Chapter 22

CASPIAN'S POV

Light began to creep through the window of his bedroom as Caspian squeezed his eyes shut tightly before opening them slowly. Feeling a light weight on his chest, he looked down to see Lucy, deep in slumber with her head buried in his chest. Thinking back to the night before, Caspian remembered running hand in hand in from the hardening rain storm and leaving her only long enough for both of them to get dry. Lucy had knocked on his bedroom door and he opened it immediatley, startling her slightly, before he ushered her inside. They had lain down on his bed, wrapped up in eachother as they told stories to one another. Lucy's, about the world she came from. His, from the dreadful three years he had spent as King without her. Eventually, Caspian had looked down to see that during his rant, Lucy had fallen asleep, and he murmured his goodnight before extinguishing the flame of the candle next to them, letting the calm she provided him with her presence soothe him to sleep. Yesterday had been quite the day, with proposing a war on Archenland, feeling helpless as Lucy seemed to disappear, then angry with her when he found her. In addition, the two would have to be out of bed soon, because they also planned for Drinian to be off this morning. Realizing that he should probably wake her, Caspian gave Lucy's shoulder a gentle squeeze. She grumbled, inaudibly at first, telling him to leave her alone. He chuckled. What a lady, he thought with an amused smirk.

"No," With her eyes still shut, Lucy scrunched up her face like she often did when they were messing with eachother. "We have to see Drinian off," He said pointedly, shaking her gently. She huffed before blinking her eyes open, letting them adjust to the light. Her eyes locked with is and she sighed.

"Fine," She groaned, sitting up and whincing. Caspian rested a hand on her back.

"Is your leg still bothering you?" He asked, worried for any pain she might have.

"No," She lied through her teeth. "I'm fine," Caspian nodded, although he knew Lucy wasn't being truthful. However, he was quickly learning that Lucy didn't like to be daughted over, especially when she didn't think it a big deal. This was the case, seeing as the nurse reported to him that she practically had to beg Lucy to let her see to her injuries. He watched painfully as she clenched her jaw to mask the hurt, and supposed that all the running they did the previous night had made it hurt worse. Lucy turned to look at him, still sitting on the bed next to him.

"Come here," He murmured, drawing her forward so that he could place a loving kiss to her lips. He brought a hand up to rest on her cheek, and felt the muscles of her jaw relax at his touch. He wrapped the other arm around her waist to pull her onto his lap, smiling into their kiss as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He slowed, now only kissing her in small pecks, earning a giggle from her throat. She pulled away, giving him a loving gaze that went straight to his heart.

"I love you, Caspian," She whispered. Even now, he worried he might wake up from some sort of dream when she spoke to him in that way, never imagining that Lucy would actually be his one day.

"I love you too, Lucy," He whispered back, pulling her face close to kiss her lips firmly one last time. "I suppose I should let you go," He muttered, remembering that they had somewhere to be. Lucy nodded, removing herself from his lap.

XoXoXoXo

Standing at the bridge just outside the entrance to the castle, Lucy standing next to him, her arm rested against his, Caspian felt a surge of guilt at what events were about to take place. He was sending his loyal advisor, his captain for months and months, on a decietful mission to bring back an Archenland traitor to help them in a war he had declared. Although he assured Lucy that the soilders would never hesitate to risk their lives for her honor, worries still made themselves known in the back of his mind when he thought of the consequences his actions might uphold. Death, and grief to the families of the lost souls. Not only was he worried for the lives of his soilders, but most importantly, for Lucy's. He did not have to hear from her that she would be fighting along side him in this war if it were to take place. Who was he to hold Queen Lucy the Valiant back from a war? She fought in a war thousands of years before he was even born. He knew he had no right to deny her this, especially when the battle was to be fought over her hand. Caspian looked on silently as Drinian went to stand by his horse, ready to mount, following suit of a few select soilders who would accompany him most of the way there. Caspian knew Drinian was never one to shy away from any sort of danger, and always tried to do what was honorable. Lucy stirred next to him. He looked down at her, reading her face. She was itching to say or do something. Without a word, the young Queen darted forward, taking Drinian by suprise as she wrapped her arms around him in a quick embrace. She pulled away, blushing as she realized what she had done. Caspian smirked, Drinian was not one for hugs, but Lucy's hugs could weaken the heart of even the strongest man.

"Thanks," She muttered. Drinian stood shocked for a moment, Caspian supposed it was because the two budded heads so often. The captain's gaze softened as he looked upon the young girl in front of him.

