Yes i am officially in love with Ben Barnes. He is gorgeous..and he plays Caspian so well.
Disclaimer; I own nothing of Narnia or of Caspian and his Telmarine roots; although i wish i did ;)
His face was so close to mine I could taste his breath again. I was so close to passing out, the emotions overwhelming me as I leaned in for more, and I did exactly what I was hoping I wouldn't do.
I passed out cold into Caspian's arms.
**********
"Annabelle of Narnia, come forth to me." A voice called, echoing from the darkness.
I could feel my eyes were open, but no light came to them. I could hear the voice, but could not see where it lied.
They squinted into the distance, searching. "Where are you...or who are you?"
"Do not hesitate with me, dear one. Find my voice, and you shall find me." It echoed, sounding confident and mightier than before.
My feet stumbled around in the darkness, locating the voice as it seemed to get louder as the sentence progressed. Light started to appear as my eyes accustomed to the bright light, closing my eyes briefly. They opened again to a stunning sight, as before me stood a large, proud lion. Its mane was big and proud, his eyes dancing with hope as they stared into my own.
Amazingly, I didn't feel afraid of the lion, simply curious.
"Well done, dear one." He purred, his masculine voice becoming softer than before. "You must be wondering why you are in Narnia, am I correct?"
I assumed Narnia was the place I was dropped into? "Yes." I replied, twiddling my thumbs behind my back.
"I'm sorry but I cannot tell you of your path here in Narnia, but I can tell you that you must remain with the Prince at all times." He said, his voice turning into a harder tone than before, making me shiver. "It is important that you never forget this, dear one. Many lives may depend on your actions."
"I don't understand," I cried as the image of the lion faded away, blurring into the darkness again. "Don't leave me, please!"
The lion chuckled as the last of his fur faded away. "I am never far away, my child. My name is Aslan, never forget it."
My eyes fluttered open, refreshed from what seemed to be a good night's sleep, even though the dream had been less than a few moments, it had seemed. It had seemed too real, but I had no reason to doubt it wasn't real, either.
A light snuffling sound caught my attention as I looked to my left. I giggled quietly seeing Caspian, hunched over the bed I was in. He was snoring slightly, the sound muffled by the bed sheets that were splayed around his tanned face and soft looking brown locks.
The curtains were pulled closed but the sun shone through the thin material easily, nearly blinding me as I looked straight at it. I knew now not to leave Caspian's side, so I didn't. I stayed by him, staring at his defined features as he breathed deeply in and then softly out.
I noticed subtle things, such as the way my heart would beat faster if his breath took longer to come out, or if he didn't move slightly after a few moments of being still. It scared me to think of these things happening, or if they stopped happening. What would I do?
Oh Aslan, what am I supposed to do now? I'm getting in too deep.
I waited for a long time, hoping for some sort of answer, but nothing came into my head. A soft knock at the door made me jump, luckily though not awaking Caspian from his deep sleep.
I clambered ungracefully out of bed, careful not to move him and to the door. It creaked open so I could see a maid, looking at me with jealous eyes.
"Can I...help you?" I asked, wondering why she hadn't waited for somebody to open the door.
Her eyes narrowed and her tone was cold. "Why are you in the Princes chambers?"
Good question. I thought, trying to construct an excuse she would believe.
"I wasn't feeling too well yesterday, and found myself passing out into Cas-" I caught myself quickly, correcting myself, "-the Princes arms, and I assume he must have brought me here to look after me."
Her arms were crossed and she looked less than convinced, even though most of my story was the truth. Then I wondered why I was explaining myself to a maid?
Her mouth opened as if she were about to say something when she stopped and bowed slightly, holding out her skirt in a curtsied manor.
"If you don't mind Miss, I would say that you are not allowed to enter a room in this Castle without the door being opened by any occupants, isn't that correct?" A male voice interjected, coming from behind me and making me sigh; so much for being quiet.
The maid shuffled uncomfortably, even though her eyes were set on Caspian. I felt a pang of jealousy surge through me.
