"You have a habit of interrupting." Susan's breath smelled of chocolate when her whisper landed on the corner of his lips. He smelled roses from her hair whenever she moved close. Amid it all, he could still detect lilies."I'm contemplating on whether it was genuinely for wanting my company, or all the attention you are getting."

"And what have you decided?"

"I'll fool myself in thinking both." She was smiling and it was a beauty he hadn't seen in years. "And I will flatter myself and hold on to the former."

"Why aren't you celebrating?"

That earned him confusion.

He had found himself in a ballroom darker than Cair Paravel's, but in a celebration that was almost wilder and louder. What reason was there to celebrate? Smaug hardly thought of it, because he had found the people he cared for the most. Lucy was easiest to spot with the fauns and the Griffins. Edmund was with a small group centaurs and men. Peter was talking to a dryad. Susan was dancing. In the happiness and revelry, there was the sheen of darkness that kept everything muted. However, these four were pillars of color and brightness. They stood out even without meaning to. Lucy's laughter infected them in waves. Peter looked over each one with a lightness on his shoulders. So much relief and love for those he hadn't even met. Edmund, Smaug chuckled at this, was still as sarcastic as ever. The spark in his dark gaze forever shifting. Time surely had passed, but there were things that remained the same.

Susan's laughter broke his reverie. She was teaching a young man a dance and he was learning it. Smaug observed, not wanting to reveal his presence like the last time. What he was seeing was something precious. Their joy was a sunrise that broke the long darkness. The rays pushing through in tendrils before exploding, taking greedily what the darkness hid.

The man laughed, shy and embarrassed, when Susan fixed his arm position. She said something which earned another chuckle, but the man had determination coloring it. Around them, Narnians danced however the music dictated them to. When she decided they've spent so much time practicing on the spot, they danced. It wasn't the best, but there was fluidity and undeniable grace. On Susan's end, the wildness that Smaug had known the last time was still there. Tamed, but there. The man on the other, had a grace that spelled years of practice and discipline. His movements were measured and concise. To see them move together made Smaug realize something.

A transition from an old age to a new.

He cut in when the dance was about to come to a close. The young man twirled her away from him and Smaug took her free hand to pull her to him. They were making transitions didn't they? There was a pause, sharp turns, then a loud and ecstatic laugh.

"It's alright, Caspian. Let me go." Caspian's eyes widened, but he did as told. Susan twirled to Smaug and without any thought, he helped her twirl a few more times, skirts flaring to a myriad of colors. Grabbing her waist, he let her hands free. Arms stretched before her and her hair whipped to her face. Her form that of a swan. He hoisted her up for a moment before setting her down. He would've ended it there, but Susan leaned back so smoothly that he could only support her.

It was how they ended up like this, swaying side to side and no longer the center of attention.

"Not celebrating?" She pulled back to meet his eyes. "What kind of celebration is this then?"

"Freedom and of a new age." He would've said then that he knew her a bit better than anyone else in the room. To a degree, even better than her siblings. He was never as open as she was though, especially to emotions past pride and wanting. "What of your homecoming?"

"It still is, but this is no longer our Narnia. This is home, but so much has changed." A breath. "She sings a different song and needs a new accompaniment."

"Can you still find your happiness here?"

"Of course. This is home. I'll always find happiness here." Contemplation colored her face. "I'm scared of losing the chance."

"Don't you want to stay?"

"I hardly have a say."

"You have a choice to stay with me." He whispered, more to the top of her head than to her face. "Would you like to stay with me?"

In the distance, he saw Caspian with the other Pevensies dancing with fauns and dryads. Some other women, probably of Caspian's same descent, were being invited to join as well. There was a gap, but Lucy easily bridged it. There was also a dour-faced dwarf in red who would've preferred a drink than a dance.

"Middle Earth is no longer as vibrant as your Narnia, even after war and desolation, but there are havens that I would like to show you." He didn't say that his land would've learned a lot from her. How the kings would've respected her power and women would find the initiative to let loose their courage. He didn't say how he thought that maybe even the revered Lady Galadriel would be impressed of the trials and tribulations the Gentle Queen succeeded through. "And I am sure that you will appreciate it."

Contemplation that rarely passed her face at these moments, came. Smaug, in all honesty, hoped that she was going to say yes, even when they've been through this so many times. Was it wrong to hope?

"I wouldn't take the choice."

"You can bring the others with you. I know we need Lucy's light, Peter's chivalry, and Edmund's mercy."

"No."

"But?"

"I will come to you." She glided closer, their bodies swaying in sync. "I will come to you as long as you welcome me."

