Disclaimer: I do not own Narnia...just whatever you don't recognize...
Summary: Starts out after VotDT, the Pevenies are in England, Caspian is back at Cair Paravel...and a power older than Aslan interferes with the Great Lion's plans. This might not end well when the Deep Magic is interrupted.
Ties loosely into my drabbles in Tails of the Mane...R&R please?
Chapter One
Picnic
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Narnia
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Caspian hummed softly as he brushed down his new stallion, the son of the huge black steed he'd ridden four years ago in the battle for Narnia. Lilliandil had joined the crew of Dawn Treader when they returned to Cair Paravel, she had adapted to living in the bustling castle rather well, but Caspian made a point to cover for her when she disappeared for a day "off".
The king didn't know whether the two of them would "hit it off" as Edmund had suggested before he, Lucy and their cousin left, yet the star's daughter and telmarine king were becoming rather nice friends.
"Yer majesty."
"Yes Trumpkin, someone better be attacking Narnia or dead..."
"Not quite."
Caspian groaned softly, resting his forehead on the ebony colored shoulder of the horse. "What is it?"
"Aslan has been sighted, He is coming to Cair Paravel."
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England
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Edmund flopped onto the grass with a dull thud, breathing hard as first Peter then Eustace copied his actions. All three struggled to regain their breath from chasing the ever illusive and devious...
Lucy
Susan, lounging on the picnic blanket nearby, merely chuckled as she sipped her lemonade. Lucy's joyful laughter rang out through the trees, growing louder and more musical as she drew closer to find where her companions disappeared.
"Oh boys! For those who can fight for hours in battle and still be ready for more...you still can't keep up with me!"
Peter gave a rough laugh before slowly getting up, following Lucy to the blanket and the awaiting food. Edmund and Eustace followed soon after once Susan had begun to hand out the sandwiches and snacks she had packed.
They ate happily, chattering of everything and nothing until all that was left were a handful of watermelon rinds that Peter tossed into the bushes to allow wildlife to enjoy.
No one wished to move after the meal, laying out on the cool grass and staring up at the beautiful sky. Lazily, a handful of clouds drifted across their lines of sight, but otherwise nothing disturbed the five.
"Summer skies like this always remind me of Narnia."
Peter hummed at Lucy's soft murmur, fully agreeing the the sentiment as a gentle breeze wafted over them.
"Edmund look!"
Ed followed Eustace's pointing hand, directing all of their gazes to the flying shape in the skies.
"Looks like an eagle."
"Like a heavenly eagle..."
Susan chuckled, Lucy's dreamlike voice was oddly soothing.
"More like a silver falcon...its the wrong color to be an eagle..."
"A silver eagle..."
Peter's sleepy voice urged Edmund to close his eyes, enjoying the warm sun...
The eagle seemed to circle lower, with each slight drop...one by one all five fell asleep...drifting away into peaceful slumber under the summer sun.
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Night
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A sharp snap of a stick woke Lucy from her doze, making her sit up with a start at the star filled sky overhead.
"Susan! Peter! Wake up!"
Her siblings stirred slowly, Eustace even managing to wake from his snoring to look around confused.
"This isn't the park..."
"Thank you Susan, for stating the obvious."
"Oh shut up Edmund."
"Both of you hush."
"Peter you hush!"
"Guys stop it."
The four turned to the eldest, Peter in a low crouch, knife at the ready as the snapping twigs and rustling undergrowth grew louder as something approached.
"Lucy, you and Susan stay behind Edmund."
"Yeah right."
Peter stood fully, still in a defensive stance as Edmund moved to stand at his shoulder with Susan on his other side, leaving Lucy and Eustace guarding their backs.
"One...two..."
"Your Majesty."
Peter fell backwards in surprise at the gentle gray and white face with a pair of black ears, leaving Ed and Susan laughing.
"Trufflehunter!"
The Badger gave a soft sigh, bowing slightly to the royals before gesturing to Peter's right hand.
"As surprising as this is, did you expect to fend me off with a butter knife your majesty?"
Peter glanced at his weapon of choice, he must have clutched his pocket knife as he woke up to the darkness, not that the small blade was of any use.
Susan rolled her eyes at her brother before kneeling to address their old friend, "Trufflehunter, if you're here then that means..."
"We're back in Narnia."
Lucy's words rang true as a a pair of dryads fluttered closer, leading a few of the forest's inhabitants closer.
Edmund looked around, seeing the wide eyes and confusion on the faces of fauns and satyrs, the centaurs showed little emotion, but what was readable could only be described as curiosity.
Eustace edged closer to his cousins as Peter looked around, nodding to the narnians who bowed to him and his family in respect.
