[A] Stumbling around the woods. (With the Prince, please.) [FINISHED]

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[Character of the Month]

Character of the Month
Prince Caspian

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Played by Cara

"Cara has managed to...create a character that is both mythical and life-like. Impulsive, moody, and yet kind and good-hearted, Caspian is just beginning to show the makings of a true leader."
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[Arina Penley Carison]

The atmosphere in the camp was stifling which was exactly why Choni had taken to the woods for a time. On foot, as well, since Tyber just seemed to be having too much fun for her to bother him with a saddle. He may not be a Talking Beast of Narnia, but he was still rather expressive, or perhaps it was just that she knew him so well. Besides, she had a new article of clothing to try. Leggings. After her first trip through the surrounding woods with the scouting party, she had discovered that her skirts, no matter how plain, just would not do. So she had fashioned one into a pair of leggings. Uncomfortable, clingy things they were. She missed the swishing of her skirts about her ankles.

She had to admit, though, as she climbed over a fallen tree, that they did make things easier. After a few more steps, she stopped and removed her bow from her shoulder. Even this close to the camp, she was not a fool to go wandering about without it. She also had developed a strange homesickness attachment to the weapon and did not wish to leave it anywhere where she was not. She ran a finger over the small gold crest mounted at the top, just below the string nook, the initials APC carved just below it.

The cracking sound of a twig made her jump out of her reverie and bring her bow up, arrow smoothly drawn and placed in the blink of an eye. She squinted in the direction the noise had come from, her heart beating faster at the knowledge of what might happen if the intruder were not friendly. When the figure came into view, Choni was overcome with the urge to roll her eyes and a minuscule desire to shoot anyway. She resisted and lowered her bow.

"Your Highness," she greeted reluctantly as she put the arrow back in it's quiver. "Fancy meeting you here."

[Prince Caspian]

To Caspian, there was something soothing, something calming, about the forest near the camp. In fact, he liked to take to it when he was assaulted with thoughts and concerns – things that there was no one at the camp with which to discuss. Of course, there were plenty of creatures at the camp but he knew full well that as the leader, he needed to set himself a little above the rest of them. Not in such a way that made him look conceited, or that he thought he was better. No, no it wasn’t that at all. More so, it came to the fact that none of them should know just when their leader was having doubts, or when he was troubled. Because, Caspian thought, that could cause trouble of all sorts – and the last thing the Narnians needed was any more trouble. As it was, they had Telmarine “guests” and while one of them was an old friend of Caspian’s... it could still spell out difficulties for the Old Narnians. And so, because of that, Caspian needed to be extra careful to keep any worry from his face and any concern from his thoughts.

However, at the moment he was feeling abnormally light hearted. Sure, they’d made no progress but, till now, they’d not suffered any great losses. Every loss was a terrible one, of course, but the Narnians were fairing a good deal better than anyone might have expected – especially Miraz. No doubt, his throne usurping uncle was squirming in his seat, dying to have word of the state of the Old Narnian encampment. Caspian hoped to detain the Telmarines a little longer; he hoped to keep them from bringing word to Miraz too soon. Perhaps, though he doubted it, he could persuade Drinian to give false report. But no, he thought with the faintest hint of a frown, he could not ask a friend to lie to Miraz and risk his life and besides, Drinian might be friend but those men with him certainly were not. Guilty by association – Drinian could be trusted but not in the company of his fellow travellers.

Their help had not yet arrived but Caspian was holding out. Aslan had promised help to whomever blew the horn and so it was help that they would get. Because while his hope had faded several times, he’d come to the conclusion that there was, ultimately, nothing else he could do. Without the promised help, they couldn’t win. At least, it didn’t look like it could.

But Caspian had no intention of failing the creatures he’d come to adore as a prince ought to adore his subjects.

He wasn’t really paying attention, but then, he didn’t feel threatened. His sword was sheathed, his mind wandering. Probably not the wisest of decisions but then, Caspian had escaped death enough times to figure that there was obviously a reason for him being there. It warranted a little recklessness, he thought wryly. Or maybe not; maybe he was running out of chances.

In fact, his heart nearly stopped when he saw someone standing hardly a few feet away, bow out and arrow drawn and it was pointed rather decidedly at him. Pausing, he watched as the figure seemed to change her mind, and put the arrow away. It was only then that he recognized the figure, who wasn’t dressed as she normally was. What in the world was she wearing, anyway? He fought the urge to chuckle. A little half smile lifted the corner of his lips and he crossed his arms.

“I knew you did not much like me,” he teased with a quiet laugh, “But is it any reason to hold me at arrow point?”

[Arina Penley Carison]

Ooh the cockiness of Prince Caspian. Choni sometimes wished she had never come to know it. Not hiding her irritation at all, she swung her bow back over her shoulder and narrowed her eyes at him. "You could have been an enemy," she said as her defense and she was sure it was a good one he could not argue against. She also did not miss the little smile his lips formed when he caught sight of her new attire. If he even thought about laughing at her practicality, she would have the arrow drawn before he had time to blink.

The thought gave her pause as she glanced around. No one had accompanied the prince on his walk. He should have guards following him with his every step, especially with the carefree way he had come upon her, his guard completely down and his sword still sheathed when she'd had an arrow aimed at him. "I would have killed you where you stood had I not recognized you and you wouldn't have even been in a position to defend yourself," she said in an accusing voice. "Where is your escort? Why are you out here alone?" She was beginning to sound like her own father when he would scold her for going out without a lady or her brother for escort, but she couldn't help it. She had almost shot down the leader of the army she had joined. This should be a lesson to the wayward prince. "Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

[Prince Caspian]

She seemed indignant that Caspian would be foolish enough to go wandering on his own. In fact, she was probably right – it definitely hadn’t been smart. He should have known better. He should have been thinking properly. “Yes,” he replied sombrely, his mood lessening a  little, “You’re right; I could have been the enemy. At least you were well prepared to defend yourself.” He shook his head faintly. “Just another strike against the ignorant prince,” he muttered to himself. In fact, there was very little he could do without bumbling up in some way or another. It seemed that Choni here was always the first to catch his mistakes and never hesitate to be vocal about her displeasure. Well, at least she was honest. He had to give her that.

Was he trying to get himself killed? He could have laughed at the question but instead he rose an eyebrow. The girl was lucky he wasn’t Miraz, that was for certain. Woman or not, Caspian’s uncle would have had her head for such blatant disrespect. But Caspian was cut from a different cloth – or, at the very least, lucky to have been taught by tutors and nurses and that his uncle hardly paid him any attention when he was younger. So he’d go along with it – he told himself her opinion didn’t matter but it did. All those opinions mattered. What had he been thinking? What would they all do if he got himself killed, or captured, or seriously injured? For some reason, unbeknownst to him, the majority of them had taken to having him as their leader quite readily. He really ought to be more careful.

