Disclaimer: All characters are not owned by me and are used without permission solely for the entertainment of fan-fiction readers.

Author's Note: I'm back from my trip and getting back in my writing mode. Hopefully, the ideas come smoothly, but of course that never happens.

Summary: Not everyone is happy about the on-going preparations about the journey to Calormen.

Chapter 8: Departure

Several horses splashed across a wide, shallow stream and came to a stop on the other side. They were closely followed by a small regiment of Telmarine soldiers, who waded knee-deep through the water.

They were called to a halt by the raised hand of the lead rider. His eyebrows scrunched together as he studied the tree line of the forest that surrounded them. A thin, golden circlet was nestled within the dark waves of his hair.

"Dusk approaches", Caspian called out.

The second rider pulled up beside him. He followed Caspian's gaze to the tree line and gave a slight nod. A slightly thicker golden circlet rested upon a head of dirty blonde hair that was beginning to grow shaggy.

"We should make camp for the night", replied Peter.

Caspian turned and nodded in agreement.

They had left the castle two days age, following the Great River all the way down to Beruna. Aslan's How was not far off, but they would continue to follow the river past the ruins of Cair Paravel and on to Glasswater. Caspian had ordered a fleet to be built months ago, and the finished ships were now safely docked within the sound.

"I've had enough of those two", grumbled an annoyed voice from behind.

Riding up was a boy, a few years younger than the other two. He had dark hair like Caspian; only his lay in thick curls and was topped with a silver circlet. He kept glaring back behind them; a very peeved looked upon his fair features.

"Hurry up, Trumpkin!" came a high voice from behind him.

King Edmund groaned.

Three more figures were riding up to join the Kings. The first was a bright eyed girl who kept giggling repeatedly as she kept craning her head to look behind. Her chestnut hair cascaded loosely over her shoulders, framing the pretty crown of leaves made of silver, gold, and bronze upon her head.

Lucy giggle again, "Don't be such a sour grape!"

Right behind came another girl, older both in age and wisdom. She had plump cheeks, fair skin, and raven black hair that fell behind her in a long braid. Her beautiful face was offset by the stunning crown of silver and pearls she wore.

"Do leave poor Trumpkin alone", scolded Susan.

It had been several months now since they had once again arrived in Narnia, and with each passing day, they all felt and looked more like the Kings and Queens they were. While many of the others had found this transformation astonishing and even a bit alarming, Caspian hadn't been surprised in the least. Even when he had first met the Pevensies, the Telmarine had seen the greatness in them. They had come home.

"Oh yes, please do leave our dear little friend alone", said Edmund sarcastically.

The two older Kings looked back to see what all the fuss was about and found it very hard to suppress their laughter at what they saw. The third and final figure had fallen far behind the rest of the group. As he approached, it became clear that his legs were far too short to reach the stirrups and that he held the reigns very awkwardly. To make matters worse, Reepicheep was perched upon the backside of the horse, making them a ridiculous sight to behold indeed.

"Dwarves are not meant to ride horses", growled Trumpkin.

Lucy clamped a hand over her mouth as more giggles threatened to escape.

"If you lot keep slowing us down, we won't get to Calormen for over a month!" Peter shouted, but there was a twinkle in his eye.

"Perhaps now would be a good time to make camp for the night", suggested Caspian.

Everyone agreed to this, most of all Trumpkin, who felt rather sore from riding for the past two days.

The horses were unsaddled and allowed to feed. Tents were pitched, food was produced, and a warm fire was started. The soldiers gathered around their own fire, leaving the royals to finally sit and discuss their plans.

"We are less than a day's ride away from Glasswater", said Peter.

Edmund poked the fire with a stick, "Couldn't we stop at Cair Paravel? I would like to find the rest of my chess set".

"Edmund that could take days. We don't have time for it", Susan replied.

Peter gave his brother a wry look, "Edmund knows the urgency of our journey".

His younger brother glowered.

It was quite clear to Peter why his brother kept trying to interrupt their progress. Before they had even left the castle, it had been decided that it would be best if Lucy and Edmund stayed behind. Lucy was used to being left behind, and even though she didn't like it, she was making the best of it. Edmund was another matter entirely. He had been intolerable since they had left. And it was starting to peeve Peter.

"Once we are at Glasswater, we shall make final preparations for our voyage", continued Peter.

Lucy looked sad all of a sudden, "And then we say good-bye".

Peter gave his sister a sympathetic look, "Yes Lu, then we must part ways".

"More like good-bye and good riddance", Edmund added unkindly.

Peter shot him a glare, "Just because you want to act all wounded about being left behind doesn't mean you have to get Lucy upset about it too!"

