Disclaimer: I own nothing. Narnia belongs to everyone's favorite C.S. Lewis. And thank you for the reviews! I really hope that you guys like it! (If you have any advice for me to improve it would be very greatly appreciated.) Also, any ideas or suggestions on the story would be great!
In New Narnia
"Edmund! Lucy! Peter! Eustace?! Is that you old chap?" Caspian calls excitedly over the cheering of the other Narnians.
"Caspian!" Lucy exclaims excitedly, running to him and throwing her arms around him excitedly.
"Yes, yes," Eustace says sheepishly, "I know I've gained a bit around my middle. Thanks for pointing that out your highness."
"No!" Caspian tells him, laughing, "I was just going to say that you've buffed up quite a bit! Look like a proper swordsman now!"
"Don't blow up his head now,Caspian," Pole says, rolling her eyes, "he already has plenty of air in it."
"I apologize," he says slowly, looking at the group of seven, "I know Peter. I know Edmund. I know Lucy, and of course I know Eustace, but…. Would it be rude to ask who the rest of you are?"
"I'm Jill,but everyone calls me Pole" Jill says quickly.
"Jill?!" Caspian cries out, shocked, "but you're…. Older!"
"Well, yes. I've grown. And I'm not in a school uniform so that's quite a bit of improvement," she replies casually, trying not to seem too pleased, "This is Professor Kirke. He was here around the founding of…. The other Narnia?"
"Yes, yes," Professor Kirke chuckles," I believe we may call that the Old Narnia. I was there when Narnia was young. Along with my friend here, Polly."
"Nice to meet you, King Caspian," Polly says, bowing politely.
"Please, it's only Caspian here," he argues, holding his hand up politely, "and-"
"King Caspian," Aslan says, his voice filled with enough power to "High King Peter, King Edmund, Queen Lucy. Welcome home, friends and protectors of Narnia."
"Aslan," Caspian says, falling to his knees with the other Narnians.
"Rise Kings and Queen of Narnia. Rise Eustace, knight of Narnia. Rise Jill, friend and protector of Narnia. Rise Diggory and Polly witnesses of the birth and destruction of Narnia." He says, smiling kindly.
They all rise up, one by one, looking around slightly confused.
"Son of Adam, and daughters of Eve, the Narnians have requested that you all keep the crowns and titles. You will all live in Cair Paravel together. There will be no problems for you all to settle, but it is the wish of my people. The Golden Ages will be restored, filled with peace and prosperity to all people, and-" Aslan's eyes slowly fall on Caspian, "You are troubled, Caspian"
"I mean no disrespect sir," he replies sheepishly, "but I think you already know why."
Caspian looks hopefully over the crowd of humans once more, looking for the face he was longing to see the most. He loved all the Pevensie children, even if Peter tried to kill him a few times. They were like his family, but even he couldn't deny that he was most looking forward to seeing Susan once more, even if his feelings were not returned.
"This is true," he says, laughing heartily, causing the rest of the Narnians to join in, "but I would like to hear it from you."
"It's just….. They seem to have lost Susan somewhere, your highness," he explains slowly, studying the long, somber faces of the Pevensie children. "I….. Is she alright?"
"My sister Susan," Peter speaks up gravely, "is no longer a friend of Narnia."
"What?" Caspian asks, stunned. He looks from face to face. First Peter. The Edmund. Lucy. Eustace. Jill. Diggory. Polly. And finally, Aslan himself. They all wear the same somber expression.
"I'm sorry Caspian," Edmund says, fiddling with his sword nervously. He wouldn't need it, but it comforted all of the guys to have their weapons.
"I was…. Unaware of that," he replies slowly, staring at the sky. "May I be excused, my King?"
"Of course, King Caspian," Aslan says, "you're all allowed to go enjoy New Narnia. At anytime"
Caspian bows and hurries away before anyone else tries to console him. Susan…..Susan no longer a friend of Narnia? How could that be? Susan was kind and gentle and sweet and… Good. Susan was everything a Narnian should be. How could someone change that much? How could anyone no longer want to be a part of Narnia?
