Temptation

Summary: You won't be young forever, honey.

Note: Not going to be a permanent category, I think. Am I allowed to ramble and complain to you guys today? Well, I'm not updating – like I said – because of school. Well, we have those required testings in about three weeks. I have a final this Friday and a major, major project due in 17 days. Holy crap, right? Oh, and let's not forget grades and clubs and, oh yeah, a talent show at the end of May, which I am performing in.

But I think I'm getting luckier.

The devil visits her every night. Not in material form, of course, since Aslan had—

No, that life was a dream. This life was real; and anyways, the devil wasn't real, right?

At least, that is what Susan tells herself every night to calm her rapid breathing.

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Susan Pevensie says there is no Narnia; that there is no Aslan, no Jadis or talking animals. She says that it was mere child's play and, "Oh! That was such fun when we were children!" She says these things with a proud demeanor: a straight back, a proper smile, and a winning sort of charm. (However, if you looked closely, her eyes and soul are broken and lost.)

Susan Pevensie is a liar.

She doesn't believe those things. They aren't true. Of course Narnia was real. Yes, they were kings and queens; admired and loved by all. She was Queen Susan the Gentle; who had been courted and sought out time and time again.

All Susan wanted was to be loved again.

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You won't be beautiful forever, honey, the devil whispers in the night. I know all your fears, dear Susan. Oh, forgive me, Great Queen. The word queen is a sneer, said with malice. But you're not a queen here, are you, sweet?

You wish to be, don't you? Wish to be as beautiful as I? She prods and pokes her with her broken staff. You would rather be petty and vain than ugly, wouldn't you? In that way, you and I are much the same.

"I'm not like you!" Susan screams. She has to convince herself that she is nothing like the witch; not a monster, not an evil. (But is succumbing to evil the same as being it?) "You're evil and cruel and . . ."

Oh, is the gentle queen at a loss for words? You know, dear, I am your friend. After all, I can make you beautiful again. People will want you. You'll be loved.

You can be Queen Susan again.

"What's your price, Witch?"

And so Queen Susan of Narnia was lost.