Hope you like the second chapter as much as the first one :)
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She couldn't stop herself from looking around and around, seeing the dancing trees but not quite believing they really were there. She was pretty sure that this was a dream. It was the most logical explanation for her being in Narnia. What a cruel dream that was. Why did her head showed her something, that was forever lost? All of a sudden she pinched herself. The pain started immediately in her arm. So what? It must be a very realistic dream. Susan felt certain about her conclusion but couldn't ease.
One of the dancing trees danced right in front of her and stopped suddenly. His breeches assembled with needles and acorns waved in the breeze and in one moment all trees stopped moving. Wonderful, now she was imagining things. First the Trees danced and then they didn't. Susan took her Skirt in both hands and started to walk, but she wasn't able to even take a full step, when the trees moved again. She recognized that she was encircled by them and it looked like they were bowing their heads, well their treetops. It was the first familiar action towards her since 2 years. They bowed. They bowed to their Queen. To Queen Susan the Gentle. If it wasn't for her calm self, she would have gasped. It is a dream Susan, so don't let yourself in, It will only hurt you!
After a while standing in Spot the trees began to dance again, happy and silent with waving breeches and a melody, only heard by those who were able to experience magic. Susan was thinking. She always was the logical One, and it would help her to decide what to do next. She could not stay here, she was in the middle of a forest not even knowing in which one. Who knows, maybe she was even in Archenland or in the North. Susan really wasn't looking forward to a potential meeting with some giants. Not Even in a dream. "Thank you my dear friends, I shall leave now" With a gentle Smile she courtesied to the trees and started to walk.
First she had to find out where she was and then when she was. What had happened in Narnia? She was 9 months away, that would mean several hundred years in Narnia. If time flows still the same like the last time, the Pevensies left. All around her were trees, but she could feel the warming Sun of late Spring on her soft skin. Her dress was suitable clothing for this weather, but she was sure, the night would be cold. While walking Susan scanned her surroundings, again trying not to think to much. Not to be emotional. Being logical. First she needed to find any civilisation then she could think more about her whereabouts.
The Wood thinned out and there were something about the trees and their arrangement, the placement of the clearings, which made her feel comfortable. Home. She knew this Place. If she was right, and her Siblings would prove that she was almost ever right, then it was the wood around Aslans How. Half an hour later she was certain. With fast steps she stepped out the shadow of the trees and saw it. There was the How, overgrown with moss, weed and grass. It looked like in her memories, although it seemed a bit wilder than 18 months ago. The Sky was still blue, but it couldn't be long 'til night would come. Maybe she could spend the night in the How. It would definitely prevent her from freezing to death. The decision was made and she headed for the old memory. On her way she remembered the first time they were leaving Narnia. As she and Lucy saw the lamp-post. As if from a dream. Or a dream of a dream.
It was the second time in her life feeling that way. It was like a dream, but it was more. So strange, although her memory's of this place were clear. She remembered every second in this How. How she and her Siblings went there for the first time with Caspian and were welcomed by a reunited Narnian Army, how she and little Lucy helped taking care of the wounded soldiers after the first raid on Miraz Castle. And how Peter and Caspian disappointed her with nearly freeing Jadis and how the Prince made her unintentionally fall in love with him. She had admitted those feelings just a few days before their leaving. At the ball to his coronation. Energetic she shook her head. No time to think about the King who stole her heart. He must be dead. It was much easier to hold on to the thought that Caspian was dead after a life full of love and happiness, than imagine him living in the same country she wandered around in her dreams. Cause if Aslan would ever let her see him again, she don't want it to be a dream. She wanted it to be real.
Her silly thoughts pushed aside she reached the entrance of the How. From this view it was different. Some Stones, which she would swear were destroyed during the battle were replaced. The How seemed to be more tidy. A bad word for it, but it looked like someone would take care of it. Inside was no different. All the heavy stone walls were mended and more even but not from the amount of time, but from working on it and smoothing them. She was thrilled to go inside. Even in this dream the warm and welcomed feeling of home touched her soul and made her ease a bit. Not enough to let her Guard down, but a bit. Walking around in Narnia without her Bow and arrows was unfamiliar and strange. She didn't like it. Susan thought about getting her bow, maybe It was brought back to the ruins of Cair Paravel, but what if not? She got no idea where to search for it.
