•King Caspian: A New Dawn•

Chapter Twelve

The day finally came, bringing with it a Narnian convoy and stomach full of butterflies.

"Melioralee, the convoy is waiting...I'm sure Erasmus and Zielle will remember everything necessary to take care of the place without an entire book of instructions."

Melioralee glared across the table at Aloysius and replied, "I just want everything in order...we've never both been gone for such a time before.

Aloysius shuffled around the table and took hold of Melioralee's arm.

"If you're that nervous about things being taken care of here, we can just send the convoy on its way and stay home."

Melioralee jerked her arm away from her brother and scowled.

"We both know your nerves aren't coming from a place of concern over the wellbeing of the homestead. Leave the notes, sister. You have two days to calm the butterflies...the longer you stay here finding things to worry about, the more you torture yourself."

Sighing, Melioralee set her pen down and took one last glance around the room.

"Onto Narnia, then?" Aloysius grinned, extending his arm to his sister.

Melioralee took a shaky breath then smiled, slipped her arm through his.

"Onto Narnia."

~

The first day of travel passed excruciatingly slow for Melioralee. Every part of her being ached to be in Narnia – and in Caspian's company. The hills and valleys of Archenland rose and fell in their sights as the royal coach carried them through the countryside.

The convoy stopped around midday, allowing the horses to rest before the second leg of their journey.

"We're taking a bit of a break here, if you want to get out and walk around a little. Kenina will have some food ready for us shortly." A fawn announced to Aloysius and Melioralee as he opened the carriage door.

"Thank you, Tritoclus. Say, what time do you anticipate we'll be arriving at the halfway point?"

"Well, we aren't exactly going half way. 'Tis a bit beyond half, Glasswater Manor."

"I see. And the time?"

"Oh! Yes, sorry. Just after sundown."

Melioralee smiled sweetly at the fawn. "No need to apologize. How long have you been serving under the king?"

"Since the beginning! Many of the servants from Telmar chose to stay, others did not. His majesty offered jobs at the palace to many Narnians who had little or no livelihood. I've wanted for nothing ever since. He is good to us all. Excuse me, I must go help prepare the food."

"Would you like any extra assistance?"

"Thank you, but we can manage. Take some time to walk and stretch – we have a long evening ahead."

Parting ways with the fawn, Melioralee joined her brother at an outlook that gave a perfect view of the valley and a towering mountain peak in the distance.

"Do you know what mountain that is? I've never been this far north before."

"Stormness Head. Tallest mountain peak in Narnia's southern mountain range."

"That mountain is in Narnia?" Melioralee breathed.

"Stormness Head is in Archenland territory, so technically it is not, but the mountains surrounding it are.

"Mmhmm."

"It's so close..."

Melioralee took a moment to soak in the view.