•King Caspian: A New Dawn•

Chapter Ten

“Thank you again, my dear, for everything you do. I’m not sure how we’d get along without you and your brother. And your new friend!” Esta waved to Caspian. “Tell the good sir hello for me, will you?”

“I will indeed.” Melioralee embraced Esta and gave the woman a loving squeeze before joining Caspian at the cart.

“Milady.” He gushed playfully, extending his hand to Melioralee as she climbed into the seat.

“Thank you kind sir.” She giggled, accepting his hand as yet another dusting of pink graced her cheeks.

“To the library?” Caspian asked with gusto.

“To the library!”

Caspian settled into the seat next to Melioralee catching the flush on her face out of the corner of his eye.

“I quite enjoyed the magic of Archenland.” He commented with a grin, “Not exactly the magic I’d imagined, but magic indeed. The joy those children possess is infectious.”

“Oh, it is. I love them with my whole heart; they’re like an extension of my family.”

Just as they pulled up outside the library, the bell rang three times.

“One hour ‘til your men arrive! Let’s go meet Sir Elba.”

Melioralee hopped off the wagon and, with almost too much excitement, rushed to the doors.

The elaborately carved oak doors creaked as she pushed them open, bringing a gleeful smile to her face.

“I love that sound.” she breathed. “One of those familiar things that just brings joy to your spirit.”

Caspian and Melioralee weaved their way through the ornate library, passing aisles of bookshelves that stretched from the ceiling to the floor. Upon reaching a small door in the far corner, Melioralee turned around and said, “I must offer a slight warning: Sir Elba is a little...shall we say...eccentric? I love him for all his oddities, but I just thought I’d warn you.”

With that she opened the door and led the way up the circular staircase.

“Sir? It’s Melioralee!” Melioralee announced as they reached the top.

A short man turned toward her voice, peering over the top of his glasses.

“My dear! I was beginning to wonder if you would be visiting this week!”

Melioralee swept across the room and gave Sir Elba a quick, affectionate hug.
“I wouldn't miss a visit without sending word, you know that. Esta asked me to pass along her greetings.”

“Ah, sweet Esta. How is my cousin?”

“She is well. Has her hands full as usual.”

“She is a saint. So, I see you've brought a friend!”

Caspian offered a slight bow at the waist and shook the man’s hand.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, good sir.”

“You must be Caspian! I’ve heard so much about you my boy, I am honored by your visit!”

Caspian smiled and with the smallest arch in his brow, replied, “Good things, I hope! The honor is mine, Sir Elba.”

“Oh, all good things indeed!” Sir Elba replied with a hint of mischief as he cast a sideways glace at Melioralee. “And please, you may call me Theodric. Come, I have much to show you!”