[for Anne] went back to what you knew

[navixator]

Being back at all, he knew, was a blessing. Being back and able to hold Anne tight certainly also was. Being back and also on his feet again?

He didn't want to diminish the other two genuine miracles, but he also couldn't help being entirely elated.

The first day, of course, he had been told not to push himself. It had been enough, at least, that he was able to walk through the Cair again--had been able to stand at the tallest spire and make his way down to the shore. It had been enough to stand on the dock and greet the newly returned Lord Drinian. It had been enough to lean on Anne's arm at the end of the day and feel himself fully, properly a King.

The next day saw him rising properly early of his own accord. It saw him strapping on light armour before the morning meal, feeling entirely secure in his own body again.

And meant, at the end of the meal, that his hand found Anne's with an entirely cheerful smile as he pulled her knuckles up for a soft kiss.

"Come. You're a woman of Narnia now. I want to show you what that means."

Comments

[navixator]

Her grip looked infinitely more natural, this time around. His fingers moved briefly to nudge for a bit of relaxation in her shoulders, but then fell away quickly, his entire stance fully approving.

"Whenever you're ready."

[happyfalcon]

Per his direction, Anne relaxed her shoulders. Then her attention went back on the weapon. Her finger released the safety, then fell back on the trigger. Dark eyes focused on the target for a moment, both eyes open. She pulled the trigger and loosed the bolt.

A little better, a little closer to the center, but not much. It was only her second shot, after all.

[navixator]

There's another bright, cheerful laugh for that, his hands clapping together with genuine pride. It's wonderful to see her taking to this so naturally.

The Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve from England really were made of stern stuff.

"Excellent, Anne."

[happyfalcon]

She lowers the bow, smiling at the reaction she gets from him. In her opinion she could have done better, but she wasn't about to be self-deprecating now. Besides, Anne loved his praise and recognition.

"All thanks to you, Majesty," Anne bowed her head a little. "Thank you, my king. I'm sure there are better things you could have been doing with your morning than showing me how to use a crossbow."

[navixator]

"Nonsense. I'd only have been down here myself. It's-- important."

And he was certain she could understand that. He was certain she didn't need it explained that, after his near-death, the army needed to see its king up and battle-ready again.

"But it's that much lovelier if it happens with you at my side."

[happyfalcon]

Anne nods - she does indeed understand. She had expressed that very opinion herself.

"Then I'm glad to have been a comfort to your Majesty," Anne curtseyed a bit - as best she could with the weapon in hand. "As your presence is always a comfort to me."

She smiles, pausing a moment.

"I should like to return the favor, Highness," Anne spoke softly. "I mean, surely your knowledge is great but, is there not something I could teach you as well to repay your kindness?"

[navixator]

This wasn't a place to be openly affectionate. True, there weren't courtiers about, but each passing hour brought more soldiers out into the training field. There was no need to test the bonds of their loyalty.

So, instead, his hand only moved to again squeeze affectionately at her arm, just above the elbow. It would have to suffice until they were properly away from prying eyes again.

"There's nothing owed, Anne, although I confess it difficult to turn down such a tempting offer."

[happyfalcon]

She smiled, glancing up to him as possibilities flurried in her mind.

"Nothing owed, no. Simply a means of thanks, Majesty," Anne replied. "So, what is it that I could teach you? I'm quite well-versed in poetry, I'm certain I could teach you that? Though Highness is well-versed with words without my help, I'm sure."

[navixator]

"Could you teach me the poetry of England, perhaps?"

There wouldn't be any books to help them, of course. There wouldn't be anything to test or prove by but her memory. Still, it was what was being genuinely offered.

[happyfalcon]

"Of course," Anne smiled, though she looked beyond him. "This is hardly the place for such a lesson though. Shall we retire to someplace more quiet? A garden perhaps, or the library?"

She was hardly a poet like Thomas Wyatt, but Anne could hold her own.

[navixator]

A glance over his shoulder certainly confirmed it, if there was any doubt that the training fields were a less than ideal place to study quieter arts.

"The library, then." But his hand did catch at hers to pull her fingers briefly up to his lips, entirely courtly and softly apologetic. "This afternoon?"

She, of course, was free to go if she liked, having been more than patient with this lesson, but the King would have to stay at least a while longer--actually spend time with his troops, no matter how lost in love his heart had become.

[happyfalcon]

There was no need for any apology in that kiss. Anne smiled though, always happy for his kisses, be they on her hand, her lips, her neck. It didn't matter. Any physical contact from Caspian was welcomed and treasured by Anne.

"The library it is - I'll be there, I shall familiarize myself with Narnian literature until you arrive," Anne smiled.

Keeping up with propriety, Anne curtseyed and flickered her eyes up to convey the message of devotion that she could not speak aloud. Not here.

"I shall eagerly await your Majesty."

[navixator]

"This afternoon, then, Lady Anne."

