Born For Better (A Peter Pevensie/ Narnia Fanfic)

Chapter 23- Dreams of Aslan and Meeting Caspian

Lucy's POV

I laid out on the grass, stretching my hands towards the warmth of the fire that still burned at the center of our makeshift camp. Peter and Edmund laid on the other side of the fire, Trumpkin curled up a little further away. Susan laid next to me. I folded my arms behind my head and closed my eyes, waiting for a dream to come sweep me away. 

"Lucy," Susan whispered. "You awake?" I opened my eyes. 

"Hmm." I turned my head to the side to look at her. Her eyes remained fixed on the stars above.

"Why do you think I couldn't see Aslan?" I sat up slightly, leaning on my elbows. 

You believe me?" I asked. Susan shrugged her shoulders slightly. 

"Well, we got across the gorge." I thought for a moment about her previous question. 

"I don't know. Maybe you didn't really want to." I suggested. Susan rolled over onto her side, looking at me with a smile. 

"You always knew we'd be coming back here, didn't you?" 

"I hoped so." I admitted. 

"I just got used to the idea of living in England." She sighed.  

"But you're happy to be here, aren't you?" I asked. 

"While it lasts." Susan murmured, rolling onto her back and looking back at the stars. I laid back down and closed my eyes. 

At dawn, a growl jerked me awake. I sat up and looked around at the others asleep and the extinguished fire. Standing up, I brushed the grass and dirt from my dress and walked away into the forest. I pushed away branches as I walked, smiling as a laughing dryad floated by. The trees moved out of my way, creating a path in the woods. 

"Lucy..." A distant voice called. I ran down the pathway, spotting Aslan lounging on top of a hill. He turned and stood as I got closer. I ran up and hugged him tightly, burying my face in his mane. 

"I've missed you so much." I cried, pulling away. "You've grown!" Aslan laughed slightly 

"Every year you grow, so shall I." He said with a smile. 

"Where've you been? Why haven't you come to help us?" I frowned. 

"Things never happen the same way twice, dear one." He said. A twig snapped and I looked away. When I looked back, I faced the sky. I glanced around, seeing Susan sleeping. 

"Susan, get up!" I whispered. 

"Certainly, Lu. Whatever you like." She murmured, still asleep. She rolled over, getting more comfortable. I stood up and wandered into the woods. I took the same route as in my dream, tapping the trees as I went by.

"Wake up." I urged. A growl from somewhere nearby caused me to perk up and quicken my pace. 

"Aslan?" Then someone grabbed hold of me. 

Peter's POV

I woke up at dawn to Lucy walking away from the camp. Sitting up quickly, I grabbed hold of Edmund's shoulder and shook him awake. He rolled over, about to spit an insult at me, but I motioned to the others still sleeping. 

"Lucy's wandered off. Wake the others, I'm going to go get her." I explained. Edmund nodded and I stood up, following Lucy's path. I was right behind her when I heard a low growl from somewhere nearby. 

"Aslan?" Lucy called. I grabbed hold of Lucy, putting a hand over her mouth and dragged her back into the cover of a bush. She looked up at me in panic, calming instantly when she saw it was me. We both looked over to see a minotaur step out into the open, the source of the growl no doubt. I looked at Lucy, putting a finger to my lips before standing and drawing my sword. I stepped quietly towards the minotaur, sword at the ready.

Someone suddenly jumped in my way, clashing his sword with mine. Recognizing his armor and dark hair as Telmarine, I began to fight him. He fought back fiercely, but his footwork was sloppy and I was able to get the upper hand and knock his sword from his hands. I swung at him, but missed as the Telmarine ducked. My sword embedded into a tree and got suck. The Telmarine kicked me down and grab hold of my sword. I grabbed a rock and ran at him right as he freed my sword. 

"No!" Lucy shouted. I faltered, looking over to Lucy to see Narnians creeping out of their hiding places. The Telmarine pointed my sword towards to me, breathing heavily. 

"Caspian?" I questioned. 

"Yes. And who are you?"

"Peter!" Susan shouted, running up with Edmund and Trumpkin. Caspian looked down at my sword, reading the inscription and noticing the lion's head on the hilt. He's head shot back up and he looked me over.

"High King Peter?" He asked. 

"I believe you called." I said with an eyebrow raised. 

"Well yes, but... I thought you'd be older." He admitted. 

"Well, if you'd like, we can come back in a few years." I moved to turn around.  

"No! No, that's alright." Caspian said quickly, taking a step forward. "You're just... You're not exactly what I expected." Caspian looked over at Susan. 

"Neither are you!" Edmund snapped, looking a minotaur up and down. An old badger stepped forward.

"A common enemy unites even the oldest of foes." He said. A mouse then came forward, followed by a line of of other mice. 

"We have anxiously awaited your return, my liege. Our hearts and swords are at your service." He bowed lowly. 

"Oh my gosh, he is so cute." Lucy whispered. The mouse drew his sword. 

"Who said that?!"

"Sorry." Lucy muttered. 

"Oh, uh... your majesty. With the greatest respect...I do believe courageous, courteous, or chivalrous might more befit a knight of Narnia." He suggested. 

"Well, at least we know some of you can handle a blade." I said to him. The mouse stood taller.  

"Yes, indeed. And I have recently put it to good use acquiring weapons for your army, sire." He said eagerly. 

"Good. Because we're going to need every sword we can get." I said. 

"Well then, you'll probably be wanting yours back." Caspian said, passing me my sword. I took it from him and sheathed it, walking away.