Fandom: Narnia (Books - so don't expect it to be like the movies.)
Codes: Caspian/Edmund
Rating: NC17

Summary: A slashy version of the book The Voyage of the Dawn Treader – this is not move related. Part 2 of the Kings series – sequel to Kings Comfort. This is SLASH – you have been warned.

Ages: Caspian-20; Edmund-16; Eustace-14; Lucy-14. - I had to work out the ages myself; Yes, I'm aware that these ages are older than the official timeline from CS Lewis, but I'm not gonna write slash about a 12 year old, so I've aged them from the first story (Kings Comfort) and then continued from that. I'll give the ages for each story as I write them.

Disclaimer: The character's belong to CS Lewis. The blame is mine.

Warnings: This is NC17 rated so graphic descriptions of m/m sex.

Author's Note: I wrote the first draft of this story back in 2000, long before the movies were even announced. I've been working on it, on and off, since then and I'm finally close to completing the entire series - there are two more stories in this series after this one.

Kings Love - Chapter 1

"I say Edmund," said Lucy. "Isn't it simply thrilling to be back?"

Edmund couldn't help laughing at Lucy. Ever since they had fallen through the painting in the bedroom back in London and found themselves in Narnia, Lucy had been glowing. Her excitement was highly infectious and as Caspian had proudly shown them around the Dawn Treader, it had seemed to affect all of them, until they were all giggling at each other in the most stupid way. Only one person in their group had been immune and Edmund frowned as he remembered who that person was.

"Yes, it is thrilling," agreed Edmund. "But I do wish that blighter Eustace wasn't here as well."

"Mmm," said Lucy. "If Aslan brought us here, I suppose he must have had a reason to bring Eustace along as well, but it is a shame. He's so disagreeable. I wish Peter and Susan were here instead."

"I know what you mean," replied Edmund. "It would be so wonderful to be here all together again. I say, Lucy, just look at that sunset. There's something different about Narnian sunsets, isn't there?"

Edmund leaned forward on the deck railing. He felt Lucy move beside him, and gave her a quick smile before he turned to the west. The sun was just dipping below the horizon, staining the sky and the water below with glorious shades of pink and orange. Edmund could almost feel those same colours seeping into the skin on his face. His excitement had now settled into a sort of deep contentment, but he still couldn't stop smiling.

Footsteps passed behind them, and Edmund turned his head quickly, hoping it wasn't Eustace. The last thing he wanted to hear now was the little beast's endless complaints. Instead he saw Caspian, and he watched as Caspian swiftly climbed up to the poop and began talking to Captain Drinian and his first mate, Rhince.

"I wonder if Caspian wishes Peter and Susan were here as well," he said.

"Oh, I'm sure he would have liked to see them," said Lucy, and then she laughed. "Instead he gets Eustace."

Edmund laughed as well.

"Oh, but it is nice to see Caspian again," Lucy continued. "It is odd though that he is so much older now. I always forget how Narnian time works, and I always get such a surprise because of it when we get back."

It was odd, Edmund thought, that Caspian was older now. When they had last seen him he had been a boy, not much older than Edmund himself, and now he seemed so grown up. Because of this change, Edmund had actually been a little shy with him at first, but Caspian was so friendly and nice that the feeling had quickly passed.

"Edmund, don't you think Caspian is handsome?" asked Lucy.

Edmund thought about it for a moment. Caspian was taller even than Peter now, and he'd filled out as well. The slight, fine-boned boy that Edmund had met a year ago was gone and in his place was a strong young man, whose hair shone with golden light and whose piercing blue eyes either glowed with determination and resolve, or twinkled with good humour.

"Yes he is, I suppose," answered Edmund, and then he grinned down at Lucy. "You're not going to go all funny about him are you?

"Edmund!" exclaimed Lucy. "Don't be silly. I just thought he might have been married by now, that's all."

"Well, I suppose Caspian hasn't wanted to get married yet."

"To tell you the truth," replied Lucy. "I'm glad. I know it's selfish but it will be so nice to have Caspian just to ourselves."

