As the last echoes of the battle faded, the river-god settled back into its depths, the water shimmering under the chaotic sky.

The remaining Telmarine soldiers, soaked and defeated, either surrendered or fled into the woods, leaving behind their weapons.

The air was thick with the scent of earth and victory.

Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Caspian knelt before Aslan, reverence in their movements. August, feeling the weight of the moment, instinctively followed their lead, kneeling as well.

The lion’s presence felt overwhelming, his golden fur radiant even in the dim light.

“Rise, kings and queens of Narnia,” Aslan said, his voice deep and resonant.

Peter, Susan, and Edmund stood, their faces a mixture of awe and triumph.

“All of you,” Aslan added, August was about to get up but then her gaze shifted to Caspian, who remained hesitant.

“I do not think I am ready,” Caspian confessed, his voice barely above a whisper.

“It’s for that very reason I know that you are,” Aslan replied, his eyes softening.

As he turned to August, his gaze held a profound warmth. “And you, dear August, have a light that shines even in the darkest of times. You are the Seer of Truth, guiding your friends with your wisdom and strength.”

August's breath caught in her throat. “Thank you, Aslan. I—”

Aslan raised a paw gently, silencing her. “Do not underestimate the power within you.
Your dreams are not mere fantasies; they are visions that can guide Narnia toward hope. Embrace your gift, for you are destined to shape the fate of this land.”

Aslan continued, his presence an anchor in the storm of emotions swirling within her. “Indeed. You have reclaimed this land, but remember, the fight for its heart will continue. Always stand together, for you are stronger as a united front.”

August nodded, absorbing his words.

The connection she felt to this place, to her friends, and to Caspian only grew stronger in that moment.

Later,

As they turned to leave, August found herself walking beside Caspian.

The weight of their shared experiences lingered in the air, an unspoken bond growing between them.

She stole a glance at him, a soft smile forming on her lips.

“Ready for whatever comes next?” she asked lightly.

Caspian chuckled, the tension in his shoulders easing. “With you by my side, I think I am.”

They shared a moment of understanding, the challenges they had faced only serving to strengthen their connection.

Together, they moved forward, ready to embrace whatever awaited them in the future.

                              ~~~•~~~

Aslan had called her.

August's heart pounded in her chest as she approached the clearing where the great lion waited.

The trees around her seemed taller, their shadows stretching endlessly, adding to the weight she already felt. She wasn't used to being summoned alone—not by him.

Why me? Why now?

A million questions swirled in her mind, crashing into one another like waves in a storm.

Her thoughts raced faster than she could hold onto any of them.

She had always believed in Narnia—had dreamed of it long before she had even known its name.

But now, standing at the edge of this moment, with Aslan waiting for her, her certainty felt like it was slipping away.

What does he want to talk about? The anxiety gnawed at her insides.

She nervously wrung her hands, her fingers fidgeting without end.

It was strange to be without the others, without the comforting presence of the Pevensies, and especially without Caspian nearby.

Her mind wandered briefly to him, but then snapped back to the moment at hand.

"August," Aslan’s voice broke through her thoughts, deep and gentle, yet commanding all her attention.

She stopped in her tracks, blinking up at him. His golden eyes were steady, filled with a knowing she couldn't quite fathom.

"Do not fear," he said, and though his voice was soothing, her anxiety remained. August swallowed hard, but words still eluded her.

She had so many questions she wanted to ask, but the words stuck in her throat.

August took a hesitant step closer, her voice finally breaking free in a trembling whisper.

"Why me, Aslan?" she asked, her green and hazel eyes searching his for answers. "Why did you call me here... alone?"

Aslan’s gaze was unwavering, yet there was a warmth in his expression that eased her heart just a little.

“Because there are things only you must understand,” he replied calmly. His voice seemed to echo through the clearing, resonating within her.

August’s fingers tugged at her sleeves anxiously. “My powers… these dreams I have… They show me things, but I don’t understand why. I don’t know how to use them, or what they mean. And I—” she hesitated, her breath catching in her throat, “I’m scared, Aslan. Scared of what they might show me. Of what they mean for my future.”

