Family Bonds -STORY UNDER REVISION!

Family Moments and Merriment with Friends

Susan couldn't stop smiling as she righted herself and stood up, pulling Caspian- her fiance- to his feet.

"I still can't believe I'm here and that this is happening." Susan admitted as she ran her hand along the small necklace charm. Seeing the necklace had brought her back to the Golden Age, when she had a small jewelry box with a key that looked almost identical to such. Keys were always symbolic, meaning openness and yet also at the same time a shared, and perhaps even secret, item to which the lock fit. The usual cliche of holding the key to someone's heart was admittedly one Susan very much enjoyed, and so she savored the thoughtfulness in the selected charm while also treasuring the over-done meaning she knew Caspian would not have even considered when it was presented to her.

"It is hard not to imagine that I am dreaming." Caspian also replied, a grin still stretched across his face as well. "Yet here you are."

Susan met his gaze and lent in to kiss him softly. "We should tell my family now, before the news spreads too quickly. I'm sure there was at least one Narnian who saw our exchange."

"You are probably right about that." Caspian laughed lightly.

Hands entwined, Susan set out towards the spot where she had last seen her siblings, hoping they were all together still and had not gone wandering off. Hearing laughter as she neared the spot, Susan knew her hunch about finding them there was correct. Her family and Tumnus were seated around a small campfire, enjoying the peaceful night.

"Susan! Caspian!" Lucy grinned widely. "So wonderful of you to join us!"

Edmund shot a look to them both, brow raised. "You two look exceptionally happy..."

Peter grinned, catching Susan's eye and winking. "Don't you two see what's around her neck? I'd be joyful too if I'd just been part of a proposal."

"A proposal!" Lucy exclaimed excitedly, jumping up and rushing to look at her sister's necklace. "So then you aren't married to Lilliandith anymore?"

Caspian shook his head. "We separated when Rilian was young, with Trumpkin and Drinian as witnesses."

"And you never told us? I am hurt, dear brother." Edmund spoke dramatically, though it was clear he was jesting, eyes shining with joy. "I'm happy for you two, truly."

"As I am, your majesties." Tumnus dipped his head, smiling.

Lucy sat back down beside Tumnus, and Susan noticed the closeness of the two, Lucy's arm practically against his even though there was plenty of space around the fire. "He figured out what you were up to earlier, Caspian, though we we skeptical because of the fact we still thought you were wed, which we now know to be false."

"A fact I will never forgive you for not telling us about sooner." Edmund chimed in again, face still in a grin.

Peter shook his head. "I know I wouldn't tell you, Edmund. You may have been one of the best spies in all of Narnian history, but you've become a chatterbox recently. Half of Narnia would have known."

"I took all your secrets to the grave as well, dear brother...and now, if you think I am such a chatterbox, they're free game." Edmund's eyes shone at his brother's words, taking them nearly as a challenge. Susan knew that look well, and wondered what Edmund was about to reveal. "Such as the fact that I know about your little affair in the Golden Age with that woman who looked like-"

"How did you-" Peter's horrified look only caused Edmund to grin widely. "Okay, Edmund, I stand corrected. Please continue to be the trusted secret keeper we've all grown to put up with."

Lucy's eye were wide. "Peter! You of all people- You lectured all of us for DAYS about propriety and proper courtship rules and etiquette back then, and now to find out..."