Well...the mystery of Pierre is about to be revealed. Please, if you can, hold your judgment of him until the end of chapter 9. Those not familiar with Tianna and Cyril from chapter 7 of The Naiad Queen, the Seven Isles family has a French accent. (But of course in Narnia, they don't know it as a French accent but as a Seven Isles accent.)

Hope you enjoy!

I Will Wait...

Chapter 7: I'll keep your heart with mine...

Nine Years Missing

2345 April 30

Six years. Rilian is still missing, and I still miss him.

Seven years. Rilian is still gone. The pain is still there, but I'm learning to live with it. I've learned to hide it.

Eight years. I feel like I've lost so much, but I tell none. No one knows the true pain I feel. No one. Except maybe the King. Like me, he's learned to hide his pain well, but like with Rilian, I see his mask. I know how he hurts.

Nine years.

The years go by slowly but surely. Around me things change steadily. I've grown older; my siblings have grown older. Ranell has found a young maiden from the village, fallen in love with her, married her, and now they are young parents to a four month old. Ivor too has met someone and married. Even Lorna is due to be married to a young man from Archenland, the son of one of Daddy's old friends; the day of their union is fast approaching. Things have changed all around me, and yet within I feel the same pain.

Suitors continue to come and seek my hand and I continue to fight them for it. Most of the suitors who come are young knights, or the sons of lords, or in some cases the grandsons of lords as my father had been. Fortunately, none have been as bad as Sir Blaine; he was easily the worst. Many come, fight, lose, and leave without making any sort of impression upon me. A few, however, I now consider friends, but none have come close to filling in the hole left by Rilian.

None, that is, except for Pierre.

It was a bitterly cold winter day when Pierre and his entire family arrived in Cair Paravel, and I had to stand outside with the Princess to greet them. Pierre arrived with his three older brothers and his parents, Queen Tianna and King Cyril of the Seven Isles. Pierre was a prince. Rilian was a Prince.

At first I looked at Pierre like I looked at any male, with indifference. Yes, he was attractive. He was tall with shoulder length, shiny, black hair, dark, rich eyes, and he had the makings of a thick beard; unlike his brothers who wore their hair short and were smooth faced. All of them were attractive, but if I had to, I'd easily say Pierre was more so. It made no difference to me though. I had looked upon many attractive men over the years; none of them fazed me. Why should Pierre be any different?

But Pierre was different. Rilian was different.

Princess Rhea was not thrilled with the Seven Isles princes' presence in Narnia. She was convinced that her father had invited the royal family in the hopes that she would marry one of the three younger princes. (The eldest prince, Henri, was the crown prince and was due to inherit the Seven Isles throne, and he was already betrothed). It was no secret that the King was beginning to grow anxious, worried that his daughter and heir to his throne might not find a suitable husband to rule alongside her. As many suitors who had called on me, more had called on Rhea and for different reasons than my own Rhea too had turned down each suitor. I knew it was not a law for a queen to have a king by her side, but I had a suspicion it was not the King's intent that his daughter find a suitable king, but that she found love. The King was a strong believer in love, that I knew.

The whole foreign family stayed in Narnia for just over a week. They arrived shortly before the Winter Ball and then King Cyril and Prince Henri left shortly after; Queen Tianna and the remaining three princes stayed for several weeks more. The interaction I had with Prince Pierre before the ball was next to none, but afterwards he sought me out nearly every day. Honestly…I didn't mind speaking to Pierre every day, and as the day of his departure drew nearer I actually looked forward to spending time with him.

People noticed our blooming friendship; I know they did. Mother smiled knowingly. Queen Tianna smiled happily. Princess Rhea asked less of me so as to offer me more time to spend with Pierre. Lorna started doting on me, asking to brush my hair and help me choose my dress each day, but I declined her help. I never put much stock in trying to look beautiful as I cared little for beauty. Even King Caspian noticed something. The late Queen once told me her husband was unaccustomed to matters of courtship, but in the days of Pierre, when the King looked our way, I saw something in his eyes and I knew he knew.

Did I love Pierre?

No. The feelings I had for Pierre were nothing like the feelings I had for Rilian. My heart didn't flutter and beat wildly, it tightened and slowed. My skin didn't flush at his touch, it tingled. I didn't suddenly find it difficult to breathe, it was easy. And yet…I longed to see him, to spend time with him.

