Hi everyone! This is my first attempt at FanFiction so I hope you enjoy it :) I've taken inspiration from C.S. Lewis's Prince Caspian and this story takes place in the time between Caspian escaping from his uncle and the Second Battle of Beruna. Feel free to help me out with writing and grammar and ideas for what could happen in the story. I have the next couple of chapters already written so if you like my intro, I'll post the rest up. Happy reading!

The Usurper paced his dark throne room in a black fury that even his closest advisers feared to try and penetrate with reason. They stood around the edge of the room, covered by flickered shadows cast by the dim torches lit on the walls.

They savoured the shadows; it was the only thing hiding them from the wrath of their King and master Miraz whose angry breaths blew angrily through his nostrils as he growled angry questions from his throat.

"How many years," he snarled at no one in particular, "has it been since that traitor," the last word hissed through his teeth like a curse, 'escaped from his bed and from out under our very noses?"

The advisers shuffled uncomfortably.

"How many?" He stood to face the group. "Glozelle?"

Glozelle's iron eyes glinted in the firelight as he stepped forward to address his king. "It has been seven years since the boy escaped, sire. We still search for him and fight his rebellion and these 'Old Narnians' daily and are coming ever closer to-"

His answer was cut short by the Usurper's scathing reply.

"Boy?" Miraz spat, striding towards pushing his face so close that Glozelle's that the adviser could feel the king's breath tickling the base of his throat. "Would you call a twenty year old man raised during a war a mere boy? He is a threat!" Miraz paused and licked his lips before continuing. "He and his animals are an abomination."

The advisers barely breathed as silence weighed heavily within the room as the King breathed slowly. He seemed to calm himself after his outburst, but all knew that when Miraz was calm, his most evil commands were given.

"He is gaining the support of my people," Miraz breathed heavily as he lowered himself onto his throne, "He is buying their trust with gold and food stolen from my vaults. And he parades false monarchs around for people to worship, claiming they are from the old times. My treacherous people have even started welcoming these talking animals into their homes."

He pinched the bridge of his nose between two fingers. Another of his advisers stepped forward. The others looked at him in alarm and one even shook his head slightly. But the man was young and seemingly unnerved by the huge hulk of a man resting upon his throne.

"Your Majesty."

Miraz lifted his gaze, his eyebrows raised ever so slightly. The adviser cleared his throat slightly nervously before speaking clearly to his King.

"Why not play this young menace and his alliances at their own game?"

Miraz's eyebrows rose further, but his eyes did not move. "Go on." The adviser straightened his shoulders before continuing.

"Caspian and the four false monarchs of old have not only waged physical war to claim Narnia, but they have made themselves… available to the poor and the workers of this land. By giving them false sympathy, the people of Narnia have false hope and will therefore side with the enemy should they have to chose who to follow.

Miraz nodded slowly. "Carry on, Tuthos."

Tuthos nodded. "Well, why not follow the same idea as them, but give the people a higher level of charity in order to gain their support. This war is no longer a case of battles fought and won – we now need to look to the people of Narnia to decide whom they want as their ruler."

Miraz leant forward in his throne. "What would you suggest?"

Tuthos paused. "Marriage."

A pause followed this statement as Miraz cleared his throat.

"I'm not entirely sure what you mean."

"Marriage to a common girl," Tuthos said simply. "Not only would you be accepting one of the poor's own into your home, you would be able to gain her trust exclusively. Get her talking. Find out who in each village is taking in talking animals and accepting Caspian and the Kings and Queens of old as their rulers. Then, you can squash out the traitors. Find the rebels who support Caspian's cause and crush their force once and for all."

Miraz thought this plan through carefully. The castle had been quiet since his beloveds had died all those years ago. The loss of his dear Prunaprismia and son still pained him deeper than he ever showed. Their state funeral cost had unfortunately caused a steep rise in taxes for the year, but it couldn't be helped. But all in all, a new wife to read to him and sing pretty songs wasn't a terrible idea. Whoever she would be would also help him weed out the rebellion and win this war once and all.

Miraz stood, placed his hands on Tuthos's shoulders and kissed both his cheeks. "Where shall we begin this fine plan of yours, dear Tuthos?" The young man smiled wryly.

"We go to the village closest to the last known whereabouts of the rebel's camp. We go to Lantern Waste."