[nineteen: I promise you]

An hour ago the sunset had radiated across the cloud, turning it molten orange with bands of pink. Now it was gone and Genevieve sat under the starless, moonless sky waiting for her husband to return. There was no twilight, only blackness as if the stars had been stripped form the skies. She felt claustrophobic, like she was in a cave and an unsettling feeling was set in her stomach. The low sky has become a ceiling of grey black rock above. Only the wind and the first drops of rain let Genevieve know that she was outside as she watched the entrance to the castle.

They're never this late, she thought as she pulled her knees up to her chest and watched the trees leading up to Cair Paravel as she waited patiently for the Pevensies to return. She had a sickening feeling in her stomach, and not the same one she'd been throwing up for weeks. She felt as if something was missing; as if in the last few hours something had dissapeared from her life and it was too far from her reach. 

But she didn't know what it was. 

"Your majesty," Someone started and Genevieve turned her face to the side and saw Mr. Tumnus and sent him a small smile. "Are you alright?"

"Where are they Tumnus?" She asked hesitantly as she patted the spot next to her which he took. "Where is he?"

"Perhaps they just got caught up somewhere. You know how Narnia is."

"I hope so." Genevieve whispered as they both stared ahead together in silence for a moment before Tumnus noticed a solemn tear fall from her cheeks and handed her a handkerchief. 

"Why are you crying?" Tumnus asked in worry as he watched the selfless Queen wipe her eyes.

"What if they don't come back?" She asked as she looked ahead. "What if I never see them again?"

"They'll come back. They always do." Tumnus said and she nodded, trying to believe his words.

"And if they don't?" She asked and Tumnus only looked at her with a smile.

"Then you will rule the land."

"I can't without him." Genevieve whispered and she heard Tumnus scoff as he turned to her with a stern look.

"You Genevieve Pevensie are not his princess. You are your own Queen and if for some reason Aslan decides they're not coming back then you are more than worthy of doing this by yourself because you are strong." Tumnus said proudly and Genevieve smiled at him and nudged his shoulder.

"Thanks Tumnus." She whispered as he pulled her into his embrace, just as worried as she was for the Kings and Queens to return.

Especially his little Lucy.

+++

The sun rose like a flower opening, gifting its petals unto the world. Amid the dancing raindrops was the blush of scarlet, the warmth of tangerine. Gazing toward the illuminated clouds, still beneath the ethereal glow. It was in these times that many Narnians felt at home in a way they never had before.

"YOUR MAJESTY!" Someone shouted as they entered the library where Genevieve was sat reading the next morning, hoping to clear her mind off the fact that the Pevensies still hadn't returned to Narnia.

"What is it Regulus?" She asked the centaur who had a worried look on his face as he stayed silent for a moment. "Regulus?"

"The royal horses have returned," he said and Genevieve rose quickly with a smile on her face before she saw the frown on Regulus' face. "but the Kings and Queens aren't with them."

And with that she ran, like the winter breeze colliding into inanimate objects and crashing waves hitting the shore line. Like eagles soaring across indigo skies and a herd of cheetahs racing through verdant meadows. Her long, coloured locks whipped back and forth behind her like a fiery tale as she ran into the courtyard, immediately spotting Philip and flinging her arms around him.

"Thank Aslan you're safe Philip." She muttered into his fur before she released the horse who held a sad expression. "Where are they?"

"I don't know." Philip muttered and she only looked at him with confusion as she stepped back to look him in the eyes.

"What do you mean you don't know?" Genevieve asked in confusion as she looked Philip in the eye, who almost looked scared to say the next words.

"We stopped off after a while because King Peter saw something. Then Queen Lucy ran off into the trees and everyone followed. We waited for hours and they never came back. We ever tried to go into where they went but couldn't find them." He whispered as he looked at the older Queen with a sad look. "I'm so sorry your majesty."

Genevieve kept a calm posture as she stroked Philip in hopes of calming him down, ignoring the dark feeling in her stomach as a theory popped into her head which she tried to push back. She had to be strong.

"Can you take me there?" She asked him and he looked at her curiously. "Please Philip."

"Your majesty," Tumnus said as he stepped forward to meet Genevieve's eye. "Are you sure you should be riding in your condition?"

"I'll be fine Tumnus. Just look after everything for me until I'm back please." She urged and Tumnus nodded as she helped her onto Philip and they rode off, back in the direction of the lamppost where the Pevensies dissapearred from only the day before.

