For those who read the sneak peak at the end of part one, the scene in this chapter may seem familiar. However, it is not identical. I wrote the scene long before I ever wrote chapter 3, and since writing the original scene, Lord Peddelton took on his own character. So the scene has been modified a little, to match the Galman Lord's character.

Thanks for all the reviews/alerts/favorites! Enjoy chapter 4! :D

The Naiad Trilogy

Part 2: The Naiad and Her King

Chapter 4

Ava and Caspian stood side by side on the deck of the Dawn Treader waving goodbye to the kind citizens of Galma.

"Well that was…something," Ava said with a sigh as she lowered her arm once they were far enough away.

"So it was. Join me in the Map Room for a drink? I think after that visit we could all use one," Caspian said. Ava smiled and nodded. They entered the cabin to find Drinian already there. He promptly poured each of them a glass of mead.

"How about a toast," Ava said. "What shall it be for?"

"To adventure," said Caspian.

"To the open sea," added Drinian.

"And to all that lies beyond," Ava finished. They clinked their glasses together and took a sip. Caspian wandered over to look out the window, while Ava took seat in one of the chairs. Drinian remained where he was by the table.

"The Lord Peddelton seemed quite taken with you, Ava," Drinian said.

"That pompous fool," Ava groaned.

"Was he really as bad as all that?"

"He thought a few silky words would win me over, that a few lines of poetry would leave me glassy-eyed and unable to stand on my own two feet. He knew nothing of me, and even if I tried to tell him he'd not have the ears to listen. I can't believe he actually thought I'd court him."

"What? He made no request of courtship known to me. Did he ask you for permission, Lord Drinian?" Caspian asked turning away from the window. The sudden talk of Ava's potential courtship had aroused Caspian from his contemplative thoughts.

"No, Your Majesty, he did not," Drinian replied.

"And why should he have to ask either one of you for permission?" Ava suddenly became angry. "Why should I not be allowed to speak for myself?"

"Ava, you must know the proper Narnian etiquette when it comes to such matters as courtship. If your father Dr. Cornelius were there, then the Lord Peddelton should have asked him. It may have been proper in Galma to not ask the father of a Lady, but is different in Narnia." Caspian declared.

"But in Father's absence, who should one ask?" Ava stood up and took a step towards Caspian. "The ship's captain? You? You think I belong to either of you?" With each question, she took a step closer until she was standing in front of him.

"No, My King, I do not think it would be proper for the Lord Peddelton, or any Lord, to ask you for my hand, nor do I think it proper he ask the professor. If one truly wanted to court me properly, he must call up the great River God and ask him, or else ask all the talking beasts and creatures of Narnia for it is to them that I truly belong."

Ava breathed deeply to calm herself. It seemed that all of her frustrations over the week were finally expressing themselves. "And what, My King, would you have said if he had asked you?" She asked quietly.

"I would not have allowed it!" Caspian declared. "That Lord was as vile a man as I've ever seen. I am sure Drinian would agree with me on the matter." Caspian looked over to Drinian, who rather looked like he'd not get involved. Drinian had no chance for any response however, because Ava beat him to it, angry once more.

"You think I don't know a vile man when I see him? Were you not listening to me just now? Or were you too busy thinking of your precious Genevieve?"

"Genevieve?"

"I hardly saw you at all this week, for you spent every moment with her."

"That was her doing and not mine."

"And yet you did nothing to stop it."

"I…Well you spent all your time with Lord Peddelton."

"What could I have done? I felt I had no voice on Galma, and every time I tried to speak with you about it, you were swept away by Genevieve. I would have you know, that I detested every moment I was made to spend with that man."

"If you disliked him so, then why did you agree to kiss him?"

"I didn't." Ava said softly, shaking her head. "I agreed to the proposition, because I knew My King would not let me down."

Ava and Caspian stared at each other for a few moments, their eyes like two pools melding together. Ava watched as the usual liquid warmth began to spread through Caspian's eyes once more. His anger was dissipating, and as his did so did hers. Ava could not stay angry with her best friend. At last Caspian took a deep breath and apologized.

