AN-This is my first story, so hopefully it doesn't suck haha. I do not own The Chronicles Of Narnia or any of the Characters because I wouldn't have punished Susan so severely. I based this story off of a song called 'When The End Comes.' by Andrew Belle. Please review if you want another story.:)
TW; Death/ blood/description of an accident
I see you're locked down inside of your head
The High king's first memories were of his sister, Susan and his siblings. Fiercely watching over them as they grew, protecting them from themselves and others. At times, he felt their resentment and exasperation over his over protective nature, but they also knew that he did this out of his love for them. Though all the siblings seemed to know who their High King was most protective over and that was Susan.
Not that he didn't love them all equally, but Susan seemed to be the one who needed the most protecting. Not from battle, Aslan knew she could handle herself with her bow and arrows. But from herself, he could still remember Rabadash, the eldest don of the Tisroc of Calormen, who fooled not only Susan, but him and their siblings. He would forever be grateful to Edmund who was there to protect her when he could not. After that, he could see a bit of Susan's light fade from her eyes and instead be replaced with cation, shame and self loathing.
Peter wanted nothing more than to hold her to him and let her know it wasn't her fault, but his. His first duty was to protect his siblings, even before his own people. The High King would wage wars against anyone or any country, who would dare think to harm any of his sibling and his siblings knew it.
You've gotten tangled up in your own web
Your right is wrong, your flight is grounded
He found himself once again racing after Lucy and remembered the confusion he felt when his hand touch fur instead of tree branches. Oh, how he wished he grabbed them and turned them the other direction. But it was too late, they all fell out of the wardrobe into 'Spare Oom'. Then he had to watch all his siblings retreat into themselves after being ejected from their home. But his dear Lucy's faith never wavered. On repeat she declared that they would be back and to have faith. She was right, of course.
But love never leaves a heart, where it found it, found it
You found it
The second time they were back in Narnia seemed to be the hardest on the eldest Pevensies. The High King had to face the fact that his kingdom was gone, the people he knew were gone and that he would no longer be able to reign his beautiful Narnia or be able to come back again. But soon he found himself able to cope and accept his circumstances, throwing himself into law school while staying with Professor Kirke.
The Gentle Queen, on the other hand seemed to be absolutely devastated and Peter couldn't blame her. The image of her sorrow, tears and utter heartbreak etched on her face when Aslan told them the news was one he'd never forget. Though she didn't protest Aslan's words, she was a dignified Queen.
She did surprise her siblings by stepping out and rushing to the new King of Narnia. Their embrace while short lived, was full of passion, causing the crowd to murmur in sympathy and surprise. Too soon, she broke away from him and followed her siblings through the archway.
Someday, I'll fall into you
That's where I'll be now when the end comes, oh
I don't say I hardly knew you, oh
'Cause where would I be then when the end comes?
The High King knew he failed his sister again...
Looking back, all the signs were there. He knew how the young Telmarine looked at his sister when they first met and how he had wanted to cut him down for his blatant staring. Afterwards, the Prince's eyes seemed to always follow his sister whenever she was in the same room as he, but Peter wasn't surprised. He knew his sister's beauty was unperilled and that songs and poems were made in her honor, praising her beauty. Also, the many proposals he and Edmund had received back in the Golden Age. But Susan was never interested in any of the proposals, again only that fool Rabadash, drawing any sort of interest from the Gentle Queen.
So it came as a surprise to him and his siblings, how friendly and welcoming their sister was towards the Prince. Not that Susan was ever rude, but she had always been reserved around people, even with them at times. She had also went against him and sided with Caspian when it came to whether or not to raid the castle. Even going so far as to show him a few techniques when it came to the bow and arrow.
The thing that really should've tipped him off about his sister's feelings, was when she had given her precious horn to Caspian. He knew how much she loved her gifts from Father Christmas and wouldn't easily entrust them to just anyone...
Looks like you're living out on an island
Did you leave a number where I would find it?
When they had found out about their younger siblings Voyage on the Dawn Trader. Peter selfishly could only pay attention to his feelings of jealousy and pain. Not even bothering to look at Susan's face as Lucy announced Prince Caspian's engagement.
