Sorry it's been awhile guys! Here's the next chapter, and I promise I will finish it... chapters just may come sporadically. My sincerest apologies. I hope you enjoy it, and you've haven't given up on this story yet because exciting things are happening in Narnia! As always, I don't own Narnia or its characters. Read & review if you are so inclined!

Chapter 10

Since his recovery, Caspian rarely left the palace. Just now, the king and queen were engaged in a chess match, though Susan's mind did not seem as though it was on the game. "Beloved, are you alright?" Caspian asked with a frown, after making a move that surely would result in his victory. "You seem troubled."

Susan forced a smile to her lips as she studied the intricately carved golden figurines that had once belonged to Edmund. "I'm afraid I'm not the chess player my brother is."

"Something is on your mind other than chess," he pressed, easily winning their match. "What is it, Beloved?"

Gathering the pieces and putting the game away, Susan attempted to brush aside his concern. She did not need to be bothering him with her troubles. "It's nothing, Caspian. Truly."

He caught her wrist gently, but his grip was firm enough that she could not wrench herself free. Her blue eyes rose to meet his dark, endless pools. "Please," he nearly begged her, "perhaps I can help." She sighed in defeat and he pulled her down onto his lap, kissing her cheek. "After all, in whom can you confide if not your husband?"

Susan's smile was brief. "I suppose that's true. I didn't want to bother you though."

Caspian pressed his lips to the snow white skin of her exposed collarbone, just visible above the neckline of her scarlet gown. "You could never be a burden to me, Beloved."

"I- I just feel so lost," she admitted, and Caspian's arms tightened comfortingly about her waist as he listened patiently. "I want to help you, to help Narnia, but I don't know how."

"Sweet Susan," he smiled, "you have helped me. You make me happier than I've been in years. Your presence alone gives me a strength unlike I've ever known, and your love has given me a reason to live. As for Narnia, Aslan will reveal his plan in time. I told you of my dream, and you mentioned you spoke with him directly. We must be patient, Beloved."

"Yes," Susan nodded. "You're right."

He rubbed circles across her back while Susan held his other hand in both hers. "Was there anything else you wished to discuss?"

She hesitated a moment before revealing, "I found a picture in one of your books of Peter's wife, Annalise."

"Ah yes," Caspian nodded, "you and she were good friends I believe?"

"We were. Peter said she found her grave on our last visit. Do you know what happened to her?"

The old king shook his head. "No, I am sorry. When the Telmarines invaded Narnia, they did away with most anything pertaining to the Kings and Queens of Old. Very few things were saved, and unfortunately, not much is known about the late queen."

Susan's heart sank at the thought of such a vibrant, loving woman being all but eradicated from the memory of the land she had so loved. "I think I should like to see her grave, and say goodbye to her properly."

"Of course. Would you like me to accompany you?"

Even though Susan was loathe to leave Caspian, he had only just recovered and was still very weak, no matter how much he denied it. After his last spell, Narnia's High Queen wasn't taking any chances. "Beloved," she said with her gentle smile that melted his heart, "it is so very sweet of you to want to accompany me, but this is something I feel I must do alone. Would you mind very much?"

Caspian smiled warmly. As though he could ever refuse her anything. "Of course not, Beloved," he answered, reaching up and stroking her soft cheek. "I understand. Did your brother tell you where she is buried?"

Susan held his hand in hers, playing idly with his fingers as she spoke, "No, and I could not bring myself to ask. Would Dr. Cornelius know?"

"I believe so. When do you wish to go?"

Looking out the window over the horizon, Susan smiled as she remembered Annalise waking long before the rest of them to watch the sun rise each morning. Each day is a gift from Aslan, she had once told Susan, and I don't want to miss a minute of it. "Tomorrow, at dawn."

Susan set out the next morning in the dark orange riding dress Annalise had once given her as a gift. It was, of course, hopelessly outdated now, but it felt right to wear it today. It would've made her sister-in-law happy. Coming to the place Dr. Cornelius and DLF had described to her, she tied her chestnut mare round the trunk of a tree.

Pulling aside the curtain of branches and leaves, Susan stepped into the small clearing, all of Narnia falling still as she laid eyes on the single stone amidst the soft green grass marking the final resting place of dear Annalise Pevensie; Narnia's Queen, High King Peter's bride and only love, her sister, her very best friend. A whisper of wind caressed her cheek as she entered the reverent sanctuary, and she turned just in time to see a young boy step out from behind a tree. Both Susan and the boy stood perfectly still for a moment, quietly studying one another. Although she knew she had never seen this boy, something in her recognized him. As though she'd always known him. She smiled warmly at the boy, who could not have been more than ten. "Hello," she said, "I am Queen Susan."

"Hello," the boy nodded, "my name is William. But you can call me Liam. That's what they call me at the orphanage."

"There's no orphanage around here that I know of," Susan said. "Where are you from, Liam?"

"St. Elizabeth's Home for Wayward Boys in London," he said, his hands shoved deep in his pockets.

"My, you are quite far from home. How did you come to be in Narnia?"

Liam shrugged. "Don't know really. I was lying in bed when I heard someone singing. The voice and the song sounded familiar... I followed it down the hall to a door I'd never seen before, and I know the place pretty well. I get into more than my fair share of scrapes, or so the Mother Abbess says, so I know all the good places to hide from the nuns. Anyway, when I opened the door I was in a forest. I followed the voice and ended up here." Before Susan had given this information much thought, Liam nodded toward Annalise's grave. "Who was she?"

"She was my very best friend," Susan smiled, "and another queen of Narnia many years ago."

He nodded, staring at the stone, his brow creased in a way that betrayed thoughts far too solemn for a boy his age.

"Do you have anywhere to stay while you're in Narnia, Liam?"

Liam shook his head no.

"Would you like to come with me then? You are more than welcome to stay with King Caspian and I as long as Aslan wills you here."

Looking from her hand outstretched to him, up to her kind, gentle blue eyes, Liam smiled. "Yes, I would like that. Thank you, Queen Susan."