You struggled against your chains as you were dragged behind a slave trader toward a cell with several other prisoners. Lucy was behind you and Eustace behind her. He made the loudest noise of discomfort getting shoved into the cell. You tried to run out before the door closed, but they were too quick.

"My father's armies will come after you if you do not release us," you growled through the bars. "Caspian's armies will be here even faster and they will not show you mercy!"

The two traders laughed from their fat bellies. "It don't matter 'cause you'll be long gone by noon tomorrow. We'll make sure you go home with a good one."

You slammed your hands against the bars. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Keep dreamin', lass."

"Y/N…" Lucy took your hand and pulled you away from the door. "We'll get out of here. Be patient."

You plopped down on the ground beside Eustace, leaning your head back against the grimy wall.

There were about six others in the cell with you. Some were human, some were beasts– possibly Narnian. All of them were fearful. It broke your heart that such evil existed in Caspian's peaceful Narnia.

"I can't believe this is happening!" Eustace grained. "I didn't even want to go on this stupid adventure!"

"Eustace, do not speak again while we're chained up, all right?" you said. "Your complaining isn't going to get us out of here any faster."

"You're quite rude for a princess."

"Eustace, don't," Lucy warned as she sat on your other side.

You let your head fall into your hands. Reepicheep and Drinian had to come through in the morning or you, Lucy, and Eustace were doomed. You had no idea what would happen to Edmund and Caspian, making your insides twist violently. All you could do was pray Aslan kept everyone safe until rescue. It was all you had.

After hours of worrying and pondering how to get out, you nodded off. Immediately, the same green mist from your dreams before leaving Anvard filled your mind. You watched Lucy and Eustace get sold before you– Reepicheep and Drinian never making it inside the city to stop it. You wept watching Edmund try to save his sister and your heart broke hearing Caspian shout for your release. His voice cracked and tears rolled down his cheeks. But it didn't stop the traders. You screamed and cried harder when they tried to drag you away to the man who bought you.

You reached out to Caspian who already had his arm outstretched to take you away from the trader. Mere inches separated your hands before both of you were pushed away by the green mist on the edges of the dream. You couldn't take it.

"Caspian!"

Lucy and Eustace jerked awake from your outburst. A few other prisoners mumbled in their sleep.

You couldn't catch your breath. The green mist pushed you away from Caspian… in a dream. It had power. If it existed beyond the dreamscape, how could you ever hope to defeat it?

"Are you all right, Y/N?" Lucy said.

"My dream… I don't understand."

If the mist hadn't intervened, you would have reached Caspian's hand. Did the mist know that? What would have happened if you had touched his hand? The mist didn't seem to want that to happen. Your relationship with the king might hold more power than the mist… and fighting with him, avoiding him, was more harmful to the success of that adventure.

"I… I need Caspian…"

"What?"

Eustace was already asleep again.

You turned to Lucy. "I need Caspian and… he needs me. We can't do any of this without the other."

Lucy giggled. "You're only noticing this now?"

"This is more than anything I could imagine. He and I… our bond is powerful."

"Because you love each other and it's the purest form love any of us have ever seen."

"We aren't in love, Lucy."

"Maybe you haven't realized it, but Caspian is definitely in love with you."

You stared at the shackles on your wrist. "Lucy…"

"What? I'm telling the truth. He looks at you all the time with this adoration. When he upset you, he went looking for you to apologize. When you hid away, he was so defeated. He didn't mean what he said. Caspian's been thinking of a way to apologize since. He loves you, Y/N. A lot more than best friends do."

You knew he didn't mean it. You saw the look in his eyes when he mentioned Susan. And you didn't doubt he tried to find you. It was the reason you hid from him. But now with him locked away somewhere and you ready to be sold the highest bidder, you wished you would have let him find you. You could have had more time. For what? You weren't sure, but you could have talked… really talked.

"Y/N," Lucy smiled. "If your bond with Caspian is supposed to hold power, just be with him! Aslan put you in each other's lives, so stop fighting it. Be the Queen of Narnia."

"Why does this end with me becoming a queen?"

She laughed. "Caspian is going to marry you as soon as you let him."

