Elizabeth halted at nearly the end of the garden paths before a white bench that was guarded by the statue of a centaur. She paced rapidly with her hands on her head. What was she to do with all this? When the pacing made her dizzy, she sat on the bench. Her eyes strayed to the near trees and flowers. The gardens were peaceful. Could it be this had once been her home? She pressed her fingers to her brow.

"You'd think I'd remember all this," she said with some frustration, then slapping her hands down and leaning back on the bench.

"Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth jumped and turned quickly.

"Pralin," she said with some surprise.

There was a hint of a chuckle mingled in his tone. Why did he always catch her doing something embarrassing? This added to her anger.

Seeing her face, shifted his expression just slightly with a mingling of concern.

"You're missing the banquet," he said, not wanting to pry. "I believe Alliyah is missing you as well."

"Oh, yes, I suppose," said Elizabeth absently, looking away. "I was going to go back soon."

He noted silently her absent tone.

Pralin strolled forward a few steps and plucked a leaf from a low tree branch.

"Who walks through the garden alone when there's a feast going on inside the castle?"

Elizabeth looked at him, catching the less-than-subtle hint.

"Apparently, you do," she stated matter-of-factly.

Pralin smiled with a laugh through his nose.

A small silence fell between them.

"If you don't mind my asking," said Pralin, sitting beside her, "you're alright?"

Elizabeth nodded.

"Yes," she said slowly. "Just. . .thinking, is all."

"Thinking?" repeated Pralin.

"Yes," said Elizabeth, giving him a sideways look of sarcastic irritation.

"You know, it's never good to think alone for very long," said Pralin lightly. "I'm told it's how most wars begin."

"Well, it's a little late for that," Elizabeth blurted without thinking.

She blushed slightly, realizing her ignorant comment.

"Well, here's the thing," she said, turning suddenly. "After this whole, long meeting thing, I back myself into fighting in this war for this place I never even knew existed." Elizabeth's words grew more rapid as her emotions heightened again. She soon found herself making wide gestures and pacing again. "And what makes it all even better, is that the whole night gets topped off with them telling me that everyone here believes that I was not only born here, but that my parents were royalty.- I mean, royalty. And first of all: who does that? I mean just throw a girl into this strange place, tell her fight in a war, and top it all off with "By the way: Welcome home, Princess!" Do they know I work at a gelato shop? That I live in a foster home in North Jersey and most people hardly even know I exist? And, I mean, sure I've thought about one day finding out who my parents were. But even the greatest explanations I thought up, ended up with my parents being from out-of-state, maybe another country- not another world! What am I supposed to do with that?"

Pralin watched with some amusement. He stopped himself from laughing at the girl's display. Finally, he stood and took her shoulders to stop her pacing.

"Elizabeth, you're making me dizzy!" he laughed. "And the first thing you can do, is breathe."

Elizabeth took a deep breath and exhaled in a form of a frustrated sigh.

"Better?" he smiled.

"A little," Elizabeth admitted.

"Good."

Pralin walked on, taking Elizabeth's hand so she walked with him.

"Now what's this about your parents?" he said.

"King Ilydon and Queen Helya," she replied, shaking her head to remember. "They died. . . Something about a White Witch."

Pralin nodded.

"The Siege that brought Winter."

Elizabeth stopped walking to look at him.

"You know about it too?"

"Of course," nodded Pralin. "All Narnians know the story."

Elizabeth shook her head in annoyance.

"Great," she said. "Everyone knows about my past except me."

Pralin couldn't help but laugh.

She knew she was acting like a child, but she was too frustrated to care.

Pralin clasped both her hands in his own.

"Don't worry about it," he said consolingly. "You'll remember. I know you will."

Elizabeth offered a sad smile.

The large open windows of the Banquet Hall were now before them. Sweet Narnian music rose from within. The notes were accompanied by less gaiety than the last feast Elizabeth had seen. So many emotions flooded her in this moment, she hardly knew what to do with herself.

'If only I knew what tomorrow held.'