There was silence as all looked me over in either doubt or amazement. I beamed proudly around at them.

"Is it truly you, your Majesty?" asked the Badger, Trufflehunter. I smiled down at him, "yes it is, I guess Su's horn is magical after all."

I spun around on the spot so I could finally get a good look at them. "When I first arrived back here in Narnia, I didn't notice any differences, I didn't even stop to think how much time must have passed. For me it was barely a year but for all of you over a 1,000." Their eyes widened at that.

I continued, "once my siblings and I realized something was wrong, what was the first thing we found? Our home destroyed. Cair Paravel, nothing but ruin." They seemed surprised to hear that the others were here too. "So the other Kings and Queens have also returned? Why are they not with you?" asked one of the many centaurs present. "They chose to travel a different path, Aslan came and told me that I must travel this way, alone if I must," I explained.

"We didn't mean to leave, it was complete accident," I said, apologetically, "but I wouldn't change it as it is what has us here today." I smiled as I looked to Caspian, he was still looking at me with shock and when I turned to face him he seemed to get quite nervous but hid it well. He built back up his confidence and greeted me, "it is an honor, your Majesty." I blew a loud raspberry. It surprised Caspian but it caused him to smile in amusement. "Its Dawn, please," I replied.

"When I first entered this council, hidden away from your sight. I was appalled by what I saw. A brave Son of Adam, a Telmarine, stepping up and offering to return Narnia to its former glory and nearly all of you threw it back in his face, not even giving him a chance to speak." I could see some of them acting slightly guilty and sheepish, acting like children being scolded by a parent. "But he didn't back down," I smiled once again over at Caspian, he returned it with a small kind one, "he fought for what he thought was right and then slowly you all began to follow, to believe, to regain your faith of what could be the future of Narnia."

There was shouts of agreement. I sent a wink towards Caspian before I faced the Narnians again and shouted, "For Narnia!" My call was repeated by the large crowd around me, even by Caspian who now wore a large grin on his face.

I was walking through the trees a little while later when I heard the sound of drumming and music. I picked up speed and spotted all the Narnians back in the Dancing Lawn except now a large bon fire was built up and the Narnians were all playing music and dancing.

I spotted Caspian leaning against a tree, he was talking with Reepicheep, the mouse but the noble mouse caught sight of me and sent a wink Caspian's way before darting off. I shrugged my shoulders not understanding and made my way over to the Telmarine Prince.

"Whats going on?" I asked kindly. He smiled down at me, he was quite taller than I was, maybe 6' or 6'1'. I was only 5'3''. "They're celebrating, the return of their High Queen," he said teasingly. I blushed at his comment. This annoyed me a little, I don't blush, well not much anyway and especially not because of boys but Caspian had a nack for it.

We eventually went to sit by the fire on a large log, embracing the heat of the flames that danced in front of us. I told him about my life in the Golden Age and of the Battle against the White Witch and he told me the tales his professor had told him about us and about his life. I was sad to hear about his father and Miraz was a cruel man. I could tell Caspian wished to make his father proud and by what I could tell, he was a good King, Caspian the Ninth, so I knew he would be proud of Caspian if he could see him now.

By the way he told me of his father and his life, I could tell he was surprised he was telling me. When he was finished he said, "I'm sorry to put all this on you, I've never truly spoken of any of it with someone. I guess, I just feel like I can talk to you about anything. I know I can trust you with any secret I hold. But I can't tell why." He sent he a dashing smile. I felt my fingers shake nervously and I blushed, biting my lip slightly out of nerves. I had seen earlier that he was handsome but that smile just made him even more so.

Then I was grateful for the distraction as a familiar tune began to be played by the Narnians. Glenstorm, the noble Centaur from the council stepped up to sing it as the drums began to play. I got to my feet to join in the dancing. Caspian looked up at me in surprise as I pulled off my cloak and handed it to him, "what are you doing?" I glanced down at him with a small smirk, "its an old Narnian song, one of my favourites."

A Single thread in a tapestry

though its colour brightly shines

can never see its purpose

in the pattern of the grand design

And the stone that sits on the very top

of the mountains mighty face

doesn't thinks it's more important

than the stones that forms the base

So how can you see what your life is worth

or where your value lies

you can never see through the eyes of man

you must look at your life

look at your life through heaven's eyes

Lai-la-lai...

