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.

Return to me

She stood between Mariska and Lucy upon the steps of Cair Paravel awaiting the return of the Narnian Army, or at least those who had

gone on this latest mission. Her brown haired blew in the wind around her face; she had meant to have someone help her put it up but

had barely made it to dinner. Her hands came up and tucked the locks behind her ears. Beside her Mariska was speaking of some formal

engagement that was to be held at the palace in a few weeks and how there would be several fine gentlemen attending. Susan glanced

momentarily over at the faintly elder women, her eyebrows slightly raised.

"Will Prince Racine of the Trigan Islands be attending?" Mariska glanced at her, and smiled brilliantly.

"Why actually I believe he will be attending. From my understanding he will also have an advisor of some sort with him." Susan's eyes

dropped to the stone stairs before her and she mumbled Nicolette's name. She felt Lucy's small hand pat her lightly on the back.

"Come now Su wouldn't want to look down in the dumps when the boys return." Queen Lucy stopped her comments short at the sight of

two horses coming quickly out of the woods and into clear sight. For a moment Susan thought something maybe wrong, however she

quickly realized it was Peter and Edmund. She felt Mariska leave her side and begin to nearly run towards her husband. It was then Susan

spotted him, the massive beast that captivated her mind and stole into her every dream. Her first instinct had been to run to him, much

in the same manor as her sister-in-law had done towards Peter. She allowed herself to imagine herself throwing her arms around him,

baring her face in his powerful form. Him lifting her up and off her feet, as she kissed his neck, and slowly made her way to his lips,

never letting go of the grip around his waist. But, the monarch held back knowing how at the very least questionable it would appear.

She watched as he stopped and gave a quick hello to Mariska, and shook Peters hand firmly before bowing his head and approaching the

steps. The centaur gave a small glance at the tiny satyrs collecting the King Peter and King Edmunds horses. Glancing to her left, Susan

noted Lucy was gone; she had already drifted down the stairs to see Edmund, and from her understanding of the dinner conversation

convince him to escort her to Lanterns Waste, so that she could attend a gathering with Mr. Tumnus. Her ears prickled up at the sound

of rough hooves on the marble stairway, by the time she looked, Oreius stood beside her. For a moment she thought he was going to

throw his arms around her, but the look on his face was quickly replaced by the general she knew so well.

Oreius found himself staring at the queen who held his affections the moment the last tree was out of his way. She was a vision of

perfection standing on the stone staircase of Cair Paravel. Her dress was a bright ruby red, and fell elegantly over her form. It had a

smooth empire waist, and see through sleeves. (I don't know what there called, think Arwen from LoTR, e-mail me if you know what

there called) The neckline dropped just above her breast, showing ample cleavage and yet still forcing one to imagine what may lie

beneath. She was a goddess, and he wanted her. He was so distracted he nearly past directly by High King Peter and Princess Mariska,

catching himself at the last moment, he shook the kings hand, and bowed at the couple before moving on. Susan appeared distracted and

for a moment Oreius became worried she would not wish to speak with him. After all why would the finest female in the kingdom wish

to speak to him, while her brothers were also returning from battle? He approached her, stopping at her side and looking down at her.

In his mind he considered lifting her into his arms and carrying her to his chambers, but swiftly fought back down the feeling. He bowed

slightly before the gentle queen, and she returned the action with a smile. He felt his heart race, and then suddenly her smile

disappeared, and a grave frown marred her gorgeous face.

"What happened? Are you alright?" Her concern, and words flew through his head, her soft hands reached up and grasped his upper

forearm. Oreius gasped slightly at the feeling of slight pain, and the surprise of the young queens' tender touch.

"Ore…general how did this happen? Are you sure whatever it was wasn't poison? Dear, you really should be seeing the healer rather

then standing here, were in Aslans name is Lucy? Lu, I need to see you!" Against his wants he pulled back slightly from her grasp,

shaking his head. Her incredible demand of what happened occurred on the battlefield both pleased and floored him. He offered what he

hoped was a look of reassurance.

"Your Majesty, I am fine, it is but a scratch I assure you. Just a minor scar will be left in a couple weeks. As to how this occurred, an

ankle bitter was thrown at me, quite by accident." He saw fire blaze behind her normally cool and logical eyes, a fire he rarely saw. She

lifted her dress slightly and called for Lucy once more, she then gently took his hand in hers and she stared up at him.

"An ankle bitter was thrown at you?" Oreius nodded, thoroughly confused as to where the young monarch was going.

"What solider carelessly threw one of those monstrosity at you? I swear in Aslan in name they will be…" Oreius carefully, thread both

of his hands through her, and tilted his head, lowering his large form closer to her. Susan felt her breath hitch in her throat and she

stopped her ranting and looked into the generals eyes.

"My dearest queen, I am most pleased to see you're concerned however it was a minotar who was taken down by your younger brother,

almost moments after the diminutive goblin hit my arm. It is just a minor cut, High King Peter forced me to have it looked at, once we

returned to camp. I must ask though that you allow me to please hold onto this scar, they are matters of pride to centaurs." Susan looked

at the centaur feeling her chest tighten, she was unsure if she should be taking the generals words as appreciation for her reaction or if

she should taken them as they sounded. Which sounded almost to her, as if he was patronizing her, a queen of Narnia? Oreius shook his

head once more, and cursed himself; he could almost see the thoughts racing through the queens head.

