AN: Sorry it took so long and I know there isn't much Susan and Caspian, but I'll try to remedy that during the other chapters. I might edit this chapter later. Well enjoy and don't forget to review. :-D

A Unexpected Return

Chapter 5: Reunited

King Caspian and his friends rode as fast as they could towards Cair Paravel to ensure that the Kings and Queens of old weren't attacked by the White Witch's followers. They were well aware that the horn had been heard throughout the land and since last time, everyone was aware of it's meaning.

He had only taken a handful of people, not wanted to attract too much attention even if he was a king. His joy of seeing Susan once again caused him to disregard his own safety. They had left Doctor Cornelius in charge in his absence even though no one was aware that he was gone.

Caspian was getting impatient. "How much longer?" Caspian yelled as he pulled along the extra horse.

"Just a bit longer, my king. Cair Paravel is just over that hill." Trumpkin pointed about hundred feet ahead of him.

"It's about time." Caspian mumbled to himself. He couldn't wait to see the Pevensie's, after one year without them, he couldn't contain his excitement. To be completely honest with himself he really wanted to see Susan.

Since her farewell kiss she was never far from his mind and he was hoping that she had been allowed to return with the rest of her family.

Reepicheep watched his King from his perch on Trumpkin's shoulder. He had watched his King for the last year become distracted by a mere slip of a girl, Queen Susan of old or not. The small knight couldn't see the appeal when Caspian had only known Susan for a couple of weeks.

He sighed, hopefully now Caspian's energies would be where they needed to be. It had become a common topic among the castle knights. Only a handful knew why King Caspian cared for the young old Queen.

"We're here." Trumpkin announced and Reepicheep was brought from his thoughts. He jumped off Trumpkin and scurried off to find the Kings and Queens of Old.

When he looked over the hill he saw the Kings and Queens in all their glory. They were coming out of the stone alcove adored with all their weaponry, they looked ready for battle.

High King Peter had his sword strapped to his side with his face set in determination. Queen Lucy walked out feebly behind her older brother with her dagger close at hand. King Edmund looked wise beyond his years and turned to laugh at something his older sister must have said.

Last but not least Queen Susan stepped out with her bow and arrows strapped to her back. Her face was alight with a wide smile and she looked free of any royal repercussions. And at this moment Reepicheep could see what King Caspian found so enticing about the young girl.

The Pevensie's still hadn't noticed him and were laughing and joking about different things. Reepicheep looked behind him and saw Caspian and Trumpkin getting off their horses.

"They're here." Reepicheep called.

The Kings and Queen's of old looked up abruptly and by the time Reepicheep looked down Susan had already notched a arrow in her bow. It was pointed straight at his person.

Susan tilted her head to the right, "Reepicheep?" She called.

Reepicheep performed a exaggerated bow. "Queen Susan, I'm glad I had such a lasting impression on your person."

The Pevensie's smiled and Susan put away her bow. "It's great to see you Reepicheep, but what are you doing so far out here?"

"Why, I've come to receive you."

Peter's eye brow lifted. "And just how did you know we would be arriving?"

"Who do you think called you High King Peter?"

Lucy couldn't contain her excitement any longer. "Reepicheep, come down." She called out eagerly.

The small knight looked behind him and gestured for Caspian and Trumpkin to follow. "I believe it more suitable if you came up."

They nodded their agreement and came running up the stone steps. "Now why don't you explain to us what's exactly going on…?" Peter stopped mid sentence as Caspian came into view. "Caspian… it's great to see you." He said uneasily.

Caspian smiled warmly and licked his dry lips. "It's great to see you all as well." He stared behind Peter to where Susan stood flabbergasted.

Silent tears began to trail down Susan's cheeks the moment Caspian spoke. She couldn't stand looking at him after months of crying for something she had lost and here he was, in the flesh. Susan turned around and ran into the forest surrounding Cair Paravel.

"SUSAN!" The all called.

Lucy shook her head discouragingly. "I'll go talk to her." She mumbled quietly, but Caspian stopped her.

"No, I think I should."

"Do you really think that's wise?" Edmund asked.

Caspian shook his head. "No, but I have to try."

Peter stared directly into Caspian's eyes before he stepped back to allow Caspian access to his sister. Their shared moment was more then just letting Caspian through. It was about Peter giving Caspian his acceptance as a person.

Caspian nodded in thanks and ran to where he believed Susan ran to.

"Do you think he'll get through to her?" Edmund asked.

"Yeah, she just needs to get used to the idea that she's once again back in Narnia." Peter answer. Lucy looked worried. "What's wrong Lucy?"

"If what you said is true then she might not."

"Might not what?" Edmund asked.

"Get used to being in Narnia. Last time we were here she was hesitant to accept that she was here because she knew that she would once again be leaving. She shared her worries with me while we were here. So I don't think this time will be any different." Lucy answered as she stared off into the forest.

"Which means that Queen Susan doesn't believe it will last." Reepicheep mumbled to himself.

"Let's hope that Queen Susan comes back safely." Trumpkin muttered. He was trying to ease the tension that had built after King Caspian had left.

SUSANXCASPIAN-SUSANXCASPIAN-SUSANXCASPIAN-SUSANXCASPIAN

Caspian had no idea where he was going and had yet to see any sign of Susan around. He was ready to turn around when he caught sight of the top of her bow poking out from behind a bush.

"Susan?" He called hesitantly, but she chose not to reply. It took that as a good sign when she didn't yell for him to go away.

He pushed past the bush and saw Susan sitting with her head in her hands. She looked at him, tears rolling down her pink cheeks. "What do you want?"

"I just came to check on you. I wanted to make sure you were okay and safe."

Susan glared at him angrily. "I can take of myself, thank you. Or have forgotten already?" She asked maliciously.

"Of course I remember, but that doesn't keep me from worrying about you."

She didn't respond to his statement so they sat in silence. "You know, I was getting used to the idea of never seeing you again. Every day that passed was harder then the last, but I was getting there. Now here you are and I don't know what to think." Susan admitted.

"So did I. A year had passed and I was no closer to forgetting you."

"The problem is that I'm here now and I could leave at any moment. I'm not sure I could live through that again. It took everything I had to keep my head held high and walk through that portal." Susan stood up to face Caspian.

"I missed you." Caspian breathed out.

Susan bit her tongue. "I missed you too." Caspian moved to wrap his arms around her. "No, I can't."

"Why not?"

"It'll hurt too much when I have to leave."

"Who says you have to leave?"

"I can't stay here. Narnia isn't my home."

"Why can't it be?"

"Aslan." Susan turned away from him to look out into the forest.

Caspian took a few hesitating steps forward before he wrapped his arms around her slim waist. "Aslan isn't always right. He was wrong about you coming back. Even Aslan isn't privy to all the information in the world."

"I'm scared."

"We're work through it together, but right now Narnia needs you and family."

Susan nods. "You're right." She pulls away from Caspian's embrace and turns to look at him. "Come on, we have a job to do."