The next corner, would led her to the room and halls with the paintings. And there they were. The paintings from all the Kings and Queens of Old. Her finger traced over the rough stone over a small her, riding a horse and chasing a stag. A small Peter was painted on a white mere in front of her and next to her a not so small Lucy. Behind them Edmund, trying to catch up. Another painting showed the four of them standing under the lamppost as children. Even Mr Tumnus was there, Mr and Mrs Beaver also. She remembered all of the cravings and brushes, after all she had spend countless time looking at them at her last stay here.
It took her minutes to look at all the old walls. Every memory ached in her heart, but she couldn't stop looking. It was her own history, her lifetime. She had wanted to forget all of this but she wasn't successful. Once a King or Queen of Narnia, always a King or Queen She thought as she looked at a small painted Mr Tumnus holding Lucys Crown to place it on her royal hair.
Susan looked away and wanted to go deeper in the how. She entered the next room build in the stone and was shocked. Completely surprised. On the walls were Paintings. Paintings, which weren't there the first time she got here. They were new. Not only that Susan had never seen them, the colour shone brighter in the light of torches and it looked newly made. How much time did passed in her dream, she wondered. How could it be, that there were new paintings in Aslans How.
Overwhelmed by curiosity she stepped in front of the stone next to the entrance and looked at a small Caspian fleeing out of the Telmarine Castle. Her Breath sopped for a moment. This must be the story of their return, it was Caspians Story. Her heart full of love and sorrow, Susan stepped closer to the walls and looked at the painted figures. It was everything there. The arrival of them, the Kings and Queens of Old, the first meeting with the minotaurs, centaurs, dwarfs, old Narnians and Caspian.
It was Peter who said in an improvident moment after their second leave that he hated it, when Caspian laid first eyes on her. In his opinion it was already this first meeting, when the young Telmarine started to fall for his little sister. Susan wasn't so sure about that, but was way too startled to reply at that moment.
For her it took much longer to be certain about her feelings for Caspian. She didn't knew it from first sight. But she had to admit that her heart started pouncing, with acknowledging how handsome he was.
It took several minutes for her to overlook all of the mural paintings. She was lost in memories and couldn't even stop a single tear from falling. The how was silent, not even a bird was singing its song and the only sound came from Susans Steps and the cracking noise of the torches. Susan sighed again, looking around in both awe and agony. The soft blew circling around her ankles made her shiver. Her dress was far too thin for the night, and she remembered her originally intent. To find a place for the night. Her steps lead her through the how, but all she could find were more torches, all lit up.
She wondered about it, but had far bigger problems at the moment. Maybe the People of this time in Narnians History used Aslans How as a monument or such. She avoided the room with Aslans Table in it on purpose.
The air was chilly now and Susan started to think, what she should do. It was a dream. That was sure, but she couldn't wake up. Not very nice from her head and her imagination, but so it be. She had to find a place to spend the night and rest. She would need a blanket or at least something else to wear. A polka dot Dress wasn't suitable clothing for a Spring in Narnia. Susan was sure about the season, she saw all those blooming flowers around her in the wood. She decided that she wouldn't find anything useful in Aslans How and walked to the exit in the air. Outside the How she realized that it wasn't even dawn. But clouds covered the sun and made the air slightly cold. It couldn't be more than the middle of the day.
At least she would have more time to think about her current Situation in this dream, she thought. "My Queen." The Voice came all of a sudden, it scared her witless. Hastily she turned around and stopped breathing. Where was her inner self of a gentle Queen, when she would need it? "Glenstorm?!" she exclaimed in disbelief. The centaur took a step back and smiled the warmest of smiles down to his Queen. "Queen Susan I truly apologize. It wasn't my intention to startle you." "You didn't" obviously a lie.
