family."

Elizabeth gave a grateful smile, though the weight of her worries remained. She didn't know how or where Alistair was, but she knew he was out there—just as Narnia had called them back, it would also call to him. And when they found him, they would face whatever challenges came next as a family. Together.

And deep within her heart, Elizabeth felt a whisper-soft but unmistakable. Aslan is with him just as he is with you.

With newfound resolve, Elizabeth turned her gaze back toward the shifting landscape of Narnia, knowing that the adventure ahead would take them to places unknown and to the reunion that her heart longed for.