Fandom: Narnia (Books - so don't expect it to be like the movies.)

Pairing: Caspian/Edmund

Summary:A slashy version of the book The Voyage of the Dawn Treader – this is not move related. Part 2 of the Kings series – sequel to Kings Comfort. This is SLASH – you have been warned.

Ages: Caspian-20; Edmund-16; Eustace-14; Lucy-14. - I had to work out the ages myself; Yes, I'm aware that these ages are older than the official timeline from CS Lewis, but I'm not gonna write slash about a 12 year old, so I've aged them from the first story (Kings Comfort) and then continued from that. I'll give the ages for each story as I write them.

Disclaimer: The character's belong to CS Lewis. The blame is mine.

Warnings: This is NC17 rated so graphic descriptions of m/m sex.

Author's Note: I wrote the first draft of this story back in 2000, long before the movies were even announced. I've been working on it, on and off, since then and I'm finally close to completing the entire series - there are two more stories in this series after this one.


Kings Love - Chapter 4


After his talk with Caspian, Edmund felt much better. Aside from his strange remark at the end, Caspian had somehow made things seem simple, and his mind had cleared of the confusion that had clouded it. The guilt that he'd been trying to ignore had affected the way he had reacted to everything that had happened and he'd lost himself in a mire of anger and self-pity.

Caspian had reminded him of who he was. The titles he'd held in Narnia were more than just words; they represented the responsibilities and duties that had defined his life as an adult in Narnia, when there had been no room for the weakness he had been suffering from in the last couple of days. He would not forget them again.

The next few days flew by for Edmund, only marred by his having to apologise to Eustace. But even this wasn't as bad as he'd thought it might be. The fight had frightened Eustace, and Drinian had obviously scolded him, and he accepted Edmund's apology in a subdued manner that was almost polite, and then kept to himself as much as possible. Edmund suspected that he was searching Narrowhaven for any sign of a British Consul.

They also did not see Caspian very often. The King spent most of the day in the council chamber with Lord Bern, and only made brief inspections of the work on the Dawn Treader when time permitted. Edmund and Lucy were constantly at the shipyard with Drinian and the crew, helping as much as they could and it was only in the dining hall every night that everyone was gathered together.

The banquet held every night in the palace became the highlight of every day, for Caspian always invited any ship captains or merchants who were in port, and asked them for any information about what they might find as they sailed east. Not many had any useful knowledge, but they all told fascinating tales of their adventures at sea, and mysterious lands, fierce storms and dangerous monsters enlivened the evenings.

It was after another such evening that Caspian sighed and said to Lord Bern, "This is all very entertaining, my Lord, but I could wish for some more accurate information."

"I don't know that you will find it, Your Majesty," Lord Bern replied with a smile. "There are none who sail east these days, and those who have are very old or gone. Although, there is one old Captain living on my estates at Bernstead who may have more than tall tales to tell."

Edmund leaned forward to gaze with interest at Lord Bern. "Perhaps, he could be brought here to speak with us."

"Nay, King Edmund," replied Lord Bern. "He is very old, and I fear he would suffer in making even such a short voyage."

"Then we will go to him," Caspian announced.

"Oh yes, Caspian, do let us. What a wonderful idea," Lucy clapped her hands eagerly. "When shall we go?"

"My wife and daughters would be pleased to welcome you again to our home, Your Majesty," Lord Bern told Caspian, "and any who would accompany you. And as I cannot go myself, I have messages for my family."

Caspian nodded. "I will deliver them for you, my Lord." Then he looked around the room. "Who wishes to join me?"

"I will" and "Me," Edmund and Lucy spoke at the same time and then grinned at each other in amusement.

"Reep?" asked Caspian, directing an enquiring look at the mouse.

"I will join you, Sire."

"And I suppose I will too," Eustace's sulky pronouncement was greeted with barely concealed looks of dismay. "Perhaps there's a British Consul at this Bernstead place."

Lord Bern looked confused, and Edmund snorted softly when he heard Caspian whisper to the puzzled man, "Don't even bother to ask."


It was two days later, on a glittering, fine morning, that Caspian, Edmund, Lucy, Reepicheep, and Eustace sailed in a small boat for Avra. They each carried a small bag, for it had been decided that they would stay for two nights. The old sea captain lived some distance away from Bernstead on the outer reaches of Lord Bern's estate, and the next day they would ride out to see him.

