As Susan dropped the strange device into a pocket of her dress and smoothed down the fabric after, her deep blue eyes lifted to gaze out at the water and the sun, still rising over the sea. This place felt very much like home in a way, but nothing like Narnia, which was where most of her experience oceanside had once come from. Letting out a slow breath, she told herself she shouldn’t be nervous, and just wrapped her arms around her torso as a breeze brushed against her.
Susan’s long dark hair was pulled back and pinned so that nary a strand was out of place, and while she did wear makeup, it was somewhat modest, because back home, at least, she hadn’t wanted to draw attention to herself. At the moment, her thoughts were a whirlwind - she was caught by memories of her family, and thoughts of Narnia - barely remembered, things she’d thought long since shoved down deeply to protect her heart from the pain of knowing she’d never see it all again.
And now? A piece of that past was supposedly coming to find her. Caspian, who’d been only a few years younger than herself when he, too, had gone into war and then become a ruler.
Emotions swirled within Caspian as he made his way to the coast and Susan’s location. The King was dressed in attire similar to that of which he wore aboard the Dawn Treader: a tunic complete with trousers, boots, a long coat, and boots. Though, because he’d come from Cair Paravel and not the ship, the material and design was of a higher caliber and richer, more luxury design than what he’d donned at sea. His hair was longer than when he’d last seen Susan and he had a layer of facial hair on his face. His sword hung at his hip and the King carried a bag with some supplies and water should Susan require substance.
Caspian was beyond pleased to see Susan again, but he was also nervous. It was clear from the image on the network that Susan was older than she’d been when they’d originally met all those years in Narnia. She’d grown into a beautiful woman. One of whom the title of “Queen” was befitting. Yet, she’d ask him to not refer to her as such. It confused Caspian because in Narnia, they had not hidden their royalty from anyone. Of course, he respected her request and abided by it, but it did strike him as strange.
All of that was overshadowed by the death of her siblings. Caspian could not believe they were gone. He could sympathize and empathize with what Susan was facing. He’d lost his parents many years before and that pain had never left him. Having those who knew his father confuse him with Caspian IX always reminded Caspian of how much he was like his father…and how much he wished he’d known more about the man with whom he shared a name. But in this moment, his thoughts were with Susan and his focus was reaching her.
Making his way to the top of a dune, Caspian finally spotted her. It was impossible to not note her beauty. The way the wind tugged at her hair and the sun cast her in the most ethereal glow. Somehow, in that moment, he found himself feeling like the silly boy of thirteen again. When he’d first laid eyes on her majesty. Doing his best to push the thought aside, Caspian hurried towards her, only slowing once he was close enough to call out to her.
“Susan,” Caspian said, raising his voice in order to be heard over the waves lapping the shoreline. Despite the circumstance there was a smile on his lips. “Despite these unfortunate circumstances in which we find one another, I am so very happy to see you once more.”
Susan’s gaze remained on the sea, wondering just what lay beneath the waves, when she heard his voice. It was very different, and she took a deep breath, then turned to face him. His eyes were exactly the same, even though he was obviously older now, and had grown into a very handsome man. His bearing was more sure, more certain, and she wondered just how close they were in age now.
“Caspian,” she breathed out softly, before her lips curved into a warm smile, raising her voice when he approached and trying to still her own nerves. She held her hands out as he reached her, intending to draw him close for a hug. “I feel the same,” she told him sincerely.
There it was. That same warm smile he recalled from his first encounter with Susan the Gentle. Oh, there were legends of her beauty, her kindness and warmth, but Caspian knew no story, no picture, could ever compare with Susan herself. When he thought he would never see her again, Caspian forced himself to take in every detail the last moment they saw one another. He’d done the same with Peter, but obviously for far different reasons. Peter was his friend, a fellow king, and confidante. Susan was…always something so much more.
Caspian stepped closer and took her hands. He eagerly pulled her into a hug, inhaling the faint scent of her perfume, and was grateful to feel her safe and real in his arms. “I am sorry about your siblings, Susan,” he whispered. “My heart aches for you, for me, and for all who knew them. They were amazing, kind, and brave.”
He stepped back, but his hands still grasped her own. His brown eyes were warm. Though, they held a hint of sadness in the depths. “I only wish I could have been there for you.”