"May I join you Caspian?" Aslan asks, startling him. He didn't hear the Lion approach.
"Of course Aslan," he replies, sitting on a rock wall, "it is after all your country."
"You know what I meant by that," he says, chuckling. At least, Caspian hoped it was a chuckle. Aslan isn't a tame lion, after all.
"Of course," he says, tracing the stone on the wall slowly, "have I…. Have we lost her forever sir?"
"That's a very hard thing to say," Aslan replies delicately, staring out over the crowd of people that have yet to disperse.
"You know everything sir. How could it be hard to say?" Caspian asks quickly, standing to his feet.
"I don't know everything," Aslan explains, "I do not know what Susan will choose. All I can do is guide her in the right direction and hope she chooses wisely, son."
"But what if she doesn't?! What is she changes her mind and chooses not to believe? What if she chooses to ignore you? What then your majesty?"
"You doubt, King Caspian?"
"No! Of course not!" He says hurriedly, "I just…. I don't want the Pevensie's to have to live without Susan. Even if they aren't alive themselves. This matter confuses me greatly."
"They are gone in their world. They will remain in New Narnia. In my country. Susan...Susan must learn to cope without them. And to find me."
"You're going to her world then? To help her?"
"No… But I think I know someone who could help persuade her a bit." Aslan tells him, smiling slightly.
"Queen Lucy? If anyone can talk to Susan, she can. And then Susan will have to believe!" For, he thought happily, if she wouldn't listen to the dead, who would she listen to?
"I don't think Lucy would be the best choice. Susan has lost everyone that she held close to her. What do you think would happen if one of her siblings showed up on her doorstep?"
"She would… Be Susan I suppose." Caspian says, shaking his head. Who could help here then?
"She wouldn't believe it. She would think she was hallucinating," he said slowly, shaking his head slowly. "She locked herself off from all memories of Narnia. She truly believes it all to be a fairytale."
Caspian doesn't know how to reply. How could the brilliant, beautiful, bright girl he knew not believe in Narnia? He still remembers the day she told him she wouldn't be returning. He remembers the kiss and how it felt too final for his taste. Like she truly believed they would never meet again. He always held out hope, but now, upon seeing the other Pevensies, he wasn't too sure. Maybe he and Susan just weren't be. That of course didn't stop all the awkward conversations with his wife when she heard him whispering another woman's name in his sleep. She understood, but she was hurt. Caspian couldn't fix that either. He loved her. He really did, but Susan was just…. Susan. Everyone loves Susan! His eyes fill with tears as he realizes he might never get a chance to see her again.
"Do not cry child," Aslan purrs comfortingly, placing his paw upon Caspian's shoulder. "I believe we can help her."
"You said she wouldn't listen to anyone," he says miserably, shaking his head.
"I never said that. You just assumed because you doubt yourself. You doubt your ability to be loved, King of Narnia."
"I don't think I'm following you."
"Susan loved you. Loves you. She doesn't realize it yet, but I think you could remind her."
"Me? But…. I was only in their world for a few minutes! I know nothing about it!"
"Which is why the ones who do know about their own world will tell you. You need to learn as much as you can before you go. Are you ready for another adventure?"
Caspian honestly wasn't sure what he was ready for, especially in a world where children sought to hurt other children, as he learned with Eustace and Jill, but if he could help Susan, he was willing to try.
"I am. If you honestly think it would help. Do you think I can convince her? Of any of this? They say she was the hardest to convince Aslan. What if she doesn't return?"
"Once a King or Queen of Narnia, always a King or Queen of Narnia," he answers, "Always. Not once they change their minds or forget. Always."
Caspian feels warm when he hears these words. Susan will be back. She will believe. Narnia is her home. All of their home. Always.