The Place Where We Belong

by clearwaterangel

After Caspian's coronation, the Pevensies are haunted by the idea of having to return to England, but is there a possibility that things will be different this time? After all, Narnia is where they belong. Suspian, PeterxOC, EdmundxOC, LucyxOC. Mainly movie-verse but may incorporate elements from the books. Rated T just to be safe. R&R!

3. Chapter 3: Unannounced Visitors

Hi guys! Brand new chapter! I had loads of fun writing this chapter and I hope you do too! Enjoy!

Chapter 3: Unannounced Visitors

Caspian glared intently at the sturdy door in front of him, leaning on the opposite wall. He had dragged himself there, the temptation of turning around and running away growing with each step, yet his sense of duty lectured him strongly for having such irresponsible thoughts. With a sigh he pushed himself off the wall and straightened his clothes, taking a deep breath before pushing the door open, his face becoming serious as he exhaled.

"Good morning, My Lords" he spoke in a firm voice, entering the room and striding towards his throne, containing a scowl at the piece of furniture. "My apologies for our absence during the last meeting, My Lords, our trip to Cair Paravel took longer than we expected" he spoke, his apologies fake as a snow in summer.

"Since Your Highness speaks of the subject, the Council has been wondering what the reason for your trip was" one of the lords asked, and Caspian focused his eyes on him, supressing an irritated snort.

"I am afraid that is a private matter concerning Their Majesties and I am not at liberty to discuss it on the risk of violating their confidence, My Lord" he explained cuttingly, displeased with the apparent need the Council lords had to know about his every move.

"If so, the Council should rest assured that the matters His Majesty was attending to were of great importance for Your Highness, and indeed the Kings and Queens, to leave the castle unattended" another lord commented sarcastically and Caspian took a deep breath; it would be a commendable achievement if he managed not to lose his temper by the end of the meeting.

"You offend me and Their Majesties with your words, Lord Tir. Narnia is our main concern, always and foremost, and this is why Sir Glenstorm and Professor Cornelius have been appointed Protectors of the Realm by Their Majesties and me to oversee the governing of the land in our absence, a task they have excelled at. I assure you, My Lords, that the wise Professor and noble centaur are most capable and suitable representatives of the royal family and I trust them both with my life. I cannot but feel insulted by your insinuation that Their Majesties and I would be so irresponsible as not to make the necessary provisions concerning government in our absence" Caspian spoke, fixing the man with a cold glare.

"It was certainly not my intention to offend, My King, I was only-" the man spoke, but was interrupted by Caspian's hand.

"I suggest we turn to the issues of today's meeting, I do not see the point in wasting more time discussing subjects outside the purview of the Council" Caspian spoke icily, successfully silencing the pesky lord.

There was a moment of silence in the room, the lords shifting in their chairs and Caspian noticed they were fretting over something other than the trip to Cair Paravel.

"It has come to the attention to some among us that Your Majesty has not been wearing the crown lately, not even when speaking to the crowds, as it is traditional" one of the lords stated, his tone careful, measuring his words with caution.

"It is true, I haven't" Caspian agreed, casting a short glance at the golden, imposing crown resting on a pedestal at his side before directing his dark eyes back to the man, a hint of impatience gleaming on them.

"It is a tradition and duty for the king to wear his crown at formal meetings, we are just curious as to why Your Grace does not follow the custom" Lord Garrien spoke, and for a moment Caspian saw the shadow of Sopespian in his features, venomously showing his fangs before attacking. Caspian lifted an eyebrow and contained a small smile; Lord Garrien had inadvertently touched the very subject Caspian had hoped to discuss at the present meeting.

"The answer is rather simple, My Lord: it is a matter of practicality. Additionally, I find my status as king is equally acknowledged whether I wear the crown or not; I do not believe people need to be reminded of it" Caspian said casually, almost innocently, gazing at the lords as he had just commented on the weather. The irritation and exasperation on their faces forced Caspian to reach for his cup to mask his smile, his shoulders shaking ever so lightly as he tried to contain his laughter.

"This crown is the very one Caspian the Conqueror wore during his reign, as has every king until this day; it is tradition that you must wear it, Your Highness" a normally silent lord protested, but Caspian had been prepared for such an argument.

"It is not my intention to disregard Telmarine tradition, on the contrary, Their Majesties and I wish nothing more than for Old Narnian and Telmarine customs to come together and complement each other" Caspian told, walking over to the small plinth where the crown was on display. "Nevertheless, the very fact that this crown has been inherited by Telmarine kings over the past 1300 years makes it a symbol of the Telmarine domination over the Narnians. This is why I have decided to have a new crown made to counter the strong association to forceful invasion and imposed domination entailed in the Telmarine crown, an association which opposes the ideal of cooperation and inclusion of this new era we live in" he added, taking the heavy crown in his hands. A chorus of gasps could be heard around the room, the large majority of lords bewildered by what they considered total absurdity. He knew very well that most of the men sitting in those chairs coveted the crown in his hands; the symbol of the highest power in the land, the key to do whatever they wanted and the ticket to the throne. These men dreamt of having the strong, heavy gold band in their heads, their egos boasting their superiority by right. The crown itself was not just a symbol of power but its grandiosity also allowed the bearer to flaunt it as another of their riches. For him, it was the solid meaning of pretence, the golden proof that all the past kings were only concerned about appearance and superiority. Miraz had lusted over this piece of metal for so long, he had killed and intended to do it as many times as it took him to get it; he was sure that his evil uncle was beaming the moment it was placed on his head, feeling invincible for his achievement. He could picture it quite clearly, Miraz looking down at the lords with a smirk, the crown embodying his victory over them; he had won, won over every greedy lord in the Council, over his nephew, over his brother, all due to the cunning mind he was so conceited and proud of. Caspian was disgusted, repulsed to have this item in his hands, feeling poisoned by its evil memories, by all the crimes committed to obtain it. He turned to face the puzzled lords and had to contain a laugh at how some of them seemed to hope he had changed his mind. They were in for a huge disappointment. Without a warning and in a swift move, he threw the crown into the blazing flames burning in the great fireplace of the Council Room, the flames licking the golden circlet and burning its furs to a crisp within seconds. The lords gasped in both horror and surprise, eyes transfixed on the burning crown. Caspian spent a few moments enjoying the flabbergasted expressions of the lords before asking the fire to be put out. Once the curtain of smoke and steam cleared, the remains of the crown were picked up. It was severely blackened and many of the thinnest golden decorations had melted, while several of its gems had fallen and had to be dug out of the coals and embers; the crown had been reduced to nothing.

The lords looked aghast at him, their eyes switching between him and the disfigured crown several times, some not believing their eyes, mouths opening and closing on the intent of expressing unfinished thoughts. There were others who shook their heads and rubbed their eyes, hoping this was all an illusion, while others looked around the room, firmly believing this was a joke and the real crown would be hidden somewhere. Caspian watched in amusement for the long minutes it took them to be convinced he had burnt the crown beyond repair in front of their very eyes, his lips curling into a pleased smirk at the incredulity in their gazes. He took a deep breath and enjoyed the sensation of freedom that came along with relief; finally, the golden chain of tradition was taken off him and was now laying broken at his feet. He signalled one of the guards to call a servant, the man not taking long, since the smoke had piqued the curiosity of every living soul on the adjacent corridors and they were all trying to catch a peek at what happened. Caspian kindly instructed the quivering maid to grab the remnants of the crown and wait for him outside. With a shaky curtsy, she bolted out of the room, the burnt crown safely wrapped in her apron.

"Since the crown is now useless, Your Lordships will agree on the pertinence of requesting a new one to be made" Caspian said simply, the lords looking at him in a daze, unblinking. A lord tried to voice his thoughts, but his body was shaking in such a way that all he could produce were some quiet whimpers and Caspian had to pinch his leg not to burst with laughter. He shifted his gaze to Lord Sarian and caught his subtle nod and smile, amusement filling the nobleman's eyes as he looked at his king.

"As this was the only matter I wished to discuss with you, and since we have promptly reached an agreement, I shall call this meeting to an end. I bid you a good day, gentlemen" Caspian said, descending the few steps from the throne with a pleased smile as he walked past the still dumbfounded lords. The doors closed behind his back, and the lords stared at them speechless, a few hands raised in objection, yet the King had been long gone before they could utter a coherent word.

Caspian waited to unleash his happiness until he had rounded the first corner away from the Council room, his rich throaty laugh resonating in the empty corridor. He would treasure the memory of the lords' flabbergasted expressions forever. And to see the Telmarine crown in pieces, its past glory reduced to some scraped and deformed metal, it was simply liberating. He heard steps approaching him and he looked up, meeting Edmund's thin figure walking towards him, his brows knitted together.

"What in Narnia was that racket about? I could have sworn the market had relocated into the castle for the day" he spoke, looking confused at his friend's beaming smile.