Caspian coughed, causing her to rush past me and over to him. "Are you okay, my Prince? Do you want me to get you anything; a Doctor, a cough mixture, anything at all?"
I tried not to gag as she practically jumped on him, feeling his forehead and putting her hands on his biceps and stomach. I also wondered what she could possibly think she was achieving from this, but after seeing the fan-girl love in her eyes I realised. Typical.
Caspian looked at me in horror, unable to un-attach the woman from him. I rolled my eyes and coughed slightly, gaining her attention. She glared daggers at me before pushing her body closer to Caspian's, earning me another look of pure horror from him.
"Your assistance is finished here, please leave." I ordered firmly, crossing my arms.
She laughed at me, a horrible squeaking sound which was like chalk on a blackboard. Her bony arms reached and locked themselves around Caspian's neck. For a Prince, he really needed to learn how to handle women.
"Miss," Caspian spoke, keeping his voice calm whilst taking her arms off him and placing them back down at her sides. She smiled whilst clasping her hands behind her back. "I also think it's time for you to leave, please."
Her smile faded as I smirked at her, watching her saunter off out of the room and closing the door loudly behind her.
Caspian looked like a deer caught in the headlights. I laughed at him as he snapped out of it, walking over to me and hugging me around the waist from behind.
"Thank you." He breathed into my neck, breathing deeply as he pulled me deeper into his chest.
I giggled. "You would have never got out of that alive without me, you know."
He also chucked. "Yes, those females are rather hormonal, aren't they?"
We both laughed for a couple of minutes. It died down into awkward silence between us, and I knew that something had to be said.
"About yesterday, I..." It sounded like a rushed jumble of words as I paused and regrouped my thoughts. "I don't know what happened to me, I'm so sorry Caspian. You deserve better."
His hands tightened around my waist, making me jump. "Don't think like that, my love-" My heart clenched, unable to take it. The close bond that was forming between us frightened me.
"Stop it!" I shouted, pushing him and his hands away from me. His eyes looked hurt. "Stop...mollycoddling me! I can take care of myself, Caspian. I'm not a fragile little doll for you to play with!"
His eyes hardened for a second, before returning to their normal state, though it scared me that they had no emotion in them. Had I taken a step too far?
"Okay milady. Please excuse my actions; they were a step too affectionate." His formal manner astounded me, and I realised that I didn't like this Caspian; his tone was too harsh and his stance was too proper. "Now we know where we stand, I've realised I have business to attend. Please stay within the Castle walls, but do whatever you please within them. Goodbye."
He brushed past me too quickly for me to comprehend, my hands reaching out to grab him but only grazing the back of his top. I knew that Caspian had noticed, but he made no attempt to ask as he strode confidently out the room.
I glared at the door for what seemed like a long time before I also walked out of it, seeing the exit to the castle just in the distance. I didn't even have to think twice before striding out into the city, wondering briefly what I had gotten myself in for.
**********
The city was bustling. Masses of people were carrying what seemed to be heavy baskets of food through the streets, small children carrying smaller baskets at their parent's heels. The food looked fresh; the vibrant colours almost shouting at me as they passed. I couldn't help but stand in the middle of the street I was in and just stare; all of the people obviously knowing where they were going and what they were doing made my heart tug slightly. The streets in my road were almost always desolate and lifeless, and this one road put it to shame.
I smiled, realising that I meant my old road.
I followed one particular woman, her basket full of ripe strawberries that made my stomach churn at the smell. She turned the corner as I followed her, her small daughter following with her own tiny basket. I laughed quietly as she popped a strawberry in her mouth when her mother wasn't looking. She turned around and put her finger to her mouth in a 'please don't tell her or she'll kill me' way and I mimicked her, silently saying 'promise'.
She smiled a large, toothy grin before turning round to her mother who was trying to sell the strawberries on the market.
There was a small pub on the end of the street, and curiously I walked inside. It wasn't quiet but it wasn't busy either, so I sat down one on of the stools by the bar side and watched people pass and buy their drinks. Everybody seemed so normal, it was almost scary.
