3. Silver Lining

"The Lady Lola sent this with a note, Your Majesty." Francis was woken up to awareness with a leather canteen being presented by what he could remember was the guard on Lola's room. Francis schooled his features to hide the surprise and momentary confusion. He took the canteen and the note. "Lady Lola said that it was for the Queen and that she should start her day with it rather than wine."

"Did she say why?"

"Maybe the note would be of more help, Your Majesty." Francis nodded and thanked the guard, closing the door. He turned to Mary, who just emerged from getting herself dressed for the day. She looked breathtaking, like nymphs that stories could only tell. To Francis, Mary was almost unreal during these moments. Moments of which he felt so unworthy to have her and she would be better off with another who could give her everything she wanted. Not a fumbling boy masquerading as a king.

"You look beautiful. This isn't the dress you planned to wear today."

"Why thank you dear husband." Mary smiled, tucking his wayward locks away from his eyes. "I thought husbands do not notice such things."

"Believe me, we do." He savored her touch, and felt relief that she was smiling again. He was thankful that she was no longer swamped with the emotions she was trying to balance before. He also knew that it wasn't over just yet, but for now, Mary found much needed comfort and assurance. It was enough for him, to look forward to the day. "And it's not just the upcoming motherhood glow."

Mary rolled her eyes at him, not even hiding the smile. "What did Lola send for me?"

"A...canteen." He passed the said object to her hands and watched as Mary examined it. Her face was contemplative. "Lola said that you better start the day with it than wine."

Understanding dawned and her eyes shined with curiosity. "Oh! I didn't know she would have it so quickly."

"What is it if not wine?"

"I am not really sure. I already told her and I am sure she knows, that water isn't cleanest even to us."

"Open it then? Shall I get a cup?" Without even waiting for his wife to give an answer, Francis left her there to get two goblets from the tray that was always set to the side. Returning only to offer both for pouring. Mary only chuckled and uncorked the canteen to do as he requested. They both gave a pause when clear water poured out of the canteen, sweet smelling and undeniably surprising. "W-well, that's surprising."

"Water." Mary's wide eyed. Resealing the canteen and setting it aside, she continued. "Clear and clean water."

"Well that is something rare." He offered one of the goblets and watched her as she examined the drink. To even come close to drinkable clean water was rare and only the peasants would ever dare drink it. The only reason that they would was there was nothing else. "What does the note say?"

Francis did his best to open the folded paper with one hand. "Run water through... instructions for clean drinking water."

Mary could only let her smile grow wider in the care Lola had taken to ensure her safety.

"A toast?"

Mary raised her goblet. "For your son who is my godson," Francis' face brightened. The sun breaking through clouds. "And our child."

"To children and happiness."

BREAK

Wolf tracks. Stephane Narcisse stood from his crouch, feeling lead in his stomach and a disappointment curling under his skin. This shouldn't have happened. A guard and wife dead. Wolf tracks already faded and a piece of torn cloth to mock him of his loss.

"Do you think she was hunted?" The captain of his guard approached him with a searching look to the cliff. Cliff where his guards were roaming and preparing Estelle's body for a ride home. He honestly thought that being brought to a crowded place would help her. Even if it is for drowning out the voices of her dead family, calling her to the other side of the veil. He thought that maybe she would find friends and stop being the skittish maid so fearful. "She run too fast for the wolf to even take a bite."

"It isn't direct pursuit Emile. That is what's bothering me among other things." Narcisse looked back to the forest and tried to imagine how the chase happened. He tried not to dwell on the questions and the suspicions that ran around his head. Estelle was dead. That was that. He was numb to it all. A light snuffed too soon. "I'm going back to the castle and prepare for her arrival. I also have a christening to attend."

"Any new orders for the time being?" Emile asked as Narcisse mounted his horse. "About those newcomers that you mentioned. They are monarchs, if I remember."

"Of a land too far to fathom. I've no news of what became of them. No one had an idea or was willing to impart it. Those who do, are mere opinions."

"But they still have use."

"Of course." Narcisse pulled at the reins. "I just need to have the opportunity to use it. Take care of her."

