Chapter 20

"So, has your quest thus far been successful?" Ram asked Rilian the next day. The two kings were stood below the branches of a large tree, a little distance away from the rest of the group consisting of Henry, Victoria, Queen Helena, Alfron, Edward and Pervis keeping guard.

"Not exactly." He said glancing back at the group. "Shall we walk?"

"If you wish." Ram said conveying their wish to his wife before the two walked a little away from the group sitting under another tree their backs against the strong trunk. Rilian picked up an apple that had fell from the tree and tossed it in the air before catching it.

"May I take your cryptic reply as a yes?" Ram smiled.

"No." Rilian shook his head looking serious.

"Rilian I understand the pressure and power of kingship. I know I was a little older than you when I took my throne but I still comprehend your struggles."

"Really?" Rilian said sarcastically.

"You want to talk to someone about your issues and problems. But then you remember you are the king and they are your responsibilities and problems alone. You want to talk through things rationally but no one else appears to have an interest in that. You want to talk to your mother or father about something. After all they would know, but then you remember that they are both not here."

"I concede; you do understand."

"I did," he said "but my burden has been made a little easier."

"What changed?"

"I met Helena. Sure I have new roles and responsibilities but I have someone to fight with me. Someone who is on my side."

"Get married? Is that the only advice you have for me?"

"No it's not I was lucky I met Helena when we were both still young. There is nothing wrong with that but you have to be sure Rilian." He saw the younger king glancing through the trees distracted.

"Have you considered that Aslan may want you to marry her?"

"Yes," he said dejected "numerous times. But she is from that other world. What if she is called back there? All of the people from that world are called back eventually."

"I think you are asking the wrong question. Instead think about this. How do you feel about her? What is it like when she is with you? I'm not asking for responses just think about it. She may disappear one day Rilian, but then if she was Archenlander, a Narnian or a Lone Islander she may die. If you come to a certain conclusion then just spend your time together as best you can."

"Ok," he nodded "I have a lot to think about."

"Yes I think you have. Shall we rejoin the others?" Rilian nodded, pensive.

The group was laughing when the two kings rejoined them. Queen Helena was watching her eldest son being chased by Victoria. She herself held Edward tight rocking him to sleep. Rilian too turned his head watching Victoria catch Alfon and swing him over her head. He smiled at the image. "You may have your answer." Ram said quietly.

"Come on you two," Victoria smiled. "What are you jawing about?"

"Nothing King stuff"

"King stuff," she raised her eyebrow in scepticism stepping closer to him. "Exciting," she smiled echoing his earlier sarcasm. He smiled at her.

Henry watched as Queen Helena furrowed her brow at her husband and he smiled back.

"What are they getting at?" He thought.

That evening the King and Queen held a small dinner for their guests at Anvard. Ram had planned for a large dance. But decided the group had enough dances from their stories.

It was a pleasant meal with the best kind of food. Meats of all types, fish more than any of them remembered many caught by the king himself who as it turned out was a fine fisherman. They had salad and wines and fruits and bread. And despite all the beautiful meals they'd eaten on their journey they all declared it the best so far. The group split heading to their sumptuous rooms in little groups or singles. Henry was one of the first to retire claiming a headache but Victoria had noticed he'd been thick in conversation with King Ram and Queen Helena just moments earlier. She herself had left to visit the king's garden, he had wanted to give her a tour but Rilian had appeared instead.

"Sorry Ram says he is rather taken up by fatherly duties presently I am filling in."

"Do you know the garden?"

"Well enough. Not like him though, Ram may be a king but he is a great outdoorsman. He loves nothing better than hunting, fishing and gardening."

"So my lady," he smiled offering his arm "may I escort you?"

"Of course," she smiled back. "And I am not a lady."

"Victoria," he said more seriously "what is it with you and not being a lady? Most girls would love it".

"I am not most girls Rillian."

"I know that." There was a long pause as she pondered what he meant.

"My mother was a lady, very well born from a good family spoilt as a child. But when she was a little older than me she met father. He was working..." she thought of a comparison to a post office. "At a shop that his father owned and they ran away and got married. Mother's family was terribly furious, they refused to see them cut mother off. She had to take washing in when we were young for money. When father's father died they inherited the shop. I don't really remember him, but he was very kind I am told. They run that shop together now."

"Oh so you think by calling you lady then I am equating you with your mother's family?"

"Yes I guess I am, although I have never thought of it. It is a title I don't want."

"Well my-" he paused cutting himself off "Victoria, my Victoria," he smiled "then you are nothing like them and by the sounds of it what your parents have sounds far more precious than money or jewels or titles."

"Thank you." She put her head on his shoulder for a few seconds. "Thank you for talking to me." It was then that the pair realised they had made an entire turn of the large garden without mentioning plants.

"Goodnight your majesty," she smiled and curtsied.

"Good night my Victoria, your new title," he smiled. He bowed at the great glass doors as she exited. Victoria sighed deeply as she entered the castle.

"Anything the matter Victoria?" Ram asked he was walking down the large stairs.

"No," she smiled broadly "nothing the matter," and she began to climb the stairs to her chamber. Ram turned and headed into the night garden to talk to his friend.