Chapter 24

Edmund stared at Susan in shock, the pain in his side forgotten. He stumbled up and put his hand on Susan's shoulder.

"Susan?" he asked and the girl looked back at him, a wild look in her eyes. Edmund nodded and hugged her, Susan's tears soaking the coarse fabric under his chain mail.

"It's all right Susan. Come on." he said and began to lead her down the mountain.

"Not so fast. She's a traitor!" Edmund looked up from the path to see Ladine, her hair as wild as her eyes, a long sword held in her hand. She pointed with the tip down to Susan.

"She told Peter she loved him! You know she never lies!" she cried and Edmund nodded.

"I know" he continued down, but Ladine grabbed Susan's arm.

"Stop it!" Edmund cried and wrenched Ladine off the dazed Susan. "She killed him. Peter's dead. She killed him with herself! That's like you killing Caspian!" Ladine blushed dramatically. "Go up and see if you really want to!" he cried and Ladine shook her head.

"It's all right. I believe you."

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Lucy turned around and her face brightened as she saw Edmund leading her sister and Ladine down the mountain.

"Ladine!" Lucy smiled as Caspian rushed past her and swept the Archenlander into his arms. She held out her arms for Edmund and he collapsed into them, kissing her as he did so. She pulled back, concern showing in her eyes.

"You're hurt. Let me-"

"No. Seeing you is all the remedy I need." he told her then kissed her again.

"What about Peter?" she asked.

"Dealt with. Susan killed him."

"Susan?" Lucy gasped and she turned to see her sister crying gently. She turned back to Edmund, confused.

"Don't ask. It'd be like me killing you." he told her and Lucy gasped again, then tore herself from Edmund's embrace and ran over and hugged her sister. Susan looked up at her sister.

"I killed the man I love!" Susan whispered.

"But you saved everyone else." Lucy reminded her and Susan looked away, then shook her head and wiped her eyes.

"I'm being stupid. I saved you: my dearest sister. I saved her love; the King of Narnia. I saved Caspian and Ladine."

"You saved Narnia." Lucy put in helpfully and the two sisters looked at each other and giggled.

"You alright Susan?" Lucy turned her head to see Caspian looking confused and realised Ladine must have told him.

"Don't worry. I'm fine." Susan said.

"Come on. We've got something to do." Edmund said and took Lucy's hand and beckoned to Susan. Ladine looked confused/

"What?"

"Meet Aslan, silly!"

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Caspian stared in awe at the magnificent lion that stood before him. He watched the lion gently lay his great head on Edmund's shoulder and the two whisper together and deep inside he felt proud for Narnia. He looked to his side and saw Ladine standing beside her father. Aslan had talked to her. He had talked to Susan first, then Ladine, then Lucy then Edmund. Caspian waited his turn and as he watched Edmund stood up and walked away and stood beside Lucy. Aslan stood without moving for a few seconds, before he swung his great head towards Caspian and padded softly over to him.

"Hello, Caspian."

"Aslan." Caspian said and bowed his head. He felt the tip of Aslan's muzzle raise his chin.

"Never bow your head. Stand proud. You will stand for Archenland and be a good consort to Ladine."

"But Aslan… I will leave Narnia!"

"In good hands. Go to Archenland be happy." Caspian looked up and found the great lion was looking into his eyes. He looked confused.

"You've gone down to my level." he said.

"Never let anyone look down on you, Caspian of Archenland." the lion swung round. "My time here is done. I leave Narnia in the safest hands possible. Goodbye, friends."

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I am so sorry about never finishing this one… But the last of this is here and I hope that the few who still bother to see if I'm still writing will be pleased. So here it is. Hope you like it and I hope I continue writing Crowns of Ice, so… Thank you if you are still reading what I'm writing!