A/N. Wow, can you believe that we're actually here? We made it! I made it…an entire book done in less than a year! I must be pretty good, or, as Nicky Minaj would say, "IMAMOTHERF*CKING MONSTA!" Just kidding) But seriously, this has been a long and amazing way. I really hope you enjoyed the story, and I'm really grateful to my amazing readers and reviewers! Forbidden Fruit turned out just as I wanted it to, and I couldn't have done it without you and your kind words. So, thank you, all of you!

I am thinking about a sequel, about Edmund and Edelle and how they actually face the consequences, along with Lucy, Eustace, Peter, Susan, The Pevensie parents, The Scrubbs and The Gilberts. But I can't start writing it, not knowing what my readers think, so if you DO want a sequel, and if there is something specific you would like to see, please let me know in your review!

I still can't believe that I'm about to press the "complete" button. But I am, and, without further ado, I present to you the last chapter of FFTS. Enjoy!

Chapter 27

"Aslan?" Eustace was the first one to notice him, and the rest quickly turned their heads in the direction he was looking.

"Welcome, children." The lion spoke in a strong but gentle voice "You have done well, very well indeed. You have come far, and now your journey is at its end."

Lucy looked around "Is this your country?"

"No, my country lies beyond." He answered and motioned to the space hidden from them by the height of the wave.

"Is my father in your country?" Caspian asked.

"You can only find that out for yourself. But you should know that if you continue, there is no return."

Caspian eyed the wave and gradually approached it. He extended his hand and ran his fingers through the water. It looked like he was about to step through, but after a moment, he stood back and turned around.

"You're not going?" Edmund asked, puzzled. After all, this was Caspian's main purpose of the whole journey-to find out about his father.

"I doubt my father would be very proud if I gave up what he died for. I spent to long wanting what was taken from me and not what was given. I was given a kingdom." He took a few devoted steps towards Aslan "I promise to be a better king."

The Lion smiled "You already are." And at that moment Caspian knew he had made the right choice.

"Children." He addressed the four, waiting for one of them to speak up.

"I think it's about time we went home, actually, Lu." Edmund said, as he knew his sister was the one to be closer to Narnia than anyone else.

Lucy looked at him confused "But I thought you loved it here."

"I do, but I love home and our family as well. They need us."

Lucy looked down sadly, knowing her brother was right, no matter how hard it was to admit it.

Edelle sighed "And to think, staying would have saved us so much trouble." She looked at Edmund, sure he would understand what she meant. Their eyes met, and he gently pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her.

Her arms came around his shoulders and from the corner of her eye she saw Eustace averting his gaze to the ground, looking quite defeated.

She let go of Edmund and stepped to him "Eustace, I…"

"It's alright." He cut her off in a surprisingly calm and understanding tone "As long as you're happy, I'll be alright too."

She slightly shook her head, bewildered by his very new reaction "But what about the whole 'marriage thing'?"

"We'll figure something out." He looked down, and then after a minute of sombre silence, he carefully took her hand and looked her in the eyes "Edelle, you're still my best friend, and I'll always love you."

She felt tears build up in her eyes as she smiled warmly "Thank you."

It was all she could say, but she knew she was able to put all the gratitude and all the emotion into it. Knowing that he accepted it, no matter how much it hurt, meant a lot to her. It was like he had just taken an enormous heap of guilt off her shoulders. She leaned forward and kissed his cheek with all the compassion she could muster.

She backed away and Eustace gave her a kind smile and then turned his eyes to Edmund, and his gaze stiffened up a bit

"You better make her happier than I would have."

Edmund smiled at him "Don't worry, that I can definitely promise." He said and wrapped his arm around Edelle's waist.

Eustace scoffed and they heard Aslan chuckle deeply. They all turned around, and found that while they were sorting out their troubles, Reepicheep has come up to Aslan to seek permission to enter his country.

"No one could be more deserving." Said Caspian.

"It's true." Edmund agreed and bowed gallantly, Reepicheep bowed back.

Edelle kneeled down to his level "It was an honour meeting you, noble warrior."

"The honour was all mine, milady." He also kneeled down and kissed her hand chivalrously.

Lucy got down to her knees and looked at the mouse "May I?" she asked the long-awaited question.

