Night came over the How as Aslan finished the ceremony of sending the souls of those lost to their final resting place. Would all of them go to Aslan's Country? You weren't sure you wanted to guess.

The walk away from the dead was somber. No one spoke. Some mourned. Most kept their heads down.

You walked next to Lucy who sniffled quietly. It didn't matter if it might have been improper, but you put your arm around her to tell her you were there. It shocked you when the young queen rested her head against your side.

Despite the despair many felt, a celebration began back at the How. Dancing started and a handful of talented cooks whipped up a spread with almost all of the food remaining. It was the perfect way to finish off a rough day. You let go. You only wished you had a dress to dance around in.

When the pan flutes came out and Narnian songs were played, you joined in the dancing. You twirled with Reepicheep. You spun with Lucy. You even had a dance with Peter after apologizing for your rude behavior.

"You were right," he told you. "We should have stayed here."

You smiled softly. "I'm still sorry. Just because I'm a princess doesn't mean I should speak to other royals the same way I speak to Caspian."

Peter looked at the prince who stood beside Edmund, both with grins on their faces. "He needs a friend like you. When he's king, your advice will be important." The High King bowed after the dance. "Make sure he rules Narnia well."

"I don't think he'll need me to do that. He already cares for Narnia and its people. He will rule justly."

"I hope so."

Edmund sidled up to you after his brother joined Susan. "Have you made amends with my brother?"

"I suppose I have." You glanced at him. "I believe you have something on your mind. What is it?"

"I have reason to believe a certain prince, soon to be king, wants to dance with you."

Your eyes fell on Caspian who was asking Susan a question. She nodded and took his hand. Their dance was rather subdued compared to many others going on around them.

"I don't think that's the case, Edmund." You nodded toward them. "Seems like he's found himself an admirable dance partner."

Edmund rolled his eyes. "He's being difficult, I'm afraid. Maybe you will have to ask him to dance."

"If he wants to dance with me, he should be the one asking. I don't care who I dance with. I want to celebrate our victory and the future of Narnia."

"Dance with me then."

You smiled. "Lead the way, Your Highness."

The dance was fun, and you laughed a lot. Edmund had a wicked sense of humor and quick wit to boot. The banter between you two left you feeling exhilarated.

Caspian never asked you to dance that night. You didn't realize it until you went to bed. You didn't even get to speak to him. Loneliness crept into your heart at the thought.

You woke up before the sun did, so you wandered out to the ledge of the How to wait out the sunrise. You liked being there. It was quiet and allowed you to think. You wished you had a place like it in Anvard.

Anvard. You missed your home. You would miss Caspian more, but you had no word from your family, and it saddened you. Were your parents okay? Did they think you were dead? Eagerness to return to them filled your mind. You had to leave soon after Caspian's coronation as much as you dreaded leaving your friend again.

"I see we both prefer this spot," Caspian said from the entryway.

You didn't look back and wrapped your blanket tighter around you. You didn't want to repeat the awkwardness from the day before for Caspian's sake. "It's a good place to think."

"It is." Caspian looked at the stars. "Anything, in particular, that is heavy on your mind this morning?"

There were hundreds of things you could have said: you missed Anvard, you were still sorry for making him uncomfortable, you were happy for the possibility of him and Susan. None of that came out of your mouth.

"You never asked me to dance last night."

Caspian stared at the back of your head. "Did you want me to?"

You shrugged. "I just assumed since we're friends. But it's okay." You finally looked at him with a smile. "I had several dance partners to keep the celebrations entertaining."

He frowned. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Caspian. I'm sure there will be plenty of balls and banquets when you're king. You can dance with me there." You repositioned the blanket over your shoulders and took a gander at the stars.

"Y/N." Tearing your eyes away from the sky, you stared at Caspian in question. He took a step closer and held his hand out. "We can dance now if you'd like."

"It's dark and we're on a ledge. It can't be safe. Plus, where's the music?"

"That's never stopped you before." He studied the ledge. "And I won't let you fall."

"I'm not properly dressed."

Caspian looked down at his shirt and pants he normally wore to bed. "I can't say I am either. Come on."

Sighing, you got on your feet and took your friend's hand.

You remembered back when he was being taught how to dance. He was so embarrassed at first. Then when he started getting better and having fun, he asked you to dance with him. You spent more time laughing than dancing. There was no need to laugh then.

It was quiet and you spent more time looking at the ties of his shirt than his face. His eyes didn't linger on you either since your blanket could only cover up so much with your arms outstretched. It was awkward but comforting to be there with him. You missed it.

"I think I need to return to Anvard for a little while," you said, your voice full of sadness.

"When?"

"Soon after you are crowned king. Aslan said the war brought unrest. I guess the fear of another war with Narnia is spreading around."

"I won't let that happen, Y/N. I don't want another war."

"I know. But they might need to hear their princess say those words."

"Will they listen if they think of you so…"

"They will. Papa will make them."

Caspian nodded. "I'll miss you while you're gone."

