Chapter 2

The Foolish Prince

Susan wandered the hallways, deceived as she sensed a figure following her closely. Walking to the archery site, she turned around to face a strong gust of wind blow against her, her face suddenly turn pale.

"King Peter!" Peter quickly stood up from his throne chair and approached the announcer down the steps.

"What is it?" He responded.

"It's Queen Susan…" the Minotaur said sadly. Peter widened his eyes; he was scar with the fear of losing a sibling. Unlike Edmund or Lucy, Susan was the closest sibling that Peter considered to give big respects too. Even though she looks a lot like their mother there are times she gets carried away about being a hen to her chicks and as for Peter, he was just a stubborn boy. He quickly ran off as the Minotaur stood there looking pleased.

Smashing the doors with his axe, the Minotaur walked in the half frozen chambers of King Edmund the Just. Aware that the chambers were empty, he went off looking through other rooms. While he walked past a double door, he caught a familiar scent. He shattered the doors noticing it was Prince Caspian's chambers. As he stared at the bed, he believed there were a sleeping figure in there as he removed the bed curtains, he found…

He grunted, and walked away, the bed was empty.

"A very beautiful creature indeed, my liege," Prince Caspian replied as he stared at Edmund petting a strong healthy white stag. Edmund looked at him, motioned him to come closer.

"Come on, Caspian. He doesn't bite." Edmund said reaching his hand out, Caspian sighed and came over already knowing what Edmund's commands are.

Joining his side, Caspian felt warmth inside his body, it was something he never really experience before. He could only consider it was a familiar feeling, how he felt about Edmund's older sister, Susan. He knew, Susan the Gentle wanted him to make the first move but of course Caspian was a shy guy. During the battle, she and he would make eye contacts having that feeling of liking each other but when Edmund appeared and saved both, Peter and him from Jadis in the stoned ruins. Caspian soon grew more attached to the King of Just. Even with his history lessons from Doctor Cornelius, he was always interested to the King of Just; the way how he deals with Jadis and his betrayal that nearly broke his family's trust. He was honorable letting himself risk his life for his family and friends in battle. There was also a context, Caspian would always remember in a history scroll.

"He was foolish boy but he sacrificed himself for the troubles he caused."

He couldn't believed that the foolish boy, he was so interested about was actually standing right next to him. He was just a boy that somehow with his family stumbled into a world they never knew would existed. He was a fine looking boy that is, that Caspian had to conclude.

"Caspian," He was absent in mind as Edmund called for his attention. The prince looked at him, amused that Edmund was sighing assuming he was nuts.

"Yes?" Caspian answered cutting off the silence.

"Let's go for a run." Edmund explained. Caspian narrowed his eyebrows, a bit confused of what he meant.

The unique stag jumped over a fallen tree trunk with two chasers behind it. Edmund was ahead of Caspian, attempting to make his horse to go faster. The horses gallops through the Narnian's Forest chasing their prey which it was easily to spot in a greenish territory. Caspian was getting worried; he was losing his sight on Edmund. Disappearing around a corner or so, Caspian halted his horse and shouted out for his highness. While the wind blew hard against his face, Edmund loses the stag and stopped his horse to end the chase. He glanced around, wondering where was Caspian.

"That…guy…" He growled, unimpressed that he lost his friend. He spun his horse around to take the trail that headed for home. Then something shifted, he peered up and stared around him. "Caspian, is that you?" He asked out loud, there was nothing, not a sound at all. He moved on only he quickly pulled his horse back from a falling axe that aimed its head. Edmund spooked as a dirty white Minotaur approached him and his horse, with eyes hazing with red. The Minotaur roared as Edmund commanded his horse to move and to move fast.