"Yes, my lord."

Narcisse gave a final look down the cliff that took his wife's life. Misguidance. He shook his head and cleared his thoughts. There was a greater game afoot. He focused his whole mind to the thunder of hooves to reconstruct the mask that slipped. Court was always a headache.

The branches above him rustling so suddenly made him slow down and take a survey of his surrounding. He was close to the main road now, and the buzz of conversation and squeak of a carriage. He pulled his horse closer and saw a entourage of blazing red and gold.

"Hullo good sir!" Narcisse smiled when the young Queen Lucy paused on her way. Silence came and all attention bored on his presence. "You are one of King Francis' court."

"You remember all things Lu." Edmund called back from the front. Peter on his side.

"He's the one with the shy but lovely golden haired lady." Lucy turned to him again. "Is she your wife? Or your cousin? Daughter?"

"My late wife, Your Majesty." There was a collective hush at the statement. He still couldn't feel the impact of the loss, but he can recognize it. The kings moved closer and the large carriage completely stopped. "She..."

"She fell off a cliff." He saddened his tone. "Estelle... her family died of the plague. It's just being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I think she wanted to be alone and grieve."

"Our condolence...Lord?" Peter's face was polite, yet grim.

"Narcisse. Stephane Narcisse."

"Lion's blessings to thee." Reverence followed the statement and Narcisse was sure it was special. Lucy continued when the mood passed. "What a downer for a christening."

"Well, onward. Your wife is in a better place." Edmund gave him a nod. "Come, I know you are bound to the castle. If we are welcome company even in this dour times, feel free to come with us."

Narcisse nodded and a smile bloomed on their faces. Peter gave his shoulder a pat and conversation resumed. The difference was, it was more of an interrogation, most from Queen Lucy. "Do you know the King personally? Have you seen the child?"

"I am one of the previous King's friends. As for the child, I haven't seen him."

"What do you think of the King?" Narcisse took the chance to examine his surroundings. The carriage's windows were open and children looked out of it with quiet contemplation for their young bodies. With them are women from the look of things. Queen Lucy seemed to be the only one to prefer riding. Two guards rode on their horses on each side of the carriage, making easy conversation with the kids. Another horse was tied to the carriage without a rider. Driving the carriage were two men. The dark cloaked man was the unintroduced companion on the first meeting, and there was another hooded and masked man beside him.

"Young." A look was passed and Edmund even rolled his eyes. "Stubborn."

"I know of great kings who started their rule much younger than mere seventeen." Lucy's smile couldn't be flipped. "With proper guidance to their visions for a better kingdom, they lived to the names they were crowned for."

"That goes the same with queens." Peter intervened.

"Such as yourselves?"

"Yes." No pride. Just plain truth.

"You have much confidence for the monarchs." Narcisse was intrigued, for surely having someone rule younger would need a regent. Even now, Catherine was still hovering. "Hope too."

"For King Francis to even reach his age now is a sign of his strength." Edmund's eyes twinkled when he answered. "This land would be through much, but it will survive. Your king and queen have much to learn, but they have good hearts. They just need the right limbs to act on behalf of their kindness."

Narcisse gave a hum of approval. "So you are here for an alliance in addition to finding your Sister Queen."

"Yes. Successful in one, not so much in the other."

"How can you say King Peter?"

"Alliance is easy. It's a routine with few adjustments. Family, I hope you understand, is always a more complicated matter."

The statement was absorbed by the forest and the earth, while they accepted this ancient truth. "There is a silver lining. Well, a thick silver lining. We saw a familiar face. An old friend. I do not know if you know her. Lady Lola?"

"Ah! Yes. The Lady Lola." The image of tumbling curls and almost milk white skin came to mind. Blue eyes that are so expressive and shifting as the sea. "I have met her when the King was retrieving her and his son during the Plague. A curious and caring lass. How did you meet her?"

"She visited our court and stayed for a few months. Our tutors taught her with anything that she wanted. In Narnia, we encourage the expression of thoughts and opinions. If you have something useful to say, then better do so. If you have an argument, then say it. A plan? Perfect! I'm afraid her time with us made her outspoken. Her parents would often write to us about how she angered her suitors for her opinions."