The great lion stepped forward, his massive frame moving with graceful purpose.

His golden mane shimmered in the soft Narnian light, and when he spoke again, his voice was deep with understanding.

“Your gift is not a burden, August, but a bridge—between the worlds, between the past, the present, and the future.”

Her brow furrowed, and she tried to grasp his words, but the fear still gripped her.

“But… what am I supposed to do with them? I see things, but I can’t control it. And sometimes, it feels like... like I’m losing myself.”

Aslan lowered his head slightly, his golden eyes holding hers as though he could see straight into her soul.

“The dreams you see are pieces of a greater whole, glimpses of what is, and what could be. But the path ahead is not fixed. You will shape it, just as it shapes you.”

“I don’t want to mess it up,” August admitted, her voice barely a whisper. “There’s so much at stake—so many people counting on me.”

“You will not walk this journey alone,” Aslan reassured her. “Your future, August, is intertwined with the fate of this land and its people. But it is also your own. You will have choices to make, ones that no one else can make for you. And in those choices, you will find your strength," Aslan continued, his voice gentle yet firm.

"You fear what you do not yet understand, but trust that in time, your path will become clear. Every step you take, even in fear, brings you closer to the truth of who you are and why you are here."

August swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his words settle over her.

Her fingers still trembled, but something deep inside her began to stir—an ember of courage she hadn’t realized was there.

"But how will I know what the right choices are?" she asked, her voice soft but steadying.

"You already know," Aslan replied, his gaze piercing yet kind.

"It is in your heart, in the dreams that guide you. Trust yourself, as I have trusted you to come this far. The strength you seek lies not in avoiding fear but in walking through it, knowing you are not alone."

August closed her eyes for a moment, letting his words sink in.

When she opened them again, the fear had not completely vanished, but it had lessened, replaced by a quiet resolve.

"I’ll try," she said, her voice stronger now. "I’ll try to trust myself and these dreams... even when I’m scared."

Aslan gave a slow, approving nod. "That is all that is asked of you, August.
And remember, the path of the dreamer is not always easy, but it is always worth walking."

With a final, gentle nuzzle of his head against her shoulder, Aslan turned and began to walk back into the woods, his form gradually fading into the mist until only the echo of his presence remained.

August stood alone in the clearing, but for the first time, she didn’t feel alone.

The dreams would come, and the choices too, but now she knew—she would face them with courage.

                              ~~~•~~~

The grand hall of Cair Paravel buzzed with activity, the walls adorned with banners of Telmar and Narnia alike.

After a long and grueling war, the day had finally come for Caspian to be crowned king.

August stood among the crowd, her eyes darting to Caspian at the center of attention, flanked by Aslan, the Pevensies, and a host of Narnians.

A mix of joy and nervousness fluttered in her chest.

Aslan’s deep voice echoed through the hall as he placed the golden crown atop Caspian’s head.

The newly crowned king stood tall, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on her.

His expression softened when their gazes met, and for a moment, the weight of the crown didn’t seem so heavy.

“Long live King Caspian!” Peter’s voice rang out, and the crowd erupted in cheers, shaking the very walls of the ancient castle.

August clapped along, feeling the joy of the moment.

But in the pit of her stomach, anxiety simmered.

The weight of the prophecy she was a part of—had never felt more real.

But now,
She knew exactly what it meant,
What aslan meant.

              'her heart with the prince,
                  Their destinies bold'

                             ~~~•~~~

The coronation had ended, and now the hall was transformed for the grand ball.

Tables laden with food and drink lined the room, and soft music filled the air.

August tugged at the deep emerald fancy dress Susan had lent her,
this time she altered it to her height,

Still feeling slightly awkward in the elegant gown,
her red hair flowing in soft waves down her back.

The Pevensies had joined in the festivities, though Peter and Edmund were too busy with their antics to notice August lingering at the edge of the crowd.

She found herself drawn to the open balcony, where the cool night air provided a moment of peace.

Her fingers traced the intricate stonework as she gazed out at the starlit sky, lost in thought.

“Do you not like balls?” a familiar voice interrupted her reverie.

August turned to see Caspian approaching, his crown slightly askew, a playful smile on his lips.