You knew that, too. You still couldn't wrap your head around it though. Caspian marrying you, ruling alongside him… It was strange and yet…

"Nothing's going to happen if we can't get out of here."

"We will."

You wished you still held that same child-like hope.

The sun was barely in the sky when you were rudely awakened by guards forcing everyone to their feet. And all they did was drag you outside against the wall to wait for the auction. At least they kept you all in the shade as the sun rose higher.

Minutes after you were put outside, a cart of several people– men and women– came through the gate into the courtyard. Everyone was weeping or reaching out for loved ones. A man went running after it with a little girl following him. You caught sight of a woman telling the little girl– Gael– to stay with her father. Then it was gone. You couldn't see what was going to happen to them, but you heard their screams. And then there was nothing. You shivered.

"All right, lads!" The auctioneer clapped his hands as he skipped up to the stand. "Who's ready to take a gander at this unique lot?"

The men there to buy cheered and eyed the line of potential slaves. You prayed Drinian and his men would make it in time.

Several prisoners were sent up to the stand, having no choice as the men gawked at them. The poor satyr was trembling as the auctioneer started the bidding.

You were next in line and every buyer there perked up as you fought against the guard leading you to the stand. You glared when he shoved you out of his grasp and into the hands of the auctioneer. You tore away from him, glowering at everyone watching.

"This, gentlemen, is our finest specimen today! She's feisty, but don't let that stop you. We have a princess in our midst. And not just any princess. This is the princess of Anvard! We'll start the bidding at 50!"

Men raised their hands quickly. Before you knew it someone was ready to pay 200 gold for you. When you heard a loud and finite conclusion– a man buying you for 225 gold– you had to choke back a sob. You didn't even fight back as you were taken off the stand and Lucy was brought up. You saw no way out… and you couldn't even say goodbye to Caspian.

After Lucy was sold for 150 gold, Eustace was taken up. He was the last of the prisoners. No one was coming for you. No one was going to stop it. At least that's what you thought until you spotted several cloaked men mingling within the crowd.

"I'll take them off your hands," you heard Reepicheep say to the auctioneer. "I'll take them all off your hands!"

Cloaks were discarded, revealing Drinian with Reepicheep on his shoulders and many of his men. The slave traders were unprepared. The fight began.

You leaped off the stage and onto the back of one of the buyers, using your shackles to cut off his air supply. He fell and you went to the next man. You knocked him out with the metal cuffs on your wrists.

You kicked and punched and shoved your way to Lucy who received help from Reepicheep with her shackles. He unlocked her chains with his sword and helped you with yours.

A man ran over, but you swung the shackles and hit him hard in the head. He fell just as Lucy and Reepicheep took out two other slave traders.

More and more traders joined in the fight. It felt like there would never be relief until the people of the city took up weapons and fought back. People hidden in their homes ran out and fought with you. With the town helping, the slave traders lost. No one was going to be sold ever again.

Wrapping Lucy up in a hug, you cried happy tears. She cried, too. Neither of you was going to be a slave.

"Lucy! Y/N!"

Edmund ran over and hugged both of you close. Lucy wept harder, squeezing her brother.

Your eyes sought out Caspian's while the siblings held each other. The moment you found him searching the crowd as well, you took off toward him. He didn't see you until you collided with his body, ultimately knocking him off his feet.

"I didn't think I'd see you again," you sniffled, head buried in his chest. "I-I thought… I thought I'd be taken away… I couldn't imagine not seeing you again."

Caspian held your head closer to his chest. He didn't sit up or move from the dusty ground. The people who walked by and stared didn't matter because you were safe.

"I would have gotten you back," he said. "They never would have had you."

You nodded and relished in the feeling of his hand on your head. Whatever you thought your dream was telling you, you knew at that moment that your relationship with Caspian was special. It left you feeling stronger. Together you two were unstoppable.

Taking care of the slave traders took all afternoon. You might have kicked a few into a cell to let off some frustration. It helped enough.

It was time to go soon after that. Caspian led the group through cheering crowds toward the docks.

The man you saw running after the cart of people earlier ran up to Caspian. Drinian stopped him before he could get too close.

"My wife was taken just this morning," the man said. You didn't know what he meant, but Caspian did. He had Drinian let him go. "I beg you. Take me with you."