Edmund had not seen Avra since the time when he had been a King of Narnia, and he was curious to see the changes that had occurred. Then, only small isolated farming or fishing villages had populated it, but now he saw that Bernstead was a thriving town, and Lord Bern's estate looked prosperous. Lord Bern had never allowed slavery on Avra, and the people looked happy and content.

Lord Bern's wife gave them a very warm welcome, and his four merry daughters greeted Caspian with great delight. They were all pretty girls, the eldest not much younger than Caspian and Edmund noticed, with a strange tight feeling in his chest, that she blushed shyly whenever Caspian spoke to her. The other three were younger than Edmund, and they took one look at Lucy, and dragged her away amidst giggles and whispers.

Caspian was busy talking to Lord Bern's wife and so Edmund found himself alone with Reepicheep and Eustace. The other boy directed one glaring look at Edmund and Reep and then announced that he was going back to the town to explore. After a shared look of agreement, they cheerfully let him go.

Edmund and Reep spent the afternoon, wandering around the grounds of Lord Bern's comfortable house. The gardens were beautiful and peaceful, and the animal yards and stables clean and well kept. In the stables, they met one of the grooms, a lad about Edmund's age, and stayed there until evening, talking about the horses and then about the adventures they hoped to have as they sailed east. The groom sighed and looked wistful and Edmund knew that he wished he could join them, but then he looked around the stables with a grin and said that he'd miss his horses too much, and he didn't think they'd fit on a ship, and they all laughed.

It was at the evening meal that he saw the others again. Eustace looked grumpy and disappointed and did not speak to anyone, and Edmund sighed to himself and wished for the hundredth time that the other boy had not been pulled through the picture into Narnia with them. Lord Bern's wife and eldest daughter occupied Caspian's attention, and Edmund felt faint stirrings of unease when he saw the soft glow on the daughter's face and the way Caspian smiled at her. But it was Lucy's behaviour, which concerned Edmund the most. His sister spent the entire time either whispering and laughing with Lord Bern's younger daughters or gazing with amusement at Caspian. As the night went on Edmund grew more and more annoyed so that when the meal was over and they retired for bed he followed Lucy to her room.

"What on earth were you doing?" he demanded as soon as the door was closed behind them.

"What?" For a moment Lucy looked confused and then her face cleared. "Oh, it was just so sweet, don't you think?"

"What?" It was Edmund's turn to feel confused.

"Caspian and Cara, of course," Lucy told him, looking at him as if he was the biggest idiot in the world. "Her sisters told me that she likes Caspian. Do you think he realises? I do, and I think he likes her too."

Something tightened painfully in Edmund's chest. "Well, he shouldn't," he said, surprised to hear the anger in his voice.

Lucy blinked. "Why not?"

Again the old vision of Caspian and Peter rose before Edmund's eyes and again, he wished he knew what it meant. Did they love each other? And if they did, how could Caspian look at someone else? He shook his head in frustration and saw that Lucy was staring at him.

"It's not fair," he finally muttered. "He shouldn't lead her on like that. He'll only end up hurting her."

"Well, honestly Edmund," Lucy snapped. "How could you think that of Caspian? For all you know he might decide to marry her."

"Marry her? We're sailing off to the east in a few days, how can he marry her?"

"Oh, don't be so dense. You know he'll return to Narnia eventually."

Edmund swallowed and found that his throat was painfully constricted. "You don't know what you're talking about Lucy."

Lucy's face was now red with anger. "And why not? Caspian has to marry eventually," her eyes narrowed speculatively. "I say, are you jealous? Perhaps you like her yourself."

Edmund had been pacing around the room but now he froze in shock and he could feel the colour drain from his face. Then a sort of chill anger gripped him and he drew himself up and glared disdainfully at Lucy.

"Please remember, Lucy," he said coldly, "that you are a Queen of Narnia and strive to behave like one."

He didn't give her a chance to answer and the brief glimpse he had of her frozen face before he left the room told him that she had not yet thought of anything to say.

He strode down the corridor and entered his own room, slamming the door behind him. He was still trembling with anger when he climbed into bed and blew out the candle.


