Chapter Four

Susan had come back about an hour ago, her face radiating worry for her brother. He'd refused to come back to the camp and she'd feared for his safety out in the forest at night. He'd volunteered to go get him, to drag him back if need be…but now, standing there and looking at the miserable form of the High King, kneeling before the grave, head bowed, leaning against his sword…he couldn't bring himself to intrude on his peace.

Which was why he now found himself standing a good distance away, leaning against a tree just watching the High King mourn. He eyed the surrounding trees wearily, he'd promised Susan he'd return with Peter, he couldn't leave him now, unguarded. He looked back at Peter glad to see that he had stopped crying. He did not find anything wrong with a boy, or even a man crying, it just unnerved him a tiny bit when a King cried. He'd always been told by his professor how the High King had been a brave and courageous warrior who never showed fear, yet here he was…a broken man...

"He's in a lot of pain isn't he?" a voice asked from beside him.

He jumped, turning to see that mysterious girl again, "Could you please not do that?" he asked, resting a hand on his chest over his now racing heart.

"Sorry," she apologized, her gaze returning to Peter, "He's in a lot of pain…" she muttered again.

Caspian nodded, "Yes, he loved her very much."

She smiled softly at that, "He blames himself…" she said after a while of just watching the unmoving form in the distance, "…for leaving…even though it was beyond his control…"

"How do you know that it was beyond his control?" He cut in, a slight viciousness in his voice.

"Do you really think that he would willingly abandon his people…abandon her?" Caspian shook his head, no, he did not believe that Peter or any of his siblings would do that. He looked at her, just gazing intently at Peter for a moment, before returning his attention to the King. She sighed, "He feels like a failure…like everything that has happened in Narnia could have been avoided if he had done something differently…like if he hadn't left, he could have defeated the Telmarines when they invaded…could have negotiated with them so that they could live in peace with the Narnians…he hates himself for going back to his world…"

"How do you know all that?" he asked, glancing at her, it was almost like she was reading his mind or something.

She merely shrugged, "How would you feel if you were sent to another world only to return to find that everything you knew was destroyed and everyone you loved had died, with all your people blaming their hardships on what they believe to be your abandonment?"

He nodded slowly, yes, that would probably be exactly how he would feel, "I understand."

There was silence for quite a while before she spoke again, "The part that really hurts him the most…is not knowing what happened to her." She nodded towards Peter and he immediately knew she meant the statue, that she meant Queen Haelyn. "He wishes he could at least know what happened, why she's gone, how she left…"

She sighed, not really knowing how to continue, "He blames the Telmarines."

Caspian scoffed slightly at that, he had assumed as much. It only made sense that he would think that, what with his people invading Narnia not long after they had left. "I do not believe my people had anything to do with her death."

She smiled softly, "Nor do I…but Peter will…" They watched as Peter started to get up from his spot, moving for what seemed to be the first time in hours. The girl swiftly turned to face him, worry apparent in her eyes, "Whatever Peter is about to say to you…don't take him seriously. He means what he says, but remember, he's just hurt and very angry."

"What are you talking about?" he glanced up to see Peter reach down to touch the statue in a sign of respect.

"Please," he heard her beg, "Whatever he says…do not retort."

He nodded in promise and looked down to confirm his promise when he saw that she was gone. He looked around for her but saw no sign. When he looked back he was face to face with Peter…a very, very angry Peter…not good…

Peter stood there, just stood there glaring at him, breathing harsh angry breaths, "You better hope that your ancestors had nothing to do with Haelyn's death or I swear I will hunt down each and every single Telmarine until all of them, including you, die by my blade."

Caspian raised his head a little, straightening his posture as brave as he could look when in reality he could hear the truth and promise in his voice. "I do not believe my people had a hand in it," he said.

Peter's eyes narrowed slightly, saying only "You'd best pray they didn't" before storming off towards the camp but not before shouting an angry "We attack tomorrow night" over his shoulder.

Caspian let out a shaky breath, looking up into the trees as he did so. He nearly jumped as he saw her, just standing on a branch above him. She smiled sadly down at him, mouthing a 'Thank You' to him. He simply nodded and turned to follow Peter back. He chanced a glance back at the tree he'd last seen her in and was slightly less surprised to see that she was gone. He supposed he should be used to her mysterious appearances and disappearances by now.

A/N - So...still pretty confusing. It'll get clearer in about 2 chapters though. I'm trying to write the scenes as if they happened between takes in the movie, this one's a little out there though. Sorry.