[au] Narnia and the North

[the_seafarer]

There's a chill bite to the air, these days. The horses have been growing out their winter coats, and they look shaggy and plump as Caspian turns them out into the paddocks. Behind the stables, in the makeshift woodshop he'd cobbled together, the sleigh from his drawings is starting to come together. 

He hopes he'll have it finished by Christmas. With a little luck, and maybe some assistance, he thinks it should be possible. The tack, he's largely left up to Susan's devices, though he'd commission Gimli the dwarf for the various buckles and other metal pieces they'll need.

Once the horses are turned out, he gets to his other morning chores with a will, whistling cheerfully as he does. The stable stays strangely quiet around him. It takes him the better part of an hour to realize the strangeness is because he's become accustomed to Susan's cheerful presence working alongside him, talking or humming or simply working in companionable silence. 

Caspian pauses in his task – refilling the grain chest – and looks around. Susan's nowhere to be seen, and when he later wanders through the stables, checking each stall and outside, he can't find her there, either.

Comments

[sai_delgado]

"It's not that sort of watch, say true," she hastens to assure him. "It's -- there were a witch in our world too, aye, in my home. But she's been dealt with, and there'll be no more of her tricks or spells, not now or ever again."

She takes a soft breath, and continues, "But before she were dealt with, she cast a glam on me, do'ee ken? And - it were broken, but - it's why the season takes me so poor now, we think. 'Bert and Alain've dealt with such before, and all will be well in the morn. So an'ye would, I'd have ye wait for my return on the morrow, for it'll be a joy indeed to me to see ye again."

[the_seafarer]

Reepicheep looks very stern at this news, and his paw goes to the hilt of his rapier, hanging at his side. "Enchantments and glamours are nothing to take lightly," he says, solemn, and peers at her, undecided.

"If that is your wish." He sounds a little unhappy about it, but reminds himself that not only will she have her knights, but King Caspian as well. The Mouse draws himself up to his full height and bows his head. "Of course, Daughter of Eve. I will await your return."

[sai_delgado]

"Ye say true," she agrees, fervently. But oh, his disappointment cuts her to the very quick, and Susan draws a shaking breath.

"I'd not have ye -- I'd not wish for ye to feel I've insulted ye," she says, soft and earnest. "Cry yer pardon, if I have. I'd only not wish to cause ye --"

(my grief - you are the source of it)

"--any distress," she finishes, as a tremor runs through her.

[the_seafarer]

"Fair lady, your words were kind and kindly meant and I could take no insult from them," Reepicheep says, trembling with insulted astonishment – not aimed at her, but at the very idea.

"And if some blaggard has given you pain for only speaking your desires, well, I will show them the point of my blade if they be a knight or beat them black and blue with the flat of it if not until they learn prettier manners. I will await you and His Majesty – and your knights – all and look forward to celebrating your release from this despicable magic."

[sai_delgado]

"Ye are very kind," she starts, earnestly, before something he's said sinks all the way in. Susan blinks in surprise.

"My knights?"

[the_seafarer]

"You have some other word for them – "

He gestures at his hip. "Alain and Cuthbert. Noble and true-hearted fellows, both."

[sai_delgado]

"Gunslingers," she supplies, automatically. "Aye, they're like knights, but--"

But they're not mine, she starts to say, thinking of their service to a court where she'd never been a lady, only to stop, for in the end, he's not wrong, is he? Not at the heart of it all.

(ka-tet)

A soft, delighted smile curves her lips and sparkles in the fog-gray glance, bright and shining.

"-- ye say true," Susan agrees, instead. "They're of the very best of men."

[the_seafarer]

"I admit I do not always approve of that one's jests – "

He glances over to where Cuthbert is deep in conversation with Alain, and sighs, a little, as though as something he does not quite understand but which he's willing to let pass. " – But I've come to understand they are not meanly meant."

[sai_delgado]

"He's a ka-mai," she tells him. "It's in his nature. And he teases to help others to laugh, among other things."

[the_seafarer]

"I understand, Daughter of Eve." As well as he can, anyway.

His loyalty to his King and the Kings of old keep him from agreeing with her judgment on who might be the best of men, but he likes them very well and will happily tell her so. "They are both fine fellows. And quite good at chess."

