The feast was a great success. Whatever the troubles and the decisions made, the whole court put their worries behind them for the night. Eustace's late arrival had made seating arrangements a chore for Jill, but she simply ordered an extra seat at the head table. No politics were discussed that evening. Mostly the conversation circled around Jill herself, and the upcoming birth. Several names were suggested, almost everyone seemed to think the new prince or princess should be named after them.

After dinner, Jill made a graceful withdrawal. She wasn't tired, but still didn't like being seen by everyone while she was in that state. Rilian joined her not long after.

"Well, the banquet was a triumph. You did it."

Jill smiled, but was impatient to know the news. "What did you decide to do?"

Rilian's smile disappeared. He looked very serious as he avoided her eye. "Adelaide's done what she came here to do. We can send her home and still discuss it."

"What, have her voyage home without an answer?" Jill was shocked.

"Yes. We can send another ship if we need to. Till then, it seems to me we can get a lot more done without her here, distracting everyone."

"You're probably right. Oh – I don't think Eustace will like this at all."

"Hmm? Why?"

"Seems to me Scrubb hasn't said much about anyone else since he met this Lady Adelaide." Rilian stopped what he was doing and stared at Jill.

"Oh no. You don't think he..." his voice trailed off. Jill didn't answer, just watched her husband. "Of all the women at Cair Paravel, he had to fall for that one."

"She's not altogether bad, Rilian. She's rather courageous for one so young. I can't help admiring that."

"For breaking the law?"

"For doing what she thought was right."

"What she thought – Darling, have you read her list of proposals?"

"Yes I have. Scrubb brought them up to me."

"So he wanted you to work on me? Aslan's mane. First the duke, then Eustace, and now my own wife! She can make herself heard, that's for sure."

"Rilian, don't get so upset. I asked Scrubb for the scroll. I wanted to know what in the world could be so important that two very rational men could be so inflamed by."

"Fine. So now you know."

"No. Now I'm more mystified than ever. What in the world do you have against the islands having their own representation?"

"I can't believe I'm hearing this! From you!"

"Will you calm down? There's no reason to get this upset."

"Upon the lion I have never met with any girl who had the amount of disrespect and rudeness – she's turning my own household against me. She doesn't even have the right to enjoy our hospitality."

"Rilian, you're being a pig." Jill pushed her husband toward the bed. "Go to sleep."

"Jill stop it. You're not right all the time, you know."

"Just most of it."

"No, you're really not right on this subject." He lowered his voice. "You're really not. You don't understand the Narnian laws. You weren't raised here – you didn't grow up learning how to govern these lands. Neither was Eustace." Jill looked at him, and something in her expression seemed to soften. She sat down next to him. "I don't have all the answers, Jill, but I do know what I'm doing. Please, just trust me on this. I'll do the right thing, you know that."

"Alright," she breathed. "Alright. I'll talk to the Lady Adelaide tomorrow and tell her."

"Lady Adelaide?" Jill asked as she saw the fair-haired girl approach.

"Your Majesty," she curtsied.

"Ah, we meet at last. I've heard so much about you."

"Oh dear."

Jill couldn't help laughing. "Yes. I have heard quite a bit, I thought it was time we met face to face."

Adelaide nodded.

"My husband has told me of your proposals, and the Lord Eustace I believe has spoken to you about them."

"He has."

"And you are aware of the breach of conduct committed by yourself in this venture?"

"I am, and I have offered my apologies to your husband for my behavior."

"I haven't called you here to discuss only that. Eustace has told me of your situation, and I hoped you might better explain it to me, if you wish me to speak to my husband about it."

Adelaide's eyes lit up in hope.

"I'm very happy to, You Majesty. That's very generous of you."

Jill smiled and motioned for Adelaide to approach.

"From what I understand, you are seeking a means of representation for the islands." Adelaide nodded. "Do you feel you need representation?"

"Yes."

"Why? Has the crown of Narnia been an unfair governing authority?"

"No, truthfully, it has not."

"Then why do you seek to change it?"

"It is for the sake of the people, who wish to have a say in their taxation."

"The Islands pay the same tribute as the rest of Narnian territories. I do not understand their objection."

"With all respect, Your Majesty, the islands just wish to have a voice. They do not wish to undo all the good that your land has done for us, but simply to participate in it."

"Why now?"

"I'm afraid my own family may have been a cause in it. You see, my brother, the Lord Karl, wishes for nothing less than civil war."

"Oh come now, don't you think you are being a little over-dramatic?"

"Indeed I am not, Ma'am. If I hadn't seen just how big of a danger my own relations have become, I never would have had the presumption to journey here on my own."

"I see." Jill slowly stood up and walked to the window.

Adelaide watched her, then spoke again. "I know I was wrong-"

"Yes you were wrong. And you will be leaving in the morning." Jill still had her back to the girl as she delivered the news.

"Leave? What do you mean?"

"I'm sorry to have to be the one to tell you," Jill said, facing Adelaide but avoiding eye contact. "This was determined before you set foot in this room. My husband is adamant upon not furthering the presumption by continuing our hospitality." There Jill stopped and met her eye. "I am sorry. However, you must not think that simply because you will be gone, that we will have forgotten all you have done here." Adelaide had no idea what to do. She just stood still and watched as the queen finished her speech. "The King and I will not send word back to your father about your conduct here, and we will send word soon to the islands about our decision. Till that time, I do wish you a pleasant journey home."

Adelaide curtsied and left. Once the doors had shut behind her, it was all she could do to keep from bursting into tears. What in the world had that all been about? The Queen had summoned her – and said she wanted to know – only to send her away the next day? It didn't make any sense!

TBC