2. The Dawn Treader

The four siblings floated closer together, unsure what or who they would find on this huge ship. They had no idea of knowing how much time had passed in Narnia during their year in England, or if the crew members aboard the ship were even friend or foe. As the ship came closer, they could make out raised voices calling out both to the four in the water, and to others up on the deck.

The great vessel mastered the waters upon it sailed much like a dolphin, breaking through the waves with ease. The ship itself was huge and seemed a distant memory of the Golden Age when the Pevensies had been kings and queens. The ship was of the richest, darkest wood, with details of fine gold and deep naval blue. At the very front was a fierce, wooden dragon's head, keeping its crew safe from harm on the seas. One large deep blue sail was held up in the wind upon the mainmast and upon the fabric was a majestic crest.

"It's Narnian!" Lucy gasped in relief as she recognized the embroidered crest of Narnia on the sail. "It's a Narnian ship!"

"Let's hope that's a good thing," Peter whispered under his breath, still not ready to let the crest be enough to let down his guard.

The ship reached their side and slowed down. Many strange faces appeared by the railing and there was not one crew member whom the Pevensies recognized from first glance. They were mildly comforted however by the surprised awe upon the strangers' faces and their peaceful approach to them.

Suddenly a voice spoke above all the others with a strong accent that was undeniably familiar. A recognizable figure suddenly appeared in the midst of the crew members and jumped onto the railing with the grace of a lion.

"King Caspian!" Lucy smiled widely as Susan gasped gently in surprise.

"Your highnesses!" the Telmarine king shouted back just as surprised as Lucy had sounded. The tall man was dressed in a deep purple shirt and wide seafarer pants that flowed around his legs in the gentle breeze. A frown appeared on Caspian's face, but he wasted no time as he turned and called out orders to the crew. Everyone seemed to jump out if their trance-like awe as they heard their commander. There was commotion all over deck as they prepared to aid the kings and queens in the sea.

Caspian himself hesitated not as he dove into the ocean below. With strong, confident arms he swam over to the Pevensies while behind him a rope ladder was thrown over the railing of the ship.

The Telmarine king stopped a few feet before his friends and greeted them, "Your majesties. Forgive me, I was not expecting you. Most definitely not like this. Are you alright?"

"We're fine, Caspian," Peter assured and raised a drenched hand in the ship's direction. "But we'd be even better if we got out of the water."

"Drier, at least," Edmund corrected with a nod.

"Of course, come."

They swam over to the ship and Caspian swiftly helped Lucy get a firm hold of the ladder. As she climbed up, the king then turned his gaze to Susan. As their gazes locked, the king's hand reached out to her with some hesitation. His accent was thick and warm as he breathed, "My queen, you're next."

The young woman swam over to the ladder and as she began her ascension, she felt Caspian's guiding hand on her back for a short second, but then it was gone. Perhaps, she told herself as she climbed aboard, it had been but a wished fantasy on her part. The crew members helped her up and she thanked them before hurrying over to Lucy's side. A crew member threw a couple of blankets over their shoulders and the Pevensies flashed him a warm smile. The fabric helped Susan from shivering in the breeze but still she held her younger sister close to her chest.

"Sorry to drop in like this," Edmund excused them as he climbed up shortly after. He accepted the blanket offered to him with a nod of the head. "We just dove right into this."

Peter climbed aboard then, followed close behind by Caspian. "It's quite alright," the Narnian king spoke with his thick accent making itself known and familiar again. The two men accepted blankets offered before the king turned back to his new guests. "It's a pleasant surprise, I assure, but a surprise nonetheless."

His eyes sought out Susan's briefly and she could very well imagine what was going through his mind.

I'm afraid that's just it. We're not coming back. She'd said those words herself last time in explanation of what Aslan had told her and Peter. And yet, here they were.

"Believe me; we're as surprised as you are. But it's good to be back," the eldest Pevensie assured as Caspian turned his gaze to the High king. The two men greeted each other properly as equals, grasping each others forearms in a brotherly (though wet) hand shake, before embracing each other in a hug.

"So, you didn't call for us?" Lucy asked in mild confusion as the two boys stepped apart and turned to her.

The Telmarine king shook his head once. "No. Queen Susan's Horn is in safe storage at Cair Paraval. As far as I am aware, no one has called you back."

"So why are we here?" Susan questioned with a small frown upon her forehead.

With a smile reminiscent of an excuse, Caspian gazed across the space at her. "I know not, your highness. But please, I believe you must be getting cold in these wet clothes, and the wind is not too pleasant. Let us find you something dry to wear."

Susan looked down at the thin linen dress she had worn under her clothes in England; she'd completely forgotten that they had all basically been dressed in their underwear. She could see her pale bra through the wet fabric that clung to her slim curves. Suddenly, the young woman felt very exposed and felt the heat rising to her cheeks. Judging by the clearing of throats beside her, her siblings felt the same way about their own appearance and shuffled from one foot to the other. The crew around them however was respectful enough to keep silent and seemed, indeed, to politely avert their eyes. Nonetheless, Susan inconspicuously rolled herself into the blanket, wearing it like a toga over her wet undergarment.

