Prompt: Eustace got turned into a dragon. If one of the other Friends were turned into a mythical creature what would it be and what would they learn?

Susan flew through the air. The wind was full in her face, her feathers ruffled in the breeze as she looped and twirled through the air. Narnia below was so beautiful. The sunset in the distance was golden; more beautiful than any she had seen from the ground. The trees basked in the last bit of the sunlight. There couldn't be anything more beautiful than this.

Susan looked back toward Cair Paravel. She knew they were probably wondering where she was. There were many things which needed her attention in preparation for the royal ball. I should go back, she thought. She glanced at the sky again. Surely they could spare her a little while longer.

She swooped down to the ground. There was some grain nearby, which she tried. To her surprise, she found it wasn't bad. She unhurriedly ate her fill and then hopped over to the stream and drank. The water was cool and refreshing on her throat. At the moment, it tasted as good as the best wine in Cair Paravel.

She flew up and perched on a branch. It was beautiful here. And as a bird, it was lovely.

A noise on the ground made her turn. Aslan stood below her and she flew down to him.

"Aslan!" she exclaimed in her new voice.

"My dear child," He said, His voice full of compassion and love.

Susan dipped her head. "I'm sorry for all that led to this. I now know that I needed to see what you were trying to show me."

Aslan gently nuzzled her head with His own massive one. "All is forgiven. Do you feel better?"

"Yes," Susan replied instantly. "It's – it's not so stressful being a bird. It's easier to live. You've provided everything I need and I don't need to do everything myself, like I felt I did." She paused. "Actually, I shouldn't have tried to do everything myself. I shouldn't have been so worried about – about everything. I'm sorry I wasn't depending on you to help me."

"You've begun to understand," Aslan said. "Remember my promise, as I care for the birds, I care for you even more."

"Yes Aslan. I know that now. Thank you."

"Are you ready to become human again?" Aslan said.

Susan started. "Already? Couldn't I stay like this a bit longer, Aslan?"

He shook his head. "Your brothers are looking for you."

"But it's so nice like this," Susan said. "I don't want to have all those worries again. I love being queen," she added hastily, "but I don't like getting so caught up and anxious about so much." Aslan remained silent, waiting for her to finish. "I feel so much better like this, freer, and being here with you..." she sighed. "And when I become human again I won't have that. It's just not the same."

"Dear one," Aslan said, "I am always with you and my peace will fill you constantly, if you allow it to. It's not only in this form that you can have peace. You will learn that in time."

Susan nodded. "Yes Aslan. But how can I learn it when I have so many responsibilities?"

"You will," he said. "Come now, dear one. I must go and so must you, but I will see you soon." He blew on her and within moments Susan was back at Cair Paravel, human once more.

She looked at the sky, remembering what it was like to fly and to see the sunset and to have no worries. She didn't want to forget those moments.

"Susan!" Peter's shout made her turn around. "Where were you?" he asked as he came up to her. "Ed and I have been looking for you everywhere."

Susan gave him a smile, a genuinely happy smile. "I was with Aslan."

Later that day, as she was telling her siblings about her experience, she said, "I'm not exactly sure what creature I was. It was a type of bird, but not any bird I've ever seen here or in the Other Place. Regardless of what it was though, it was wonderful to be."