This is my very last chapter of this story. I may or may not make a sequel, probably not for a long while if I do. I have too many other story ideas running through my heads, most of them not for Narnia. I want to thank everyone who stuck with this all the way to the end. I'm so grateful for you all and your support for me since this is my first story on . I want to thank all those who reviewed even more. Your comments and corrections throughout the story really helped me to make it through this story the way that I did. I want to apologize if this seems rushed. I had a lot I wanted to say, but not enough time to write it all down (though I've been writing this for months already). Wow... it's been about 2 years since I started this... time flies so quickly

I do not own anything except for Barley, Claire, Diana, Rygin, and Duhgle. Everything else belongs to C.S. Lewis and his brilliant mind.

"My lady! Please wait!" The faint sound of metal and footsteps mixed with the guard's call made me slow Diana down a bit and turn around. Three of Cair Paravel's guards were attempting to follow me and Barley on foot. I shook my head, knowing that their attempts were in vain. But it couldn't be helped. Aslan had wanted me to take this task alone with only the assistance of Barley and Diana. For two years after the Pevensie's coronation I had taken this same route into the woods, carrying the same package of food and clothing, hoping for some sign that my work had not been in vain. So far the only I had received was an empty clearing where I had left a basket two nights before. Keep faith. Well, it was kind of hard to do that without any visible signs.

"Do you think we should stop for them?" I glanced down at Barley as he ran along side Diana easily. He always asked the same question whenever the guards were running after us, and I always replied with the same answer.

"Not at all." His mouth curved up into an amused smile.

"His Majesty won't be very happy that the guards lost track of you. Again." I sighed as I we entered the outskirts of the forest.

"I'll deal with Peter later. He should be used to it by now though." We continued along our path, beaten down by the numerous visits we had paid to the forest. The sunlight took on a greenish hue as it filtered down through the trees. It was serene, not a place one would consider fugitives living in. The remnants of the Witch's army had taken refuge in this forest after the war had ended. These were the people that Aslan had asked me to watch over, and not without reason. They were brothers to somebody, sons, daughters, nephews, sisters, friends, lovers to somebody. They were people just the same as us, with feelings and hopes that were the same as ours. And while we had suffered many losses from the war, they had suffered even more.

The trees started to thin out deep in the heart of the forest, turning into the clearing that we usually stopped at. As Diana slowed to a stop, I dismounted and readjusted the pair of tan breeches I had borrowed from Peter's wardrobe. It was easier riding Diana and exploring the forest in pants than in a dress, and what Peter didn't know wouldn't hurt him. Barley circled the clearing, watchful for any signs of life, as always. I took the basket from Diana's back and placed it in its usual place. I kneeled down next to the basket and sighed. Barley noticed my change in mood and immediately appeared at my side, rubbing up against me. I placed my hand on his head and looked up at the sky.

"I don't know how much longer I can keep this up, Barley. This waiting and waiting for something to come of this is killing me."

"Have patience, Claire. Results will come." Groaning, I stood back up.

"Yes, but when?" Barley opened his mouth to speak but never got the chance as two dwarves suddenly came crashing through the bushes into the clearing. As Barley moved to position himself between me and the dwarves, I stood and tried to appear both regal and humble. The dwarves slowly walked towards us with their swords drawn and menacingly pointed at us.

"Oh ho! What do we have here?" The smaller of the two said, his peppery gray hair fluttering slightly in the sudden breeze. His companion laughed and continued to inch up to us.

"Looks like a pair of intruders, eh Rygin?"

"Sure does, Duhgle." I backed up slowly as they continued to close in. The dwarf, whose name appeared to be Rygin, eyed me and my companions critically, trying to figure out why we were there. I recoiled into myself a bit and wished that I had been allowed to bring my bow and arrow. However, Aslan had told me to come unarmed, so I did. Suddenly Rygin's eyes grew wide and he stepped back in alarm. "Duhgle, these aren't just any intruders. The human's a noble." Duhgle just laughed and continued forward.

"Even better. Maybe we can bargain for some supplies or rights or something." I watched as Rygin darted forward and pulled back on Duhgle's small tunic.

"No, we can't. She's not just a noble. She's Lady Claire. That king's noble." Duhgle stopped in his tracks and stared at me. I wasn't sure whether to relax or run away, so I just stayed where I was and prepared myself to flee if the need arose. The two dwarves spoke hurriedly and quietly to each other. I shifted my position and nervously tugged at Peter's breeches. The basket sat exposed at my feet and, as the dwarves saw it, tipped fortune in my favor for a few minutes at least.

