Here we go. First Friday of the year! Enjoy!

For any of you who read chapter 32 of The Naiad Queen and are curious as to what Rilian's fabled heroic moment in the alley was...this is it. Enjoy!

She swore to wait for his return.

She vowed her heart would always be his.

I Will Wait

Chapter 2: Soon gone is the day...

Two Years before Disappearance

2343 September 10

"I am Rilian, Crown Prince of Narnia, and I command you to leave the lady alone."

"My apologies, Your Majesty," Mikael said. "I did not realize the Wench was a friend of yours. By all means, take the pretty thing." Mikael slowly returned his sword to his sheath, as did his followers. "If you wouldn't mind though, would you let us know how she fares? I know her to be feisty; perhaps you can tame her a bit."

Mikael and his followers slowly began to back away from me and I relaxed my stance. I did not, however, put away my daggers. I followed Mikael down the alley as he walked away. One of his followers stooped over my basket and began to grab what food he could. I threw one of my daggers at him and it landed in the dirt a mere inch from his hand. He looked up at me with fear written in his eyes.

"Leave it," I said coldly. The boy quickly dropped the food and ran after Mikael. I pulled the dagger from the ground and wiped both of them off on the skirt of my dress. I heard footsteps approaching from behind and I knew that the stranger, who had revealed himself to be none other than Prince Rilian, was walking towards me. I wiped my daggers silently as I listened to his approach.

"Are you all…?"

I swung around quickly and placed one dagger at his throat and the other at his mid-section. "Do not think that because you rescued me that you are entitled to some reward."

He looked at me incredulously. "Did you not hear who I was? I am your Crown Prince."

"It matters not who you are. My virtue is not for the taking, nor will I give it freely."

He stared at me a moment more before gently sliding his sword back in its sheath and holding up his arms in surrender. "I will not ask it of you, my lady."

I studied him carefully a bit more. I of course knew who he was, and I remembered the friendship that we once had. If I hadn't of known by the name it would have been clear by his features. He had the same characteristic blonde hair, slightly disheveled, and unbelievable blue eyes. His jaw was squared and very masculine. And above his left eye I saw the slightest indention; I had once hit him rather hard with a practice stick. (It wasn't my fault! I was eight and I was learning how to fight. I needed a sparring partner, and his sister Rhea would have nothing to do with fighting. My brother Ranell was too young; Rilian was the only other option, and besides he needed all the practice he could get. How else do you think I managed to hit him?) But for whatever I saw in his face, I saw no recognition in his eyes; it appeared as though he did not remember me.

I removed my daggers from their threatening positions and backed away. "Mikael may be an ass, but he was right about one thing. I'm no lady, Your Majesty."

XOXOX

What was I feeling at that moment? I'm still not sure. When I was studying him carefully, taking in his distinguishable features, I suddenly remembered all the times we had together, and I flashed forward into time. I saw me walking on the beach, laughing, and holding his hand. The thought almost made me happy. And then, when he showed no hint of remembering me, did I feel disappointment then? Was my sudden sullenness, in fact, disappointment at not being remembered? If so, what did it all mean?

XOXOX

I returned my daggers to their proper place and bent down to retrieve my fallen basket. I recovered what fruits and vegetables I could before heading about my way. Rilian said nothing more until he came running after me. I couldn't stop the small smile that crept onto my face.

"You do realize that I could have you arrested? Put in the stocks, at the very least, for threatening my life."

"Do what you must, my Liege, in order to protect your pride. I'm sure it is a valuable thing. All I ask, is that you allow me to return home and fix a nice stew for my aunt who is gravely ill before you have me locked away."

"That certainly seems fair, so long as you promise to show."

"Oh, it is a girl's greatest dream to be put in stocks while the townspeople throw tomatoes at her; so long as we don't have to pay for the tomatoes later."

Rilian laughed, full and heartily, and I felt my heart leap. "You are a strange girl indeed, if that is your dream."

"My Lord, you are too kind with your flattering words."

"Have we met before?"

I halted suddenly as we stepped into the main streets. Was this the moment? Had he remembered me after all? "I have lived here on Doorn for many years now."

"Then alas, we could not have met before."

I smiled and tried to not let my disappointment show. "And why is that, my Lord?"

