In the years he sailed around the world, Drinian has seen enough to only be surprised by few things. He never would have thought this inconspicuous island would leave the king and his companions as distraught as they are right now. The six return to the shore like ghosts, silent and deeply withdrawn. Their faces are paler than usual, their eyes clouded. Without a single word, they board a longboat and wait. No greeting, nothing. The sailors exchange worried glances. Drinian gestures for them to continue their work while he approaches the group.

» Back to the ship, I take it, Your Majesty? « He asks Caspian. The young king doesn't react right away. As he is about to repeat the question, Caspian lifts his head slowly. His brow crinkles, he seems to try and think of a proper answer. Drinian couldn't possibly know the struggle the six went through: After the deafening roar their heads seemed lighter as their minds cleared, a fogginess spreading that let them forget the latest events. Well, forget may not be the correct term, it was more a blurring of their memory.

» Yes, « Caspian draws the word with a weak voice,

» We should leave. « Drinian nods in compliance. With the help of two men, he pushes the boat into deeper water and hops in to row and steer it over to the Dawn Treader. Usually, he doesn't ask a lot of questions, it's not his business to interrogate people. However, this clearly is an exception.

» Are you alright? « He inquires,

» Did something happen? « His gaze flickers over the faces. King Caspian blinks at the captain as if he needs time to understand what was said. King Edmund doesn't react at all, only staring out on the water, wringing his hands. Queen Lucy puts her head back, looking up in the sky for a moment before closing her eyes with a deep sigh. Eustace regards his shoes with more interest than he probably should, and Luna's eyes dart around, unable to find focus. Reepicheep, however, looks at Drinian from the other side of the boat. His black button eyes glimmer as he returns from wherever their minds were taken.

» I think, « the tall mouse speaks,

» We shouldn't set foot on this island again, Aslan help us, an evil lurks here. « Drinian raises an eyebrow at the knight,

» What happened? « Reepicheep shakes his head, the red feather of his circlet bobbing up and down,

» Sometimes it's better not to remember. « So, they set over to the ship while the crew transports and stows away what rations they found. The silence stretches and neither Drinian nor Reep break it again. As soon as they climb on deck, the six retreat to their cabins or Aslan knows where. The captain is left in confusion. He refuses to let it ruffle him; the old jack-tar calls the crew back and orders to set sail.

~

In the early evening, Caspian, Edmund, Lucy, Eustace, and Luna slowly come back to their senses. Reepicheep's mind cleared earlier, but the mouse retreated to his favourite spot on the ship anyways. As Jaro was told something happened to the king and his companions, he prepared a hearty meal for them. So, the five humans meet at the table. For the main part of dinner, they remain silent, only speaking to determine if anyone remembers anything. Nobody really does. Whatever happened on the island, only blurry moments are left in their memories. As they expect Drinian to want to map the new discovered island soon, Caspian decides to call it Deathwater Island. The others agree - it seems like a fitting name, no one could explain why, though.

After dinner Lucy and Eustace help Jaro and Anaru in the galley, Ed returns to his shared cabin to rest and maybe read a bit, Luna doing the same, and Caspian retreats to his study. They are all tired but not ready to go to sleep yet.

Luna's head feels strange. With a sigh, she puts the comb aside after freshening up and brushing her hair. She rises and steps out on the balcony, standing at the very stern of the Dawn Treader. Somewhere above she hears voices on deck. The young woman leans onto the railing, rolling her shoulders. She still tries to make sense of her blurred memory of the earlier day, no luck so far. There are pieces but however she puzzles them together, they make no sense at all. So, she decides to leave it – surely there is a reason why none of them can remember the events after they entered the cave. She has something else to think about anyway; her realisation back on the heather hill is a very big something to stomach. It's an even greater puzzle than today's lost memories.

