A/N: I signed up for July's Camp NaNo and set a goal of 20,000 words in this fanfic. We'll see if I can keep up with that. Wish me luck!

I spend the days following the war council in a strange sort of in-between position. I am no ordinary soldier; I walk freely among the camp and am frequently consulted on matters of importance. But neither have I stepped in again as queen. I'm sure Caspian would be willing to defer to me should I want that, but this is his kingdom now. I never expected to come back. To be honest, I'm not sure I'd know how to rule well without the support of my brothers and sister. The High Queen of Narnia never held her throne alone.

I long to speak alone with Caspian again, and I don't doubt that he feels the same. But our desire to stay beneath the soldiers' notice combined with the busy duties of a war camp have made any meeting impossible.

Until tonight. A messenger returned with news — not enough to call for a war council, but enough to require briefing of certain key camp members. Caspian requested I remain behind in his tent following the briefing.

As soon as the others had all filed from the tent, Caspian's posture relaxed. His carefully composed expression softened to a half-smile. "My love." He holds his arms out to me.

"Caspian." I walk into his embrace and cherish his warmth.

"I have a surprise for you." He leads me to sit on the bed. He picks up a blanket crumpled on the ground nearby to reveal a basket hiding underneath. "Dinner, my lady?"

I smile. "Are we to have a picnic indoors?"

"Of course not. We are to have a picnic in-tent."

I roll my eyes but can't completely stifle a giggle. Me, a woman of my age with two half-grown children, giggling like a schoolgirl. "Don't be ridiculous."

"Is it truly considered ridiculous for a king to treat his queen to a common, homely dinner in your world? How sad an existence they must lead."

His queen. We really don't know my role here anymore, but the words feel right.

He brings the picnic basket to the middle of the bed and pulls out dried bacon, hard cheese, and half a loaf of bread. "Under ordinary circumstances, of course, a picnic basket would bear significantly more satisfying offerings such as fruits and wine. In war-time, however, a king's rations must suffice."

"It will be a fine picnic as it is," I assure him.

"With company such as yours, how could it be otherwise?"

Again with the boyish flirtations. He acts as though we are teen-agers. I can feel my cheeks flush. This is silliness, I think, but I only shake my head at him in mock reproach.

He settles on the bed across from me. With a small pocket-knife, he carves off a piece each of the bread and cheese and hands them to me. The meal isn't comparable to a proper English picnic, there's no denying, but it is nice to have a moment alone with him again.

"Raoul tells me the children had some sort of disagreement on the training field yesterday," Caspian says.

"Yes, I heard about that. I'm giving them time to work it out between themselves." I pick up a piece of bacon to nibble.

"You do not think we should say something?"

I shake my head. "They're growing up. They need to work some of their problems out for themselves, especially if they're going to be training and fighting in Narnia now."

"Perhaps you are right. Though I worry what their behavior may reflect upon their roles and the greater leadership of the camp. They may be children, but they are royalty first."

This comment irks me. I set down my food. "No. They are children first, and everything else second. They didn't even know their own legacy until recently." I sigh, guilt tugging at my stomach. "Besides, most of camp still doesn't know who they really are."

He raises an eyebrow. "Just because they do not speak of the rumors does not mean they do not have their suspicions. Two mysterious children from another world, followed by the High Queen? My relation to the children is still unknown, to be sure, but your connection cannot be denied. Even the resemblance supports the theory."

"Caspian might look like me, but Rose is clearly your daughter."

His eyes soften. "I suppose I cannot argue that."

I smile. "She has your spirit, too, you know. So passionate and eager for adventure." I resume snacking on the bread and cheese.

"I wish I could know them both better."

We're both quiet for a minute. I try to come up with an idea to encourage relations without drawing the camp's suspicions. "Well, they are the child visitors from the other world. Already they are included among enlisted ranks and in confidential war councils. It would be completely natural to have one-on-one training sessions with the king, I think."

He nods. "You're right. I ought to pull them each aside on some official grounds. No one could argue against it." He pauses. "Though training may not be the best cover for a conversation with Lewis, given his current state."

I grimace. The leg. I'd forgotten.

"I would like to discuss some strategy ideas with him, though. The boy has a fine mind, and a natural tendency for reading. Both great qualities for a growing prince, I must say. I can teach him in the ways of planning and policy-making. I think he may appreciate that, and it could still be a believable cover, considering his position on the war council."

I chuckle. "Rose might be more in need of that kind of guidance, but it will definitely be better appreciated with Caspian."

He grins. "Then it's settled. I'll conduct one-on-one combative training with our daughter and a strategy guidance discussion with our son."

I watch him as he looks away to slice another piece off the bread. Loose strands of dark hair fall over his face. Speaking of fatherhood comes so naturally to him. He has another child, I remind myself. I wonder what his son is like. If he is anything like my Rose or Caspian. If he is more like his father or his mother. What his relationship with his parents is like.

How different things might have been had we raised the twins together.