Masquerade: A Peter Pevensie Story
(A/N: it all belongs to C.S. Lewis...except the character of Aerinya (MINE!) and whatever else you don't recognize and/or doesn't belong to the great mastermind, C.S. Lewis)
Chapter 1: The Arrival of a Royal
"Three! Four! Two! One! Good, Aerinya!" Aslan called out his approval as a tall Narnian maiden executed the moves perfectly. Aerinya bowed to the great lion, her chest rising rapidly. "You have done well this training, daughter of Tumnus. Your skills will be of great service to Narnia when the time comes. Perhaps now, your father will not have to enter into the schemes of battle," the lion said, smiling down at her. A faun came up the hill onto the plateau. He was an older fellow with gray streaks in his auburn hair and he wore a bright yellow scarf around his neck in which he always tucked a fresh handkerchief. The faun was smiling. "An act I thought would never happen, you know how much I detest battles," he said with a laugh.
Aslan let out a deep throaty chuckle, his eyes golden with laughter. "Yes, Tumnus, you have made that fact known on many occasions to their Majesties, but you were always there for them in times of need," Aslan praised. Tumnus smiled, his eyes reflecting a distant memory and Aerinya watched him sadly. Tumnus coughed and pulled a sheet of fine parchment from inside his scarf. He unrolled it and began to read: "Aslan, true king of Narnia and greatest of lions, from their Majesties, High King Peter and Queen Susan, holders, for the time being, of Narnia, we salute you and offer our sadness their we shall not be at the fields to greet your supreme Highness as scheduled. Her Ladyship, the Queen Susan and myself, have ridden to the West to suppress a rebellion of Telmarines trying to break the Narnian borders. Their younger Majesties, King Edmund and Queen Lucy, however, are proceeding toward Aslan's How, in all haste….the High King," Tumnus read. Finished, he rolled up the parchment and stuck it back inside his scarf.
Aslan nodded his hand, and then turned to Aerinya. "You have improved immensely, dear one, and, with the soon arrival of their Majesties, I am sure you would wish to appear more presentable," Aslan told her, patting her on the shoulder. Tumnus snorted and muttered," Not if she can help it". Aslan silenced him with a bemused expression. Aerinya bowed and she and Tumnus went back down the hill to their erected tent. They had been on the outskirts of the infamous Stone Table for nearly a week since Aslan's return. The reasons for the great lion's appearance has not been made entirely clear, but, since news has reached the Narnians that their Majesties had finally returned from their strange disappearance many years earlier, the Narnians assumed this was why Aslan had returned. Their Majesties' sudden appearance had seemed almost as odd as Aslan's. The royal family also had disappeared suddenly like Aslan. There had been another impromptu disappearance, but the Narnians were used to strange occurrences. Almost as soon as he had, the lion had taken Aerinya under his paw and began training her with the old weapons of Narnia. Many had been surprised at Aslan's interest in the daughter of the faun, Tumnus, but Aslan was known for unpredictable moves and Aerinya herself had been greatly honored. In her years in Narnia, the Kings and Queens had been absent, always fighting another crusade or sailing for lands unknown and Aerinya had never expressed an interest to meet them anyway, being of the opinion that the outdoors was better suited for her interest. However, for Aerinya, finally meeting the greatest friends of her fathers', not to mention that they were the rulers of her country, was sure to be her greatest moment.
Aerinya washed her face and body, and then dressed in an elegant forest green bodice and skirt with golden leaves embroidered on the entire. It was a square-cut, empire stopped dress with bell sleeves that had just been made by some of the nymphs. It seemed an appropriate occasion to finally be able to wear it. She would have been more comfortable in leggings, but she could only imagine her father's disappointment. Aerinya slipped on a pair of green silk slippers on, combed her wavy brown curls, then left to gather with the other Narnians to meet their Majesties.
