OOM: Somewhere down and out-ward

[treading_dawn]

The sunsets are always glorious, here. So, too, are the sunrises. And even in the middle of the day, with the sun high overhead and a cool breeze blowing, everything is almost too beautiful to be believed.

This includes the golden-haired girl (woman) standing out by the water, grass bowing softly around her as she looks toward the east, toward--

home

--the horizon.

In the air is the faint smell of lilac and violets, of the sweet depths of summer.

And in the corner of her vision there is, perhaps, the faintest flicker of gold, fairer and warmer by far than the sun overhead.

"Daughter, what do you here?"

Comments

[sai_delgado]

Golden hair floats around her like a cloud as she spins to face him, startled and wide-eyed, and for one moment the joy in her face is almost blinding.

"Sai Aslan."

And then it fades, somewhat, although her smile's still bright -- or bright enough, say true.

"I-- I was waiting."

[treading_dawn]

"And what have you to wait for here in this place, where all times are as one?"

His voice is deep and rumbling, though for all the sternness of his face, his eyes are bright and solemn, and a very little sad.

[sai_delgado]

"Not-- not what, sai," she stammers. "It's Lucy-- thee kennit, Lucy--"

And oh, but the look in his eyes has her biting her lip nervously.

"--is aught troubling thee, sai Aslan?"

[treading_dawn]

"Lucy I know very well, Queen and girl both."

He pads closer on velveted paws.

"But what leads you to speak of troubles, child?"

[sai_delgado]

"It's-- it's only that ye looked so," she says.

She's not afraid of him -- oh, and how could she be? He's the Lion, after all, even if he's not the Guardian of her world--

(Mejis Mid-World Gilead lost O Discordia)

--and Susan stands still as he draws nearer, golden hair stirred gently by the sea-breeze that ruffles his mane, as well.

"And-- well--"

[treading_dawn]

"I can offer nothing if you will not speak, Daughter of Eve."

His tail lashes his flanks, looking almost flame-tipped in the bright sunlight.

"And there is much you may have need of, where you are walking now."

[sai_delgado]

"I--"

She falters, looking at the sudden fiery spark of his tail-tip, and when Susan looks back into his eyes again her own are tear-blurred.

"I don't know what to -- how to -- "

A second's stillness, and then she looks down at the grass, no longer able to meet his gaze.

"I didn't want her to walk alone. And I knew the way, from before."

[treading_dawn]

"It is a way most walk only once, Susan Allgood, once Susan Delgado of Mejis."

There is thunder in his voice, brief but fierce. Then it gentles, and he leans down so that his silky-rough mane brushes her shoulder, her cheek.

"There are reasons for that."

[sai_delgado]

"I-- I kennit."

She is shivering, still, at the awful fierce weight of his voice, so very near a roar, but there is no real fear in her as she looks up at him again.

"But it's-- that's part of why I were-- why I thought I should help? She-- with what happened with Adam-- and Caspian--"

And oh, but the wistful longing as she speaks the last name is clear.

[treading_dawn]

"Your story is done, Susan, Patrick's daughter."

The weight of his voice is greater, now, but softer as well

"Will you not let theirs be finished in its own time?"

[sai_delgado]

Fog-gray eyes widen in clear shock, now, and Susan shakes her head quickly.

"I didn't-- oh, Aslan, no, I didn't mean to do anything to harm, to draw them on early, not like that--"

[treading_dawn]

"But you are here. Waiting."

Here he pauses, golden gaze resting solemnly on her face.

"Looking backward."

[sai_delgado]

She can't hold his gaze, and after only a moment Susan looks down at her feet.

The grass blurs in

(the wind)

her vision, as she blinks back tears.

[treading_dawn]

Aslan's breath is warm on her face.

"Will you be brave, Susan Delgado-that-was?"

His tongue, where it swipes across her forehead, is rough.

"Will you walk with me?"

[sai_delgado]

"I've always tried to be," she tells him, looking up. "Even when I were scared-- I've always tried to be brave."

The scent of (roses and lilies) hangs about his mane and on his breath, comforting her.

"Aye," Susan says, softly. "I'll walk with thee, if thee'd have me."

[treading_dawn]

"I will be very glad of your company, dear one."

His whiskers, too, are rough against her face, though his mane is soft.

"Come, it's time."

He takes a step or two, slow and almost stately.

Will she follow?

[sai_delgado]

It's time, he's said, and the low rumble of his voice seems almost to hang in the sea-breeze that stirs the grass around her.

Time has ever been a face on the water for Susan Delgado, and well she knows that her time

(has moved on)

was done, long ago.

She takes a quick breath, squaring her shoulders and lifting her head-- and oh, but her tremulous smile is brave and daring and so, so bright as she turns, setting her face

(further up and further in - Narnia and the North)

away from where she had been watching before.

Susan moves to join the Lion, and the rumpled grass where she had been waiting is soon waving gently in the breeze, as if she had never been there at all.

[treading_dawn]

His tread is soft on the grass, and his side is warm against her hand.

And what comes after?





That is only for them to know.