The size of the Telmarine army still came as a shock to Alessandra as she and Caspian rode back towards the How. Peter and Miraz were locked in a duel in the ruins at the entrance of the How, Caspian led the horse over to where the first line of the Narnian army waited in arms. He climbed down from the horse's back and helped her down, moments later they were joined by Peter, sweaty and breathing hard as he pulled off his helmet and handed it over to Edmund.

"Lucy?" he asked through deep breaths.

"She got through," Alessandra told him instantly, not wanting him to have anything more to worry about, "With some help," she added, nodding to Caspian.

"Thank you," he told Caspian in genuine gratitude.

"Well you were busy," Caspian said, waving him off.

"How's it going?"

"Close," Peter said glancing over his shoulder where Miraz was being tended to by his men, Sospesian was tying a badge around his leg, "You should head up there," Peter said, blocking her view with his body, he looked bigger with his armour. Every bit the High King she'd read about, if still a bit too round in the cheeks, "I don't expect the Telmarines will keep their word."

"Right," she nodded, and despite herself stepped forward and pulled him into a tight hug, too tight if his wince was anything to go by, "Sorry." She said instantly releasing him.

"It's alright."

"Be careful."

He nodded and she took a step back so Edmund could tend to him, when she turned to Caspian she recognised the look in his eye. But it was neither the time nor place, so instead she touched his arm as she passed by and made her way back towards the How. A kind minotaur helped her up onto the ledge, and she was ashamed to admit that she underestimated Trumpkin's strength as he helped pull her up the rest of the way. She found a place between him and Susan who only gave her a nod in greeting.

When the duel started once again Alessandra tried not to flinch each time their sword clanged together. From what little she knew about sword fighting, Miraz was good, she'd say that Peter was better but she knew that she'd be being biassed. The sword fights that she'd seen before were only practised affairs with blunt swords designed not to do any real or serious damage, this was not that. It was a fight to the death in every sense of the term. Miraz was stronger, there was no doubting that, but he was older, experienced, yes. But Peter had that experience in a younger body and it showed.

Soon enough they were both disarmed, fighting without only their fists and somehow that was worse. More vicious if possible.

In a blink Miraz was down on his knees and Peter was standing tall above him, she couldn't hear the words exchanged from this distance but she heard Edmund's next warning, "Now's not the time for chivalry Peter!"

There was a long tense moment before Peter moved again, it seemed like respite was called for once more. Seconds later though Miraz was up once again clearly going for a cowards victory as he picked up his sword while Peter's back was turned, the entire Narnian army shifted but Edmund called out loudly, "Look out!"

Peter spun around in a blink, grabbed the sword and stabbed Miraz.

Peter blinked hard sword poised to strike, staring down at the man, this usurper on his knees, not begging for his life, rather resigned to have the duel ended this way as tradition entailed.

"What's the matter boy?" Miraz asked through ragged breaths, "Too cowardly to take a life?"

Peter paused to consider, "It's not mine to take," he decided at last.

He turned to where his marshalls waited, dutifully poised and ready to attack should he give the order. He focused his gaze on Prince, soon to be King Caspian, no words we exchanged this time. None we needed, he simply offered him the hilt of the sword. Caspian hesitated for only a moment before stepping forward and taking it.

The metal felt ten times heavier in his hand than it ever had before, this was the moment Caspian felt like he'd been waiting his entire life for. Ever since the death of his parents, since he was old enough to suspect that it was his uncle that did it. Years later having confirmation didn't make him feel any better, closure perhaps, if anything it stoked the fire that had been burning in him since.

As he raised his sword he thought about them, his fathers voice, what he could recall of his mother's face, his first nurse, Doctor Cornelius, the Narnians, the homes, the lives they'd lost. Alessandra.

Like with most things his thoughts narrowed onto her, how they'd met what they'd been through together. How he had to leave her and what was done in his absence. The sword trembled in his grip when the scar flashed through his mind, all caused by the man on his knees in front of him.

His uncle could see the decision had been made within his nephew, if he didn't know any better Caspian might say the man almost looked proud, "Perhaps I was wrong about you, maybe you do have what it takes to be a Telmarine King after all." he said before bowing his head, resigned to and awaiting his coming fate.

A Telmarine King, like his father before him. He wondered what he would say if he could see him now.

"Be the kind of King your father would be proud of, because I already am."