"Don't tell me that YOU were the one bringing all that food and stuff." I nodded. Duhgle honestly looked stumped. Not that I could blame him really, especially since we were enemies not too long ago. Why would I be bringing them supplies? "Oh no, oh no! We ate that food! For all we know, you could've poisoned it!" I couldn't help but let out a small giggle. The two stared at me with a mixture of anger and fear.

"Well, obviously I didn't poison it since you're both still alive." My comment didn't seem to convince them that I was no threat to them. Rygin whispered quickly in Duhgle's ear before stepping up to challenge me.

"Eat it."

"What?" He pointed at the basket to accent his point this time.

"Eat it. If it's not dangerous, then eat it." I smiled indulgently and bent down to tear off a piece of bread to eat. Chewing slowly, I sat on the ground and pushed the basket closer to the two dwarves in a peace offering. Rygin, seeing that I truly meant no harm, set down his sword and took the basket from me. He seemed puzzled and kept looking from the food in his hands to me and then back again, opening his mouth and closing it as if he was trying to find what he wanted to say. We all remained silent for the next ten minutes or so until Rygin finally found his voice and asked the unspoken question that I knew would come up eventually. "Why?"

"Whatever you may believe about me, I am not one who will sit by passively while someone needs help, whoever that person may be. In time, I hope you will come to see that we, meaning me and my monarchs, really don't want to fight with you. We want to help you, to give you a new life." Duhgle snorted unbelievingly, but Rygin looked at me with new respect and curiosity. I could tell from their responses that Rygin was the more reasonable and diplomatic of the two. Duhgle seemed much too willing to attack.

"You are a very… intriguing person. I can't say that I believe you, but you are indeed a very curious person." Well, it was a start. But I could at least work from there as opposed to someone who would ignore my statement and just attack. Feeling that my work for the day was finished, I hesitantly stood back up and walked towards Diana.

"I had best be going before Peter decides to send a battalion of soldiers after me." Rygin nodded.

"Yes, that would be best." Pulling myself back up into Diana's saddle, I checked around the area in case I had forgotten something.

"If there's anything you and your group absolutely need, I can bring it in two days when I come back." Duhgle spoke up this time.

"You're coming back?" I could tell from his tone that he wasn't happy, but he was also impressed that I would be brave enough to willingly return again.

"Yes, I am. Should I bring more food than I usually do?" My question was directed back at Rygin, who I knew would give me a precise and truthful answer. He looked into the basket quickly and then back up at me.

"Please do. This is only enough to feed half of us and food is hard to come by in these woods." I nodded in affirmation and spurred Diana into a run out of the clearing and back down the familiar pathway. I was filled to the brim with excitement and fear, happy that my labor had finally produced some fruit, but scared of this new territory of interaction. I had fallen into the pattern of riding into the clearing, leaving a basket, and then leaving. This change in routine left me feeling nervous about what could possibly happen.

I lifted my head into the wind and closed my eyes. "Aslan, be with me. Lend me your courage." Feeling the wind swirl around me and caress my face in the most delicate way, I let nature carry my worries away in the arms of the gentle wind as the turrets of Cair Paravel drew closer in my sight. Soon we arrived at the doors of the magnificent castle and I jumped down to the ground, striding into the entrance with a new spring in my step to the amusement of many of the castle's inhabitants. Barley smiled and went off on his own way, wherever that was, and one of the guards took his place walking beside me.

"Good afternoon, milady. His majesty would like a word with you whenever you're ready." The guard glanced down at my apparel and I realized that I was still wearing Peter's breeches. Not exactly the type of clothing a noblewoman should be wearing.

"Thank you. I will speak with him shortly." Embarrassed, I rushed up to my bedchambers and exchanged my riding clothes for one of the elegant gowns I had been provided with. I ran a brush through my windswept hair and put my circlet back on before running back out and down into the throne room. I found Peter lounging in his throne alone, leaning against one of the arms rests with his legs thrown over the other one. His crown was hanging from one of the throne's corners instead of sitting on his head. He was lost in his own thoughts and didn't notice me walking up to the dais until I was at the very edge. The young king straightened up at my presence as I swept into my most graceful curtsy. "My Lord."

"Please, Claire. We're far past formalities by now." I stood up from my curtsy and let a small smirk grace my lips as I walked onto the dais.

"You know, you really should act more dignified. You are the High King after all."

"Only when you stop running off into the woods. Rumors are starting, you know. They say you're planning a rebellion with the Witch's old followers." I laughed and leaned against his throne.

