We're very very close...Thank you again, reviewers! You're the best!

Disclaimer: Narnia is not mine

Chapter 15.

Queen Eleytheria made a very good host. There was not a moment in Galian's stay there that he was not well cared for and given every comfort he would ever need. His leg was healing faster than he had thought possible, and he had become good friends with Elisud. These days were probably the most wonderful Galian had ever lived; ten times more wonderful than his days as a rough, bitter slave. They should have been the best days of his life. Only they weren't.

Galian was homesick. He was so close to Narnia, so close that at times he felt like he could reach out and touch it, and yearned to finally be able to go home. But time and time again he was detained in Anvard. He began to regain that bitterness he had once held as a slave, and was short of temper with some of the servants, and even Aoife or Elisud. When he wasn't occupied with some project the Queen had given him (i.e., destroy the bridge on the southern border, track down any other slavers that might still be in Archenland), Galian could be found looking north, with a hungry look in his eye.

His friends began to notice his restlessness, and did everything in their power to keep him occupied. Aoife took it upon herself to teach him to be a better horseman, claiming that he couldn't be a proper knight without being a proper horseman, though, in the back of his mind, he didn't really want to be a knight, but if Aoife was willing to teach him, who was he to argue? Elisud insisted on fencing matches, with Galian emerging victorious in all but one. They began to attract a rather large audience, mostly servants who were either dodging duty or pretending to be busy or else noblemen who pretended to be bored with the whole thing but were in truth absolutely enthralled with Galian's unpredictable fighting style. Once, after a particularly grueling match, Lord Faolan, who had joined the throng, approached Galian and said, "That was without a doubt the most foolish display of swordplay I've seen in all my days. You fight like a little boy who waves his stick around for fun. But, I suppose if you learn from a rustic you'll fight like a rustic all your days. However, don't expect it to save your life in a battle,"and then he walked away without a word.

Galian was fuming, resisting the urge to ask Faolan if he cared to match his more proper style of fighting with the "rustic" kind, and see who would win. He held his tongue though, and accepted the glass of water the chuckling Elisud had handed to him.

"Don't let it bother you, old man. Faolan has never had to fight for his life since the day he was born. If you want to know the truth, he's a bit scared of you."

"Then he shouldn't talk to me like that,"Galian said bitterly, "I'll give him something to be scared of."

Elisud laughed again, then said, "You know, he's the most arrogant man I've ever known, but he's a damned good advisor. Otherwise the Queen wouldn't keep him around."

"Elisud, I don't trust him. Not one bit. There's something sinister about him, apart from all his lordliness and high class snobbery."

"I've heard him called many things, Galian, but no one's ever gone so far as to call him sinister. Why do you say that?"

"I don't have hard evidence,"Galian confessed sheepishly, "but it's just a feeling I have. A feeling that's rarely incorrect."

"So you'd like me to go to the Queen and demand that she dismiss one of her top advisors based on a feeling you have?" Galian didn't answer, "Listen, old man, Faolan is an ass through and through, and I don't think there's anyone in the castle that would disagree with a statement like that, but he is by no means a traitor. He's considered the most loyal man in Archenland."

And that was the end of the conversation. Galian, however, was not through with his investigation in the least. He asked Aoife for her opinion, assured she would back him up.

"He seems like a straightforward person to me,"came her disappointing answer, "everyone else trusts him, at least."

"You don't think he looks suspicious?"

"I think he looks like all the other Tarkaans I've seen in my life. Overdressed for every occasion, and throughly bored. But that doesn't make him untrustworthy."

The two continued on the mountain path, navigating their horses with some difficulty. Galian had suggested the ride as a way to get Aoife out of the castle and out of earshot, where he could divulge his suspicions in private. And, of course, he liked the extra time he got to spend with her.

"Tell me something, Galian,"she asked, breaking the silence, "what exactly are you accusing him of? Of being suspicious-looking? The Queen and her advisors would need a great deal more than that if they were to dismiss him."

"I know, I know. And right now, I have nothing. I'm not sure where to start, to tell you the truth. I don't know what he's up to, but I know he's up to something."

"Based on this feeling you have?"she asked lightly.

