A/N: This plotbunny came to me tonight while swearing at the oven while attempting to bake brownies that I promised to bring into class tomorrow. Enjoy.
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Caspian shuddered at the thought. Surely she was mad. There was no other explanation. Queen Susan couldn't possibly want such a combination. But it was his husbandly duty after all to see that her needs were met, especially during this trying time when she was not quite herself. He had never understood women and didn't think he ever would. Hopefully this was only temporary.
Walking the corridors toward the kitchen, he passed servant girls who giggled and blushed in his presence. He raised a brow and smiled at them, not understanding their reaction.
In an attempt to keep his mind off his present situation, his mind wandered. Would he be a good father? Would he even know how to be one? His uncle Miraz certainly was not a good example. He was the only father that Caspian knew other than Doctor Cornelius. High King Peter would most certainly offer his input from time to time, he imagined, since he had been forced into the role of father figure to the Pevensies so many years ago.
Lost in his thoughts, he nearly passed by the kitchen door, missing it entirely. Seeing candlelight glimmering through the doorway, he was curious who else was mad enough to be awake and in this part of the castle at this late hour. He entered the room and in an instant, found himself on the floor, Reepicheep sitting on his chest, sword drawn to his face. He instantly recalled that their first meeting so long ago was rather similar.
Eyes wide, watching him cautiously, Caspian asked, "is this necessary?"
The mouse bowed. "My humble apologies, sire. I was curious as to who was the late-night thief of this new delicacy of brownies, are they called? They are quite good."
Standing up and brushing off his clothes, he said, "that would be Queen Susan. Her pregnancy has her craving a strange combination of pickles and butterscotch brownies." His face contorted in disgust.
"You do have your work cut out for you. I don't envy you, your Majesty."
"Hmm" he murmured in acknowlegement. He peeked in a cupboard for a hidden stash and didn't find anything. That meant he would have to bake them on his own. Cooking was certainly not something a boy...man of his status was ever taught for life in the palace. He excused himself and found one of the enamored maids he had passed earlier, bringing her into the kitchen.
"I don't know what's in them. They are little cakes and taste like caramel. It can't be that difficult to figure out."
She only heard half of what the king said. Of course everyone knew better than to attempt anything since Caspian was married to Queen Susan and they had all seen the grief he had gone through when she had left him on his coronation day, but a girl could fantasize without guilt. They often did, unbeknownst to him.
While she set to baking the cakes for the Queen, Caspian turned to Reepicheep. "I will be glad when this passes and she returns to normal. She will, won't she?"
"I would imagine so. But I have not been in that position so I can't say for certain. You had better take this, your Majesty". The mouse held out a pickle for the king. "It's the last one. Will have to find someone else to make more soon."
"Is it ever appropriate for a man...mouse to give another man his pickle?" the king deadpanned.
Reepicheep raised a brow. "Only if he doesn't want an irate queen."
Caspian laughed and carried the platter of brownies and the pickle through the courtyard and upstairs to his chambers. The intermingling aromas made his stomach churn, but leave it to the warrior mouse to make any situation brighter.
