Susan and Caspian sat in her personal study at Cair Paravel trying to compose a letter that was forceful enough to convince King Atash to return Estel, but diplomatic enough to sound as if they were attempting to avoid war.

Caspian looked at Susan and sighed sadly, "Susan, you must get some rest...eat something at least."

She shook her head and kept writing the letter, "No, I'm fine."

He stood and put a hand on her shoulder, "Susan, you are not fine. You look utterly exhausted. Please...just take a rest."

She fought back tears as she slammed a hand down on the desk, "No! I will not rest! I will not eat! I will not so much as relax until my daughter is back here...where she belongs."

Caspian moved around the desk and put a comforting hand on her shoulder, "It isn't your fault. Do you hear me? She is strong Susan. She will make it home."

Susan sobbed and put her face in her hands for a moment before slowly calming and looking down at the papers in front of her. She got a faraway look in her eyes and smiled, "When they were just children, Estel used to throw tantrums if it had been too long since she'd seen Rilian. Do you remember the time you sent him over on a gryphon because she refused to eat? When he got there, he took a plate of food and said, 'Look Estel...I eat.'...so she did too. From then on, anytime I had a problem getting her to eat or go to bed, or take a bath, I'd have to remind her that Rilian would want her to do it."

Caspian smiled at the fond memories, "Yes...they were inseparable. When do you think it was they fell in love?"

Susan wiped at the tears that continued to fall from her eyes and smiled bravely, "I don't think there was one moment, Caspian. I think they've been in the process of falling in love their whole lives."

"I would be honored to have Estel as my daughter in law. She is an amazing young woman", said Caspian as he sat back down in his seat.

"Thank you...you have done a terrific job with Rilian. He's much smarter than you were at that age."

They shared a soft, but pained laugh before finishing the letter and handing it off to their fastest messenger.


Estel was taken to the castle in Tashbaan. She'd never been to Calormene before, but had heard of its savage beauty. As soon as she stepped off the boat, her senses were overtaken by pungent smells, bright colors and foreign music.

She was bathed and dressed in traditional Calormene robes, which were ornate and heavy. She much preferred the soft, flowing dresses of Narnia. The servant girls were silent and kept their heads down, refusing to make eye contact. Estel found that odd. She was actually friends with many of the servants at the castle and Cair Paravel. They'd converse with her family on a regular basis and even celebrated holidays together. These servants seemed more like slaves.

She was taken from her room and presented in the great hall to King Atash. Dharmesh stood at his father's side while the queen...if she could be called that, stood looking at the ground. What was wrong with the women in this country?

The king stood from his throne and smirked, "Goodness son...you were right! She is far more beautiful than any woman in the land! Wonderful choice! She will provide fine heirs."

Panic welled within her. She had hoped the king was at least smarter than his block headed son, but it seemed they were cut from the same chauvinistic cloth. The king circled her, then stopped.

His voice boomed throughout the hall, "In three nights, we will have a marriage celebration...and the day after that, we will prepare to invade Narnia!"

Estel's eyes widened, "What?"

The king stroked her face, causing her to jump back, "While you are a nice prize, my dear...I am looking to expand my empire and your barbaric kingdom is ripe for my taking."

Guards took her by the arms and began to pull her away as she struggled and cried out, "No! You cannot do this!"

The king laughed evilly and patted his son on the back, lowering his voice, "I know it is tempting my son, but do not go to her tonight. You must be married before the seed is planted. Any heir conceived from wedlock is cursed."

"But father! I have...needs..."

"And they will be fulfilled, my son." The king waved his hand as a beautiful servant girl walked over with her eyes to the floor.

Dharmesh smirked and nodded to his father before taking the girl by the arm and snatching her from the main hall. He pushed her into a nearby closet and yanked up her skirt before roughly having his way with her against the shelves. The girl whimpered softly and kept her eyes shut tight as Dharmesh repeatedly whispered Estel's name. He pushed her down to the floor and laid on top of her, pushing himself back inside of her as he closed his eyes and envisioned the exotic and beautiful Narnian princess writhing beneath him. He cried out as he came, loud enough for passers by to hear. He laughed as he got up and left the closet, leaving the servant girl on the ground.


