Epilogue✨

Just as they stepped into the portal, the landscape changed from a castle ground to the train station in England. It's like they blinked their eyes and everything was gone. Raina clutched Edmund's hand for dear life as they returned to their world. Just as they ended up in front of the bench where they left, Lucy turned back around to see the portal gone. She had a sad look on her face. Raina looked down to see her uniform back on, the same for the other children. The train was yet to roll into the station. Raina felt a weight around her neck, as she looked down to discover a necklace. Edmund noticed.

'Is that..' He trailed off.

Raina just stared at the pendant, which was no longer the intricate purple pendant. It was now a small, blue crystal pendant on a gold chain. It was much smaller than before. Just as Raina's fingers grazed it, a small glow came from within, causing her to jerk her hand away. The rest of Pevensies noticed the glow.

'Wow you got to bring it back, with you?' Peter asked, surprised.

'I thought you couldn't take anything out of Narnia..' Susan mused.

'But Raina's like a goddess there, right? And technically the necklace belongs to her..' Lucy replied, as Raina just stared at the necklace.

'Wait, Aslan said I have my powers in this world too..' She said, her eyes widening.

'Guys, come with me.' She dragged Edmund and Susan, as Peter and Lucy followed. They came to a small, abandoned corner of the station.

'Guys, just form a wall around me. I don't think anyone else needs to discover I'm an immortal demigod.' Raina whispered, as everyone's eyes widened, specifically Edmund's.

'You're immortal?!' He whisper-yelled.

'We'll talk about this later. Let me see if this works.' She hurriedly replied. As the rest of them formed a wall around her. She quickly closed her eyes, and felt the telltale coursing of power through her. She opened her eyes, and everyone looked shocked as they were now blue. Her palms again began to glow with the telltale blue light, as she smiled.

'Oi! What are you lot doing?' A guard suddenly yelled, causing everyone to get startled, as Raina quickly dissipated the light she summoned and put on an innocent face as she stood next to Edmund.

'Nothing Sir! We'll be on our way!' Peter chirped, as he rushed all of them out of the small space, into the main area just as the train began to roll into the station.

'Damn, you have powers here too then?' Susan asked. Raina shrugged.

'I mean, Aslan did tell me I would...' She mused.

Edmund suddenly walked off towards a bench some distance away and brought Raina's bag.

'Wouldn't want you to lose it in all the hubbub.' He explained. Raina blushed as she reached for it, when he moved away. She gave him a questioning look.

'What kind of a King would I be if I can't do this for my- ahem, a Queen?' He stuttered, as Raina's eyebrows shot up, and Peter, Susan and Lucy tried to laugh as softly as possible.

'Your Queen, you say?' Raina mused as she crossed her arms and walked over to him. His eyes were wide and his cheeks were red.

'I-I well um, hehe you see-well I-' He couldn't get words out, as Raina held in a snort, while her own cheeks turned red.

'Is this what we're going to be dealing with from now on?' Peter asked, slightly annoyed but he smiled nonetheless.

'Knock it off, Pete, they're cute. You're just jealous.' Lucy sassed, as Raina and Edmund turned to Peter, infuriating smiles on their faces. Peter looked caught.

'W-why would I be jealous?' He asked, dumbly.

'You really want to go down that road?' Edmund taunted, as he wrapped an arm around Raina's waist, the latter blushing madly at the action, but leaned into him nonetheless. Peter started looking around, wildly.

'Oh would you look at that? The train's here! We'll be late! Come on!' He urged as he quickly grabbed his bags, very eager to avoid the conversation, as everyone chuckled at his actions. Susan and Lucy went to grab their bags, the latter grabbing her hat as well, which was on the floor, as the doors to the train opened. Raina kept reaching for her bag from Edmund.

'Aren't you coming, Phyllis?' A boy from Hendon House asked, looking at Susan. He wore spectacles, a cap, and a scarf. Truth be told, he seemed quite annoying. Raina turned to Susan, a curious look on her face.

'Phyllis?'

'We'll talk about this later.' Susan replied, quietly, looking at Raina and Lucy, who had an amused look on her face. As they boarded the train, Raina kept trying to reach for her bag from Edmund, the former feeling bad that he's holding so much on his own.

'Ed, I can hold my own bag, you know?' She mused.

'I know.' Is all he said, as he securely held Raina's bag in one hand, his own in the other. She shook her head at him.

'Do you think there's any way we can get back?' Edmund asked, rummaging through his bag. Everyone frowned at him.

