Chapter Five

Caspian strode with purpose, ready to get over with the council meeting. He took his seat in his throne chair and looked at his council members. The council members bowed down to their king, then took their seats. Caspian glanced around, noting the professor standing in one corner, as well as his Narnian friends, who stood by in their positions.

"I have an announcement to make," Caspian began, before the council could say anything. "As King of Narnia, I understand my duties and responsibility to all of my people..."

Caspian noticed the glances the council members passed to each other.

"...all of them. Which is why I have decided who I will take as my wife."

This caught everyone's attention.

"And... who is that lucky woman," a council member asked.

"Queen Susan."

The council members widened their eyes, some of them in excitement, the others in horror.

"She and her siblings ruled Narnia in the golden age, and I could think of no one better to become my queen than someone who knows and understands Narnia so well."

The council broke out in talk, some fussing while others agreed with the king. Many of the Telmarines bickered and were against it, while others and the Narnians agreed that Susan would be the best queen and the perfect queen for their king and Narnia.

"Enough," Caspian said, and everyone hushed down. "Susan and I will work on setting a date and further news will given in time."

With that, the king rose and strode out of the room. Once he left, the council broke out in roar again, bickering among each other. Caspian let out an exasperated sigh and wanted nothing more than to go back to his future bride. She was still in her room, putting her new dresses away having finished trying them all on.

"Do they all fit well," he asked as he went over to her.

"They're perfect," Susan smiled, and then her expression softened. "How did it go with the council?"

Caspian let out a sigh and sat down in chair by the window. "As expected - nothing but bickering."

"They still don't get along," she said as she went to his side.

Susan placed her hand on his shoulder and Caspian took it into his own.

"Some of the Telmarines have accepted the Narnians and have become as one people, but others... they would rather go back to the old ways."

Susan squeezed his hand lightly, and he squeezed it back in return.

"It has been three years, yet they continue to act stubborn," Caspian huffed.

"A classic male Telmarine trait," Susan smirked, teasing.

"Is that so?"

Caspian stood up and Susan began to back away. She saw the ways his eyes gleamed, bright and playful. Her plan to cheer him up had worked.

"Yes," she finally replied, a small grin running across her face.

Caspian paused and so did Susan. The second he reached out to her, Susan let out a shriek and ran, dashing out of her room, Caspian not so far behind. The two ran trough the castle, interrupting several of the maids and workers on the way. Many of them whooped and hollered, cheering them on. They passed by a few council members - ones who were against their marriage - and when they saw the two running round, they muttered with dismay.

Not that the king cared.

Susan ran out to the garden, feeling short of breath. She began to slow down and just as she came to a stop, Caspian caught her and both fell to the ground, Susan landing on his chest. Both erupted into breathy laughs and Susan moved aside, laying down beside him. They looked up at the wonderful blue sky, gazing at the clouds.

"They're not happy..."

Caspian looked at Susan and she turned to him.

"...are they?"

Caspian reached up and caressed her cheek. He placed a kiss on her forehead, Susan shutting her eyes to his embrace. "It does not matter."

"But-"

"They wanted a queen and they will receive one - one of my choice."

Susan looked into his eyes, seeing the love she felt for him reflected in his eye for her. She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his neck. "I love you Caspian. I don't know how I can live without you."

Caspian held her protectively to him. "You will never have to know."

Susan wanted to believe him, she really did. While Caspian remained optimistic of her staying here in Narnia, Susan feared secretly that any day could be her last day in Narnia and she would be taken away from her beloved Caspian.

A date for the wedding had been set and while Caspian waited eagerly, so did Susan, but not exactly in the same way. She was eager for the day to come quick, hoping that her marriage with Caspian would prevent any chances of her leaving Narnia. Yet fear crawled within her, a part of her making her believe that Aslan would stop the wedding from taking place because she would have to go home one day. She would argue with herself, telling herself that Narnia was her true home and that Aslan would do no such thing, but the dark side would simply smirk and poured more fear within her.  And as it got closer and closer to the wedding, it only got worse.

In the dead of night Susan would awaken, having bad dreams of her being separated from Caspian. It began to drive her mad! So mad, that one night she had had enough and refused to fall asleep. Hours passed and Susan watched the star-filled night sky, seated by her window, but it wasn't long before she began to feel heavy from sleep. Susan tried her best to stay awake but never realized when she had.