She shrugged, trying to suppress the butterflies in her stomach. “I’m more of a bakery girl than a ballroom one. Besides, I’m not used to all this… fancy stuff.”

Caspian chuckled, stepping closer. “I’d say you fit in quite well. You look... beautiful, August.”

Her cheeks flushed, and she quickly looked away. “Well, I can’t exactly say the same for you,” she teased, pointing at his crooked crown. “You’re a mess, Your Majesty.”

He laughed, a genuine sound that made her heart skip a beat. “Is that better?” he asked as he adjusted his crown.

“A little,” August replied, smiling.
Then fixed his clothes a little and brushed his hair in place.

They stood in comfortable silence for a moment, the soft music from inside carrying out onto the balcony.

“You’ve made your decision, haven’t you?” Caspian finally asked, his voice quieter now, more serious. “To stay in Narnia.”

August swallowed, her heart racing. “Yeah, I have,” she said softly. “I don’t know what it means yet, but I do know I don’t want to leave. Not after everything.”

Caspian’s hand gently brushed against hers, and she let her fingers entwine with his. “You’ll never have to face it alone, August,” he said, his voice filled with both tenderness and resolve. “I promise.”

She met his gaze, feeling the weight of his words sink in.

There was something unspoken between them—something that had been growing since they first met.

In the midst of all the chaos,

      they had found something steady,
                     something real.

“Care to dance, my lady?” Caspian asked, offering his hand with a grin.

August raised an eyebrow. “I’m warning you, I’ve got two left feet.”

“I’m willing to take the risk,” he teased, pulling her gently toward the hall.

As they stepped back into the warm light of the ballroom, Caspian led her in a slow, careful dance.

August tried her best not to trip, her laughter mixing with his as they stumbled through the steps.

But then, the music faded into the background, and the world seemed to narrow until it was just the two of them.

Caspian’s hand tightened around hers, his other hand resting gently on her waist.

August’s breath caught in her throat as his dark eyes met hers, an intensity there she hadn’t seen before.

“Are you sure?” Caspian asked again, his voice barely above a whisper.

There was a vulnerability in the question, as if her answer held the weight of everything he was feeling.

August nodded slowly, her heart pounding. “Never have I ever before.”

And with that, Caspian closed the distance between them, his lips gently brushing hers.

It was soft at first, tentative—both of them testing the waters.

But then the kiss deepened, filled with all the unspoken words and feelings they hadn’t yet had the courage to say.

For that moment,
everything else melted away.

The war, the prophecy, even the ball around them—it all faded into nothingness.

There was only Caspian, and the way he made her feel safe and whole in a way she had never known before.

When they finally pulled apart, August’s heart was racing, her cheeks flushed.

Caspian’s forehead rested against hers, and they stayed like that for a moment, sharing the silence and the warmth of each other.

“You’re not going anywhere,” Caspian said softly, his thumb brushing lightly across her cheek. It wasn’t a question, just a statement—a promise.

“Not without you,” August whispered back, smiling.

“I love you.“

“And I love you.“

With a final shared glance, Caspian pulled her back into the dance.

This time,
the steps felt effortless,
the music once again filling the hall as they moved together in perfect harmony, completely unaware of the eyes watching them, captivated by the new king and his lady.

                             ~~~•~~~

Meanwhile,
the Pevensies gazed at the beautiful couple dancing gracefully in the center of the ballroom,
the flickering candlelight reflecting off their joyful faces.

“If someone had told me two weeks ago that that was August, I would have never believed them,” Susan remarked, her eyes fixed on August as she swayed effortlessly with Caspian. “She looks like a completely different person.”

She was referring to the August back in their world,
Always covered in flour,
Her hair tangled and messy,
Her fingers always fidgeting with anxiety,
Her mind never resting,
Her eyes tiresome.

“She loves him,” Peter said, a hint of admiration in his tone. He watched the way August smiled up at Caspian, her eyes sparkling with affection. “You can just see it in her eyes.”

“So does he,” Susan countered, her gaze unwavering, knowing well that Caspian had grown more than fond of August. “He can’t take his eyes off of her.”

