Disclaimer: If I owned Chronicles of Narnia, I wouldn't have the student loan debts I have. (read: I don't own Chronicles of Narnia, I don't make money from this. I am merely a fan.)
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Susan sat on the cot in her tent. In her head, she replayed the events that just occurred. The sight of Caspian after the match was almost too much for her to recall. He was a handsome man and a great king. Liliandil was lucky to have Caspian. With a sign, Susan organized her belongings that were brought on shore. She slung her cloak over a chair in the corner of her tent. Her bag of clothes that once occupied the table now lay open on the cot. She removed her other dress and armor. Taking the dress she wore over night, she strung a line from her tent to a nearby tree and hung it to air it out. She looked at the sky and noted the storm was almost ready to start. With a frustrated sigh, she removed the dress and hung it up in her tent. Susan removed her shoes and enjoyed the feeling of grass on her feet. In the privacy of her tent, she allowed herself to act in a less queenly manner.
Susan hummed an old English tune while she danced around in her tent. She missed her brothers and sister dearly at times like this. She remembered her first trip to Narnia with them. The Beavers were so kind and helpful. She almost couldn't remember that she didn't believe them at first. She remembered the wolves, Peter coming to rescue her and Lucy, and Edmund almost dying on the battlefield. Lucy was quick to heal their brother and the rest of the Narnians.
She stopped humming and dancing and sat back down on her cot. She started to softly cry. As her tears fell, so did rain. The storm was upon them. Susan could hear the crewmembers running around to get under cover. As Susan undid the braid in her hair, she heard a "knock" at her door flap. Quickly flipping her hair into a bun, Susan went to see who was "knocking."
"Your highness, what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" Susan was stunned to see the king at her tent entrance. He must have been caught in the rain a while as he was soaked. Susan allowed him entrance. "Sit, please. Let me get you a towel." Susan rummaged through the items that were left with her own. She unfolded a large green towel and draped it over Caspian's shoulders, rubbing them to help ward off any chill.
When she realized what she was doing, Susan stopped immediately and sat on her cot. The silence in the room was deafening.
'Think of something to say, Susan…you're a queen for crying out loud.' Susan wracked her brain.
"I guess it goes without saying that we will not be travelling tonight, your majesty." Caspian was the first to speak.
"Understandable, your highness." Susan replied.
Caspian hated that they were being so formal now. "Is something the matter, Susan?"
"Nothing you can help with," she sighed. She wanted things that could not be. She wanted her siblings. She wanted to stay in Narnia. She wanted…
"Susan…" Caspian stood and joined Susan on the cot. But the moment he sat down, she stood up.
"Your highness, I am here to help you find Liliandil." Susan looked into Caspian's eyes. They were as brown as chocolate. He wiped away water that dripped from his brow.
The wind picked up and the rain came down harder. Lightning lit up the sky like the sun and thunder followed with great strength.
Feeling defeated, at least for the moment, Caspian removed the towel, placed it on the chair, and left the tent. He would formulate a new plan to address the issues with Susan and return.
Susan put on her cloak and ran to the dining tent. Several Narnians were in there, talking and eating dinner.
"May I join you?" Susan asked with a gentle smile.
"Of course your majesty." They all said. Susan took an empty seat next to a faun.
"My name is Tumnus; I was named for the faun that first met the valiant queen of old, Lucy." The faun introduced himself.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Tumnus." Susan smiled at the memory of the faun. The other members at the table introduced themselves. Trumpkin joined the diners in the tent. He brought over 2 full plates, one for him, and one for Susan. "Oh, thank you, Trumpkin. You didn't have to."
"No worries, Susan." He sat down in the empty space next to her.
Some of the other Narnians were taken aback by their casual exchange, but they would not question it. Narnians knew the kings and queens of old were close with those who fought in the revolution eight years ago.
The group continued to chatter. As the afternoon wore on, the tent became more crowded. Susan was explaining things like automobiles and airplanes to several curious Narnians when Caspian walked into the tent. He had changed into dry clothes and a cloak. His hair was swept back into a ponytail. He walked over to the buffet, filled his plate, and took his seat at the same table as Susan.
The tent began to empty until Trumpkin, Susan, and Caspian were the only ones left. The rain was still coming down hard, but the lightning and thunder had ceased. Not one for awkward silences Trumpkin bid the king and queen good night with a wink to Susan.
"So," Susan broke the silence. "Tell me about Liliandil."
"As you know, she is a Star. When we first met, she took my breath away. Her glowing aura was mesmerizing, and I was surprised when she asked if she should change form if her current state was too distracting," Caspian spoke bluntly. "She is well versed in music of various lands and well read. She enjoys horse back riding, so we would try to go out once a day."
Susan's stomach began to form knots as he carried on with the description, and she scolded herself for the feeling. She watched as he rose to wash his used dish and cup. One of the Narnians had already done the same for Susan an hour ago.
"How long were you in Narnia before coming out to find us?" Caspian asked without turning to Susan.
"Less than a day. I practiced and mingled with subjects, taught Merry-weather how to shoot a bow and arrow, and dined before heading out on Sun Catcher." Susan briefly explained.
Caspian rejoined her at the table, only this time, he took the seat right across from her. Susan brought her hands from the table to her lap and sat up a little straighter.
"And do you have a beau in your world?" Caspian asked bluntly.
"A beau?" Susan chuckled. "No. There's no one waiting back there for me except my siblings." At the mention of them, a frown graced her lips.
"Why did you return, Susan?" Caspian decided it was time for that question and waited for her answer.