She dreamt again that night, seeing flowers everywhere and everything white. The people were all seated in front of her, wearing white, and Caspian stood ahead, him too in white. Susan looked down at herself and realized that she was at her wedding.

But I thought there was still a few more days.

Music began to play and everyone looked her way. Her heart nearly stopped and she tried to gulp away her fear. With a shaky breath, Susan went to make a step forward, but her feet wouldn't move. She tried to move them again, but she was stuck to the ground. No matter how hard she tried to move her legs, she couldn't. They felt too heavy and rooted to the ground.

Susan was so busy trying to free her legs, she didn't notice that there was someone behind her. It was when her warm bluish-white light passed her that Susan saw the woman with long icy blonde hair walk past her. Susan watched as she walked towards Caspian and when he took her hand, Susan tried even harder to free herself.

Caspian! Caspian please help me!

No one paid attention to her, as if she didn't exist. She thought her cries would reach to Caspian but the fact of the matter was that her words never came out. No one had heard her and no one could see her.

Suddenly everything began to pull away from Susan. Or rather, she was being pulled away from everything. Susan reached out and called out for Caspian again, but no one heard her and soon, everything was gone.

"Caspian!"

Susan woke with a start, breathing heavily. Her forehead was covered in sweat, her body as well, causing her nightgown to stick. She looked around her and realized that she was back in her room and that it had only been another nightmare.

"Caspian..."

Susan got up and dashed out of her room. She dashed through the halls of the castle until she finally arrived to Caspian's room. She carefully opened the door and slipped inside, hoping not to disturb him. She tiptoed across the room to his bed, where he slept peacefully. Susan watched his chest rise and drop, admiring him and the small smile that ran along his lips. She found it calming, relaxing her racing heart, though not entirely. So she slipped under the covers and laid down beside him. Careful as she tried to be, however, Caspian stirred slightly and his eyes fluttered open.

"Hmm... Susan?"

His voice was deep and hoarse and Susan found it to affect her body in quite a delicious way.

Caspian blinked a few times before looking at her. "Susan? What's wrong?"

Instead of responding, Susan moved closer to him and buried her face in his chest. Caspian was confused by her actions, but he wrapped his hand around her waist and placed a kiss on top her head. Only a mere seconds had passed and Susan was asleep in his arms, and since the king did not want to disturb the queen, he sighed and went back to sleep as well.

For the first time in many nights, Susan slept peacefully with no nightmare but a dream of her, Caspian, and a beautiful baby boy with her blue eyes and Caspian's brown hair.

Chapter Four

With everyone engrossed in the festivities, no one noticed the king nor the queen in the garden, walking hand in hand, talking, smiling, and making little jokes now and then. It was true, both were happy and very much in love. Susan felt like one of those couples she would always see at the beach, only much better because instead of it being her wishes, her and Caspian were truly together.

"It is getting late," the king said, looking up at the sky.

"It is," the queen replied, looking up at the sky as well. "But...."

The king looked at the young queen. She still looked quite the same, while he had gained four years. "But?"

Susan looked at him with a soft smile. "I almost wish that this night wouldn't have to end."

Caspian matched her with a smile of his own and kissed her softly. A small smile spread on Susan's face and she looked at him.

"You've changed Caspian."

Caspian tilted his head with a slight frown. "What do you mean?"

"Well your hair is longer," she said, running her fingers through it, then brought her hand down to his cheek. "And this is scruffy."

The king let out a small chuckle. "Well it has been three years."

Even though he meant to say it lightly, Susan could hear the pain in his words and moved closer to him. She cupped his face in her hands and kissed him with urgency, afraid to let him go. While she had been in pain for a year, Caspian had been in pain for more. While she suffered from their distance for some time, he suffered longer. And for him to be in such pain, only hurt Susan more.

Susan let go but still held him to her. "Promise me something."

"Anything," he replied, his lips brushing against hers.

"Don't ever let me go."

"Never," he promised.

Tears came pouring down Susan's cheeks again and the young king kissed them away before kissing his love once more. There was no way he could ever let go of her.

~

Now that the gentle queen had returned, reasoning with the Telmarines had become so much easier. In council meetings, Susan would join Caspian, and of course while the king did his job wonderfully, his fellow Telmarines would be too stubborn to reason, especially when it came to Narnians. So the gentle queen would use her voice of reason and slowly, one by one, she would get the stubborn Telmarine men to agree with Caspian.

