Chapter 1: Strutting
"At least they're arriving before Prince Rabadash" Cor commented, Corin nodded his head in agreement. Matching blonde curls upon their heads. "Now Aria, you must be on your best behavior! After all you might end up with one of these Kings" Dad reminded me. I rolled my eyes. "Anyone besides Rabadash" I told him. He held up his finger. "Prince Rabadash" he corrected. "Not if someone takes care of him" I muttered to my younger brothers Cor, and Corin. They both smirked and nodded their heads in agreement.
I kept my hands clasped in front of me, I wore a light metallic dress with baby blue sleeves and lining around the appealing neckline. My hair was mostly down except for two braids that had some fresh blue wild flowers braided into them as we waited for the Kings and Queens of Narnia's arrival.
At hearing a horn blow we looked towards the gate as it opened, four figures sat upon their horses with a large line behind them. Centaurs, fawns, and such. Cor and Corin's faces lit up with pure excitement. We had been reading about Narnia and the creatures that call her home and were very excited to actually meet some. There were also wolves and cheetahs patrolling the outside of the large caravan.
Father had made it clear to act more than appropriately around these royals. Father desperately wanted to make a good impression on the Narnian royals. My eyes first landed on High King Peter, his gold crown forced his sandy blonde bangs to fall in his eyes. A bright baby blue, pride and kindness filled them. His tanned skin was hidden behind dark red and lined with gold clothes as his rough hands held the reigns. He smiled at me and I couldn't help but grin back. "High King Peter! How was the ride?" Father questioned him as this High King dismounted his horse and stepped forwards shaking father's hand. "A very good ride, I hadn't realized just how beautiful Archland really is" he told him. "Oh yes, that's why we hold the Spring Festival festivities. Well that and we're the middle ground" he added before his eyes searched the faces of the rest of his siblings.
Queen Susan was rather beautiful but it was her kind nature that made her so appealing. King Edmund was also handsome and his eyes were full of mischievousness and humor. While Queen Lucy smiled at Cor and Corin as they waved at each other. "Your majesties this is my eldest and only daughter, Princess Aria" father introduced I curtsied as was custom. High King Peter took my hand kissing the top of it. "Pleasure" he winked, a heated blush crossed my cheek as I winked back at him. "Pleasure's all mine your majesty" I challenged back. King Edmund snickered while his sisters rolled their eyes. "And my twin sons, Cor and Corin" father introduced, they bowed and kissed the tops of Queen Lucy and Queen Susan's hands as they exchanged greetings.
"I'm sure the journey was a long one, there will be plenty of time to rest before dinner. Prince Rabadash and his father won't be arriving till tonight. It's easier to cross to desert during the evening." Father told them, they nodded. "We'd appreciate the rest" High King Peter acknowledged as rooms were set up for the guard while we walked inside. Corin and Cor were talking adamantly with Queen Lucy as we walked.
"Oh Princess Aria! There you are!" Maria smiled running towards me before bowing quickly to King Lune. "Princess there's an emergency concerning the archery line up for tomorrow!" Maria informed me. I groaned before turning to father. He waved his hand towards me dismissing me. I did a quick curtsey as did Maria before we quickly left.
Peter's POV
I hadn't been able to take my eyes off Princess Aria as we walked inside. She walked with the lifetime of grace that came with being born into royalty. I groaned as her back quickly disappeared around the corner. "She hand organized the festivities again this year" King Lune commented. I looked back at him and he had that knowing look in his eye. "Will she be participating in the archer competition?" I questioned him and he nodded. "She's placed first for the past four years, she'll also be participating in the second day festivities as well" he told me. "And what is planned for the second day?" I questioned, "the girl's sword fighting!" Corin butted into the conversation.
Edmund snickered at that and Susan gave him a quick elbow to the gut. "Oh I wouldn't laugh at that King Edmund, at least not until you've been on the other side of Aria's sword!" Cor defended his sister. "Remember last year when Aria almost took of Rabadash's head?" Corin questioned. "Prince Rabadash" King Lune corrected. "What?" We all questioned, and the twin boys nodded. "She would have too if father hadn't interfered!" Cor frowned. "And why would that be a good thing?" Edmund questioned, "Have you met Prince Rabadash yet King Edmund?" Corin questioned and he shook his head. "I thought so" the twins smiled at each other before King Lune sent them on their way.
"We teach our women to fight as does Carlormene, it makes for fun competition between the sexes" King Lune smiled as we made it to the third floor. "This will be your wing, these two rooms over look the gardens while these two over look the training and festival grounds" King Lune gestured to the four doors. "King Lune, what did the Princes mean about Prince Rabadash?" I questioned him, he sighed before waiting for Queen Lucy and Queen Susan to go to their rooms. Edmund also looked very interested.
"Prince Rabadash needs to be taken in small doses" King Lune explained, "he's been after Aria before she could even walk and now that she's nearing marriageable age it hasn't gotten any better. I'd also watch your sister's very carefully, he's a slimy toad that Prince is and already as cruel as his father. Head the warning and keep the conversations short" King Lune advised before he left to attend to some smaller details of the festival tomorrow.