Susan returned the hug tightly - probably tighter than she should have, but they weren’t in Narnia being watched by dozens of others; instead, they were alone on a beach and despite the years between their past and now, they were still friends. She closed her eyes as he held her, still half amazed that he was real and there, but they opened when he spoke and tears appeared in them even as he stepped back and she kept her gaze on his.
“Thank you,” she said sincerely with a gentle squeeze to his hands. “I’m sorry I had to tell you the way that I did. Sometimes, it’s still hard to believe they’re gone.” But they were - she’d been asked to identify their bodies, particularly since she was the only surviving member of the Pevensie family.
“For now, though, I’d like to talk about something else. How have you been? And Reepicheep and Trumpkin, and everyone else?” After the last time her siblings had gone to Narnia, Su had refused to listen, because it’d hurt too much to hear of a land she’d never see again. But now, with Caspian’s hands warming her own that had grown chill from the brisk air, she found herself eager to hear more and hoped he’d tell her something.
He lifted one of her hands to his lips and pressed a brief kiss to the knuckles. “There is no need to apologize, Susan,” Caspian assured her. Truthfully, if they had not ended up on this island together, Caspian wondered if he would have ever found out about the loss of the three Pevensie siblings. Outside of their visits to Narnia, there was never any word of what became of them. He was not privy to such information unless Aslan deemed it necessary. He could also never venture into their world unless Aslan allowed it and he never offered Caspian such an opportunity. “And I do understand. The death of my parents still haunts me.”
But she wished to talk of happier things and Caspian’s expression brightened. He tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow. “Let us walk and will gladly tell you.” He started back the way he’d come, heading in the direction of the lighthouse. Caspian had yet to select a home having just arrived the day before.
“As I said, I truly have no complaints. I returned from my voyage to the end of the world two years ago. It was a splendid venture and I do wish you were aboard with us. Since my return, I have been fulfilling my duties as king.” It could be rather dull at times, but truthfully, there were far more thrilling moments than boring. More moments where he was happy to don the crown and be the King of Narnia than not.
“Reepicheep ventured with me to the end of the world. In fact, the lucky mouse managed to see it. He ventured on with your brother and sister. I wanted to go with him, but I could not.” There was a hint of sadness and longing in his tone as he once more saw that moment in his mind. He’d wanted so badly to go. To see the edge of the world. But the others had reminded him that he had a duty to Narnia. That being king and putting those of the kingdom first would always be his fate. He understood, relented, but that did not mean he did not wish he’d had the chance to see it.
“As for Trumpkin, he became one of my closest advisors and serves as Regent for me when I must attend to business in other countries,” Caspian explained, brightening a bit as he spoke of the red dwarf. “And when I do have a chance at adventure.”
Many suitors had attempted to woo her, back when she’d been Queen, and even in London men had occasionally been interested in her - but known caused her insides to shiver quite the way they did when his lips pressed against her knuckles. Pushing the feeling aside for now, especially as the conversation shifted, she was happy to take Caspian’s lead and walk along the shoreline with him.
“The end of the world, truly?” Su smiled and shook her head in bemusement at the thought, then studied him as they walked. It didn’t surprise her one bit that he’d gone there, or that Reepicheep had, as well. Hearing the news about Trumpkin pleased her, and she couldn’t remain sad at hearing how he’d become Regent.
“I’m sure he’s just as pleasant as ever,” she said with a quiet chuckle as she tucked her other hand against his arm as well. Originally he’d been rather brash and hard to deal with, but ultimately they’d all come to trust him a great deal.
“And in your personal life…how are you there?” She ventured with another sidelong glance. Susan could imagine that he’d had his pick from as many suitors as she’d once had, and wondered if, to rebuild Narnia he had chosen to wed - or if he’d fallen in love.
Caspian turned to look at her with a boyish grin on his features. “Yes, the end of the world, Susan. As I said, I wished you could have been along for the adventure. There were dangers of course, but there was so much to see and experience. It was thrilling beyond anything I’ve ever experienced.” Until now. Until he’d woken up on the beach of this mysterious island. Caspian truly felt that being here would be his ultimate adventure.
