Author's Note- Thank you for the kind reviews. I'm sorry this chapter is a bit shorter, but I'm working on my other active stories as well as another story that I just randomly started writing last night.

Whispering Cherry Blossoms

-Chapter 1-

The two high ranking noble's returned to the castle where King Caspian X resided, running Telmar and all it had to offer. The moment Caspian stepped inside, a smaller figure was immediately thrown at him, bowling into him with a fierce friendliness that the young king had missed for so long. "Easy, Lucy," he chuckled warmly at the youngest Pevensie.

The girl giggled before taking a step backwards. "But we've missed you so much, Caspian!" She squealed aloud, clapping her hands in delight and Caspian glanced up in time to see the return of Peter Pevensie and his lady friend, Samantha Halliwell, the young girl who had known every thing Caspian had been going through during his hidden depression.

"Peter!" Caspian called, watching as the only dirty blonde Pevensie glanced up sharply at the calling of his name and he smiled and strode forward, keeping an even pace with Samantha, who was walking over to join them as well.

"Caspian, it's good to see you again." Although formal, the king could see an easy going friendliness in his eyes as well, which somewhat startled Caspian, seeing as how much they had fought to have their own way durning the most recent war of Narnia. "It looks as though you're living well." He remarked, his eyes sliding sideways to meet the warming hazel, turning amber, gaze of Samantha.

"Very well." Caspian agreed as he caught sight of the last Pevensie. "Hello Edmund. How're you doing?"

"Quite well." Edmund nodded, he too startling Caspian. He hadn't worked with the siblings long, but it was long enough to figure out the basics of each sibling and answering with a loud firm voice was out of the ordinary for King Edmund. He was generally soft spoken and very reserved. "How has your ruling been going since we left?"

"Quiet." Caspian shrugged. "For now anyways, I cannot expect my first couple of years to go too smoothly, eh Edmund?"

Edmund simply grunted in agreement, but during their first year of reign, it had been quite easy going. Come to think of it, they had just been living every moment of Narnia, not exactly expecting only a couple of hours to have been gone in England. So they had a while to spare if they were ever going to go back home, but if they decided too.

"Caspian," The light, amused voice of Samantha Halliwell interrupted his thoughts of Susan as she smiled, the young king glanced up and nodded, a questioning look in his eyes. "Is it alright if King Peter teaches me a few things with a sword? It's not my strongest point quite yet."

Caspian's face dissolved into one of questioning, to one of amusement. It was Samantha Halliwell who he sparred with when he had nothing to do on slow days, for he knew the talent of the young girl. For she was the figure who had reminded him of the skill of Queen Susan, while the dancing cherry blossoms held her gentle scent in the breeze. Returning the light hearted voice he nodded. "I'll have a guard accompany you two to the hollow to light your path." His eyes twinkled when he could resist adding. "I agree. Swords are not your strongest point."

Samantha's eyes flared with laughter and she smiled. "For now, my king." She bowed her head briefly and respectfully. "But give me some time under King Peter's eye and I will have to spar with you once more."

Caspian chuckled and nodded. "We shall see about that, Lady Halliwell. But now, you must improve. You may take as many horses as you need from the stable for your quest to the hollow."

"Very well." This time it was Peter who had answered, his voice was deep with gratitude and authority that no other could possibly use against King Caspian X. "I thank you for the use of your horses and I shall have Lady Halliwell back safe." His eyes brightened as he nodded, bowing slightly before he escorted the young girl back into the courtyard.

"I think he fancies her!" Lucy exclaimed giddily after a moment of silence had crossed the young rulers of Narnia.

"Yes, Lu," Susan nodded, smiling softly. "I think he does."

The glow in her eyes reminded Caspian of the "secret" affections they had towards each other and he nodded in agreement, but couldn't help but wonder if the siblings talked about them when they weren't around?

The Next Morning-

Caspian awoke the next morning with a soft smile on his face, wondering if it had been a wonderful dream or a great reality. He had been dreaming about Susan often, so it was no surprise. He slipped out from underneath the bedcovers and slipped into a pair of wool boots that kept himself warm during the slowly turning colder months.

To his surprise, on his way downstairs, he saw Samantha and Edmund in the study, flipping through books. He cleared his throat and they both glanced up, startled at his sudden appearance. "Good morning, Caspian," Samantha smiled. "Have a nice sleep?"

"I did," he confirmed with a simple nod of his head.

"Anything special happening today, Caspian?" Edmund asked, setting his worn book down on the table with a soft thump.

"I might take Susan out for a ride through the meadow," Caspian admitted with a growing flush appearing. "After breakfast."

"Sounds nice." Edmund commented.