Story: One Must Always Expect the Unexpected

Author: The Evil Pink Squirrel of Doom

Summery: Susan falls in love with someone who had been right at her side since entering Aslan camp. However, there are many difficulties for a gentle queen and a centaur general. Susan/Oreius.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, but if I put on my ruby slippers, and click my heels three times, click…click….click…damn I got nothing, it all still belongs to the god known as C.S. Lewis, and Disney, who seem to own all.

Actually I call it… Till The Death

Oreius watched as the prince came to stand close to Susan, and as Susan responded by giving him a sweet smile. The

centaur felt his stomach churn with disgust at the display, and he prepared himself for the final blow. He knew that

no matter what he claimed, if Queen Susan accepted a proposal, and wed Prince Racine, then he would request the

right to marry Nicolette, so that he may remain in the Queens presence, no matter how badly it tore at his heart.

He also knew however he would not stand in the way of Queen Susan's happiness, even if it was with an arrogant,

egotistical, pig. He shifted his weight, as the Prince glanced at him, and then turned back to Queen Susan.

"My dear, may I have the honor of escorting you too dinner and giving you some suitable…" the prince stopped and

glanced at Oreius, as if he was a sickness "company for this evening. Perhaps, we could even come to the beach after

the meal and have a nice stroll; I heard that a few nights ago you had wished to go." Susan glanced to her left, her

eyes meeting those of the large beast standing beside her for a moment, and then she returned her eyes to the

prince. Her mind was on overdrive, she had hoped to walk to dinner with Oreius, perhaps find out what had exactly

happened four nights earlier. She had wanted to apologize for what she had said, and what she had done. It was at

that moment she realized a major factor in the situation. Life is about chances, everyday is a risk, she told herself.

Taking a deep breath she smiled sadly at the Prince, then her voice full of regret answered his question.

"I'd be honored if you'd escort me to dinner Prince Racine." Oreius felt was little was left of his strength collapse, at

those words. He began to prepare himself for what came next; he noticed the smug grin that the prince held on his

face. Then he felt it, the warm female form pressing close into his side as the queen encircled his forearm with her

own arm, he glanced down at her, but her eyes remained locked with the princes.

"However, I regret to say that General Oreius has already requested that honor, and I've accepted his offer." Susan

smiled up at the general, preying that he would not say something. He glanced down at her, and graciously returned

the smile, a rare sight indeed. Although, his eyes asked several questions, and showed his confusion.

Prince Racine, stood there for a moment, almost as if he didn't understand what was said. His eyes flew to the

general, his body stock still. Oreius glanced down at him for a mere moment before returning his eyes to his queen.

"What do you mean with him…? Susan he isn't appropriate for you too spend time with, he's nothing more then…

then… Then… a soldier, a creature." The shorter male sputtered his words, as Oreius watched the same fire that

he had seen unleashed at him just days prior, turned on the man at there side.

"Queen Susan, Prince Racine, we are not on informal terms, nor do I assume we will be in the near future. As for

General Oreius, he is exactly that, a general and brave warrior, he defied a false queen in our homeland, to defend

my brother High King Peter, knowing he would probably be turned to stone. This centaur was chosen by Aslan

himself, to be his general, and he remains my nations general, and will continue to remain my nations general. He

has proven time and time again to be a worthy… companion." She stopped and took a breath, she could smell

Oreius, and the ocean, it all felt right and good. She only hoped that this evening would turn out better then before.

She leaned her head against his strong arm, and glared at the Prince.

"Now, if you will excuse as Prince Racine, I believe dinner is about to be served. Let me say though, I am dreadfully

sorry that General Oreius requested my arm first, however in all fairness I have not spent as much time as I should

have with my delegation while here in your fine nation." Racine went to turn and leave, a deep purple cloak flowed

behind him, like some mid-evil bad guy. He spun around, and smiled once more in distain. (Wow, same thing I feel

towards the Red Wings, especially Manny Legacy tonight)

"He will not be welcome at our table Queen Susan, and there will not be room for you at his table, plus, I am sure

he has most pressing matters to attend to with Nicolette." His eyes turned to the general, and Susan felt herself

grow cold.

"She tells me you both have become quite close these last couple weeks, it would be a shame to upset such a

blossoming relationship by escorting another female to dinner." Oreius shifted under the pressure, as he realized

that he may only making things worse by doing this. His eyes shot down to Queen Susan, her arm was no longer as

tightly wound around his, as it had been moments ago, her head no longer rested comfortably on his upper-arm,

what made him feel worse yet, was she appeared to be holding back tears. He chose his words carefully and stood at

his full height before the prince.

"Yes we are quite close, but as your head advisor I am sure she would understand this situation, that Prince Racine

my duty requires I stand by my queen, and that I protect her at all cost." Racine appeared somewhat stunned by the

centaur's words.

"At all cost? How, clichéd." The Prince stopped for a moment and shook his head in disbelief.

"In truth your highness, I prefer to say I will stand by the four thrones till death." Susan felt her lips tug up at the

sides, as memories of Peter telling her of the Generals audacious effort to protect him from the White Witch. How

he had been turned to stone, after attempting to buy him time, that he so desperately needed. Her eyes remained

glued on the Prince as he once more turned and began to walk away, across the sands and back towards the castle.

"His father will no doubt be furious." Oreius like normal was the first to find the ability to speak, for one who spoke

so few lines, one listened to what he had to say, and he had very little trouble in figuring out something to say at any

time. Susan laughed lightly at her thoughts, smiling broadly at the confused look from the centaur.

"His father can be angry; I will explain I only accepted a dinner invitation from a war hero and friend of the realm."

