Chapter 12 – By Faith and Not by Sight

"Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Peterson," William said, shaking hands.

"It was our pleasure," Mrs. Peterson answered. "God bless you in your new life."

"Thank you, Mrs. Peterson," William replied.

"It is such a good think you are doing," the lady continued. "Going to share the gospel."

"It is for God's glory," William smiled. Mrs. Peterson nodded and was about to speak again when her husband interrupted.

"Dear," he addressed his wife. "We really need to be going."

William's mother, Mrs. Edwards, walked up to her son.

"William," she began. "I'd like you to meet Mathew and Amelia Elliot. They have been missionaries with the Pacific Missions Agency for several years now."

"That's the organization we're going with!" William exclaimed. "I have many questions to ask you. I'm so happy to meet you!" Mathew Elliot smiled at the enthusiastic young adult.

"And we'd love to answer your questions if we can," Amelia spoke up. "The director of the mission wrote us several weeks ago asking us to move to Telmarinia to start a mission. I understand that is where you, your wife and your sister are going to be."

"Yes," William responded. "I'm so glad we will have your experience to go by. I'll have to introduce you to Susan and Anna." William gazed about but saw Susan standing with her siblings. They looked like they were getting ready to leave. Many other guests were drifting out and only a few were left. "Excuse me," William announced. "I really want to talk to you, Mathew and Amelia, but Susan's family is leaving and we must bit them farewell."

"Oh, I understand perfectly," Amelia smiled. "We'll hang around for a while." William briskly made his way over to Susan. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders. Susan looked up and beamed at him. Lucy gazed in happiness at her sister. She knew Susan would be happy for many years to come.

"It's time for us to leave, Su," Peter announced.

Susan sighed. "I know, Peter. I just don't want you to leave. It feels so right to have you by my side again."

"Well, we're never far," Edmund teased. Susan smiled at him. Peter turned to William.

"Congratulations, friend." The two shook hands. "Look after Su now."

"I will," William promised once again. "And thank you."

Peter nodded. "God bless." With that, Peter turned to Susan again. "Farewell, Su." He folded her into a warm embrace.

"Until we meet again," Susan whispered. She smiled tearfully as Peter stepped back and Edmund took his place.

"Goodbye, Susan," Edmund said.

"Goodbye, Ed," Susan answered, giving him a hug, too. Edmund hesitated for a moment but then hugged her back.

"My turn!" Lucy exclaimed, squeezing in between Edmund and Susan.

"Luce," Susan whispered, hugging her little sister tightly. "Take care of Ed and Peter," Susan teased. Lucy smiled and squeezed her big sister tighter.

"Farewell, Susan," Lucy said at last. "Walk by faith and not by sight."

"That sounds vaguely familiar," Susan answered in a confused tone. "Like I've heard it before."

Peter smiled a secret smile to himself. He knew where she had heard it.

"I believe you now," Susan admitted. "But I think I've come too far to go back now."

"Impossible," Peter teased. "You'll always be Susan and you'll always be my sister."

"I'm serious though," Susan laughed bitterly. "I can't go back…not to how it was. I've tried to make this home-"

"But England is nothing compared to Narnia!" Peter interrupted.

"I know," Susan sighed. "I'm not where I belong."

"This isn't home. Narnia will always be home to us," her brother reminded.

"And yet, I'm still searching," Susan answered. "I have unanswered questions."

"It's not over yet. And we're not alone." Peter replied wisely. They were silent again.

"Peter," Susan said after a bit. "I need to see Him." Peter turned to look at her upturned face. "I need to see Aslan. I don't think I can hold on anymore."

"We have to walk by faith and not by sight," he gently reminded.

"I just need some sort of proof! You, Edmund, Lucy, you always seem so sure of Aslan even when you can't see him. I'm not like that," Susan protested.

"But you can be," quietly insisted Peter.

"Peter, I've come too far, I can't go back…" she sighed, leaving her sentence unfinished.

Susan turned to Aslan and buried her face in his mane.

"Aslan," she whispered. "I love you so very much. I'm sorry I ever doubted you. You have given me the greatest gift today; my family. You know I love them very much."

