Never Let You Go - for crescent_gaia
Title: Never Let You Go
Author: angel_in_tears
Recipient: crescent_gaia
Rating: PG
Possible Spoilers/Warnings: AU
Summary: Caspian cannot let Susan go
Never Let You Go
Peter looked around one last time, his features grim. He didn’t want to leave Narnia, but it was time. After all Aslan had said, he couldn’t be angry. He was sad, but knew that it was for the best. Lucy and Edmund were slightly more cheerful. They knew that they would return.
He glanced over towards Susan, who stood staring at Caspian with tears shining in her eyes. The ways of this world were cruel, to tear her apart from someone that she loved. She wanted to ask Aslan if she could stay but had been too afraid. She had the feeling he would have said no. They had learnt all that they could in this world. But what had she learnt, besides heartbreak?
With one sad last look around, Peter moved towards the tree. Stepping through, he felt something inside him twist and he yelled in pain. He could hear screaming behind him and he reached, trying to grab Lucy or Susan, even Edmund. He needed to know they were alright. Something had gone fearfully wrong. Closing his eyes, he wished they were safe and home. Safe in Narnia.
“Your Majesty?” a voice queried, trembling. “Your Majesty? Can you hear me, are you alright?”
King Peter the First rose up in bed slowly, groaning. Recognising his physician, he frowned.
“Doctor? What happened?”
“Oh your Majesty!” the Doctor cried in a rush. “Your Majesty, you took such a fall from your horse. Your sisters were most distressed and fainted at the same time. We have spent numerous hours by your bedside, we did not think you would wake again. All you talked about was Narnia and Aslan. We could not make sense of it.”
King Peter frowned. Narnia? Aslan? Those names meant something, he was sure of it. He could remember something, something cold. A tall castle, in a strange land. Frowning again, he shook his head. It was not important.
“My sisters? How are they? Have they recovered?,” Peter inquired imperiously. “And who has been looking to the running of England? How is my lady, the Queen?”
“All are well, all are well sire,” the Doctor reassured him. “Her Majesty ensured that the country was running smoothly in your absence sire. Edmund wanted to return from Wales, but she advised him that it would be best to stay where he was.”
Peter nodded and moved out of bed, waiting on his page to help him dress correctly. He must get back out in public and reassure his subjects that he was fine. All would be well. There would be no more talk of Narnia or Aslan, whatever those confounded subjects were about.
Caspian paced the great hall, restless and unable to sleep. How could he just let her go? He should have begged her to stay with him, he should have done something. Sighing, he raced for the stables, advising his men that he was going on a short journey. Riding hard, he managed to make it to Cair Paravel by mid-morning.
Standing amongst the ruins of what had once been a great castle, where she had ruled, he took out her horn. He had heard the story and the legends. It had brought her into his life. Maybe, just maybe, it would bring her to him again. With a deep breath, he blew the horn and settled in to wait.
Every so often he blew the horn, and waited patiently. Something had to happen. He couldn’t stay here without her, he couldn’t rule with half his soul missing. Surely Aslan would not let his King suffer. Please, he thought desperately. Please Susan, please come to me.
Her Royal Highness, the Princess Susan, sat up with a gasp, staring around her wildly.
“My lady?”, her handmaiden queried. “What is it?”
“Nothing,” Susan gasped, hand over her chest. “It was just a dream. It was nothing. Go back to sleep.”
Laying down again, Susan stared up into the darkness. Only yesterday Peter had talked of a land called Narnia, of something called Aslan. And now, she was dreaming of Aslan, and this man. He was strangely familiar, but she did not know how. Caspian. The name sounded strange, it was definitely not an English name, yet somehow she knew that she had spoken it before. Her heart had ached when she had seen him. Closing her eyes, Susan lost herself to another dream.
Caspian stood at the highest point of the ruins, watching the sand and water below. He had been here for at least a day now, yet nothing had happened. No Susan, no Peter or Edmund or Lucy. Not even Aslan. He signed and blew the horn again. He would not leave, not without a response.
