Mist and Mystery at Calormen's Grove

Cair Paravel

7. Cair Paravel

Peter and Edmund raised their eyes when Caspian's worried voice flared their own acknowledgement of their sister's absence. Everyone had been so occupied with worrying about the people in danger that there hadn't been much time for missing people.

"Susan!" her older brother cried and looked frantically about the deck without finding the person whom his eyes desperately sought.

"She didn't...?" the other Pevensie boy began and his voice faded for he wasn't willing to voice the thought of his other sister being lost to the monstrous mist out loud. From his right, Lucy squeezed his hand with her small one and Edmund squeezed back just as tightly.

"Your majesty!" Reepicheep called. The Telmarine king and the Pevensies turned to the stern of the ship where the mouse stood upon the railing by the steering wheel, pointing down at something out of sight. Caspian didn't need to be called on twice as he jumped from the wet deck, slipped once and then rushed towards the steps.

"Susan!" he breathed as he glimpsed a still hand on the floor at the top of the steps. With his long legs he took the steps in two strides and slid over to the queen on the wet floor. Susan lay on her side, with her back to the large wheel and one arm stretched out below her head on the floor. Her bow and quiver lay discarded by her side in a puddle of water and Caspian pushed them aside to get better access to the fallen queen. The wet mass of her long hair obscured the lady's face and for a second the king dared not breathe as he noted how she remained still even upon his arrival.

"Su!" Peter breathed as he slid down onto the deck beside the king. The Telmarine shifted somewhat to let the younger, worried man come closer. "Can you hear me, Su?"

The young woman stirred as her brother's hand shook her lean shoulder. Caspian stopped the man with a firm hand, "Careful, her back could be severely injured."

The Pevensie boy nodded and moved his hand to caress his sister's cheek instead as she slowly regained consciousness. With some effort she opened her eyes and blinked repeatedly as her eyes cleared. Strong as she was, she managed a weak smile at the two young men that towered over her.

"I'm fine," Susan managed in a worn voice as her brother brushed the wet hair from her face. "I-I just got the air knocked out of me."

As if to prove her statement she moved to sit up on the hard, wooden floor. She moaned and her face twisted somewhat in agony but before she could strain herself, Caspian placed a tender hand on her back to help her up the last part.

"Are you sure you're not injured?" he asked gently and searched her face for the truth.

There was a flash of something in her eyes as she met his gaze and a slight pause before she admitted, "Bruised? Yes. Injured? No. Never mind me. Lucy?"

"She's fine, she's just fine. Wet, scared – but fine," Peter assured and visibly relaxed as realization hit him that they were once more out of the woods. "Come, we must get both her and Lucy dry."

The Telmarine nodded in agreement and then leaned over Susan before the young queen could protest. He guided her right arm around his neck and then scooped her up into his strong arms. She didn't weigh that much but it was still a load to the man's worn body. Still, he would have carried her to the End of the world and back in that moment if it would have meant keeping her alive and well.

"You're safe now," he whispered assuredly loud enough for only her ears as he followed Peter Pevensie down the steps once more. He felt her hand grab a dove-like hold of the shoulder of his shirt as she nodded against his chest.