Oreius found himself unable to stop the next comment as it tumbled from his lips, his eyes looking down at the

queen, full of humor.

"I never asked if I could escort you too dinner Queen Susan, I am actually supposed to meet up with Nicolette in the

Great Hall." Susan felt her heart fill with fear and drop once more, this is it she thought I am finished taking chances.

She answered however truthfully, although leaving out certain parts.

"I could not stand being around that oaf, especially for another meal. I am sorry if I have ruined plans that you had for

this evening General." Oreius looked down at the queen, and tucked her arm snugly around his; they began to walk

down the beach, his hooves hitting the ground beside her bare feet, the water attacking the lowest part of her dress.

His mind, against his intentions once more, went in a direction that it should not. He wondered what it would have

been like if he had simply accepted the queen's request earlier in the week, would they be walking now as lovers,

rather, then as a queen and her faithful servant.

"You have not ruined my evening your majesty; you have simply made it more pleasure…pleasant." Susan felt

herself blush slightly at the generals near words, she attempted to lift her dress up slightly and away from the surf,

but found it was difficult while carrying her shoes.

"I wanted this time to…well to apologize for my actions, during our last meeting." Oreius glanced over at the

ocean, and sighed. His large body fit so comfortably against hers, he never wanted it to end, and although he knew

this conversation had to happen he had hoped it would take a back seat for a few more hours at least, perhaps in till,

he stopped himself from thinking once more feeling his body grow warm. He brought them to a halt beside a large

rock face, and moved to take both the queens hands, cringing slightly when he felt her tense momentarily, causing

him to drop them, one landing on the hilt of his sword, the other running across the back of his neck.

"It was my fault your majesty not your own, if was after all I who told you that you should take an escort with you to

the beach." Susan looked at the centaur, he had always been difficult to read, and now she was no better off then she

had been in the past. She wanted to feel him, to kiss him, to find out what he felt like under her small hands, she felt

herself needing him. Still though she forced herself to speak rather then to act.

"General, I am sorry but I guess I miss understood what you had meant. I thought that you wanted me to go with an

appropriate companion, and I simply felt that a proper escort would be you." Oreius felt himself grow weak with

her words, his mind flying in ever direction, most of which like always ended up in the bedroom, or even on the

beach. He noticed at that moment the water that was hitting her dress, and the shoes in her hand.

"Queen Susan, please allow me to take those." He took the shoes from the queen's hand and smiled at her, she felt

her heart soar. She reached over and brushed some sand off of his fur, near his mid-equestrian back. At the

movement Oreius felt his body fully betray him, and the warrior quickly realized how this innocent incident, was

quickly becoming something more on his part. He knew the queen could easily notice his passionate need, and feared

learning of her reaction. Although, it appeared as though she would enjoy, his fantasies, he understood a need to do

something which would make it difficult for her to notice the need, a need he was now showing openly. Thanking

the lack of light, and lack of additional company, he came to a decision, although he knew well it could only make

things worse, he asked her the one question a centaur never asked, unless it was of a potential two-legged mate.

"Have you ever ridden on the back of a centaur your majesty?" His voice was strained and his skin was burning with

need for the young queen. This whole trip was a bad idea, he thought, as he watched the queen blush, and shake her

head. For a moment he thought that perhaps she understood the meaning of his question, or even worse the reason

why he was taking such drastic measures.

"No General, I have never had the pleasure." She was looking at him through her eye lashes, and was giving him a

shy smile. It was then he realized something for sure, there would never be another who would have his heart, he

could not wed Nicolette even if the gentle queen did not want him, hell he'd never be able to feel another against

him, and feel want or need.

"I realize your majesty, that you request I never again touch you but, I was thinking that well…" Susan looked at him

in the eyes with the same look she had given him as when he'd laid her down in her bed, after there argument.

"General I believe most, if not all that I said that night I did not mean, and I would be honored to feel your soothing

touch, and hear you call me…well you get the idea." She stopped, suddenly unsure of the words coming from her

mouth. Oreius recognized that he needed to get them both moving soon, or else they would never reach dinner, and

anyone might come across them and realize his situation, worst of all the Queen may realize his problem, and be

horrified at the display. He shifted slightly; of course there was always the chance she would be pleased with what

could happen. He decided that even if the Queen would be willing to take him as her first and only lover that a

quickie on the beach, would not suit her well. She deserved more then him, more then the tremendous pain that

would accompany their first coupling. He stopped himself as he thought about the unique pleasures his experienced

form would be able to grant her. He stopped his train of thought as she reached up and stroked his check softly. He

removed her hand from him and smiled at her.

"Then my queen, perhaps the perfect time is now, after all we need to return you to the castle in time for you too

change and reach the Dining Hall before dinner is served." Oreius saw the queen nod, apparently unfazed when he

called her, his.

"Of course General, that would be most adequate, just as you are." He felt himself faultier slightly, at her words,

for a moment his mind returned to the numerous possibilities, before moving to help lift her upon his back. He

groaned low in his throat, as her soft hands reach up and around his chest, her slight weight upon his powerful back,

he returned her shoes to her grasp, and thanked Aslan for this moment of pure pleasure, before taking off towards

the castle, concentrating on where he was going, and staying out of sight, not wanting anyone who may know

tradition to come across them He also feared someone to spotting how badly he wanted the queen.

PLEASE REVIEW! Reviews are the cause of my speedy writing, while they don't make me write, they help me take the time to sit down and put them on paper. But, please no flames, I can't take them when I get home after work. I could also use some extra support, the Detroit Red Wings, the best team in the NHL blew a 2-0 lead going into the third period, were defeated by the Oilers 4-3, and eliminated from the playoffs by a team that made them by the skin of there teeth, so yeah major blow to me tonight.