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24


Otto stood at Peter's side on the stone platform, overlooking the courtyard around him. Before him stood the citizens of Narnia. Human and narnian mixed together as they looked up at their kings and queens. Behind him, stood Glenstorm and various other generals and at his side were the rest of the Pevensie siblings. Aslan was too his left. Regal head held high. Otto was watching Caspian as the king stood above his people.

Caspian was standing tall. He carried a air of dignity and importance which he had lacked when Otto first met him. He looked over at his people as a king, but also with kindness and understanding. Otto couldn't help but remember the boy he had met in the woods. Caspian had been nervous and full of self doubt, easily letting Peter take control and anxious about his ability to command. Now Otto could see how he had grown confidence within himself. Caspian spoke loudly and clearly. His tone holding authority but not harsh.

"I understand that there have been a lot of new changes and rumours", Caspian stated. The crowd shuffled as the humans murmured silently. Caspian surveyed them all calmly, ignoring any angry looks. "What I say is the truth. My uncle, Miraz, murdered my father and tried to have me killed". The noise of the crowd rose in disbelief. Caspian continued. "I fled to the woods and was given sanctuary by the narnians. In return for their help at reclaiming my birthright, I acknowledge them as true citizens of narnia. They are as welcome here as you and me. In further support of our unified kingdom, I acknowledge their kings and queens".

Caspian turned and smiled at them. He gestured to them all in turn. "Queen Lucy, King Edmund, Queen Susan, King Peter". Lucy and Susan both curtsied to the crowd while Peter and Edmund both bowed. Caspian smiled wider as he got to Otto, his gaze warm. "And King Otto".

Otto flushed in embarrassment as he bowed. The sudden title feeling uncomfortable and heavy. He could feel the crowd's stare on him. Their gazes were confused and annoyed. By the looks of things, most of them were accepting of the sudden changes. But there were still those groups of people who staring at Otto and the Pevensies with undisguised anger.

"They are just as much your ruler as I am", Caspian's voice was firm. "I expect you all to show them the same respect you show me". There was a few more nervous jitters but the steel in Caspian's eyes quelled them into silence.

"Narnia belongs to the narnians just as much as us", Caspian called. "Those who wish to stay are welcome too. But those who wish to leave will be returned to the home of our forefathers. You will be given a chance at a new life with my support. There is no shame in this and I hold no anger towards any of you".

"But we've always lived here!" A man shouted. More voices of complaint rose up.

"It's been generations since we left Telmont", another man protested.

Aslan stepped forwards and shook his mane. The noise died down. Otto wasn't sure if the crowd were in awe of the lion, or terrified. "We are not referring to Telmont", Aslan explained. "Your forefathers were sea farming briggons, pirate who had been washed ashore in a storm. They found a rare cave that brought them here from their world. The same world as our kings and Queens". Aslan nodded at the Pevensie children. Otto shared confused looks with them, surprised at the information.

"It is that island I can return you", Aslan continued. He smiled gently at the crowd. "It is as good place as any for those who wish to make a new start".

The crowd was silent with nervous energy.

"I wish to go", a female voice called. A woman stepped up onto the podium. She was of middle age, wearing ornate clothes. But she looked worn. In her arms was a sleeping baby. The child bundled up in warm cloths. Behind her, four men accompanied her. Otto recognised three of the men as members of Miraz's council. The fourth man was the old captain of the guard. Aslan nodded at them and Caspian inclined his head in acceptance of their choice.

Aslan turned his head and Otto looked to see what he was facing. Gasps echoed out from the crowd as the twisted oak tree shook. The trunk quivered as the branches moved. The wood untying itself until there was a gap down the middle, large enough for people to walk through.

The woman's face was nervous and she rocked the baby in her arms nervously. With glances to the crowd and Caspian, she stepped forwards. The men all following behind her. One by one all of them walked between the trunks only to vanish before reaching the other side. Gasps and scared voices rose up as each person disappeared. The crowd unused to magic.

"Do not fear", Aslan calmed. "They are perfectly safe".

More voices rose up but Otto stopped listening. Peter was looking at the tree, shifting at his side. Otto turned to him, mood falling. Peter looked back at him and gave him a encouraging smile. He stepped forwards to face the crowd. "We will be going too", he announced. Silence descended harshly.

Peter turned to his siblings. "It's time", he stated gently. Susan nodded, accepting. Edmund's expression was understanding but sad. He was looking out over the view of narnia as if to savour it. Lucy looked nearly heartbroken. Peter gently took her hands in his and gave them a reassuring squeeze. "Come on Luce", he whispered. She nodded.

