Take The Chance
Chapter One - New Rivalries
A Susan/Caspian Fanfiction
DISCLAIMER: All characters here are copyright to C.S. Lewis. Damn!
AN/ I'm pretty happy with this chapter and my new story idea. It's more original for one, and I think I've written in a way that I can carry it on. With the other one, I found it almost impossible to carry it on, I'd kind of left myself in a rut of sorts, because whichever way I went it was going to be sort of boring and drag on far too much. This one is inspiring me more now, and my main goal, at the moment, is to finish all the stories I've started. So I can quite happily guarantee that at some point I'll finish this, although my first priority is my proper novel, and my second another story idea, and both of them come first before Fanfic - even after, Just Realise is my main priority on here. I'm not actually far from finishing that one! So I hope you like it, please review, I've noticed a lack of hits and reviews on my recent stories i.e. there's been zero reviews, and I can't say I'm impressed. As it is, I'd take a bad review! Honestly. Just something!
Also, if you caught my AN in my old fanfic about the Hera's name and stuff, you'll understand why she's called Hera, but for those of you who don't, here it is again:
Now, I haven't read the Chronicles of Narnia since I was a child, and I remembered Ramandu's Daughter not being named, not being described, not being in any scenes whatsoever. Many of you will imagine that Caspian married a sweet, nice girl, but I decided it was much more fitting to set up a love triangle that evolved a certain blindness and naivety of Caspian. He sees Hera as a beautiful, angelic creature, but secretly she's full of vile thoughts and wicked plans. When I introduce Susan it will be much better to create dynamics and a sort of rivalry between to the two, with Caspian unaware that his fiancée is an evil witch.
You will notice that I called Ramandu's Daughter, Hera. If you're unfamiliar with Greek Mythology then that name won't mean anything to you, but I'll explain why I choose that name, out of the millions of possibilities. Hera was the third wife of Zeus, and always portrayed as maliciously jealous of his other wives, children and basically everyone woman around Zeus. Zeus was a ladies man, and if he was seen with a woman, the odds were he was actually sleeping with them. Hera was narcissistic, jealous, mean, and I think that this is a name that suits the sort of character I'm going to make Hera (OK, not that extreme, she will be kind and nice, like Caspian said, but only when Susan isn't around). When Susan comes back, there will be claws out and a big rivalry for Caspian's affections will develop.
There you have it. Not super interesting, was it? Oh well!
If you're planning on reading this review, if you want it to continue. Otherwise the chances are, I won't continue it. You've been warned!
Summary: Caspian thought he lost Susan forever. He thought he got over her, and became engaged to the allusive and beautiful, Hera, Ramandu's Daughter. That is until the night before his wedding day, when Susan turns up in his bedroom, suddenly, with no answers to why, she forces Caspian to question who he really loves. SxC
In the time that they'd been apart, Caspian tried many ways to get over Queen Susan. He tried everything and anything to occupy his mind, and his heart. He practised his sword fighting more often, challenging the most worthy of guards, the sounds of swords clanging echoing around the castle grounds. This didn't help much, however, and he soon saw Susan in battle in his mind - her dark hair pulled back, cerulean eyes shining, arrow poised, ready to attack. He couldn't have this, seeing Susan all the time, so he stopped practising quite so frequently. Disgruntled, he tried immersing himself in his country instead, meeting with his counsellors everyday, to discuss affairs and politics. Again, he was flummoxed. Taking about Narnia only made him think of Susan, and her love for his country. Then he read through all his old books and began to study Narnia again, only to meet the oil paints and delicate prints of Queen Susan with a frustrated sigh, his fingers lingering over the pages, stopping at every print of Queen Susan. It didn't help that everywhere he went, he was reminded of her.
Above all of these distractions, courting Hera was the most helpful. Ramandu's Daughter was both loving and kind, as well as being truly beatiful. Caspian felt his heart being captured and his thoughts of Susan floating away, as he fell into love with Hera. Susan was a distant memory, a beautiful dream, she wasn't reality. Hera was, however. He could feel her silvery blonde hair, kiss her full lips, hear her laugh into the night. He didn't have to rely on his memories, he could feel her right there, all the time.
But yet, despite his growing affection for Hera, his love for Susan did not die. He could kiss Hera a hundred times, and he'd still wish for Susan. It angered him. He just couldn't understand it. He was trying with all his might, and yet, he still loved her. It was beginning to drive him mad-he imagined he'd never get over Susan-and that thought scared him enough to keep trying with Hera, to keep hoping that someday he'd wake up and his heart wouldn't ache as if it was missing something when he thought of Susan.
