A/N: Hiya. A shorty, this time x Currently working on my thesis for my RN-program, so I won't post as frequently – not that I did in the first place, alas x But I will certainly try! It will be easier now that the story will turn into a dynamic series of events, that's for sure.
Some Caspian x Lucy (x Susan) fluff/angst ahead!
Soundtrack:
Heir to Winterfell – Ramin Djawadi
Enjoy!
Despite acquiring one out of the three artefacts, which was a feat itself, Lucy had never felt more helpless and down. Days had passed since the attack of the dead in the clearing, and the images in Lucy's head still flashed by. The sound of bones breaking, the vile creatures' shrill screams, the storm in the night. Voytek…
Lucy didn't remember much after his last breath; she was vaguely aware of Caine's arms around her, his hushed and comforting voice, and his warm presence at her side as she struggled to breathed in her state of shock, the state which she was still recovering from.
The soldiers had stayed behind to take care of Voytek's body, as he was too large to even move. A single paw was heavy enough for one man, and so, he was given a pyre there.
Before Lucy could see what had become of the great polar bear, Peter had taken her upon his horse and led her back, and Edmund had sat with her that night by her bed. Her sister, injured and weak, had been carried back and brought into the hospital wing at the castle, where she had resided for two days until she felt strong enough to return to her chambers. Lucy had visited her with Peter and Edmund the morning after to change shifts with Caspian who had sat with her into the early hours.
The days had flown by, and it seemed like everyone was in a stressful state. She knew they worried about her, for her siblings and friends and family had given her a lot of space, almost to the point of isolating themselves from her. She didn't blame them; she did not speak much these days and did prefer to be left alone.
Now standing in the Great Hall before the tall and slim windows, Lucy gazed through the frosted, coloured glass into the woods. The snow had melted from the trees, and the weather had turned into what felt like spring, the rays from the sunset conforming it, as they had not even seen the sun these last few weeks of winter. The sun shone delicately through the windows, embracing her warmly, colouring her a hue of gold.
It was delightful, and a sign that Talulah's powers had regressed, and yet, Lucy couldn't find it in her to be thrilled about it. Not even a smile. Not when she knew how much had been sacrificed to come this far. Not when she hated herself so for what had happened.
Deep in thought, a gentle call of her name from behind her tore her away from her difficult musings, and she turned around to see Caspian standing at the foot of the two steps leading up to the platform. Surely, audiences had wrapped up for today, and he had found her here.
He wore a look of concern, and his brows furrowed when he saw her glossy eyes, reddened with tears.
"How are you feeling?" the oldest King asked, his brown eyes sad and filled with empathy. Lucy sniffed once, and quickly dried her face with the back of her hand. She did not look at him, simply kept her eyes to the frosted glass, basking in the warmth of the sun.
"Why did it have to end like this?" Lucy asked, ignoring his question. Her voice cracked with emotion, and he straightened up to face her before she spoke again:
"We've lost so many, Caspian… Good people… Friends… How many must die for us?" she asked, now meeting his gaze. He looked at her as he always did. Warmly, but now, he was patient as he listened.
"Hey…" Caspian begun, a hand resting on her shoulder, "Lucy, no one could have foreseen any of this… Please, don't blame yourself for any of it. As for the people we've lost… I'm sorry for it, I truly am…"
"I just wish…" Lucy begun, her voice faltering. Feeling emotion overcome her, she took her hands to her face as she let out a broken sob.
Caspian took her in his arms when she leant towards him, and he held her against his chest as she wept. He felt his own heart brake as she cried against his shirt, shaking against the sobs. The poor girl had been through so much, so much death, suffering, and frightful experiences, all by herself, and only just now had she managed to process some of what had happened. She blamed herself, as did he. And so, he simply held her against him, stroked her hair, and rested his chin on top of her head as he looked out through the frosted glass.
"It's okay, Lucy… I wish it could have been different, too…" he replied, feeling her small stature shake against him.
Not saying much after that, Caspian simply held her. Frankly, it was a relief to see her outburst of broken emotion, it showed them she was aware. It seemed less dangerous than the quiet, empty shell she had been these last days.
Lucy was glad to have him there just then. She deemed him a brother, and she needed her family now more than ever. They needed each other for their survival, lest they went insane with worry for another.
Caspian noticed movement in his peripheral vision and turned his head slightly to see Susan coming towards them up the stairs with gentle steps. Her hands in front of her in subtle concern, she walked towards him with her saddened gaze upon her upset sister.
She was still pale and slightly sickly-looking, he noticed. She wore a light brown dress with a cream underdress, and her raven locks down in gentle waves to hide the fading scar on her neck. She looked as tired as he felt.
And beautiful… A pang of longing and ache struck his heart, and he cursed to himself that it had to be so.
Susan stood before them, sharing sombre looks with the man before her, and she was very happy in that moment that he was there to comfort Lucy in her moment of distress. He was wonderful with her siblings, so much it made her heart sting sorrowfully - she still felt awful for what she had said to him that morning.
Being aware of the words she had said to him and feeling guilty for it, she was then utterly surprised when he stretched out the arm he had secured around Lucy towards her as a quiet invitation.
Tilting her head to the side in doubtful thought, Susan gave in as her sister let out a new series of distraught sobs, and took two strides over to them, ghosted her hand at Lucy's back, and walked into the embrace.
"Oh, Lu…" she whispered under her breath as she too engulfed her baby sister in a hug, whilst feeling Caspian's warm arms snake around her as well.
His intoxicating scent infiltrated her senses, and she closed her eyes as she kissed Lucy's forehead, before resting her head against Caspian's strong chest, finding comfort there.
Helping Lucy through her sorrow seemed to aid Susan into coming to terms with her own grief and pain, and despite the circumstances, there wasn't anywhere else in the world she'd rather be in that moment as she felt Caspian rest his head against hers, a sigh of peace escaping him as he held the two girls in his life in his arms.
In a moment of weakness and vulnerability, they had each other, and was a strength they could grow on.
They had each other.
A/N: A bit soppy of an aftermath, I know, but it's highly needed. Poor Lu, traumatized… I know I wouldn't be fine after that…
I hope you enjoyed this short chapter (I'll make up for it later!) and thank you for reading!
Bye for now, and take care until next time,
Best regards,
Dragon