It was too bad none of them looked at Susan, as the spark in her eyes faded and unleashed tears filled those beautiful ice blue eyes. Quickly she composed herself, turning her back on her siblings as she regained her composure. Unbeknownst to them, she began to vehemently rejected Narnia and Aslan. As betrayal, agony and sadness filled her. What had she done to deserve such cruelty? Her devotion to her country and people was spat back in her face! Why had she been punished so? So many emotions and memories flooded her, it became too much for the Gentle Queen to bare.
You get along, your head is clouded
Your lungs are full of air, but you're drowning, drowning
You're drowning
Susan found it easier to pretend Narnia and her life there didn't happen, to just turn off her emotions towards the whole idea. So violently she rejected and lied to herself, she began to believe it.
Her siblings noticed the changes in Susan right away. How she'd roll her eyes and scoff whenever they had mentioned Narnia. She ignored the hurt in their eyes as she denied them the truth.
It did hurt her to see them hurt by her words and actions. Nevertheless, it hurt her even more when she thought of her beautiful country and the people she left behind. The bitterness and resentment had taken root in Susan heart.
Someday, I'll fall into you
That's where I'll be now when the end comes, oh
I don't say I hardly knew you, oh
'Cause where would I be then when the end comes?
No matter how hard Peter and his siblings tried, their Gentle Queen had left them. He didn't want to abandon her, he knew she was deeply wounded and in need of healing. However, each time he tired he was swiftly rebuffed and told off for believing in fairytales. He just couldn't understand, Its as if, she wore her indifference like a shield. Letting herself be surrounded by it and hiding in a place he couldn't reach.
He had never been this at odds with Susan, yes, they had disagreements during their reign, even so he always knew they'd be fine in the end. She had the uncanny ability to rise the most passionate emotions in him, as he her and both were able to sooth one another's emotions. Sadly this time, he couldn't penetrate the walls she erected around herself.
One night had been just too much for Peter to handle and solidified the ending of their relationship. She had calmly told him to stop believing in Narnia and that it was just a game they played as children. Her tone belittling and indifferent, as she put on her red lipstick.
"Su... please." He begged, moving over to her and placing two hands on her shoulders. His eyes burning into hers in the mirror. Trying to find his Queen, but she just blinked at him, eyes vacant.
"Stop it, Peter. I don't have times for your silly games. This Aslane and Narnia isn't real. It's about time you all grew up, we aren't Kings or Queens of anything." She shook her head, soft curls brushing his hands at her movement. "Now, I'm going to be meeting up with James. If you'll excuse me, 'high king." She mocked, standing up and checking herself out one more time in the mirror before quickly exiting the room.
He just stood there, eyes still staring at the door she had left through. He'd never imagine any greater pain than this, his Gentle Queen had lost her faith.
The part I'm holding onto would be the part
That I'm losing, part that I'm losing for
My heart is going onto you
So be the heart that I'm choosing, heart that I'm choosing
One night all seven friends of Narnia received a vision of the current ruler of Narnia, King Tirian. They couldn't make out what he was trying to say, but they all had a feeling of trepidation that something was very wrong with Narnia. So they had all come up with a plan, for he and Ed to grab the rings that Professor Kirke and Polly used to get into Narnia the first time. They all decided to meet up at the station and go from there.
He and Edmund were discussing a few different scenarios, when they heard the loud screech of metal on metal and then nothing at all.
He regain Consciousness and quickly sat up, looking around before looking down at himself in confusion before a smile graced his lips. He was in a Narnian outfit, fit for his station and he slowly got to his feet. Eyes moving over the lush meadow before him, his eyes finally landing on a door where many creatures and people were coming through. He felt chills looking inside, seeing vast never-ending darkness.
He was soon surrounded by his family members and friends. They all had many questions but that would come later as King Tirian came through the door. The High King was the first to greet him happily, but soon his mood soured as the topic landed on Susan.
"Unfortunately, my sister is no longer a friend of Narnia." He felt a pang in his heart as did his siblings, by the looks on their faces. He ignored Jills comment about his sister as Aslan came into view.
After closing the door to Narnia and finding out where they really were. The High King felt so much joy and peace for the first time in years. But much later, after all the reunion and celebrations with past friends. Peter found himself alone on the beach watching the wave roll in, his mind troubled.
"What is bothering you, High King," Peter jerked his head towards the voice of his Lord, Aslan.
"It's Susan." Peter could hear his voice crack and he felt his cheeks grow hot at his admission.