Her thoughts drift back to the time before Caspian's coronation. Life wasn't easy then but a lot less complicated. They were friends and that friendship developed, effortlessly shifting into something more. Then came the revolution, a war is a rather unsuitable time for a relationship to form properly. Afterwards he was to be crowned King of Narnia and the centre of attention which didn't make it any easier – their closeness was regarded inappropriate already, rumours spreading through court and people. This was nothing new, in the years prior Lord Regent Miraz and Lady Prunaprismia prevented a lot of talk and whisper about the prince. As if these weren't enough obstacles that hindered Caspian and Luna's relationship and strained their friendship, duty interfered. Caspian became king and Luna his Crown Shield. They had to choose: Love or duty. Luna chose the latter. So, they ended it before it could start. At least she suffocated her feelings, thinking they weren't allowed. Indeed, they were not, it was hard enough for both of them separately, without having to worry about the other. Only now for her to discover that all the suffocating and the suffering that came with it was in vain, her feelings returned or maybe they were never gone in the first place.

Luna shakes her head, watching the sun descend, barley peeking over the horizon anymore. Without the warming rays it is getting chilly. A gust of wind lets her shiver. Her thoughts may swirl, even so, like every storm, they have a centre. It's the well-known choice, but how can she possibly choose between loving Caspian and protecting him? Another question forces on; is there a way to do both? She can't imagine it now, however, today seems to be an exceptionally insane day.

~

Caspian tries to concentrate on the papers, a proposition he plans to present to the council as soon as he returns to Narnia. This may be a long journey, but even far from home he must work on ideas to help his country and people. Yet, after today's events he simply can't focus on anything. Like his friends', his memory is blurred. He doesn't even remember the way back to the ship clearly. Maybe he will ask Drinian about it. On top of the foggy mind, a feeling imposes itself – the feeling that he needs to apologize to Luna, he can't remember what for. Well, he can't apologize for something he doesn't remember. Nevertheless, his thoughts seem to circle around that very woman. A sudden restlessness grips him. After skidding around on his chair for a while, trying to read over what he has written so far, he puts the quill aside. Sighing, his gaze wanders outside the porthole. He could ask Edmund for advice, but something feels off between them. And he can't have the King of Old try to meddle with Cas and Luna's relationship again, not after the embarrassment of Caspian hanging upside down on the mast. He closes his eyes, still, he has no idea how to figure this out alone. Fresh air will do him good. With a nod to himself, he rises, looking around for his coat. He must have left it in the cabin.

After a little debate with himself whether to go and fetch the coat, he is on his way to the cabin he shares with Edmund and Eustace. Ed is present, lounging in his hammock, flipping through a book. He looks up as Caspian knocks once and enters. The Pevensie notes the look on his friend's face, concluding that he's deep in thought.

» What's with the brooding? « He sounds less fun than intended. He feels it too, the strange barrier between them. He hates it, Caspian is a dear friend to him, a second brother even. Cas grabs his coat,

» It's nothing. « Ed closes the book and sits up, tilting his head to the side as if to ask 'Really?'. He mentally prepares a few questions to get his friend to open up. The King of Old has learned that talking things through helps. Turns out, he doesn't need to ask. Caspian is ready to talk about it – more or less – after determining one thing,

» Promise me you'll not... meddle? « Edmund raises an eyebrow, then he smirks,

» Oh, is 'nothing' Luna's new name? « Cas huffs, plopping down on Eustace's bunk. Ed stretches, dangling his legs left and right of the hammock as he fixates the other,

» Alright, I promise – excluding the one or other push, if needed. « Caspian stares at him for a moment, then he shrugs. That's good enough.

» I'm not sure what she wants, « he says, releasing a long sigh as he runs his hands over his face,

» By King Peter's beard, after all that time it's difficult to allow those feelings. It- « he cuts himself off, his eyes snap up to meet Edmund's. Confusion is written on his friend's face for a brief moment before it is replaced by a smug expression. He mumbles something along the lines of 'I knew it!'.