“No, not trying to get myself killed; I’ve had my share of near death experiences, thank you, and I wasn’t aiming for a repeat.” He shrugged wryly, sighing a little. “The camp is stifling – so I came out here for a little space.” But then he told himself he had no need to defend himself to her of all people, and he folded his arms behind his back, lifting his chin. “Besides, I wasn’t made aware that I had any need to answer to you.” He turned away, irritated, and walked a couple of paces towards a fallen tree upon which he sat and looked out over his surroundings. He wondered how – and why – he’d gotten himself into this mess. He’d never really thought he’d be leading an army – an army primarily full of eager creatures who, unfortunately, had no knowledge of war but plenty of knowledge about hiding. Hiding wasn’t going to do any of them any good.

But to fight against Miraz? How?

“Your dislike for me is obvious,” he said with a faint shrug, “I’ve never doubted it – though I’ve never really understood it either. But I do not fault you, nor any of the others who feel the same. Considering my parentage, there isn’t much to be proud of. No, nobility and honour does not run deep in the line.” He lifted his eyes to the sky, feeling a little lost – a feeling he quickly reigned in, upon remembering he was in the company of one of his biggest critics.

[Arina Penley Carison]

Well, at least they agreed on something. He was quite ignorant. And arrogant. And cocky. And over confident for someone in his position and half a dozen other things she could point out. "Well, I try," she replied, fingers wrapped around her bowstring protectively. She did not like to be without some form of defense and she prided in the fact that she could use it swiftly and well.

She felt mildly bad about making him think badly of himself, but not nearly enough to apologize. He needed to be able to see his own faults. Personally, Choni thought that the pedestal the Narnians had put him up on was a danger to his ego and he couldn't be bothered to see it.

Nodding, she understood that much. Hadn't she had just the same thought about camp? The woods were mildly comforting. They created another world in which to escape the pressures of the real world, all in the same immediate area. His reply, though, made her nostrils flair with anger. "I never said you had to answer to me! And you don't have to answer to me! Excuse me for taking a moment out of my time to worry for your safety just moments after I nearly kill you! But you should be answering to someone- does anyone know you're out here? You could be captured and executed by Miraz and the camp would probably just think you were sleeping in your tent! For the love of Aslan, you have to learn how to think!" she scolded, feeling more and more like her father as she went on. Pausing, she pursed her lips and turned away from him, trying to breathe calmly and not start lecturing again. If her father was here, she'd get a scolding of her own for speaking in such a way to not only foreign royalty to whom she was a 'guest' and a soldier, but the Prince of Narnia.

She stared incredulously at him. "You think I don't like you because of your parentage? My family loved King Caspian as did I through stories told of him because I was not privileged to know him before he died." If it was anything, it was that she had always expected more of Caspian the Tenth when she had first met him, many years ago on the first trip she could remember to Narnia. She had expected him to be as great as she had been told his father was. All she saw was this boy before her. "I don't like you because you do not know what you are doing and if you lead these creatures to ruin, they will never forgive you. You don't let people know when you need help because you're afraid of showing weakness and that is your biggest weakness of all!" She had not forgotten his sickness and how he'd pushed it off until he couldn't even walk. "You need someone who isn't afraid to tell you when you're being an arrogant, over confident, self centered pig. Which you are! Often!" She stood at her full height while facing him, getting on a roll. "The Narnians aren't going to trust you if you don't confide in them. You can't lead without trust. I think their only hope in you is because you're the Prince."

[Prince Caspian]

If Caspian was cross before, he was outright angry now. What right did she have, talking to him like that? Not just because he was the prince, but because he was a person and one ought to treat others with a little more respect than that. It was the right thing to do. And besides, he was the prince and that was all the more reason that she shouldn’t talk to him in such a manner. He could be conceited at times; he knew that. He’d been pampered and doted on all his life. He’d been spoiled, he’d been given anything that he wanted and when he wanted it. So sure, he’d mellowed out a little since arriving in the middle of nowhere and finding himself living in a tent, surrounded by trials and hardships. He wasn’t the same person he’d been when he’d been at the castle.

“As far as I’m concerned,” he said coolly, greatly annoyed by her mention of his father, “you’d be best to find someone else to insult. I’m fully capable of leading this army – I’m a little inexperienced but believe me, I’ve no intention of leading anyone to “ruin”.” Caspian was fuming now and he pushed himself up off the fallen tree, taking a couple of steps closer to Choni. “Oh! I  need someone to insult me, and nag me, and tell me how terrible I am?” Scowling, he crossed his arms. “What do you know about leading? Do you really think they all want to know – that they all should know – when I’m just as frightened as they are? Don’t you think they want a leader that can inspire a little more confidence than that?”

He shook his head. This was ridiculous. Why was he even listening to her? He set his jaw and turned away – then promptly turned back to his, feeling his anger fuelled by the quiet. “Why don’t you be productive then? Instead of telling me how terrible I am, how much of a failure I am... how the Narnian’s only want me because I’m a prince...” Running his fingers through his hair, Caspian wanted to throw something big. Not at her, but just... in general. He felt like throwing a fit too but of course he couldn’t do that – he hadn’t done that in years and years. 

“Feeling better,” he asked wryly, “or must we dig out some of my other flaws for you to pick at? It isn’t my family you dislike me for, it’s my apparent inability to do anything right. Great. Thank you for sharing. Have you anything else to criticize or am I free to go on, making battle plans and the like? Because while I may be incapable of leading the Old Narnians, as you so believe, at least I’m doing my best. At least we’ve gotten this far. What good have you done for anyone?”

[Arina Penley Carison]

She bypassed the first part of his argument completely, mostly because he suddenly advanced on her and he was much taller. Well, maybe not as much as she thought, but a good four inches nonetheless. She did not want to admit it, but she was frightened. She had successfully angered the prince and even if she was afraid, she would just stab the snake even after it had bitten her because that's all she really knew how to do. She pursed her lips, looked him in the eye, and stood once again to her full height so as to not feel quite as dwarfed by him as she already did.

"Yes," she told him firmly. "You do. You need someone who will tell you the truth when you need to hear it, not inflate you more than you should be! And yes, you should tell them. If they think you're invincible, then what are they supposed to do when you fall ill like you did? How does that inspire confidence?" She was challenging him. She didn't mean to, but that's what it was. Challenging him to be better. "I don't mean tell them every little secret in your heart, but be honest with them! No one seems to be expecting perfection except for you."

Productive? Didn't she pitch in whenever she could find something she could actually do? She mended tents ravaged by the storm and provided the herbs for the tea that Badger made to make him feel better and she went on the scouting party with Swiftshadow and the others. Exactly how much more productive did he want her to be? "I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm not exactly shadowing your every movement. I don't follow you around. I have other things to do in this camp than trying to help you do your job. I've never called you a failure, Your Highness." She said the last with as much scathing as she could muster. The man infuriated her. With a frustrated grunt, she turned from him, drew her bow, placed an arrow and shot it at a tree twenty paces away. It broke off a branch and took it's place there. She stared at it for a long moment, jaw clenched, taking deep breaths. That was actually very relaxing.

