The next morning when Caspian woke he had the sudden urge for a lung full of fresh air, even though he was as comfortable as he was going to get wrapped around Alessandra on the hard floor, the nagging urge to be out of these tunnels teased at him. Carefully so as not to wake her he disentangled his limbs from around her, she made a noise of discontent that only soothed slightly when he draped his cloak over her. She likely wouldn't sleep for much longer without him there but that was fine, he planned to be back by the time she woke.

The How was quiet, aside from the patrols he saw on his way up. The sun was just starting to rise when he stepped out onto one of the ledges and took a seat on the edge. He watched the sunrise in solitude for a while before he was silently joined by his professor.

"Why did you never tell me about my father?" Caspian asks after a long while.

"My mother was a Black Dwarf from the Northern Mountains. I risked my life all these years so that one day you might be a better king than those before you," The Professor answered solemnly, and Caspian understood. But after last night he felt like the professor's efforts were in vain.

"Then I have failed you," he admits.

"Everything I told you, everything I didn't, it was only because I believe in you," For some reason that shocked Caspian, "You have a chance to become the noblest contradiction in history. The Telmarine who saved Narnia." the professor took a deep breath letting the weight of his words sink in, as they looked out to the grassy field.

"I," Caspian paused, "I don't think I can do it alone."

"You won't," His professor responded instantly, surely, "But it won't be easy. Especially for her. Neither of you can do this alone."

When Alessandra woke Caspian wasn't beside her any longer, she sat up and for a split second she was confused as to where she was, before the events of the past few days came back. Especially what happened yesterday, Caspian probably wanted a few moments to himself before they had to face the consequences of what happened yesterday, he would likely carry the guilt of what he did with him for a while.

She stood and straightened her dress, smoothing back her hair hoping to make herself look as presentable as she could without a mirror. She left their alcove and made her way to the dining hall hoping to find some breakfast.

Rainstone politely declined her offer to help, seeing as this morning's breakfast was some kind of stew that she only used one pot for, albeit a large pot. The hall was fairly empty as it was still early morning, but she spied a familiar face at one of the tables.

"Good morning my Lady," Maliah said standing as she approached.

"Good morning," She responded, she would never get used to that, "Why, do you all insist on calling me that?"

"You're King Caspian's intended are you not?"

"I mean I suppose I'm-" It took a moment for the faun's words to register, "Intended?"

"His betrothed?" she clarified, "Or have you already wed?"

"Caspian and I aren't married, or betrothed."

Maliah looked positively shocked, "Truly? Well the way he's spoken about you since his arrival we all naturally assumed that," she paused, allowing her words to hang in the space between, "Pardon my boldness, but has the King made his intention known?"

Alessandra thought about it, but she knew that she didn't really need to think too hard. Caspian had made his intentions known to her, many times, but because of her station and more importantly his there couldn't be any formal declarations or proposals, "He has."

The faun's smile was soft and reassuring, "Then our assumptions may still hold some truth," then she looked over Alessandra's shoulder and stood once more, "Good morning Sire."

She had hoped that it would be Caspian but deflated when a different voice responded, "Good morning, might I speak with Alessandra for a moment?"

Not in the mood to deal with his sneering she refrained from rolling her eyes but nodded when Maliah looked at her as if asking permission, Edmund then took her vacated seat, "Have you come to yell at me some more?"

He winced, "I'd actually like to apologize," she looked at him in shock and he looked sheepish, "The way I treated you was," he sighed, "Uncalled for. I just, wasn't sure what to make of you at first, and as someone who knows a thing or two about betrayal. Can't blame me for being cautious."

"No, I guess I can't."

"But I know how much my sisters like you, and yesterday your concern for not just Caspian, but Peter as well," He shrugged, "Maybe I was wrong about you."

"Is this the part where I say thank you?"

That pulled a small smile out of him, "I'm sorry, truly, you didn't deserve how I treated you."

"Thank you."

He smiled and it looked like a weight was lifted from his shoulders, "Might I stay with you for breakfast?"

"Please."

As if on cue Maliah rejoined them holding two clay bowls, she set one down in front of Alessandra and the other in front of Edmund, but he stood shaking his head with a kind smile, "Ladies first," he excused himself giving the faun her seat back as he went to collect his own breakfast.

"Maliah, I am capable of getting my own breakfast." Alessandra sighed, unused to being served.

"It's the least I can do my Lady," The faun said clearly now teasing, evenly taking a seat once more, when she began eating with a small grin Alessandra playfully rolled her eyes but began eating as well.

