A/n:

Aloha! First of all I wanna thank the people who reviewed the previous chapter namely elomeno, Empire of Fiction, cupcakemania22, EarthToNarnia and it's just amazing because you guys got me past 180 reviews!

So the last chapter you had two cute not-quite-together-yet-but-they-will-be-in-the-future couples and now it's time to experience the sweetness a Rilian/Laurel scene can bring! I trust you must be looking forward to it. So without further ado I present to you, chapter 34!

~Narrator's POV~

Several yards away were Rilian and Laurel using longbows. Laurel had always been the better one – though Rilian undoubtedly had an advantage when it came to sword fighting.

"I guess I win this round then," Laurel smirked victoriously.

"Yes, well, to be honest, you tend to do that," Rilian sighed. "I just don't get it. When it comes to archery, I never try to rush anything, and I – I follow all the standard poses, aiming, and all those whatnots. I have never, ever once hit the bulls-eye, but you do it over and over again – effortlessly," He plopped himself on a chair dejectedly.

"Well," Laurel took the seat next to his. "You know, why don't I explain to you the mechanistic logic of archery?"

"You think it'll help?" Rilian asked doubtfully.

"It doesn't hurt to give it a try," Laurel beamed slightly.

"Alright then. Go ahead. I will listen to everything you say," Rilian nodded. He was hoping that he could be as good a listener as Laurel was. After all, he had a lot to learn from her, and he was sure that it wasn't just archery-wise. Ah, how honored he was to have her in his life! He hoped she stayed.

"Here it goes. In piano, if you try to force hit this key and that key – I'm sure you know what I mean; you're a better pianist than I am – it's very broken, you know? It's not pretty at all, actually. When you're in archery, you can't force it either. It's not about following all the rules – I mean, well, of course you do have to follow them, but that's not all to it, let me tell you. There is an essence that comes with archery and – you've got to let it flow. Let the shot flow. Trust in your bow, Rilian. Trust in it – and you shall not easily miss," Laurel explained using an analogy, hoping she could make it easier for Rilian to comprehend.

"I am not equipped with Queen Susan's magic bow and arrow set," Rilian said pessimistically.

"Well, King Edmund didn't have Rhindon either, but he's the best swordsman ever, is he not?" Laurel patted her best friend's shoulder supportively. "Though in my eyes, Rilian, you will always be the best swordsman. It's really your sportsmanship that has won me over. It's really your spirit that counts, to me. And I really appreciate that you're willing to have a go at archery, even though you could have easily drawn your sword instead."

"Thank you," Rilian said unsurely, "for believing in me." He would hate to disappoint his best friend. All along, people had had high hopes for Levin because he was the Crown Prince, and nobody had really paid attention to Rilian, but Rilian was always being competitive, and, in response to people's passiveness towards him, he set his standards so high for himself that it, to a certain extent, produced a counter effect that even he himself was not exactly aware of. He just wanted to accomplish something that nobody had ever done before, to gain recognition and credit and acknowledgement for it. He knew he ought to keep trying and trying and trying but sometimes, he just reached a breaking point and trying was really easier said than done.

"Do you want to try again?" Laurel offered, standing up again.

"Laurel, I –"

"I will take 'no' as an answer," she giggled and outstretched her hand. "Take my hand."

When he held her hand, he felt as if he had been blessed. By magic. Or whatever higher power there was. She had instilled so much trust and confidence in him, and it would just be unfair to her if he wasn't even willing to get back up on his feet again and give it another try.

But when he got back on his feet all he wanted to do was hold her in his arms and never let go. What would he do without her in his life?

He was too scared to think. He pulled her in without a second thought, taking her by surprise. He was scared of letting her go. He knew that she was an inalienable part of his life, not just because they had known each other since they were fetuses, but because she was so committed to him and to this amazing friendship, this indelible bond, that they shared, and even vowed to not enter into a courtship until he was in one. He kept telling her that there was no need for her to take this oath, but she told him that "a promise is a promise" and "nothing will sway my mind". He was so deeply moved by her sincerity and earnestness and commitment. He felt guilty, however, that he was a hindrance, an obstruction in her road to happiness. He was holding her back from courtships, and surely there were many suitors who would want to ask for her hand. But he had to admit that a part of him was selfish, knowing that she was going to spend less time with him when she would one day become a wife and mother. Not to mention she'd be taking over Galma someday. Rilian couldn't stand the thought of spending so much time away from his best friend, the one and only person whose happiness mattered more to him than his own.

But he slowly loosened his embrace – it felt like cutting his own skin open. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have just…"

"Don't worry; I'm sure it was much needed. As long as it makes you feel better, I don't have a problem with it. I don't mind it, really. I don't mind it at all. Your hugs are always the warmest," she patted his back and smiled at him understandingly. She always understood him. As if they were two halves of the same soul.

"Your very existence brings joy to my soul and purpose to my life," Rilian stated earnestly, but after a brief moment he spoke again. "I'm sorry; that sounded horribly hyperbolic, didn't it?"

