*I in no way shape or form, own these characters, or any rights to the magical world that C.S. Lewis has created, nor am I benefitting monetarily in any way.
*I'd like to send a huge thank you to my reviewers. You all are what helps me to hone my writing and also gives me confidence to allow these characters to take on their own life.
*I have no beta, so please excuse grammatical errors. Reviews are most appreciated, educational and motivating. Hope you enjoy.
Undefined , Yet Welcome
Fanfiction by: Morgan McCormick
Table of Contents
Chapter 1….pg.3
Chapter 1
Susan was almost ready to scream. After realizing that she was no longer aloud in Narnia, her freckled face was beginning to get redder and redder with stress and regret. She knew that she could have stayed, and that she could have lived on to spend the possibly rest of her life with Caspian. However, the thought that she had also made a good decision to come back still lingered in the back of her mind. She would think things like: What if we were never meant to be together? Why did Aslan give me the choice when he obviously knew the best answer? And why did she have to say no to Narnia even if she was given the choice herself? These thoughts just brought more frustration.
A knock on the door made her jump. Without a reply, they barged in immediately knocking over Susan's purple coat hanging on the back of the door. Rolling over, Susan began: "A simple kind gesture would really…." Her voice trailed off into nothingness. A small dwarf with thinned red hair but a thick beard was sitting battered before her. Although she did not actually grasp who was in front of her until they began to speak for themselves.
"I come in the name of Aslan himself. He has requested to give you another fate of your decision to leave Narnia."
The news gave Susan almost certain thoughts that she was ready to go back, however, the same thoughts that had echoed through her mind as she stepped between the two enchanted trees to get back to the human world occurred again. It was almost as if they were trying to hold her back from what she truly wanted.
"Are there any tricks to this? Are you trying to make me want but not have?" She asked. "Well, no. Though you should know. You are the one who called upon Aslan 'imself."
"I most certainly did not call upon Aslan! I have no authority! Besides, he gave me the choice, and though I regretted it, I don't believe that I deserve Narnia."
"You must deserve it!" The dwarf argued. "You were once queen o' Narnia weren't ya?...Anyway, I know what you want. Lord Aslan told me himself how you can either stay her grumbling about your decision for the rest of your life, or come back to the place that gave you meaning, and that Aslan knows is best for you." At that he gave a small dwarfish grunt, and stumbled out of the room. Susan stared at her coat laying on the ground. Knowing her choice already. The odd thing was, she could hear the dwarfs grubby little footsteps about the floor above her head. How did he know his way around? Confused and curious at the same time, she ran off to find the little man. With each stair that she climbed, she found that she might be getting closer and closer to destiny. After she reached the attic, she found the dwarf bent over a pouch with four rings inside. Two were green, and two were gold. Uncertain at what the dwarf was doing, she stepped closer.
"Excuse me. Why on earth you have those rings? They are forbidden under the laws of Narnia."
"Not if Aslan himself has sent for them you foolish child." A look came across his face of bittersweet surprise. "You're coming aren't you? I suspected!"
"What makes you think that?" Susan asked. The dwarf beamed. "Because Aslan already knows. Now come along! Grab a gold ring! We're in a hurry young one."
"All right. But you mustn't be tricking me about Aslan. I don't want to be known as an outlaw of Narnia."
"Don' be ridiculous. Alright then, grab it on the count o' three. One. Two. THREE!
At the speed of light, Susan felt as though she were falling down an endless trench with almost no source of gravity at the same time. The only odd thing was that she was right side up with her hair settled on her shoulders. Although the feeling that she was being warped by some sort of mysterious force was still clinging to her body. Soon, she saw a small patch of light beneath her feet. It seemed to be rushing to her, or she was falling closer to it. Susan couldn't tell which.
She soon felt that her head was spinning in a miraculous way even though she had already touched the ground. As her balance evened out, she caught a glimpse of the dwarf standing next to her. "Where are we?" She asked. "This isn't Narnia is it?"
"No it's not! But it's the world between worlds." He answered. "This is where the first time Son of Adam and the first Daughter of Eve set foot in Narnia. They made it through these pools." She asked in confusion. Susan was getting sick of waiting. Looking around, Susan took notice of the pools all around her. "Which one to Narnia?" "The one on the far right if I remember correctly. Come! Come!"
