The morning quickly disappeared in a flurry of outdoor explorations. By the time the children were led back inside to a large dining room for a luncheon of fresh sandwiches and hot soup, their eyes were shining and their cheeks were flushed. Soon after they finished eating, there was a great bustle in the hall, and Carolyn and Stephan were right away whisked upstairs to prepare themselves.

"Is it the king?" Stephan asked immediately. "Is the king here?"

"Soon, soon," answered Flester, who was for once quite out of sorts. "Here, put on this tunic. And these shoes. And wash your face – don't forget behind your ears!"

"You sound like my mother," Stephan grumbled, and was briefly struck by that same momentary panic that came whenever he thought of her. But the panic was weaker than before, having been felt so often in such a short time, and it left again quickly when Flester gave another instruction.

When he was properly groomed, Flester led him down to a large waiting room, where Carolyn was standing primly with her hands folded in front of her. She looked so proper that Stephan stuck his tongue out at her as soon as he caught her eye. She frowned in response, and wrinkled her nose in a way that made him quite pleased that he had managed to ruffle her feathers.

Hedgequill entered the room soon after Stephan and Carolyn had been seated on two large, straight-backed chairs. The hedgehog's quills had been neatly combed back and a long tie hung around his neck and to the floor, where Hedgequill was continually tripping over it.

Flester and Elia perched on the back of a long couch opposite the children, each pecking at the other to straighten their feathers. Various other animals entered the room – a pair of muskrats, a donkey, several different types of birds, and a haughty cat who sat primly on the floor at Stephan's feet. Other creatures filed in as well – men with goat legs, women with bark-skin and long, twig-like fingers, and short men no taller than Stephan. Carolyn's mouth formed an o as she realized just how little clothing some of these people wore, and Stephan snickered at her expression.

Stephan quickly tired of waiting. It was rather aggravating, he felt, to have crawled under a pew to avoid such a thing, only to have to do it here. To pass the time he pulled the tail of the cat, who glared at him in such a way that he folded his hands in front of him and did nothing more.

It seemed to Stephan like a good deal of time had passed before he finally heard the great blare of trumpets outside. The entire room fell still as though everyone was holding their breath, and so Stephan did as well, because he didn't want to exhale in the silence. The murmur of voices drifted from the hall, followed by another trumpet blare, which was cut off rather suddenly, and then everyone stood as the doors opened.

"Stephan," Carolyn hissed, and he jumped to his feet rather belatedly.

Even standing, the children's view was blocked by the creatures between them and the doors. Stephan reached out to poke one of the goat-men, but his sister hissed at him again and he dropped his hand.

Then a high voice called out, "The King of Narnia!" and all the creatures fell to their knees, Carolyn and Stephan following suit somewhat awkwardly. But of course they could not help but peek up at the king, just as he lifted his arms wide and exclaimed, "Welcome, my heirs!"

There was a pause, and Caroline twisted her hands nervously in her skirt. Stephan was watching her hesitantly. Of course he wouldn't know what to say – it was all up to her now.

"Sir," she began, and then wondered if she was addressing him correctly. But the king's face was still beaming down at her, so if she spoken wrong, it couldn't have been too bad. "Sir," she repeated, "I think there's been a mistake."

His face changed just a little from pleasant and welcoming to mildly curious. "And what mistake would that be?" he asked.

"We aren't airs," Carolyn said softly. She looked down at the rug beneath her feet. Now that the misunderstanding was out, she felt horribly ashamed, like an imposter.

"We don't even know what airs are," Stephan blurted.

Carolyn curled her toes up tight, her heart thudding painfully loud in her ears. Now they would get in tremendous trouble, and the king would be angry. She was beginning to remember now the stories her mother had told her, a long time ago, about princes and dragons and... dungeons.

And then the king laughed.

Carolyn started at the unexpected sound, while beside her, Stephan lifted his head in shock. It was a loud, hearty laugh, one that made her immediately think that maybe everything would be all right after all.

"Dear children," the king said finally, "A king's heir inherits the kingdom to rule when the king passes from this world to the next."

Stephan was frowning. "But we aren't heirs. We're just children."

"Has no one explained?" the king asked in astonishment.

Caroline exchanged a look with her brother. "I don't think so, sir."

The king raised his head. "Friends," he said, and Carolyn realised he was addressing the other people gathered in the room. "If you would leave us now for a time?"

The doors were opened and the assembled creatures filed out. Caroline watched them go, biting her lip as she tried to think what the king might tell them.

There was a click as the door swung shut, and Carolyn chanced a look at the king. He had been watching her, and she blushed as he caught her eye. "How about we sit down?" the king offered, gesturing to the long couch.

Stephan immediately did as the king suggested, but Carolyn moved slower. When she and her brother had been seated, the king lowered himself down onto a stiff backed chair.

"May I tell you a story?"

Stephan nodded eagerly. Carolyn added her agreement with a soft, "Yes, please."

He leaned back comfortably. "At the beginning of time, a man and woman were brought to this world from another. They became the first king and queen of Narnia. This king and queen were a father and mother to the young creatures, and after a time they had children. Their sons grew up and ruled the surrounding countries, and had children of their own. These children had children, who had children in turn, and gradually the world became populated.

"But after a time, there came a king who had no children of his own. For many days and months he prayed to Aslan to provide an heir for the throne. At first it seemed as though his prayers would go unanswered, until one day a child was found wandering the beach below Cair Paravel. There was nothing to indicate where this child had come from, and Aslan explained that this was to be the king's heir.

"The child was brought to Cair Paravel and taught all matters of things, and treated as though he were the king's own son. This child grew to become a great ruler, and the country prospered. Several generations passed, until again there came a king without an heir. Again, Aslan provided.

"And the generations again passed, and occasionally there would come a time when Aslan would provide the heir to the throne, until we come to a king known as Aldor. He was, so 'tis said, a well loved king, but again, this king had no children."

The king paused to regard them both, and Stephan piped, "Why didn't Aslan send him an heir?"

"Ah, but he did," the king replied. "He sent you to me."

Both children gaped at him. "You are Aldor, then, sir?" Carolyn asked.

"I am."

"But why us? We aren't special. We're just children from England."

"England?" King Aldor repeated slowly. "Yes, I seem to recall that name from the history texts."

Carolyn took a deep breath to steady herself, and told the king, "Sir, we can't be the children you are waiting for. We don't know anyone named Aslan. No one sent us."

"But of course," the king muttered, "You do not know Aslan yet. How are you to be expected to understand? Aslan, I pray you give me the wisdom needed to explain you to those who have not yet met you."

"Better yet," rumbled a voice from across the room, "Let me do it myself."