It was Glenstorm. Glenstorm, the Centaur she came to know during the War and her last visit. What was he doing in her dream? With sharp eyes she asserted that he wasn't old. Maybe one to two years, but that's it. Her heart started pondering against her ribs. If Glenstorm wasn't much older, maybe Caspian...
The movement of the old friends brought her back to life and in present.
He bowed to her, still smiling and not even a bit surprised to see her here. "Please don't. It's not necessary to bow to good friends" she smiled back and hugged him light. It must've looked ridiculous, after all he was half horse, but it didn't matter to her. "It is an Honour to meet you again, Queen Susan. May I ask when you arrived?" Susan freed herself from their warm embrace and looked at him. "I guess I arrived this morning. I don't know how or why, but all of a sudden I was in the woods." While speaking she searched for a hint of surprise or something in Glenstorms face but all she saw was a heart warming know-it-all look. "Then my guess was right. I apologize for being so late to pick you up, your majesty. I was delayed in the castle."
It was all up to Susan to look confused. What the bloody hell was he talking about. Beside the fact of all this being a dream, Glenstorm seemed to have waited for her. Did he knew that she would come? Her curiosity as a queen took lead. "I'm sorry, but what are you talking about Glenstorm? I'm afraid I don't understand." Don't understand at all, she added silently.
"I will explain you everything your majesty. Maybe you first want to climb on my back so I can take you to the Castle. On the way I will explain everything to your majesty" he offered her and turned to her side, so she could easily climb on his back. One second she hesitated, and then took the offer. It was the best option. And now that Glenstorm had found her, she wanted to know. Wanted to know how much time had passed, where Narnia was now and most importantly, how the wise Centaur could have known that she would come to Narnia.
The afternoon sun tickled on his nose, but Caspian didn't even moved. He was deeply in thoughts and didn't even mentioned Dr. Cornelius in the doorway. "My King, Caspian" the old man said and stepped in front of Caspians Desk, which was loaded with paper, reports and letters of enquiry. "Caspian, are you still in this world?" It was supposed to be a joke but the Professor wasn't light hearted while saying those words. It wasn't the first time he encountered Caspian in this state.
Ever since the Kings and Queens of Old left, he was once in a while in his own world, not able to talk with anyone. And since he returned from his Voyage on the Dawn Treader it became worse. Caspian was a good King, everyone loved and respected him and his decisions. But in this minutes and hours of a day, he was nearly useless. Cornelius, knowing the King for quite some time now, was pretty certain about the subjects of the Thoughts and Daydreams of him. "My King, you need to do something about it." Cornelius shifted the books weight on his other arm while watching the King.
"I know, professor. I'm fully aware of the situation." Caspian finally seemed to recognise the presence of his old friend and caretaker. "I just can't think about anyone else. Liliandil is lovely and nice, very gentle and beautiful indeed, but I don't think that I can marry her" His words were muttered, more to himself, then to the Professor. He looked in pity to the young man, who had to bear so much in this short life and lost nearly everything he ever got.
"The Stars Daughter is a wonderful woman" the Professor started, a brotherly and calm look all over his face, "but we ever thought, then if you can't marry out of love, you can't marry at all." He nodded gravely and closed his eyes for a brief second. Caspian looked up. "Really?" he was speechless. He noticed, that his friends and Counsellors must know about his deep love to Susan and his inability to marry another woman just to settle the throne. But he would have never thought, that they would understand. The Parliament exert so much pressure on him, that he even took Liliandil with him. "Of course. We all saw you during the war and after that. How much you missed her. I ever guessed, that the Queen returned your feelings. That's even old grumpy Trumpkins opinion" He now smiled, and Caspian smiled back.
