(Untitled)

[lifeisnotasong]

Sansa should be sleeping, she knew, because Eddara was, flat on her back her one little hand pressed against her cheek. Sansa however could not help but worry about the party tonight, she would not stay long. But it would be nice to see people and show off Eddara a little. Obviously not too much because it was Jon's party. Sansa had struggles to

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[lifeisnotasong]

Sansa had taken Eddara downstairs once she and Susan were both ready. It was not long before the party was to start and she thought it would be nice if they got some air before lots of people were to arrive. She was still very excited for Susan and Jon's betrothal announcement. Yet she could not help but think of her own horrid horrible wedding and how having birthed a illegitimate child before she reached her fifteenth nameday she would never likely have another

[caspianthetenth]

Caspian had heard of Eddara's arrival, but had not yet had the nerve to visit Sansa yet. He knew there would be people all around for days afterward, and he did not want to bother Sansa when she was probably already tired. That was, at least, the reason he had given himself; but morelike it was his embarrassment at having behaved so stupidly when they were in Narnia. Sansa likely thought him a great idiot for visiting her, standing there gawping, and then abruptly leaving as he had.

So it was with some trepidation that he approached Summerfell. He was early, he saw, and at the same time he realised it he also realised that Sansa was on the porch, absorbed in looking at her baby.

Caspian did not think he had seen a more beautiful sight in his life.

He stood there for some moments, then moved to the steps, leaning a bit against the railing there. "Hello," he said softly, a hint of a sheepish smile playing at the corner of his mouth.

[lifeisnotasong]

Sansa caught up in Eddara, blinked startled at the sound of his voice. She hadn't realised that guests were arriving as yet thought that was foolish of her given the time. Then she wondered that he would even want to speak to her given her behaviour in the past but she knew Caspian was always proper and polite and he could hardly ignore her. "Good Evening," she said shyly smiling at him.

He looked very handsome and not at all like he was simply being polite as he smiled at her and leaned against the railing. She stared for a moment and then felt foolish and all her words seemed to have gone. It seemed no matter how many times she made a fool of herself all Caspian had to do was to smile at her kindly and she was full of hope all over again. She sat up slightly and attempted to force herself to be sensible and Eddara wiggled slightly. Sansa smoothed her hair and loosened the blankets slightly. "May I present my daughter?" she asked shyly.

[caspianthetenth]

Caspian nodded, and came onto the porch proper, pulling up one of the other chairs close beside Sansa's. He had never been around a baby before in his life, not that he could remember, and he was quite speechless with awe at how small she was. "She's - she's beautiful," he said, his voice catching a bit. "She looks just like you."

[lifeisnotasong]

Sansa could not help but be touched by the genuinely amazed look Caspian gave Eddara and his words made her smile. "You're kind to say so," she said, unable to stop herself being pleased for both herself and Eddara at his words. "I think she's perfect." She held Eddara in a manner that she could at least see Caspian if she chose to look in his direction. Eddara did then she stretchedin her blankets. "This is Caspian," Sansa told her, "you kicked him in the hand whenever he gave us a ride home." Eddara gurgled happily, seemingly quite proud of her achievement.

[caspianthetenth]

Caspian couldn't help but chuckle a little at that, remembering how it had felt that first night he had brought Sansa home and felt that little flutter against his palm. "Yes, you did," he said, grinning, and then he caught her tiny hand in his (her tiny fingers were barely long enough to go round his first finger) and kissed her miniature knuckles as gallantly as if she were a grown-up lady. "It's very nice to finally meet you, little one."

[lifeisnotasong]

Eddara did not seem especially impressed with the kiss but Sansa couldn't help but smile and remember the odd occassions Caspian had kissed her hand. Eddara did seem quite impressed with his finger though it was likely only a reflex that had her hold it. Still she should make conversation now Caspian has come to join them. "I think you're first to arrive," she said scanning the area from the porch. Sansa rather thought she might spend the party here, she could see everyone and they could see her and come and see her if they wanted. She did not think she had the energy to mingle. But she would be able to see when any announcements were made. She thought of Susan's news and smiled, she could not tell Caspian of course but she smiled despite her foolish hopes. "It's going to be a splendid party."

[caspianthetenth]

"I expect it will," said Caspian, who had actually never been to a party on the island that had not been wonderful. It seemed the island was that sort of place. "I'm a bit early," he said apologetically, "but I wanted to be sure I had a chance to see you. And the baby, of course," he said hastily, though as enchanted as he was with her daughter already, his main desire was to see Sansa again.

