School boy | Prince Caspian

08

"It's only a matter of time", Peter stated. Everyone had gathered in the temple to discuss the plan of attack. The heads of each group of narnians and leaders of each tribe filled the room. They all circled the stone table where Peter was standing in front of. Lucy was curled up on its surface, listening to her brother. While Susan and Edmund sat at the bases of pillars on either side. Caspian stood next to Peter in full princely attitude, commanding respect and showing authority. Otto lent against the pillar by the entrance, spear at his side, watching the council.

"Miraz's men and war machines are in their way. That means those same men aren't protecting his castle".

"What do you propose we do your majesty?" Reepicheep asked. The giant mouse was perched on the base of one of the destroyed columns.

Both Peter and Caspian spoke at the same time. "Start planning for war"-"setting up to protect".

They halted mid sentence and Peter turned to Caspian. They held eye contact for a minute before Caspian looked away. "Our only hope is to strike them before they strike us", Peter said.

"But that's crazy. No one has taken that castle", Caspian objected.

Peter made a dismissive gesture, obviously frustrated. "There's always a first time".

"We'll have the element of surprise", Trumpkin pointed out.

"We have the advantage here", Caspian responded. Otto has to admit he had a point. Caspian has grown up in that castle. He had been taught about battle there. If he said it was a dangerous mission, then he was probably right.

Susan seemed to agree. She stood up and walked over to stand beside the prince. "If we dig in, we could probably hold them off indefinitely". Caspian glanced at her in surprise.

"I agree with Caspian", Otto said as he took a step forward. "This has all the advantages. The castle is unfamiliar terrain". Caspian gave Otto a grateful smile. Peter stared at his sister and best friend challengingly.

"I, for one, feel safer underground", a badger voiced.

Peter ignored him. "Look", he said as he took a step towards Caspian. "I appreciate what you've done here. But this isn't a fortress. It's a tomb".

"Yes", Edmund added. "If they're smart then the Telmarines would just wait and starve us out".

"We could collect nuts", a squirrel voiced.

"Yes and throw them at the Telmarines", Reepicheep suggested. Otto snorted at the mental image. It was a amusing suggestion.

Peter ignored him again and turned to face the leader of the centaurs. He was a tall being, with dark skin to match his dark coat. "If I get your troops in, can you handle the guards?"

The centaur glanced at Caspian for a brief moment. Caspian did not move. He bowed his head to Peter. "Or die trying my liege".

"That's what I'm worried about", Lucy murmured.

"Sorry?"

"You're all acting like there are only two options. Dying here or dying there".

Peter huffed, frustrated. "I'm not sure you've really been listening Luce".

"No! You're not listening. Or have you forgotten who really defeated the white witch Peter?" She met Peter's challenging stare, not backing down.

Peter didn't back down either. "I think we've waited for Aslan long enough", he stated sharply. He turned away and walked out of the room.

The council waited a few beats before beginning to disperse. They were to regroup in the main hall where they will go over plan of attack. Edmund began discussing tactics with the centurs and Lucy started a conversation with the dwarves. Susan followed after Peter. Otto sidled up to Caspian. The prince looked annoyed.

"Are you alright?" Otto asked. The prince sighed and ran a hand over his face.

"I never expected for the high king of old to be like this", he muttered, accent thicker as his voice dropped in volume. He gazed at Otto curiously. "Why do you follow him?"

Otto snorted. "Peter means well", he replied. "He can be a big big headed and a prat sometimes but he's loyal and supportive. He helped me when I got into fights. Supported my reading habit when others didn't. He even brought me here, although he never intended to".

The two of them had stepped away from the main group and were standing in the corner near the light. It was almost privacy. Otto watched as Caspian's lips quirked up in a small amuses smile. "You enjoy reading?" He asked.

"Yes. My mother used to read to me at night. Tales of adventures. When she died I holed myself in the library and re read every book she had ever told me". The memory was a soft nostalgic one. It made Otto smile.

Caspian spoke hesitantly but softly. The prince shell broken and honest words pouring through. "My mother did too. After she died. My tutor, Dr Cornelius, would tell me the stories of the stars and the legends of old. He was the one who helped me escape. Saved my life. He's probably been locked up by Miraz ". His tone took a sad edge.

"Hey", Otto gently took Caspain's hand in his. The prince jerked in surprise but didn't pull away. Otto wondered when anyone had last touched him gently and without intent. "We'll get him back". Caspian lifted his eyes to Otto's and gave a shy but warm smile. Otto felt himself smiling back.

"My prince", a voice echoed. Caspian jumped and pulled away hastily.

The dark skinned centaur bowed his head. "We are waiting for you in the main chamber". Otto blinked, he hadn't noticed the room emptying. Only him and Caspian remained.

Caspian coughed and rubbed his hand on his shirt hurriedly, as if it could wipe away the embarrassment at being caught during a sensitive moment. "Right of course. I shall accompany you". He walked hastily out of the room. The centaur following behind.

Otto sighed and sat down on a stone step. He let himself get lost in his thoughts. Small footsteps made him look up. Lucy grinned at him as she sat down next to him. She nudged him with her elbow, giggling.

"You like him", she sang. Otto hurriedly shook his head.

"Nonsense. Boys like girls".

"Maybe in England", Lucy replied. "But this is narnia. Where animals talk. Boys can like boys and girls can like girls. What's the harm?"

Otto opened his mouth to respond, to argue against her. But she made a point. Animals really talked here. There were creatures that Otto had never seen out of books. And everything was different. Why couldn't this be different too?

"He's a Prince, going to be a king and I'm a nobody?" Otto asked sarcastically.

Lucy frowned at him. "Who called you a nobody?"

Otto winced. Voices rising in his head. "You are not my son! Your nobody! A waste of space! "My father", he whispered. Lucy had to strain to hear him.

She looked appalled. "That's cruel. He shouldn't do that. He doesn't sound nice".

Otto laughed. "He's not".

Lucy faltered for a moment. Otto almost felt guilty for telling her. She paused before speaking. "But he's not here. You're not nobody. You're our knight. Knight to the kings and queens of narnia".

Otto grinned at her. "Oh, does that mean I have you obey your every command your majesty?" He swept into a makeshift bow, as best he could sitting down.

Lucy nodded enthusiastically. "Yes. Now you can tell Caspian that you like him".

Otto groaned. "Nope. Not now. We're about to go into battle. I'll tell him later okay".

"Well, okay then. Tell him later. But you must escort me to the main hall". Lucy stood up and dusted off her dress. Otto rose and held out his arm to her.

"This way your highness". Lucy rested her hand on his forearm, trying to hide her giggles. Together they walked out of the room.

Unedited.