I. The Dawn Treader

Lucy. Lucy Pevensie. Queen Lucy Pevensie the valiant of Narnia. That must be all the titles this world has come up with to call the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes upon. But I could surely come up with much, much more. Sure Queen Susan, her sister, was prettier but still, Lucy still had that glow that seemed to follow her so. But I guess I just really am in love with her.

I honestly never thought that I would ever feel this way for her. The first time I saw her, I just admired her for her bravery, her passion. Back then, I still looked at her as a younger sister, even though I am obviously not worthy of such an honor. I look back at the memories and I wish that things were still the same as before.

I have no idea when exactly these feelings for her had developed. Maybe it was when we were spending time across the grounds of Cair Paravel it had started. Those walks were truly luxurious. Sure, the garden was a mess that time but her presence made all of those dirty pathways, untamed weeds and wild tree roots go unnoticed. She was a lively companion, very chatty indeed. That was what I saw her before, just a companion. I never stopped to consider her as a lady or a woman, at that. Just a girl, a long lost queen of Narnia that was all.

When they, her and her sister and brothers, left for their own world, I was thoroughly sad for some unknown reason. I was depressed and I didn't even know why. It wasn't as though I had known them long enough to create a bond with them. I shook the feeling off; after all, I was the new king of Narnia and a stack of obligation was piled atop my shoulder that time. There were those foul giants that just wouldn't follow our orders and the occasional witch or werewolf around the bend.

When at last everything was going smoothly and peacefully, the hidden depression resurfaced. For days, I was locked in my room, just lying on my bed, staring at nothingness. I knew there was something missing in my life and I did not know what it was. To worsen the situation, I felt that that something had been in my hands before.

I felt restless. Like I needed to do something, whatever it may be. I guess peace and tranquility didn't exactly suit my needs. The needs of an adventurer who had inherited his father's heart can not possibly be fulfilled by the peace inside a castle.

Then it hit me. I was in the balcony looking over the magnificent view, reminiscing about my life with my departed uncle, Miraz. I was thinking about all of those cruel things that he had done to me. I was surprised at myself, for I could not find it in myself to hate him.

My thoughts had wandered off to all of the lies and deceptions he had said to me. Killing my parents, taking me away from all of the things I held dear to my life, tearing me away from civilization, sending the seven lords off to a journey that was sure to kill them and he had succeeded. The memory had stirred something in me.

I had made up my mind. I had made a solemn vow in Aslan's name that I would either find one of the seven lords or avenge their deaths if ever I find them dead. I gave myself exactly a year to do so. I had made a ship, for the first time in years, decades even, which bore the crest of Narnia.

I had the perfect ship for the perfect journey. I called it The Dawn Treader. I don't know why I used that name. I really don't, I guess it was just my excitement got the best of me. When Captain Drinian, one of the few fellows that I would trust my life with entirely, had told me about the completion of the ship, I barely slept a wink that night. I got up and went to the port at the first sign of the sun. I was running towards the place where the ship lay when the name hit me and that was that ever since.

Sure, The Dawn Treader was kind of small, but it will serve its purpose well. It would serve its purpose well for some well-deserved adventure that my body and mind was aching for. My mind shifted back to the Pevensies once again. They had always loved adventures. She most especially had loved going on adventures. I shook my head to clear my mind. What was I thinking?

After a week, the ship was boarded with food and supplies, the men were ready to embark on this wonderful journey and I was excited to the roots of my hair. I gave the proper speech that suited the occasion and the men couldn't be happier.

The harbor was packed with people. Families bidding their husbands, sons goodbye, people wishing their King farewell, and mostly children who had come to see a real ship.

And off we went. The first overseas voyage was made and the crew couldn't be happier.

I was looking out onto the sea, staring at nothing in particular. It had been a while since our departure at Narnia. I was just thinking some nonsense thoughts since no one can spare the time to talk to me. I laughed silently at the irony of the situation. No one would talk to me? The King of Narnia and no one could even spare me a few minutes for some chitchat. Reepicheep was always there, by the way, but I have grown tired of the countless chess games we have had. He actually was a good player, but every once in a while I would beat him in a game or two.

Suddenly, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to the person who had done so and I met the youthful face of the ship's captain, none other than Drinian.

"What's the matter, Your Majesty," he started with the usual smile on his face. "Don't tell me you're already getting bored of our adventures in the sea. We have only been gone for a not even a month. Are you already homesick?"

I smiled back at him. "Of course not, Drinian." I started to say, looking out to the sea once again. "I was just thinking to myself, that's all."

