*I in no way shape or form, own these characters, or any rights to the magical world that C.S. Lewis has created, nor am I benefitting monetarily in any way.

*I'd like to send a huge thank you to my reviewers. You all are what helps me to hone my writing and also gives me confidence to allow these characters to take on their own life.

*I have no beta, so please excuse grammatical errors. Reviews are most appreciated, educational and motivating. Hope you enjoy.

Chapter 2

There was no doubt at this moment that Susan had no idea what was going on, or what challenges Aslan had planned. She already made it to Narnia, and all of her kingdom believed in her again. Yet everybody knew of these challenges but her.

"Aslan." Susan called. But her voiced was drowned by the nearby cheering and yelling form the crowd. All of them moved on and began to pack up the camp. I get the feeling that I have no choice. Susan pondered. And then she walked on with the rest. Caspian's arm around her shoulder.

The nighttime was nearing, and Susan grew tired of Caspian's clinging presence. The group had stopped somewhere beside a small river somewhere with little fish jumping all around. Susan felt almost like one of those fish. (Hopping in and out of the human world into Narnia.) That was completely normal right?

She tried once again to grasp Aslan's attention. Though he turned away from her not even noticing as usual. It seemed as though nobody was listening to her. Almost like they had earplugs in and absolutely no idea that she was there.

"Caspian. I need a moment." And she tried to push his arm away. However, it remained. "Caspian, this is serious. I need to take a breath alone." Nothing. "Listen Caspian, I really thought that you would pay attention to me and what I need or want, but you don't care do you?"

Aslan's voice rang through the clearing. "She has failed the first challenge. Have patience with her kingdom and fellow human rulers. Remember this and that she needs to learn to make it right for the sake of Narnia." The crowd cleared and took a rest on the soft fertile ground. Susan walked up to Aslan to confront him.

"Aslan?" I was not told of this test. "What on earth is going on? I love it here and I love to be with my people but I did not call upon you to take me back to Narnia, as much as I wanted to! Please, please, please give me an explanation." Aslan's tail was twitching violently. This remember of his playful nature when her little sister joined her in playing with Aslan in the field that grew with his footsteps. "You called on me. I responded. All of those things that you were thinking about, were things that I always know and hear. I told the dwarf that you wanted to come here over the real world. But that is only what I heard from you yourself. I did not say that you belonged here. Only that it was what you truly wanted in the human world, so distant from Narnia itself. Now go. The next challenge begins tomorrow morning. Get some sleep."

Susan began to fill with frustration. "Aslan is obviously lying. It's all part of the stupid challenge. He says that the next test is tomorrow. It has obviously already begun!" Talking to herself did not show any sense of self respect, or dignity, but it did show was Susan truly felt on the inside. Ashamed.

The first thing that Susan heard over the pitter pattering of rain the next morning made her wonder about the possibilities of this test. Just as she stepped out of the tent, her anger gone, she felt the rumbling of thunder inside her stomach and chest. The sound that's she heard first was a long groaning sound that seemed to fill the land with despair or loneliness. The second, was almost like an animal.

Before her was a large and crooked mouth of a cave, that obviously was not there before when she went to bed that night, was sitting right in front of the tent. All of the Narnian's present were gathered in two separate crowds on either side of the mouth. Aslan, who looked very bold and grim at the same time, was sitting right in front of it, ready to give Susan instruction.

However, the only problem besides the fact that Susan had no idea what she was about to face, was that she felt like her life was flashing before her eyes. Instantly, memories of when she stepped through the portal back to the human world came into view. As did the gentle yet sorrowful faces of her brother and sister as they saw her go. Which was also odd, because Susan expected to have seen them by now. Weren't they with the camp?

These thoughts were interrupted when Susan stopped herself from running into Aslan. Stumbling over, she became still, and Aslan began to speak.

"Welcome Susan, Daughter of Eve. I have prepared your next challenge. Are you ready to take it upon your shoulders and thrive to complete it?"

"Yes Aslan. I am. And I would like to apologize for my frustration."