And then he opened his mouth again. "I suppose the next time you are sick because you would not take medicine before hand, Trufflehunter will have to go look for herbs to help you instead of using the ones I have. Obviously, helping you there didn't do anyone any good at all, did it?" She walked passed him to retrieve her arrow from the tree.

[Prince Caspian]

She was crazy, he decided, watching first her reaction to his approach then her sudden turn around. What in the world did she want from him? “No one things I’m invincible,” he said, clenching his jaw. “No one ever thought I was invincible.” What did she want him to say, anyway? They were arguing in circles and it wasn’t going anywhere! He’d come out here for some quiet; he’d come out here for a chance to have a few moments to himself. And to think – when he’d first come out here, his mood had been somewhat content. Somewhat light hearted. But then she’d come along, pointed an arrow at him, and went off about everything she could possibly think of that might be wrong with him! He really didn’t want to hear any more of all her crazy talk but yet she kept on going. She just wouldn’t shut up.

Maybe Choni had never called him a failure, but she’d come pretty damn close. In Caspian’s books, that was enough. He rolled his eyes as she turned away from him and shot an arrow at a tree. Great, he thought, at least maybe she’d leave him alone now. She brought up, once again, the fact that he had fallen ill. Throwing his hands up in the air with frustration, Caspian watched as she walked past him and he stormed past her, his hand brushing against her side to slow her – then he snatched the arrow from the tree before she could grab it. “I fell ill,” he said slowly, staring down at her darkly. “I hardly think that counts as a crime and if it does, I’d hate to live under your rule.” Scowling, Caspian held the arrow away from her. “Don’t think you can insult me, then shoot a couple of arrows into a tree and we’re done with the conversation. Because I am far from done this conversation.”

He couldn’t actually recall being this irritated in a very, very long time.

Caspian was half tempted to dump her over his shoulder and haul her back to camp where he could drop her in the company of some Narnians who could keep their eyes on her while he went back to his walk. But he doubted that would go over all that well. “Now have you anything civil to say?” He asked, amused by the fact that he was taller than her and she’d probably have to lean in a good deal in order to get that arrow of hers. He felt childish, playing keep-away, but she’d annoyed him and it was the only thing he could think of to annoy the darned woman right back.

[Arina Penley Carison]

"It's not a crime!" she told him, getting angry that he followed her and took her arrow from the tree. "That's what I was trying to tell you! But you didn't want to show 'weakness' so you let it get worse!" Glaring, she leaned around to snatch her arrow, but couldn't reach it. What did he think he was going to get out of being so childish? She stood back with her hands on her hips, staring at him through narrowed eyes. She had a sudden inkling what her family cook must have felt when her brother would steal her cooking ladle and not give it back.

"That belongs to me," she told him as if he couldn't figure it out for himself. She gave him a reproachful look. "I have plenty civil to say. When in civil company." She crossed her arms and fought a smirk.

[Prince Caspian]

Caspian couldn’t help but chuckle as he held the arrow out of reach. ”I know, milady,” he said with an amused sort of grin, “it is yours. And you’ll get it back.” Just not then. He looked her over, his eyes narrowing a little as though he was trying to figure something out. “First of all, I can be plenty civil company. I wasn’t the one who started with the accusations. That was you.” He paused, studying her. “Second, you look oddly familiar and I can’t place it.” He wanted to ask where she had come from again, but he supposed it didn’t matter much. “It doesn’t matter.” He lowered the arrow a little, tempted to return it, then his resolve returned and he shoved it into the trunk of the tree at the top of his reach. He promptly grabbed the lowest branch and pulled himself up, grinning down at her.

“You find nothing but fault in me,” he said, climbing to another branch so his feet were swinging above her head. As a child, he and Drinian had gotten into all sorts of trouble. Climbing had been the least of it. “So I might as well make the best of it. If you insist on seeing me as ignorant and irritating, then by all means, I shall be so.” Yes, he was supposed to be acting... princely. But he didn’t care. What harm could it do? He had an excellent perch, he was in no risk of falling. And teasing her was turning out to be wonderful fun. In fact, he felt his frustration melting away. “Come up and get it then,” he called, “hurry though, or I’ll only take it higher.” He didn’t know whether or not she could climb but he wasn’t heartless – if she couldn’t, he’d help her up. The thought made him want to laugh all the more. She definitely wouldn’t want to take his help.

But knowing her, she probably could. Or, if she couldn’t, she wouldn’t admit it and she’d try and fall. He rose an eyebrow. “Are you joining me, Choni?” He doubted that was really her name, but it didn’t matter to him. 

[Arina Penley Carison]

Milady? She made a face. What was he doing? "You were the one being reckless!" she returned, defending why she started off on her tangent to begin with. Then she froze, her eyes widening for a moment. He couldn't recognize her, could he? There must have been at least six or seven years between the last time she had actually seen him. Too much grown up. She was a young woman, not a girl. She breathed easier when he seemed to shove the matter off. She then watched in horror as he stuck her arrow higher than she could reach in the tree and then proceeded to climb the tree.

What a little boy he was! "Maybe I wouldn't if there were anything else to find," she replied, jumping at his feet and trying to smack them. Or grab them and yank him down. How much would he be laughing if she did that? Wouldn't it have been apparent that there was at least some small smidgen of something that she liked about him? Otherwise, why would she still be here? Perhaps she had a mild hope that he'd finish growing up. Then again, if this were any indication...

She made an agitated noise of frustration and was then ever more thankful for fashioning her leggings. If she were to climb this thing in a dress- well! The result wouldn't be very good for the dress. She used to love climbing when she was younger, but as she grew older, appearances took priority over everything except her bow lessons.

She didn't like how he said her name. Well, her servent's name. But it was hers now. She didn't much like the idea of joining him anywhere, but she wanted her arrow and she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of her leaving without a fight. Or more of one. Grabbing a branch, she hoisted herself up. This seemed much easier when she was eight.

[Prince Caspian]

He laughed all the while she tried to swat at, or grab, his feet that were just above her head. He purposefully moved them away when she got close, shaking his head in amusement. And if she did manage to pull him down... it wouldn’t really matter, he decided. The worst he’d suffer was a bruised ego – he’d fallen from worse heights than that before. And he was generally pretty good at getting his footing so chances were good he wouldn’t sustain too much of an injury if any at all. Yes, just a bruised ego. That, however, might be the worst injury. Still, she didn’t manage to pull him down and she seemed determined to get that arrow back, regardless of what it took. He had to admire that at least, if nothing else. Caspian wondered if she knew he’d give it back – if she just stood there, or walked away, he’d toss it to her and be done with it. But her desire to keep on fighting was making this all the more interesting so he held onto it all for the fun of it.

