A/N: Thanks for the reviews! I'd answer some of your questions, but I'm afraid it might ruin the story lol. but I promise your questions will be answered in the upcoming chapters, so please bear with me and hang in there. This chapter turn out longer than I expected, but I feel it just move things a bit quicker. It may seem a bit slow right now, but things will start picking up in the upcoming chapters. R&R. Enjoy.

Chapter 4

Their laughter slowly subsided as Susan made a little gesture to remind Peter to keep his voice down. "I'm sorry." He whispers as soon as she nudges him again on his side. A mischievous smirk crosses his face. "It was pretty funny."

"Shut up." Susan groans as she playfully smacks Peter on the face with a pillow. "No need to remind me."

"Oh come on, the moment marked a fresh new start in Narnia." He chuckles while grabbing onto the pillow before she uses it against him once more.

"It was embarrassing, Peter!" She exclaims. "How would you feel when you fall off your horse during the crowning ceremony and everyone is staring right at you?"

He grins. "Okay, it was embarrassing for you but memorable for everyone else." She glares at him for the comment. "Besides, it didn't stop Caspian from coming to your rescue."

There is a sudden moment of silence as Susan lowers her eyes at the mention of his name. Peter suddenly looks down regretfully, cursing himself for bringing it up. "I'm sorry."

"No, it's alright." Her lips lifted into a hopeful smile. "I promise."

He studies her carefully as the mood of their surroundings suddenly changes into a darker tone. "Do you think about him often?"

Susan weakly smiles as the image of his face slightly made her tremble, "Everyday." Peter slowly nods his head. "If I could just see him one more time and know for sure that he's okay--" she trails off in mid-sentenced as tears begin to fill her sad eyes. She takes a deep breath to fight them all back as Peter places a hand on her shoulder. "God, I miss him so much."

He sighs sympathetically. "I know, Sue. We all miss him."

Silence fills the room once again as Susan turns back to Peter and quickly wipes away the tears with her free hand, letting out a small chuckle to lighten the mood. "It's getting late."

"You're right." Peter rises up from the edge of the bed. They were so caught up in their conversation none of them realize it was already past midnight. "Don't want to be late for school tomorrow." He begins making his way out the door as he stops and looks over his shoulder, smiling back at his sister. "Good night, Susan."

She smiles in return. "Good night, Peter."

He finally shuts the door behind, heading back to his bedroom when suddenly he hears a loud thump coming from downstairs. A look of curiosity and suspicion hang across his features as Peter begins ascending down the stair steps.

Meanwhile, Edmund and Lucy step forward only to find themselves back in the house where they first left it. The two exchange mixed looks of sadness and uncertainty as they turn around to what used to be Narnia replaced by the old fireplace.

"Do you think we'll ever come back?" Lucy asks hopefully, looking up at Edmund.

"I would hope so, Lu."

A small gasp escape from Lucy's lips as a tall dark shadow is cast on the wall near the fireplace. She quickly grabs a hold of Edmund as the two quickly turn around only to be greeted by their older brother. Lucy releases a sigh of relief.

"What are you two still doing up?" Peter asks curiously as Edmund and Lucy exchange looks. Suddenly Lucy lets go of Edmund as she runs over to her older brother.

"Oh, Peter!" She hugs him and buries her face in his chest. "You wouldn't believe what just happened!" Peter furrows his eyebrows as Edmund's worried eyes grew larger.

"What's wrong, Lu?"

The little one looks up at him with tears in her eyes. "Edmund and I--"

"We fell asleep on the couch." Edmund exclaims, finishing off her sentence as Lucy shot him a look of confusion. "Lucy had a nightmare." She wrinkles her forehead. "Isn't that right, Lu?" He spoke with a hint of warning as Lucy simply nods her head.

"Very well then," Peter gives Lucy a tight squeeze. "It's time we all go to bed."

"We'll be up in a second." Edmund tells him as he looks over at Lucy. "I'll make sure she goes to bed."

Peter nods as he kneels and kisses her softly on the forehead. "Goodnight, Lu." He shifts his gaze over to Edmund. "Night, Ed."

"Goodnight." Edmund and Lucy respond in unison as they watch their brother leave the room.

Lucy then turns to Edmund with an icy glare once they were alone. "Why did you do that?" She retorts as she pinches him on the shoulder.

"Ow!" He shot her a look. "What was that for?"

"We have to tell him what happened to Caspian!"

"Can't we just think this through for a minute?" He groans as he sits back down on the couch and rubs the back of his neck apprehensively. "This is a lot to take in, Lu. We're not even sure if he's really--"

"But it's really him, Edmund." Lucy says surely. "You heard what Susan said in the train station the other day. She knows Caspian when she sees him. It just makes sense."

