Hello again everyone! Look! another posting! aren't I'm so nice? Enjoy:

Edmund had left about 3 days ago, and sleep still eluded Susan. On this particular night she wasn't riddled with worry, but instead her mind was just too active for sleep. So Susan did what she always did when her mind needed wearying- she went to the library to read. Susan walked to the library where she saw a dark figure sitting in front of the dwindling fire.

"I'm so sorry!" Susan whispered apologetically as she tried to back out of the room.

The figure awoke with a gasp, "Huh?" He said turning to Susan.

In the fire's glow she could see the previously sleeping figure was in fact just Caspian. Susan put a hand over her mouth to stifle a small giggle. "Sorry for waking you Caspian."

Caspian straightened up and rubbed his eyes, "No it's ok." he reassured her, "I didn't mean to fall asleep in the first place."

Susan took a step closer towards him, where she noticed a rather large book sitting in his lap. "What were you reading then?"

Caspian's eyes shifted from Susan to the book in his lap. "Oh it's just something the Professor used to make me read." He ran a hand lightly down the page.

Susan sat down next to Caspian and tucked her feet in, making Caspian squirm uncomfortably in his seat. She looked at the ornate book. "A History of our Neighbors?" Susan read the title out loud.

Caspian nodded flipping through the pages. "It's mostly about Narnia," he started, "But back under my uncle's rule anything even mentioning Narnia was banned and destroyed so the Professor rebound this book, but with a different name." Caspian sighed, "I used to read this book for hours late at night until I fell asleep." he smiled softly, "I guess I still do."

Susan looked at the book that was so precious to Caspian. "It has all of Narnian history in it?" she asked.

Caspian nodded showing her through the book as he spoke, "Yes. It starts with how Aslan created Narnia, showing the story of Digory and Polly. But it spends a great deal of time talking about the 100 years of winter and the four children that brought an end to the reign of the white witch leading Narnia, and the surrounding countries, into a Golden Age."

Susan's cheeks grew to pale rose color, "And you used to read this as a child?"

Caspian looked her in the eyes. "Every night. Those stories were my favorite. Brothers and sisters fighting and ruling together. I guess I liked it so much because I never had a brother or sister of my own. It was always just me; alone." Caspian broke eye contact with her and stared into the fire.

Susan gave Caspian a sad look and gingerly put a hand on his shoulder as he put his head into his hand and mumbled, "And it seems as if I am forever doomed to be that way."

Susan gave a half hearted smile. "Oh a strapping young man like you? I'm sure the ladies are all over you" she said trying to lighten the mood a bit.

At those words Caspian straightened up and looked her coldly in the eyes. "I would never let that happen" he said grimly. Then proceeded to stand up and walk stiffly towards the door, leaving Susan in an understandably confused state. When he reached the door he paused and softened a bit looking back at the slightly hurt Susan. "You can borrow that book," he said nodding to the book of Narnian history that they were just admiring, "I know you probably lived through most of it, but then you can tell me about which parts they got wrong."

It was a strange gesture of apology for his bizarre actions but Susan knew that it was at least something. So she picked up the book and nodded, "Thank you Caspian."

Caspian started out the door when he turned back one more time. "For what it's worth," he started, "I'm really glad that you're back in Narnia. And your siblings too. I did not believe that I would ever see you guys again." And with that, he left.

Peter was on his way to the kitchen. Back when he was King he and Ed used to sneak into the kitchen (was it really sneaking if it was their kitchen?) for a late night snack after a long day. And with Ed not being there today it made Peter want to go on this traditional late night escapade. Peter laughed silently as he contemplated the years of the past. This was the place of his childhood, the only childhood he cared about, and here he was again. It was very surreal to be here again he thought.

Peter got to the kitchen and looked around to find what he was looking for. Then he spotted it. A large wooden box on the floor pressed against the back outside wall. He opened it up and his suspicions were confirmed, it was the ice box. Peter dug around a bit and until his hands found a small container. Pulling out the cream he shook the condensation from his hands and stuck it in between his legs trying to warm his hand up.

Peter heard a tiny shriek and turned around.

"I'm so sorry Your Majesty," the servant girl apologized. Peter remembered her from the day before; Fawna her name was. "I didn't mean to barge in, I was just trying to clean up the kitchen for the morning. I will leave you alone."

Peter shook his head and motioned to the kitchen, "Please don't mind me," he said taking a seat upon one of the benches, "Continue, I wish not to delay you in your work."

Fawna nodded gratefully and started to wipe down the center table.

Peter looked at her and noticed how graceful she was. The way she moved across the room her long skirt flittering around her legs, just brushing the ground below, Peter found it mesmerizing. Her grace reminded Peter much of a dancer that his father once took him to see in America. The swish of her skirt, the subtle click of her heels on the marble floor, and the soft tune that she was humming held Peter in a sort of trance.

Fawna shooed Peter gently as she cleaned the table he was sitting at. Peter went to put his ice cream away and leaned against the wall. "So Fawna," Peter started as the servant girl stopped to look at him, "how long have you been working at the castle?" Peter inquired. Peter scratched the back of his head, "If you don't mind me asking that is."

Fawna shook her head. "I don't mind at all Your Majesty" she said politely, "When King Caspian took the throne and liberated, and united the Narnians I was given to the palace to work for him."

Peter's eyebrows creased, "Given to work? By whom? Were you a slave?" He asked feeling a bit of... anger? rise within him.

Fawna smiled softly and rinsed her rag out in the sink, and turning to Peter she replied, "No, not like that at all. My father gave me to the castle in hope of a better life. There was no place for me there, and I live a much better life here. I am grateful for the King's generosity."

Peter nodded his face softening. "Speaking of which," he started cautiously, "Do you know what is with Caspian-the King that is? You say that you've been with him since the beginning, so when did this," he said waving his hand about, "all start? Surely there must have been some defining moment. My siblings were here about three Narnian years back and they said Caspian was fine then."

"Narnian years?"

"It's complicated with us."

Fawna giggled softly, "As I have noticed."

"You are avoiding the question." Peter stated pointing his spoon at her.

Fawna looked up as if remembering something from the far past. A sadness entered her eyes as she placed the rag down on the counter. "I can remember a time of peace. It was beautiful, and yet seems so long ago, as if it were a dream. Or a dream of a dream. I guess," she sighed, " that it all started right after his voyage to the Far East. When he returned..."

"Peter!" Susan came running into the kitchen with a worried look on her face.

"What's wrong Su?" Peter said with concern in his voice.

"It's... It's..." Susan said panting hard.

"Susan! Breathe!" Peter said grabbing his sister by the shoulders.

Susan gulped down a breath of air and tried again. "Peter. It's Lucy. She's sick."

Before Peter could say anything Susan shook her head, "Peter you don't understand. She has the same kind of sickness as the people in the town have."