Something cracked behind him and he whirled around, sword in hand. A great lion stepped out from the underbrush.
“My Child,” Aslan growled, as Caspian knelt. “Why do you persist in waiting here, blowing the horn again? You must know that Queen Susan is far beyond it’s call. The need in Narnia is not great enough for them to return, indeed both Queen Susan and High King Peter can no longer return to its boundaries”
Caspian remained kneeling as tears began to stream down his face.
“I must see her Aslan. I cannot rule, I cannot live without her by my side. My soul is torn and I cannot eat, I cannot sleep without her. She would be a wonderful Queen for Narnia, if only you would allow her to return.”
Aslan stared at Caspian sombrely. “You must know Caspian, that this choice could change Narnia forever. If you leave, you may never return as King, it will depend on Susan’s choice. She could yet say no, she may choose her family over you and then Narnia will fall.”
“I am prepared Aslan,” Caspian exclaimed. “Please. Send me to her, and I will convince her to return with me. We will rule Narnia justly, together.”
Aslan sighed. “Beware, Son of Adam. You ask much, and not even I can foresee the ending.”
Caspian nodded, feeling a sharp pain in his stomach, before everything went black.
*******************************
A royal progress was a sight to behold. The King rode at the front of the group, with men of the King’s Guard and some of his favourite courtiers around him. They were followed by Queen Marie and the Royal Princesses, Susan and Lucy. Behind them were yet more courtiers and guards, as well as cart after cart taking household items, fresh food and water and luxuries to their castle in Wales.
The court was going to visit Prince Edmund and also to prepare for the royal hunt. While numerous hunts were held throughout the year, there was one time each year in Wales where a white stag was rumoured to appear. The royal family participated every year without fail, even the ladies. Capturing the white stag was rumoured to bring good luck and fortune for the impending year.
Edmund welcomed his brother, sisters and sister-in-law to his castle with an enormous welcoming feast. It was announced to the court that her Majesty was with child and would not be participating in the hunt the next day. Runners were sent out all over England to announce the news and to announce that the next day would be declared a feast day, a celebration day all over the realm.
In the morning, they all prepared for the hunt. Not only would the royals be riding, but half a dozen courtiers who had been awarded the honour. Then their entourage of a few guards, plus houndsmen and beaters would mean that their party would number almost forty.
Riding out, Susan felt strange. She had been mulling over her dream and knew that it had to be important. It felt more like a memory then just a dream. The air felt strange, like it was charged with electricity. Urging her horse to a gallop, Susan began to pull away from the others. She knew she had to hurry.
Peter yelled out for her to wait, and urged his horse to gallop also. He could not let her get too far ahead, in case she fell or was hurt. Edmund and Lucy urged their horses into gallops also, with Edmund commanding the others to follow, but at a slower pace.
Suddenly, Susan’s horse reared as a white stag dashed across the path in front of her, followed by a man with dark hair. He looked up at her, a smile crossing his face. She thought his lips mouthed Susan before she fainted and the ground rushed up to meet her.
Peter, Edmund and Lucy came galloping into the clearing in time to see Susan fall to the ground, and a strange man with strange clothing rush to grab her.
“Unhand her!” Peter yelled furiously, drawing his sword and charging at the unknown man. He was almost about to run him down when the man turned and looked straight at him and Peter yanked on the reins, turning the horse around.
“Caspian?” Peter gasped. “Is it really you?”
All at once memories rushed back at Peter, Edmund and Lucy. Their first trip to Narnia, the battle with the white witch. Centaurs and Fauns, Mr Tumnus and the Beavers. Aslan crowning them at their wondrous palace at Cair Paravel. England, a more modern England than now, with trains and cars. A war. Returning to Narnia to find the ruins of Cair Paravel, to find Caspian.
