A/N: OMG. I'm becoming one of those authors. You know what I'm talking about. The ones that say "Oh, I'll never give up on this" or "I'll have an update in a week!" and then THEY ABANDON THEIR FICS. Ugh. I am so sorry you guys. So to make it up to you, what I did was write several chapters at once that way I can update regularly for a while. I think I will update weekly, so look for chapter six next week!

Ok, excuse time. Well, first I had writer's block. Then my depression got worse – so much worse that I spent a week in the hospital. I'm not really comfortable going into details why, but needless to say, this fic has not been at the forefront of my mind. I'm still really sorry though.

I really have nothing to say except if you think I am C.S. Lewis, I suggest you read the disclaimer in chapter 1 and then check yourself into the nearest mental hospital.

Chapter 5

(A/N Part 2: I forgot to mention, but I edited Chapter 4 because quite frankly I found parts of it lame and the way I wrote it is not conducive to where I want to go with the plot. So you might want to go back and read that part first.)

Caspian was startled out of his restless sleep by the door to his room opening. He raised his eyebrows, surprised, because all of the servants and most of the lords knew better than to enter his chambers without knocking. He looked over to the door whilst straightening his back from his position of resting his head on the bed, and smiled when he saw whom it was.

"Professor." He greeted warmly.

Cornelius had barely moved through the doorframe and was gazing at him sympathetically. Caspian's thoughts immediately went to the boy on his bed and raked his eyes over his still unconscious form and, seeing nothing wrong, turned his confused eyes to the older man.

"I hate to tell you this right now, Caspian, but…" he started resignedly, and Caspian tensed. "But," he continued determinedly "Lilliandil is here and demanding to see you."

Caspian groaned and dropped his head back onto the bed. The magician's daughter had been kind and helpful when they had first met, but eventually, she had revealed a truly demanding nature. She was still sweet, but you did not want to cross her when she didn't get her way.

He lifted his head once again and looked beseechingly at the man beside him.

"I can't leave Ed, professor. Surely you can understand? Please." He said pleadingly, reaching out to take Edmund's limp hand in his own.

The older man clapped him on his shoulder in support and said, "I can stay with him while you go deal with her. Surely you know I will protect him with my life."

"I know. I trust you. I just – " he said haltingly, unable to continue.

Cornelius finished for him. "You just love him. I know, son."

Just then, there was a knock at the door. Caspian called out for the person to enter, and a flustered servant walked in. "I'm sorry, sire, but Lady Lilliandil is quite – insistent – that she sees you immediately."

Caspian felt a rush of sympathy for the poor servant who had to deal with the impatient Lilliandil. He shot the young man an understanding smile, and said, "I'll be out in one moment. You are free to go back to your regular duties now."

The servant let out a sigh of relief. He bowed and scurried out before the King could change his mind.

Caspian turned back to Edmund, and squeezed his hand one last time before gently releasing it. He stood and ran a hand through Edmund's dark brown hair, the way he had always fantasized about. Except, unlike in his fantasies, Edmund did not release a breathy moan or sigh or anything. He didn't even stir. Caspian blinked back tears and turned towards his professor.

"You will come and get me if his condition changes?"

"Of course." The professor said, as if this was the most obvious thing in the world. Caspian shot him a grin, and walked out of the room. He was of course unaware of the fact that he looked like a man walking towards his doom. The professor let out a soft chuckle before taking the seat that Caspian had just vacated.

He ran his eyes over Edmund's face, and said softly, "Welcome back, Edmund. You have been missed."

xXx

Caspian paused outside the door to the room that Lilliandil was waiting in; in fact, he could hear her heels clicking on the stone floor as she paced back and forth. He straightened his shirt and took a deep breath, steeling himself, before pushing the door open and striding in.

Lilliandil stopped in mid-pace, and whirled around to face him. "Caspian." She greeted frostily, "How kind of you to finally grace me with your presence."

Caspian's eyes narrowed angrily. He did not appreciate her acting as if she had some sort of right to his time. She was simply the daughter of his friend, nothing more, and it was about time she learned her place. Additionally, his nerves were quite shot, what with his lack of sleep and worry over Edmund. The last thing he needed right now was to be a recipient of another one of her lectures.

"Lilliandil, I am your king, and you will address me as such. I do not tolerate such behavior from anyone who is not in my closest confidences, and I am not about to start now."

She did not even have the good sense to look a little bit abashed, so Caspian took a deep breath and continued, "Also, I have no doubt that you have come to once again badger me into making a decision about my future spouse. And to spare you the wasted breath, I will let you know that I have made a decision." Her face brightened considerably, and his darkened with even more anger. "You are not it."

"Well, who is it then?" she demanded angrily, her posture and face showing her anger and defiance.

"I do not know. What I do know, however, is that it is not you, and as such, it is no longer your business."

He took a step back and swept his arm back behind him, clearly gesturing for her to leave. But either she did not recognize it or was being deliberately obtuse, for she took a step closer to him and hissed angrily, "I am the right person to be at your side and upon the throne, Caspian. I will not give up until you accept that."

She took a step back, and her face cleared of all anger and was perfectly placid. "Now, I do believe that I would like an escort out. Caspian?" she asked sweetly.

"Of course." Caspian said calmly. "Guard?" he called.

Lilliandil's expression was one of pure fury as a guard quickly came and gestured for her to go first. Caspian was quite sure that had the guard not been there, he would have gotten a slap to the face.

He didn't bother to watch as she stormed out, and instead turned away and headed towards the door at the opposite end of the room. He wearily ran a hand over his face and let out a sigh. He knew that he was not through with her just yet, but he was resolute: he would never take her as his bride.

He set off towards his bedchambers once again, but his growling stomach waylaid him. He decided to stop off at the kitchens for a quick lunch before heading back.

He left the kitchens twenty minutes later with a full stomach and smile still on his face from talking with the kitchen staff. They were always full of funny tales. He was munching on an apple as he strolled back to his chambers to check on Edmund when he was stopped once again.

The apple fell to the floor as the frantic servant delivered her message.