A Unexpected Return
Chapter 4: Kings and Queens of Old
Susan awoke to another dull morning and it was just like the rest, nothing had changed. There was just an old house and it was her duty to start the new day once again. She grabbed her robe and slipped on her slippers before she quietly padded into the kitchen to start breakfast.
No one was up yet and they wouldn't be for another hour. Since their return from Narnia they had been alone since the Professor and Mrs. Cready was out of town. As such she had been left in charge of taking care of them.
As any daily occurrence her body moved on autopilot to complete her tasks since her mind was still foggy with sleep. It would take a few more minutes before her brain caught up. Time flew by as she was making breakfast and before she knew it she could hear movement from upstairs, letting her know that her siblings were finally awake.
They walked down the stairs rubbing the sleep out of their eyes as they moved about sluggishly. "So what's on the agenda for today?" She asked when they were all gathered around the dining table.
All she got in response were grumbles and grunts as they tried to stuff food into their mouths. Lucy swallowed the food in her mouth with some difficulty before she smiled at her older sister. "I thought we could go for a walk around the yard."
"Sounds like a plan." Susan said enthusiastically. "I'm going to go get ready. So why don't you guys finish down here and then get ready. I'll clean up when I come back down." Susan was upstairs before you could say Narnia.
Susan was looking forward to today, today she was going to go back to how she used to be before she became depressed about Narnia. It was only right that she try to have fun and let go of her depressing thoughts. She changed her clothes quickly and didn't bother with her appearance.
In less then an hour the four Pevensie children were filing out of the Professor's home and were savoring the feeling of the warm sun. They didn't get many days like this even during the summer. It was nothing like Narnia summers which were filled with beautiful days and warm nights.
They walked in silence for awhile as they explored the expanse of land around them. It was a nice change of pace of their usual days spent inside.
"This is nice." Lucy said finally. "It's great that we can all get together and still hang out. I miss this."
"Yeah, we haven't really been ourselves lately." Edmund added.
Peter sighed sadly. "I know and I'm sorry. It's been a little difficult returning to London when we were in Narnia for so long. I think a few of us let it get to our heads."
"Now we can put that behind us and just be the Pevensie four once again." Susan joked.
"I'd like that."
"I think we all would."
They spent the majority of the day talking about Narnia and how much they missed the splendid place.
"It's hard to let go of something that has encompassed so much of my life. I've done things I never would have imagined ever contemplating in London. Things are so different. In Narnia I fought in battle and I've killed people." Susan's eyes were glazed over in memory and her brothers were sharing the same one.
"I know what you mean it was exhilarating to lead an army of Narnians into battle and knowing that they were putting their lives in my hands. I had so much responsibility and now I have nothing." Peter sighed heavily. That had always been his biggest problem, he was so used to being a adult that when he was stripped of his right he rebelled against the idea of once again being a child.
Lucy was getting sad. "I miss them so much; Mr. Tumnus, Trumpkin, Reepicheep, Caspian, and Aslan. I'm afraid of returning and them not being there like Mr. Tumnus."
Susan wrapped her arms around her younger sister. "Don't worry Luce, when you return they'll all be there with open arms."
"Yeah, when we return things will be the same. Just you wait and see." Edmund smiled soothingly.
"Ed's right Luce. There's nothing to worry about." Peter gripped Susan's shoulder in a brotherly manner when he saw her body shake and she smiled at him in appreciation.
"Come on, let's go to the pond." Susan said, to rid them of their tension.
"Great idea! It's dreadfully hot out here." All of the children stood up in a hurry and ran towards the small pond in the center of the Professor's backyard.
The sound of a horn captured Susan's attention instantly and she stopped abruptly. She turned to Peter. "Did you hear that?"
He looked confused. "Hear what?"
The sound of the horn went off again and his eyes widened. "That." Susan said confidently. She was sure she had heard it that time and the look on Peter's face spoke volumes.
"That's impossible, it's sounds exactly like your horn."
"I know. Edmund! Lucy! Come quick!" Susan yelled for their brother and sister. "What's going on Peter? This wasn't supposed to happen again."
"I know. I don't know what Aslan's playing at."
"We know it's not him blowing the horn." Susan said scathingly.
Peter looked confused by her anger. "Caspian couldn't call us unless Aslan is allowing us to return. This is no way Caspian's fault. He needs us and Aslan is letting us back into Narnia. If anything we should appreciate the time we get."
Susan sighed, "I know, but it's so hard to go back again when I know we'll just be sent away again."
Edmund and Lucy finally caught up. "What's wrong? You sounded worried." They didn't have to answer as the sound of the horn reverberated around them.
"Is that your horn?" Edmund asked Susan.
"I think it is."
Lucy jumped in excitement. "See! I told you that you would be coming back."
"Hold on." Susan called over the loud noise.
The familiar magic started to swirl around them and the water in the pond started to rise. A sheet of water was now blocking there way to the pond and at the bottom there was only about a inch of water remaining. A bright light formed on opposite end of the pond.
Peter looked at Susan hesitantly and she nodded in agreement. "Let's go." Peter pulled Edmund and Susan towards the light and Susan held onto Lucy's hand tightly.
They walked through the sheet of water and were surprised to find it warm to the touch and not at all wet. The Pevensie four walked into the light and came out on the other side just like last time.
Edmund looked up at Cair Paravel. "So far so good." He mumbled more to himself, but everyone heard him.
"What?"
"So far it doesn't look any different from the last time we were here. The ruins aren't any less ruin-ey" He finishes lamely.
The water looked very inviting, but they had a job to do and it was best to finish it quickly. "Come on, let's go get our stuff on and find out who called us to Narnia."
The others nodded in determination.
SUSANXCASPIAN-SUSANXCASPIAN-SUSANXCASPIAN-SUSANXCASPIAN
"Do you think they heard it?" Caspian asked his Knights after he finally stops blowing the horn. He hadn't wanted to stop for fear that if he didn't make it last no one would hear.
"I think all of Narnia heard it." Trumpkin grumbled.
Caspian scowled. "You know what I meant. Do you think the Kings and Queens of old heard?"
Reepicheep smiled mischievously. "There's only one way to find out.