Chapter 23

Victoria found herself being led up to a room by the same girl who had looked after her on their first stay at Cair Paravel.

"Hannah?' She asked "where is Rilian?" Hannah threw her an odd look.

"Rilian?"

"King Rilian I mean he seems to have disappeared."

"You saw him yourself on the balcony."

"I know but then he vanished."

"Probably gone to see how the household is running my lady or that girl you brought back."

"Of course how is she?"

"I don't know Fallamore rushed in the direction of the sanatorium and he is the best physician I have ever seen."

"I think I will go to check on her."

"No," Hannah said sharply.

"What's up Hannah?" Victoria smiled.

"The king gave me expressed orders to have you in bed, apparently you were sleeping in the saddle." Victoria cursed Rilain in her head.

"He is tired too."

"I do not doubt it but the King is in charge of this castle and as so can do as he pleases." Victoria tried to think of a response but she was so tired she was unsure her brain was working anymore. "Come," Hannah said more kindly "sleep Victoria in the morning talk to the King about your adventures and anything else." Victoria really wanted to protest but she felt Hannah lead her to the bed, and before she knew she was inside the covers and asleep.

Victoria opened her eyes, yawning, she turned over to see rays of sunlight dance across the floor of the room. She ran to the window and threw the curtains open, it was well past midday she surmised by the height of the sun. Changing as quickly as she could and banging her knee at least twice on a thigh high table she rushed out of the door.

Rilian opened his eyes to see a face before him. He jumped back. The face came into focus. It was a young woman with blonde hair and blue eyes, her face was tilted slightly to the left and she looked at him as though he was a curiosity. Then the memory clicked into place and he stood up.

"You? How are you we found you barely alive and..." He let his sentence drift off as he stared into her deep blue eyes. Then he shook his head "Sorry, I must still be tired. I am King Rilian of Narnia."

"Your majesty," she swept into a curtsey holding out her nightdress like a ball gown.

"You are?"

"I am Annabella of Arrowside."

"The Duke of Arrowside's daughter?"

"Yes your majesty."

"What were you doing travelling from so far south in Archenland to Narnia?"

"I was visiting some friends who live in Narnia."

"You travelled through Stormness alone?"

"I was with some men for my protection, but we were ambushed by robbers. I think. I cannot remember much."

"Of course my lady. I am sorry, please lay down. I should not have kept you on your feet. I will call my physician."

"No please," she grabbed his hand "stay here, I feel as though I can trust you."

"You can trust anyone here."

"I need you." She said a little sharper and Rilian felt himself being pulled into her eyes once again. It was Fallamore who found the pair a few hours later Rilian staring at the girl lying in the bed.

"Your majesty you should go grab some sleep you have been up too long."

"Nonsense Fallamore I feel fine, besides I have a ball to prepare for."

"I think you will find that the staff are managing fine without you the palace looks wonderful and all the guests have been invited."

"I would expect no less." He said in a bored voice. Fallamore frowned Rilian never spoke like that normally he was so appreciative of anyone who did anything to help him. He put it down to lack of sleep.

"Look go grab a few hours wake up get dressed and go dancing."

"I said no." He growled. Fallamore said nothing but filed the information in his brain. He lent over Annabella.

"This is remarkable sire." he said astonished.

"Mmmm," Rilian replied unsure.

"She is fit and well nothing more than a few cuts on her arms for her ordeal."

"That is good isn't it?" He asked.

"Absolutely, if she was awake then I would even suggest she go dancing." He laughed.

"Did someone mention dancing?" Annabella said yawning.

"Annabella!" Rilian cried.

"You know her name?" Fallamore asked.

"Yes she woke up a few hours ago."

"And you decided not to mention that because?"

"That is not the way you speak to a king Fallamore, whoever you are." Rilian said sharply.

"My apologies," Fallamore said sarcastically but Rilian either didn't hear it or he chose to ignore it. He had turned to Annabella.

"Dancing sounds like a good suggestion. Would you like to attend a Narnian ball my lady?" He asked Annabella.

"Oh yes your majesty I would." Her face lit up and Rilian once again felt himself being pulled into her brown eyes.

"But King Rilian," Fallamore cut in "I don't think Annabella is really ready for a ball after what she has been through."

"Why? It was your suggestion."

"It was hypothetical."

"Still you said yourself that she had recovered remarkably well and I wish our guest to see more than the inside of the sanatorium during her stay."

"Rilian!" Victoria cried running into the room and throwing her arms around his neck. "How are you I haven't seen you since yesterday and..." her voice trailed off. Rillian had not hugged her back. Instead he had dispassionately removed her arms from around his neck.

"Victoria Smith may I introduce Annabella of Arrowside."

"Hello," Victoria said uninterested. "Are you feeling alright Rilian?" She asked her face furrowed in confusion.

"I am perfectly well Miss. Smith, if you would refer to me by my proper title."

"Ok your majesty." She said confused.

"Better. Annabella I will see that you are properly dressed for the dance, come." He stuck out his hand which she took. When the pair had disappeared Victoria sat on the bed her head in her hands.

"What was that Fallamore?'

"I truly have no idea. I have known the King since he was a small child he has always been kind and considerate and never given two figs for formality."

"The woman, Annabella?"

"No she seemed perfectly polite and kind. There is something wrong but her arrival is a co-incidence."

"How do we get our Rillian back?"

"I am not sure."