"This world is more my home than the one on the other side of the wardrobe. I came back because by some grace of Aslan I was allowed." Susan's eyes became foggy with tears. "I came back because I love you. That is why there is no beau in my other world. And I came back here to make sure you are happy. And if Liliandil is the one, then I will see to it that she is found." And with that declaration, Susan rose to her feet, pulled up the hood of her cloak, and headed back to her tent.
Caspian would not allow that to be the end of their conversation, so he followed her. He watched her enter her tent. He waited a moment then politely asked, "Your highness, with your permission, may I enter."
Susan sighed at his stubbornness. She did not remember seeing this side of him before. She sat down, still wearing her cloak. "Very well, if you must."
"Susan…Please do not be cross with me." Caspian nearly begged.
"I'm not cross, Caspian. This situation is more painful than I thought it would be. But I stand by what I said…all of it. I love you, but if Liliandil is the one to be your queen, I will see it done." A logical answer, as always.
"Had I known there was ever a chance for your return, Susan, my queen would be you." Without further resistance, Caspian walked over to her, reached down to bring her to her feet, and kissed her.
Susan gave in to the kiss, but only for a moment. She then pushed him away, staring at him with heartache. She had worked so hard to maintain distance between them. "Get out, Caspian." Susan calmly demanded.
"Susan…" Caspian was taken aback by this. "Please."
"Caspian, I don't think I have the strength to push you away again…"
As Susan spoke the wind picked up once more; thunder and lightning also resumed.
"Susan, listen to me, please!" Caspian begged.
At that moment, lightning struck Susan's tent, causing a big gash in the roof to split the tent in two. Susan let out a gasp and ducked. Instinctively, Caspian rushed over to her and cover her with his body. The tent whirled to the ground, and Susan and Caspian were left standing in the rain.
"Perfect," Susan claimed in a sarcastic tone. She began to gather her belongings and threw them in her bag.
"Come with me," Caspian commanded as he grabbed the bag in his left hand and Susan's hand in his right. Susan didn't resist as Caspian lead her to his tent.
Upon entering, Susan looked around. He had a similar set up with one exception. In the corner of the tent was a little table; on the table was Lucy's healing cordial and dagger in their leather confines. Susan walked over to the items, running her fingers along the fine glass and dagger hilt.
"Here, change into these before you catch your death." Caspian handed Susan one of his nightshirts. Susan gratefully accepted it. They both turned their backs to allow one another to change into the dry clothes. "Are you decent, Susan?"
"Yes," she quietly replied. Caspian turned around to see the most beautiful woman in front of him. Susan stood there in one of his nightshirts that was clearly too big for her. The hem almost reached her ankles and she was rolling up the sleeves a little bit. She had let her hair down out of the bun so it fell down her back. It was longer than he remembered, but then again, it has been 8 years since her last long visit to Narnia.
Susan also did a once over of Caspian. He too wore a nightshirt and his hair was not down out of the ponytail. Susan love his long hair and was thankful he never had it cut like a traditional Telmar ruler.
"Thank you for the dry shirt, Caspian." She spoke just above a whisper. He was glad she called him Caspian and not your highness or any other title. "But where will I sleep?"
Caspian thought a moment, then he whipped on his cloak and shoes once more and ran off. Not a moment later, he returned carrying a cot.
"Take my bed, Susan. I will use this one." Caspian set up the cot on the opposite side of the tent.
"Caspian…maybe I should just bunk with Trumpkin." Susan countered.
"He's bunking with Tumnus…poor Trumpkin, Tumnus will be talking his ears off all night inquiring about the high kings and queens now." Caspian chuckled as he set up the cot. He grabbed some extra blankets and a pillow from his trunk and nestled under the covers. Susan sighed in defeat and crawled into Caspian's now former bed.
"So, how are you enjoying this trip to Narnia?" Caspian asked from his bed. Susan looked over at him. He was laying on his back with his right arm behind his head and his left arm down his side. He had his covers pulled up to his waist, and Susan noticed he left his shirt untied so it revealed a bit of his chest.
"I'm very happy to be back home, as always." Susan rolled on to her right side to face Caspian. She propped her head up on her hand and draped the other over her hip.
"Why do you refer to Narnia as home? Isn't England your home?" Caspian turned his head to face Susan. When he saw how she was positioned, he followed suit.
"England is…" Susan sighed. "It's a place where my family and I live; but for Peter, Lucy, Edmund and me Narnia is more our home than any other place in either world." Susan's eyes grew distant with memories of the Golden Age. Voyages with her siblings, grand balls, peace throughout the land, and Peter chasing off every suitor attempting to court Susan and Lucy.
"If you had the chance, would you stay here for the rest of your life?" Caspian stared into Susan's eyes. He could see her thoughts turning over and over in her mind.
"I guess that would depend." Susan finally answered. "I do love Narnia; but I don't know if I could leave my brothers and sister forever." Susan rolled on to her back and crossed her arms along her stomach.
Though Caspian was saddened by her answer, he understood her reason. He knew the bond between the kings and queens of old was the strongest force imaginable aside from the deep magics.
"Caspian?" Susan asked quietly.
"Yes?" Now laying on his back once more.
"Are you in love with Liliandil?"
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A/N #1: Okay, so here ends chapter 6. Please, REVIEW...reviews inspire me to keep writing, and they make me smile.
A/N #2: I try to reply to each review, but if I haven't replied to you consider this a HUGE thank you!
A/N #3: You all are getting these chapters pretty much as soon as I'm done with them because I get so excited to post them to be able to wait...hope you don't mind :)