The entire of Narnia it seemed had come to the Stone Table for the return of the Pevensies. As she made her way to find her father, Aerinya was joined by the Beavers, who had originally assisted the four Pevensies in the battle against the White Witch who was destroyed by Peter, the High King. The Beavers loved to tell the stories of that time of winter, witches and the hope that lay on the four Pevensie children and Aerinya had always been happy to oblige. Aslan was standing beside the great stone table with Mr. Tumnus, staring fixedly at the crowd. Aerinya glided up to her father, standing gracefully by his side. She glanced up at him. He looked very nervous. Leaning by his ear, Aerinya whispered," You look fine. She'll remember you." Mr. Tumnus stared at his daughter, his mouth open in surprise and his face growing red. Before he could reply, however, a cry came up from the crowd. "Long Live King Edmund! Long Live Queen Lucy!" the Narnians yelled. They parted and two horsed riders, a young boy and girl, appeared. The boy, King Edmund, was broad-shouldered and tall with dark hair and features. The girl, Queen Lucy, was delicate, but with a determined air. The two made their way up to the stone table and dismounted and bowed to Aslan who inclined his massive head.
"O Aslan, we come to you humbly. My sister and I are grateful for your summons and so are our brother and sister, the High King Peter and Queen Susan," King Edmund announced in a deep voice like cast iron. "Aslan, King of all Narnia, we, my brother and I, would wish you to join us at Cair Paravel for the remainder of your stay, if it would please you," Queen Lucy pardoned, her voice spoken soft, like a gentle lamb. Aerinya felt her father's body stiffen and she stifled a giggle. Aslan turned his head. "We have long waited for your return, dear ones, none more so than your old friend, Tumnus. He has been keeping Narnia well under foot whilst you have been away," the great lion announced. King Edmund and Queen Lucy saluted Tumnus and then each hugged him. "Who is this young lady, Tumnus…perhaps a new girl to stop your unparalled intake o sardines?" Edmund joked. Tumnus chuckled. "Not, your Majesty, a new girl, though she often has to regulate my intake, sir. This is my daughter, Aerinya," he introduced. Aerinya glided forward, her dress swishing softly as she curtsied. Edmund took her hand and kissed it gently as a lady is deserved. "Welcome back to Narnia, King Edmund…Queen Lucy," Aerinya whispered softly, her light voice reigning with a pure, clear tone of silver bells. Edmund's heart gave a jump and his dark eyes brightened as he gazed into Aerinya's ice blue eyes, captivating his being. Aerinya turned to Lucy and curtsied to Lucy, her green dress spreading over her feminine, muscular frame. Lucy curtsied delicately in return, her hazel eyes shining. "It's a pleasure, lady Aerinya, to meet the daughter of my dearest friend, and quite a surprise. You must tell us soon how Tumnus hid you away from us all.
Aerinya glanced over at Edmund, who rolled his eyes. "Come now, Lu, no need to be jealous. We have been away for quite some time and we can't expect Tumnus to stay alone forever," Edmund said. Lucy's mouth twitched and she glared at her brother. Tumnus cleared his throat. "Actually, your Majesty, Aerinya is not my true daughter, in that sense. Her parents died and I, being in the right place at the right time, took her under my wing," he explained. Lucy brightened. "You were always such an understanding fellow, Tumnus," she murmured. Edmund and Aerinya chuckled softly. Aslan leaned his head toward them. "It has been a long journey for you, I am sure, Edmund...Lucy, and I think it best for you both to retire before tonight's festivities. Aerinya, would be show them to their quarters?" Aslan asked. She nodded and Edmund stepped forward. "Might I escort you whilst you are escorting us, my lady?" he asked. Aerinya smiled and took his arm. Tumnus held his out to Lucy and the four went back through the dispersing crowds toward the edge of the fields where a great, red tent had been erected for Edmund, Lucy, and their siblings when they arrived. "Oh, this is lovely," Lucy exclaimed when they entered the tent. It was simple, inside, but, according to their high station, everything in the tent was superbly crafted. Aerinya whispered to her father. "Shall I fetch the gifts for their majesties?" she asked. Tumnus started, turning away from Lucy, reluctantly. "Yes, my daughter, before we take up more of their majesties' time," Mr. Tumnus replied. Edmund extended his hand to Aerinya. "Shall I escort you again, Lady Aerinya?" Edmund asked, his eyes twinkling. Aerinya smiled at him again and they left the tent.