"You alright lil' darlin'?" A voice asked, an almost Spanish accent dripping from every word. It reminded me of Caspian and his slight accent that I had grown accustomed too, but I didn't linger on the thought any further as a hand came and rested on my thigh. I resisted the urge to vomit as I smiled sweetly at the man sitting next to me.
He wasn't bad looking, I gathered. But he was definitely too forward for me.
"Yes I'm good thank you." I replied sweetly, but not too sweetly. I gestured to his hand still on my thigh, "If you don't mind..."
He took the hint and recoiled away from me, most likely to prey on other women I thought. I saw another man behind the bar, who looked almost like Caspian. He had shorter hair than the Prince, a shade of lighter, almost hazelnut brown. His eyes were very capturing, a shade of blue lighter than the sky. He caught me staring as I blushed.
He moved over to where I was sitting as I continued to blush furiously.
"So what is a beautiful woman like you doing in a pub like this?" He asked, leaning on the counter top.
As nice looking as he was, he didn't capture me the way that Caspian did. Even if his eyes were pretty.
I smiled. "Shouldn't you be promoting this pub? This is after all where you work?" I laughed as he started to laugh too.
"I suppose your right," He mused, twirling a piece of his hair on his finger.
Suddenly a larger man came out from behind the bar, and the man in front of me straightened up, taking his hand from his pocket and looking at me expectantly.
"U-um..." I stuttered, realising that I had no money on me.
The larger man made his way over and put his hand on the counter. "Sorry malady. If you don't have a drink then you can't stay here. "He said, waving at a sign behind him which said in big, bold red letters 'No Drink, No Stay' written on it.
He then turned to the smaller man, ignoring my presence behind the bar. "Jack, you know we've been over this several times. If the customers-"
The conversation seemed to go on as a note was slipped into my hand. I turned around to see nobody there. I looked in my hand to see a strange piece of paper with the number '5' on it and a small note with scribbled handwriting on it.
Fanks 4 not tellin' Mama. X
I smiled fondly, remembering the little girl from earlier; she sure was a quick runner.
The large man was still having a go at 'Jack' as I waited impatiently for their brawl to end. Eventually I tapped on the counter as the larger man turned to me, agitated.
"Look, I've told you before, now will you please leave my-"
I flashed the bill in his face, watching his red face sink back to normality. "May I order a drink please?"
He blushed red in embarrassment, thinking that he had told Jack off for no reason. Jack looked at me, questioning as I just winked in return.
"I'll leave Jack to take your order, Jack?" He asked, gesturing towards me with large, blunt fingers.
Jack nodded as the larger man waddled off behind the scenes again.
He smiled. "You sure showed him, huh?"
"Yup, now give me whatever this-" I gestured to the bill "-will get me."
He smile merely widened. "Coming up."
I watched him as he poured various amounts of various coloured liquids into one large fancy glass. When he had finished, he brought it over and let me see the final product. It was a large array of colours, ranging from bright yellow to the deepest purple, a rip of sugar lining the top of the glass.
I licked my lips unintentionally, it looked really nice.
"What is it?" I asked, dipping my finger into it and licking it as gracefully as I could.
His eyes seemed to follow my movements. "It's a surprise." Was his only reply.
As I sipped slowly at the drink, I noticed that all of the people in the pub and around the town were extremely tanned; probably from being in the hot sun all day I supposed, but also they seemed to have the caramel coloured skin from their ancestors, as not one person seemed to have the milky-white skin that I had.
My ears started to pick up people talking about me and the whole 'skin' thing. They were pointing at me, but I didn't feel bothered. Was that the drink, or me? All of these people were beautiful in their own way, and maybe they would think that about me, as well.
"Don't worry about them." Jack insisted, taking a quick sip from his own drink before starting to wipe down the counters. People were starting to leave now, the sky was turning dark and the candles in the streets were in the process of being lit. "I think it's different, seeing somebody without such dark skin. So, where do you come from?"
I wasn't sure if the drink was affecting me, but I simply shrugged. "I don't know, anymore."
Since it was getting darker outside, I figured that it was time for me to leave. I bid my farewells to Jack and thanked him for the drink. He tried to give me the change for it, but I refused saying that he could have it for his tip. He thanked me and kissed my hand, also bidding me farewell.