"That's the thing, Lucy. He is not the Caspian we used to know. You heard Aslan."

"But don't Peter and Susan have the right to know?"

Edmund studies Lucy carefully and sighs. "We will tell them, Lu just don't say anything until I tell you to." She looks down sadly. "Come on. It's time for bed." Edmund places an arm around her as the two quietly head upstairs to their bedrooms.

The following morning, the Pevensies woke up to the delightful smell of blueberry pancakes and hot chocolate as they all come rushing down to the kitchen with their empty stomachs grumbling in hunger. It took Peter and Edmund awhile to go downstairs as they were racing towards the bedroom door, pushing and shoving each other playfully as to who will get the bite of pancakes first. Peter, who is taller and much stronger, was able to get through first as he reaches the dining room floor only to find Lucy who beat him to it. "Well good morning, Lu." He greets her breathlessly as he pulls out a chair beside her. Edmund appears in the room moments later as he shot Peter a glare and takes a seat across from him.

"Good morning, everyone." Susan greets her family cheerfully as she enters the dining room from the kitchen with a plate full of blueberry pancakes.

"Good morning, Susan." Peter smiles in response as Edmund and Lucy exchange bewildered looks. "The pancakes look great." They turn to Peter and then at Susan who looked happier than they last remember in the past two months.

"Are you alright?" Edmund asks as he lifts a curious brow at her direction.

Susan smiles, "Well yes, Ed. Why you ask?"

"I don't know…" He wrinkles his forehead. "You seem in a rather better mood today."

Susan's lips curve into another smile as she sits down next to him and across from Lucy who is smiling back at her. "I know I haven't been myself lately," she spoke of truth and with some sense of guilt as all eyes turn to her, "but things will get better from now on." Susan says with a reassuring smile as the room suddenly fell silent.

Edmund and Lucy begin to stir on their seats uncomfortably as their older siblings carry on with breakfast.

It was Peter and Susan who were doing most of the talking as the young ones remain silent, barely touching their food as they continue to listen on to their conversation. It surprises Edmund and Lucy the most that Peter, especially Susan would be speaking so fondly of their adventures in Narnia. Just two months ago, they were forbidden to mention anything about Narnia and those who live in it, but now it seem as though Susan is finally letting go.

"Edmund? Lucy?" Susan calls to them, stopping in the middle of her story-telling about the friendly fauns and centaurs that didn't seem to interest two of her younger siblings as they wander in their own world. "Are you two alright?"

Edmund could feel a small itch on the back of his throat as he lets out a grunt. "Yeah, we're fine. Go on."

"Are you sure you're alright?" Peter asks while staring curiously between them.

Edmund sighs irritably. "We're fine, Peter."

"Excuse us." Lucy rises up from her chair and grabs Edmund's hand. He glances at her quizzically. "Come, you promise me a quick game of hide-and-seek." Peter and Susan smile at their way.

"I did?"

"Just come on." Lucy groans as she pulls Edmund off his chair, making him stumble slightly on the floor as he follows her to the next room.

"Well don't take too long." Susan spoke with ease as she begins clearing out the table. "We must get ready for school."

Lucy led the way to the livingroom as they look around to make sure they are alone. Edmund lets go of her hand and begins wandering aimlessly back and forth in front of the fireplace. He stops and finally meets Lucy's anxious eyes. "Now what are we going to do?"

As soon as classes have ended, Edmund stood outside in front of the boys' private school waiting patiently for Peter. Just across the stretched river is the girls' private school where Susan and Lucy are currently enrolled in. In an hour or two, Peter and Edmund will later meet up with them in the train station.

Meanwhile, as Edmund's eyes remain fixed on the river he looks up and spots his brother leaving the school building. Just a few students behind him stood Tristan, the same boy--gentleman who saved them at the train station as his eyes widens at the sight of him. He resembles so much of Caspian that it was hard to believe he is a completely different person.

"Hello, Ed." Peter walks up to Edmund, snapping away from his thoughts as he shifts his gaze to him. "You ready to go?"

Edmund glances over at Tristan and then back at his brother. "I just need a few moments."

Peter scoffs, "A few moments for what?"

"I just need to talk to someone real quick."

His older brother groans half-heartedly. "Well hurry up then. I'm starving."

"Then go get something to eat." Edmund suggested. "I'll meet up with you by the river."

Peter sighs, "Alright. But no more than ten minutes."

As soon as Peter walk across the street to get something to eat, Edmund immediately takes out a book from his messenger bag and opens it up, pretending to read as he looks up at Tristan occasionally without looking too suspicious.