"Forgive me, Ava. I did not mean to offend you."

Ava heard his sincerity and smiled. "It's alright, Caspian. I know you meant no harm." She walked back to her chair.

"Did the Lord Peddelton ever get around to asking for your courtship?" Caspian asked.

"Yes." Ava replied simply before she took a sip of her mead. "I told him that I was quite flattered that a Lord of his caliber would find himself taken with me, but that I could not bear to be parted from my people indefinitely and that I could not ask such an endearing country to give up their noblest warrior for me."

"Beautifully done, Princess, I'm not sure even the King could have phrased it better," said Drinian as he raised his glass to Ava, hoping to ease the tension.

"Yes, yes. That was very well handled," Caspian affirmed before taking a hasty drink from his own cup.

"And what of your time in Galma, Caspian? You did spend quite a bit of time with the Duke's daughter. Might there be something there in the future?" asked Drinian.

"No, I should think not."

"Did you not find her pretty enough for your liking? Or was she too much like her cousin?"

"No, she did not seem like her cousin at all. And she was pleasant enough, I suppose. But I don't know why I would settle for 'pleasant enough' when I know for a fact that there are greater beauties much closer to home." Caspian said as he looked over at Ava; she had not noticed his gaze for she seemed to be starring at the table.

"Surely, My King," Ava began, as her eyes finally flickered up to meet Caspian's. "You are not suggesting that one should marry for beauty alone."

"I suggest nothing of the sort, fairest Princess. Aside from her beauty, I must also enjoy a lady's company. I must find her presence soothing when I need it to be, and fierce when I am lacking. She must be kind and gentle, yet strong and determined. She must know what she wants and where she stands in society, but she must not be afraid to speak her mind." Caspian unknowingly described many of the aspects of Ava that he had come to admire in the last three years. "For you see, what truly makes a lady beautiful in my eyes is not only her looks, but her character also."

"What you describe, one might say was love."

"And why should a King not be allowed to marry for love? I believe the love a man has for his wife could only deepen the love he has for his country."

"Now you speak like a poet," Ava teased.

"I do not mean to." Caspian smiled faintly. "I speak only from experience. I do not remember much of my parents, but I do know they loved each other. My uncle loved nothing but himself."

"And what does the Princess say?" Drinian asked after a brief pause. "Do you agree with His Kingship? Would you marry only for love?"

Caspian looked at Ava curiously, somewhat surprised to find himself eager to know her answer. Ava took a long sip of her cup before responding.

"Well, to be perfectly honest, I'm not so sure that I will marry any one."

"You would choose to be unwed? I thought marriage and motherhood were the dreams of every lady."

"My King easily forgets that I am not like every lady. I am not like them at all." Ava said the last bit quietly to herself. When she noticed the curious looks from Caspian and Drinian, she proceeded to explain.

"I am a Naiad. Things are different with us. A Naiad does not often marry, for marriage is not required for a Naiad to have a child. Generally speaking, young Naiads are born only after an old Naiad has relinquished her spirit and her magic to the water. Her magic is then recycled into a new spirit."

"But some Naiads do marry?" Caspian pointed out.

"To a Naiad male, yes. Occasionally the connection between male and female Naiad is too strong to be ignored, as was the case with my parents. But even then, the father must relinquish his magic so the mother may have a child, for it is the mother who teaches the young Naiad how to wield her magic."

"So is the marriage between a Naiad and a human man impossible?" Drinian asked, carefully looking from Ava to Caspian.

"For the most part yes, but even in that I am different."

"What do you mean, my Lady?"

"I am the Princess. I can integrate myself with the dry land more easily than the other Naiads. They may come up for brief stints of time, but I can live years on land without the true need to replenish myself in the water. What's more, I've spent the majority of my life believing I was human. In some cases I almost feel more human than I do Naiad.

"And yet in my heart I feel the hearts of all Narnians. I know their fears and their desires. I feel their pain and their greatest joy. My magic draws me to them, while my head draws me to the world of man. I am caught between two worlds; I can have one, but not both. For me, the Naiad Princess, to marry a man is to forsake the Naiad magic, which holds so much of my heart. It is for this reason that I am not sure if I will marry.