"Let me show you to my cabin, my queens," Caspian said and even his cheeks seemed somewhat tainted by a faint blush, though he masterly hid it behind a confident stance. "I know just who can help me look for spare clothes for you. I am afraid however that all I can offer are men's wear."

"That's quite alright," Susan smiled reassuringly, though it was to the top of the man's head as he bowed to them. "It's very kind of you. Thank you, Caspian."

As she spoke his name, the young man's eyes shot up and met hers once more. There was an unreadable look in his dark, entrancing orbs but it was only present for a mere second and soon covered behind a mask of impassive dignity. It was a look Susan recognized only too well for it was one all four Pevensies had developed as regents of Narnia. It was a look that came with many trying times, a look that once mastered allowed you to keep a straight face in any royal matter.

Now that she properly had a chance to look at him, Susan could see that the king had grown. His wet, dark hair seemed to be almost the same length as last time, but his handsome chin was adorned by a short beard that seemed to have grown after a couple of weeks on the sea. His posture spoke of a man who'd matured since their last meeting and he stood both taller and his frame was more confident than last time. The prince she had first met had now developed into a young, confident king. She wanted to hear so much more about his story, about how he had developed from an unsure teenager into the man and king that stood before her. For now, the young woman contained her questions for she much preferred not to ask in front of the whole crew.

Susan's heart skipped a beat when Caspian suddenly discarded his blanket to exchange a word with a man in the crew. The king's dark, wet shirt clung to his own strong arms and chest. He hadn't had those muscles last time around, had he? Forcing herself to look away, the young Pevensie woman focused on appreciating the embroidered sail up above.

"Your highnesses!" a distinguished voice called out from somewhere below. Lucy's eyes sparkled and a smile spread across her lips at she turned in the direction of the voice.

"Reepicheep!" she squealed in delight as the large mouse stepped out on his hind legs from behind a few crew members. As he stepped forward, all four Pevensies turned to him with warm smiles on their faces and bowed their heads in greeting.

"Queen Lucy," Reepicheep smiled and bowed, too, taking off his hat as he did so to complete the gesture as a true gentlemouse. "It is most pleasant to see you again, Highnesses. You have been sorely missed."

"It's nice to see you, too, Reep," Edmund smiled. "How's life treating you?"

"Good. Very good," the mouse replied and opened his mouth as if to continue.

Caspian however stepped forward and interrupted, "Forgive me, but this conversation can wait until after you've changed into something dry. I am sure there are many questions to be answered, but I will not have any of you catch a cold because of ill manners on my behalf. Reepicheep, could you look for clothes for young Lucy as I show them to my cabin?"

"Certainly, sire," Reepicheep bowed to the young king and disappeared into the crowd once more. Caspian held out his arm for Susan and Lucy, and they followed him away from the crew who instead turned their full attention on Peter and Edmund with many inquiries.

Caspian and the two Pevensie girls walked past a staircase that led below deck and instead headed towards the door to the cabin just below the upper deck. On either side of the ornate cabin doors were stairs leading up to the upper deck and the stern of the proud vessel. The sisters glimpsed the massive ship's wheel up on the upper deck and a few men dressed less like crew men on a ship and more like royal advisers that all bowed to the queens.

The sisters were left in awe by the design of the Narnian ship. It was so refined and beautiful, truly befitting of royalty, yet it was not over the top in any way. It spoke of power, but without bragging, of glory days, without losing grip of reality. It was simply impressive and seemed to fit Caspian well.

"This reminds me of our ship, Susan. Do you remember?" Lucy smiled and spun around on deck as she paused to appreciate the moment.

Caspian and Susan exchanged a smile at the young girl's merriment before the king turned towards the cabin. He grasped the handles of the wooden doors, the top halves of which were covered in beautifully painted glass, and pulled them open. He stepped inside before the queens and stood somewhat awkwardly by the door as they took in the royal cabin.

It wasn't as large as Susan had imagined. A wide bed stood at the centre against a wall and over by another stood a small, old fashioned closet. The length of the opposite wall was covered in painted windows. Just beside the door, beside the row of windows, stood a small, ornate table with a small blue chest upon it and a set of feather pens. A chair stood screwed to the floor beside it and it looked properly worn for a seafaring king.

The younger Pevensie strolled through the room and past the bed towards another door. It led out to a small balcony and Lucy happily stepped outside and leaned against the railing. As she did, she took in the view of the open sea and gratefully breathed in the fresh, salty air.

"It's beautiful, Caspian!" she called back but didn't turn around.

Inside the chamber, Susan once more turned to the king and the two of them exchanged small smiles.