"We don't regret any of it. She's a smart woman and she should show the world that she is one. If Mary didn't summon her to France, we would've kept her in Narnia as one of our scribes or even a judge. She would be a Narnian Lady, by her own right and abilities." Lucy intervened Peter's narrative. "King Francis did give his word that he would help search for Susan."

"Peter?" There was a pause and a head poked out the carriage window, dark hair braided in lace and amused brown eyes regarded them. Peter smiled back and gave her a raised brow. The woman shook her head in amusement. "Your son is getting quite bored of the repetitive scenery and they've already played all the quiet games in pity of Corin and Deanna. "

"And it's only my son that is bored, Isla?"

"Yes. Deanna is calm as a cloud, though Lucy, your beloved might need some help with stiff arms later." There was a 'No might with that' followed by a hush from within the carriage. Lucy giggled and Edmund nudged her with a smirk. "Would you like a full report love?"

"If it wouldn't be a bother." Another amused headshake.

Isla cleared her throat. Narcisse could only watch this family dynamic that was so comfortable even in such a strange land. "Althea, Ilianna and Rowan are playing that game with Petra and Aria. Damien and the twins are trying their best to catch up and well, their improving. Though the twins are pretty much their parents' children."

"Of course they would be." The dark cloaked man chuckled on his seat.

"Oh shut up Ioan." Isla snapped at him without fire. "Getting back, it's Alistair that is bored. He wants to ride Corin's steed and you know what happened the last time. Also, he calls the 'it' of the game quite boring. He's getting restless."

"How far into the game?" Edmund asked, his smirk a lot wider.

Isla replied with her own. "Three minutes."

A whistle. "He must be really bored then. Liah?"

"Already promised that they would spar the first free moment they are allowed to."

"How long does Althea and the others need to finish the game?" Peter asked after a sigh. Isla poked her head back in and a few moments later came back. "Five to seven minutes for this round."

"We'll try to hasten without waking Deanna. That I could promise." Isla smiled at this and then pulled her head back into the carriage to relay the message.

Conversation carried on, now of anecdotes and some brief introductions. The moment they came to the castle gates, Narcisse excused himself to prepare for Estelle's burial.

BREAK

The vapid talk around her that was nothing but power play and not so veiled insults, was something trying for Susan. She tried so hard not to shut them all up with a well-placed reply. The best she could do was send Kenna an irritated glance. She was forced to leave Sigvir, her Wolf guard, to some errands. She was sure Kenna would be entertained in watching their reactions if Sigvir was present.

It's the quiet ones that made Susan think, and she already noted one of the ladies scheming from the mere tilt of her hand holding the goblet. She also knew the possibilities of what the scheme could be.

Susan knew, finally, that she could discover everything with just the flick of her wrist or a few movements of her hands and no one would know how and why.

But, this wasn't her territory or her court so she would rather let experience run its course here.

She cooed at little Jean who was watching her with eyes like his father's.

"Is that... Is that a wolf?!" The redhead who was chattering away like a chipmunk, exclaimed. Susan tried her best not to point out the similarity. She turned to see Sigvir approaching (making some people along the way eep and step away in fear.) with a steady gait and his dark eyes surveying everything.

"Well if a wolf goes by any other name." Kenna gave Susan a smile that she couldn't help but reply to with her own. Susan crouched and turned Jean to a one hand hold. Sigvir stopped before her and she couldn't help but ran her fingers through his fur and hear him growl in content.

"Is that a gift from the King?" Another lady gushed, stepping closer but stopped when Sigvir glared at her. "H-how lovely. He definitely dotes on you."

Another growl, this one clearly threatening. Susan chuckled this time. "No, he isn't from King Francis. He is an old friend from a faraway land in a past that you have no idea of."

One of the smarter ones, caught on. "You know the monarchs of Narnia?"

"Yes." Susan smiled with twinkling eyes. "I lived in their court before."

