Chapter 27

Life didn't quite happen in the way Rilian had imagined that night Victoria was ill (it very rarely does).

After their engagement Rilian kept his promise and showed her every part of the land. He also made Henry Duke of Harthmoore to in the south of Narnia but as he hasn't reached his majority Henry was squired to Cair Paravel. After their tour of the land Victoria and Rilian got married. Victoria had to pinch herself many times to remember why she was getting married what felt like so young but she also knew it felt so right.

As her father wasn't there Victoria asked Jax to walk her down the aisle something the man having no children of his own was only too thrilled to do.

Victoria missed most of the ceremony too busy thinking of her future here in Narnia. The only bits she really saw were Henry's role as the best man and when the priest (who by the way was a fawn) said that the king could kiss his bride.

A happy year passed in Narnia before thoughts turned to a coronation. For some reason Victoria felt more nervous about this than she had her marriage and no words of comfort from Rilian helped the night before she walked into the gardens that she had visited to many times and walked to the very end and then on into the Forrest.

"Child," said a voice and here Victoria saw a great lion said on the foot of a large tree.

"Aslan," she cried she was going to hug him but she felt it would be wrong so she stood before him and bowed.

"You may embrace me child," and Victoria flung her arms around him.

"I'm sorry Aslan," she said "I'm not sure if Henry and I competed our quest or if it just worked out ok."

"Child I knew you and Henry and Rilian before you were born I knew what would pass and I knew you were made for each other. I was pleased with you children but I am not here for that I am here to give you a choice."

"A choice?" Victoria asked her heart in her mouth as she had a horrible suspicion she knew what it was.

"Yes child you may return to your world if you continue trough these woods. Or you may say here but if you do you will not have a second chance to return. To help you make your decision I will tell you one piece of information. Your brother has already returned". Victoria felt ill, she had to choose between never seeing her brother or never seeing her husband.

"You have a difficult choice child." Victoria stated at the lion tears blinking away. "Cry," he said and Victoria wept for a moment before composing herself.

"I choose Narnia Aslan," she said.

"Are you sure?" He asked.

"Yes I am."

"Aslan?" She asked "what will happen to Henry?"

"Child I tell you no ones story but your own." Victoria looked tearful. "He will live as long as any his age. He will marry a good woman and have a family. He will never forget you."

"Thank you." She said looking to see that the lion had disappeared.

Victoria sat in the forest for another minute or so. She was breathing heavily and her heart felt like it was torn in two.

"I didn't even say goodbye," she thought. Finally she stood up and lazily walked back to Cair Paravel the sun was just coming up from behind the castle. She saw a tall figure striding towards her through the castle gardens.

"Where have you been?" Rilian said almost shaking in anger. "I woke up there was no note and you had vanished." He looked for the first time at his wife's face and saw the little trails of dried tears on her face.

"Vic what's wrong?" He asked his voice switching to concern.

"Henry has returned to England."

"What? How?"

"I saw Aslan, he told me gave me the same choice."

"And you."

"And I chose to stay here," she said angrily. "Why would you doubt me?"

"I'm sorry I know how much you love your family." She didn't reply and they walked back to their room in silence.

"I can cancel the coronation." He said as she lay back in bed.

"No we cannot disappoint."

"Victoria I don't care about dignitaries and lords."

"But we cannot have Narnia appear weak Rilian. I'm going through with it." Their conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Morning your majesty's," Hannah said "I am here to do the Queen's hair."

"Come in Hannah," Rilian said as Victoria nodded at him.

"I will leave you." Victoria felt the day passed her in a daze. It was like she saw through a glass screen. She smiled and nodded bowed and repeated words but nothing touched her heart.

"Come," Rilian said at her celebration banquet hours later. He led her by he hand upstairs to the suite of rooms they occupied.

"The dignitaries?"

"They won't miss, us we have done out duty as monarchs now I am doing my duty as a husband." He sat her on the large bed. "You need to grieve Victoria. I know you know he is alive somewhere but you will not see him. The desperation will feel like it is killing you but you are feeling for him."

"What do you know?" She asked.

"I have been there can you not remember? I lost my own family."

"I know," she said "I really do but it hurts so much. I love you but I don't know if I chose right either way I think it will kill me."

"No it won't," he said gripping her by the shoulders firmly but not harshly. "It will hurt and feel like your heart is being torn but daily you will become stronger and somedays you will not think of it. Then with a jolt your heart will remember it again and the pain will begin but you will become stronger and braver by it. Eventually you will remember him deep in your heart."

He turned away when she caught his hand.

"Thank you," she said kissing it.

"I am your husband. I support you." He kissed her on the forehead and sat beside et as she thought in silence.