Chapter 1

Gray clouds were rolling, threateningly, across the sky, as the Dawn Treader set course for home. One more day and the men would be reunited once again with the land and their families. Looking forward to tomorrow, the crew worked with high spirits, not a complaint in the bunch. A loud rumble of thunder echoed across the sea, preparing to shower the Dawn Treader.

King Caspian X stood behind the pilot, eyeing the coming storm, when someone shouted, "Look!" All of the crew members rushed to port, looking over the edge at the mass of debris and bodies floating beneath them.

"A pirate attack?" One of the men suggested.

Immediately, Caspian thought of Analeigh, the pirate he had met over a year ago, who had stayed behind on the Lone Islands, leaving him nothing but a note with a promise to return to him. Would she really hold that promise? Or had she forgotten him by now? Before he could ponder these thoughts any farther, one of the crewmen shouted, "Captain! One of them is alive!"

"Bring them aboard." Caspian ordered.

Several of the men immediately jumped into action, leaping over the side of the Dawn Treader, diving into the dark blue sea, checking for survivors. Victor, a blond-headed crew member of average build, found a woman with long, black hair still breathing upon a piece of driftwood. "Miss? Miss? Can you hear me?" The woman awoke slowly, eyes fluttering. "Let me help you." Victor wrapped her arm around his shoulders, swimming with her to the Dawn Treader where they were pulled aboard.

"Were you attacked?" Caspian asked the woman.

Moving her hair from her eyes, she looked straight at Caspian, a look of shock then joy appearing on her face. "Caspian?" The woman asked, hesitantly, stepping towards him, still staring at his face.

For a moment, Caspian was silent, gazing at the woman, trying to identify her. Suddenly, the king realized who she was. "Analeigh?" The two smiled at each other, and then pulled each other into a tight, longing embrace. Caspian held Analeigh as tight as he could, trying to contain the joyous tears threatening to fall from his eyes. "I've missed you." He whispered into her hair. With a small sob, Analeigh replied, "I've missed you too, Caspian." The two of them stood there, simply hugging each other, for what seemed like hours but was only a few seconds.

When they finally released each other, Caspian inquired once more, "What happened? Where you attacked?" All the while, not letting go of Analeigh's hands.

She nodded, answering, "Pirates. Much worse and fiercer than us. We did not even see them coming. It's as if they appeared by magic."

Caspian stroked the side of her face, "You're safe now." To which, Analeigh smiled brightly at him. Having been separated for over a year was difficult, but it made this moment that much more beautiful. The longing stares, his touch, Analeigh never wanted to leave Caspian's side again. Her train of thought was interrupted as one of the men shouted, "One more, Captain! The rest are dead, I'm afraid."

A crewmen and a young boy with sandy-brown hair came aboard, soaking wet. "Kade!" Analeigh shouted, rushing forward to hug the young boy. "You made it." The pirate nodded, shaking the water out of his hair, and then whispering, "Who are these people?" Still smiling, she replied, "This is King Caspian X and the crew of the Dawn Treader." Kade's eyes bulged, almost in fear. "The King?" Putting her hand on his shoulder, she calmed him, "Don't worry. He…" Analeigh shifted her gaze to Caspian, "He won't hurt us."

"You've done your duty! Get back to work men!" Drillion shouted, appearing next to the king. "Well, now what to do with you two?"

Analeigh answered first. "Kade was the boatswain on the Storm Brewer; however, I'm sure he'll do his best at whatever task you give him."

Kade shot Analeigh a look, perhaps of disappointment, but then returned his gaze to Drillion, who said, "Well, why don't you start as a cabin boy?" After receiving a sharp elbow to the side, Kade replied, "Yes, sir." Then, he headed down below deck.

Before Drillion could assign a chore for Analeigh to do, Caspian stepped forward, inviting her into the navigation room, "Come with me?" Nodding, Analeigh followed, holding his hand. Once they entered the navigation room, Caspian drew Analeigh into a hug once more. Analeigh buried her face into Caspian shirt, which smelled of sea salt. Breaking the silence, the king muttered, "You let your hair grow. It's beautiful."

"I never stopped thinking about you… not even for a minute."

"Neither did I."

"We were actually coming to see you, when we were attacked."

"Really?"

Looking up at him, smiling, she confirmed, "Really."

The two stared into each other's eyes, losing themselves. Slowly, Caspian leaned downwards, cupping his hands around Analeigh's face, pulling her into a kiss.

After a few moments, the two broke for air. Filling the silence, Caspian whispered, "Promise me something?" "What?" "Promise me, you won't leave again." "I promise."