Dawn Will Come (SWAF Sequel)

Fears

"Mum, I can't believe it!" Lucy exclaimed yet again, though then her eyes grew wide. "Oh! You must be freezing! And Jill and Eustace will need dry clothes too..."

Lucy looked over to where her cousin and his schoolmate stood, both looking thoroughly confused, though neither of them spoke. Lucy saw Jill shiver in the brisk sea breeze, and realized that they needed dry clothing sooner rather than later.

"Lucy, Edmund... you've grown so much... but how? Where am I? Are Susan and Peter here too? You were off to school and then..." Her mother was clearly in a state of confusion, one that anyone would likely be in at seeing their children grown years older than when they themselves looked to have not aged too much. 

"Your majesties," Reepicheep approached Lucy and Edmund before they could answer, who were both still holding their mother close. "Perhaps it is time for introductions, as it appears you have a history with these people pulled from the water?" 

Helen Pevensie's eyes went wide. "Did that mouse just speak?"

"Getting him to be quiet is the real challenge." Caspian replied, and Lucy rolled her eyes as her brother-in-law teased Reepicheep right as the mouse had started to comment on the lack of originality people had. However, Lucy appreciated her brother-in-law extending his hand to help their mother up as Lucy and Edmund both stood as well. "Forgive my manners for not introducing myself to you sooner, Madam. I am King Caspian the Tenth, of Narnia." 

Lucy watched her mother give him a confused but sincere smile and answered in the same fashion. "I'm Helen Pevensie, of Finchley."

"So, you are my mother-in-law then?" Caspian grinned, and Lucy realized she should have introduced their mother to Caspian before he figured it out and spoke himself, as it would only serve to confuse their mother more. "Our eldest child shares her middle name with you!"

Lucy saw her mother process the information, and turn to her to speak. However, Lucy just laughed. "I'm not married, Mum. This is Susan's husband of twelve years. We can explain more once everyone is in dry clothes." Lucy rushed to the upper deck, and cleared her throat to draw the crew's attention. "Let it be known that those rescued from the water are under the protection of myself and King Edmund. The two youthful persons are Jill Pole and Eustace Scrubb. The woman, well, she is mother to me and my siblings and her name is Helen. Once they're in dry clothes, we shall all meet to discuss what this means. Carry on until then."

----

There was a strange chill in the air that put Susan ill at ease as she stood on the balcony of her and Caspian's room. It reminded her too much of a time she did not like to dwell on, too much like a night that changed the normal peace of the kingdom. But the sun had not even yet begun to set, and her family was around her, save for those sailing to the edges of the world. Save for Caspian. If she had to guess, her fear was stemming from that fact. They had been parted only a few hours, and yet with Peter and Josephine together, and the children playing, Susan was lost to thoughts that she did not wish to dwell on. 

She closed her eyes for a brief moment, and Envy's eyes were the first thing she saw in her imagination, the woman's look almost taunting, almost as if she were right there beside Susan. Dressed in all green, she imagined the woman taunting her, beckoning her as she had once been beckoned before. She imagined Sarah fleeing the woman in fear, only for Envy to grab her and whisk her off, but not before sending a look to Susan that startled her so deeply her eyes shot open, and her heart raced.

It was just her imagination at play, but that did not stop her from feeling genuine fear at the antagonist from her past. Breathing in deeply, Susan tried to regain her focus, to center herself. She would not fall victim again, would not allow herself to be used by those who sought to harm her family.She had trusted Envy once, only to learn the cruel intent of the woman's heart. She would not let that dark history repeat itself. True, Envy, Sloth, and Gluttony had yet to be found, but Susan knew their images were spread across the kingdom, posted so those who would see them could turn them in for reward. They could not get near the palace, could not touch her or her family.