"But know this, if ever I do wed a man, then he would be a great man indeed to have won my heart over." At this, Ava locked eyes with Caspian.

XOXOX

After leaving Galma, the Dawn Treader sailed for Terebinthia. At first the Narnians were blessed with a steady westerly wind, but after about five hours the wind ceased and the men had to row. They took their time in the oar room in shifts, even Caspian and Drinian did their part. Only Ava and Reepicheep did not row, but that wasn't for a lack of trying; Reepicheep could not reach the floor when sat on the bench and Ava did not have the upper arm strength. Ava did her best to help the crew though, by giving several treatments of both icy and hot water to relax the crew's sore shoulders.

The calm lasted for nearly two days before the wind returned. On the fourth day from Galma, the Dawn Treader came insight of Terebinthia, but she could not make port at the city for the King had sent word against it warning of a sickness in the land. So the crew rounded the cape and put in at a little creek. There they stayed for three days before catching the wind to the Seven Isles. During their time of rest though, Ava took great pleasure in swimming and replenishing her magic.

The sailing to the Seven Isles began as a peaceful trip with nice weather and a steady wind. To pass the time Ava and Caspian would do one of three things, duel each other, watch a duel, or play chess with Reepicheep; Ava never fared well in her chess matches and soon she only watched. On the third day Ava was watching a chess match between Caspian and Reepicheep in the State Room when Tavros suddenly came in a hurry.

"Sire, Lord Drinian has requested your presence on the High Deck. He says it's urgent."

"Sorry, Reep, but it looks as if we must put a pause on our game," Caspian said as he stood up.

"That is alright, Your Majesty," Reepicheep replied.

Ava and Reepicheep followed Caspian and Tavros out of the room. They climbed the stairs to the High Deck where Drinian was waiting at the stern. They could see the reason for the summons at once. A ship was following behind them.

"Do we know where she hails from?" Caspian asked. Drinian handed him a spyglass before replying.

"She looks to be Terebinthian, but I am uncertain; she isn't flying any colors. She is quickly gaining on us and will overtake us soon."

"What are you thinking, Drinian?" Caspian asked, not liking the cautious tone in Drinian's voice.

"Pirates, Sire."

"Pirates?" Ava questioned, astounded.

Caspian sighed. "Tavros, unlock the armory and tell the men to prepare arms."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Tavros replied before leaving.

"I say, let them come so that we may teach them the meaning of honor," Reepicheep said as he pulled out his sword.

"Ava, get below deck and stay there until it is safe," Caspian said, turning to her.

"Certainly not, Caspian. I will fight like every other crewman," Ava protested.

"Ava, we are not debating this. Get below deck and stay there. That's an order."

"I must agree with His Majesty, Princess," Drinian said as Caspian left. "It is not safe for you to be out here. Terebinthian Pirates are known for their ruthlessness."

"It will be no less safe for me than it will be for any other member of this crew. I can fight," Ava declared before storming off.

Ava went back to the Royal State Room, which had been serving as her quarters and not Caspian's, though he still kept his things there. Caspian was already in the cabin putting on some armor. As Caspian strapped Rhindon to his side, Ava too reached for her Dwarvin made blade and strapped it to her side.

"Ava…"

"I can fight Caspian!" Ava said cutting him off. "I can be of use, and I will do my role as part of this crew!"

Caspian said no more on the matter, as he turned to leave the room. Ava was braiding her hair to keep it out of her face when she heard a small click at the door. She dropped her hair and quickly went to the door. She tried turning the handles but they would not move.

"It's for your own good, Ava," Caspian said.

"Caspian! Open this door! Caspian!" Ava shouted and tried to turn the handles again but to no avail. "Caspian!"

Caspian had locked Ava in the State Room.

Huh! He didn't! Oh, but he did. How will Ava react? I suppose you'll just have to wait till Monday or Tuesday to find out ;)