Back in the Wardrobe

Chapter 11: Funeral

Marilyn's funeral was in an hour, and no one had seen Edmund since Lucy told him about Susan. Caspian was with Susan, still not having left her. However, he had to get to the funeral.

Caspian leaned down to kiss Susan. He didn't want to leave her, but he had to go to the funeral for Marilyn.

Susan made a groaning noise, and her eye lids fluttered. "Caspian?" She asked weakly, slowly opening her eyes.

"Susan!"  the king exclaimed, pulling her into a tight embrace.

Susan grimaced, her injury jarred by the embrace. "Caspian, sorry but could you stop?"

Caspian let go of the queen, instantly realizing he had caused her more pain.

"Sorry," He apologized profusely, upset that he had caused his love pain.

"You didn't know," Susan smiled at the man she loved. The one she had waited six years to be with.

"I would love to stay here, but I have to go," Caspian said with sadness.

"Why?" Susan asked.

"Marilyn's funeral," The king said quietly. 

Susan gasped. Poor Marilyn!

"Couldn't Lucy's vial save her like it saved me?" Susan asked.

"By the time Edmund had gotten to her, it was too late," Caspian said emotionally.

He had grown to consider the girl family. She was like his little sister, and he missed her.

Susan started crying, tears dripping onto her pillow. Caspian stroked her hair comfortingly, rubbing small circles on her back.

"I want to go to the funeral," Susan said into her pillow, hard to understand because of the hiccuping sobs.

"I'l get the nurse to see if you're well enough," The king said gently.

"I'm going either way," Susan said, sitting up. Her face was tear streaked, her eyes red from crying.

She stood to dress herself, the king going to his room to change into his outfit for the funeral as well. 

Caspian dressed quickly, wanting to get back to Susan as quickly as possible. He made it back to her room and sat outside the door until she was ready.

While waiting, he realized that none of Susan's siblings knew she had awoken. In fact, not even the nurse knew she was awake. He chuckled a little, thinking of their reactions to seeing her up and about.

"I'm dressed," Caspian heard from the other side of the door.

He walked in and noticed Susan holding her stomach slightly.

"Stupid corset is too tight," She murmured, wincing as she breathed out.

Caspian would have offered his help, but anyone seeing him with his hands on her corset ties would have quite a few questions, and he was not going to face the wrath of Peter, and probably also Edmund. 

"Let me get your nurse," Caspian said as he hurried out of the room, down the hall towards the room the nurse was staying at.

Susan's nurse, Amelia, was reading when the king knocked on her door.

"Come in," Amelia called as she set down her book.

Caspian came in. "Susan woke up about 30 minutes ago. She tried to dress herself but tied her corset too tight and its hurting her."

Amelia went with the king to the Gentle Queen's room. Susan was still trying to untie the corset herself, but she had accidentally knotted it.

Amelia ran over to Susan and helped the queen. Susan smiled gratefully at Amelia. 

"My Queen, you may want to ask your sister for another drop of her fireflower juice. That should completely heal the cut and get rid of the pain," Amelia said.

"I'll do that. Come on Caspian, we have to go," Susan still looked like she was going to cry. Caspian thought it was about Marilyn, which it partially was, but he didn't know there was something else she knew that upset her.

-

Lucy was chatting amiably with Reeden. Well, as amiably as one could on the day of the funeral of a friend. 

"Lucy?" A voice asked, interupting the conversation between the Valiant queen the the faun. 

"Susan! You're awake!" Lucy exclaimed running over to hug her sister.

"Please, no hugs until I've had another drop of the cordial. It's not that I don't want a hug, its just that it hurts," Susan said, noticing Lucy's disappointed face. 

"I understand," Lucy smiled and pulled out her cordial. She handed it to Susan, who took a drop.

"Thanks Lucy," Susan said, pulling her sister into a hug. 

"Your majesties, King Peter and Lady Elizabeth have called for you. The funeral is starting," Reepicheep said with a bow. "Ah! Queen Susan! You're awake!"

Susan nodded at Reepicheep, a smile on her face. 

The group headed to the funeral in silence.

They sat down in the front. Marilyn's casket was decorated with flowers, trying to make it appear a happier event than it was.

"Where is Edmund?" Peter asked, somewhat upset as Edmund had loved Marilyn and now wouldn't even show at her funeral. 

No one knew. He wasn't in his room or anywhere else he normally would be. 

"Marilyn was a great girl. She was kind and a great swordswoman. She came from the world of the kings and queens, yet knew Narnia as well as those who lived here their whole lives. She died saving all of us. A true hero. Her death was unexpected, a true tragedy. Marilyn knew what she believed, and wasn't afraid to speak her mind. She was a loving person, helping all who needed help. Everyone will remember her for her bravery."

Susan, Lucy, and Elizabeth were bawling, and the kings were teary eyed.

As the service came to a close, and Marilyn's casket was to be removed from the church, someone burst in.

Edmund.