"Well, I suppose…" And with that Lucy finally picked him up, and cuddled him to her chest, like she was yearning to do since the moment she saw him. She placed him down and the mouse made his way to his most recent, but not any less close friend.

"But I don't understand, won't I ever see you again? Ever?" Eustace asked, tears in his eyes.

"What a magnificent puzzle you are." Reepicheep said kind-heartedly "And a true hero. It has been my honour to fight besides such a brave warrior and a great friend."

The valiant mouse gave his last bow and they all watched as he swiftly made his way to the little boat, which had appeared a moment before and began sailing up the giant wave. The little boat went higher and higher, until finally he went over the boundary, fulfilling his lifelong dream.

Lucy turned her teary eyes at Aslan "This is our last time here, isn't it?" she asked, inside already knowing the answer.

"Yes. You have grown up, my dear one, just like Peter and Susan."

"Will you visit us in our world?" Lucy said in a trembling voice.

"I shall be watching you always." The Lion assured.

"How?" A tear finally escaped Lucy's eye.

Aslan looked at her kindly "In your world, I have another name; you must learn to know me by it. That was the very reason you would go to Narnia-that by knowing me here, you would know me better there."

"Will we meet again?"

Aslan nodded "Yes, dear one, one day." And the next moment he turned to the wave and let out a loud roar, making the wave spread out, forming a path.

"Your journey in Narnia has ended, but your adventures have not. You still have great challenges and barriers to overcome." He looked at Edelle and Edmund particularly.

They looked at the portal and then saw Caspian approaching them "You're the closest thing I have to family." He said sincerely and looked over them "And that includes you, Eustace." he added with a smile and patted his shoulder.

Eustace smiled back "Thank you."

Edmund stepped forward and Caspian gave him a brotherly embrace. Next were Lucy and Edelle, who both hugged him tightly.

"Thank you, for everything." Edelle said sincerely and Caspian gave her a small bow "It was my pleasure. And I had already told Edmund how lucky he was."

Edelle smiled brightly and did a curtsey of her own.

Meanwhile Edmund came closer to Aslan and bowed to him, hoping the Great Lion understood how grateful he was for everything h had done for him.

Lucy and Edelle came to the either side and hugged him, nuzzling his golden mane. By that minute, Lucy was crying for real and as they parted from Aslan, Edelle put a comforting arm around her quivering shoulders.

Slowly they started walking up to the path in the wave. Halfway there, Eustace turned round

"Will I come back?" he asked in anticipation

"Narnia may yet have need of you." Aslan promised. Eustace nodded, more than satisfied with the answer.

He then walked up to his cousins and Edelle and together they stepped into the portal. Just before they could be swept away into their world, they turned for a one last look at Narnia, Caspian and the Great Lion, knowing that for the three of them, it was indeed the last time.

And the moment later, they felt warm waters wash over them and the ground giving away from under their feet. The four swam upwards, just like they did at the beginning when they were sent to Narnia. As they surfaced, they found themselves in the same place they left-Lucy's room; Edmund and Edelle landed on the bed and Lucy and Eustace- on the floor. They looked over their clothes and, to their surprise, found them completely dry, as if the diving never happened. They watched, as the last drops of water leaked back into the painting, all still reliving their last moments in their magical land.

Just then they heard a familiar stern lady's voice coming from downstairs

"Eustace, Eustace! What are you doing up there? Jill Pole dropped in for a visit!"

Edmund, Edelle and Lucy looked at Eustace, and the boy smiled. They certainly had a lot to talk about now; for the first time in a while, he could honestly say, that he had friends. At that minute, Eustace and Edelle both felt the same thing- they had actually just returned from an adventure of a lifetime, from a different world. And even if they wouldn't go back, they now had something to remember, to hold onto for the rest of their lives.

The four slowly got up from their places and Lucy, Edmund and Edelle watched Eustace carefully pick up the enchanted painting and gently place it back on the wall. Lucy opened the door and they walked out. But before they could close it behind them, they looked at the waves and the small ship in the frame, knowing that it wasn't just a painting anymore, it was a reminder for all of them. Their adventures weren't over; there were still many worries ahead of them and many obstacles to endure. But deep down, they already knew that together they could overcome anything.

Magic was real, and Narnia was real. And no matter what happens, there will always be a spark of hope in their hearts, and belief, that miracles can happen.