Kenna gave a soft snicker at their shocked faces. Sigvir also scoffed in amusement and nudged her hand. Susan knew he hated being restrained from talking, however quiet his personality was. She wondered how Peter's Cheetahs were coping. Kenna interrupted her thoughts when Sigvir gave another nudge. "It would seem he is saving us from boredom Lola. Something up?"

"Oh yes." Susan perked up, standing and turning to the other ladies. "Apologies. We must excuse ourselves as the monarchs of Narnia require our presence."

She was good at her game. She knows how to build and destroy, an art that she made sure she was better than most.

BREAK

Ioan could list the things that he hated about this place and it would take days to do so. Ever since the first sight of the desolate castle, he wanted to burn it down to the ground and laugh at how pathetic it was. A feeling he never felt when he looked upon the Cair in the darker days. Looking to his side on the couch, he knew that his kids were thinking the same thing. Well, not exactly, but he was sure it was something along those lines with how Althea's eyes roved on every aspect of the room.

So much like her mother. He thought with a smile, lighter than the dreary fake ones he showed before. Althea was almost her mother's younger self, ice colored eyes that changed with the light and full lips that looked like rose petals, down to the milky skin. Now that he thought of it, few can deny that she was Susan's child, which could pose a problem. Oh the hair, the hair was Susan's too. Ioan was distracted by the memory of Susan's (Lola's. He gritted his teeth to stop a wide grin.) curls, a picture he hadn't seen since their 'courting' days. Althea's hair was still stuck between the transition of blonde to brunette. He was surprised when Althea's hair was blonde as a babe and only when he confirmed that Susan was the same when she was a child did he laughed and marveled at it. "Papa?"

"Yes Rhys?" Ioan met mismatched colored eyes. Rhys was a worse case than him, one of his eyes Susan's and the other Ioan's. It was almost unnerving to look at, many had said. Ioan would only laugh at such words, Susan would too if she was there personally to hear them. The younger twin.

"Would Mama be angry that I don't remember her?" Rhys whispered, being briefed that Susan was Lola here and if they need to use the word Mama, to whisper it really, really low. Also, to make sure that no one other than family can read their mouths. The Pevensie kids were always so smart. Their parents having the perfect regime to balance learning and play. Icarus, his older twin, heard the question and turned to Ioan.

Icarus, who was more Ioan's younger self than a twin to Rhys, couldn't contain his excitement a few moments before the question was asked. Now he was as troubled as his twin. Ioan felt his heart clench and wondered if there was a chance to catch up to the three years Susan missed. The twins were too young when their mother disappeared, and no one can stop him from searching for her, even Aslan.

Aslan and his assurance that Susan was safe, that she was alive, and that they would be reunited. Aslan, who he defied for all the right reasons, who looked at him with forgiveness and understanding. Aslan, who was there during his trial, because Susan begged him to. Because who would've thought that a love based on ifs would last such as this?

Inside this dreary room with too boring tapestries and with spies posing as guards and servants, Ioan pulled his sons to his lap and hugged them tight. "She would never be angry at you just for so little thing. She would worry too much on you two being angry at her for being gone."

"We aren't angry." Icarus said after meeting eyes with Rhys. "Honest."

Ioan chuckled. His children who could fool even the High King of Narnia, were unsure on whether their father couldn't read them. "I know pups. I'm your father, I should know."

"And also, because he and mama are better liars than any of us here." Althea whispered with a smirk of her own. "Mama would be motherly as usual, though there's also the baby to think of."

Ioan chuckled. "Yes, little Jean-Phillipe. He's lovely, smart too."

"It's on the female side of the family." Lucy intervened as she plopped on the same couch. Ioan merely rolled his eyes and stuck his tongue out at her. "Don't you think so Lirin?"

The female Wolf, chocolate brown and blue eyed, grinned in agreement. The Tiger who sat by Edmund's chair huffed and nudged the King's knee. The other females in the room laughed merrily and the men just chuckled in good sport. The Animals tensing and nose in the air was enough for the Narnians to be prepared.

"Your Majesties?" Ioan stifled a laugh when he heard Susan's voice on the other side of the door. "May I come in?"

Act One, prologue.

