Mist and Mystery at Calormen's Grove

The Awakening

17. The Awakening

Susan's eyelids fluttered and a distant display of light and warmth shone through the curtains of her eyelashes. She blinked a few times and tried to make sense of her whereabouts. For a second, the young queen felt lost and completely unfamiliar with her surroundings. Was this Narnia or England? Had she forsaken everything by doubting or had Aslan truly given her another chance despite it all?

Her heart constricted tight inside her chest and she closed her eyes in fear. If this wasn't Narnia, Susan was sure she would rather die than face the truth. She had told the lion she couldn't live in any world without her siblings or Caspian, even if the cost would still be high in the end. She belonged with them and not in England, if the latter meant solitude and desolation. Anyway, Narnia was the home of her heart. It was a part of her just as much as she was a part of it. It had taken her longer than she cared to admit, but she had finally stopped denying the truth to herself.

"Susan?" a low, dark voice spoke from somewhere on her right and interrupted her thoughts. Though it was just a word, the girl heard much dread and agony in the pained voice and it seemed to echo through her blood and veins.

Slowly, she turned her head and opened her eyes. Her gaze met a pair of chocolate colored eyes that glistened with unshed tears from the glow of a nearby candle. The dark pools were filled with passionate gratitude as they beheld the woman and she instinctively reached out for him.

"Caspian..." she croaked and was surprised to hear her own voice so frail and broken.

His hand enveloped her smaller one and held it reassuringly as Susan tried to make sense of the situation. The Telmarine king sat on a velvety chair beside her large bed and behind her she could see the pale light of morning seep through the open balcony door. Her bedroom was silent, yet still full of sounds of life as she heard the man draw a sharp intake of breath. The Pevensie girl turned her attention back to him and took a moment to appreciate his presence.

He was still the same and certainly not an imaginary creature as he sat close beside her with his handsome build, short beard upon a proud chin and long, dark hair flowing around his shoulders. Susan exhaled as relief washed against her like waves against the cliffs.

The man spoke again and this time his voice filled with sorrow as he whispered, "I thought I had lost you."

The brunette ran a weary hand across her forehead as she smiled to reassure them both. "I'm still here. Home."

At first, the bearded king remained silent as he watched her with a distant look to his sharp eyes. Susan wondered if perhaps he was painting a mental picture of her, to preserve the moment forever in his mind. She realized he was holding his breath, as if breathing would shatter the world and throw the pieces of it to the wind. The thought widened her smile. As it did, Caspian raised his free hand and gently stroked her cheek. "You are home."

She closed her eyes against his soothing touch and accepted the comfort she needed after recent events. "What happened after the Calormene lord stabbed me? I know of Aslan's aid afterwards but not much else."

"As it happened, I was searching for you in the gardens and came to you too late. I saw him stab you and rushed at him..." the king explained and his eyes lowered. "I killed him."

"Oh..." Susan breathed. "I'm sorry, that must have been terrible."

Caspian smirked in amusement as his eyes found hers. "The man tries to murder you and you apologize to me for killing him?"

"Well, when you put it like that..." the Pevensie smirked back as the king's hand found its way into her hair. As his fingers ran through her long, dark locks, she continued, "Thank you, though. You saved my life. Again."