Hey guys! Guess what?! I'M NOT DEAD! Yayyyyyy! I have really been dragging out writing this chapter for some reason. Also I am going to change the POV again, sorry for the trouble!
Word Count: 3345
~Susan~
"Aslan where are we going?" She asked yet again, they had been travailing for a few days now heading to a location Aslan knew of. Aslan chuckled at her impatience,
"All will be revealed in time dear one." She sighed. Why did Aslan always have to be so cryptic and mysterious? She sighed and continued walking. She wondered how things were going back at Aslan's how, how was Caspian doing? She hoped and prayed that he was alright, the last she saw him he had a broken leg, and was half starved. And those were just the injuries she noticed.
"We are here." It was so sudden that Susan almost didn't notice he had said anything,
"Huh?" She asked. Aslan laughed and Oasis chortled.
"We are here." Susan frowned,
"Here where? Where are we?" Then around then petals started to dance and swirl in the gentle breeze. In her peripheral vision she saw Oasis lifting a paw, to allow the petals to move around it. Now she knew what type of creature the were meeting.
"Your majesties." Bowing gracefully.
"Hello Rosemaris. I thank you." Aslan said,
"What do you need me for majesty?" She asked. Aslan looked at her and she stepped forward.
"You see Rosemaris, my brothers and my- and Prince Caspian, they think Miraz captured me and I am dead. Is there any way Rosemaris, that you can tell them, warn then that I am still alive and that Miraz doesn't have me?" She smiled,
"Of course your highness." With that she swirled away gracefully. Then there was a sudden gust of wind and Susan heard a tune, from a long time ago.
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree?
They strung up a man
They say who murdered three
Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be
If we met at midnight in the hanging tree
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree?
Where dead man called out
For his love to flee
Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be
If we met at midnight in the hanging tree
She gasped at the enchanting melody and tear sprung out of her eyes, this was the lullaby she used to sing for Lucy back in the golden age. Well; Lucy and Ed sometimes. She chuckled bitterly at the memory and was suddenly overcome with a huge wave of sadness and nostalgia. She sat on the soft forest floor, pulled her knees up to her chest, and started sobbing. So many memories were running through her head;
"Peter I can take care of myself."
"At least take Edmund with you."
"Fine. I will take Ed, only Ed with me. I don't get why you don't trust him!" She shuddered and sobbed harder, that was when she was going to Calormen. Rabadash and his tricks.
"Climb on my back. And you may want to cover your ears." Aslan taking them to the battle at Beruna
"It's ok Lucy, I will always come back." Peter after being shot with an arrow,
"Ha! Su, Lu, what do you think? Who's the better swordsman? Me or Pete here?" the memories blurred together, swirling faster and faster and faster in a hurricane of images. Then they stoped. And Aslan was gone.
~Edmund~
"Peter we need to find her, if the Telmarines are all here then no one must be guarding their palace! We can sneak in and find her."
"Caspian's right Pete, that could work. We just need to be super careful." He defended.
"I don't know you two, who will watch and protect the how when we're gone?"
"Trumpkin can. We can just slip in, find her and slip out. I know the castle and I know where they'll be holding her. It will be super quick." Caspian promised. With a sigh Peter gave in and agreed.
"Fine, but we need to be quick. I don't want to leave the Narnians defenseless right after we got back."
"We won't I promise." Caspian repeated.
"Alright. We'll leave today at midnight." He said. Echoing his words from a few days ago.
~Caspian~
He climbed onto his griffon, unsure whether he felt exited or scared. He was feeling both perhaps. The thrill of adventure mixed in with the fear of returning to his cell in the dungeons. Beating his wings fast, the griffon Moonfall lifted into the air. She soared high and fast, hardly beating her wings, gliding swiftly through the air. In front of him was both Peter and Edmund, riding with their gryphons. Shortly later they touched down at the castle. Not many guards were on duty by the looks of it and he was glad about it.
He just hoped that he wouldn't run into Jackson or Ryker. "Peter, Ed. Lets go down to the dungeons first, if she is not there then we can split up and look around. Will that work?" He whispered to them.
"Yes, but lets hurry. I want to get back to Aslan's how fast." Peter insisted. He nodded,
"Ok." Carefully creeping down the stairs, the three kings snuck into the Telmarine dungeons only to find it... Empty?
"What? How is she not here?" He demanded in a hushed voice, he was sure that they would find her, and it came as a shock that she wasn't there. Till the he realized with a sinking feeling what would have happened and where she was.
"Lets split up Caspian. We'll meet back up with the griffons in 15 minutes."
"Only 15 minutes Pete?" Ed frowned, but Peter fixed him with a stern glare.
"Fine 15." Splitting up they scoured the castle. He checked all the places she could have been. The secondary dungeons, the highest tower, and any other place he could check without being caught. Caspian finally went to the last place he had in mind, with the smallest piece of hope left, that she might be there.