"Because this is my first time visiting these islands." He said it as if it were obvious.

"Ah. And because you have never visited here before, certainly means that I could have never visited your land before."

Rilian smiled at my witty quip, but did not comment on it further. "My apologies, but I didn't quite catch your name before."

"That is because I did not give it, my Lord."

"Will you tell me now?"

"If I told you my name, then there would be absolutely no chance of me avoiding that dream of mine."

"No chance in deed…" he said softly, his voice fading out in the end.

We had both been looking at the other, but now our eyes seemed to lock. I couldn't look away. I had an unexplained fluttering in my stomach. It wasn't quite nausea; it was similar though, but much more appealing. Rilian too, couldn't seem to look away. We both just stood there, staring at each other; smiling at each other. I felt my heart rate quicken, and my palms grew sweaty loosening my grip on the basket. But still, I couldn't pull my eyes away from him.

At last a call shattered the still air around us. Rilian broke the stare first as he closed his eyes in…annoyance perhaps. I, on the other hand, quickly looked away and shuffled my feet nervously.

"There you are Rilian!" the voice had said. The voice sounded vaguely familiar to me so I looked over to the source. It was easy to identify the speaker. After six years he looked exactly the same, if only a little older. I quickly, and properly, set down my basket and curtsied to the King of Narnia.

"Hello, Father," Rilian said. I couldn't help but detect the slightest bit of disdain.

"Where have you been? We've been looking for you."

"I decided to do a bit of exploring myself. Is that so wrong, Father?"

"Alone? Yes, it could have been. Fortunately we are at peace with the islands. And who is your friend?" I was still in my curtsy with my head bowed.

"Well I…"

"Penelope?" Now there was a voice I would never forget, no matter how long it had been since I last heard it. I quickly looked up, forgetting all about my curtsy. I could hardly believe what I saw.

"Mum?" I don't know why I was questioning it. She was clearly there, standing right in front of me. My grandparents were there too! Six years. It had been six years since I'd last seen her, but I would never forget her face, or her soft hair, or the way she hugged.

"Mum!" I exclaimed as I ran forward and threw my arms around her. I buried my face in her neck and my eyes moistened with happiness. My mother wrapped her arms around me in return and held me close to her for several minutes. When we pulled apart I quickly gave my grandparents a hug too.

"Penelope?" Rilian questioned. "Little Penelope? Gael and Orlich's daughter, Penelope?"

"What's the matter, Your Majesty? You look as though you've just seen a ghost," I said.

Rilian slammed his gaping mouth shut. "No, it's just…I… I wasn't expecting to run into you."

I quirked an eyebrow at him before turning my attention back to my mum. "Where's Daddy?"

"He stayed home with your siblings," my Mum replied in a comforting tone. She knew I would be saddened that he wasn't here. I loved both of my parents dearly, of course, but—I don't know—my dad and I just shared this special bond.

"He really wanted to come too, but someone had to stay home with Lorna; she was terribly seasick last time."

"I know. I understand." I bit back my hurt and hid my pain behind a smile. "Besides, he's already been out here to see me once. I suppose it was your turn."

"That it was." My mother smiled brightly.

"But why didn't you tell me you were coming? I would have met you at the docks."

"We wanted it to be a surprise. Caspian, Drinian, and I have been planning this trip for months, but it was sort of last minute for your mother and grandmother," my grandfather said.

"Well it is a welcome surprise."

"Now tell us, how is my sister? How is Halona?" my grandmother asked.

My smile faltered. "You've been on a ship for the last two weeks haven't you? So you haven't received my latest letters?"

My mother shook her head. "No, we haven't. What's wrong, Penelope?"

"Auntie is ill, very ill I'm afraid. I expect she doesn't have much time left." My grandmother closed her eyes as they filled with tears. My instincts kicked in and I tried to put on the bravest face I could. "But I know it will do her great good to see you three again!"

"Caspian," my mother began. "I know there were other plans for today, but do you mind terribly if we take a small detour?"

"Of course we may, Gael. Drinian, see to it that this afternoon's festivities are postponed for now. Offer them my deepest sympathies, but tell them that something quite pressing has come up," the King said.

"Of course, Your Majesty," Lord Drinian replied.