Caspian watched as she pulled herself up onto the branch. She seemed to be having a harder time with it then she thought she would and Caspian leaned forward to watch her a little more closely. He didn’t really want her to fall. Hopping down onto the lower branch that she was hardly even on, he offered her a hand. “Need help?” He asked, though the question wasn’t cocky or arrogant. In fact, for the first time during their conversation, he sounded sincere. He doubted she’d accept his help – especially because it was his fault she was climbing the tree to begin with – but he might as well offer. He waited for an answer either way. “Might as well tell the offer,” he said with a small smile. “You’ll get up there twice as fast.” Whether or not that would prove to be any sort of motivation, he didn’t know. “And you’ll be able to leave my infuriating company faster too, if that’s what you wish,” he added, watching her. But if she wanted to be independent, if she wanted to prove herself, he didn’t really care.

[Arina Penley Carison]

He was laughing at her! How dare he! He reminded her much of that annoying Baron Thulgis, one of the main reasons she left home! Except that Thulgis was much too big to ever heft him and his weight up a tree like this. Or any tree at all. After a first failed attempt to get on the branch, she paused and removed her bow and quiver. Flexibility was key in endeavors such as this, right? She couldn't remember.

Quite surprisingly, Caspian moved to Choni's branch. She thought to make fun of her or make it harder for her to get onto it, but instead he offered her help. She examined his face, looking for any hints of mockery or tomfoolery. He seemed sincere... Part of her wanted to knock him off the branch, but she also wanted her arrow back. She took a moment to consider. Perhaps this could be her lesson to him. Learning to accept help when it's needed. Learning to figure out when you need help! How clever of her to figure it out and how nice of him to put her in a position to teach it.

Then again, maybe he'd think less of her if she did. This was a difficult decision. And for something so trivial! She felt like a frivolous maid! Quickly making up her mind, she sighed and took his hand. Bigger than hers. Everything about him was bigger than her. Boys.

"Thank you," she said as quietly and politely as she could manage. "Isn't it you who want to leave my company faster?" He did seem to not like her as much. When she first arrived, at least she had a true reason to be upset, being harassed by strangers for making a mistake and then ever since... Well, it hadn't gone very swimmingly. With his help, she was soon up on the branch, her free hand on the trunk to keep her steady. Not that she actually thought the prince would let her fall. At least she hoped not. "Thank you," she said again.

[Prince Caspian]

Surprised when she actually took his offer of help, Caspian helped her clamber up and watched as she rested her free hand against the trunk of the tree. It was then that he remembered he was still holding onto the other one and he released it, pulling himself up onto the next branch. He debating making her climb up onto that one too, in order to retrieve her arrow. Crouched down, perched carefully on the thick branch, Caspian debated his next move. Actually, he’d found that she was entertaining – when she wasn’t spending all her time insulting him. He didn’t like being insulted, or having what he did being constantly picked at. And he especially didn’t like it coming from her. But he didn’t think there was much he could do to change that. Even if he was flawless, she’d find something, because she just didn’t like him.

“No,” he said with a shrug, “I’m in no real rush to leave your company. Though I do wish you’d stop picking at me.” But she was free to leave whenever she’d like.

As Caspian stared down at her, he strengthened his resolve. “Coming any higher? Only one more branch and you should be able to reach it.” He wasn’t going to give up, and it seemed she was too stubborn to give up also. Fine then – they were both too stubborn. He could see them butting heads a lot in the near future. They would continue to do so for who could know how long – he couldn’t see it changing any time soon. “I’ll help you again, if you need it.” He waited for a response, thinking it over. “Or you could attempt it on your own. It’s really up to you.” He climbed back down to the branch next to her, relishing the feel of being off the ground. It’s like his troubles were reserved for down there, and that he could forget about them for a little while when he was up in the tree. It was a foolish notion of course; everything was still happening, regardless of where he was.

But he needed a little time to enjoy himself or he was going to go insane.

“I’m not going to let you fall out of the tree, regardless of how you decide to get that arrow back,” he said quietly, “so you don’t have to hold on quite so tight.”

[Arina Penley Carison]

"I'll stop picking if you stop being so..." She faltered on finding just the right word to describe him. Childish, but then that wasn't exactly something she picked about. Choni supposed that everyone had to have fun in their own ways. "Reckless and mighty," she decided finally, giving a firm nod as if it finalized her claim. "I don't know if you've noticed, but you are only human."

She looked up at him on his higher branch. Why had he stuck her arrow so far up? Because he was taller and was capable of doing so. Foolish, reckless boy. She scowled as he joined her once again on her branch. It was nice to know that he would help and nice to know that he wouldn't let her fall. Or at least it was nice of him to say so. She didn't actually know for certain.

"Well I wouldn't be holding tight to anything if my feet were on the ground, would I?" she told him, making a face and then looking up at her arrow. Carefully, she stepped onto a branch just a little higher than the one she was on before reaching for the one she was going for. Both hands securely on it, she swung a leg up until she hooked her ankle over the branch and hoisted herself up. She straddled it like a horse and smiled down at the prince. "I might almost remember how to do this." Thank Aslan for her leggings!

[Prince Caspian]

Caspian couldn’t help but laugh. She wouldn’t pick at him if he wasn’t so reckless and mighty? Shaking his head, he gave her a small smile. “Then I suppose we’ll never stop arguing. I’ve always been reckless and yes, I assure you, I do realize that I’m only human.” He did feel, however, that being “only human” wasn’t as important when one was doing what Aslan wanted. He didn’t think he ought to take unnecessary risks, but he certainly didn’t think he needed to sit in his tent all day and order everyone around. “I didn’t force you to come up here,” he replied smugly, “you climbed up of your own free will. I would have given the arrow back eventually, regardless of whether or not you climbed the tree.” An admission. Perhaps she’d climb down now, and their little conversation – their little attempt to one up the other – would be over.

Disappointing.

He watched as she managed to swing herself up onto the next branch and he grinned. “Not too bad,” he said, grabbing hold of the branch to pull himself up. He had been sure she’d have been able to manage. He wasn’t sure why he thought so, but he had. Standing on the branch behind her – these were hearty trees – he kept his balance and watched to make sure she’d keep hers too. “The arrow is right over there,” he said plainly, “feel free to grab it and head down.” His little game had been fun while it lasted.

Tempted to sit down but knowing he couldn’t really follow through on his word to keep her from falling if he did, Caspian stayed standing, waiting for her to grab her arrow and attempt to clamber down. He wondered if she was going to need help down too. Climbing up was always easier than getting down, or so he’d found. Getting down meant you had to focus on the ground – and making sure you didn’t miss-step as you went down backwards. It didn’t bother him anymore, but it had used to. “Lucky you,” he commented dryly, “you’ll soon be free of my reckless, mighty, only human company and you can go back to whatever it was you were doing previously. Still mending those tents?” Yes, he’d noticed her mending tents. Somewhat pitifully so; she didn’t seem to be made for that sort of work. But he hadn’t interrupted. He’d had enough on his mind.

He should have plenty more on his mind presently too; but he didn’t. So he waited for her to climb down and take her leave. At least then maybe he’d have some quiet.