"I knew it," Edmund grinned triumphantly and thumped his sister on the arm. "You are going to go all funny about him."

"Don't talk such rot, Edmund," Lucy smiled at him fondly, and for a moment he saw her as the Queen she had once been, wise, loving and brave. Then she poked him in the ribs and gave him a cheeky grin and she was once more just the little sister he'd always known. "Oh, I'm just so happy to be back."

"It pleases me to hear it, Queen Lucy," said a voice behind them, and Edmund jumped as he recognized it as Caspian's. Heat flooded his face and he hoped desperately that Caspian hadn't heard their whole conversation. He glanced quickly at Lucy and saw the same worry in her eyes.

They both turned slowly to face Caspian, who looked at them curiously. "Goodness," he said. "You're not feeling seasick, are you?"

Edmund heard Lucy snort softly. "No Caspian, we're fine," he managed to say, before he joined her in laughter.

"Well, I'm happy to hear it," replied Caspian, with mischief twinkling in his eyes. "Your kinsman, Eustace, seems to be ill enough for all of us."

At this comment, they all laughed again. True, Edmund thought, Eustace had been sick at first, but once Lucy had given him a drop of her magic cordial, there had been no reason for him to stay in bed, other than ill humour.

"Anyway," Caspian continued, once he had stopped laughing. "I, also, am overjoyed that you are here. It has made this trip complete and we will have such great adventures together."

"Perhaps, even with Eustace around," replied Edmund, and could not resist grinning as Caspian winked at him.

"Well, it is certainly to be hoped that he finds a better mood for the rest of the journey! Now we have talked of how you came here, but we have not yet talked of your brother and sister, King Peter and Queen Susan. How do they fare?"

At this casual mention of Peter, Edmund's breath caught in his throat as he was assailed with the memory of what he had seen the last time they had been in Narnia. After their battle with the Telmarines, there had been a great feast, and it was after this feast that he had seen Caspian and Peter kissing in the moonlight. He had not thought of that moment for a long time and now he felt a slight flush rise in his cheeks as the pictures replayed in his mind. He still did not understand why Aslan had wanted him to see it, and he still did not understand why he had felt so horrified at the time. At school, he had sometimes glimpsed similar incidents and in Narnia those sorts of relationships did not meet with the same disapproval as they did in his own world. He had thought about it for a long time when he had got home, but he had never come to any conclusion, and in the end he had worked hard at putting the memory out of his mind. Until now.

Guiltily he glanced at Caspian, and was relieved to see that he was looking at Lucy as she answered his question.

"Oh, Susan has gone to America," she said, and then at Caspian's puzzled look she explained, "That's another country in our world. Like going to Archenland or Calormen."

Caspian nodded. "And the High King?" he asked. "What does he do in your world?"

Edmund finally found his voice. "He's cramming for an exam at the moment," he said, and then immediately regretted it as Caspian's attention became focused on him.

"Cramming?" asked Caspian, once again puzzled.

"Ah, studying," Edmund explained. "He wants to be an engineer."

"I see," said Caspian. "It is strange to think he is younger than me now. Last time we met he was about the same age as I was."

"Yes," agreed Edmund quietly. He imagined that he had heard a slightly regretful tone in Caspian's voice and suddenly he had an awful idea. What if Caspian and Peter had fallen in love that night? He had never thought of that before. Peter had seemed to be his usual self when they got back home, and he'd certainly never said anything about Caspian, but maybe they had both accepted that they would never see each other again. It was a horrible thought, and Edmund felt a twinge of sympathy, and then embarrassment as he felt his face burning again. It grew worse as he realized that Caspian was watching him with dawning curiosity in his eyes, and he quickly turned away.

His heart thudded fearfully as he waited for the question that he was sure Caspian was about to ask, and he almost sighed aloud with relief when he heard Lucy speak.

"I say, Caspian," she said. "Do you think Reepicheep is right? Do you really think we will find Aslan's country in the east? I should so like to see him again."

