[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]

It wasn't the same sort of emotion that had stirred him with the other piece, true. It was, in his estimation, slightly deeper.

Because it wasn't just words, this time, no matter how beautiful. It was more real. It was the stirring of Anne's heart he was being allowed to listen to.

He couldn't help beaming brightly as he listened.

"It's wonderful. It's-- thank you, Anne."

[happyfalcon]

The fact that it was indeed the voice of her heart that was in those words made it that much more embarrassing to reveal.

"You needn't thank me, Highness," Anne replied softly. "Did it help, at all?"

She actually found herself curious to see what he might come up with for his own poetry, now that he'd heard hers.

[navixator]

"It did." It took a bit of squirreling to catch her fingers properly in his again for a firm press of his lips. "Although I can't promise it will greatly increase the chance of my own being particularly good."

A letter might, at least, be easier to get out properly onto paper now. Maybe poetry would follow; maybe it wouldn't.

[happyfalcon]

"So long as you write from the heart, it will be lovely in its own way," Anne replied, giving his hand a squeeze. "Would you care to try now, or wait? I could leave you be if that is what you desire."

[navixator]

There was a moment of consideration. There was, after all, the impulse to please her--to extend himself as she had done this morning.

But that wasn't the only impulse.

"I'd hate to send you from me, Anne."

[happyfalcon]

Anne smiled, leaning towards him a little.

"I can stay if you like. I simply did not wish to be a distraction for you. I can stay and sit near a window while you write, if you want to do so. There are plenty of books for me to read here."

[navixator]

"I think it would be best if you stayed here. As-- inspiration."

It could have been the problem with what he awkwardly sketched onto paper in his bunk on the now-sunken ship. He'd only been remembering her--not actually seeing her.

[happyfalcon]

"Fair enough, that suits me just as well," Anne gestured to the section of the table just beyond the books. "There are quills, ink and paper there, whenever you're ready. Don't rush yourself, when you feel the words, write then."

She then in turn stood up, crossing to one of the shelves and picking up a large volume of old Narnian tales. "As for myself, I think it would be better if I remained quiet to allow you to your thoughts - though if you would like me to speak, simply ask."

With that, she sat down again and opened her volume to begin reading.

[navixator]

She always thought of everything, it seemed. It absolutely brought a soft laugh to his lips as he continued to study her, gesturing to the paper and moving to select a volume and generally filling the space with her presence.

It was absolutely wonderful.

And it was wonderful to just soak in for a long spell. To study the fall of her hair and the light on her skin and the concentration in her features.

[happyfalcon]

Anne was silent as she read. The volume detailing tales of Aslan, the Stone Table, the White Witch - all seemed terribly familiar to her. Was it not like the story of Christ, who died to wash away the sins of God's children?

This similarity brought a smile to her face. Narnia was not so different from England in so many ways. And yet, in so many ways, it was entirely different.

[navixator]

He knows he's meant to be writing. He knows he's meant to be pulling together his amorphous feelings into solid thoughts, into something he can share with her the way she's so kindly shared with him.

But it's impossible not to be entirely distracted in the simple study of her. It's impossible not to be lost completely in the soft smile on her face.

The sketch of his pen is unconscious. He barely takes note that, under his hand, he's bringing forth the image of her face rather than any words at all.

[happyfalcon]

Anne hears the scritch of the pen, but she knows the strokes are not those of letters. All the same a smile appears on her lips, though she doesn't look up. Her eyes remain on the words printed on the page, but she doesn't read them.

She just listens to the movement of his pen. After a few minutes she glances up, moving only her eyes to look at him.

"Seems you've found an art that speaks better to you, majesty."

[navixator]

It takes a blink before he can fully examine the sketch before him. The laugh on his lips is soft but fairly pleased, even as he lifts a helpless shoulder.

"Will you lift your chin? Just-- a little more toward the light?"

If this is what comes, why not embrace it?

[happyfalcon]

Anne obeyed, tipping her chin towards the light per his instruction. Her eyes again glanced to him.

"Like this?"

[navixator]

"Perfect." There's genuine deference in the way he speaks the word, content to study her again a few moments. "You're-- entirely perfect."

And, from the way his pen begins moving again, clearly also sitting perfectly.

[happyfalcon]

"You flatter me, Caspian," Anne smiled. "But I am glad to be of some inspiration to you."

'Glad' was putting it lightly. She was overjoyed that he wanted to draw her. it was beyond flattering.

Her eyes again glancing down without moving her face to the book in her hands. She continued reading on the history of Narnia, silent as he continued his sketching.

[navixator]

He shifted slightly in his seat, finding a better angle to observe her from, and bent properly to the work. The absent sketch of her face was coming into much sharper clarity under his actual attention.

"I'd call it rather more than some inspiration, Anne."

[happyfalcon]

Her brow tipped a bit, and she couldn't help glancing back to him again. She was a good model though, keeping her body still and moving her eyes only.

"Oh? And what might you call it then, majesty?"

[navixator]

"Have we not established I've not got a way with words?"

There was a low chuckle in his throat as he glanced more properly up at her again, just beaming for a moment across at her.

"You're overwhelming inspiration, Anne. If I could, I'm certain I'd write volumes upon volumes about just the light in your eyes."

[happyfalcon]

"Were you completely inept with words, you would not be a proper king, now would you?" Anne did turn her head the slightest bit to look at him more fully. "And you are indeed far greater than simply a 'proper' king."

Really, he was a spectacular king, in her opinion!

But his words brought more light to her eyes, and a more fullness to her smile. "You are generous to compliment me so - thank you, my king."

Her eyes flickered to the sketch before him, curiosity tipping in her. "Will you show me?"

[navixator]

He was a better king than his uncle had been. That, at least, was something to keep his chin lifted with pride.

"When it's done. Just-- a few more minutes. Smiling just like that."

[happyfalcon]

Her smile broadened a bit, anxious to see his work. But she was patient and obeyed his request, remaining still and keeping her smile for him.

"As you wish, majesty."

[navixator]

It didn't take that much longer. The sketch was small, after all, and not overly detailed--just the tilt of her head, the loose wisps where her hair had fallen free and the gentle curve of her neck. It was hardly expert, but it held an instantly obvious adoration in the lines as he rose to move closer and offer it for her inspection.

[happyfalcon]

Finally able to move again, Anne turned to look it over. She smiled and moved to take it in her own hand.

"Caspian it's lovely!" Indeed, it wasn't a master's craft, but it did show obvious skill. "Do you...do this often? You're very talented!"

[navixator]

There's a pleased flush in his cheeks for the praise as he presses a brief kiss against her temple.

"Not often, no. It's something my tutor used to make me do-- when we were studying plants."

None of which had been sketched quite so lovingly.