The people, both Narnian and Telmarine, had began to notice what a great team their king and the gentle queen would make. As the days passed, they noticed the two getting closer and closer, and it was ever evident that the two loved each other very much. It didn't even take that long for someone to catch the two kissing. In fact, when the people learned of this - mainly the Narnians - they hoped that the king and queen would marry. Certain Telmarines did too, however many didn't. They wanted nothing to do with the Narnians, but all their king wanted was for the two to get along and to be as one.

When word of the king and queen's love came across these people, they seethed. If the king were to marry the gentle queen, then there would be no hope of things going back to the way they were for many years. And so the only thing that they could think of was getting rid Queen Susan, the gentle.

~

Many dresses were laid out on Susan's bed. As a treat from Caspian, he had gotten her many dresses of the finest of fabrics, just for her. Of course she denied his act of generosity, but the king had insisted. So now her bed was covered in them and she was trying them on one by one. There was a particular red one, which had caught her eyes. So she immediately tried it on once the maids had left her.

Susan absolutely loved the dress. Unlike her other dresses, which had a square neckline, this one had a deep, plunging neckline. However strings made up for covering her cleavage, so it wouldn't be too scandalous of the queen to wear. It was made of velvet, detailed with gold, hugging her body then falling loose from her waist down. Yes, Susan loved it very much.

Even Caspian loved the dress. He had come walking in, of course, after knocking on her door. But as there was no response, Caspian was curious and let himself in. He found his love too busy admiring the dress, swaying to and fro. Seeing the smile on her face made him smile, however the teasing neckline and tightness of the dress made him feel something else - desire.

It happened quite often these days. Caspian found it really hard to resist the gentle queen. One day during their walk together, Caspian had to discreetly rearrange himself, as the plunging square neckline of her dress was having too much of an effect on him. It was only getting harder and harder to resist this beautiful woman. And his Telmarine nature wasn't helping at all, his Telmarine instincts telling him to take her right then and there. But the king had a heart, and he never wanted to do anything to hurt the queen, nor something that would make her feel uncomfortable.

"You look beautiful," he smiled.

Susan turned to him with a smile of her own, going from end to end. "It's beautiful isn't it?" She gave a little twirl. "I love it, thank you so much Caspian."

Caspian stepped towards her and cupped her cheek in his hand. "You never have to thank me," and he kissed her softly.

"How can I not," Susan said with a slight pout when she pulled back. "You're trying to spoil me."

"An excellent queen such as yourself deserves the finest in the land."

Susan sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck. "All I want is you."

"Are you sure?"

Caspian placed his hands at her waist and Susan could hear the playfulness in his voice.

"I am absolutely positive," she grinned.

"I just may keep you forever," he pointed out.

"And I want nothing else but that." Caressing his cheek in her hand, Susan looked into his eyes. "I love you Caspian. I want to be with you forever."

Caspian looked into her eyes, seeing love, passion, and surprisingly, desire. It matched his own dark desires, somewhat surprising the king, but him exciting him most. He mentally yelled at himself for feeling that way, but his Manly Telmarine instincts didn't give a damn. It was ready to throw her onto the bed and to take her right there.

But by the look in her eyes, it didn't seem that she would have minded, surprising Caspian once again.

"Do you know what you are saying," Caspian asked,not removing his eyes from her.

Susan nodded. "I want you, Caspian. Always, now and forever."

Hearing her words, Caspian groaned and covered her lips with his. He held her face between his hands, urging her back. Susan's back met her wardrobe and she gasped, giving Caspian access to her mouth and allowing his tongue to explore. He released her lips and trailed to her neck, teasing and licking. Susan gripped onto his shirt, above his abdomen. Desire pooled within her and there was only one thing she wanted.

She had always heard the other girls speak of what happens between a man and a woman. The topic would always shock her, as the girls would speak of such things with such ease, while giggling about it. Susan found it too intimate and thought that the act of something so intimate should only happen between true lovers and not just with someone you had only just met and found ridiculously gorgeous. Not that Caspian wasn't gorgeous - he most certainly was - but what she had with Caspian was different than what those girls had with the boys they had been with. What she and Caspian had together was true love.

Yet it scared her. Susan was afraid of being taken away from Caspian again. Hard as she tried, she tried not to think about it. Yet from the back of her mind, it would poke her, teasing her. Susan wanted to be with him and that was it. She didn't want to go back to her world and wanted to be with Caspian, with her people, in Narnia, forever.