Peter knelt, his head spinning. “What is happening? Why are we here?”
He looked up at Edmund in confusion, who grimaced. “I remember everything. I remember Narnia, I remember our other life in England. And yet I remember this England. This England is so real to me, our lords and ladies, the war with Scotland, the treaty with France. It’s all so clear.”
Caspian embraced them all warmly, before kneeling down by Susan again.
“She seems okay Peter,” he whispered. “I think it was just the shock, maybe she hit her head. She will be fine, I hope.”
“Why are you here Caspian?” asked Lucy. “What about Narnia? What’s going on?”
Caspian looked up at them slowly.
“I’ve come to ask Susan to return to Narnia with me, and to rule alongside me,” Caspian murmured, tears beginning to fall. “I can’t rule without her, I can’t concentrate, I love her.”
Lucy smiled. “If only I had my cordial with me again, I could help Susan now.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Edmund cried. “She’s waking up!”
They all rushed to kneel by her, Caspian cradling her head in his lap.
“Susan,” he whispered. “Please wake up Susan.”
Susan blinked groggily. “Wha-what happened? What’s going on and who-who are? Wait, Caspian?”
Sitting up quickly she threw her arms around Caspian, almost knocking him over.
“I thought they were just dreams,” she cried. “But they were real, I remember you, I remember everything. Oh Caspian!”
Reaching up, they kissed, oblivious to her siblings around them until Lucy giggled and Edmund coughed in embarrassment. Rising to their feet, Caspian smiled down at Susan.
“Queen Susan,” he asked. “I know I have no right, but I would love for you to return to Narnia with me, and rule at my side as the Queen of Narnia.”
Kneeling, he smiled up at her.
“Please return to Narnia Susan. She needs her Queen, and I love you.”
Crying, Susan threw her arms around Caspian. “Of course! Of course I’ll come back, and stay with you and rule with you until the end of time.”
A crack echoed through the forest and they turned as Aslan walked towards them. Lucy ran to him immediately, burying her head in his mane.
“Children,” he grumbled. “You all have a choice now laid before you. Susan, if you wish it, you may return to Narnia and rule once more, with Caspian at your side.”
Susan nodded and moved closer to Caspian. “That is my wish Aslan.”
Aslan nodded and turned to the others. “Peter, Edmund and Lucy. You may choose to remain here, in this England, or I can return you to the other England that you remember. The choice will be permanent, and you cannot change your mind.”
Peter frowned, thinking hard. “I will stay here, Aslan. My wife, my Queen, is with child, and this is the England that is foremost in my mind.”
“Mine also,” Edmund stated, stepping forward. “I could not return to the future, knowing this life.”
“I will stay with my brothers,” Lucy smiled. “Someone needs to keep them out of trouble, with Susan gone.”
Tears began forming in their eyes as they all surrounded Susan and hugged her tightly. Mounting their horses, Peter, Edmund and Lucy rode off, blowing kisses backwards to Susan and Caspian.
Aslan smiled at Caspian and Susan, before he let out a great roar. Susan and Caspian closed their eyes, and when they opened them they were in the How. Susan stared at the walls in wonder, never imagining she would see this again. She ran her hand over the carving of her and her siblings on their coronation day, tears shining in her eyes.
“Do you regret your choice,” Caspian murmured, hugging her tightly.
“Never,” Susan whispered, turning around and kissing him fiercely. “I am home, if I am with you.”
Original Prompt that we sent you:
What I want: I want movie 'verse for the following prompt. The Pevensie siblings, when coming back to Earth after what happened in Prince Caspian, accidentally got sent back to medieval England where Peter really is King and Edmund rules as Prince in one of Peter's kingdoms. Caspian, after realizing that he does need Susan, asks to be sent to where she is and ends up somewhere in this AU of medieval of King Peter's world. Susan and Caspian do need to be together at the end of the fic and do not pair Caspian with anybody else.
