Chapter 26

Hi guys apologies for the lack of updates lately. No excuses except to say that since I started my job in October life has been insanely hectic. I have moved to a new city, started a new job and a new relationship. Chaos would be kind. Therefore please enjoy the last three chapters of The Golden Crown. They have been written for a considerable period I have just struggled to get the time to post them.

Please review and as always enjoy

Love C.J.

"How's the arm?" Rilian asked.

"What?" She asked her face contorted in confusion as she stared at the man beside her, concern etched on his features as he blew his pale blonde hair from his face.

"I heard something crack I thought it was your arm." He was sat beside her on the dark brick path neither felt like moving and as he was breathing heavily Rilian was unsure he even could.

"No I don't think so." She put her hand up to her head at the spot her hair felt wet. When she pulled her hand away it was covered in deep red blood. Victoria looked at Rilian her face horrified and his a mirror.

"You're bleeding." He said stating the obvious, his voice was panicked and his dark blue eyes open in shock.

"I feel a bit woozy," she confessed. It was in that perfectly still moment with both staring at each other unsure what to do that a group burst into the garden.

"Your majesty we heard shouts and a flash of light." Fallamore said at the head of the group.

"Fallamore," Rilian cried half ordering half relieved "go to the sanatorium get a bed ready. Victoria is bleeding from the head badly."

"Shall I carry her?"

"No, go I will carry her." He picked Victoria's now unconscious frame up, her face in his chest and each time she was moved he could deceive himself that she was awake. She placed her on the crisp white bed in the sanatorium in moments mud and blood stained the sheets. Alfra was awake carrying bottles and poultices towards Fallamore.

"Can I help?" Rilian asked feeling increasingly irrelevant.

"Yes get out," Fallamore said harshly "sorry Rilian but we need space." Alfra kindly guided him to the door and he stood pacing for a few moments when Pervis jogged up.

"I heard the news sure would you like me to wake Henry?"

"No," Rilian said "not yet there is no point panicking him." He continued to pace.

"You love her don't you?" He asked.

"Yes," he growled "did everyone else know?"

"On the Queen Elspeth yes I think they did. But when you became attached to Annabella we assumed we were mistaken."

"No," he said staring at the floor "I was mistaken. Annabella was a witch, the worst type that have tried to take Narnia a dozen times before. Victoria saw right through her I couldn't. By the lion I was so stupid." He hit his palm against his face.

"Please your majesty do not blame yourself." Pervis said kindly.

"How can I not? Victoria saw through her in a minute and now she lies in a hospital bed and I walk around jolly as anything."

"Talk about the future," Pervis said.

"What?" Rilian asked confused.

"Tell me what you will do in the future ignore the past."

"We might not have a future."

"Say you have say Fallamore is every bit the perfect healer we have always known he is and she is well in a little while what will you do?"

"Talk, apologise for being a dunderhead then show her the land. From here north to Ettinsmoor and the marsh wiggles then west to lantern waste to south back to Anvard and then out to the sea seeing everything in between: Aslan's How, Beaversdam, the dancing lawns, Lantern Waste and the bridge of Beruna." He paused "I will propose marriage, she will accept. She will be crowned queen and we will rule with the wisdom and authority of my parents and grandparents."

"Then hold onto that wish." Pervis said "there is nothing as powerful as a wish with action behind it." Rilian breathed out a breath he hadn't realised he was holding.

"I can't loose her Pervis." He said after a long pause "I just can't."

"You won't," Fallamore stood behind them with the door open he was wiping his hands on a cloth. "Come in."

Rilian followed Fallamore into the sanatorium. He saw Victoria sat up with a glass of water in her hands.

"How do you feel?" he asked sitting in the end of the bed.

"I've been better," she smiled "but apparently I will live." She looked at Fallamore who nodded. Rilian kissed the top of her head and stood up.

"You don't seem surprised." Rilian asked Fallamore.

"Two things. Firstly I have known you since you were a child did you really think I couldn't tell when you were in love? Secondly you should hear what she has been shouting." He smiled at Victoria who looked horrified not apparently aware she had spoken a word. "I want her in bed for another week or so no adventures."

"Ok," Rilian said meekly "thank you Fallamore."

A week later Victoria was worried that Rilian had taken Fallamore's advice a little too seriously Henry visited daily hourly even talking of his visits around the castle and Narnia at a speed she was unsure such a small person was capable of. Fallamore treated her like a patient forcing horrible liquids and fowl smelling herbs down her. Rilian on the other hand just fussed. They had their first argument when he asked her for the third time in ten minutes if she wanted her pillow fluffing.

Storming into the balcony of the room she was staying in he stared over the bay Cair Paravel overlooked.

"Look," she said "I just don't like to be fussed over," standing beside him. "I know you are concerned but please I need space."

"I know," he said taking her hand "I nearly lost you."

"And I nearly lost you."

"Not again," he smirked kissing her hand as it was entwined in hers.

"Not ever," he said. Opening a little jewellery box very similar to the one she had the necklace that had started this adventure in. Nestled inside was a ring, not diamond like most if the engagement rings are in our world but emerald green.

"Marry me?" He asked.

"Always," she replied swinging her arms around his neck. They broke into a kiss happier than either could remember.