Eustace laid his head back against his hands. With final exams nearly over and hours of studying behind him, he felt he'd earned a rest. Two years at Cambridge were over, yet he knew he still had a long way to go before "Dr." would appear before his name.

At nineteen he hadn't thought much about Narnia – only when he was reunited with one of his cousins, the Pevensies, or glance at the old picture in his parents' house, would he be reminded of his time there – with Caspian and the Dawn Treader, Reepicheep, Rilian, and Jill...

Jill, Eustace smiled at the memory. Whatever did happen to her? They'd stayed in close contact after finishing at the Experiment House, but after a few years their letters grew less and less as they both became consumed with schoolwork at their universities. Jill had gone into medieval history – a topic which Eustace still found amusing since he alone knew where her interest in knights and quests had come from.

Eustace was proud of her – there weren't many girls their age that went to university, but Jill was clever. For himself, Eustace gave into his parents' wishes and was studying medicine. After his initial rebellion he came to realize that he really did care about it, and thanks to Aslan, had a great wish to help people.

So here he sat, in his room at Cambridge, ready to collapse from sheer exhaustion. He was so tired, but hadn't been able to have a good night's rest all week. He knew it was time to stop studying when he was dreaming in Latin. Oh Aslan, he thought, please take me away from this...

He stopped and sat up when he realized what he had just said. The name of the Lion – he hadn't said it in years. He wondered what it was that had prompted him to call on Aslan, then he remembered what Pole had once told him: we can never call on Aslan unless he has been calling to us.

Aslan, he thought. Dear old Aslan how I'd love to see you again. And Pole, Rilian, and all of Narnia. Am I too old? You never said I couldn't go back... I may be nineteen, but I certainly still believe in magic. Oh Aslan, please. Please let me return.

"Your Majesty, the Duke of the Lone Islands has sent a messenger." Rilian sat back and sighed. The Lone Islands have really been more trouble than they're worth recently. The citizens had rebelled the Narnian tax collectors and there was even talk of independence. The young king wished his father was there to advise him sometimes... Rilian looked back at Trumpkin, who was awaiting an answer.

"Alright, send them in." Trumpkin bowed and turned. A minute later the messenger appeared. To Rilian's surprise it was a young woman – some six or seven years younger than himself. She was tall, with dark brown hair and striking green eyes. She stood very still and had an elegant island dress. She carried a scroll under one arm. "Madame," Rilian said, "You are welcome to the court of Narnia." She bowed properly, but stiffly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I am Adelaide Bern, eldest daughter of the Duke of the Lone Islands." Rilian was surprised that the Lord Bern had sent his own daughter as a messenger, and his hopes rose. She continued, "My father, aware of the growing uneasiness between our two countries, kindly requests that Your Majesty consider the series of requests from our people," she held up the scroll and Rilian nodded, "as well as journey back with us as a motion of good will."

Rilian sighed – it was such a wonderful chance the duke had given him and he'd have to turn it down. Adelaide continued her speech, "We of the Court of the Lone Islands are anxiously waiting and hoping for a peaceful resolution." She had finished and Trumpkin eyed Rilian.

"Thank you, Lady Adelaide. If you would be so kind as to give the terms to the Lord Trumpkin," Trumpkin stepped forward and she handed him the scroll. "We will look over the list at our next meeting and will have an answer for you shortly. We, at the Court of Narnia, also wish for a peaceful resolution." She nodded. "In the meantime, the Queen and I would be happy to have you and your company as our guests at Cair Paravel." Adelaide nodded her thanks and two Fauns ushered her out. Trumpkin approached the throne.

"Well Rilian, what are we going to do this time?" he handed the scroll to the young king. Rilian smiled.

"I could send you."

"Fire and fishgills! Send a dwarf to make peace with the islanders? I'd like to see you try. In any case, it's not me they want to see."

"I know."

"You're the only son of Caspian the Seafarer, who appointed the first Duke of the Lone Islands. A goodwill tour is really not that much to ask."

"If only I could go," Rilian sighed. Trumpkin nodded. "Why did it have to be now? I can't leave with the Queen..."

"I know," said the dwarf.

"I can't go off to sea with her in that condition."

"Well, she's seven months now. Think you could tell that messenger that they can't leave till August?" they both laughed. Rilian appreciated his father's friend very much. Since his disenchantment, he relied a great deal on him for both advising and humor. And since Doctor Cornelius had aided the old dwarf's hearing by a new operation, Trumpkin had become Rilian's most trusted advisor. His humor had also helped steady the young king in difficult situations, like this one.