A/N: Welcome to the third and final installment of this story. Thank you so much for reading this far. Drop a review if you feel like it!

Disclaimer: I do not own The Chronicles of Narnia.

Chapter One

*Three Years Later*

I felt victory coming before I even entered the battle. The Calormen army had not expected us to be waiting for them at the border of Archenland, right at the edge of The Great Desert. We had the high ground coming up into the foothills, and Caspian had already led our first wave down into combat. The light of the full moon glinted off armor and swords until the battle looked like a mirage.

"Look at them scrambling," Cassia said from beside me. "Do they even need us down there?"

"Oh, I'd hate to think we came all this way for nothing," I said.

I locked eyes with Rhea behind me. She nodded, her bow drawn. I lifted my ax into the air.

"Archers!" I shouted.

I lowered my ax, and Rhea and three others loosed fiery arrows into the fractured Calormen lines, causing more panic and confusion.

"Eshwen!" I shouted. "Charge!"

I led a dozen women down the hill. We ran in from the far left where the Calormens were just starting to come back together.

"Now!" I commanded.

I raised my hand as fire rushed from behind me, forming a wall before us. The Calormen line scattered. We leapt through the flames, and the real fight began. Rhea's bow was slung over her shoulder again, Auren's sword glowing in her hand as she covered the other archers. Cassia was to my right, felling a soldier with her sword, sparks flying from the steel on impact. I dodged a Calormen strike then knocked the soldier off his feet and brought my ax down. Miryn sprinted past me, her dark skin glowing and her brown eyes now yellow. Her knives moved so quickly that I only knew where they had gone when two soldiers fell.

We pushed the Calormens back toward the bulk of our army, preventing their lines from reforming. But I could see them gathering again in the middle of things, a commander on his horse managing to regain control of his troops.

"Miryn! Cassia! Hold the line!" I screamed.

I did not wait for an answer. I knew they heard.

"Rhea, to me!" I shouted.

I sprinted forward, Rhea appearing next to me.

"Take out the Tarkhan!" I yelled. "I'll cover you!"

We ran farther before she sheathed her sword and drew her bow again. I blasted away as many soldiers as I could, then withdrew my fire as I broke through to the heart of the battle where there were too many Narnians mixed in. We made our way toward their commander, leaving a trail of wounded and dying men behind us. From up on his horse, he saw us coming and shouted down to the men near him.

Three soldiers ran at me at once.

"Rhea, now!" I commanded.

I heard the twang of her bow but could not spare a look toward her target. I ducked below the first one's attack and drove the spike on my ax through his armor. I launched his body toward the second one. The third slammed his shield into my face as I turned to him, but I managed to stay on my feet. I rammed the flat of my ax into him then grabbed his throat as he tried to regain his balance. He barely had time to make a sound before his helmet exploded in flames.

The second Calorman had untangled himself from his comrade's body, but I kicked him in the chest as soon as he stood. Before I could deal a deadly blow, a Narnian soldier pushed me aside. He cut the Calorman down then turned to me, a boasting smirk on his face.

"At your service, My Lady," he said.

Kane.

Before I could say anything, the Calorman behind him stood again and raised his sword over Kane's head. I shoved Kane aside and whirled around, using the force to drive my axe into the Calorman's side. This time, he did not get back up.

"Retreat!" I heard the Calormen commanders shouting. "Retreat!"

The Calormen forces began to pull back, running past me in a blur.

"Victory for Narnia!" I heard Caspian shout, though I could not see him.

Our troops began to cheer. I turned back to Kane.

He was a few years older than I, but he reminded me of the boys I went to school with back in England.

"Well, you're welcome," Kane said as he stood.

"What the hell were you thinking?" I shouted.

He wrinkled his brow.

"I was helping you," he said.

"That's a good way to get yourself killed!" I shouted, then lowered my voice to a growl. "Never get in my way like that again."

"Scared you needed help?" he asked with a grin. "Don't worry, love, I won't tell anyone."

My grip tightened on my ax, and I stepped toward him.

"I am your superior officer, you arrogant son of a—"

"Kane!" Rhea called out as she ran to him. "Are you all right?"

She hugged her brother, but he kept looking at me.

"Emma!" Peepicheek called as he ran up to me. "I need your help with some of the wounded."

I glared at Kane for a second longer before following after Peepicheek.

"Where is Caspian?" I asked as I slung a hurt soldier's arm around my shoulders.

"He's leading the cavalry after the Calormens," Peepicheek said. "Making sure they honor their sounded retreat."