They were rejoined by Edmund with his own bowl of stew, up until that point Alessandra had spent cordial time with each Pensive sibling, except Edmund, for obvious reasons. She was worried that there would be discomfort between them, but as it turns out Edmund was rather good company when he wasn't being outright rude or mean.

Shortly they were joined by Susan with her own stew followed by Caspian, he took the empty seat next to Alessandra at the end of the bench. She caught his eye with a raised brow wondering where he was, he only shook his head at her silent question, instead of pressing him she slid her bowl closer to him seeing as he was absent of his own. He shook his head again pushing it back.

The entire exchange lasted only seconds as their companions' conversation carried on around them. Even though he declined her offer, he still reached out and took her bowl even as he conversed with Edmund, she hid a smirk peering at him from the corner of her eye and as she turned back to Maliah she had a knowing look in her eye.

Breakfast was pleasant and about as close to normal as things had felt since they arrived at the How, but it was interrupted by one of the scouting fauns rushing to the table informing them that there was something topside that they needed to see immediately. Alessandra was content to stay seated and get the second hand account from Caspian once they returned, but he squashed that idea by pulling her up alongside him.

"Where's Peter and Lucy?"

"I'll find them." Maliah said standing as well and following them out of the dining hall, taking the right that led deeper into the How while the other faun took them left towards the entrance.

She wondered what could be so important that it needed the attention of all the Kings and Queens, and quickly got her answer. A contingent of Telmarine soldiers were marching out of the woods that surrounded the How, there went any hope of escaping through the woods before the Telmarines found them. When Peter and Lucy joined their disbelief matched.

"Gather everyone at the Stone Table." Peter instructed the scouting faun who nodded and left to do as he was bid, "I think it's time we took matters into our own hands."

Peter was insane, now Alessandra was sure of it. Lucy's belief in Aslan was unfailing thus far but perhaps this was asking for a bit much.

"Cakes and kettledrums. That's your next big plan?" Trumpkin exclaims sharing in her incredulity, "Sending a little girl into the darkest parts of the forest? Alone!"

"It's our only chance," Peter answers calmly.

"She shouldn't go alone," Alessandra suggests, surprising both herself and Caspian if the way his head snaps in her direction is any indication. She could only shrug in response, especially with the grateful looks she was receiving from both Peter and Lucy.

"Haven't enough of us died already?" Trumpkin almost pleads with Lucy as he stands in front of her.

"Nikabrik was my friend too. But he lost hope," Trufflehunter said solemnly from his spot, reminding them all the lengths they were willing to go. "Queen Lucy and Lady Alessandra have not. And neither have I."

"For Aslan," Reepicheep declared as he unsheathes his sword.

"For Aslan!" A bear agrees.

"Then I'm going with you," Trumpkin practically begs Lucy.

"No. We need you here."

"We have to hold them off until Lucy and Les' get back," Peter explains gently in agreement with Lucy.

"If I may..." Caspian starts causing everyone to turn their attention to him, he looks at his professor, who slightly nods, before looking at Alessandra, who gives him a small smile of encouragement unsure of what he was about to say but supportive nonetheless, "Miraz may be a tyrant and a murderer but as king, he is subject to the traditions and expectations of his people," he paused to glance around the room, "There is one in particular that may buy us some time."

Peter must have known what Caspian meant because Alessandra did not, "Do you think he'll go for it?"

"He won't back down from a challenge." He confirmed.

"Then that's how we get him alone," Peter said before turning to one of the faun's, "Find us parchment and ink please."

"Of course, sire."

"Miraz's men outnumber us ten to one, if this fails we need to prepare for an attack." Peter spoke to everyone gathered as the faun scurried out, "How many archers do we have?"

"Enough to mount an offensive." Susan responded instantly.

"Good, I want every available archer mounted on the ledge. The fauns and centaurs will be our first line of defensive, Minotaur are our strongest fighters, if Lucy and Les' don't make it back in time-"

"We will." Lucy interjected confidently.

Peter didn't bother arguing this time, "We still need to buy as much time as we can, split the field to our advantage."

"What if we could do that?" Alessandra spoke without thinking yet again, when everyone's attention turned to her she shrunk back slightly and only Caspian's hand on her back stopped her retreat, when she glanced at him he nodded encouraging her to continue. Rather than address the whole room she spoke to Glenstorm hoping that he was privy to the information his son had shared. "The foundations to the eastern end of the How are weak."

"One bump on the right pillars and the entire thing is coming down," the older centaur thankfully finished for her, "Anyone topside along with it."

"The Telmarines won't ever see it coming," Edmund added, "It's a good idea." he said to Alessandra and she smiled, which grew when Caspian squeezed her hip in approval.