She's afraid. He lamented the fact that this Susan never was careless or joyful whenever they were together. Something would always be pulling her back from being the happy child that he first met her as.

So he did nothing but accept her answer and reassure her that he would be there to welcome her always.

"Su." Lucy's chipper voice broke whatever moment they were having. "May you introduce us to your friend?"

Beside her stood Caspian, who looked embarrassed in contrast of the Valiant. He looked uneasy as well. Smaug thought that it might be the fact he stole Susan from him. Another was how he acted close in comparison to other humans.

"It'll always be Susan who befriends the rarest ones." Lucy filled in while Susan slowed her movements, her eyes trained on the intruders. "I believe this one's a half dryad. The height and the lankyness, no offense, gives it away."

"Your Majesty..."

"Enough of that Caspian. You are crowned king. No honorifics among family."

"I apologize for stepping in your dance and stealing."

"Ah! N-no. That is alright."

"I wouldn't be trialed for stealing a national treasure." Smaug mused out loud. "Are you sure?"

The new king straightened, wit in his dark eyes, "Queen Susan isn't an object to use in such context," He looked at her with a smoldering gaze. Smaug detected affection and admiration. "But she is a treasure to us all."

He admires Susan. No. It wasn't just that. Caspian adores Susan. Who wouldn't? Who wouldn't when graced by the woman hailed most beautiful of the most beautiful age?

"I appreciate the sentiment, Caspian." Honest emotion swam in her gaze. Smaug would've preferred to keep holding her, but she was Queen and he was just a lowly stranger. He stepped back, as he always did. "This is Smaug. He became a dear friend of mine."

In the end, Susan clung to his arm and dragged him anywhere she was needed. He met eyes with Peter and Edmund, some Telmarine lords, dryads who were sure he was of mixed descent but with no idea of what, and centaurs. The kings treated him with veiled surprise but with quick acceptance. Edmund called him 'old friend' which was sign enough.

Poor Caspian was clueless to the why of such dynamic.

"I'm sorry." Said for another time, this time uncounted. They've crossed ways with another dryad who confirmed the speculation of his heritage. Something new was when he was asked if his blood was more green than red. Susan had gripped his arm so hard and shook with restrained laughter. He had the grace to say that he hadn't really taken it to such account and whisked the Queen away. They weren't even far enough when she giggled and not that long when it became full blown laughter. "I'm sorry. I couldn't help but expect that you were going to say your blood is gold!"

"It's not." He finally said once she didn't look like she was going to laugh again. "Their blood is really green?"

"Yes." A giggle slipped and he thought she was going to another fit. Thankfully, she continued, "What color is your blood?"

"Dark." He seldom shed blood, especially in his dragon form, but the few times he did he remembered quite clearly. "The color of your dried blood is mine fresh. Dark."

She just nodded.

Her eyes wandered and he caught sight of Peter approaching. It wasn't that hard to reconcile the bearded High King of old with his younger counterpart. Physical differences aside, Peter had the same gait, angle of shoulders and searing gaze. Susan slipped out of his hold and wrapped her arms around Peter which was returned.

"Take care of him." And there was no clarity on whether it was for him or her brother.

"King Peter."

"Smaug." An easy smile passed his countenance. "I hope you understand my envy. I've never had the chance to talk to you in length."

"I don't know what we could talk about."

Peter chuckled with a shake of head. "I disagree. We have a ton to talk about."

Of course. "Susan."

"I owe you a lot of thanks. What's it like?"

"What do you mean?"

"There are things that anyone would hide from their siblings. With Susan, I believe she keeps as much as she gives."

"She's still her." Smaug answered after a considerable silence. "She keeps but gives something she deemed equal. Did you know that she never told me that you were kings and queens?"

"Ah! I thought of that when you visited us. And also that we know you."

"What's more surprising is the fact that you believe her."

"Lucy told me." Peter grinned.

"You wouldn't notice it back then. You were quite enamored with that lass you've been dancing with for... Three? Four songs."

Peter didn't blush but there was a small tilt in his smile that meant all the difference.

"It seems so long ago." Smaug commented softly. They were facing the ballroom and all the dancing felt removed. The rest of the royals were dancing with the fauns and dryads. It was a strange dance of twisting and continuous switching of partners. "You grew into people that I never expected but wouldn't regret to see."

"Thank you, Father."

Smaug hissed. Peter barked a laugh.

"It's hard. It's only been a year back in England and I remember how I swiftly forgot things." A deep breath in and a slow exhale. "But then, when we transitioned here everything came rushing in and it felt so fresh. It still does."