With a yell Caspian brought the sword down hard, only to stab it into the tuft of grass in the miniscule space between them.

"Not one like you," Capsian spat through gritted teeth while his uncle looked in shock, "Keep your life, but I'm giving the Narnian's back their kingdom."

When Caspian straightened it felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders, when he turned his eyes found her immediately, he couldn't see her expression from this distance but he hoped she was proud of him. The gem under his armour felt warm against his chest, different from the way it had heated up and he felt the all encompassing urge to go and find her. Then it was hot, almost scorching his skin, now it was comforting.

Peter and Edmund both looked pleased, beside them Glenstorm raised his sword and the Narnian's cheered, it felt like acceptance like never before.

A gasping wet sound drew his attention and Caspian turned around from his stride back towards the How to see his uncle falling from the arms of one of his generals, a Narnian arrow sticking out of his back. Sospesian looked shocked, but not shocked enough.

"Treachery!" The general cried out, "They shot him. They murdered our King."

"Telmar to arms!"

"Be ready!' Peter shouts to his troops while two of the Lords rush to mount their horses. The one remaining soldier rushes to attack.

"Peter!" Caspian warns, causing Peter to quickly turn around, within seconds the soldier is disarmed and decapitated.

"Go!"

Ending the battle then and there would have been for too easy, Alessandra felt mixed emotions. Part of her was pleased that Miraz was dead, part of her wanted Caspian to be the one to do it, another part of her was happy he didn't. But now wasn't the time to dwell on such emotions.

Caspian climbed onto his horse, he looked up onto the ledge and somehow his eyes found hers. Somehow she felt the assurance in his gaze.

"Archers to the ready!" Susan's commanding voice broke though his hypnotic gaze and Alessandra did as instructed.

Another look and Caspian disappeared into the How with Glenstorm by his side, the Telmarine first line of troops started charging forward seconds after the ground began to shake. The catapults firing boulders towards the How.

When a horn sounded, Susan gave another instruction, "Take your aim!"

"Stay with 'em!"

The ground beneath the opposing army disappeared and they fell into the newly created pit.

"Now!" Arrows flew and met their marks, Narnians appeared from the either sides of the pit, It was difficult to see Caspian from this distance, especially with his Telmarine armour, he became a blur amongst the carnage but she managed. They couldn't fire any more arrows due to the risk of hitting any of the Narnians. That didn't stop their air assaults.

Things still weren't looking good, and the catapults were starting to make the biggest difference. Taking out large pockets of troops with little effort.

"Retreat!" Peter shouted from somewhere down in the midst of the fighting, "Back to the How!"

Moments later as the Narnians were attempting to make their retreat, the ruins of the How itself began to shake, "Brace yourselves!" Susan shouted when the ledge became precarious.

The main entrance to the How collapsed after a well placed boulder hit and crushed some of the Narnians with it.

A tree collapsed and suddenly the ground beneath her feet disappeared, when she fell she grasped desperately for anything to steady her.

"Les!"

Caspian about felt his heart stop when Susan cried out, he was so preoccupied when the entrance to the How was collapsed he didn't register the effect it would have on the integrity of the structure.

When Trumpkin caught her by the hand he added the dwarf to the list of people he'd need to thank when this was all over. He felt like he could breathe again when she landed safely on the ridge below, she looked back at him and nodded. He shared a look of relief with Peter.

She found her way down and to his side within seconds and he cupped her neck without thinking, looking her over quickly for any injuries. She was fine from what his quick visual exam could gleam, Susan made her way to Peter's other side as did Edmund.

They looked at Peter who looked at them all one by one, before turning to the approaching army. Caspian pulled a short blade from his side, his sword in his other hand as he stepped slightly in front of Alessandra. Peter took a step then another and they followed him without hesitation.

He tried his hardest to keep an eye on her throughout the battle, but as more and more Telmarine soldiers emerged the further apart they were pushed. She was firing arrows left and right without questions and Suncloud was keeping close to her side with his sword keeping the soldiers from getting too close, he could add the centaur to his list as well.

He suddenly found himself falling backwards and into the pit "Caspian!", his sword fell from his grasp and as he sat up he heard an angry yell.