"Oh, I highly doubt that." He smiled and took my hand in his, pressing a small kiss against my knuckles. I couldn't ignore the small shock of electricity that traveled up my arm from his kiss. Peter then donned a serious expression and looked straight into my eyes.

"Claire, you know I don't approve of you going into the woods alone. It's not safe."

"I'm not alone. I take Barley and Diana with me every time." He shook his head and sighed.

"That's not what I meant! If the Witch's followers attack, they can't protect you. You refuse to take any weapons with you, but won't you at least take someone who is trained in hand-to-hand combat?" I pulled my hand out of his, walking in front of Peter so he could see that I was still unharmed before I revealed my day's events.

"I met two of them today, Peter. Two dwarves who came at me with swords drawn. But I came out in one piece without any injuries, not even bruise! They need our help, and I intend to give it to them, whether you approve or not."

"Claire…"

"Please, trust me. I know what I'm doing. Or, if you can't trust me, trust Aslan." We stared at each other for several long seconds before Peter nodded in agreement.

"I trust you. Just…don't do anything too careless. Promise?" Grinning euphorically, I took his hand again in both of mine.

"Thank you, Peter! I promise." I kissed his cheek and practically danced out the throne room to go prepare a basket for my next visit.

Over the following months, I slowly gained the trust of Rygin and Duhgle. They still had me take a bite of the food I brought for the first month or so, but they soon learned to trust my food even if they couldn't trust my motives yet. Many times, Rygin and Duhgle would bring another member of their group to meet me and help take food back to their camp and I gradually gained their trust as well to the point that I was able to move among the group within their own camp. It took a year and a half to receive everyone's trust and loyalty in the group but the time it took was well worth it. They became my people and a part of my family, and I was the same to them, so much so that they would be willing to give the new monarchs and Narnia a try if I ever ascended to the throne. Finally, Aslan decided to join me on one of my visits. The gentle way in which he listened to the people and encouraged them was the final nail needed to seal their loyalty. They were now Aslan's loyal subjects.

-3 Years Later-

Butterflies were going to burst out of my stomach at anytime. I was visibly shaking in my white, silken dress as Lucy and Susan finished touching up my hair. My shaking wasn't from being nervous though, rather it was because I was so excited. Almost nineteen years old and soon to be united with the High King of Narnia and my love. I couldn't believe that this day was finally here! After a year of planning and dreaming, my wedding day had finally arrived.

"Don't cry yet, Claire. You don't want to have red eyes during the ceremony." Lucy said soothingly. I smiled up at the two queens, standing up from my seat to look at myself in the mirror. My dress was exceedingly simple, made of white silk and lace that hung elegantly on my slight frame. Pearls adorned the rounded neckline and hems of both the sleeves and the skirt. The familiar circlet hugged my forehead in a last embrace as it would soon be replaced by the tiara of a king's consort and my hair tumbled down in wild, yet tamed curls. The ceremony would be held outdoors near the sea, including not only the citizens on Narnia, but Narnia itself. "You look perfect. You're ready."

"Thank you. Both of you." The three of us hugged, then Susan and Lucy took my hands and led me down to the grounds. Before stepping outside, I slipped off my shoes so that I could feel the comfort of the grass beneath my feet. We walked leisurely towards the wedding area, taking in the beauty of this glorious day, but all thoughts of the day fled my mind as soon as I saw Peter standing beside Edmund and the Great Lion himself. Peter and I locked eyes and suddenly all I could see was the young man who had captured my heart long before we had reached Narnia. The ceremony went by in a blur. I knew I was answering correctly when I had to, yet I really wasn't paying any attention to anything other than the handsome king before me who I became tied to as husband and wife, King and princess consort. We exchanged our vows and rings, the golden bands sealing our marriage in an eternal bond. I kissed my husband and then knelt before Aslan to receive my new title.

"Claire, my daughter, you are expecting only the title of princess consort. Your loyalty and love to your country and your people, regardless of the situations, has made you worthy of much more. For to be a leader, one must first become a servant. My daughter, I name you High Queen Claire, the Faithful." Cheers erupted from the crowd that had gathered to see their king wed. I felt my eyes becoming moist as Peter placed the crown upon my head. I had not expected nor asked for such an honor. Among the crowd I noticed the Witch's old followers, now loyal to Aslan, celebrating along with the others and the old prophecy that I had heard when I first came to Narnia came to my head again.

There will be one, a daughter of Eve of noble descent,

Who will help bring Narnia from bleakness to brilliance,

Then Narnia will be whole once more,

When united again is Adam's flesh and Adam's bone.

