What if Prince Caspian had killed his uncle that day on the field of battle?
What if initially it seemed to have little effect on him for the worse, but after the Pevensies went home, he slowly began to change?
What would Aslan do, who would he send in order to save the Narnians from their saviour, save him from himself?
(Set during the Voyage of The Dawn Treader but with flashbacks to Prince Caspian.)
Ages
Caspian 21
Peter 21
Susan 19
Edmund 17
Lucy 15
Eustace 15
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Prince Caspian tenth of his name sat on the dais watching the tournament unfold before him. He was bored … more than that he was bored to death. He had been taking part in the Tournament, but he had withdrawn claiming that he was fatigued from his sea voyage, but in truth he had been unseated by quite a few of the Galmian Knights and he refused to let the oafs humiliate him any further.
And so, he watched the rest of the Tournament from the Royal box and to make matters worse he had been seated once again next to The Duke of Galma's daughter. The senile old fool thought that he could entice him, the King of Narnia to marry the squinting, freckled wench … but there was no way he would submit to that … he had a much bigger prize in mind for a wife.
Caspian's mind drifted back to his parting with the Pevensies …
Caspian had been searching for Aslan when he found him talking to Peter and Susan. As one they had looked up at him and stopped talking as he came down the steps and he had the uncomfortable feeling that they had been talking about him.
"We are ready." He had told them.
Outside the castle, all the Telmarines and Narnians had gathered, and Aslan had explained that the Telmars could return from the island that they had originated from. Caspian felt a stir of resentment as Aslan revealed that the Telmarine line had sprung from Pirates.
When the first Telmarines disappeared through the door in the tree (Caspian's Aunt, cousin and one of Miraz's most trusted Generals much to Caspian's satisfaction – there would be less of a chance of a threat to his rule with these three gone!) the gathered Telmarines became afraid to follow. Reepicheep and his mice offered to go as an example but that was when High King Peter had stepped forward.
"We'll go."
King Edmund looked at his brother in shock.
"We will?"
"Come on. Our time's up." Peter told his family. At this he had walked over to Caspian and offered him his sword.
"I want you to put this back for me in the Royal Treasury at the Ruins of Cair Paravel." He told Caspian. "I will need it when I return."
Caspian whose heart had raced when he thought that King Peter was giving him his legendary sword, felt a surge of resentment when he realised that he was not.
"You mean you are to come back" he asked somewhat grudgingly. He wanted Susan to come back of course, in fact he did not wish her to leave at all, but the others … High King Peter, who would outrank him …
"High King Peter and Queen Susan were to leave and not return."
It was Aslan who had been watching the scene with all seeing eyes.
"But I think Caspian, it would be well for Narnia if they return."
While keeping his face outwardly calm, Caspian's thoughts rebelled at this.
It was because he had slain his uncle on the battlefield after the duel with Peter … he knew it.
Peter and Aslan had spoken to him about it afterwards … said that it was not the act of a Narnian King … that they expected better of him.
As Caspian dragged his thoughts back to the present, he realised that the Pevensies were saying their 'goodbyes.'
Susan walked up to him.
"I'm glad I came back" she said to him.
Caspian smiled. He knew it, throughout the campaign there had been exchanged looks, implications, hints of attraction, but since the duel he had felt Susan pulling away, but it seemed that the Gentle Queen still had feelings for him.
"I wish we had more time together." he told her.
Susan smiled
"It would never have worked anyway."
Caspian frowned.
"Why not?" he demanded, but Susan did not answer and instead made to walk away.
Caspian reached out and grasped Susan's forearms pulling her back towards him and kissed her passionately. He could feel Susan tense under his hold, but she did not pull away, but then as he attempted to deepen the kiss, she shrugged free of his grasp.
As Susan walked away Caspian could see the disapproving faces of her siblings and Aslan.
That had been three years ago and still the Kings and Queens had not returned. In some ways Caspian was glad as he did not wish the High King to return and interfere with his rule.
But Susan … he wanted Susan.
So ... new idea for a story - please let me know what you think - if you hate it, I'll leave it alone, but if you like it - I'll write it
Maedhbh