Two days later~ At sea

Peter stared out at the icy cold water as it lapped against the ship, The Splendor Hyaline. The wind picked up slightly and Peter closed his eyes, remembering his parting from Cair Parevel.

It had been snowing when word arrived that the ship was ready. Though none had voiced it, Peter knew none of the crew were too happy to be leaving home with only a week until Christmas. His siblings had been there to see him off. The goodbyes were quick but heartfelt.

"Watch your back." Edmund had cautioned.

"Hurry back and be safe." Lucy had urged.

"We will miss you." Susan had said softly.

As he had been going aboard, his family waved him off. Taking one look back, he waved then turned to face whatever lay ahead.

Now, two days into the trip, Peter was eager to arrive and speak with Governor Longrain. With each spray of water that splashed up on deck, Peter fervently desired to be back in the comfortable castle.

"Y-your majesty?" A shaky voice said from behind him.

Peter turned to see a Faun standing, shivering as the wind blew against his dark colored fur.

"It's getting co-colder by the second, you should go inside your cabin where it's wa-warm."

Peter gave a small smile. If he had learned anything from Aslan, it was that a king shares both the victories and the hardships of his people.

Peter laid a gentle hand on the Faun's shoulder.

"Nay, my friend. Not unless all of you are to join me."

The Faun said nothing, only shivered all the more. Peter's heart went out to the loyal creature. Quickly, he removed his large winter coat and laid it over the faun's shoulder.

The Faun's eyes were wide and looked at Peter in amazement.

"Your majesty, why-"

Peter shook his head. "I shall not keep you from your work any longer."

The Faun backed up then left to return to his chores. Peter felt good that he could serve his people, although it did little for the cold he felt, that was now multiplied.

☆☆☆☆

That night, most of the members of the Splendor Hyaline were fast asleep in their warm bunks. Peter lay wide awake, looking up at the ceiling.
According to the navigator they should arrive sometime tomorrow afternoon.

Usually on sea expeditions, he had no trouble sleeping soundly during the night. A sudden hard wave crashed into the side of the ship and unknown to the king, his small writing desk shifted away from the wall.

"Prehaps it is the cold. Or the strange message." Thought Peter as he tried to explain the reasoning for his loss of sleep.

Peter rolled over on his side and faced the room, his back to the wall. Rays of moonlight shined through the portholes. As they did, Peter caught a glance of something in the wall directly beside the small travel desk.

Quickly getting out of bed, he walked over the chilled floorboards. The nearer he came he saw it was an engraving in the wall. Pushing the desk out further, he fingered the cuts in the wood and he instantly remembered what it was from.

One year into their reign, Peter and his siblings had stepped foot onto the Splendor Hyaline for the first time. The girls had stayed above deck, while Peter and Edmund went below to have a look about. Like the young boys they were, they argued over which room was who's. Peter had taken the room with two windows, or portholes as he was later told, and had smartly carved into the wood below:

"Peter was here."

After some small degree of disputing, the rooms were agreed upon and with time, a desk was laid in the spot and Peter forgot.

Peter let out a laugh at the cherished memory. He and his brother had grown so much since then. The high king suddenly stiffened. He knew without a doubt why he could not sleep on this wintery night at sea.

This was his first expedition aboard the Splendor Hyaline, alone.

A/N

Howdy wonderful people!! What did you all think? I know this was kinda slow and maybe a bit boring. I wanted to put some of his time at sea in this. The next chapter will be more exciting.