Hello everyone! Here it is… THE LAST CHAPTER OF "THE PORTECTOR'S CALL!" I am happy and sad that this is the last chapter. I just want to thank all of you for supporting this story! I do have an announcement at the end of the chapter. Anyways, please enjoy read this chapter of "The Protector's Call."
Also, I do not own anything except for my OC Katie.
The celebration of the Narnians' victory was tremendous. We won the battle, Caspian was now king, and Narnia was safe once again. To celebrate our victory, the Narnians had a parade as we entered the castle. I was smiling as I rode beside Peter. There were thousands of people cheering for us, throwing flower petals, and waving flags to welcome us. I was wearing a beautiful lime green dress with my hair in tight curls. I was so thankful that the battle was finally over and Narnia was at peace.
We stayed at the castle for a week or two. Lucy was either tending the flower gardens, enjoying tea with Susan and I, and hanging around DLF. Edmund was back playing chess with his opponents and beating them, they do not call him The King of Chess for nothing, or practicing sword fighting with the soldiers. Susan on the other hand was spending a lot of time with Caspian. I was surprised by Lucy's answer when I asked her about Susan.
"I believe she and Caspian are out riding right now. Actually, I've been seeing them together lately," she said with a smile.
"You mean like…"
Lucy nodded her head and said, "I think they are smitten with each other."
I was stunned to hear this, but seeing them together, taking walks, chatting; it was really refreshing to see. I have not seen Susan looked so happy for a long time.
As for me, I spent most of my time with Peter. I was relieved to see the man who I fell in love with returning to me. No more High Mighty King. Just a loving boyfriend and an amazing brother to his siblings. We've spent most of our days riding, having picnics, or relaxing in the library. He wanted to apologize for his behavior over the past year. To show how sorry he was, he surprised me with a moonlight dinner on our castle balcony, with Susan and Lucy helping out decorating the place. It was the sweetest thing he had ever done for me. I was glad everything was back to normal. However, one day was very different.
That afternoon, we, including all the Narnians and Telmarines, were gathered outside the castle, in front of a very tall tree. I was standing between Peter and Susan. I looked across to see Aslan, DLF, Glenstorm, the Bear, Reepicheep, and Cornelius on the other side of the tree. I smoothed down my light purple dress and combed through my straight hair. Caspian walked forward and stared at the crowd.
"Narnia belongs to the Narnians just as it does to man. Any Telmarines who want to stay and live in peace are welcome to. And for any of you who wish, Aslan will return you to the home of our forefathers," he explained.
One of the Telmarine Lords looked confused as he stated, "It has been generations since we left Telmar."
Aslan smiled kindly and said, "We are not referring to Telmar. Your ancestors were sea-faring brigands, pirates run aground on an island. There they found a cave, a rare chasm that brought them here from their world, the same world as our kings and queens." I was shocked at his statement as I stared right into Aslan's eyes. "It is to that island I can return you. It is a good place for any who wish to make a new start."
I stared right into the crowd to see who would take the offer. Everyone looked at each other, wondering if they would stand up.
"I'll go." My eyes landed to the person who spoke to find it was Glozelle. His right arm was in a sling and his left check was swollen. "I will accept the offer." Caspian nodded his head with respect. As Glozelle started to walk towards us, Caspian's Aunt Prunaprismia spoke up. "So will we."
Caspian looked shocked and sorrow filled his eyes as his aunt carried her son to the tree. Another Telmarine Lord followed Glozelle and stood before Aslan.
"Because you have spoken first, your future in that world will be good," declared the lion.
The three Telmarines closed their eyes as they felt Aslan breathe on them. We all turned towards the tree to see it start to twist and form a round opening in the center. They gradually walked to the center on the tree. My eyes widened when they walked into the center… and vanished into thin air! Everyone gasped in fright and started to panic.
One of the Telmarine Peasants cried out in fear, "How do we know he is not leading us to our deaths?"
Before Aslan could reply, Reepicheep stood frontward and declared, "Sire, if my example can be of any service, I will take eleven mice through with no delay."
Aslan looked at us, as I felt Peter's hand grip mine. He let go of my hand and stepped forward. "We'll go," he said.
Edmund and Lucy were confused, so the young king asked, "We will?"
Peter dejectedly nodded his head before saying, "Come on. Our time's up." He walked over to Caspian and Peter offered his sword to him. "After all, we're not really needed here anymore."
Caspian stared at the sword before he took the sword out of Peter's hand. "I will look after it until your return," he said.
"I'm afraid that's just it." Caspian looked up to see it was Susan who spoke. "We're not coming back."
Caspian looked devastated as he looked right at me and back to Susan. Lucy and Edmund were horrified and saddened from the news.
"We're not?" Lucy asked as she was about to cry.
Peter smiled at her before replying, "You two are." He looked at Aslan before he continued to say, "At least, I think he means you two."
Lucy turned to the lion, completely stunned. Peter, Susan, and Katie could not return to Narnia?
"But why? Did they do something wrong?" asked the young girl.
Aslan smiled kindly to her and answered, "Quite the opposite, dear one. But all things have their time. Your brother and sister have learned what they can from this world. Now it's time for them to live in their own."
However, Edmund took a step before asking, "But what about Katie? She's the Protector of Narnia. Is this her last time too?"
Aslan gazed into my eyes. I knew he wanted me to explain what he and I had already discussed, before the ceremony began.
"Here's the thing Ed. I may or may not come back." Everyone, except for Aslan, Peter, and Susan were muddled. "It is true that I am the Protector. However, like my Father before me, the title is passed on. When my Father turned a certain age, he could not return to Narnia. I don't know if I will come back, unless Narnia is in dire need of the Protector. If I reach the age of the end of my Protector's duty, the role of the Protector will be passed on onto another family member of mine."