As this part began to play and the music picked up, I began to dance around the fire like we used to all those years ago during the Golden Age. After a while, some other animals and fawns joined in the dancing. We were laughing and singing at the top of our lungs, 'Lai-la-lai, lai-li-lai-lai, lai-lai-lai-lai-lai, lai-la-lai-lai!' I noticed Caspian was sitting next to Trufflehunter and Glenstorm as he continued to sing next to him. I kept my eyes on Caspian and then suddenly we all froze in our positions as Glenstorm began the next verse.

A lake of gold in the desert sand

is less than a cool fresh spring

And to one lost sheep, a shepard boy

is greater than the richest king

Should a man lose everything he owns

has he truly lost his worth

or is it the beginning

of a new and brighter birth

So how do you measure the worth of a man

in wealth or strength or size

In how much he gained or how much he gave

The answer will come, the answer will come to him who tries

to look at his life through heaven's eyes

And that's why we share all we have with you

though there's little to be found

When all you've got is nothing

there's lots to go around

No life can escape being blown about

by winds of change and chance

and though you never know all the steps

I danced over to Caspian and grabbed his hands in mine and pulled him to his feet, Trufflehunter laughed at the shocked look on the Prince's face as I pulled him out into the herd of dancing Narnians. They all saw us and smiled.

You must learn to join the dance

Caspian tried to protest saying he didn't know how to dance our way but I just waved him off and began to show him some of the steps and amazingly he caught on faster then even Edmund or Peter had. Dancing had always been a specialty of mine.

You must learn to join the dance

lai-la-lai

The bit from before began to play with all the Narnians and I singing, this time Caspian sang as well. It began much slower and then sped up as we danced. Caspian never let go of my hand and our eyes hardly left each other as we danced. At first we began with right hands together palm to palm and staring into each other's eyes as we slowly circled each other. Then his hand tightened around mine and he spun me as the music sped up and we went from there.

Just as Glenstorm began to sing the last verse, Caspian spun me so I was facing away from him and then wrapped his arms around my waist, forcing my back against his chest, picking me up and spinning us around causing us both to laugh loudly. The Narnians all beamed at us excitedly.

Everyone, including Caspian and I sang in the background as Glenstorm finished the song.

So how do you judge what a man is worth

By what he builds or buys

You can never see with your eyes on earth

Look through Heaven's eyes, look at your life

Look at your life

Look at your life through Heaven's eyes!

For the last few lines everyone once again began to dance just to finish it off with a bang. Once the song ended everyone cheered. I leaned back against Caspian as I smiled around at everyone. This I could tell had made everyone much closer. Caspian now stood behind me, his arms still around my waist speaking with one of the minotaurs and several cenaturs including Glenstorm.

Everyone settled around the fire and began talking and telling stories and jokes. It felt like we were back in the Golden Age again. I told them all about it and about Aslan. They had so many questions about mine and my siblings lives.

Looking around I could see everyone was tired and waiting to rest, those who had night patrol went to take their posts but were still in ear shoot as they just circled the group until we went to bed. I decided to end the bon fire. I waved my hand and forced the fire to deminish and become just glowing embers. Everyone was watching me entranced as I began to make shapes form in the last few remaining flames, sparks and the smoke.

I then decided to sing a song to hopefully cheer them up. I chanced a peek at Caspian who sat close at my side, our hands and legs grazing we sat so close. He slowly took my hand in his and interlaced the fingers nervously. I smiled at him before looking around at all the Narnians. They had all fallen silent and were watching me and Caspian, mainly me. Waiting.

I am not a child now

I can take of myself

I mustn't let them down now-

Mustn't let them see me cry.

I'm fine.

I'm fine

I'm too tired to listen

I'm too old to believe

All these childish stories

There is no such thing as faith

And trust

And Pixie dust.

I try...

But its so hard to believe

I try...

But I can't see what you see

I try...

I try...

I try.

I glanced around and see many have their eyes closed, listening to my voice. Some have tears in their eyes, others, like Caspian, have their eyes set right on me, watching intently as I sang each note.

My whole world is changing

I don't know where to turn

I can't leave you waiting

But I can't stay and watch the city burn

Watch it burn

Cause I try...