[sai_delgado]

"Aye, and they would be." She's tired, a little, and shifts on the bale before deciding on practicality instead. Mayhap the Mouse won't be offended, she hopes, as she slides to the floor instead, leans her arm on the hay-bale, and leans her head on her arm so she can keep talking with him. Golden hair cascades over her shoulder as she looks up.

"They're well-trained so. Part of their lessoning, ye ken, where mine were more in stories."

[the_seafarer]

The way she slides down to the floor, as if exhausted, though it's only morning yet, sends a frisson of alarm through the Mouse. He leaps from the bale and hurries to her, concerned. "Lady Susan, are you unwell? Shall I retrieve your kn – the gunslingers?"

[sai_delgado]

"I'm all right," she assures him, or tries. "It's only a little close in here, and it made me weary."

The dimness of the room-light seems more so, especially mixed with the scent of vegetables from the harvest-displays, vegetables like the ones in the storeroom she'd been locked in. Susan ignores that the same way she's been ignoring the pull of the door that aches her bones, as best she can, and gives him a little smile.

"Mayhap I'd do better with a bit of fresh air, is all."

[the_seafarer]

"May I escort you outside?" Reepicheep asks, gallantry and consternation mixing freely.

But it's cold outside, and though she has a coat, she lacks his soft and insulating fur. "Or to your rooms – somewhere you can open a window – "

[sai_delgado]

He'll feel better if she lets him, she's certain-sure of it, and although she thinks longingly of the rose by the lakeshore Susan's not sure if it yet blooms... and if it doesn't, she might well weep over it, the state she's in, which would upset Reepicheep and Caspian both.

"My room, an'ye'd not mind it," she decides. It's lost the menace it had for her before, after all, and with his escort she'll likely be safe from the ka that befell Joe. "But would'ee tell 'Bert and Alain first?"

[the_seafarer]

"Yes, of course."

He checks to make sure she'll be alright for the few moments that will take, then goes hurrying across the room in a flash of dark fur and a flick of long tail, making his way to the gunslingers.

[sai_delgado]

"Blankets and bedrolls both," Alain tells Cuthbert, before his glance flicks to the approaching Mouse, then to Susan beyond, where she's leaning her head on her arm, eyes closed.

'Bert's turned on the instant at Reepicheep's approach, and concern flashes through his eyes. "Something wrong?"

[the_seafarer]

"The lady assures me not, but – "

The Mouse is clearly distressed, though he has himself under admirable control. "She wishes for some fresh air and requested I escort her to her rooms. She asked me to notify you both."

[sai_delgado]

"Ah," murmurs Alain. "I expect she didn't want us to worry."

Cuthbert is practically vibrating, but he hears the caution under Alain's words. Reassuring. Right. He can be reassuring. "Probably," he agrees. "Still - Alain, why don't you keep on with that list, and I'll just have a word with Susan." He nods to the Mouse, and starts over to her.

[the_seafarer]

Reepicheep comes along, certain now that there's more happening than the lady had wished to share. He doesn't take it personally, but he does hope his King has a better understanding of all this than he does.

Moving quickly on all four paws, he gets back to Susan before the gunslinger does. "Cuthbert will accompany us," he tells her, hoping she's awake enough to make it back to her rooms. "If it please you."

[sai_delgado]

"Nay," Susan says, firmly, raising her head from her arm. She gives Cuthbert a quick smile as he approaches, but her attention is on Reepicheep.

"He's busy with Alain, and I'm all right and more than, with yer kind escort. I'd only wanted them not to worry over where I'd gone."

[the_seafarer]

Reepicheep looks up at Cuthbert. "With your permission, Son of Adam, I will do as she asks."

[sai_delgado]

"I'd take it as a kindness, Sai Mouse," Cuthbert says, perfectly aware of the quick flash in Susan's glance at the thought of needing his permission. He'd far rather see even her full temper than the soft, weary daze she's shown all too much of late. "We'll meet there later, Sue, if that's all right with thee."

"'Tis," she says, and starts to climb to her feet. He reaches to give her a hand up.

[the_seafarer]

Reepicheep hovers by her knees, aware that he won't be able to help her up, until she's on her feet. Once she's upright, he gives her space but stays near enough for assistance, should any be required.

"Allow me, madam," he tells her, offering to walk at her side.

[sai_delgado]

"Thankee-sai," she tells him, sincerely. Susan gives Cuthbert a quick, reassuring smile, then starts toward her quarters.

It helps to move; it helps more to move away from the front door, she realizes.