With a plan decided, Edmund set out with Glenstorm to issue Miraz the challenge, Caspian had escorted her to the armoury where they were hoping to find a suitable breastplate for her to wear when she left with Lucy on their mission. Nothing from the Telmarine raid would do but thankfully the dwarves and fauns had been hard at work, it would still need adjustments since it wasn't made to fit her proportions exactly but it should do well enough to protect everything important.

"Help me get it on?" She asked Caspian meekly when they got back to their little alcove, he said nothing but came to her side nonetheless tightening the armour around her chest. He'd been suspiciously quiet since they adjourned for the time being, but she could see the millions of thoughts bouncing around his mind, "What are you thinking?"

"I want you to stay here," he responded instantly and she should have known that that would have been at the forefront of his mind. "Where I can keep you safe." He added looking into her eyes, the firelight that lit the room making his look pitch black.

"Cas'," she sighed," I'm no use to anyone here, I can't fight, I can't-"

"You've gotten better with a bow."

"Not good enough," she countered, turning to face his sulking form, "At best I'm a distraction, at worst I'll cause someone to get hurt."

"You're not a distraction."

"We both know that's not true," she huffed, taking his hand, "You can't be focused on your uncle if you're worried about me."

"And you think I'll worry less if you're not there?" he said with a deep frown, the one that deepened his brow and created wrinkles at the sides of his mouth. Which she reached up to smooth with her free hand, he took it and kissed her palm, "Please stay?"

"Everything's going to work out as it should," she released him and brought her hands up to her neck, then to her chain lifting it up and over her head. Caspian's brown creased in confusion but he lowered himself slightly so she could place the chain over and around his head, "You can return it when I get back."

His hands which had rested on her back slid down to the top of her bottom, "Are you sure there's nothing I can do to convince you to stay?"

To counter she ran her hand down her chest, "Is there nothing I can do for you to let me go?"

His lips quirked and she knew she'd won, "You'll ride out on Destrier," it was a compromise, one she gladly accepted if it would help ease his conscience.

"I'll inform Lucy." she told him before pressing a quick kiss to his lips and turning to leave. That wasn't enough for him as he caught her pulling her back into his chest and pressing his lips to her urgently, dipping his tongue in to taste her.

When he released her he pressed his forehead against hers, "I'm still going." She teased and he sighed with a grin.

"It was worth a try," he shot back, squeezing her bottom once before releasing her.

"This is not what I meant," Caspian followed closely behind Peter as he led them back to the stone table. Why was nothing going according to plan? "This is my fight."

"I think we've already tried that." Peter sounded weary as he paused, turning to face him, "Look, if there's ever going to be peace with the Telmarines, you have to be the one who brings it."

"Not if you won't let me."

"How about this, if I don't make it? The future of Narnia is in your hands."

"And what about your own future?"

Peter shrugged as they entered, "I've been considering a career in medicine."

Caspian wasn't sure how to respond to that so he didn't, instead leaning up against the entrance of the room as Peter walked in further. His mind raced as he thought that he had maybe underestimated the younger but technically older King.

"He's right," Caspian interjected, refocusing on the conversation in front of him, "You need to pick your seconds."

"Don't pick him," Trumpkin interjected with a glance at the Bugly Bear on the other side of the slab, "You'll just fall asleep and suck your paws."

When Rechpicheep offered his life and sword Caspian couldn't help the smile that pulled at his lips, he was certain that many Telmarines would have similar reactions as he did when faced with the mouses' blade. Peter declined his offer with more grace than Caspian would have been able to.

"Caspian," when Peter addressed him he stood straighter, "Please tell Ed that I want him and Glenstorm-"

"Your majesty?" The bear interrupted politely.

Peter nodded, "It is your right, but you must remember not to suck your paws."

As the blond turned to collect his shield, Trumpkin groaned, "He's doing it right now!"

Sure enough the bear was pulling his paw from his mouth with a guilty expression across his face, "Are you sure you're ready for this?"

"Are you sure that you are?"

There was a long silence between them for a moment, whereas it used to be tense, uncomfortable even, now it was contemplative.

"You should find the girls when you're done," Peter said in lieu of answering, "They'll be about ready to head off."

Caspian nodded, but paused, turning back to face the blond, "Peter? I wanted to thank you for taking care of Alessandra when I could not."

"I just did what anyone would have done," he tried to dismiss but this needed to be said, they were forming a decent relationship.

"But it was more than that wasn't it? I've seen the way you look at her." Caspian wasn't accusing him of anything, just stating the facts of what he observed.

"She's special," Peter said, nodding, "You're lucky to have her. Don't ever forget that."

"I won't."

First Caspian now this?

