Chapter 2

Lillian was the Princess of the nearby tribe located by the forests of Taman. Though Lillian and Caspian knew each other, they were never more than mere acquaintances until she and her father assisted Caspian in reclaiming Narnia. During the long battles, they would occasionally challenge each others to sword fights or horseback racing.

But it was during the war that Caspian finally learned that his friend had magical powers. On the battlefield, Lillian used her ability to manipulate nature to assist Caspian in the war. This power of hers enabled their armies to face less deaths and injuries. Lillian, who was always confident, optimistic, and wise about her decisions, motivated Caspian to become a better leader for his subjects.

So what caused her to travel all the way from her tribe to him?

As Caspian paced back and forth in his study, a soft knock came from the door.

knock, knock, knock...

"Yes? Please come in..." Caspian stated in a resigned fashion.

King Caspian's professor's head popped into view as he slowly made his way into the study.

"Your Majesty, all preparations are ready. The council will come the day after tomorrow for the meeting. That is the only day all members can meet as soon as possible."

Caspian stopped pacing and looked out the window as if Lillian would come bolting out of the forest at any moment on her horse.

"Thank you professor..."

A few moments later, Lillian entered the palace with few belongings in hand.

"Sorry Iris," she said to her horse as she began to get off of the beauty,

"and thank you for bringing me here."

The horse looked at her master and simply neighed in assurance.

"Lillian! You're here! I terribly missed you my friend!" Caspian's voice rang out from behind Lillian. As she turned around, she realized how much she too, missed Caspian. Maybe more than she would have liked.

"Caspian, you grew a beard! Oh dear me, did the adventure on sea age you?" Lillian threw a joke and Caspian just laughed in response.

They ended up bantering for a while before Lillian was shown to her quarters within the palace. She was to clean up first. She bathed and dressed herself in one of her prized blue dresses she had kept around. Why she wanted to show it off to Caspian, she did not quite know the reason.

After Lillian had cleaned up after herself, she knocked on Caspian's study. She had urgent matters that needed attention right away.

knock, knock, knock...

"Caspian? I'm going to enter the study..." She whispered.

"Oh, Lillian! Yes, please, one moment!" Caspian quickly responded. A few seconds later, Caspian opened the door.

"Please, come in! As you can see, my study is a mess... I had some issues at the moment-" Caspian cut off short when he noticed that Lillian's face was not bright in any form. Rather, it had the face of a person who had been shown a dreadful future that she would rather have not known.

"Lillian? Are you alright?"

"Hmm?" Lillian looked up, clearly startled.

"Oh yes... Sorry Caspian... when is the meeting with the council?"

Caspian whispered to Lillian, "the day after tomorrow. Lillian-what's going on? What happened?"

Lillian looked at her friend with trepidation and hesitated to tell him... Was it alright for her to tell him? Would it put him at risk? Who else will get hurt? Unable to muster up the courage to tell him at that moment, Lillian merely said,

"I will tell you at the meeting."

In order to change the topic, she looked around the study and laid eyes on a white, ivory horn displayed behind Caspian's desk.

"Is that Queen Susan's horn?"

"Huh? Oh yes, it is...Lillian, I think you should let me know what you will be telling the council befo-"

"Do you still fancy her?" Lillian rapidly asked the question before Caspian could even finish demanding that his friend tell him specifics about her visit and request for assistance.

Caspian warily eyed Lillian and solemnly replied back,

"I believe so..."

Lillian looked at Caspian's lonely figure for a moment. That response made her heart feel empty... Though she knew the answer, she couldn't help asking. Maybe he had given up. Maybe...just maybe he realized that Queen Susan might live a different life, far different from her past adventures within Narnia.

Lillian had fallen in love with her friend at some point in the battlefield when they fought together. She wasn't sure exactly when, but just during that large period of time. However, she knew better than to just burden the new King of Narnia with unimportant worries such as a confession of love, so she remained at the sidelines watching him from far away and supporting him as his friend.

It didn't hurt. She had the patience... but she feared that maybe a force would come to destroy even that part of her life she had.

And now, that fear became reality. But she was too scared to say it in front of her friend and King of Narnia when only the two of them were in the room. Who knows how recklessly Caspian might lead his army to only face doom?

Caspian knew that it would be futile to continue burdening his friend when she refused to answer his questions. He could see that she was scared. His friend, who never expressed fear, did so now through her eyes. Her eyes were filled with a fear that made his heart tighten and unable to pursue the topic any further.