"Ah, nothing serious, I just took some weight off my head, quite literally" Caspian explained, his eyes twinkling conspiringly. Edmund quirked an inquisitive eyebrow, but the appearance of a maid kept him from asking further. She curtsied them both and handed Caspian a platter where the sorry remnants of the crown had been carefully laid. Edmund looked at the sad ringlet of burnt gold and gems for some seconds and then broke into a merry laugh.

"By Jove, Caspian! How in the Mane did you manage this?!" Ed spoke, words coming in between peals of laughter, his hand pointing to the scrapings in Caspian's hand.

"I might have let it fall into the fireplace, completely not by accident" Caspian noted wickedly, and Edmund chuckled, getting a clear image of how the crown ended up in such pitiful state. Caspian smiled at the servant and took a tiny ruby from the platter, presenting her with it despite her protests.

"I am on my way to visit the faun ironmaster, care to join me?" Caspian asked as they walked towards his private study. "And could you bring your crown?" he added, kicking the door open.

"Oh I see, you've decided for a more Narnian looking crown, then" Edmund commented, smirking at the Telmarine King.

"Well, my old crown was rendered useless under tragic circumstances" Caspian replied in a mock-solemn tone, and Edmund chuckled, nodding. "Lucy has already lent me hers, but only after I promised I would return it to her hands without a single scratch" he then added, picking the golden ringlet from his desk and showing it to Edmund.

"I must say I like mine better, but if you prefer girly crowns, who am I to judge you" the Just King spoke, a tease strong in his voice. Caspian spared him a glare and whacked the back of his head, to which Edmund punched his shoulder.

"You know I could have you punished for attempting against my physical integrity?" Edmund threatened emptily, adopting a stoical posture, waving his finger in front of Caspian's face.

"Likewise" Caspian replied, smirking at his best friend.

"Fair enough, we shall decide this in a duel of honour: a chess game" Ed shrugged carelessly, his lips curling into a lop-sided grin.

"A history of victories against your royal person speaks in my favour, King Edmund, but if that is your wish, then so be it" Caspian spoke, playing along the fake pomp, receiving a snort from his best friend. "But we must go to the iron master's first" he added, hurrying Edmund out.

Both kings walked towards the faun's workshop, chatting casually and joking about a few Council lords. The faun welcomed them in a merry mood, inviting them inside and offering them some sweet wine.

"To have both Your Highnesses in my humble workshop, I could not wish for a higher honour!" he exclaimed, and both men sighed tiredly at the fauns antics. "Do tell me, sire, how can this humble subject serve you?" the faun asked, bowing for the fourth time in the short time they had been there.

"Well, I was hoping you could help me with the crafting of a new crown and I wonder if it's possible for you to use this gold and gems into it" Caspian said, emptying the contents of his leather satchel. The faun took the mangled circlet in his hand and examined it closely. It took him only a few moments to recognise it.

"Your Grace, is this not your crown? Or I'd say, what is left of it" he enquired, his eyebrows lifting in amazement.

"It is indeed, I am afraid it suffered an- accident of sorts" Caspian told, casting a mischievous glance at Edmund, who tried his best to dissimulate his smile.

"A terrible incident, it appears. If I may be so bold, I must say none of my creations would have ever ended so poorly; Telmarines have excellent blacksmith craftsmanship, but strength is not their finest quality" the faun proclaimed, twisting the gold in his hand. "Forgive me, sire, but there is little I can do with this gold other than melting it into a ring or some other jewel, just not a crown. The gems however appear to be in a good shape" the faun told Caspian as he returned the gold to the pouch.

"It's a shame, I did not want to waste good Narnian gold on something as frivolous as a crown" Caspian spoke sincerely.

"Nonsense! Your Highness deserves a fine crown to match our Kings' and Queens', and I shall not measure effort and resources to produce one that does Your Grace justice" the faun exclaimed, bowing once more, to which Caspian and Ed rolled their eyes.

"I appreciate your enterprise and kindness very much, Master Ismus" Caspian spoke, hoping the faun would not bow again.

"It is my honour to have been chosen for such noble task, I shall not disappoint you, My King" the faun said and for a minute they were sure he would lean forwards into another exaggerated bow, but the faun only nodded, before rummaging into his things, opening several drawers and producing several trinkets. "Tell me, sire, have you chosen the design and materials yet?" the faun asked, putting the metallic bits and papers on the table, the three of them moving to sit around it.

"I was thinking of something simple and light, much like Their Majesties' crowns, although I do not have any particular design in mind" Caspian explained, taking out the crowns he had been lent by Ed and Lucy.

"Ah, truly magnificent, this certainly is a stellar example of faun workmanship of the ancient times. In my humble opinion, a golden wreath consisting of fine sticks entwined delicately and adorned with different types of leaves would suit Your Grace splendidly. If Your Majesty agrees to it, I can cut the stones and sprinkle the leaves to resemble the morning dew" the faun suggested, making a raw sketch on a piece of parchment. It took less than the rough design to convince Caspian.

"I am sure your design will not disappoint, Master Ismus, I trust your sensible taste" Caspian praised.

"You flatter me, sire. I shall endeavour to make this my masterpiece" he told.

Once all the details for the crown were discussed and agreed upon, the Kings made their way back to the castle. However, just before they left, Caspian requested one more service from the faun, for the some of the gems and the gold of his old crown to be crafted into a sensible set of necklace and matching earrings. Edmund bit his tongue and resisted the temptation of teasing his best friend, knowing very well who the intended recipient of the jewels was.

"A gift to Susan, I suppose?" Edmund asked as they exited the crammed workshop. The question caught Caspian off guard, yet the Telmarine King neither confirmed nor denied his statement. Not that there was any need, the answer was clearly visible in his expression. Choosing to drop the subject of his friend's infatuation with his sister, Edmund decided to focus back on the burnt crown.

"I confess I always thought the Telmarine crown to be a tad too presumptuous. I am glad you are getting a new one" Ed commented and Caspian inclined his head in agreement. "Weren't the lords screaming their lungs out at your idea?" he then asked and Caspian laughed, remembering the lords" faces.

"They were too shocked to speak" he told.

"You should have called me, now I wish I could have seen the astonishment in their faces" Ed said wickedly, eyes shining with the prospect of mockery and gut-wrenching laughs.

"I must say the lords are much more agreeable when they are mute" Caspian mused with a humorous gleam to his voice, and both men laughed at this comment.

A few days later, the finished crown was delivered to the castle along with a message from Master Ismus, who apologised for not delivering the crown in person due to a small mishap involving a heavy hammer and his hoof. They were all gathered in Caspian's small study, the royal family's unofficial common room, when the messenger arrived carrying a beautifully crafted wooden box. Lucy grew immediately curious and sauntered over to the desk, where Caspian had placed the box and was reading the attached message. Making a mental note to send a reply to the ironmaster, Caspian opened the box, revealing his new crown to everyone. The small ringlet was kept very simple yet undoubtedly fit for a king, royal and subtle. The body of the crown mirrored thin ash branches, twisted into a golden wreath, clusters of small rounded leaves sticking out here and there. A single silver maple leaf rested on the side of the wreath, ruby droplets, a few diamonds and a bright sapphire were nestled in a neat arrangement in its centre, and held the whole thing together in similar fashion to a brooch. This subtle decoration did not break the fine composition of the leaves surrounding it but blended with the rest of the wreath in perfect harmony. It was a perfect piece of art and Caspian held it in awe, pleased with its lightness and relieved at the lack of the additional weight of past.

"Now I understand why you needed my crown the other day! It's beautiful Caspian!" Lucy exclaimed, reaching to touch the slender leaves. Caspian smiled at her and placed the crown atop her head, which slid to her forehead, her head much smaller than his.

"What happened to your old crown?" Peter enquired, looking at him with sincere curiosity.

"It suffered a most unfortunate accident and could not be repaired" Caspian answered, his eyes betraying him as the cause of such misfortune, one he most certainly did not regret.

"Must I assume that the request from the lords for the fires to be put out in the Council Room is a consequence of this accident?" Susan spoke, shaking her head but smiling nonetheless. "I have since asked for the fire to be replaced by coal heaters. I heard the servants whispering about it but refused to believe it. I cannot decide whether I am amused or disappointed" she added, sighing, yet her sapphire eyes carried a playful twinkle. Peter looked curiously at Caspian.

"You threw it into the fire?!" Peter asked in disbelief.

"Yes, and by doing so managed to render the lords speechless, a feat worth commendation, if you ask me" Edmund explained and Peter lifted his eyebrows, clearly impressed by the story.

"But did you really have to destroy it, I mean, wasn't there another way?" Susan asked, true to her diplomatic and conciliatory nature.

"No, but it was fun" he said cheekily, causing Susan to smile, unable to chastise him.

"Well, I like this one better, the other was too sturdy for my taste, and you look infinitely better and more Narnian" Lucy commented, smiling brightly.

"I agree, it is imposing in its simplicity and I think it summarises you quite well: the Telmarine King crowned by the Narnians" Peter agreed and Caspian was slightly taken aback by the High King's compliment.