"I need to tell her." The professor nodded. "Yes, it is one of the duties of a King to deal with those matters himself." Caspian sighed. He didn't want to break Liliandils heart. She had explained to him, that she was eager to live on the earth for some time, to experience some of the things, she just observed from the sky. He hadn't told her about his intention to marry her. He never had the intention. But he was enchanted by her, and he grew to like her during the month they spend together in Cair Paravel, and he wanted her to be happy. He knew, that he would never be able to love her the proper way, the way she would deserve it.
His friend Kanna said that to him the first day, she met Ramandus Daughter. Caspian put her comment aside and where was he now? "Would you tell the guards, that I want to meet her as soon as possible?" "Of course." The Doctor shared one last glance with Caspian, than turned and left. He was very proud of that boy who was a man now. He would never be able to be King, without guidance and help. It was a burden Caspian had to carry on his shoulder, he assumed as he made his way to the guard to call Liliandil.
The Narnian wilderness was nearly as Susan remembered it all to be. The trees were all in the same place and the early spring just arrived, not all the blossoms bloomed. "So please, explain me your knowing of my being here" Susan sat straight on the Centaurs back and took a hold in his short mane. "Well your Majesty, a year ago I saw in the stars and their constellation that your sister and your brother, Lucy the Valiant and Edmund the Just would arrive in Narnia soon. They did. A month ago, Shortly after our King returned from his journey on the Dawn Treader the Stars told me something unclear. Every night I looked at them and prayed to Aslan, he may give me guidance to be able to understand the told future. Last night it came over me and Aslan spoke to me through the stars. The Gentle would arrive today in Narnia." With that Glenstorm completed his explanation and fell silent while walking along an old path.
Susan sat there in pondering silence. She listened to Glenstorm very advertise but didn't understood. Her Siblings. They were back? Where were they? Still in Narnia or back home in London? And why hadn't she received a letter from her definitely anxious sister where she would tell her about her new experiences in Narnia? After a mile or two in total silence between the old friends she finally dared to ask the question, that was nagging inside her head for quite some time now. "Please Tell me, how much time had passed, since my Siblings and I have returned to our world?" Right after asking she wasn't sure, that she wanted to know the answer.
What if he told her, that several hundred years had passed and he just somehow survived? "Exactly 3 years and 2 months, my Queen. It is the Beginning of Spring 2307. Our current King is King Caspian X, Crowned by Aslan himself." She wasn't able to breath any more. 3 years? 3 years and not a hundred more? Without knowing it, a smile grew on her radiant her face. It became wider and wider 'til she started to grin like a lovesick teenager. For this one second all of her doubt was gone. Glenstorm seemed to feel the inner tension of the queen and fell into a light gallop. After some time, the doubts and everything just came back into Susans mind she exclaimed. "Glenstorm it's the wrong direction." She was sure that the Telmarine Castle was in the other direction.
From his back she couldn't see the smile on the Centaurs face. "It's the right way, your Majesty. You will see." In normal cases he wasn't one for surprises, but he was happy to see his queen again. To be able to pick her up in the Name of Aslan. He had recognized that she seemed to be slightly older and dressed in a manor, the Narnians don't know. He remembered the kiss in front of everyone Queen Susan and King Caspian had shared. It was all so special to him, that he wanted to see the surprised and hopefully happy face of his Queen, which captured his heart like a little bird does.
They rode for 2 more hours and then Susan saw it. She saw Cair Paravel. Her home. The place where she was ruling over 15 years side by side with Peter, Edmund and Lucy. What had happened in 3 years, that her beloved Castle was rebuilt? In all her awe she forgot to ask her Companion. When they reached the outskirts of the surrounding village Glenstorm moved slower, so Susan could look around.
