The High Queen II

Sunrise talks

Caspian awoke to the soft light of dawn creeping through the curtains, the golden rays filtering in and casting long shadows across the room. The castle was quiet, save for the distant chirping of birds and the rustling of the trees outside. He lay still for a moment, letting the calmness of the early morning wash over him. The stillness of the world around him felt like a rare gift, something precious, something to be savored before the bustle of the day began.

He sat up slowly, stretching his arms above his head as he glanced toward the window. The sun was just beginning to rise, painting the sky in delicate shades of pink and orange. Caspian couldn't resist the lure of it. He stood and grabbed his coat, slipping it on as he quietly stepped out of the room. The halls were empty, the palace still and peaceful, and he made his way toward the balcony that overlooked the vast forest beyond.

The air was crisp as he stepped outside, breathing deeply, savoring the coolness before the day would heat up. He walked to the edge of the balcony and leaned over the railing, watching as the first light of the sun kissed the treetops, casting the rolling hills in a soft, amber glow. It was breathtaking—the beauty of Narnia that he'd fought so hard to protect, and yet, this moment felt like a secret, just for him.

He leaned against the banister, his mind wandering to the events of the past few weeks—the battles, the victories, the slow rebuilding of trust between him and his people. And then there was Eleanor.

His thoughts shifted to her as he glanced around, expecting to see her in the distance, but instead, his eyes found her on the balcony just a few paces away, sitting on the banister, her legs dangling over the side, her attention fixed on the horizon.

For a moment, Caspian simply watched her, the way the light caught in her blonde hair, the way her profile softened in the glow of the early morning. It was as though she had become a part of the landscape itself—still, serene, yet undeniably vibrant.

He approached quietly, not wanting to disturb the peace she seemed to be embracing in that moment, but when she heard his footsteps, she turned toward him, a soft smile tugging at her lips.

"Caspian," she greeted, her voice warm but still carrying the quiet serenity of the morning. "I didn't think anyone else would be up this early."

He leaned against the stone railing beside her, following her gaze as she stared out over the rolling hills, the forest stretching out before them like a vast sea of green.

"It's a beautiful morning," Caspian said softly, his voice almost lost in the peacefulness of the world around them. "I wanted to see the sunrise."

Eleanor nodded, her gaze still fixed on the horizon. "It's my favorite time of day," she said. "The world feels like it's still waking up, like anything is possible."

There was a long pause, both of them lost in the quiet, until Eleanor's voice broke the silence once more.

"It's strange," she said quietly, almost as if speaking to herself. "When I was back in England, after everything... it felt like I was carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. Like I could never fully breathe, like the pain was always there, no matter how much I tried to push it down."

Caspian turned to her then, his gaze softening with concern. He had known something was troubling her, but hearing it spoken aloud, the rawness of it, made his heart ache.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that," he said quietly, his voice sincere. "But you're here now. And you're not carrying that weight alone anymore."

Eleanor's lips curved into a faint smile, but there was still a shadow in her eyes. "When I came back to Narnia... it was like everything just... disappeared. The pain, the pressure. It felt like I could breathe again, like I was home. This place—it heals us, doesn't it?"

Caspian nodded, his eyes meeting hers. "It does. Narnia has a way of bringing peace, even when it feels impossible to find it anywhere else."

Eleanor's smile grew slightly, though it was tinged with sadness. "I think that's why I'm so afraid to go back. To England, I mean."

Caspian was quiet for a moment, letting her words settle before he spoke. "You don't have to go back if you don't want to. Not yet. Not until you're ready."

"I don't know if I'll ever be ready," she whispered, her voice soft, filled with a vulnerability Caspian rarely saw in her. "England—it feels like a lifetime ago. A different life. But I don't think I can go back to it. Not after everything that happened."

He stepped closer, his voice low but firm. "Then don't. Stay here. Stay in Narnia."

Eleanor looked up at him then, her eyes meeting his with an intensity that surprised him. "I don't think I could bear to leave it again, Caspian. Narnia is... it's all I have left. But I can't go back to a life that doesn't feel real anymore."

There was a moment of silence, the weight of her words hanging between them. Caspian wanted to say more, but he wasn't sure what to offer her. He couldn't take away the pain she felt. All he could do was stand beside her, offering what comfort he could.

"I'll be here, Ellie," he said finally, his voice steady. "No matter what you choose, I'll be here."

She smiled at him then, a softer, more genuine smile than the one she had given him earlier. In that moment, it felt as though the world paused, just for them.

"You know," Caspian began, his voice thoughtful, "the stories of you always spoke of a heart that truly belongs in Narnia. Maybe that's why you always felt out of place in England... it's because you were meant to be here."

"Maybe" She whispered, watching as the sun finally began to rise. She knew it was true, she had always known. But only Aslan knew if there was even a possibility of her staying. Only he knew.