Edmund spent a restless night and woke early. They were to ride to visit the old sea captain that day and would have to leave immediately after breakfast so instead of trying to go back to sleep he got up and dressed. He wanted to apologise to Lucy. Now that he had calmed down, he wondered why he had become so angry the previous night. When Lucy had accused him of being jealous, his heart had almost seemed to stop and he had suddenly been struggling for breath. Then, almost before he recognised the feeling as fear, the fury had taken over.

Soft voices, and then footsteps, echoed in the corridor outside as he approached his own door and he wondered who else was already awake but when he opened it no one was there. He glanced in the opposite direction and saw one of the doors further along close gently. He rather thought it was Caspian's room and wondered, briefly if there had been some sort of message. Edmund knocked on Lucy's door and there was no answer.

Lucy wasn't at breakfast and it wasn't until they all gathered in the stable yard that Edmund saw her. She was waiting by the mounting block for her horse and the look she gave Edmund was cold and distant. His heart sank; he knew he'd really hurt her badly. He had insulted her as a Queen and his apology would have to be to that Queen rather than to his sister.

Edmund crossed the yard and knelt on one knee before Lucy, sweeping his riding hat off his head. He took one of her small hands in his and looked gravely into her eyes.

"Your Majesty," he said. "In Aslan's name, allow me to offer you my most heartfelt apologies for the insult I made you last night and for my uncouth behaviour. Please forgive me."

Lucy's dimples appeared immediately and he could tell she was pleased. "Oh, Edmund, you silly thing, do get up. Of course I forgive you."

As Edmund rose from the ground, love for his sister swelled his heart. "You're the most generous person I know, Lucy," he said seriously and kissed her hand.

"Well, what a touching scene." Eustace's snide voice interrupted the moment and Edmund couldn't help it, he grinned. Rueful amusement brimmed in Lucy's eyes.

"Shut up, Eustace," they both said at the same time and snorted with laughter.

"Shall we make a start?"

Edmund turned and found Caspian watching them, his eyes lit with amusement. Beside him stood the groom that Edmund and Reep had met the day before and in his hands were the reins of a large black stallion that he had admired in the stables.

Another groom led a chestnut mare up to Edmund and he patted her nose softly. He almost jumped when he felt a hand rest heavily on his shoulder and he looked up into concerned blue eyes.

"All right?" asked Caspian, and the offer was clear in his voice for Edmund to talk if he needed to.

"Oh, we just had a silly argument," Edmund said quickly, alarmed to feel his face flush slightly as he remembered just what he and Lucy had quarrelled over.

Caspian looked at him for a moment and then helped him into the saddle. Edmund watched as Caspian mounted the black stallion and so he saw when the young groom rested his hand on Caspian's thigh and spoke to him. Edmund's eyes widened as Caspian touched the groom's cheek briefly and then winked at him. Then Reep was handed up to Caspian and, before Edmund could even think about what he'd just witnessed, they were off.


The ride to the sea captain's house took a couple of hours and in that time Edmund found himself returning again and again to what he had seen pass between Caspian and the groom. He couldn't understand it, it was just a touch and a wink but something about it unsettled him. There had been something in Caspian's eyes, something too intimate for such a short acquaintance. He wondered what on earth Caspian was doing; first he flirted with Cara, Lord Bern's daughter, and now with Lord Bern's groom. And there was still Peter to consider as well. He could only imagine that Caspian had accepted that he would never see Peter again, and was moving on… to a lot of different people.

He felt strangely disappointed, and Edmund decided suddenly that he was spending too much time thinking about Caspian. He forced himself to concentrate on the scenery around them and after a while it wasn't too hard for Avra was still as beautiful as he'd remembered it. The sun was warm but not too hot and he hadn't ridden for such a long time. Edmund found himself enjoying the ride immensely.

Eventually they reached the sea captain's cottage and they watered the horses at a nearby stream and tethered them to some shady trees. The sea captain had been warned to expect them and as they refreshed themselves with ale on a bench outside his cottage, the old man lit his pipe and gazed with dreamy eyes at the endless vista of the ocean before them.

Then he told them stories. Unfortunately they were stories that they had heard already from the sea captains in Narrowhaven and Edmund could see the polite frustration growing on Caspian's face. As the time passed Edmund began to lose interest and he was gazing mindlessly out at the blue waves when there was a sudden silence.

