"Lady Evalynn!"

I bring my face out of my hands and find Lilliandil at my doorway. I watch as her face changes its expression numerous times as she scans the mess of a room. "Morning," I greet as I put on a tiny smile. I wrap my arms around my legs and lower my eyes, hoping she didn't notice how red they are.

The queen makes her way over broken shards of glass and scattered parchments of paper and rests on her knees beside me on the cold floor. "Did a storm strike your room? I could hear the ruckus all the way down from my own!" I remain silent and she puts a light hand on my back. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," I try to casually pass.

"You are homesick?" I shake my head. "Is this about Sir Liam?" I furiously shake my head this time.

"I must admit that I am a bit upset everyone was spying on us yesterday! Other than that, I'm fine."

She thinks for a moment and opens her mouth. "Is it that time of the month again?" I laugh at this one yet shake my head again. "So what is it?"

"I don't know if I can tell you," I sheepishly inform her. "I mean, if I could, I would but..."

"I understand," says Lilliandil.

We sit there for a few minutes in silence and oddly enough, it's a comfortable silence, not awkward. I unravel and look at the half-star. "About Liam..."

She chuckles and rubs her neck. "Yes?"

"Everyone was spying on us?"

Sigh. "From the throne room. I'm sorry, we couldn't help it! Caspian had told us that Sir Liam's always been the shy, quiet-type and it's interesting since he's so perky and open around you! Especially since you've only known each other for a short time! It's amusing to watch the boy try to impress you." I find myself grinning and I try to keep a straight face. "You know, it really is hurting him that you're leaving."

"I know and I feel terrible, really I do! But...Aslan has something planned for me back home."

She finds my hand and squeezes it. "And how do you feel about Sir Liam?"

"I don't know..." I reply. "He's...nice. He's always making sure I'm happy and comfortable and he has this really wonderful smile that reaches his brown eyes and-"

"You hear yourself, don't you?" I run my fingers through my hair and stare at the ground. "Would you like to want to hear what I think? I think you care for him, like him even. You may just be a little scared to admit it."

"I don't want to admit it!" I burst. "I don't want to start something and have to leave it! I don't want what happened to Susan happen to me!"

Tears stream down my face and Lilliandil brings me into a hug. "Let me tell you something, Lady Evalynn. When Caspian first brought me to Narnia, I was very shy and closed off around people. I spent my time burying myself with books in the library for a good month. I fell across this one book in particular that told me of Caspian's infatuation with the Gentle Queen. I confronted him about it and he said she was his first love, even though they only shared a short amount of time together. We married a few years after that but I knew there was always something missing. There always will be something missing. Although he is my husband on a certificate, I believe I will never truly have all of his love. What I am trying to say is that even though you will leave Narnia, you will not leave Sir Liam's heart. "

She wipes my tears and holds me tighter. "You know," I sniff. "You can call me Lynn. We're friends after all."

"Alright," she chimes, rubbing my arm to soothe me.

"I appreciate you doing this, talking to me and all. You're like the older sister I never had."

"You're welcome. If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here." We help each other up off the floor and walk to the door. "Don't worry, a servant will clean this up. Let's get some food inside you."

I nod and we walk to the dining room to join the others.

"Caspian, could I talk to you?"

He looks up from an important looking document and sits up in his desk chair. "Of course, Lynn. Please, sit down." He gestures to the other chair in his study and smiles. "What would you like to talk about?"

I seat myself and look Caspian straight in the eyes. "I need some guidance. There's not much I can tell you but I've been given a task by Aslan himself. Caspian, I'm scared. Last night, last night the White Witch visited me in my dreams. She took all my insecurities and attacked me with them. She started...hurting me and asking why Aslan wasn't coming to my rescue. To tell you the truth, I didn't know how to respond. I was terrified! She kept taunting me, asking me why he'd tell me to protect someone when he wasn't even watching over me. Now, I'm starting to question myself. I'm starting to question Aslan. God, I must sound like the most horrible person!"

Caspian gets up from his seat, walks around, and sits on the corner of his desk, facing me. "I don't think you're a horrible person, Lynn. Liam has told me that you have read of my tale. Surely you now I did the same. I questioned myself, I questioned Aslan, and I almost gave into the White Witch. You wonder why Aslan did not swoop in to save you? Perhaps he was letting you grow- grow stronger in faith. When something bad happens to you and it's over, you look over your life and become more thankful for the good things you have been blessed with. Aslan is readying you for the task ahead."

I take in his words and nod. "Thank you. I needed that."

Caspian nods and pats my back. "I'm glad I could be of help. Just remember that Aslan is always with you. Have faith, Evalynn."

My eyes widen and instead of Caspian in front of me, I see my older brother.

Flashback

"Where are you going?"

He turns around and adjusts his uniform. "I just got a call, Lynn. Guess I have to go earlier than planned. They need more troops in Russia and I'm ready to serve my country."

I look up at him and begin to whimper. "Now?"

"Yes now, my Evalynn. C'mon, you're 11 already! Don't cry! You have to be strong for the family, be strong for me- alright?" He kisses the corner of my eye just before another tear can spill.

"But you said you would take me into town and we would watch a movie."

He takes off his hat, revealing his disheveled dark hair. His eyes gaze forward and he licks his lips.

"We can watch that movie as soon as I come home. I'll even buy you some snacks to eat while you watch it."

"Any snack I want?" I test.

"Any snack you want," he confirms.

I crack a smile. "You'll try to come home soon?"

He crouches down to one knee and holds my hands in his. "Of course," he replies, looking up at me with serious eyes. "You know I will. I promise."

My parents walk out the front door with his luggage in my father's hands. "Are you ready?"

He gets up and pulls me into bear hug. "I'll miss you, my little dreamer." Taking the suitcase from my father, he makes his way to the car and stands with the door open for a moment. I start crying again and the boy runs back to me.

"Almost forgot!" He reaches in his shirt and pulls out a black book. "I want you to have this: Keep it, read it, love it. If you do, I guarantee you will never be alone." I grip onto him and feel his arms wrap around me once more. "And this-" I pull away and look at his outstretched hand. In his open palm, he cups a silver bracelet with a crucifix charm. He gingerly takes my wrist and clasps it on. "Have faith, Evalynn. For He always will have faith in you."

I give my brother one last hug and he starts to walk back. "I love you, Theo. Make sure to write!"

He gets into the car and puts his hand out the window, waving. "I will! And you make sure not to grow up too much while I'm gone! I love you!"

End of Flashback

I think about how sad I was the day I lost my bracelet back in America during junior high. The bible on my nightstand back home filled with letters crushed inside that would never receive a reply.

"Lynn!"

I snap back to reality as Caspian waves a hand in my face.

"Sorry, sorry! I was...just thinking about back home."

"Oh," he mumbles. "Well, it's almost time for lunch. Will you be accompanying me to the dining room?"

"I can't," I mumble as I get up. "If you'll excuse me, I think I should go find Liam."

Caspian nods approvingly and opens the door. "I believe he mentioned going to the stables."

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