Family Bonds -STORY UNDER REVISION!

Reunion

AN: Here it is! A brand new chapter! 

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Susan could not believe that Caspian would come to greet her, would be one of the first people to welcome her home. He was married; surely his wife wanted him by her side. Still, with that grin on his face, she could feel the tug of her old desire, the flame of romance bubbling to ebb at her chest. It was either desire or guilt, mayhaps a mix of the two fierce emotions that flowed through her.

He looked older, as she was certain she likely did as well, though not much older than he had when she last saw him. There was still a youthful glint in his eyes, though she could see very soft lines around his lips from laughter, much as she had seen creases in her forehead in England from sorrow. His eyes shone pure chocolate brown, sparkling in the light of the sun and with emotion she could not pretend to guess. His skin had just a touch of a sun-kissed tan, looked unscathed and pristine with not a blemish on it. His hair was longer than she remembered as well, and a faint trace of stubble brushed across his cheeks. Seeing him after all these years felt somehow right, as if they had always been meant to meet again... But no, she could not let romance or old dreams sweep her away. He was a married man, and she was the queen who forgot her kingdom, who pushed it aside like one would push aside old news.

The two stood in a peaceful moment, just taking the other in after years apart. Susan did not know what to say, and likely Caspian felt similar to her. What could one say to the person that still meant the world to them but was now forbidden, was now in arms reach but no longer obtainable? It was Susan who moved first, pulling him into a hug that turned more embrace as she clung onto him, protocol and practicality gone the minute she felt herself move towards him. Tears threatened to spill down her cheeks, but she could not allow herself to cry for losing something that was never truly hers to hold onto.

She could feel Caspian tighten his hold on her as well, and for a moment she let herself accept the embrace, pretend this reunion was more joyous than she could allow herself to. It was just the two of them, just two souls who had finally reunited after being apart so long. Everyone else was drowned out in the overwhelming moment, everyone still important, yes, but drowned out by the emotion put into this single embrace.

"I've missed you." She breathed softly as the finally separated, looking into his eyes which spoke more than she would dare say.

"I've missed you as well, Susan." His voice warmed her, and she could feel her face flush against her will.

Seeing her flush, Susan watched as Caspian struggled with some inner choice, hand raising as if to brush her hair from her cheek before refraining. His eyes grew distant, and then he spoke again, voice sounding more pained, hurt, than she had imagined it would. "They say you forgot this... forgot all of us... how? How could you forget?"

The break of his voice, the doubt he raised in her was what she had expected as a reaction from those who knew her. Her siblings had not questioned her, yet here stood someone she was further removed from, a married man, sounding hurt over her betrayal to her own beliefs. Once again, tears threatened her eyes, but she remained composed. "I... I made myself think it all a game. I want to grow up, to move on from what I never imagined a possibility for myself again, to move on from that which I had left behind. I never truly forgot, but I chose to willfully deny the truth. But I have realized I was childish in my actions, petty and unforgiving of an action I perceived as a slight towards me when it was nothing I should have felt that ways towards."

The Seafaring King pondered her words and she could only watch as his face shifted with his thoughts. He allowed himself to really think on her reply for a few more moments before allowing a smile to creep onto his face. "I'm just thankful you've found your faith again. Narnia was not the same without you."

Susan smiled back at him, ready to respond, when she was reminded that others were also present by Aslan letting out a small sound before speaking.

"I would like to speak with the gentle queen, if I may interrupt." His words were soft, though Susan knew he was to rebuke her. He had done so to Edmund, and now it was she who had been the betrayer in a sense.

"Of course." Susan followed after the Great Lion, feeling Caspian's eyes on her the whole time.

"You, my dear child, have made quite an impression with your actions these past few years." Aslan paused, turning to her once they were far enough from any who could overhear them.

Susan hung her head, face flushing with shame. "I never meant-"

"It is not your fault, Susan. No, I will admit this mistake was mine. I thought you were ready to face your world; I did not realize what I could not see at the time and how this would leave you suffering."

"I-"

"I will not say your actions did not affect others, and for that the fault is yours, but you are forgiven, Susan. Now, I do believe there is someone who wishes to continue to speak with you." Aslan motioned his head, causing Susan to look back and see Caspian's eyes still on her even though her siblings and Tumnus had joined him. He looked away quickly after they locked eyes, and Susan couldn't help the short little breath of a laugh that she let out.

"Come, you can return now to the others." Aslan began walking towards her family. She followed after him, feeling a weight lifted from her shoulders.

"What's done it done. There is no need to speak to Susan about what has been," Aslan said as Edmund made to talk, likely to ask about what had been said between his sister and the Lion.

Susan watched as Aslan turned to Lucy, and her younger sister seemed to understand whatever it was that was portrayed on his face, for she quickly grinned.

"Edmund, Peter? Will you join Tumnus and I in flower picking?"

Peter nodded, unsure as to why Lucy wanted them with her but knowing Aslan seemed to will it as well. "Come on you lot, let's go over by the creek."

Aslan dipped his head to Caspian and Susan after the others had started off. "I will speak with you again, but for now I am needed elsewhere."

That left Susan and Caspian yet again, just the two of them with things unsaid and feelings unshared, neither knowing what to say. So, instead of words, Caspian simply offered his arm to her and the two strolled in silence before coming to the castle gardens. The trees created a lovely batch of shade to sit beneath, so the two did that.

There were so many things Susan wanted to say, so many things that she needed to get out. She had to let him know her heart or else she would feel false. However, before she could speak, Caspian stood and with a troubled gaze blurted out "Susan, I need to tell you something. I have a son."