"He's unharmed?" I asked.

"As far as I could see," Peepicheek said.

It took a while to move everyone back over the border to Archenland and get organized again. I helped several wounded men back to the hospital tent, though their injuries did not seem dire. The tent was not crowded, which I took as a good sign. I handed the men off to a few dryad healers, then I went over to where the Eshwen were gathered together.

"Is everyone all right?" I asked. "All accounted for?"

I looked to Miryn, who gave me a firm nod. She looked tired but exhilarated, her black hair still giving off a faint glow. Rhea was seeing to one of our younger girls but looked up and gave me a smile.

"Bit of a hurt wrist," Rhea said, gesturing to the girl. "Not a break, just a sprain."

I glanced around at everyone else. I saw a few scrapes and bruises but nothing serious. My shoulders finally relaxed. Everyone was okay.

"You all did very well," I said. "Narnia should be very proud."

"Aw, are you saying you're proud of us?" Rami called out playfully.

I had to smile when everyone else laughed. Everyone began boisterously exchanging stories with each other. I locked in on Rami's sister at the edge of the group.

"Ailee?" I said as I came closer. "Are you okay?"

She did not look up at me, but I saw her move her arm out of site.

"Hey," I said, kneeling down beside her. "Let me see."

I rolled up her bloodied sleeve to see a deep gash on her forearm.

"I'm sorry," Ailee said. "It happened so fast."

"You should see some of the wounds I've gotten over the years," I quipped.

I quietly placed my hand over the wound.

"Exhale with me, okay?" I said.

She did, then winced as her arm glowed. I moved my hand away to show her healed skin.

"See?" I said. "Like it never happened."

"Thanks," she said, still looking embarrassed.

"You did great, Ailee," I said. "I would've died in my first battle if not for Aslan. Almost lost an eye, too. There's no shame in getting hurt. And even less in asking for help."

"Well, don't you sound old and wise?" Cassia said as she walked up behind me.

"There is, however, shame in being an all-around nuisance," I said, still looking at Ailee.

Ailee finally grinned, and I winked at her as I stood.

"Who knew beating back the Calormens could be so easy," Cassia said.

"Cowards," Miryn said from beside her.

"So harsh on your own people," I said.

"Hardly my people anymore," Miryn said. "I don't count myself among those who run from 'fire demons.'"

We all chuckled.

I looked up when I heard someone coming and saw Caspian only a few feet away. Cassia and Miryn saw him and bowed their heads before going back to join the others. I greeted him with a relieved smile.

"Fire demon," Caspian said as he walked closer. "Has a certain ring to it, doesn't it?"

"As does Your Majesty the Jackass, but I don't call you that, now do I?"

He laughed and shook his head.

"Great work out there," he said.

"Their training is paying off," I said.

"I guess they can thank their teacher for that," Caspian said.

I didn't acknowledge the compliment.

"Looks like we didn't have any casualties," he said. "A few came close, but Trufflehunter is with them, now. He says they'll make it."

"I didn't think it would be so easy to beat Calormen back," I said.

"They didn't want a fight," Caspian said.

He was right. They were bullies, not warriors.

"A royal messenger has already arrived," Caspian said. "The Calormen prince will meet us at dawn to discuss a treaty."

"A treaty?" I repeated. "I'll believe that when I see it. The best we've ever had from them was a cease fire."

He nodded. "That's what I was thinking, but I'll settle for that."

I met Caspian at the edge of the desert the next morning, both of us dressed in full armor with the Narnian insignia on our tunics. Glenstorm and the Bulgy Bear walked with us to the tent the Calormens had set up in between our camps. We were greeted by two soldiers who stood with the others as Caspian and I moved to walk inside.

Then a soldier stepped in front of me.

"This council is for royalty and military leaders only," he said.

"I know," I said as I brushed past him.

Caspian held the curtain open for me and walked in behind me. Inside, two men sat on the opposite side of a table. They stood as we entered.

"Welcome, King Caspian," said the younger man with a thin golden crown on his head. "And…?" he looked at me, unsure of who I was.

"Queen Emma," Caspian said.

"Your wife?" the prince asked, clearly surprised.

"His grandmother," I said.

The prince looked from me to Caspian several times, but neither of us broke our composure.

"I…see," he said, then shook his head. "My name is Prince Virum. This is my uncle and our general, Tarkhan Kadesh."

The older man behind the prince nodded his head to us. I recognized him as the same commander I had led Rhea to. His left arm was bandaged and in a sling. He should count himself lucky. Rhea did not often miss.

