I thought perhaps you all might like some pictures to look at. So, I have posted a few on my profile of the main characters. Feel free to check them out if you want to.

She swore to wait for his return.

She vowed her heart would always be his.

I Will Wait…

Chapter 3: There upon some distant shore...

One Day before Leaving Narrowhaven

2347 May 17

One thing I've always loved about Rilian is that, somehow, he always knew the right thing to do or the perfect thing to say to make me laugh. When I was sad, he could always make me smile without fail. No one had the same affect on my emotions as Rilian did, not even my dad. It was the same when we were just kids; Rilian could always make me laugh and brighten my day.

For him being the royal Prince, you might be surprised to find that we actually spent a lot of time together as children. Then again, if you knew our families then probably not; my mother always said the Queen was like an older sister to her. No, Rilian and I (Rhea too, only to a slightly lesser degree) spent much of our time together when we were young, either with my family or with his. I might even go so far as to say that he was my best friend growing up.

After I decided to stay with my aunt on the Lone Islands, I wrote a letter to Rilian, who was still in Narnia, explaining my decision. We wrote each other quite often after that, but then the letters started arriving less frequently until after about a year and a half they stopped all together. I don't even remember who was the last to write. I was amazed at how easily we fell back into a friendship. Apart from that brief moment in my aunt's kitchen—and the part where he didn't even recognize me—you'd never know that we'd been apart.

After my aunt died, I returned to Narnia with my family aboard the Majestic. Rilian gave up his cabin and slept down below with the crew so that I may have his bed. I tried to tell him that I was perfectly fine sleeping on a hammock in the cabin my mother and grandmother shared (grandfather slept on a hammock down with the crew), but Rilian had to bring his father into the conversation. The King insisted upon me staying in a bed; he said I was a lady of the court and that ladies deserved beds, not hammocks. I was about to protest and tell him what I'd told Rilian in the alley, that I was no lady, but then I got that look from my mother. I knew better than to argue with her, so I swallowed my pride, smiled, and graciously accepted the offer.

The voyage from Narrowhaven to Narnia usually averaged about two weeks. With a ships as large as the Majestic though, which was a good deal larger than the old Dawn Treader, the voyage was closer to three weeks. I was excited to return home to Narnia and see my dad again, but I was also a bit nervous. My dad and my brothers, Ranell and Ivor, had come out to see me about three years ago, but I hadn't seen my sister, Lorna, in six years. She was barely even four years old when I decided to stay on Doorn. What would she remember of me? Would she have any memories of me at all? I was in the process of contemplating all of this when Rilian interrupted my thoughts.

XOXOX

2343 September 15

It was our last day in Doorn; the crew was busy preparing for our departure later that day. I was on the upper most deck (out of the way of the bustling crew). I was leaning against the rail, looking over the land I had called home for six years, and lost in my thoughts. I wasn't even aware that Rilian had joined me and stood beside me, until he suddenly spoke. I jumped.

"My apologies, did I startle you?" he asked with a laugh.

"No, my Lord. I was just practicing my technique for jumping overboard should we be attacked by pirates and need to abandon ship," I replied.

"I see. In that case, keep practicing. The whole point of jumping overboard is to actually jump overboard, not just a few inches off the deck."

"Thank you, Sire, I will keep that in mind," I replied in all seriousness before laughing lightly. Rilian laughed too.

When we both had stopped, he spoke again. "It crossed my mind...earlier this morning," he paused as he rubbed the back of his head, "...that I never offered up my condolences on the loss of your aunt."

I couldn't help but to notice he had said that rather oddly, as though it weren't what he meant to say at all. "Thank you, my liege, but what did you really mean to tell me? My aunt died five days ago."

"I told you, I just realized that I…" While he was speaking I simply starred at him in a way that said I knew he was lying. Rilian sighed. "I saw you standing up here alone and you looked a bit sad. So, I thought I would come cheer you up like I used to."

"Well, thank you, Rilian; that was very thoughtful of you. But I was actually thinking about my sister, not my aunt."

"Your sister, why?"

"She was only four when I left. What if she doesn't remember me? Or worse, what if she is angry with me for leaving her? If I think about it from her perspective, it was rather selfish of me to stay on the Lone Islands."

"Oh, Penelope," Rilian sighed. "There are many things wrong with your concerns. One, Lorna does remember you; you have my assurance on that matter. Two, why would she possibly be angry with you? The girl admires you and praises your bravery. Three, how could you possibly think that staying on the Lone Islands was a selfish act? You sacrificed the comfort of family and familiarity all to stay with an aging woman you barely knew on an island you knew next to nothing about for an undisclosed amount of time. That is probably the most unselfish thing I have ever heard of."

"Lorna thinks I'm brave?"

Rilian laughed; out of everything he had said, I chose to be surprised about that. "Lorna thinks the world of you, Penelope."

"Well she shouldn't. I am no one special."