+++

It was an early autumn morning and a frosty chill hung in the air. The sweet surrendering scent of the morning dew filled the forest with a scent that did not belong on earth. Autumn leaves from the tall trees lay scattered on the forest floor; each of them turning brittle brown; there was a sound like dried cereal being crunched underfoot, pushing their papery remains deep into the soft soil. The dark shadows of the voluminous trees and the surrounding bushes had become the backbone of the forest, standing as passive protectors of a peaceful place. The autumn sun rose in a hurry as if trying to make up for setting too early the evening before, blooming into the pale sky with a warm mellow glow, sending what was left of the moon packing until its next shift guarding the night. By mid morning sky was a brilliant baby blue. As the morning developed the sound of young birds filled the air: chirping, tweeting and warbling incessantly.

The lake had been hardened by the sharp cold unforgivingness of an icy frost, the translucent water bound as a smooth solid. The wildlife were bold yet cautious of figuring out their new visitor, daring to get closer to have a look at the foreign creature disturbing their peace. As the day went on the forest came to life. The trees dance in the wind, the sound of running water in the stream had the same hypnotic quality as music luring animals in to have drink, to taste the warm sweet sensation of fresh water. The drone of insects humming and buzzing filled the air, little frogs croaked while searching for food hoping to catch an easy snack.

"We're here your majesty." Philip said as Genevieve dismounted from her husbands horse, allowing him to rest as she walked around the gladed area looking for the supposed item that Peter had found. 

As she ventured forward, Genevieve saw something in the corner of her eye and she cautiously turned around as a smile graced her face as she walked towards the metal figure isolated in the glade. Genevieve grazed her hands across the metal frame of the lamppost as soft memories played through her head of her memories around the lamppost with her best friends and husband. This was the first place she actually spoke to Edmund. This was the place where their story began. But why did it begin here?

Because that's where their lamppost was.

"Shit." She whispered as she looked to her left where their wardrobe was but only finding the back of a tree rather than an opening back to England. 

Genevieve stepped back carefully as tears welled in her eyes as she walked back into the gladed area, almost tripping on something but keeping her balance. Genevieve turned around and looked at the floor, tears falling freely down her cheeks as she picked up the item that was out of place.

There,lying in the grass abandoned by its owner was Susan's horn, the only trace the Pevensies had been in Narnia at all.

+++

Upon arriving back at Cair Paravel, Genevieve ordered for as many Narnians as possible to gather in the throne room later that night in order to give the dreaded news that nobody wanted to hear. When Genevieve finally willed herself to walk into the ballroom,she felt like there was a prodigious courage pushing inside her demanding her to be brave and strong. Sheever had this kind of bravery before and she was proud of herself for not breaking down at that moment. As she stepped in front of her throne, Genevieve refused to sit down as she addressed the people in front of her with a brave face.

"My fellow Narnians," She started as she looked across the hall at every face before taking a deep breath. "Your Kings and Queens have left Narnia."

"What?"

"Why?"

"How could they abandon us?"

"Please refrain from questioning until the Queen has finished." Tumnus said as he nodded at Genevieve allowing her to continue.

"Thank you. I am just as shocked as you all. When I woke up this morning I never thought that it would be the last I saw of my husband but I suppose life works in mysterious ways. I believe they have left to go back to the world we came from and whether they left on purpose or not they have still returned to England and there is nothing we can do about it." She said and there was a couple of murmurs in the audience before someone spoke up.

"So what happens now that they've abandoned us?"

"Abandon is a strong word. If the Kings and Queens wanted to return willingly they would have left a long time ago and had let the Narnians and myself know in advance - which they didn't do so we can only assume it was accidental. However you must know that you haven't been completely abandoned. Just because my husband left doesn't mean that I am going too. Whether I wanted to be a Queen originally or not Narnia is my home and I will tryso hard to ensure that everyone in Narnia lives a happy and contempt life." She said as the room became silent except from a few murmurs.

She was silent for a moment.

"I'm not going to be your ruler or your dictator. I'm going to be the Queen of the people and I will never let anything stand in the way of ensuring every Narnian is happy. I promise every Narnian that despite the circumstances I will try to be the best Queen I can be. I make this promise for the Narnians however old and young they may be." Genevieve declares as she places a hand over her stomach as cheers erupt through the room.

"TO QUEEN GENEVIEVE!" Someone cheers as a commotion starts in the room and Genevieve smiles at the words of encouragement as she looks down at her stomach with a gracing smile.

 "I'm doing this for you baby." She whispers as she allows everyone to praise her as she just stands smiling at her people and thinking about the future with a small smile on her face.

No matter what she was going to be here for the Narnians and provide them with a suitable ruler in the future.

Whoever that may be.