They found her in the White Witch's castle, locked away in the highest tower, when Aslan first started awakening the statues. "Interesting," Alsan had said before breathing her awake and leaving her with Susan, one firm look telling her to watch over the trembling girl.

Susan pulled her--Aurora, the princess whispered with chattering teeth as the tower was always cold--close and rubbed warmth into her hands. She was barely older than Susan herself, and even more alone than she. She clung to Susan, for warmth, for comfort.

"I've got you," Susan murmured, lifting Aurora's fingers to her mouth to breathe on them; when that failed, she pressed kisses to her knuckles to apply the warmth directly. "I won't leave you."

"Promise?" Aurora's voice was so small, but her eyes were so wide and dark as the sea and oh, when the bards would sing of her beauty, Susan would understand them entirely.

"I do."

Finally, the other girl smiled and Susan knew she was willing to spend the rest of her life doing whatever she would need to protect that smile.