"Well I hope not," Laurel chuckled. "Because I feel the same way and I don't want us to be a pathetic pair. I want us to be…indestructible. Inseparable. Nobody could ever, ever tear us apart."

"I probably need you more than you need me," Rilian said sadly as they locked gazes. "And yes, I am aware that I am holding your hand."

He entwined his fingers in hers and leaned in close enough to kiss her when suddenly –

"My Lords and Ladies!"

Rilian and Laurel sprang a yard apart, but they were still holding hands. They could be miles away from each other but still connected at heart. Every time they thought they were alone in their moment though, they were interrupted. He was so close to kissing her, really. But why should he want to kiss her? He couldn't quite place a finger on it.

They tried to pretend nothing had happened, but it was impossible honestly, when they turned around to find her parents watching them intently.

"Are we interrupting something?" Countess Adriana queried.

"We're just in the middle of an archery practice; that's all," Rilian quickly declared, even sounding a bit too abrupt and forced.

"Laurel, your mother and I were wondering if you'd like to join us for lunch," said Count Drinian. "But all others are more than welcome as well."

"Oh, yes, I would very much like to have lunch," Salvador piped up, sounding zealous, earning Lisa's laughter. He was always hungry.

"That's decided then," Levin nodded, looking pleased. "But…no, wait…where's Fern? Has anyone seen her? I swear, just a while ago she was with us, wasn't she?"

"She…uh…she'll probably show up any minute," Felicity plastered a smile across her face and brushed it off.

"But, Felicity, you're her lady in waiting. Surely you must know her whereabouts," Rilian said skeptically.

"She…um…probably is hiding in her chambers…rereading some of Olvin's letters to her or something…" Felicity spoke as calmly as possible. "It was probably a little bit unbecoming of her to not tell us in advance that she was going to leave us for a bit, but I'm pretty sure there's nothing for us to worry about. Why don't we just send a guard or a page to look for her?"

"I'm going to go find her," Rilian frowned and slowly let go of Laurel's hand.

"Whoa, no," Felicity sounded alarmed. "That won't be necessary. I'll go look for her. I shall meet up with all of you in one of the dining rooms shortly," she curtsied hastily and hurriedly took her leave, to warn her Princess before it was too late.

Dear Diary,

It has been a couple of days since I had arranged for a carriage for the Prince of Archenland to travel back to Anvard. As I watched the horses canter away, I thought to myself: he had better treat Fern right. Bring her flowers and give her all his hours when he has the chance. He would never know that when he holds Fern he is holding the woman I love so much.

And it hurts. Honestly it does. Not so much because she does not requite my feelings – I do not suppose you could force such things, and if her heart is not really in it, then I would much rather have her not fake what she does not really feel – but because I know that I could never compare to the man she loves. He could take her to every party there was, and dance with her all night long – without having to disguise himself, I must add.

If I were a Prince – or a nobleman, at the very least, who knows? Maybe I could stand a chance with the Princess after all, wouldn't you say? But then again, why would she even bother looking twice at me? I am pretty much irrelevant. Disposable. I always have been, and I probably always will be. For goodness' sake, I was just a slave in Calormen! Even to this day I feel exceedingly honored that a Princess had actually acknowledged my existence. It was immeasurable, how immensely grateful I was that she didn't look down on me. I will be eternally thankful that she never once thought that because of my lowly social status I was unworthy as a horse riding instructor. Her horse riding instructor. I admire her so greatly. I didn't know, at first, that it would turn into love. It started out as a feeling – but it never grew into a hope. It just grew into a quiet thought that will forever stay tucked safe in my mind. Though I do wonder if it would hurt less if I am not so hopelessly in love with her. She just has this power over me – not really because she is royalty, but really because of her kindness and benignity that moves me. I could never find someone like her. Nobody could take her place in my heart.

The last time we met, she cried. I don't know how I am going to face her if she ever decides to come visit me again. She probably hates me now, seeing as I had made her cry tears of unhappiness. She was a most forgiving person I knew, but what I did was – unforgivable?

Oh, I don't even know anymore. All I do know is that I want to see her face regardless of what I've done, and I honestly do wish that she could visit more often. I don't know how that's going to be made possible, since I can't actively reach out to her. And I don't know the extent to which I should resign myself to the possibility that she might no longer be a part of my life. Oh, Aslan, please show me what my heart's true desire and how I really feel. No, wait. Better yet, show Fern what I truly yearn for and what my true feelings are. I'll have her know I love her.

Signed,

Enrique

A/n:

Ah! So much fluff, right? Hehe, well, I understand that we've had quite a number of chapters without any Fern/Enrique fluff/angst/drama/tension so I'm giving a bonus here so it's such a wonderfully intricate relationship they share. I'm glad to announce that chapter 35 to chapter 38 will be saturated with Fern/Enrique scenes! And there will be confessions! There might even be kisses! Will Rilian spoil it all again like last time at Fern's birthday party, or will she and Enrique get away with it this time? Stay tuned and keep them reviews coming!