Susan tugged on Caspian's hair, bringing his face in level with hers. His eyes were hooded, his breath ticking her face. "Make me yours," she whispered.

Again it surprised Caspian that she felt this way and desired him the way he desired her. But again his Telmarine instincts kicked in, so he simply nodded and picked her up in his arms. He laid her down on her bed, moving the dresses aside. He moved in between her legs, hovering over her. Susan reached up and caressed his cheek, Caspian nuzzling into her embrace. He placed a kiss in the palm of her hand and just as he leaned in to kiss her, there was a knock on the door.

Both Caspian's and Susan's eyes darted to the door. However neither were looking at it in fear of being caught, but glared at it for being interrupted.

"Your majesty," someone called out from the other side, "the council has requested your presence. They said that it was urgent that they speak with you."

Caspian groaned and laid his forehead on Susan's chest. "Not again," he huffed.

Susan couldn't help but to release a small chuckle. She ran her hands through his hair. "You should go."

"And hear the topic of my marriage again? Nonsense," and Susan chuckled once more.

Caspian placed soft kisses on her chest and raised his head. "Then again, I can finally tell the council that I've found my wife and their future queen."

Susan raised her eyebrows, mockingly. "Is that so? And who is this lucky woman?"

Caspian chuckled and kissed her, taking her breath away. With another quick peck, Caspian stood up, fixed his clothing, and left to deal with his annoying council. When Caspian had shut the door behind her, Susan laid flat with a sigh, then blushed really hard and covered her face.

Caspian was going to marry her and she was going to be his wife and queen.

Chapter Three

In honor of Queen Susan's return, a ball was thrown on her behalf. As happy as it made Susan that the people had so much love for her, she wished her brothers and sister were here with her as well.

They would have all been so happy, the gentle queen thought as she looked out at the people. To come back here... if I can come back, surely Peter must be able to....

Caspian noticed the queen to be lost in thought as he spoke to a council member. It seemed as if no matter where he went, the council would always get to him and slowly weasel their way to the topic he didn't want to speak about. And now, just as he was about weasel into the topic, Caspian excused himself and went to Susan.

"Is everything alright?"

Susan snapped out of her thoughts and looked up at King Caspian. "Yes."

Caspian looked at her carefully. "Is it really?"

With a gulp, Susan looked down. For some reason she felt like a child who had been caught trying to steal cookies from the cookie jar. "No," she replied with a low voice.

Caspian glanced around then offered her his arm. "We can talk elsewhere, private."

Susan nodded and linked her arm with his, following him out of the ballroom. Some noticed their departure and many of those whispered among each other, many hoping that this was only the start and that the gentle queen would be their king's future wife.

King Caspian walked down the halls of the castle and into the garden. He led Susan to a bench and the two sat down.

"So tell me, what bothers you, my queen?"

"Well I... I wish my siblings were here. It just isn't the same without them."

Caspian nodded in understanding. Truth be told, he felt the same way when Lucy, Edmund, and Eustace had come without her and Peter, mainly without her.

"The last time I was here, there was war. We were needed, we arrived because you blew my horn. But this time it's different; there's no war and no need for me to be here."

Caspian looked at the gentle queen.

"So why am I here, that too alone?"

Caspian could only half agree with her statement. It was true, there was no war. There still might be a few arguments and rebels here and there between the Telmarines and Narnians, but nothing out of hand. As for needs....

"What if I told you that you are here because you are needed."

Susan's eyes met Caspian's. He had no idea how the words had escaped his mouth, but he realized too late that they had been spoken, and there was no way of turning back.

"Needed? For what?"

"Not for what, but for whom."

Susan's eyebrows slightly raised and a hint of blush spread through her cheeks. There was only one person she wanted to be needed by, and he was right in front of her. "But who needs me," she asked softly.

Caspian admired the blush on her cheeks. So much, he found himself caressing her cheek before the gesture could be registered to his brain. He watched the queen look at him in shock and glance at his hand before meeting his eyes again. If she was a Telmarine woman, not once would she have looked up at him. But that was what he loved about her, how she was so much more different than any woman he had ever met.

"You are here, Susan, because I need you," he finally said.

Susan gasped, but it was cut short as Caspian sealed his lips over hers. At first, she was in shock, but it didn't take long for her to recover. She kissed him back and cupped his cheek in her hand. Ever since she had come back to her world, all she could ever think of was to be in Caspian's arms one more time and to feel his lips on hers again. And now that it was actually happening, it was as if her heart had sprung back to life. Her emotions took hold of her and her tears let free.

