And Then They Came
At the community pool where Peter worked as a lifeguard, Susan was swimming laps before it opened. Swimming was a way for her to think and vent her frustrations without causing her siblings to worry. So every morning while Peter prepared to open the pool, Susan tried to swim away her worries. When she came up for air, Susan noticed that Peter was yelling at someone. She got out of the pool and slowly walked towards the gates where she saw Peter arguing with a soldier.
"It's only me here, no one else. There is no need for you to come in, I'll come out there." Peter reasoned, and Susan knew what was happening. Peter was protecting her.
"Open the gate!" The soldier yelled at him and held the gun up to Peter.
Susan silently pleaded with Aslan to make the soldier go away, but it was too late. Peter refused and the soldier pulled the trigger. When she saw her brother sink to the ground clutching his bleeding stomach, Susan let out an involuntary squeak andran to help her brother. The soldier immediately looked in her direction. He turned towards her and with a sadistic grin, pulled the trigger. She felt the wind pick up speed and the ground start shifting underneath her right before another bullet slammed into her chest. Narnia was the last thing Susan thought before her heart stopped beating.
XXXXXXX
Caspian watched as the star's daughter walked down the aisle towards him. Lorna was a pretty woman with straight blonde hair, pale skin, and a slim figure. But everyone agreed that she didn't even come close to the grace and beauty of Queen Susan the Gentle. Caspian had expected Aslan to attend the wedding but he was no where in sight. When his bride stood in front of him, he managed a polite smile. In a few hours he was going to have to manage more than a smile because the only reason he was taking a wife is to provide an heir and it takes more than a smile for that. As the minister started the ceremony Caspian hoped that no one noticed that "to love" wasn't mentioned in the vows, but of course everyone did. When it was his turn to repeat after the minister, he had a hard time choking out the words. He barely knew this woman; though he liked Lorna and found that she was very polite. He also knew that she had feelings for him and he was trying to make her as content as possible but he felt like she was a friend or acquaintance not a wife. Caspian would honor her of course, and he would try to cherish her and make her comfortable but he felt like he wouldn't succeed. Ever since she came to the castle and the council had chosen her, Lorna had made it clear that she was perfect wife material, but Caspian couldn't help but think that she wasn't perfect wife material for him.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. Now presenting for the first time, High King Caspian the Tenth and Queen Lorna."
Then their was a loud thump in the back of the church and the loud gasps coming from the guests seated back there. That's when Caspian's heart sank and his gut clenched because in the back of the room was King Peter the Magnificent sitting on top of none of than Queen Susan the Gentle. And Caspian had just got married.
The two monarchs however hadn't yet realized what was happening.
"Peter, get off of me!" Susan grunted.
"Susan! Why didn't you stay quiet? You would never have gotten shot if you had!" Vented the Magnificent King.
"Oh, so you can get shot while protecting me but I'm not allowed to try and save you? That's bullocks! Now get off of me Peter! Wait, why are you wearing Narnian clothes?"
"So are you…" He let his sentence trail off and looked around. Immediately realizing that they were indeed in Narnia, with people staring at them, in a church, and at a wedding, he stood straight up and helped his sister up.
Everyone else in the church now gasped too as they saw the Gentle Queen. Immediately everyone started talking.
"Isn't that just his luck, he marries that woman and then his dream queen shows up."
"Poor girl, she's came just a minute too late."
"Look at High King Caspian, he's speechless."
"Who wouldn't be? The Gentle Queen is the most beautiful woman in the world."
"She doesn't even realize what's going on."
"That poor woman he married, she never stood a chance."
Caspian heard all of the whispers and his heart broke again. Susan is here, at his wedding, but she isn't the bride. And from what he's heard, she doesn't even know that there is a bride. But from the look on Peter's face, he knows. What are they doing back? Is there danger again for Narnia? He needed to get them alone and talk to Susan. But his new bride had other ideas.
"Who are you? Were you invited to our wedding? We only planned for invited guests." Lorna asked loudly and everyone went quiet waiting for the reply.
Susan felt like her whole body froze and her smile faltered when she locked eyes with Caspian. Wedding… Caspian's wedding, she felt like she was going to faint. But Queen Susan the Gentle wouldn't do that, Queen Susan would plaster on a fake smile and act distant and strong instead of bursting into tears and crying. She was aware that everyone had become quiet and was waiting for her reply. So she did the unexpected and smiled brightly at the woman in the front of the church.
"I'm High Queen Susan the Gentle and this is my brother, King Peter the Magnificent. We're sorry to interrupt your… wedding. We'll leave. Are our chambers taken King Caspian?" Susan turned towards the groom.
He shook his head and continued to star at her. "No, Su- your majesty, your chambers stay prepared at all times in case of your sudden arrival. But, you are more than welcome"
She bowed and started to pull a silent Peter towards the door when a familiar figure walked in, Aslan.
"My Gentle Queen, stay for a moment so I may explain your arrival. High Queen Susan and King Peter were shot by a soldier in their world. They both died-" Everyone gasps. "So, they have come back to Narnia to stay and help High King Caspian rule Narnia. There may be question concerning rank, High King Caspian has the highest power, followed by High Queen Susan, then King Peter, King Edmund, Queen Lucy, and then Queen Lorna. The younger King and Queen will not be joining us in Narnia until there is a need for them. High King Caspian has restored Cair Paravel. High Queen Susan and King Peter may rule from there if that is what they wish. I will be back, not once and not twice. Until then my High King and High Queen, there are four kinds of loves, love for your people, love for your family, love for your selves, and love for each other. " And with that, the great lion vanished.
Did you like it? Tell me what you think. A new chapter coming soon!
How does Lorna feel about the Return of the monarchs? What will happen with Caspian and Susan now that he's married? Can they ever be together? I think they most definitely can.
