Finding the Queen of Old

Finally Free

The smile that lit Susan's face the day they returned to Narnia never seemed to leave it now. A weight had been lifted off her shoulders, the realization that she was not what James did to her finally sinking in. He was a monster, yes, but he could no longer hurt her.

Today, especially, Susan's mood was joyful. She hummed and glided through the rooms of Cair Paravelle, Lucy in tow.

"Su! Caspian could be in any of these rooms! You can't-"

Susan laughed. "I know Lu! But my shoes have to be around here somewhere, and the odds of running into him aren't that high. He does have to get ready too."

Lucy shook her head, hands on her hips. "You get back to your room. I'll send Leah up to keep you company while I seek out your shoes."

"Fine, fine. Mother me like you did in England..."

The gentle queen shook her head playfully and went back up the stairs, Lucy watching to make sure she turned towards her room.

Once she was certain her dear older sister had listened, she quickly headed to the garden, where Leah was helping Jill make flower chains.

"Leah, can you go make sure Susan stays in her room while I try to find her shoes? She's been giddy all day and I doubt she won't pick up the search if left alone."

The blonde haired girl smiled. "Worried she'll run into Caspian early?"

Lucy nodded. "She's barely even started getting ready. She's been too excited to sit still."

Jill cut into the conversation. "Well, I'm just glad to see her like this. She's doing so much better now."

"She really is..."" Lucy trailed of with a soft smile forming on her face. After a few seconds she snapped out of her thoughts. "Now, I have shoes to find and Leah, you have the task of prepping Susan...If Jill can manage the flowers, of course."

Jill smiled. "We're just about done so Leah's free."

Lucy nodded and set off back at her task. How hard could it be to find a pair of Susan's shoes? Apparently, very.

The search took her through the kitchens, the dining hall, the main floor studies... every room she could think of that Susan had been was now searched.

Then Lucy reached a realization. Of all the places she had looked, she had forgotten to check the nursery!

Making her way up the staircase, she smiled at the thought of her little nephew. Alistair had grown quickly, now much more a toddler than infant. His steps were wobbly, words beyond babble still lost to him, but he was a quick learner.

Opening the nursery door, Lucy was greeted with a cry of greeting and giggles.

"Why hello to you too, Alistair!" Lucy scooped the boy up in her arms, ruffling some of his dark brown hair. "Have you been giving Auntie Isabela trouble? I know you've given Uncle Ed some!"

"He's been good, but boy has he gotten fast!" Edmund shook his head.

Isabela playfully punched him. "Or maybe you've gotten slow, Kitten. After all, the boy can barely walk..."

"Why is it always me you have to pick on?"

Isabela kissed the tip of his nose. "It's all in love, Kitten." She then turned to Lucy. "Did you need us for something?"

Lucy smiled as Alistair grabbed a lock of her hair and gave a gentle tug. "Be nice, sweet one." She unwrapped her hair from his grip, answering Isabela in the process. "I'm looking for Susan's white flats. Did she happen to leave them in here?"

"I thought she might be looking for them," Edmund walked over to the rocking chair and grabbed the shoes on the floor next to it. He pretended to dust them off, then handed them to Lucy.

"Thank you." She handed Alistair to Isabela before taking the shoes from Edmund.

"So, did you need anything else done?" Isabela asked as she bounced the boy at her hip.

Lucy shook her head. "Peter's helping Caspian get ready, Eustace is with Lord Diggory overseeing the final setup, Jill is decorating, Leah will be helping me with Susan, and Lady Polly is seeing to the feast. You two just have to get Alistair and yourselves ready."

"I think we can manage that much," Edmund smiled.

Lucy smiled. "Then I will see you later! My sister needs me, after all!"

—-

"Once again, Peter, I really must thank you." Caspian said to the man who was already like a brother to him.

Peter smiled and shook his head. "There is no need. I had already given you my blessing on this long ago, I had just never said it."

Caspian smiled softly. "I will look forward to being able to call you brother soon."

"And I you," Peter replied, finishing pulling on his boots. "Now, we should head down to see if we can help Eustace or Diggory with anything. I'm sure they'd be more than appreciative of it."

—-

"Oh wow... that dress is amazing!" Leah admired her friend's gown.

The gentle queen was dressed in a long white gown that had a full skirt. The bodice was covered in fine lace, a lace bow resting just beneath her bust. The sleeves were short and capped, the lace making up them instead of just covering them. The skirt was layers of tulle with the lace running down it and spreading out like a vine. 

Susan smiled. "Thank you."

Having finished having her hair done up intricately in a bun and braids by Lucy, Susan had only a few minutes before she had to be out the door. Leah and Lucy gave her one last smile before they headed out to take their places.

"I hope I don't make an unwelcome guest." A voice said from the doorway. "But I have someone here who wants to see you."

Susan grinned at her dark haired brother holding her son. She moved towards them, joy on her face. "Edmund... I have to thank you for everything. You've always been there for me and I-"

"Susan," He interrupted. "I already know." He was smiling, eyes watering slightly. Changing the topic, he gave her a soft smile. "You look beautiful, sis."

"Thank you." Susan's own eyes watering slightly out of happiness. She then turned to her son and kissed the top of his head, ruffling his hair. "Ed, make sure you save a dance for me later, okay? I plan on making sure all of you dance with me at least once. It is my wedding after all."

"That it is, sis. That it is." He grinned,holding out his arm to escort her to where Peter waited to walk her down the aisle.

—-

"...And in your arms, I'm finally free..." Susan hummed along to the music as she and Caspian swayed together on the dance floor.

In her sate of pure joy, Aslan's words at the service to wed her and Caspian had barely registered. She had been too caught up in the fact that not all that long ago she had forsaken all this, had thought it a game and pretend, had though her love a fantasy of childhood whim and little else. It was not all that long ago she had turned to parties and boys to fill her time and thoughts and push out all the 'childish' ones. But the fact that had her grinning in bliss instead of shaking in shame was the fact that she was here, was home, and was accepted even though she fell away. She was here with her family and the man she loved, the man who had traveled dimensions to save her from herself and bring her back to him. The man who had taken in her son as if he were his own. The man who had his arms wrapped around her and did not strike at her as others had. The man whose words were soft and kind, not harsh and piercing... Caspian truly was the love of her life.

She was home here in Narnia, home with her family and the ones she loved... she was free. Finally free.

And nothing in the world could bring her down.