I was sad, truth be told. I hadn't had that much fun in a long time; seeing something completely different really opened up my eyes to a lot of things.
The castle looked even bigger from the streets, as I hurried from the now quieting streets and up to the castle walls. Two large burly guards were in front of me, their large, sharp looking spears crossing in the middle, blocking my entrance.
"What is your name?" One asked in a deep voice, his other hand dropping to sit nicely on his sword.
I cleared my voice, trying to sound confident and not slightly tipsy. "Bella."
The other guard looked me up and down once before looking at the other guard and trying to be quiet, but failing. "She fits the description the Prince gave us." He hushed, pausing to look at me again.
Both slowly but surely pulled back their spears and I didn't question it any further as I hurried inside.
I found my way back to the Princes room, and realised that there was no other way to get around the Castle without getting lost. Knocking on the door, there was no reply on the other side of the door. I pondered on if I should go in, but I decided against it.
Knowing that Doctor Cornelius' room was down the corridor somewhere I walked slowly and cautiously down it, glad when I saw the old wooden door. There were voices inside, so I knocked lightly and was glad when he opened it.
"Ah, my child! I've been wondering where you were, you know." He said, ushering my in and closing the door. "Go sit down by Caspian and ill continue."
I looked to see Caspian sat on one of the wooden chairs, surrounded by large, dusty books. He didn't look pleased to see me, either. His face was almost forced into a small smile as he moved over for me, and I winced when he accidentally brushed me with his arm.
"Milady." He greeted with strained affection.
"I went to your room," I said as Cornelius excused himself from the room. "I knocked but you weren't there."
"Obviously, milady." He replied in a bored manner "I was here."
I paused for a moment. "Bella."
He stopped what he was doing and glanced my way. "Pardon, milady?"
"My name is B-Bella." I stuttered, tears pricking my eyes.
Caspian remained silent for a moment, before sighing and pinching the bridge of his nose, just as Miraz had done before. I gasped, taking his hand and removing it from his nose. He looked at me in confusion as I wiped the stupid tears from my eyes. He looked like he wanted to say something, but held it in.
"Don't do that... Miraz did that."
He nodded, leaning back in his chair. "Of course, milady."
I stood up, pushing my chair over. "And stop calling me 'milady', my names Bella!"
He also stood up, though a tad more graceful. His voice was hard and as cold as steel. "Stop toying with me! Do you want me to be affectionate or not? One moment you think I'm 'mollycoddling' you, then the next I'm not being warm enough! What do you want from me?"
I grasped my head in my hands as a shooting pain erupted through it, causing me to cry out in pain.
"I d-don't know w-what I want f-from y-you!" I cried, sobbing into my hands. The pain came in waves now, rippling through my head in agony.
All of a sudden a voice echoed through my mind, easing the pain. I was conscious, but everything around me blacked out for a moment.
Calm yourself, my child, for all will be well. You already know what you must achieve, but that doesn't mean you know how to get there. Let this be the end of your arguments, for today at least.
Aslan's soothing voice calmed me, easing the pain until there was no pain left.
I looked up, seeing Caspian sat on the floor next to me. His eyes were no longer emotionless towards me, but filled with worry. My hands unwound themselves from my hair and down to the cold tiled floor, relishing in the cool temperature.
My forehead was too hot, so I lay down on the floor, pressing my cheek into the tile. It felt nice not to be too hot. Caspian said nothing, but continued to look worried.
I heard the door open as I'm sure that it was Cornelius who entered the room. Caspian got up and managed to pull me up also, pressing me into his lap and holding me close to his body. His hands were hot, and I could feel the heat coming from his skin.
"What happened to her?" Cornelius asked, touching my forehead with his clammy hand and opening my eyes to shine a bright light in them. I winced, feebly pushing him away.
Caspian simply pulled me closer. "We had a fight this morning, so I left her alone to-"
"You left her alone, again my Prince?" Cornelius interrupted, sounding astonished.
