Susan Was Always First

The Dawn of Freedom

"Should we... go?" Lucy spoke after a long silence. The siblings had remained in their room for hours after Insolence and Lust had left, each trying to sort out their thoughts. They had not spoken to each other, just let the silence surround them.

Peter stood, and walked to the door. He tested it, slowly opening to look outside the door. To the left, there were a few more doors before the hallway ended in a staircase. To the right, there was rubble, and a faded mural. The king slowly took a step out, and then stepped back in. "The hallway appears to be clear, but I do not think we should leave the room just yet. The mural on the wall is familiar from when we were sent to clear out the witch's palace, and I believe we are two floors below the main hall. My guess is that the floor above us will be filled with whatever of the main force is still remaining, and that Greed will be in the main hall above that. We'll need to think up a strategy tonight, so we can act in the morning. Besides, it has grown late, and don't think I haven't noticed you nodding off, Susan. Lucy, you and I can take turns through the night to make sure the door remains open. Tomorrow, we will get ourselves out of here."

Susan nodded and laid back on the bed, rubbing her stomach slowly and letting out a yawn. Lucy thought she may have saw her sister wince, but Susan's face was neutral before she could tell for sure, and then it turned into a smile. "You hear that, little one? Tomorrow, we're going home."

---

The night had been restless for Caspian, though he still felt rested enough when he woke before dawn. Everything Aslan had told him was swimming in his mind, and he sent a glance to his brother-in-law, who still looked shocked at what had been revealed to them. Elda, it seemed from the bags under her eyes and the stifled yawns, had not slept at all but instead spent the night alternating between pacing and speaking with Aslan. 

There was so much information that it would be best he not dwell on, particularly what Aslan had told them about just who it was they were facing, and just what they had wanted with Susan. He had had to excuse himself after that information was shared, and if his knuckles were slightly bruised from hitting the nearest large rock he could find, that was not something anyone else needed to know. He was just thankful his family would be complete again soon and far away from that cruel fate. 

The plan of rescue was simple enough. There were two possible entrances to ruins, and he and Edmund would each take a different one. He would have Reepicheep and Drinian with him, while Elda, Glenstorm, and Ell would be with Edmund. There were only two floors accessible under the main floor, and two above. The entrance he was to take would leave them to the lower levels, as Elda said they were being held in the lower level, while Edmund would be checking what could be accessed of the upper. Aslan himself would be holding the main floor, as He believed the leader would not show  until all of the royalty was gathered in one place. The thought of Susan being back in his arms was all that was keeping Caspian grounded, ready to face everything that would come. He held onto Susan's bow and a quiver of arrows, not wanting to leave her unarmed when it came time to face off against the leader. He had also entrusted Lucy's dagger to Reepicheep, while Drinian carried the High King's sword alongside his own.  

As Caspian took one more look around at the small force that would soon be infiltrating the ruins of the White Witch's palace, he felt reassured that things would work out. Those who would be helping him he trusted fully, with the only exception being Elda as he still did not know where the girl's alliance truly stuck. However, he knew she at least appeared on good terms with Edmund, and thus he had faith that she would not betray them in a last ditch effort to win back favor into the faction of rebels. Lost in thought, he barely noticed Aslan approach him slowly. "Are you ready, your majesty?" 

Caspian nodded, resting a hand on the hilt of his sword. He cleared his throat, and all those gathered turned to him. "We are setting out to save three of this country's beloved rulers. If bloodshed can be avoided, try not to harm those who are unarmed, or willingly surrender. As Elda told us, many of the people here do not know of Aslan's existence, and have bought into the lies that have been spread. These people can grow and change. The ones named after the sins are our main targets. Capture them alive if possible. You have been given their descriptions by Elda. When the leader finally appears, do not engage them until we have all gathered together. Whatever happens, do not let them leave there alive."

"If the chance arises," Edmund spoke, "all of you who are not related to us should leave when they arrive. Take those who surrender-take the child that is caught up in this- and get out of the ruins. We know what they want and you heard Aslan's words last night."

Ell, Reepicheep, Drinian, Glenstorm, and Elda nodded, and there was determination clear on all their faces. They knew now who they were up against, and they could not rest until everyone was safely out of harm's way. While Ell was more scholar than fighter, he still held two daggers and looked ready to fight if he had to. Drinian, Glenstorm, and Reepicheep looked at ease with their weapons. Elda, well, she looked too at ease, though that was from her years spent doing nothing else. 

As the first few rays of dawn lit up the sky, the rescue party set out to the ruins.