"It's like I was threw back in time" her whisper was heard by Glenstorm and a little girl who played with a dirty little puppet in front of a house. She looked up, with childish joy and her golden locks fell in her face. "Mummy mummy"
Susan heard her scream and looked down to the child, wondering while it was crying and sad. But when she saw the face of the small girl, all she could see was a bright smile. "Mummy" the girl shouted again and her mother stepped hastily out of the door, wiping her hands on a white apron, checking on the excited daughter. "By the mane", the Woman said in true disbelief, didn't even thought about picking up the little girl and stared at Susan. She looked down to the two and smiled. She waved her Hand in a gentle manor and greeted them. "How lovely" she said to Glenstorm. He smiled and wondered how this young woman could have more from a queen in a plain dress then all of the princesses at court. He continued their way to the big castle through the village and saw the little girl, maybe the age of 7 scamper around the next corner. It wouldn't take much more time and the whole town would know of the arrival of one of the Queens of Old.
Susan looked around and mentioned the people coming their way. All of them bowed, some of them even got flowers with them and threw them on her and Glenstorms way. They cheered, not even knowing, that this was heart drenching for Susan. Never the less she smiled at the People and their warm welcome and stared once in a while to the walls of Cair Paravel. It looked like 1000 years before.
She could even recognise the glass roof of the throne room from here. Maybe it wasn't a dream at all. Glenstorm saw her coming, Aslan spoke to him. Maybe she really was back. She could feel the joy of her return, but she wasn't as stupid as to forget that she would have to leave again. They were never here to stay and Susan would never dare to think, this time would be different. Where were her Siblings anyway? Why was she back, even when Aslan abandoned her? There was so much to know and to ask. After her arrival she would ask all this questions. But first she needed to see Caspian. If he was alive and King, she needed to see him, check on him that he was well. "Glenstorm take me to the King"
His Professor obviously did his job, cause 10 minutes after he took his leave, Lilliandil knocked on the Door of Caspians Office. He looked up from a paper he was reading and readied himself. "Come in."
The Stars Daughter opened the door and nearly sparkled in her simple long sleeved rose gown. "You wanted to see me, Caspian?" She never referred to him as King, or even his Majesty. Never bowed or curtsied. She once said, that she saw so much Kings and Queens ruling, she didn't saw the need in addressing him like one since she never met him as King, just as Caspian the Seafarer, the Conqueror. And all the other Royalties, Princesses, Dukes and Duchess were just unimportant people for her. As a Star she could not bring herself to act after social graces, she never knew.
"Yes, I need to discuss a very important matter with you. Its about you and your stay here." He rose from his chair and stood in front of the beauty. Her face was kind and gentle as always and now she smiled. "So you are finally able to discuss your undying love to another woman with me?" She smirked at Caspians Reaction. He felt dumbstruck. She knew? He hoped that he didn't hurt her feelings, cause that was never his intention.
Before he could start to explain himself, Liliandil started to speak again. "I watched the Earth for several hundred years and I even saw you and Queen Susan. How attached you were to another. I don't blame you for loving her. I don't even blame you for taking me here. Away from the Sky and my Father." She placed her hand on his elbow, trying to sooth him. "It is an adventure for me, it surely is." her laughter filled the room which was now glooming in the setting sun.
"I'm sorry for taking you away. I really thought that I could love you and eventually make you Queen of Narnia." Sorrow lay on his face. "I know" she responded benign. Her gentle look changed into a serious one. "Caspian that aside I need to tell you something. It is about a prophecy, I was forced to conceal."
Caspian looked at her in waiting. After you find out about Narnians, magical Creatures and speaking lion gods, you begin to trust into things such as prophecy's. And he wasn't stupid. He listened to everything, cause you may never know when it could be useful. "A prophecy? What is it about." "You" Liliandil replied firmly. He wanted to answer and make out the meaning, when the door flung open and a young fawn with an unreadable look on his face stumbled in. "I.. I'm very sorry to disturb you, your majesty, Lady Liliandil. But there is a rumour among the People."
Caspian lifted his brow. What was so special about a rumour, to burst into the study of the King? "A rumour my king. About the Queen of old." The fawn said breathless, his face lightened up. Queen of Old, Caspian wondered. Lucy was back again after Aslan told her in front of him, she was never to return? Or could it be? "It seems Queen Susan has returned, my King."