The prince waved his hand at the chairs for us to sit, but neither Caspian nor I moved.

"We seem to have had a misunderstanding here," Prince Virum said. "We had no intention of attacking Narnia, and—"

"There was no misunderstanding," Caspian said. "You mobilized troops across The Great Desert and attempted to cross the boundary into Archenland. We defended our ally and our own interest in the matter."

"We simply meant to patrol our own border," Kadesh spoke for the first time.

"Do you normally patrol with hundreds of men?" I asked. "That seems time consuming."

Both men looked startled that I had spoken.

"The moment you crossed into Archenland, you declared war on both our lands," Caspian said. "If that is something you would like to revoke, I suggest you do it now and do it well before my good grace runs out."

Prince Virum paled. Kadesh looked offended and furious until he met my glowing, yellow eyes.

"Of course, Your Majesty," Kadesh said quickly. "We would never wish to upset the longstanding peace between our nations."

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. Virum and Kadesh drafted a statement of peace before us. We agreed that neither side would attack the other without sound provocation, and that trade could resume without animosity. I was the only one who saw the small, triumphant smile at the corner of Caspian's mouth as we walked out.

OoOoO

The sight of Cair Paravel rising above the Eastern Sea before me as I travelled home from the Calormen desert sent my mind back a millennium. I almost expected Lucy to come running out to us, to see Nyx on my shoulder. Instead, Trumpkin stood at the gate while Peepicheek rode beside my head. The restorations were far from over, but enough was finished that we had moved in a month ago. I had been working with the builders, drawing detailed sketches of what the castle had looked like before. They had somehow managed to capture the spirit of the old castle while making it even grander.

A village had grown up next to what we had left of the apple orchard. Most of the Eshwen lived there, as well as many Telmarines who had chosen to stay in Narnia. The Eshwen behind me split off from the rest of us and rode to their homes, children running into the street to greet them. One little boy ran out with a fistful of wildflowers held above his head. I watched as his mother, an archer named Lika, dismounted and caught her son in a hug. I looked away when he started sticking the flowers into her braid, a squeezing pain in my chest.

I slipped off my horse after we made it through the gates and handed the reigns to the stable hand who walked out. Peepicheek slid down my arm and jumped to the ground. He scampered away to join Reepicheep and the other mice.

I headed inside as Caspian told Trumpkin of our success.

The moment the sun went down that night, a fire was lit on the beach and the fauns began to play their pipes. The fire grew slightly when I walked onto the sand. The other Eshwen were already dancing, though Kai and a few elders sat to the side, talking and laughing. Kai was holding Lika's baby girl while Lika danced around the fire with her husband and son.

"All hail our fearless leader!" Rhea called out when she saw me.

The Eshwen laughed and cheered.

"And our fearless king!" I said, waving my hand to Caspian who stood with Trumpkin and several fauns on the other side of the fire.

Everyone shouted their approval again. I joined hands with Rhea and Rami as we danced around the fire. Several former Telmarines joined in on the party, and the revelry grew as the wine flowed. As I danced, I noticed that no matter how fast the music was, Miryn and Cassia swayed slowly in each other's arms. Miryn brushed her thumb along Cassia's cheekbone so tenderly that I felt as though I was intruding and looked away. That's when I noticed Kane staring at me from across the fire.

Then I heard a chuckle to my left.

"He clearly fancies you," Caspian said. "You should give him a chance."

I gave him a withering look, and he started laughing even harder. His shoulder length brown hair was tied back, and his dark eyes reflected the fire. I wondered if his cheeks were flushed from amusement or wine.

"Emma!" Rami shouted as she and Ailee came my way. "Show us a dance from the other world!"

"Please!" Ailee begged.

I smiled at them.

"Well, which one of you would like to join me?" I asked.

They both looked at Caspian.

"Uh, Rami, you might be a better height," I said, taking her hand. "I can show you a dance called the waltz. It's very simple."

I let her dance the lady's part and showed her the steps. Several other couples joined in and soon the Narnian beach looked like a London dance hall. I spun Rami over to Ailee and started to back away from the dancing when I bumped into someone.

I turned around to see Kane smiling down at me. He smelled strongly of wine.

"Dance with me," he said.

"No, thank you," I said.

He tried to take my hand.

"You don't want to thank me for saving you?" he asked.

I jerked my hand away.

"Rhea," I called. "Your brother would like to dance with you."

Rhea ran up and tried to take Kane's hand, but he grunted in frustration.

"You think you're too good to dance with me?" Kane shouted at me.