"No thanks is neccesary, your majesty. Anything to keep the honor of a High Queen intact," He gave her a low bow, which Lucy returned, before turning to nod to the men standing around, telling them to mount their horses. Lucy backed up, looking distraught. She took Caspian's hand, looking for some comfort, since she did not like sending anyone to danger in her name. He squeezed it gently, and drew her closer so that she was tucked into his side.

"He wants to do this," He whispered into her ear, reminding her. She nodded. Looking away from her, Caspian could see that the men were ready for departure.

"May Aslan keep you safe," He wished out loud, looking into the eyes of each of his soilders before resting his gaze on Drinian, giving him a thankful bow of the head. They all nodded and gave their thanks, bidding the watching Narnians goodbye before trotting off over the bridge and into the forest beyond. For a brief moment, Caspian spotted a flash of a golden mane concealed by the trees his men were heading towards. In that moment, he knew they would be alright. Directing his attention away from the wood, Caspian looked down at Lucy as the crowd started to lighten.

"Perhaps we should do some sparring? I want you to be prepared," The words stung him to say, but he spoke them genuinely. Lucy's eyes lit up as she stared at him in amazement.

"You're going to let me fight?" She asked of him.

"You are Lucy the Valiant, after all. I think it's only logical that you do," Warmth spread throughout his entire body as he caught her smile, and he brushed his lips across her forehead and led her back inside.

XoXoXoXo

LUCY'S POV

Lucy checked herself one last time in the mirror, dressed in some of Caspian's clothes since they would be sparring. She wore a pair of his black pants and a maroon shirt, with a belt cleched at her waist fitting everything better. She let her hair fall around her shoulders and down her back, finding that there was simply too much of it to worry about it anymore. A knock at the door made her jump, but she regained her compousure at the thought that it might be Caspian coming to fetch her. Her face fell slightly when Annebelle stepped inside. Although, she looked much more chipper than usual, actually she looked a lot more so. She practically was bouncing off the walls.

"Lucy! Lucy! The most wonderful thing has happened!" Lucy laughed, grabbing the girls arm so that she could steady her slightly.

"Alright then, out with it," Annebelle didn't say another word, but shoved her hand out in Lucy's face. For a moment, the young Queen was baffled as to why she was almost slapped in the face, but realization dawned on her as she was staring at a gold and diamond ring.

"He proposed?" She questioned, taking the other girls hand to observe the ring closer. It was truly beautiful, and simple at the same time. A thin golden band looped around Annebelle's ring finger, accented with a not-too-big but not-too-small princess cut diamond. Lucy noted how her hands shook, and her eyes shot up to look into hers. "This is wonderful! Congratulations!" The girls embraced, and Lucy was utterly happy for her friend, but could not help feeling a twinge of jealousy. Annebelle and Andrew had only been together for a few days, but her and Caspian had been for months. Plus Annebelle was Lucy's age, so clearly, Andrew didn't care about age as much as Caspian did.

"Oh thank you! I can't even begin to describe how happy I am! I never thought I'd be married," Her voice calmed at the last part, and Lucy pulled her away to give her a confused look.

"What are you talking about? You had to have known it would happen someday," But Annebelle shook her head, still running her pointer finger over the ring as she took a seat on Lucy's bed, Lucy following suit.

"I didn't think it would. I'm really nothing special. I'm just a lady's maid, plus I'm not beautiful, like you," Annebelle's words took Lucy aback, who only thought of herself as remotely attractive when Caspian would constantly remind her. She looked on as her friend's eyes cast downward towards her lap, staring at her engagement ring.

"You are beautiful Annebelle. And you know what? Some beautiful women can even make themselves look less appealing because of their evident self doubt. So stop doubting your worth. Andrew obviously doesn't," She nudged her shoulder playfully, getting a laugh.

"Well ever since I first started working here, I've had my doubts. I met my first love here," She looked towards the window, in a sort of daze.

"Andrew?" Lucy assumed. But Annebelle shook her head.

"Caspian," Silence filled the air. Lucy felt her breath catch in her throat at the confession, and naturally felt a surge of anger that she tried hard to mask.

"Beg pardon?" She hoped she had heard her incorrectly. The girls eyes shot to Lucy's worriedly, as if realizing she had said something wrong.

