[ AU ] to break a curse

[the_seafarer]

Reap is past, and Susan is looking brighter and happier by the day, and now true winter is beginning to settle over this strange bar at the end of the universe. Caspian hauls the Hope up into the stables to be wintered and works long hours at the sleigh he'd designed, losing himself in the simple pleasures of working with the wood, sanding and carving in turn.

It's after one such day spent in labor that he comes to the bar proper, freshly showered and comfortably attired in a loose linen shirt and breeches, to join Susan by her spot at the fireside. He's chatting amiably with her about the horses, about how Corella is coming with her harness-training, and has just begun pouring her a glass of wine with the door opens and Caspian freezes. In the next moment, the glass overflows with the rich red liquid, but he doesn't notice; his eyes are locked on the tall, fair young man who has come in, dressed all in black.

Even to those who have never seen him, there may be something familiarly of Caspian about his face... but Susan has seen him, and she'll know as soon as she looks that Rilian, Prince of Narnia and Caspian's son, has returned.

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[the_seafarer]

He opens his eyes at the tap, at the soft sound of the door opening. "That was quick."

Or had he started to doze off here in the bath? He feels tired right down to his bones.

[sai_delgado]

“Mayhap a little.” She’d seen no reason to delay, after all. Susan freshens the water in her pitcher at the sink and comes to sit on the side of the bath. Gently, she cups a hand over the nape of his neck.

“Tip yer head back, and I’ll wash yer hair.”

[the_seafarer]

He can wash his own hair, but she wants to take care of him and comfort him, and he knows the feeling, so he does as she says, tipping his head back into her gentle touch and closing his eyes.

[sai_delgado]

She wets his hair, careful to keep the water from running over his face, watching as his golden curls turn a darker color.

Susan sets the pitcher aside and begins to work shampoo into his hair, using the tips of her fingers to make gentle circles against his scalp.

[the_seafarer]

He makes a small sound as her fingers rub against his scalp, soothing the ache in his head and setting nerve endings alight. "You spoil me," he murmurs, then smiles gently at her.

"But I have to admit, it feels wonderful."

[sai_delgado]

"Not a bit more than thee deserve," she teases, light. "Besides, I like playing with yer hair."

She's very thorough with her attentions, making her way across his head to massage his temples and then back again, taking care not to miss a single spot.

[the_seafarer]

"So that's where Kiseki gets it from," he murmurs, keeping his eyes closed as she soaps his hair and scalp, losing himself willingly to her gentle ministrations. "I ought to have known."

[sai_delgado]

Susan laughs. “I’m washing yer hair, not trying to eat it!”

[the_seafarer]

"Still," he insists, allowing himself to be amused, to take this moment with her, just her.

Everything else can wait, can't it?

[sai_delgado]

Her laughter is a soft ripple, as gentle as the stream of water she pours over his hair to rinse it. Once it’s free of soap, Susan presses a kiss to the dark gold locks. “There,” she says, amused. “If thee’d have it so.”

[the_seafarer]

He tips his head back at the soft press of her lips to his wet curls, and gently catches her mouth in a kiss before she leans back. "Dear one," he murmurs. "You've put up with a great deal to be with me, I'm afraid."

The knowledge of his past wife, of his son, of the curse. She's weathered them all, smiling still, and he has no words for the gratitude he feels for it, for her.

[sai_delgado]

She curves her fingers to his cheek, shaping his face, and leans down to kiss him again. “I don’t see it that way,” she murmurs, soft but certain.

Mayhap it’s true, but if so he’s faced no less trouble for having her in the life they’ve found here. “Don’t ever think I do. Thee are a joy to me.”

[the_seafarer]

"And thee to me," he says, soft. His fingers are wet, but he reaches to touch her face, her hair, anyway, his eyes tracing her sweet, familiar features. "We're both due some joy, I think. I'm so very happy to have found it with you, my darling."

[sai_delgado]

"Thee very dear." She tips her head into his touch, unconcerned about such trivial things as water.

She'd never expected this, not any of this, from the waystation itself to the reunions and new connections she's found here, much less someone like him, and oh, but sometimes it frightens her with knowing just how easily it could all be snatched away again - but that's as it will be or won't, and she'll fight to hold to what they all have, say true.

"Thee has the right of it, I wot."

[the_seafarer]

He drifts his thumb over her cheek, thanking Aslan for this second chance, for this new love. For everything he's received here, that he could never have imagined. "Time to finish up this bath, I think," he murmurs. "And for us both to get a little rest."

[sai_delgado]

"Bath, then poultices and bandages," she insists. "But then rest, aye. It's been a long, hard day for thee."

[the_seafarer]

"Not just me," he points out, but nods against her touch before leaning forward with a small wince to let the hot water out of the tub. He stands, dripping, and steps out, grabbing a towel as he does.

[sai_delgado]

She twists her hair back in a loose, practical knot at the back of her neck while he dries off, then goes out to retrieve a loose, comfortable change of clothes for him, one that'll work well and be soft over his wounds.

"Back in the chair as before, an'ye would," she asks.

[the_seafarer]

He dresses and follows her back into the room, settling once more into the chair to let her get to work. Caspian wonders if the Knight has managed to fall asleep yet in his cell, and sighs to himself at the thought. "You're quite good at this," he murmurs, instead, watching as she works over him.

[sai_delgado]

"Oh, well, poultices are useful when ye've been kicked by a horse," she says, practically. "Or stepped on by one. Ye'll find most of my skills in such are for common things like that. And I ken how to deal with a gash well enough from other causes than a sword, but the treatment's the same."

Gently, she applies poultice after poultice to his bruised and battered body, then checks his wound and lightly covers it with healing salve before starting to bandage him.

[the_seafarer]

"How could I do aught but get well quickly under such tender care?" he says, smiling. Once the bandage is in place, he twists carefully to check that it's secure, before reaching for her hand. "Thank you, Su."

[sai_delgado]

"It's glad I am to hear that, say true." Susan looks up into his eyes. "Thee are welcome and more than, Caspian."

She squeezes his fingers and holds on for a moment before reaching to gather the remaining supplies. "I'll take these out to the bar and be back quick as quick."

[the_seafarer]

He watches her go, then gets up from his chair and goes about the room, turning off lights, leaving one lamp glowing by the bedside. That complete, he goes to look out the windows, which – through some magic he doesn't understand – offer him a view of the lake and the dark forest beyond.

[sai_delgado]

She leaves the rest of the supplies with the bar, just as she'd said, but before she goes back down the hall Susan ducks outside instead. There she walks a small distance from the building and stands in the cold night air, looking up at the sky above. "Yer son's here, lady-sai Liliandil," she tells the stars overhead. "We're helping him as best we can, I promise ye."

After a few moments to wait, in which she scans the sky, uncertain of what she might see, she gives a little wave and hurries back in. She stops long enough at her room to gather a small bag before making her way back to rejoin Caspian.

[the_seafarer]

At the sound of her step in the hall, he turns to face the door, making sure he's smiling when she comes in. "There," he says. "No more errands, I hope?"

They both need their rest. The horses won't care they've been up late, after all.