"You are forgiven." Another low growl rumbled in his throat. "Listen carefully." He said just loud enough for all to hear. "You will enter the cave. Inside, you will find a creature of great power, with no intention of violence. Do not try and draw a weapon, though many in the room will temp you. Negotiate. Use your intelligence to give him what he truly wants. In the second stage, you will find a pool of water. Do not drink or touch the water. Do not look at it for more than five seconds. If you do, you will pay a price to get through. There is a small bridge in which you will cross. Remember to follow the guidelines that I have given. And finally, at the third room, you will see the prize, locked up tight. Find a way to take it without destruction or negotiation. If you make it out with the prize, you will pass the test.

"Will I need anything before I go in?" She asked hopefully.

"Nothing at all, except your senses and the pride that you have invested in this kingdom… You may begin."

"The first thing that Susan wanted to do was not to run. (Which I know is what you thought I was going to say) but to show Narnia that she belonged in it. Right as she was about to break the barrier between the cave and the outdoors, Caspian reached for her hand, and made a perfect catch. "You will make it through with ease." And then he went back to sit with the rest of the crowd. And finally, Susan stepped inside.

As soon as she did so, instant darkness filled in her image of the grouped Narnian's crowded together. Darkness closed the gap like a vacuum. And Susan saw the hole of light close.

Unsure where to step, she found what seemed to be a small staircase that went downward and farther into the rocky earth. As she began her route, she saw a red like light. Following it, she found herself in a large room with swords lining every wall. At the center was a large scaly dragon creature with eyes fixed on Susan.

"Why have you come?" He questioned. His booming voice made Susan frightened, and she began to back up a bit. Unfortunately, the wall kept her from going any further. "I repeat. Why have you come?"

"My name is Susan. I have come in the name of Aslan. I seek a way to get through without you tearing me apart."

"What makes you think that I won't tear you apart? You are so small, and so cowardly against that wall."

"For your information, I am no coward, and have the upper hand at the moment. The wall is lined with pointy objects."

Aslan's voice rang through her head. "Negotiate."

"Um, excuse me? Is there anything that I can do get to to let me get to the next stage of the challenge? "

"Actually, yes, there is. Guess my name so that I may hear it. I haven't heard my name in a over seven days. Guess it and I will let you through."

Susan became extremely puzzled with this mystery dragon. But wait! She recognized his voice even if it was in dragon form.

"Erm, it is very nice to see you again Eustace."

As soon as the words were out, he began to change. His scales all fell off, and his large claws became part of the air around them. Finally his snout was shrinking in size.

"Hello Susan! I knew that you would come through! I'm sorry that I had to be rude!"

"Hello! That's quite all right, I am VERY happy to see you." She said cheerfully.

Susan and Eustace stepped past the large pile of scales on the floor and to the door that he was sitting in front of in the beginning.

After a few more seconds of darkness, they followed a large and open passage to the next stage with the pool of water. Susan only caught a quick glimpse of the crystal clear water that lit up the room however was stopped by Eustace's hand. "Remember the rules?" He asked. "Yes. Thanks for reminding me." She whispered thankfully.

"Here Susan, I'll help you." Susan definitely appreciated Eustace's kind gestures, and took up the offer.

"But wait!" Susan slightly yelled. "I can hear something. Let me look just for a second."

"No Susan, I am doing this for your own good. Keep moving. The bridge is right in front of you." At that he stopped and did not move any farther.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"The bridge is too narrow for the both of us. I will guide you from behind."

He put his hand on her shoulder, and pressed on. But what Eustace didn't know, is that Susan had stopped to look at the temptingly beautiful water. For about six measly seconds. Just one over the limit! That couldn't hurt right?

"STOP!" Susan shouted. I looked. For more than five seconds.

"Oh no. Why Susan?"

"Because it's so beautiful! I'm sorry but…"

Susan cut off her own excuse as she saw what swam up to the surface. Glowing eyes appeared from beneath the liquid. Then hair, then shoulders. Finally, Susan and Eustace were looking directly at a woman in the water. But wait. She had a tail. A mermaid was in the pool.

"I don't see how she's harmful." Susan said. "Maybe I should go with her. I think that's what she wants. She's motioning for me to go in."

"Susan don't!" Eustace pleaded. "It's a trap."

He was too late, Susan had already dove in and disappeared with the mermaid. Eustace had no choice but to go get her. In a hurry, he jumped in after her.

At first all that he saw was bright turquoise water and shadows all around. Though as he got deeper, he caught site of Susan with the fish like woman. However, Eustace was running out of breath. His lungs were aching. He had to get air. But he kept going. And finally, at the