Narnia was united again, brother with brother and sister with sister. It had taken a while, but the people were finally able to come together and heal old wounds. Unity and peace would reign along with Narnia's monarchs for years to come.

The hunt for the white stag was a tradition that the five monarchs followed religiously all throughout their reign. Whenever a whisper reached their ears about the stag's location, all five would drop what they were doing, saddle up, and head out. This day was no different. Autumn was in full bloom and the wind was turning colder, yet the variety of warm colors made up for the nip in the air. We flew over the land on our mounts, hot in pursuit of the white stag. My husband and Lucy led the five of us and Edmund and I pulled up the rear. Both Philip and Diana were growing too old for such sport and it was starting to show. The wind blowing through my hair reminded me so much of the days I had spent racing into the woods all those years ago. It had been about thirteen years or so by now. As we raced beside the river, Diana started to slow down and finally coming to a stop. Peter noticed and started to also stop, but I waved him on.

"Go on without me. I'll meet you all at Cair Paravel later." He nodded and continued the hunt. I dismounted from Diana's back and let her drink form the river. "Are you alright, Diana?"

"I'm fine, milady. Just old age." I shook my head.

"No, not old. Never old." Looking around the area we had stopped at, I noticed a lot of familiar landmarks, though I knew I had not come this way before. I walked down the bank towards the waterfall, always making sure that Diana was still in my sight. Moving along the rock wall, I saw the cliff turn into a cave. I took off my slippers and pulled up my gown before stepping into the river itself, intent of exploring the cave. Curious, Diana trotted up behind me as well. "I'm just going to go into that cave. I'll be back soon, and if I'm not, head back to Cair Paravel for help."

With that I stepped into the cave. The thing that hit me most was that the cave was furnished with miscellaneous items, from gowns to gadgets that I had never seen in Narnia but rang a bell in my mind. I walked further and further into the cave. The mess grew larger the deeper I went and the stone floor strangely enough turned into wood. This cave was not a cave at all, but rather it was a storage room. More specifically, a closet.

I fell through the doorway of the closet into the abandoned room in my grandmother's house. I had gone from being a grown lady, a noble, back to my thirteen year old self. The only sign that Narnia had been real and not a dream was the cool, solid band of gold the remained on my left hand's ring finger. I heard the room's door open and looked up to see my grandmother standing there with a knowing smile on her face.

"Grandmother, you know those stories you told me? About Narnia? I think I believe you now."

The next day my family decided to go visit the old professor's house down the way. I was exhausted from a sleepless night. After about ten years of marriage, I had grown used to having Peter sleeping beside me. I had tossed and turned all night, trying to find the comfort that his presence had given me. Our car pulled up to a dignified looking house that I could only guess belonged to the professor. As we got out, my grandmother turned back to me and wrapped m e in an embrace.

"Why don't you go explore the grounds, Claire dear? Tell me what you find later." I nodded and started a trek around the large yard. The great space of grass and trees reminded me so much of Narnia, but it was also much too different. I was homesick for the rolling hills and bubbling brooks and varied life of my country, but especially for Peter and the other Pevensies. How were they dealing with my sudden disappearance? When would I ever see them again?

"Claire!" Lucy's voice was so clear in my mind. I must've missed them more than I knew.

"Claire, over here!" This time Susan's voice called to me. Now if only I could hear Peter's voice.

"Claire! Stop ignoring us and come over here!" I turned around suddenly and saw the four Pevensie siblings sitting under a tree and laughing. I yelled out in joy and ran over to the four of them, my wedding ring shining in the sunshine. All four stood and wrapped me in a large hug, exclaiming in delight at our reunion. Peter's ring finger was also shining and I saw that he was also wearing his wedding ring.

"So it was real. I wasn't just dreaming." They all laughed. Peter pulled me tightly against him and kissed the top of my head.

"It was real, love. Every single second of it." I nuzzled into his chest and smiled. "I missed you, Claire."

"I missed you too." He took one of my hands and kissed my palm, then pressed it against his cheek.

"Welcome home."

Once again I want to thank everyone. Now I will ask for the final time (this is kind of bittersweet), please review! I would love to hear your thoughts now that the story is complete. Was there anything you felt I needed to tie up that I might've not noticed? Were there any mistakes or spelling errors you saw? Anything you want me to elaborate on? Now that it's finished, I can focus on making it better as a whole :)

Comments and constructive criticism are welcome. Flames are not. Thank you all for reading! Bless you all!