The following morning, Caspian awoke to find his bed empty, he panicked, sitting up quickly as his eyes frantically searched the room. He calmed as his eyes came to rest upon Susan, standing in front of the window, watching the sun rise. "Come back to bed my love, the morning sun's beauty pales in comparison to yours." She turned and smiled, obeying his request. "I was just thinking...I've only been sent back to Narnia when something was wrong...when Narnia was in need of something, but all seems well with the people and the land. Are the Telmarines and Narnians getting along?" Caspian nodded, "Save for a few small rebellions, everything is as it should be...with the people and the land." Susan laid her head against his chest and idly traced his skin with her fingertips.
There was an urgent knock at the door, "Your majesty! I have a package from Aslan!" The two scrambled to get dressed as Caspian headed to the door. The professor rushed in, setting the small chest down on a nearby table. "It was delivered sometime in the night...it is for you and Queen Susan to open in private." The professor left quickly as Susan and Caspian stood in front of the chest. Susan opened it and took out a small scroll. It read:
To Noble King Caspian and the Gentle Queen of Old, Susan,
I saw, with my own eyes, the feelings you have for one another, but feelings can be fleeting. I had to grant you time apart to see if Caspian would remain true to you, his beloved Susan. Caspian proved his undying devotion to you Susan. There was not a day when he did not wish you by his side. If you wish to stay and live a lifetime with Caspian, you must follow the directions contained in this chest. You must do so quickly, for the fate of Caspian's throne lies in the balance.
Aslan
Caspian began looking through the chest. He found a cloth with a riddle scribbled on it and a map. Caspian immediately opened the bedchamber door as Doctor Cornelius nearly fell. It was obvious he'd been leaning against it, eavesdropping. Caspian invited him in, telling him of the note and showing him the map and riddle. "Do as it says young king...and perhaps you will have your love with you for all eternity.
Caspian and Susan got dressed in a hurry. As Caspian spoke to Doctor Cornelius, she read the riddle.
With locks of brown and eyes of blue
The impossible is easy to muse
Perfect and small
The world is so new
Beginnings grow as faces come to
Love escapes painfully
Exhaustion, sleep and food
Susan pursed her lips and sighed in frustration Caspian walked over to her. "Do you wish to stay with me for a lifetime?" Susan smiled and reached up, stroking his cheek, "I will travel to the ends of the earth to stay with you Caspian..."
Susan and Caspian rode to the location indicated on the map. They found a charming, small cottage set amongst a beautiful field filled with wild flowers and apple trees. Caspian led Susan toward it, keeping a hand on his sword. He was unfamiliar with this part of the Narnian countryside and wanted to keep a careful eye out for rebels. They saw no fire rising from the chimney of the cottage as they approached. Caspian gave the door a firm knock and waited, "I don't think anyone lives here anymore Caspian..." Susan moved forward and pushed the door open. The air was thick, smelling of dust and old wood. They cautiously entered, exploring the quaint, yet ornate living space. A bed and rocking chair sat in the corner of the room and a small vanity sat across from it. A single painting of a woman hung on the wall and Caspian rushed over to it. "Susan! This is my mother!" Susan walked over to where he stood, staring at the woman in the painting, "What is her painting doing here?" Caspian took a step back and looked around the room. "This...this was where she sought solace...the professor told me that I was born in my mother's summer cottage. This-this was her favorite place. My birth place." Susan slowly walked around the small area, "Why would Aslan want us to come here?"
Caspian slowly traced his finger over each of the items in the cottage...his mother's hair brush, a toy horse, books...he'd never felt so close to her before. He stood before the vanity, noticing a dust covered piece of paper. He picked it up, seeing his name scribbled at the top. He read aloud:
My Dearest Caspian,
I write to you as you lay slumbering in my womb, safe from the dangers of the world around me. I imagine you will have your fathers brown hair and my sense of adventure. Above all else, I wish you to have a kind heart and an understanding for the plight of others.
My dearest son, I know not what tomorrow brings, but knowing I am bringing you, a true heir to the Telmarine thrown, makes my heart happy and my soul light. No matter how much time we are given, I want you to know how much I care for you and how I can't wait for you to father your own children, so you can know the love and pride that I feel right now.
Always be kind, keep your wits about you and love the woman you choose as your wife as you love yourself.
Your loving mother
Caspian smiled as a tear formed in his eye. "She was so kind and gentle...much like you..." Susan smiled at him and took out the riddle. "Locks of brown and eyes of blue...perfect and small, the world is so new...love escapes painfully. I think I know why I was the only one who was brought back."
Caspian walked to her and looked down at the piece of cloth, "What do you mean?" She handed him the riddle, "Read this, think about this place, your birth place and the letter from your mother. Think of everything your advisors and the professor has been telling you." Caspian stared down at the riddle and looked back up at her, searching her eyes, "We need to conceive an heir..." Susan felt her stomach flutter as she crossed her arms across her chest, averting her eyes from his.
There was a long moment of silence between the two, but Caspian soon broke the silence with an awkward, uneasy voice, "We should be getting back...it's getting dark out."