[Arina Penley Carison]

She scowled. "Well, you shouldn't be so. What would the Narnians do if something happened to you? Aslan's work or no. I'm not telling you to be a hermit, but take some measure of precaution." He said that he knew he was human, but that didn't really account for much. Personally, she thought he acted as if there were a special protective shield around him, invisible to all, but always protecting him.

Choni stared at him and seriously considered shoving him off the tree branch. "Well, I didn't know that!" she cried, glaring at him. "You... You just... You're so... ARGH!" It was all that she could come up with to describe him. A sound. Complete primal and full of frustration. This was Caspian. She would get her arrow and likely stab him with it. Well, no, she wouldn't. That wouldn't be good for the Narnians. Or maybe she would. In the arm or something. She stood up on her new, higher branch, wobbling a little even as she clung to the trunk.

Standing now and flattened against the trunk, she stretched for the wayward arrow, but it was still just inches from her reach. After another moment, she gave up and just stood on the branch, hugging the trunk with the side of her face pressed against it. She'd get up a little higher. In a moment. "You're too tall," she groaned into the bark. She pulled her head back, her hair snagged against the tree bark, to look at the next branch up. It wasn't nearly as high as this one had been. It also wasn't nearly as thick. She made a face before reaching towards it and pressing it with a hand. It seemed sturdy enough. As long as Caspian didn't follow. She only need be on it for a moment to retrieve her arrow.

"Oh, how lovely that will be," she said dryly, taking the branch in both hands now to test it. If she stayed close to the trunk, she'd be fine. "I'm actually done with the tents, thank you. And I'll have you know that many a dress was sacrificed to fixed the damage inflicted upon yours." She smirked. Her own personal triumph. She had covered every hole with a yard or more of one of the two overly decorated gowns she had brought with her. Wasteful use of fabric anyway.

Satisfied that it would hold her, Choni swung her leg over and pulled herself up. The branch shuddered under her weight, but she only needed a few moments. Using the trunk for leverage again, she made to stand. "I thought you'd appreciate the sacrifice."

[Prince Caspian]

Caspian couldn’t help but laugh – partially because no matter how she tried to reach, she just couldn’t get her arrow down. It was also partially because she was so frustrated with him, she could hardly find words to express it. “Yes I know,” he said with a grin, “I’m so indescribably irritating.” He’d come to the conclusion that her criticisms of him – criticisms that came fast and hard and were apparently never going to stop – needed to simply be brushed aside. Yes, perhaps he ought to take a little more care when he went wandering out. And he normally did. And yes, he realized that this one off chance, this one time he’d been rather irresponsible, could have been the last time he wandered out at all. He knew that. But what did she want him to do? Wander back to camp, fetch himself a guard of some variety, and then return? Besides, the point had been to get away from everyone – including her nagging. It was apparent that he wasn’t getting his whole wish; bringing in someone to “keep him safe” would only make this whole excursion that much more pointless.

He stood behind her, trying to fight the grin as she declared that he was too tall and rested her head against the tree. “I’m glad to hear you’re done with the tents,” he commented, “it seemed like such tedious work.” It was useful, sure, and he didn’t doubt for a moment that it had been strenuous and frustrating. There were days though that he would have given anything to have been put to work mending tents over leading an army. Tasks such as mending were draining on the body, but all the pressure heaped upon him made not only his body, but his mind and his heart weary as well. It was difficult, trying to do the best for everyone and still remain one’s own person. That wasn’t what it was about, he supposed. Still, Caspian hadn’t been ready for the role he’d been nudged into. He was doing the best he could.

“Now you’re the one trying to get yourself killed,” he said with a quiet chuckle as he watched her swing her legs up over the next branch and pull herself up. “You know, you could have just asked me for some help.” He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her down off the branch before she could really even stand, depositing her lightly on her feet on the branch next to him. “That thing isn’t sturdy enough to hold you; it could have given out before you’d even gotten to your feet.” Still, he wasn’t that concerned. He would have stayed true to his word; he would have caught her before she fell. Reaching up, Caspian grasped the arrow and pulled it out of the trunk of the tree. It wasn’t hard, he hadn’t stuck it in deep. With a small grin he passed her the arrow. “There. Happy now?”

[Arina Penley Carison]

"You know, you just really are," she said, trying to be serious, but somehow finding herself laughing as she spoke, looking at the grin on his face. Her anger quickly dissipated for a moment as she tried not to laugh, but she did anyway. "I'm not laughing at you, I promise." And in fact she wasn't. She was laughing at his statement. For some reason, she found it absolutely funny. Or perhaps she had just been lacking proper amusement in the last few weeks.

Choni shrugged. "It was... interesting." Her fingers still hurt sometimes, but at least she had stopped stabbing herself with her bone needle by the time she was finished. "Relaxing after you get the hang of it." She had never thought the day would come when she would refer to a meaningless task such as sewing to be relaxing. or any task that one of her family's servant normally performed. Yet, it had been enjoyable.

She was about to rebuff his comment with a swift one of her own when he grabbed her from her branch. Still holding her, he reached for her arrow and effortlessly plucked it from the trunk to hand to her. She didn't really know what to do or think and certainly wasn't used to being picked up off of branches. Before she knew what she was doing, before her brain could tell her hand to take the arrow she had so stubbornly wanted back, she jerked away from the prince's arm, simultaneously pushing him with both hands. Her mind also seemed to have left her as she appeared to have forgotten they were standing in a tree and the gift of balance was not one she possessed.

Quickly, she lost her footing and soon, she watched the branch she stood on fly above her and her heart and stomach seemed to fly with it. Panicked, she reached out wildly. The next thing she knew, she was swinging from a branch that she held onto with both hands, feet dangling a few feet from the ground. She swallowed hard and glanced up at the branch she used to be standing on.

[Prince Caspian]

Caspian wasn’t fully aware of what happened. One second he was holding on to her to keep her from falling and hardly seconds later he was being shoved with both hands and Choni was trying to make up distance. He hadn’t thought he’d done anything terribly wrong and he took a step back, pressing his back against the trunk of the tree. It seemed she wasn’t so very lucky and Caspian had hardly righted himself before he looked down to see her dangling from the branch beneath him. She was only a few feet off the ground but did she ever look pitiful! So much for his promise to keep her from falling! However, he could hardly be blamed for this incident! Caspian took a moment to compose himself then clambered down onto the next branch, the one she was suspended from, then finally hopped down so his feet were on solid ground. He tossed the arrow to the side and approached her, eyebrows raised.

“I’m going to help you down from there,” he said slowly, “apparently you need warning. So I’m giving you warning; just don’t shove me again, ok?” He couldn’t help the faint grin that lifted the corner of his lips or the amusement written across his face. He didn’t know what had come over her, really, he didn’t. Caspian carefully lifted her down, set her feet firmly on the ground, and took a couple of steps back with his hands partially raised in mock surrender. “Now then, I’m sorry for... err... whatever it was that I did to... upset you, like that? About the incident, there, in the tree, that is. Not about all that other stuff that you dislike me for. I’m not really sorry about any of that.” He laughed lightly and ran his fingers through his hair somewhat nervously. He felt a little awkward. Not surprisingly so. She’d just tried to push him out of a tree – and managed to take a tumble herself. And to think – she’d been lecturing him on being reckless! What a laugh!

