Find me is your world

The words seemed to come from the painting and they triggered Susan's memories.

The wall that she built up crashed and everything began playing in her mind. All of her doubt, foolish pride, and grown up manners flooded back and shame crept in. And she remembered Aslan, and his grace and suddenly, her faults dimmed until there was only that command.

Find me in your world

-----

A year later

-----

The train stopped and Susan climbed down. This would be the fourth library she would look through. All had claimed to have the best selection of books available, but she had failed to find anything relating to Narnia or Aslan.

As Susan entered, a librarian looked up. He smiled and after she asked where the history section was, waved her to the far end of the library.

Hours passed, but Susan could find nothing. While perusing a book, the librarian she had talked to earlier came up to her.

"I couldn't help noticing how long you've been here," he began, "Do you need help with anything?"

"I'm looking for something about a," she paused, catching herself before she said lion, "someone named Aslan," she finished.

"Hmm," thought the man, "I don't recognize that name, but it sounds Turkish. One minute."

Susan sat at a table and waited for the man to return. When he did it was with a book of names and a book of Turkish history.

"I was right, the name is Turkish. It means Lion. Here are some books, if you can't find anything in them, find me and I'll try to help some more."

She smiled and watched him leave. At this rate, I'll be here until next week," she thought.

Half-way through the second book she noticed the time and checked out, book in tow.

----

A week later

----

Susan entered the library. This would be her last day. She had run out of reasons to stay, although the librarian, Sterling, may have been a good one. When she arrived at her usual place to read, she was surprised to see Sterling with another man. They rose to meet her.

"This is Jack," explained Sterling, "He is a Professor at Oxford and loves history."

"Nice to meet you," she replied, "I'm Susan Pevensie."

The older man looked startled for a minute, and then smiled. "You wouldn't, by any chance, know a Digory Kirke?"

"Why yes," Susan said, surprised, "He was like an uncle to me. He died in a train accident."

"I'm sorry to hear it," Jack replied. "Now, what may I help you with?" he asked with a smile.

"I'm looking for anything to do with someone named Aslan," she replied.

"Ahh," said Jack, "We may need some privacy for this tale."

Confused, Sterling said, "There's no story, it's a project of hers."

Jack looked into Susan's eyes and said, "No, I believe there is a story."

Susan's puzzled gaze turned into understanding.

"You know," she whispered.

"Only a small part," Jack replied. "Would you like to come to my office at the university?"

Susan nodded and started to follow him out the door.

"Wait," called Sterling, "I don't understand."

"Come along and find out; that is if the little lady has no objection."

Susan shook her head and the three left the library.

They walked through the college and Susan tried to sort out how she would tell the story. She knew she could downplay any wrongs she had done, but she knew that would be wrong. Aslan would want her to confess everything. Besides, Jack looked like a nice man, and he knew something about Narnia already. They entered a small office and they all took a seat; Susan and Sterling on a couch, and Jack in a wing-back chair.

"You may begin where and when you like," said Jack as he lit his pipe and leaned back into the chair.

After a moment, Susan began her tale. She tried to speak as the Calormen did when telling their stories, but she feared she was quite inadequate. Hardly had she spoken two words of Lucy in Narnia when Sterling interrupted.

"Wait, you said a what met?"

"A faun. You know, half man and half goat,"

He shook his head in amazement but let her continue. Sterling asked many more questions throughout the narrative and Susan almost giggled to see the expression on his face. Jack, on the other hand, simply smiled and nodded.

"So, do you know who Aslan is on earth? I've looked everywhere, but I can't find him," she said when she had finished.

Jack looked at her. She looked close to tears. He got up from his chair, and moved towards his desk. After picking up a book, he placed it on Susan's lap.

"The Bible?" she looked puzzled.

"Start reading at Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John," he recommended.

Susan smiled rose to leave. "Thank you," she said and exited the office.

"She's crazy," Sterling said, shaking his head, "I can't believe I didn't see it before."

"Oh really," said Jack, raising his eyebrows.

"Who could believe a story like that?" he asked, "Sure, it would make a great book, but how can it be true."

Jack watched as Sterling also left.

----

Sterling paced across his bedroom floor. His thoughts whirled as he thought over what had happened. He had been on the verge of asking Susan to dinner, when she made it obvious that she was insane. Jack had seemed taken in, or maybe he was just being kind. That was it, he knew, somehow, that she was crazy, but wanted him to know in private. The conclusion did not fit quite right, but he tried to shrug the incident off and looked at the paperwork that needed filing.

That night, he dreamt of talking animals, kings and faraway lands. At the end, a great lion roared and he woke up. The dreams repeated themselves only differing slightly from night to night. Sometimes the lion kissed him, and he awoke with a wet face, which he accredited to his perspiration, and sometimes the lion gently blew on him. Only once did the lion speak.

"Believe," he had said in a rich, majestic voice yet full of compassion.

And still Sterling went doggedly on. He refused to see Susan even though she came to the library almost every day.

Well, I didn't like that other ending. (And neither did some others) so here's some more. There should be at least one more chapter left. I stink at endings, so be kind. Comments are welcome as always.