They made their way over to the right pool, as Susan pondered about the next trip to Narnia. The dwarf began to explain. "Alright then. Ladies first." He said. Susan took a deep breath almost as if she were about to go underwater. And then she hopped in, but surprisingly didn't get wet. Not a single drop of water had gotten on her clothing or skin. Once again she got the feeling as if she were under a spell of no gravity, yet she saw the portal beneath her. Her feet touched land almost as if she had just hopped across a small puddle. Much less brutal than if she had really been falling so far down.
The first thing that Susan saw was breath taking. So majestic. So amazing. A valley full of purple and white wild flowers with silver grass surrounded her. Although, the most beautiful thing of all, was the one sitting right in front of her. Aslan. The lion's flowing golden mane and twitching tale showed his favor for Susan's return. "Welcome." His deep perplexing voice echoed. "You made a good decision. Come now. It is time to visit your people." With a long breath, Aslan blew away the scenery around Susan. Everything. The flowers, the grass, the sky. All of it was blown away like a sheet to reveal a camp of Narnian's settling in a woodland area.
Susan could see groups of other dwarfs and dryads huddled around a fire. They were all sharing stories about the new Narnia and what life would be like after this Narnia ended. Hopefully, Susan strode forward to greet her many friends and what seemed to be family. However, she was stopped by Aslan's deep voice.
"Wait. You are not ready yet." He warned.
"What on earth are you talking about?" Susan asked. "I would very much like to see my brother and sister. This is my home. These are my people. How am I not ready?"
"You still carry memories of hardship from your life in the human world. Come close so that I may rid you of these thoughts."
Feeling slightly awkward, Susan edged forward. Aslan took his enormous paw and placed it on Susan's forehead. He spoke three words. "Undefined, Yet Welcome."
"Am I stripped of my sorrows?" She asked sarcastically. "Yes. Now listen. Go and greet your family. But remember. You made this choice before you even thought you had a second chance. I only made sure that I knew so that you could go to where your heart and soul belong."
"Thank you. Oh, and the dwarf, he looks familiar. Have I seen it before?" Aslan gave a low growl. "Do you remember when your youngest sister first found Narnia, and came across the White Witch in the Sleigh?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact I do. He described it as a sled made of ice, and a queen with the same texture. Anyway, what does this have to do with it? Oh, yes… I remember now. There was a grumpy little dwarf driving the sleigh and following her every order like a slave. That's him is it?"
"Hmm." His voice rumbled. "He has turned to our side. Though he is harsh in manners, he is now pure. His every mistake has been forgiven." Then Aslan closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Go now. Your kingdom awaits."
"Thank you again Aslan." She replied. And then she stepped onward to the camp.
Susan was very surprised to see how many of the residents were so joyful that she was there. There were hugs, and welcoming faces, and some that just downright danced. However, Susan felt as if all of this were a bit forced. Of course she had to speak her mind to her people.
"Excuse me, this is all very wonderful, and I am hysterically excited to see you all! But a thought has come to mind that is troubling me greatly. Aren't you all angry at me for leaving Narnia in the first place?" At this point, all of the fawns, and dryads, and dwarfs were silent. That is until one familiar voice rang aloud. "At first I'm sure we were, although now, we understand." The crowd parted as Susan began to see the mystery person speaking. "Now that you are back, you have nothing held against you!"
"Almost in shock, Susan ran forward and stretched her arms wide and threw them around Caspian's neck.
"Narnia's perfect welcome for the perfect time." Susan exclaimed.
"I knew you would come back." Was all that Caspian said. And then Aslan began to speak.
"Attention Narnian's. I have allowed Princess Susan, a Duaghter of Eve, back into Narnia despite her invalid decision to leave. To me, I know all of her future. However, to you she is undefined, yet welcome, as a fully regained queen of Narnia."
This message was followed by many cheers and wild whistles of rejoice, but was broken in Susan's eyes when Aslan began to speak again.
"Now let us begin the challenges that I have prepared, to decide where Susan's loyalties lie.
