Caspian had no idea what to expect as he walked through the opening, but certainly this, was a real surprise he thought as he stepped upon white sands. Was this his beloved's world? It felt and looked similar to his Narnia. From the turquoise waters to his right, dotted with distant islands and leaping dolphins, to the sound of breaking waves against the white sands and the scent of the sea breeze together with the calls of the gulls. He would find her no matter how long it took.
His jaw dropped as he gazed ahead. A magnificent ship lay anchored against a wooden quay, a swan's head carved intricately at the prow and its wings flowing to the waist of the ship. It could rival the beauty of the Dawn Treader he mused, as he squinted attempting to make out the pennant upon the crow's nest. It looked like, but he could be mistaken at this distance. By Aslan! It was the Lion's symbol. He could never forget the red lion against a green background and now he was truly confused. Did Susan's people recognize the presence of Aslan in their world? Granted he knew nothing about where they came from except what was recovered in ancient texts. Words such as Spare Oom and War Drobe, flittered into his mind and quickly vanished. Yet the sight of the flag gave him added encouragement in his task and he clasped his hands in hope.
Another gasp escaped him as he fell clumsily onto the hard sand, when he saw his hands before him. Gone were the wrinkles and protruding veins which had become part of his body in his elder days. His skin was smooth and strong again! The fingers which hurt terribly in cold night at each flex, now felt as though he could battle comfortably with any weapon. Had Aslan made him young again?
He saw ahead, one of those little rivers which joyfully joined the ocean and ran eagerly to it, to confirm his thoughts. In the short sprint, he knew without watching his reflection it was true. He was a young man again as he breathed in great gulps of air into strong lungs and covered the distance without panting. Eagerly he glanced into the crystal clear waters and smiled. The silver hair, crow's feet and wrinkles were gone; he was a young man of twenty and five once more. One with a full head of dark hair flowing to his shoulders, strength in his limbs, his teeth, they were white and he could count all of them. The figure staring back at him was a Caspian in the full glory of manhood.
"Thank you Aslan." He murmured quietly, eyes closed in appreciation at the gift given to him.
The sound of galloping hooves approaching rapidly, startled him out of his prayer as he instinctively reached for his sword, only to realize, he had not even a dagger to protect him from any danger. He whirled around ready to face the situation, when he spotted it was a pack of centaurs bearing the symbol of Aslan racing furiously towards him, weapons drawn and faces grim. His heart sunk briefly as confusion and fear seeped into his brain. He was still in Narnia! Yet he was confounded why they chose to surround him, their weapons pointed straight at him. Did they not recognize him as a Telmarine?
"I mean no harm good sir." He said firmly raising his empty hands in submission and locking eyes with a member of the group, who looked much like Glenstorm. His body, a glossy chestnut colour and full red beard certainly singled him as their leader. In his capable hands, a deadly claymore was pointed directly at Caspian's heart.
"Whence do you come from stranger in these times? Are you Calormene?" a roan coloured centaur asked as he lowered his spear slightly waiting for Caspian's response.
"No Orieus, he is unarmed at the moment. We shall take him to their majesties and all questions should be answered then. They shall pass judgment on him, not us. " The leader spoke, lowering his sword but his eyes never leaving Caspian, as the rest of the pack acquiesced, Orieus allowing Caspian to ride him as the group hastened to a protective formation, Orieus and Caspian in the middle.
"Might I enquire where I am being taken to?" he asked Orieus as they rode swiftly uphill, passing the ship and he briefly made out the name Splendor Hayaline engraved at the side. Again the feeling of familiarity passed through Caspian's mind but he could not solve this puzzle. Not yet.
"To Cair Paravel and before their Majesties of Narnia." Orieus responded indifferently as the road began to straighten before them.
"Cair Paravel, Their Majesties? Caspian's mind questioned every piece of information being given to him at the moment. Surely something was amiss here and he had yet to figure what was the answer.
The castle had been restored but had not been in use since Rilian became king almost forty years ago. His son preferred to use Miraz's quarters and preserve the beauty of Cair Paravel as a monument for the Kings and Queens of old. As for royalty, he was certain his Line was the only ones who ruled Narnia according to Aslan's edict. There could not possibly be some secret family governing the Narnians, unless…unless. Caspian's incoherent thoughts became clear as the light from the sun reflecting against the glass windows of the castle which loomed before him bore into his eyes.
This was Cair Paravel! But not the one he knew or had lovingly restored with the help of his beloved Narnians and Telmarines. This was a Cair Paravel in its glory days. The castle, which he pored over books during endless days and nights reading about the rich History of Narnia and suddenly everything, fell into place. Aslan had indeed made good on his promise. He had transported him into the Golden Age of Narnia!
Peter, Edmund, Lucy and Susan were all here, behind those stone walls, yet the crux was; none of them would even know of his existence and the battle they fought. Susan the Gentle in the Golden Age, was of a different skein to the Susan who haunted his dreams, and yet he found himself eagerly awaiting what was to come. He did promise to Aslan, no matter the consequences he was willing to take the chances and make the choices. This he knew this was the first test, but he could not say whether it was the only test. Nevertheless, Susan was here and now he would properly court her, the way it should have been and win her heart over a thousand times in a thousand lifetimes, if it came to that Caspian thought grimly as the party stopped before the great Gate of Cair Paravel, guarded by a grim centaur and leopard, who looked suspiciously at him before wordlessly allowing them to enter after a slight nod by the leader of the group. He was home once more.
A.N.: Thank you to all the readers and reviewers. You guys make my day! I have to say though, it's going to be a bit before Susan and Caspian meets, only because I need to build some background and the research I have to do to try and make the fic realistic and likeable. Thanks you guys for understanding.
Xladybug: I'm glad you asked about Rabadash and Susan. Rabadash is going to be in it, but since I'm basing my fic on the events after A Horse and his boy, well you know how that turns out for him. As for Susan, she will be in canon to the books, but here's where Caspian will come in to change things. ;)