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And so the plot begins to unravel...
Susan was taking all of her emotions out on archery practice. She was stood in the clearing as Trumpkin hurled target plates into the air as she shot each one into pieces. She moved at great speed never missing a target. "So you gonna tell me what all this high tense training is about?" Asked Trumpkin raising an eyebrow
"Nope" she said as she shot another plate.
"Doesn't have anything to do with pretty boy does it? He's been moping round the castle these past few days." He said, lingering to wait for an answer but she just looked at the floor guiltily and then regained her posture to shoot another plate down. "I'll take that as a yes."
"It's complicated DLF."
"I'm sure it is." He said and he studied her. Her eyes lacked their sparkle; her voice lacked its usual humour. "If you er...don't want to talk about it I understand...but if you wish to er confide in me your majesty, I will...more than gladly listen, or we could just continue to shoot plates." He added rather embarrassed as he shuffled around uncomfortably. She turned to him and smiled gently.
"Let's shoot plates." She answered smiling down at him.
"Right then." He said hurling another plate into the air for her to shoot.
...
Peter was stood by the window in the family room as Edmund and Caspian played a game of chess and Lucy read in a corner. "She's been doing that for hours now." Said Peter, more to himself than the others.
"What are you talking about Pete?" asked Edmund as he took Caspian's Queen with his Castle resulting with a grown from Caspian.
"Susan, she's been shooting plates with Trumpkin all morning."
Edmund glanced up worriedly and shot up over to Peter by the window to take a look. "What do you think is wrong with her." He asked in a worried tone. He knew Susan would only ever train in that way when something was bothering her. Caspian shifted uncomfortably in his seat and gazed at the floor with a tense jaw and deep pain filled eyes. Lucy just sat there intensely watching the scene before her unravel before her, with wide eyes as she glanced sideways at Caspian.
"I don't know; don't like asking her when she's like this she'd probably shoot me." Peter said with a snort as he slumped down into a chair. Edmund grinned at him.
"Yer I suppose Father Christmas didn't really think he was turning Susan into a deadly weapon when he gave her the bow and arrows." He said as he looked back her. "I don't understand females"
Lucy snorted "That's because male's brains can't function half as well." Peter hurled a cushion at her face. "See you resort to violence because you can't think of a witty remark fast enough"
"Oh yer?" challenged Peter.
"Yes." Lucy challenged back, looking up from her book.
"Well..." started Peter but his confident expression didn't last as he failed to think of one. Lucy, Edmund and Caspian sat there watching him with completely bemused expression.
"I rest my case" Lucy said triumphantly.
"Peter you know you should leave battle of wits to me." Edmund teased as he sat back down at the chess table.
"Oh shut up." Peter said with a huff.
...
Susan and Lord Alexander were sat in the enormous library at a table, translating some ancient texts.
"You see i think this one means sunrise, with it being the sun and all." Lord Alexander said with a smile. Susan gave him a half smile back, it never reached her eyes.
"Well if i remember correctly it translates sunset" She said looking at the pages intently.
"Could be sunrise." He challenged playfully.
"Well sinse i am ancient myself, i think my guess is the best bet."
"Ahh yes i forget your an old lady" he said smilng but her chuckle felt empty. "Susan, are you alright? You haven't seemed quite yourself these past few days."
She looked up at him and forced her beautiful practiced smile. "I'm fine." But he just looked at her, not really buying it. The large oak doors opened and they both looked towards it. Caspian walked through with Princess Serena clinging to his arm on his right, Lord Volcan by his left side,"Oh so this is the library?" Princess Serena asked looking up to Caspian flirtatiously. "I've never been fond of books. I dont like the smell."
Susan felt her stomach drop to the floor. This was the first time in days she had seen Caspian. Caspian smiled at the Princess and stopped dead in his tracks as he looked in Susan's direction to see her sat rather close with Lord Alexander. He swallowed nervously as his eyes locked with hers, they were of mixed emotions between pain and longing. Princess Serena dragged him over towards them with Lord Volcan. "Hello Cousin, your majesty." Princess Serena greeted coldly. "King Caspian, has been kind enough to give me a tour of Cair Paravel, before we leave tomorrow morning." She said pressing her palm against his chest, clearly dangling him infront of Susan. Caspian stiffed up completely as Lord Alexander looked between him and Susan.
"Yes, its usually customary for a King to be a good host." He said smiling at them, earning a glare from Princess Serena and Lord Volcan. He turned to Lord Volcan. "I'm sorry we haven't been introduced."
