She hasn't cried yet. Not through talking, nor through the ocean.
It's the first thought when she stopped cold about three stairs up from the main room, spotting him. Sitting by the fire, watching the room with an almost hum, like children who know it's mere minutes from bliss.
The second thought is that she wants to demand that this isn't, couldn't, won't be goodbye. Because that would be too brutal. And she's too used to brutal. Her home is always brutal. And Milliways is supposed to be better. She believes this so much.
Her feet moved slower, but she doesn't run away. She's a Lady, and even more she's a friend. She couldn't run away anymore than he could not heed the call of his heaven.
"Marian. It is fairer still, for having seen you."
He rises, a graceful, courtly gesture, and stands to wait for her, holding out a hand as though, instead of saying their goodbyes, he is merely asking her to dance.
There's a bright, simple band of gold at his brow, half-hidden by the hay-coloured hair.
He did. He shone with a bright light it was impossible not to notice. reminding her only absently of the dark brooding man she'd originally traipsed up on, comparing to the 'Men.
She reached out and took his hand, taking a breath at the same moment.
Marian glows with life and courage and love, and Caspian stands tall and merry and brave before her, and it is not sad, not really.
Nothing you love is ever lost.
He carries his sword at his side; his other hand goes to its hilt. "Thank you," he says, smiling down at her, and it is not only meant as a reply to the compliment.
"Alanna," he replies, and leans forward, sea-gray eyes studying her face.
There's that tightened misery that he's seen before, but ruling that is Alanna's stubbornly clear eyes, her calm features, and he gives her a smile that is not of joy or amusement but of simple friendship.
It's appreciated. She shoots him a similar smile in return, the corner of her mouth turning up like they share a private joke, and runs a careless hand through her red hair.
She's grateful -- and it feels right -- that they can part as knight and king, an instance for which her training has prepared her, though a part of Alanna, deep down, wants to curse at the collective leave taking.
"I did not expect such news when I arrived yesterday for my shift," she eventually manages, keeping her eyes on his as she likewise leans forward. "You leave tonight?"
He's dressed in simple clothes of clear blue and white; his sword is resting at his side and there is, for the last time, a simple band of gold so thin and fair that it is nearly hidden in his hair. "I am glad to have seen you before we leave, Alanna. It wouldn't do to part without taking leave of my dearest friends."
"Hi," Ingress says, waving at Caspian. "Lucy says you have to go, but that you'll be happy, and that we'll see each other again. So I guess it's okay if you do. But I'll still be a little sad, even though I'll be happy, too."
Ingress sees no reason to hold back. Time is short.
"I'm going to write stories about you and Lucy and Edmund and Peter, and Susan, too, even though she hasn't lived here a long time. I'll make pictures to go with them. That way, I won't forget, ever."
He laughs, at that, and bows his head to her. "Thank you, Ingress. And we'll not forget you, not ever. You and your family made us welcome, and we'll remember it always."
Comments 58
"Unca Caspian!"
(She and Amy have worked very, very hard on the pronuciation over the last few days, but that L still eludes her.)
Reply
He smiles--not a small, quiet smile, but a flourish of light across his face--and reaches down to lift her into his arms.
"Hello, my dear."
Reply
Her mother has stopped, a few yards away, watching like she's trying to memorize the things she sees (which, after all, she is).
But she comes over now, smiling.
"Good evening, Caspian."
Reply
He turns that smile on her, and it softens, and he holds out a hand.
"I'm glad to see you."
Reply
It's the first thought when she stopped cold about three stairs up from the main room, spotting him. Sitting by the fire, watching the room with an almost hum, like children who know it's mere minutes from bliss.
The second thought is that she wants to demand that this isn't, couldn't, won't be goodbye. Because that would be too brutal. And she's too used to brutal. Her home is always brutal. And Milliways is supposed to be better. She believes this so much.
Her feet moved slower, but she doesn't run away. She's a Lady, and even more she's a friend. She couldn't run away anymore than he could not heed the call of his heaven.
"Fair Eve, Caspian."
Reply
He rises, a graceful, courtly gesture, and stands to wait for her, holding out a hand as though, instead of saying their goodbyes, he is merely asking her to dance.
There's a bright, simple band of gold at his brow, half-hidden by the hay-coloured hair.
Reply
He did. He shone with a bright light it was impossible not to notice. reminding her only absently of the dark brooding man she'd originally traipsed up on, comparing to the 'Men.
She reached out and took his hand, taking a breath at the same moment.
Reply
Nothing you love is ever lost.
He carries his sword at his side; his other hand goes to its hilt. "Thank you," he says, smiling down at her, and it is not only meant as a reply to the compliment.
Reply
She's spoken to Lucy, and she means not to miss the chance to say goodbye to Caspian.
Even so, she's hovering nearby, feeling her chest tighten and rehearsed words clog her throat.
"Caspian," she says at last, voice raspy, and sits down heavily across from him.
Reply
There's that tightened misery that he's seen before, but ruling that is Alanna's stubbornly clear eyes, her calm features, and he gives her a smile that is not of joy or amusement but of simple friendship.
Reply
She's grateful -- and it feels right -- that they can part as knight and king, an instance for which her training has prepared her, though a part of Alanna, deep down, wants to curse at the collective leave taking.
"I did not expect such news when I arrived yesterday for my shift," she eventually manages, keeping her eyes on his as she likewise leans forward. "You leave tonight?"
Reply
He's dressed in simple clothes of clear blue and white; his sword is resting at his side and there is, for the last time, a simple band of gold so thin and fair that it is nearly hidden in his hair. "I am glad to have seen you before we leave, Alanna. It wouldn't do to part without taking leave of my dearest friends."
Reply
Ingress sees no reason to hold back. Time is short.
Reply
And he smiles. He can't help it, and his eyes alight with joy.
"Aye, you're right, we shall be, and we shall see each other again. And you'll have such stories to tell me, won't you? You'll be all grown up, then."
Reply
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment