Chapter Seven

"Patience, aren't you going to join us?" Alex asked when he saw his sister standing in the corner. She had not moved since he and Caspian entered the dining hall.

When she was with the Faulkners, she had been taught not to approach the table until she was asked. She had lost many meals that way, for they always seemed to forget she was there. When the staff learned of that though, they brought her food to her room every night.

"Oh, yes, please." She said as she bowed. She approached the table cautiously and tried to figure out, in her head, where she should have sat. She didn't think it would be polite to ask, so when she approached the table, she simply stared at it.

"Why do you hesitate daughter of Eve?" Caspian asked without meeting her eyes, again.

"I do not know where I should sit, your majesty."Patience said, regretting it as soon as she said it.

Caspian lifted his beautiful, deep brown eyes and looked at her with an adorably confused expression, "There are plenty of available seats to choose from, my lady. Unless these seats are not to your liking, I can call for a more suitable seat." Caspian stood calling to a faun that appeared to be on guard.

"No, no! I am sorry if I may have come off the wrong way. The chairs are quite pleasant, I am just not sure of the place I should sit." Patience said as she felt a bit embarrassed.

"I would imagine you would sit at the table, unless you would prefer to dine in the corner, or perhaps on the floor. Whatever you wish." He put on a smirk at the idea of her sitting on the floor.

"Uh, your majesty," Alex cleared his throat.

"Please, it's Caspian. You are guests with the highest honor in the Castle. Please do not feel that you need my permission to speak or to sit." He said as he looked into Patience's nervous eyes.

Alex nodded at his sister as she stared at him questionably and she took her seat across from her brother; to the right of Caspian.

"Great, now that everyone is seated and accounted for, let us eat." Caspian sounded quite excited. It surprised Patience, for he looked well enough like a king, but he seemed immature. Except for when he was with Aslan. He still seemed kind, just immature.

When the food arrived on platters a silly, but cute smile came across Caspian's face. He laughed a "Dig in!" and took the lids off the platters and helped himself to the food. Alex, who had been famished saw and copied the young king.

Patience, of course, was hungry but never forgot her manners. She waited for Caspian, her brother and Targus to fill their plates then politely grabbed a few pieces of fruit and ate piece by piece.



Targus smiled a secret smile as he watched Patience change into a lady. In the forest, she ate as if she were a man who hadn't eaten in a week. She had no manners and even let out her gasses on either end and laughed about it. He was quite nervous at how she would act around the king. Even though he knew the king would welcome her activities with open arms; the king needed to learn manners were of the utmost importance.

Caspian eyed Patience's actions as she cut her fruit with a knife and ate with a fork. She stopped when she noticed Caspian watching her.

"Uh, I apologize, your majesty. I did not mean to offend your grace with my actions. Please excuse me." She stood and bowed then walked to the double doors that led to a magnificent hallway; all actions held a deep blush upon her face.

Targus and Alex's worried eyes followed her actions, and then turned their glances to a baffled king.

"I do not understand. Did I offend her?" Caspian asked, more to himself.

"Sire, I will speak with her." Targus offered, but was stopped by Alex.

"No Targus let her be. I will talk with her in a bit. She is a lone wolf and needs her space. Give her time to think." Alex said. He faced Caspian's confused eyes and smiled, "Don't worry. It's not your fault. She will never admit it but I know she already loves this place and is afraid of losing it. If you, sire, were to talk to her she might be able to ease off the feelings of doubt and gently glide into safer thought."

Caspian looked at him with kind and gentle, understanding eyes and nodded. He prepared to stand, but was stopped when Alex placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Not yet," He started, "Let me talk with her first. Finish your meal." Alex stood and winked at Caspian as he followed his sister's footsteps.

He found her sitting in the dirt under a tree planted in the middle of the hallway. It was quite brilliant actually. There was no ceiling in the hallway to stop its magnificent height and there were windows at the top of the two walls to let the branches grow in any direction it chose. It was a spectacularly tall tree for it stood about twenty feet; the walls stood about sixteen feet on both sides. The tree seemed to be very happy and alive as the birds played in the branches and the leaves danced in the wind. It seemed to be trying to lift the damped spirits of the young girl that sat with her head in her knees under the joyful tree.

Alex approached the tree and sat beside his sister. She felt him there, but refused to lift her head.

"Patience, its okay, you know. You're safe here. There is no one to judge you, no one to give you orders, no one to yell at you, you're safe." He placed a hand on her shoulder, but she jerked away. She knew her brother was only trying to comfort her, but she was too proud.

He winced at her cold shoulder but didn't leave her side. After a minute of awkward silence, Alex placed his hand, again, on her shoulder; she didn't move.



It was old, the feeling of comfort. She felt that she had forgotten it. The last time she felt comforted was when her father would hold her.

She turned to her brother, eyes saddened and ashamed, and put her arms around him.

"I am sorry Alex," she whispered, "I don't know what is wrong with me. I am supposed to be stronger than this." She confessed and Alex simply soothed her.

"Patience," He started as he pulled her away and held her shoulders, "You are a strong person, but that doesn't mean you're invincible. You will always be my big sister, my protector, no matter what happens." Just by knowing her brother's love, a smile appeared on her saddened features. What her brother said made sense. It was silly to think about the doubt in her mind for Narnia was peaceful, Narnia was kind. Caspian was peaceful, and he was kind. She was safe to be who she was in a peaceful and kind land as well as company.

"Thanks Alex, you are right." She stood and walked back to the dining hall, her brother a few feet behind her.

Targus's worried stare ended up a smile as Patience smiled graciously at him. Caspian stood as Patience approached the table.

"Do you feel better?" He asked.

"She bowed and apologized, "I am sorry, your majesty,"

"Caspian, please." He interrupted.

"Caspian," she corrected and continued, "I did not mean to offend your grace. I was a fool with thoughts of doubt and I did not mean to disgrace you. I sincerely apologize and pray you may grant me the wish of joining your table again." She bowed and waited.

"Caspian was again dumbfounded at Patience's actions. He did not understand why she was so afraid of him.

"It is my honor to grant such a wish to such a beautiful lady. I wish nothing more than to please." He bowed and offered her the seat. She smiled a beautifully bright smile that seemed to be contagious for the entire table smiled as they ate and got to know one another.

Okay, I am sorry. I know this chapter was silly and it's not TOTALLY relevant to the story, but I wanted to show how much influence the Faulkners really had on Patience. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed none-the-less!

Constructive criticism is nice, flaming is laughed at, and comments are love!