» That's a lame excuse for not even trying, ya know, « Ed rushes to say. Caspian shrugs,

» It's not that simple, Ed. «

» Why? « The other inquires sheepishly,

» If you want to know for sure, ask her and tell her how you feel. «

» That's not all there is to it, « Cas shifts his weight, shoving his hands in the pockets of his frock coat. Ed refrains from rolling his eyes again. Maybe the obliviousness is partly gone, but the sheer stubbornness is going to drive him crazy. Yet, he doesn't know that, years ago, Caspian and Luna confessed their feelings to each other already – which is probably for the best. The two are not ready for other people to get involved in this. Naturally, Cas will not tell his friend that, not yet. Maybe he won't have to, as Ed will pick it up eventually.

» What else can possibly... « he starts indignantly but trails off as he realizes something,

» Oh. Because of tradition? Status? « Caspian observes his friend.

» Duty, « he states simply.

» Duty? «

» It's Luna we're talking about, you don't know the half of it. « He sighs, running a hand over his face once again.

» You mean, there's more than you two having only eyes for each other for as long as I have known you? «

Caspian only looks at him.

» Oh, « he repeats, plopping back in his hammock,

» In that case, I've time and am told to be a good listener... but maybe Lucy would be a better advisor here. «

» Can't wish for a better one than you, Ed. «

~

All this profundity doesn't solve the dilemma the king and the Crown Shield find themselves in. However, it is a step in the right direction. Eustace doesn't know much about it all, but he picks things up by observing – like his cousins and Reepicheep and maybe a few sailors as well. Before his scaly adventure, the blond wouldn't have had any idea why another person might be that important. Relationships are logic in the end, or so he thought. Meanwhile, he understands there is barely any logic in interpersonal matters. Well, that's why he doesn't stay long in the galley with Lucy. He remembers nothing from the moment they entered the ominous cave, and, to his own surprise, he doesn't really care about it. It's in the past. He does, however, remember the roar. He has heard it once before as that lion – named Aslan apparently – transformed him from a dragon back to a boy. The name sparks an inexplicable joyfulness and a certain power that makes Eustace content. What else he remembers is Luna who was distraught before they entered the cave, not to mention after they returned to the Dawn Treader. As he went with Lucy, it came to mind that none of them should be alone after today. So, leaving his cousin in the kitchen, he wanders to the girls' cabin, determined to keep the warrior company.

His plan works. Soon, he stands on the balcony with the older girl. At first, neither of them knows what to talk about. Today's events seem like a too sensitive topic. His training is what got them in the mess, he suspects, as he remembers his fall. Luna rips him out of those dark thoughts before guilt can reach him,

» What is it like, your world? « This kicks off a lasting conversation about the differences and similarities between Narnia and England. They discuss races and magic, especially magic. Eustace isn't sure what to think of it. Yes, he experienced it in a way, but real magicians, witches, or sorceresses? No, he doesn't believe every fairy tale has come alive in Narnia. As he states this, Luna laughs for the first time this day, and Eustace grins proudly.

They pass to serious topics,

» What do you miss most? « The boy takes a few moments to think about it. Surprisingly, it's not his parents he misses most.

» My classmate, Jill Pole, « he gazes out at the sea as he remembers how he bullied the slightly younger girl sometimes, worsening the harassment of the older students at their school. Yet, she was the only person he would call a friend in his real life – he is still a bit suspicious this adventure may be a mere dream after all, though he doesn't hope so. Luna watches the emotions flash over his features, regret being one of them. He needs to apologize to Jill for his behaviour, Eustace concludes, dream or not. As he doesn't continue for some time, the Crown Shield places a gentle hand on his shoulder,

» Complicated, is it? « There's a certain bitterness in her voice that makes Eustace perk up. He looks up into her brown eyes, immediately missing the glimmer of a laugh in them. Deciding to get her on other thoughts, he adds to his previous statement,

» And I miss my sweets. «

Hello everyone!

Here we are with a bit-sized chapter. Is it confusing to see more smaller sections from different perspectives? What do you think about the relationships between the characters so far?

Have a good week!

Yours,

Lola