Chapter Text
The next week passed uneventfully, and Caspian found himself all but making friends. At least Trufflehunter, he was sure was his friend. Reepicheep didn’t seem to hate him anymore, and Tar… alright. Tar still scared him a little. But so far the minotaur didn’t seem to have any ill intentions towards him, and they were all being perfectly polite.
His bookshelf was now full of books, and every other day someone accompanied him on a walk through the gardens, so he could ‘breathe the fresh air’.
He wasn’t objecting.
In fact, he looked forward to the long walks, asking questions of his guards who answered his questions with far more indulgence than his uncle ever had. It was a time for him to be able to actually talk to people, and get some answers, and enjoy the peace that had unexpectedly arrived with the Narnians.
Which was why he was so discouraged when he woke up one morning to find that it was raining.
There would be no outside walks during the rain.
He spent the morning reading his books, but after lunch there was a knock on the door as per usual.
Were-
Were they going outside despite the rain?
Tar poked his head in. “His Majesty said we should walk around inside,” he said. “You get to lead this time!”
…what?
Sure enough, Tar and Reepicheep were standing to the side, waiting for Caspian to lead them.
“We… could head towards the library?” Caspian offered, and they both nodded, following behind him as he walked through the halls he used to be confident in.
Now he was second guessing every decision he made, wondering why exactly they wanted him leading. Perhaps they didn’t know what humans liked to do?
Their King was human, but… he seemed to be the only one. It was possible that outside of walking in the gardens, they didn’t know what humans did. He certainly didn’t know what minotaurs and mice did for fun.
“…What do you do, when you’re not guarding me?” he finally asked.
Reepicheep puffed up his chest. “I practice with my mice, and I take excellent care to scout out enemies and infiltrate their forces to gain valuable information for Narnia.”
“No, he doesn’t have a life,” Tar joked, even as Reepicheep’s ears flattened, and he poked Tar’s leg with his tail.
“My life is serving Narnia. That’s the only life I need, full of adventure and espionage. A true knight of Narnia!”
“My uncle’s trying to teach me embroidery,” Tar answered, cutting off Reepicheep’s rant. “Haven’t gotten the hang of it yet, but I like when he sits with me to help me learn.”
Caspian couldn’t imagine his own uncle sitting with him to help him learn anything. That’s what tutors were for, and his own tutors didn’t seem to like him terribly much.
“I’ve never studied embroidery,” he began. “My uncle said it was the pastime of women. Is that… not what Narnians believe?” he asked carefully.
Reepicheep scoffed. “Didn’t your uncle also try to convince your entire country that we didn’t exist until a few years ago when he couldn’t ignore us any longer?” The mouse nodded. “I don’t think we need to put much stock into what your uncle said about anything.”
Caspian nodded. “That… does seem in line with what I’ve observed so far.”
They made it to the library, only for Caspian to stop.
They weren’t alone.
King Edmund was sitting at one of the tables, reading a book, and Caspian quickly tried to find a reason to leave before they were noticed, but Tar forged ahead.
“Ah, Your Majesty! I thought you were up inspecting the guard tower this afternoon!”
King Edmund looked up, smiling softly at Tar. “I finished early. Thought I’d get some reading done, catch up on what rumors Telmarines were spreading about us these last hundred years.” His smile fell a bit as he saw Caspian, but he didn’t seem angry. He nodded respectfully to him and Reepicheep, before returning to his book, and Caspian bowed before slipping over to some of the other bookshelves.
“…Your King doesn’t seem to care for my presence,” Caspian whispered to Reepicheep and Tar. “Should we leave?”
Reepicheep snorted. “You’re a Telmarine, of course he doesn’t like your presence. But if he hasn’t asked us to leave then there’s really no point in us leaving.”
Something told Caspian there was more to it than that.
He glanced over at the King, only to find that the King was just turning back to his book.
As if he’d been staring at Caspian.
There was definitely something more going on there.
He turned back to the bookshelves, picking out a few books that Reepicheep and Tar looked over first, before both giving their approval.
They took the books over to one of the tables, Tar carrying a few others over for himself and Reepicheep, and they sat in silence for several minutes, just reading.
Every so often he could feel eyes on the back of his neck, and he knew the King was staring at him, but he wasn’t sure why.
It wasn’t just that he was a Telmarine though.
One way or another, it was clear the King didn’t like him, and Caspian began to wonder if he should return to his room early, just to avoid irritating the King, only for a hawk to come flying in through an open window.
They all stared as the Hawk perched on the back of the chair next to King Edmund, relaying a message so quietly none of them could hear it.
The King let out a heavy breath, nodding.
Reepicheep stepped forward, but King Edmund held up a hand, shaking his head.
There was silence for several moments, and Caspian prepared himself to be dismissed, but what His Majesty said next froze him in place.
“…Miraz and his wife have made it to Telmar, and the rest of the army has retreated with them,” he announced.
The rest didn’t need said.
Leaving behind the Prince.
…Should he beg for his life? Offer royal secrets? He didn’t have any. Would he be killed outright? Imprisoned-
“Send word to Telmar,” King Edmund spoke, addressing the hawk. “We’re keeping Prince Caspian as a ward of Narnia, to ensure peace.”
…What?!
“Your Majesty-“ Reepicheep began, but Tar stopped him, shaking his head.
Nothing was said for several moments.
Finally, Caspian forced himself to speak, his voice shaking as he did. “You… Your Majesty… I… won’t, be killed then?”
King Edmund stared at him for a moment, before sagging into his chair. “I promised you wouldn’t be. I intend to keep that promise.” After several more moments, King Edmund rose, picking up the book. “Tar, Reepicheep, he will no longer require a guard. Caspian…”
There it was. The way he said Caspian’s name. Like it pained him to say it.
After a moment, the King pulled himself together again. “…As of today, you are a part of my household. Should Miraz behave, then nothing more will come of this. You may move about the castle freely, and I’ll supply a tutor for you so you may resume your studies.”
With that King Edmund left, and Caspian hastily bowed as King Edmund did so, and then the door to the library was closing behind him.
…What?
“Congratulations,” Reepicheep commented wryly. “He doesn’t think you’re a threat anymore.”
“Oh come on Reep,” Tar said, clapping Caspian on the shoulder. “He’s just a kid! Something had to be done about him, and you know Ed wasn’t gonna kill him.”
It would have been nice for him to have known that.
“I… I don’t understand,” Caspian finally settled on.
Reepicheep scrambled up to the table, crossing his arms as he thought about his words. “Do you know what a ward is?”
“It’s… someone who is under the care of another, yes? Why would the King make me his ward?”
“You’re technically a ward of Narnia,” Tar corrected. “And there’s precedent for it, though I’ve never heard of it at this rank. Your uncle was your guardian, and he abandoned you, but we’re assuming he still cares that you live, so you’re…”
“…A hostage,” Caspian supplied, sinking back into his chair. To ensure peace. That’s what that meant. “I’ll be treated as a member of the household, just an expendable one. If Miraz tries to attack, it’s my life he’s risking.”
“Well,” Reepicheep commented lightly. “Better hope your uncle isn’t as dumb as he behaves.”