The King turned and addressed me at that time. "Penelope, would you please lead the way to your aunt's house?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," I replied with a curtsy. I picked up my basket once more, but the King stopped me before I could even take a step.

"Urnus, carry the basket for Penelope, please," he said to one of the Fauns.

I quickly pulled the basket away. "No!" I said loudly. "I mean, no, Your Majesty. I can handle it. Thank you though."

One thing I hated more than anything was appearing weak. I was not weak.

XOXOX

Had it been love already? What I felt when I saw him that day? When we flirted, was it love then? Or just the beginnings of it? The fluttering that filled my stomach, the inability to stop smiling and to stop looking at him, was that love? Was that what people meant when they said "love at first glance?" Was that what they felt?

XOXOX

I didn't really lead the way home; my mum and grandmother walked alongside me. Mum filled me in what had been happening in Narnia apart from what she had mentioned in her letters. I did the same with Narrowhaven. I obviously didn't mention Mikael and his lousy followers, and I was glad Rilian had the decency to remain mute on the alley incident too. Something like that was the last thing my grandfather needed to hear.

The house where Auntie and I lived was just a small, humble place. There was a sitting area with a fire pit to warm the house, a kitchen and dining area with a separate fire pit for cooking, two rooms for sleeping, and one small room in the back to serve as a bathroom. It wasn't much, but it's what I had come to call home. When we got there, only the six of us (the King, Rilian, my grandparents, my mum, and me) went inside. The royal guards stayed outside and Lord Drinian was off attending to what he'd been asked to do.

Upon walking inside, I went straight into the kitchen to set down my basket and put on my cooking apron; there was a lot to do in order to get the stew ready. I thought my guests would like some tea, so I sparked a fire and put on a pot of water. As I did, my guests looked around the two rooms. I saw recognition and comfort pass through the eyes of my mother and grandparents, but as far as I knew this was the first time that the King or his son had been in the house.

"It's not a palace," I said, "but it's home."

"Home?" my mother questioned.

I smiled. "Well, mostly home. It does lack a few things." I grabbed a few potatoes from the basket and began to prepare them for the stew.

"Like space," Rilian said softly; I'm sure he meant for me not to hear it, but I did.

"There is more than enough space for two, Your Majesty," I replied over my shoulder. "But if you find it too small for your liking, you can always wait outside; it's much bigger out there, even bigger than your palace."

"Penelope!" my mother scolded firmly.

The King on the other hand laughed. "It's quite alright, Gael. Your daughter is correct. If my son finds it too cramped in here, he is more than welcome to join the others outside. But I for one find this place to hold a certain charm."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. My aunt and I try hard to make this place feel comfortable for any that may visit. Though, we do not have many visitors."

"Speaking of your aunt, Penelope, where is Halona?" my grandmother asked.

I paused my slicing; that was a very good question. Where was my aunt? I was certain she would have heard us come in and she would have come out to see us. I set down my knife and coolly, and calmly stepped away from my guests in order to call out to my aunt.

"Auntie! I'm back, and you'll never guess who I found just wandering about the streets of Narrowhaven." I turned back to my family and smirked. "She should be out soon."

"Do you always shout at your aunt like that?" Rilian asked.

"My aunt is very old; you almost have to shout at her for her to hear anything," I replied as I picked my knife back up and went back to work.

"And my sister is very hard headed at that," my grandmother said.

"A trait that runs in the family then?" the King asked jokingly.

My mother and I laughed until my mother suddenly said, "Hey! You're talking about me, aren't you, Caspian?"

"Nothing gets by you, Gael," my grandfather teased. I silently marveled at the camaraderie my family seemed to have with the King. They talked for awhile more before I turned around and shushed them.

"Penelope?" my grandfather questioned. "What's wrong?"

"Auntie, she always responds when I call to her. She should have been out here by now." I locked eyes with my mother for a brief second before quickly removing my apron and heading back to my aunt's room. I knew, by the sound of their movements, that my family was right behind me.

I walked in to my aunt's room to find what I feared, almost at least. At first glance I thought my aunt was already dead, but then I saw the slightest rise and fall of her chest and I saw that she was only barely alive. As I sat down beside her and took one of her hands, her eyes opened and sought out mine. I smiled as she found them. I knew this was it.

"Penelope, you're home," she said softly. "I was beginning to wonder if you hadn't run off with that boy."

