On our wedding, she wore a simple white gown. It didn't shimmer or sparkle but it didn't need to. It was the loveliest gown in Narnia, just because she wore it. There was a grand feast prepared and all of Narnia was invited. And there was music and dancing and food and beautiful gifts. We didn't eat much. We danced for awhile and then when we got tired, we just sat there looking at each other without speaking. I remember thinking that nobody had ever looked at me like that. She was so beautiful…

"Your majesty?"

I turned to Lord Sorian, wearily. "Yes, my friend?"

"Your majesty, there was a motherless foal brought to our doors this morning. What are your orders?"

"Do what you like with it," I said, indifferently. Couldn't he see that I wanted to be alone?

"Your majesty, allow me to remind you that when…uh… when the gracious queen was alive, she took care of every motherless creature brought to her."

I stared at him. That too? Strange, I had never noticed how many things my wife did for Narnia until now. And what now? She was gone and Narnia expected me to keep on ruling just the same as always. And all I wanted was to be left alone.

I sighed. "Take the foal to the stable and take good care of him. See if one of the grooms can find him a mother."

Lord Sorian bowed and left. I watched him for a moment. Soon, he would be back with some other question. I couldn't stay up here much longer. Narnia needed me.

"Oh, Aslan, what do I do?" I whispered.

I knew the answer but I didn't like it.

"I can't. I can't keep on ruling Narnia as before. I have neither the will nor the strength."

I will give you the strength. But the will must come from you.

Yes, yes, he was right. He was always right. I clenched my fists and stood up. Narnia had lost its' queen to tragedy. But Narnia would not lose its' king to grief. I would fight this battle. And I would win it or die in the attempt.

I decided to start by making sure that the foal had found a mother. I walked into the stables. And stopped.

Ruby, my wife's horse, was nuzzling a little black foal. So he had found a mother. Rillian stood there watching them. The expression on his face told me that he would gladly switch places with the foal. I came up to him quietly and put my hand on his shoulder. When he spoke, it was in a voice I barely recognized.

"I must find the serpent and kill it."

"Then go and do so," I said. "Aslan knows, I would do the same if I could. Only…"

I looked into my son's eyes. "Don't let revenge take over your heart and mind. Search for the serpent. But do not forget that you are Prince Rillian and that your first duty is to Narnia and to Aslan."

"My first duty is to avenge my mother's death," he said, coldly.

"Your first duty is to Narnia and to Aslan!" I shouted.

Rillian stepped back, anger in his eyes. I lowered my voice. "The people need you. Narnia needs you. Especially now that-" I could not go on.

This time, Rillian put his hand on my shoulder. "It is a matter of honor," he said.

This time, I smiled. "When I was young, I knew a mouse who considered everything a matter of honor. Although he had more courage than common sense, I was jealous of him. He feared nothing. Nothing at all."

Rillian looked surprised. "You speak of Reepicheep?" he asked. Every Narnian schoolboy had grown up admiring Reepicheep.

I continued, "And then we reached the World's End on the Dawn Treader. And I got the chance to go where no man has ever gone before. To die in the most glorious way of all. Or perhaps not die at all. No one knew. To be the first man alive to sail to Aslan's country! It was a tremendous honor. And I had the courage. But Aslan told me to reign in my courage and remember who I was and who I served." I sighed again. "Reepicheep sailed to the World's End. I stayed behind. I was heartbroken. I think it was only the thought of your mother that helped me sail back home."

Rillian was going to say something, but I put up my hand. I wasn't finished. "Go on your quest. But know that ruling this land, is a worthier quest than any you'll ever go on. And come back. As I said before, the people need you. Narnia needs you."

I cleared my throat. "I need you."