Excerpt From the Diary of Lt. Daniel Pevensie

Caspian slept most of the drive home, which at any other time would have been a wonder. I half think he expects the automobiles he rides in to make an attempt to devour him if he ever lets his guard down. He woke only briefly as I carried him to his room. Susan pulled a chair up beside his bed to sit with him through the night. I spoke with Peter and learned there was quite a bit of Caspian's story which was previously omitted when explanations were first made.

I didn't realize how hard a life the boy really had – and for all his experience and all the wisdom he's acquired I still can't help seeing him as a boy. Not just because he looks that way in appearance, just as my four children do. It's almost like there's an adult and a child in each of them but they're both at the same time. Caspian is a bit different. I'm not sure if he ever truly had a chance to be a child, but I think that this is the first time he's ever been able to afford to be vulnerable in his life.

I think that he's going to be okay – in fact I intend to make sure he is. And even though it was heartrending to watch, I think that his breakdown tonight will help him in the long run. Now he can start to heal.

Chapter Fourteen

When Caspian awoke it was not yet dawn. The light was gray, darker than the previous morning when he'd been awakened by Edmund. Caspian's mood was darker too. The memory of what Eustace had told him about Rilian was still fresh in his mind.

"Caspian? Are you awake?"

He blinked and tilted his head. Susan sat in a chair at his bedside. At his movement she leaned over to put a hand on his forehead then smoothed back his hair.

"Susan," he whispered, confused. Had she stayed by his side all night?

"Feeling any better?" she asked, continuing to trail her fingers through his hair.

He should have lied, he realized in hindsight. He should have said he was fine, apologized for the inconvenience he'd caused, forced a smile and tried to reassure her. Instead he told her, "I miss my son."

Susan gave him a sad smile. "I'm sorry."

"I've missed him for a long time," Caspian whispered. "I don't know why it still hurts this much . . . especially since now I know that he's all right."

"You love him," Susan said, keeping her voice low and soothing. "Love doesn't always make sense."

Caspian could attest to that, but chose not to say anything about it. Instead he reached up to take Susan's hand in his own. "I am sorry I was not stronger."

"I told you the night before last," Susan said softly, "you have nothing to be sorry for." Her mouth quirked slightly to one side. "I just wish that we had gotten the chance to dance – but there'll be another time, I'm certain."

Caspian felt his eyelids growing heavy again. His grip on Susan's hand loosened despite himself. "Will you stay with me?" he asked, fighting to hold on to consciousness.

Susan bent over to brush her lips against Caspian's temple. "I won't leave you again," she promised.

A smile tugged at Caspian's lips despite his exhaustion. "I meant tonight," he managed to get out, even as his eyes fluttered shut despite his best efforts to keep them open.

"Oh." Susan sounded dreadfully embarrassed.

"But . . . however long . . . you stay . . . with me . . ." Talking was suddenly difficult, but Caspian was determined to get the words out. "I will . . . cherish you."

Then sleep stole over him like cool water, washing his thoughts and heartaches into oblivion and leaving his mind blessedly numb.

X X X

"How is he?"

Susan jumped and spun toward the door where she saw Lucy leaning against the frame.

"How long have you been standing there?" Susan asked dryly.

"Since he woke up." Lucy stifled a yawn behind one hand.

"And dare I ask what's running through that devious mind of yours?" Susan asked. "You know this is all your fault. Yours and Edmund's."

An impish grin spread over Lucy's face. "You can thank us later," she teased, then her eyes grew serious. "But as for what's in my mind . . . I was thinking that you're both blessed."

"Blessed?"

"You more so than him," Lucy said, playfully. "I mean, he is quite the catch. Tall, dark, and handsome with a heart of gold. Can you blame Jill for ogling him the way she was last night? And everyone saw you glaring, by the way, so don't deny it." She actually giggled at that.

"Peter said it and it's true," Susan said stiffly. "Caspian's old enough to be her grandfather."

"And he clearly adores you, so don't go getting jealous." Lucy closed the door all but a crack and moved to sit down at the foot of the bed. "Though there might be a few problems when Eustace finally realizes that he likes Jill as more than just a friend, but that's a whole other kettle of fish."

