Lillie

*This article is about the wife of King Whitson Mariner. For the ship, see* Lillie*.*
*You are right here in your story. Don't skip ahead.*
Massie Burnson, *The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner*, p. 32
**WARNING: SPOILERS FOR *PRINCE LANDER & THE DRAGON WAR* ARE AHEAD; CAUTION IS ADVISED.**

## Lillie

Lillie as illustrated by Zach Franzen in The Black Star of Kingston.

## Association information

### Also known as

• Sweet queen (by Tarn)
• Little doe (by Tarn)

## Book information

### Appears

• *The Black Star of Kingston*
• *The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner*
• *Prince Lander & the Dragon War*

### Mentioned

*Ember Rising*

**Q****ueen Lillie** was the wife of Whitson Mariner, the mother of Lander and his siblings, and the daughter of Lord Grant.

## Biography

### Wife, mother, and queen

Lillie married Whitson and gave birth to Lander in Seddleton, the first settlement of the Trekkers in Natalia. The family lived happily for the most part, but struggled with the hostility of the Grimble family and the challenges of ruling in their new home. One night as the Grimbles’ hostility was especially evident, Lillie questioned their opposition to Whitson, who blamed it on resentment that King Gerrard chose Whitson as his successor. The pair then discovered that Lander, who was supposed to be with his grandfather, had been eavesdropping on them.

In accordance with an earlier agreement, Lillie and Whitson chose at this time to give Lander the Green Ember. Some time later, the royal family went down to the shore of Ayman Lake. There they met a young adult buck, Fleck Blackstar, working on a garden and looking across the lake at the mountains. The older rabbits conversed pleasantly, though both Lillie and Fleck agreed that the peaks appeared intimidating.

Later, Lillie and Lander came down to see Whitson off on a voyage across the lake. Lander was disappointed that his father wouldn’t allow him to come along, but Lillie expressed her concern for him and insisted that he stay at home. Later, Burnley was surprised to learn that Lander was with King Whitson, and worryingly wondered whether the queen was present as well. Following the Battle of Ayman Lake, Whitson found Lander and Lillie on the shore.

The three were present when Fleck awoke after the battle, and again when he gifted Lander his Blackstar patch. Lillie later made Fleck his first lord’s tunic after he was elevated.

### Abducted

Aboard the *Vanguard*, King Whitson Mariner welcomes his lords and captains into his cabin for a toast. Whitson engages in a heated exchange with Lord Grimble and his son, Captain Grimble, prompting Queen Lillie to quell the rising storm by calling for a toast. Grimble toasts to "a new kingdom", which so riles Whitson that Lillie is forced to take him out of the room before his temper can further elevate.

*Steadfast* remains an extra day at Halfway Harbor, but the other two ships continue on. As the river grows steadily more perilous, *Burnley* is sent before *Vanguard*. Fog surrounds both ships, and *Vanguard* collides with some unseen rocks. As procedures to abandon ship begin, Whitson orders that Queen Lillie be fetched, but she is nowhere to be found. Lander realizes with horror that the queen has been kidnapped by the Grimbles.

Some time later, in a camp of dragons, Lillie awakes, confused. Peeking out of her window, she spots Lander attempting to infiltrate the camp by lying prostrate on a raft, drifting towards shore. Just as a dragon is about to seize Lander, the young buck kills it with his sword. Taking advantage of the commotion, Lillie crashes through the door of the shack. Just as a group of rabbits is closing in on her, Massie Burnson appears. He, Lander, and a newly-arrived Galt temporarily take down their attackers. Massie and Lillie interrogate Tarn, one of Grimble's thugs, who reveals that the Grimbles are on their way to the island.

Lillie and company hide, watching the dragons mourn their fallen comrade with an eerie rite. Just then, one of the dragons spots the group and orders chase, prompting the rabbits to flee back into the forest. They emerge onto a precipice of land above a churning river just as two of the swiftest dragons catch up with them; they try to escape by sliding down a steep mountainside.

As *Steadfast* approaches a cliff, Whitson spots Lillie, Massie, and Lander running along its top, chased by dragons. The king orders the crew to drop anchor, and catches his wife as she and the other two jump down onto *Steadfast'*s deck. On their way away from the cliff, Whitson sees Lander on his way towards them, pursued by dragons. Lander leaps onto the deck, bringing two dragons with him. One is dead, but the other lunges for Lillie; it is slain by Galt.

As evening approaches, Massie spots the supposed dead of *Vanguard'*s wreck, Mother Saramack included among them. Whitson quickly holds a hurried conference with his captains, during which he explains his plan. Just then, *Desolation* emerges out of the river beyond.

