The following morning, Peter was grateful to find he was back in Narnia as his dreams were filled with sirens, bombs, and distant smoke. He swiftly readied himself for the day and went to find Susan. She quickly filled him in on Edmund's well-being. Peter was pleased to know the Madge and their father were tending to him. He would have gone to his brother's bedside first thing, but Susan's room was closer and he knew she would have all the details. According to her, Lucy's cordial seemed to be actually improving his health and he should be up within a few days- if not sooner. But as she spoke, Peter couldn't help but ask what was wrong as Susan seemed irritated by something.

"Nothing," she said, waving off his question. "I am thankful you are both home, safe and sound."

"So am I," Peter agreed, taking a seat at the table in Susan's living quarters. A large furnished living room that had a door the bedroom and another to a study. "Imagine my shock when I found Dad-"

"I can." Susan replied curtly as she moved to put away some of the scrolls that were scattered about the room. By the looks of it, she had been busy while Peter had been away. "I am glad he is all right."

"Susan," Peter hated to pry, but he could always tell when one of his siblings was upset. "What's wrong?"

"It doesn't matter now." She said and continued cleaning, only to disappear into the study. Peter was tempted to follow, but decided to wait. Sometimes this was a battle of time, not one of words. "Much has happened since you have been away. I shall have all relevant documents and notes sent to your quarters, High King."

"Fair," Peter knew he had a pile of work the moment he returned home. But still, he hated the way Susan talked to him. He wasn't the High King. Not to her- brother might have been a better word. "Have you heard from King Lune today?"

"None so far," Susan replied as she again glanced out the window at the light snow that was now more than a mere dusting on the ground. "I assume however, he will take his leave within a day. I do not blame him- he was not prepared for this kind of weather."

"I don't think anyone was," Peter muttered with a small chuckle. "But I am sure Aslan will be able to fix it soon enough."

"That's the thing," Susan's voice sounded even more tense now. "When you left, Lucy went to find Aslan and came up empty handed. I cannot believe she of all people would be unable to find him."

"Neither can I," Peter wasn't prepared to hear that piece of information. "But I know he's out there. Perhaps if I go look for him with her, I am sure he will turn-"

"It doesn't work that way, Peter." Susan snapped, making him flinch. "I went with her- Mr. Tumnus went with her on another occasion. Aslan cannot be found. I think it's time we give up on such a foolish venture and begin to face reality."

"And what's that?" Peter hated when Susan became overly rational- even if she was right. "Go home? Send Edmund to Archenland or the far north where they don't mind the snow?"

"I…" Susan drew a deep breath and paused to put another log on the fire. "I don't know why you brought him back."

"What?"

"Why did you bring him back?" Susan demanded, suddenly seething with anger. "Everything I worked for is gone, because of him-"

"How can you say that?" Peter found himself yelling at her. "How can you? He almost died, Susan!"

"I know, but-"

"There's no 'but'," Peter drew in a deep breath and turned to leave. "Stop being so selfish and don't talk to me until then." He shut the door to Susan's quarters with a slam and trudged down to the kitchen. He needed something to eat. He understood why she felt that way, but it was wrong. She should be happy their brother was alive. Susan had no idea what it was like waiting to hear if he was all right. True, at Beruna, they were all worried, but it was different then. They weren't behind enemy lines and there was no risk of all of them dying in an instant. There were no bombs or guns in Narnia. Nothing could hurt them here, not anymore.

Life was as it should be and yet, why did Peter suddenly hate it?

"Is everything all right?"

He turned to see Mr. Tumnus sitting at the kitchen table behind him. "No. Don't mind me, though." Peter grabbed a couple of what looked like carrots and was about to leave when the faun asked him to sit at the table. The King did this without question and the two sat in silence for awhile. "I am upset with Susan."

"I figured," Mr. Tumnus said, handing him a slice of cheese. "She worked quite hard to help the farmers and people of Narnia."

"I am sure she did," Peter had no doubt of that. But, still, it didn't excuse what she said. "But she told me it was better if Edmund was dead. I can't imagine her saying such a thing, but she did."

"That is quite difficult to digest, I am sure," Mr. Tumnus gently pat his head with a free hand. "However, I don't believe she is upset that Edmund is alive. Merely that the curse hasn't been lifted."

"And I don't know how to do that," Peter told him. "Nor did she find Aslan while we were gone."

"The Lion will always be by your side when you need him," Mr. Tumnus promised with a small smile. "But perhaps, there are reasons you and I cannot see that are keeping things as they are."

"I hope you're are correct," Peter said, "because it is still snowing."

"That it is," Mr. Tumnus agreed, "but I wouldn't mind it- I think what you need to do is talk to Susan. There is much between you that needs mending."

"All right," Peter would do that after he had more time to calm down. What Mr. Tumnus said may have been right- Susan didn't want her brother dead, but it still hurt to think she didn't want Edmund to return to Narnia. The King took another slice of cheese and made his way out of the kitchen. He wandered to the library to browse for awhile, then to Susan's room where he knocked on the door. "Susan? I came to talk."

"Go away, Peter." She still sounded upset from the other side of the door. "I know you want to discuss this matter, but I…"

He wanted to walk away, but decided instead to ask, "why are you upset? Truly?"

"You wouldn't understand."

"Oh, come on, Su. What if I promise to try?"

There was a small pause and then, the door of his sister's room opened. "Come in." Susan led him back to the sitting area and she took a chair across from him. "I didn't mean what I said about Edmund. I am sorry."

"Thank you," Peter was glad to hear it.

"But there's still something that's bothering me," she glanced at the floor, her hands resting in her lap. "And I want you to listen, before you say anything."

"I can do that," Peter was good at listening, or at least, he liked to believe he was.

"Well," Susan began after a moment to gather her courage, "I didn't want you to come back. Because I liked being High Queen. For once in my life, I felt I was worth something- not just a girl or even a nurse. True, it would be wonderful to be a nurse, but I don't want to give up the power I have- just because you came home. I worked so hard- so hard to help everyone return to the life they once knew. We feast every Autumn, Peter. We have enough food that no one is going hungry and I did that. I did that and I so proud of it- but now that you're here, I know I have to give the title back to you. Aslan was right, it is yours. He came to me in a dream a year ago and told me not to use it- but I was done listening to what men wanted me to do. So, for the last two years, I was the High Queen and I am not sorry. So, please, try your best to understand, Peter. I am not mad that you and Edmund are alive and well- I am so grateful, but now, I am afraid I will return to being worthless and that scares me."

"Susan, you will never be worthless," Peter could promise her that.

"But I will be," Susan muttered, bitterly. "Once everyone sees you truly have returned, I shall be once again pushed aside. Forgotten. None of what I did will matter. But why should I care? I am merely a girl and you, are once again the High King of Narnia."

A/N: I am back. Thanks for waiting. I needed the write this additional chapter. I also really like this one, because to me, it explains why Susan's kicked out of Narnia and plays on what little I know about the US Home font from an American Girl book, where women didn't want to merely return to the life they knew before the war. (Yay! Another wave of feminism! Thanks ladies!) And I feel like Susan IS forgotten and to me, this chapter brings everything together in a beautiful way. Hope you enjoyed.