"Don't mock me,"he burst out angrily, "I've been mocked and joked about for entirely too long, and I won't have it anymore."

"I'm sorry, Galian,"she said truthfully.

He immediately felt horrible, "No, it's my fault. I'm just so irritated, with no one taking me seriously. I suppose all in all I'm just frustrated because I can't go home."

"Why can't you?"

"I don't have my leave, for starters."

"Galian, I'm not trying to sound ungrateful, for the Queen and everyone else has been very good to us. But she's not your Queen. She can't technically give you orders. You could leave any day you wanted to. It would be rude, but I've a feeling you care much less about that."

"And what about you?"Galian asked, a slight hint of wistfulness in his voice.

"I don't know,"she said, for the first time sounding unsure of herself, "I wouldn't mind going with you, from what I hear, Narnia must be wonderful. But I am rather enjoying myself here."

"Then you should stay,"Galian said, though inside he was extremely disappointed.

"What if we spend one more week in Anvard? Then, I'll go with you to Narnia. I might like it better. That is, if you don't mind waiting for me?"

Galian's heart beat a little faster, "I'd wait forever for you."

Aoife's face flushed, the innuendo not lost on her. She said, "Thank you,"softly, and not another word was spoken until the reached Anvard, and then it was only wishes of a good afternoon. Galian cursed himself for being such a fool, and cursed himself again for not telling her how he felt while he still had the chance. But, tomorrow was another day. Maybe he would tell her then.

The glowing sun ushered in another beautiful day. Galian awoke, unusually happy for some reason. He dressed (at his request, his clothes had been made plainer then the ones he had worn his first night in Anvard; everyone agreed it made him look much better than the rather ornate ones), and flew down the halls to breakfast with a strong appetite fueling his steps. He was interrupted, however, by Elisud. One look at his face, and Galian knew something was wrong. He had never seen his friend look so serious and upset.

"I was hoping I'd find you. Come with me,"came the short command. En route to wherever the were going, Elisud began a rushed explanation, "Last night, some patrolmen captured a Calormene soldier. He claims to know you, and if he speaks the truth, we might all be in very grave danger."

Galian felt a horrible sense of dread. There was only one Calormene solider that knew him by name and knew he was in fact alive.

Sure enough, as they entered the Queen's private office, Pericles was standing between two stern looking guards. He looked well enough, if not a bit scratched up, as well as tousled and weary. When Galian stepped through the doors, however, he came to life.

"Galian! Tell them you know me! Tell them I'm a friend!"

Galian said nothing. Inside his mind, a terrible battle ensued. If he agreed to Pericles's innocence, he would lose Aoife forever. She loved the captain, and perhaps no matter of pleading on Galian's part would change her mind. He and the captain had never had any love for each other, they almost thought of each other as enemies. And of course, the Queen might not opt to kill him. She'd more than likely throw him into the deepest, darkest dungeon in Archenland. Aoife would never know he had been here, and she would go with Galian to Narnia, like they had planned. The future had never looked brighter for the two.

Pericles looked on in anticipation, and though Galian's face was as stolid as it had ever been, he had already guessed Galian's feelings. In an instant, he felt that he knew what had happened. His face grew ugly, and he waited for the damning answer.

"Galian?"Elisud asked, calling Galian's attention back to the situation at hand, "Do you know this man?"

Galian took a deep breath, then answered, "Yes, I know him. He's a friend, to myself, to Archenland, and to...to Aoife."

Pericles was released, and to seal Galian's fate, Aoife rushed into the room, and upon seeing her lover there, alive and welcomed, she rushed to him, embracing him and kissing him with unwavering passion. Galian could watch no more. Hardly paying attention to Elisud's query, nor to the several others who expressed concern or outrage as he abruptly stormed out of the room. He wasn't exactly sure where he was going, he only knew he wanted to distance himself from the scene as much as possible.

He found refuge in the stables. With nothing better to do, he stopped in front of a particular horse's stall and began stroking her silky nose. She was called Star Dancer, Dancer for short, and she had once been owned by one of the slavers who had fallen at Galian's hand. She was beautiful filly, mostly white but dappled gray, with a gray mane and tail. She seemed to understand Galian's moods more than any other horse ever had, and stood stock still as he stroked her nose, berating himself in his head, wishing he had never fallen in love, wishing, even, that he had never met Aoife.