Did I love Pierre?

Maybe. We were friends, truly. Our connection was natural. I didn't have to force a smile and he made me laugh easily. I enjoyed our time together. He understood me and he often knew what I was thinking without my having to say anything. I valued our friendship, our companionship. I felt happy in his presence. I forgot my sadness when he was near. I hurt no more.

Did I love Pierre?

Yes. I think I did. I found myself seeking him out. I went to his quarters to meet. We strolled hand in hand through the gardens or on the beach, though it was very cold. When we were in a room with others we positioned ourselves near each other, and though we were in a room with others, it often felt as if it were just the two of us. His smile would make me smile. His laugh would warm my heart.

I did love Pierre. But I loved Rilian…more.

I guess my love affair with Pierre began at the Winter Ball when he asked me to dance. For the two balls in which Rilian and I were courting, Rilian never once asked me to dance; of course, our courtship was still a secret then.

XOXOX

2353 December 22

"I see, Princess, that your feelings toward the Seven Isles Princes have changed for the better," I said as Princes Armel and Basile, the two middle sons, left our sides to fetch some drinks for us.

"Nothing gets by you, does it, Penelope?" Rhea asked through her laughter. "Yes my feelings have changed; it was difficult for them not to. Armel and Basile are quite the comedic duo, are they not?"

"Yes, they do make one laugh easily."

"And, as it turns out they are just as annoyed with this supposed match-up as I. They say their parents have consistently been trying to find them mates, but they have thus far been unsuccessful."

"Well I suppose any woman who did agree to be a bride to one of them must also agree to be the bride of the other. I hardly doubt those two could separate long enough for separate weddings."

Rhea laughed. "Right you are, Penelope. Can you imagine having twins such as them?"

"I don't think I want to. Having one sounds painful enough, never mind the fact that you'd have to raise them both at the same time." Ranell's wife Sara had just given birth to their first child, a son, two nights ago and I had been in the room with Sara at the time.

"So, do they too desire to be only friends?" I asked concerning the foreign twins.

"Fortunately for me yes," Rhea replied.

"And what of the youngest Prince? Does he also desire to be only friends?"

"Pierre?" Rhea asked with a laugh. "Pierre has not even noticed my existence."

"I do not believe that, Your Majesty. He has not been able to stop looking this way all night."

Rhea looked at me curiously. "That is true; he has not been able to look elsewhere, but he looks not at me."

"If not you, then who?"

"You, Penelope. He's looking at you."

"Me? That cannot be right."

"It is, and it is not just tonight. From the moment he arrived in Narnia he has not been able to keep his eyes from you."

I flashed back briefly to the moment I first noticed his rich eyes. It was moments after their arrival and I was showing the four Princes to their rooms.

2353 December 17

"All of your rooms are in this hall," I said as I walked slightly ahead of the four foreign Princes. Suddenly I was side by side (with one on either side) with the two middle sons.

"Did you give us—"

"—one single room—"

"—as requested?" they asked swapping off.

"Uh—" I hesitated momentarily because my head was still reeling from trying to follow their question—and decipher it because their accent was thick. "Unfortunately, no. King Caspian, as did your parents, strictly insisted on two rooms."

I stopped in front of the first room and when I turned to face them I saw their downcast looks. "However…" Their ears perked up and they lifted the heads a bit. "I did manage to procure you two rather unique rooms."

I opened the door and walked to the middle of the left hand wall where two sets of double doors sat locked. I unlocked and opened both sets to reveal the neighboring room.

"If you leave these doors open, it is like one large room, is it not?" I asked.

"Oui! Merci, Mademoiselle, merci!" they exclaimed excitedly in their native tongue before moving about in a manner that was more suited for five year olds instead of thirty-five year olds. All at once they both turned to me and began speaking rapidly in their native language again; I looked at them curiously, not understanding a word they said.

"Ze are saying many zanks for ze rooms. Zey are delighted wiz zem," Prince Henri said.

"Ah! Well then, you are most welcome and I do hope you enjoy your stay." Henri translated my welcome and the twins nodded in my direction before heading further into the second room. I turned to the two remaining Princes.