At her comment about Trumpkin, Caspian chuckled in response. “Yes, still a bit of a hard headed fellow, but truthfully, he has come a long way.” Especially with the responsibility of Regent on his shoulders. Caspian trusted him without hesitation. “And he does speak of you and your siblings often. We all do. You meant a great deal to us all.” For none of them would be as they should without the Pevensies.
Caspian’s gaze shifted out to sea and to the waves rippling along the shoreline. “I am still without a partner by my side. I met a young woman while on my travels aboard the Dawn Treader and she returned to Narnia with me.” His dark eyes flickered back to Susan’s face. “We have spent some time together, but nothing has come of it so far. There were others before her as well.” None of them had managed to hold Caspian’s attention. Ramandu’s daughter was special, but at the moment they were friends. He cracked a small smile. “Perhaps I am meant to rule Narnia with only Trumpkin by my side. If so, I would not mind. I am rich in all the ways I could want. Except for a seemingless endless lust for adventure.”
“But what of yourself? I do hope there has been some happiness despite the tragedy you’ve endured.”
"You'll have to describe it all to me," she said in return while squeezing his arm lightly. "Not now, but perhaps one evening, over a meal."
It was still strange, sometimes, knowing that there were (or had been) beings in another world who spoke of her and her sis, but in a way it also warmed her heart to hear it, and was glad for the comment from him.
As his eyes shifted to the sea, Su watched him talk about the woman he'd met. It wasn't strange to hear that they'd spent time together, nor was it odd that there had been others. Susan nodded her understanding wordlessly, then gave a faint smile at his words about being alone or with only Trumpkin, a thought which earned him a little laughter. "I doubt that will be your fate," she replied.
At the question, she gave a quiet sigh and grew a little pensive. "There have been a couple boys and men. One…i think that we may have married eventually, if not for my tragedy. I had to return to London, and he chose not to join me." It had felt a little like a betrayal at the time, because he hadn't gone to support her, which had only helped her to understand that whatever it was between them, it wasn’t love. "There's been no one since."
"I finished my studies several months ago, and found work in a bookstore and translating manuscripts. I like the work," Susan added as she smiled again and looked back to Caspian.
Caspian’s heart might have sped up when Susan squeezed his arm. He beamed at her. “Of course. Over a meal sometime.” He looked forward to recounting his adventure for her. There had been more than a few moments aboard the Dawn Treader that he wished she’d been with him. Peter too. To have experienced the adventure with all of them would have been spectacular, but he certainly did not regret spending it with Lucy and Edmond. Even their rather annoying cousin turned out to be okay in the end.
He was pleased that his response had earned a laugh. “It wouldn’t be the worst fate. Though, possibly a tad sad. In more ways than one,” he added the last part with a playful smile. Caspian did not believe he would end up alone or with only Trumpkin for companionship. No, there was someone out there for him. Perhaps it was Ramandu’s daughter. Perhaps it was not. Either way, Caspian could not dwell on it now nor did he want to. Not when Susan was beside him and the sound of her light laughter still rang in his ears.
Caspian heard the small sigh and noted the change in her mood. Immediately, he regretted asking. He did not wish to make her feel sadder, but before he could tell her she did not need to tell him, she spoke. He listened intently, dark eyes watching her face, as she described how there was someone she may have married if not for the tragedy that befell her family. The young man chose not to return to London with her. The thought bothered Caspian. If you truly loved someone, you would follow them to the end’s of the Earth, would you not? You would be with them in their darkest moments. Supporting them.
He placed a hand over the one still tucked in the crook of his elbow. “I am sorry, Susan,” was all he said in response. It was not his place to judge a person he never met, but he couldn’t help, but despise them all the same for not staying with Susan in her moment of need.
A smile returned to her features as she spoke of finishing her studies and trade. Caspian’s hand returned to his side and he nodded. “I am happy to hear you have found something that makes you happy. You deserve that happiness,” he offered with a smile.
“Just a bit,” she agreed with a shake of her head. “Trumpkin would be absolutely devastated.” Teasing him seemed to come naturally, which should have been strange considering how long it’d been since they’d seen one another, and how much they had each changed.
