Thanks to everyone who jumped on board and reviewed the first chapter! It's much appreciated. I do want to point out, since I had a few questions about it, that the voyage Aaralynn is about to embark on is different than Caspian's voyage to the edge of the world. In this timeline, Caspian is still about a year away from setting sail to find the missing lords.

With that being said, I hope you enjoy chapter 2.

One Fine Day

Chapter 2

Call Me Estelle

I sat quietly in the dark cabin, the hood of my cloak hanging low over my eyes. My hair, longer than it had ever been, hung over my shoulder as I slowly combed my fingers through it. I hardly slept at all after my conversation with Caspian; I was filled with too much excitement and anticipation. It wasn't easy sneaking onto the Duchess, but it was thrilling and I understood why Edmund enjoyed stealth so much. Thinking of Edmund drew my attention to my ring. For this plan to work, I knew I couldn't be seen wearing a wedding ring. Even though the ring now fit on my finger again, I still wore the chain everyday simply because it was a gift from Edmund. I reluctantly slid the ring off my finger and looped the chain through it once more. I gave it a soft kiss before tucking it beneath my dress.

Suddenly, I could hear feet approaching the cabin and I tuned my ears to the conversation just beyond the doors.

"I am sorry to hear that Her Majesty Queen Aaralynn fell ill at the end. I know she was looking forward to this voyage more than any." I knew that was the voice of the Duchess' First Mate, Kohl.

"Yes, well, on that matter…" Drinian's voice faded out as he opened his cabin door. The door was then shut promptly behind Kohl, and a candle was lit.

As I would expect from any First Mate, Kohl quickly drew his sword at the apparent threat in his Captain's cabin. I was not bothered by his actions.

"I assure you, good Kohl," I began, "that sword will not be necessary here." I stood and removed my hood.

Kohl's shock was genuine and apparent. "Your Majesty, forgive me. I did not know it was you." He lowered his sword and bowed low.

"As was her intent," Drinian said. "I am sorry for my part in this deception, but Her Highness insisted it was necessary."

"You knew she was in here? Does His Majesty, King Caspian, know as well?"

I laughed softly. "I am flattered you believe I could have snuck on board without His Majesty's or the Captain's knowledge. I know of only one man capable of such stealth." I moved from behind the Captain's desk to the front of it, and spoke directly with Kohl.

"As First Mate, Captain Drinian trusts you with his life. Now I must do the same. It is imperative that the knowledge of my presence aboard the Duchess not go beyond this cabin. Do you understand? And do I have your sworn protection?"

Kohl did not hesitate to bend his knee and bow his head to swear his silence and protection. The Galmans of this age were becoming fast allies. Perhaps they, like the Archens, still remembered the works of my husband and his siblings.

"Arise, Sir Kohl," I said, and he did. "Now, tell me, what do you know of the relations between Narnia and the Lone Islands?"

"I fear I do not know much, Your Majesty, only that the Islands once belonged to Narnia," Kohl replied.

Kohl's lack of knowledge only confirmed what I feared. "Therein lies the problem, gentlemen." I addressed both men now. "My husband taught me well his craft and knowledge. By all rights and prescription the Lone Islands are still Narnia's. They have been Ours since King Gail first defeated the Dragon.

"When Caspian the Conqueror laid claim to Narnia, Narnia went into isolation. The Telmarines feared the sea and what came from it. As a result prior relations with Our allies faded into history. Since Caspian the Tenth has come into his throne, he has worked hard to restore those former relations. Our alliances with Galma, Archenland, Terebinthia, and the Seven Isles are well on their way to restoration, and We are fast becoming friends, I would say. Would you agree?"

"I do not claim to speak for the Duke, but I believe our actions over the past two years have spoken of our willingness for this alliance to succeed," Drinian said.

"And indeed they have," I confirmed. As I continued, I walked regally around the room. "We have even sent word to Calormen informing them of Caspian the Tenth's ascension to the throne. And though, to say we have come into an alliance with them would be presumptuous, we have at least heard from them. The Lone Islands have thus far remained mute. We have sent word of Caspian's reign, but we have received no word in return. They have in fact, been silent for many generations.

"It is this which brings me to you in this manner of secret. Last night, while in conference with King Caspian and Captain Drinian, a solution to my worries presented itself. I am to sail to Narrowhaven aboard the Duchess as planned, but without the pomp and circumstance awarded to that of one of Narnia's Queens of Old. I will be arriving as no more than the poor orphaned child I once was, so that I may view the Islands as the truly are. I will see how the people live. I will see how they are governed. And I will judge for myself whether their lack of response was merely a poor oversight or a deed more sinister.

