The bells sounded once you arrived in Anvard. People were more curious than glad to see you riding in with a dress made by Narnians – which you loved – and your hair done by the kind maid who helped you the previous. You were more disheveled than when you left the castle. Haste was your friend as you raced home to see what wariness had taken your people.

Your mother greeted you at the castle gates. You couldn't tell if she was happier to see you again or more upset that you had left at all. A stable boy took your horse after you gracefully climbed off.

"Mama," you hugged her tightly. "I'm sorry. I had to help Caspian. Aslan sent me."

She sighed. "Your father won't be happy to hear that. The war has scared many people here. They believe Narnia will attack us again."

You shook your head. "Caspian is king of Narnia now. He won't attack Anvard. He plans to visit soon and ease their fears."

"Let us hope he arrives soon. Come. You must meet with your father."

Without question, you followed your mother silently. You knew he would be livid to hear you skipped your duties as a princess to fight in a war that wasn't yours. But you had to. For Caspian. For Narnia. For Aslan.

Your father was sitting with his advisors in the dining room. A hush fell over the room when you entered. The king stared at you; his face unable to decide which emotion to convey. Then he wept.

You rushed over to him, hugging his shoulders. Your forehead rested against his head as you apologized repeatedly. It was the reaction you were expecting, but it was better than being shouted at, which you felt you deserved to some extent.

Your mother ushered the advisors out to give you privacy. She slipped out behind them, shutting the door.

"I was so worried about you, Y/N." Your father looked even older than when you left. It broke your heart.

"I'm sorry, Papa. I was called by Aslan. I had to go. I didn't have time to explain to you or Mama. I'm sorry. I won't do it again." You wiped away his tears trying not to cry with him.

"Aslan sent you?" He sighed. "I was afraid of that."

"Why?"

"It means He as something planned for you that is much bigger than being Queen of Anvard."

"He told me that I needed to come back here though."

"But for how long?"

"I… I don't know."

"What did He ask of you this time?"

You sat in the chair closest to your father. "He wanted me to help Caspian."

"The war?"

You nodded.

"He's king now, yes?"

Again, you nodded.

Your father sighed once more. "Do you believe Aslan will ask you to help Caspian again?"

"Maybe. Queen Lucy and King Edmund might return to Narnia while Caspian is king. If they do, I would suspect I'll be needed."

"I see."

Silence filled the room. You fidgeted with your fingers while your father gazed at nothing.

"Papa?"

He looked at you with a worn smile. "We'll cross that bridge when we get there. For now, we must find a way to ease our people."

We'll figure it out. I'll help where I can." You took his hand and squeezed. "I'm sorry."

"You're home now. I can't fault you for following Aslan. Forgive me for being angry with you."

"Of course."

He kissed your forehead. "I love you, Y/N."

"I love you, too."

Convincing the people of Anvard that Narnia wasn't going to start a war with them proved to be more difficult than you thought. It didn't help that most of them believed your hiatus was to spend time with the lover they thought you had. Unfortunately, you weren't able to announce you were helping the newly appointed Narnian king for fear of the people assuming Caspian was your lover. You tried not to think about it with his confession still hanging over your head.

After nearly three months of little change, you gave in and sent Caspian a letter asking for his help. Even your father agreed to have the Narnian king come and speak to the people – reassure them of peace – was the best option. Maybe he could settle Anvard's fear.

It took another month for his response, which he said he'd visit as soon as he was able. Caspian informed you of the building of a new castle at Cair Paravel and the preparation to find the lost Lords of Narnia, something he vowed to Aslan during his coronation. You had no idea he had promised such a thing.

Two more months went by. You and your father were anxious. Fewer people believed there was a true peace with Narnia. You had no word from Caspian on when he planned to come to Anvard and that worried you. How would your people react to the king of Narnia arriving with guards and banners? You hoped he'd have some common sense.

You were eating dinner with your family when the herald came in, announcing a guest: King Caspian X of Narnia.

The three of you were on your feet when Caspian walked in with Reepicheep and the bald man you remembered as Drinian. You stared; eyes wide.

You didn't think half a year would change someone so drastically, but it did Caspian. His hair didn't curl over his ears, falling flat with the few inches of new length. It was also lighter as if he'd been sitting in the sun for hours in a day. What threw you off was the facial hair growing on his face. It was patchy and thin, but it was hard to miss. You wonder how much longer it would take to fill out. He looked so much older… like a king.

Your mother hissed at you to bow with them, but Caspian laughed.

"Please. You don't have to bow. You're like family." He came forward and shook your father's hand. "It's wonderful to see you again. I apologize for my late and unannounced arrival."

"No, no, it's fine. We're happy to have you here."

Caspian took your mother's hand and kissed the back of it. "You look well and even more beautiful than I remember."

"I see being a king has made you even more charming," your mother teased, pulling Caspian into a short hug. "Welcome back to Anvard."

"Thank you." He smiled and his eyes met yours.

You wanted to hold him so tightly to show him how much you missed his company. You wanted what he told you to disappear from your memories so you could see him just as he was before confessing. You couldn't quit reminding yourself of the feelings he had for you.

"You look beautiful today, Y/N," he smiled as if he'd been telling you that for years. "I hope you've been well."

You hated how your face got hot. "As well as I can be while helping the people of Anvard."

Caspian nodded once and introduced Reepicheep and Drinian, who was to be the captain of the future ship.