"I think I ought to accompany you and Queen Lucy my Lady?" Suncloud all but pleaded. as he approached holding Destrier's reigns as he guided her over.

"Every available sword needs to be here Suncloud, especially yours and your fathers," Alessandra said calmly as he took her bag and tacked it onto the horse's saddle, " We're trying to be inconspicuous, and you're not exactly subtle my friend." At least that got him to smile, she hadn't seen much of it since the castle raid.

"I'll anxiously await your return, Lady Alessandra," he bowed slightly, and made his leave, his spot was quickly taken by Susan.

"How are you feeling?"

'Nervous," Alessandra answered honestly, petting Destrier's neck.

"I guess that's to be expected." Susan said with a downturn of her lip, "Thank you for volunteering to go with Lucy."

"Well you'll all be busy. It's the least I can do." she looked at the dirt beneath their feet, "Will you look after Caspian while we're gone?"

"It's the least I can do." Susan repeated genuinely, "You should take this as well," When Alessandra looked up again the Queen was offering her enchanted bow and arrow.

Her brow pinched, "Su?"

"Take it," she said, already sliding the strap over her head, "I don't expect that you'll need it, but it's better to be safe than sorry."

"Thank you."

At that moment Caspian escorted Lucy in and over to where they waited, Lucy looked excited whereas Caspian still looked apprehensive. She gave him a look that begged him not to argue again and he acquiesced for once as he took her waist and helped her onto the horse's backback. His cupped his hands for Lucy to step into and hoisted her up behind her, as Susan helped get Lucy situated Caspian pressed the reins into Alessandra's hands with a long look before helping them secure them on the saddle

"Destier has served me well," he told Lucy, his had previously making sure that Alessandra's foot was firmly in the cradle slid up to cup her calf beneath her skirt, "I trust her with my life," The double meaning wasn't lost on her, "You're in good hands."

"Or hooves." Lucy teased and Caspian grinned.

"You should take this too," Susan said as she came to Caspian's side offering her famed horn, "Just in case you run into trouble out there."

"Thank you." Alessandra said before tucking it away, a horn sounded further down in the How.

"You should go." Susan urged as she and Caspian took a step back, Caspian's more reluctant than hers. Alessandra shared one more long look with him before she pulled on Destier's reins and nudged her into a trot, which soon turned into a gallop as they got closer to one of the How's hidden entrances.

"With his life huh?" she heard Lucy tease and rolled her eyes.

"Shut up." She huffed but smiled as they broke out into the daylight of the forest.

They weren't riding for longer than a few moments before Lucy gasped, "They've spotted us!"

Alessandra glanced up and sure enough half a dozen Telmarine riders were giving chase on the ridge above them, she cursed and urged Destrier to go faster which the horse obeyed galloping ahead in quick bursts.

When they arrived at a clearing she pulled on the reins to bring Destrier to a stop, the Telmarines wouldn't be far behind so she had to make her decision quickly.

"What are you doing?" Lucy asked in shock as Alessandra climbed down from the horse's back.

"I guess you'll be going it alone after all Lucy."

"What about you?"

She shrugged and gave her half a smile, "Tell Aslan hello for me." she said in lieu of a real response slapping the horses rear so she took off once again with one less rider.

Taking a deep breath she took the bow into her hands and pulled an arrow off her back, notching it. She remembered both Caspian and Susan's instructions as she pulled back on the bow, tightening her core, lifting her elbow, aiming in the direction the riders would come from.

A few moments later the first rider appeared, to her immense surprise she didn't hesitate in releasing the arrow, trusting in the bow and arrow to find its mark.

It did and the rider fell from his horse, whether or not her shot was fatal was something to be determined once they were all dismounted, with one shot released into a moving target the rest came easily, two, three riders downed. The last came a hair too close and she had to duck to dodge the swing of his sword. One of the riderless horses bucked wildly in her direction and she threw herself out of its way and onto the ground the bow landing a few feet away, the only remaining rider spun around a few paces ahead and came back at her with his sword drawn. She barely had time to consider reaching for the bow and arrow once again before there was a blur of black and brown in front of her, in between her and the Telmarine soldier.

Whereas her shots left her questioning their lethality, Caspian's strikes with his sword did not. The soldier slumped over and off his horse seconds later as Caspian sheathed his sword and looked around at the bodies left about the clearing. He turned back at her with a knowing smirk as he held out his hand, she took it and he pulled her up on the horse behind him.

"Next time you stay with me." he promised, ensuring that her grip was secure around his waist by covering her hand with his and squeezing. She didn't respond, only grinned, tucking her head into his neck as he took them back towards the How.