Footsteps partially muffled by hay alerted Galian of a visitor, but he did not look up. He heard Elisud's voice float through the air, "You're a good man, Galian. Foolish, perhaps, but still good."

Galian said nothing, feeling ultimately miserable. Elisud continued, "Galian, according to Captain Pericles, the Calormenes have organized a great force at that fortress of yours. They intend to attack Archenland within two days."

Galian forgot about his current problem for a moment, "Why? Why are they attacking?"

"A few days ago Queen Eleytheria received a letter from a Suruv Tarkaan. He claimed Archenland was harboring fugitives, and demanded we give Aoife back as soon as possible. Queen Eleytheria declined, of course, but now the Tarkaans seem to believe they have a reason to attack. Truth to tell, they've always looked for a reason to attack, so any is as good as the other,"he paused for a moment, letting the gravity of the situation sink in, "we've already organized a counter-offensive. The army will be mustered in no time, and we'll ride out to meet them. With Aslan's grace, we might be able to beat them back."

Just then Aoife stormed in, with much less subtlety and more purpose than Elisud's entrance.

"Elisud, if you don't mind, I'd like to speak to Galian?"there was a tone in her voice that let both men know she wasn't in the best of moods. Elisud took his leave, and when she could hear his footsteps no more, Aoife began, asking sharply, "Why didn't you tell me Pericles was the one who helped you out of the fortress?"

Galian didn't answer right away, and when he did, he chose his words carefully"I didn't want you to get distracted. Our main purpose was to get out of there alive, and to do that you had to have a clear mind,"he said dully.

"But why not tell me later? He said you gave him your word that you would tell me,"she accused.

"So I did."

"You went back on your word, Galian!"

"You're absolutely right!"he nearly shouted, throwing his hands up in surrender, "I did. I lied to you and to him. What more do you want me to say?"

"I want to know why!"she said, nearly as loud.

"No you don't. Trust me, you really don't,"and he made for the door. She blocked his way.

"I do. I want you to tell me the truth. Why didn't you tell me it was him?"

"Let's just say it was in my better interests not to tell you."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means that I damn well wasn't going to give him credit for anything, deserved or not."

"And why not? Why are you so interested in seeing him fall?"

"Because I'm in love with you!"

She stood rigid at his last words, clearly not the ones she expected to hear. Unable to take his words back, the only thing Galian could do was go on, "Aoife, you're the bravest, kindest, most wonderful woman I've ever known..."

"Galian, don't..."

"If I had my choice, we'd go to Narnia and live together forever, just you and me..."

"Please, stop."

"And I think that deep down, you might care for me to."

"Galian, stop! I...I can't,"she brushed by him, suddenly feeling as if she could breathe, "I just can't. I'm...I'm supposed to marry Pericles. I can't Galian."

Galian's voice broke the few seconds of strained silence between them that had ensued, with a voice so hopeful and yet so quiet it was hardly heard, "Aoife, do you love me?"

She turned to him, tears in her eyes, her answer ready on her lips...

"What's going on?"

The harsh voice of Pericles cut Aoife off. He marched in to see Aoife looking as if she were about to cry and Galian looking nearly sick. Pericles wasn't a fool. He knew what had been going on.

At once he faced Galian, the latter thinking that if Aoife had not been standing there at that moment, he would have killed the Captain with his bare hands.

"You lied to me,"Pericles spat.

"I did."

"After I helped you. Twice! I helped you twice! And you betrayed me."

"You're right, Captain, I did."

"This isn't a laughing matter, boy,"Pericles said dangerously, stepping closer to Galian, "if I had my choice, you'd be crying for mercy by now."

"And if I had mine, Captain, you'd be dead,"Galian said, just as evilly, "you're right when you say what I did was inexcusable. I apologize, to you and to Aoife," he stepped away from the captain, turning at the door to say, "And don't ever call me a boy again."

Pericles was left shaking, either from anger or nerves, Aoife couldn't tell which.

"The bloody coward,"Pericles spat.

"What did you call him?"Aoife asked, threateningly.

"A coward, that's what I called him. A no good, low, dirty coward."

