All characters and character likenesses are copyright of C.S. Lewis and everyone affiliated with him and his estate. I only own parts of the plot and any miscellaneous characters I may introduce.

This is a heavily alternative universe based on the Chronicles of Narnia series, and I do not intend to offend any purists out there. Again, I own only parts of the plot.

Again, thank you for the story alerts and author faves, I hope to update as close to daily as possible.

'Return to Gold' – Chapter 3 – Rediscovering Narnia

A dull, encompassing throb woke Caspian. It seemed like someone was shoving a red hot spear into his eyes, ears and brain. He squinted his eyes tight, but the pain only increased, making him groan. Sounds then filtered through. Dull clomps of hooves against the earth was accented by the shuffling of smaller feet through the underbrush. There were animal chitters and voices on the breeze, drawing the young man back into the world of the living. Groaning again he opened his eyes and struggled to sit up.

"Good, you are awake." A long black and white striped muzzle came into view followed by the rest of the badgers' body. He was big for his kind, closer in size to a five or six year old child. "Here, drink this."

Numbly Caspian accepted the rough hewn mug, feeling warmth seep through the clay. All around him were talking animals and creatures from myth. Centaurs, fauns and minotaurs were gathered with leopards, owls and other sorts of animals. He cautiously sipped the brew, tasting exotic spices even as the magic of the herbs soothed his headache. It felt as if he had stepped out of reality and into one of the stories that his professor had told him as a child.

"Wh-what are you?" He was afraid to speak and bring their attention to him. If they truly were Narnians, then he would have to tread carefully since his forefathers had stripped the natives of their lives and their homes.

"You would think you would know a badger when you saw one." The animal huffed, shrugging his shoulders.

"No, I mean – you're Narnians; you're supposed to be extinct." Great, Caspian thought, shove your boot into your mouth.

"Sorry to disappoint you." A gruff voice grumbled from behind him as a sword point was pressed into the small of his back. Slowly Caspian turned, making sure to keep his hands away from his sword and dagger that were strapped to his side.

"Yes." A mouse with a phoenix feather tucked into a ring around one of his ears approached, small but deadly sword drawn and held at the ready. "But if you don't believe us, pick up your sword and prepare to be bested."

"No thanks." He would have found the situation humorous if he wasn't in real danger.

"Pity." The mouse huffed. "You seem like a capable opponent, for a Telmarine soldier."

"I'm not a soldier!" Caspian was outraged that someone would dare compare him to the heartless and cold men of his uncles' army.

"I am Prince Caspian, the tenth."

Murmurs ran through the assembly and belatedly Caspian wondered if it was so wise in telling the Narnians who he was. He didn't fear ransom; he knew Miraz wouldn't pay it. He would simply destroy the Narnians as well as Caspian. Miraz would see it his duty to rid Narnia of its rightful inhabitants and ruler, to make the land 'pure' for him and his son to rule and corrupt. Grimly he gathered his strength, ready to run again if he needed to, this time with or without Destrider.

"Caspian?"

"You're the rightful king?"

"Then who is Miraz?"

"A usurper, no doubt."

The crowed seemed split down the middle, some like the animals and centaurs in favor of helping Caspian, while the dwarves and minotaurs wanted the prince's blood. Squabbling broke out among the Narnians, and Caspian breathed a little easier for the moment. He knew that there were still many battles ahead, and that the first was to win the support of his true subjects.

"Whether you like it or not," Caspian struggled to his feet, putting on a brave face while on the inside he was frozen cold with terror.

"Outside of these woods, I'm a prince." He made a point to look each creature in the eye. "I can give you your kingdom back, but only if you help me. The throne is rightfully mine. Give it to me and I promise, you will have your homes back."

"No! He's a Telmarine." The dwarf that had had his sword in Caspian's back threw his hands up into the air now. "Why would we want him as our king?"

"You've forgotten Nickabrick," the badger spoke up. "That Narnia has never been right unless a Son of Adam sat on the throne."

"We might as well resurrect the White Witch while we're at it." The short man bellowed. "Just add one more thing to make the situation worse."

"Then it is a good thing that it isn't in your power to bring her back then, is it?" The badger shot back.

"That's rich, coming from you dwarf." The mouse added. "Your ancestors fought beside that hag, and did nothing to save anyone but yourselves. Trufflehunter is right; it is a good thing that it is not your hands that the fate of Narnia rests in."

Caspian stood silent, feeling that the argument was an old, bitter one that no one seemed to win. While the people of Narnia were united in their hate of Miraz and the Telmarines, it seemed that not all of them quite agreed on what power was just. Aslan, who no one has seen since the disappearance of the Kings and Queens of Old; or the White Witch, who was known far and wide for her public displays of might and power, if not narcissism. Both were ancient powers, and both still had a remnant in the folk who lived, but those remains were splintered, fractured by hundreds of years of doubt.

"Help me," Caspian tried again, manner desperate. "Help me defeat Miraz, and I will give you back your homes, your kingdom and in time, you lives as well."

"The time is ripe." A dark skinned centaur rumbled, stepping regally forward. While he was a wilder than the centaurs of old, he and his kind were still the fonts of knowledge for their world.

"Tarva, the Lord of Victory, and Alambil, the Lady of Peace have met in their Great Dance in the High Heavens. And now, here stands a Son of Adam to give us back what was taken from us." He looked around the circle, eyes bright and burning in the silver light of the Lady Moon. He met Caspian's gaze evenly and drew his sword, the blade nearly as long as Caspian was tall.

"If you choose to lead us, then my sons and I offer you our swords as well as our knowledge, to help you bring peace to out time."

Caspian let out the breath that he didn't realize that he was holding, dizziness swamping him and making him light-headed. He looked around, seeing many of the Narnians having drawn their swords as well, vowing to follow the prince into battle. Caspian sighed, not allowing himself to relax.

"We need to act quick." He was looking at the centaur, but addressing everyone in the clearing. "Miraz wants my blood as well as my head on a pike, and I know he won't be far behind."