As they neared the end of the room, Eustace was aware of the figure of a woman, stunningly dressed, with long blonde hair. Her back was turned as she was preparing a flower arrangement. Rilian smiled as he approached his young wife. "Darling, we have a visitor." The Queen turned around, revealing a friendly smile and a very obvious pregnancy. Her smile quickly changed to an expression of complete disbelief.
"Eustace?" she asked amazedly. Eustace looked at Rilian in confusion, but the king was smiling at his wife. Eustace turned back to the queen. She had a familiar face, but one that he was unable to place. The Queen didn't wait for recognition from the young Lord Eustace. She immediately ran up and embraced him as if he were an old, dear comrade.
"Ma'am?" Eustace breathed, somewhere between confusion and terror. To his amazement, she laughed.
"Why Eustace, you do not recognize me?"
"It has been a long time for us, my dear," Rilian said to his wife. She smiled at both men in quick understanding.
"Ah, yes... of course. I dare say no time at all has gone by for him since our last meeting." Eustace was trying hard to think of who this lovely woman could be. There had been ladies of the court, of course, and in the country lands... but none that he could remember clearly.
The Queen saw how hard the young lord was struggling so she gently led him to a bench and sat down. She leaned forward and said quietly, "It is good to see you again, Scrubb."
Eustace blinked in amazement and stood straight up. He looked at the Queen closely. "P-Pole?"
The Queen's eyes lit up as she burst into a huge smile. "Yes!" Eustace kept his distance as he studied her face. In the woman before him he could definitely see the girl he once knew – the girl who was somewhat awkward but adventurous, playful yet terribly stubborn... But she looked so different. She was not only older than he remembered her, she had to be older than himself now – by some five years or so.
"It can't be," he said quietly.
"It's me, Eustace," she said gently as Rilian sat next to her.
"But you're so much older now, and – and – " he stared at her stomach. Jill couldn't help laughing at her friend's bewilderment.
"I know, it's been a long time. You better sit down." Eustace had dug his hands into his pockets and was feeling very agitated by not knowing what was going on. Seeing Jill all grown-up and married also made him feel rather cross, although he didn't know why. Yet she looked at him patiently, so he huffed and then sat at a chair opposite. Jill glanced at Rilian, then leaned towards Eustace and began.
TBC