"Come on, please be here Susan, please" He murmured under his breath; he checked the stone prison and his heart shattered. Nothing. Just as he was about to turn around, and go back to the griffons when he froze. An icy sword point was placed right at his spine. With a single jab, he'd be paralyzed, and with two he'd be dead.
"Walk to the wall then turn around to face me." The bearer of the sword commanded. His heart was beating so fast he almost didn't recognize the voice. Almost. With his hands held up in surrender, he walked to the wall, the point of the sword trailing behind him the entire while. As he turned to face his captor, he felt the sword turn with him. Tracing a line from his spine, to his side, to right on his throat. Not once leaving his body. His eyes narrowed as they met Rykers, who was grinning diabolically.
"Well, well, well Caspian. I didn't think you would have the guts to show up back here. Especially not after that first escape of yours." Ryker paused, waiting for him to say something, but he remained silent. "Looks like someone healed you, is that right? Well now that your back, we'll just have to fix that won't we." Again, he waited, but he remained silent. "You made a mistake coming back here Caspian. You should never have returned. But, now that you are here, you are never going to escape."
"You will never see the light of day again. Your going back to your cell, and you will never come out of it. I am going to make you my slave, and I am going to make you scream! You don't know the meaning of true pain yet, oh but you will. I am going to make you scream your throat raw, and never do you hear me, never will you escape me. You were lucky to get out of here last time with only a broken ankle, but this time you are going to get much more. And don't get me wrong. I'm not going to kill you. No, you will be wishing, and begging me to kill you, to put you out of your misery but I won't. I am going to make you suffer each and every day Caspian. You are going to be too afraid of me to speak, let alone resist by the end of the week." Every passing second, Caspian's hatred for this man was growing. As he rambled on, his eyes darkened. This time, he wouldn't let himself be taken. No. This time. This time he would put up a fight. For Susan. Just as he was about to respond to Ryker, something caught his eye, and it took every single scrap of will power he had, to not smile.
It was Edmund, creeping up on him, dagger drawn. Caspian bit his cheek, refraining from smiling. Damn he was just barely refraining from laughing his ass off. But he knew that if he did, he was putting the whole plan in danger.
Step,
Step,
Step,
Step,
Step. And he was finally close enough. The dagger now rested on Ryker throat. His eyes widened in shock. Caspian easily twisted out of the limp sword and sauntered over to Ed, who just knocked out Ryker. He gave him a high five and they both started laughing their mind out,
"You should have seen his face!" Caspian exclaimed, between gasps for air, "He looked as if he had seen a ghost!"
"A ghost? I'm hurt Caspian! I look more like a handsome vampire!" Ed replied, choking on his own laughter.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night Ed, whatever helps you sleep." Patting his friend on the back, to return the air to his lungs they both straightened up.
"Alright, we should get back to Peter. He'll be super mad if we spend longer then we need to here." Sighing, Caspian agreed with him.
"You're right, let's go." Making their way back up to Peter, he couldn't help but recall what Susan had said to him, "I have a good feeling that you and Ed are going to get along." Well Susan, He thought, You were right. We do get along. And everything is finally starting to come together for me. Everything is getting better. But everything would be best if you just came home...
~Susan~
Just come home... Oh Caspian... I wish I could, but it is Aslan's wish for me to remain here, and as much as I want to deny it, I can't. She thought. She was laying down, facing the stars. She just couldn't fall asleep, her mind was occupied with too many things to count... Sensing her distress, Oasis nudged her and rested his chin on her stomach. She giggled and reached out to pet his warm snout. He licked her hand with his forked tongue and spread his wings. They flopped on the ground and the young dragon rolled over to his back.
"Oh Oasis... You remind me of an overeager puppy." He huffed indigently and she laughed. "Don't worry, thats a good thing." He chirped, happiness fully restored and she laughed again. "Oh Oasis." She repeated, shaking her head. She gazed up at the stars, trying to make out constellations, but alas, her old home changed. Old stars retired and new stars took up the sky, the sky never stoped changing. She like that to be honest, it represented new life. New hope, and freedom. Freedom to change, freedom to live. But most of all, the stars gave hope. Hope to all the Narnians, trapped waiting to be saved, hope that one day, new life would come and that their freedom would be restored.
"Oasis, do you happen to know where I could find some food?" There was a laugh behind her and she spun around.
"I don't think he does, but I certainly do."
"Aslan! Why did you leave me?"
"I needed to pay a visit to a certain friend of yours." Her heart started beating faster,
"Caspian?" Aslan simply nodded. "How is he?"
"He'll will be alright dear one. He has been through some painful situations and will need help recovering from them."
"My help?"
"Yours and your siblings."
