One day a small party of about seven people gathered around a small traveling vessel. Among said small party was Queen Elora the Peaceful, Queen Lucy the Valiant, Queen Susan the Gentle, and High King Peter the Magnificent. They were saying goodbye to King Edmund the Just as he went to Calormene for an issue with the trade system.

His siblings had said goodbye and he was getting ready to say goodbye to Elora when three year old Arian grabbed his father's shirt tightly.

"Don't leave, daddy." He whimpered. Edmund bit his lip. This was the first time he was going away and he was going to be gone for at least a month, most likely more.

"I have too. But I'll be back." He whispered. Arian began to cry.

"I don't want you to leave."

"I'll be back soon. You just play with Uncle Peter until I get back." He whispered into his ear like it was a big secret.

Edmund handed Arian to Peter and Peter took him and his siblings back. Leaving Edmund and Elora. She hugged his neck tightly.

"Why do you have to go?" She asked, he sighed and looked at her sadly, wiping away a tear from her cheek with his thumb.

"I have to. It's my job. I don't think anything will happen to me." He whispered. She tightened her hold.

"At least let me go with you." She pleaded. He shook his head and ran a hand through her hair.

"No. Not this time. You have to take care of Arian and Eliazer." He murmured. She began to cry.

"B-but what if I have an anxiety attack and... and you aren't there?" She whimpered. He tightened his hold on her. She had recently within the past year or so had anxiety attacks for no reason aside from sometimes she had nightmares. Usually being around someone she knew helped reassure herself she was safe.

He hadn't thought of that and he felt guilty.

"Find Lucy or Susan, and if they can't sit with you or something find Arian and maybe Mrs. Beaver and do something to calm yourself." He said. She nodded and pulled back. He looked into her eyes.

"Promise me you will try to stay calm." He begged. She sniffed and blinked away more tears.

"Yes. I can try." She said. He smiled and patted her cheek fondly.

"Good. I must be off. Love you." He hugged her tight in one last embrace before running on to the vessel. She watched until it had disappeared then she began to cry silently. She got back to the castle for supper.

That night Elora stayed up for dear of having nightmares. When she wrote  a letter to Edmund she didn't bother telling him that. She didn't want to bother his trip, as much as she wanted him home...