He wanted to avoid any awkward pauses in the conversation on his part, he went on, only a tiny bit of nervousness in his voice. "I saw your brother put up a notice for a tourney," he said, "but he was away before I had a chance to speak."

[lifeisnotasong]

Sansa could not help but want to smile widely at the thought of Caspian coming to the party early to see her. And Eddara. "I quite lose track of time these days," she admitted. "But you are welcome to call and see me and Eddara anytime." The fact that he wanted to, well perhaps he did not think so badly of her after her behaviour in Narnia after all. She had not seen him since and only knew he had safely recovered from the strange dream because Susan had told her. She wondered if he'd asked after her at all, she'd have asked Susan if she was not afraid of seeming quite desperate. 'Because we are friends,' she thought firmly wishing she did not wish for more so much. But she did and there was no changing that

[caspianthetenth]

"I put down my name," Caspian admitted wryly, "although what I have spent my time on as of late will not help me very much in a tourney. Should there be a contest involving rigging or shrimp nets or the like, I would be in luck." He was obviously teasing, though it was true; it had been some time since he had spent serious time with a sword, and even longer since he'd held a lance - a bit of fooling around in the recent dream of Narnia notwithstanding, that he hadn't touched since before the island.

[lifeisnotasong]

"Well Arya is helping to organise it," said Sansa pretending to be thoughtful, "so anything is possible but I don't believe I've heard such events being planned." The crannogmen of the neck fought with nets in the stories, she knew but they also ate frogs so she didn't mention it. She smoothed Eddara's hair as she wondered if she might dare. . . "Perhaps," she said slightly hesitant before deciding to chance foolishness again. "Perhaps some lady might grant you a favour for luck," she said. "In fact," she added "I have a sneaking suspicion that the lady of the tournament herself might honour you." She held Eddara up slightly and she kicked her feet merrily attempting to dislodge her blankets.

[caspianthetenth]

"I would be honoured to receive it," said Caspain with a smile, ostenibly looking at the baby but more like watching Sansa. He did not know why he felt more at ease with her than the last time he saw her. Perhaps it was that new motherhood brought a peace to her that was contagious, or perhaps after the awkwardness of their time in Narnia nothing could be more awkward, he did not know. In either case, he only had a little hesitation in saying, "From the lady of the tournament, or from her mother."

[lifeisnotasong]

Sansa is attempting to rearrange Eddara's blanket's when Caspian's words sink in. She holds Eddara to herself tightly and stares at him wide eyed. He wants her to grant him a favour and from the context she can only assume he means a proper one. She has in fact made such a thing and never had the nerve to bring it out or approach him with it. She knows she should say something and it is on the tip of her tongue to say of course he should have a favour from her but instead her breath catches in her throat as do her words.

[caspianthetenth]

Perhaps he'd said the wrong thing, he realised, looking at her face. But it was to the point where he couldn't not have said it any longer; he was weary of pretending he didn't care more for Sansa than he did. He would leave it up to her to say what she would, and if that was the end of their friendship, then so be it; but he would not lie any longer.

One of Eddara's blankets slipped off and fell to the porch. Caspian picked it up silently and handed it back to Sansa, saying nothing.

[lifeisnotasong]

When Caspian said nothing Sansa realised what impression she must have given. The exact opposite of what she had wished to show him. So he handed back Eddara's blanket she caught his hand just for a moment startled by her own boldness but wishing to correct the impression. "You must forgive me," she said. "My mind is all a scatter."

She released his hand tucking the blanket back round her wriggling daughter. "Of course you shall have a favour from me," she could feel her face was aflame and tried to lighten the mood. "It might be better luck than from someone who I am fairly sure has definite plans to sleep through at least part of the tournament." Eddara pushed one tiny hand against the blanket, either in denial of this statement or in an attempt to throw the blanket to the ground again.

[caspianthetenth]

Caspian let out a breath that he only then realised he'd been holding, and smiled a relieved smile. He may not have been a great fool after all, it seemed. "Perhaps it will," he said softly.

He wasn't sure what to say, then; he felt as though they'd come to some kind of tentative understanding, but he didn't think it was quite the time to say so aloud. He did, however, reach over to tuck back a bit of the baby's blanket that was coming loose, the movement gentle.