Caspian pulled back from her and wiped her tears away. "Is something wrong-?"

"No, not at all," and pulled him back in to her and kissed him.

This time, Caspian was slightly shocked, as no woman would ever behave this way, not a Telmarine woman. But again, that was what made Susan so different.

Susan pulled back and Caspian leaned his forehead against hers. "I missed you Caspian. I missed you so much," she said softly as her tears continued to stream free.

"So have I," the king replied, a lone tear of his own streaming down his cheek.

Susan slightly pulled back and wiped the lone tear away. "I never want to be away from you again. Ever."

She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his chest. Hearing her words brought so much peace to Caspian. He wrapped his arms around her protectively and laid his head on top of hers with a light sigh.

"I will never let anyone take you from me. Never," he vowed.

Caspian looked up at the star filled sky. Susan was brought to him because he needed her, not just now, but forever. And if anyone would try to take her away from him again, then by Aslan, he would wage war just to keep her.

Chapter Two

With her trip to the park over, Susan walked along the street, once again lost in thought. Her sister had offered to join her, but she kindly denied and left before her sister could push on. She knew her little sister meant well, knowing that the young one, who wasn't as young as she once was, understood her better. But being alone was what she needed.

Susan walked along the beach, a place she would commonly go to give herself peace of mind. There was something about the sea salt water and the breeze that happened to soothe her. So she would come by here often, sitting in the sand now and then, and gaze off into the horizon.

Today she did the same, tucking her skirt properly and resting her chin on her knees as she looked out to the horizon. A couple passed by, holding hands and laughing as they spoke.

Susan sighed at the sight. They seem to be so in love. The way she smiles and hangs onto his every word. The way he gazes at her with such love...

She felt her heart pit, something it always did when she would see romantic couples. Her mind would act on its own and envision her and Caspian in place of the couple, and for a moment, it brought a small smile to her face, until she realized it wasn't real nor would ever happen.

Only when she felt a drop on her knee had Susan had realized that she was crying. This was another constant, the memories and thoughts of Caspian always heightening her emotions, mainly bringing tears.

I miss you Caspian. I miss you so much!

More and more tears streamed down along her cheek, when the wind had suddenly picked up. Susan looked up and noticed the winds getting stronger. No one else was around and the sand rose with the wind. She immediately covered her eyes as the wind picked up stronger and sand blew around her.

What is going on?!

As soon as the thought escaped her mind, the windstorm stopped. The area around her slowly began to clear up and ever so slowly, Susan began to open her eyes. When the air cleared up some more, Susan noticed something different. The sand wasn't the same yellow sand, but white. The water wasn't a dark blue, but a beautiful bright blue. The sky wasn't its typical cloud-covered London sky, but bright, blue, and clear, the sun shining brightly.

I... but it can't be!

Susan stood up and wiped her skirt clean of the sand. She looked around and as hard as it was for her to believe it, she knew that there was only one place she could be - Narnia.

Grinning with joy, Susan spun around with laughter of joy. After all this time, she was finally back in Narnia; her dream had come true!

But why am I back? And why am I back alone? What about the others? Would Peter be able to come? If I can, would he not be able to?

Susan looked around and recognized the area. She wasn't far from Cair Paravel, and wondered what more had become of the place she once called home. She began to walk towards it, walking in the water, enjoying the coolness of the water at her feet. There was just something different about the water here in Narnia, and it wasn't just its vibrant color. It just felt... better, calming, relaxing.

Like home.

Susan twirled and skipped, excited that she was back. However the moment ended quickly when the gears of her brain really kicked in and made her question the most important questions - how much time had passed in Narnia? It had only been a little more than a year in her world, but how much time could have passed here? Were the friends she knew alive? Was Caspian still here? Would she ever see him again?

Susan's knees went weak at the thought and she knelt to the ground, her skirt getting even wetter as the water came over her and away. Even though her wish of coming back to Narnia had come true, Susan still couldn't find peace, not until she knew what she needed to know.

The sudden sound of a sword unsheathing echoed and Susan's eyes widened, feeling it behind her even though it didn't touch her.

"Who are you? And what are you doing here," a deep, accented voice questioned.

