Disclaimer: I only own Rose and Mr. William Taylor

Chapter Three: The Healer

Rose knocked at the door of what had turned out to be a castle. A coughing maiden, dressed in a renaissance style gown opened the door. Her eyes widened as she studied Rose.

"You're not Calormarian." She wheezed.

"No…I'm…from London." Rose told her. She made a not that she obviously needed to study her geography better, because she had no idea what a Calormarian was: maybe someone from somewhere in the Middle East? "I'm lost, and I was wondering if I might spend the night here, and ask where I am?"

"You're at Cair Paravel in Narnia. Stay here at your own risk, we're all very sick. The prince just left looking for a cure." The woman told her.

Rose stepped inside and closed the door behind her. "I'm a nurse, maybe I can help."

"Thanks be to Aslan if you can. We've already lost too many."

"Can you describe the sickness?" Rose asked.

"Tiredness, fever, headache, pains in the body, that's how it starts. Then comes the spots."

"Spots?"

The woman rolled up her sleeve, revealing an awful rash.

"This is just like trench fever." Rose told her.

"I don't have any idea what you're talking about, but do you know the cure?

"I can do something about it, but I can't guarantee it will work." Rose told her.

"Anything is worth a try. What do you need?"

Rose had to describe several herbs and then set about getting cold clothes to disperse. The woman brought back some herbs that weren't exactly like the ones from Rose's garden, but she hoped they would work anyway, since they were very similar. Soon she had concocted a mush for the rash and a medicine for the fever. She had to make several batches of both, because everyone there was sick.

Rose curled up on a rug by the fire as the sun began to rise and fell into an exhausted sleep. When she woke up the same woman was sitting by her with a bowl of something that looked like oatmeal.

"I never introduced myself last night. I'm Taryn." The young woman smiled.

"I'm Rose." She said, sitting up and stretching out her kinks.

"Well Rose, you must be some kind of healer; everyone is looking better this morning. I gave them more of the mixtures." Tayrn beamed.

"Good. Has the fever come down?" Rose questioned.

"Yes."

Rose made rounds again, making sure that they were all hydrated, and gave out more cold clothes. Later, she sat on the balcony over looking the ocean and talking to Taryn.

"I noticed that some of the men have…goat's legs…" Rose commented.

"Yes. The fauns. Their population has just recently gone back up." Taryn informed her.

"And…I assume then that the short ones are dwarves?"

"Yes and the men with horse's bodies are centaurs. Do you really not have anything unlike yourself where you come from?"

"Only animals, but they're dumb (don't talk)." Rose told her.

"You must be Rose!" The jolly voice of a young man broke in.

"Yes I am." Rose told the boy.

"I am Prince Caspian. Thank you so much for helping my people. You are welcome here anytime and your title will be Lady Rose – The Healer."

"Thank you, sir." Rose said in astonishment.

"From what they tell me, I assume you are a daughter of Eve." Caspian's comment was answered by a puzzled stare. "The first four kings and queens were from your land, I believe. I cannot remember the name of it…perhaps Spare Oom?"

"I…don't know of that place, sir. Sorry."

"Never mind. Aslan is here."

"Aslan?" Rose asked. The name gave her shivers.

"Aslan is the king of Narnia. He wants to see you."

"Where is he?" Rose asked.

"Over there." The young prince pointed to the beach where a huge lion sat.

"The Lion?" Rose asked in shock.

"Yes. He is waiting." Caspian urged her.

Rose walked unsurely to the beach.

"Come closer, Rose. I need to talk with you." The depth and gentleness of his voice almost scared her, but she was intrigued.

"You have done your job well." He told her.

"My job?" Rose asked.

"Yes. You have healed the people, which is part of why I called you here."

"Called me?" Rose was thoroughly confused.

"Yes. That is the only way you could get here. Prince Caspian is going to ask you to stay, and elevate your roll to princess. I want you to accept it." The authority in his voice was not to be questioned.

"I will, sir." Rose promised.

"I will leave you now." Aslan stood and walked back down the beach.

When Rose returned, Caspian invited her to stay, and she agreed to.