"It has been my pleasure," Reepicheep tells her. "I'll happily stay, if my company can in any way assist..."

Caspian comes near to the sofa and kneels to look up at Susan, smiling at her even as his worry tugs inside of him. "You ought to let him teach you how to play chess," he tells her. "He's very good at that, too."

He glances over to the Mouse, still smiling and warm. Susan's desperate not to worry him overmuch, he knows, so he keeps his tone light. "Thank you, Reepicheep. You've proved your honor yet again today. I'll sit with Susan, here, and I'll ask that you go and have a little dinner. You must keep your strength up."