A/N- I hope you all don't mind the different approach I took with Caspian. In the third movie he has a beard and we all know men with beards are not nice men…well except for Dumbledore but even he had a dark past; p Another thing…I absolutely adore Charles, that's a real man for me and I felt Lucy deserved a little stability from a man, Caspian isn't going to make things easier, is he? I would truly love a little more reviews, they make me all giddy when I read them!

Lucy wiped away her tears before grabbing his arms and steering him away from Caspian. Lucy knew from the moment Caspian was pushed from his room that things were tense between them, and their little argument would be the trigger for a fight. She could see Charles getting ready to say something; instead she delved him into a conversation.

"Beautiful night, isn't it?" Charles looked at her as if he had just seen the White Witch.

"What did he do to you?"

"Charles, leave it be, it had nothing to do with you. I'll handle it," he opened his mouth but before he could get in a word, she swiftly finished, "I promise."

He was contemplating whether to continue but decided not to as Lucy lead him to the front deck. She looked behind her. Caspian stood there with an unusual look and as soon as he saw her look back, he shut his doors with a thunk.

"Miss Lucy, forgive me for intruding but do you think it prudent for you to stay on this ship?"

Lucy was startled by his question, "You want me to leave? Oh you must think of me as a trouble-maker, I assure you-"

"It is not you Miss Lucy, it is Caspian. I fear you are stressful for him, wait let me finish," he said as she pointed a finger at him while opening her mouth, "I think you remind him too much of your sister."

Lucy let her hand dropped to her side; she looked out at the ocean and enjoyed the calmness of it. If Lucy could, she would return home, the calling was a mistake, she was not the one thought to come and it had raised a lot of conflict.

"I don't know why he is doting on my sister, they hardly knew each other."

"Caspian is…different. He lost his father young and his mother died at childbirth. Caspian did not receive the love and attention he so much needed. His life was consumed by the Court. He is easily influenced and your sister is a very beautiful girl who received his attention, he fancied himself in love where in your sisters position, a simple attraction, you see-"

"Yes I see quite alright."

"Then you understand?" He asked calmly, his hand softly grabbed her hand; he patted it gently but kept it there.

"No I do not, as he told me himself so many times, he's a grown man, it's pathetic to see him like this," Charles let her hand fall as he abruptly turned on her.

"I thought you would be more compassionate Miss Lucy, I heard in all of Narnia of what a gentle soul you are but your crude remarks say otherwise." She had made him disappointed and Lucy instantly regretted saying harsh words against Caspian. He was right, she usually was kinder but knew her new attitude was all thanks to Caspian mistreatment, he made her so upset at times she wish she could just strangle him with her bare hands.

"I'm sorry…"

He lifted her chin with one and peered into her eyes, "I was only joking Lucy." He chuckled lightly at her surprised look.

"I still had no right to say-"

"It does not matter; you think I would go tell him of our conversation?"

"I suppose not…" Said Lucy, she smiled at him and it faltered when she saw the look he gave her.

"I want you to marry me Lucy."

"There you are Lucy. I want to apologize for my behavior earlier. You don't have to accept my apology but I still want you to hear it. The way I treated you was uncalled for, I don't know what had gotten into me and you're right Lucy, I do need your help."

Lucy rolled her eyes, "Your right, I don't need to accept your apology. I must be a fool…but I will."

"Nothing happened that night, right?" Lucy saw his knuckled turning white as he held on to the bedposts.

"No, you passed out."

He let out a breath of relief, "What did Uncle Charles say?"

"Oh…"she placed a finger on her chin as if in deep thought, "well, he said you are a mongrel and that you should be hanged for your actions, I'm only teasing you Caspian, you don't have to look so scared."

"I am not scared," he said proudly.

"He also asked me to marry him."

Lucy wished she had not said anything as the room went deathly silent. Caspian stared at her with surprise at first then the conflicting emotions went across his face until he settled on an annoyed one.

"And?" He asked.

"And what?"

He groaned, "What did you say?"

"I said I'll think about it," she happily twirled a strand of hair until Caspian decided to interrupt her thoughts of what the future would seem like with Charles.

"No."

"No?"

"No."

"Who are you to dictate my marriage?" She pushed back her hair as she glared at him.

"You sound as if you already decided on it," Caspian walked around her, "and I have much right in it, I'm pleased to say. As King after this voyage, I can make a marriage between him and you impossible."

Lucy stomped her foot, Caspian raised an eyebrow with her method of dealing with irritation. "You forget I am not yours to rule."

"Are you not on my ship?"

"Yes but-"

"Will I not be King?"

"Yes you wi-"

"Then it is proven I do rule you," he arrogantly smirked and crossed his arms over his large chest.

"You're acting like a bothersome child; you're not fit to be King!" Lucy grabbed something to her right, which happened to be his compass and chucked it at him. He dodged it artfully but turned to glower at her.

She was truly getting tired of these arguments, she sighed as she sat down at his desk, "Why would I marry him Caspian? I've only known him for five days and he's your uncle. I am not a love struck girl to fall over heals at whelm of any man."

"…Could've fooled me," he said quietly.

"What was that?" She snapped.

"Nothing."

"Say it."

"They way you look at him, you look like you love him," he shifted uncomfortably.

"I don't love him because if I did, I would've accepted his proposal in a heartbeat. I admire him, he's a good friend, and he's not bad to look at…" she ended with a light note.

"Then you will not marry him?" He looked a little hopeful.

"I didn't say that Caspian, I need to sleep on it." Lucy stretched herself like a cat as she yawned, it had been days since she has had a goodnights sleep.

"I won't let it happen."