Since the messenger took a gryphon, he was able to reach Calormene by taking the shortcut through the desert.

King Atash laughed at the letter and smirked at the messenger, "Run back to your king...and tell him that the precious princess belongs to us. Her hand was promised."


When Caspian received the message, he immediately sent word for Legolas to begin preparing the Narnian troops for war. They would have gryphons fly them over the dessert and drop them off just outside of the Tashbaan city walls for a surprise attack while Narnian ships would attack from the shores behind the city. Legolas, Peter, Edmund, Caspian and Lucy's husband (the new king of Archenland) had created the most brilliant battle plan their world had ever seen.

Susan sat on the bed with her back facing the door, brushing out her long dark locks as Legolas walked into their room. At 37 years old, she still held onto her youthful beauty and free spirit...that was one of the small reasons why Legolas fell more in love with her every time he looked at her.

She turned her head slightly, but still did not look at him when she heard him close the door as he entered. He began undressing as he made his way over to the bed to sit next to her. She smiled and kept her head turned away from him as he began unlacing her corset with one hand, while kissing the side of her neck. Susan sighed softly and closed her eyes as her dress fell away to reveal her naked back. Legolas leaned over and traced his fingers down her back as he kissed the soft curves of her spine.

Susan shuddered beneath his touch as he sat back up to pull the rest of her dress away from her body. They shifted back to lay on the bed and stared into each others eyes for a moment as he took the time to touch and caress every inch of her body.

He smiled and kissed her lips, "Do you remember what you said after Elessar was born?"

Susan smiled and caressed his cheek as he leaned down and laid butterfly kisses across her chest, "No..."

Legolas smirked knowingly and kissed her chin, "You told me that you would think of having another child...because you wanted another daughter so badly. You promised you would think about it before your child bearing years were through."

Susan laughed as he took her hand and kissed her palm, then her wrist, then her forearm, "Ah...the memory of an elf."

His lips found hers once again as he moved between her legs and stared down into her eyes, "Queen Susan the gentle is not one to be known for going back on her word...is she?"

Susan smiled and softly rubbed his cheek, "My word is my bond, melamin."

He kissed her hungrily as she reached down and guided him inside of her. She broke the kiss briefly to let out a soft moan as he began pumping in and out of her. She held onto him, feeling wave after wave of sheer pleasure wash over her body. After 18 years of marriage, making love was still as beautiful and amazing as it was during their first time.

Susan rolled over and got on top of Legolas as she rolled her hips onto him. He reached up and took her breasts in his hands, kneading and squeezing at her soft, supple flesh. She put her head back and moaned as every touch and caress brought her closer and closer to the edge.

He gripped onto her waist and sat up as he sucked on her flesh, "Melamin...Amin mela lle...amin mela lle (I love you)."

Susan shut her eyes tight and gripped onto him as they came, crying out his name repeatedly. They basked in the afterglow of their lovemaking and sat staring into each others eyes for a few moments. He brushed some hair out of her face and kissed her lips, "You have given me more than I ever though I could have."

She put her forehead against his and whispered, "You are the love of my life."

Legolas kissed her as they laid down in bed. That morning, as she slept, he watched as the sunlight rose over the horizon and cast a glow on her naked skin. He leaned down and kissed her cheek, "It is time melamin..."

Susan awoke and got dressed to see Legolas, Rilian and Caspian off. Peter and Edmund had already left the day before to board the ships commanded by King Casimir of Archenland. Susan wanted to go into battle, but she didn't want to risk Estel and Elessar losing both of their parents in one day.

She smiled as Legolas hugged his son tight, "Guren niniatha nan lû i ammin achenitham, iond vell. (My heart shall weep until it sees you again, beloved son.)"

Elessar nodded, "Naveer, Ada. Amin mela lle. (Farewell, dad. I love you.)"

Susan approached her husband and took his hand, "Iston vellas gîn ne ndagor...Nadirio melamin. Tog dan min sell. (I know your strength in battle...be careful my love. Bring back our daughter.)"

He nodded and pulled her into a tight embrace as they kissed lovingly, "I will come back...with our daughter."

Susan turned to Rilian and Caspian as Jasmina hugged them tightly, "Be careful."

Jasmina and Susan held onto each other as they watched them take off.