"Auntie," I laughed softly. "You know I wouldn't leave without saying goodbye at least."

"I am glad you are here."

"And I'm not alone, Auntie. I've brought some guests, and they'd like to see you."

"Guests?"

I nodded and looked over to where my family stood by the door waiting. My grandmother stepped in first followed closely by my mother. I turned my head back to my aunt in time to see such joy wash over her face. Tears began to fall from her eyes, just as they were falling from my grandmother's eyes; I knew they were tears of joy. I moved aside and allowed my family to sit next to my aunt.

"Oh! Helaine, my sister," my aunt said happily. "And Rhince, and Gael, you've grown so much."

"Oh, Halona," my grandmother sighed. I don't think she could say anymore at the moment.

I stood quietly against the wall while my mother, my grandmother, and my grandfather said their last goodbyes to my aunt. I had known for awhile that this day was coming, and I had already made my peace with my aunt, with myself, and with Aslan. When my grandmother's sobs became deeper, I knew the moment had come. My aunt was dead. I took a few deep breaths before stepping out of the room and going back to the kitchen. Along the way I passed by the King and Rilian; they sat quietly in the living room.

"How is she?" the King asked.

I didn't turn to look at him as I replied. "My aunt is dead."

"My condolences, Penelope."

I turned around sharply. "I do not believe, Your Majesty, that my mother or my grandparents will be willing or ready to leave any time soon; they are deep in their grief at the moment. My mother has always found my aunt's stew delectable, and my aunt taught me the recipe well. I think I will prepare it for my family now. You and your son are, of course, welcome to stay. Shall I prepare enough for your guard as well?"

The King seemed to stare at me curiously for a moment before nodding his head. "Yes, Penelope. That would be very kind of you. Thank you."

I nodded stiffly before turning on my heel and walking to the kitchen where I picked up where I left off with the potatoes. Honestly, all I wanted at the moment was to be left alone to cook, but I suppose Rilian just couldn't allow that.

"You are a strange girl, aren't you?" Rilian said.

"Once more, my Lord, you are too kind." I was being sarcastic and not flirtatious that time, but I don't know that he saw the difference.

"How can you cook at a time like this?"

"It is a time like any other. I know not, why I shouldn't cook now."

"Have you no heart? Your aunt just died. You should be in mourning with your family."

"My aunt has been dying for the last two weeks. I have shed enough tears over her fate."

"You've shed enough tears? Was your aunt so awful of a woman that she deserves no more of your tears?"

"How dare you speak of my aunt in such a way!" I turned around angrily. "My aunt is...was a magnificent woman. She had a kind face, a gentle soul, and a love filled heart. There is hardly a woman in this world who could be better than she. I will not have you speak ill of her again."

"My apologies, Penelope," Rilian said softly.

Regardless of the fact that I was trying desperately not to cry, I knew that a few tears had leaked out. I quickly brushed them away and turned back to making the stew. Rilian was silent for several moments, and I thought that perhaps he had left. But he hadn't. (It was much later when I found out that Rilian's father had heard the commotion and he had come to see what was going on, but Rilian had quietly sent him away.)

"Why do you cry no more for her?" he asked.

I sighed. "Not that it's any of your business, but why should I cry? What good will crying do? My aunt has been ill for many days now, and while she was ill she was in great pain. There was nothing the healers could do to ease that pain. Now, she has been freed of her pain, and I know she is with Aslan in His country. You may think me heartless for not mourning her death, but why should I be sad when I know she is in such happiness now? I will not cry for her anymore; I will only rejoice and be glad for the time I've had with her."

XOXOX

2346 September 19

I may have told Rilian that day that I would not cry anymore for my aunt, but when we buried her a few days later a few tears escaped against my will. Of course I was sad, even if I tried to deny it; I mourned her loss, but I rejoiced as well. It's an odd feeling really. Being sad because you miss someone, and yet being happy that they hurt no more. I'm not sure how I can really describe it, and I'm sure I'm not doing it any justice now. That's how I felt though. I was both happy and sad.

That was not how I felt when Rilian disappeared, nor was it how I felt when his father called off the searches.

These early chapters are what made me fall in love with Penelope. I hope you enjoy her character too! See you all in a week for chapter 3! :D