"Really?" Susan hadn't seen any signs of that at all, but if they were there she was sure her sharp eyed little sister picked up on them.

Lucy nodded then tilted her head to look at Caspian. "He's lucky too," she said, patting one of his feet through the quilt that covered him.

"I actually thought he was one of the most ill-fortuned souls I've ever met," Susan murmured. Her eyes burned and she swiped the back of her hand across them to brush away her tears.

"Well I'd say his fortunes have reversed themselves again," Lucy said adamantly. "He's found someone who loves him as much as he loves her. That is really why you're both blessed, you know."

"I know," Susan whispered. "I mean . . . at least I think I know." She sighed. "Lucy?"

"Yes?"

"Are we that obvious? I mean, can everyone tell?"

"I don't think so," Lucy answered. "Ed and Peter and I can just tell because we know you so well."

"I've seen Dad looking at Caspian and I –"

She was cut off by her sister's pealing laughter. "Sorry," Lucy told her. "I'm not laughing at you. It's just that . . . well I don't think Daddy's quite noticed that the two of you are in love yet. I think he just wants the two of you to be."

"What?" Susan didn't understand.

"He's hopeful," Lucy tried to explain. "I think part of why he brought Caspian home was for you. Like any good father, he wants to see his daughter married to a worthy man, and," Lucy giggled again. "I think he's got his heart set on having Caspian as a son in law."

"Lucy!"

"It's true!" Lucy insisted. She glanced at the sleeping king and lowered her voice. "You saw him hold Caspian as he was crying. That wasn't a friend comforting a friend. That was a father comforting his son. And I thought it was sweet," she said, drawing herself up to her full height, trying to look old enough for her opinion to have weight.

"It was sweet," Susan said softly. Now that she really thought about it, she realized just how much so.

"There are definite benefits to courting someone who your family approves of," Lucy said wickedly. "You don't have to worry about your brother giving him two black eyes."

"Lucy," Susan groaned.

"It could have been worse. It could have been Peter who caught you. If Peter's foreign policies concerning Calmoren after Rabadash's insult were anything to go by, what do you suppose he would have done to the man Edmund smartened up?

"I don't want to know," Susan insisted. "And either way, shouldn't you be asleep?"

"Shouldn't you?"

Susan shook her head. "I'm right where I belong."

Lucy giggled again. "That you are. Well, I'll leave you to keep vigil over your knight then." She started toward the door. "Oh. Susan?"

"Yes?"

"You know he's going to be all right, don't you?"

Susan put her hand on Caspian's forehead again to smooth down his hair. "I know."

End of Chapter Fourteen

X

X

X

Thank you everyone for reading!

RleFay – Thanks for the input and don't worry, I didn't think there was anything upsetting about your comments. It helps me to know what you want to see so I can try to deliver.

cali-chan – You have such a nice way of summarizing things that actually makes everything sound so good. I'll see what I can do about your suggestions.

hairsprayheart – Thanks for all your comments. I'm glad you're enjoying the story.

Bundibird – I'm glad you liked the dialogue where Eustace was concerned. I was worried that I might not be able to pull it off. And thanks for pointing out that mistake – I plan to go back and fix typos that people have pointed out when I get a chance, but I've been short on time lately.

Also thanks to everyone else who reviewed: liz22463, Erin-21, flyingxdragonx123, jxr1, DoggieGurl10, garnetred, Queen Red Rum, diva.divine, V.Arsonist, zanessa229-6968, merlyn2, Scion of Kushiel, aniuwolfe, Draco Lover3, squeaker19450, Shining Friendship, Miniver, Dagon ng Likha, Lamppostshines, KrystalB2003, breebree, Lara86, Aninha Weasley, ray1,

Next chapter will be up tomorrow but is going to be on the short side because I'll be trying to incorporate more of Mr. Pevensie like people have been asking for. So if I completely screw it up, there'll be less of it to hate, lol. I'm trusting if anyone has a problem with it after reading it that they'll let me know so that I can avoid doing it again in the future.