(Untitled)

[once_a_queen]

You may have been in a room in which there was a window that looked out on a lovely bay of the sea or a green valley that wound away among mountains. And in the wall of that room opposite to the window there may have been a lookingglass. And as you turned away from the window you suddenly caught sight of that sea or that valley, all over again, in

Comments

[called_lioness]

"Hullo, dear."

Just that, as arms fold around her immediately.

It took you long enough, she'd have teased in another life, or complained when things were at their worst.

But not here.

[once_a_queen]

Susan hugs back, the tears prickling in her eyes.

They are tears of joy.

"I was hoping you'd be waiting for me. I missed you the last time."

[called_lioness]

"Where else would I be, silly goose?"

Lucy's laughing, as she strokes dark hair.

Lucy always laughs here.

"That was life. This is better. There's no missing here."

[once_a_queen]

"I meant at the gate, Lu," she says, wrinkling her nose.

Then she spins her sister in a happy twirl.

"I thought it would hurt. I thought I might not find it. But I'm here!"