Chapter 11: Susan
The ballroom always looked smaller when it was empty of people. Looking around now, it was hard to believe that only hours before it had hosted one of the largest balls of recent years in Narnia. Now the floor was scuffed and the flowers were beginning to wilt. There would be a lot of work to do in the morning.
Susan hated the end of an evening like this. It was unusual for her to revisit the ballroom until the following day, when it was returned to its former glory and any memories of the night before were beginning to fade. Normally, she would have gone straight to her bedchamber, where no doubt Lucy was waiting even now to share the gossip of the night.
As she crossed the ballroom, the smell of the bonfire still caught in her hair, Susan was unsure why she was lingering here, amongst the tired decorations and dying garlands. If she had been hoping to raise her spirits before going to bed, she was sadly disappointed. If she'd hoped she might find something positive to take away from the evening, she was also left feeling let down. Even her peach gown had lost its lustre and she intended to pack it away tomorrow, out of sight and out of mind.
The ball had passed without incident and, thanks to Edmund, Caterina had returned for the bonfire which had equally been deemed a success. Susan had enjoyed many dances throughout the evening and the guests had retired to bed with smiles and laughter. There was no real reason for her to have been left feeling so disheartened. One man hadn't asked her to dance, that was all. There was no real issue here. So why did she feel so miserable? Leaning against one of the great pillars surrounding the ballroom, she gave a heavy sigh.
'Goodness, there's an unhappy sound.'
Susan started, letting out a little squeal of shock as she tried to identify where the voice came from. Footsteps had approached her before she could locate the person and a hand touched her on the arm, making her jump again.
'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you.' She looked up to find herself looking into the blue eyes of the golden-faced stranger. They were etched with concern now. 'Are you alright?'
Susan nodded mutely for a moment, before remembering who she was and how this man had been stalking around her castle long after he should have been in bed. With a defiant toss of her head, she said, 'Perfectly fine, thank you. You may remove your hand.'
He took a step backwards. 'Okay. I'm... sorry.'
'Your Majesty.' Susan raised her eyebrows, challenging him to reject such niceties as that.
'Your Majesty,' he agreed, giving a small bow. 'I apologise, your Majesty.'
She gave him an imperious look, taking in his solid chest and long limbs. 'What exactly do you think you're doing, roaming around the castle this late at night? Have you not been shown to your rooms?'
'I find it difficult to sleep in strange places,' he replied, and the honesty in his voice drew Susan in despite her best intentions to remain aloof. 'I thought the ballroom would be empty. And then I heard you and...' He tailed off before adding, 'I didn't mean to disturb you. I'll leave you alone.'
He turned to go and for the second time that evening, Susan found her heart quicken and her mouth act before she could stop it.
'Don't!' Far too late, she continued, 'I mean... you don't have to go, if you don't want to. You could... stay.'
'Do you want me to?' His eyebrows moved slightly, and the corners of his mouth twitched. 'Because if you don't, I can go, just say the words, I would hate to stay against your wishes, just say-'
'Stop! Stay... if you want.' Susan rolled her eyes and fought against smiling. 'It's fine by me.'
'Good.' The stranger's face broke into a smile as he leaned against the pillar next to her. 'So... what brings you here so late at night?'
'It's my ballroom,' she reminded him.
'True. Although I believe most of the castle belongs to you and so...' The smile dropped a little. 'I meant what I said. That really was an unhappy sound you made.' He fixed her with those blue eyes. 'Can I help?'
'You?' Susan couldn't keep the note of surprise out of her voice. 'How could you help?'
He shrugged. 'I can listen. Maybe I could do something to make you happier.'
'I don't even know you! And anyway... I don't need to be made happier, I'm not sad, I'm... fine.' She forced a smile to prove her point.
'Then why doesn't your smile reach your eyes?'
Susan gaped at his words. 'I... Who are you? What gives you the right to speak to a Queen of Narnia in such a way?' Her dark eyes flashed angrily. 'I really think you should be going to your room now before...'
The stranger raised his hands in surrender and stepped away. 'I'm going. No need to call the royal guard or whoever. I apologise.' Then, as if he had to say it, whatever the consequences, 'But if you ever find you're not fine, I'm ready to help. All you have to do is call.' He turned to leave.
Susan watched him go, anger and longing mingling in equal amounts. She should call him back, demand the proper respect from him – not even a bow to suggest he felt any sort of gesture was due from him as he left a queen.
Finally she found her tongue. 'Wait!' The stranger stopped still and glanced over his shoulder at her. 'I... I don't know your name.'
The slow smile spread across his face again. 'You can call me Nate,' he replied.
Susan nodded. 'Good night then... Nate.'
'Good night Susan.
END OF PART ONE
