The Changing of Fate

Summary: When Susan's boat to America is caught in a storm that brings it to Narnia, Susan must figure out why she was brought back to Narnia when told it was her fate to never return and deal with her revived romance with Caspian. Set three years post PC.

A/N: I'm taking liberties with the ages of the characters in this story. Susan was 15 in Prince Caspian, Caspian was 16. In this story she is 17, Caspian 18. Peter is 18, Edmund is 15, and Lucy is 13.

I have decided to do away entirely with Dawn Treader, including the names of the lords. I have made my own lords and that is how it's going to work. I have also remembered that I have not yet posted a disclaimer, so here:

Disclaimer: I don't own The Chronicles of Narnia. Surprise! I did, however, mention it in my college essay. Not quite as exciting as owning it, but, I take what I can get!

I would like to dedicate this chapter to bookswalower and Anime Princess who both gave me the idea to have part of the story from the perspectives of the other English travelers. Thank you so much for your reviews and I hope you like this chapter!

Thank you to all my reviewers. I really appreciate the time that you take to write the reviews. I am very happy when I see someone has written a review, it really brightens my day. Also who to those who put me on their favorite stories list or story alerts, thank you so much.

The Changing of Fate

Chapter 5: Views of Three Travelers

Andrew walked out of the hall with his fellow soldiers, Sam and Fred. The king of this country had said they could explore and he intended to take him up on that offer. It seemed crazy, that there was another world. But, he was not quite too old to believe in such things, and having tangible evidence did even more to convince his wondering mind. This, of course did not stop him from pinching himself several times since he had arrived with the rest of the ship.

When Susan had greeted Caspian and informed him of their situation she had been different. She was a leader, much like those passionate soldiers who had lead men to war. She had changed instantly in front of him. She was suddenly commanding and completely confident. Susan was still the same young woman he had enjoyed getting to know the past few weeks, but she was much different now.

Slowly walking down halls, the young man was still trying to comprehend this. He glanced at his older friends and saw they were worse off than even he.

The palace really was beautiful, easily the most beautiful place he had ever been. Andrew took the time to look at the decorations in more detail than he had on his walk to the Grand Hall.

There were statues of many different kings and queens lining the halls. Tapestries and paintings decorated the walls. Gesturing to his friends, Andrew called the small group to a halt.

"Look at this guys," pointing to a large tapestry. "Is that Susan? It sure looks like her. Her siblings as well, you remember the picture she showed us of them."

"My god, you're right Andrew," Sam said. "But, it's a battle scene. Surely they don't allow women to fight."

This particular tapestry showed the battle at Aslan's How. Susan could be seen clearly at the top, standing on the structure with her archers. Peter, Edmund, and Caspian stood together with the other Narnians in the foreground, looking out to the hall as if looking out to the Telmarine army.

Fred took the moment to remind them in his quiet way, "She did say she knew how to use a bow and arrow…a long time ago. Obviously, Susan was referring to this period of time."

The trio walked together again until Sam pulled them to yet another tapestry, this one smaller, but even more vibrant than the others. It showed the scene before the Pevensie's went through the tree back to England on their last visit. Aslan was sitting majestically to the side, surveying the others. Peter, Edmund, and Lucy were saying goodbye to their friends on the opposite side. Caspian and Susan stood in the center, holding hands, the opened tree seen in the background.

Andrew felt a faint sting in his chest. This two dimensional tapestry had captured the growing love Susan and Caspian felt, and their heartbreak. The young soldier had not tried to hide his growing affection for the pretty girl, only two years younger than himself. On a boat where the majority of passengers were older and married, it's not like there would be much competition for Susan's affection. Andrew had not seen the need to protect his own heart. The soldier had begun to feel for the young woman, believing he had a chance for her returned love.

Until he came here. Until he saw Caspian's eyes light up with joy when Susan turned to look at him in the throne room. Until he saw this tapestry. Until he saw their previous parting.

And Andrew, being the good person he was, was willing to bow out of the competition for her affection. It was obvious that this king held her heart. She looked happy in these scenes of Narnia, like she was finally home. So he would not begrudge her a happy love.

Still, he could not help the stab of jealousy for Caspian as his understanding friends lead him away.

*****

Professor Theodore had been going to attend a conference in New York where he would give a speech about the wonders of history, his chosen field of interest. This detour to a country called Narnia was quite the roadblock in his plans. Nevertheless, Theodore was a scholar at heart and took any opportunity to learn fully and completely. There had never been a greater opportunity for him to learn than being dropped in a completely different place with its own culture and history, undiscovered by pretty much all of his world.