"And they love you back, dear one," Aslan answered. "Never doubt my love for you and your family. I am with you always. Even when you cross the ocean, all the way to Telmarinia, I will hold you fast."

"Thank you, Aslan," Susan replied, straightening. Aslan nodded. Susan turned and ran to her family, scooping them all up in one last big hug.

"I love you! I love you with all my heart!" Not even Edmund, dear Edmund, could keep from shedding a few tears. Peter, Edmund and Lucy slowly and sadly left Susan and joined Aslan. They turned their faces towards the heavens. Sparkles and raindrops glistened off their faces and bodies before they disappeared in a shimmering cloud.

Comfortingly, William put his arm around Susan's shoulders and she leaned up against him.

"I'll see them again," Susan declared. "When it's my turn to go home."

Susan lifted her hand up towards her daughter. The woman, once such a little girl, clutched her mother's hand.

"Mama, please," Lucy begged.

"Don't cry," Susan begged as she wiped the tears from her daughter's face. She was reminded of Peter. His final words entered her head. I'm going home.

"I'm going home." Susan smiled at Lucy, and took a deep rattling breath, struggling to reassure the girl. But there he was, a large golden lion, impossibly lovely. He came to stand beside her, and she lifted her hand – so much stronger than it had been just a moment ago.

"It is time for you to come with me, dear one," Aslan paused. "To come home."

"Oh, Aslan." Susan's voice was younger now, stronger. She rose easily from the bed, and turned back. The shadow of her old self was still there; impossibly still, white and withered. Her daughter, Lucy, the perfect image of Susan but with her father's twinkling eyes, bent over her form, sobbing.

"Papa!" Lucy yelled. "Benjamin! Come quickly!" William and their son, Benjamin quickly crossed the room to where Susan lay dying.

"No," William cried, squeezing his wife's hand gently. "Susan!"

"Mama?" Judah whispered through his tears. The new Susan crossed the room and laid her hand on her both of her children's shoulders, just like she had so often over the years.

"I love you," Susan whispered. That whisper stirred through the room and the three figures bent over the bed raised their heads at the sound.

"I love you most," William murmured.

"Farewell, William and Lucy and Benjamin," Susan answered. "Don't cry, we'll meet again." She turned to Aslan.

"Come with me, Dear One." She wove her fingers in his mane again, and swung aboard his back. He roared, just as he had when awakening all those stone animals in the castle, and sprang forward. The world melted away, time melted away. Scenery of Telmarinia faded to green, to a hill. Aslan sprang up, past an old stable door, farther up and further in.

It took Susan a long moment, and then she cried, "It's Narnia!"

Oh, and it was Narnia, but grander, bigger, richer, larger. It was the real Narnia. It was her every memory: it was the castle at Cair Paravel; it was the great eastern sea and the broad forests. It was home.

Aslan stopped beneath the shadow of Cair Paravel to allow Susan to slip from his back.

"You are here to stay, dear one. You have been strong." He gave her a look of pure love, warming her whole soul before turning to gaze at the crest of a hill. There, just on the rise, Susan saw three figures.

One was a tall, magnificent warrior. The next was a quiet and just ruler. And the last was a valiant and faithful maiden, full of life and joy. Susan's heart caught in her throat.

Her siblings were waiting for her. High King Peter the Magnificent, looking as noble as ever, King Edmund the Just, his face full of wisdom, and Queen Lucy the Valiant, starry eyes dancing as only hers could.

Susan cast aside every other thought and ran, impossibly fast and strong in this new Narnia, towards them.

"Peter! Edmund! Lucy!" She called, pushing herself faster. They looked up, and ran to meet her. Susan threw herself into Peter's arms, touching Edmund's cheek, kissing the top of Lucy's head.

"You are right!" Susan cried. "You were right all along! We do have to walk by faith and not by sight. We have to just believe."

"Welcome home, Susan," Peter smiled. "You finally believe in the impossible."

The End

Author's note: I hope you liked 'Just Believe'! I may write a sequel eventually but for now I am out of inspiration. I've enjoyed this long adventure and I hope you have too.