"I'll miss you, too. Thankfully, we have the freedom to visit each other again. I mean, I know you'll have duties and obligations as king, but we don't have anyone forcing us to stay in our own kingdoms."

"I'll visit Anvard as king soon. I promise."

"I look forward to it." You grin up at him for a moment before lowering your head again.

"I don't think I had the chance to tell you… Miraz, he… he killed my father."

Your head shot up. "What? He killed… He killed his own brother? W-What kind of man does that?"

"An evil man." Caspian stopped dancing and pulled you into his embrace, making you gasp from the abruptness of it. "Though… I may not have met you without losing my father."

Your lips formed a silent "oh" as one of your hands cupped the back of his head. You hugged him back. Your fingers brushed through his hair and you pressed your cheek against his shoulder. "Our mothers were friends, Caspian. We would have met. You didn't have to lose your father."

"Maybe."

You turned your head to press your mouth against his shoulder. You inhaled and closed your eyes. You knew without a doubt you and Caspian would have met and become close friends. But without the king's death, would you have missed out on all your toddler playtimes? Would your mothers ever start visiting each other as often as they did for their children? You could never be sure, and you were glad you didn't have to know. You had a good childhood with Caspian.

"I'm sorry he did that to your family and got away with it for so long."

"He's gone now…"

"He is." You stepped away from Caspian and fixed the blanket around you. "And you are going to be king today. You should start getting ready for the coronation. The sun will be up soon."

"I heard new clothes were made for us to wear today."

"Really? I thought only you had something new to wear."

Caspian smiled. "Aslan suggested it since we'll be returning to the castle today."

"I suppose I should also start getting ready then." You touched his arm. "Thank you, Caspian. I'll see you later with a crown on your head."

"Make sure you aren't seen like that."

You bowed dramatically. "Of course, Your Majesty."

He chuckled and urged you back inside.

It wasn't until the sun rose when a centaur and a few nymphs came into your room with a simple royal purple dress with long flowing sleeves. It was gorgeous with gold buttons on the back. It was so Narnian and perfect. They had you dressed in minutes.

A beautiful tree nymph twisted your hair into loose curls that cascaded out from under the simple crown of greenery and white flowers on your head. You felt more like a princess than you ever had in your castle. The eyes that fell on you when you came out of the How made the feeling stronger.

"You're so pretty, Y/N!" Lucy said with a grin. "You should wear dresses all the time."

You laughed. "Dresses aren't best for sword fighting, but I could do with more opportunities to wear one."

"You look beautiful," Susan said with a gentle smile. Her dress was a deep red with gold sleeves. Even more Narnian than your dress.

"So do you, Your Highness."

"Susan is fine."

You nodded and smiled just as Edmund and Peter walked over.

"The three of you look beautiful," Peter said.

Edmund nodded. He elbowed you when his siblings were distracted, shifting his eyes off to the side before meeting your curious gaze. He did it again, so you followed his eyes.

Caspian was speaking to Cornelius, but he wasn't looking at his tutor. His dark eyes kept finding you until you caught him.

"Are you sure he's not looking at your sister, Edmund?"

"Positive. I don't think I've seen a prince in awe before today. I'm pretty sure I saw his mouth fall open a little, too."

"You jest."

He shrugged. "It's fine if you don't believe me. I know what I saw."

You looked at Caspian again. He looked so much like a king in his cream-colored coat, his hair tamed around the nape of his neck where it usually curled up. You couldn't wait to see him with a crown.

"And I see you're distracted by the soon to be king," Edmund said in your ear, making you jump.

"I'm just excited to see him with a crown."

"You'll find out soon. It looks like Aslan is gathering Narnians. I guess I should be going." Edmund started walking, paused, and looked back at you. "You look like a queen, Princess." Then he continued on his way.

Lucy came over to you and took your hand. "Does Edmund have a crush on you? He acts so strangely when he sees you."

"I honestly don't know, Lucy. I'm as confused as you."

"Well, at least it's Edmund and not Peter. He can be daft. Though Edmund should wait a few years, don't you think?"

You laughed and started toward the gathering. "Maybe it's a boyhood crush."

"Maybe." Lucy sighed. "I think I have to join my family. Aslan wants all of us up there with Caspian when he's crowned king."

"Go on. I'll watch from the front row."

The young queen waved and skipped over to her siblings and Caspian.

You sighed with a smile at the sight. Caspian was going to be king. He was going to change Narnia for the better and you were excited to see those changes. You hoped Anvard would be willing to change, too. Narnia would be a strong kingdom with a kind king.

The moment Aslan spoke, everyone quieted. He spoke about Narnia's history and the Telmarines, but he focused on telling everyone the kind of man Caspian was, the trust He put in him to take care of Narnia. You were grinning from ear to ear.

When it came to Caspian accepting his crown and the responsibilities of a king, you were bouncing on the balls of your feet.

Peter placed the crown on his head. Aslan announced him as King Caspian X and everyone cheered, you loudest of all. Caspian found you in the crowd and his eyes crinkled with pure joy at your enthusiasm.

Your best friend was the king of Narnia.