“What? He loves himself too?” Edmund asked, his voice tinged with exasperation, trying to process the scene before him. “I mean, have you seen how he looks in that outfit? He’s practically glowing.”

“No! I meant he loves her too!” Susan defended herself, rolling her eyes but unable to suppress a smile. “Honestly, Ed, keep up.”

“Look, they’re kissing!” Lucy exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement as she pointed toward the couple.
“I’m pretty sure I’ll understand when I’m older.” She grinned, her innocence shining through as she took in the romantic moment.

“I’m older, and I don’t think I want to understand,” Edmund replied.

“Do you think they even realize we’re watching?” Peter mused, chuckling softly. “I half expect them to start a grand speech about love and destiny.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if they did,” Susan replied, a teasing glint in her eye. “Caspian always has that dramatic flair. He probably rehearsed for this moment.”

“This whole romance thing is just… ugh. I’d rather be sword fighting.” Edmund said,crossing his arms with a mocking scowl.

“Come on, it’s sweet!” Lucy chimed in, her enthusiasm undeterred. “They’re in love! That’s what makes Narnia magical. Can’t you feel it?”

“Alright, alright! Just keep your eyes on them, Lucy,” Edmund said, a smirk breaking through his feigned annoyance. “But if I start feeling mushy, I’m blaming you.”

As laughter bubbled up among them, the Pevensies shared in the warmth of their friendship, feeling a sense of hope and joy amidst the celebration, the ballroom alive with music and merriment.

                             ~~~•~~~

The clock chimed to midnight.

As the five young friends sat outside the ballroom, cuddled up on a long bench, they gazed up at the sky, their laughter mingling with the gentle breeze.

Recalling old memories, Peter chuckled, “Remember that time we got chased by that flock of geese at the park?”

Lucy’s eyes sparkled with mirth. “I thought we’d never escape! You tripped over your own feet, Peter!”

“I did not!” he protested, but the grin on his face betrayed him. “I was merely making sure Lucy could outrun them.”

Edmund shook his head, feigning exasperation. “And you both left me behind! I had to climb a tree to get away!”

August giggled, her voice brightening the night. “And while you were up there, you yelled down to us, ‘Save yourselves!’ like a hero in one of those old adventure stories.”

They all burst into laughter, the sound echoing into the starry night.

But then, for a minute, all the laughter and chatter faded into a comfortable silence.

A small, serene voice broke through the quiet.

“Fly me to the moon,”

It was August, the song lover of the group. This was a tune she often sang at the bakery, its melody holding a special place in her heart, even if its meaning eluded her.

“And let me play among the stars.”

Lucy joined her, a soft smile on her lips.

“Let me see what spring is like on Jupiter and Mars.“
Susan sang along, snapping her fingers with the tune.

“In other words, hold my hand,” Peter chimed in, glancing at August, taking her hand in his.

Caspian, beside her, wore a confused yet amused expression.

“In other words, darling, kiss me.”

They pulled Edmund into their impromptu choir. Despite his embarrassment, he sang along, driven by the warmth of family.

“Fill my heart with song and let me sing for evermore.”

The group began to sway gently, caught up in the rhythm of their joy.

“You are all I long for, all I worship and adore.”

At this point, their enthusiastic singing—bolstered by a sugar rush from ice cream—could hardly be contained.

“In other words—”

They draped their arms around one another’s shoulders, the bonds of friendship visible in their gestures.

“Please be true!”

Laughter erupted as their voices cracked mid-verse, a delightful chaos of sound.

“In other words—”

They were practically shouting now, the night air alive with their energy.

“I’m in love with you!”

As they belted out the final line, August turned to Caspian, a wide smile brightening her face.

In response, Caspian leaned closer, whispering in her ear, “I’m in love with you too!”

With laughter and delight echoing into the night, they all bid each other goodnight, the warmth of their shared moment lingering in the air.

As they got up to leave, August turned to her friends, her heart swelling with gratitude. “I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy. Thank you for always being here.”

“We’re family,” Peter said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “And we’ll always have each other’s backs, no matter what.”

With those words, they walked away from the bench, the night filled with the promise of many more memories to come.