ENTANGLED
Summary: A Princess from a neighboring country arrived at Narnia to ask for help, and eventually, she found more than that in the form of the High King.
Rating: I'd give it K+ to be safe. XD
Pairing: Peter/OC
Disclaimer: None of these are mine, just the words. Oh, and plot, I guess…
Beta-readers: Mira (mis.mira) (from chapter 2 onwards) and Miss Pookamonga (from chapter 18 onwards)
Notes: (revised: 01/04/06) The neighboring country used to be called 'Mirkwood', but because it has brought A LOT of confusion already, I took the suggestion that some offered. It's called 'Celestine' now, and for the older readers of the story… What do you think about it? Anyhow, I'm sorry the changes are too late.
And yeah, as usual, can we just pretend that the people of Celestine and the Tarkaans existed?
(revised: 13/01/06) Now to the updated chapter (which have been edited for your convenience by Katy). Thanks a bunch, Katy (Domlando Blonaghan)!
Chapter One: Princess From a Neighboring Country
There was an alarming atmosphere all around her. Even though she was dressed as beautifully as any princess should have been, and requested the High King Peter's presence in a gracious manner, the guard in the corridor couldn't help but stare at Her Royal Highness as she strode past them with such startlingly inelegant steps.
They said nothing though, for their orders were simply to guard the West Corridor where the palace's library and Royal Work Room laid. Under no circumstances were they to express their opinion about any royals, despite the fact that there was plenty to talk about since High King Peter and his siblings had begun their reign.
"Hail Her Royal Highness, Princess Andrantiel of Celestine," declared the guard as the princess arrived in front of the heavy door.
She nodded, waiting for the door to be opened. When it swung open before her, Andrantiel strode in with her guards following.
She soon knew they were in a library, one that was vast and ancient. There were loads of towering bookshelves, arranged in some neat rows, with the heavy scent of old, rusty books. She glanced to either side of the main entrance, trying to detect the end of it, but with no luck.
Huge dusty books which were full of forgotten knowledge were the kind of thing that got her excited. She would have loved to explore that chamber. Her immediate reaction was to begin immediately, but that her good sense returned, reminding her that princesses never do such thing before requesting the host's permission first.
Her mother's voice echoed in her mind to remind her of the etiquette of a princess.
Her Majesty, the Queen of Celestine, thought that she had failed to pass on any sense of royalty to her only daughter. Although Andrantiel had learned everything her mother had taught her by heart, and accepted her role as princess, she was not perfect, and always caused one or two surprises everywhere she went.
But this time had to be different. Her arrival in Narnia wasn't for her own pleasure. She had been sent to discuss an urgent matter, and that fact alone was enough for Andrantiel to restrict her actions.
She soon noticed someone was sitting on a high-backed reading chair facing away from her. Judging by how the guard instantly approached him or her, Andrantiel was fairly certain it was the High King himself.
She waited for the guard to finish speaking with the King before she began to speak.
"Hail High King Peter of Narnia," said her, curtseying low. "I, Princess Andrantiel-"
"There's no need, Princess," said the person behind the armchair. He stood up, and as he did so, Andrantiel lifted her gaze and almost gasped upon seeing who was before her.
He certainly wasn't human. He was standing on two feet, just like her, but instead of a clean face of a man, his head was covered in long black hair. His nose was not that of a human, but a buffalo. In fact, his whole face resembled a buffalo, so much so, that Andrantiel easily concluded that he was a Minotaur.
"I am not who you are looking for," added the Minotaur, walking slowly towards her. "My deepest apologies. His Royal Highness is nowhere to be found at the moment, and neither is King Edmund, his royal brother. Therefore, I, as his servant, insist that you be escorted around Cair Paravel in order to become more acquainted with it. Your Majesty is very welcome here. Please inform me if anything can be done for your comfort."
The Minotaur's words shocked Andrantiel, for she wasn't used to hear a buffalo speak. Even though she was aware of her neighboring country's Talking Beasts, and had met a few of them, the reality of their intelligence was always daunting. She had also never met a part-human before, and found it to be an intimidating first experience.
Andrantiel's surprise faded quickly though, as she realized the implications of what he had just said.
The High King is nowhere to be found? thought she. What kind of High King abandons his people without letting his whereabouts be known?