"What did you say, good sir?" Reepicheep's squeak of excitement captured Edmund's attention and he turned to find the others all gazing at the Captain avidly. Except, he noticed, Eustace, who appeared to be fast asleep.

"Why, Sir Mouse, I said that beyond the rim of fire there is Aslan's country and that's beyond the end of the world. So you can't get there." The old man nodded wisely at Reepicheep.

"Have you seen this?" Reepicheep asked, almost breathless.

"Nay, but my father told me of it," replied the old man.

Reepicheep was now speechless with wonder and it was Caspian who asked the next question.

"And nothing else?"

"Nay, Your Majesty."

"Aslan's country," Lucy breathed. "Oh, if only we should find it!"

Her face glowed with joy and Edmund found it was infectious. For the first time since they had arrived in Narrowhaven he felt excitement and anticipation for the journey ahead. He couldn't wait to be at sea again and when he looked at Caspian and Reep he could see they felt the same. Eustace was still asleep.

Almost as if they could leave that moment for the east, Caspian rose and quickly thanked the old man. He shook Eustace awake and then herded them all to the horses.

For a long time as they rode back they were silent, each lost in his own thoughts, and then finally Edmund could hear Reepicheep's piping voice as he sang the song the Dryad had sung to him in his cradle.


That night at the evening banquet Edmund remembered Lucy's behaviour of the night before and for a while he watched her carefully. But it seemed that Lucy had taken his words to heart for while she still talked and laughed with Lord Bern's daughters there was no sign of any interest in Caspian or Cara. Edmund's relief was short-lived however for when he turned his attention away from Lucy he found that Caspian was being even more attentive to Cara than he had been the night before.

Edmund simply could not understand it. One minute it seemed that Caspian was interested in the groom, the next minute he was with Cara. Or perhaps he was misjudging Caspian and he'd completely misunderstood the scene with the groom that morning? After all it wasn't like anything had really happened beyond a friendly exchange of smiles, but it had just seemed too… intimate. Edmund almost shook his head in frustration over the confusion whirling in his mind.

As the evening wore on and the smiles between Caspian and Cara grew warmer, Edmund became even more confused and then, finally, resentful. He told himself that Caspian's behaviour was an insult to Peter, it wouldn't have been so bad if Caspian had simple fallen in love with someone else, but instead it seemed that he just played with other people's feelings, which meant that the night he'd kissed Peter he'd probably just been playing with him as well. Edmund was pretty sure that Peter would never have done the same thing to Caspian.

It was in the middle of a song from Lord Bern's bard that it all finally became too much for Edmund and in a sudden flash of anger he flew out of his chair, ready to burst into angry speech. But as a shocked silence descended and all eyes turned towards him, common sense returned and, flushing a deep red of embarrassment, Edmund stormed out of the hall.

He found himself on a large terrace and leaned on the railing gazing up at the moon. Eventually his cheeks cooled, his humiliation eased and he realised that once again, he'd allowed anger and resentment to take away his control. It seemed it was becoming a habit and its source appeared to be Caspian. Why, in the name of Aslan, was he so caught up in Caspian's behaviour? Why did it make him so furious that Caspian appeared to have forgotten Peter?

"Your Majesty?"

A soft, low voice came from the darkness before him, startling Edmund out of his reverie.

"Yes?" he answered automatically.

There was a pause; so long that Edmund began to think the owner of the voice had gone.

"What is it?" he finally asked.

"I'm here," the voice answered, sounding hesitant.

"So? I say, who are you?" Edmund peered into the darkness trying to see who this strange person was and then a shape stepped forward out of the shadow and he could just glimpse the outline of a male figure before it hastily disappeared out of his sight.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty," the voice floated back to him from a distance, and Edmund guessed that his mysterious visitor was making a quick retreat.

"What in Aslan's name…?" Edmund fell silent as he heard footsteps approaching behind him and he turned swiftly to find Caspian standing a few paces away, his face shining silvery in the full moonlight. For a brief second Edmund thought he looked surprised, then the look was gone so swiftly that Edmund could not be sure he'd even seen it, but the sneaking suspicion he was beginning to feel remained strong all the same.

"Were you expecting someone else?" he couldn't resist asking snidely, and already he was caught in the swell of resentment against Caspian yet again.

In the bright moonlight Edmund saw Caspian's eyebrows rise but his expression was inscrutable.

