Hello and Happy New Year Everyone! I'm so sorry it's been so long but thank you for being so supportive in your reviews and for being patient.

I own nothing except my own ideas…

The castle was alive and busy as they organised it for a grand celebration whilst the voyagers and royals settled into their chambers.

Susan rested her hands on her chambers balcony, taking in the splendour of her view of the palace gardens and the great wilderness of the woods. Her heart melted as she pondered the past few weeks, their adventure, the time in her world when she felt so lost and broken. Her love for Caspian. She turned and jumped when she saw a young Telmarine maid lingering in the doorway. She was around Susan's age, with black hair, tanned skin and kind, timid amber brown eyes.

"Oh, forgive me for startling you your majesty." She said shyly.

"No it's fine. What your name?"

"Rosetta." She said with a little curtsy. "I'll be your ladies maid, if you wish my lady."

"Well, I have a feeling we'll get on rather well Rosetta, but please, you don't have to linger in the doorway. I don't bite." Susan said warmly.

Rosetta smiled slightly as she moved closer. "How do you find your chambers?"

"They are perfect. I always admired the Narnian's for their art and craftsman's ship. Everything is so detailed and unique." Susan said as she touched the beautiful engravings of trees and dryads on a chest of draws.

Rosetta found it strange how quickly she was warming to her. She had never been spoken to so kindly by lady of such a high status. "I'm pleased. Should I draw you a bath?"

"I can think of nothing better. After washing yourself from a basin for several weeks you realise how much you take such simple things for granted."

Rosetta chuckled as walked into her bathing chamber to prepare her bath. Susan smiled and sighed blissfully as she gazed upon her chambers. She was so happy she had these in particular chambers. The decoration of cream walls and gold detail had old Narnian paintings hung upon them. The many shades of blues and purples on her drapes, tapestries and bedding and the deeply engraved light oak wooden furnishings reminded her of her chambers back in the golden age.

...

Eustace stepped out of his chamber door and tried to re adjust his dark blue velvet shirt worn with a brown leather belt and pants with embroidery up the side of the legs and brown leather boots. This all felt rather strange to him.

"Eustace!"

He turned to see Lucy beaming at him brightly as she hurriedly walked along the corridor towards him leaving the ripples of fine fabric of her green dress with silver embroidery across the corset gathering into small flowers behind her. Her hair was down in tight waves and she wore a silver teardrop necklace with and emerald in its centre.

"Lucy." She stopped in front of him with a hidden secret sparkling in her royal blue eyes. Eustace had never seen her with such a glow around her complimenting her youthful, growing beauty. "You look lovely."

"Thanks." She said delighted by the first compliment he had ever paid her. "You look good in Narnian clothes yourself."

"It still feels rather strange."

"Well you'll have to put it out of your mind. We have a surprise for you." She said secretively. She grabbed his arm as he looked at her questionably and giggled as she pulled him along with her. "Come on."

Lucy pulled him along the corridors towards her three siblings who were waiting outside a double closed door with two guards at either side. Eustace was relieved to find Peter and Edmund were dressed in a similar fashion. Peter wore a fine Narnian detailed red over shirt with large sleeves cut open to reveal his cream undershirt and gold buckled belt with brown pants and boots and Edmund wore black pants and boots with a teal and silver velvet over vest showing his large white fine undershirt.

He looked to Susan whose beauty radiated from her in a way he had never seen before. She wore a pale blue and lavender dress with mid floaty sleeves and silver leaf embroidery on the trim and bodice. Two pieces of her hair was plaited like a headband and the rest fell down her back in regal gentle curls. She wore a silver filigree flower pendant with a sapphire in its centre. She smiled at him as did her siblings, making him grow nervous towards the surprise.

"Are you ready?" Peter asked proudly.

"For what?"

"To become a Lord." Edmund said with a crooked grin.

Eustace gulped as Peter and Susan paired in front of him and Edmund and Lucy behind him. Peter nodded to the guards and they opened the doors revealing a large hall decorated with Narnian drapes, chandeliers of glowing candles and garlands of flowers. As Peter and Susan led them to the centre of the room Eustace looked off to the side as two centaurs sounded their trumpets announcing them. Many people, creatures and beasts stood off to the side watching them happily.

Caspian stood in a tall and strong kingly manner at the other end of the hall in front of a grand table hosting a luxurious feast lit up by candle light. He wore a fine maroon over vest with gold detail and large sleeves, slit open like Peters to show his cream undershirt. His brown and gold belt held was paired with his brown pants and boots.

Eustace first saw the sword where Caspian's hands rested upon the end of the hilt as it pointed into the floor. He looked up into Caspian's face as Peter and Susan approached him and couldn't help but notice Caspian briefly look at Susan in complete awe as she and Peter walked just behind him and turned to face Eustace. Eustace halted to a stop and watched as Edmund and Lucy parted to join at either side of their siblings.

Caspian stepped forward with a twinkle in his dark eyes. "As cousin to the Kings and Queens of Old you are by blood and birth right a Lord of Narnia. Kneel." Caspian's grand and proud yet calming voice settled Eustace as his obeyed and kneeled before him. "Do you swear to protect and serve Narnia?"