"Don't call him that! Don't ever call him that! He's done and seen more than you'll ever imagine!"and, feeling foolishly very much like a girl, she burst into tears.

Pericles did not comfort her, only stood a few paces away until her emotion subsided. When she was through, he asked her, "I want you to tell me something, and I want the truth. Do you love him?"

Now, that was the question, wasn't it? Aoife cared a great deal for Galian, and her feelings for him had grown stronger every day. Did she love him? Or did she love Pericles? Did she know who she loved anymore?

"Aoife, do you?"

"I love you, Pericles."

"That doesn't answer my question."

"It should be enough for you for now. For now, you have to concentrate on this battle. I wish I was going with you."

"No you don't. You have no idea how horrible battles can be."

"I've killed my share of men, Pericles, I think I know how horrible it can be,"she replied, annoyed.

Later that night, the stables had a human occupant once more. Galian was there, saddling Dancer, preparing for a long journey. He had done some hard thinking that afternoon. If he started now, he would be in Narnia by daybreak. In Narnia, away from all this nonsense.

As expected, Elisud dropped by. He had heard of Galian's intentions of departure from the Queen, who had been less than happy to allow Galian to go.

"So you're leaving, then?"

"Right,"Galian said, not trusting himself to look up. His will hung by a thread as it was.

"Is there anything I can do to make you stay?"

"You could hang Pericles."

Elisud gave a bitter laugh, "And ruin his hero's welcome? In all honesty, though, we could use you."

"I'm sorry, old man. This isn't my fight,"though Galian couldn't really convince himself.

"You're right, it's not. I see I can't make you stay. In that case...I wish you well, my friend."

The two shook hands, a lump rising in Galian's throat. This was going to be harder than he had thought.

"Aoife was somewhere behind me,"Elisud said conversationally.

"She's always had that habit of showing up inconveniently."

Three seconds later, her storming footsteps could be heard entering the stable. She paid no attention to Elisud, but moved straight towards Galian.

"Where are you going?"she demanded harshly.

Galian's reply was simple. He found it best to keep his answers short and to the point, "Home."

"How can you leave now? When there's a battle to be fought?"

"It's not my fight, Aoife,"he told her, fiddling with the stirrups with some difficulty. His hands were shaking horribly.

"Not-not your fight!"she exclaimed, in a high pitched voice. She had never, ever, in all the days that she had known him, expected Galian to run from a fight. She turned to Elisud, as if noticing him for the first time, "Elisud, he'll listen to you. Make him stay!"

"I can't 'make' him do anything. I can only hope he'll change his mind."

She glared at him for his lack of support, then confronted Galian, deciding to try another tactic, "Galian, you're the best fighter we've got. We haven't a chance of defeating the Calormenes without you."

"That's a bit of an overstatement, isn't it?"he replied, dryly.

Her soft voice came softly, a sign she was losing her resolution,"Why? Why leave now?"

He sighed, "I'm tired, Aoife. I'm tired of killing men. You asked me once how I was able to bear it all. I can't. I dream about them, every night. I see their faces. Sometimes, if I'm horribly unlucky, I see their families, grieving for them, cursing my name. If every moment of my life has amounted to this moment, the moment when I am known as 'Galian the Fighter' or 'Galian the Killer,' my existence doesn't seem to be worth much, don't you think?"

It was a good speech, one that he had been giving himself all afternoon to make himself feel better. Aoife didn't answer. Both she and Elisud, who had become unusually quiet, watched as he finished saddling Dancer. He led her out of her stall and mounted her, shaking Elisud's hand one last time. Finally, and with more difficulty, he said good bye to Aoife.

"Galian, if this is because..."

"Don't,"he said, fearfully, with tears in his eyes and sorrow in his voice. As her own tears began to fall, he kicked Dancer in the ribs, more harshly than he had intended. He wanted to leave as soon as possible.

Aoife stopped the flow of tears immediately. She had never liked crying, had never really liked being emotional, and she felt she had done entirely too much of that lately. She looked at Elisud again, this time with a small smile, "I suppose I've made a real mess of things, haven't I?

He returned her smile and put a comforting arm around her, "Come with me. There's a bottle of ale waiting for us back in the castle."