"Oh, do go on, let us see how it looks on you!" Edmund pressed, taking the crown from Lucy and placing it over Caspian's head. "Ah, it does look way better, although be careful, that messy mop you call hair may get tangled in the leaves" he commented and Lucy swatted his arm. "What? I'm just warning him!" he said defensively. Lucy rolled her eyes at him. Caspian smiled at their small quarrel and took the crown off his head, placing it back on its wooden container, waiting for a better occasion to wear it.

The morning was light and warm, the sun shone merrily on a sky of vibrant blue, small thin clouds sprinkled here and there, not thick enough to cover the sunlight. A pleasant breeze toyed with the tree leaves, creating a soft rustle with every blow. Oblivious to the pleasant weather outside, Peter was locked in the library, several books scattered on the large table, a half empty inkpot lost between them along with several pieces of parchment.

"Medicine books again, My King?" Professor Cornelius asked softly, his eyes glinting at Peter.

"Ah, Professor, yes" Peter asked, smiling shyly and looking at the books strewn all over the table.

"Your Majesty seems very keen on medical science" the Professor noted, sitting on one of the few book-free chairs.

"Well, I- I have always been very interested by it and I have found the most varied and extraordinary books in here" Peter explained, feeling rather silly.

"I see. My knowledge regarding medicine is rather limited I'm afraid, but if there is anything I can help you with, please let me know" Professor Cornelius volunteered, to which Peter smiled.

"As a matter of fact, there is a bit in this book that is giving me some trouble" Peter told, rummaging around to find the right book. His question then sparked a long conversation between the King and the Professor as they exchanged theories and discussed several topics, both learning a great deal in the process.

"Fascinating! Your world certainly is a place of scientific prowess, My King" the old dwarf commented after hearing about a few medical procedures Peter was familiar with. "Now, you must excuse me, sire, I am almost late to my appointment with Sir Trufflehunter" he added, rising from his chair. "Nevertheless, I shall look forward to repeat this highly entertaining chat, perhaps on the Golden Age?" he asked and Peter nodded.

"With pleasure" the King replied and nodded back at the Professor's short bow. Caspian met his tutor at library door and greeted him.

"Is King Peter in there, Professor?" he asked, pointing to the grand room, receiving a nod as an answer. "And may I ask what does the High King do in there for hours on end?" the Telmarine asked curiously.

"Have you tried asking him, sire?" the old tutor enquired.

"I- no, I haven't. I don't want to appear nosy" Caspian explained, his voice lowering a bit as he looked away shyly.

"Well, there is no secret. His Majesty is very interested in medicine and spends most of his time reading and taking notes. I have to say his views and corrections on some matters are very advanced" Cornelius mused before bidding his pupil goodbye and hurrying to meet Trufflehunter. Caspian was surprised to learn about Peter's medical inclination and wished he knew something about medicine to share with him. Deciding he better leave Peter to his books, he walked towards one of the garden terraces, enjoying the fresh breeze and taking a long breath. He lay down on the grass and closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling of the sun caressing his skin with its warm touch.

"Haven't you got petitions or treaties to sign, King Caspian?" a soft, feminine voice spoke, a tease ringing merrily in her tone. He cracked an eye open and saw Susan looking at him from above, her hair falling in a curtain around her face as she bent slightly forward.

"I do, but I couldn't possibly waste such a wonderful day, and, in all evidence, My Queen could not either" he spoke cheekily, propping himself up on his elbows, and she smiled, sitting next to him. They both remained silent for a moment, looking ahead, and he noticed how the breeze played with her hair, combing through her dark tresses, whispering into them and carrying her subtle perfume into the breeze; he instinctively took a deep breath, filling his lungs with her delicate perfume. Honey, rose and lavender, all three scents mixing into one fragrance, sweet and yet tangy, tempting him to bury his nose in her hair. He discretely pinched himself in an effort to keep himself from blushing. These silly thoughts were getting a bit out of hand.

"I didn't know Peter fancied medicine" he commented, trying to get his mind off Susan's fragrant hair.

"Oh, he had always wanted to be a physician. Father always brought him books and other gadgets and he spent hours at our local library going through every book he could get on the topic. Yet, being a king does leave him with less time to spare, although if there is anything he loves more than medicine is being a king" Susan said, smiling softly as she looked at him, eyes filled with sisterly love.

"It is a shame he did not get to know Lord Aragian, the former royal physician. If I recall correctly he had a fantastic collection of books, records and notes at his home" Caspian commented, remembering having been in the place once.

"We could arrange a meeting between him and Peter, I'm sure he would love it" Susan proposed.

"I'm afraid it won't be possible, Lord Aragian died a couple of years ago, but I could arrange for his books to be sent here" Caspian told, the idea having just occurred to him.

"I'm sure Peter will be quite pleased and it is a lovely gesture he will certainly appreciate" Susan told him. "I know you two didn't have the best of starts" she added, looking down, clearly disagreeing with Peter's attitude.

"If only we were all gold coins to please everyone, My Queen, but I like to think your brother and I are on a solid path towards friendship" Caspian commented, voicing his hopes. He looked over to her and caught her simple but radiant smile and his heart skipped a beat. "Well, I better go ask for those books, please excuse me" he spoke rising to his feet and walking away with a short bow. He caught Susan's confused expression out of the corner of his eye, and he hoped she would not feel offended by his hasty departure. The truth was that ever since that night in Cair Paravel, he did not trust himself to be alone with Susan without doing something he would sorely regret later.

The next morning, Peter headed to the library once again, a book tucked under his arm. As he entered the small hall where he would normally sit and take notes, he found his table occupied with several stacks and boxes of books, most of them very thick and heavy-looking. He wondered who could have left them there and leaned to take a look, finding precise and clear notes on several fields of medicine. The Professor appeared from behind one of the shelves and Peter asked him about the books.

"King Caspian requested them to be brought from the former Lord Physician's manor, a fine medical man he was" the old half-dwarf explained, surprise appearing on the Magnificent King's face.

"I shall thank him, this is most generous of him. I cannot wait to start leafing through all these" Peter said sincerely, touched by Caspian's gesture.

Hours later, Peter caught Caspian just as he was leaving their common room.

"Caspian, wait!" he called, causing the Telmarine to look at him. "I wanted to thank you for the books" he added, catching up with him.

"Oh, so they have been delivered already, how wonderful. I am glad they are of your liking, certainly they will have a better use in your hands than gathering dust in an old house" Caspian replied casually.

"Nevertheless, it was very nice of you, I really appreciate it" Peter said seriously, extending his hand towards him, which Caspian shook with a smile. A handshake and a clap on the shoulder, ordinary gestures to anyone else, but for the two Kings it paved the way towards what was meant to be a great friendship.

Later that day, Caspian was sitting on a branch of his favourite tree, biting on an apple. What was that tingle in his chest he had felt earlier? It had all begun with Susan's perfume, the sweet fragrance he refused to recall, fearing another irrational reaction. His body was playing foul tricks on him, his mind betraying him with inappropriate thoughts involving the Gentle Queen. Being too engrossed in his thoughts, he did not notice someone had walked up to where he was.

"Oh, hello, Caspian" Susan greeted softly, shading her eyes to look up at him. The sudden sound startled him, causing him to lose his balance for a moment. Thankfully, his body was well trained and he managed to secure his position. He threw the apple core in his hand and jumped, landing gracefully a few steps from Susan.

"Perfect jump" she teased, clapping her hands and he played along, bowing exaggeratedly and causing her to laugh. "Did I interrupt anything?" she asked once her laughter had subsided.

"Nothing at all, except perhaps a bit of gluttony on my part" he told with a wave of his hand, deciding to ignore his previous thoughts.

"Well, I cannot blame you, these apples are very tasty" she told with a smile? "I heard Peter was very excited about the books you brought for him, I only hope he thanked you" the Queen commented after a short moment of silence.

"Oh, yes, he did and you will be glad to know that we seem to be making a progress towards a greater understanding and, dare I hope, friendship" he noted contently.

"He will come round sooner or later, Caspian, he has to deal with some issues first" Susan told him, smiling sweetly, her hand squeezing his in a sympathetic manner. This simple gesture relaxed him greatly and he could only concentrate on the warmth of her hand on his and its softness. He squeezed back, wrapping his fingers around hers, feeling it was the right thing to do, despite a little voice in his head bellowing at him for enjoying this intimacy a tad too much. A small gust of wind caused the leaves in the trees to rustle and some were blown away, pirouetting in the air before being pushed further away. Susan yelped at the sudden flurry of air and held her hair with one hand, the other pressing her skirts down as the blow puffed and lifted the fabric, her ankles exposed for a split moment. Caspian looked at her from behind the hand shielding his eyes from dust and caught her disarray. They both laughed at this mean joke of nature, Caspian trying to flatten his hair while Susan straightened her skirts.

"Do I have any leaves on my dress?" she asked, turning around for him to check, straightening her skirts as she did so. He shook his head as she faced him once more, his eyes catching a small leaf on her hair, right above her ear. Without thinking he extended his hand and pinched the leaf between his fingers, his hand tucking the strand of hair delicately behind her ear. His fingers grazed the side of her neck for a brief second, a fact he was totally unaware of, his eyes enthralled by hers.