"I do not know, Lucy," Caspian turned to her and smiled. "It would be wonderful indeed to see Aslan. But now you must be hungry, I know I am. Let us return to the cabin for supper."

Edmund lingered behind as the other two made their way to the cabin. He was angry with himself and he didn't want to face the others until he had himself under control.

"The last thing I need," he scolded himself, "is for Caspian to start asking questions. I simply can't let it slip that I saw them. Even if Aslan did set it up, I'm jolly well certain that Caspian would be furious."

By the time he had regained his composure the sun had completely set and the breeze was slightly cool. It was a cosy sight when he entered the cabin. The lamps were lit casting a soft glow over the table, which was laid with a simple supper. Edmund's heart skipped a beat as, again, Caspian glanced at him curiously, but he smiled and took his seat beside Lucy, distracting himself with the food. It had always amazed Edmund that the same food that they ate in England could taste so much more delicious in Narnia. However, there was one at the table who did not agree.

"You call this a meal?" Eustace asked, gazing at the table with contempt. "I'm ill, I can't eat this. I don't know how you expect me to stay on this rotten ship, when there's no decent food. I want some Plumptree's Vitaminized Nerve Food at once."

Edmund watched with amusement as Caspian smiled at Eustace with what he could only describe as forced politeness. "I'm afraid I don't know what that is," he said. "But this wine will strengthen you and should make you feel better."

"Are you completely mad?"

"Eustace," Lucy's quiet voice interrupted. "Don't be rude. Just eat what you can."

Edmund saw Eustace open his mouth to make a reply, and he quickly jumped in with a question. "So, what exactly is your plan, Caspian? You've told us about the Seven Lords and sailing to the East, but do you have any maps or information about what we might find?"

Caspian leaned forward eagerly and rested his elbows on the table. "No, I don't Edmund, but I'm hoping that we might find someone in the Lone Island's who can tell us something."

"Have you had any contact with the Lone Island's before?" Edmund asked.

"Not in my memory," replied Caspian. "What of you, Drinian?"

"Nay, Sire," Drinian shook his head. "The only ship I know of to sail east is that of the Seven Lords we seek."

Edmund began to feel slightly worried. How in Aslan's name could they be certain that the Lone Islander's would welcome a visit from their overlord, the King of Narnia, if no one had been there for such a long time?

"I wonder if there is still a Governor…" he began cautiously, but was quickly interrupted by Caspian.

"Oh, I'm sure there is, and with the luck of the Lion he will be able to tell us something of what lies beyond the islands."

Reepicheep piped in his agreement, and the conversation turned to a discussion of all the adventures they might find on their journey. Edmund sat and listened, still with the niggling worry that they might find more than they bargained for in the Lone Islands, but eventually he squashed it down and joined in the excitement. After all, he was only a King in name now, the time of his shared reign long past in history. Caspian was the true King of Narnia, and this voyage was his show. It wasn't up to Edmund to interfere.

It was the next day, just before dinner that Eustace got into his first fight with Reepicheep. Edmund was sitting in the cabin with Caspian, Lucy and Drinian, when the door flew open and Eustace burst in, closely followed by a furious mouse.

It was some moments before they could get a clear picture of what had happened. Eustace was shouting his demand that Caspian keep Reepicheep under control, and Reepicheep was politely apologizing for the intrusion, but eventually Edmund dragged the story out of them.

It seemed that Reepicheep had been in his favourite spot up on the bulwarks when his tail had suddenly been seized and to his great astonishment he had found himself whirling in the air. To Eustace's even greater astonishment, for he was indeed Reep's attacker, the mouse had not only managed to draw his sword in mid-air, but had also managed to skewer Eustace's hand with it. Reepicheep had then demanded satisfaction, Eustace had refused, and Reep had administered his own form of punishment, consisting of a few hard blows with the flat of his sword. Eustace had raced for refuge in the cabin, hotly pursued by Reepicheep.

"Well, Eustace," said Caspian, after the story was finished. "The challenge has been offered to you by this honourable mouse. When shall you meet him?"

