"God, Merlin, you really are an idiot," Arthur's voice echoed off the castle walls and the Queen, the Prince and the Princess giggled as they were sat, eating their breakfast.

"Ssh," The Queen hushed her children just as Arthur burst through the door.

"What was it this time?" A giggling Guinevere asked her father.

"He managed to burn a hole in one of my capes," Arthur said, agitated as he sat down at the head of the table.

"How did he manage that?" Tedros asked.

"It's Merlin," Arthur answered, "With him, anything's possible," He said and right on cue, Merlin entered the room, schorch marks all over him and his clothes, making his children laugh even more.

"What are you doing today, then, father?" Guinevere asked the man.

"Your brother and I are going hunting," Arthur told her.

"Is Merlin not going with us?" Tedros asked his father.

"What? After this morning's fiasco?" Arthur asked, "I think not,"

"What am I to do today?" Guinevere asked.

"You are going to continue your lessons with Gaius today," The King informed his daughter - who nodded with a sigh.

***

Guinevere stared down at the book in her hands and Merlin watched as she gazed down at the lion in her book.

"Amazing, isn't it?" Guinevere asked him.

"What is?" Merlin asked the princess.

"How one creature holds so much power," Guinevere answered.

"He is the great Aslan," Merlin chuckled, sitting down across from her.

"Father met him once," Guinevere smiled, "You were there, weren't you?" She asked him.

"Yes," Merlin nodded, "Indeed I was," He told her.

"What was he like?" She asked him.

"Magnificent, majestic, wise," Merlin listed off.

"What did he say to you?" Guinevere wondered.

"He warned me of my powers," Merlin told her, "He told me to take care of the young sorceress who would one day seek my aid in controlling her powers," He smiled down at the girl - who mirrored his grin.

"Me," She said.

"Yes, you," Merlin nodded with a smile.

"How did you burn a hole in my father's cape?" Guinevere asked him.

"The breeze knocked over a candle... which started a small, but effective fire," Merlin sheepishly answered.

"Of course," The girl chucked as Gaius entered the room.

"Hello, Gaius," Guinevere smiled at the man.

"My Lady," The man nodded, "How's the reading going?" He asked the princess.

"Very well, thank you, Gaius," The girl smiled.

"You are very welcome, My Lady," Gaius said, "You may keep it if you wish,"

"Thank you," Guinevere smiled.

"May I ask, what in that book interests you so much?" The man asked her.

"I-I don't really know," Guinevere shook her head, "I guess I just want to know all that happened before the White Witch was killed," She said, "I hear Alistar talk about The Age of Winter, and it fascinates me to understand what it was like,"

"That is very wise, My Lady," Gaius told her.

"I must be going," Guinevere stood up, "Thank you, Gaius," She said, picking up the book and making her way out of the room.

"Youre welcome, My Lady," The old man smiled, watching her leave.

***

"How was the hunt," Guinevere asked as she and her mother stood in front of the castle after the hunting party came back and Arthur and Tedros walked up to the pair.

"It went well," Arthur said, smiling at his son.

"We caught a few birds and a deer," Tedros told his sister as the family made their way up the colossal amount of stone steps, into the castle, "And don't worry, none of which were Narnians," He reassured her.

"Thank you," Guinevere smiled in relief as they walked behind their parents, "When are you next travelling?" She asked him.

"Tomorrow, we're going on a four day hunt," He answered, "Why?"

"I want to come with you," Guinevere told him, making the soon to be King suddenly stop in his tracks, effectively stopping his sister, also.

"You what?" He asked, not knowing if he heard her right.

"I want to join you on your hunt," Guinevere repeated.

"Oh, I-" Tedros starter, only to get cut off by the girl standing in front of him.

"I need to get out of the castle, Tedros," She told him, "It's boring being stuck here reading all day, especially when I know I could be doing something more productive and useful,"

"Vere," Tedros said, "You know I would let you, but unless you can convince father, there's no way that's going to happen," He told her.

"Unless you convince me to what?" Arthur asked, joining in on their conversation as he and the Queen walked up to them.

"I wish to join Tedros on his hunt that starts tomorrow," The princess said, looking up at her father with hopeful eyes.

"Pardon?" The man asked, looking at his daughter with wide eyes.

"Father-" Tedros tried to interrupt, but was cut off by the blonde King.

"What in the world put that thoughthought in your head," Arthur asked his daughter.

"Nothing," The princess shook her head, "I've just been thinking lately. How am I supposed to prove myself to the kingdom if all I'm doing is sitting, reading and sewing all day?" She justified herself.

"So you'd rather spend four days in the woods with your brother and some of the knights, killing animals?" Arthur asked, trying to comprehend why his daughter would ask such a request.

"Yes," Guinevere nodded.

"Well, I," The King started, "I don't exactly know what to say to that,"

"Arthur," Guinevere I said, "I say we let her go,# She told him, making the princess smiled.

"What?" Arthur asked his wife.

"It will show the people she is strong and willing to fight and protect her kingdom," His wife said and Arthur looked at the three skeptically.

"Fine," He gave in, "But promise that you will stay with your brother throughout all of it,"

"Yes, I promise," Guinevere nodded excitedly and Arthur smiled at her before he and the Queen walked away, hand in hand.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Tedros asked.

"Positive," His sister nodded, "I can't wait,"