The idea left him quite giddy.

Thus it was obvious that his first stop would be the library, where he could soak up knowledge with very little interference. After taking the directions of a passing maid he came upon the double doors that lead straight into a brilliant room full of gilded books. It was a bit dark, so as not to ruin the books with too much exposure to light, as was to be expected.

Clapping his hands in delight, the Professor skipped over to a shelf and began browsing the titles. There were a few funny ones that looked dreadfully old titled along the lines of Humans: Myth?, as well as Legends of the Fauns and Songs of the Mermaids. There was a whole section on the mysterious Aslan that Theodore promised himself to return to. It was however, another old section that gained his attention.

Around thirty beautifully bound books were carefully arranged together. The section was titled The Golden Age. Having heard Susan speak of her rule during this so-called "Golden Age" he was naturally curious to read these books in particular. Among the section was a group that went together, Volumes I-VII. The Professor carefully took the first volume down; an air of anticipation went through him.

Reverently, he sat down on a comfy looking chair with a table and began to pour over the story in the book. It told of the Pevensie's life, a little of their life in England, but soon turned to Lucy's first trip to Narnia, the trip of Edmund, and finally the trip of all four siblings. He learned of the younger brother's betrayal and salvation, Peter's bravery, Lucy's faith, and Susan's…well…her innate ability to lead and comfort, but also her strong will and ability to fight. Theodore was amazed at the events such young children had gone through; he had a hard time picturing the girl he knew as the one who had experienced such things as in this history book.

It was only a few hours later that Professor Theodore finished the third book, the second and third detailed the beginnings of the Pevensie's reign. He was very impressed by their politics and was surprised that these young children, younger even then his grandchildren has been so successful at ruling a kingdom. He was also intrigued by the knowledge of Susan's many suitors. The book had told of her great beauty and gentleness, the author thought she was aptly named as Queen Susan the Gentle. In this regard, Theodore had not problem connecting the Susan in the book as the one he knew in life. He had witnessed firsthand Susan's kindness and generosity, not to mention he had noticed her striking beauty. Yes, he had no problem at all connecting the two in those regards.

In the books young Susan had been portrayed as a bit of a warrior queen. The author had praised her skills in archery both on and off the battlefield. Susan had always been calm in the length of time Theodore had known her, but he did notice how well she had got on with the soldiers. Obviously, the young woman had been drawing on her own experiences and knowledge in battle to connect to the young men.

Susan really was a hard person to understand fully. Theodore doubted he would have ever noticed even half of her layers had he not wound up here in this mystical land. He continued to read as the day passed on.

*****

Sarah Jones was a middle aged woman who prided herself on her ability to feel the emotions of others, if somewhat distantly. She had seen two husbands pass on suddenly and had been going to meet her third in New York City. Because of this, she was no stranger to love and heartbreak. The instant Sarah had met Susan she had felt her carefully hidden sorrow, much too strong to be because of a simple school girl crush, or even a bought of serious, unrequited love.

When she realized this, Sarah knew Susan was not all that she portrayed to the world. There was something deeper and mystical about her. There was such grace and beauty in the young girl, confidence she had not seen in any but those truly knowledgeable of their abilities and gifts. Susan had to be noble. Or at least something of the sort, something that was able to give Susan the manners and graces of a queen, the quiet ability to take charge of any situation when called upon.

It was gratifying for Sarah to know that she had been right in her assumptions. It was also pleasing for her to finally know the reasons why Susan had felt so different than what she should have been. Why there was an amazing array of abilities that were out of place in a teenage girl.

Not to mention, Sarah had the reason now for why she had felt such heartbreak. Susan had never mentioned her heartbreak on the boat, even when Sarah brought up the subject of love and men. But it was obvious that there was something between Susan and King Caspian. Susan had been so heartbroken because she had had to leave the man she had fallen in love with to return to her own world.

Susan must be a strong woman to be able to carry on so well while shouldering the heavy burden of a tragic loss. The two, however, were now together and Sarah was looking forward to watching love bloom once again.

*****

A/N: I hope you all liked this chapter. I should be doing the conversation between the Pevensie parents and Susan soon, but I'm not sure when. Thanksgiving break is next week and hopefully, I'll be able to write more then. Once again, if there's anything you want to see in the story, tell me in a review and I may put it in. You all are giving me wonderful ideas.

Please review, it really brightens my day. Thanks for reading!