The Changing of Fate
Summary: When Susan's boat to America is caught in a storm that brings it to Narnia, Susan must figure out why she was brought back to Narnia when told it was her fate to never return and deal with her revived romance with Caspian. Set three years post PC.
A/N: I'm taking liberties with the ages of the characters in this story. Susan was 15 in Prince Caspian, Caspian was 16. In this story she is 17, Caspian 18. Peter is 18, Edmund is 15, and Lucy is 13.
I have decided to do away entirely with Dawn Treader, including the names of the lords. I have made my own lords and that is how it's going to work. I have also remembered that I have not yet posted a disclaimer, so here:
Disclaimer: I don't own The Chronicles of Narnia. Surprise! I did, however, mention it in my college essay. Not quite as exciting as owning it, but, I take what I can get!
Thank you to all my reviewers. I really appreciate the time that you take to write the reviews. I am very happy when I see someone has written a review, it really brightens my day. Also who to those who put me on their favorite stories list or story alerts, thank you so much.
The Changing of Fate
Chapter 4: Meeting the Lords
Susan closed the door behind her, resting her back and head against the solid wood. Now she could refer to Caspian as Caspian again, not just him, because she was once again with him. But, how was she supposed to react to him? I kissed him when I left Narnia. Oh Aslan…I kissed him! Despite being very mature for her age, as well as growing up before, Susan was now but a teenage girl dealing with a crush that could turn into love for a king. And Susan had no idea what to do.
When in Narnia the first time Susan was capable of handling suitors on her own, mostly because she never felt love for them. If she had problems she would go to Lucy for advice because her sister could be very mature, despite being young. Even Peter and Edmund were there as a last resort. But, now she was alone. Not only did she have relationship trouble with Caspian, she was in Narnia alone. And she did not know for what reason.
Pushing off from the door, Susan began to pace franticly across the floor, dressing robe flying out behind her when she turned. Her thoughts were a mess of tangled ideas and words. She had always been self reliant and confident in herself, before and after Narnia, but now with Caspian she was insecure. Screaming in frustration at this change in personality, Susan threw up her hands in despair.
Now, more than ever, she needed to be strong and have faith. She had learned that lesson on the last visit, though she had begun to forget in the years following her leave from Caspian. Susan stood up straight and decided then and there to be the queen she was and anything that happened with Caspian would…happen. Susan would figure out why she was there, even without help, hopefully with it.
What would happen in this visit would happen.
Coming to this conclusion and resolution, Susan smiled, just as there was a knock on the door.
Calling, "Come in," Susan spotted the young maid assigned to her stepping through the door.
The maid curtsied saying, "I am Betty, Your Majesty."
"Please, call me Susan, Betty," Susan said.
Betty smiled and said while bobbing slightly, "Susan. I will find something for you to wear before the ball and for the ball," walking toward Susan's wardrobe as Susan took the chance to look around her apartments.
The rooms were cream stone like the rest of the palace. Her bed was a white wood four-poster bed and the sheets and hangings a deep blue and white. The desk and wardrobe too were made of the same white wood and accents were in gold. On the walls were faded paintings by Lucy of the sun and sea as well as tapestries of Narnian woods and balls that Susan had sewn skillfully.
Of course, one of the walls was open to the sea and the sky as is customary of many of the rooms in the palace. There were thin columns and arched windows that led to a large balcony off her room. During the Golden Age she would sit on that balcony for hours, watching the sky and the sea. But mostly she watched the Southern Sun, the part of Narnia gifted to her by Aslan. The furnishings and building was very like her previous rooms at the Cair, and Susan was glad for the comforting feeling of home it gave her.
Betty was done choosing a dress for her to wear by this time, holding it up for her inspection. It was a beautiful dark green dress with white and black accents, the arms were cut to her elbow, a style Susan had made popular in her reign during the Golden Age. The dress was simple, but striking and would do well for her in meeting Telmarines who may not be happy about the current situation, as there was bound to be some men in the aristocracy who had not wanted to leave to an unknown place.
Donning the gown with Betty's help and fixing her hair in a more Narnian manner, Susan was ready for her re-acquaintance with the Telmarines and the Narnians.
Susan swept out of her room and towards the war room. It was not exactly aptly named, for it was mostly a meeting room for the monarchs, nobles, and generals when the monarchs had things to discuss. It was named the war room because wars were directed from this room, several during Susan's reign.
