Almeda
Dear Mother,
Things have been going splendidly here at Cair Paravel. The head of the kitchen maids is always putting me to work. They're always asking me to wash dishes, scrub floors, clear the dishes, and that sort. But it is all quite nice here, and the people are very friendly. The only down side is that I have no time to sketch. Do you think I should ask them if I could have a day off? Well anyway, here's how my first day went:
"This way please." The man leading her through the maze of corridors, was not really a man at all. He was a faun, with a handsome green coat, and a handkerchief in his pocket. She never really noticed until later, that it had an L embroidered on the corner.
Oh Mother, there were so many tapestries in the halls we went through, that I lost count. And they were all so beautiful, no sketch could do them justice. Finally, after all the walking we had to do, the faun stopped at the door. And as he knocked, I got a terrible sensation in my stomach-like butterflies, trapped in a net.
"Come in", said the voice behind the door. It was not the kind of voice she expected to hear. For instead of rich and deep like her king, King Lune, it was young and lively as if it were only a boy.
The door handle seemed a little jammed, so Peter (being the High King) felt he ought to help. He got out of his chair and, after some effort, opened it from the inside. In came Tumnus, of course, but the next person to follow was certainly a surprise. She was a girl of about thirteen, with auburn hair and green eyes. She was in ordinary cloths, infact everything about her was ordinary. The only thing that was unusual was the bag; for it looked as if it was about to explode. Peter turned to the faun. "Mr. Tumnus, would you mind telling me who this is?"
"Why it's the new kitchen maid. You know we've been short of hands down there lately. You and your other highnesses agreed to send for a girl of her age to work here."
"Oh yes, I remember now. Though, I thought she was to reach here in the afternoon."
"I thought I would get here around that time, but a kind farmer gave me a ride in his cart on the way here."
"Oh I see, thank you for explaining. I'm sorry that only Mr. Tumnus was there to greet you."
"Oh that's alright Sire. This faun, um. . ."
"Mr. Tumnus", the faun whispered.
"Oh yes, thank you Mr. Tummnus. Anyway, Mr. Tummnus, was very kind. You have so many lovely tapestries Sire. Mr. Tumnus told me what the pictures on them were."
Peter chuckled; amused at the interest this girl had in such things. Then he noticed her hands. He somehow recognized them, then it hit him. "Of coarse! She has the same hands as Susan." "You're an artist aren't you."
The girl looked startled, and slightly surprised. "Y-yes, your Majesty. How did you-"
"My sister, Susan. She's an artist as well. Ah, but we don't have time for that now. Please, tell me your name."
"Almeda, from Archenland, your Highness"
"Well welcome to Cair Paravel Miss Amy. Mr. Tumnus, could you show her to her sleeping courters."
"Yes your highness, this way Miss Amy."
"Yes sir." Almeda paused before walking out, hesitated, then turned and stretched out a hand saying. "It was a pleasure meeting you your Highness."
"And I you, Miss Amy." After they shook hands, Amy hurriedly went out the door and went to catch up with Mr. Tumnus. Peter smiled, and shut the door.