Susan's eyes were full of sorrow as she saw Caspian's face fall. Peter had just announced that to serve as an example that the Telmarines could trust Aslan's word, the four of them would be going through the tree, back to their world and never to return. She could see the heartbreak in his eyes. They had become so close in the weeks since Miraz's downfall. Her heart felt like it was being ripped from her chest. Her whole life she had never felt like she belonged in England. Narnia felt like her one true home. How could Aslan expect her to leave?

"Susan?"

Her head snapped in the direction of the voice that called her name. Aslan's eyes bore into her soul. She felt an overwhelming pressure in her chest, and tears welled up in her eyes. He smiled at her gently.

"Walk with me, Susan," he commanded. She complied, and was quick to his side. They left the courtyard, and went without speaking for some time. She enjoyed the peace, the tranquility that surrounded them. It was a relief from the cacophony that filled the court.

"My dear, I know you have come to feel Narnia is where you belong," Aslan started, breaking their silence and turning to face at her with a look of sympathy. "Narnia needs a queen. However, I am afraid if you are to be that queen, that leaves you with a choice. And, once that choice is made, there is no turning back. You must accept the reality of your choice. Are you prepared to do that?"

Her gaze fell.


Caspian and the three other Pevensies waited anxiously for Aslan and Susan to return. Caspian couldn't help running his fingers through his hair every two seconds. He prayed that Aslan wanted to talk to her and allow her to stay. Never had he met a woman like Susan, and if she was allowed to stay then he wouldn't waste any time in asking her to marry him.

"What do you think they're talking about?" He heard Edmund ask to Peter, to which Peter simply shrugged his shoulders. It left Caspian more on edge, thinking that perhaps they were discussing something else, rather than Aslan allowing Susan to remain in Narnia.

It seemed like an eternity passed before they returned, Susan with a lost expression. She smiled in his direction before facing her siblings.

"I'm staying here."

Those words hit him like an arrow. He almost couldn't believe what he heard. She was staying. His heart soared in his chest and he wanted to let out a cheer.

Lucy's face lit up in excitement. "We can stay? But, what about the Telmarines? Who's going to show them that it's okay to go through and that they can trust Aslan? Are we going to rebuild Cair Paravel?"

Susan put a hand on her little sister's shoulder, "No, Lu. We aren't staying. I am. Aslan gave me a choice. He said that I can stay, but if I do then I can never return to our home world. I never felt I belonged there. Narnia has always felt like home for me. So, I'm staying."

Tears welled in Lucy's eyes. Unable to speak, all she could do was let out a heart wrenching sob and fall into her sister's arms. "What if I never see you again?" She cried, hugging Susan tight around the waist.

Susan wrapped her arms lovingly around Lucy and kissed the top of her head. "Didn't you hear Aslan? This isn't your last time here, yet. I believe we'll see each other sooner than you think," she assured the young girl and pulled away ever slightly to wipe the tears from rosy cheeks. She then turned her attention to her brothers. "Look after each other, and take care of Lucy. No more of those petty fights, Peter," she teased, a hand pressed against each of their cheeks.

The two kings felt no shame in their tears as they wrapped their arms around their sister. She was always the driving force out of the four of them. The calm and collected one. The caretaker. Yet, somehow also the strongest. They would never forget what she'd been put through while in the captivity of Rabadash — to which both prayed that history never made it into Narnia's history books. She always showed such a hidden strength. What would they be without her?

"What about mom and dad?" Peter asked, concerned as to how they could possibly explain the circumstances to their parents. Surely Aslan didn't expect them to tell their parents that Susan had chosen to stay with a king in a magical land and be believed.

Susan gave a half smile. "Aslan explained to me that if I decided to stay here, it will be as if I have died in our home world. It's not fair on mom and dad, and it's absolutely not fair on you guys having to keep that secret, but I can't go back there. It's not where I belong. Do you understand?"

Edmund quickly pulled her back into his arms and kissed her head. "Of course, we understand, Su. It's going to be hard saying goodbye. But, I know Narnia has always been more of a home to you than England," he assured her lovingly. Leave it to Edmund to be the first to reassure her. They were so much alike, she and Ed.

Peter approached Caspian with an expression one could only describe as remorse. A hand on his sword, he pulled it from it's scabbard, "Give this to her, when she's more sound of mind. She deserves it more than I," he handed it over with a bow of his head, a show of respect.

Caspian gave Peter and empathetic smile, "As you wish, my friend."

Peter turned as if to leave, but held his stance for a moment more, "Caspian?"

The new king snapped to the attention of his superior, "Yes?"

Peter glanced toward Susan, hugging and comforting their younger siblings. "Take care of my sister. She has been hurt by the ambition of a young king once before. And though she is far from delicate, she is still my sister and I want to make sure that you will protect her even at the cost of your own life."

Caspian was at loss for words. He couldn't fathom what had happened, but he knew without a doubt that he would do what Peter asked in a heartbeat. Susan's safety would always be his top priority. He reached to shake the hand of the other king, "On my life, I vow to put her ahead of myself. Always and forevermore. You needn't worry about the safety of your sister, for as long as I live to protect her," and the look shared between them said Caspian was telling the truth. She would always be his priority.

Far too soon, it was time.

Final goodbyes were said. Tear filled eyes were brushed to no effect. Eventually, Susan stepped back and watched one by one as her siblings went through the arch. Tears ran down her cheeks and a sob tore it's way through her lips. No one else noticed. The Telmarines who wanted a new life followed behind the three Pevensies without another thought, and it was as if her whole world hadn't just come crashing down without anyone to care.

All except one.

Caspian came up behind her and a placed a hand on her shoulder, "I'm here with you," he whispered in her ear.

It was a turning point for her. She bolted around and quickly brushed her lips against his in a passion filled kiss. He wasted no time in returning it fervently. How long he had waited to feel her lips on his own. He rested his hands upon her waist and pulled her close against his chest. How he wanted her. He wanted her more than anything...and now he had her.

Just a warning for the second chapter, it immediately starts off with a sex scene. I'll insert a break so you can skip if you prefer. Hope you enjoyed the first chapter!