fandomtownies | Fandom High Wildlife Preserve, and beyond.

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Fandom High Wildlife Preserve, and beyond.

Susan stood at the edge of the Preserve and took one last look back at the town and school. Thought of all the people she'd said good-bye to over the last few days; and all of those she wouldn't be able to see again.

She turned back toward the forest, and took Peter's hand. "Ready."

For

once_a_king, one last time.

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Peter nodded. "Excellent. Shall we then?"

She nodded, certain this time. "Yes. Let's."

She noted every step of the way toward the clearing, the flowers, the trees, the way the light slanted through the winter branches. The sound of the ocean, and the feel of the sea breeze in her hair. And as much as she loved it, it was... well.

Good-bye. Good-bye. Good-bye.

As they walked, Peter gently moved her hand to the crook of his elbow, because if she was going back then she'd need to pick up the trick of walking that way again. He stayed quiet, feeling that anything that needed to be said had already happened. Anything that was going to happen would not necessarily include the need for words.

Susan adjusted her arm in his, patting his hand as she did so, reminded of the past. And what might be the future. Some part of her still didn't believe, even having stood on the slopes of Narnia, and seen Cair Paravel in the distance, the setting sun behind it.

The rest of her knew.

If I could have both, I would have both. I would teach here, and go back there for visits-- no. I would live there, and visit here. But I don't think that's a choice that's left to me. So I'll make the choice now, that I wish I'd made then....

When they approached the clearing, Peter felt in his pocket for the rings. He hoped they'd work this time. For Susan's sake, for him to be able to make up for what his other self had failed at, to make up for that sadness she exuded.

He glanced at her again to catch her eye. "Ready?" he repeated.

Susan just nodded this time, and let out a soft breath. She looked around one last time, at the trees. "I wish I'd said good-bye to the dryads. Cruel to wake them in winter, though. Tell them thank you for me?" she whispered. Then, to the world: "Good-bye...."

Something wavered at the edge of her vision, and at first she thought it was the tears standing in her eyes.

But it was golden, and coming closer, and the warmth was so, so familiar....

"I will," Peter promised. "They will be happy to know you returned."

Peter swallowed hard as the familiar overwhelming feeling of good and terrible, the essence of Aslan washed over him.

With a low and formal bow, Peter turned towards the great lion as he paced out of the clearing.

"King Peter," Aslan said. And his voice turned softer though still great when he said "Queen Susan."

The last time she'd seen Aslan, he'd told her that she couldn't come back to Narnia. That she was too old. And she'd embraced that age with resentment and bitterness, and lost everyone she loved though mischance because she wouldn't look back.

Susan hadn't let herself think that she'd lost him, most of the time. It hurt too much. Except now she realized that lost wasn't the right word. Maybe just... lost touch.

She didn't curtsey. Just stepped forward, voice breaking, hoping and asking and apologizing and greeting all in one.

"Aslan?"

Aslan paced forward, just close enough to nudge Susan's shoulder with his great muzzle in a move that would be an embrace from anyone else. "I am glad you have returned, Susan. Welcome home, friend of Narnia."

Susan sank her hands into his mane, leaned forward to breath in his breath and warmth, and let the tears of relief loose without shame. Home. Finally. Home. "As am I. It was a long time, Aslan. A very long time."

Peter smiled with relief, feeling almost a weight lift off his shoulders as he heard Aslan acknowledge Susan as Queen and friend. He stood back as Susan greeted Aslan and so saw the world start to spin and the trees change. The only thing to remain motionless was Aslan himself.

Once the world had settled again, Peter recognised Narnia in the shape of the trees and the colour of the sky. He looked up to see a royal party arrayed on the hill beyond them. The great tent of the Kings and Queens of Narnia stood with three crowned adults in front of it. Peter bowed low to the Kings and Queen of Narnia.

Susan pulled away, and turned when she felt the world change, grow warmer, subtler, the colors more intense....

And saw Lucy, up the hill, Lucy grown as she'd been in Narnia, begin racing down the hill toward her. Peter and Edmund weren't far behind.

In the tent, she saw a woman stand up, and Susan's vision blurred at the sight of her mother.

Peter rose from his bow and turned to Susan. "I think you found your place," he said, softly. He glanced at Aslan with a nod. "Well, we had much help doing so." He bowed to her then held out his hand. "Be well, sister."

It finally hit Susan that she was gaining back everything she'd lost, but losing this Peter, who'd been her brother for months. She'd known it, on some level. But not until did the meaning sink in.

She ignored his outstreched hand, and pulled him into a hug. "I don't think...." I shall see you again, clogged in her throat, and seh couldn't say it. "Peter?"

"I know," Peter said, hugging her tightly for an instant. He bit his lip to prevent tears from coming to his eyes when he looked at her again. "But this is right, Su." He ducked his head and looked very much like a little boy for an instant. "I'll miss you."

"Oh, and I'll miss you. So much." Susan didn't brush the tears away, just squeezed his hand tightly, so tightly. "Nadia was my last patient. Can you look out for her? And... Try to get her here. If she really needs it." She didn't think it would be possible. But she had to have someone make the attempt, if Nadia needed it.

"You are my brother. No matter what happens." She took a breath. "The last six months would have been so much poorer without you. And I don't think I would have ever gotten back here, without you." Susan put her arms around him again. "Don't forget what I told you," she whispered. "For your Susan."

Peter nodded at her request, not wanting to voice the thought he knew she had. "I'm thankful were there. I'm more thankful that you are here." He hugged her tightly. "And I won't fail my Susan. My word on it."

He stepped back, gazing at her to memorise how she looked right now. With one final squeeze of her hand and a glance at the much older Lucy, Edmund, and...himself who were rapidly approaching, Peter turned to Aslan.

The lion nodded in response to Peter's unasked nose and paced forward to just touch the boy with his nose. "Well done, King Peter," he rumbled.

As the world started to change again, Peter took a last look at this Narnia and at Su before he was standing alone in the clearing of the Preserve.

Susan watched Peter leave through a blur, loving him, hoping for him, knowing she'd just seen the last of him, if not ever, than for a very, very long time-- and turned back to her brothers and sister.

Just as Lucy reached her, nearly knocking her over with her hug. "Susan! Finally! Aslan said you'd come, but it seems like forever. You're here to stay, aren't you?"

"Aren't you?" Edmund asked, his arms encircling them both.

Susan met Peter's eyes over Lucy's head, and the smile he gave her was the same one as that of the boy who had just left to go back to Willow, and Fandom, and another Susan, on another path. And that was what brought the smile back, even as she cried. "Yes. To stay."

Her mother was walking down the hill, not running, but her hands were over her mouth, in the gesture Susan remembered, and Uncle Diggory came out of the tent, and her father....

"For good."

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Fandom High Wildlife Preserve, and beyond.

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