Still, here he was, several weeks after he'd first met Hera, down on his hands and knees, ring in his palm, asking Hera the one thing he hoped she'd give the right answer to. Hera's beautiful brown eyes were widening in shock, her hand over her open mouth, she was already crying, tears rolling down her cheeks effortlessly.
"So, my lady, Hera. I have asked your father for his blessing, and he has obliged. It is down to you now, my love . . ." Caspian's voice radiated warmth with a tint of hope.
"My lord," she opened and closed her mouth delicately, her golden brown eyes wide as saucer, tears still falling down her cheeks. "My lord . . . yes, yes . . . If father allows it, then yes . . ." she closed her eyes, tears falling slowly. "Of course."
"Yes?" Caspian rose from his knees, taking hold of her slender creamy hand. He allowed himself a brief moment of delight, before continuing."Then we are to be married, and you are to be Queen of Narnia," he pushed the intricate golden band onto her proper finger, the jewel glinting in the light. He lifted her hand and kissed the ring. Hera giggled delightedly, her tears just about dried up, pulling Caspian to her, who obliged to kiss her gentle lips. The kiss was not the wildfire he felt for Susan, nor was it any kind of fire, the kiss just was, and Caspian accepted it. Caspian pulled her closer to him, trying to deepen the kiss by touching her hair and face, but Hera pulled away, with a shy giggle.
"Oh! Caspian, you'll mess up my hair!" Hera exclaimed, patting at her silvery blonde curls, that were already completely perfect. "What would father think? You touching me like that . . ." she giggled again. Caspian smiled at her lovingly, remembering the eagerness that Susan met him with when he touched her in that way. He shrugged it off, Susan was gone. He should get over her already.
"Is it improper, my lady?" he kissed her hand again, in a way of apology. "Well I am sorry. It's terrible that you have to put up with a scoundrel like me."
"Who wouldn't put up with the King of Narnia?" Hera replied in a whisper, her eyes lighting up. "Especially considering he is handsome beyond compare, and strong, and . . . perfect." She met Caspian's smile with a knowing one of her own. She was utterly delighted to have captured the heart of the King of Narnia. How everyone would be jealous of her! Beautiful, young, married . . . and a Queen. She clasped her hands in glee. This was exactly what she'd wanted! She knew she would be the one to help him forget about that Susan girl. She looked at Caspian, her Caspian and her heart fluttered. Queen Hera of Narnia, how she liked the sound of that!
"My love?" she looked at her Caspian with a small smile, that he returned instantly. "When is the first possible date we can be married? I'm afraid I cannot wait too long. I cannot wait to be your wife!" A thrilling shiver ran up and down her spine the mention of the word wife.
"As soon as you wish, my lady," Caspian told her, murmuring in her ear. "This week, if you want." Hera nodded in reply, a sneaky little smile creeping onto her face. This week! If she was married this week there was no possible way of any competition. She had to be married right away, if they waited too long someone else could come along, someone who Caspian would like better! Or worse, he'd begin to remember that Susan person, and she couldn't handle that. It had been a lot easier than she'd imagined, making Caspian fall in love with her. She'd thought he would be dwelling on Susan, but he seemed almost happy to find a new love in her. How lucky she was to have the heart of the most handsome and powerful man in all the world, and how silly that Susan was to return home! She'd missed her chance there, with a prize like Caspian. She gave a silent laugh, that she turned into a cough when Caspian looked at her oddly.
"Are you all right?" he asked, a sliver of concern in his voice, frowning at her odd laughter.
"Of course. I've never been better," she smiled at him, silently laughing again. She truly had never been better. It was wonderful this feeling-of control. She'd spent an eternity under her fathers thumb, and now she was having full control of every situation she was involved in. She couldn't have been happier. "Being with you is the best thing I've ever felt," she told him, partly thruthfully, leaning in to let him kiss her again. "We'll be happy together, you'll see," and with that she marched away from him, intent of beginning her wedding preparations.