Edmund gave me a look. "I'd like to see a git like that get near the girls" he growled, I opened my door and inclined my head into it. Edmund followed me inside before I closed the door. "We're going to have to watch them to make sure." I told him, he nodded. "So while I watch the girls you'll be watching Princess Aria?" Edmund challenged. I gave him a look. He smiled that knowing smile. "Uhuh, that's what I thought" he chuckled opening the door. I took my boot off and threw it at him. He laughed quickly closing the door so the boot smacked against it.
The twin Prince's came to get us to escort us to dinner. I sat next to King Lune while an empty chair was on his right. Edmund sat on my left while Lucy sat with the twins and Susan sat next to the empty chair. Half way through dinner the chair was finally filled as Aria made her appearance. "Sorry to be late father" she apologized, he just nodded but Edmund and I quickly stood up as she made her appearance. King Lune raised an eyebrow at the courtesy while a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. Princess Aria smiled, her cheeks tinting pink as she sat down before Edmund and I did.
"Will you be entering in the archery tournament Queen Susan?" Princess Aria started the conversation up with Susan. "Oh definitely, I must admit I've never entered into a tournament before, how does it work?" Queen Susan questioned only for Princess Aria to go into great detail about the scouring and distances. "Has something caught your eye High King Peter?" King Lune questioned me, I looked over at him only to realize I had been staring and listening to the girl's conversation.
"Just intrigued King Lune, this will be the first tournament for any of us" I told him. "Well people have to start somewhere." A rough voice growled. The hair on the back of my neck instantly stood on end, I had the sudden feeling that I was back on that grassy slope fighting the Ice Queen. Turning around a man about my own age was standing there. His skin dark from exposure to the sun, with matching black hair and dark conniving eyes. "Prince Rabadash, so good of you to make it. Did your father come?" King Lune questioned, "No King Lune, he was ill but sends his greetings." Prince Rabadash smiled at King Lune. It was more of a snarl the way he exposed his teeth.
King Lune nodded, "Well I'm sure you've heard of High King Peter, his brother King Edmund and sisters Queen Susan and Queen Lucy" King Lune introduced gesturing to a seat next to Edmund. "A pleasure" Prince Rabadash smiled again before his eyes turned to Princess Aria. She had a look of disdain on her sharp features. Prince Rabadash pulled a wild flower out from behind him as he bowed offering it to Princess Aria.
"Good evening to you Princess, your beauty doesn't do my memory justice" he winked at her. My eyes narrowed at him as I felt the sudden urge to kick his ass. Princess Aria wasn't at all flattered either as her father gave her stern look. She sighed taking the flower and sniffing it. "Prince Rabadash your words are to kind, please sit" she gestured to the empty chair again before turning to Queen Susan and picking up right where their conversation had left off.
"So High King Peter you said this will be your first tournament? So you will be participating in the sword competitions then on the third day?" Prince Rabadash clarified as he ate. "Yes, we will be. King Edmund and I both will be participating" I told him and he nodded. "Yes it will be quite interesting, will you be fighting for any lucky woman's honor? I myself will be fighting for Princess Aria as per usual" he smiled throwing Princess Aria a wink. I glanced over and she looked like she was about to barf. "Prince Rabadash we have discussed this, I do not need some man to fight for my honor! It's completely barbaric!" She frowned. "Barbaric? How so?" I questioned her.
"Woman, especially Archland women do not need men fighting over them as if they were property! Besides it's just a colored scarf anyway! It means absolutely nothing! If a man wants a woman's honor as it is put, then are plenty of other ways of going about it then using the edge point of a sword High King!" She scolded, "And what other ways are those Princess Aria?" I questioned her intrigued now. King Lune sighed leaning back comfortably into his chair as she continued, the corners of her rosy lips turned upwards into a winning smirk. "Well your majesty most woman prefer a strong man yes that is capable with a sword, but they do not need such a brute of all hours of the day. He must also be caring and kind. That is if he is supposed to be as good of a father as my own father has been" she smiled winking playfully at her father. He smiled down at her lovingly squeezing her hand.
Prince Rabadash snorted, Edmund glared at him. Every time he looked at me he was practically begging me to let him stab that Prince. "That the kind of soft men Princess" Prince Rabadash commented. "Well Prince not every man in this world is determined to keep his women pregnant and bed ridden" Princess Aria's harsh tongue lashed out, but she somehow managed to keep that same innocent grin on her face. Prince Rabadash narrowed his eyes at her as he leaned forwards. "A fate women should get used to" Prince Rabadash commented. Susan and Lucy also glared at this prince.
"I'm sure you're tired Prince, Arnold will show you to your room." King Lune dismissed him. "Yes you are right King Lune. I must get my rest after all it will be a long day tomorrow watching Princess Aria win the archery tournament again" he smiled a possessive grin towards her. She turned sharply away from her as her and Susan launched into hush tones. From the pitch of their voices they're words were not kind.