•King Caspian: A New Dawn•

Chapter Twenty-Three

Caspian's eyes were filled with excitement as he and Melioralee returned hurriedly to the palace.

"Caspian, why are we running?" Melioralee gasped breathlessly, pulling at his hand in an effort to make him slow down.

Caspian continued his rapid pace, wordlessly dragging Melioralee through the palace halls.

Melioralee finally yielded and matched his stride, tagging along until they reached the center of the gardens.

"That's not fair." Melioralee huffed as she bent over to catch her breath.

"What?" Caspian responded cluelessly.

"We just ran all the way up the stairs and through the palace and you aren't even a little winded."

"Oh it's not running that takes my breath away."

At this comment Caspian snaked his hand around Melioralee's waist and drew her up to face him.

"You are what takes my breath away...I meant what I said at the beach tonight, I...I want you to marry me."

"Well yes...we've discussed this already." Melioralee giggled.

Grasping her arms, Caspian pulled her close, holding her to his chest.

"No, no. Right now, Mel. Right now. I want to marry you right now."

"What?!" Melioralee nearly shouted in shock. "Caspian-"

"No, just- please hear what I have to say."

Melioralee fell silent as she gazed into Caspian's pleading face.

There was a fervor and need in his eyes she had never seen before. A twinge of fear struck her heart because, for the first time since meeting Caspian, she had no idea what was happening in his mind.

"I've felt so much weight from all the pressures and expectations on my shoulders these past few days. Even tonight, the weight of grief mixed with everyone's expectation that I address the people - I wanted to run away; jump on a ship and set sail for the great eastern ocean. Escape to wherever the waters chose to take me. But then you..." Caspian's breath hitched in his throat as he tried swallowing back his swelling emotions. "When you whispered in my ear those freeing words and your face just shone in the candle light, everything - absolutely everything disappeared. And for that moment there was no one else in the universe. Only you. I want to stay in that moment with you Melioralee...forever. Starting right now.

Melioralee's face remained emotionless as her mind spun. Caspian held his breath; heart pounding as he waited for her to answer.

"Say something." He finally urged with a whisper.

Melioralee, who had not broken her gaze with Caspian, dropped her head.

"Caspian...there is a part of my heart that longs to say yes-"

"Then say yes, Melioralee! Say yes."

"I-"

"Mel, just imagine it! From this moment on we would have one another, be bound to each other's heart and soul for all eternity!"

"I...I can't, Caspian. There's...it's too much yet."

"Melioralee you aren't listening to me; you say it's too much, I see it as just the opposite. It's not enough! Forget the formal courtship - we don't need it. I've thought this through, the courtship is for diplomatic showcasing, it bears no weight in law. You are not a noble so a courtship is in fact pointless!"

"Caspian!" Melioralee finally insisted. "I...the answer is no. I want with all my heart and soul to be yours. To be called your wife, to bear your children, to go on adventures with you, to support you as you lead this kingdom - all of it. But not yet. I know everything seems so perfect when it's just us in a moment like this; when I can be here with you. But you have to realize, I have an entire life to leave behind in Archenland. Something I am willing and happy to do...when the time is right. I am not ready for that yet."