AN: Hi all, sorry it took me forever to update. Eek, December was the most complicated month of my life. But new year, new job, no more college, so there shouldn't be anymore long silences. Sorry guys! And happy new year :)

TrisakAminawn: I know it looks like I'm writing myself into a corner with regards to The Last Battle, but don't worry. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve.

Sparrow: Thanks for all your reviews! I know I kept you waiting, I owe you. You kept me going!

In the week that followed there was little peace at Cair Paravel. Eustace had quit socializing with the monarchs almost completely. He had all his meals in his room or away from the castle. Rilian knew Eustace was spending many of his days riding about the countryside and he hoped he wasn't out stirring up trouble. But he had other things to worry about.

The baby was due in only two weeks and Jill was going through a different mood swing practically every hour. Everyone, including Rilian, spent most days hiding from the Queen. Jill had seemed to have dropped politics completely, but every other random thought on the planet was fair game. She also had a new habit of tracking down her husband no matter what he might be doing - meeting with his advisors, settling disputes, or handing out first prize to a gardening champion - and demand things like "Why haven't you ever taken me sailing?"

One morning Jill made up her mind that Rilian and Eustace needed to have some "quality time" and insisted that they both take the day off and go "sightseeing." Up and about before anyone else had woken up, she arranged for their horses to be ready, their lunches packed, and Rilian's meetings rescheduled. By the time the two men woke, they found no choice. No one wanted to point out to the Queen that the king and the young lord were hardly on speaking terms or that the idea of either of them "sightseeing" in a country they both knew so well was rather absurd. Jill had decided they were going, so they were going.

The two men raced together through the woods that surrounded the castle without a word spoken. They each had bottled up frustration that was coming out with the speed, distance, and aggression. They didn't know how long they rode, but their horses tired out long before they would have. Forced to stop to allow the horses a rest, they dismounted and unpacked the food. They had scarcely said three words between them all day. Rilian was the first to break the silence.

"Thank you for humoring Jill and coming out here with me. I know you didn't really want to."

"It's alright. For Jill I'd go." Eustace sat back and tried to calm himself.

"Eustace?"

"Look, I get mad at her and she gets mad at me, but it'll blow over. It always does. I've known her longer than you."

"Actually-"

"You know what I mean! And anyways," he added somewhat snobbily. "She never would have come here at all if it weren't for me."

"You got a title and a royal apartment in the palace. Do you think we're ungrateful?" the king snapped.

"Yes, I do actually." Rilian stood up in disgust but Eustace was already on his soapbox. "Oh you've given me a title and a pretty view, but I saved you from that blasted chair and you can't even listen to me. I have an opinion from a world far more advanced than this -"

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. Your world which my cousins are crazy enough to call paradise has the most backward, archaic way of thinking. And I who once saved you - and was friends with your father I might add -"

"You have no right to bring him into this!"

"No right? Ha! Caspian at least listened to the beliefs and systems we had in our world. If he hadn't my cousins never would have bothered with him. Remember that, I am the cousin of the High King Peter."

"Remember? How could I forget? You sure love to remind everyone of that. And from what I've been hearing you don't waste any time in telling everyone else exactly what you think of the way Narnia is being run."

Eustace actually stopped still and stared. He had no idea what to say.

"Can you deny it? I am King of Narnia, Eustace, and I do know what goes on in my country. You've been spreading rumors and pamphlets about the Lone Islands to the creatures, telling them that my rule should be questioned."

"Rilian, I didn't mean that you weren't a good ruler. It was-"

"Your actions are one of the biggest concern among my advisors right now. They've all recommended that you be sent away from Narnia completely."

"You'd banish me?!!!" his voice cracked.

"No. I wouldn't. For two reasons. One, Jill would never speak to me again," both men smiled a bit. "And two, you are loyal to the crown. I know that. That's why I haven't sent you away."

"Gee, thanks." Eustace couldn't stop the sarcasm. Rilian frowned.

"They had it all worked out. You'd be sent eastward on the Morning Bearer, which is destined for Burnt Island. You know the waters and could get off at any of the islands you wished. It was thought that if you felt such a strong connection to the Lone Islands, you ought to go there."

"Oh."he looked thoughtful.

"Look, lad," Rilian continued quieter, "I won't send you away. But you must not stir up trouble against me in my own kingdom, or I will have no choice." Eustace nodded.

Suddenly both men's heads snapped up at the sound of a horse galloping towards them. They saw a centaur rushing towards them. He bowed when he reached them, although he was quite out of breath. "Your Majesty," the centaur said. Rilian nodded. "I apologize for my haste, but you were not easy to find." Eustace was amazed the centaur could still be so polite, in spite of the fact that he looked as though he were about to have a heart attack from exhaustion.

"It's alright, what is it?"

"Sire, you must return to the palace right away. It's the Queen." Rilian stood completely still for a moment. The centaur had to catch his breath before he could clarify, "The baby, it's come early." Rilian and Eustace looked at each other for a split second, then ran to their horses.