I'm not totally happy with this chapter, but I figure that it's taken me long enough to update. SO here it is

Chapter Six

~Rose~

The next month passed blissfully. At least for most. Everyone about the castle was joyous and at peace, and the servants whistled and sang old Narnian ballads while they worked. We had many guests come and give us their well-wishes and congratulate Caspian and me on our marriage. Everyone in Narnia and the surrounding lands seemed happy and content.

It wasn't as bad as I had anticipated. Caspian was loving and sweet in everything he did, and I enjoyed being in his company. I now slept in his chamber, or our chamber, usually wrapped in his arms, my head on his chest. His presence was comforting, steadfast.

I knew that he loved me. From the way he looked at me every time he spoke, glancing at me a moment before answering someone, and the way he rested one hand on my knee or arm when we sat together at dinner or on the thrones. The way he would kiss me tenderly goodnight, the way he made love to me.

But all of his kindness and love made me feel so guilty and unworthy. And I was. I was hiding something from him, a secret that could ruin everything.

I settled into my role as queen with ease, and it wasn't very much different than what I had been before, except that I sat in my throne every Sunday for when the citizens of Narnia came to Caspian and me with their problems and needs. They lined up in the Great Hall, sometimes bearing gifts, and one by one, we would listen to them. It was a way to meet Narnia's needs and know what the people wanted firsthand, hearing it straight from their mouths.

I attended balls in lavish gowns and Caspian showed me off as his wife. And the each night, we would dress for bed, and fall asleep in each other's arms.

I almost always dreamed of Edmund. In my dreams, we would usually just sit somewhere serene and quiet and talk, or just lie on the ground, my head on his chest. Sometimes we were on the Dawn Treader in the crow's nest, sometimes in the apple orchard that we had spent an afternoon in, before he went back to England. It didn't matter where, though. I just enjoyed being with him, even if only in my dreams and not in reality.

Two more months passed quickly. I continued in my role as queen, going on hunting parties and having feasts and balls and celebrations.

But by the third month after our homecoming, I had begun to notice changes with my body. My gowns had to be fitted a little more loosely as I had gained weight. I felt tired all the time, and had to make visits to the chamber pot quite often. And of course, my monthly bleeding had stopped.

But no one noticed anything unusual about any of it, if they noticed these things at all. I heard the maids saying things in the corridors of the castle like, "Queen Rosaline must not be behaving so quite like a man nowadays; she's settled down a bit and I heard from the dressmaker that she's plumping up a bit."

And the answer, "Well it's about time! I always did think she too thin and didn't behave at all like a lady!"

"Good morning, my sweet Rose," Caspian said one March morning as he leaned on one arm on his side, looking at me.

I rubbed sleep from my eyes, saying, "Good morning," back.

He kissed me, and then climbed out of bed to dress in front of the fire. I soon did the same, hurrying to the door of my closet to escape the cold.

I caught Caspian looking at me, and turned to him asking, "What?" I frowned, hoping something wasn't wrong.

He just shook his head. "Nothing. You just have seemed very tired, and you haven't been out riding lately."

I smiled softly at him and then shook my head.

"No, nothing's wrong. I'm fine."

He nodded, looking at me a moment longer before turning back to his spacious closet for a shirt. I went to mine and selected a simple dress. As I took off my nightgown, I caught my reflection in the ornate mirror. My belly, normally flat and my abdominal muscles defined, was looking a little rounder. I turned sideways to see my profile, and confirmed it. My middle was protruding more, and it wouldn't be long before it became obvious what condition I was in.

Caspian and I went down to breakfast together. I was ravenous, and couldn't wait for some eggs and toast. But as soon as we got to the kitchen and I smelled the cooking, I was suddenly nauseated. I stopped, taking breaths to try and settle my stomach, but it was no use.

I became certain I was going to be sick and rushed to find an empty pot. I was violently sick, emptying my stomach of what I'd had for dinner the night before.

"Rose! Rose, are you all right?" Caspian exclaimed, kneeling beside me, his hands on my shoulders.

I nodded, feeling horribly embarrassed, my mouth tasting bitterly.

"Yes, I-I'm fine, it's nothing. I just felt a bit queasy. I'll be all right in a moment," I answered hurriedly, wanting to dismiss it.

Several of the kitchen girls had come to see what was going on, and they all stood around, murmuring worriedly.

I stayed in my position over the pot until I was sure my stomach was settled, and then stood. I brushed my hair back from my face, and took a breath.

"Are you sure you're okay, Rose?" Caspian asked, his hands still resting on my shoulders.

"Yes, I feel better now. Will one of you fetch me some tea, please?" I asked the girls.

They quickly rushed off to get a china cup and pour some refreshing peppermint tea which I drank greedily, settling my stomach completely.

But even though my illness passed that morning, it came back the next, and then the next after that. Sometimes it was only nausea, other times it was prolonged vomiting and headaches, and the time of day varied from early morning to noon. Caspian became worried.

"Rose, I think that we should call for a physician. I'm worried about you, and this has gone on long enough," he told me one morning two weeks later as I was once again hunched over a chamber pot on the floor, his arms around me.

"No! I'm fine!" I protested, but to no use.

He shook his head, worry and concern in his dark eyes.

"I'll summon one from the nearest village. You stay in bed, and I'll be back soon."

He left me, and I sat in a heap on the floor, palms pressed to my eyes. As I waited for the nausea to pass, I thought about my situation.

I wasn't sure why I was hiding my pregnancy from Caspian anymore. We were married, going on three months now, meaning I was almost four months along. I guess I was still afraid he would find out it wasn't his child. But soon I wouldn't be able to hide it anymore.