The week had been tumulous, the wedding preparations long and frivalous. Hera wanted a big wedding, all white and silver, like a star, glittering and dazzling. She'd scarcely made time for him, as she made sure every little thing was perfect, from the caterers to the bridesmaids, she checked everything off her rapidly growing list, wanting this wedding to live up to her dreams. She'd always dreamed of a big, luxurious affair, with lots of people, a handsome man, and her, looking beautiful. She was going to get her hearts desires. Everything was set, the wedding day was the next day, and Caspian was about to embark to the island of dreams. He'd just been with Hera, kissing and laughing, talking about the wedding. Her father had came up the evening before, Ramandu was looking well, talking politely to Caspian, speaking of his joy that he'd chosen Hera as his bride. Ramandu was quite pleased to be walking her up the aisle and even spoke of the patter of little feet. Caspian nodded politely, but Hera shook her head, giggling into her hands.
"Father," she jostled her father's shoulder, still giggling. "You know I don't like children. They cry and scream and are sick all over you," at this she shuddered, making a face, running her hands up and down her perfect figure. "I wouldn't want to mess up my figure anyway. I've seen pictures of how mother looked before she got pregnant with me – having me messed it all up!" she shook her head once more, firmly, deciding for them both. "No, I'd rather not have children."
"Hera," her father lowered his glasses at her, tugging on his beard playfully. "You know that your duty as Queen is to produce an heir. You can't go thinking you'll never have children! Besides, Caspian will surely want a little boy-"
"Or girl," Caspian immediately reassured him. "But if Hera . . ."
"Nonsense," Ramandu retorted. "Hera's being foolish. Don't you let her choose, Caspian! We don't want someone stealing your throne now, do we?" He laughed, a booming sound that ran right around the small courtyard. "Come on, boy, let Hera go and do wedding plans. I can see she keeps looking over at . . ." suddenly there was screaming, the patter of feet, and someone calling out. A girl with copper-coloured hair and big blue eyes raced up to Hera, wrapping her arms around her and squealing. She was quickly followed by a dark-skinned girl with braids and a massive smile, who clung onto Hera too.
"Hera! Hera!" they both cried, clutching onto her. Hera was just as giddy and giggly, a permanent beam on her face. "Oh, Hera!"
"Saoirse! Saoirse!" she said in synchronisation, holding onto her friends. "Evelyn! Evelyn!"
"I said I'd come, didn't I?" the girl with the copper-coloured hair said, holding Hera's face in her hands. "Couldn't miss out on being little Herry's maid of honour, could I Evie?"
"Oh!" Hera said in reply, clutching her again, whilst the braided girl, who must have been Evelyn laughed, throatily.
"No, she couldn't. I was just as thrilled to be invited, but to be a bridesmaid! Oh, Hera!" she laughed again, holding onto her friend's arm. "Where is he then? Your Caspian . . ." Evelyn trailed away, eyes on Caspian, eyebrows arched. "This isn't him, is it?" she pulled on Hera's arm, still looking at Caspian. "My my . . ."
"Yes, this is him," Hera nodded to Caspian, dipping her head a little.
"Pleasure to meet you ladies," Caspian said as if on cue, taking Evelyn's hand and kissing it quickly, before doing the same for Saoirse, who'd gone a little pink at the prospect. They both looked at Caspian as if he was an all you could eat buffet, eyeing their friend Hera up jealously.
"The pleasure is all ours, my lord," Saoirse told him, still flaming up. "Thank you for having us, your highness . . ."
"Oh, don't start that," Caspian was firm. "I'm your best friend's fiancee, I'm not a highness to you."
"Such a gallant gentleman too," Caspian heard Evelyn's familiar throaty laugh in Hera's ear. "You've nabbed a real prize, Herry!" They laughed together, whilst all of them eyed Caspian up, feasting their gazes on his beautiful face. Ramandu had wandered off, finding the giggling and shrieking to be headache inducing. Caspian found it so too, but he imagined it would be rude to ignore his bride's friends, even if they were a particularly heinous shade of annoying.
"It's a good thing he forgot about that Queen Susan!" Evelyn whispered to Hera. "You got in there-" but he didn't wait to hear the end, he excused himself and walked off, unsmiling, thought darkening at once, at the mention of Queen Susan's abesence.
"Susan! Susan!" there was a great sigh. "Susan! SUSAN!" Susan's mother was screeching for her, wringing her hands dry on a dish towel and giving out a snappy, short sigh. "Where is that girl?" she asked to no one but the air, swallowing, before letting out a splintering shriek. "SUSAN!"