"I'll see you at school next week." He hears Tristan say to a couple of guys as they part ways. While Tristan moves in the opposite direction, Edmund begins to walk as he hides his face behind the book and purposely bumps into him from behind.

"Oh I'm sorry!" Edmund apologizes as he reaches down to pick up the book.

"Are you alright?" The man asks while Edmund rises up to meet his gaze. Tristan scrutinizes him carefully. "You're the kid from the train station."

Edmund slowly nod, taken away by how real and alive he looked at the moment. He then shakes his head, fighting back the thought of Caspian's death as he regains his composure. "Tristan, right?"

"Yes. But I'm afraid I didn't get your name." Tristan says in the same Spanish-accent he recognizes evidently.

"I'm Edmund."

The two shook hands.

"Well it's nice to see you again, Edmund." He greets him with a sincere smile as awkward silence suddenly hung over them.

"I didn't get the chance to thank you for helping me and my brother." Edmund spoke up as he finds himself walking beside him towards the intersection.

"Well I'm glad that I can help."

Edmund examines him carefully from the corner of his eye. "Where are you from?" He thought curiously to keep the conversation going, but to also learn more about him.

"I'm from Greenwich. And you?"

"Finchley."

"Ah, I've been there once." He smiles, "nice place."

Edmund shrugs his shoulders in response as he watches Tristan wave a hand in the air in front of ongoing traffic, "It's alright I suppose."

There is a moment of silence when a car suddenly stops in front of them.

"Well I'm off now." Before Tristan opens the door to the back seat of the vehicle, he stops and glances over to his male companion. "Would you like a ride to the train station, Edmund? I'm heading over there right now if you wish to join me."

"Umm…" Edmund trails off as he looks up to find his brother walking towards their direction. He then turns back to Tristan. "Is it alright if we give my brother a ride as well?"

"Of course."

"Edmund?" Peter approaches him as he glances over at Tristan and then back at his brother. "What's going on?"

"Tristan is offering us a ride at the train station."

"Hey, there." Tristan greets him warmly as Peter stares at him for a moment. The memory of meeting Prince Caspian for the first time in Narnia suddenly comes to mind. Although their first meet didn't turn out well as he hoped, in the end he respected him, not just out of courtesy but as a King. Looking through him—the man who resembles every inch of Caspian suddenly made Peter long for Narnia.

"Peter?"

He shakes his head from a fixed trance and turns back to Edmund. "What?"

"Do you want a lift or not?" His younger brother groans impatiently as Peter simply nods his head and follows him in the back seat of the car.

"What is taking the boys so long?" Susan thought irritably as she looks up at the clock displayed against the wall of the underground train station. Lucy shrugs her shoulders as she takes a seat beside her sister on the bench nearby.

"You know how boys are," she grins mischievously, "they are never on time."

The two sisters looked at each other for a brief moment and burst out laughing. Lucy stares at Susan in awe, delighted to see her smile and laugh again. Today has been better than most days now that Susan is speaking again. However, it's been difficult for Lucy to live up to the moment when the guilt of keeping the truth about their trip to Narnia and Caspian continues to linger in the back of her mind. Susan immediately notices Lucy's odd somber behavior as she looks at her worriedly.

"Lu?" She spoke to her softly. "Is everything alright?"

Lucy's eyes remain fixed on the floor as a heavy sigh escape from her lips. "Susan," she starts off hesitantly, "there is something I must tell you." There is hint of worry and anxiety in the tone of her voice as it made Susan look at her with genuine concern.

"What is it, Lu?"

Just as Lucy is about to speak, her eyes fell on Edmund and Peter who suddenly arrive at the underground train station as they ascend down the small steps. This gives her the perfect opportunity to confront her older siblings with or without Edmund's consent as she rises up from the bench to greet her brothers. Lucy walked a few steps forward when Peter suddenly acknowledges her presence and waves a free hand in the air. She quickens her pace and stopped when a figure appears behind them. She looks up and gasps.

"Hey, Lucy." Edmund greets his youngest sister, unaware of her fixed, emotional state as they stood before her. Lucy's lips slightly parted as she continues looking up at the gentleman in astonishment and with mere sadness. It was making Edmund feel ill at ease as he stares between the two worriedly. Moments later tears begin to fall down her face as she blatantly runs over to Tristan and surprises everyone as she wraps her arms around his lower body where she could only reach him. Peter and Edmund exchange looks of confusion as Tristan awkwardly returns the hug looking just as confused as the others.