But its so hard to believe!

I try...

But I can't see what you see

I try...

I try.

I try and try

To understand

The distance in between

The love I feel

The things I fear

I dearly say good dream

I can finally see it

Now I have to believe

All those precious stories

All the world is made of faith

And trust

And Pixie dust

So I'll try...

Cause I finally believe!

I'll try...

Cause I see where you see!

I'll try...

I'll try...

I will try...

I'll try-y-

To fly.

Ending the song I look up to see everyone beaming at me, even that dark dwarf, Nikabrik. They all clapped loudly and cheered before we all left to get some rest. I lay down on a bedroll but I couldn't sleep. I gazed up at the stars and studied them, glad to find unlike most of Narnia they were still the same but if I said that to one of the centaurs I'd probably get a full lecture about the stars.

I heard soft footsteps pass me and I could tell they weren't hoofs or paws so I quickly sat up. There was Caspian standing over me.

"Can't sleep?" he asked, sweetly. I shuck my head. He offered me a hand and I gladly took it and he helped me up. He wrapped something warm and soft around my shoulders and it took me a moment to realise that it was my cloak. I had forgotten I had given it to him earlier to hold. As we walked, Caspian once again took my hand in his as we walked, once again he caused me to blush which frustrated me to no end.

Caspian climbed up into a tall tree and leaned down to offer me a hand up. I happily took it and climbed up after him and together we settled down on a large branch. "You are a wonderful singer," he said. I smiled shyly, "thanks." It was silent for a while but it was comfortable and leaned to the side and rested my head on his shoulder. I sighed and then whispered just loud enough for him to hear, "I had dreams about you, when I first visited Narnia. I started having these strange dreams all were about you, one was even of the bonfire earlier."

I glanced up nervously at him he was watching me, his eyes held no emotion and this worried me. "I didn't know who you were or if you were even real," I continued. I then gave a small laugh, "just imagine how I felt when I saw you and realised who you were." I felt Caspian begin to draw designs on the back of my hand, smoothly running his fingers along the skin of the back of my hand. I watched as he turned my hand over and did the same to the palm.

He rested his hand over mine and laced our fingers together, similar to earlier. He gazed up at me and bravely met my eyes. He showed no sign of hesitation or doubt, all there was was kindness, nerves and what I hoped was love. He leaned forward placing his forehead against mine. We stayed like this for a while until a cough interrupted us.

We spun and I almost fell out of the tree if it wasn't for Caspian holding onto my hand and grabbing me with his other. There sitting across from us and on another branch, was Reepicheep. I blushed but Caspian just smiled in greeting and gave a nod of his head. Reepicheep chuckled at my shy reaction.

Once Reepicheep left Caspian made our way down the tree to finally get some rest. It was very late and only a couple of hours before sunrise. Caspian ended up placing his bedroll beside mine and we lay down. Sometime before we fell asleep I felt Caspian place his arm around my waist and pull me forward a bit so my chest was against his. "Good night Caspian," I muttered as my lids fell closed and I faded into sleep. "Goodnight."

I had been sitting speaking with Reepicheep and several of the other mice, annoyingly he kept hinting at what he had seen between Caspian and I last night. I noticed Caspian drawing his sword as he walked towards where on of the minotaurs was on patrol around the camp.

Suddenly, Caspian darted forward with a yell his sword clashing with someone else's who looked as though they were about to attack the minotaur. Reepicheep ordered his mice to arms and I rose to my feet and made my way over, I was shocked by what I saw.

It was Peter fighting Caspian. They swung at each other with heavy swipes, aiming to injury the other if not kill. Peter smashed the hilt of his sword against Caspian's face. His didn't faze the Telmarine and the battle quickly commenced. Peter swung Caspian's sword in a circle, similar to what Edmund had down on Trumpkin. Caspian's sword flew out of his hand. I gasped as Peter swung at Caspian but he bent backwards, dodging the hard blow just in time.

Because he missed Peter's sword imbedded itself inside the tree that was behind Caspian. Peter tried to pull the sword from the bark but was interupted by Caspian who was back on his feet and kicked him in the chest, sending him to the ground. Caspian then proceeded to try and wrench the sword out of the tree to defend himself. While he wasn't looking Peter had grabbed hold of a large rock and was about bash in Caspian's head with it.