At his touch, she met Caspian’s eyes and gave him a soft nod at the apology. “Thank you, but don’t be. It wasn’t meant to be.” Which might mean that she herself was the one who would ultimately wind up alone. Hadn’t that been one of the many fears that often kept her awake late at night, since losing her family? She had no one else in the world.
Until now - though she quickly squashed that thought, since Caspian was withdrawing his other hand again.
“It’s quiet work, and it keeps me entertained, so it will do for now. Though…I’m not really sure how it can help in a place like this,” she replied, steering the conversation back around to the situation at hand, her deep blue eyes moving from him towards the lighthouse they were approaching and what she could see of the other buildings and such. “What do you know about all of this, and the people here? Are we in danger?”
Caspian gave a hearty chuckle. “He would and the last thing I ever want to do is break his fragile heart,” Caspian joked in return. Yes, it should have felt far more foreign to joke with Susan, but somehow it felt comfortable instead. It was as if no time had passed at all between their last meeting in Narnia and this moment. Of course it had, but from the way they were conversing, it could have been as if they’d never stopped seeing one another at all.
At her words, he nodded solemnly. Gently, he squeezed her hand. “So it was not, but that does not mean there is no one out there for you. For me. We know better than so many others how vast the world can be, many worlds can be. We shall find those who we are meant to be with. Even if for me, it is truly only a red dwarf.” He added the last sentence in hopes of coaxing a smile from her once more and even that magical laugh.
Had his thoughts ventured to Susan over the years since her departure from Narnia? Of course. There was no one in the kingdom, in any country, that could rival Susan in beauty, intelligence, and kindness. She was a rare beauty. A gem in the midst of simple stones. Even as a boy of thirteen he saw and thought the world of her. However, he’d forced himself to focus on others because Susan was forever lost to him. Aslan told Susan and Peter they would never return to Narnia and thus Caspian would never see Susan again. While there had been plenty of courtships and possibilities, no one had quite captured the king’s attention like Susan Pevensie.
Caspian’s gaze shifted to the lighthouse once more. “Perhaps we could use your skills for record keeping,” Caspian offered gently. “Or perhaps archery. You were one of the best archers Narnia has ever known, Susan. If you feel up to it and we can find the weaponry, perhaps that is something we can reawaken in you.” If she refused, he wouldn’t push her, but Caspian remembered how stellar of a shot she was. He had every faith she still was even if it had been years since she’d touched a bow.
He turned his brown eyes on her once more. “I believe everyone here is dangerous in their own way, but I do not believe they are dangerous to us. I think everyone here is focused on surviving and helping each other achieve this goal. No one has threatened me. In fact, the first person I met was kind and showed me how to use the device they gifted us upon arrival.” Both Alyssa and his twin had been kind to him. At the feast, he observed no violence. While he still had suspicions, for the moment, Caspian was willing to give most the benefit of the doubt based on their behaviors.
“But that does not mean we should let our guard down. I would say we tread cautiously and keep our eyes and ears open,” he added. They were near the lighthouse now and Caspian nodded towards the small house beside it. “I stayed there last night. There are blankets and some food. Tomorrow we can look into finding a house. I think it best we stick together. At least until we know more about this place.”
His words about there being someone out there for each of them brough her attention back, and her lips did indeed curve into a smile at his joke about Trumpkin. She’d never met another like their “DLF” and she thought of him dearly now. Susan was truly glad to hear he was doing well, after all this time.
As their conversation shifted, she studied the lighthouse for herself as he spoke, and nodded thoughtfully at the suggestion that she could possibly help with record keeping - or with archery and hunting. Her smile turned a little wry at his words, and she shook her head. “I continued archery in my world - I was in some competitions in school, but I haven’t found the time or need for it in a while, true.” One of her hands turned over so that her thumb could brush a couple of the old calouses that her skin still had on a few fingers. Sure, lotion had helped over the years, but a part of her liked that memory and hadn’t wanted them to fade completely.
“Do you know anything about the man who looks like you? Azriel, he said his name was,” Susan asked curiously, before contemplating his words about staying together and finding a house. Part of her balked at the very idea, but another part of her relished it; and ultimately, she reminded herself that they were adults who were quite capable of controlling themselves, and that it was sensible to stay together. “I agree.”