"Well," Caspian began, pausing to search for words. I pondered for a moment on how perfect his voice was. "I thought she wouldn't be so stupid to disobey my words again, but she proved me wrong."
Cornelius tutted impatiently. "Do you really think that a bird is content with being caged, Caspian? Or a fish being put into a fish bowl, rather than the sea?"
Caspian remained silent, holding me to his chest as his breathing became regular. It was a soft motion, in and out. It calmed me down.
He pulled me up so that my head was resting in the hollow of his neck, my face pressed up against the cool skin of cheek. "You are right, Professor. I am deeply sorry."
Cornelius simply laughed. "It is not me who needs your apology, my Prince."
"Your right," Caspian replied, holding my face with his other hand. "I am sorry my love. I shouldn't have left you alone today."
"S'allright." I drawled, feeling rather sick.
I gasped, holding my stomach as another wave of nausea came through me. I couldn't hear any voices as I threw myself out of Caspian's arms and out of the room, down the corridor and bursting into Caspian's room. Luckily, just after I had entered the large bathroom, I found the toilet and brought up the contents of my stomach, and was glad that the only thing I had had today was the drink in the bar.
It didn't take long before I washed out the loo and collapsed on the floor in exhaustion.
I lay there for a couple of minutes as my breathing calmed down, stood up and located the sink. I washed my face, swirled my mouth out with water and brushed my teeth with what appeared to be Caspian's toothbrush. I hoped he didn't mind, but at that moment I just really needed to brush my teeth.
My feet carried me out of the bathroom and into Caspian's bedroom. On the bed lay a pair of shorts and a tank top, a beautiful emerald green colour. I smiled whilst slipping off the dress and putting on the pyjamas, thinking about how lucky I was.
Then I walked back to the library. I knocked on the door and waited for it to be opened. Suddenly it opened, a concerned Cornelius ushering me inside, nearly making me trip on the doorway.
"Bella, are you feeling better? I must say, you were as white as a sheet when you left. I had to physically restrain Caspian from going after you," he said, hushing his voice when I saw Caspian asleep on the sofa. He looked positively delicious. "He was very worried about you."
I sat down with Cornelius away from Caspian, as he looked like he needed the rest.
"So what did you get up to today? I've never heard the Prince as angry about something as trivial as leaving the Castle walls." He asked, his arms crossing as he leaned back in his chair to listen.
I laughed softly, looking back over to Caspian to make sure he was asleep. He was, so I proceeded to tell him the sights I has seen.
"Oh Professor, it was fantastic. I've never seen anything like it; the food, the people, the streets. It was just so...fantastic!" I gushed, clasping my hands together in my lap and smiling widely. "And there was this little girl, so small and she was carrying the most amazing strawberries in her hands. She took one when her mother wasn't looking and pleaded with me not to tell. I didn't, but the sight was incredible."
Cornelius laughed with me, clapping his hands together quietly. "The town is a place to be marvelled at, isn't it?"
"Yes," I replied, "I went in this pub too, on the end of the street. I met this guy, Jack his name was, and-"
"Bella you must promise me you will never go back in that pub. It's dangerous in there, he's dangerous." Cornelius was deadly serious now, his laughing stopped and his eyes stern.
I nodded, knowing that this man was one I could trust. "I promise, but do you mind me asking why?"
"That pub is one owned by Miraz, not that any of the citizens know for we are banned from telling them. But anything you say is recorded, taped or taken note of. Miraz has this city locked down due to his wife's pregnancy, and will not risk any threat that comes to her or the child."
"When is her due date?" I asked, cautiously.
Cornelius hesitated. "Three days."
"Oh god," I whispered, looking back over to Caspian. "What if it's a boy? What's going to happen then?"
I felt a hand on my shoulder, warm and comforting. "I don't know, dear one. I really do not know. But whatever fate has in store for Caspian, I am almost certain that yours is closely intertwined."
"Maybe," I whispered, still gazing at the soft rise and fall of Caspian's chest from his easy breathing. "I am not ready to leave his side just yet."
Cornelius gave a small laugh. "And him yours, my lady."