"It really is, you know," the brunette agreed in a gentle voice.

"And it's yours now," the king spoke with equal gentleness. "You and Queen Lucy can share it for the remaining voyage, can't you?"

"Oh, there's no need… you shouldn't have to give up your cabin for us," Susan argued but when he looked at her with determination she knew there was no point arguing. "Thank you. You are too kind, your majesty."

"After everything we have been through," the king began and a slight grin adorned his features as he beheld the queen before him, "it is the least I can do."

In that moment, there was a knock on the door and Reepicheep entered carrying a pile of clothes so tall it reached well past the mouse's head. Caspian swiftly leaned down to help ease the load as Lucy called, "Susan, there are water spirits in the water! You must come look later!"

The elder sister released an amused breath but refrained from joining her sister outside. From the corner of her eyes, she noticed the mouse slipped outside to take a look with his old friend. Susan, meanwhile, politely watched as Caspian placed the clothes on the bed before her: a pair of dark brown pants, a pale shirt and a thigh long, orange-brown vest.

"These were tailored for a boy, one of the crew members wanted his son to come along," the king explained and stepped back to stand besides the Pevensie woman. "I believe they'll fit better than any clothes of mine on Queen Lucy. For you, Queen Susan, I am afraid I can offer only my own clothes."

Caspian turned to the closet and pulled out a pair of pale brown pants, and another white shirt, though this one a few sizes larger than the one meant for Lucy. Susan accepted the clothes from his waiting hands with a small curtsy. The king pulled his hands away and hesitated briefly as he gazed down at her.

"May I...?" he asked and slowly reached out for the blanket she wore. Susan felt her heart speed up in her chest as his hand closed around the fabric that rested on her shoulder. She mutely nodded and with a gentle tug, the fabric fell lose and Caspian leaned closer to gather it up in his arms. The brunette tried to hold her breath in vain, as her eyes rose to meet his.

His eyes held hers firmly and he made no inclination to let his gaze wander down her figure as both Lucy and Reepicheep appeared in the doorway to the balcony.

"Thank you, Caspian," the younger sister spoke as she walked over to the bed and the king pulled his gaze away from Susan's. With a regal bow, both Caspian and Reepicheep turned and left the two women alone in the cabin.

Susan watched the closed doors for a few seconds before she turned back to her sister, who in turn was gazing up at the elder girl with an amused twinkle to her eyes. The elder sister frowned as she stepped over and dropped her clothes onto the bed beside Lucy's.

"What?"

"You still like him," the young girl said in a teasing sing-song voice.

"I do not! Shut up, Luce," Susan muttered as she sank onto the soft covers and glared up at her younger sister.

"Whatever you say, sis," Lucy's voice was still too annoyingly amused for her sibling's taste and, not too surprisingly, there came another sly comment. "But he did look rather… dashing, didn't he?"

Feeling her cheeks burn as if aflame, Susan gazed down at the clothes and shrugged. "I guess."

Lucy bit the inside of her cheek not to laugh and quickly covered it by inspecting the clothes upon the bed. She lifted the long, dark pants she'd been given and grimaced. "These don't look particularly comfortable, much too tight and long for me. They're too feminine, much more your style, Su. And size, too. I'd prefer something baggier, more comfy. Why don't I take Caspian's pants? I'm sure there's a belt somewhere I can borrow."

"I don't really have a choice, do I?" Susan asked tiredly as she watched her sister set out in search for a belt.

"Nope!" came Lucy's swift response as she pulled a belt off a hanger by the closet.

The elder girl sighed as she pulled her wet dress over her head and looked down at the dry shirt before her. She hesitated before pulling it over her head. It fell warm and dry about her torso and was both quite large and very comfortable. She had to admit it was far more comfortable than the dresses she normally wore when in Narnia. She reached for the dark pants but stopped as her nose caught the scent of Caspian in the shirt she now wore. She tilted her nose down and took another sniff, just to make sure. It was a strong scent, musky and sweet at the same time. Definitely Caspian.

"... You okay?" Susan lifted her gaze and saw her sister on the other side of the bed looking back at her with a confused frown.

"I'm just fine!" the elder sibling assured hurriedly and turned her focus on the dark pants. "Just not entirely comfortable with the thought of these pants. I know they will just be too small for me. You want to make me insecure about my looks, do you?"

"You're beautiful, Su, how can that even be done?" Lucy huffed as she pulled off her own wet undergarment. As she pulled on the shirt, her voice was muffled by the shirt and Susan helped pull it over her sister's head. Lucy shook out her wet hair and Susan jumped back with a yelp as wet drops flew all around the young girl. "I'm glad we're back," the younger girl repeated what had been muffled by the shirt. "I wonder what Caspian's been up to since we left…"

"Well, if we hurry up, I'm sure he'll be more than happy to tell us. Put on some speed, will you."

To be continued.