Summary: Peter and Caspian argue over who should duel Miraz. A quick one-shot missing moment from the movie.

Author’s Notes: Movieverse, NO SLASH. Reviews are appreciated and now (usually) responded to! Thanks for reading!

Heart to Heart

PenPatronus

Though the meeting had ended hours before and the lamp oil was nearly exhausted, the two men sat side by side on the broken Stone Table, leaning back on their palms while their boots dangled over the edge. A light haze of smoke fogged the chamber, and the stone surfaces were warmed by the fire. The three feet of space between them was full of tension, of desperation, of anxiety. It throbbed like a bruise.

“The bottom line,” Prince Caspian said for what felt like the hundredth time, “is that Miraz outweighs you, and he’s taller. Plus, no offense, but your armor is over 1300 years old. Reepicheep could skewer you.”

Peter snorted. “That mouse could skewer an oak tree with his whiskers.”

“I’m serious!” Caspian raised his voice for the first time. He got to his feet and moved in front of Peter, forcing the King to look at him. “Peter, when I brought up Telmarine tradition, I meant for me to fight. I know my uncle. I know how he thinks, I know how he fights, I know how to—”

“And he knows you!” Peter countered. “He knows your technique too! He can predict your moves!”

Caspian took a step backwards. “I’ll compensate.”

“You’ll be on the sidelines,” Peter spat with the most “royal” voice he could muster. “I won’t risk you in this.”

“Risk me? What about you?”

Peter put his elbows on his knees and stared down at the stone floor. “What about me? I’m the expendable one here.”

Caspian snorted and threw his arms up in the air in exasperation. “Peter…you’re the King of the Narnians! They respect you above everyone else! They need you!”

“You’re wrong.” Peter got to his feet as well, and they stood face to face. “They need you more than me. I understand now. I understand what I’m supposed to learn. I need to let go. This isn’t my Narnia anymore, it’s yours. And you need to be around to defend it at any cost.”

“This is insane!” Caspian turned his back on Peter. He kicked at the floor and put his hands on his hips.

“Caspian…I’ve gotten to know you. I know why you want to fight.”

Caspian crossed his arms at his chest. “And why is that?”

“This isn’t about what’s best for Narnia, this is about your father.” Peter watched the Prince’s reaction: surprise, anger, denial. “You want revenge. And that is not a good reason for you to fight. In fact, that’s a reason not too. You’re blinded by your rage. Your judgment is clouded.”

“I’m fighting. That’s final. Who did Aslan choose to be king?”

Caspian sighed.

“That’s right.” Peter nodded. “And that’s why I’ll win.”

The End