"I'd like to see you try and stop it," she pulled her hair up in a loose bun as she climbed into the bed, "now if you don't mind, I'd like to sleep before another round of your outbursts, goodnight to you sir."

"Ah Caspia – "his nephew smashed his fist into his face as soon as he entered his room. Charles fell on his back staring with amazement at Caspian's antics. He felt his left cheek swelling; he gingerly touched it and winced at the pain.

"I take Lucy told you of my proposal?"

"After I told you to leave her alone, you dare disobey my orders?" Caspian slid out Peter's sword from its sheath and placed it under his uncle's chin. "Do you want me to tell her what happened?"

"And what, my dear nephew, happened?" Charles eyes never left the blade, he groaned as Caspian pushed it a little further, a sharp sting then were was blood seeping down his tunic.

"You killed your wife!" Caspian's hair fell around his face as he said this and it made him look deranged as he stood their pointing a sword at the only family member he had left.

Charles face saddened as he gazed up at Caspian, "Her death was purely accidental though not a day goes by that I don't blame myself."

"So you don't deny killing her?"

Lucy opened her eyes as a blinding light hit her eyes. She perched herself up and gasped as she saw she was sleeping on the floor in the forest. She ran her hands over the small patches of grass and liked the feeling of it between her fingers. It was an inspiring place, the sun cascaded over the forest yet only a few rays made it through the trees and Lucy distinctively heard rushing waters from behind her.

"Hello Lucy."

Lucy turned around and smiled at the sight before her. Aslan stood with poise next to an oak tree. His mane was as magnificent as she remembered and she ran to him, throwing her arms around his thick neck.

"Oh Aslan! I've missed you!" Lucy giggled as he purred when she scratched his ear.

"You seem troubled little one."

"It's nothing Aslan, what have you been doing?"

Aslan calm shook his head, "What I have been doing is of no great importance."

Lucy only continued to smile and run her hand through his mane. She considered tell him but she had a notch that he already knew.

"It will take time for Caspian to understand his need for you, be patient young one, all will turn out well."

"How long shall I be patient Aslan? I need to go back home, I have no time to care for him."

"You shall not be returning home anytime soon Lucy," he said.

"You mean I am stuck here?" Lucy gasped. The idea of not seeing her mother, Peter, Edmund, and Susan was unbearable; she shook her head in disagreement.

"Narnia is your home now Lucy, you will learn your place here soon," he said as he moved back. He gracefully bowed his head as bright light engulfed him.

Lucy woke in Caspian's bed drenched in sweat. Heart leapt to her throat as she recalled her meeting with Aslan. What purpose did she serve in Narnia? How much longer would she have to deal with a drunken Prince and his charming uncle who wants to marry her? She stuffed the blanket in her mouth to mute the scream.

The next morning Lucy woke to grey skies and an angry Prince who refused to speak with her, on the other hand her marriage proposal would not leave her out his sight. As she stood on the deck, peering out at the vast waters, she thought of ways to escape Narnia, a thought that surprised her, why would anyone want to leave Narnia? Perhaps the way to go is through which she came? She contemplated whether to jump overboard but decided against as she thought of Aslans words. His word was good as any, if he foresees her staying here then it must be. The dark feeling left her when she remembered he had said everything will turn out well but at what price?

Lucy opted for a pink dress that day and she must admit it looked appalling on her. She was never one to indulge herself in women atrocities, God knows her aunt did. Her aunt was the epitome of a vixen with her lustrous red hair and her perky bosoms (which she never failed to expose at any time) and her form fitting dresses that made men turn their attention away from their wives. Her aunt also never passed up the opportunity to play makeover with her and Susie, Susie as cunning as she is, was able to weave herself out of their aunt's grasp and place Lucy on spotlight by commenting on Lucy's newly acquired breasts.

It took nearly three days for Caspian to say a word to her and he didn't fail to make her blood boiling yet again. Caspian emerged from his room wearing a light blue tunic with his boots shined until Lucy could see her reflection on them, and his hair was neatly tied back by a black ribbon. If the next few words out his mouth weren't so irritating Lucy would have complimented on his appearance.

"That's a dreadful color, it would've looked much better on Susan," he said while picking his fingers.

Her eyebrows furrowed as her held her fists near her side, "Good thing Susan has Nicholas to buy her dresses."

"Yes good thing, too bad you're hear wearing hers."

"You want me to take them off?" She asked as she reached for the skirts.

"Keep it on; I don't want to see your straight child-like body. It's hardly appetizing," he said nonchalantly. It took all of Lucy's self-restraint to not throw a punch at him.

A pair of strong hands clasped her shoulders from behind and from his scent Lucy knew it was Charles.

"I hope my nephew is not troubling you, my dear?"

Lucy shook her head but shot daggers at Caspian as he eyed his uncle with disdain. "We were only talking, right Miss Lucy?"

"Yes, only talking." She grabbed Charles's hand and smiled up at him, "Let's go, we don't want to disturb the Prince any longer do we?"

"Precisely."

Lucy was aware of Caspian's eyes on them as they walked away. As soon as they were at a decent distance, she hastily let go of his hand and backed away.

"I have been waiting, and I am not young, I do not know how much longer I should. " Charles's eyes were gazing down in her in such a manner that Lucy abruptly turned away.

Lucy knew Charles was a good man who would give nothing but love, but she could only see friendship between them and she didn't wish to hurt his feelings. The longer she waited, the more cutting it would be when she announced her answer. She felt the familiar thumping of her heart against her throat as she become nervous. She had already elongated it as much as she could, she looked at him and sighed.

"I'm sorry, I-I...can't."