Now what? She looked a little shaken – or plenty shaken, he couldn’t really tell. It wasn’t like he knew her that well; and he definitely couldn’t read her expression much at all. He wondered what she was thinking, and just how much she was going to hold the incident against him. He’d been trying to keep her from falling. It seems she had other ideas. Was she trying to get herself killed?

“You know,” he said with a wry grin, “most of what you said not too long ago about being reckless, asking for help, you know, all those faults of mine? I think most of them could be used to describe you right now. Who shoves the person who’s trying to keep them from falling out of a tree? You, apparently. Did you figure that because the tents were all finished being mended, you ought to add something else to the list of things that needed to be fixed? Just to keep people busy?” He was only teasing, of course, and he gave her a good natured smile to prove it.

[Arina Penley Carison]

Warning? Yes! Warning would have been nice before he so suddenly... Manhandled her! She didn't know why she didn't just let go of the branch now that the ground was much closer to her feet. For some reason, the branch was like a life line and if she let go, something terrible would befall her. She didn't know how to explain it to Caspian without sounding like an inept fool.

"I just- I don't- It was- And you- Too close-" Oh yes, an inept fool indeed. Her thoughts wouldn't get in order until once again he helped her and her feet were firmly on the ground. Her knees wobbled and shook and she felt like she'd just stepped off her father's boat after a seven day fest at sea. Carefully, she sat with her back against the trunk. "I apologize, Sire. I... I suppose you caught me off guard. I'm not used to being... held. Or carried. Or picked up, for that matter." She took a deep breath.

She laughed again. It amazed her, actually, and settled her stomach. "Well, I'm not usually spending my time in trees, now am I?" she jested back. "How should I know proper tree etiquette?" Another laugh. Feeling better, she reached for her fallen arrow and twisted it between her fingers. She knew that collecting one's arrows after they have been used was not a practiced trait, but she would collect these when she could, fix them when it was possible, and use them again if she had to. They were a gift, along with her bow, and the quiver and she would keep them for as long as she was able to use them. "Well, I think my life long plans have been completed. Join a wayward army. Insult royalty. Make a fool of myself by falling out of a tree. I think I can die happy." She smirked.

[Prince Caspian]

Caspian grinned. “What? No proper tree etiquette? Shameful! Your parents really should have taught you better then.” He really was sorry for startling her, he hadn’t meant to at all. And he was relieved that no real harm had come to her in her little fall – it could have gone a whole lot worse. He told himself it was because he’d rather none of his people were hurt, that they needed every person, every creature that they could get. But he would have hated to see her hurt, specifically, though he couldn’t put his finger on why. And he wasn’t going to bring it up either, if he couldn’t explain it away. He couldn’t help the small smile that settled on his face and he hoped that they would cease the arguing, at least for a little while. He really was tired of arguing.

“I’m glad to hear you’re content then,” he commented, amused. “The army certainly is wayward, you’ve succeeded in insulting me, and you fell out of a tree.” He laughed quietly. “Now, I’m not completely sure you’ve made a fool of yourself.” Not completely true, she kind of had, but he wasn’t going to admit it. He’d made a bit of a fool of himself too, so he supposed that there was no real harm done. Caspian wondered what was going through her head and he could hardly make any sense of what was going through his own.

He stood awkwardly, wondering what to say. “Are you really alright? You took a bit of a fall and you seemed rather shaken. Shall I take you back to camp?” He wished he wasn’t at quite a loss. He rarely felt so out of his element but at the moment, that was all he felt. He folded his arms behind his back, studying her. She looked fine; he could only hope that she hadn’t actually suffered any injuries.

((occ:: sorry it’s lame; all the IC-ness killed my muse lol))

[Arina Penley Carison]

Choni just laughed more and it felt good to laugh. Tree etiquette indeed! She felt as if some punishment was lifting. Perhaps she had been punishing herself since she left home. When was the last time she had laughed? All she could remember lately was anger. But then, the prince seemed to anger her quite a lot, so she supposed rather than say she'd been punishing herself, she could just blame him. Now, she really didn't care. She sat against the tree and continued to laugh at herself and the business of tree etiquette.

"Oh, I have, a right fool of myself," she said with a confirming nod. And another laugh. "Merciful Prince, can you ever forgive a poor farm girl?" She smirked. While she had no riches now, she was certainly not poor and most definitely not a farm girl, but she wasn't quite ready to give up that guise as of yet. She wasn't sure when of if she ever would. It had become a sort of security for her, just like taking her bow out whenever she was off alone.

She nodded. "My shoulders are a bit sore from the sudden jerk when I caught the branch and my legs don't seem to like my company at the moment, but I am, for the better part, just fine, thank you." Take her back to camp. What a sight that would look. Perhaps the creatures would cheer, thinking that the prince had finally lost his temper with her. She hadn't exactly been striving to make good impressions, neither had she tried to purposely be distant.

As if for some reason, she hadn't noticed it before, Choni's eyes fell on the sword at Caspian's side. She had never gotten to finish learning it's use. Had barely begun, in fact, when she had left. "Sire?" she began, holding her arrow in her fists across her knees. "Could you possibly teach me to use a sword?" She loved her bow, but it would be no good for close quarters combat. The thought of combat made her want to take the question back entirely, but this was a budding war. It was to be expected.

[Prince Caspian]

((Yup so  my muse has been dead. Here’s a long overdue reply!))

She was a little sore, she said, but that was to be expected. She was lucky she hadn’t been worse off, Caspian decided, looking her over to determine whether she was telling him the truth. She wasn’t acting like she’d broken anything, though it wasn’t like she’d actually fallen. Still, if she had... she could have gotten quite a bit more injured than she was presently. He frowned a little, feeling guilty. He hadn’t meant to catch her off guard like that – well, fine, that was only partially true. He had been hoping to catch her off guard. He hadn’t expected just how she would react to it. he hadn’t thought she would push away and fall right out of the tree! He definitely took most of the blame for her little incident, though he was loathe to admit it.

He was drawn from his thoughts by her inquisitive tone. He tilted his head to the side a little, watching her. He was curious what she wanted but she seemed to think there was no point in drawing it out and asked him if he might teach her to use a sword. He certainly hadn’t been expecting that! Then again, he was usually caught off guard around her. She never seemed to do, or say, the things he expected. And it both intrigued him, and drove him absolutely insane. He didn’t like when he didn’t know what was going on, he didn’t like being caught off guard.

“To use a sword?” He asked, thinking it over. He wanted to ask why, he wanted to tell her that if he had anything to say about it, she wasn’t going to fight anyway. She couldn’t even keep from falling out of a tree, and he’d been holding onto her! Why did she think she’d be able to take care of herself any better in actual fighting? She could use a bow, she was good with that, she ought to be at the back with the archers – one of the safest places, he figured. But from the little he knew of her, he knew that if he said he wouldn’t do it, she would just find someone else to teach her. And if he said she couldn’t fight anywhere but with the archers, he knew she would go against that too.