Aerinya and Edmund walked in silence. "I-I'm glad that your majesties have returned. We have long missed your presence here in Narnia. The Beavers have told me countless stories of your escapades and I have long desired to meet with you," Aerinya spilled to Edmund. He smiled, silently recalling the years. "I, too, have missed Narnia. It has been nearly 6 months back where we are from…England. How long here?" Edmund asked, looking sideways at Aerinya. 'Nearly 10, your majesty," she replied. "Please, Lady Aerinya, call me Edmund. For I think it silly for friends to be on such a formal basis," Edmund told her, smiling mischievously. Aerinya smiled back. "Then, you must call me Aerinya, so that you may do so without conviction during a friendship, your maj--, I mean, Edmund," Aerinya informed him, matter-of-factly. "Ok, then…Aerinya," Edmund said, softly. They walked a bit further until they reached the tent of Tumnus and the smaller one behind it that Aerinya resided in. Aerinya slipped quickly into the tent and searched for the gifts. Grabbing them, she rejoined Edmund and they walked back to Aslan, Lucy and Tumnus. Coming into Aslan's tent, they observed the three looking over a map of the lands.
Tumnus, Lucy and Aslan looked up quickly when Edmund and Aerinya walked in. Lucy smirked, thinking what a fine couple the two made. Tumnus echoed Lucy's emotions, smirking at his daughter. Aslan's golden eyes stared into Aerinya's and she thought she saw sadness reflected in the deep pools, but it was gone as suddenly as it came. Edmund smiled over at Aerinya and strode over to stand beside Lucy and surveying the map.
"So, Aerinya, did you enjoy meeting King Edmund?" Tumnus whispered to her. Aerinya blushed slightly, looking over at Edmund, who smiled back at her. "He's alright, I guess. Not exactly what I expected, but still, he has promise," she replied, blushing slightly while she joked. Tumnus raised his eyebrows and nodded. "So, father Tumnus, did you enjoy seeing her majesty, Queen Lucy, again? Is the romance rekindled?" Aerinya whispered, sarcastically. Tumnus reddened. "My darling angel, there is only the best of friendship between her majesty and I," Tumnus replied, stammering a bit. Aerinya rolled her eyes and giggled. "So, Lady Aerinya, how long have you been with Tumnus?" Lucy asked, walking over to father and daughter. "Well, your majesty, I can't say much about it, as I was very young when I came to live with Tumnus, but I was in Archenland at the beginning of your reign, before I came here to Narnia," Aerinya replied. Lucy nodded. "A shame, my Lady, I think we should have been great friends," Lucy added. Aerinya smiled. "Pray, do not let it affect us now, Queen Lucy," Aerinya told her, equally glad of the companionship.
Edmund watched them, smiling. He really liked Aerinya and it made it better if Lucy approved of her. He only hoped that Peter and Susan liked her as well. Edmund bit his tongue, thinking of his older brother, the High King. They had not parted on the best of brotherly terms. It angered him that Peter thought that Edmund was still the young, airhead younger brother. Edmund wanted more than anything to prove to Peter that he was every bit as good a king as Peter and that Edmund could handle responsibility. "Edmund, are you alright?" Lucy asked, coming up from behind him. He started, staring at Lucy as if trying to remember who she was. Then, he smiled. "Yea, Lu, I'm doing fine. It's good to be back," he told her, placing a hand on her shoulder. Lucy gazed up at him, her eyes searching for his secret. "Come on, Ed. Tumnus has some gifts for us. And I'm sure you don't want to keep lady Aerinya waiting," Lucy retorted, winking. Edmund was left speechless and he stared after his sister. Lucy turned back, smiling at Edmund and smirked. Edmund shook his head and followed after her.