Glozelle had turned around with a spear pointed directly at him, the general hesitated though, he and Caspian locked eyes and for a brief moment all was still. It was broken when the spear was ripped from the general's hands and an elbow met his face knocking him back. When Caspian looked at who was responsible somehow he was surprised.

"Didn't think it'd be me did you?" Bruno asked with a feral grin, Caspian could only huff as he accepted the man's offered hand and let himself be pulled to his feet, "Where's our girl?"

Before Caspian could answer a root shot out from the packed dirt and in between them impaling a soldier that was approaching, he could only answer Bruno's shocked look with a shrug. If he hadn't spent the last few weeks in a Narnian camp he was sure he'd look the same.

When he climbed out of the pit Bruno behind him Peter gave him a perplexed look, "He's alright." Caspian told him instantly ignoring Bruno's wide eyed stare when he accepted a blade from Trumpkin, which he used to gesture to the trees moving around them.

"Lucy." Was all Peter said with pride in his voice.

Alessandra came to his side as the dancing trees turned their attack to the Telmarine's catapults, destroying the main advantage they had.

"For Aslan!"

Since she fired that first arrow all the way back in the woods to protect Lucy everything had felt like a blur, she tried not to think about the lives that she'd potentially taken with her arrows. Caspian disappeared from her side but Suncloud took his place. When he appeared again Bruno was beside him, which didn't shock her, if circumstances were different she'd tease him for his bewildered glances at the Narnians all around them. Because she had spent a significant amount of time around them she wasn't as surprised when the trees started moving.

She was surprised however when the other army started to retreat. The Narnians gave chase all the way back to the river, The bridge that the Telmarines built was the only thing separating them from the other side.

The Telemarines begin to retreat across the bridge but stop once they see Lucy appear on the other side. Alessandra was confused but watched as the young girl smirked pulling out her dagger. Sospesian, now leading the army looks back and forth between the Narnians and what he perceived to be the lesser threat and smirked, giving the signal to cross.

They did and didn't pause even as Lucy was joined by a golden lion.

Only when the Telemarines are halfway across the bridge, does Aslan let out a mighty roar causing them to stop. The three Telmarines on the side of the Narnians flinched but the creatures and other humans only smiled.

For a moment nothing happens then the current of the river begins to pick up rapidly before a huge man forms out of the river. He raced down the river using the currents to guide him and take out a few of the Telmarine soldiers that had dove into the after to escape its wrath, the half of the army that had started to cross the bridge immediately backtracked upon seeing the display. The river man picks the bridge causing the few soldiers left to jump off, leaving only Lord Sosepian. The lord swung his sword wildly to no avail as the The river man swallows the lord before disappearing into the river taking Sosepian with him.

With the presence of the great lion and the death of their next in command, General Glozelle took the initiative to surrender. A roar of celebration came up from the Narnian.

Caspian grinned, hooking his arm around Alessandra's waist and pulling her up into a tight hug, she grinned tucking her face into his shoulder as he spun them around. When he set her down he couldn't resist kissing her.

"Caspian," Peter's voice called when they separated, he shared a meaningful look with him before nodding to the other side of the river, where Aslan was waiting.

"Go," Alessandra said instantly when he turned back to her with the question in his eyes, he nodded and looked over her shoulder to who she could only assume was Bruno before nodding again at whatever they'd silently communicated.

As the four of them began to trek across the river Alessandra went and found Glenstorm, he turned immediately giving her his full attention when she called his name, "I want you and your men to start disarming the Telmarines, send half the minotaurs back to the How to start digging through the rubble, free anyone who got trapped down there," he nodded tapping one of his soldiers to carry on, "We all need to cross that river, have the other minotaurs help the mice and dwarves, let them ensure that every Telmarine that crosses is without a weapon."

"Right away My Lady." The centaur said before moving away to follow her instructions.

"What?" she asked self-consciously when she turned and caught the look he was giving her.

He smirked in that knowing way, "Leading looks good on you."

She scoffed, rolling her eyes fondly, searching the moving crowd of bodies for one in particular, when she found it a grin split her face, "Suncloud!"

The centaur turned at the call of his name and smiled as he approached, she couldn't figure out how to hug him since he was so tall so she settled for taking his arm, "I'm happy to see you're alright."

"You as well My Lady, if even in mixed company," he added looking over her shoulder at her newly appointed shadow, she was surprised to hear the tease in the centaurs voice.