"Oh, so I see," Drinian said with a mischievous smile on his face. "I told you that you should have married the Duke Julienne's daughter. Well, she seemed to be a little taken to you."

I grimaced for a while. "That girl?" I asked incredulously. "Please, Drinian, her face was full of freckles! And 'a little' taken to me? She was a spoiled little brat. She was so 'taken' to me, as you would have put it, that she even convinced her father to convince me to marry her. Just goes to show that people aren't what they seem, my dear captain. And that is just besides the point."

He just chuckled appreciatively and smiled once again. "Then would Your Highness enlighten me as to what exactly the point is?"

"The point is," I started. "She is not my type."

Drinian looked taken aback for a moment then his playful smile returned. "And what is your type when it comes to the ladies, Your Highness?"

I looked thoughtful for a moment. "My type?" I repeated, before answering. "Well, someone who isn't afraid to go on adventures. I would hate to be married to someone who can't stand it when I go out on dangerous journeys. I also like someone who is a fun companion. You know someone I can talk about my journeys and things. Another thing I'm looking for is someone who is kind and caring and compassionate to others. Someone who is," I stopped; I couldn't think of any more factors. "Well, someone's who is a bit like Queen Lucy."

Here, Drinian raised an eyebrow. "Queen Lucy, eh?"

"Yes, someone exactly like Queen Lucy!" I exclaimed, a little louder than necessary. "Someone as vibrant as her, someone as kind as her, someone who is just as adventurous as her. Someone who is--"

I didn't get to finish my sentence because my captain interrupted. "Someone who is just as beautiful and compassionate as Queen Lucy?" he asked. I nodded. "Well, from the sound of things, I figure that you, Your Majesty is in love with Queen Lucy of Narnia."

I looked at him, horrified. "Drinian, stop joking about these kinds of things." I said, my composure partially regained. "You know very well that I can not, and am not, in love with Queen Lucy."

"Then would you be so kind enough to explain, king Caspian the tenth," he started mischievous smile now wider than ever. "The deep red shade of color that has already formed on your cheeks?"

I opened my mouth to retort but somebody interrupted our little conversation.

"Look, somebody's in the water!" one of the men shouted frantically, pointing at the water, I looked at the direction he pointed at and I knew that Drinian had done the same.

What I saw were three floating, no swimming, little somethings in the water. The pink blob was swimming wonderfully towards the ship but then the yellow blob clung to it in what I could have only guessed as panic. The other blob was swimming towards the sunken two.

Before anybody on the ship could stop me, I jumped towards the water and started swimming through the cold waters towards the pink and the yellow blobs, only now did I realize that they were persons. I slipped an arm under the pink person's side. Many noises were coming from the men on board the ship. Some were cheering, but most were trying to give us instructions to what to do. Many were throwing bulwarks and ropes towards us. I noticed the person in blue swimming towards us with one of the ropes in one hand. I also noticed when I got a closer look, that it was none other than King Edmund himself! I almost exclaimed at him but he shoved the other end of the rope towards me and we began to fasten the ropes around one of his sisters.

When I got a good look at the person in pink, I noticed that it was Queen Lucy. A blush crept up to my cheeks but I pushed the thought angrily away. Drinian is not right, Drinian is wrong, I thought.

I watched as the men aboard heaved her up to the Dawn Treader. King Edmund was next and then the yellow clad stranger. I, of course, came last.

When we got aboard, the captain that I was just talking to was pushed to the back of my mind because of the excitement that was rushing through me. My old friends are here! Lucy, Queen Lucy was here!

"Ca--Ca--Caspian!" gasped the Queen when we were already aboard.

I felt somewhat happy for the fact that she had recognized me, even after three years. After all, I was just a boy back then. Okay, so I was still a boy now, but changes can be definitely seen in my stature and body.

Soon, King Edmund recognized me too and shook my hands.

I had a great difficulty of tearing my eyes away from Queen Lucy but I had to because I noticed their companion. "But who is your friend?" I said with a cheerful smile. I was somewhat surprised to see the soaking boy crying hard.

"Let me go. Let me go back. I don't like it." The stranger said to me. To say that I was confused was an understatement.

"Let you go?" I repeated at him. "But where?"

The stranger rushed to the Dawn Treader's side and started to look around. After seeing nothing but the waves, he looked back at us, greener than he had been before.