He did do his best not to run off too quickly. He did bow properly to her, and did glance back at her as he headed to get his own bow, but... it couldn't be helped that he did look quite excited.

Caspian was a man of peace in his heart, but he had been raised as a son of Telmar for years. There was joy, for him, in spending time at the firing range. There was excitement and pleasure in sparring with his men, spending his morning clashing swords with soldiers--winning some of the time and being lifted from the dirt others.

He did do his best, of course, to clean himself up when he was done. He looked properly appointed again when he did make his way to the library, back out of his armour and into his tunic, breath only slightly laboured from the exertion on his newly-healed lungs.

Here, at least, alone, he could greet Anne with a proper kiss pressed to her cheek.

[happyfalcon]

As she'd said, Anne left to the library - though she did catch herself looking out the window to observe the sparring. She couldn't help but appreciate his form. But, she poured herself over reading poetry of Narnia. It was not altogether different from the poetry of England, but with subtle differences.

Once she heard Caspian come in she looked up from her book. She smiled and even blushed a bit as he kissed her cheek. She looked up to him and chuckled a little.

"Been waiting for that all morning," Anne smiled. Her fingers reached out and gave his arm a squeeze. "You were marvelous today, Majesty."

She gestured to the far window. "I was able to watch from there."

[navixator]

There was a bit of a startled laugh when she spoke, his smile not remotely dislodged nor his body moving from the intimacy of being close to her side.

"At best, I was adequate, my lady, but thank you. You flatter me."

It took self-control to move and find his own chair to draw up beside hers.

"I hope it did not overly distract you from your studies?"

[happyfalcon]

"You did - but it was well worth it," Anne teased. "Besides, I did get a great deal of reading done."

Anne held her book up onto the table before them. She pointed to a few passages, leaning a bit closer to Caspian.

"There's not a great deal of difference between Narnian poetry and poetry from England," Anne explained. "The first step is to choose a subject that is valuable to you, or that you find particularly meaningful."

[navixator]

Here, alone, he had no qualm about getting rid of the space between them. Settling his arm around her shoulders, surely, wasn't overly familiar--but certainly also kept his lips smiling, even just from the sense of warmth from the light intimacy.

"Do they write often of the sea, in England?"

There wasn't much Telmarine literature, true, but most of it centered around the ocean. It had been the subject that drew him most in Narnian literature as well.

[happyfalcon]

With his arm around her, Anne was only to eager to nestle against him. She turned from the book to Caspian, pursed her lips in thought a moment.

"Sometimes - for it is indeed beautiful and deadly," Anne replied. "If that is what you wish to write about, that would be a fine subject."

Anne brought her hand up, rested it gently against his chest.

"Start with your emotions. How does the sea make you feel? What emotions does it evoke?"

[navixator]

The question clearly startled him slightly. There was a touch of confusion--if also excitement--in his eyes as he turned from the book to meet her gaze.

"Emotions?"

It was clearly a difficult thing to say. It was also, perhaps less clearly, a difficult thing to pin down.

Was it right to say to a woman one loved that the same word--love--described one's feelings for the sea?

[happyfalcon]

Anne nodded slowly.

"Poetry is all about emotion, feelings - think of it as an expression of devotion, a tribute to that which moves you so powerfully," Anne explained.

The arts were indeed difficult to teach.

"Think on it - what do you feel when you step onto the ship? What do you feel when you weigh anchor?" Her fingers reached up at that point to brush against his cheek. "What do you feel when the spray of the salty sea touches your skin?"

[navixator]

"That's-- what I feel, really." His thumb brushed thoughtfully in a small circle over her shoulder, attention flitting toward the window for the moment. The sea was, thankfully, visible from most east facing windows in the Cair. "Devotion. Being on the water-- even in harbour, it..."

His sigh was entirely besotted as he returned his attention to the woman at his side.

"It feels very much like an act of devotion."

[happyfalcon]

Anne tried to focus, for she was the teacher here. But his touch was just so soft and wonderful it was difficult not to get caught up in it.

"Devotion to the vessel, or to the water? Many would be confused," Anne pointed out. "Make sure it's clear when you write just to whom or what you're expressing such adoration."

[navixator]

"But-- to all of it, Anne." His eyes flicked back and forth between hers, as if searching for an answer. "To the very-- act of sailing itself."

His heart was earnest, yes, but his words weren't quite in place.

[happyfalcon]

She moved a hand over his, gripping softly. Her dark eyes locked on his.

"You have the heart, clear enough. It's just a matter of finding the proper words," Anne replied. "Let's try another topic. You love the sea, but what else sparks strong feelings in you?"

[navixator]

The furrow of his brow was deep, but the trust in his eyes was apparent. She would teach him; and he would be as willing a pupil as she had been, if perhaps a less naturally capable one.

"My kingdom. My-- my people. You, Lady Anne."