"He's a friend," she told him even as Bruno looked too amused to respond himself, "This is Bruno, Bruno this is Suncloud."

"Is that your real name?"

"Blessed by my mother."

"How unfortunate."

She was surprised that the centaur was able to match Bruno's wit and amused by their interactions.

Soon enough there was a steady flow to the Telmarine army being stripped of their weapons and crossing the river, the tide had lowered so it was easier for them to cross on foot. A few of the Narnians had commandeered the camp that was across the river and were working on clearing it of weapons and other effects. Bruno helped Alessandra across as even though the tide was low the current was still strong, and since it could apparently turn into a giant man they didn't want to take any chances.

They were set to continue helping with the disarming before they were paused by the presence of undeniable, warmth washing over them. When they turned around the Great Lion himself was standing there waiting, he was larger than she expected him to be but otherwise matched how the stories described him, they both paused in shock but after a moment of scrambling fell to bow to him. The deep rumble of the lion could have been a laugh, as he spoke to them.

"Rise son of Adam and daughter of Eve," After only a second of hesitation, they both did as bid.

"My father's name is Vic-" Alessandra cut off Bruno's sarcasm with a sharp jab of her elbow into his side.

"You are all descendants of the first man, and first woman Strong One," Aslan said with clear amusement in his voice, "Alessandra, I've heard so much about you."

"I've read so much about you," Alessandra responded in shock, "It's an honour to meet you."

"The honour is mine," the Great Lion said with a smile, "Lucy has spoken ever so fondly of you, as has Caspian. "

Her brow furrowed and she wondered how and when they had time to speak since the Telmarines had only just surrendered, her thoughts were cut off when a blur barreled into her.

"Les," Lucy gushed, hugging her around the waist, "You made it."

"So did you," She smiled, hugging her back.

"Thanks to you," the younger girl grinned, pulling back, "Thank you."

"Thank you." Alessandra said meaningfully glancing to where Aslan was, was, because the Lion was no longer there. Her brow furrowed as she and Bruno shared a look of confusion, but Lucy only smiled again, taking her hands and tugging her along.

"He does that a lot, you get used to it." Lucy said without pause, tugging her over to where the others had gathered beneath one of the tents. This one must have been where Miraz held council because there was an ornate rug beneath their feet and the table looked like it came straight from the castle. Glenstorm had joined them and they were pouring over a map.

"It'll be about half a day's march before we reach the borders of Telmar, if we head out at first light we should get there with time to spare." Caspian said, trailing his fingers across the map where the Beruna river reached the castle.

"I'd say you spend the evening securing alliances with the generals, just because they've surrendered doesn't mean they have to accept you right away." Edmund said, staring down at the map with a furrowed brow.

"You've already got Glozelle," Bruno said, making his presence known, "He's always supported your claim, even though he was tight lipped about it."

There was a pause as the Narnians took on the third Telmarine-born that had joined them and spoken up so brazenly, "This is Bruno," Caspian took the silence to introduce the stranger, "He's a good soldier and a better friend, we trust him," he said gesturing between Alessandra and himself, "Even if he's told me not to," he added with a tease.

"How many men did Miraz leave to guard the castle?" Peter asked with no hesitation, Caspian's validation being enough apparently.

"Not much, damn near emptied the place the day after these two escaped, then again when it came to building the bridge."

"Do either of you think Caspian's claim would be met with resistance?" Edmund asked leaning his onto his elbows on the table.

"From the townspeople? Not likely," Alessandra answered, "Most people endured Miraz but never celebrated it."

"His loyalists in the capital might need convincing," Bruno added.

Politics were exhausting, of that Alessandra was now sure and this likely wasn't even a third of what Caspian would have to deal with when they got back to the castle. And he insisted on keeping her with him the entire time, even most of what they said flew over her head. She, about wept when Caspian finally said that they'd retire for the night, she expected them to join out where the soldiers and Narnians alike had various fires roaring into the night but instead he led them to one of the tents.

When he opened the flap and ushered her in she paused, because sitting in the corner of the tent was the crown of of kingdom, shiny on a pedestal with a purple pillow beneath it, "Is this-"

Caspian cut off her question, closing the tent's flap behind him, "It's not his tent," he said running his hands over her shoulders, "The others thought it best to have it moved to wherever we would be, something about legitimacy."

