Chapter 19

Hello Readers. Again I am sorry for the delay about posting this chapter and therefore this is going to be another double posting. When I returned from my camping trip I found my lovely and faithful laptop of four years had died. After taking it to the computer shop I was told the best advice was to get a new one. I had everything backed up but buying a new laptop and organising my documents has taken the best part of a week.

Apologies again this story really does seem to have the worst luck.

Please review these two chapters and as always enjoy.

Love C.J,

It took the Queen Elspeth another eight days to reach Archenland. The crew ran into a terrible storm two days south of Severn Isles and there was a thought of them turning around and heading for Narnia but Jepson and Rilian put scupper to it. The ship came through rather better than anyone would have thought but the prevailing opinion was still to ask at Archenland for some horses to take them through Stormhead pass whilst a crew repaired the ship and sailed it back to Narnia.

King Ram IX of Archenland was waiting for them on the quayside. Rilian had sent him a letter informing him of his journey and quest and asking for permission to visit. Archenland and Narnia where of course great friends and Ram and Rilian had known each other since childhood but he still thought it was the proper thing to do.

"King Rilian," the king stood with a small party on the quayside as Rilian and a few of the crew left the gangplank. He bowed a little but Rilian pulled him up.

"Do not bow to me Ram you are my elder and thus the greater." Ram laughed with the deep laugh of a king.

"Elder yes," he laugher "and wiser doubtless." Rillian began to laugh too and the pair embraced in a bear hug. Ram was the ninth king of that name in Archenland, named for Ram the Great who ruled Archenland many years ago and was the son of King Cor and Queen Aravis, but that is another story. He was a little older than Rilian Victoria judged the age difference to be about six years he had dark curls a little like Henry's and vivid green eyes. He wore a tunic and tights with boots on and a straight sword by his side. A thin coronet was on his head marking him out from the rest of his group. Beside him stood a young boy of about two who was very smartly dressed. So smartly dressed for a boy of that age that Victoria thought it was likely the boy hadn't been allowed to play all morning for fear he would muddy his clothes. Something Victoria and Henry's own mother had done when they were young.

"Your majesty you remember Alfon my eldest."

"Of course," Rilian said bending down to the boy's own height. "Hello Alfon." The boy looked at his father who nodded.

"Hello." He said politely before trying to hide behind his father.

"And my wife Helena," he smiled at a woman stood beside him she smiled at the king, a real genuine smile that reached to her brown eyes. She stood dressed in scarlet with a silver cloak wrapped around her against the sea breeze and and a small baby in her arms.

"And our youngest Edward."

"Of course," Rilian smiled "I was so thrilled to receive your letter you must be very proud."

"Yes but we were delighted to receive your letter too, a visit by the king of Narnia why we haven't met in Archenland since before your coronation." He had been about to say "before your father's death." But thought it a little insensitive. Queen Helena began sneezing much to everyone's surprise.

"How rotten we are Ram," Rilian said at once "we talk here and nearly give your wife a cold. Let us come away from this breeze."

"Yes I have bought your company horses I assume they all known how to ride." Rilian looked at Henry and Victoria who shook their heads.

"Well you may ride with the Queen in her carriage." Ram said kindly.

"If I may your majesty then I would wish to try riding." Victoria said. "I have lived in the countryside long enough to know how to walk and trot a horse.

"If you wish Victoria."

"I have the loveliest fine mare," Ram said "the kindest temperament Helena rides her when the children are not with us."

"That sounds delightful I will with the Queen's permission."

"Be my guest," Queen Helena smiled. So Rilian, Ram, Victoria and the other rider around twenty people in all set off on horseback. Victoria was rather pleased with her efforts, at least she wasn't falling off. Although she was sure that she was not looking quite as natural on horseback as Rillian and Ram.

The two kings talked about everything and anything. It soon became clear that Ram loved Archenland quite as much as Rilian loved Narnia. He pointed things out the Narnian group such as oh there is a glade of Amendril" or "that stream is where the castle gets its water supply from eventually" and "that spot is where Prince Cor told King Lune of the invading Calormens and thus saved Archenland and fulfilled his destiny." These stories brought up quite as many questions as answers but as soon as Victoria had thought of one then they had moved on.

They reached the palace after an hour or so of hard riding. Most of the party seemed to have found the riding very enjoyable but Victoria who had never ridden more than ten minutes found her legs were like jelly and her thighs ached terribly. As she went to dismount she found Rilian taking her by the waist and helping her down.

"Thank you." She said looking up at him.

"No problem." He stared at her a little too long before Ram called his name and he dashed away.

"Hey Vic," Henry smiled exiting the coach "how was your journey?"

"Not bad, I don't think I have rode that much in ever though. You?"

"Not bad the queen told me all about Archenland and some of its stories it really was rather good."

"Yes the king told us too but I kept becoming distracted by the things we travelled past." The whole party was ushered in together to the castle of Archenland. The building looked more like a fortress from outside but inside the high beamed ceilings and wooden furniture reminded the siblings a little, mind a very little, of their cottage in England.

Ram gave them a quick tour but upon seeing Henry yawning apologised and said they should all freshen up and rest before the party tonight in honour of the visit of the King of Narnia. The company all nodded, more than one was thinking of a quick nap. They trudged up various stairs as lady's maids and footmen showed them.