"Ah, The Gentle Queen." Aslan sighed, sitting down next to the son of Adam and stared out at the ocean with him. "You're wondering if she'll ever be reunited with you." The great lion stated bluntly, as if reading Peter's mind.
"Yes, I saw her a couple of days ago, but I miss her already and wish sh-" All of the sudden he felt tears spring up in his eyes. "It just doesn't feel right being here without her. She's all alone and she'll have to deal with our passing... I don't know how she'll handle all that by herself..." This time his tears spilled over as he looked pleadingly at his Lord. "Please, Aslan, please help her come back to me and the others! I know her faith is still there, I was foolish to just give up on her."
The great lion stared at him for what seemed like hours before he gave a soft chuckle of approval. "Your love for her is endless." Aslan then got up, "Susan choose to not face her pain instead giving into her feelings of bitterness and resentment. She let herself forget me and her time spent in Narnia. Susan allowed herself to become a shell of her formal self. But worry not, High King," The lion then breathed on Peter, making the King feel at ease and less burdened then before. Aslan started to walk away before stopping at the bend and turning to face the High King once more. "I am already helping her." And he was gone.
Someday, I'll fall into you
That's where I'll be now when the end comes, oh
I don't say I hardly knew you, oh
'Cause where would I be then when the end comes, comes, oh?
Susan stood there, eyes wide with horror as she stared at the scene before her. Crushed and twisted metal was everywhere and in some areas still smoking, the floor littler with debris. But that's not what caused her throat clamp down hard on the scream that was begging for release. Her eyes were drawn to the white sheets that were stained red covering many bodies.
She was being held back by the fire and rescue services and the police, but she had, had enough. She quickly took advantage of their distraction and broke through the barrier.
Its as if she instinctively knew where he was, because she passed several covered bodies before stopping at one in the middle. She heard a whistle behind her and yells, but she paid them no mind. All she could do was kneel down and pull back the sheet...
The sound she let out didn't even sound human as she reached forward, not caring for the pain in her knee's as she buckled and held on to her King to her chest. Beginning to rock back and forth as she held him to her, not noticing the wetness of his blood beginning to seep into her dress. No, no, no, no please no, please. She just saw him the other day! This can not be!
She pulled back to look at him, his once vibrant eyes now lifeless and dull. She looked at the rest of him and felt herself become mad with grief.
That's when she felt a hand grab her shoulder, she recoiled so violently she heard the person stumble back. Her half mad eyes gazed at the older police man.
"LEAVE ME!" She screamed in a guttural voice, her arms wrapping even tighter around her beloved brother. "DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH US!" She knew her voice would be non-existing the next day.
"Ma'am, I'm sorry for your loss bu-" Another police man came and probably told the man to leave her be because the older man walked off. But the other man stayed watching her quietly.
Her attention was already back on the body in her arms, before she spotted a familiar watch on another partial covered body right next to Peters.
After that, Susan couldn't remember much else because she passed out soon after the discovery of her younger brother body.
Months went by, but Susan didn't notice the passage of time. She felt empty, her whole family and a few friends gone in one day, leaving Susan all by herself.
She went through the motions, eating and using the restroom when needed but never really sleep. For every night she fell asleep, she had nightmares of her trying to reach the train station in time but never able to make it or the have nightmares of their dead eyes. Susan occasionally would also dream of a lions mane in a forest, but as soon as she caught a glimpse it was gone.
Her days were spent in her once parents home, not needing to work due to the inheritance she had received, but she'd give it all away if that meant being with her loved ones again. She would also visit her families grave often, sitting by them and talking about the many games they used to play as children. Especially the one where they were Kings and Queens of a land called Narnia.
She even went so far as to engrave each of her sibling grave with there title. High King Peter, The Magnificent, King Edmund, The Just and her dear little sister Queen Lucy, The Valiant. Oh, how they loved that game, they had often played it at Professor Kirke's estate.
She tried to remember the real ruler of Narnia, but like her dream in the forest, the name seemed to allude her. She wished she could remember, Peter would talk about the ruler often, but unfortunately she would tune him out. Why was she so difficult? She should've listened to her brothers and sister when they talked about Narnia. She was sorry for her whole behavior towards her siblings and now there was nothing she could do.