"I've never seen it up close," she breathed slowly, moving closer but not daring to touch it for fear of somehow damaging the precious gems.

"The last time I saw it was on my father's head," Caspian said, resting a hand on the pillow beneath the crown, "Thank Aslan I never saw it on Miraz," he paused before saying his uncles name, so she came to his side and took his arm.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm not upset that he's gone, not after everything," he said looking her over, "But," he sighed, "He was,"

"Blood?" she finished for him, "Your blood. And your father's."

"One of the last in our line."

"You're still here," she said, tugging his arm so he'd look at her, "There's hope for the Caspian line yet, and you have a cousin."

"Whose birth started a war," he mused.

"You're not your uncle."

His shoulders sank like a weight had been lifted off of them, his sullen expression turned mischievous, "Do you want to try it on?"

"Absolutely not," she said, immediately taking a step back in case he got any ideas, "That was made for the head of a Caspian and the head of a Caspian alone."

He nodded, stepped forward taking her hand and pulling her closer, "Probably for the best," his hand came up to cup her neck and jaw, "You'll have your own soon enough." His kiss swallowed her gasp and he grinned into it, apparently finding immense delight in stunning her.

A rasping at the tent's entrance made them pause, Caspian licked his lips even as he huffed straightening his armour, Alessandra tried to take a step back but he held fast.

"Come in."

The flap was pushed aside and Glozelle ducked beneath it before it fell shut behind him, Caspian stiffened ever so slightly and half-stepped in front of Alessandra. But if she didn't know any better she would say that the general almost looked nervous, even as he clasped his hands behind his back and straightened his posture.

"Beg your pardon your Grace, my Lady," he added to her shock, inclining his head in her direction briefly, "But if I could, a moment of your time."

Caspian nodded, "At ease."

The general relaxed his arms but not his posture, "I wanted to beg your indulgence, regarding my family."

Caspian couldn't hide the furrow of his brow, "Your family?"

"My brother's daughter, your aunt, Prunaprismia, and her son. Your Grace, they had nothing to do with Miraz's treachery and I beg you spare them when you take back the castle." Glozelle spoke quickly, like he had to get the words out before Caspian would interrupt, nerves, Alessandra realized.

Caspian's furrowed brow slowly straightened out at the general's rambling, "General," he said then corrected himself the moment needing more than titles, "Glozelle, I gave no intention of harming my aunt, or her son," he said before taking a breath, "I am not my uncle."

At that Glozelle completely deflated, his rigid soldier's posture falling into that of a man just wanting to do right by his family, "Thank you, your Grace."

"You have my word that no harm will come to them," he added, "Though I do ask something of you."

"Anything, sire."

"I should have you by my side when we return to Telmar, with a company of your most trusted men, your visible support could sway the remaining Telmarines."

"As you wish." The general said with a bow before turning to leave.

"Did you know?" Alessandra asked softly in the silence that followed the general's absence.

Caspian shook his head, "No."

The heavy moment was broken by another rasp at the tent's entrance, Alessandra resisted the urge to roll her eyes. What was the point of the privacy of a tent if people kept disturbing them?

When Caspian bid the newcomer to enter the first thing they saw us someone's back as they pushed through the flaps. Alessandra thought she recognized this person and when they turned around they confirmed.

"My King, my Lady," Maliah said with a slight bow, "I noticed you both absent from supper, so I took the liberty of bringing you some stew."

"You didn't have to do that," Caspian said as she placed the bowls down on a table.

"Arguing with her is useless," Alessandra said, coming up behind him and tucking her head over his shoulder while she shared a secretive smile with the faun, "I've tried."

He sighed again and she felt him deflate under her hands, "Thank you, Maliah,"

"You're welcome, your Grace," the faun said before she left with another bow.

Caspian turned around in her arms and tucked his arms around her, hugging her into his chest and leaning down enough to tuck his head into her neck. They stayed that way for a long while stew going cold on the table as they embraced, they'd eat the stew cold when the time came, but for now they needed this moment more than they needed food.

Sorry for the delay in posting this chapter guys, I promise I'll have the next one out before the end of the week.

I'd love to hear what you guys would like to see going forward, we've got a lot of time in between the end of Prince Caspian and VOTD. I've got a rough outline of how we're gonna get there, but I'd still like to hear your thoughts.

Also, IF I made a trailer for this story, would you'll be interested in seeing it?