'I left my new torch in Narnia.' He realised. All of them laughed, while the boy standing behind them looked at them strangely.

'Seriously? You left it behind in the castle didn't you?' Raina whispered. Edmund shrugged.

'Maybe.' Edmund said in a small voice. Raina just shook her head at him.

He wrapped an arm around her as they went back to school for the last day before vacation.

*******

It was the last class of the day, when Raina rushed into 'English' class, finding herself to be just on time. As she settled into her seat, the teacher, Mrs. Smith began discussing Shakespeare.

'Right, so just as it seemed all was lost for Bassanio and Antonio, Portia-' Mrs. Smith was speaking, just as Edmund began to quietly shuffle into the class. She turned to him, hands on her hips.

'Mr. Pevensie, this is becoming a regular thing now.' She said, annoyed.

'Sorry ma'am, last time, I promise!' He chirped, just as he met Raina's gaze and rolled his eyes at Mrs. Smith. Raina couldn't help but snicker softly to herself. Some things never change.

'Well, since this is the last class of the day, I'll be kind. There'll be none of this next time, got it?'

'Got it!' Edmund replied, as he made his way over to his seat, as usual, next to Raina.

Class was quite uneventful. Raina pretty much slept with her eyes open, while Edmund pulled his cap down slightly, just so he could doze off without anyone noticing.

'Alright, that's all for today. There's still about 20 minutes left, so it's a free period.' Mrs. Smith announced, as cheers went off in the classroom, as everyone packed their bags and walked out. Raina lugged her bag over her shoulder, and turned to see Edmund completely asleep, his arms crossed, as his head drooped low. She smirked to herself as she whacked him on the back of the head lightly, as he jolted awake, groaning.

'Ughf why..' He mumbled as Raina took his cap off, the light hitting him, making him squint.

'It's a free period now. Might want to get up. You've been snoring for a while.' Raina joked as Edmund yawned.

'Ugh fine.' He grumbled as he lugged his bag over his shoulder and he and Raina walked out of the class.

'Where do you want to go?' Edmund asked.

'Literally anywhere, I need to get Shakespeare out of my head urgh.' Raina groaned as Edmund chuckled.

'What is it with you and Shakespeare?' He asked.

'Nothing to do with him, his stuff is just boring.' Raina shrugged.

'Hey, you go on ahead, I need to take something out of my locker. I'll catch up with you.' Raina told him, as she moved away. Edmund caught her arm for a moment. She gave him a questioning glance.

He quickly leaned in and kissed the side of her forehead, easily flustering her. She blushed madly before swatting his arm.

'Heyy!' He whined, as he rubbed his arm.

'Not in school.' She said in a low voice, eyeing the corridors to make sure no one saw.

'So when we're not in school?' He asked, smirking. Raina's eyes widened, as her heart sped up. She mirrored his expression.

'You'll have to wait to find out.' She said, softly.

She turned to walk away, not before throwing a wink at Edmund, who returned it with a blush ringing his cheeks.

Raina walked down the hallway, and came to a stop in front of her locker. She grabbed her keys from her bag, and fumbled to put it in. At that moment, she heard voices down the hall.

'Rainaaaa.'

That voice made Raina's blood run cold. The same girls who made fun of her ever since she joined St. Finbars. She steeled herself for the interaction. She sighed as she turned around to see the three girls who made her life hell for the past 2 years. A year senior to her, Amelia Scott, Blair Winthrop and Chloe Davis stood a paces away from her, hand on their hips, smug smiles etched onto their faces.

'It's been a minute since we reminded you of who you are..' Amelia said in a saccharine tone. Raina's face was impassive as she stared them down.

'Yes, I was waiting with bated breath.' Raina replied. Blair inched forward.

'That mole of yours is disgusting, by the way. It looks l-like s-someone took a mini dump on the side of y-your face.' She stuttered out, not having a better insult. Raina raised her eyebrows at that.

'Oh Blair, your insults are as old and tired as last season's Dior. Ramp it up, sweetheart, you're losing your touch.' Raina said, sweetly.

Suddenly Chloe, the tallest of the lot walked straight up to Raina, staring her down. Raina kept a straight face, but internally she was screaming. She was terrified of Chloe.

'Careful Raina, it's almost like you're asking us to shove you down to your pathetic standards.' She growled.

Raina decided enough was enough. She made her eyes flash violet, but looked down to make sure no one could see. Chloe seemed to feel satisfied at that, because she inched away slightly, her arms crossed. Raina searched Chloe's mind to find something and use it against her. Once she learnt it, Raina looked up and smiled evilly at Chloe.