"Suuuuuuuuuuu!" a yell echoed from the castle, and both jumped in surprise, Caspian retracting his hand and stepping back, blushing at how close they had been. Susan looked down, trying to cover the pinkish tint that was spreading through her pale cheeks, grateful that Caspian was looking to the side, apparently trying to conceal his own blush.

"There you are, I have been looking all over the castle for you. I need your help" Lucy spoke, stepping into the garden, smiling at both of them.

"What is it now, Lu?" Susan asked gently, Lucy linking hands with her.

"Would you cut my hair? Just the ends and fringe, please? You know I would end up bald if I tried myself" Lucy begged, her sparkling blue eyes looking up at her sister pleadingly.

"We could not possibly have that, isn't that right, Caspian?" Susan asked jokingly, and Caspian nodded.

"Absolutely not, baldness does not suit a Queen of Narnia" he replied gallantly, Lucy erupting into a fit of amused giggles.

"Alright, come on, let's get you set" Susan told, Lucy choosing her chambers to host their hairdressing appointment. The young Queen then pulled her sister back to the castle, muttering excitedly and turning what had started as an innocent haircut into a true beautifying session. Susan could only sigh and agree, laughing wholeheartedly at Lucy's squeal of joy. Susan waved lightly at Caspian as she passed him, leaving him all alone in the garden, a smile plastered on his face. Caspian waved back and followed them with his gaze until they disappeared into the castle, confused at that small moment between him and Susan, his mixed feelings at Lucy's interruption puzzling him even more.

A small spring rain splattered the windows, marked by an uneven rhythm of soft taps, tones changing as the drops hit the glass and stones. Caspian was in his study going through the documents scattered on his desk, annoyed at the stack of boring petitions he was now reading. He leaned his head over the table, his bangs falling to the sides like a curtain over his cheeks, and started knocking his head softly on the table, groaning in despair at a particularly dull request. A light knock in his door interrupted his head-banging and he murmured for the person to enter, not lifting his head from the desk.

"My King, Lord Kilian is here to see you" a servant informed him, and he looked up at her, his eyes bright at the prospect of leaving his current task.

"I will join him in a moment. Could you ask the kitchens to prepare some coffee and sweets? Oh, and could you ask Their Majesties to join us, please? Thank you" he told, smiling thankfully at the maid before hurrying to his room, realising the need for him to look presentable and not as someone who had just banged his head on a desk. He met the Pevensies as he happily scuttled down the stairs to the drawing room. They all looked curiously at him, a question hanging heavily in the air.

"Lord Kilian is very kind, not at all like the pesky Council lords. He is the son of one of the seven noblemen Miraz sent away and I can assure you he means nothing but sincere friendship" Caspian explained briefly, smiling as the siblings visibly relaxed. The Telmarine nobleman and his family curtsied elegantly as they entered the room.

"Greetings, Your Majesties" Lord Kilian – a man in his mid-thirties – spoke regally. "To finally meet the legendary Kings and Queens of Old is a privilege and a present" he added warmly.

"Lord Kilian, you are a friend to this court, must you speak so formally?" Caspian reproached him jokingly, walking up to him and clasping his hand.

"We are strangers to everyone but you, My King" Lord Kilian cleverly pointed out and Caspian chuckled for the man had a point.

"Any friend of King Caspian is also our friend" Susan stated gracefully, walking to stand beside Caspian and extending her hand to the lord.

"My Queen's kindness and beauty are legendary, yet in my humble opinion the legends do not do you justice, Your Grace" Lord Kilian said, kissing her hand, his compliment rewarded by Susan's candid smile. Lord Kilian was then introduced to the other Pevensies, the nobleman making a point to remark each of them individually, his gentle smile never leaving his features. He was a tall man, broad and well-built, certainly able to inspire fear among strangers if he took upon it, yet the warm smile peeking from behind his short beard betrayed his kind nature.

"Allow me to introduce you to my wife, Your Majesties" the lord said, beckoning a slender, beautiful woman of long dark hair and doe eyes to come closer. The lady bent into an impeccable curtsy and Caspian took her hands in his, smiling warmly.

"Lady Anaia, time does not appear to have an effect on you, you look as radiant as when we last met" he commented charmingly, bringing her hands to his lips.

"And you have become a fine young man, My King, still gifted with the virtues of charm and wit. It gladdens me to find you in good health" she replied with a hint of familiar fondness, and Caspian thanked her sincerely.

While her siblings acquainted themselves with the lord and lady, Lucy approached the only young girl in the room, who was quietly looking at one of the paintings in the room.

"Hello! I'm Lucy, what's your name?" she asked merrily, smiling warmly at her.

"Naia, Your Grace, at your service" the girl replied and hurried to curtsy the Queen.

"Oh please, don't do that, I prefer you to call me Lucy and leave the titles to old balding men" Lucy told her, waving her hand dismissively. Lucy had always been the least formal of the royal siblings and had a gift for making people feel at ease in her presence, so very soon, the girls were chatting enthusiastically. They were interrupted in their talk by someone clearing their throat nearby and Naia rolled her eyes.

"This is my brother, Your Grace-" she begun, but was soon cut short.

"My name is Terin, and I'm your humblest servant" a boy told her, curtsying deeply and brushing his lips against her hand.

"Less, Terin, less" Naia whispered pointedly, partially hiding her face with her hand in embarrassment.

"How do you do, Terin, but please, call me Lucy, I'll be much grateful" the little Queen requested and Terin was all too happy to oblige.

"The whispers in town clearly forgot to comment on your grace and fairness, Qu- Lucy" the boy commented, his dark chocolate eyes shining with his compliment.

"Terin, I think father is calling you" Naia intervened, glaring warningly at her brother, catching the flirtatious look on his face and pushing him away. The boy retired as soon as he had placed another delicate kiss on Lucy's hand and Naia rolled her eyes once again.

"I am so sorry for that, he is a shameless flirt and has been hoping to meet you for weeks; please ignore him" Naia apologised, second-hand shame oozing from her expression. Lucy giggled and reassured her new friend; her brother's intervention had caused no harm, if anything, it had amused her greatly.

The evening was spent in delightful conversation between the monarchs and their guests. Susan and Lady Anaia became quick friends, chatting light-heartedly over their shared interests, which were plenty. Peter and Caspian conversed animatedly with Kilian, grave laughs filling the room every now and then at the stories they all had to tell. Caspian allowed himself to scan the room with his eyes, content to see that everyone was enjoying themselves. He caught Edmund as he waved his arms about, mimicking some sword moves and entertaining Kilian's sons with his tales. Always a shrewd observant, the King noticed the small glances Terin shot at Lucy and, with a hint of brotherly protectiveness, he made a mental note to share this fact with Ed later on. Night fell almost imperceptibly and soon the lord and his family left the castle with the promise of another visit very soon, especially after Lucy had become fast friends with Naia and Susan had invited mother and daughter to join them for tea the following afternoon. As the royal family walked to the study, Edmund pulled Lucy aside, rounding her petite shoulders with his arm.

"Well, little bug, seems to me you have charmed a young lad tonight" he told her casually. Lucy simply shook her head tiredly. "Terin spent the whole evening stealing glances at you" he added, casting a knowing smirk.

"Really?" Lucy asked, genuinely surprised at this.

"My, my, the little Queen has men falling at her feet already, I should start sharpening my sword and training for suitor chase" Edmund joked, pretending to seriously ponder on the idea. Lucy laughed at his pose.

"Believe me, it was utterly unintentional. I am not yet interested in romance; I suppose it will bloom later on, as it did last time. In the meantime, all Terin will get is friendship" Lucy replied. Ed nodded in agreement, understanding the deeper meaning behind her statement.

"It gives us some time to get Peter mentally prepared for the flood of men madly in love with you, wanting your favours and begging him to let them court you" Ed spoke dramatically, and Lucy giggled madly.

"What are you two still doing here?" Susan asked, having seen them standing in the corridor.

"Gossiping, Su. I'm sure Lu will fill you in before bed. Now, if you excuse me ladies, I'm going to see if I can get my hands on some of the dinner leftovers to make myself a sandwich" Edmund announced before turning on his heel and heading towards the kitchens.

Caspian took a deep breath as he walked towards the dungeons, steeling himself to face the sight of the corridor ahead of him. The smell of humidity was thick in the air, and he could see mould creeping up the walls, the usually light stone now grey and cold. Daylight was almost inexistent, filtering poorly through the small windows near the ceiling, underlining the grimness of the place. Torches were permanently lit down here, casting shadows and exaggerating the imperfections of the stone, distorting shades and creating others, causing chills to run down the King's spine. He reached his destination with a heavy and unpleasant feeling in his chest and reminded himself he was there for a reason. The guards in the entrance bowed their heads in polite greeting to their King and hurried to open the metallic gate. Caspian hesitated for a moment. The place was filthy, velvety mould covering the expanse of the walls, and he noticed a leak from which dripped a small rivulet of water. He couldn't help but shudder at the sight, utterly disgusted by the precarious conditions the prisoners were submitted to. Even criminals deserved to be shown some compassion and to be confined to decent quarters; he would discuss this with the Pevensies as soon as he had the chance. A small tingle of relief washed over him at finding the cells vacant of prisoners, all except one. He approached this particular cell, taking a deep breath to muster the courage to face its occupant. The dreadful constriction of pity attacked his heart at the sight of the man leaning on the wall, his eyes closed, not yet realising he had company. He had cuffs around his wrists and ankles, dark bruises noticeable in spite of the poor lighting, and small healing blemishes tinted his dark skin in purplish blotches on other visible bits of skin.