So he was best to say yes and keep an eye on her. “I suppose I could,” he said slowly, trying to think. It was an odd request, and he wondered what those around the camp would think of it. Though, it would definitely be a welcome distraction from the consistent , often foul, mood at camp. “If you wanted me to.” Why did she want him to? It didn’t make sense. He was puzzled, but he would have preferred not to show it. Sadly, he was probably failing quite terribly at hiding his confusion. “Have you ever used a sword before?”

[Arina Penley Carison]

She merely gave a slow nod as he repeated half of her question, almost as if he weren't sure if she, a girl, had actually asked to learn. Was it really that uncommon? But then, it was uncommon in her own country. She was just very persistent with a persuasive mother, a father who easily gave in, and a brother who made her want to beat him at everything. Of course, she thought as she rolled her sore shoulders trying to loosen the muscles, if her father had ever suspected she would use such skills outside of sport or even the courtyard, she was sure he would never have been swayed. Then again, she hadn't known she would ever have need of such skills either. Except to best Karth.

He was slow to answer and she wanted to immediately thank him when he agreed, but instead replied, "If you do not want to, I could ask someone else. But I suspect you've have fine training, being a Prince and all. You'd be, if not anything else, a logical choice. If you don't wish to, though... Well, I know personally I'm not the best of company." She wished she could be. Other farm girls were nice. They weren't always on the defensive, trying to hide something, though. Which probably made her look all the more suspicious. She took a silent vow then to at least try very hard to be nicer and more compliant. And she stressed the word try in her mind because whether she was a farm girl or nobility, sometimes, she just couldn't keep her mouth closed.

Choni nodded again. "I was learning before I left. I had a slow teacher, though, so I'm afraid I don't know as much as I could would that I had someone else." Would that I were a boy. She added this silently, of course, but the fact of the matter was that had she been a boy, her father would not have hesitated to let her learn. In fact, it would almost be required. "Beggars can't be choosers. I was very grateful to my teacher, regardless." She smiled almost fondly at the arrow she still held, lost for a moment in memories of the first time she had shot one and actually hit the target. She couldn't remember anyone looking so proudly at her as her teacher had that day.

[Prince Caspian]

Caspian couldn’t help the slow smile that crept across his face. Sure, she could be disagreeable company but she was also oddly intriguing as well. Perhaps he wouldn’t mind teaching her what he could; so long as it didn’t interfere with the other things he needed to do. Actually, to be honest, at the moment there wasn’t much he really needed to accomplish – most everything that could be planned had been planned, most everything that could be arranged had been arranged. The dwarves were working practically night and day to fit out their wayward army and while there were new “recruits” arriving every day nearly – Caspian continued to be amazed at how  many Old Narnians there truly were – the dwarves seemed to be keeping up. Caspian couldn’t help them there, it was just another thing among many that he was useless in. In fact, as each day went on, his self assurance faded and his insecurities grew. But it wasn’t all bad; there was something genuinely... humbling, about being able to see one’s own faults and weaknesses. He didn’t like them being pointed out, sure, but he was content enough to know them. Mostly so he could try and turn them into strengths. He was hard on himself. Often, too hard on himself. Even more so now that he had an army, a civilization, waiting on him. Praying to Aslan – who had yet to send help – that he and they might succeed.

But now wasn’t the time to doubt.

Teaching Choni what he knew might not only help him practice (no one wanted to practice fighting against the prince, it seemed, and Caspian needed to practice, he needed to train) but it might give him an opportunity to take his mind off of the pressing matter of the war. It might not have seemed like the most logical choice of something to use to distract himself, but as long as he could be doing something, as long as he could be feeling useful... he might feel better. Doing nothing was taking its toll on him, doing nothing was making him edgy, nervous, making him feel unprepared. And now was the worst time in the world to feel unprepared.

“No, no,” he said quickly, dropping to sit across from her. “I’d be quite pleased to teach you what I can. I’m honoured.” Honoured that she’d ask him. By all accounts, and if the way she acted and spoke to him was any indication, he had been quite sure she’d seen nothing at all good in him. Not that asking him to train her with the sword was an acknowledgement of some quality of character, but surely she had to think there was quality of some sort in him then. And if she, one of his worst critics, could be won – even if only partially – perhaps there was hope for the rest of the Narnians who regarded him with great disdain. “We’ll have to find you a sword,” he commented, “something sturdy. You’ll need your own anyway. It shouldn’t be too difficult.” This he thought over, thinking back to the dwarves who were working so tirelessly. They’d be greatly rewarded for their work when all of this was over, he would make sure of it. Everyone who had contributed, somehow, he’d do something. He couldn’t let them go without recognition; in fact, he was quite convinced that if they had wanted to, they could have very well done this without him. What had he been to anybody but a figurehead? It was a frustrating thought but he was eager to help, eager to lead, and doing the best he could. What more could possibly be asked of him?

At least she’d learned a little, he thought, listening to her speak. “You’ll have to tell me where you left off,” Caspian said, “when we have a sword for you. I’ll speak to someone later today, or tomorrow at the latest, to see what can be done.” It might take a while, however. There were plenty waiting on weaponry. “Perhaps I’ll have to find you something temporary, until something of your own can be crafted.” He thought this over too, glancing in the direction of the camp. That might be the best that could be done, for present. Still, it would work well enough he supposed.

[Arina Penley Carison]

He was... Honored? Choni blinked. Honored was quite possibly the last thing she'd expected to hear in relation to her, but he'd been the one to say it. Shouldn't she be the honored one that he'd said yes? He was a Prince and she was pretending to be a lowly farmer's daughter. Not that her ruse was a very good one- she wasn't a prime actress. It was then she realized that he had sat. On the ground. In the wood. She stared for a moment, for the first time doubting that he was the very same Prince she knew as a girl.

Eventually, she once again found her tongue. "Please, Your Highness- it's I who is honored by your acceptance. Thank you." she bowed her head to him since a sitting position was no good for curtsies. "I did bring a short sword. It's what I was learning to use before I left. I wasn't foolish enough to venture off unarmed." Preparing and expecting the unexpected was something that Choni had tried well to teach herself. She did not like to be caught unawares. Grudgingly, she supposed she had Thulgis to thank for that. "It's a fine blade, but it was for practice. I'll wager it need to be sharpened up quite a bit." She had no knowledge as to how that was done.

"As I said, my instructor was slow to teach. I had a little combat training, but most of it was to teach me how to stand, how to step, and how to hold the weapon." Rather boring and uneventful, but she'd tried to be a very attentive student and absorb everything she was told. Of course, the reason for that was so she could be better than her brother. Learning now might possibly be a matter of life and death if the time came. And as already stated, Choni did not like to be caught unawares.