"Queen Susan, I know that you already understand the importance of scars to centaurs. I'm just… I'm ok, and I don't like you fussing

over me, I'm fine really." Susans eyes drifted to shyly look down, berating herself for her childish reaction and silently thanking Oreius

for saving her from what could have been a grave error. She glanced at there joined hands, swaying slightly, her mind drifted to the

thoughts she had given into earlier, the same ones that had nearly made her late for the evening meal. She imagined herself in his arms,

while he carried her to her chambers. The way he would feel pushed against her, and how his breath would feel along her neck. She felt

herself becoming hot; she wanted the centaur so badly it almost hurt. Her gaze shifted and she noted Oreius groan as he looked into her

eyes. It was almost like being on the Splendor again. Susans thoughts raced all in directions that were unbecoming of a queen, she was

certain it would not be the first time girls dreamed of, especially with the passionate beast in front of her. She shivered slightly at the

thought of what it would feel like, her whole body felt surreal, and she barely noticed when her brothers and sister called out to tell her

they were heading to the stables to look at a new unicorn colt. If they noticed her current situation, standing hands entwined with the

centaur general, they said nothing. She felt herself sub-consciously leaning forward. Her body moved slowly closing the gap towards the

centaur, moving as if to wrap her arms around his waist.

Soft clicking of claws brought Susan back from her day dreaming. She promptly felt Oreius drop her hands, and suddenly a feeling of loss

over her. Quickly shemoved to stand back further from the centaur, and smoothed down herdress.She sighed softly, wishing for the

lostsoothing contact with the male she was in love with next to her. Turning she looked down and saw Mr. Beaver waddling towards

them. In a way it was cute, at least to watch how the small animals moved just like the ones at the London Zoo back in England. As the

middle aged beaver reached the pair he stood up on his hind legs and bowed slightly to the queen. His expression was serious, and for a

moment Susan was taken aback, realizing once more just how human the little beast looked when speaking or using body langue.

"Your royal majesty, I must apologize for the interruption. General Oreius, there is an ambassador and a military attaché from Novi to

see you. He says that it is of the utmost importance and was quite distressed to discover you and the kings were away from Cair

Paravel." Oreius stood staring at the small brown haired mammal in front of him. For a slip second he considered step on the little

interruption, but decided against it. The royal family would be most displeased if he was to crush the beaver, although he often

wondered who one would fear the most the monarch's of Narnia or Mrs. Beaver if something was to happen to the slowly aging being

before him. He nodded to the beaver in understanding. When he looked up at Queen Susan he noted how her eyes seemed to be staring

through Mr. Beaver.

"My Queen, if you would please excuse me, I do believe duty once again calls. Perhaps you would be so kind as to tell your brothers of

this occurrence, thus allowing Mr. Beaver to show me to my visitor who I have no doubt will also wish to speak to High King Peter and

King Edmund as soon as our meeting concluded." Susan smiled softly up at the beast, and noted how he lowered his uninjured arm

allowing Beaver to quickly climb up and wrap around his shoulders. It was quite an amusing sight, and she fought back a laugh. She also

thought of how she wished to be Beaver wrapped around Oreius.

"Of course General, perhaps however we could met later this evening to discuss what occurred while you were gone." Oreius looked

confused for a moment, Susan the Gentle was not one for war stories. He smiled inwardly at the realization she wanted to see him,

unfortunately it would be unfair to require the queen to remain awake in till this meeting was over.

"I'm sorry Queen Susan; this meeting is likely to run quite late. I will almost certainly be required to remain while the ambassador and

attaché speak with your brothers. Perhaps we could speak tomorrow after breakfast is served to your family. I no doubt will be staying at

Cair Paravel this evening, and for the foreseeable future." Susan nodded at his words, depression was quickly settling in as the general

turned down her request. Her mind kept telling her, he was doing it for her own good, however her heart felt like he was turning her

down, never mind the fact that she would see him tomorrow after the dined with her siblings.

"That would be just fine General Oreius, I will visit your quarters after I have dined." Her words sounded unsure and frightened. The

idea of once more being in close private quarters with the general sending shivers up her spine.

She was so enthralled in her own day-dreams she did not notice Beaver glancing back and forth between her and Oreius, his tiny brows

furred in concentration. His little brain twisting around ideas that until only recently had appeared foreign in his mind about the general

and queen. Perhaps Mrs. Beaver was correct, and that would mean he'd lose the bet, and have to take her to the Lone Islands for a two

week vacation.

PLEASE REVIEW! It only takes a second and makes my whole day brighter, but please no flames I can't take them after I get home from work. The more reviews I receive the faster I write, its just like encouragement.

Author's Note: You willall want to make sure you check out the next chapter, big changes are about to occur, good changes for the most part. Unless of course you don't like this pairing at which point I'm confused as to why your reading this, not that I mind or anything.