"Lord Volcan." he replied with a slight bow which Lord Alexander returned, knocking over a pile of books as he did so. He rolled his eyes at himself and bent down to pick up the books whilst Princess Serena laughed.
"Honestly cousin, if you weren't so clumsy i'm sure ladies would find you rather agreeable." She said snidely as he looked rather insecure as he picked up the books. Susan openly glared at her and bent down to help him.
"I think many ladies would find you agreeable my Lord, though i would warn them first hand about your two left feet." Susan said smiling at him, and he grinned back at her as they placed the books on the table.
"Yes clearly Queen Susan finds you very agreeable my Lord." Lord Volcan said. Caspian's insides churned as he paled slightly, his jaw tensed as he shifted uncomfortably. Susan briefly glanced at Lord Volcan with a glare in her eyes. Lord Alexander quickly looked between the two of them and turned to Lord Volcan as he continued. "Be careful of your heart Lord Alexander. Legends say that Queen Susan has stolen the hearts of many men, never to be returned to them..." he said jokingly with a smile.
"Yes so i've heard, ive also read she is like a siren calling the men to their deaths, or perhaps an enchantress. My favourite tale however is that she can grow horns and breathe fire." He said wryly as Lord Volcan glared at him. Susan couldn't help but grin. "You'll have to remember not to get on the wrong side of her. I'd hate to have her as my enemy my lord."
Caspian couldn't stand the tension in the room any longer. "Yes, well we should go..." he said avoiding looking at Susan.
"Oh perhaps you should show Princess Serena your workshop, Sire. King Caspian has a talent for craftsmanship, Princess." Lord Volcan said.
"I'd love to see it!" she said with a slight squeel. Susan knew she had no right to be jealous, but she couldn't help it. Not only was Princess Serena spending time with Caspian, he was also sharing something quite personal with her. Susan had never seen his workshop before. For heaven sake Susan, you cant be together...move on.But she knew she would never move on, Caspian would always have her heart.
"I'll take you there now, Lord Alexander..." he said with a slight bow and he locked eyes with Susan and bowed a little lower to her. "Susan..."
Susan forced a small, empty smile as she looked into his eyes guiltly. They all turned and left Susan and Lord Alexander stood watching them. Susan plonked herself on her chair, with stiff, perfect posture as she stared blankly. Lord Alexander looked down at her and studied her for a moment. He may be clumsy but he was exceptional at reading people.
"Well, i certainly feel sorry for King Caspian, my cousin is very high maintance...So Lord Volcan seems pleasant, i've only just met him and i already want to punch him. Although if i did i would probably hurt myself more than him..." he sid sitting down next to her as he tried to get some kind of response...but nothing. "I couldn't help but feel the tension between you and the King, the sad looks in his eyes, the guilty ones in yours...what did you do?"
"I don't know what your talking about..." She said in an almost whisper as began flipping pages of the ancient texts. He furrowed his brow at her.
"Oh, its just at the grand ball i saw the way you both looked at each other... it's like you're meant to be."
"If it was meant to be, i wouldn't belong to another world." She said flatly.
"Well i hope you stay"
"Thanks... and thank you for helping to defuse the tension before." She said a little uncomfortably.
"Well thats what friends are for." He said smiling at her as he turned to look at the pages. "I still think it's Sunrise..."
...
The next day Caspian, Peter and Edmund and Lucy were stood on the main courtyard steps waiting for Susan to join them. She ran down the steps gracefully at halted by Lucy's side. Susan was stood in a pastel yellow, pink, purple and blue dress that was both fitted and flowing. Her hair was down and naturally wavy. She locked eyes with Caspian as he was admiring her beauty with deep pain and longing in his eyes. Her heart fell out of her chest as she looked away guiltily. Lucy gave her hand a small squeeze. King Phillip, Princess Serena and Lord Alexander approached them at the bottom of the steps.
"It was a pleasure to see you again my friends, have a safe journey back." Said Caspian smiling at them as he clasped hand with the men and kissed Princess Serena's hand.
"Thank you for inviting us." King Phillip said. He turned to Peter and Edmund shaking their hands as Lord Alexander followed in suit with Princess Serena curtsying to them as they kissed her hand. King Phillip kissed Lucy's and then Susan's. "I fear I leave with a heavy heart, for I was not able to claim yours Queen Susan." He said.
She smiled at him sincerely. "Well I hope you find a lady that will lift it once again King Phillip."