"I do not believe that for a moment. I saw the way you handled yourself in the alley. It was as though you weren't even scared. Then there's the way you dealt with the passing of your aunt. Strength like that is truly remarkable. It is a trait, I see, that you've brought over from your childhood."

"Oh? So you do remember me from when we were children?"

"Of course I remember you. How could I forget our friendship?"

"You sure didn't seem to remember me in the alley."

"What? Of course I…" I was giving him the look again. "What? And you remembered me right away?"

"Actually, yes, I did."

"Well, I gave my name, so of course you knew."

"Rilian, I would have recognized you with or without your name. You are exactly the same."

"How?"

"You have the same hair, the same eyes, the same…"

"Breathtaking good looks?"

"The same ego," I emphasized. "Yes, you are just as I remember you to be."

"I am not. I'm…taller."

I laughed. "Yes, I suppose you are taller at least."

"So, you admit to remembering me, and yet you still would have fought me in the alley?"

I smirked; I knew it. "As I recall, you were never very good at sword fighting."

"Yes," Rilian coughed and cleared his throat. "Well that is another thing that has changed. I've much improved."

"I'm sure."

"You do not believe me?"

"Well, I believe you couldn't have gotten any worse."

"Perhaps you would like to see my improved skill? When we return to Narnia, I will duel any opponent you set for me."

"When we return to Narnia?"

"I'll duel them on the voyage if you prefer."

"Any opponent?"

"Any."

"Even me?"

"You?"

"You know better than any that my father began training me very early in life."

Rilian absentmindedly touched the small indentation on his forehead. "Yes, I'm aware of that. Fine. I'll duel even you, if that is what you wish."

"Hmm, then perhaps I will take you up that offer. So long as you are not too busy being the Crown Prince."

"Oh, I'm sure I can find time for you, Penelope."

I smiled. "Now it is time for your confession."

"My confession?"

"Admit that you did not recognize me. I know you didn't."

Rilian sighed. "Fine. I admit that when I saw you in that alley I did not see the young girl I once knew. I saw a beautiful maiden who needed help."

I huffed. I didn't mean to, but I did. Why did it always come back to that? "Beautiful? You think I am beautiful?"

"No," Rilian replied. My heart swelled with joy…before it was crushed completely. "I think you are most beautiful."

Normal girls, my age or not, would have been thrilled to the core if the Crown Prince of Narnia said they were pretty; they would have out right squealed with delight if he called them beautiful. I think it's safe to say by now, you know I am not a normal girl. I was not pleased, or thrilled, or delighted. I was furious!

In retrospect, I probably should have given him some leniency. It had been six years since we had last known each other, and, on some level, I think I knew that he had stumbled over some of his words in our alley conversation because he had been distracted by my "beauty." I despised that word. Beauty. And beautiful. I despised them both. I had seen too many girls hurt because they got involved with boys like Mikael who only cared for women for their beauty. I had long ago vowed that if I were to ever love a man it would be because he saw me as being more than beautiful.

I was seething with anger. I tried to hide it, but apparently I failed. "I'm sorry, Penelope, but did I somehow offend you?"

"You think I am 'beautiful?'" I spat the word out.

"Most girls would be pleased with such a compliment."

"Most girls?" I turned my body towards him so he could see the full effect of my anger. "You are not the first to think I am beautiful, Rilian. What do you suppose those boys wanted from me in the alley?"

"I'm not quite sure actually."

"They wanted to add me to their collection of beautiful girls."

"Add you to their collection? You mean…they were going to force you into relations?"

"They were going to try."

"Then it is a good thing I came along when I did." I huffed and began to speak against that statement, but he interrupted me. "And you are not the first they have come upon?"

"I…" I was actually slightly taken aback by his genuine concern.

"Penelope?"

"No. I was only the most recent in a long line. And it was not the first time Mikael tried anything with me. I did not think he would be so foolish as to try again, but I guess he thought he could handle it so long as he had his followers with him."

"He has attempted to force you before?" I simply nodded. "How are such acts permissible on these islands? This crime is strictly forbidden in our lands."

Again I found myself surprised at his concern, and his use of the royal "we." And I definitely didn't expect to see the sudden flash of anger that crossed his face. I answered somewhat hesitantly. "They're not permissible, per say. Mikael is just well connected and highly feared."

"How can that boy be more connected than you? You are a great friend to the royal family."

"Right. No offense, Rilian, but that doesn't really help me here. You have never been to these islands before, nor has your sister. Your father has not been here in over fifteen years when the new Duke was established, and your mother…I do not believe that she has been here since the great voyage."

Rilian sighed. "I suppose I see your point. What is this boy's connection?"

"He is the Duke's nephew. His mother died in the birthing process, and he is his father's only child. Mikael can be very persuasive; his father believes anything he says."

"We must tell my father about this Mikael. He cannot be allowed to continue his crimes." Rilian started walking away, but I ran after him.

"No! Wait!" I grabbed his arm and made him turn back around. "You don't know him, Rilian. He is like a prince on these islands."