“I am pleased to hear you continued it for a time,” Caspian replied. “As I said, if you feel it is something you wish to pursue here, I am sure we can locate a bow and set you to practicing once more.” He did not wish to force the issue. Regardless of how comfortable they were with one another, Caspian recognized she was not the same young woman he’d originally met in Narnia all those years before. Just as he was not the same boy in need of others' confidence to give him the strength to take back his throne. Experiences had changed them both and he had to respect that change.
At her question about Azriel, Caspian nodded. “I met him at the feast yesterday. From what I gather, he seems to be okay, but I do not know him well enough to truly pass judgment.” He did not think Azriel would be a threat to either of them. If anything, the winged man was curious to find someone who was identical to him upon the island. Caspian wondered if perhaps they could be friends.
If Susan voiced her concerns about them sharing a house, Caspian would have respected them, but then insisted on standing guard outside her door at night. He knew it was improper for a woman and man to share quarters before marriage, but Caspian was positive they could find a house with two rooms. Susan would have her own space and Caspian would respect that space. He was a man, but he was an adult first and a king. He knew how to be a gentleman.
Caspian paused and turned to face her, taking both her hands in his. “I’m pleased you agree. I know it is rather improper, but I feel that we are safer together. I am sure we can find a house with two living quarters and if we can not, I will find another place to sleep and you can have the room for yourself,” he assured her.
“If we find a bow, it’s the least I can do to help everyone,” Susan decided. As long as there weren’t any talking animals at risk, she would be alright hunting out of necessity, even if she preferred not to eat a lot of meat herself most of the time.
“There was a feast?” That surprised her - considering what little she’d seen so far, this didn’t seem like the kind of place with those type of resources. Still, she paid attention to what he said about Azriel, still wondering how it came to be that he seemed to share Caspian’s face somehow.
When he stopped and took her hands, her eyes were pulled from the buildings to his face automatically, and she gave a small smile. “Don’t be silly, Caspian - if it’s necessary to share, then we can, if only to save space and stay warm.” This island did seemed to have a chill in the air, and she had a feeling the nights might be cold. “Besides, if there is as little space here as there seems, and more people than beds, we won’t be the only ones who may need to share what resources there are available.
Caspian had not heard of there being any talking animals on the island. He had yet to explore himself, but he kept an eye on the discussion board and no one had mentioned it so far. “We shall see if we can obtain you a bow,” Caspian replied. If they could not locate the weapon, it was possible someone here could create one for Susan.
He nodded. “Yes. It was…shocking. It appears our mysterious hosts or kidnappers were responsible. The food was completely edible.” Caspian was still leery of the random appearance of food, but it had served as a good excuse to bring people together on the island and provided much needed substance for them all. “But I remain skeptical,” he added. “I know Aslan often works in equally mysterious ways, but I feel in my heart that this is not him.” Which worried Caspian. He’d never been outside of Narnia before and he felt rather vulnerable without even the possibility of Aslan showing up if needed.
When she gave him a small smile and reassured him he was being silly, Caspian chuckled. “I suppose I am being rather silly. Yes, we need to conserve space and stay warm.” And there did seem to be limited space upon the island. If he had to share a resource such as a living space or bed, he’d rather it be with Susan than anyone else. “And we certainly will not be the only ones doing so.” He released one of her hands, but kept the other still secure in his grasp.
“But let’s venture inside and have a meal. We can discuss plans as we eat.” They would need their strength for whatever else this place decided to throw at them.
Considering the experiences her brother Edmund had once had with magical food, the idea of a feast appearing made Susan incredibly uneasy, and she eyed the lighthouse once again. There was something about it that seemed somehow off, and the feeling of the land in general….well, it wasn’t as dark and uneasy as Narnia had once been when her family first arrived there, but there still was something not right about this place. “No…I don’t think it is, either.” Which unnerved her as well, even if she did still have some faint anger towards the Lion himself.
She was glad when he readily agreed to share a space if necessary, and she decided not to think about what the night may bring, and if they really would sleep that close to one another. Nighttime would be hours away, and for now? There were other things to be done.
“Lead the way, and please tell me what else you’ve learned about this place while we eat,” Susan said as she smiled at him, then continued to walk beside her friend.