Mist and Mystery at Calormen's Grove

When The Table Turns

18. When The Table Turns

"Listen to me... If I die-"

Caspian shook his head and pushed away from the balustrade and Susan's embrace. "But you won't!"

They'd spent most of the day in the royal library, looking for something to explain the ritual Cornelius had mentioned, but they had found nothing when they at last had called it a day. Tired and exhausted, the couple had avoided prying eyes as they'd returned to Susan's chamber to watch the sunset in private. The tender moment had not lasted long before the woman had made her worries public.

The Queen of the Horn leaned against the balustrade and gazed out towards the horizon and the darkening sky that chased the light of day. Her tender, hoarse voice was low as she ignored the king's outburst, "I almost did yesterday."

"This isn't about yesterday," the Telmarine countered with his own accent carrying strong yet gentle above the evening breeze. "It's about today. You're trying to find arguments to convince me I didn't act myself this morning when you awoke."

"You're a logical person, Caspian," the Pevensie argued. "Now that we know why we were called back, Aslan will send us to England as soon as this is over. It's the way it was last time."

"First of all, this is love. There's no logic involved. And I thought we had decided to not let fear rule us in this decision."

The woman shook her head as she refused to accept defeat in this. She'd had a whole day to think about it and though things were vastly different, some remnants of doubt lingered in the recesses of her mind. "I don't want you to waste yourself on me, when you have someone like the star's daughter to make you happy."

The king sighed from somewhere behind her before his arms tugged on her to turn around. His large, calloused hands rose to cup the woman's cheeks as his eyes searched hers long and hard for something. Susan distantly covered one of his hands with her own as she waited patiently for an explanation to his mute inquiries.

"I know you are still riddled with doubt, and that it will take time to overcome it," the man said at length. "Certainly, you won't be at peace until you know for sure. Nor will I. But I have made my choice, and I know you have, too. Regardless of what happens, I'm with you now. No one else. I'll keep saying it over and over until your doubts disappear if I have to."

The young woman smiled as she stepped forward and buried her face in the crook of his neck and felt his long, strong arms envelope her lovingly. "I'm sorry, Caspian. I wish I didn't doubt... But I do want this. Still, I don't think we should tell anyone. Not yet, at least. There's so much going on and everyone needs a clear head to face the dangers that lie ahead. Besides, it concerns only us for now, since the future is so uncertain."

The man chuckled and his warm breath tickled the queen's neck. "You're merely afraid to tell your siblings the truth and hear more cheekiness ensue."

The young woman merely snorted in reply.

The day after, Caspian informed his private council of the latest revelations regarding their foe, and at the end was pleased the meeting had gone smoothly. That was, until he found Lord Greagoir had wandered over to his throne while the other lords had either left the room or were preparing to do so now that it was done.

"I now this is not the time," the grey-haired lord began, "but I saw you and Ramandu's daughter at the banquet. Would she not make a wonderful queen? I believe she is still present in Cair Paravel, if you wish me to call for her."

"Lady Lilliandil sailed home this morning, my lord," Caspian clarified. "I met with her earlier to say farewell and wish her good fortune with life."

"Oh?" the elder man managed with a dazed look to his pale eyes. "I thought..."