"Lucy!" Susan leaves the bench and rushes over to them as she immediately pulls Lucy away from him. She looks up and meets his puzzled gaze as it suddenly brought an unsettling feeling to her stomach. "I'm sorry about that. Our sister," she pauses trying to think of an explanation when she too is questioning Lucy's odd behavior, "she can be quite emotional."

Edmund glances over at Tristan whose eyes suddenly sparkled with interest as a small smile tug on his lips. "It's no problem at all." Tristan responds reassuringly while stealing another glance at her way, forcing Susan to avert from his gaze to hide her blush. 'He is not Caspian.' She reminds herself. 'He is not Caspian.' Tristan breaks his gaze from her to look at the others. "Anyway, it's nice seeing you all again, but I'm afraid I must go and meet with family."

"Thanks for the ride." Peter says gratefully as he tightens his hold around Lucy's shoulders.

He sincerely smiles, "of course." Tristan then looks down at Lucy with utmost concern. "You take care of yourself." She wipes her tears with a free hand and simply nods her head in reply. "Goodbye now." The Pevensies watches on as Tristan begins heading towards the moving crowd until he can no longer be seen in the distance. Edmund releases a sigh of relief as he turns around only to meet with Peter's strong, intense gaze.

"Come on, Lu." Susan takes Lucy's hand and releases Peter's hold around her. "Let's get you cleaned up." The girls headed upstairs to the restrooms, leaving the two boys alone. Edmund stares at Peter from the corner of his eye whose gaze remain fixed on him.

"What?" He groans irritably. "Why are you staring at me?"

Peter narrows his eyes, studying him carefully. "Is there something you want to tell me, Ed?"

"Tell you what? How disturbing it is when you stare at me like that?"

He avoided the snide comment. "You've been acting really strange lately…" He observes, "You and Lucy both."

"I'm fine." Edmund retorts. "And Lucy, she's just...yah know," he shrugs, "…surprise as we all are." He explains vaguely, avoiding making eye contact with his brother.

"No," Peter shakes his head unconvincingly. "You're hiding something and I want to know what's going on right now."

Silence lingers in the air as Peter continues staring at him with piercing eyes. Edmund could no longer keep a straight face nor change his brother's mind for that matter as he looks down helplessly.

"Alright," Edmund finally gives in. "Alright," he stops to let out a defeated sigh, "there is…something you should know."

"What's going on here?" Susan and Lucy unexpectedly re-join the group, overhearing their conversation as Edmund looks away and groans despondently. "Something you should know what?" Susan asks while staring between her two brothers curiously. "It sounds important."

Edmund looks down and sighs. The last thing he wanted was for Susan to know; not now, not ever--not when things were going well for her. But he finds himself completely trapped and no way out of it. "Lucy and I--" He trails off as Lucy's eyes widens. "We um--"

She suddenly cuts him off, yearning to blurt out the words, "We went to Narnia."

Peter and Susan stare at them in surprise as they stood frozen in silence. "Narnia?" Peter utters as he shifts his gaze back and forth between Edmund and Lucy. "How come you two never said anything?"

"We're sorry." Lucy lowers her eyes. "We thought it might hurt you both," she pauses and looks up at her sister guiltily, "especially you, Susan."

An uplifted smile fell upon her lips. "It's alright, Lu. I actually would like to hear more about it."

Edmund and Lucy exchange looks of surprise. "You do?"

"Of course," Susan smiles. "How did you two get back?" She asks, suddenly intrigued.

"Well we're not sure." Edmund scratches the top of his head. "It just happened last night when we were by the fireplace." He answers, hoping it was all that they ask of them.

"What's it like?" Peter wonders as he too becomes interested in their journey back to Narnia. "I mean is everything the same when we last left."

"Yes," Lucy replies rather unenthusiastically, "for the most part...I think."

"And Aslan?"

"He's well." Edmund responds when suddenly their train arrives at their station. "Oh look, we must hurry." He points out in attempt to change the subject as the Pevensies gather their belongings and step inside the train. As soon as they situated themselves in one of the train carts, Peter continues on where they left off.

"How long has it been over there?"

"Four years," Edmund answers half-heartedly as he releases an exasperated groan. "I'm sorry, but can we please talk about something else?" Peter, Susan and Lucy look at each other questionably due to the aggravated tone in his voice.

"Is something wrong?"

"I just don't want to talk about it, Pete." He snaps irritably as he glances out the window. "Our trip didn't exactly last very long so I'm a bit disappointed."

Susan bit her bottom lip. "Just one more thing."

He sighs reluctantly. "What is it?"

A hopeful smile suddenly appears on her face. "How's...Caspian?"

A/N: Don't forget to leave a review ;) Thank you!