"Oh, no. The feelings weren't returned. Believe me. I just was so unused to a master being so kind, and he was such a good friend. After a while, I found myself falling in love with him, even though I had a feeling deep down that he did not feel the same way. Every moment we spent together he would be happy only for a moment, but it would pass quickly as his thoughts would trail back to you and your siblings. His face would turn pained and he would excuse himself. One night, after he had retired to his bedroom, I knocked on the door to comfort him, because Trumpkin had mentioned you at dinner and I knew it had upset Caspian. I hugged him and he hugged back, looking for someone to lean on. I took it in the wrong way, however, and I kissed him. He was startled, and muttered that he was so sorry, but he did not feel for me in that way. I ran away, distraught, thinking illy of him. He came after me, and kindly explained that he was my friend, and that he would never want to hurt me. I thought he loved your sister, but he said he was too broken to love anyone, and that he only wished to be my friend," She eyed Lucy cautiously. "Forgive me, your majesty. I'm sorry I spoke of it."

"No, no. You musn't worry yourself," Lucy put a hand to her shoulder. "Just because one man does not think of you romantically, it doesn't mean that you aren't wonderful. You are, and Andrew sees that, and you two are to be married," She smiled as Annebelle's eyes lit up once more, and she nodded. Annebelle gave her a smile.

"I think he loved you before he even realized it," Lucy raised an eyebrow to the girl as she spoke of Caspian, not understanding.

"I was only twelve when we first met. He was seventeen. It would have been entirely inappropriate," Lucy stated. Annebelle sighed.

"I know that. But I mean I think, in the back of his mind, he knew he would end up loving you one day. You were always the one he talked about. He would tell happy tales of his "Lucy-love" and speak of how enchanting your presence was to be in," Lucy blushed, images of Caspian speaking highly of her to the Narnians filling her mind. Suddenly, she had an urge to be in his arms, inhaling his familiar scent as his warms lips molded to hers. She could feel how much Caspian loved her in every small touch he gave her, and only hoped her feelings were as obvious to him. Annebelle seemed to sense her urge.

"Go see him," She said as she rolled her eyes. Lucy giggled and hugged her friend, congratulating her one last time before bolting through the door. She went to knock on Caspian's door when it opened. His eyes were on the ground as he fixed his sheath, and bumped into her. Lucy rubbed her chest, finding that it hurt slightly. Caspian laughed.

"I'm sorry Lucy-love, I did not see you there," He wrapped her in a tight embrace as he smiled against her ear. "You ready?" He asked. She nodded, but grabbed his hand when he pulled away to lead her outside. He gave her a questioning look. She shook her head, stepping so that she was pressed up against him and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling herself up to reach his lips. Her lips met his, and she felt his body relax as he wrapped her up in his arms. He groaned into her mouth before pulling away.

"I love you" She whispered, pecking his lips one last time. He smiled broadly.

"I love you too. Come on," He grabbed her hand and led her out to the courtyard where they would practice.

XoXoXoXo

CASPIAN'S POV

"Just like that, Lucy. Keep your blade up," He instructed as she swung at him, skillfully blocking each of her blows. "You need to be prepared for anything. They could come at you from any angle," He said as he dashed behind her before she could register it, and swung at her. She yelped and blocked it.

"You could've killed me!" She claimed swinging at him and barely missing.

"Same for you! And I went slow enough to stop myself! You have to be prepared, Lucy!" She growled.

"I am prepared," She said lowly.

"Prove it." Her eyes narrowed and she picked up her speed and the force of her blows. She stood on her toes as she took her stance, lunging forward with her right foot as she made each blow. Caspian was taken aback at her forcefulness, but smirked as he blocked her. In a moment, she dashed around him, making him lose his balance when he tried to face her. He gasped as her blade sliced his arm slightly, grabbing it as she gave him a cocky grin.

"You have to be prepared, Caspian," She mocked, winking at him before letting out a melodic laugh. He glared at her and she sighed, dropping her blade and making her way over to inspect his arm. It was a mere scratch, but she kissed it nevertheless. He rolled his eyes at her, before placing his sword back in his sheath. He was about to speak when they heard footsteps coming towards them.

"Your majesties! You'd better come quickly!" Annebelle warned with a worried voice. Caspian grabbed Lucy's hand before running off behind Annebelle.

XoXoXoXo

"Bella, what's going on?" Caspian pryed, still holding Lucy's hand as they stood outside a bed chamber where others gathered. The nurse had gone in only a moment ago. Annebelle looked torn as she looked from the door to the two royals, and then back again. Eventually she gave them a sigh and nod, and opened the door for them to go in. Caspian led Lucy inside, catching glimpse of a young man laying on a bed, battered and bloody. His eyes widened as he recognized a head of tousled, raven hair...