"Who says I'm acting wounded", growled the youngest King.

Peter was irritated, "Oh, come off it Ed! You've been acting like a git ever since we left the castle".

Edmund jumped to his feet, "And what if I have?" he threatened.

Peter followed suit and within seconds, the brothers were face to face, both fuming.

"Since you like ordering people about so much, why don't you just order me thrown into the dungeons then!" sneered Edmund.

Susan was also up on her feet, pushing herself between her brothers. Caspian eyed the situation warily.

"Stop it, both of you this instant!" she yelled.

Edmund moved his sister aside, "Stay out of this Su".

"Not when you're making an ass of yourself", she said as she grabbed his arm.

This time he pushed her aside, "Stay out of it", he repeated.

"Edmund, please do stop", pleaded Lucy from the log she was sitting on.

"It's not fair", snarled their brother, "It's not fair that he gets to tell me what to do!"

Susan stepped back between her brothers to keep them from having a go at each other.

"Have you gone mad?" she turned on Edmund angrily.

Lucy was on the verge of tears at this point. Caspian had risen to his feet when Edmund shoved Susan, but she had motioned him back.

"Don't you understand why Peter needs you to stay?"

Both her brothers gave Susan questioning looks.

She placed a hand on Edmund's shoulder, "He needs someone he can trust to watch over Narnia while we are away, just as he trusted me to when you were all in Calormen. Isn't that right Peter?"

The eldest Pevensie gave a curt nod.

"I am still Queen of Narnia", she said loudly.

Edmund looked embarrassed at this point.

Susan turned away, "Besides, Peter and I outrank you", she called over her shoulder.

Lucy let out a small giggle as her brother's face turned bright red.

And THAT was the end of the discussion.

Afterwards, they all sat around in silence until the fire eventually burned out and one by one, everyone retired for the night.

- - - -

The next morning when breakfast was over, the tents were taken down and the supplies safely packed away. If they had not been on horseback, the packs would have been a heavy burden indeed. The day's ride promised to be an uncomfortable one, for it was barely after ten o'clock and the day was already quite hot. After many miles of forest, the party finally reached the end of the wood.

Farther ahead was a steep bank which led down to where the river finally met with the sound. Below, white beach stretched out as far as the eye could see. The sandy slope was too steep to ride down, so they all dismounted and continued on foot.

They were walking on the beach when Peter bumped into Lucy, who had stopped dead in her tracks, a look of wonder on her face.

"Oh . . ." she breathed.

Before Peter could ask what was wrong, a spectacular sight met his eyes.

Out on the clear blue water beyond the beach was a magnificent ship. The prow was in the form of a dragon's head, it's great mouth wide open. A tall mast towered above the vessel, draped with silk sails of maroon. The hull was painted emerald green, giving the effect that the ship actually was a dragon.

"May I present to your majesties, the Dawn Treader", said Caspian proudly with a wave of his hand.

Susan smiled at him, "It is beautiful Caspian".

Lucy was beaming, "Oh Peter, doesn't it remind you of the Splendor Hyaline? It is so lovely".

"It is a fine ship indeed", Peter said in agreement.

Edmund clapped him on the back, "Well done Caspian!"

A smaller boat was now rowing towards the shore to meet them. Once it was ashore, they were greeted by three men.

One of the men stepped forward, "Greetings to your majesties! I am Captain Thiago of the Dawn Treader".

The man was very tall, much taller than either Caspian or Peter. He had dark hair (as all Telmarines do) that was pulled back into a ponytail and a very well kept goatee. He was very well built, and you could see the years of experience marked on his face. He also had quite a few scars to prove it, the most noticeable being across his whole left cheek. To finish off, there was a colorful silk scarf tied over the top of his head with beads fastened to the ends.

He reminded Edmund very much of a pirate. And by the looks the others were exchanging, they were thinking the same thing.

The Captain motioned for the other two to step forward, "This is my second-in-command, Dorian. He is from Archenland and a very good sailor. He will be at your disposal during this voyage".

This man was nothing like his captain. He was well built, but much shorter, about Susan's height. He would have been fair had his skin not been tanned by his time at sea and he had blonde hair that was bleached from the sea spray.

Captain Thiago now pointed in the others' direction, "This is my first-mate, Lucas. He shall help you bring your things aboard".

The young boy stumbled forward, his head low as he mumbled his apologies for tripping over their things. He was very thin, with a narrow face and sharp features. His eyes were covered with a mess of brown hair, so none could see them darting back and forth nervously. Lucy tried to help him move their things into the boat, but he refused adamantly.

