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.