Disclaimer: Just me playing in C.S. Lewis's sandbox here...

Many thanks to BrokenKestrel for betaing the chapter :)


Chapter 3 – A Royal Courtship

Caspian spent the next several days in a blaze of impatience. The doctors told him to stay in bed for at least a day before trying to walk again. Caspian would have defied these instructions, but the next morning the downpour outside his window was too thick for any human to think of walking in. It was impossible Lady Elkarna would take a walk outside.

Rethisbar did not mend matters with his usual tedious morning visit. Caspian had had little patience with the man yesterday, and today was worse. The longer he was away from Lady Elkarna the more he missed her sincere concern and her forthright manner.

Fortunately, Arlian and Ulivas arrived with Bern before Caspian's growing urge to throttle Rethisbar became overwhelming.

"If you will excuse us, Lord Rethisbar," said Caspian, "I must confer with these lords on their observations of your castle."

"But of course," said Rethisbar. "But I hope you won't find it necessary to hurry away after the inspections are done."

"You are a generous host," said Caspian, and thinking of how little time he had to court Lady Elkarna, his regret was not completely feigned. "But winter is coming and the northern borders must be inspected before it sets in."

Rethisbar bowed out of the room (he never missed an opportunity to scrape before the king), and Caspian turned to his waiting advisors. They were ready to give their final reports about Rethisbar's defences. Caspian needed to give the serious matter its due attention. He would ask for their advice about Lady Elkarna afterward.

The reports went very well. Caspian's personal inspection would be short. Rethisbar, despite his shortcomings as a guardian, was a good commander. That was rare, especially on Narnia's eastern and western borders. The lands to the east and west were uninhabited, no one in those regions expected an attack, and the watch was poorly kept. Caspian had had to issue many sharp reprimands during those parts of his tour.

"Everything appears to be in order," said Caspian. "Aside from formalities, I believe we could be on our way now - if I were able to ride."

"Does Your Majesty know yet when that will be?" Arlian asked.

"The doctor says with care, two more weeks," said Caspian. "Even then, I must take it slow."

"Then the sooner we are gone the better," said Ulivas. "We must reach the Passarids before the snows set in."

"We are all eager to be away from this place and enjoy the hospitality of the Passarids," Caspian said. "But there is something else I wish to accomplish before we leave."

The three lords looked at their King intently quizzically. Bern cocked his head, as if he was trying to guess what Caspian would say - remembering, perhaps, their conversation from the day before. Arlian and Ulivas, however, who had no such insight, wore blank expressions.

"We will aid Your Majesty in whatever way we can," Arlian said, "but I cannot fathom what business you could have here besides the inspections."

"Are you aware Lord Rethisbar has a niece living in this castle?" Caspian asked.

Bern gave a slight nod, as if Caspian had confirmed his suspicions. Arlian and Ulivas blinked rapidly.

"I was not," said Arlian, his brow furrowing. "What does Rethisbar's niece have to do with our departure?"

"I am in need of a queen," said Caspian. "Until I have a son, my brother remains my heir. The sooner that changes the better, and it would take years to arrange a court match. Lady Elkarna has no family at court, so none of the families will be honoured over the others."

Silence reigned except for the crackling of the fire. Arlian and Ulivas looked at each other with alarm. Even Bern was not smiling.

"Your Majesty...this is...a most unusual proposal," Arlian said. "It could unite the court factions against you for elevating an outsider to the royal household."

"And Rethisbar will be wanting a place at court as her uncle," said Ulivas. "What are you going to do about him?"

"He is in no position to demand a place at court," said Caspian. "He has done little to cultivate his niece's affection, if hiding her during our stay is any indication."

"The servants report there is no love lost between them," said Bern. "The servants also say Lady Elkarna is kind and intelligent, if highly reserved."

"Reserve isn't a bad thing," said Ulivas, his expression changing from alarm to doubtful consideration, "so long as she can stand court scrutiny. She's probably used to staying out of sight."

"Only Lady Elkarna can answer that," said Caspian. "Becoming queen means increased scrutiny no matter who you were before."

"Lady Elkarna may make an excellent queen," said Arlian, "but her lack of family may not be as great an advantage as Your Majesty thinks. Instead of one faction being honoured, the entire court will see an outsider elevated above all of them."

"It is a risk," Caspian admitted. "And if she brought relatives wanting favour at court, it would be foolish. But there is risk in waiting. What path forward do you see at court, Lord Arlian?"