Lillie and Lander, followed by a few others, swim for shore as the rest prepare for battle. On shore, the survivors of the wreck, Lillie and Lander among them, prevent Grimble's bucks from returning to the fierce fight that has ensued on *Desolation*.

After the battle is won, Whitson is approached by Mother Saramack, who directs him, Lillie, and Lander to the wreckage of *Vanguard*, where a crate had been found with King Gerrard's seal on it. Inside, much to their awe and relief, they find the Stone Sword of Flint.

### Dragon War

When King Whitson is confronting Lord Arben and Captain Danker (as they are Grimble's spies), he asks if it occurred to them whether he might be suspicious when they asked where Queen Lillie was. He told them that Grimble, with the dragons' help, stole Lillie once, but that he never shall again.

During the Dragon War, Lillie spent most of her time working through manuscripts, books, and papers, and sewing warm cloaks for the soldiers.

After Prince Lander returns from his mission to rescue the Grimble children, Doctor Grimes sews up a wound in his leg while Lillie sews. When Whitson asks if it hurts, Lander answers that it does, and winks at his mother. Queen Lillie smiled, and told him that was good, as it takes more strength to be honest than to fake toughness. Whitson frowned at her, saying that in his day they would try to outdo each other in exaggerating how fine they were. Queen Lillie says that it rarely helps to lie, and that inviting others that are strong into their pain is a sign of respect and can be a gift, and that Whitson's day is not done, as it is his day now. Whitson said that he is not as ruined as he pretended to be to find the spies (he thanks Lillie for that scheme), but that he can feel himself weakening. Lander told him that he seemed older every year, and Whitson laughed, saying that Lander had his mother's wit. Doctor Grimes finished sewing up Lander's leg, and he got of the table and tested it, saying that it would be tough to run on. Queen Lillie started to say something, and Lander asked if she had advice for her foolish son. Looking at him with love, she told him to take care of himself, as they will need him to be strong. Lander stopped smiling, bowed, and said that he would obey. Whitson told him that the final battle is approaching, and Lillie puts in that they are very proud of Lander. King Whitson instructs his son to go farther than he has gone, to do better, and that he knows Lander will be a great king, if they can somehow survive. Queen Lillie says that if they do not survive, they will die as they have lived, that survival is not the ultimate aim. Whitson says that he thinks they must make peace with Grimble, as if they hope to defend rabbitkind they need more soldiers. Queen Lillie says that they have allies, but Whitson says that he isn't sure if any of them survived. Lander says that the Grimble faction will probably be even angrier after Lander rescued the children, and Lillie says that she hopes that much of them are secretly relieved that their children have been saved. Lillie frowns at the idea of Lander going to Grimble instead of Whitson.

Whitson says that he feels himself weakening, and doesn't know what to do. Lander is about to try to fill the silence with some reassuring response, but he sees his mother's face. He realized that Lillie felt it all but didn't rush to talk over the sad silence. Lander told his father that maybe it was time to unbury the starsword. Whitson didn't reply, so Queen Lillie did for him, whispering that there is a good reason that it's buried, as it is too powerful for anyone to use it and not be changed. Lander doesn't say it, but both know he is thinking it— the question of if Whitson needs to be changed. King Whitson tells his son about the nightmare, and Lillie says that she doesn't think the story they have of Flint is complete. She tells Lander that parts of Fay's book warn of a cost for carrying the starsword, and although Fay doesn't say what happened, some wise rabbits (including Mother Saramack) think that Flint's fall was connected with the starsword. She tells Lander that when Whitson started having the nightmares, she started to study Fay's book seriously, too. Prince Lander asked what the book said, and she told him that it said many things, and that yes, more responsibilities and sacred charges. She said that their duty may not be easy, but it is their duty to defend and protect. Lander asked if Fay saying that the starsword's breaking means the beginning of the mending, might mean that the sword needs to break to make the mending possible. Lillie told him that they did not know, they only knew that Fay warned against its overuse, and that Whitson has had this nightmare for many years since he held it, and it's clear that repeated specific dreams are meaningful, they just have to figure out what it means for Whitson.

When Prince Grant was seriously injured by the dragons, Queen Lillie comes over and embraces Lander while softly crying. Lander whispered that Grant was in good hands, and that Doctor Grimes would save him. He trailed off there, and both of them knew that what he didn't say was that the doctor would save Grant, if Grant could be saved. While Lander and Lillie are waiting for news of Grant, King Whitson and Prince Lemual came in. King Whitson, reaching for Lillie's hand, asked what news there was. Lillie tried to speak but instead collapsed into Whitson's arms, and Lander answered for her, saying that they do not know. The bewildered family sat in silence for a long time, holding hands through their grief.

