Rilian sat at the head of the table in the great dining hall, finishing his lunch. His advisors were awaiting his presence but he was in no hurry to see them. He'd even sent the scroll of the Lone Islands up to their chamber for their perusal. Something about that scroll had bothered him last night, and he still didn't know quite what it was. The language sounded a little odd for the Duke. Yet it carried his seal, and the Lady Adelaide not only resembled her father, but was sailing on his ship. And yet, something wasn't right. He couldn't explain it and he had no idea what to tell his advisors.
Suddenly he heard a clanking of hooves at the far end of the hall. One of his guards, a faun, entered with someone behind him. "Sire," the faun bowed, "this young man says that – "
"Rilian?" Eustace interrupted in excitement. After returning once to Narnia and finding fifty years had gone by, it was a great comfort for him to see his old friend again, only some five or six years older than he remembered him.
Rilian started at the strange youth's familiarity, but within a second he too was able to recognize him. "Eustace?!!"
"You're king now? Oh, but then I forgot you would be. Oh, I have so much to tell you, I say, it is good to see you again." The guard realized that the king did indeed know the young man, so he bowed and returned to his post, leaving the two friends alone.
"Eustace! But whatever are you doing back in Narnia?"
"I scarcely know. Aslan brought me back here but didn't give me any directions." Rilian smiled. "I didn't even know I was headed towards Cair Paravel until I stumbled across it this morning." The two men laughed and Rilian insisted that his friend join him at lunch. They happily chatted, having a lot to catch up on.
"You've grown," Rilian commented. "I apologize for taking a minute to recognize you." Eustace smiled.
"Well it has been three years," Eustace said.
"Three years? Is that all that's gone by in your world?"
"About that. And here? How much time has gone by in Narnia?" Eustace asked, taking a glass of wine.
"Seven years since you, Jill, and Puddleglum rescued me from the Emerald Caves.
"Emerald Caves? Is that what you're calling them now?"
"I'm afraid so. The Narnians have made it into some sort of tourist attraction now. Exploring the caves and rowing on the underground lake. It's perfectly safe now that the Green Lady is dead, but you couldn't pay me enough to go anywhere near them."
"I don't blame you," said Eustace, his eyes wide.
"Well, I'm not happy about it, but I suppose they have a right to explore them if they wish. No one's allowed to go in alone though."
"I should jolly well hope not!" Eustace took a huge gulp of his wine.
"Puddleglum actually still goes down there sometimes, if you can believe it."
"No! Sour old Puddleglum?"
"Oh yes. He'll never admit it, but he loves to tell his stories to the young fauns of the area, and show them the caves. But come now," Rilian stood up. "There's someone I want you to meet."
"Who is it?" asked Eustace.
"My wife." Eustace stopped in surprise.
"You've gotten married, Rilian?"
"Oh, going on four years now," the king answered proudly.
"Well congratulations!" Eustace patted his friend on the back. A comical gesture from a boy to a full-grown man, but a fitting one from a boy who had been a great friend of the king's father.
"Thank you, Eustace. That means a lot." They continued down the hall. "I hoped you'd be happy for us."
"Yes, well, I can remember the first woman you almost married," Eustace said with a twinkle in his eye. Rilian burst out laughing. "Of course," he continued, "you were under a severe spell at the time so I don't suppose it counts."
"The Queen and I often joke of it ourselves," he smiled. "Come, I know she'll be anxious to see you."
"As long as it's not another underground witch, she's alright by me." Rilian laughed out loud as the servants opened the doors before them. "I think you'll like her a little better." He grinned as he led the way through the conservatory. Gardeners and maids bowed and stepped aside for the king and his friend.