I was terrified and horrified with me brother for trying to do such a thing. "No! Stop!" Came a female cry. It was Lucy. Both boys turned to look at her. I shuck my head, scolding myself for not interfering sooner but I didn't know what to do. All the Narnians followed me and I noticed Peter scowl at Lucy before turning on the spot and witnessing all the Narnians. They all were angered by Caspian being attacked, well the minotaur being attack and then Peter almost killing Caspian because he was trying to protect the Narnian.

Peter glared back at Caspian. The Prince kept him at sword point, watching him cautiously. His eyes glanced to me for a moment, almost as though just to see if I was alright. I sent him a small reassuring smile.

"Prince Caspian?" asked Peter, uncertainly. "Yes," replied Caspian, "and who are you?" It was then that Susan and Edmund ran in, closely followed by Trumpkin. "Peter!" yelled Susan as she rushed into the clearing.

"Caspian!" I called out. Everyone in the clearing looked to me. My siblings mouths' fell open in shock as I approached them slowly. I placed my hand on Caspian's arm for him to lower Peter's sword. "Maybe I should introduce you to my family." Caspian looked to me and then to my brothers and sisters in surprise and then back to me.

He then studied Rhindon that he still held in his hand. He looked up at Peter, "High King Peter." Peter then smirked smugly, "I believe you called." Caspian looked at him and then me, "yes, but I thought you'd be... older, all of you." The last bit was directed at me. Peter then took a step back and gripped my arm in a tight hold, "well, if you like, we can come back in a few years."

Caspian quickly stopped him, "No, no. Thats alright. Your just.." he looked over all of us and faltered on me a moment, "you're not exactly what I expected." Edmund noticed this but pushed it aside and studied the Narnians, "neither are you." It was a minotaur he was studying. They had originally been on the side of the White Witch so it was understandable that he would be cautious.

Trufflehunter stepped forward and stated, seeing and understanding Edmund's look, "A common enemy unites even the oldest of foes." Reepicheep scampered forward to address Peter, "we have anxiously awaited your return, my Liege." My Liege, that's a new one. "Our hearts and swords are at your service." I rolled my eyes, after being treated like a kid back in England and then coming here it is all going to go to his head. Knowing him, that could get us killed.

I heard Lucy then whisper to Susan, "Oh my gosh, he is so cute." I couldn't help but agree. Reep then drew his sword and began to look around frantically, "who said that?!" he demanded. This caused me to laugh as I noticed Lucy's sheepish look. "Sorry," she replied quietly. Reep was slightly taken aback and tried to make amends, "Your Majesty, with the greatest respect, do believe, 'courageous,''courteous' or 'chivalrous' might more befit a knight of Narnia."

As Reep said all this he was expertly swinging his sword around before sheathing it again. Peter then remarked, "Well, at least we know some of you can handle a blade." I could tell this was an insult directed at Caspian even though I believed Caspian could have easily gotten the upper hand on Peter. Caspian's eyes were darting back and forth. I discretely stepped towards him and took his hand to reassure him and hid it behind us. He traced patterns on my skin and I could tell it was relaxing him as much as it was me.

Reepicheep seemed to take Peter's comment as a compliment to him not noticing the other meaning. "Yes, indeed. And I have recently put it to good use, securing weapons for your army, sire." My eyes narrowed slightly at this and I muttered more to myself, "Caspian's army." I noticed Glenstorm didn't look happy about Reepicheep stating it as Peter's army, he had pledged his allegiance to Caspian for a reason.

"Good," said Peter, "Because we are going to need all the swords we can get." He then turned to glare at Caspian. "Well then," replied Caspian, smartly, "you will be probably be wanting yours back." He handed Rhindon over to my older brother with his free hand, the other still moving along my hand. Peter took it and angrily sheathed it again. With a closer look it was easy to tell that Caspian was a couple years older than Peter. Peter was seventeen and Caspian looked about nineteen. Peter then turned and walked away. Caspian and I let go of each other's hands and followed after Peter and as we walked Caspian retrieved his sword from the ground.

Edmund and Lucy quickly made their way over to me and they wrapped their arms around me before we hastily followed after the others. Lucy then went to speak with Trumpkin and other Narnians while Edmund and I went to walk behind Caspian and Peter.