Reepicheep scampered up to you. "It's lovely to see you well, Princess!"

You smiled, glancing at your parents speaking with Caspian. "Same to you, Reepicheep! How are things in the castle?"

"Wonderful! We've begun work on Cair Paravel – though I'm sure you know that already – and our plans to sail the seas are coming together nicely!"

"That's great! I can't wait to see the finished palace and hear of your grand adventures at sea."

"It will be another year or so before we can leave and Cair Paravel will take even more time than that. But I'm sure the king would love to have you visit when it's finished. And I think he'd enjoying telling you the stories from our trip. Though I hope Aslan has you join us. We could use more hands."

"We shall see, I suppose." Being on a ship with Caspian wasn't exactly on your list of things you wanted to do in the near future.

"I'm sorry to have interrupted your dinner," Caspian said eventually. "I'll leave you to your meal and see you in the morning."

"You're welcome to stay in your usual room," your mother said smiling. "We've kept it to your liking although it's not fit for a king. There should be another room close by for your friends, too."

His teeth showed when he grinned. "It will be perfect." Caspian sent a glance your way as he left, leaving you still.

As soon as the three left, your parents peered at your frozen frame.

"Is there something you need to tell us, Y/N?" your mother asked.

"No." You shook off the shock and sat back down.

Your parents followed suit. They watched as you attempted to act normal. Getting caught off guard by Caspian was the worst thing you could have let happen with your parents right there. The questions and suspicion would be too much.

"Are you sure, dear?"

You nodded.

Your father snorted. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say our dear Caspian has finally taken an interest in our daughter."

"We're friends," you muttered.

Your father was going to comment on the king's long gazes toward you, but your mother shook her head. He silenced, catching on. At least they would keep quiet for a little bit.

That evening, you tucked away into your room to avoid coming across Caspian. If he wasn't expecting to court you, then he needed to quit looking at you like you were the only woman who mattered to him. Even you could see the shift in his eyes every time he looked at you. He couldn't hide it if he was trying.

You groaned when someone knocked on your bedroom door.

"I can come back another time," Caspian said through the thick wood. You could hear the smile in his voice.

Your stomach jumped. "Shouldn't you be sleeping?" You opened your door to stare unamused at your friend. His smile was alarmingly bright.

"Can't sleep."

"Are you sure coming to my room after sunset is your wisest decision?"

"I missed you."

Your cheeks warmed. "I-I missed you, too."

"Can I come in?"

It was a horrible idea, probably the worst idea, but you nodded and let Caspian stroll into your room. You shut your door quietly while he sat on one of your chairs.

"Have things improved in Anvard since you wrote to me?"

"No, unfortunately. It seems more of our people have come to the belief that Narnia will attack us."

"I hope my words will help them see that I have no intention of attacking Anvard. I want us to be allies."

"You know my family will stand by you."

"Yes," he said. "I'm grateful for that." Caspian stared at you seriously. "What of the rumors?"

You frowned. "Worse since returning. They think I left to be with the make-believe lover they've created for me."

"I wish they wouldn't think that of you."

"I'll be fine. No need to defend my honor or they will think you're him."

Caspian's eyes darkened slightly. He looked out one of your windows. "I'm sorry about how we left our friendship last time. It has put a strain on you, which was selfish of me."

You were stuck between wanting to talk about it and wanting to ignore the topic altogether. "It's okay, Caspian. There have been bigger issues at hand…"

"Is it an issue?"

"It shouldn't be."

"But it is."

"I'm sorry."

He shook his head with a gentle smile. "Don't be. Please, don't be upset." He got up and stood in front of you. "I knew how you were going to react, and I told you anyway."

"Why me? Why not Susan or someone else?"

Caspian took two fingers and tucked some of your hair behind your ear. He was pleased you didn't pull away. "I think it was always supposed to be you, Y/N."

I… I can't…"

He smiled and went to your door. "I know. Sleep well."

There was no real need for it, but you cried silently after he shut your bedroom door. Why did it have to be you?

Caspian greeted you the next morning with a bright smile before discussing his plan to help Anvard realize that Narnia would be their ally, not their enemy.

"Do you think speaking in front of them will help?" your father asked. "Will they listen? They have a hard time listening to us."

"Being among the people might help, my liege," Reepicheep suggested. "If they see you mingling with them, they may be more inclined to believe there is peace between Anvard and Narnia."

"That's a great idea, Reepicheep," you said. "And Caspian isn't a stranger here."

"Will you come with me?" He looked hopeful.

You nodded. "Of course."

"I propose you both spend the day out in Anvard and then we – you and I, Caspian – can speak to them. That is if your schedule will allow it." Your father smiled at Caspian, the same hope he saw on the young king's face seconds before now on his.

"I'm happy to stay here as long as I need to fix this matter." Caspian grinned. "Although I should hope we see a change in the coming days."

"Wonderful. I look forward to meeting again later this evening." Your father lovingly touched the side of your face. "Please keep Caspian safe. It would be horrendous if the Narnian king were to return injured."

"I'll do my best."

"Would you like for Drinian or I to accompany you?" Reepicheep looked to Caspian for an answer.

Caspian gazed at the mouse fondly. "You two should enjoy your stay here. I do not doubt Y/N's ability to protect me if it comes to it."

"And it isn't like you can't defend yourself either," you noted. "You'll most likely act quicker than I."

"Let's hope that neither of us should draw our swords today."