'Oh Chloe, how do I say this? Snogging Amelia's boyfriend at her own party? That's cold, I like it.' Raina mused, disinterested as Chloe's eyes widened and Amelia's face contorted in rage.

'You did WHAT?!' Amelia screamed.

'And you tried to get him to break up with her? Wow, way to go, Chlo.' Raina commented, smugly. Chloe's face was beet red.

'How the hell do you know that? Were you at that party?!' Chloe yelled, but Raina didn't flinch. She just smiled.

'And you also snogged Francis Mathew? The guy Blair here has been pining after for the past 3 years? Do you really like being everyone's side piece?' Raina asked, faking concern, as Blair looked at Chloe, seething.

'YOU MADE OUT WITH HIM?! YOU SAID YOU WOULD SET ME UP WITH HIM!' She screeched, as Chloe went pale. She rounded on Raina, hands in fists. She quickly tried to punch Raina, when she caught her fist in hell's grip, Chloe's face straining.

'I just have one word for you, Chloe Davis. Pathetic.' Raina smiled innocently, as she forcibly dropped Chloe's hand down, already bruising from her strength, as she closed her locker, and walked the other way, leaving the three girls to fend for themselves.

'That was awesome.' She whispered to herself.

*******

'You'll write to us, right?' Edmund asked for the bazillionth time.

'For the last time, yes Edmund.' Raina huffed, as she finished packing her suitcase, and turned to him and the rest of the Pevensies.

'I'm going to miss you so much!' Peter spoke, as he came over and gave Raina a bear hug, the latter chuckling.

'The feeling is mutual Pete. Now get off, personal space. Thank you.' Raina mumbled, as Peter pulled away.

'Will you come visit us?' Lucy asked, as she came over and hugged Raina as well. Raina mulled it over.

'I will definitely try my best. Since it's just me and Grandma at home, I don't want to leave her alone too often.' Raina explained.

'Hey, we'll come over then, alright?' Edmund proposed as Raina smiled.

'Sounds like a plan.' She replied. She turned to Susan.

'Can I talk to you?' She asked.

'Uh..sure.' Susan replied, confused.

They walked a few paces away, to the corner of the dorm. Raina spoke first.

'How're you doing, Susan?' She asked, sincerely. Susan looked surprised.

'W-what do you mean?' She asked. Raina sighed.

'I can't imagine this is easy for you. A lot has happened and it's okay to not feel okay.' Raina responded. Susan sighed, and for the first time, Raina could see clearly that Susan is trying really hard to keep it together.

'It's not something I'm getting over in a week or a month. But it's something I will move on from, someday.' She shrugged. Raina just nodded. She knew Susan wasn't the type to talk about her feelings much at all, and the fact that she said any of this was big for her. Raina just pulled her into a hug.

'I'm here for you, alright?' Raina said, softly. Susan hugged back tighter.

'I know. Me too.'

They pulled away, just as Edmund walked up to them, an impatient look on his face. Susan chuckled to herself.

'I'm going, I'm going.' She said, as she walked away, throwing a smirk over her shoulder at Raina, who glared at her. Edmund walked up to Raina, a small smile on his face.

'You know, if all it took for me to stop being a wuss was coming to Narnia, I'd have done it a lot sooner, let me tell you.' He sassed, as Raina raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms. She looked amused.

'Is that right? So you're admitting to being a wuss?' She challenged.

'Yes. I was.' He admitted, as Raina looked shocked. He wasn't the type to admit things like that easily.

'Well, everything's different now. Whatever happened before doesn't matter.' She assured him, a hand on his shoulder. He smiled his breathtaking smile, as Raina's heart sped up.

'Maybe this time it'll work.' He whispered as he leaned in, their foreheads touching. Raina took a shaky breath.

'Maybe this time.' She whispered back, as they kissed, Edmund's hand going to the side of her face and her waist, while hers went around his neck. It was a brief moment, but through it both of them communicated just how much they're going to miss each other. They lived quite far apart even in Finchley.

'Ed?' Raina asked.

'Yeah?'

'Please don't shut me out ever again.' She whispered. Edmund placed his hands on her face.

'Never.' He whispered back, as he pulled her in for a hug, and rested his head on top of hers. Raina clung to him for dear life, not wanting to let him go. The last year was painful for her as she spent everyday trying to forget him. She still felt cautious and scared but deep down she knew he won't ever leave like that again.

'Guys, the train is going to leave without us.' Peter mocked, as they finally pulled away, glaring at him.