At the sound of the voice, Susan gasped. It was the voice she thought she'd never hear again. It was the voice she longed to hear, more than anything! And to hear it after so long...

"Show your face."

Slowly, ever so slowly, Susan turned and looked up at the owner of the voice. Chocolate eyes met her blue ones, and they widened as the man's grip on his sword loosened and fell to the ground.

"You... Susan?"

King Caspian couldn't believe his own eyes. Never did he think that during his few getaways to Cair Paravel, would he ever see Susan again. He would come here in her memory, knowing that this was once her home and where she had spent many years of her life here, in Narnia. It brought him closure and relieved him, removing the stress that his council put on him every day.

He always secretly hoped that by some miracle, Susan would return, and for it to actually happen after all these years, he simply could not believe it.

Caspian watched as the beautiful woman before him slowly stood and gazed at him. He watched her gaze at him in wonder just as he did the same. It was clear to him that they were both thinking the same, which they couldn't believe this was truly happening.

"Cas... Caspian."

Hearing his name pour from her lips had activated something within him. It was as if it were a trigger and immediately, he reached out and wrapped his arms around her. He felt Susan cry into his chest and he couldn't help his own tears. His wish had finally come true, thank Aslan!

Pulling back, he held her face in his hands. "What are you doing here? How did you come back? I thought I would never see you again!"

"I thought the same as well," the gentle queen cried.

Caspian pulled her back in and buried his face in her neck. He never wanted to let her go, not ever again, in fear of losing the only woman he loved.

But does she feel the same way as you, a voice echoed in his mind.

The young king then understood that his actions had probably been a bit too much. She was Queen Susan, the Gentle, and he had treated her as if she was just a normal being. Not to mention he had poured out to much of his emotions. For all he knew, Susan could have met another man in her world and was only crying because she thought that all the people she knew in Narnia were possibly gone.

Caspian pulled back, releasing her. Susan found it slightly odd and looked at him with confusion.

"Have the others come as well," he asked, picking up his sword.

"Um, no... it seems that I was brought here alone."

Caspian's confusion matched hers, both wondering why only she was brought back to Narnia.

"Come your majesty, let us go back and let the others know of your return."

Susan simply nodded, though she found his turn of emotions a bit strange. She followed behind him to his horse and her eyes remained on him as they rode back to the castle.

Strange as his actions were, Susan very happy to be with Caspian again, even if it wasn't in the way she had dreamed of. She tightened her hold on him and rested her cheek on his back, her actions not missed by Caspian, his body becoming more and more aware of her.

Stop it Caspian, she is a queen, you will respect her!

The young king tried hard to ignore the awareness of the gentle queen's chest against his back, and he tried very hard to focus on riding back to the castle.

When the people discovered that their beloved Queen Susan had returned, everyone rejoiced! Old friends were very happy to see her, a particular dear little friend trying not to show too much emotion, but Susan knew better of her DLF.

Caspian had told the servants to prepare Susan's room and when it was ready, the king took the queen up to her old room. For Susan, it had been more than a year since she had last been in there, but for Caspian, it was only a matter of days. Sometimes when thoughts of her clouded his mind he would come in here, hoping to feel a bit of closure to her. He would wonder what the past three years would have been like if they had stayed behind, if she had stayed behind.

Now that she was here, things were different. Caspian could only wonder how he would control himself.

"Everything is just as you had left it," Caspian said as he watched her walk around the room.

Susan ran her fingers over the furniture. "How much time has passed?"

"Three years," he responded immediately.

Susan looked up at him and noticed the slight hint of blush on his cheeks as the king looked down.

"How much time has passed in your world," Caspian asked.

"A little more than a year."

Caspian's eyes slightly widened. Not too much time had passed for her. Did she ever feel any pain for me? Did she think of me? Did she miss me?

Susan opened her mouth to speak, when there was a knock on the door. "Come in," and the door opened, and in came her friends, along with the professor.

"Queen Susan," he bowed.

Susan curtsied then gave the old professor a hug.

"It is an honor to have you back again, your majesty," Cornelius smiled.

"I cannot tell you how happy I am to be back. Not a day passed where I didn't think of Narnia." Or Caspian, she wanted to say.

Caspian blinked. She's thought of us every day? Or did she only think of the others and not me?

Professor Cornelius glanced at his king. He could see the emotions and confusion the king felt. Not once had the king's eyes dropped from the gentle queen the entirety they had been in the room.