Lucy dragged the dwarf dressed in red (again) to the dancing while Caspian escorted a... Badger. There was whistling and jesting.

"I thought the feeling of being in between will be over as soon as we're back here. I was wrong."

"How long had it been?"

"A thousand and three hundred years."

Smaug froze and snapped a look at Peter to see if he was jesting. Of course, he wasn't. "A year in exchange to a thousand!"

Smaug missed the sight of Lucy being twirled in the air by Caspian as Susan and Edmund moved under the dryads' raised arms. The dwarf furiously refusing to be lifted. The Badger grinning as he sneaked away. In their little corner, a long silence spanned.

"I cannot relate, but I understand. You never saw the end of your age. All you saw was the aftermath and the things you need to know are long lost." What he caught was Susan's gaze and the way her face became teasing. "Susan grieved and worried for those you left behind."

"It's haunting," From the corner of his gaze, Peter's shoulders sagged for a moment. "To realize how many what if and what could've been situations had crossed my mind, and hoping for the best didn't do anything."

"You can only do so much."

"Would that be your lesson for me?"

Smaug blinked in confusion at that. Peter chuckled in return.

"Your lesson in translations."

It took a few moments before realization came, but it did. Huff of amazement and a puffing of chest in pride to hide the relief.

"Do you really seek a lesson from me?" Disbelief in tone and a smirk on the lips. "You are determined to make me feel like your father, aren't you?"

Blank faces.

Laughter erupted in the grand hall and everyone who heard paused. The dancers too, awkward positions just to look at where it came from. Reason? It was loud. It came from the deepest parts of one being so rarely let out.

Smaug was laughing and Peter was laughing with him. It wasn't a sudden burst of laughter even, but long. When they quieted down, everything continued with higher spirits. After centuries of sadness, tension and war, such was sought and welcomed.

"Here is what I leave you then," Smaug grinned. "When you cannot understand, try. If that doesn't work, then trust."

That silenced Peter enough to contemplate what he meant. Obviously though, Smaug left it at that.

"Of course."

"Peter!" Lucy rushed to their direction, arms wide open and smile just as so. "It's been so long!"

"It's not like I've soured up Lu."

"Oh, you've had." Lucy laughed. "Ed, tell him how sour he got ever since we came."

"I've laughed!"

"Chuckled? Yes. The weird strangled sound of anxiety and false security? Definitely." Edmund shook his head. "Laughed? Just now."

"Why is it even important?"

"Because you are a giant stick in the mud with a larger stick shoved up your arse."

"Susan!" Peter's horror only resulted to more laughter.

"Oh come on, Pete." Susan rolled her eyes. "Caspian could attest to that."

The prince, much to Smaug's entertainment, was grasping at straws for something neutral.

"It was a tense time for all of us. I am sure freeing Narnia is enough reason."

A look passed between the four. "Modest."

"As ever."

"Give me a few years, I am sure to learn much with exposure to such majesty."

"Patronizing."

"That's new."

Smaug saw the dimming of Susan's eyes and without any hesitation reached out to hold her hand. A squeeze was enough a recognition and thanks.

"If he can just, even just a bit, stop being so formal all the time."

"Do tell that to Susan, Lu."

"But that's only during strict formal functions and during official court. Even then, Susan needed to be the responsible one when you boys play that game of yours. Isn't that right, Su?"

When their gazes turned to them, Smaug instinctively pulled his hand back. He would've succeeded, if Susan hadn't laced their fingers and, if it was even possible, tightened her hold. So he didn't let go, not that he wanted to.

"Truth." Her smile was radiant and she even chuckled. "Someone had to keep things in check."

Amid laughter and agreements, Caspian was looking at their linked hands.

"And speaking of manners, may we be excused?"

Peter's smile was easy, Edmund's calculated curiosity and Lucy's? Plain excitement.

"Of course, sister Queen. Do not let us hold you."

"I second our sister's words. The night is still young."

Susan was clearly keeping in her amusement at being the center of conversation. "My High King?"

Peter approached and engulfed her in his arms, awkward as it was that she was holding Smaug's hand. A kiss to the forehead and some whispered words. When he stepped away, the words that followed were clear.

"Take care of my sister."

Smaug bowed. He would've mocked and smirked, but these children had seen so much and such words should never be taken lightly. He had seen them grow and it would be a disgrace to even dare so. "I will do my best."

"May Narnia prosper in this new age, King Caspian." The surprise on Caspian's face was remembered but it wouldn't last that long to the forefront.