When the stranger was looking at the side, the Queen approached me. "Don't mind him," she started. "He's just our cousin. His name is Eustace Clarence Scrubb, but you can call him Eustace. Please pardon him if he gets quite impossible to deal with later."

I nodded at her. "Hey! Rynelf," I said to one of the sailors on board. "Bring spiced wine for their Majesties. You'll need something to warm you after that dip." I added with a smile.

Rynelf returned to us, in his hands what I had asked for. The three of us, King Edmund and Queen Lucy, downed the spiced wine in one gulp but their cousin, Eustace made faces and sputtered and spat it out. The reason why he did that is still a mystery to me, because the spiced wine was delicious. He looked sick again and began to cry once more. I wanted to roll my eyes at him. Then he began to ask for some silly things and he demanded to be out ashore at the next station.

"This is a merry shipmate you've brought us, Brother," I said to King Edmund with a chuckle. I was about to say something more but Eustace shrieked.

"Oh! Ugh! What on earth is that! Take it away, the horrid thing."

The horrid thing, he called it. I laughed silently to myself because of the way he addressed the noble Reepicheep. I saw the look of longing and happiness at the Queen's eyes when she saw the valiant mouse. I twinge of jealousy sprang inside me for the little mouse.

I shook my head and pushed away the thought. Now why in the name of Aslan would I be jealous of the little fellow?

I watched as the valiant mouse put forward his left leg, drew back his right and bowed, kissed the Queen's hand, straightened himself out, and twirled his whiskers. The idea of jealousy was lost and was replaced by envy. I wished I could have that kind of suaveness and do that to the Queen.

I slapped myself mentally. Really, what weird things enter my mind these days!

"My humble duty to Your Majesty. And to King Edmund too." The little fellow bowed once again. "Nothing except your Majesties' presence was lacking to this glorious adventure." Well, I have to hand it to the valiant mouse; he sure knew how to flatter people.

"Ugh, take it away," repeated a disgusted Eustace. "I hate mice. And I never could bear performing animals. They're silly and vulgar and--and sentimental."

"Am I to understand," said Reep to the Queen, after a long gaze at the sulky boy. "That this singularly discourteous person is under your Majesty's protection?"

Uh-oh, I thought to myself. I knew very well where this was going. The last thing we needed right now is an injured or dead body. I thought fast and hard to come up with an idea to stop this before it starts. Luckily, the royal siblings both sneezed.

"What a fool I am to keep you all standing in your wet things," I exclaimed, a little too loudly, happy for the excuse. "Come on below and get changed. I'll give you my cabin of course, Lucy, but I'm afraid we have no women's clothes on board. You'll have to make do with some of mine. Lead the way, Reepicheep, like a good fellow."

"To the convenience of a lady," Reep said. "Even a question of honor must give way--at least for the moment--" I noticed he looked at Eustace pointedly.

Well, there he goes again! I really do wish I could say such things in front of women with ease. I noticed that his looks at Eustace had become glares and I knew that it would lead to something pretty nasty if not stopped quickly. That's why I ushered them quickly to my cabin. I opened the door to my stern cabin and lead her inside. "This will be your room, Lucy. I'll just get some dry clothes for myself," I said, rummaging through my drawer. Of course, I made sure to get some dry things for Edmund and his happy cousin. "And then leave you to change. If you'll fling your wet things outside the door, I'll get them taken to the galley to be dried."

As we left Lucy to change, the King Edmund, Eustace and I went down to the belly of the ship to change. Of course, Edmund and I had no problems whatsoever changing clothes in one room, but his cousin wouldn't hear of it. He seemed to have the foolish idea that by doing so, we would be considered less manly. King Edmund kind of lost his temper and told Eustace to stay outside if he wants until we are through changing. Eustace failed to look unnerved and did exactly as Edmund wanted him to do. Only thing was he walked out of the small cabin full of bunks and hammocks with his nose in the air.

I could only chuckle at Eustace's behavior. As we changed to our dry clothes, Edmund apologized to me for his cousin's horrible behavior. I shrugged it off and told him that it was actually nothing.

After we have changed, we stepped out of the cabin, to see Eustace still standing in there, still in his wet things.

"Shall we wait for you, Eustace?" I asked kindly.

He just rolled his eyes at me and went inside the cabin to change.

"Again, I apologize, Caspian," said King Edmund. "He really is such a bother all the times, so please just ignore him."

I chuckled once again. "Of course, brother," I said truthfully. "If you say he's always like that, then I shall take no heed of his complaints."

With that, we both went back to the deck of the ship, chatting about the progress of Narnia.