"Coming mother!" Susan called, snapping closed her book and peering in her bedside mirror, running fingers through loose strands of hair. She smoothed down her checked skirt and her creamy blouse, and leapt up from the bed. She'd just been writing in her diary, keeping track of her thoughts. She'd taken up writing in her diary every night since she'd realised there was no going back to Narnia. She'd heard Edmund and Lucy had been and came back just the night before, and it reopened healing wounds. She was certain America had done the trick, that it had made her forget, but returning and hearing that Ed and Lu had seen Caspian again, didn't help anything. She was supposed to be like Peter, supposed to be older and wiser and getting on with her life, but she wasn't. Moving on seemed impossible. Almost as if it was a great, cavernous,rocky mountain, and she wasn't allowed any preperations, or help in climbing it. It was all down to her.
When Lucy and Ed had came back and told her and Peter all about their time with Caspian. She'd been completely jealous. Peter didn't care much – he said he was getting too old, and he's gotten over it, but she knew that he really hadn't. He just liked to say he had. She was supposed to be moving on, too. She sighed, tucking a loose strand of dark hair behind her ear, smiling timidly. America was supposed to help her forget, but she didn't. Everyone else moved on, even Ed and Lucy managed it when they got back, but she couldn't. The amount of times she thought about Caspian! She couldn't forget, not even once. It was terrible, she couldn't think about anything else! She shuddered a little, remembering, wishful that she could just stop. Stop thinking about Caspian, stop thinking about Narnia, just stop and restart.
"Susan! Sue!" her mother called on her again, voice growing tired. "Susan!"
"OK mother, I'm coming!" Susan replied, grabbing her cloak from the hanger in her bedroom and coming down the stairs. "What is it, mother?"
"Can you go outside and rake the leaves in the garden, it's all piling up out there and I've got to make dinner," her mother smiled gently, stirring the soup. Susan was already out the door, you couldn't say no to her mother, you just couldn't. She'd give you the 'look', and force you anyway. There was no point fighting when there was no way of winning. "That's a good girl. The rake's in the shed!" Susan nodded, walking to the shed and grabbing the rake. She began to shuffle leaves around, putting them into one pile. She let her thoughts spin away while she raked, she didn't want to think about Caspian or Narnia or anything. She just raked leaves, quietly, drifting off into a sort of trance-like lull where everything just washed over her and she forgot about it all. Suddenly there was a flash of light, blinding, her skin tickled and she felt herself move upwards, away from the rake and the leaves. She squinted to see, but all she saw was the light. And then just as suddenly, she felt nothing but cool, hard wood below her, and someone gasping. She was out of breath, leaning against the floor, panting, struggling for air. The person came closer, shouting now. They sounded very angry.
"You there! Stand up! Show yourself! Tell me who you are!" Pause. "Now!"
After all the meet and greets, there was a small ball held, full of rich food, dances and acres of pretty dress. Hera was carted off to her room with her friends, and Caspian was forced to retire also. They'd been warned not to have any midnight rendevous, but Caspian didn't feel any cravings for such things anyway. He needed to think, and he'd have everyday from tomorrow with his Hera – no use breaking rules and traditions like that for the sake of minutes spent together of mindless cuddling and kissing. He'd have forever to do that with her. He didn't know what was wrong with him, why the prospect of being married and having Hera forever didn't make him leap with joy – he did love her, didn't he? Or was that just a fruitless little crush, in his hopes of getting over Susan? Had he conjured up this love for Hera, forcing himself to forget about the one he truly loved? His mind reeled with all these thoughts, and he didn't know what was right. He only knew that what he felt for Hera wasn't enough to want to spend forever in her arms. He lay back on his bed, taking off his shirt and running his hands through his dark hair, trying to untangle his thoughts at the same time. It was useless, there was no good way of smoothing out his problems, they weren't simple or easy. He sighed, deciding sleep would be the best cure to his troubles, and he leant across to blow out his candle, when he felt an almighty breeze. A great gust of wind, ruffling his hair and shaking the whole room about, knocking over books and upsetting trinkets on his shelves. There was a blinding light, a wide flash, making him raise his hand up to shield his eyes, as he tried to see past the overbearing light. He didn't know what was happening, for a moment he wondered if this was the end. Have they come for me, am I dead? But the moment was over so quickly that the thought had barely left his mind before it ended. There was a dark figured shrouded in a cloak on the floor, leaning into the flagstones, panting. He gently reached for his sword, walking towards the figure cautiously, making the floorboards creak as he padded across them. The figure was still pressing down on the floor, coughing, arching their back as they coughed. He tensed, taking one step forward, who was this strange being? What on earth had just happened?