"Guards, free this man" Caspian commanded, waking the man up. The King stared at him for a moment and then turned, walking towards the exit.

"Has His Majesty come to declare my execution?" the man asked, his strong voice reduced to a hoarse whisper that echoed on the walls of his cell.

"No, General, I came to give you back your freedom" Caspian said sharply, asking the guards to escort the man upstairs. Caspian hurried his step and battled the desire to run, to leave that cursed place as fast as he could. He took a deep breath as he reached the top of the stairs, relishing in the freshness and delicate perfume of the air and basking in the sun filtrating through the great windows as he leaned on the wall facing them. He felt the bitter taste of the prison fading slowly, but a thought kept plaguing him despite his efforts to get rid of it. This was the way Telmarines considered prisoners, less than animals that had no right to remotely humane conditions, forced to share space with rats and illness, suffering from cold and hunger by the looks of it. He shook his head, hoping to shake such vile thought off his head and focused back on his determination – now stronger than ever – to improve prison conditions. He stopped a servant on his way and instructed her to take care of the former prisoner, to lay a clean set of clothes for him and provide him a warm bath and a good meal, after which he was to be taken to his study. The servant nodded and walked away with a curtsy. Caspian rubbed his eyes before straightening himself and walking towards his study; he had done right by his conscience.

The King occupied himself by reading a few letters while he waited to be joined by the former prisoner. After a few moments, there was a knock on the door and the man was allowed in.

"I had been waiting for you, General. I hope you were treated kindly" Caspian greeted, looking up at the man standing a few feet away from him.

"Most kindly, Your Grace" the man spoke in a low voice.

"Let's take a seat, shall we?" Caspian offered casually, gesturing towards two comfortable-looking armchairs next to the fire.

"With all due respect, My King, I would prefer to remain standing; I do not deserve to be treated with such kindness or to be addressed by rank" the man said, bending his head, eyes stuck to the carpeted floor. Caspian smiled; in spite of everything, he was still the man he respected, a man honourable to his very core.

"Glozelle," Caspian said, his voice devoid of any formality, hoping to have an honest conversation with the former general. "You were only doing your job; I do not blame nor judge you for that. You followed your orders, and did not question your master, for it was not your position to do so; that's what good soldiers do. What I find most commendable is that you never allowed Miraz's cruelty to reach your soul and heart and you guarded your integrity from his evil claws. I have never doubted that you are a good man and I believe you felt guilty for witnessing Miraz's acts of tyranny and crimes. You never lost the essence of the man you are, Glozelle, and it was that man who stopped his lance and let me live; I am forever grateful to you for that" the King told, yet Glozelle's gaze remained stuck to his shoes. "Why do you refuse to look at me?" Caspian asked, walking over to a small table on the side, pouring a small serving of whisky on a glass.

"Forgive me, sire. It is remorse which keeps me from meeting your gaze; I am the traitor who failed to kill you twice" Glozelle apologised, his tone full of disgust and anger at himself.

"In my perspective you are the brave man who let me live twice. Anyway, did you have a choice? If you stood against Miraz he would have killed you, what else could you do if not fight against us?" Caspian replied, offering the man a glass of the amber liquid. Glozelle stood silent for some moments, digesting the King's words. Caspian was glad to see that some apprehension was gone from his expression, and the former general straightened himself and looked up to him, their eyes meeting for a small moment before Glozelle's fell to the floor again, this time in respect rather than guilt.

"Your Grace is kind and generous, but I cannot forget the secrets I have kept, the plots I have participated of, the crimes I have committed in Lord Miraz's name. I was present when he planned your father's death, sire. I knew every detail, every step of what would happen and I did nothing to prevent it. I willingly triggered my crossbow and commanded my men to shoot against your bed, My King, knowing that I would be murdering the only heir to the crown, and yet I coldly suppressed any sentiment in order to follow my orders. To protect the sovereign and the royal family, that is the oath and rightful duty of soldiers; how am I to be forgiven for going against this pledge! I had the rank to stop everything that night, to help you escape and run away, but I didn't. I have known of so many plans to tear up your family, my lord, I could have helped her-" Glozelle spoke, his voice tinged with a hint of despair mingled with remorse, but he was interrupted by Caspian's hand on his shoulder, his brown eyes staring warmly at him.

"Miraz was ruthless, heartless and immoral, and you were only following orders, Glozelle. You were a mere officer and I understand there was very little you could do for me or anyone inside these walls, especially her. Can a pawn stop its master's hand? Miraz was your master and you were just a pawn in his game, someone he could use not to get his hands soiled, someone who would handle his dirty deeds without a single protest. You could not stop him or go against him, and Miraz knew this; you knew your position far too well to question his motives. I'm quite sure he had a threat ready for you, and I wouldn't be surprised if he actually did threaten to kill you in case you ever decided to rebel and betray him; he was not the kind of man who would allow the pieces of his chess set to revolt against him. You are a clever man, being in his service all those years surely taught you about his character and I know you had something to protect from his evil hands, that's why you never sided against him. You sacrificed your morals and beliefs to protect what is precious to you" Caspian told the man, his tone steely as he spoke of Miraz, yet kind when trying to relieve Glozelle of his inner pain. Silence fell between the two men

"If Your Grace allows me, I would like to leave Narnia to never return, start a new life somewhere far, somewhere unknown, where I can live on without people knowing of the flaws in my past. I want to quit the army life, return to my humble origins, sire" he spoke after a moment, which he took to analyse everything his King had told him. His grave voice was tinted with a plea for understanding.

"I am no one to question your motives, Glozelle, but wouldn't it be fleeing? I never took you for a man afraid of what people say. Your past will accompany you wherever you go; whether people know about it or not, it makes no difference, for you will always remember it" Caspian noted, eyeing Glozelle attentively for his reaction.

"I agree that running away is the choice of the coward, but my honour is stained with blood and treason, people will never welcome me and they will never forgive for attempting against your life, My King" Glozelle replied, and Caspian sighed, taking a sip of his drink.

"I'm not one to judge your decisions or prevent you from leaving, but I think you should stand up to the criticism, defy it and prove you are a man worthy of forgiveness. Is it not better to brave the storm than to do nothing about it? We all make mistakes, some bigger than others, and even knowing this we think we can judge someone else's, the trick is not let people pull us down but redeem our sins by facing them and slowly overcome them. A wise man once told me: 'It is better to face an entire army alone and die honourably, than run away and live like a coward forever'. My humble advice to you is that you follow your own teachings" Caspian told him, his dark eyes twinkling with a hidden smile, and Glozelle looked surprised at him, remembering those same words leaving his mouth years in the past. A new wave of respect towards the young King flooded his chest, for he was wiser than his age could tell, and in his eyes he could see the experience of an old man, but gathered much roughly and in less time.

"You have a niece, is that right, General?" Caspian asked casually, changing the topic swiftly. Glozelle looked up in genuine surprise.

"Y-yes, sire, I do" he replied, clearing his throat to steady his voice.

"I know you have kept her a secret for very long and under excellent reasons, but she was caught trying to get into your house in town and refused to say why she was so desperate to do so. Fortunately, Professor Cornelius came to her aid and freed her from the guards' questioning, seeing as it affected her greatly; he's been minding her ever since. She revealed herself as your niece when she came to plead me to free you. She told me you have taken care of her ever since your sister died when she was but a baby. She spoke of you with great love and her speech was so passionate and touching that it only strengthened my decision to relieve you from your imprisonment. I am sorry it took so long, this had to be discussed with the Lords of the Council and, as you well know, they are almost impossible to reason with, especially when many see you as a liability due to all the secrets you know about them" Caspian told, looking at him with knowing eyes, and Glozelle smiled, his heart beating with warm love for his niece, this being the most candid feeling he had had in a long time.

"Think of her before making a decision, she is so used to live here, taking her to a new place means such drastic change, to be a stranger, adapt to new customs, maybe even learn a new language" Caspian commented. "I understand your position and your reasons, and I admire your resistance to everything you have gone through; I don't blame you for anything that happened, it is my sincere hope that you to stay and work to right your wrongs" the King added, his voice regal but lacking imposition, more of an advice made by a commander to a soldier. "Not to mention that this court could benefit from a man with your experience, knowledge and talents as royal advisor and, in all selfishness, I would regret losing you as a friend" Caspian said, smiling warmly.

"I do not want to be a soldier anymore, I am just a man by the name of Glozelle, not the general I used to be, My Lord, I don't want to occupy a position I do not deserve" Glozelle spoke, gaze dropping to the floor again.