Captain Thiago watched disapprovingly as the young Queen kept attempting to hand packs to Lucas. He gave his sailor a hard look before turning back to the rest of the group.

"It shall be about a week's time before we reach the mouth of the river that will lead us into Tashbaan. The ship has been fully stocked for the voyage there and back, as well as being equipped for any unfortunate encounters", he said pointedly.

Susan's eyes grew, "You don't think we shall run into anything unpleasant on the trip, do you?"

The Captain chuckled, "It is not the voyage I am worried about, my dear".

"That's Your Majesty if you don't mind, please", the Queen said firmly.

He considered her for a moment before the twinkle in his eye returned, "Of course, your majesty", he said with a bow.

Peter frowned at Susan, "No need to be like that Su, we're not at the castle anymore. Nor are we at Cair Paravel. Captain Thiago has no need to address us so formally".

The Queen looked mildly outraged that her brother did not defend her. But it was so very like Peter to overlook the little things. He did not realize that she would the only woman aboard the Dawn Treader for the duration of their voyage. If she did not demand their respect from the beginning, it would be a long trip indeed. But she would need both Peter and Caspian's support to maintain it.

"He may not need to address me formally, but he shall treat me with respect", she said determinedly.

Realizing the Queen's plight and her brother's indifference, Caspian came to her aid.

"The Captain meant no harm by it, my lady. I am certain it shall not happen again", he replied meaningfully.

Caspian caught the Captain's gaze and held it for a few moments, making his intentions perfectly clear to the man. A silent agreement was made and the subject was instantly dismissed. But not without Susan giving the King a very grateful look which made his heart lighten considerably.

The Queen then gave her brother a reproachful glare and then at his apparent aloofness of the situation, marched up and sat down in the boat that would take them to the Dawn Treader. Her only regret was that she was unable to properly say good-bye to her sister, who had been overcome by the rapid rate of their departure.

"Oh dear, I'll be quite miserable until you all return", she said dejectedly.

Edmund took her hand to try and comfort her, "I'll make sure your not miserable Lu".

She looked up at him, her big brown eyes wide and sad, "And how do you propose to cheer me up?"

"Why by taking you to Cair Paravel, of course", he replied with a grin.

Lucy was beaming within seconds, "Truly? Oh Edmund, you are beginning to redeem yourself".

Edmund gave her a funny look, "Redeem myself?"

"You were my favorite sibling once", she answered critically, but with amusement in her voice.

Her brother looked slightly crestfallen, "I'm sorry I haven't been myself lately. I'll make it up to you, I promise".

Lucy gave him a mischievous look, "Does this mean you'll let me play chess with you?"

Edmund raised an eyebrow at her. Oh she was good.

Unfortunately, (although Edmund was rather glad of it) their conversation was ended due to the inevitable departure of their brother and sister.

Peter gave his brother a hug, grasping him by the back of the head.

"Take care of Lucy, Ed . . . and Narnia. I couldn't have trusted anyone else to do it", he murmured into the younger man's ear.

Edmund nodded, still slightly embarrassed by his childish outburst earlier.

The brother's parted, only to have Peter engulfed by the small body of Lucy. She held onto him tightly, as if she would lose him the instant she let go. Peter smoothed her hair over with a hand and held her closer.

"We'll be back before you know it Lucy. Be safe and keep Edmund in line", Peter said.

Lucy giggled at this remark and Peter was relieved to see her spirits rise.

Caspian grasped Edmund's arm and pulled them close, wrapping an arm around his shoulder, "Be safe and may Aslan watch over you".

Next, Caspian bowed and took Lucy's hand, placing a fleeting kiss over her knuckles, "Queen Lucy, do not be saddened by our departure, but think only of our joyous return".

To Trumpkin, both Peter and Caspian gave strict instructions to protect Lucy and to assist Edmund in any way possible in their absence. Reepicheep gave a deep bow to the dwarf and with a smirk, commented on how lovely it would be to fight a Tarkaan.

Soon enough, all were aboard the small boat and rowing away towards the looming figure of the Dawn Treader.

- - - -

Lucy and Edmund watched as the vessel raised anchor began to move forward, gliding smoothly over the clear blue water. They remained standing there, even after the Dawn Treader had sailed out of sight.

It was only after they finally became painfully aware at the silence that now surrounded them that Edmund finally spoke.

"Shall we continue on to Cair Paravel then?"

Lucy grinned at him, "Yes, and you can tell me all about chess on the way there".

Edmund knew he would have to give in at some point. Or he would never hear the end of it.

- - - -

Sorry this took so long. I've been pretty busy lately. Hope you enjoy. Oh and I promise more Susan/Caspian next chapter! R&R!

- Lady Artemis -