"You there!" Caspian had hoped to sound stronger, but his words came out in a strangled, muffled groan. "Stand up! Show yourself! Tell me who you are!" his words came a little stronger this time, and apart from being half-naked and shivering a little in the cold, he felt in control. The cloaked figure rose, coughing dying away, face shielded from him, their hands up towards their face, dabbing at something. "Hands where I can see them!" the figure held out their hands, which were surprisingly slender, with neat nails. He didn't suspect it was a man any more, instead, it must be an enchantress. He'd have to watch that she didn't pull some trick on him, and scramble his mind. "Put down your hood! Show me who you are!" he raised the sword, preparing to attack if the occasion required it. Instead of having the breath winded from his during a fight, the breath left his lips when he saw who was cowering behind the hood, looking completely shocked and beautiful. The hood came back, silky fabric draping away, revealing the face that frequented his dreams and haunted his thoughts. Susan stood before him, Queen Susan, heavy, dark hair framing her lovely face, lips pursed upwards, cerulean eyes shining in the pale moonlight. He felt his arms go around her before she did, pulling her face into his shoulder, rubbing circles around her back. Her back arched as she clung onto him, both of their faces contorting into confusion. What is Susan doing here? He wondered, holding onto her still. He was so glad to see her, however strange the occurance was that she'd turned up in his bedroom on the eve of his wedding to another woman, he loved Susan and was happy to see her either way.
"Caspian," she whispered as he held her, arms coming under her legs, carrying her in his arms, placing her on his bed. "Oh, Caspian . . ." his lips found hers and he kissed her, not thinking about Hera or weddings or anything else, just about her now, here. The love pouring from his heart too much to know what to do with, he had to put it somewhere, so he put it in the kiss. Susan kissed him back, despite feeling her heart break in her chest, allowing him to kiss her deeper, running his hands through her hair, pulling her face in closer. He'd wanted to kiss her like this for too long, wanted to feel her beside him, and really kiss her.
"Caspian . . ." she tried to speak but his lips cut her off, keeping her too busy to talk. She allowed herself to melt into his lips for a minute, before she stopped him, pushing him away with a sigh.
"Susan?" he asked her, standing up, and coughing. He had to tell her. Now. "Look, a lot has changed since you were last here."
"I know, a lot has changed with me." She told him, crossing her arms over her chest. Her cloak had slipped away, and she was sitting in front of him in a plain shirt and skirt, hair pulled back in a neat bun. "I was supposed to be growing up and getting over you, but it was more difficult than I imagined-"
"Susan," he tried to stop her from talking, he had to tell her, now. "Susan, please . . ." but she was still talking, ignoring his pleading.
"Peter moved on, he forgot about Narnia and focused on his studies. Even Lucy and Ed got over Narnia once they came back from seeing you again. I think that's really did it, not seeing you again, I could have cheerfully killed them for going whilst I was away-"
"Susan." Again she kept talking, chattering on and on, nervously.
"-America was supposed to make me forget, but it only made me remember even more. Oh goodness the tears! Mother thought I was pregnant with all the crying and sleeping!-"
"Susan."
"-I couldn't think of anything else! I'd lie awake at night, sobbing over you, the dark making everything worse. I'd do anything to come back to you. I'm scared I'll get more hurt by being here but I can't not-"
"Susan! SUSAN!" she finally stopped when Caspian grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her, stopping the waterfall of words from endlessly pouring out her mouth, like a thoughtless stream. "Susan, listen to me!"
"What?" she looked a little cross, her arms going back across her chest, frowning at him. "Sorry, I thought . . . Well I'm listening now."
"I'm sorry, but I had to tell you now, before you say more. Susan, we can't do this," he looked at her sadly. "Susan. It's my wedding tomorrow." He watched her face contort into emotions, first surprise, then sadness, and finally anger, surging through her hot and fast. She couldn't feel anything else as she erupted all over him.
Caspian didn't know what to say or do. On one hand he loved Susan with all of his heart, with more, but on the other, he was about to be married at Hera. It was his wedding day! He couldn't just stand her up like that, he couldn't hurt someone. Either way he was hurting someone. He shook his head, he'd been so ready to marry Hera and get over Susan. Why did everything have to suddenly get complicated?