"Are there any questions, or is all this clear?"

"I do have one question, Your Majesty," Kohl said. I nodded for him to continue. "You wish to arrive in Narrowhaven unknown, and yet you have admitted to sending word of His Majesty's reign and I presume your reign as well." Here Kohl paused in question.

"You presumed correctly."

"Well then, Your Majesty, there's just this. If you have given your name as Queen, then if you were to be called by that name might someone make the connection and spoil your designs?"

"That is a fair point, Kohl, and that is why I am not to be addressed by any royal titles. Neither am I to be called Aaralynn. My name from here until further notice is to be Estelle."

Narnia, Six Weeks Later

"You did what?" I asked, my anger intermingled with my disbelief. The Duchess had just returned to port from Narrowhaven, and the news her Captain brought was less than pleasing to my ear.

"At her Majesty's insistence, I left her on Narrowhaven with my First Mate, Kohl. She felt there was too much work to be done for her to leave. She feared for the well-being of the people who lived there, and she…"

"Wait," I held up my hand cutting off the Captain mid-speech. "You left a seventeen year old girl alone on an island where she feared for the people's well-being? Is that correct?" Though I knew Aaralynn was not a typical seventeen year old, hearing the news a second time was no more pleasing than the first.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Captain Drinian replied solemnly.

"What in Aslan's name were you thinking? If it was too dangerous for the people to live there, then it was too dangerous to leave her behind!"

"Her Majesty was very insistent. I tried to convince her otherwise. It was all I could do to convince her to keep Kohl with her. Was I really to disobey Narnia's Queen and force her to return?"

"If that is what it took, then yes! You swore to me that you would bring her back safely."

"And that is an oath I intend to keep. If you would have me, I would like to submit my name as a candidate for Captain of your flagship, the Dawn Treader. I will sail with you until the World's End to bring Her Majesty, Queen Aaralynn back. I will not fail you."

I let my head drop into my hands from exhaustion. "You should pray, Drinian, for your own sake, that you able to hold fast to your promise, because I promise you, if anything were to happen to Aaralynn then King Edmund would never forgive either one of us."

"So will you consider my name for Captain?"

"I will…continue to consider it. Before she left, Aaralynn had already suggested it. You know, the worst part of this is that she is there in secret so to send a Talking Bird to see how she fares would blow her cover."

"Her Majesty knew you would have trouble with that, I believe, so that is why she asked me to deliver this."

Drinian handed me a rolled parchment. "A letter?" I asked, looking it over.

"I believe it is a codded letter, so that even if it were intercepted it would not be decipherable."

"Yes, and one must know the code to make any sense of it." Still, I thought I would give it an earnest try.

My Dearest Brother, Heulyn,

I know right now you are wishing that I had returned to you. I wish you to know though, that I am well. Our caretaker is close at hand and he has my fullest confidence. Please do not be angry with our Uncle; he did try to get me to leave, but our cousins need me here.

Do not fear my brother. I know you will do well on your own. Let Uncle guide you in your sea plans. He has been there before. I know trust does not come easily to you or our family, but you should know that Uncle has my trust.

This next year will be an exciting one for us both, I think. Keep in mind your promises and I shall keep in mind mine, and the year will pass us quickly. I hope to write you again soon. Until then, know you have a sister's love.

Estelle

I read the letter a second time, but I could collect no more from it. I caught quickly that I was meant to be the brother, Heulyn was the name she chose, while she was to be the sister, Estelle. That mirrored our conversation from the night before she left. But who were the others she spoke of?

"I suppose you may be the uncle to whom she refers to in this letter?" I looked to Drinian who seemed confused himself.

"She did refer to me in that manner once before we left Doorn."

"And I suppose this caretaker could be the man you left behind."

"Kohl, Your Majesty. He is a very capable fighter should the Queen need it."

"And the cousins? The cousins must simply be the people of the Lone Islands." I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. I knew one day Aaralynn might leave me to the throne alone. She had been backing off more as of late, letting me govern things, but I did not feel I was up for the task just yet. Apparently, Aaralynn thought otherwise.

Suddenly I swore as another thought crossed my mind.

"Your Majesty?" Drinian asked, concerned etched on his face.

"What will I tell the Narnians when they realize their beloved Queen is not here?"

Drinian was silent for a moment. "I suppose we will have to think of something to tell them. Something which will not tarnish her name but inspire your people."

I was suddenly very glad to have Drinian at my side. Perhaps this next year wouldn't be as bad as I first feared. Aaralynn was correct; the time would pass quickly.