Caspian glanced up to see flocks of birds chirping wildly as they fly away from the trees. The prince suddenly knew what was happening. His black horse galloped throughout the forest, running to wherever Edmund might be. Soon he heard trees crackled as they fall to their side, he nearly once gotten himself to that situation where the tree was about to fall in front of them luckily his horse burst into speed to dodge it. Caspian then found the Minotaur smashing his axe against each tree that stood near him following a path of a boy on a horse. "Your highness!" He shouted unthinking as the Minotaur reached and managed to grab Edmund off his horse. Holding the back of his neck, Edmund gasped as the Minotaur stop moving and Caspian halted his horse before him. The creature turned around revealing Edmund to Caspian. "Let him down this insist!" Caspian cried pulling out a sword. The Minotaur laughed.

"You have no right to order me, or the Narnians!" The Minotaur said as Edmund looked up to him.

"Why are you doing this?" Edmund yelped as he struggled with the Minotaur's painful hold.

"Because I can," The Minotaur replied, Caspian frowned.

"If you're so strong, shall we take this as a challenge?" Caspian urged the Minotaur's intentions.

"Caspian…" Edmund cried as he knew the prince didn't have the power to go against a Minotaur alone since he was twice the size then he is. The Minotaur hissed and let go of Edmund as he fell to the ground nearly broken his legs as he landed to his bottom.

The Minotaur roared accepting the foolish prince's challenge. "It's a fight then." The Minotaur answered as he rampaged towards him, Caspian moved and dodged him as he hid behind a tree; the Minotaur spotted the prince's sleeve at the tree where Caspian hid. With his axe swinging across in front of him, cutting the tree thoroughly, Caspian dunked managing to come out and slashed his sword against the Minotaur's arm. With a clean scar, the Minotaur roared and Caspian once again hid beyond the trees. "Coward, fight like a Minotaur!" He pouted.

Caspian showed himself with a smile, hands to the handle of his sword. "But I am a man." The bull hissed unimpressed of the prince respond. The Minotaur flushed his anger in his axe as he smashed it against a tree then dived it down towards the ground where Caspian stand only he moved and hit the Minotaur's back with his sword. The half creature hissed when he swing his arm aside hoping to hit his opponent. With Caspian, smaller then he is, he was faster, much faster.

Edmund grunted as he reached out to a low branch, supporting his legs to get up. He looked out to the small patch of the clear arena where Caspian and the Minotaur fight.

"Once I have your head, your king will serve my queen." Minotaur spoke that made Edmund clued an idea that Jadis the White Witch is back…

The Minotaur turned around expressed an attack that caught Caspian off guard. Slammed against the tree then to the ground, the prince grunted as his right shoulder was dislocated. The creature chuckled realizing the prince's state. "Do you honestly think you could protect your king?" Minotaur taunted, Caspian stared at him with his mouth shuddering.

"Of course not…" He sneered with blood gushing out from his bottom lip.

His opponent was a bit surprised of the prince, steadily getting up with his hand over his broken shoulder. Snapping his shoulder in place, Caspian growled in respond.

"But…I'm not finish yet." His face became tensed as he made his move; the Minotaur had quite a handful in the battle. Caspian had forced himself to his limit and managed to have the Minotaur fall to the ground and his sword nearly shoved into his throat. The Minotaur admits defeat.

"Finish me off, your highness, it would be the best." The Minotaur replied that made him look like he was taunting him. Caspian had experienced the choices of killing or pity, knowing his own true nature, Caspian was reminded about his uncle, Miraz. He chose not to be him so the prince spared the creature's life and left to be with his king.

"Caspian…" Edmund called as he raise his arms to him, Caspian felt warmly greeted as he came into his arms. Edmund was still in shock as the Minotaur mentioned his queen; unsure if he should be afraid or not, he was already trembling. He didn't know if it was really Jadis that the Minotaur was talking about but his feelings about her just made it cold enough to start him jumping in conclusions that she will get her way through him again. "I'm…I'm scared…." Edmund begun to cry, hiding his face against Caspian's shoulder. Caspian lean closer to get Edmund have a better grip on him with his hands caressing his back. Caspian spoke realizing the reason of why Edmund was crying.