The same little girl ran up to the man. "I want to come, too!"

"No, Gael. Stay with your aunt." The man brushed the girl aside and looked back at Caspian. "I'm a fine sailor. Been on the seas all my life."

Caspian nodded. "Of course, you must join us." He moved forward again, you following closely.

You weren't going to let him out of your sight. Caspian had a similar thought because he reached back to take your hand. He didn't let go until descending the ramp to the docks where an older man was calling out to him.

"My king! My king!" The old man neared and held out an old sword covered in the hardened minerals of caves. "This was given to me by your father. I hid it safely in a cave all these years."

Edmund studied it, standing by your side. "That's an old Narnian sword."

"It's from your Golden Age. There are seven such swords, gifts from Aslan to protect Narnia. Your father entrusted them to us. Here. Take it." The man who you guessed was one of the Telmarine lords handed it to Caspian.

He took it and the crowd cheered. "Thank you, Lord Bern. We'll find your lost citizens and bring them home." Caspian started toward the boats, pausing a moment. "Edmund." The sword was placed in the young king's hands.

Edmund stared at it in awe while Caspian took your hand again and lead you to the longboats.

You sat across from Caspian with Edmund beside you. The longboat was quiet except for Reepicheep's gentle singing. It was soothing after the day you had.

Your eyes were glued to Caspian's face. He stared just the same. Somewhere in your mind, you were afraid he'd disappear if you turned away. It wasn't until everyone was safely on the ship and the island was almost gone on the horizon when you finally took refuge in your room. You desperately needed a bath, but it would have to wait since there was a knock outside your door.

Lucy answered since you were closed off in your space. She grinned finding Caspian there with fresh clothes and his hair pulled back in a half ponytail.

"Looking for Y/N?" she asked.

Caspian nodded. "Is she in her room?"

"Yes. I think she was considering a bath before supper, but she hasn't come out yet."

"Do you think I can have a few moments with her?"

"Of course! I need to find Edmund anyway." Lucy left with a soft pat on his shoulder and a gentle click of the door.

Caspian knocked on your door next, which you opened slowly.

You studied him already cleaned up from being in a cell the night before. "Hi."

He smiled. "Can I come in?"

Opening the door wider, you stepped aside and let him step inside. You left the door ajar and leaned against the wall opposite your bed where he sat. You were starting to wish you cleaned up sooner.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Glad to be back on the ship," you said.

"No one hurt you?"

"No. I went unscathed."

"Good."

Silence settled between you as the ship rocked with the waves.

"I had a dream last night," you finally said. "It was about the auction… and I think I figured something out."

"What is it?"

"There's this green mist that reappears in my dreams and it came back last night."

Caspian sat up straighter. "A green mist? Like the one that took those people?"

"It took people?"

"They disappeared with it."

You rubbed your temples. "The mist is real… And it has so much power… No wonder…"

"What happened in your dream?"

"I was being taken away and I reached out… for you." You felt heat rise to your cheeks. "Our hands almost touched until the mist pushed us away from each other. It did that in my dreams…"

"What do you think it means?"

"It's clear whatever or whoever is controlling it doesn't want us to do this together. It's trying to separate us. It nearly did before I agreed to come with you."

"You dreamed about the mist before?" Caspian stood up.

"It's been trying to keep us apart, which makes me think we can beat this thing as long as we stick together. Whatever we are, whatever our friendship is, we hold more power over the mist as long as we stay together."

A pained expression crossed Caspian's face. "I'm so sorry about yesterday and my comment about Susan. If I never made it… we might have avoided today."

"No, today still would have happened… It's okay though." You gazed up at Caspian, your face a light pink. "I knew you were kidding."

"Then why did you leave?"

"It still hurt, Caspian."

His eyes lit up with hope. "She doesn't mean anything to me, Y/N."

"I know." Was he closer?

"If you think the mist is trying to push us apart, then we'll have to try harder to stick together."

You nodded and glanced at his boots. He was definitely getting closer.

"Do you think… What can we do to make sure we don't lose sight of each other?" His voice was getting softer the closer he came.

"I… I don't know…" You focused your eyes on Caspian's face. "I could quit being so… so afraid."