I raised my eyebrows.

"Yes, actually," I said.

"You're embarrassing yourself, Kane," Rhea hissed.

"So is she!" he shouted, staggering back a step. "She thinks she's so much better than everyone with her ax and her crown and her tiny head. She's a bitch who—"

I stepped forward, but before I could do anything, Cassia appeared beside Rhea and punched Kane squarely in the nose. He fell back onto the sand with a cry, holding his bloody nose and cursing. A group of soldiers behind him laughed uproariously.

"What is wrong with you?" he cried. "Rhea, my nose!"

I realized the music had stopped.

"I'd only heal that to break it again," Rhea said, looking furious. "Apologize. Now."

"Why would I—" Kane blustered.

"Fine, then," Cassia said.

I stood, mouth open, as Cassia and Rhea grabbed Kane by his wrists and ankles. Miryn, Rami, and Lika all joined in until Kane had no hope of escape. With a heave, they threw him into the bonfire. He emerged, of course, unharmed, and with everyone in attendance cheering as he patted the flames on his clothes out. The women started shouting at him until he finally turned and ran off the beach, looking ashamed and a little scared.

Caspian walked over and handed me a cup of wine.

"To Emma!" Miryn shouted as she raised her glass.

"The great bitch of Narnia!" I called, lifting my glass.

There was more cheering and laughter as the fauns started up the music again.

"I had never noticed how tiny your head is before," Caspian said.

"Careful," I laughed. "Cassia might come back for you."

"I was going to say I'd deal with Kane," Caspian said. "But it looks your sisters have it handled."

"I guess they do," I said in amazement. "I don't think we have to worry about him."

Caspian glanced at me, then he looked out over the ocean.

"We're at peace now," Caspian said. "Now that the giants have surrendered and Calormen has been pushed back. The last of the unrest is quiet now."

I took in the sight of my people laughing and dancing together with talking beasts, fauns, and former Telmarines alike. He was right. Narnia was at peace. The ships were ready. I had a dozen Eshwen trained and ready to sail east.

"Captain Drinian says we can set sail as early as next week," Caspian said.

I tossed the contents of my cup back in one swallow.

"Let's go," I said.

We drank and ate and danced until the dark of night gave way to the grey of dawn. I barely had the energy left to put on my night dress before I collapsed into bed and fell asleep. A dream was waiting for me the moment I closed my eyes.

I was in the ocean, though it was calmer and more still than any I had ever seen. Aslan was ahead of me, shining and walking on the surface of the water. As he came closer, I could see him smiling.

"Come to me, beloved," he said.

I took a slow step forward and realized that I, too, walking on water.

"Keep your eyes up," Aslan said when I started to look down. "I'm right here."

I ran to him and collapsed into his mane when I reached him.

"I've missed you," I said.

He nuzzled his head against mine.

"You see me so well here," he said. "It may not always be so."

"Why?" I asked, pulling away to see his eyes.

"Your doubts and your fears will only grow," Aslan said. "You must remember what I created you to be."

Behind him, fire rippled across the water, dancing in the wind.

"Your journey will carry my blessing," Aslan said. "But you cannot rely on strength and numbers. You must leave your people behind."

"But…but that's why I stayed. To get them ready for this," I said. "I can't defeat Leandra without them."

"You only need one," Aslan said. "One, Emma."

"But Aslan, I can't—"

"There is a balance to be found, child," he said. "You are a part of something much bigger, all of your people are. You are not an island."

He was fading away.

"Aslan, wait!" I shouted. "Wait, I don't understand! I—"

"Watch for me," he said, his voice only an echo. "Keep your eyes up."

I awoke in my bed, the sun shining brightly in from the window.

Only one. I could only bring one.

OoOoO

I faced Miryn, Rhea, and Cassia on the cliff we had begun to call our own. It rose over the beach and jutted out over the ocean. We had built a stone wall that rose to my waist along the edge. It was large and uninhabited by any trees or anything else to harm, so we could train without fear. In the mid-afternoon light, I could clearly see every scorch mark, each one bringing its own memory.

"Something has changed," I said.

"We heard," Miryn said. "They're preparing the ships to set sail."

"Ship," I corrected. "Just one, now."

"Can one carry all of us?" Rhea asked.

I squared my shoulders back and looked at each of them in turn.

"I received a message from Aslan," I said. "He told me I won't be bringing everyone."

"So…just the three of us?" Miryn guessed.

"One," I said, letting out a breath. "He says I can bring one."

