It had been almost two whole days since the Pevensies arrived in Narnia. The army was preparing and training for the upcoming battle with the warriors of Vandar. Every assumption had to be made about the new threat to the country. Caspian and Peter wasted no time in scheduling training sessions with the Calvary, and Susan proceeded to set up more archery ranges in which her troops could practice. As always, Susan would lead the archers, hopefully gaining Narnia the upper hand in battle. Peter and Caspian would lead the footman and horsemen of Telmare, and Edmund and Lucy would ride in the sky with the Eagles.

Preparations were being made, and the council was in session more than ever.

"Our army grows stronger everyday," Serafin stated. It was another meeting about plans of the battle. Serafin, the young general who had grown up training alongside Caspian, believed that the Telmare and Narnian army would be strong enough to meet the Vandar army on more neutral grounds. "Why wait here like sitting ducks when we have the power to defeat them further away from the people of this country?" he argues.

Susan, again sitting to the right of her brother, felt the need to speak up. "Because we still don't know what kind of army we are dealing with, Serafin. I have heard of your great deeds in the battles that you have fought in, but just bravery and headstrong actions cannot guarantee us a victory against Lilith."

"Queen Susan is right," Peter proclaimed, looking over to his sister, "And even I can admit that, as much as I don't want to. We have no experience with this army, and for all we know, we could still be greatly outnumbered." Serafin rolled his eyes and leaned back in his chair.

"We have the largest army we have ever known in our history, it would be impossible to outnumber us," Serafin practically mumbled. He looked at Queen Susan, contemplating what she had said earlier. It was true, she was a lovely woman, and could draw every man's attention with the fluttering of her eyes. He found himself unable to argue against her further. Instead, an idea formed in his head.

Slowly sitting upwards, everyone, including Susan, could practically see the light bulb of an idea floating above his head.

"Spies," was all he said. Caspian looked to his friend and army general.

"Spies?" Caspian repeated, leaning in his chair to look directly at the man.

"Yes, we send spies to this Vandar, and see if we cannot get a look at what we might be up against," Serafin explained.

Caspian contemplated the idea for a moment. "Spies…sent to see the other army…Serafin, this is a fine idea," Caspian proclaimed, now sitting upright in his seat. If spies could even catch a glimpse of the army, it would only help them in preparing for what was about to come.

Glenstorm, to the left of Caspian spoke up. "I have centaurs under my command who could swiftly travel the lands, they are trained navigators and could find this land using the stars." Caspian nodded to his head centaur.

"Excellent, then it is settled. Have your men leave immediately, and tell them that the Kings and Queens of Narnia and I want a full report upon their return," Caspian said, standing from his seat. The council meeting for this day was over, even though all the members knew that tomorrow would only bring more planning and problems to solve.

Caspian had still been avoiding Susan, and had made little eye contact with her again in this meeting. Susan was becoming use to the pain she felt knowing that he was trying so hard to ignore her…or maybe it wasn't difficult for him at all…

As she was walking towards the chamber doors, thinking about Caspian's avoidance of her, she hadn't heard someone trying to catch up with her.

"I am truly sorry for acting like a child when you argued against my idea," a strong voice coming from next to her said. Susan almost jumped, not realizing that Serafin was now walking alongside her, and holding the chamber door open, allowing her to exit.

"After dealing with the High King Peter and King Edmund for over a lifetime, it hardly bothers me anymore," she replied, smiling at the young general. Serafin, although not as tall as Caspian, was still a good four or five inches taller than Susan. His hair was dark, but long hours training in the Narnian sun had put lighter streaks in his hair, almost a dark copper tone. His eyes surprised the queen, since they were an electric blue, unlike the dark chocolate eyes that Caspian had.

True, Serafin was handsome and strong. She could not deny that he was attractive, and for a moment, she allowed herself to acknowledge it. She appreciated his height, and how his shoulders were broad, and arms were strong from wielding a broadsword since childhood. His body was the production of a soldier's training, and his mind from years of schooling and training as a commander in battle. If Susan had not been so smitten with Caspian, she would find this man to be perfectly suitable for her.

And then something clicked. Caspian was ignoring her. She had barely spoken to him since she arrived in Narnia. True, planning for battle had taken time away from her social engagements, but she knew that he was avoiding her. Maybe becoming friends with Serafin would be good for her, and would help make things easier in council meetings.