Otto looked away and met Caspian's gaze. He looked frozen, expression a mask of forced stillness. But Otto could see the sadness in his eyes as he watched. Together, the Pevensie children stepped up to face their generals. Glenstorm, Trumpkin, Reepicheep and various other narnians. They all bowed to their kings and queens, gazes sad as they bid them farewell.

Caspian also bowed. Peter clapping him on the shoulder. He took his sword and sheath of his belt and held it out. Caspian took it in surprise. "I think you might have more use for it here", Peter said. The gesture his acknowledgment of Caspian as a equal and a king.

"I'll hold on to it for you", Caspian promised. Peter smiled at him and patted his shoulder before walking away.

Otto watched as Lucy curtsied to Trumpkin. The dwarf bowing back. She sniffed and wrapped him in a hug, tears eyed. The dwarf hugged her back, sad having to see her go. When Lucy stepped back it was with tear on her cheeks. She turned and spotted Otto, still standing a few feet away. "Otto", she frowned. "Are you not coming?"

Otto smiled at her softly. "No. There's nothing for me there".

"But you have us", Edmund protested, almost desperately. "We may never see you again".

"Edmund", Peter rested a hand on his brother's shoulder. "We had a lifetime here. Let Otto have a chance at the same". He looked up and gave Otto a nostalgic grin. Otto walked forwards and caught Peter in one last hug.

"Thank you for being there", Otto whispered. "And for giving me a chance here".

Peter patted him on the back as they separated. "If you ever return, come find us okay?" Otto nodded and moved on to Edmund. The younger boy was stiff as Otto hugged him.

"Keep an eye on your siblings", Otto grinned. "I'm pretty sure Peter will fail without you".

Edmund's composure cracked as he chuckled. "Of course", he rolled his eyes and shot Otto a teasing glare. "I'm going to have to work double time without your help Birch. The next time I see you, you'll owe me". Otto laughed loudly as he moved on to Susan. The girl smiled at him and pulled him into a hug.

"Enjoy your fairytale prince", she muttered, voice amused.

"Enjoy England", Otto replied. He smiled widely at her. Out of all the siblings, he knew Susan the least. They just hadn't clicked as personalities. But he liked and respected her. She was caring and he was honestly sad to see her go. "I hope it's everything you want", he wished sincerely. Susan's eyes widened and she smiled.

Otto moved down to Lucy. The youngest was crying softly. She threw arms around Otto's neck and buried her face in his shoulder. "I'm going to miss you", her voice came out muffled. Otto hugged her back tightly. He could feel the pinpricks of his own tears welling up. He choked them down and gave her a warm smile.

"I'll miss you too. Thank you for being a great friend Lucy. Thank you for accepting me and bring me with you. I owe you everything". Otto squeezed her shoulders and pushed her back to look at her face. "I will see you again. Maybe not soon but some day".

Lucy smiled weakly at him as Peter took her hand. "Not goodbye but a see you later?"

Otto stood up as the Pevensie children stepped back towards the doorway. "See you later", he grinned at them. Peter waved back as they began to walk away. Lucy turning to look at Otto and Aslan one last time as Susan stepped through the gate. Aslan smiled gently at her in parting as Otto waved. Susan vanished. Then Edmund and Peter Lucy. Otto was left staring at the empty space between the two twisted trunks, a sense of loss in his gut.

He turned to where Caspian had been watching. "You are staying?" His voice was soft and hesitant.

Otto ducked his head shyly. "If you'll have me. Need another king?" He smiled.

Caspian stuck Peter's sword in his belt, the golden lion's head gleaming in the sunlight, and strode over. His feet carried him across the cobbles in seconds. Otto looked up as Caspian's hands cupped his cheeks gently. Caspian smiled giddily at him, a joy in his face that was infectious. Otto grinned back at him, the realisation that he never had to leave settling in. "I'll always want you around", Caspian breathed. His voice quiet enough for only Otto to hear.

"Then I'll stay as long as you'll have me", Otto replied. He barely got the words out before Caspian was leaning over and pressing his lips to his. Otto felt his knees weaken as his eyes closed. There was distant gasps from the crowd. Otto sunk into the kiss, relaxing under Caspian's hold. The warmth of him all he wanted and more.

The kiss only lasted a few seconds before they both pulled away. Caspian smiled so wide that his cheeks must be hurting. Otto laughed and rested his forehead against Caspian's. His own cheeks hurting.

"My prince, my king", Otto whispered softly, unable to contain the giddiness in his chest.

"My knight, my king", Caspian replied, voice full of feeling. In that moment, Otto felt infinite. For the first time in his life, he felt like this was his story. His happy ending.

Unedited

An: End of the movie everyone. There is still a little more to go though. Stay tuned.

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