Prologue: Passing through

Disclaimer: The characters and other things from The Chronicles of Narnia don't belong to me (sadly). Credit goes to those who do.

"We are ready, everyone has assembled" Caspian said tearing his eyes away from Susan's pained gaze.

This silent exchange did not escape the attention of the great lion. His amber eyes took in the possibilities that slowly faded as the seconds ticked closer to the time the kings and queens of old will depart from Narnia.

Susan watched Caspian turn and walk away. It made her feel raw inside to know that by the time this day ended, they would be literally worlds apart. The voices of Peter and Aslan were drowned out as she retreated within herself, lost to recounting the moments she had with the young Telmarine.

"Is there something the matter dear Susan?" Aslan asked

She blinked rapidly when she realized that they had now stopped talking and both companions were waiting for her answer.

"Nothing. I was just remembering something," she said vaguely. There was no need to let them know what she was feeling. It's enough that she knows how irrational it is to even consider this to be something more than fleeting attraction, there's no need to be told to her face.

"Caring deeply for someone is not something to be ashamed of. Love is not something bound by the length of time you spend together but by how much of yourselves you share with each other." Aslan said to her as if reading her mind.

"I don't l--. I mean I care but I don't…besides he doesn't…I'm sure he doesn't feel the same way" she said trailing off unsure herself of what she felt inside.

Peter listened to them thoughtfully and watched Susan battling with her desire to fall to her knees and beg Aslan against maintaining her composure.

"Susan, be honest. Once we leave, that's it. You'll be left with only a few memories that will fade over time. I don't want to see you grow old and bitter because you didn't have the guts to come to terms with what you really feel," Peter said finally

"What does it matter Pete? Whether I love him or not will not change anything," she said resignedly

"On the contrary, dear one, it means everything." Aslan said, "I will not lie and tell you that it will be easy. The laws of the universe dictate that you return to your world where you belong but I promise to do everything in my power to give you time. The rest of it will depend upon you and Caspian."

Aslan turned to face the horizon and continued, "I have told you dear ones before of the deep magic. It governs over everything; both good and evil, and can give you what you desire most. If you strip away all the layers of magic, you are left with this alone—love. Susan, what I can only give you is an opportunity and nothing more."

The two siblings came to an unspoken agreement as they considered Aslan's offer, nodding to each other then to Aslan.

"Very well then. This cannot be shared to anyone except only to Lucy and Edmund, which I trust Peter will explain to them once they have crossed over. You will pass through the portal along with your brothers and sister. However, you will not be returned to England. When you get out at the other side, you will find yourself still in Narnia. However, on the outside you will no longer be Queen Susan the Gentle but someone else entirely."

Susan's eyes widened at this but let the great lion continue.

"I am sorry that you cannot stay as you are but it is part of the test. You will have until the time Lucy and Edmund return to this world before your fate is sealed. If by then Caspian has not yet recognized who you are, you must return with your siblings and fate will resume its course from there."

"How will he recognize me if I myself don't know the face I'll see in the mirror?" Susan whispered

"Have faith dear one. A love that resembles the fabric of the deep magic will shine through no matter what tapestry you use to cover it." Aslan said moving to her side and letting her take comfort from his presence.

"Thank you Aslan." Susan said

"Now come we must not keep them waiting" Aslan said leading them on to the assembly.

"I wish we had more time together." Caspian said

"We do…just please remember me." Susan said in her mind, hoping that somehow Caspian would understand

"It would never have worked anyway," Susan spoke out keeping her end to keep appearances that she was indeed leaving.

"Why not?" he asked.

"It can. I'm fighting for it and I need you to do the same. Don't listen to the words I'm saying now. Just believe in me, please," she pleaded with him silently

"I am 1300 years older than you, " she said out loud instead, giving finality to her "departure".

In a way she was truly leaving, but only for a journey not so far from her heart. If she used to be driven by the need to defend Narnia, this time she was in a battle for her life's happiness.

When she felt like she could pretend no longer, she turned and ran to his arms and kissed him with such promise that neither could deny their hope that it wasn't the last they would share. Caspian held her tight and for a second it seemed he would not let go. She walked away a small smile on her face; triumphant at least that she had left him with a lasting memory.

Susan walked through the tree after Peter and half expected to return to the train station. But as promised she found herself in simple Narnia clothes, with an apron on her waist, in a grand bedroom fit for a king—King Caspian's room to be exact.

She caught her reflection in the mirror near the side of the room. She now had long, pin-straight, blond hair and a pale complexion. She was much taller and thinner than before and looked impossibly fragile. What remained unchanged were her cerulean eyes, the very same ones that met the suspicious brown eyes of the dark-haired king who stood at the door.

"Who are you?"