Arlian served the kings of Narnia since the reign of Caspian the Seventh. He was a cautious man, and had frequently restrained rasher members of the Caspian's council. Caspian had learned to consider Arlian's warnings carefully before any serious undertaking.

Arlian was quiet for a long time.

"There is no route that is completely safe, Your Majesty," he said at last. "And there is no time for needless delay. Strange though this idea seems, it may be the best opportunity you have to keep the peace and procure an heir. I only wish we had the time to consider it more fully."

There was no need to say what had already been said - time was of the essence.

"But if you mean to leave Lord Rethisbar out of the matter," said Bern, "you will need to meet in secret. How does Your Majesty propose to arrange that?"

"I was hoping to hear some ideas from my councilors," Caspian admitted.

Arlian and Ulivas glanced at each other helplessly and shook their heads. They had just learned of Lady Elkarna's existence - what suggestions could they possibly have for meeting her in private? And it was long since either of them had gone wooing.

Lord Bern was not much more helpful. "I know little more than I have told you, sire," he said. "From the servants' talk, the lady generally keeps to her room, and all the more so since Your Majesty's arrival. Unless you fancy sneaking into her rooms -"

There was a general rumble of distaste. Even if Nurse was known to be present, the King's visits to the chambers of an unmarried woman would present the appearance of the grossest impropriety.

"-the only place Your Majesty will see her is the gardens," Bern continued. "I suppose she takes her walks in the early morning or the late evening, when no one is about."

"In the mornings," Caspian said. Lady Elkarna had said the only time she could walk was the mornings - she had been unaccompanied because the cold morning air was hard on her Nurse.

The lords made no comment, nor did they present any further suggestions.

Caspian did not like trusting to blind chance, but he saw no alternative.

"Should we accompany Your Majesty when the weather clears?" asked Arlian.

"I thank you for the offer, but I do not think that is necessary. Olin will accompany me, and that will see to propriety." Caspian had no desire for an audience. Lady Elkarna was not used to much company. He would get to know her better if they were alone - for now. Once she was his wife, there would be time for her to gradually adjust to the scrutiny that came with being Queen.

The downpour continued the next day. Caspian took a short walk around the castle, hoping (despite Bern's report) to catch a glimpse of Lady Elkarna. But the hope proved vain, and Caspian trudged disappointedly back to his apartments. He was obliged to sit down from fatigue, but he restlessly drummed on the arm of his chair. He could not concentrate on the reports - there was nothing new to be learned from them anyway.

There was little diversion from the tedious hours. The library in Rethisbar's castle did not match the food - it was more an archive of castle records than a book depository. Caspian had read the few books he had brought with him repeatedly since he left Beaversdam, and they could not hold his interest.

He stared out the window, watching the downpour outside. The sheet of water seemed to be washing away all of his new-found hopes. Despondent, he retired to bed at the usual hour, expecting the next day to bring more of the same dreary weather.

But when Caspian awoke the next morning, he saw no clouds from his window, only twinkling stars. If someone had asked in the moment, Caspian probably would have called the sight the most beautiful he had ever seen.

He dressed quickly, and accompanied by Olin, he hurried to the gardens as fast as his legs would carry him.

The gardens appeared deserted. At first, that was good - it meant no one would be spying.

But time passed, and there was no sign of Lady Elkarna. Caspian's leisurely pace became more brisk. Instead of looking at the trees and flowers, he looked all about him, peering around corners for hiding places. He strained his ears for the sound of any human approach.

The gardens were large, and Lady Elkarna, who had lived here all her life, was trying to avoid being seen.

What if she was not in the gardens at all? She might have decided the risk of a walk was too great. What would Caspian do then? He could not go to her rooms to court her.

What if she were sick? Caspian would have no way of knowing – the Rethisbars would not tell him, even if they bothered to notice themselves. They would probably be all too happy if she took ill and –

The crunching of gravel interrupted his increasingly melodramatic and morbid thoughts. Caspian turned and saw two figures coming towards him.

"Lady Elkarna?" Caspian called. He could not see their faces, but Lady Elkarna had said she was walking so early because she did not expect anyone else to be about.

The two figures turned, and the taller one curtsied. "Your Majesty?"

It was Lady Elkarna's voice. Caspian smiled - he had missed the clear, sweet sound - and hurried towards her as quickly as his still-recovering leg would allow. Olin trailed close behind him.

Caspian slowed when he was close enough to see Lady Elkarna in the light of Olin's lantern. To his chagrin, she did not seem pleased to see him. Her brow was furrowed, and she did not smile.

