A/N: Another short one, but it felt like a natural break. Oh, how I've missed writing for Susan and Caspian! It's so good to be back. Thank you to those who posted reviews! I haven't had much time for this fanfiction, so I've skipped replying to reviews like I used to in favor of more writing time. I didn't figure y'all would mind. :) Enjoy, and keep the reviews coming!

After the battle has ended, there is little time for celebration. The Telmarine soldiers must be gathered and accounted for. The river must be cleared of armor and weapons. Our own troops must be reassembled, that we may record the dead and treat the wounded. Much work is to be done.

The three older Pevensies and I begin to organize these efforts, but once things have gotten under way, we have more important matters to attend to. I push down the anxiety building at the thought of meeting the legendary ferocious Aslan, talking lion akin to a god. Will I be worthy in his eyes? Is he as terrifying as the Telmarines say?

I follow Peter, Susan, and Edmund across the river to the banks where Aslan and Lucy stand. Surely if a sweet little girl like Lucy Pevensie is so close to Aslan, he cannot be too terrible. But then, Lucy was a great queen once.

Without a word, the four of us bow before the great lion. In a low, rumbling voice, much softer than I expected, he commands, "Rise, kings and queens of Narnia."

I remain kneeling respectfully, both hoping for and dreading the moment he speaks to me, the runaway Telmarine prince. Will he be proud of the work I have done alongside his champions? Or I am even worth his notice? After all, I am the descendant of the people who ravaged his land and stole the livelihood of his beloved people. Can my efforts in this battle even pay for such evils in my bloodline, much less afford him pride in a young Telmarine?

With barely a pause, he speaks again. "All of you."

I glance up but do not stand. Do I understand him correctly? Does he mean for me to take my place as king - now, here, so soon after battle? "I do not think I am ready." Will he overlook my lineage entirely?

His voice is gentle, benevolent. "It is for that very reason I know you are."

Myself, a king? Uncertain still but encouraged by these words from so great a legend, I stand. I glance at Edmund to my right and Peter to my left, but dare not look at Aslan. Prince Caspian the Tenth, a Telmarine, to be king not only of my own people but ruler among the Narnians as well? How could he grant me so great an honor? I certainly could not earn such a place among the legendary Pevensies, not even should I win a hundred battles for the sake of their people.

Aslan seems to be finished with me for the moment, though. "Where is this dear little friend you've told me so much about?"

I'm too nervous to smile, but I catch the joke. He means the prickly redhead dwarf Susan and her sister have grown so fond of. The dwarf stands where the bridge once did on the riverbanks, guiding Telmarine soldiers to deposit their weapons and join the others. Eyes downcast, he turns and kneels before Aslan, who greets him with a bellowing roar.

"Do you see him now?" Lucy taunts.

Susan and her sister giggle, and the dwarf glances about in relief and a tinge of shame. Aslan smiles good-naturedly. It seems even those who speak ill of the great lion can receive forgiveness. Aslan truly is the magnificent leader the Narnians believe him to be.

"Come now, kings and queens." Aslan turns to lead us towards the post-battle clean up. This time, I follow with the Pevensies, no hesitations. Aslan has called me king; I dare not dispute the word of the lion. "There is much work to be done."