Edmund stood from his seat and marched to the door, pulling it open with so much flourish that Ilianna snickered. Susan's wide eyes when the door revealed her made Ioan lose all breath. He still couldn't believe she was here, so close, so real, so tangible and still Susan. "With how we know you Lola, you shouldn't even try knocking. Lion knows what you've seen."

Susan merely rolled her eyes. "This isn't Cair Paravel, King Edmund."

"You have a point. Come on in." The moment the door closed and silence was given a few minutes to reign, Edmund gave her a kiss on her cheek and escorted her deeper to the room. "Welcome home."

"Almost home." Althea said with a grin. Susan's smile grew wider and without prompt approached her husband and children. Ioan was glad to be reminded of Susan's countenance brightening up like the stars in the heavens. "Hello Aunt Lola."

Susan was clearly holding back tears and Ioan was familiar to this woman, who kept her inner workings from the world but showed just enough to be understood. She crouched to the floor, careful of the babe in her arms. "H...Hello my dear Ea."

"Hello Icarus...Rhys." Ioan pushed his sons off his lap and gave them a nudge to move closer to their mother. Althea, without any encouragement, took each of her brother's hands and pulled them with her. Susan's tears flowed freely and her smile still intact. They stopped in front of her with varied expressions, each so precious. "Oh, you grew so beautifully. I'm sorry my dearests for not being there."

"It's alright," Rhys whispered slowly, shy and hesitant but full of emotion. "Mama."

"Yes, it's alright Mama." Icarus echoed with a steady smile but teary eyes. "Aslan said you were needed elsewhere."

"We did miss you though, but we're good. No mischief." Althea let go of Icarus to wipe her own tears. Tears that only Ioan was the one to see when she sneaked into his room (for three years) at night to talk about Susan and the loss they felt. "Papa did his best, but... it's different"

"Of course it would, he doesn't wear skirts or corsets. I will make up for that. I will." Susan reached out to touch each of their cheeks, wiping tears and making sure they were real. "We'll have not much time here, but I will do my best to let you have the most fun."

"Even in this dreary place?" Rhys whispered, surprised that there was something fun here.

"Yes. To start, would you like to meet Jean?" At the call of his name, the baby gurgled taking in the information that surrounded him.

BREAK

He was already drowning in his grief being alone in this room that smelled of death and rotting flesh. How many days ago did he saw his son on the very same stage? Death taking them all too soon and too cruel. Estelle lived to her name, a star among mortals. A star that was swallowed by the darkness too soon to shine her best. Guilt gnawed on his insides by the truth that he knew himself as the darkness that swallowed her. It was like fate mocking him that he was never meant to have anything good or of light in his life.

His sins weighed him down and tainted him. After all the activities of the day, only now did he felt the gravity and truth of his loss. His every attempt at family was thwarted, ripped off, and dangled before him.

"If this is my retribution, then you would know that it would only grow worse." He whispered as he ran his hand through Estelle's hair. He felt tears threatening to fall. "Where would I look for salvation?"

Death answered in silence and in it Narcisse grieved. For the lost son, the lost wives, the lost family and chance for even a semblance of happiness.

"You've never been in love?"

No. He never thought himself capable of it. Care, yes, but love? For his son, yes. To anyone? No… not yet. Lola's presence a few moments ago still vibrated in the room, and the faint smell of lilies and roses teased his sense. Fragrance that battled death and glorified it at the same time.

"You've never been in love?"

Like a doe she looked at him with such askance and doubt that he knew, she was among those who fear him. But for her to even ask about such an emotion sparked a interest, because here was someone finally asking about him. Finally asking, wanting to know more, about who the man underneath all the smooth talk and confident bearing was.

"You've never been in love?"

Such caring and gentleness, Narcisse thought. He remembered her confusion, shock and care the first moment she saw Estelle caged. Her defiance flared for a few moments when he stopped her, and how cool logic made her follow his words.

"You've never been in love?"

Narcisse swiped the tears that slipped and ran his fingers through Estelle's hair. Then, he laid a kiss on her forehead, ignoring the grime, the wounds, and the death that clung even when all was already taken.

"Well, onward. Your wife is in a better place."

Onward indeed.

-TBC-