As this idea clicked in her head, Serafin just replied with a deep laugh. "Yes, I could see King Peter arguing with reason," he replied, looking down at Susan. She nodded, and continued walking down the castle hall. It was just past noon, and the sun was high in the sky. The air had become cooler recently, implying the changing season was coming. The stone hallway on one side had a stone wall, lined with paintings and tapestries showing Telmare history and stories. On the other side, large archways the started at the floor and reached to the ceiling lined the hall, and leading out to a balcony so one could enjoy the weather.

Serafin walked alongside Susan, holding his hands behind his back. He could not take his eyes away from the Queen for too long, he believed she was indeed a beauty.

"You suggestion of spies today impressed me, General," Susan continued, looking up at the general next to her. She tried to keep herself from smiling too much at the handsome man. She was still thinking about Caspian, but knew that she should try to move on from the idea of being together. She thought that Serafin might be useful for that.

"Thank you, your highness," he replied, smiling down at her.

"Susan," she said, "You may call me Susan. You don't have to think of me as a Queen here, King Caspian is the royalty now, my siblings and I are now merely Council Members and assisting in battle," Susan said, losing her smile. Mentioning Caspian as the King, and herself as merely a general somehow struck pain in her heart. She did not see herself marrying any time soon, but finally admitting she would not be Queen again, because she would never be with Caspian, had hurt.

Susan turned and walked out along the balcony of the hallway, still not more than 30 feet away from the council doors they had just left. She had walked slowly, hopefully to enjoy the weather and the few moments she was spending with Serafin. He followed her to the ledge.

"Serafin," he replied with a nod of his head. Susan smiled and nodded. "And you will always be a Queen here. You have a commanding era about you, there is no denying you as royalty, even if Caspian is the one in charge," he said, looking out onto the country. Susan smiled. She knew that he would flatter her, but she did not know how much she would enjoy it until now.

"Well, thank you, Serafin. You make a fine general, and I'm sure you will be a warlord someday. I have read about your accomplishments on the battle field. You fight with the power and bravery of a lion," Susan said, turning to face the general standing next to her. A light breeze had developed, blowing the tips of Serafin's long hair about his face. Yes, he was handsome indeed.

"I just do my job," Serafin replied, looking at the Queen. He was still smiling. Susan wondered if he was already to be married, or if he had known about the history between herself and Caspian.

"And you do it well. I hope that you and I will have a chance to train together, and plan battle tactics," Susan said. She headed back towards the long hall of the castle. Serafin followed.

"I'm sure that the opportunity will arrive," he replied, "but for now, I must meet with members of my commanding officers. Until I see you again," he concluded, reaching for Susan's hand. They made eye contact with each other, as he leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on the back of her hand. Susan felt something as they had looked in each others eyes. It was not the same as when she looked at Caspian, but she felt something…strange.

"Until then," she replied, and walked down the hall, heading to the stables. Serafin smiled, and walked the other direction down the hall. Susan could not contain her smile, and quickly glanced behind her, only to realize that Serafin was doing the same, watching each other walk down the hall.

Susan quickly looked back in front of her. Yes, Caspian would always own her heart, but maybe there was a way to make the pain she felt for him decrease. Maybe she could find companionship elsewhere. Serafin was a fine man. A general in a powerful army, handsome, a council member, and would be able to protect and provide. She did not plan on becoming serious about anything while in Narnia, but she had to plan in case she would be able to stay this time.

Maybe she could finally move on from Caspian, if she had help.

What she did not realize was that Caspian had heard and watched them. He had been walking behind Susan to leave the chambers, when he saw Serafin catch up to the Queen. Caspian was curious, so had listened closely to the conversation, and had seen that Serafin kissed her hand, and Susan would not stop smiling.

All he could do was feel.

He felt pain, misery, jealousy, love, and a swarm of emotions flood his mind. He knew that he was in love with Susan, and he had always prayed she felt the same way back. But after watching the exchange between the Queen and his General, he felt his hope fade. How would she be able to flirt to another man if she had loved him? True, he had been avoiding her; he was protecting her, and himself, from possible heartbreak if she was to leave again.

Caspian knew he should not be jealous. He had given up trying to be with Susan, Aslan had even told him that she might not be staying. He knew that it would not be fair to her for them to fall in love only to have her ripped away again.

He should let Susan and Serafin be.

And with that thought, he felt something in the pit of his stomach. Hope. He wanted Susan, even if he couldn't have her.

Alright, FINALLY. After almost a YEAR of silence, I have written another chapter. I promise to not make you wait a year for the next one, but reviews don't hurt

I've finally made the outline to the plot of my story, so hopefully writing will be smooth from here on out. Happy Readings!

Ciao!
Sam