Dearest Peter,

By the time this letter reaches you the first of the battles will be over. If you are reading this, then you must be through the worst of it, and for that I praise Aslan. I didn't want to say much about the conflict until I knew you were safely through the first skirmish, but now I feel I can tell you – I have been so afraid thinking of you, my brothers, fighting a real war! Your tales from camp are so alien to me; I can hardly believe it is really Peter writing to me of strategy making and of Edmund inspecting the troops. It all seems so strange.

I know that this is not your first time on a battlefield. You have proved yourself a great warrior before now. I'm not sure if you and I ever spoke about the Battle of Beruna; though it was only a few short months ago, everything from the moment the battle ended 'til the moment I first sat upon my throne has become a haze in my mind. My only lasting impression of that terrible day is that it was over in the blink of an eye, in a blur of heat and noise and blood.

I can barely believe now that I set my hand to my bow and took a life; however foul a life it was, and however little choice I had. I sometimes wonder if it feels the same for you. I cannot imagine how it must be to go to sleep at night knowing that you must fight for your life the very next morning. Beruna was bad enough, but at least then I didn't have time to think about it. I don't believe any of us did. Now, all I have is time to think, and mostly what I think about is how much I miss you both and how I want you safely home where I can see you.

Lucy tells spellbinding stories of her courageous brothers to Mr Tumnus, her ladies in waiting, and indeed anyone who will listen; of your bravery in battle and of Edmund's defeat of the witch. I believe you have both risen to the status of story-book heroes in her innocent eyes and it warms my heart to hear her speak of you so, especially Edmund. Do you remember how it used to be between them? I myself can hardly recall. I am gladder than I can say to know Lucy has been largely untouched by the horrors of Beruna; Would that I were as Valiant as she. I am sorry to say that I cannot dispel the trace of fear which clings to my heart every time I think of you both, far away where the fighting is.

Your news about Edmund both warms my heart and freezes my blood. I am so glad to hear that he listens to you, that he finding his place in his new life, and that the troops love and respect him. He always found it difficult to make people warm to him in the past; he really has changed, and I am so proud. But I can't help but fret when you tell me of his eagerness to fight and his seeming need to prove himself… I can only trust to you to look out for him.

Enough of this dismal talk; I shall turn now to happier things. You have told me much about your life at camp, and now, just for fun, I will return the favour and tell you a little about the new lives 'we poor women' find ourselves living as Queens of Cair Paravel. I'm sure you will find it all very dreary, but do indulge me as I have nothing much else to tell you, yet I don't want to stop.

Taking your advice, I stopped work on the tapestry for the time being (as it was becoming more a torment than the welcome diversion I intended it to be) and turned my attention to knitting a scarf for Lucy to keep her warm on her dawn walks. I made one of deep red wool, but I got a little carried away and it ended up being longer than Lucy is tall! Of course, she protested when I first tried to swamp her with the ridiculous thing, but when I told her it was on your orders she took a real shine to it and started calling it her "Peter scarf." Now I find her wrapped up in it even when the days grow warm, and I have just begun making her a cap of green wool which she has already dubbed her "Edmund hat!" The ludicrous child keeps us all merry from morning to night with her chatter and absurd little ways. I take such a comfort in her, I cannot tell you.

The plans for your homecoming feast are coming along nicely; I have ordered so much food I can hardly believe it. The dryads are going to dance for you, and the naiads will sing, and I have fireworks and many other surprises prepared for your return. If you get the chance I would be grateful if you could send a herald ahead when you turn for home so that I can get things ready and be waiting to greet you the moment you arrive.

What else? I have had several new dresses, in fact, a whole new wardrobe made for me by my ladies with Mrs Beaver for supervision; silks and satins and velvets of such beautiful shades and heavenly designs… I was quite overcome. I'm sure all this bores you no end, and Lucy would probably agree. She delights in twirling in a new frock as much as any little girl, but she quickly loses patience when she has to stand still for more than two minutes.

I know you think me vain and ridiculous, but to suddenly find myself surrounded by so many beautiful things has proved to be a blissful distraction. Whenever I find myself faced with a long, melancholy afternoon, I find that nothing quiets me more than just wandering through the halls of our new home, marvelling at the splendour of it. It makes me feel so peaceful, and when I eventually come to the presence-chamber and gaze upon the thrones that have been waiting so long for us to fill them, it reminds me that we four are meant to be here. That is a comforting thought, and one that I cling to when I begin to worry… At the present moment, I am sitting on my throne alone, writing to you. It is heavenly quiet and beautiful and I am content; but I cannot help glancing to my right and longing to see you and Edmund, back where you belong, next to Lucy and me.

I can hardly believe that I have only been here in Narnia for three months. I am so happy at Cair Paravel that I feel as if I have always lived here, and I hope I always will. I read back through this letter and I do not recognise myself. We all seem so much older now. Similarly, I can hardly believe it has only been a week since we said goodbye to one another. Time here seems to pass so slowly. I can only hope to make these weeks go faster by keeping busy, and trying to enjoy every moment of this new life. I know that you will return home soon, and then think how happy we shall be!

Lucy is calling me so I should stop, but I will not send this letter until I have written a short note to Edmund. You may read him the happier parts of this letter if he wishes to hear, but I would be grateful if you kept the sillier parts to yourself, and do not speak of them to me when you return. If you wish to respond, do so by letter; somehow, it is easier to confide things to the page.

Keep safe and hurry home, love Susan x

Dear Edmund,

I just wanted to write a few lines (seeing as you haven't yet managed to find time to write to me!) to tell you how much we 'poor girls' miss you and look forward to your return. Peter has told me all about your adventures it sounds thrilling, but you were probably right when you said that I would be far too soft for camp life. It is quite enough to think of the two of you doing those things! Though I can't pretend that I didn't still wish I was with you, even if it did mean sleeping outside and drinking out of a tin mug.

Peter says you have really come into your own as regards strategy, and I am so proud of you. The idea of attacking at dawn was a splendid one and as I sit here watching the sun rise over the hills, I feel sure that you are safe because of it. When you come home, perhaps you can show me all the plans and manoeuvres and sorties and whatever else it is that you call them? That would be quite close enough to the real thing for me!

I know you hate it when I try to sound like a mother, but I feel I have to say it, so indulge me. Be careful Edmund. Don't take too many risks and try to do what Peter asks you to do; he has your best interests at heart. Fight defensively and play to your strengths. You have many, and I am glad to hear that you are at last learning what they are.

I cannot wait for you both to return as we have so many nice surprises planned for your return! Apparently, Narnian victory feasts go on for days, and this one is to be no different. In fact, I intend it to be remembered as one of the very best, so keep safe and hurry home!

I love you very much. Let Peter hug you for me, you little beast!

Love Susan x