"Something of my own?" she echoed, trying to quell a sudden feeling of excitement bubbling inside. She had not expected, among other things today she had not expected, to have a weapon made for her. The prince was severely putting to shame her 'expect the unexpected' disposition, but at the moment, she didn't quite care. Once again, she bowed her head to him. "Thank you deeply, Sire!" Well... She had the sinking suspicion she'd have to be nicer to the prince whether she wanted to or not if only so that he wouldn't change his mind. She would not, however, apologize for anything she had said or might let slip in the future. Most of it was for his own good. the rest of it was because... Well, she'd have to think about that.

[Prince Caspian]

It seemed to Caspian that he wasn’t quite what she had been expecting. It was a little disconcerting, perhaps she’d heard of him, heard that he was quite a little terror. Which, to be fair, he’d been pretty close to in his younger years. But he’d started to grow up long before even reaching the camp – though the process had been sped up exponentially upon reaching it. He really didn’t want anyone to think poorly of him, though he supposed he could never make everyone like him. But maybe he was making just a little bit of progress, yes? He could hope, anyway. He wasn’t all bad. Far from it. He was just having a difficult time adjusting to a completely different way of living and it was taking its toll on his patience and generally easy-going nature.

She said she’d brought along a short sword, one she’d been learning with before she left. It was for practice, she said, and it could probably use some sharpening. “We’ll get it sharpened then; it’ll be fine enough for learning, unlikely fine enough for actual fighting but as I mentioned, yes,” he grinned at her excitement, “yes I shall find you something strong and sturdy, something good, that you can fight with. For you.” At least she said she had a little knowledge of it, he wasn’t going to have to start from the beginning. If she could remember, that was. If she hadn’t been paying attention... well, it was important to know the basics, to know the beginning because everything after that built upon those initial steps. He didn’t know how good he’d be of a teacher, but he’d give it a try. It would give him something to do, and maybe it would put the two of them on better terms.

“We can start...” he trailed off, thinking it over. “In the morning, maybe. Dawn, perhaps, and back here?” Until he knew where she stood, he didn’t want her practicing at camp and besides, he’d come to the conclusion that he rather liked having his own little project. At least, he did now. And if he was teaching her too close to the camp, someone might insist that he shouldn’t waste his time in such a manner, and that there were other things for him to do. And that he should leave her instruction, if it had to happen at all, to those heading up the training. And he wouldn’t like it, because he would feel obligated to agree. Agreeing to teach her was nearly as much for him as it was for her. He needed this. He was rather pleased that she’d asked him.

“Is dawn alright with you?” He didn’t see why it wouldn’t be; she was a farm girl, surely she was accustomed to early mornings. He’d gotten used to them. He didn’t particularly like them, but he had to admit – Drinian had been right – they were a good part of the day, regardless.

[Arina Penley Carison]

"Dawn is perfect. The sooner the better," she said, while her mind yelled at her. Dawn? Dawn?! What about sleeping in! You've always had to get up early, but never at dawn! She, however, tried her best to ignore her mind. If dawn was what would be required, then dawn is when she would wake. Perhaps she'd go to bed early to make sure she didn't sleep though it. How embarrassing! Besides, given the identity she had chosen to hide behind, getting up at dawn should have been part of the deal. If she was late, she could blame it on her routine slacking, couldn't she? Given that she'd run away, obviously things had changed.

She would just have to make sure there was no reason for her to have an excuse. Perhaps she would wake before dawn and be here before the prince. Maybe she should just sleep here so that she was already present when he arrived. That seemed like the worser option, yet it also seemed like her only hope.

"How, Sire, are we going to get back... here? Will you remember the spot?" Quite frankly, all the trees looked the same to her, but if he could tell one from the other, then she'd just have to follow him in the morning.

[Prince Caspian]

Caspian nodded. Yes, the sooner, the better. Likely if it was at dawn, there would be fewer around to notice them. Fewer to ask questions – they were less likely to be interrupted. And if they were interrupted, someone would send Choni away because there were a million other things that Caspian should be doing. He heard it often enough. But he was at his rope’s end; what else could he do? What else could he really do? He was no aged, learned man. He was young, he was inexperienced, he didn’t know how to wage or win a war. And to be fighting against his uncle? An uncle who had only weeks ago tried to kill him? There was a lot for him to be thinking about but he didn’t want to think, he wanted to do. He wanted to feel useful, no, he wanted to be useful.

She did ask a valid question – how would they get back here? Caspian doubted it would be too difficult, still, they might end up wasting time wandering around in the woods trying to find each other. Might be better if they met up somewhere a little... easier to locate the first time around. “Fair enough, Let’s meet on the edge of the forest then, just inside it, by the How. We’ll find a good spot after we meet up.” He didn’t really want to meet up out in plain view; anyone who was watching might wonder why he and Choni were wandering off in the forest on their own. Their little lessons probably couldn’t be all too long else he’d be missed. So they would have to be frequent, to make up for it. “At dawn, then.” He stood and dusted himself off. He should probably be heading back soon. He shouldn’t disappear from camp for the whole day.

He hadn’t really gotten the quiet he’d been looking for but at least it hadn’t all turned out badly. Now he had something to do. Something that he could maybe look forward to. He’d be able to feel useful again. It was a cheery thought.

He offered his hand to help her to her feet, a small, warm smile upon his lips. “Perhaps we ought to head back to camp, before we’re too missed.” He didn’t want to go back, not yet, but he didn’t have much of a choice. Sooner or later, someone was going to get curious.

[Arina Penley Carison]

Edge of the forest at dawn, just inside, hidden by the How. Well, was he really honored to be teaching her, or was he embarrassed, she wondered. She was about to open her mouth and say something, but the fact that she couldn't think of many other people who might help her made her hold her tongue. It would be fine and she would learn what she needed to. She could bring the subject up at a later date because she knew she wouldn't forget. Let him be embarrassed. At least she'd get more training. Even if it was not the full training she would get at home, it would be enough to defend herself if the need came. She wasn't too keen on leaving her bow for a sword if she had to, but she wanted to be prepared. She wanted to survive this.

Her head tilted to the side as she watched him stand and dust himself off. It was then that she realized how little her appearance seemed to mean since she left home. For instance, she did not care that there was dirt on her backside or if there were leaves in her hair. The only thing she hadn't given up was personal hygiene. She rubbed her hand down her shin, the leggings covering it still feeling strange. She missed her nice dresses. But then, she also nearly felt like a kid again. She wished she were, about eight or so, with Karth. She chased the thought away as soon as it came to her. She'd start missing him.

The next thing she knew, the prince was offering her his hand. "Yes... I suppose so." She hadn't wanted to remember camp for a long while. The wood was like a separate world where the camp and the war didn't exist. If only she'd stayed there to begin with, she wouldn't have these problems. At least, not this soon. Not in this amount. She wondered how long she could have holed out in the wood if not for that dratted storm. With a sigh, she took his hand and let him help her up. On her feet, she reached for her quiver and bow. "Well... I won't be missed, I'm sure. You, on the other hand... They've already formed a search party, I'll warrant."