After tidying her siblings and parents grave, she decided to take a walk around the town. It was mid afternoon in October and a chill swept in, causing Susan to shiver into her coat. She briskly passed by many shops before stopping to look at a statue of a great lion by a park. She felt as if the lion was watching her and felt a tingling sensation in the back of her mind. As if she was waking up from a long slumber, the memories began to resurface. A great lion standing before a cracked stone table, a lion breathing on a statue of a faun and bringing him back to life, a lion attacking a witch as she fought her brother...
Susan didn't pick up on her accelerated heartbeat, nor the tears that began to fall from her eyes as a great shame filled her soul. She knew his name now, Aslan... a sob escaped her lips as she approached the statue and caressed the stone mane. Oh the pain was great in her heart as she bowed her head. Sorrow and remorse replaced her shame but what also began to fill her was hope. She knew her siblings were safe in Aslan's country. That Peter was probably out riding to his next adventure, Edmund was lost somewhere in a book or playing chess, while dear Lucy was probably with the beavers or Tumnus for tea... She hoped that one day she'd gain her redemption back.
"Susan." Her head whipped around, her eyes wildly searching for the familiar deep voice. She turned away from the lion as she began to search for her King. "Su. Come." Her body turning quickly and starting to run down the side walk towards the voice. Yelling out quick apologies as she bumped into a few people but she didn't stop, she couldn't stop.
She thought she caught a glimpse of a familiar man's back who had long dirty blonde hair, broad shoulders and past 6 ft tall. "Peter!" She cried out to him, but he was already across the street and moving fast. Susan didn't even bother looking both ways as she raced after him. Crying out to the man she so loved and missed so deeply. At last, the man turned to her and she felt her heart skip a beat as she saw him again.
What she didn't see was the car barreling down on her, before it was too late.
Someday, I'll fall into you
That's where I'll be now when the end comes, oh
I don't say I hardly knew you, oh
"Susan, wake up." She felt a pat at her face, slowly she opened her ice blue eyes and met the familiar eyes of her little brother and sister both on their knees as they smiled down at her. "You made it! I knew you could." The faith in her sister voice caused Susan to let out a sound between laughter and sob.
In a blink of an eye, she sat up and tackled them both to the ground, not caring about her loud sobs as she clutched them to her. There laughter was unmistakable as they held her just as tightly, both siblings relieved to have their sister back.
Too soon, they pulled away and Lucy pulled out her handkerchief and dabbed at Susan's wet face. For once she let her little sister be the older one of the two, who soothed and mothered. She looked down and was pleased to be wearing a beautiful purple gown and dark cloak. After she felt somewhat in control of her emotions she realized who was missing.
"Where's Peter... and the others?" She bit her lower lip in worry, thinking they were still mad at her, but her siblings just smiled. Edmund reached out to lay a hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently.
"They're coming. Aslan came to us first, telling us you remembered and that you were going to be here soon." Edmond then stood up and offered a hand to both of his siblings, which both gladly took. "We were the closest, but the others are on there way." He finished, knowing that Susan only really cared to see Peter again. He knew their bond ran deeper than his and Lu's, that their separation caused great agony for the both of them.
He tucked both of their arms in with his as they strolled out of the peaceful meadow. His eyes peeking over to watch Susan's awestruck expression as Lucy explained where they were and what had happened. But soon after Lucy finished, Susan's eyes began to fill with tears of shame as she started to profusely apologize. He shook his head and cut her off. "Su, there's nothing to be sorry about. We should've tried more, like Pete, we should've seen your pain."
"I don't know if you would've gotten through... It only took me losing all of you to re-" Susan stopped as they all heard the thunderous hooves hitting the ground moving swiftly towards them. Susan's eyes were drawn to sound, as a horse came into view with a single rider on it.
As the rider and horse drew closer, Susan finally recognized the horse. She had ridden several time with the animal on her own horse. At first, she didn't comprehend releasing Edmunds arm, but what did register was her feet taking off towards the horse and the man he carried.
Once he was closer, The High King leapt off his horse and rushed to meet her half way. She saw that he was in his armor and almost laughed because she was right, he was off adventuring. They crashed into one another, arms winding around one another as his strong arms lifted her off her feet and spun her.
"Su..." He whispered breathlessly, burying his face in her neck as he breathed her in her vanilla scent. "You're here!" He tried pulling back but she refused to be parted. "Su, it's okay." He wrapped his arms back around her, one hand clutching the back of her head to him. "You're home."
'Cause where would I be then when the end comes?