"I hope so indeed." He said smiling and he turned back to Caspian. "You think us both being young and rather attractive Kings we would be able to secure ourselves a beautiful Queen by now." He said laughing and Caspian forced a smile back to him as he and Susan glanced at each other uncomfortably.
"Lord Alexander, I shall miss your company." Susan said sweetly as she turned to him. He kissed her hand and smiled. "You won't be too much of a stranger I hope."
"As will I Queen Susan, It has been delightful meeting all of you." He said bowing once more to the King and Queens. And they all smiled back at him. He turned to walk down the steps and he tripped over his feet and stumbled down the last few. He turned back round and grinned at Susan who smiled and shook her head at him. Princess Serena held her head high and gave a low curtsy to Lucy and Susan, clearly looking down on them. But they forced their smiles and curtsied back to her. She turned back to Caspian, "I had such a wonderful time, i hope you will visit us in our Kingdom, my King." She said flirtatiously. Caspian glanced at Susan briefly but she refused to meet his eyes. He bowed his head to Princess Serena.
"It would be my pleasure Princess." He said in a kingly tone. She smiled and turned, giving Susan a haughty glance and she left for the carriage.
...
Susan went for a walk in the fields near the woods. She felt like she was being pulled in so many different directions caught in a war between her head and her heart. She paced fustratedly in the clearing as Argo (the horse Caspian had brought for her) danced around her, playing some kind of game with her as it faught for her attention. She was too lost in thought to notice and she lay down on the grass and put her hand over her face wearily. Argo trotted up to her head and started to sniff and nuzzle her head. Susan laughed and sat up stroking her muzzle. "Your so spirited." she said gently as it looked into her eyes. Susan dropped her hands as her eyes watered. Caspian brought you for me... She wiped away her tears and sniffed as Argo nuzzled her gently, as if sensing something was wrong with her. "I can't do this anymore..." Susan whispered. Argo lay down behind her and Susan lent on her slighly, stroking her face. She felt so broken, so lost. After awhile she heard branches snap. She quickly turned towards the rustling near the trees. A huge muscley elf came staggering out of the woods. His clothes were dirty and torn, covered in blood. He had large gashes across his body. Susan quickly stood looking at him in shock. He locked eyes with her and smiled in relief before he hit the ground unconscious. Susan ran up to him, observing his injuries. He will need Lucy's cordial. She got Argo to kneel for her as she flung him over her, with great effort and she led them back to Cair Paravel as quickly as possible.
...
Caspian, Peter, Edmund and Lucy came running into the chambers with worry written over their faces.
"Susan are you alright? We were told you needed my cordial." Lucy said looking over her for injuries.
"Not for me for him." Susan replied quietly, seeing they were all worried about her. They all turned to the bed to see a gigantic elf lay in the bed as Professor Cornelius checked his plus. "He came stumbling out of the woods. He's hurt badly Lu." Lucy nodded and walked over to him to give him a drop of her cordial.
"Where did he come from?" asked Peter
"I've no idea he passed out as soon as he saw me." Susan replied, taking a quick glance at Caspian who was looking at her with conflicted emotions.
Edmund snorted. "That scary looking were you?" Susan glared at him.
"Ed, not now." Peter said.
"Are you alright?" Caspian asked quietly. It was the first time he spoke to her in days. Her eyes locked with his.
"I'm fine" she said in an almost whisper. He let out an inaudible sigh of relief.
"He's waking up." Lucy said. They all moved around the bed and he looked up at them intimidated and afraid. Susan sat next to him on the bed and took his hand.
"It's alright your safe here. My names Susan, I found you just as you collapsed."
"Queen Susan of Old?" he asked. His manner was that of a child, so innocent a pure.
"Yes that's right. What's your name? She asked gently.
"Bear... my master called me Bear. Oh thank Aslan. I found you." He said smiling at her with gleaming eyes.
"What do you mean?" Edmund asked.
"I have travelled from Ettinsmore to explain why I brought you back," Bear answered
"You? You brought us back to Narnia?" Asked Lucy
"Why?" Added Peter
"Is Narnia in danger?" Joined Edmund
Susan looked at them all. "Give him a moment to explain." She said slightly irritated at their impatience with him. He had clearly been through I lot to get to them.
"Shall I start from the beginning?" he asked Susan with a big childlike smile.
"That would probably be best." She said gently.
"Have you ever heard of The Guardians?" he asked with wide innocent eyes.
