Authors Note: Hi everyone, sorry about the delay! Life just got in the way Hope you all enjoy, and please review!

Trufflehunter the badger groaned as he entered the new throne room of Cair Paravel. The entire castle was being rebuilt as per King Caspian's request to resemble the ancient ruling place it once was; or as close as the architects could make it, due to the change in the terrain over the last thousand years. Trufflehunter, a trusted advisor of the King, had been selected to watch over the progress. However, the elderly badger was an expert in all things Narnian, and had researched the old tomes collected by the Telmarines, and used sketches and descriptions to most accurately recreate the majestic room housing the Four Thrones. New additions to the room had been the inclusion of four statues, of the past Kings and Queens, which were currently being completed by a faun carver, and the source of Trufflehunter's dismay.

"Wrong, it's all wrong," the badger muttered, limping quickly over to the faun. The old crossbow wound in his rump still caused him trouble, even after years, and had given him a limp. He pointed at the statue of Queen Susan, shaking his head.

"Her Majesty is a beautiful woman, Ruben, and I can tell you for a fact that she doesn't not indeed have a beak such as this for a nose! Trufflehunter cried, gesturing at the unsightly lump that was the statue of Queen Susan's face. Ruben the faun flinched.

"I am still working on it, my lord," he muttered. Trufflehunter frowned. It was clear the young faun had not seen the Kings and Queens up close during their last visit.

"Please Ruben," he sighed, "Get yourself one of the drawings of Her Majesty from the planning room, to correct this." Ruben nodded.

"Or perhaps a life model?" a gentle voice called from the doorway. Trufflehunter whirled around, his heart full. Could it be? Could they have returned so soon?

Peter and Susan stood in the entrance to the room, surrounded by Glenstorm, the centaur in charge of the royal guard, and his sons. They were smiling happily at the badger, their eyes filled with joy at the sight of their old home being restored.

"Your Majesties!" Trufflehunter cried, dropping into a bow. He winced slightly as the old wound twinged. This did not go unnoticed by Peter, who had swept over to the old badger to help him to his feet.

"How are you, my dear friend?" he asked with a grin.

"Not as young and nimble as I once was," Trufflehunter laughed. "How have you returned, your majesties? I thought you could not?" he stopped. "Not that I am not pleased!"

Susan laughed. "We haven't any idea, Trufflehunter. We just did."

Finally the badger noticed that there were only the two elder Pevensie siblings in the room. "And King Edmund? And Queen Lucy?" he asked.

Peter and Susan glanced at each other. "We were not together when we returned," Peter said slowly. Trufflehunter nodded eagerly.

"Well!" he said, "we simply must catch you up on things!" he gestured for the pair to follow him through another door, leading onto a balcony with a delicate looking table and chairs. He called for a servant, and in a few minutes steaming hot tea was brought to them on a delicate silver tray, along with some warm sliced bread, which Peter and Susan dug into heartily. Trufflehunter watched them carefully before diving into his detailed description of what had happened in the three years since the Pevensies had been away.

Evidently Caspian had been busy, taking his new role as King very seriously. He had taken full control over the Telmarine population of Narnia, and had established peace between his people and the native Narnians, who were now living in tandem throughout the land. New treaties had been made with the neighbouring countries such as Archenland, and trade that had been cut off for hundreds of years had been re-established, providing Narnia with a booming economy. There had been some trouble from Telmar itself, upon hearing what had become of Miraz and his men, which had taken the form of a few skirmishes, but had ultimately quietened down after a particularly savage battle won by Caspian. The peace in Narnia had lasted over a year, and the country was thriving, so Caspian had decided to rebuild Cair Paravel, including building bridges to join the neighbouring rocky outcrops to make a large city, which would develop once the castle was completed. Susan smiled at this. Caspian was always obsessed with the idea of Old Narnia; of course he was going to rebuild Cair Paravel.

Trufflehunter seemed to pause for a moment, so Susan took the opportunity to ask the burning question she had been waiting to ask.

"So, where is Caspian?" she asked, attempting to seem casual by sipping her tea. Peter tried to hide his smile, as he could see the intense look in his sister's eyes. Trufflehunter looked at his Queen.

"Of course! I had not yet finished, your majesty," he quipped. He too could see how curious Susan was; and he remembered well the public kiss that Caspian and the young Queen had shared. "Since the peace has been steady, and King Caspian has no current wife or heir," he paused at this point, his eyes boring into Susan who blushed considerably, "He decided it was time to travel East, and reclaim the Lone Islands. Well, that is the official story." Peter leant forward at this, frowning slightly. Susan's heart sank. She had returned, for who knows how short of a time, and Caspian was not even here? Although she still had to hide the full feeling in her chest that he had not found a bride.

"The official story?" he asked. Trufflehunter nodded.

"In Caspian's father's reign, he had seven Lords on his council whom he trusted completely. When Caspian IX was killed, the Lords fled east. King Caspian has gone to retrieve them."

Peter frowned again. Susan could see her elder brother was not impressed. "Why did he have to go? Surely ensuring Narnia is safe and secure is more important than some old men? Why couldn't he send someone else?"

He and Susan looked at each other. Why would Caspian leave Narnia in potential danger? A year of peace was not a long time. Trufflehunter saw the uncertainty in the rulers.

"I'm sure he had his reasons," Susan said, and Peter nodded, still with a slight frown.

"I still don't like that he left," he replied. Peter turned to Trufflehunter. "Who is in charge?"

Trufflehunter smiled again. "We have a council currently, your majesty," he said, "Made up of several trusted advisors of King Caspian, based at different locations around Narnia. I am a member, as is Trumpkin, Glenstorm, Professor Cornelius and a few others that have joined our ranks since you were last here."

Peter nodded, looking out at the ocean view. The idea of the council was a good one, but he still could not understand why Caspian had left. A Kings one duty was to his kingdom. If you were King, you could not just sail off into the distance on whim, to chase down some forgotten friends of your father.

Susan could see the anger brewing in her brother, and looked at Trufflehunter again with a smile.

"Perhaps you can show us around the renovations?" she asked.

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