"What? What?" it was a chocked cry, Susan looked furious. "What? Engaged . . ."
"Yes. It all happened so fast, and then you turned up, and Susan, I love you. I thought I'd gotten over you, with Hera, only, I realise now that I don't love her. Not even a little bit compared to how much I love you. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have kissed you, I should have told you out right . . ." he looked at her finally, her blue eyes swimming with tears. "I've been a fool. I'm sorry."
"Sorry?" she spat, shaking violently, face flushed. "Sorry?! You're sorry?" she shook her head so violently her neck cracked. "Sorry won't cut it, Caspian! You . . . oh God!" she looked so pain stricken that he felt his heart just break. Caspian, you bastard. "You shouldn't have kissed me," she told him, holding onto the bed post, unable to move. "Oh, God! Oh, Caspian!" she suddenly began to beat her fists against his chest, forcing him back a little, as she wailed into him. "I'd have waited for you forever! You got over me, just like that!" with each word she beat against his chest, his arms around her as she cried. "I. Love. You. And. You. Obviously. Don't!"
"I do, oh Susa-" as he held her, holding her gently as a tiny bird, the door of his room sprung open, amid giggles and laughing. He looked up, still clutching Susan, to see Hera, stood there, mouth gaping open, eyes wide as saucers. She couldn't even speak as she saw her Caspian with his arms around some dark haired girl, who was crying into him. He was bare chested, and was looking at the girl tenderly and lovingly. She felt her heart surge, and anger pound through her.
"Caspian?" she looked at him as the girl moved away from him, face wet with tears. Hera didn't recognise her, but she was very pretty. No, not just pretty, that girl was beautiful. From her dark hair, to her fair skin, to her blue eyes and delicately full lips. She was beautiful. Hera felt annoyed and jealous, quaking as the emotions sizzled through her. What was Caspian doing on the eve of their wedding with some other girl in his bed chambers? Actually, Hera knew exactly what he was doing. She'd thought he was a decent man, she'd thought she'd got him to fall in love with her. Saoirse and Evelyn came in behind her, giggling, blissfully unaware to the havoc unfolding around them.
"Herry, what's up?" Saoirse gripped onto her bare arm, her fingers feeling cool on her hot flesh. "What's-" then she saw Caspian and Susan, stood stock still, and she applied a delicate hand to her mouth, shaking her head. "What on earth?" Evelyn was shocked silent, for once, just staring at Caspian, unable to made her vocal chords work.
"Hera," Caspian didn't move beside her like she expected, no, he still had his hands on that little slut, his arms wound around her waist. "Hera, this isn't how it looks." He was saying it half-heartedly. It was exactly how it looked. He had been having a moment with Susan, because he loved Susan so much more than Hera. He didn't know how to handle this, but he knew that the damage was already done. He wasn't going to lie or pretend or cheat, Hera would know the truth. That the wedding was off. "Hera, I'm afraid you two haven't met," Hera snorted when he motioned to Susan, as if to say, 'Why would I want to meet her?' He didn't imagine she'd recognise her, so he didn't know how he woukd explain this. "Susan, love," Hera heard him whisper to the girl who was just staring at them all, with a placid look on her face. Hera felt a ripple of anger race through her as he said, 'love' to this girl. "This is Hera, my fiancee." Susan looked over the girl whom Caspian was to wed, with her silvery blonde hair, deep brown eyes and beautifully flawless features, she was exactly the sort of girl she'd imagine Caspian would marry. Exactly the kind of girl she usually hated. She felt anger surge through her again, a deafening wave. Susan nodded at Caspian, she was sure she'd feel anger for him, but she felt nothing, she was sort of numb. It was odd, but she didn't blame Caspian for doing what he did. She had forgotten that he was King, he would have to choose a bride. But she was still angry at him, she'd still take some time to truly forgive him. He had kissed her and he shouldn't have. He should have remembered about his bloody fiancee that he was wedding the next day! She shook her head, God, love made you reckless.
"Hera, this is Susan," he looked at Susan, face lighting up, everyone saw it. "Queen Susan." There was a giant gasp, going around the room, and he saw Saoirse and Evelyn raise their eyebrows in mutual shock. No one could quite believe him, when he said Queen Susan was there, standing in front of them.
"Queen Susan? Oh, Caspian, have you gone mad?" Hera spat at him, narrowing her eyes at Susan. "Queen Susan returned to her homeland, never to come back here. Are you so delusional that you think any girl you've picked up off of God knows where, is Queen Susan of the Old?" she shook her head, angrily.