Walking quickly, Susan made good time and entered the room precisely as the clock struck 11:00. The Telmarine nobles were standing to one corner in several groups, quietly speaking. They turned when Susan entered, as did the other occupants of the room.
Susan was overcome with delight when she noticed her friends from her previous journey. Trumpkin stood near Caspian and Susan rushed forward to him while Caspian looked on with amusement.
The dwarf gave a short bow, awkward with the emotion, and said, "It is good to see you again, Queen Susan."
Susan stopped before him and said, "And you as well, my dear little friend," a smile played on her lips and Susan dropped down to give Trumpkin a kiss on the cheek. Trumpkin blushed and stuttered, but was saved when Reepicheep rushed forward to pay his respects to the gentle queen.
Jumping towards a table near the group, Reepicheep climbed up a cut off fabric put there for his use. "My Good Queen," the mouse started once closer to Susan's eye. "I am but your faithful servant and am glad of your return. It has been too long since our last meeting. If you are in need of anything I may provide you need only to ask." The mouse swept off his hat and gave an elaborate bow to which Susan replied with a joyful curtsy.
"I thank you, dear Reepicheep," Susan said, "It is lovely to see such a brave mouse once again. I will surely come to you if I have any need of assistance." The queen cast an amused look Caspian's way while he responded in kind.
Glenstorm took this opportunity to move towards Susan, confident, though he seemed out of place in the war room, one of the few places in the palace that did not have open wall or large windows. He walked forward and bowed while Susan curtsied. No words were necessary as the centaurs were a quiet lot; his hello was conveyed in that slight moment.
With this lull in conversation, Caspian darted forward to take Susan's arm and escorted her to the Telmarine nobles watching from the corner.
Walking to one group, Caspian introduced Lord Borliand who seemed a cheerful sort. Taking Susan's hand, he gave her a short kiss on the hand before welcoming her enthusiastically.
Lord Enimenda was next, a sedated old man who would rather observe meetings than get into the action, but always had a useful bit of wisdom when needed.
The next five nobles were the same with no differing personality. However, the last man, Lord Withanth was a sly man determined to gain power, though he did not truly show his character. In his mind, Caspian would admit to wishing this particular Lord had gone ahead into the other world. Although, Caspian mused, it would not have been in Withanth's nature to take such a risk as to go through the portal in the tree. As such, it was really no surprise that this man had not left.
Still, it was with great reluctance that Caspian introduced the conniving lord to Susan. He did not want Withanth's poison to invade Susan's sweetness, but he seemed to have worried for naught. Susan, though polite when introduced, as was expected of a monarch, was distant. One glance into her eyes gave Caspian the assurance that the former queen had dealt with his ilk before and knew how to handle him.
Introductions complete, Caspian invited the lords and Narnians to sit around the table used for council meetings.
He spoke, "There does not seem to be any overt reason for Queen Susan's arrival, and she herself does not know why she was brought back. It seems likely though, that there will be an outbreak of war. Every time the monarchs of old are called back it is because of the need to fight an enemy. There has been quiet talk of Calormen becoming unsettled, it would be prudent to conclude that they are readying for attack."
"Surely not, my king," Lord Withanth said. "It would be ridiculous to assume that Calormen would attack at all. With the Telmarines and the Narnians together, surely they understand they cannot win a war against us." No one missed the slight emphasis he placed on 'Narnians'.
"Perhaps, Lord Withanth, but I am inclined to believe this to be true. Calormen always attacked when they were least expected to, or perceived a weakness, during my reign," Susan spoke up calmly.
"Yes, during your reign, 1300 years ago. Surely a country can change over time," Withanth would not give up.
Caspian, deciding to cut the meeting short, said, "Yes, well, I will have to ask all of you to have your armies on the alert. I want to know if there is to be an attack, from anyone. We will meet again if someone discovers any news. For now, let us think only of the joyous return of Queen Susan and a ball tonight."
All present in the room stood as Caspian did and after saying goodbye to the group, walked away chatting in groups. Withanth, however, slipped away alone in the shadows.
A/N: While not a lot of action goes on, it is important for the story. I know it's lame to have everything blamed on Calormen, but there were no other evil people who came to mind. I'm going with the unoriginal and sticking to it! If any of my readers have ideas they want to see in the story, feel free to tell me and I might find a way to put it in. Thanks for reading, please review!