"You earned your position with hard work, Glozelle, not because of favours. Even Miraz was able to see this, but I respect your wishes. However, I would love to count on your advice as a friend, not as a soldier; I'm in dire need of trustworthy friends at my side" Caspian told him, his expression darkening for a moment.

"I promise you I will give it some thought, My King" he replied, curtsying politely.

"Excellent" Caspian said and offered his hand to Glozelle. "Good luck, whatever you decide to do" he added, and Glozelle was taken aback by his movement, taking some seconds to clasp the King's hand and shake it. There was a knock on the door and Caspian allowed the person inside, smiling as a girl peeked in shyly.

"Uncle!" she exclaimed and ran inside, crashing against Glozelle with force, her arms rounding his neck almost desperately, her sniffles muffled on his shoulder. As soon as she made sure her uncle was fine, she ran towards Caspian and hugged him too, stepping back seconds later, mortified at her impertinence.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, I-I'm just so grateful for you helping me, helping my uncle, I cannot thank you enough" she said, curtsying deeply.

"Coralee, there is no need to thank me, I did what was fair and right and your uncle deserves his freedom. Also, someone needed to take care of you; the Professor has been worried sick about your little escapades to the dungeons" Caspian said, smiling while teasing the girl, causing her to turn deep scarlet. "Now go, I am sure you have loads of things to tell to your uncle, just promise you will visit soon, Queen Lucy wishes to meet you" he told her, kneeling in front of her and helping her up.

"Thank you, sire, for your kindness towards me and my niece even if I scarcely deserve it. I am forever in your debt, Your Majesty" Glozelle thanked before saluting his King. Caspian smiled at the image of Glozelle beaming and pulling his niece onto a loose one-armed hug as they left.

There was something magical in the air that morning. The soft breeze whispered to the leaves as if carrying a secret from tree to tree while the sun cast its rays onto every surface, underlining the vibrant colour of the greenery. Caspian gazed at this fantastic display of sounds and images in amazement and took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the fresh and delicately scented Narnian air. His body tingled with excitement and he felt a funny sensation in his stomach. Pleasantly puzzled, the King wondered what caused it, his instinct telling him something wonderful was about to happen, but ignoring what it could be. Humming, he made his way to the morning room and met the royal siblings already there, his shrewd eyes catching Lucy bouncing in her chair. He greeted them and sat, reaching for some fresh bread and butter.

"May I ask, my dear Lucy, what the reason for such excitement is?" he asked while casually spreading some jam on his buttered roll.

"I don't quite know, I woke up this morning feeling like this. It feels like magic!" she exclaimed and Caspian nodded in agreement, having experienced the same thing moments before.

"Perhaps it's true, Narnia has never ceased to amaze us" Peter commented, passing a cut apple to Lucy, its four pieces shaped like bunnies. They had nearly finished their meal when Trumpkin entered the room, looking like he had run a great distance and had to hold onto a pillar to catch his breath, sending the five royals into a state of alarm.

"Calm down, you lot, there is nothin' the matter. Really I will never understand why you humans get so worried even before knowing what's going o-" the dwarf started mumbling, Caspian rolling his eyes and interrupting his rant.

"Well, it would help if you actually told us what is it, Trumpkin" he said pointedly.

"Aslan, he is in the forest and has requested your presence" the dwarf spoke, the monarchs smiling brightly at the news.

"It was Aslan! The magic in the air was Him!" Lucy exclaimed, bouncing off her chair and running outside. They all hurried into the forest, wanting to greet Aslan as soon as possible. Glenstorm joined them on the way, guiding them where the King of Beasts waited for them. They reached an open clearing in the forest and jumped off their horses, Lucy becoming a small blur of deep red, her hair trailing behind her as she ran.

"Aslan!" she exclaimed contently as she embraced the Lion, both falling on the grass at the speed of her run. Susan then joined them, nuzzling her face into the soft, golden Mane. The three Kings dropped to their knees and bent their heads in respect, the Queens moving aside when Aslan rose again.

"Raise Kings of Narnia, formality may be sacrificed in the name of fondness" the Lion noted kindly, his rich laugh echoing in the forest as the five monarchs enveloped him in their arms.

"We are honoured by your visit, Great King" Caspian greeted, kneeling once again.

"Your absence is always sorely felt" Edmund added, the brown of his eyes of a lighter, warmer hue as he looked at Aslan.

"I have missed you as well, my children, but alas my visit shall be short" the Great Lion told with perceptible sadness. The Kings and Queens looked at him expectantly and slightly concerned. "Fear not, for it is great tidings which bring me to you. I believe it is time for the Narnians to crown their new King" the Lion spoke again, and they all breathed in relief, beaming in agreement.

In a matter of hours, a small and simple ceremony had been organised in that very patch in the forest, which filled up with fauns, dwarfs, centaurs and a multitude of Narnians eager to participate in and celebrate the coronation. Professor Cornelius had been summoned, and with him the crowns the Kings and Queens had left in the castle in their haste.

"I see you decided upon a Narnian crown, son" Aslan spoke softly just so only Caspian could hear, the glinting golden wreath lying on a plush cushion between them.

"I- the other crown- it didn't feel right" Caspian explained, suddenly embarrassed.

"I know. There is nothing wrong in wanting change and the past can be a heavy burden to carry, but do not forget, son of Adam, Telmarine blood runs through your Narnian heart" Aslan commented, casting a warm glance at the King beside him. Caspian nodded and smiled, the deep meaning of his words not lost on him. The ceremony started a moment later and Caspian knelt in front of Aslan, listening to his words carefully. Dryads, centaurs, fauns and every other Narnians were gathered, excited murmurs filling the air while many stared mesmerized at Aslan's grandeur. The whispering and loud murmurs ended at once as Aslan stood straight, imposing and majestic in a degree that books and stories could never accurately describe.

"Another son of Adam has been sent to rule Narnia with wisdom and justice. Narnia and her people have welcomed you with open arms, your bravery and noble heart proving you worthy of being their King. Today, under the blazing sun and in the core of the Narnian forest, raise, High King Caspian, The Faithful" Aslan announced, a dryad placing the crown on his head. Caspian got up to the applause and cheers of all Narnians, centaurs drawing their swords to salute him. The King smiled and contained a chuckle at the sight of Reepicheep and his mice standing on the centaurs' backs in stoical salute, swords drawn and held high. The Pevensies were clapping animatedly, inclining their heads and smiling at him as he passed them. Lucy was bouncing up and down, jumping from time to time to see what was going on, her excitement evident on her sea blue eyes and radiant smile. Peter was clapping as excitedly as everyone else, yet his gaze was devoid of the spark of unabridged happiness ever-present in his sister's, a fact that did not escape Aslan's golden gaze. He approached the King softly and invited him for a stroll, both disappearing quietly into the forest. They walked in silence for some minutes, the sound of music and cheers buzzing in the background and growing quieter they walked deeper in the forest.

"Your soul is troubled, young King" Aslan stated, a vague tone of question in his thundering voice. Peter looked at him in surprise and drew a deep breath, exhaling slowly.

"Petty matters, I suppose" Peter responded trying to hide his embarrassment.

"And yet they trouble you, son" Aslan replied wisely. Peter sighed; this was not the first time he felt Aslan had heard his heart's protests.

"Caspian is now the High King" he breathed, shy at his confession.

"Indeed he is," Aslan replied calmly. "And so are you, Peter. You and Caspian are and have always been equal, combining both eras, the High King of Past and the High King of Present working together to bring a new splendour to this land. Narnia is at its best when several sit on the throne, has it not homed four monarchs before?" the Lion spoke, laughing candidly.

"I'm sorry, for a moment I feared-" Peter explained, feeling embarrassed and terribly guilty.

"There is only one Magnificent King in history and you alone hold that title. Caspian will be remembered for his own deeds, but will never shadow yours" Aslan assured, something in the tone of his voice breathing calm into Peter's heart, like a small drop of crystal water dissolving the insecurity in his soul.

"Knowledge comes from experience and experience comes from making mistakes. You must learn to seek friends and not just allies whatever their origin. Teamwork strengthens union, and it is unity what Narnia needs the most, to create the solid foundations which will keep it from crumbling" Aslan spoke, his words marked by a soft lecture, but mingling with a fatherly tone.

"Thank you, Aslan" Peter spoke almost in a whisper, stopping his march to thread his fingers into Aslan's mane.

"You are welcome, young King. Now, let us return to the festivities lest our absence be noticed" Aslan said smiling, and Peter nodded.