If the council were to see this... But who doesn't know of the feelings these two share? The professor sighed. If only they could bring it forward to the other.

Chapter One

Not a day has passed without the thought of him. Every day he comes to mind and as hard as Susan Pevensie tries, she cannot stop thinking about the Prince, now King Caspian X. She knows that she cannot go back to Narnia, and as hard as she tries to reason with her heart, it still cries out for him, day after day.

Mornings began with the thought of him and evenings ended with the reminder of their last embrace. And with each night she went to bed, all Susan could think of was being held by Caspian, one more time.

"Susan? Susan!"

"Huh?"

Susan Pevensie snapped back to the world of reality and looked down at her little sister, Lucy Pevensie.

"Are you alright?"

Susan glanced around, reminding herself that she was in the park, spending the afternoon with her sister. This happened often with Susan, ever since they had come back from Narnia, a little more than a year ago. And even though a year may not seem as too much time to some, it felt like a millennia had passed for Susan Pevensie.

Would he even be alive even if I did ever get a chance to go back?

"Susan? Su?"

She looked back down at her sister, who still looked at her with confusion.

"I'm fine Lu," she tried smiling softly.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, just... just thinking about an assignment I have.

By the look on her sister's face, Susan could tell that Lucy wasn't convinced. However, she was grateful when she didn't push forward on it. Instead she laid back down on the grass and looked up at the clouds. She did the same as well, but her mind was instantly transported back to Narnia. She remembered how soft and green the grass was and she remembered playing with the trees.

Yes, she truly missed Narnia and above all, she missed Caspian.

Three years had passed since the two kings and two queens of old had come back to Narnia and a year since King Edmund the Queen Lucy had returned with their cousin Eustace. But even after all this time and after all of the events, King Caspian still could not forget the gentle Queen Susan. He would always reflect back to the day she had left Narnia and how his heart had pitted when she left. He remembered how she had kissed him in front of everyone and how he didn't want to let her go.

Not a day passed without the thought of her - her beautiful blue eyes, her smile - everything. And not a single day passed where he didn't wish her back. Yes he had met beautiful girls over the years - one who was even a star - but no one could ever compare to Susan. Caspian had tried hard to get over his feelings for Susan, knowing that one day he would have to get married and give his people a queen, as well as bring an heir to the thrown. He understood this well, and the people around him often reminded him of it.

But no matter what, his heart and mind was still set on Susan Pevensie.

Why Aslan? Why did she have to leave, he wondered resting his chin on his folded hands. Why can she never come back?

A knock on the door brought the king out of his thoughts. "Come in."

Professor Cornelius entered the room and immediately, Caspian understood why he was here. He had been trying to avoid the professor by holing himself in his study, not telling anyone where he was. But it was only a matter of time until he was found.

"Really, my Lord, hiding," the professor frowned.

Caspian rolled his eyes with a groan. "Professor-"

"You can not hide forever."

"That I know," and he stood up from his desk and moved over to a shelf, pretending to browse for a book. "Is there something you would like to say?"

The professor scoffed lightly with humor. "I think his majesty already knows why I am here."

Caspian said nothing and ran his fingers over the many books he owned.

"The council grows impatient, my King. Marriage-"

"Is something I will decide for myself. I will marry when I wish to marry, to whomever I want to marry."

"But is there anyone you wish to marry?"

Susan, his mind echoed immediately.

Caspian remained silent, but the professor knew better. "It has been three years Caspian. You know that she cannot come back."

The king gripped onto the book his hand hovered over. This motion wasn't missed by Cornelius, and he walked around the king's desk. He moved closer to the king and placed his hand on his shoulder.

"I understand that it is hard to forget the ones you love... but sometimes we have no other choice but to try and force it to be gone."

Again Caspian said nothing and stared at the books in front of him, his grip still tight on the book.

"Think it over," and the professor patted his shoulder, and left the study.

King Caspian simply stood there, his grip not loosening from the book. It pained him very much at the thought of forgetting about the gentle queen and giving his heart to someone else. He understood his responsibilities as king and of his people, but never did he think it would become as big as a situation as it is today. But could he honestly blame them? Everything he and the kings and queens of old had done would have gone to waste if he could not produce an heir. The throne would go to someone else, and the Telmarines and Narnians would once again be against each other, something Caspian never wanted again.

Caspian sighed and leaned his forehead against the bookcase. "I need you Susan," he whispered. "I need you, my love."