"What is wrong with you, Edmund?" asked Caspian, completely ignoring Edmund's own question. "You're leave-taking at the banquet was quite remarkable and your manner just now even more so. I begin to think that I have offended you somehow for while you apologise to Lucy for your behaviour toward her, I seem to deserve no such honour for your rude behaviour toward myself."

The haughty tone behind the words stunned Edmund into silence. He had never heard Caspian speak like this, except for once on that terrible day in the marketplace when he had threatened the soldier who had held the rope that bound Edmund. To be on the receiving end of such a tone was, Edmund felt, to know what it was like to be an enemy to the King of Narnia. He swallowed heavily, fear and resentment churning inside, unable to think of anything to say.

"Hath I offended thee, King Edmund? Hast thou no answer?"

The change to formal speech cleared Edmund's head and alerted him to the danger he was in. His expression was still calm but Caspian was obviously furious and had reached the end of his patience. With a clear mind Edmund could now remember just how patient Caspian had been before, how he had helped Edmund cope with the aftermath of the slave market, and now Edmund was repaying that kindness with rudeness and harsh judgement. And he had no right to judge Caspian, especially on Peter's behalf, on a matter he should have no knowledge of. The only being with that right was Aslan and Edmund knew how forgiving Aslan was, of crimes far worse than any Caspian would be likely to commit.

He bowed his head in shame. "There is no offence, Your Majesty, and I beg thy forgiveness. Wilt thou bestow it?"

"I will," Caspian replied and stepped closer, raising Edmund's face with one finger under his chin. "But I would hear an explanation."

Edmund sighed. What on earth could he possibly say? He could not, would not, lie now. The silence grew longer and Edmund thought frantically while Caspian stood before him watching him sternly. Finally, to Edmund's great relief, Caspian smiled and shook his head in obvious amusement.

"Edmund, Edmund," he said. "Do you think I do not know, anyway?"

"What?" Edmund gasped, as the terrible fear rose that somehow Caspian knew that Edmund had seen him with Peter.

"This is about the Lady Cara," Caspian replied.

A rather sick feeling began to rise in Edmund's stomach as he realised that Caspian must have guessed that his behaviour arose from resentment over Caspian's attentions to Cara and he hoped desperately that Caspian hadn't also guessed that Edmund suspected him of even more romantic attentions to the groom. Before Caspian could say anything more, Edmund launched into speech.

"Lucy thinks you might marry Cara," he blurted out.

"I could point out that this is neither Lucy's business, nor yours," said Caspian. "But I did not realise that you were interested in her yourself."

Edmund blinked in surprise and then tried vainly to suppress the bubble of laughter that rose in him at the absurdity of Caspian's misunderstanding. As he failed completely and practically snorted in Caspian's face, he rather began to suspect that he was going mad.

"I gather I was wrong about that," Caspian commented dryly and Edmund snorted again. "Then, would you explain to me what this is all about? I thought you were jealous and I…" he trailed off into thoughtful silence.

Edmund pulled himself together and attempted to put together an explanation that contained honesty as well as prevarication.

"You see, I thought you had someone back in Narnia that you were… you know… had feelings for…" he faltered as Caspian's attention focused on him again with clear puzzlement in his eyes.

"I am certain that I have never given you any reason to suppose such a thing."

And Edmund could not deny that this was certainly true. Caspian's behaviour within the last couple of days, with both Cara and the groom, had certainly proved it.

"No," he finally replied, rather wistfully. "I just thought that…"

"Edmund," Caspian's voice was tightly controlled and Edmund glanced up at him in surprise at the stress he could plainly hear.

"Edmund," Caspian continued, after clearing his throat slightly. "I like Cara, and she likes me. I can't see into the future and I don't know what may happen. I do know that I have a duty as a King of Narnia to marry and produce an heir. " Caspian paused and Edmund heard him take a deep breath before continuing, "Love… love and duty don't always go together. There are times when you can't have both but you can have friendship, companionship, and honour in its place. As a former King of Narnia you must know this."

Edmund could only nod, still surprised at the tension in not just Caspian's voice but his whole body. After a moment, Caspian also nodded and then with one gracefully swift movement, he moved forward, vaulted over the terrace railing and disappeared into the darkness; and Edmund was left with the troubling feeling that Caspian had been trying to tell him something else as well. Something that he'd missed completely.