Susan led him out the ballroom, diffusing any chance of outside conversation with the set of her shoulders. They weaved through the castle hallways. With what he saw, he concluded that he liked the sharpness and even the cruelty, but not the sorrow. Even the celebration couldn't hide it. No words were exchanged even when there was a tension that demanded it. He knew, the timing wasn't right.

Twists, turns, and stairs, he counted and tried to remember. Whatever happened and however long it went, it had an impact to the woman that held his hand. He had no idea where they were going and he would've asked if he wasn't too curious as to the why. Even to that curiosity he was quiet about, taken by the sight of her against the gray failed to be forced bright by the festivities of the new age.

"Cliffs?" Amid all the questions he had, this slipped when she pulled him out a balcony and the first thing he did was look down. "Unless they have another way to escape an attack would be—"

"Smaug." He turned to be welcomed by her smile and calm blue eyes that danced with amusement. He looked down when she squeezed his hand. Her other hand came up and pushed away the hair that fell on his face. "Listen."

"To what?"

He heard her chuckle and slip away from him. Instinct dictated that he grasp the hand that slipped away from his hold. Grasp it tighter. His hand was already halfway there when she motioned to what was around them.

"Listen."

Darkness welcomed him with an exhale and the sounds magnified not only in volume, but in detail. He was first bombarded with the sounds of the celebrations and how the ground vibrated with its strength. It took him a few minutes to block it out and let his hearing reach past. Merriment received him still. The celebration extended to the city around them, reminding him of the old days of Dale. He muted that easier and grasped for something beyond that. He pushed, farther and farther, searching for that song that she wanted him to hear.

He was never blessed to hear Arda's song even when he tried to listen, rare as the attempts were. He found himself wishing that Narnia would give him a chance, even for a bit, the same way its inhabitants did. Given that he hadn't heard his own land's song, he didn't know what exactly he was listening for.

Frustration danced along the seams of his searching journey, the tune they're dancing to unheard. He heard the rustle of leaves and the movements of the wind. He heard the whisper of the deep chasm that surrounded the castle. He heard so many things that were hardly what he would consider a song. Amid it all, he could hear the tinkling tunes of treasure, gold and gems. Their beckoning crystal clear. How quick he figured out where it came from. How easy it was to do. How instinctive. A part of his mind was already breaking down the worth of conquering and thievery. His frustration mounted with every thought that followed that train.

"Breathe."

One word snapped his thoughts to silence. Everything to silence.

He felt her chilly hands wrap around his own, pulling them upwards. It was a great temptation to look, but he could feel her eyes on him. It was a surprise his eyes didn't fly open when she set his hands on her neck. He jerked back. She kept him in place. The contact threw a new train of thought, unraveling and overlapping to reach answers. Why?

Her pulse thrummed underneath warming skin as it moved through motions of her breathing. He listened to it, deep and even.

How easy it was to tighten his hold and to hear it stutter.

Even, like the gaze she had on him. Observation.

How easy it was to twist then watch that ever existing curiosity break. What emotion would follow? Surprise? Disappointment? Betrayal?

His fingers twitched, every muscle ready.

How horrifying.

Her hands disappeared. Panic pulled at his nerves with a grin. His throat clamped control. Hold still. Fear kept his eyes closed. Don't look. Greed called it as nature. Nature called it nurture too. Her hands reappeared. On his chest. Over his heart.

"I trust you."

Tension bled.

You're a good dragon.

Tension died.

What could he say to that? His disbelief and sarcasm was nowhere to be found. Whatever amusement he used to find about her attachment to him was long gone. Emotions and actions that he realized were walls he built, now absent. Two questions were left.

How? Why?

Afraid of the answers, he kept his lips sealed and instead pulled her closer. Carefully. Slowly. Carefully slow. Her hands moved from his chest to his waist, then around his back. She settled against him, her head tucked under his chin.

He couldn't hear Arda's song. He couldn't hear Narnia's. He wasn't sure if he was already blessed to hear their songs and he just wasn't listening. What he was sure he could hear and was definitely listening to, was Susan. Her breathing. Her pulse. Her heartbeat.

He wrapped his arms around her and pressed his lips to the crown of her head.

Peace and wonder. Maybe this was Narnia's song.

Maybe it was Susan's.

He wished it was Susan's.

Note:

Chapters after this one are gonna be made from scratch, so it might take longer. I'll do my best to still update regularly, but I admit that I do not have much time. I juggle a full time job + another fanfic + worldbuilding an original work that I wish to turn to a webcomic. Wish me luck. Here's to hoping it doesn't take me years.

I would love to hear what you guys think of what's happening so far.