"If you will not be the Protector anymore, then who will?" Edmund asked me.
I looked at Aslan, asking his permission to reveal who will proclaim the title. He nodded his head and I took a deep breath.
"Do you guys remember my cousin Isabelle? The one from America?"
Lucy and Edmund nodded their heads. My cousin Isabelle and their family came to visit my family during the summer and I introduced them to Peter and his family. Isabelle, or Belle for short, has long red hair and a few frekles on her face. Belle is the oldest of two siblings. She has one brother named Gabriel and one little sister named Sabrina. Belle is 11 years old, Gabriel is nine, and Sabrina is six.
"Aslan told me that when my time as the Protector is done, Belle will take my place. I trust in Aslan's decision and I believe Belle will be a great Protector," I explained.
Peter slowly walked over to Lucy and grasped her hands. "It's all right, Lu. It's not how I thought it would be, but it's all right. One day you'll see too. Come on."
We all walked over to the other side of the tree to say our goodbyes. Peter stood in front of Glenstorm and shook his hand. I knelt down in front of Reepicheep. He released his sword, crossed it over his chest and bowed his head to me. I looked over to Lucy curtsying to Trumpkin as he nodded to her. They both looked like they were about to cry. Suddenly, Lucy rushed over and embraced her dear little friend. I stood up as turned to Caspian. He was so lost and heartbroken. I smiled and slowly walked over to him.
"I'm not really good at saying goodbye. It's sad to know that I may not be able to come back at all," I said meekly.
Caspian slightly smiled, before answering in a soft voice, "I wished we did not need to say farewell. It will be strange without you here, Katie."
I giggled before I swiped an escape tear from my eye. "You are going to be an amazing king, Caspian. Just promise me that you will not lose your faith and you'll remember me."
"I promise."
Before we knew it, I ran right into his arms and hugged him as tightly as I could. I did not want to let him go. I felt him kiss the side of my head before he released me.
"Goodbye King Caspian."
"Goodbye High Queen Katherine, Protector of Narnia."
I looked over my shoulder to see Susan walked slowly up to us.
"Give me a few minutes," she whispered into my ear. I nodded as I strolled back to Peter. Susan beamed as she stood in front of Caspian. "I'm glad I came back."
Caspian sighed and looked down at his feet. "I wish we had more time together."
Susan giggled and looked at the side. "It would never have worked anyway."
"Why not?" asked a confused King.
"I am 1300 years older than you," smirked Susan as she joked.
Caspian smiled and shook his head. Susan started to walk away, but something stopped her. Suddenly she turned back around and kissed Caspian. I was smiling when I saw him kiss her back. Afterward, they embraced each other, heartbroken that they will never see each other again. I wiped away another tear that threatened to fall. Peter pulled me into his side and kissed the side of my head.
Lucy leaned over and whispered to us, "I'm sure when I'm older I'll understand."
Edmund smirked as he retorted, "I'm older and don't think I want to understand."
"Don't worry, you'll figure it out in a couple of years," I joked.
Susan finished her goodbyes to Caspian and walked back to where we were standing. We were about to turn to the tree, when I remembered something.
"Wait," I ran up to Aslan and wrapped my arms around his mane. I suddenly started to cry as I placed my face into his soft fur. I felt his paw wrap around my waist as he held me close.
"I'm going to miss you so much Aslan," I cried.
"I know dear one. I will miss you too," he said.
I slowly let go of him and I asked, "Will I ever see you again? If I am not allowed to return?"
Aslan smiled and said, "You will be with me, in your world and the next. I will never abandon you, Katie."
I nodded my head before returning to the others. Peter grabbed my hand and squeezed it for comfort. We all looked around us one more time, before we started towards the tree. As I entered the center, I felt a soft breeze hit my face and I saw a small bright light.
As my eyes cleared up, I realized we were standing in a train station. We must be back at London. I looked around and saw that there were children in school uniforms carrying their luggage. Time must have stood still again. I felt my hair and touched the ribbon in my bun and looked to see I was still in my uniform. I glanced to the others to see that they were curious and saddened to be back in London. Then the train pulled up.
"Aren't you coming, Phyllis?"
I jumped when I heard that voice. I stared at the door to the train to see this strange boy looking right at Susan. Did he just call her Phyllis? We all gather our luggage and board the train. I placed my luggage down and held my hand on the train pole to keep my balance.
"Things are going to be different, aren't they?" I asked Peter.
Peter smiled before giving me a quick kiss. I was in a daze; his kisses always made me do that.
"For the better now. Things are going to be amazing, as long as you are by my side," he said.
I grinned at him. I laid my head on his shoulder and sighed.
"Do you think there's any way we could get back?" We all looked at Edmund to see he was rummaging through his bag. He looked up and said, "I've left my new torch in Narnia!"
We all started to laugh as the doors to the train closed. I touched my necklace and I could have sworn that I heard a roar of a lion. I do not know if I will be able to return to Narnia or if Belle will accept being the next Protector. However, I do know that life is an adventure… we just need to answer the call.
Oh my gosh! The last chapter of "The Protector's Call" is done! This is a bittersweet moment right now. So I hope that answers your question; will Katie return to Narnia. She might be in VDT, Belle might be in VDT… or maybe both girls? Who knows! Yes, I will do VTD! However, as I promised, I will not write it yet. I will FINALLY start on my Phantom Of The Opera sequel called "Red Rose Nightmare!" I will continue to do my Merlin story too! I will let you know when I posted the VDT story! Again, thank you all for your support and journey through this story! Until then…
Grapejuice101