Prompt words/objects/quotes/whatever: The Call // Regina Spektor
Author: angel_in_tears
Recipient: crescent_gaia
Rating: PG
Possible Spoilers/Warnings: AU
Summary: Caspian cannot let Susan go
Never Let You Go
Peter looked around one last time, his features grim. He didn’t want to leave Narnia, but it was time. After all Aslan had said, he couldn’t be angry. He was sad, but knew that it was for the best. Lucy and Edmund were slightly more cheerful. They knew that they would return.
He glanced over towards Susan, who stood staring at Caspian with tears shining in her eyes. The ways of this world were cruel, to tear her apart from someone that she loved. She wanted to ask Aslan if she could stay but had been too afraid. She had the feeling he would have said no. They had learnt all that they could in this world. But what had she learnt, besides heartbreak?
With one sad last look around, Peter moved towards the tree. Stepping through, he felt something inside him twist and he yelled in pain. He could hear screaming behind him and he reached, trying to grab Lucy or Susan, even Edmund. He needed to know they were alright. Something had gone fearfully wrong. Closing his eyes, he wished they were safe and home. Safe in Narnia.
“Your Majesty?” a voice queried, trembling. “Your Majesty? Can you hear me, are you alright?”
King Peter the First rose up in bed slowly, groaning. Recognising his physician, he frowned.
“Doctor? What happened?”
“Oh your Majesty!” the Doctor cried in a rush. “Your Majesty, you took such a fall from your horse. Your sisters were most distressed and fainted at the same time. We have spent numerous hours by your bedside, we did not think you would wake again. All you talked about was Narnia and Aslan. We could not make sense of it.”
King Peter frowned. Narnia? Aslan? Those names meant something, he was sure of it. He could remember something, something cold. A tall castle, in a strange land. Frowning again, he shook his head. It was not important.
“My sisters? How are they? Have they recovered?,” Peter inquired imperiously. “And who has been looking to the running of England? How is my lady, the Queen?”
“All are well, all are well sire,” the Doctor reassured him. “Her Majesty ensured that the country was running smoothly in your absence sire. Edmund wanted to return from Wales, but she advised him that it would be best to stay where he was.”
Peter nodded and moved out of bed, waiting on his page to help him dress correctly. He must get back out in public and reassure his subjects that he was fine. All would be well. There would be no more talk of Narnia or Aslan, whatever those confounded subjects were about.
Caspian paced the great hall, restless and unable to sleep. How could he just let her go? He should have begged her to stay with him, he should have done something. Sighing, he raced for the stables, advising his men that he was going on a short journey. Riding hard, he managed to make it to Cair Paravel by mid-morning.
Standing amongst the ruins of what had once been a great castle, where she had ruled, he took out her horn. He had heard the story and the legends. It had brought her into his life. Maybe, just maybe, it would bring her to him again. With a deep breath, he blew the horn and settled in to wait.
Every so often he blew the horn, and waited patiently. Something had to happen. He couldn’t stay here without her, he couldn’t rule with half his soul missing. Surely Aslan would not let his King suffer. Please, he thought desperately. Please Susan, please come to me.
Her Royal Highness, the Princess Susan, sat up with a gasp, staring around her wildly.
“My lady?”, her handmaiden queried. “What is it?”
“Nothing,” Susan gasped, hand over her chest. “It was just a dream. It was nothing. Go back to sleep.”
Laying down again, Susan stared up into the darkness. Only yesterday Peter had talked of a land called Narnia, of something called Aslan. And now, she was dreaming of Aslan, and this man. He was strangely familiar, but she did not know how. Caspian. The name sounded strange, it was definitely not an English name, yet somehow she knew that she had spoken it before. Her heart had ached when she had seen him. Closing her eyes, Susan lost herself to another dream.
Caspian stood at the highest point of the ruins, watching the sand and water below. He had been here for at least a day now, yet nothing had happened. No Susan, no Peter or Edmund or Lucy. Not even Aslan. He signed and blew the horn again. He would not leave, not without a response.
