Chapter Text
“Sydney, Nolic, unload.” I told my two dogs as I patted the tailgate. The older rottweiler and the wolf dog jump out of the truck. “Good boys,” I told them as I grabbed the oversized crate out of the bed before waddling it a bit awkwardly with it, as it was almost as big as I was.
Moving away from my family was once something I thought I would never do, on my own with no Robin looking over my shoulder and just my boys to keep me company when I was home. Though it was going to be nice not having the extra noise in the background when I recorded nor having Robin freaking out every time I came home from work with a few bruises.
Though as a stunt actor…you really couldn’t get by without getting hurt on occasion. Placing the crate near the couch, I ran my hands through Nolic’s fur. “Now we don’t have to deal with any shouting.”
I had already brought most of my things to the apartment the day before with the help of Robin and Nick, my armor and swords were already hung up on the wall.
“Stay,” I told them before heading out the door once more to get the remaining boxes. Down the stairs and to the back of the truck I went, climbing into the bed to push a few boxes to the tailgate. I then hopped out to grab the boxes.
“Are you Kassaundra Pevensie?”
My heart skipped a beat as I heard my married name being spoken, turning to see a tall young man, around my age, with a scar on the left side of his face. Confused, I placed the boxes back on the tailgate of my truck.
“What do you want?”
The man shifted his weight, his expression seemed confused. “Did you ever know a woman named Susan Pevensie?”
Frowning, my heart raced at the name of my sister-in-law, how did he know her? …he also sounded British, “And what if I do?”
“My name is Quinn Barthson, I was Ms. Pevensie’s caretaker before she died, she left me with some letters and told me to find someone named Kassandra Beven…though to call her Pevensie when I meet her…and to call her m’lady or your highness when I meet her… and to ask if there is anything you need help with?”
My heart sank at the news that Susan had already passed, though it raised questions of the others…especially Peter. “Come help me with these boxes, then we can talk.” I told him, nodding to the heavier boxes that were in the back.
“Oh, um sure!”
With the help of Mr. Barthson, the boxes were moved a lot faster than if I had done it on my own. Unpacking my food, I grabbed some snacks before placing them on the coffee table where Mr. Barthson sat on the couch after I told him to.
His eyes were drawn to the swords and armor that were spread out across the apartment.
“I’m a bit of a collector,” a half-truth. “Tell me about Susan.”
“She was a bit of an adopted mother to me, she was a sweet lady that often spoke in riddles full of wisdom.” He explained as he pulled a letter out of his pocket. Offering it to me, the envelope was a crisp white, it definitely wasn't very old. “Her last wish was that I find you, which is really odd as I don’t think she had ever met you.”
Letting out a soft laugh as I opened the letter, walking to my office chair. “There was much more Susan than met the eye.” I told him, glancing to see Sydney cozying up to the young man while Nolic stuck close to my side.
Shrugging it off, I began to read what had been written.
Dear Kassaundra
I wish we could have met sooner, though sadly the time each of us are from did not allow us to meet one last time. I have lived a good life, I did not have the heart to marry in this world, though I became an adopted mother to many; including the young Quinn Barthson.
Peter, Edmund, and Lucy left this world a long time ago, they died in a train accident before Peter turned 25. Though, before his death, Peter had gotten into the habit of writing a journal addressed to you in hopes that it would one day reach you.
Looking back, I wish I had made my peace with you. While your marriage to my brother was quick, you were the best part of his life. When we arrived back at the professor's house, Peter never told you, he was in such a frantic state that he left you alone. I once found him crying in front of the wardrobe, how many times he had sleepless nights I wouldn’t know.
After our time with Caspian, he seemed to be more at peace. Though still looked at the sky and talked as if you were just in the other room, he wished you could have come back with us to our time. Though it was simply not to be.
I wish you the best in your life in the future, as you grow, let Aslan guide your steps as you make your life in the future. I do have one favor for you. Quinn is a good man, please stay in touch with him, as I was the only family he had left. I feel he would get along with that bullheaded brother of yours.
Love, your sister-in-law
Susan Pevensie.
“Ms…m’lady, are you alright?” the man’s voice full of concern.
Looking up, I hadn't even noticed the tears that were rolling down my cheeks, “...yes…do you have the journal?”
“... Ms. Pevensie said to give them to you after you read her letter.” He spoke softly as he grabbed several old leather back journals from his backpack, standing up, he moved to offer them to me.
Flipping one open, I glossed over the words written in Peter's elegant handwriting, few were ever able to properly read it… Edmund and I were really the only ones that could ever actually read it thoroughly.
My dearest Kassandra
I wish that I could speak to you once more…if only I had stay-
“M’lady. May I ask what this is about…she shared so little…” Mr. Barthson interrupted my reading, I gently shut the book and held it close to my chest.
Looking up at him, I smiled softly, “Did she ever mention anything by the name of Narnia?”
“She used to tell me stories as a child…”
Standing up, I placed the books on my desk before I went to grab the saddlebag that was draped over the TV. The worn leather felt soft against my hands. Taking a breath as I walked back to where he sat.
“Narnia is a place that not many know of, though few would ever believe. I met Susan when she was around thirteen in Narnia, while we were from drastically different times in this world. My siblings and I arrived before them. Though, unlike us, they seemed to have more of a purpose than we did, while they were accepted, we were hunted.” I told him as I whipped the tears from my eye, pulling out a crown from the bag to show him, “they were crowned the kings and queens, though life had a funny way of tying us together…and for a good amount of Narnian years… I was the High Queen of Narnia…the wife of his majesty, High King Peter, the Magnificent.”
I found myself retelling the tale of my adventure in Narnia, from the battles I fought to the time I spent as a soldier…memories good and memories bad…