I heard him yawn slightly. "I think it is time for my departure. I shall leave you to wake him up so he can sleep in his own bed?"
I nodded as he walked out of the room, shutting it with a soft click. Looking back at Caspian, I debated waking him up or not. I should really, considering that he probably has a busy schedule tomorrow that needed his sleep. But he just looked so peaceful lying here.
I went over to him and kneeled next to the sofa, careful not to wake him.
His gorgeous eyes were shut, blocking me from seeing the beautiful brown depths that lied underneath. My eyes trailed down to his nose; sharp, defined and perfectly sculpted for his face. Then my eyes continued down to his lips; full red lips that would put any other man to shame. Jack had nothing on Caspian, and I know who I would pick over any other male, any day.
His torso was clothed in a thin, white cotton top which showed his muscles very faintly, but enough to know that he worked hard on his physique. I blushed ten shades of red before looking away and at anything other than the sleeping man in front of my eyes.
I took a deep breath and put my hands on Caspian's shoulders, shaking him slightly, but softly.
"Caspian, Caspian, m-my love," I whispered, stuttering slightly but going with it. "Come on Caspian, it's time to go to bed."
Slowly his eyes opened and as quickly as I had been over him, I was under him, his sword at my throat. His body was hovering over mine so close that I could barely breathe, and I was less afraid of him now as I ever had been; this was Caspian. He was dreadful with women, but fascinating and graceful with his sword.
Gradually he came to his senses and put his sword away, clambering off and pulling me up.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean-I mean, I didn't mean too-damn it!" He cursed, throwing his hands above his head and pacing around the stacks of books on the floor.
I giggled softly, catching up to him and hugging him from behind. I wouldn't have Caspian any other way, and I knew that now.
"Its fine Caspian, I am fine." I said, hugging tighter when he put his hands on mine.
He sighed deeply, "Where did you go today?"
"Round the town." I replied, letting go of him and catching the disappointed look he gave me, knowing I'd disobeyed his orders again. I cast my gaze downwards. "It's beautiful, Caspian. You should see it, the people also. I did have one bad run-in though but-"
"Who was it? What did they do? I swear if they did anything to harm you-"
"No, no Caspian I was fine. It was just this guy put his hand on my...thigh-" I saw Caspian's fists clench, but other than that he remained silent. "-but I told him to get off, and he did. End of."
He pulled me to sit next to him on the sofa and held my hands in his. "Next time, please follow my orders?"
I didn't reply and after a few moments of silence his hands left mine.
"Why are you so persistent on disobeying my orders? I don't say them to punish you; I say them to keep you safe." He said, looking out the clear window into the night sky.
My head dropped. "I know, I'm sorry."
Caspian sighed again, laughing kindly. "Don't be sorry, my love. It may frustrate me, but it's a part of who you are."
I felt tears again, they quickly fell down my cheeks but I refused to let Caspian know.
"Caspian," My voice remained level, but I didn't look at him. "Promise we'll stay together. No matter what happens, can you promise me?"
He stayed calm, but sounded confused. "I don't understand how this is relevant."
"Please," I pleaded, my voice breaking, "just promise me?"
He turned my face to his and wiped the tears away, stroking my hair in the comforting way that I needed.
"I promise."
I smiled as I kissed his cheek, feeling the soft skin under my lips get slightly hotter. I realised he was blushing and ended up blushing myself after realising what I had just done. My hand flew to my lips, covering them for a moment.
I gasped lightly, "I am so-"
"Don't be," Caspian replied, looking calmly into my eyes. "I'm not."
I smiled as he led us back to his room, and wondered what my destiny and my fate had in store for me tomorrow. Whatever it was, I was going to embrace it with open arms, for today had been one of the most eventful, but rewarding days of my life so far.
I had a distinct feeling that life was going to get much more complicated sooner; with the due date of Miraz's child quickly approaching, I was frightened of what was to come. But here, settled with Caspian's hand intertwined with my own, the world seemed a much more peaceful place.
Maybe one day soon, I could grow accustomed to this.
Like, no like?
I worked very hard on it, so ;)
Till next time..
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