"Trufflehunter, how far are we from the Telmarine castle?"
"Three days ride on a griffin, but you don't want to go there, King Caspian is residing in Cair Paravel, that is only a few hours by horse."
The High King of Old nodded, turning to his siblings as they waited for his decision. "Let's go then..."
Lucy nodded in agreement, immediately waving farewell to the dryads as Trufflehunter began to lead them deeper into the woods.
"Something's not right."
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Cair Paravel
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Ironhoof sighed softly as he adjusted his grip on his sword, sharp eyes scanning the bridges that linked Cair Paravel and the surrounding city due to the odd shape of the archipelago. His sire, Glenstorm, as stationed not far from his son's post on the wall surrounding the ancient castle, also guarding the palace.
Below in the courtyard, King Caspian paced alongside the Lion Aslan, discussing their own matters out in the cooler morning air. The castle tended to be rather confining during a day in the radiant summer sun.
The younger centaur stamped a hoof, irritated at the incessant mosquito hovering against his flank; while the incense torches lit along the wall and down in the courtyards provided light and just enough protection from the bugs elsewhere, in between them there was nothing to block the insects. And Ironhoof had to stand in his spot because the flickering light of the torch flames would disturb his sight in the in the rising sun.
Glenstorm glanced sharply at his son's second stamp, clearing his throat slightly as a reprimand to behave and hold still. His son tried, settling for changing position entirely to alter his angle of sight, watching down a bridge that was in a direct line with the city streets, that one in particular led to the Western forest.
A group of riders were approaching on that bridge, being escorted by a pair of centuars, Ironhoof lifted the guard eye glass to his eyes, scanning over the group to check for danger.
What he saw almost made him step back over the edge of the wall.
"Open the Gates!"
His sharp order nearly made Glenstorm lose his temper as he spun to face his son, before he too checked the approaching riders, his recognition and following cry finally disturbing King Caspian and Aslan.
"Open the Gates, Hail Narnia's Kings and Queens of Old!"
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The pair of gates were all the way open by the time Peter and Lucy in the lead of the group were halfway up the bridge, Lucy smirked to her brother before nudging her gelding into a canter, earning a laugh as Peter soon copied.
Lucy ignored Susan' shouts to behave, knowing her sister would race after them as well. The youngest Pevensie adjuster her seat on the saddle, catching Caspian's gaze just before her horse sailed through the gates.
And leaped from her saddle...
Caspian caught her with a laugh, spinning the queen around as she squealed. Peter slowed his steed to a stop after catching Lucy's horse, smiling as Lucy hugged the telmarine in greeting.
"I see you've kept everything in order."
Caspian nodded as he released Lucy, shaking Peter's extended hand warmly, "Just like I promised you."
"Told you Pete, you didn't have to worry, Narnia is in good hands."
Ed's jesting was met with a hearty man "hug" from Caspian as he jumped from his horse, the smile never leaving his face as he turned to help Susan down with her dress.
"Hope no one's forgotten about lil' ole me."
Caspian outright laughed, holding Eustace's horse steady as he slid down a bit roughly, falling on the ground before taking Caspian's outstretched hand.
"Guess I'm out of practice."
The Telmarine bowed to Susan, noticing Peter's slight glare of protection as Trufflehunter directed a stable hand to care for the five horses.
"I assume I should thank you good badger for escorting them here."
Trufflehunter chuckled, "No need you're majesty, I was merely performing my duty when I found them in the western woods."
Caspian nodded in thanks as the badger left to attend his own business. "Now, I do have to ask...what are you all doing here?"
Peter snorted, loosing draping an arm around Lucy's waist to keep her still, "We were hoping you would know."
"I don't."
Susan hummed slightly, glancing around as Ed and Pete fell into a rapid discussion with Caspian, the current King telling of his return on the Dawn Treader to the current date, all news being shared in case something of it had caused their return. Eustace seemed lost and merely stood there listening, while Lucy argued with the three kings, it was a bit amusing...
The Gentle Queen turned to see Glenstorm standing nearby, guarding them as another centaur spoke with the two who had accompanied them from the Western Woods. The old narnian bowed his head slightly to his queen before glancing at the other narnian at his side, drawing Susan's attention.
"Aslan."
No one else heard her soft voice, but they did notice when she stepped away from their small circle to move closer to the Lion.
Aslan stood patiently as she kneeled, bowing her head respectfully, Peter and Edmund joined her quickly at either side, unmoving in their respect.
"Rise, children."
Peter helped his sister to her feet, glancing as Lucy came to stand next to him, her eyes rolled mockingly before she gave Aslan a wide smile.