"It's okay, she won't get you." His hands gripping on his king's chemise, he slipped his face against Edmund's and whispered in his ear "I won't let her."

Edmund looked up realizing the heat between them, they were so close with their faces and just by friends the moment was awkward. The prince's eyes were clear as Edmund smiled to them, honored to see them so close. Caspian fell into an illusion of his king's dried out tears among his beautiful face. He was too close for comfort and his lips were on their own, closing the space between them. Edmund was dazed until he realized the prince's aim. He snapped and pushed Caspian away.

He stood up on his own as the prince followed his stand.

"We…we should go." Edmund announced feeling queasy by the moment. Caspian too looked bothered, his chance and his feelings were chased away as the wind blows east. But he never gave up; he showed his hand to Edmund. Understanding his intention, Edmund looked at him and pity him. As he reached his hand over, he caught something in his senses. He looked away and realized the Minotaur was charging towards them. Caspian reacted quick as he realized it too; he pushed his king aside that Edmund landed onto his back. Caspian pulls out his sword and merely gave a swing that blood actually indicated the dying Minotaur. The Telmarine checked the creature's condition but he already knew by his attack, he had killed him.

Caspian looked ashamed that he purposely killed the creature; he seeks his king's face that was swollen from so much crying. They both exchanged sadden looks and Caspian came by and help his king to stand.

Edmund looked up to him. "Are you okay Caspian?"

The prince looked back to the dead Minotaur; his face became frustrated and uncontrolled. "Caspian…?" Edmund called again.

"Do I look okay?" The prince said with a madden cry.

Edmund flinched and the Telmarine suddenly realized what he had done and begin to apologize. "Your highness…I…" He reached out to Edmund but he had never had his chance as Edmund slashed his hand away and started to run back to the castle.

He didn't want to see his face; he didn't want to see anybody's face. He didn't want his feelings twist by on every moment that Caspian does, he felt like crying and be angry at the same time. Edmund hid himself in his younger sister's chambers because he knew it was last place where Caspian would expect to find him and his room off-limits for investigation. He didn't seem happy when he found a picture on Lucy's table top. It was an old sepia portrait of his family, where the four of them and their parents were in it. Edmund was only one in the picture that wasn't smiling and a man standing next to him was holding his hand while he carried a baby on the other. Edmund started to feel inconsolable; his dad was very close to him when he was young until the day, Lucy was born. Edmund couldn't imagine how Peter felt like when Susan was born then him then Lucy. That pang of jealously towards their younger sibling instead of one that Edmund had to deal with, Peter had three. Edmund couldn't think of anything better, he always thought Peter didn't like him, period maybe because he was a male. The young king sat down, relaxing his leg muscles that became intense.

"Edmund…?"

Edmund looked quickly at the door to see Lucy staring at him confusedly. He stood up with the picture in hand and gave a nervous reply.

"I'm sorry Lucy, I was just..."

"Its okay, Edmund…" Lucy said ending his embarrassing respond, she came up to him as Edmund sat down again and she looked over his shoulder. Staring at the picture that Edmund held out in front of them, she smiled. "Do you remember the time, we had that snowball fight?"

"And you jump on my back and put snow under my shirt?" Edmund replied remembering that moment.

"Because you gave me a face wash," Lucy finally concludes, they both laughed. "I really wished dad was there for that time." Lucy outspoken and Edmund's cheerfulness died down. "You and I would always be the first to jump on his bed on Christmas morning and he'll always give us a head rubbing for doing that to him." Edmund felt uncomfortable as he placed the picture aside. Lucy then noticed what she done instead of cheering up her brother, she brought him down and a lot worst. Edmund got up looking stiff and strict. "Ed, I'm sorry." Lucy apologized but her brother nudged her apologizes aside and gave her sarcastic chuckle.