Caspian held your face like you were the most delicate thing in the world. A light smile graced his lips while he studied your eyes. "Know that you don't have to fear anything as long as I draw breath."

There was nothing else in his eyes beyond adoration and pure love for you. You'd seen it before but when you thought you would never see him again… it was so comforting to have him look at you like that.

You nodded again feeling the pricks of tears building in your eyes. You had nothing to fear while Caspian was around. It was everything out there that should fear you, him, and all that you were capable of together.

"Please don't cry, Y/N." Caspian was quick to wipe your tears away before they rolled beyond your cheekbones.

"I really thought I'd never see you again, Caspian," you said shakily. "But you're here… I'm here… and I'm so overwhelmed… Is it possible to be overwhelmed in a good way?"

Caspian chuckled and pressed his lips to your forehead. "I told you I wouldn't let them take you."

"I thought they were going to kill you," you admitted. "I thought the last memory I'd have of you was that silly joke about Susan and my immature way of solving the issue."

One of his hands brushed through your messy hair before returning back to its spot against your cheek. "Aslan wouldn't let that happen. Our journey has hardly begun. Lucy and Edmund just arrived."

"I'd like to say I thought about that."

He smiled. "I only just did."

Warmth filled your heart. You didn't deserve Caspian, yet he was in front of you with a glow about him. He was there for you.

"What should we do?" Your voice was barely above a whisper.

"About what?"

"Us."

Caspian smiled a little. "We do what we're doing and keep the mist away. We're stronger together, right?"

Again, you nodded. Timidly, you pressed the palm of your hand against his chest where you felt his heart beating steadily. "Are we… are we strong enough… where we are?"

"What do you mean?"

You took a deep breath. "Is friendship enough?"

"To win against whatever we're fighting? Maybe."

It was clear he wanted to say more, so you waited. Silently, you urged him to finish his thought out loud.

His hands left your face and gently took your hands. He held them for a moment before standing in front of the small window in your room. He stared out and then at his feet. You stared.

Caspian finally looked at you over his shoulder. "For me? It's not enough."

You opened your mouth to speak, but nothing came out. What could you say? You still weren't ready for that? You can't get over your irrational fear of letting yourself give in to how you really felt? Was it because you thought your friendship would end if you were romantically involved? Didn't the best love stories have the two lovers start as friends? Edmund told you people in his world tend to end up with their best friends.

Was it the mist that held you back?

Your breath shallowed a second before you forced it to slow. If the mist was messing with your dreams, there was no doubt it was skewing your emotions. You were the one who considered Caspian for marriage even though it was a passing thought. You were the one who brought up becoming something more.

There was only one real way to find out the answers you needed.

"I…" you paused and tried again. "Maybe… maybe we could…" You groaned. "What if we at least tried to be something… something more?"

"Don't force this upon yourself for my sake, Y/N."

"I'm serious. What if… if the mist has been intervening? What if once it knew something was changing in me, it decided to step in? What if it saw its demise and decided to make me fearful?"

Caspian trapped his bottom lip in his teeth for a second to mute the radiant smile trying to control his lips. "Something changed?"

You shrugged and looked at your feet. "You're the one who heard me… confess in my drunken stupor… That could have been the start."

"You… you are really considering this?"

You nodded slowly, still not looking up from the floor.

He stepped closer. "You realize that I won't give you up easily, right?"

Another nod and another step forward.

"And you realize I will give you everything I have, everything I am to keep you safe and happy for eternity?"

You didn't get a chance to nod again because Caspian took the final step to stand in front of you again and lifted your chin, so you had to meet his gaze. A fire burned in his dark eyes.

"This will most likely end with you as the Queen of Narnia."

You swallowed as your stomach leaped into your throat.

Caspian's eyes swept over your face and his smile grew. The pad of his thumb traced your jaw up and down while you struggled to breathe. Without a doubt, he could feel your pulse where his hand sat against your neck.

"Are you truly prepared for that?"

"Is… Is anyone ever prepared… for such a thing?" Your voice was almost inaudible.

"No, I guess not," he said softly.

"I-I-I don't know how to do… any of this, Caspian… how to be… like this."

He chuckled, running his free hand down your arm to your hand. He grabbed it and slipped his fingers between yours. "I don't either."