"A prince? How so?"

"The boys would do anything to call themselves his friends, but he only keeps six of his most loyal subjects around him at all times. He can charm almost any adult into thinking he is innocent. Meanwhile, he has all the girls, ages twelve to twenty, terrified that they may be his next target."

"And you think this is how a prince acts?"

I remained silent. Though every fiber of my being told me that Rilian was not like that, it had been six years. How could I really know what he was like now?

"Never mind that now, we must tell my father."

"Please, Rilian, you mustn't." My hand was still on his arm. Rilian's eyes and demeanor softened as he placed his hand over mine.

"Penelope, you do not have to be afraid of him anymore."

I yanked my hand away. "I'm not afraid! I can easily beat him! He is nothing to me!"

"Then why won't you come with me to tell my father?"

"Because I…We have no proof of his crimes. He will simply deny them."

"We have you. You can tell the Duke what Mikael has done, what he has tried to do to you."

"I am just one person, and nobody at that."

"You are…"

"Not here!" I interrupted. "I told you, Rilian, I am no lady; not here. I am no one here. It will be my word against his, and he will win."

"What about the other girls? We can get them to testify against him."

I shook my head. "They won't do it. Mikael can be very persuasive. One girl tried to speak up, and he took her again. They all did. She barely survived the attack. The girls are terrified; they won't speak against him."

"Well we can't stand by and do nothing, Penelope. You agree that he needs to be stopped, do you not?"

"Of course I do! But what are we to do about it?"

He placed his hand on my cheek. "You must trust me, Penelope. You may be seen as no one here, but I know who you truly are. And though he acts as though he's a prince, Mikael is not. I know what I saw in that alley. We must tell my father and the Duke."

"Couldn't you tell them without me? I see no viable reason why you must give them my name too."

"If the other girls see that even you are afraid…"

"I'm not afraid!"

"…then how will they have the courage to come forward themselves? The truth must start with one person, Penelope. Without your testimony, Mikael will continue to get away with his crimes, and more girls will be hurt for it. You must come with me to tell my father."

XOXOX

2347 May 17

Alright, so I admit it. I was afraid. I, Penelope, daughter of the fearless duo Orlich and Gael —their first child, mind you—and granddaughter of the brave and heroic Rhince and Helaine, was afraid. Why was I so afraid? I don't really remember.

I wanted to help the girls; I really did. That's why I often wandered aimlessly along the streets and alleys when I wasn't busy taking care of my aunt. I was looking for girls who might be in trouble. I was hoping to find them in time to help them; to save them. It worked a few times, that's when Mikael tried to come after me the first time. And that's probably why he was so determined to get me this last time; he considered me a trouble maker and he wanted to put an end to my helpful hand.

In the end, I went with Rilian to tell his father and the Duke. The Duke did not want to believe me at first, but when Rilian stepped forth and told him what he had witnessed the Duke had no choice but to believe. Our return to Narnia was delayed by a week. Mikael and his followers were brought before the King, the Duke, and the rest of the island court where they were confronted with their crimes. Mikael of course denied them, but with Rilian's help and encouragement I told my story once more. I was stunned into silence when one by one the girls that had been attacked stepped forward with their own stories, starting with the one who had been attacked twice. Mikael and his six followers were found guilty and their sentence was delivered. We left soon after, and I cried freely on the voyage home in the privacy of Rilian's cabin.

Perhaps I was just afraid of failing. Perhaps I thought no one would believe me if I said anything. Who was I after all? Rilian did more for me that day, than I could have ever hoped to do for myself. He taught me that even when things seem impossible, even when we are terrified of the outcome, we must do what is right by others. The only way to achieve certain failure, is to not act.

I wish I had recalled that two years later when Rilian came to me terrified of a possible witch he may have met, a witch who was placing him under a spell. When he realized what was going on, he was afraid and he needed me. He begged me to stay with him, to help him overcome the spell he was under. He begged me to stay with him through the night, but I was afraid. I was afraid of what others would think of me if they found out. I justified it in the moment, claiming I was thinking only of my sister, but deep down I knew I wasn't. And then, I kept silent on the matter because I was afraid…again. I was afraid then that people may be angry with me because I did not do all I could to help Rilian when he needed it.

I wonder, if I had stayed with him that night or even if I had spoken up, told someone what was going on, would he have stayed in Narnia? Would Rilian still be here? Did my silence, my terror, my…inaction, did it cause Narnia to lose its future King? Have I single handedly destroyed Narnia?

I am reminded of a quote from one of the old stories. I believe it was Queen Lucy who asked the Mighty Lion a similar question to my own. His response was this: *"We can never know what would have happened."*

That is the only comfort I have these days, and it is a small one at that.

The quote in this chapter is a direct quote from the movie, Prince Caspian.

I know, I know...more sadness. But like I told some of you, there will be a lot of sad notes in this story. Though, chapter 4 will be a little different; we move forward a little more. Hope to hear from you! Have a great weekend.