"Your rooms are across the hall," I said as I began walking out.

"Are zey conjoining as well?" Henri asked.

"No; I'm sorry. I wasn't aware that you would want joining rooms too. I might could find you one if you want."

"No. Zat will not be necessary, will it Pierre?" The youngest Prince shook his head in response.

"Well here they are." I pointed to the two doors. "They are mirrored rooms to each other; you may choose either one. Is there anything else you might need?"

"No. Zat will be all."

"Very well then. King Caspian has planned a welcoming feast for evening meal. It will be ready at the toll of the bell in the grand dining hall. Your Majesties." I curtsied.

I turned to walk away when one of the Princes, the youngest one, Pierre, grabbed my hand. I was a bit perturbed by it because I had a suspicion he was going to kiss it, but I did my best to hide my annoyance. Pierre did not kiss my hand however, not then at least. Instead he covered it with his own so that when he raised it to his lips he actually kissed the back of his own hand, not mine. Then those rich and penetrating dark eyes met with mine and I was at a momentarily loss of thought.

"Merci, my gracious Lady," he said in a voice that was as deep and as rich as his eyes. Rilian's voice was a gentle tenor, while Pierre's was a bold bass.

At the words 'my gracious lady' I was pulled forcefully back into my right mind and I gently pulled my hand from his. "Let's make something clear right now. I'm not your lady. I am the Princess', and she only calls me that on rare occasions. All other times I am simply Penelope. It will be that way with you." … "Your Majesties," I added with a curtsy at Henri's stunned look. Pierre didn't seem fazed at all by my boldness; he merely smiled.

"Zen, merci my gracious, Penelope." His eyes locked with mine again and (again) I was faced with a temporary loss of thought. Henri gently placed a hand on Pierre's shoulder to direct him to one of the rooms causing Pierre to break eye contact and allowing me to quickly walk away.

2353 December 22

"And I hear," Rhea said pulling me out of my flashback, "that he has been asking all around the castle about you. He wants to know everything he can. Of course, he has not asked me yet; I think he is shy."

Rilian was never shy.

"If he wishes to know about me then he should have the courage to ask me himself," I said with a bit of annoyance.

"Hmm. Well, I think he just found some courage." Rhea discreetly nodded her head in the direction Pierre had last been in. I looked to find him heading our way.

"Your Majesty," he said as he bowed to Rhea.

"Prince Pierre," Rhea replied with a nod of her head.

"Mademoiselle Penelope," Pierre said as he bowed lightly to me.

I curtsied and greeted, "Your Highness."

"I was wondering, or ra'zer 'oping zat I might 'ave ze next dance?" he asked looking at me. "Zat is," he looked to Rhea, "if you can spare a few minutes of 'er?"

Rhea smiled at me as if to say, 'I told you so,' before responding to Pierre. "You may have as many minutes with Penelope as she will afford you."

"Zen may I 'ave ze 'onor, Penelope?" Pierre asked again as he held his hand out for me. At that very moment the current song ended and another was about to begin.

"It seems your timing is impeccable." I said. Pierre's smile widened. His eyes met mine again and I couldn't resist. I took his hand and allowed him to lead me to the dance floor.

XOXOX

2354 April 30

Pierre and I danced for most of the remaining night. When we weren't dancing, we were in a corner talking. It was not at all difficult to talk with him, as I was expecting it to be; he was fluent in my tongue, and it was not at all awkward. Our conversation was natural, following easily from one thing to the next. Just as any conversation with Rilian had been.

I didn't know it then, but looking back on it now it's easy to see. That's where it all began. That's when my feelings first started to emerge. Even if I did know it then, I wouldn't have admitted it then. For the first time in eight and a half years I felt that there might be the smallest chance…the tiniest possibility…the faintest hope of happiness.

I could be happy again. And that happiness could have come with Pierre...

…

…

…

But my feelings for Pierre only brought more pain.

Just a few more notes.

1) You can find a picture of Pierre on my profile; those of you familiar with the BBC's Merlin may recognize him! ;)

2) In my mind, I totally imagined Armel and Basile as a French/Narnian version of Fred and George Weasley from Harry Potter! And that brings a huge smile to my face.