Without hesitating He stormed out of the room, so fast he wasn't able to see Liliandils smile any more and jogged down the hallway. Everywhere were people. People of Court, Staff from the Kitchens and the Dungeons, even Guards on Duty. Everyone was anxious to check the rumour. The return of the Kings and Queens of old was highly recommended among the whole nation. They were loved by all of them and as much as they loved their king, the King and Queens of old were the most welcomed guests in Cair Paravel.
"Caspian don't trip" a soft voice came out of the next corner and a girl of 20 years with long white hair and a pony cut stepped out of the shadows. Her white Kimono fell down to her ankles and moved with her steps. "Kanna." Caspian addressed her, not wanting to stop, not even for one of his best friends. His hopes and dreams wanted to burst, all the love he held for this one woman was about to come out of his body, ready to explode. "I heard it too. Let's see if its true" and completely calm Kanna made her way to the Gates, Caspian behind her, now in slow pace, still not really able to hold back.
Susan was back. He had to admit that he hoped for the past years she would return with Lucy and Edmund, but when he had met them on the Dawn Treader he was disappointed. He had thought of it as a test. Maybe Aslan wanted to test the strength of their hearts. Caspian was never able to believe, the great Lion would be so cruel to let the two of them deeply fall in love and then rip them apart forever. Not even in his darkest moments of missing Susan, Caspian lost hope. He couldn't loose hope. When he would loose hope, he would loose Susan completely. He was sure of that.
They reached the Gates and without pondering the People made way for him and Kanna, now going behind him. He approached Trumpkin who stood with Professor Cornelius in front of the people. After all those years with him, Caspian could see a glimpse of exertion in Trumpkins face.
The crowd nearly grew silent as the King approached them and waited along with them for the Queens arrival. It was obvious, they all remembered the kiss and Caspians Inability to find himself a proper queen. After minutes of waiting, Caspian grew impatient. His heart longed to see Susan again, his whole being just wanted to lay eyes on her once more. And then he saw Glenstorm climbing the way to the Gates of Cair Paravel.
The Sun was now finally setting and it would become colder soon, but no one bothered himself with that. Tense he stared at Glenstorm, the setting Sun trucked in his eyes. He blinked and when he could spot her on Glenstorms back, his heart stopped beating for a second. She was more radiant than before, more radiant than the sun in her back. From his view he could see her long loose hair waving in the wind and her slender figure on the Centaurs back. They weren't that far apart and without thinking about it he stepped forward. No one moved but him.
All looked at the King approaching his long awaited Queen. Some knew and some didn't. Kanna looked at the beauty on the back of the centaur and smiled a bit. She really was everything Caspian had described. She looked forward to get to know her, the so called Gentle Queen.
Susan smiled widely and felt home. They way through the village wasn't long but more and more people came out of their houses, out of small alleys to cheer to her. How she missed this. The love of the People for just who she was. Not that china doll her mother wanted her to be. Surrounded by man who didn't even know a small part of her real self. She nearly forgot herself who she really was. But now she could feel it. Partly she felt again like herself. The real her. The Queen AND the Girl.
The way led them to the castle which was just compelling. Susan saw it once thousand years ago, but Cair Paravel now, in this time? She was purely stunned. "When did they start to rebuilt it?" She asked Glenstorm while gazing at the horizon. "Nearly a month after your leaving, my Queen. King Caspian was very into this project. It's not quite complete, they still work on some parts of the West wing and the Gardens. Is it to your liking?" "Even from here it feels like home" she answered passionately.
They left the village behind and approached Cair Paravel. Susan could see the Gates already, even more beautiful than in her memories. She recognized all the people there. The rumour must have spread fast, they already seemed to know, that she was coming. One person, she couldn't see it right was stepping forward, coming towards her and Glenstorm. As he was just several yards away the figure stopped and in the golden sunlight Susan realized who it was.
She catches her breath. Tears welled up in her eyes and it took her all afford not to cry out of joy. It was him. He was alive. Caspian.