'Shut up.' Raina called out. She turned to Edmund.

'I should go. I'll see you soon.' She said, as she leaned in and kissed his cheek. Edmund turned bright red as he had a goofy smile on his face.

'See you soon.'

*******

It had been a month since Raina returned home, well, what was left of it. She was on a train to Manchester. She stared out of the window, eyes bloodshot, cheeks puffy and face pale from not having slept properly in weeks. She wore a plain green dress and matching shoes, while her hair was in a messy bun. Her suitcase was in the overhead compartment, while her bag lay on the seat next to her, in the otherwise empty coach. The bag was full of unopened letters from the Pevensies.

The day Raina returned home to her grandmother, was the day she lost everything. Her grandmother had a heart attack and died. Raina returned to her home, which was crawling with Police and medical officials. She witnessed images she would never get out of her head. As the police tried to contact her next of kin, she got an even more cruel shock. Her father died on the battlefield, and so did her mother who succumbed to cancer the same day. The treatment she was on didn't work well enough, and in the middle of the night she passed.

Just as the police told Raina what happened, she physically felt as though someone stabbed her in her heart. Everyone she loved was gone. She hasn't seen her mother in over 2 years and her father in over a year. Just when she thought she had a chance to see them, she lost them. The pain was tremendous and yet somehow, she wasn't able to cry. No tears fell, just a blank expression. Her next of kin was her aunt who lived in Manchester, so arrangements were made for her to move there. She wordlessly went along, and now she was on her way.

The Pevensies grew worried as to why Raina has not responded to them in so long. Edmund knew something was wrong. They decided to go visit her and see what happened. Edmund walked up to the door first, and knocked. A middle aged woman opened the door.

'Yes? Can I help you?' She asked.

'Uhmm, may we speak to Raina please?' Edmund asked, somewhat confused, that Raina's grandmother was so young.

'Who?' The woman asked, squinting.

'Raina Laurel.' Peter replied, next to Edmund.

'I'm sorry, there is no Raina Laurel here. You just have the wrong address.' The woman replied. Edmund's eyes narrowed.

'No no, I'm positive this is her address.' Edmund hurriedly spoke.

'Young man, then it is possible she may have lived here before. I moved in a couple of days ago. Now, I am busy, good day.' She replied and closed the door.

'Raina moved away?'

Meanwhile, on the train to Manchester, Raina continued to stare out the window. Her hand went to The Imperium around her neck, as she was transported a month ago. She asked the police officers and medical officials to give her a moment with her grandmother. Once they cleared out, she tried bringing her back to life. She felt the power well inside her as she tried to pass it on to her grandmother. It continued for at least 10 minutes and nothing happened. Raina was heaving from exhaustion as sweat covered her face. At one point even blood came out of her nose, but it didn't work. Raina just wordlessly stood up, and wrenched herself away.

She pushed the memory to the back of her mind, which has been giving the worst nightmares possible in the past month. She shook herself, and debated taking that necklace off. She supposedly wielded the power of giving life, but when she really needed it, she couldn't do it. What's the use for it now? she wondered, but she couldn't bring herself to take it off. She expelled those thoughts, watching as the cityscape changed to the countryside before arriving in Manchester. Her aunt stood on the platform, a sad smile on her face. Raina lugged her bag over her shoulder and grabbed her suitcase as she exited the train. Her aunt came over and took her suitcase.

'How are you, dear?' She asked, softly. Raina's expression was blank. She did not meet her aunt's eyes.

'Aunt Claire, I don't know. How are you?' She asked, her voice somewhat monotonous. Claire sighed.

'As well as can be. Come on. You can finish your final two years here, and then you can go to Cambridge University, like you've always wanted.' She tried to sound cheerful, as Raina nodded slowly.

'Like I've always wanted..' Raina whispered to herself.

Just as Raina began walking, her bag came open and all the letters fell out. She internally screamed at herself as she bent down to pick them up. Claire helped her and found herself observing one of the letters from Edmund, unopened.

'Why haven't you opened these? They're your friends, aren't they?' She inquired. Raina lightly took the letter out of her hand and shoved it in her bag.

'It's not important.'

On the ride home, Raina did feel guilty for cutting the Pevensies out, but she wasn't in the headspace to face anyone, at all. Losing almost your entire family in one day tends to do that to you. She felt herself reaching for a letter from Edmund, just for a sense of familiarity, but stopped herself.

Maybe this time...what a fucking joke. She thought.

to everyone reading, i humbly ask you to vote on the chapters as it would really help my fanfic.