Narnian Princess - Caspian

Chapter 4

Diana stood on the deck of the ship staring out at the setting sun. After hearing Edmund's and Lucy's tale, she had wanted to be alone with her thoughts for a moment. Everything still confused her. Even though she had believed that an explanation was going to make it all better, she still didn't know how to feel after said explanation was given.

She sighed, letting herself be comforted by the breeze pushing back her hair and the smell of salty water. It reminded her of her brother. That was a happy thought, that even though he wasn't with her anymore, he still found ways to protect and care for his little sister. At least that's what Diana believed, that this was an act of her brother to make her feel less alone.

"I truly believe Narnia has the best sunsets, wouldn't you agree?" Beside her was Caspian. She'd been so lost in her thoughts she hadn't even notice him so close to her.

Diana smiled, "They aren't bad, that's for certain."

"Sometimes I wish I could paint just so I could capture a view like this." Diana hummed in agreement. There'd been many things she wished she could have a tangible reminder of.

"Have you tried before? To paint, I mean."

"Well, no." Caspian frowned a little at his answer. "I suppose I've never been too artistic."

"I think you should try it. Who knows? You might be better than you think." 

"Maybe I will." Diana smiled at that. She realized she enjoyed Caspian's company. He was an easy person to talk to and despite everything going on, Diana let herself feel comfortable for that moment. Both of them stood there for a while longer looking out at the sunset and enjoying each other's presence even without saying anything.

xxxxx

The following day Diana found herself on the deck again. After having spent most of the morning learning about sailing (which had mostly consisted of her tying many different difficult knots) from some friendly sailors, Diana now sat with Reepeechip. After everything that had happened over the past day, talking with large rodent didn't seem as strange.

Diana laughed, "He would really have had those be his last words?"

"You'd be surprised how many men have said the same."

"And women?"

"I don't believe I ever fought a woman. Though I imagine they'd come up with something smarter." Reep replied with a smile. And Diana smiled too, she still couldn't make sense of how she'd ended up in Narnia but she was beginning to enjoy herself.

At that moment Lucy approached the two. If she was honest, she was a little anxious about how Diana would react to her. The two girls had barely spoken last night after Lucy told Diana all about Narnia. As soon as she reached them, Diana jumped to her feet and looked hard at Lucy before breaking out into a huge smile.

"A queen, huh?" Taking her hand, Diana twirled her friend. "I always thought you seemed like royalty."

Lucy was beyond relived, and giggled a little. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you before."

But Diana only waved her off, "Hey, that's water under the bridge. Besides, I probably wouldn't have believed you anyway."

"So... how do you like it here so far?"

"Honestly it's kind of amazing. Everything here seems so full of magic and hope." Diana looked all around her before shrugging. "I'm still having a hard time processing all of it but I'm feeling better. Less overwhelmed, at least."

Lucy smiled, "I'm glad."

A loud clashing sound interrupted the girls' conversation. Diana turned to where it had come from only to find Edmund and Caspian with swords pointed at each other. All around them, the crew was cheering at the spectacle in front of them. Watching them fight, Diana was very impressed. It would be a lie to call either of the men bad swordsmen. Soon she found herself enjoying the match, clapping and laughing next to Lucy.

As soon as it was over, Diana walked up to the pair. "I didn't know you were any good with a sword," she said to Edmund.

"I could teach you, if you'd like." He replied with a wink. Diana scoffed at that.

"I might just take you up on that offer." But when she smirked at him, her eyes shifted to the other young king who was already looking at her with a small smile on his face.

Just then, Eustace climbed up from a trap door, grumbling under his breath. Looking at him, Diana felt bad. The poor boy looked absolutely miserable and more than a little scared.

"Are you feeling better?" Lucy asked him.

"Yes, no thanks to you." At that Eustace turned to Diana asking without words if she was feeling any better. Diana shrugged her shoulders before giving him a small nod. After her response, he turned back to his cousins, "It's lucky I have an iron constitution."

The three of them fell back into their old habit, arguing with one another. This time however, they were joined by Reep and later Caspian. Last night, Eustace and Diana had talked for a while, finding comfort in each other as they were both just as lost. Beneath all his complaining and know-it-all attitude, Diana really thought the young boy wasn't as bad as he sometimes seemed. He had even made her laugh a couple of times. It seemed to her that by the time they had to leave Narnia, Diana would leave with more friends than she had come with.