A.N.: Thanks so much to KrystalB2003 and bruce24 for the lovely reviews. I'm afraid the first few chapters are going to be a bit short, but they get longer later on.
Chapter 1
Fires had been lit around the camp making up for the dim light of the quarter moon, but Caspian soon found himself leaving their warm circle as he searched for solitude. Entering the woods, he found the trees even more intimidating than usual. For Caspian, who had been brought up amongst the Telmarine superstitions on trees, the woods had always been an intriguing yet menacing force on the horizon. Though he now knew the trees were on his side, he also knew what they could do and it was hard to shake old fears. He rested a hand on a nearby trunk. At least for now, the trees seemed to be resting once more.
As he traveled deeper into the woods and further from the firelight, the moon cast strange shadows of the trees swaying lightly in the wind. Caspian could hear the restless sounds of the night creatures scurrying amongst the branches and the undergrowth. After the past weeks in the woods, he'd grown used to these sounds, but they still but his battle worn nerves on edge. He stepped as lightly as he could over the earth and bracken, but he was no woodsmen and his footsteps sounded too loud to his ears.
A flicker of movement out of the corner of his eye caused him to swing around and curse himself for leaving his sword behind. He hoped it was just the wind, but as his eyes strained in the darkness, he could make out a human figure approaching. And it didn't appear to have forgotten its sword.
The prince was preparing to defend himself when the form called out. "Caspian?"
And suddenly, Caspian realized the silhouette was much too small to be that of a Telmarine soldier. "King Edmund?"
As he got closer, the pale features of the second-youngest Pevensie could be made out in the moonlight, his expression of relief matching that of Caspian. "What are you doing out here?"
Caspian shrugged. "I couldn't sleep," he admitted.
Sheathing his sword, Edmund gave him a weary smile. "Why do you think I volunteered for guard duty?"
Caspian smiled back. "It's nice to know I'm not the only one."
"Lucy's the only one of us who can really sleep after a battle. And trust me, she'll be up bright and early just to remind us."
"I guess I missed out, not having siblings."
"They can be the most wonderful pains in the neck," Edmund stated. "But I wouldn't trade them for the world, any world."
With a wistful smile, Caspian nodded.
"I should be getting back to my duties." The young king made to leave, but Caspian called to him once more.
Edmund glanced back questioningly at Caspian.
"Um…" The prince hesitated. Shaking his head, he changed his mind on what he was going to say and quickly asked something else. "Is Aslan still at the camp?"
"No. He disappeared sometime in the evening. He does that. After all, he's not a tame lion," Edmund replied with a smirk. "But don't worry, he promised to be there for your coronation, remember." As Edmund headed back to the camp, he missed the million worries swim back into Caspian's eyes.
The prince found his shoulders weighed down once more and could only continue on into the woods. His mind was a mess of confusion and he cursed himself for not being able to give voice to his doubts and fears. His eyes were so intent on the ground that he almost didn't see the flash of moonlight on the sword as it swung towards him.