"EDMUND!" Lucy cried, yanking her hand away and sprinting across the room to drop to her knees beside her brother. Caspian felt a lump in his throat as he looked at his friend, groping his newly bandaged stomach where the most blood came from. Lucy let out small sobs as her small form shook, and she held her brother's hand. She looked around desperately.

"What happened?" Andrew, who looked on painfully, spoke up first.

"We found him this way infront of the bridge. He's in too much pain to tell us anything, I believe," He spoke gently, trying not to upset Lucy any further. She whimpered, and turned back to Edmund, who was breathing heavily as he held his wound.

"Edmund, what happened?" She pleaded putting a hand to his forehead. He took in a deep breath, his eyes looking over Lucy's shoulder.

"Aslan," He muttered. Lucy pushed her eyebrows together, following his eyes with her own. She gasped as the great lion stood before her, a look of sorrow and pity in his eyes as he gazed at her brother.

"Aslan," Caspian repeated, giving him a bow before gesturing to Edmund. "Do you know whats happened to Edmund?" He asked, his eyes searching those of the lion as he nodded gravely. Aslan looked back towards Lucy, who had a steady flow of tears falling down her cheeks.

"I brought your brother here in a panic, dear one. He was attacked by a man escaped from prison," Lucy shook her head, as if not hearing him correctly.

"But who in jail would want to hurt-" Her voice trailed off as her eyes locked with Aslan's, and her hand went to cover her mouth. Aslan nodded.

"Gerald," Lucy whipped around at the first sound coming from her brother, and she retook her spot kneeling next to her. "He got out and came to our house looking for you. Everyone else was at the police station speaking to the officers about your 'disappearance,' and he got angry when he couldn't find you. He stabbed me," As he recalled the last part, he squeezed his eyes shut and groaned as a wave of pain came over him.

"Gerald had cut the phone wires in your house," Aslan interjected, regaining everyone's attention. "I knew no one would be coming for a while that would be able to help him. He would have died if I'd left him there," Another sob escaped Lucy's throat. She turned once more to her brother, who wore a pained expression. Caspian had never seen the great lion looking so distraught, and the thought of Edmund dying dawned upon him. Lying there, in his own house with a stab wound, bleeding to death...

"Will he be alright?" Lucy asked weakly. The nurse nodded.

"I've stopped the bleeding. I reckon he ought to stay in bed for a couple of days," They all nodded to her and she excused herself, as did Andrew, leaving the rest to themselves. Lucy looked worried.

"So Gerald's out? What if he comes back for the rest of my family? Aslan you must do something!" The lion looked calmer.

"I am watching over your family, dear one. I was not anticipating what happened to Edmund, but I am keeping an eye on all of your relatives. I believe once your family gets home, they will notice the blood on the carpet and will call the police. I don't expect it will take too long for the police to notice that Gerald's gone missing, and they should be able to find him. Don't worry," He tried to soothe her, normally it was so easy, but the tears coming from Lucy's hazel eyes continued to fall. Caspian moved instinctively to her side, placing a hand on her back and rubbing it in small circles.

"I'm okay, Lu," Edmund told her through clenched teeth. Clearly he was in pain, but it would subside. Caspian nodded towards the teenager, as if thanking him for trying to calm her.

"For now, relax as best you can. I'll be watching over all of you," Aslan spoke calmly, but Caspian could hear the doubt in his voice. The lion breathed on all of them before turning and walking out the door, probably disappearing into the air. Caspian squeezed Lucy's shoulder.

"Do you want me to give you two some privacy?" He offered, but was taken aback as Lucy shook her head and moved to wrap her arms around his neck in a hurry.

"No, please don't leave," She sobbed into his neck. He nodded, hurriedly whispering to her that he wouldn't go, and that everything would be okay. After a short discussion, Caspian and Lucy decided to spend the night in the room with Edmund on the floor. At Caspian's request, Annebelle brought them some extra blankets and pillows to set up on the wooden floor. Just before they blew out the candle, Lucy moved to lean over Edmund.

"I love you, Ed," She whimpered, a hint of tears still in her eyes. Caspian watched the siblings as Edmund raised a hand to her cheek, whiping away a stray tear before pulling her down to kiss her forehead.

"I love you too, Lu. Sleep," He ordered, gesturing to Caspian. The two laid down on seperate blankets, but Lucy quickly moved to rest her head on his chest. Caspian cast a worried look towards Edmund. "It's fine," He mouthed, turning his head and closing his eyes. Caspian nodded to no one, securing his grip around his little Queen's body, placing a kiss to the top of her head.