Two weeks later, Queen Susan was sitting on a balcony looking at the ocean. She was wearing a blue gown that matched her lovely eyes and her long black hair was held back with her favorite silver circlet. Her brothers and other members of the army had returned after destroying about four dozen followers of the White Witch who had been hiding in the western woods. She had sent an invitation to Prince Galen to invite him to join her for tea. She felt a nervous fluttering in her stomach as she waited for him to arrive. She rose when she heard his footsteps.

Susan smiled and extended her hand in greeting. "Prince Galen, thank you for accepting my invitation" said the young queen.

The prince took her hand and then kissed it. He bowed his head and said "My honor, your Majesty."

They sat down at the table set with a lovely silver tea set and fine food. It was a beautiful spring day with only a few puffy white clouds in the blue sky. The sounds of the mer-people singing could be heard.

Susan said "I wanted to thank you again for all that you did to assist me. I was not as strong as I would have wished to have been and you were very kind to me."

Galen replied "Madam, you were kidnapped and abused, yet you remembered conversations among your captors that were very helpful in destroying the evil creatures. You also insisted we destroy the potion before leaving the cave. You shot the ogres while we were escaping. You did not complain about our difficult journey. You were indeed quite brave."

Susan laughed and said "Not as brave as you and I did complain a few times. Sir, you are most generous to not remember my complaints. I appreciate all that you did."

Galen replied "It was my duty and my honor to assist you. I do not need any special recognition, your Majesty."

Susan said "You are one of the most trusted knights at our court, brave in many battles, you deserve our recognition."

"The responsibilities that your royal brothers have entrusted to me are enough recognition, Madam. In future years, men will envy all who have had the honor to be part of this court and fight besides King Peter and King Edmund" said Galen.

The queen said "My brother, the High King, wishes to bestow a reward on you. Is there something you would ask for that would make you happy?"

The prince shook his head. "I am content Madam. There is nothing I would dare ask for."

Susan smiled and asked "Not dare, my prince? Pray tell, what would you want that you would not ask for? And, sir, content is not the same as happy."

Galen smiled also and said "Your Majesty, I am not good at courtier word games. Although I was raised in the household of a Duke, I was a younger son trained in warfare not diplomacy."

Susan sipped her tea for a moment and contemplated the man before her. He did seem discomforted. She had been thinking about him constantly in the last two weeks. How could she find out how he felt about her? She decided to change the topic of conversation.

"Do you miss the Lone Islands, Prince Galen?" asked the queen.

"Nay your Majesty. I do not desire to be any place but Narnia. Although I love it best here at Cair Paravel near the sea" answered the prince.

"Narnia is most special. The woods, the meadows, the mountains and our wonderful castle of Cair Paravel, I cannot think of leaving it myself. There is no place I have traveled that is so beautiful, so unique, no place as blessed by Aslan as Narnia" replied Susan.

There was a moment of silence. When she thought about it later, Susan was never sure what possessed her to say what she said next.

"When I have been courted by kings and princes from other lands, I thought about what it would mean to leave Narnia. I know now that I will not leave my country. My husband will need to be willing to live here" said Queen Susan.

Galen looked surprised for a moment by her comments and she could tell he was struggling with what was appropriate to say next. Susan felt a sudden rush of courage and continued talking.

"Grand titles are not important to me but rather the noble characteristics that are possessed by the good knights of this court. I was foolish in the past with some that I have allowed to court me. Now, I have made a confession to you, Prince Galen. Will you tell me the reward you most desire? My royal brother will give you anything within his power" said Susan.

"What I most desire, is not something your royal brother can give me, only something you can give me" replied Galen. "My deepest desire would be your love."

Susan smiled.

Two nights later, Queen Susan sat in the great hall at Cair Paravel while the High King Peter announced her engagement to Prince Galen. In the midst of the festivities that followed, Edmund danced with Susan.

The young king commented "I will admit dear sister to being a bit surprised by the haste of this marriage. I always thought you would have a lengthy engagement and plan a most elaborate wedding. Of all of us, you have always loved grand state occasions the most."

Queen Susan replied "Dear brother, I feel that I have wasted so much time. For ten years, I did not realize that I loved Galen. My wedding will be quite lovely I assure you even if it is only in one month. I don't care one bit about the guest list being elaborate. All that is important to me is that the people, creatures and beasts that I love are here. Edmund, you are pleased in my choice of husband, are you not?"

King Edmund smiled as he whirled her around the dance floor. "Su, we are all pleased. Galen is a good knight, a good friend. I will be glad to have him as my brother. I am sure you will be happy and most of all, you will not leave Narnia."

"I will never leave Narnia. All my happiness is here" said Queen Susan.