"Says the one who kissed a queen the day after he became king."

"Does that count?"

You rolled your eyes and poked his chest with the hand he wasn't holding hostage. "Of course, it does. I… I have absolutely no experience… in this sort of thing."

"We can figure it out together."

"What if… what if I'm no good at this?"

Caspian squeezed your hand. "It won't change anything."

"Do you really… want me?"

It was his turn to roll his eyes before he left a short lingering kiss on your lips.

You stared wide-eyed while he grinned and brushed your hair out of your face.

Caspian touched his forehead to yours and closed his eyes. "I have wanted you since the moment you tugged on my shirt in Trufflehunter's home."

"Susan–"

He pulled back to stare at you seriously. "Anything I might have felt for her was my way of avoiding what I felt for you. You told me about all those princes you turned away and I didn't want to be one of them. Susan was my way out. But as you know, it didn't work."

"Oh."

"Yeah. Oh."

You subconsciously touched your lips as you gazed at the man in front of you. A smile was reappearing, his eyes darting to your covered lips.

"Are you all right?"

You nodded, realizing your hand and pulled it away from your mouth. Heat rose to your face again.

"Should I kiss you again? Or would you rather daydream about the one? I'm confident I can do better next time," Caspian teased.

"Shush," you blushed, looking down again.

He lifted your head back up with his finger and ever so slowly brought his lips down on yours again. Your empty hand gripped his forearm when he shifted his hand to the back of your head. It was the only way you could guarantee staying on your feet.

Caspian pulled away long enough to take a breath before stepping even closer and starting a new kiss. He let go of your hand to wrap that arm around your back and pull you flush against him.

Your released hand pressed against his chest. His heart thrummed quickly under your touch. How long had he waited for that one moment?

Several short and gentle kisses were given to you as Caspian ended the kiss entirely before things became improper. Your heart skipped when he moved those small kisses around your face: your nose, your cheeks, your forehead. Your senses were a mess. His touch was burning in the most pleasant way. All you could smell was him. Your eyes couldn't see anything but him and the smile on his lips. Your heartbeat rang in your ears.

"Will those suffice to entertain your thoughts when I'm not around?" Caspian asked, his voice low and close to your ear.

Words were impossible to form, so you let your head fall against his chest. He laughed and ran his fingers through your hair.

A knock on the door made you jump away from Caspian.

He chuckled and acknowledged whoever it was at the door.

Edmund poked his head in, immediately picking up on the feeling between you and the king. "Drinian asked for your presence at the helm."

"Of course. I'll be right there."

Edmund glanced at you, an obvious red still coloring your cheeks. He was going to ask if you were okay until Caspian bent over to kiss your cheek. The king walked out of the room with a new confidence about him.

Edmund smirked at you. "So, you and Caspian, huh?"

You nodded slowly.

"Took you two long enough. I think the crew's been making bets on when it would happen."

"Please don't tell me that, Edmund," you groaned.

"Don't let it bother you. Let them have their fun." Edmund stood next to you and nudged you with his shoulder. "Are you happy?"

"I… I think so."

"That's not a great start."

"This wasn't exactly planned, Edmund. I'm still trying to come to terms… Did Caspian and I really take that step?"

"I would say so! I sure hope he talked to your father about this or the next trip to Anvard will be a bit awkward."

You hadn't thought about your father giving Caspian his blessing. "I have no idea if he discussed anything with my father about this."

"If I know Caspian, he prepared for this." Edmund put an arm around your shoulders. "Enjoy this with him now, here on this adventure, and deal with the formalities once you return to Narnia."

"I… I'll do my best."

"Good." He took his arm away and nodded toward the door. "I think dinner will be served soon and I know we could both use a good meal after today."

"I still need to clean up," you frowned, looking at your dirty clothes. "I'll have to come up later."

"I'll save you a plate."

"Thanks, Edmund. For everything."

He smiled sheepishly. "It was a pleasure."

The dark-headed boy left, shutting the door behind him.

You sat on the edge of your bed to settle your racing mind. There would be a time and a place to discuss everything further with Caspian. Until then, you needed to get used to the idea of Caspian being 10 times more significant to you than before. That was a large dose to take in.