Eustace quickly glanced to Peter who nodded calmly ever so slightly. "I do."

"Then it is my honour to dub thee, Lord Eustace, a protector of Narnia. "Caspian said as he lifted his sword and placed it on each shoulder. "Rise."

Professor Cornelius stepped forward with a velvet cushion in his hands. Caspian handed his sword to him and picked up a long chain of small round golden circles linked together with a detailed circle drop in the centre with a ruby in its centre. He smiled as he placed it over Eustace's head and onto his shoulders.

"Turn and be recognised." Caspian said proudly with a hand on his shoulder.

Eustace inhaled and turned to face the crowd as he felt a huge wave of warmth, worth and responsibility wash over him. As crowd cheered and applauded Eustace quickly looked over his shoulder to see his cousins clapping and smiling at him proudly.

"Come! Let us feast and celebrate this night in honour of their majesties, Lord Eustace and the brave souls who voyaged on the Dawn Treader!" Trumpkin announced. "Music!" He gestured towards the corner where the band of Narnian's were.

The hall filled with chatter as Eustace turned to face a grinning Peter. "We're proud of you cousin."

Eustace inclined his head and smiled warmly. "Thank you."

Edmund came up from behind and up his arm around his shoulders, patting him on the back. "Come on. Let's eat!" He said making them laugh.

Caspian turned towards Susan and Lucy as they watched their family and approached them with a charming smile upon his lips. "Ladies." They both turned to him and smiled. "You both look beautiful." He said in a deep voice with his eyes finishing upon Susan with the upmost desire and appreciation. Lucy's smiled widened as she looked to Susan whose cheeks blushed under his gaze and compliment.

"Thank you." Susan said trying to control the butterflies in her stomach.

Caspian smiled crookedly at her reaction and offered both of his arms to them to escort them to the table. "Shall we?"

They smiled and linked him at either side. "You know you don't look too bad yourself." Susan muttered boldly as she looked up to him flirtatiously with an appreciative smirk on her face.

Caspian chuckled as he escorted them to their seats. Trumpkin pulled a seat out for Lucy next to him. "Thank you DLF."

Caspian attentively pulled a seat out next to her for Susan. "My lady." He said in playful formality.

"Why thank you my lord." She said as she gracefully sat down. They both grinned as Caspian sat in between Peter and Susan.

As they feasted they told tales of their voyage and the dangers they faced. It was not long before the dancing began with an opening dance performed by the Kings and Queens of Old later to be joined by the rest of the people. Caspian remained seated as he spoke with Trumpkin and Professor Cornelius though his eyes often focused on Susan as she danced with such beauty and grace.

"So how fairs Narnia?"

"All is well. The Calorman's are yet to earn our trust, they are yet to send their ambassadors to update the peace treaty. The King of Archenland has married." Professor Cornelius explained.

Caspian turned his attention back to them. "King John? To whom?"

"Lady Arrebella" Caspian looked at him both rather shocked. Trumpkin grinned at his reaction. "Yes, it seems since you showed no interest in marriage during the fight for peace across Narnia, her father came to an arrangement with the King and arranged their union."

"I wish them well." Caspian said sincerely as he looked across the dance floor to Susan as she danced with one of the Fawns. His lips tugged into amusement as her eyes briefly locked with his and she smiled at him brightly. It felt as though her every move she made was just for him.

"Honestly I don't know how you managed on your own these past few years." Trumpkin said and he and the professor followed his gaze.

"Maybe now I don't have to." Caspian muttered in a trance, his gaze still fixed upon Susan as she spun causing her dress and soft curls to ripple around her, her laughter ringing out causing his hair to stand on end. "Excuse me." Caspian rose and walked around the table as the song came to an end.

Everyone stopped and clapped at the end of the dance. They parted a pathway for Caspian as he made his way towards Susan. She breathlessly and thanked the Faun for the dance. Many eyes fell upon them as Caspian gazed only at her. She turned to him and smiled in delight. "Caspian."

"Will you dance with me Susan?" He asked lovingly as he offered his hand out for hers.

"I'd love to." She said sweetly, putting her hand in his.

Murmurs spread across the crowd as the music began and the gentlemen took their positions in a line opposite their partners. They stepped towards each other holding both hands and turning in half a circle and back again. Caspian and Susan smiled and gazed into each other's eyes the entire time.

"I was beginning to think you'd never ask me for a dance." Susan said playfully as they all released one hand and all turned to the side dancing in sync. "Perhaps you have grown tired of me my king." Caspian looked in amusement of her as they switched hands and turned to the opposite direction.

"You are mistaken my queen. I was transfixed by the sight you lay before my eyes." He replied as they turned to face each other again. Their opposite hands raised above their heads and touched as their other arm encircled the opposite side of each other's waist bringing their faces closer as they slowly turned. "I'd almost forgotten what an exquisite dancer you are." He complimented tenderly.

Susan smiled beautifully and moved her face closer to his. "Then perhaps you feared you could not keep up?" She teased.

