For Caspian: The King is Dead?

[happyfalcon]

The messenger had been clear: The flagship of Caspian X, King of Narnia, Emperor of the Lone Islands, had been sunk by the enemy.

There were no survivors.

Anne fell to pieces.

She barricaded herself in the library, knees tucked to her chest, fingers tearing at her dress. Anne had seen death before, God knows that in England death was a frequent visitor. But this place, this Narnia, it just seemed so surreal, like paradise. Death couldn't possibly have happened here, could it?

Evidently. Because the man she loved had drowned.

While the courtiers debated over who would take over stewardship of Narnia until a proper heir could be chosen, the kingdom prepared for a grieving ceremony. Anne attempted to get up a few times, but she just couldn't find the strength.

So she stayed in the library, buried her face against her knees and sobbed hysterically.

Comments

[navixator]

Kisses were one of the best ways to begin the morning, he was fairly certain. Contemplating the pain still throbbing through him was somewhat less so.

"My... my ribs. The mast-- hit me on the way down."

It had been part of what kept him from surfacing right away.

[happyfalcon]

Anne's expression went soft, sad. She couldn't massage his ribs without doing further damage. So instead, in some attempt to soothe him at least, her fingers smoothed down his chest, near his ribs, trying to give him some sort of comfort.

"That sounds terrible," Anne sighed. "I just...thank God you were able to come back to me."

Anne leaned in to kiss his cheek again, relieved that he hadn't been more severely hurt, or worse.

[navixator]

"The Lion was with me," he affirmed, shifting to lean his cheek more fully against her lips. The bruised ribs would take time to heal, there was no help for it, but at least that seemed to be the worst of it.

He had to thank Aslan for that, given the depths he had been plucked from to live again.

"And now, so are you."

[happyfalcon]

"Of course I am," Anne smiled, tenderly pushing his hair out of his face. "I was with you before you left, and will be, as I promised."

She smiled, sitting up a bit and resting one hand in her lap.

"You should probably be as still as possible today - I'm certain your healers will be here soon enough," Anne suggested. "Frankly, I'm surprised that they're not up and about here already."

[navixator]

There couldn't help but be a brief flicker of frustration in his expression. The impetus to go back to the sea--back to the ships guarding Narnia--clearly hadn't worn off any.

"Will you speak to the court, then?"

Since he was meant to be staying still, and likely that in bed.

[happyfalcon]

Anne wasn't happy about it, but she had already agreed to do it and he needed her to do it. How could she refuse? Especially when he looked at her like that...

"I said I would," she nodded. "What shall I say, Majesty? I don't wish to speak incorrectly if I'm speaking on your behalf."

She would have to change...her slightly torn dress was definitely not fit to address a crowd in.

[navixator]

"Tell them I'm well."

There's briefly wryness to his smile as he closes his eyes, exhales a slightly shaky breath.

"Tell them I'm-- well enough. That I'll be on my feet again soon. Tell-- tell them how proud I am of our soldiers still keeping the kingdom safe."

[happyfalcon]

Anne nodded softly, kissing him on the forehead before moving to stand up.

"Think you can handle being apart from me for a little while?" She teased.

But she needed to change and get herself cleaned up if she was to address the court on Caspian's behalf.

[navixator]

He couldn't help the low chuckle. He couldn't help reaching, just one moment longer, to tug at her shoulder in request for a soft kiss.

"It will be less long than the voyage to France. I suspect I'll survive it."

[happyfalcon]

Anne was only too eager to lean in again to press her lips softly against his, lingering for a moment longer than she intended just to savor it. Slowly she pulled away with a smile on her lips.

"Won't be long, I promise."