Chapter 27

They stared at him as if he were crazy; but, he wasn't crazy, they were. Talking as if half human, half animal things actually existed. Yet, when a plate was placed in front of him, Thomas tried his hardest not to flinch away.

"It's ok," Lucy whispered, "he won't hurt you."

"His feet?"

Susan smiled, "He's a fawn, one of the gentler creatures of Narnia."

"Gentler?" Thomas's eyes snapped wide at his wife. "You-you mean there are evil ones?"

Lucy and Susan giggled before Susan explained, "Not evil, just misunderstood." She grabbed his hand intertwining their fingers. "Are you ready to hear it again?"

Thomas looked around the table, confused over seeing his wife's siblings in such finery. Gowns and tunic made from the softest and brightest of silks styled similar to the Renaissance Era. All four wore gold crowns upon their heads. Lucy's was woven to look as if silver and gold flowers danced around her head. Edmund's was full platted with leaf engravings. Susan's crown was of gold flowers and leaves, not as eccentric as Lucy's but still just as beautiful. Peter's gold crown was magnificent, full with flower engravings and leaves horning on four sides, representing North, South, East, and West; its center held a reddest of jewels Thomas had ever seen. They called it the "Stone of the Aslan".

Lucy waited for Thomas to nod before she began her version of the story. "Well, you see, there was this room. Emptied of everything except a lone wardrobe."

Again Thomas listened to the siblings interject a piece of information into the story; sometimes laughing, other times somber, but always with love. Love of this strange land called Narnia, love of its strange creatures, and love along with friendship over some Prince. He could hear the admiration in the voices of his wife and his younger sister. His brothers held nothing but the highest respect for this man. The siblings' memory rotated again to a happier memory and it wasn't long until their hysterical laughter filled the room.

"He was being so stubborn," Lucy giggled. "He refused to let me help."

"Not to mention the wound was in a rather indecent place." Edmund added.

Susan quickly placed a hand before her mouth in attempt to keep water from spewing out. "Oh God," she gasped when he managed to swallow her mouthful. "Do you remember the look on his face when he tried to explain to Lucy and she threatened to ignore him for the day?"

It was Peter's turn to laugh loudly until they settled a bit, "I forgot how much I missed it here. How much this place meant to us."

"But we're all here now, we can remain as long as we would like." Lucy informed them.

Susan was shaking her head along with Thomas, "No Lucy, just like always we are all here for a reason. It's best if we find out why and return home." Thomas shook his head eagerly.

Lucy looked from Susan to Peter, he was High King of Narnia after all; his word would be final. "She right, we have a duty."

"Edmund say something." Lucy begged, hoping Peter's trust in Edmunds' wisdom would sway him.

"What do you want me to say, even if he doesn't claim it, Peter just gave us the law. We wait for Aslan or some other reason to present itself."

"Leave it to you to be diplomatic when I need you." Lucy mumbled.

Eustace, whom had remained silent throughout this small debate chose now to speak. "Aslan hasn't been seen in years. Some fear he has returned to his land and will no longer assist us, while others believe he is waiting for the right occasion to return. I think the only thing we can do it wait."

"For how long?" Thomas asked.

Eustace shrugged, "Until we find out why the Kings and Queens of old have returned."

"But Lucy already performed an act of justice. She saved you, what more could there be?" Susan asked.

"Maybe that was just a task for her and not for the three of you."

Peter looked deeply at his younger cousin, "How did you come to be here?"

"And how long have you been here?" Edmund quick added.

"Remember when my parents sent me to that finishing school in whales," when Edmund and Lucy nodded he explained, "I was there for three semesters before I fell down this extremely large hole in the ground. Bloody thing came out of nowhere. I twisted my ankle and was knocked unconscious when I landed. When I woke up I was being tended to one of the colonies just past Caspian's castle. When I was healed, well I strolled in there and demanded he do something about it."

Peter frowned, "What did he do?

Eustace smiled, "He made me a cabin boy on one of his ships. I slowly worked my way to Captain and the rest you know."

"But how long?" Edmund urged.

"Ten years Narnian time. Back home," Eustace shrugged his emotions away, "who knows if I'm even missed."

"You were missed, and mourned," Susan explained, "if only for the fact that you vanished without a trace."

Eustace was about to respond when a figure walked into the dining hall. His eyes immediately flew to Lucy.

She was frozen as she watched Caspian storm across the marbled floor towards her. Faintly did she hear Peter call out to him, yet she watched as his face shown shock as he gazed upon the three new additions to his land. "Welcome home, Peter, Edmund," he paused as he starred and Lucy felt her heart tear a little more. "Susan." He smiled.

She didn't want to look but Lucy's eyes found Susan smiling as she stood to greet him. "How are you, Caspian?"

"Wonderful, actually." He admitted.

Susan's smile widened before she remembered who still held a hand, "Caspian may I introduce my husband, Thomas. Thomas, Prince—sorry—King of Narnia, Caspian."

Like any men during introductions Caspian and Thomas found themselves sizing each other up. Both standing taller, chest puffed out, chin held high. It was a show down. One Lucy couldn't bear to witness. Slowly and quietly, Lucy left the others in the hall making her way once again to her chamber balcony.

Eustace watched his cousin's sad attempt to sneak out while the others were watching the show down. He waited until Thomas held out his left hand only to have Caspian grasp it firmly. "Well," he spoke, "now that that is over, Caspian, do you want to explain what took you so long?"

Caspian sighed, "It was a difficult trial. Some members didn't want to charge to the fullest considering their ranking. So we had to improvise." He looked around the room searching for the face he longed to see. "Where's Lucy?"

Everyone looked about the room. "She was just right here." Susan stated.

"She made her escape while we were all excited about the duel," Eustace informed as he glanced from Caspian to Thomas. "I expected quite a different arrival, my King."

Caspian smiled, "As did I, however I was ill prepared for additional guest to bear witness my shame."

It was silent in the hall as the siblings glanced at each other in confusion. Peter leaned forward, "what exactly is going on here."

"An excellent question, dear cousin, one I will enjoy hearing our new King sweat while he tells the story." Eustace mocked laughing. "Caspian?"

"Perhaps we should enjoy the rest of the meal while you hear what I have to say."

Susan and Thomas took their seats as Caspian sat in Lucy's golden oak high winged back chair. See looked around the table smiling. "I'm afraid I don't know where to begin."

"How about what you're doing here?" Edmund offered.

Caspian nodded before looking Peter straight in the eyes, "I would like your permission for your sister's hand in marriage."

Peter looked to Susan, "But she's already married?" Edmund shook his head at his brothers' stupidity, and Susan smiled at her revelation.

"Not Susan." Caspian informed, "Lucy."