"Sire, why have we returned, all four of us were told we would not."
Aslan shook his head slightly, nodding to Eustace before leading the six of them into the castle, Peter walking on one side as Lucy quickly claimed her spot on the other. They walked in silence untilt eh Lion paused at the base of a set of stairs
"Eustace, the lady Lilliandil is currently in the library up these stairs and in the first door to the right. She will help you become accustomed to the castle."
Eustace recognized the dismissal, nodding to Aslan before jogging up the steps and disappearing. The Lion continued on, leading the five kings and queens to the gardens to speak privately. Caspian followed behind all of them, watching Ed lightly link his arm with Susan, mostly out of sibling affection and as being a gentleman.
Aslan didn't speak as they arrived at a private alcove, soft grass carpeting the small area that was cooled by a misting fountain within the garden walls.
Peter sat on on of the benches, joined by his brother, Susan, and Caspian while Lucy flopped onto the grass, uncaring as she crossed her legs, her leggings and short skirt bending nicely as Aslan laid next to her.
"Dare I ask who wants to start?"
Lucy gave a smile, "Well, I would like to say, Caspian Cair Paravel looks absolutely wonderful! I really like how its been rebuilt."
Caspian smiled, nodding and seeming to relax a bit as Peter clapped his shoulder in agreement.
"Trust Lucy to be the ice breaker."
Susan lightly glared at Edmund, gently shoving him before turning the conversation back in the proper direction.
"Aslan? Why all of us here, only Eustace was told he'd be allowed back, Peter and I have been gone for years."
The Lion sighed softly, glancing at Lucy when she ran her fingers through His mane comfortingly.
"That I do not know...as far as I and Caspian are aware there is no reason for you to be here."
Peter ducked his head, "Did someone blow the Horn? Even as a joke?"
Caspian shook his head, "It's been in my room untouched for weeks, all of Narnia would have heard it otherwise. Aslan arrived yesterday, but not for any problem."
Ed hummed softly, "Then whatever it is, it has yet to make itself known...meaning this could be rather difficult."
His older siblings nodded slightly along with Caspian, Lucy merely shrugged, the only one unmoving was Aslan.
The Lion sat silently, staring off into space, only coming back to the conversation when Lucy encircled his neck with her arms in a light hug, the others having already left.
"Aslan, are you alright?'
He was silent for a moment as her Lucy's fingers combed through his mane, "Yes...now I am Dear One..."
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Susan smiled and thanked Caspian as he escorted her to her and Lucy's room for the night, proper chambers were still being prepared due to the short notice and still ongoing rebuilding, Peter and Edmund were sharing with Caspian for one night further down the all. The Gentle Queen opened the door, noticing Lucy had beat her to the room, but not the bed...
"Caspian...come here..."
Her soft whisper kept Caspian from moving quickly, his boots still on as he crept closer to look in the door.
Aslan was laid out on his side in front of the lightly smoldering hearth, a blanket half draped over him as Lucy lay against his shoulder, both were sound asleep.
Caspian smiled at the sight, while nothing had been wrong within Narnia or the neighboring countries, there had still been a faint look of stress in Aslan's eyes when he spoke, the Lion being abnormally quiet. Now as he slept with the youngest queen, the Lion appeared truly relaxed.
Peter leaned out the door of Caspian's bedchamber, "Cas? Are you coming to bed or what, Ed's already snoring."
Susan shushed him, motioning for him to come closer, the eldest Pevensie smiled, slipping past the other two and moving over to them, Lucy didn't stir as Peter tucked the light blanket around her better, Aslan merely blinked half asleep before closing his eyes again, barely noticing Peter.
"Luce is out like a light, don't think she'll wake for anything."
Caspian nodded in understanding, leaving Susan to go to bed as Peter followed.
"I've never seen Aslan so at peace." The telmarine commented gently as Peter settled onto a blanket on the plush rug in front of Caspian's hearth, Ed had already claimed the lounge and was snoring softly.
Peter smirked, "He's always been happier around Lucy, one time in the Golden Age, Lucy went for a ride in the woods and was gone for two days, Aslan had arrived for a meeting with Calormen's leaders for the first time with Narnia...I had never seen Aslan so tense than those two days we waited for Lucy to return, she has perfectly fine, just got help up when her horse stumbled near the Lantern Waste...but Aslan didn't settle down until she had returned, even then I don't think he let her out of his sight for the rest of his stay."
Caspian nodded, laying down after blowing out the lamps, letting the soothing darkness take over.
"I just hope this peace lasts..."
"You and me both Caspian...you and me both..."
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