"No." They replied in unison as Caspian and Professor Cornelius said "Yes"
They turned to look at Caspian. "The Guardians are a group of magical beings and talking beasts that were chosen by Aslan to protect a medallion called "The Auryn."
"Why have we never heard of them, or this Orryn?" Edmund asked as his eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"Auryn." Susan corrected and he shot her an irritated look.
"The Auryn was created through dark magic, by the white witch at the dawn of time. It has the power to raise the dead." Professor Cornelius explained. "No one knew of its existence except Aslan. Once she was defeated, he himself chose a group to guard it from those who wished to abuse its power and raise her back from the dead. They became The Guardians, a secret society that was never to abandon their task."
"Well that doesn't explain how you both know about it and we don't." Peter said folding his arms across his chest.
"You see, when I found your horn, Queen Susan, I also found many history books about the legendary Kings and Queens of Old. Amongst those books was Mr. Tumnus' journal. He was one of the original Guardians."Professor Cornelius said.
"What?" Lucy said in complete shock. "He would have told us."
"He was bound to secrecy Lucy, as he stayed with you all in Cair Paravel, but he also listened out of any signs of rumours about the Auryn. He was to report back to the other Guardians, if there were any signs of danger." Caspian explained gently.
"After you left the first time, they were betrayed by one of their own. Eris, a witch corrupted by her own longing for greater power. She turned to the dark magic to get her hands on The Auryn, however the Guardians managed to fight her before she could finish the ritual to use its power. She was greatly injured and fled. Some thought her to be dead; some thought her merely biding her time until she was strong again. The Guardian's came to an agreement to split the Auryn in half. Each half would be hidden in secret, never to be joined again." Bear continued. "For hundreds of years, she must have searched until on the night of the star alignment she found my master. He was in Ettinsmore to trade for information about Eris and her whereabouts. He was the head of the Guardians, the only original one still living besides her. Others pasted on their duty through their lineage. He personally protected one of the halves, it was never to leave his neck, had he stayed in Indylasia, it would have been safe. She killed him and took the first half. He told me that only on that night could I use the stars alignment to bring you back to Narnia. To tap into a connection between the two worlds that was deeper than the deep magic itself."
"So why exactly are we back?" Lucy asked, still rather confused.
"We must find the other half before Eris can get her hands on it and return it to my master's daughter. She is now leader of the Guardians. They will protect it in Indylasia." Bear Replied.
"Indylasia?" Susan echoed quizzically.
"The home of the Guardians...only those who already know of its whereabouts can find it." Bear answered
"That's useful." Edmund said rather impressed.
"How exactly do we find this other half?" Caspian asked with a look of determination as he stood with his arms across his chest.
"I have the map that belonged to my master." Bear answered. "It will be quite a journey, and it won't be easy."
"It never is." Caspian said. "We will leave tomorrow, I'll have everything prepared; get plenty of rest Mr. Bear." They nodded and left the room. Susan stayed sat with him on the bed still holding his hand and Lucy stood smiling at him.
"If you need anything don't hesitate to ask." Susan said gently and he nodded. "It is a very brave thing you have done, going through such a journey on your own. I'd like to thank you for bringing us back Mr. Bear, even though it was done through such unfortunate circumstances."
"Bear, I like to be called Bear your majesty." He said with a sweet smile.
"You look like a big Bear, a big papa bear." Lucy said smiling.
"Your like a little bear cub." He said to her with a big grin that turned his eyes into half moon shapes. He turned to Susan with twinkling eyes. "Thank you for saving me your majesty."
"Oh please no titles. We prefer to be called by our names, by friends when in private, though many of them still occasionally refer to us by our titles." Susan said smiling. "You get some rest, now." And she and Lucy left him to sleep.
"Sounds like we've got quite the adventure ahead of us." Lucy said, as they walked through the corridor. "I cant believe all that time Mr. Tumnus had such a huge secret..."
"I'm sure if he wasn't sworn to secrecy he would have told us. If we were in his position we wouldn't have said anything either. He chose to stay with us, to be part of our family with Mr. and Mrs. Beaver." Susan said gently with a smile gracing her lips.
Lucy let out a small sigh. "I know... we were quite a strange looking family weren't we?"
"Even more so now, i think."
"At least we finally know how and why we are back. Now we just have to wait for Aslan to show." Lucy added.
"He probably will, when we least expect him too." Susan said giving her a knowing smile.
"DLF will not be pleased about being regent again so soon after the voyage." Lucy said grinning wickedly as Susan laughed.