[ 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.

Comments

[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.

[sai_delgado]

"Likely not," she assures him, lifting her little pack as she crosses to the bath. "I'll just take a moment to clean up, myself."

True to her word, it's only a couple of minutes before she's crossing back to join him, her nightgown whispering around her ankles as she moves.

[the_seafarer]

Caspian comes to take her hand and walks with her to the bed before pulling back the sheets and blankets for her and helping her up and onto the mattress. Once she's safely up, he goes around the bed and gets in, himself, lying back with a sigh before he reaches for her. "Come here. Lie with me."

[sai_delgado]

She climbs in beside him and settles herself - carefully, so as not to trouble any of his injuries, but without hesitation. "Are thee comfortable enough?"

[the_seafarer]

"Perfectly," he assures her, and draws her close, putting an arm around her shoulders and coaxing her to curl against him, bruises be damned. It's worth the slight soreness to feel her soft warmth pressed against him.

[sai_delgado]

She goes willingly, curling into his side and resting her head against his shoulder. “Rest,” she tells him. “Morn will come soon enough.”

[the_seafarer]

"So it will." He turns his head to press a kiss against her bright hair, grateful to have her, grateful to have a few hours in which he can try and prepare for the morrow.

"Sleep sweet, Su."