AN: So I've just realised how addictive writing fanfic is and I can't seem to stop.

Much love to those of you who read/are reading my very first fic. Do let me know what you think of my attempt!


Caspian sat at the high table, anxiously fidgeting with his stiff tunic and vest. He had immediately decided to throw a hasty feast to celebrate the Kings and Queens of Old when Susan decided to come down for dinner. Although this meant more work for the kitchen, everyone was glad to finally give the Pevensies the welcome they deserve. The entire castle was eager to see them and, despite them having been here for three days now, his people weren't satisfied until they could see all four of them, for full effect. Peter was seated on his right and Edmund on his left, with Lucy taking the seat beside Edmund. The seat beside Peter remained conspicuously empty and even though Lucy had assured him that Susan was coming down, he couldn't help but feel nervous as the hour grew late and the chair remained empty.

Caspian had taken extra care with his dress, taking out one of his best suits and tunics and even brushing his hair out to impress Susan. His appearance before her in her room had been slovenly, as he had immediately come after attending to his warriors' training, and it didn't help that Susan was beautiful in whatever she wore. Caspian's cheeks grew hot at the thought of Susan, beautiful in whatever she didn't wear.

Stop this, he scolded himself. She is a lady, and a Queen, and you will treat her as such.

'What do you think, Caspian?' Edmund prodded him.

Caspian looked up and became aware of Peter's expectant look. 'I think it's a good idea,' he replied casually. Edmund raised his eyebrows and Peter seemed like he was having difficulty holding back his laughter. What was the question?

'You think Peter beating me at sword fighting is a good idea?' Edmund asked him slowly, obviously enjoying Caspian's discomfort. The Just King was younger than he was and yet, the look in his dark eyes managed to unsettle Caspian with its intensity.

'Well.' Caspian looked at his full plate. There really was no way he could wriggle out of this, not when the two brothers were against him. 'I think-'

A slow hush filled the dining hall and both Edmund and Peter looked up, distracted from tormenting him. Their gazes were fixed on the massive doorway. Caspian frowned, followed the line of their worried looks, and froze.

Susan was walking into the dining hall and when the gazes of its occupants swung towards her, she froze, as if contemplating escape. Caspian watched her raise her chin after the briefest of pauses and walk gracefully down the length of the chamber. Her long, black hair was brushed and curled gracefully down her back. The dark blue dress she wore made her seem like an ethereal being, a goddess who belonged in the waters. She was pure grace and perfection and he knew others shared this sentiment, judging by the awestruck looks many, especially men, wore.

'Come, Susan,' Peter beckoned her towards the empty chair by his side. She sat down, folding her hands on her lap. A servant hurried forward to place a full plate before her and the boy trembled when she smiled at him. The conversation in the hall resumed slowly.

'What did I miss?' Caspian heard her ask Peter. He cursed his position that placed him in this chair that was too far away from her.

'Not much,' Peter quipped. 'Caspian here was just saying that I'm a better sword fighter than Edmund is. Right, Caspian?'

Caspian grinned and stole a quick look at Susan, expecting her to smile at him, to say something witty and absolutely charming. Instead, she smiled politely and picked at her food. Peter frowned, apparently noticing this odd reaction from her.

'You feeling alright, Su?' Peter touched her forehead gingerly.

'I'm fine,' she replied. 'I'm just not feeling quite…myself yet.'

Peter nodded sagely. 'Thank God Caspian was there when we arrived in Narnia. Imagine what could have happened if he wasn't there!'

There was a pregnant pause. 'Yes, imagine that.'

Caspian frowned into his soup. Why did Susan seem so cold and detached when the conversation turned towards him? Had he offended her some way? Their conversation in the bedroom had gone well, despite his blathering. She seemed pleased to see him and he was definitely pleased to see her. Why this distant reception?

'I had some trouble finding my way here,' he heard Susan tell Peter. 'I'd forgotten what a giant this castle is!'

'You should have seen Lucy on the first day,' Peter told her, chuckling as he cradled a goblet in his hands. 'Caspian here had to draw her a map and you should have seen what an abomination the map was!' Again, Caspian perked up, expecting Susan to say something, anything, but she simply made a small noise of assent. Peter watched her carefully and traded worried glances with Caspian.

Did I say something wrong? his look said.

Caspian shook his head and tried his hand. 'When you're feeling much better, Your Majesty,' he hedged, leaning forwards in his seat to get a good look at Susan. 'I could show you the castle grounds.' Peter smiled encouragingly. 'We have a magnificent archery range. You could teach me how to use a bow and arrow properly.' The smile on Peter's face was replaced by a look of abject horror. Caspian felt dread building up in his stomach as he slid his gaze from Peter to Susan, who was frozen in the act of spooning her broth.

'That's a nice offer, Su,' Peter exclaimed brightly. 'I'm sure you'd like to-'

'I'm afraid I've abandoned that sport, King Caspian,' she interrupted coolly. 'I'm sure you're better than I am at archery now, anyway.'

'Susan,' Peter muttered through clenched teeth.

'Peter,' she replied bluntly. Their gazes held in a short internal debate before Peter turned his attention to Caspian.

'I'd like to see more of the grounds actually, Caspian. It seems you've done plenty to restore it,' Peter spoke conversationally, as if nothing had happened. 'I'm sure Lucy and Edmund would like to join me. The pavilion's new, isn't it?' He helped himself to a generous helping of roasted bison.

'Yes, it is,' Caspian replied distractedly. He cast an anxious glance at Susan over Peter's back. 'I was inspired by the white pavilion at Cair Paravel.' He made sure his next words were clear enough to reach Edmund, Lucy and especially Susan. 'I have been making plans to restore Cair Paravel. I thought since the four of Your Majesties are here now, you might like to have a say in the reconstruction. It is your home.'