"Is all well?" Caspian asked, trying to think of what might be troubling her. He did not think anyone had espied their previous meeting – if Rethisbar had heard of it, the man would doubtless have apologized profusely and informed him of any punishment he meted out, not knowing Caspian would have returned any punishment seven-fold on the man's blasted pate.

"Naught is amiss, Your Majesty," Lady Elkarna said. "But should you be out so soon after last time?"

"I am walking on my physician's advice," Caspain said, hoping his smile was a reassuring one. "It is time for me to start rebuilding my strength."

"I wish Your Majesty the speediest of recoveries."

Of course she did. The sooner he healed, the sooner he would be gone, and the sooner she could walk freely in the gardens again.

"Perhaps you could show me where some of the easier paths in this garden are?" Caspian asked. "I am sure you know them well."

"Your Majesty would see them better by daylight." Elkarna pulled her cloak tighter about her. "It would perhaps be safer for one who is still recovering."

"That is true," said Caspian. "But would the company of the guide be as pleasant?"

She caught her breath, and he thought she might be blushing. But before either of them could say more, another voice broke in.

"And what, begging Your Majesty's pardon, would you have with My Lady's company?"

Lady Elkarna's attendant moved squarely in front of her charge, her diminutive stature belying her strong presence. She spoke of the King's pardon, but there was nothing apologetic in the woman's voice.

This must be the Nurse whose health Lady Elkarna had been so concerned for at their first meeting. She was the first person Caspian had seen to show any proper regard for Elkarna's wellbeing, the closest thing she had to a proper guardian. Though Nurse was a servant, it was right for Caspian to seek her permission and blessing in obtaining Lady Elkarna as his wife.

"Good Nurse, I met your charge - Lady Elkarna - a few days ago," said Caspian. "I found her company pleasant, a rarity amongst my courtiers. I hope I have not made myself obnoxious."

"It is hardly proper for a man to seek out the company of a young unmarried woman," said Nurse sharply.

"Under normal circumstances, yes," said Caspian. "But you are her attendant, and indeed, the only person who has been properly seeing to Lady Elkarna's welfare. I may direct my intentions concerning her to you as properly as anyone else."

There was a long silence.

"What is Your Majesty suggesting, precisely?" Nurse asked.

It all seemed so rushed. Royal marriages took years to arrange, and here Caspian was, announcing his intention of marriage at the second meeting. But there was so little time, and Nurse was understandably hostile. Caspian wanted to tell her he would protect Elkarna from Rethisbar, but he could not control the man's every move from afar. The promise would be empty if he did not take her away from the castle. And the only way he could do that properly was marriage.

"You may imagine - quite correctly - that there is a battle royale between various families to make their daughters the next queen of Narnia," said Caspian. "Finding a queen who will bring that struggle to a peaceful conclusion is not easy. By chance, I believe I have found the solution. Lady Elkarna has shown herself to be considerate and intelligent, kind to others regardless of status, though I know little has been shown to her. For all these reasons, I would make her my queen, if she will have me."

Silence reigned. Not even animal noises. Perhaps it was natural, the nocturnal animals having gone to bed before the birds greeted the dawn, but Caspian felt he had shocked even the garden creatures into silence.

Finally, Elkarna spoke.

"Your Majesty does me a great honour in asking," she said, seeming somewhat out of breath. "May I have time to consider this – generous offer?"

Her response surprised Caspian. He had spent the past six months hounded by women seeking to be his consort. That the woman he asked would take time to consider was not something he had foreseen.

But Ulivas had asked if she would be able to stand the pressures at court, and Caspian had said only Lady Elkarna could answer the question. And here she was, asking for the time to consider that question.

"There is little time," Caspian said. "I must leave here in weeks, not months. I cannot readily return for an answer after that. Knowing that, when may I expect your answer and how will I know it?"

Elkarna considered this a moment.

"I will give you my answer at this spot in three days' time," she said, "if that will please Your Majesty."

Three days. Caspian wanted to protest at what seemed an eternity. But that was so little time for such a decision.

"That is a most reasonable request," said Caspian. "I will see you in three days."

She curtsied in acknowledgement. Caspian wanted to kiss her hand in farewell, but she was not close enough and he feared any sudden movement would frighten her away rather than win her affection. Instead, he bowed his head in acknowledgement of the courtesy.

Then, with their respective attendants, they made their separate ways back to the castle.