Inside a nest of blankets, Caspian drifted off to sleep.
In his hands he held a small stuffed horse cuddled beneath his chin. It had been a gift for his eighth birthday. He'd gotten it this morning, among many other things, but this was his favorite.
After he'd received it, Caspian had scurried off to find a castle maid, begging her to sew a horn onto it for him. Reluctantly, nervously, she had agreed.
She'd sent him on his way after making him promise not to tell she had sewn it for him. Caspian had uncertainly nodded, promising. Now, he called it King Peter's unicorn, and he adored it.
Caspian heard his door open and rolled over, pushing aside the curtain around his bed. He looked out, holding back a yawn. Dr. Cornelius came up beside him, and Caspian sat up straighter, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
"Happy birthday." Cornelius patted his head.
Caspian smiled, bouncing up to receive a hug. Happily, Caspian showed Dr. Cornelius his new unicorn. Cornelius liked it very much, though he advised the prince not to show his uncle, what with Miraz's averse reactions to old Narnian tales. Caspian agreed, still proudly holding his new treasure.
Cornelius took his hand gently. "Come on. I want to show you something."
Caspian slid from his bed, pulling on his boots, and Cornelius led him to the door, placing a small cape around his shoulders on the way out.
Unicorn tucked safely in his arm, Caspian followed his tutor through the halls, a yawn escaping only once. He managed to suppress the rest and look awake, though he was tired.
It had been a long day, not necessarily happy, but long.
Cornelius took Caspian outside onto a castle tower. He blinked at the open sky, wide-eyed, while Cornelius stood beside him.
It was a dark, clear night; a cool, crisp air invading Caspian's warmth. He shivered, breathing in, the sharpness of the cold fully chasing any sleep away.
"Look." Cornelius pointed up into the stars.
Caspians breath intake was audible. "Whoa..."
The stars shone huge and bright in the clear sky. It looked so big and wide. So endless. Cornelius smiled, sitting down. Caspian sat cross-legged beside him, smiling back.
"There's so many stars." He blinked, still staring up. "They're pretty. Did my mother like stars? She was pretty, too."
Cornelius smiled, "Yes. I'm sure she did. And she loved you."
Caspian smiled, reaching up into the empty air, sweeping his open hand across the sky. The stars flickered around it as it moved. Cornelius slid an arm around his shoulders, and Caspian cuddled close.
"That," Cornelius pointed, "is a constellation."
Caspian nodded, listening as Cornelius continued to name the stars. Leopard. The ship. Hammer. He laid his head on his tutors arm contentedly.
He felt happy.
While he appreciated the gifts and celebration from his aunt and uncle, it wasn't out of love. This was. And this was perfect. Together with the person he loved most, doing something special.
This was the love Caspian wanted.
Things meant nothing; this moment was everything.
It was as if he saw a taste of a real family. Even if Miraz was blood, Caspian felt that Cornelius was his real family. The only father figure he had. Someone who loved him as a person, wanted him, not for what he was, but for him.
One who didn't see Caspian as a burden, but a treasure.
Sleepily, Caspian watched the stars while Cornelius quietly explained what each was. His gentle voice, such the opposite of Uncle Miraz, comforted Caspian, filling him with safety and warmth.
Though the air was cold, and Caspians nose was pink from it, inside, he felt cozy and content. This was the best kind of birthday gift.
The stars.
A memory with the only kind of family he knew.
YOU ARE READING
(Narnia) Broken Pieces -Caspian X- A One Shot Collection
Fanfiction"If only he'd been a little older, then he would have his own memories. But his father and mother were gone, leaving him in a castle, surrounded by people, yet almost entirely alone. Alone without even a memory..." Short one-shots exploring Prince C...