"No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have invaded your room anyway." Edmund said in a quick husky voice, he paced himself to the door, shutting it behind him. Lucy looked remorseful for what she did; she sat down and stared at the family portrait on the table.

He was getting madder by the second; he paced himself down the hallways with the most frustrated face he ever had, Caspian like it was on cue, crossed his path and realized his motivation. "Your highness?" Caspian called. Edmund ignore him by walking past him, the prince wouldn't let him as he grabbed hold of his wrist.

"Let me go!" Edmund cried.

"No." Caspian firmly spoken, Edmund forced himself to pull away but hell, Caspian had an iron grip.

"Caspian let me go. I mean it." Edmund fumed as Caspian sighed.

"First heard me out," The Telmarine begins to say, Edmund then calmed his inner rage as Caspian let go of him. "I'm sorry that I yelled at you, I was completely frustrated and upset, and…" His mouth was suddenly covered by Edmund's hand, silencing him.

"I'm sorry too…" Edmund whispered as he sniffled. "I guess I'm just worked up about Jadis coming back sort of thing and you getting mad at me then I made Lucy unhappy…I just don't know what to do anymore, it's getting worst by the second, and…"

"Relax." Caspian announced when he removed Edmund's hand from his mouth, Edmund was crying again making his face all red and completely looking miserable. "A king doesn't cry." The prince joked as he wiped Edmund's tears.

Edmund a boy from England smiled as Caspian reached down to him. Their eyes connected once again, his lips smooth and lustful as Caspian drew closer but Edmund, his thoughts won't allow it. He was a boy for one thing and if Peter finds out, oh god who knows what he'll do. He gently moved Caspian away again, rejecting his touch. Caspian was greatly disappointed but respected his choice. "I'm sorry." Edmund replied nervously, Caspian just smiled.

"It's alright." Caspian said as he walked away as while for Edmund he watched him go feeling imperfect.

Edmund went off to another direction in the hallway and meet with up Peter in the throne room. There he spotted his big brother sulking back and forth in one spot; a pattern that Edmund was familiar with was that Peter was irritated about something.

"Peter, is something wrong?" Edmund called as Peter was brought out of focus. Peter shook his head, saying no. "I know you, you're my brother." Peter sighed with grief.

"I don't know how to say this but Susan is injured." Peter announced that made Edmund flinched.

"What? What do you mean by injured?" Edmund said furiously.

"Someone attacked her, right now the doctor is checking on her." Peter explained strongly, Edmund shook his head unbelieving what Peter was saying.

"Who was the attacker?" Edmund shot out a question.

"She said a Minotaur before she went unconscious." Peter said that scar Edmund's mind. Peter then realized his reaction. "Edmund…?"

"A Minotaur was after me this morning and he said I'm going to serve his queen." Peter was speechless by the moment when Edmund continued nervously. "I think she's back and she after me."

"Edmund, you don't know for sure if it's Jadis." Peter said, setting his little brother's mind.

"But it's obvious, last night's frozen room incident. She is taking down everyone who I cared about. Who knows Lucy might be next!"

Peter steamed and slapped him. "Get hold of your self, Ed." Controlling his anger management the move was for dramatic measures and it worked as Edmund calmed down. "To prove it, we'll visit Aslan's how tonight and see her." He patted his younger brother's shoulder. "Relax, Ed. It's all in your head." Peter managed to say even though he knew it wasn't true.

"I guess…" Edmund said with a small smile and Peter was glad to see it as he started messing with his hair. "Hey!"

"Let's get going, I'll invited Caspian along too." The high king spoken, Edmund looked at him confusedly. Peter was already by the doors until Edmund spoke up.

"Hey Pete,"

Peter looked at him. "Yeah…?"

Edmund grinned. "Thanks." His older brother saluted him like the way their dad always done it also it was last thing that Edmund and his dad ever done together. Peter left leaving the troublesome king onto his throne. Before he became the king of Just of the western provinces, he was a foolish prince like Caspian.