"I am Susan, Queen Susan," Susan spoke up immediately, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I can prove it. Just find someone who knew me from before, and then you'll know. Is Trumpkin still around?"
"Yes, and Reepicheep. They'll both recognise you." Caspian replied quickly, before Hera silenced her with her fury.
"You aren't serious?" Hera was shouting now, eyes rimmed pink, like she was about to burst into tears. "God, Caspian! It's our wedding day tomorrow! What are you doing?!"
"You think Susan can choose when she just turns up? Hera, she turned up on my bed chamber floor! What was I supposed to do, tell her to go back home?! She's my friend, I've missed her! I'll be damned if you're telling me what I'm going to be doing!" his eyes blazed with anger, hers with sadness. He felt himself clutch onto Susan even more, and Hera noticed this.
"So what does that mean about us?" she whispered it, words sounding almost sinister in her sweet little voice. "Does everyone just get sidetracked for your precious Queen Susan?" Caspian looked at Hera, biting his lip. His heart was split in two, he didn't know what to do! On one hand, he didn't know how long Susan would be here, and he needed a Queen and someone to love. Hera had been a great outlet for both of these things, and he was sure he'd felt something for her. Even a glimmer of real love. Susan, on the other hand, would always be a flaming wild fire, but until he spoke to someone who would know, namely Aslan, he couldn't put all of his hopes and dreams on Susan. She might be gone in a heartbeat.
"I don't know what that means, Hera. But I know that for the meantime, the wedding is off," Saoirse and Evelyn gasped even louder than Hera did. "It's not because of you, or Susan, it's me. I need to think about my options, and what's going to happen. Hera, I'm sorry. Honestly."
"Don't waste your breath," she whispered to him. "I don't even want to hear it. You've hurt me too far!" she turned from him, taking her friends with her, leaving him alone with Susan.
"Susan," but Susan shook her head at him.
"Can I please have a chamber, Caspian? I don't know why I'm here or how long I'm going to be here, but I need to lie down and think. Alone." He nodded, letting go of her, and turning away from her. Why did he have to hurt everyone all at once? Hera, Susan, himself. Why was it never easy?
"Come, I'll get someone to sort you out," he pulled his shirt back over his head and opened his door, letting Susan walk out in front of him. He sighed, following her out. What was he going to do now? How on earth would he explain about the wedding? His mind reeled with all these questions, and he found himself biting his lip as he strode along after Susan, unable to pluck out answers for them. I suppose I'm just going to have to see, take everything as it comes. He followed Susan outside, keeping close to her in the corridors, walking to a bed chamber not too far from his own – or Hera's. As he passed her room, he heart muffles and murmurs. She was crying, and Evelyn and Saoirse were consoling her. For a moment, he almost opened the door and went in to console her with them – but he stopped himself. He wouldn't leave Susan all alone, he'd fix all of his messes in time. He deliberately set Susan up in a bed chamber three doors down from Hera's, five from him. He opened the door for her, into a wide, spacious room, with a four-poster bed and tapestries from ancient Narnia, of Susan and her three siblings.
"Will you be comfortable here?" he asked her, once she'd sat on the bed, resting her head on the eiderdown pillows and closing her magic blue orbs. She nodded in reply, already dozing off, so he dutifully closed the door behind him and walked back down the corridor, past Hera's room, where he could still hear quiet sobbing. He was about go on in, but he heard Evelyn speaking up, so he kept walking, still hearing her words echoing in his ears.
"He's a filthy fucking liar! You're better off without him anyway!" Caspian shook his head, trying to silence her sharp, hollow words, crashing into his world with a deafening thump. He didn't know how to blurt them out, how to ignore them. So he just kept walking, to his room, where he sat on his bed, wanting to cry out in anguish, but no tears coming. Tomorrow was going to be complete hell. Susan wasn't speaking to him, Hera hated him, he'd have to call off his wedding . . . He sank into his pillows, balling his fists and closing his eyes. Even if he had a restless, rocky night, he just hoped that he'd be allotted some time to forget, to drift off to dreams where everything was fine again.
He hoped . . . But he was already fast asleep.
So, there you have it. My first chapter, thoughts? Comments? Likes? Dislikes? I'm not psychic, you're going to have to review to tell me what you all think . . .
Until next time, thanks for reading and reviewing (hopefully).