Something cracked behind him and he whirled around, sword in hand. A great lion stepped out from the underbrush.
“My Child,” Aslan growled, as Caspian knelt. “Why do you persist in waiting here, blowing the horn again? You must know that Queen Susan is far beyond it’s call. The need in Narnia is not great enough for them to return, indeed both Queen Susan and High King Peter can no longer return to its boundaries”
Caspian remained kneeling as tears began to stream down his face.
“I must see her Aslan. I cannot rule, I cannot live without her by my side. My soul is torn and I cannot eat, I cannot sleep without her. She would be a wonderful Queen for Narnia, if only you would allow her to return.”
Aslan stared at Caspian sombrely. “You must know Caspian, that this choice could change Narnia forever. If you leave, you may never return as King, it will depend on Susan’s choice. She could yet say no, she may choose her family over you and then Narnia will fall.”
“I am prepared Aslan,” Caspian exclaimed. “Please. Send me to her, and I will convince her to return with me. We will rule Narnia justly, together.”
Aslan sighed. “Beware, Son of Adam. You ask much, and not even I can foresee the ending.”
Caspian nodded, feeling a sharp pain in his stomach, before everything went black.
*******************************
A royal progress was a sight to behold. The King rode at the front of the group, with men of the King’s Guard and some of his favourite courtiers around him. They were followed by Queen Marie and the Royal Princesses, Susan and Lucy. Behind them were yet more courtiers and guards, as well as cart after cart taking household items, fresh food and water and luxuries to their castle in Wales.
The court was going to visit Prince Edmund and also to prepare for the royal hunt. While numerous hunts were held throughout the year, there was one time each year in Wales where a white stag was rumoured to appear. The royal family participated every year without fail, even the ladies. Capturing the white stag was rumoured to bring good luck and fortune for the impending year.
Edmund welcomed his brother, sisters and sister-in-law to his castle with an enormous welcoming feast. It was announced to the court that her Majesty was with child and would not be participating in the hunt the next day. Runners were sent out all over England to announce the news and to announce that the next day would be declared a feast day, a celebration day all over the realm.
In the morning, they all prepared for the hunt. Not only would the royals be riding, but half a dozen courtiers who had been awarded the honour. Then their entourage of a few guards, plus houndsmen and beaters would mean that their party would number almost forty.
Riding out, Susan felt strange. She had been mulling over her dream and knew that it had to be important. It felt more like a memory then just a dream. The air felt strange, like it was charged with electricity. Urging her horse to a gallop, Susan began to pull away from the others. She knew she had to hurry.
Peter yelled out for her to wait, and urged his horse to gallop also. He could not let her get too far ahead, in case she fell or was hurt. Edmund and Lucy urged their horses into gallops also, with Edmund commanding the others to follow, but at a slower pace.
Suddenly, Susan’s horse reared as a white stag dashed across the path in front of her, followed by a man with dark hair. He looked up at her, a smile crossing his face. She thought his lips mouthed Susan before she fainted and the ground rushed up to meet her.
Peter, Edmund and Lucy came galloping into the clearing in time to see Susan fall to the ground, and a strange man with strange clothing rush to grab her.
“Unhand her!” Peter yelled furiously, drawing his sword and charging at the unknown man. He was almost about to run him down when the man turned and looked straight at him and Peter yanked on the reins, turning the horse around.
“Caspian?” Peter gasped. “Is it really you?”
All at once memories rushed back at Peter, Edmund and Lucy. Their first trip to Narnia, the battle with the white witch. Centaurs and Fauns, Mr Tumnus and the Beavers. Aslan crowning them at their wondrous palace at Cair Paravel. England, a more modern England than now, with trains and cars. A war. Returning to Narnia to find the ruins of Cair Paravel, to find Caspian.
Peter knelt, his head spinning. “What is happening? Why are we here?”