Back at the coronation party, the fauns had started playing their tunes, the lively rhythm inducing an uncontainable urge to dance in anyone who listened to it. Caspian was trying to mimic Edmund and Lucy as they taught him the steps of a popular Narnian song, the newly crowned King tripping on his feet a few times. Peter felt a tingle of pure bliss jolt through his body and he clapped to the tune. Suddenly, he felt a soft push and turned in time to see Aslan withdrawing his paw, a trace of mischievous mirth glistening in his golden gaze. Peter smiled and ran towards Susan, grabbing his sister by the hand and into the dance. Caspian, ever the patient one, ended up learning half of the steps before giving up and inventing his own, clapping and stomping his feet to the rhythm whenever he saw fit. A few songs later, Peter and Lucy exchanged partners, leaving Caspian and Susan dancing together, while Edmund had retired a few moments earlier and was having a drink with a group of dwarves. The Gentle Queen was dancing spiritedly, her bare feet peeking from under her skirts every now and then, and he found himself clapping to the tune, taking her hand and twirling her, returning her to him with a soft pull, his hand skilfully rounding her waist. They stared at each other for a split second before the thunder of applause from their audience made them realise just how close they stood and they pulled apart, their embarrassment masked by the flush of their lively dancing. A group of fauns took Susan away before Caspian could praise her on her dancing, and he himself was soon surrounded by dryads wishing to dance with him. He declined their invitation politely and headed towards Edmund, only then realising how parched his throat was. Edmund handed him a glass as soon as he was within reach and filled it with some sweet wine.

"I know, Susan can leave men breathless" the Just King teased with a smirk, laughing as Caspian made a rude gesture to him as he took a sip.

The festivities continued until the sun begun setting, casting its orange rays and bidding its goodbyes. Caspian had never seen Peter and Edmund so happy and careless, formality and regal posture thrown into the wind as they danced to their hearts' desire, laughing and drinking merrily. Nevertheless, he shook his head and chuckled at their heavily inebriated state, too dizzy to walk or speak coherently. Aslan sat on a patch of grass, overlooking the party with a contented expression, smiling at the merriment floating freely in the air. Caspian noticed when the Great Lion stood up, meeting the golden stare for mere seconds, before the King of Beasts turned and walked away, pacing slowly towards the mass of trees. Caspian sprung to his feet and went after him, something in the breeze telling him Aslan wanted to be followed.

"Have you enjoyed yourself, Caspian?" Aslan asked, turning his head to acknowledge his companion.

"I have, very much" Caspian replied. "I hope not to intrude in your solitude, Aslan" Caspian added apologetically.

"I would not call it intrusion but a welcome interruption" the Lion told with a warm smile. "Furthermore, there is a matter I wished to discuss with you" Aslan added, and Caspian listened attentively. "Peace and cooperation cannot be achieved successfully while there still is discomfort and resistance towards the new order of things. Although a great number of Telmarines have shown their willingness to learn about and accept Narnian customs and share their own, there are many who still resist the new order and feel uncomfortable with change. History has taught us about the evils of imposing one culture over another, and this is why I wish to offer those willing to a new life somewhere else" the Lion told sagely, the intensity of his golden gaze making Caspian feel as if time itself had stopped.

"I believe the offer to be fair, yet I do not think everyone will be willing to take it. I have had several rows with a group of Telmarines as well as by a few of the lords of the Council who have been set against me from the very moment I sat on the throne. I have tried dialogue but greed is what moves them, and the lack of promises of wealth and bribes from me has them angered. It is them, I fear, who will refuse to take your offer to start anew elsewhere, claiming it is an excuse to get rid of them" Caspian confessed, opening his heart and pouring all his worries out, the calm presence of the Great Lion soothing his troubles and freeing him from the constricting anguish in the magical way only He was capable of.

"Calm, Son of Adam, things will happen as they must. You have chosen the right path, yet right does not mean easy or devoid of challenges. You have not been as diplomatic perhaps, but you have kept true to your fair although passionate nature" Aslan told with a chuckle, causing Caspian to blush deeply. "Whatever their reaction, they must be given the choice; it will be up to them to decide. What I require from you is for you to gather both Telmarines and Narnians under the great oak in the castle courtyard at the time of my next visit; Fate will decide the rest" the Great Lion spoke wisely, his gaze lost in the vastness ahead. Caspian wondered if he was gazing into the depths of time, into the future.

"You have my word, Aslan" Caspian stated with a bow of his head.

"And still, you seem sceptical" Aslan noted, turning his golden gaze to Caspian.

"I find it hard to believe many will see the generosity of your offer; one thing I know about Telmarines is that they do not trust the unknown" Caspian commented, frowning.

"And yet they ventured into it before they arrived here, so do not underestimate the thrill of adventure. For now, we can only be patient; only time can tell what will be" Aslan replied and Caspian smiled. Quietly, they made their way back to the celebration. Lucy spotted them and ran towards Aslan to place a flower wreath around his neck before pulling Caspian by the hand, both joining the dancing party. Music, wine, laughs and dance continued well into the night, Alambil and Tarva joining them in their own dance across the starry sky.

Aslan joined the Kings and Queens in the morning, once every one of them had woken up, some with worse headaches than others. The majestic Lion requested to be taken to the Council. Soon the room was filled by the fretting men, who enquired persistently about the reason for such hasty meeting to no avail, for Caspian ignored all their questions. Gasps and shaky sighs were heard when Aslan entered the room, his natural grandeur leaving many a lord speechless. The friendly lords, however, quickly recovered from their surprise to bow respectfully at the King of Beasts.

"The lion? What does this mean, Highness?" one of the lords asked, looking at Aslan and then at Caspian, confused.

"Is this safe? How can we know it will not pounce at us and tear us to pieces!" another lord voiced in fear.

"I have come before you in peace, gentlemen" Aslan spoke kindly, surprising the lords with his imposing voice. Then, to the noblemen's further surprise, Caspian excused himself and left the room, knowing Aslan would call for him once his meeting with the Council lords was over. Inside, many of the lords were petrified and too scared to talk, sparing wary looks at the great feline, eyeing his paws with suspicion. Aslan spoke once more, his speech regal and magnificent, and not even the splendour of the room could compare to him. His voice resonated on the walls and the room filled with his words, reaching very deep in the lords' souls. Nevertheless, a group of noblemen remained unmoved by his words, their prejudice against Narnians unaltered. Unknown to them was Aslan's ability to see people's true nature and listen to their hearts' murmurs; once the Great Lion had finished his speech, he gently blew a breath of magic onto the lords, leaving them slightly dazed. His breath whispered to the good in their hearts, hoping it would find a way to shine when the time was right. Aslan left the room as grandly as he had entered it and walked towards one of the gardens with Caspian by his side.

"Worry not, young King, it was a most interesting meeting" Aslan told, noticing the King's evident restlessness. "Still, it is time I leave once more, King Caspian, but I will return soon, as I have promised you. Now, farewell" the Lion said. Caspian bowed respectfully. By the time the King straightened himself, Aslan had vanished. Caspian sighed and sat on a stone bench nearby, still looking at the spot Aslan had stood moments before.

"I sincerely hope you are right, Aslan" he murmured, his heart beating with the unyielding faith he had in the Legendary Lion. He looked back at the castle, the stones bright under the sun, coloured flowers peeking from windows here and there. Smiling, he found Susan sitting on the edge of the large window in her room, a book tucked in her hands as she avidly scanned through the pages. The Queen did not take long to notice him and waved.

"Is there any matter?" she asked, noticing his slight frown.

"Oh nothing much, I was just bidding Aslan farewell" Caspian replied.

"We shall all be at peace, Aslan brings strength and calm with each of his visits, everything will be well" she told him, leaning over the railing of the window, her words sincere and comforting. Susan then turned to address someone in her room and with an apologetic look, waved at him, leaving the King with a foolish smile on his lips.

"Hey Caspian!" the slightly nasal voice of the Just King was heard in the distance. Caspian smiled and met his best friend halfway through, both men walking towards the stables for an unplanned ride in the forest. No matter how bad things were, how much the lords annoyed him, having his friends, people he could almost call his family, to care and be cared for, was enough to make everything bearable.

Clouds had taken possession of the sky since the early hours of the morning, a silver and wispy mist enveloping the castle and the surrounding village. Merchants and villagers walked busily up and down the main street, pulling their cloaks and coats tighter around themselves in an effort to shield themselves from the gusts of wind blowing in the streets and alleys. Many shop owners had decided to call it a day and go home earlier, the cold keeping their customers away. Many a villager huffed at the weather while others accepted its designs with a sigh. The soft buzz of voices in the street, of people either returning home from work or venturing out, was suddenly interrupted by the sound of hooves hitting the stone road, causing heads to turn in its direction and whispered gasps of amazement and fear to be heard. A carriage was making its way through the rather empty cobblestone street, a small army of horsed warriors flanking its sides. Helmets and splendid armours rattled in the rhythmic canter of the horses, yet the soldiers were impassive, eyes stuck to the path in front of them, impervious to the murmurs of the onlookers. People whispered furiously with their neighbours, rumours spreading like fire among the villagers, curiosity mixed with suspicion. They stared, astounded, as the carriage passed them by, marching elegantly and imposingly towards the castle that rose and towered over the city. From the top of the guarding towers, the white steeds and their riders were seen, Glenstorm crossing the length of the castle in haste to inform the monarchs.