"You're completely mad," Eustace snarled. "I'm not fighting with that… that… creature. Besides," he added triumphantly, "I haven't got a sword."

"Oh, that's of no moment," Caspian waved a hand airily in the air. "It would be my privilege to lend you one."

Edmund now saw a sight he had long wished to see. Eustace was speechless with horror and amazement, and it was a terrible struggle for Edmund not to burst out with laughter. A wicked thought crossed his mind, and he turned to Drinian.

"My Lord Drinian, do you not think that a handicap should be arranged for a duel with two such differing opponents?"

"Oh indeed, your Majesty," agreed Drinian, with twinkling eyes. "The mouse is undoubtedly the more skilled opponent."

"That is true," replied Edmund, seriously. "However, I was thinking more of my kinsman's Eustace greater size."

A soft snort reached his ears, and he turned to find Caspian watching him with eyes brimming with laughter, and he returned a quick smile. At this moment, Eustace finally found his voice and began to roar at them.

"HOW DARE YOU! I TOLD YOU THAT THERE IS NO WAY ON EARTH THAT I'M FIGHTING THAT STUPID MOUSE. I'M A PACIFIST!"

"Then I wish you'd act like one, and stop causing all this trouble," broke in Lucy, indignantly. "If you are going to refuse Reep's challenge, then you must apologize to him at once, Eustace."

"Apologize?" exclaimed Eustace. "He's the one who stabbed me, and hit me, and…"

"Yes, apologize, you rotter," Edmund interrupted, finally losing his temper. It was just so humiliating that Eustace was related to them. "It's either that or Caspian lends you a sword. Make up your mind."

Eustace glared at him furiously for a moment, and then his face burning red with anger, and a sulky frown on his face, he turned to Reepicheep.

"Please accept my apology," he muttered.

"For the sake of their Majesties, I do so," Reepicheep answered as politely as ever, and then quickly left the room. Edmund could tell by the way he held his tail that he was still highly offended, and was not surprised when Caspian gave an exasperated sigh and followed the mouse out to the deck.

Lucy, true to her generous nature, was offering to bind Eustace's hand, and Drinian had left the cabin as well. Edmund was still very annoyed with Eustace; it was such a pain to have such a horrible person with them in the middle of this wonderful adventure. He hoped that Eustace wouldn't try to get some sort of revenge on Reepicheep and would just sensibly leave the mouse alone. It was a rather forlorn hope; Eustace was not the most sensible person that Edmund knew.

He wasn't very good at making apologies either, and Edmund knew that Reep deserved a better one than he had got, and obviously it was Edmund's responsibility to make it. How horrid it was to feel responsible for someone like Eustace. Still, it had to be done, and Edmund made his way to the door and out onto the deck.

He spotted Reep up on the forecastle and Caspian was still with him. Edmund hesitated, oddly reluctant to apologize to Reepicheep with Caspian looking on. As he hovered, trying to decide whether to approach them or wait until Reepicheep was alone, Caspian's voice floated down to him.

"I realize the offence, Reep, but remember that Eustace can have no idea of the importance of a mouse's tail to his dignity."

"Sire," Edmund could clearly hear the anger still in Reepicheep's voice. "I understand this, and I am sorry to say it, for I know he is kin to their Majesties, King Edmund and Queen Lucy, but that boy is a coward and a menace. He shows no respect, not only for their Majesties, but for your own person, and your companions."

"I agree, Reep, but I am afraid that he is a guest in our Kingdom and all is strange to him. You are right, he is kinsman to King Edmund and Queen Lucy and for that fact alone deserves our patience."

Edmund winced slightly as he heard this reply from Caspian. The fact that Eustace was related to them was becoming the biggest trial of his life.

"I will try, Sire," Reepicheep eventually answered, with a calmer voice. "But I believe he needs to be taught a lesson."

Edmund heard Caspian give another exasperated sigh. "Perhaps if you were to keep away from him as much as possible, Reep."