Caspian rose to the challenge as he felt his heated blood flair through his body as she smiled and spun away from him as did the other women from their partners. He offered out his hand to her and spun her quickly back into him and held her against his chest. Susan felt flustered and hot by his sudden passion and command of her on the dance floor. She breathed heavily as he looked up into his fiery mischievous eyes. She grinned and rose to his challenge as the pairs broke off to move around the dance floor.

Their smiles widened as they broke out into playful laughter as Caspian turned her to the music and finally placing his hands on her hips he broke from the choreography and lifted her spinning her high as they lost themselves completely in the moment. He placed her down as the music ended and grinned triumphantly as they breathed heavily.

The applause echoed through the hall as the people watched the young King and Queen. The chemistry ignited by their dance filled the people with endless discussion about the pair.

"It seems he's chosen his Queen already." Professor Cornelius said wisely, going back to their previous conversation. Caspian clasp her hand and raised it to place a devoted kiss upon it. She smiled as he kept hold of it and put his other arm around her waist leading her off the dance floor.

"There will be many hopeful hearts broken." Trumpkin said humorously as he gestured towards a group of ladies looking shocked, heart broken or in mid glare towards Susan with much envy.

…..

Eustace stood near a pillar adjusting himself to the weight of his new chain.

"Stop fidgeting you look fine." Edmund said as he offered him a goblet of wine.

"Well of course I look fine. This outfit is worth more than my entire wardrobe back in England!" Eustace exclaimed as he took the goblet. "Thanks."

"Don't worry all this will take some getting used to." Edmund said as Eustace took a sip form the goblet. He gasped loudly and looked at it in disgust as his throat burned. "Yes, that will take some getting used to too." Edmund added in amusement.

"Urgh, what is that?"

"Spiced Faun wine."

"Perhaps you should ease him onto the wine slowly Ed. He is only 14 and he never had alcohol in England." Peter said as he and Lucy joined them off the dance floor.

"Oh yeah, right." Edmund said taking it off him.

"Eustace you haven't danced yet!" Lucy exclaimed.

"I don't know any of the dances."

"Well I'll teach you one." Lucy offered happily. "Come on!" She grabbed hold of his arm and pulled him onto the dance floor.

Peter and Edmund chuckled. "It's good to be home." Edmund said.

"I never thought we'd be able to refer to it as that again. I guess this had always been our true home."

"I guess it has. Narnia brought us together as a family, we have friends here, our people… just look at how happy it makes all of us."

Peter watched the amusing sight of Lucy attempting to teach Eustace how to dance and then looked across to see Susan sat speaking lively with Trufflehunter and Captain Drinian. Caspian was not too far from her as his spoke with Glenstorm.

Peter turned back to Edmund and smiled warmly as he put an arm around his shoulders squeezing him slightly in agreement. "Come on, let's refill our goblets." He suggested making Edmund chuckle.

The celebration lasted through to the early hours of the morning until they could dance no more. Caspian offered to escort Susan to her chambers to seize a moment alone with her.

"I think I may sleep through the week." Caspian said in happy exhaustion as Susan linked his strong arm and rested her head upon it as they walked slowly through the corridors.

She smiled tiredly. "No one would be more deserving of the luxury."

He smiled warmly and kissed her jasmine scented hair. "How do you like you chambers?"

"They are beautiful, thank you and so alike my chambers in the Golden Age. Rosetta is lovely, I like her already."

"I thought you would. She is of a caring nature." He said gently.

"I still can't believe you did this, all of this." She said in awe, looking up at him. "You brought piece to Narnia. You restored our home."

"If I recall, I had a lot of help." He said modestly.

Susan pulled gently on his arm to stop and turn him to her completely. "You have no idea how much this means to everybody." She said gently. "What it means to me."

"There's one person in particular I always wished would see it again." Susan looked at him questioningly. "You." He admitted softly. Susan slowly broke out into a beautiful, loving smile. "I may have had many reasons to rebuild Cair Paravel, I wanted it to be a symbol of hope, to restore the old Narnia, but the one reason I cared most about. The one I held dearest to my heart."

"You did this because of me?" She asked breathlessly.

He closed the little space between them, taking her hands in his and holding them up near his chest and he lightly caressed her skin with his thumbs. "On the eve of my coronation you told me about Cair Paravel, what it was like in the Golden Age, I could see in your eyes how much you loved it, how you longed to see it again. I think part of me wanted to rebuild it to keep you close to my heart."

Susan's eyes shined brightly with glistening tears as she reached up and caressed his soft beard. "I love you." She breathed, unable to contain her feelings for him.

Caspian melted as she moved her hand behind his neck pulled him down into a kiss as she stood on her tip toes. Caspian returned it slowly and lovingly as he pulled her closer encircling his arms around her waist making her sigh blissfully into the kiss.

Hope you enjoyed it. I'm thinking of giving Caspian a bit of a new look. Please vote….. A)Prince Caspian look. B) Prince Caspian hair but trim the beard to just a goatee C)The Ben Barnes look which is shorter yet full hair with the beard or D) Ben Barnes look which is shorted yet full hair without the beard. Note: the look he has in Dawn treader will come back at one point but I wont give that away and say when ;)