It all started with an open door. A single panel, wavering in the air, tempting explorers and taunting those who dared to follow the path. As she stared at the gateway before her, she smiled softly in the waning light, remembering better times. A nobler time at least, one long since forgotten. Or shut away, she corrected. She hadn't wanted to remember, had wanted to forget that open door and the world hidden behind the wood. And ironically, when she finally remembered, finally allowed herself to dream, the door was firmly shut against her, the guiding light she had followed firmly locked behind it. Home.

Sighing softly, she ran her fingers along the detailed carvings, her hand lingering on the handle. Longing filled her as she gave it a gentle turn and peered inside. Only coats were visible, hanging from the racks as usual, and the scent of mothballs lingered in her nose. So many times before she had done this, and so many times faced the gut wrenching disappointment when she reached the wardrobe's end. Still, she stepped inside, knowing that three more steps would find her in despair.

Once a King or Queen…

She paused as the words rolled through her mind. He had promised, and she had never known Him to be a liar…even His command of no return had never been doubted. How had she forgotten His promise, especially that one? How many more were lost to her memory? Shaking her head, she pressed the thoughts from her mind, and took the final step, prepared to find the same wooden panel she always did…and found a small patch of flowers instead.

Heart racing she stepped further in and found a riotous world of color around her, spring in full bloom. She held her breath, hardly daring to hope as she stumbled onward, searching now for the ever present landmark that had so changed her life. The lamppost. Minutes passed and there it stood, it's light still burning after all this time. And there in the lantern's glow, they stood waiting as though they had all the time in the world. Her brothers, grown and as hale as the day she saw them last, and her sister the laughter dancing in her eyes once more. She moved to join them, when suddenly the lanterns light flared, surrounding her in golden light as The Lion roared and the world, her family melted away. Moments later as she found herself drifting in a sea of light she heard Him once more…

Once a King or Queen…

And as the light faded, Susan woke and wept.