The royal family was gathered in Caspian's study, each of them pouring over their own pile of documents as they enjoyed the warmth of the cracking fire and tea. The sound of hooves reached them even through the closed doors followed by a distinct knock, the imposing centaur bowing respectfully at the Kings and Queens as he was allowed in.

"What brings you here, Glenstorm?" Peter asked casually, his expression sobering as he noticed the centaur's serious frown.

"A carriage and a small company of horsed knights have been spotted in the city and they are now making their way to the castle, Your Majesties" Glenstorm informed. Peter looked at Caspian, finding the King as puzzled as he was.

"Have they shown any signs of hostility?" Caspian enquired, his mind working at top speed, searching for an explanation for this mysterious and unexpected arrival.

"No, sire, their purpose is still not clear to us" Glenstorm answered.

"Tell the men to keep an eye on banners or anything which could tell us about their identity. I trust your diplomacy, my friend, to meet them at the bridge and make further enquiries about the motives of their presence in Narnia, whoever they may be. We will join you shortly" Caspian commanded, the centaur nodding and leaving to follow his instructions.

"How do we know they are not dangerous?" Peter spoke, a hint of concern in his voice. Caspian hurried to his desk and fumbled inside one of the drawers before producing a small spyglass, which he then threw at Edmund, who caught the object with ease.

"Doesn't seem like it, they've got only a handful of soldiers" Edmund replied, quickly spotting the carriage and soldiers through the window, barely missing them in the fog. "Hold on, I see a banner," the King added, adjusting the lens of the spyglass. "I believe those are the Archen colours, but I cannot be sure" he told a moment later, a deep frown marring his features.

Glenstorm met them at the entrance a few moments later, expecting further orders and carrying more information.

"They come in peace, Majesties, from the southern territories of Archenland" he said gravely. Sudden realisation downed on the Telmarine King.

"Allow them in" Caspian ordered, and soon, they all saw the Archen banner heading the small company. The grinding sound of the gates opening was heard and the carriage and escort made their entrance, marching at a slow pace, stopping right in front of the five monarchs. Caspian and the siblings took a moment to eye the magnificent horses and their riders, armours shining bright even under the grey skies, bright red feathers adorning the tops of the perfectly polished helmets. There was no doubt that these men were excellent warriors, high ranked soldiers in all certainty, which meant the person in the carriage had to be very important, perhaps as important as the King. The steeds were all white, perfectly trained, lean and muscular, real war thoroughbreds. Minutes passed painstakingly slow as they all looked expectantly at the wooden carriage, some soft hustle inside reaching their ears. Caspian's heart beat wildly in his chest, intrigued at who could have decided to travel across the mountains, unannounced. King Gaetan of Archenland had been a most loyal friend and ally against Miraz and had provided live-saving assistance and advice when he had most needed it; could it be one of the princes sent to make sure Narnia was truly at peace? Or, dared he hope, could it be-" Caspian's thoughts were interrupted by the soldiers of the escort as they dismounted their horses and positioned themselves in two rows at each side of the carriage, their formation impeccable. A man of great demeanour walked towards them, cape billowing elegantly behind him. He bowed in a reverence and knelt in front of the five monarchs, holding his shining helmet in his hands.

"Greetings from the kingdom of Archenland, Your Majesties. His Royal Highness, King Gaetan sends his most heartfelt wishes of peace and prosperity upon you and your kingdom. I am Sir Rainidan, Knight of Archenland, at your service" the man spoke, his voice deep, his manners impeccable. Caspian took a moment to evaluate the man before replying. He carried himself with great poise and class, his posture and fine words denoting an education of the highest standard. He was tall and strong built, certainly a great warrior, and by the looks of his intricately decorated armour, Caspian deduced he had won his knighthood by excellence and hard work. Caspian acknowledged him with a nod and the man bent slightly forwards, right hand over his heart, before straightening himself. He then marched towards the carriage and held the door open for its occupant. A young woman emerged from the carriage and was helped down by Sir Rainidan; the soldiers, who had until now remained totally still, dropped to their knees in reverence. Nevertheless, before the Pevensies could take a good look at her, she had broken into a sprint across the small distance separating the carriage from the entrance and wrapped her arms around Caspian, who had met her halfway through. The King and the mysterious visitor held each other tightly for a long moment, whispering furiously into their embrace.

It was clear to the Pevensies that the mysterious visitor had nobility running through her veins, posture and demeanour betraying her high birth. Her dress was made of finest fabric, the earthy shade of brown underlined subtly by the rich lace and embroidery crawling halfway up her skirts in an intricate pattern. Bright red thread entwined with gold and silver filaments adorned her white satin bodice, the piece highlighting her slender waist and figure, a detail not lost on Peter. A rich fur-trimmed velvet cloak covered her arms and shoulders, protecting her from the cold. Her skin had a faint whisper of a golden tint and her dark chocolate locks were pinned up in her head in a simple yet elegant bun, a single golden hairpin tucked safely in between the dark tresses. Her almond eyes were as dark as her hair, heavy lashes accentuating its shape, strengthening her feminine looks, to which her fine, delicate nose contributed as well. Her beauty was impossible to pass unnoticed, foreign and exotic, charming without intending to.

From Caspian's warm welcome, Susan knew the girl was more likely a friend than a foe, yet she could not help feeling inexplicably irritated at the evident intimacy between them. Never before had she seen the Telmarine King smile so brightly, not even when discovering the ruins in Cair Paravel. Realisation downed on her like a bucket of cold water: this was jealousy crawling and tightening around her chest once more, reasons still unknown to her. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. What was wrong with her? Caspian was evidently happy, and as his friend she was supposed to share in his joy! No, this was totally senseless, she told herself, hoping to soothe herself through rational thought. She knew nothing about this girl and she was not one to jump to conclusions; everything would become clear once the girl was introduced to them. Jealousy churned inside her once more as Caspian held the girl at arms distance, looking appreciatively at her, his eyes sparkling intensely with love. Love, Caspian loved this girl. It was crystal clear in his eyes and expression and mirrored by hers. Susan whimpered almost inaudibly, sadness wrapping coldly around her heart. She felt someone slipping their hand into hers and turned to see who it was, meeting Edmund's warm gaze. He said nothing, but his eyes told her he hinted the reason for her despair. Was it possible for him to sense the agony jealousy caused her? Whatever it was, he made no comment about it, his lips curling into an almost imperceptible smile and looking ahead once again, squeezing her hand gently before taking his place at back Peter's side.

Edmund had been throwing glances at Susan ever since the mysterious woman had left her carriage. Her feelings were so painfully clear in her expression; whether she had acknowledged them yet, that was another matter entirely. He left the matter to time and hoped that sooner rather than later, Susan would be able to see the reason behind her feelings. A muffled giggle diverted him from his thoughts and he shot a quick glance at Lucy, who had her hands draped over her mouth, stifling what seemed to be a fit of uncontrollable tittering. Curious, he followed the direction of her eyes and had to choke a snort. His Magnificent brother had a most gobsmacked expression in his face, mouth hanging slightly open, his eyes stuck to the mysterious foreigner who was now the centre of Caspian's affections. Although his romantic interest had not yet been awakened, Ed could not deny the girl was truly beautiful, understanding why his brother had such a foolish reaction. He was glad her charm had avoided him, targeting its amusing effects onto Peter instead. This was far too good a reason to tease him mercilessly and Edmund smirked evilly making a mental note to torment the Magnificent King later. Feeling a small hint of compassion for his brother, he nudged Peter's arm and rolled his eyes at him, succeeding in shaking the eldest Pevensie out of his trance. The Magnificent King straightened himself into a regal position and threw an annoyed look at his brother, a mischievous smirk tugging at the corners of the Just King's lips.

"I can't believe you are here!" Caspian exclaimed, pulling the girl into a hug once more, feeling her smile into his chest as she held him tightly.

"I can't believe you are alive! I feared something had happened to you! All these years- I-" the girl spoke, tears falling richly down her cheeks. She pulled away from the hug and touched Caspian's arms and face, making sure he was real and in perfect health.

"As you can see, I'm perfectly well and even more so now that you are finally back. Please don't cry" Caspian spoke warmly, brushing her tears away with his thumb. "There are so many things I have to tell you, and so many others I want to hear from you, but we will have time for it for later, right now there are some people you must meet" he explained, holding the girl's face between his hands. He took her hand and approached the four monarchs, meeting their curious and expecting faces.

Susan's patience was being cruelly tested by curiosity, irking to learn for once and for all who this woman was and what the nature of her relation with Caspian was. As he turned towards them, she unconsciously inched closer, biting the inside of her cheek. If he would not tell them, then she would ask.

"Caspian" she called, choosing to ignore the scream of prudence in her chest, her determination not flinching a single inch. She was going to know, and it was going to be now.

AN: This was definitely my favourite chapter to write (so far)! I had a great time writing Aslan and the 'accident' with the crown :D I am sorry for the cliff-hanger but I'll be happy to read your guesses as to the identity of the mysterious girl in the comments. Reviews are very welcome!

Dear sarahwood, if you're reading this, thank you for your lovely review! I would love to reply in further detail, is there an email address or user profile where I can reach you?