In honor of Queen Susan's return, a ball was thrown on her behalf. As happy as it made Susan that the people had so much love for her, she wished her brothers and sister were here with her as well.
They would have all been so happy, the gentle queen thought as she looked out at the people. To come back here... if I can come back, surely Peter must be able to...
Caspian noticed the queen to be lost in thought as he spoke to a council member. It seemed as if no matter where he went, the council would always get to him and slowly weasel their way to the topic he didn't want to speak about. And now, just as he was about weasel into the topic, Caspian excused himself and went to Susan.
"Is everything alright?"
Susan snapped out of her thoughts and looked up at King Caspian. "Yes."
Caspian looked at her carefully. "Is it really?"
With a gulp, Susan looked down. For some reason she felt like a child who had been caught trying to steal cookies from the cookie jar. "No," she replied with a low voice.
Caspian glanced around then offered her his arm. "We can talk elsewhere, private."
Susan nodded and linked her arm with his, following him out of the ballroom. Some noticed their departure and many of those whispered among each other, many hoping that this was only the start and that the gentle queen would be their king's future wife.
King Caspian walked down the halls of the castle and into the garden. He led Susan to a bench and the two sat down.
"So tell me, what bothers you, my queen?"
"Well I... I wish my siblings were here. It just isn't the same without them."
Caspian nodded in understanding. Truth be told, he felt the same way when Lucy, Edmund, and Eustace had come without her and Peter, mainly without her.
"The last time I was here, there was war. We were needed, we arrived because you blew my horn. But this time it's different; there's no war and no need for me to be here."
Caspian looked at the gentle queen.
"So why am I here, that too alone?"
Caspian could only half agree with her statement. It was true, there was no war. There still might be a few arguments and rebels here and there between the Telmarines and Narnians, but nothing out of hand. As for needs...
"What if I told you that you are here because you are needed."
Susan's eyes met Caspian's. He had no idea how the words had escaped his mouth, but he realized too late that they had been spoken, and there was no way of turning back.
"Needed? For what?"
"Not for what, but for whom."
Susan's eyebrows slightly raised and a hint of blush spread through her cheeks. There was only one person she wanted to be needed by, and he was right in front of her. "But who needs me," she asked softly.
Caspian admired the blush on her cheeks. So much, he found himself caressing her cheek before the gesture could be registered to his brain. He watched the queen look at him in shock and glance at his hand before meeting his eyes again. If she was a Telmarine woman, not once would she have looked up at him. But that was what he loved about her, how she was so much more different than any woman he had ever met.
"You are here, Susan, because I need you," he finally said.
Susan gasped, but it was cut short as Caspian sealed his lips over hers. At first, she was in shock, but it didn't take long for her to recover. She kissed him back and cupped his cheek in her hand. Ever since she had come back to her world, all she could ever think of was to be in Caspian's arms one more time and to feel his lips on hers again. And now that it was actually happening, it was as if her heart had sprung back to life. Her emotions took hold of her and her tears let free.
Caspian pulled back from her and wiped her tears away. "Is something wrong-?"
"No, not at all," and pulled him back in to her and kissed him.
This time, Caspian was slightly shocked, as no woman would ever behave this way, not a Telmarine woman. But again, that was what made Susan so different.
Susan pulled back and Caspian leaned his forehead against hers. "I missed you Caspian. I missed you so much," she said softly as her tears continued to stream free.
"So have I," the king replied, a lone tear of his own streaming down his cheek.
Susan slightly pulled back and wiped the lone tear away. "I never want to be away from you again. Ever."
She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his chest. Hearing her words brought so much peace to Caspian. He wrapped his arms around her protectively and laid his head on top of hers with a light sigh.
"I will never let anyone take you from me. Never," he vowed.
Caspian looked up at the star filled sky. Susan was brought to him because he needed her, not just now, but forever. And if anyone would try to take her away from him again, then by Aslan, he would wage war just to keep her.