He looked up at Edmund in confusion, who grimaced. “I remember everything. I remember Narnia, I remember our other life in England. And yet I remember this England. This England is so real to me, our lords and ladies, the war with Scotland, the treaty with France. It’s all so clear.”
Caspian embraced them all warmly, before kneeling down by Susan again.
“She seems okay Peter,” he whispered. “I think it was just the shock, maybe she hit her head. She will be fine, I hope.”
“Why are you here Caspian?” asked Lucy. “What about Narnia? What’s going on?”
Caspian looked up at them slowly.
“I’ve come to ask Susan to return to Narnia with me, and to rule alongside me,” Caspian murmured, tears beginning to fall. “I can’t rule without her, I can’t concentrate, I love her.”
Lucy smiled. “If only I had my cordial with me again, I could help Susan now.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Edmund cried. “She’s waking up!”
They all rushed to kneel by her, Caspian cradling her head in his lap.
“Susan,” he whispered. “Please wake up Susan.”
Susan blinked groggily. “Wha-what happened? What’s going on and who-who are? Wait, Caspian?”
Sitting up quickly she threw her arms around Caspian, almost knocking him over.
“I thought they were just dreams,” she cried. “But they were real, I remember you, I remember everything. Oh Caspian!”
Reaching up, they kissed, oblivious to her siblings around them until Lucy giggled and Edmund coughed in embarrassment. Rising to their feet, Caspian smiled down at Susan.
“Queen Susan,” he asked. “I know I have no right, but I would love for you to return to Narnia with me, and rule at my side as the Queen of Narnia.”
Kneeling, he smiled up at her.
“Please return to Narnia Susan. She needs her Queen, and I love you.”
Crying, Susan threw her arms around Caspian. “Of course! Of course I’ll come back, and stay with you and rule with you until the end of time.”
A crack echoed through the forest and they turned as Aslan walked towards them. Lucy ran to him immediately, burying her head in his mane.
“Children,” he grumbled. “You all have a choice now laid before you. Susan, if you wish it, you may return to Narnia and rule once more, with Caspian at your side.”
Susan nodded and moved closer to Caspian. “That is my wish Aslan.”
Aslan nodded and turned to the others. “Peter, Edmund and Lucy. You may choose to remain here, in this England, or I can return you to the other England that you remember. The choice will be permanent, and you cannot change your mind.”
Peter frowned, thinking hard. “I will stay here, Aslan. My wife, my Queen, is with child, and this is the England that is foremost in my mind.”
“Mine also,” Edmund stated, stepping forward. “I could not return to the future, knowing this life.”
“I will stay with my brothers,” Lucy smiled. “Someone needs to keep them out of trouble, with Susan gone.”
Tears began forming in their eyes as they all surrounded Susan and hugged her tightly. Mounting their horses, Peter, Edmund and Lucy rode off, blowing kisses backwards to Susan and Caspian.
Aslan smiled at Caspian and Susan, before he let out a great roar. Susan and Caspian closed their eyes, and when they opened them they were in the How. Susan stared at the walls in wonder, never imagining she would see this again. She ran her hand over the carving of her and her siblings on their coronation day, tears shining in her eyes.
“Do you regret your choice,” Caspian murmured, hugging her tightly.
“Never,” Susan whispered, turning around and kissing him fiercely. “I am home, if I am with you.”
Original Prompt that we sent you:
What I want: I want movie 'verse for the following prompt. The Pevensie siblings, when coming back to Earth after what happened in Prince Caspian, accidentally got sent back to medieval England where Peter really is King and Edmund rules as Prince in one of Peter's kingdoms. Caspian, after realizing that he does need Susan, asks to be sent to where she is and ends up somewhere in this AU of medieval of King Peter's world. Susan and Caspian do need to be together at the end of the fic and do not pair Caspian with anybody else.
Prompt words/objects/quotes/whatever: The Call // Regina Spektor