The High Queen of Narnia

Chapter 10

Caspian had been relieved of his leather armoured vest and sword belt as Elodie led him to a ledge that overlooked the plains and the ancient pillars outside the Howe. He watched in intrigue as she soaked some bandages in a bowl of water.

"What are you doing?" he wondered as she pulled the bandages out of the water and squeezed them out.

"This isn't just water," she said simply, her hair blowing in the breeze as she worked. "Lucy obviously doesn't have much of her healing potion, so we can't use it for little injuries like this, but we can dilute it in water to make more of it," she explained calmly before he held his hand out without her even asking for it. "It isn't as strong but it gets the job done," she finished as she began gently wrapping the bandage around his hand.

"You are upset," Caspian noticed as she tied the bandage off, his accent actually making it very hard for her to stay upset.

"Did you really lose that much faith in us that you wanted to raise the White Witch of all people?"

His bottom lip floundered for a second before he was able to voice his answer. "I was hurt by your brother's words. A-and I wanted Miraz to pay. I wanted him dead and they said they could guarantee it." His hand was resting on his leg as Elodie sensed he wasn't done speaking, giving him every bit of her attention as she brushed some of her raven hair out of her face. "I did not know they wanted to raise the White Witch. I did not mean for it to get that far. And I am sorry if I hurt you by trusting them but -"

He cut himself off as Elodie reached for his good hand, surprising both of them and experimenting with the feelings she felt as she laced their fingers together.

"I understand why you did it," she began softly before her eyes moved up from their conjoined hands to his brown eyes. "But can I ask you something?"

"Of course," he answered instantly.

"Can you remember something? When you finally face Miraz, there is a difference between avenging your father and getting revenge for him." His eyes searched hers for answers as to what she truly meant before she squeezed his hand. "And you are different," she continued but where that used to be an insult whenever someone told that to him, he knew she meant it in a good way because she was the same. They were different but the same. "You are better than your uncle. And I know that you are capable of recognising the difference when the time comes."

Caspian let go of her hand as he tucked some loose strands of her hair behind her ears before cupping her cheek, mesmerised by the feeling of her soft skin as she leaned into his touch. "You are wise beyond your years, Queen Elodie," he admitted and her lips twisted into a smile, a happy but nervous feeling bubbling in her stomach. "If only you were not so cryptic. Perhaps then I would be able to figure out what you are thinking."

Her eyes changed but her face stayed in his hand. "And why would you want to know what I'm thinking?"

"Because I have never met anyone like you," he answered instantly, not even needing to think about it. "I have never met someone who is so similar yet so different to me. Nor so enchanting yet so vexing at the same time."

"How am I vexing?" she asked with furrowed brows.

"Your innate need to sacrifice yourself for other people is extremely vexing," he answered and she shook her head as she threw his hand off her face.

"Very well then, next time I shall let you be skewered by an arrow," she returned but she was laughing and they both glanced at one another as they smiled, staring out at the open field. "But I've never met anyone like you either," she admitted, her hands braced on the edge of the ledge. "Someone who is so similar and yet so different. Someone who can make me so happy and so nervous at the same time."

"I make you nervous?" Caspian asked nervously but less so when he saw the smile that still sat on her face.

"Not nervous in a bad way," she clarified. "A good nervous. I've never done this before, courting, or whatever you want to call it. Even when I ruled Narnia the first time, suitors skipped straight to the proposals. And this," she said as she gestured to the air between them. "Whatever this is, it makes me nervous that I don't know what will happen but it also makes me excited."

"If I'm being honest," Caspian began. "I'm rather unnerved by you as well. It's not every day I meet a woman with the ability to fight as well as you can. In Telmar, it is not acceptable for women to fight."

"It is in Narnia. We have this little thing called equality. If a woman wants to fight, no matter what type of creature she is, then she can. Who are we to stand in their way? Especially if our kingdom needs the help."

Caspian's chuckle was soft. "If I ever take back my father's throne, I think that would be one of the many changes I'd make to the kingdom."

Her hand was warm on his once more as he looked from where she touched him to her crystal blue eyes. "When," she corrected and he furrowed his brows.

"I'm sorry?"

"When you take back your father's kingdom. I don't like to lose," she said with a smirk and he had to laugh at that which was a good thing because she liked seeing a smile on his face.

"Then I have no doubt that we will win this war."

"As you should."

And it was a comfortable silence that rested between them as the wind blew and the only sensation either one felt was of their hands simply touching. Though it was an innocent gesture, the moment felt incredibly intimate as things were simply tranquil as Elodie closed her eyes and tilted her head back as she inhaled deeply.

"I haven't felt this at peace in a long time," she said to no one, and Caspian couldn't help admire her, adore her, revere her. And she started him when her eyes opened and she turned to him as she asked, "Can I have your hand?"

"You already do," he answered with a sheepish grin as he nodded at their hands and her laugh was a melody he wanted to hear forever.

"I meant your other hand. It should've been long enough," she explained, her lips stretched into a grin as he handed over his hand, confused as to what she was doing as she began untying the bandage. He didn't think there were words to describe what the feeling of her skin on his felt like or how soft her hands were as she unwound the bandage. And when she was finally done, she used a clean edge of it to wipe away the remaining blood and when she looked up, Caspian gaped to see smooth skin and not a single sign of a wound. It was as if it'd never happened at all.

"How in the name of Aslan?" Caspian muttered as he ran a finger over his unmarked skin.

"I told you. It wasn't just water," she repeated as her eyes danced with mischief.

"You are something else, Elodie," he said and he came up with no other way to describe the expression on her face other than playfully wicked.

"Now that is the second time you've said that to me and yet both times you've failed to mention what the something else I am is."

"Now where would be the fun in that?"

She scoffed at his words, not quite believing that he actually said that. "I didn't think you had it in you to be that coy, Prince Caspian," she admitted and his smile was braver this time.

"Given the chance, I believe I could surprise you a great deal, Queen Elodie."

"I believe you could," she agreed before someone cleared their throat and they turned to see the professor standing behind them. "I'll give you two a minute," she said as she placed a hand on his shoulder before rising to her feet as she picked up the bandages and the bowl of water as she walked off.

"Thank you, your majesty," the professor rasped, and she nodded in return.

"Of course," she smiled before she disappeared inside the Howe and the professor turned back to Caspian who was still watching the empty doorway. Perhaps there was hope for the Telmarine prince after all.