Edmund's eyes brightened at the idea. 'We would love to be involved. That is an...impressive undertaking, Caspian.' His eyes grew distant with nostalgia. 'How I would love to see our home again, in all its former glory.'

Lucy had eagerly leaned across Edmund, pushing her older brother back. 'When do we start? Have you started anything? You must include the Faun's Wall, of course. And the Hall of Dryads?'

Peter laughed as Edmund pushed her back. 'Calm down, Lucy. You'll be able to voice your opinions when we start.' He cast a quick glance at Susan, desperate to bait his sister into the conversation. 'When do we start?'

'Well, we've begun some of the plans. I shall show them to you tomorrow.' Caspian became aware of Susan listening intently to the conversation. 'There are some details that my advisors have been reluctant to implement in this new construction. The West Library, for example. They wonder if Cair Paravel really needs more than one library.' He waited patiently.

The West Library was Susan's favourite place. In their short time together in the past, she'd told him about the wonders of Cair Paravel, including the library that faced the west. As she spoke, he would begin to imagine the library, putting together the pieces as she described them. Tall windows with intricate glass etchings that opened to the sea. High ceilings with a frieze of Narnians frolicking against a pale sunset background. Tall driftwood bookshelves that held many ancient tomes. Cushioned window seats, where she liked to sit and watch the ebb and flow of the sea. A cupola that topped the library, with a mural of a resting lion at the centre. Caspian waited for Susan to explode.

He didn't have to wait long. 'You can't not include the West Library!' Susan exclaimed indignantly. Her siblings looked startled at her outburst, except for Peter who darted a knowing glance at Caspian. 'The West Library is an integral part of Cair Paravel! It housed lots of important books on Narnia!'

'My apologies, Your Majesty,' Caspian replied smoothly. Angry Susan was better than Uninterested Susan. 'My advisors say that the new library will be able to house all the books in Narnia. They wondered if the West Library should be transformed into a wide balcony.'

'A wide balcony?' An angry flush had begun to travel up Susan's neck to her cheeks. 'And what did you say?'

Caspian shrugged. 'I have yet to inform them of my decision but a balcony seems rather practical.'

'Rather practical?' Caspian hid a smile. This 'news' seemed to have rendered Susan speechless to the point of repeating his words. 'A library would be rather practical. A room for books would be rather practical. A house for knowledge and learning would be rather practical.' She fixed Caspian with a disbelieving stare, meeting his eyes for the first time since she entered the dining chamber. 'I thought you knew how much the library meant to me,' she continued softly, disappointment colouring her voice. Her siblings shifted uncomfortably in their seats, sensing they were intruding something private between the two.

'I will go join the soldiers, I think,' Peter declared loudly, cutting through the tension. 'I have much to ask them about the armoury and the training grounds. Ed?'

'Huh?'

'Come join me?' Peter requested forcefully, looking pointedly at Susan.

'Ah. Right. Yes, I will.' Edmund drained his goblet in one go and pulled Lucy to her feet. 'Lucy, why don't you go-' He paused, at a loss as to what Lucy should be doing instead of hanging around the high table.

'-talk to the women about their herbalism secrets,' Lucy supplied helpfully. 'I will do exactly that.'

'Right.' Peter clapped Caspian's shoulder and winked at him. 'Keep Susan company, will you?'

Caspian didn't miss the way her spine stiffened at Peter's departure and he exhaled heavily. The chair between them was an unwanted gap and he slid onto it, aware that the entire court knew of his history with the queen. She didn't turn away for him but eyed him warily.

'I do know how much the library meant to you,' Caspian murmured. 'In fact, the library was the first room I drew plans on. I simply wanted you to join the conversation.'

She narrowed her eyes at him. 'You wanted me to talk to you?'

'Yes.'

'So you tricked me?'

'Yes.'

'Do you feel guilty at all for causing me such distress?'

'No.' His grin was quick and boyish and she found herself smiling reluctantly. 'How are you feeling, Your Majesty?'

She sighed and made a show of mulling over his question. 'Fine.' His mouth quirked at her answer.

'Are you…finding the accommodations to your taste?'

That managed to coax a full grin out of her. 'I live in a cramped flat in a godforsaken part of London. My room here could fit my entire flat, Caspian. How can it not be to my taste?'

'Thank goodness. I lost sleep thinking how I could make my paltry castle suitable enough for a Queen.'

She lifted her chin. 'Well, your sheets are a bit too rough for me. A Queen should only sleep on pure silk.'

Laughing, Caspian turned his body completely to face her. 'Pure silk? I shall see what I can do, Your Majesty.' She looked up, her blue eyes alive with laughter and he captured the image in his memory. Suddenly, her eyes darkened and the easy smile disappeared from her face. She turned her face away from him, but he caught the flash of pain before she hid behind a curtain of her dark hair.

'Susan? What is it? What's wrong?' He touched her shoulder and she tensed.

A peal of delighted laughter drifted towards them and Susan looked up at the sound. Her eyes narrowed at the woman whose laughter had enchanted those around her. The daughter of the star, Lilliandil, was sitting amongst her admirers. She looked exceptionally lovely tonight, with her silver hair curling softly about her face. Caspian raised his head and saw Susan watching him, her eyes cold and devoid of any emotion. She dropped her gaze and gently nudged his hand off her shoulder. He let it fall limply to his side.

'Susan-'

'I'm feeling quite exhausted now,' she replied coolly. 'I think I'll retire early.' She pushed the chair back and he stood up hastily. Unable to think of anything to say, he watched her embrace her brothers and kiss Lucy goodnight. The hall seemed so much colder as the doors closed behind her.