"How should we help him?" She asked,
"That will be revealed in time. Until then, would berries work?"
"Sorry?"
"I can hear you stomach grumbling dear one." She blushed bright red,
"Oh... yeah. Thanks." Aslan laughed and shook his mane,
"Your welcome."
~Lucy~
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree?
They strung up a man
They say who murdered three
Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be
If we met at midnight in the hanging tree
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree?
Where dead man called out
For his love to flee
Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be
If we met at midnight in the hanging tree.
Lucy's eye's flung open. She thought she imagined the familiar, enchanting lullaby... but no. Now that she was awake, she heard it. The faint whisper on the wind.
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree?
They strung up a man
They say who murdered three
Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be
If we met at midnight in the hanging tree.
Lucy stood.
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree?
Where dead man called out
For his love to flee
Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be
If we met at midnight in the hanging tree.
Again... there it was.
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree?
Where I told you to run
So we'd both be free
Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be
If we met at midnight in the hanging tree.
Petals danced around her, the tune hanging on the gentle wind.
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree?
Wear a neckless of hope
Side by side with me
Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be
If we met at midnight in the hanging tree.
Lucy ran over to a sleeping Ed and shook him awake.
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree?
Where I told you to run
So we'd both be free
Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be
If we met at midnight in the hanging tree.
"Edmund. Ed." She whispered
"Lucy...? What is it?" He answered groggily
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree?
They strung up a man
They say who murdered three
Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be
If we met at midnight in the hanging tree,
"Do you hear that too? That's the lullaby Susan used to sing! Who's singing it now?" He frowned.
"The tree's. I think they're trying to tell us something."
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree?
Where dead man called out for his love to flee
Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be
If we met at midnight in the hanging tree.
Then, it hit her. "I think I know where Susan is!" She shouted, waking both Peter and Caspian.
"Lu? What's going on?"
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree?
They strung up a man
They say who murdered three
Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be
If we met at midnight in the hanging tree,
"Don't you hear that?" They paused for a moment and lifted their heads,
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree?
Where dead man called out for his love to flee
Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be
If we met at midnight in the hanging tree.
"I do. Thats the song Susan used to sing for us."
"I know what it means!" She told them enthusiastically.
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree?
Where I told you to run
So we'd both be free
Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be
If we met at midnight in the hanging tree.
"What does it mean Lucy?" Caspian asked carefully.
"You said that you guys didn't find her at the castle right?" The three boys shared a look.
"Thats right."
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree?
Wear a neckless of hope
Side by side with me
Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be
If we met at midnight in the hanging tree.
The song was growing fainter and Lucy rushed on,
"And this is the song she used to sing for us right?"
"Yeah... what are you getting at Lu?"
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree?
Where I told you to run
So we'd both be free
Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be
If we met at midnight in the hanging tree.
"The tree's know that she's alive! And they know where she is!" Ed looked at her with sadness in his eyes.
"Oh Lu. She took a hard fall, and landed on pavement. There is no way she has survived this long."
"No! She is alive and I know it! If you won't come with me to look for her I will go myself!"
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree?
They strung up a man
They say who murdered three
Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be
If we met at midnight in the hanging tree,
The song was nearing the last verse, and she was filled with confidence. She knew that Susan was alive. Now she just had to find her.
"I'll go with you." Caspian said softly. "Peter, Ed, I'll go with Lucy. The Narnians need you here." She looked at him, filled with gratitude.
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree?
Where dead man called out for his love to flee
Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be
If we met at midnight in the hanging tree.
The trees sung the last note and fell silent. She stood, anxiously awaiting their decision.
"Alright." Peter said with a sigh.
"But keep her safe Caspian." He nodded,
"I will Peter. I swear I will."
"Come on Caspian, we need to leave right now." She said, tugging on his sleeve.
"Now?"
"Yes, right now. She is waiting for us. I can feel it."
"Ok, we'll take Destrier. He has always served me well and should do the same now."
"How fast can you get him ready?"
"He is already saddled up, look." He said, grinning and pointing to his mount.
"Your majesties. I heard that you were going somewhere, so I saddled up your horse."
"Thank you Glenstorm." He swung up onto his horse and offered a hand to her. She accepted it and got on behind him. "Let's go Destrier." He commanded, urging the horse into a canter. "Find her Destrier, please find her." He whispered.
~Caspian~
"Find her Destrier, please find her..." He whispered to his faithful stallion. And they set off.
Well. That was it for chapter 5! Did you enjoy? I'm sorry if the ending seemed rushed, but I have been super eager to get this out, since I have not given you guys another chapter in forever. Also, I'll tell you what. If you get this fanfic to 10 reviews I'll post the next chapter faster, and I will respond to all the reviews. Plus you get a shoutout! So, review please!
-firevein