After Prince Lander and Prince Lemual visited the Drekker camp in the hopes of resolving the Division of Lener's Crossroads, and Lemual was challenged to a game of fling-a-ding by Haldorn and won, they returned to the royal house. Lillie came out of the door, looking tired and worried, saw her sons, and hurried to meet them. She told them that she didn't like them being away so long, and asked what they had been up to. After exchanging a look, Lander told her that Lem had been breaking pots over Tommie Dunn's head. Lillie frowned, letting them both kiss her on the cheek, and asked if that meant that she didn't want to know. Lemual said that she probably didn't, but all was well. Lander, taking Lillie's hand, said that Lemual had helped Whitson's cause. She told them that was good, as everything seemed to be tipping the balance against them. They discuss battle strategy for a bit, and Lemual inquires about Lillie's health. The queen wipes at tears in her eyes, saying that while she is well enough she fears what is coming. She tells them that she knows it is the last chapter in the life of her beloved husband, and that she is trying to be brave for it, but she almost wishes for him to die in doubt about what may happen than in certainty of failure. Looking at Lemual, she says that Whitson might at any time call on the Third Scouts to embark. Lemual, face falling, took a few steps back. He says that he will do as he is commanded, but he hates the idea with everything in him, leaving before the great defense, even if it fails, especially if it fails. Queen Lillie, smiling sadly at him, tells him that it is because he feels and thinks all these things that he is the right rabbit to lead the Third Scouts and preserve a remnant of their community. She tells him that she knows it's a hard job, but that it's vital to Whitson's plan. Lemual says sadly that all defend, defend all, except for him. Lillie tells him that it's his way of defending, that it is honorable and loyal.

While the royal family is talking about the peace summit Grimble has requested, Whitson tells them that Grimble says he must bring a son, otherwise it's impossible. Lillie, shuddering, says that she dreally does not like that, as it hints at a deeper treachery, and that there is mischief in it. Whitson, shaking his head, says that of course there is, as Grimble is a treacherous rebel and they cannot trust him. He tells Lillie that he hears her, and understands her. Right before the peace summit, a party stands on the edge of Lener's Crossroads to see Whitson and Lander off. Lillie is holding Whitson's hand. When Mother Saramack talks to Whitson, Lillie adjusts the heavy blanket on Mother Saramack's back, squeezes her, and then retakes Whitson's hand. She whispers to him that she loves him, and he smiles, saying that he loves her too.

After Grimble kills Whitson, Queen Lillie kneels besides Whitson's casket, disregarding the snow on the ground. (King) Lander and Lemual approach, and they hug each other. Lander tells his mother that he is going to attack the dragons. She smiles, saying that is good. Lillie says that the prester will come and say the words, and that they will gather again, and perhaps sing. Lander agrees, and then asks her to go into the mountain and lead those kept there back to the camp. She says that she will try to have Grant moved there too. Lander thanks her. Lillie looks into his eyes, and she says that now is a time for fighting, as these aren't reconcilable. Whitson tried with Grimble, but Namoz only understands one language. Lander says that it is war and death, and she takes his face in her hands, saying that war and death are the words Namoz must hear, and tells Lander to speak them to Namoz. Lander nodded, saying he would obey, and Lillie, while crying, stared at Lander and then kissed him. She went over and talked to Lemual, too, and then she left.

### Legacy

In a conversation between Emma and Heyna Blackstar, Heyna mentions that Lillie and Whitson had a daughter named Lucianne. She later married Lord Blackstar II, which meant that Emma and Heyna were both descended from Lillie through one of her children.

## Physical appearance

Lillie was a tall, slender, and beautiful doe with pure black fur and dark eyes. She wore fine clothing as befitted her status, which included an embroidered dress, a capelet, and jewelry.

## Personality and traits

Lillie was kind, patient, and understanding, harboring a faithful love for her husband and children. Nevertheless, she was courageous and would threaten her enemies' lives if the situation called for it. No matter the circumstances, she always managed to keep a cool head and a calm appearance.

## Skills and abilities

Lillie was a talented seamstress, and made her husband’s attire while they lived in Seddleton. Despite her elegance, she was physically strong and an accomplished swimmer. She was also implied some ability as an archer.

## Family trees

 - The Royal Family of Natalia -

Note: Broken lines indicate relation through affinity or adoption or distant relation; unbroken lines indicate relation by blood.

 - The Blackstar Family -

\*Note: The identity of Lord Blackstar II and his relationship to Fleck Blackstar is currently unknown.
## Trivia

* The name "Lillie" is derived from the Latin word "lilium," and means "purity."