"Sire, I will do as you command," said Reepicheep, and Edmund saw him sweep a low bow and then leave. He was about to follow the mouse when he heard Drinian's voice.

"The mouse is right, Sire." Edmund started, for a moment thinking that Drinian was speaking to him, but when he glanced quickly up to the forecastle he saw that the Captain was with Caspian. He hadn't realized that Drinian was there as well, seated on the lookout shelf.

"The boy is a menace," he heard Drinian continue. "And he is of no use to us. Perhaps we should leave him behind when we reach the Lone Islands, as he seems to dislike being at sea so much."

"Lord Drinian, I am ashamed to say that I am greatly tempted by the idea. But it would be no honour to our name to abandon a shipmate, particularly one of royal blood." Edmund smiled to himself as he heard Caspian repeat the same temptation he had been feeling himself.

"It is difficult to believe," Edmund saw that Drinian was now grinning, "that the boy shares the same blood as their Majesties."

"No, indeed," agreed Caspian.

"Their Majesties seem happy to be here at any rate, Sire," said Drinian.

"Oh, and I am overjoyed that they are here, Drinian, even if they did bring Eustace with them."

Edmund heard both the men laugh, and then, suddenly, he realized what he had been doing. His face burned with embarrassment and shame. Really, it seemed that lately whenever he came to Narnia, he became the most frightful eavesdropper. Quickly he turned and hurried away and almost tripped over Reepicheep in his haste.

"Reepicheep," he blurted. "There you are. I was just looking for you."

"Sire," the mouse swept a graceful bow. "You have found me. How can I be of service?"

"Ah, well," Edmund struggled to regain his composure, and finally managed it. "I wanted to apologize to you, Reep. Eustace's behaviour was appalling, I know, and I'm very sorry it happened." He reddened again slightly as the thought crossed his mind that his own behaviour hadn't been much better.

"Thank you, your Majesty," Reep replied. "Your Majesty honours his kinsman more than he deserves by making a better apology on his behalf than the one he made himself."

"Oh, thanks Reep," Edmund said. "Anyway, hopefully Eustace will settle down eventually. And you always have my permission to thrash him if he doesn't, you know," he added with a grin.

Reepicheep laughed and then they talked for a while about Narnia. Edmund knew that when he returned to England, Peter would be eager to know as much as possible about what had happened in Narnia during the last three years, and the mouse was the most entertaining storyteller on the ship.

For about half an hour they talked, and then Reepicheep excused himself to return to his spot in the bulwarks. Edmund leaned on the deck railing and stared dreamily at the waves. He noticed that the sea seemed bluer today, almost as blue as Caspian's eyes. The thought of Caspian reminded him of Peter and he found himself once more recalling the scene he had witnessed between them. Sternly he repressed it, wishing for the hundredth time that he had never seen it.

He felt movement beside him, and realized with a sinking heart that Caspian himself was leaning on the railing beside him. With a strong sense of ill usage he felt his face burning, and wondered if he would ever get over this embarrassment he felt whenever he was with Caspian. It was beginning to feel like a curse.

"Hello Edmund," Caspian said. Edmund reluctantly met his eyes, saw the curiosity in them, and then quickly looked back at the waves.

"I say, are you all right?" Caspian's voice sounded concerned. "I mean, yesterday you…"

"I might have known."

A sharp voice interrupted Caspian and for the first time in his life Edmund was relieved to find Eustace glaring at them.

"Is that all you do on this blasted ship, just stand around? I bet you've made no effort to find out about the British Consul have you?"

"Eustace," Edmund sighed. "You know, you could make an effort to get along with everyone."

"You might even enjoy the voyage if you did," Caspian added hopefully.

"Oh, don't be so stupid," said Eustace. "Enjoy myself on a tub like this?" And he stomped off towards the cabin.

Edmund met Caspian's eyes and rolled his own in resignation.

"You know," Caspian said. "Perhaps we should think of a way to leave Eustace behind on the Lone Islands."

Edmund laughed, and was glad of the distraction.