Disclaimer: All characters are not owned by me and are used without permission solely for the entertainment of fan-fiction readers.
Author's Note: This is my first attempt at Narnia fanfiction, but after seeing "Prince Caspian", I couldn't resist. I hope it is creative and enjoyable in your eyes.
Summary: The aftermath following the events of the Narnian attack on Miraz's castle. Peter and Caspian share the guilt and blame.
Prologue
The group walked silently through the forest. They had been walking all night, but no one dare speak a word. All eyes followed the three humans leading them back to their camp. Everyone was painfully aware that their numbers were far fewer in their return than when they had left.
It was a reminder of their failure.
High King Peter strode quickly and fiercely through the wood, snapping branches in his path with his boots. His thoughts were racing, replaying the night's events in his head, searching for where it had gone amiss. His head was bowed in shame. Things had gone horribly wrong.
It was his fault.
Prince Caspian followed a few steps behind, his feet heavy and an icy grip upon his heart. How could he have been so blind? How could he have not known that his father's death had been no accident? It all made sense now. How he had never been crowned king, yet still remained a prince all these years. How his uncle had tried to kill him the very night he had been blessed with a son.
He had known his uncle to be a man hungry for power. But he had never thought him capable of murder. He had underestimated Miraz, a mistake he would not make again. His mistakes had already cost them too much.
Queen Susan eyed the two older boys ahead of her. They should have never gone through with this plan. It had been much too risky and they had paid the price for it. And now the rift between her brother and Caspian had grown even larger. They both blamed each other for their loss tonight.
They also blamed themselves.
She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to meet the concerned eyes of her younger brother, King Edmund. She gave him a warm smile and looked ahead again. Now was not the time for words. It was a time to mourn the dead.
The sun was rising over the treetops and Susan was solemnly aware that the sky had turned a deep blood red. An unfortunate irony for their situation. All she could remember from that night was the sound of clashing steel and the screams.
They should have never gone.
The group finally broke out of the woods and began to walk the final few yards across the plain to the How. They could already see the Narnians gathering at its entrance.
Susan looked over at Caspian. She was worried about the young Telmarine Prince. He was already fighting a war against his people and his own uncle. It was hard enough for him without adding the discovery of his father's murder to it. It was all weighing heavily on him. The once pleasant and charming young man was now dejected and somber.
As they finally approached the How, a small figure broke out of the entrance, running up to meet them. But, before she could reach them, the girl stopped dead in her tracks.
Queen Lucy stared at them gravely, her eyes scanning over their diminished numbers.
"What happened?" she asked in a panicked voice.
Everyone had slowed down to a halt before the child Queen. But Peter stalked forward without even slowing down, meeting his sister's scared look.
Peter motioned to Caspian in disgust, "Ask him", he growled.
"Peter", Susan said sternly.
It wasn't fair to blame anyone.
Caspian looked at him in shock, "Me?"
Peter obviously blamed Caspian for things not going as planned.
The Telmarine Prince felt only anger in his heart. What had been revealed to him that night had been difficult for him to bear. But now he knew the truth. His uncle, Miraz, had murdered his father and had been plotting to take over the throne ever since.
Caspian should have known; his uncle was known for his ruthless demeanor. But he also should have been able to hold back his emotions in order to follow through with their plan. He had failed. He had been blinded by his own vendetta. It had caused them the element of surprise and the upper hand against Miraz.
He was at fault, but he would not be held completely responsible for the loss.
"You could have called it off, there was still time", Caspian retorted.
Peter whirled to face him, "No there wasn't, thanks to you. If you had kept to the plan, those soldiers might be alive right now".
"And if you had just stayed here, like I suggested, they definitely would be", Caspian spat.
Peter took a step towards him, "You called us, remember?"
Caspian set his jaw, "My first mistake".
"No. You're first mistake was thinking you could lead these people", Peter said icily.
With that the High King turned and started marching towards the How.
"HEY!" yelled Caspian angrily.
Peter turned again.
There was fire in the Prince's eyes, "I am not the one who abandoned Narnia".
Peter was appalled, "You invaded Narnia. You have no more rights here than Miraz does!"
Caspian pushed passed him and walked determinedly towards the How.
"You, him, your father! Narnia is better off without the lot of you".
The Telmarine froze at these words. He yelled and turned, pulling his sword out of its sheath. Peter had his out in a moment and they stood, swords crossed and prepared to fight.
"STOP IT!" Edmund yelled.
The two young men turned, realizing their error in judgment. Edmund helped lower a wounded Trumpkin to the ground. Susan looked at them, horrified and disgusted at the same time. Lucy ran up to the dwarf, her vial in her hand, ready to be used.
Caspian watched, and then turned away towards the stone tomb. He was embarrassed by his behavior and was quick to escape all the piercing eyes. Susan watched as he left, kneeling next to Trumpkin while Lucy tended to him.
Peter followed the retreating form of the Prince, his shoulders slumping. They had both acted like fools. He knelt next to his sisters, only to find Susan glaring at him.
"You're as much to blame as he is Peter", she said pointedly.
Peter hung his head, "I know".
She stood back up as Trumpkin moaned and coughed, "You really ought to apologize".
Peter looked up, "I know".
"What are you all standing around for? The Telmarines will be here soon enough", Trumpkin announced gruffly.
The cordial had done its work.
Lucy smiled down at the dwarf. She stood up and hurried after Susan and Peter into the How. They were followed by the rest of the troops and a gloomy looking Edmund.
Once they were within the confines of the tomb, Peter turned to his sisters.
"I'll speak to Caspian alone", he said.
The two girls nodded and Peter strode off, looking for the Telmarine Prince.
- - - -
And so here is the first taste of my story. I know it follows the movie very closely at first, but it sort of deviates towards the end. It will still follow the movie more or less, but mostly my own take on things. And there will be more Susan/Caspian ahead. R & R!!
- Lady Artemis -