They stared at me in silence. Rhea's brow furrowed in confusion, Miryn looked frozen in shock, and Cassia's eyes filled with anger.

"Is this lion a military leader?" Cassia scoffed. "Why would you go off to war without your army?"

"Cassia…" Miryn tried to touch Cassia's shoulder, but she shook her off.

"No! I saw what Leandra did to us last time," Cassia said, her voice ringing with barely contained rage. "I saw what she did to you. Now you're running off to fight her alone?"

"I won't be alone," I said.

Cassia scoffed again.

"I don't understand it, either, Cassia," I said. "But the last time I went against Aslan's orders…" I trailed off then shook my head. "This is how it has to be."

"Then take me," Cassia said quickly. "I'll go. You know I'm the strongest fighter. You need me."

"I'm taking Rhea," I said firmly.

Miryn and Cassia looked to Rhea, the seventeen-year-old standing between two women in their mid-twenties. She looked so startled she paled slightly.

"You're going to get yourself killed," Cassia said. "Not to mention the king. I guess we'll just stay here and wait for Leandra to attack once she burns her way to Narnia."

Cassia turned and stormed off without another word.

"Cassia, wait!" Rhea ran after her.

"Emma…she has a point," Miryn said quietly.

"I know," I said.

"Why Rhea?" Miryn asked. "She's very young."

There were so many reasons that rushed to my mind, but it came down to one very simple thing.

"I'm trusting my instincts," I said.

OoOoO

We gathered at the docks to set sail four days later. I was glad to see Cassia standing beside Miryn. I hugged Rami and Ailee goodbye and promised to teach them more English dances when I got back. Lika stood with her four-month-old daughter in her arms. I kissed the baby's outstretched hand.

"You'll be talking and walking around by the time I get back, sweet girl," I said. "Keep your mum on her toes while I'm gone."

"I'll help Torre when her time comes," Lika said, shifting her gaze to the pregnant Eshwen across from us. "Just like you did for me."

"Thank you," I said, embracing her.

Kai hugged me as little girls swarmed around my legs, then I walked to Cassia and Miryn. Cassia would not meet my eyes, but I was relieved that she did not walk away. I had spoken at length with Miryn over the past few days about how to keep up training and help the younger girls who were just starting out. Miryn was a talented healer. Perhaps her calming but powerful energy combined with Cassia's strength and intensity would teach the Eshwen more than I alone ever could.

"Take care of them while I'm gone," I said. "Protect the others, protect Trumpkin while he serves as regent."

Miryn nodded. She and Cassia were holding hands, and I reached out and covered theirs with my own. Cassia finally looked up, her eyes red.

"Take care of each other," I said. "Rhea and I can handle this. Trust me."

I turned away.

"Be careful," Cassia said.

I turned back around and squeezed her hand before I walked away. As I made my way toward the ship, I felt familiar, tiny paws run up my leg and rest on my right shoulder.

"Are you sure you can't come with us?" I asked.

"I'm afraid not, Your Majesty," Peepicheek said. "Someone needs to lead the mice while our chief is away."

"I'll miss you," I said.

He pressed his head into mine.

"And I, you," he said. "May Aslan go before you and the East grow closer and sweeter by the day."

Then he slid down my arm and ran off into the crowd. I walked up on the raised platform where Caspian, Rhea, Reepicheep, and the rest of the crew stood. Caspian addressed the crowd, sounding sure and brave as he stated the reasons for our journey and that when we returned, Narnia would be safe and whole once more. The crowd cheered.

Then, as one, we turned and boarded the Dawn Treader.

OoOoO

It took me three days to gain the sea legs Captain Drinian had promised me, but I counted myself lucky. Rhea spent those first days leaning over the side of the ship and unable to keep more than water down.

Three weeks in, I knew we were getting close to the first one the Lone Islands.

"We may catch sight of land as early as today," Rhea said as she tied her hair back.

The cabin Rhea and I shared was more spacious than I had anticipated for a ship, but I was ready to explore open, dry land.

"It's so exciting it's almost hard to remember to be nervous about all this," Rhea said.

"Nervous?" I asked, stopping as I pulled on my boot.

"Well…just since…well it's just the two of us," she said. "Who knows what we'll find. Aren't you nervous?"

I grinned and shook my head.

"Sounds like fun to me," I said.

"Man overboard!" someone above us shouted. "Man overboard!"

Rhea and I raced to the upper deck.

"Who's fallen in?" she asked a sailor when we came out into the bright sun.

I did not wait to hear an answer. I made it to the rail just in time to see Caspian diving in toward three figures floating in the water.