Miraz
Disclaimer: I do not own the Chronicles of Narnia.
A/N: This fic is from Miraz's POV. It is closer to the book story than
I would appreciate any reviews, comments, or even flames. Not sure whether I should continue this one, so I would love to know what you think! Thanks...
--The Telmarine Castle, Evening--
It was dark and silent on the night I killed my brother.
That night, we had met in the great hall for a feast to celebrate the birth, which had taken place two weeks before, of the heir to the throne, a boy named, in the tradition of the Telmarines, for his father.
"I present to you Caspian the Tenth!" my brother roared, as his blushing wife held the child up for all to see.
The nobles cheered and applauded. Caspian the Ninth was well liked among the court, and he had made friends with many of the Lords of Narnia many years before he was made king, earning their unquestioned loyalty.
"Sire," the Lord Bern shouted, rising from his chair, "A toast to you, and your son!"
"A toast!" came the cry from even the far corners of the room.
Everyone raised their glasses, and even I had to lift mine so as not to look suspicious. The wine tasted bitter as I drank it, and I glanced across at my brother. His face was flushed with pride as he gazed down at his wife and child.
"This is undoubtedly the happiest night of my life," he whispered softly to his wife, brushing her golden curls back gently. "At last I have an heir."
I frowned yet again. An heir. Because my brother had an heir, that meant he would not have to pass the throne on to his younger brother when he died. I would never be king.
"Lord Miraz," said a voice at my elbow.
I looked to my right. Next to me stood a man I had come to know well in the past few weeks, a young noble by the name of Sopespian.
"Lord Sopespian," I said with a bow. "So glad you could attend."
The lord bowed his head and smiled wryly.
"Is it not wonderful that the King finally has an heir?"
I frowned slightly and nodded.
"Wonderful indeed. Now he will not have to pass the throne on to the next in line."
Lord Sopespian smiled at my words, and shook his head.
"Of course, it is disappointing for you, Lord Miraz. Could it be that you are displeased by the birth of Caspian the Tenth?"
"Not here, you fool," I hissed angrily, glancing over my shoulder for fear someone would hear us. "Meet me by the seventh fountain tonight. Bring Fairron, and Glozelle and some of the others. Speak not of these things aloud."
Sopespian smiled again, nastily.
"Of course, my Lord," he said. "I shall be there."
He turned and marched off, another young man, a soldier called Fairron, one of my friends of whom I had spoken, joining him.
"How now, brother!" called Caspian, the king from behind me. "What is this frown on thy face?"
Grimacing, I turned to face him, plastering a half smile on my face so as not to appear unhappy.
"Frown, Caspian?" I asked, looking up at my older brother, and trying not to be irritated at the difference in our height. While my brother was tall and fair, I was shorter, and dark of skin and face. "What in Narnia do you mean?"
Queen Elenor stepped forward, holding that accursed child.
"You seem troubled, my lord," she said gently, pushing back the smooth golden curls that fell in her eyes. "Preoccupied."
"I meant not to worry you, Lady," I said through clenched teeth. "I am merely…unable to express the joy that I feel at the birth of your son."
Elenor's eyes brightened and she smiled charmingly.
"Is not he wonderful? He looks just like his father!"
I glanced down at the child, and raised an eyebrow, my eyes flickering first to Caspian, my brother, and then to my nephew. The king's hair, which hung to his shoulders, was a lank brown, and his eyes were a deep hue of grayish-blue; yet my nephew, even as such a young child, having been born but a week before, had fair hair, and his eyes, I could see as he blinked up at me, were the color of the clear, summer sky--like his mother's.
"Exactly like his father," I lied, nodding to the queen. "If you will excuse me, milady, I have business to attend to."
"Business? On a night such as this?" Queen Elenor asked in surprise. "Oh come, Miraz. Can't you relax for a time? Look…there is Lady Prunaprismia. You care for her, do you not?"
My eyes searched the room until they alighted upon a girl with flaming red hair and skin as pale as a ghost. Mia. Her dress, a long forest green gown, brought out a flash of emerald green in her eyes as she caught sight of me.
"Milady, Lady Prunaprismia is engaged at the moment. I have matters to attend to. If you will excuse me?"
Queen Elenor sighed and gazed down at her child.
"Of course, Miraz. What shall we do with him, Caspian?" she asked the boy absently.
I bowed, and then turned to leave. Before I had gone twenty paces, a smooth figure, cloaked in green, slipped between me and the door.
"Lord Miraz," Lady Prunaprismia said with a sly smile. "Would you leave without speaking to me?"
I sighed and glanced at the door one more time.
"Not now, Mia."
"Miraz," she said, her smile disappearing as she searched my face worriedly. "What's wrong? What bothers you so? Has something happened?"
"Nothing," I said urgently, reaching for her hand. "I am…merely busy. I have business to attend to."
Prunaprismia turned away, a frown appearing on her ruby lips.
"Oh. Business."
I bit back a groan as I realized I had unintentionally hurt her feelings. I wasn't like Caspian when it came to romancing women. He always said I was too blunt and calloused. He was probably right.
"Mia…" I began.
"No, I understand," Prunaprismia said heatedly. "If you have business to attend to, than I shan't keep you. It's not use bothering you with such trivial things as love. But business is an alluring rival of mine when it comes to you, is it not?"
I let go of her hand and waited a moment, glancing first at the door, and then at my red headed lady. My plans could wait. It wasn't time yet, anyhow.
"Rival, Lady Mia?" I asked smoothly, stepping behind her and placing my hand on her shoulder. "My business could never take your place."
Prunaprismia turned slowly back to face me, and her eyes held a reproachful glare in them. She was not as forgiving as some. Behind us in the main chamber, I heard the sound of music. A dance was beginning.
"Lady Mia," I said, extending my hand to her gallantly, "will you honor me with a dance?"
Prunaprismia blushed, which happened easily with her deathly pale skin, and curtseyed gracefully.
"It would be my pleasure, Lord Miraz," she replied with a soft smile.
Taking her on my arm, I escorted her to the dance floor. With smooth steps, the couples on the floor weaved in and out of one another. In the middle of the dance, Mia looked up at me, her face filled with a worry that made her look even more beautiful than usual.
"What is it?" she asked softly, glancing around and then back up at my face. "What troubles you so?"
"As I told you before, Mia, it is nothing," I replied, my heart twisting in anxious fear. If she found out…but she wouldn't. No one would know. My plans were too deeply laid to end in failure.
We passed my brother and Lady Elenor near the end of the dance.
"Miraz," Elenor whispered as we passed. "I knew you would not leave without a word to your love."
I made myself smile back at her, and then turned away. The queen was sometimes too kind. She knew that I had never been my father's favorite, and had been left out of many things my brother had done. Too kind. The child, I guessed, was now in the arms of his nurse, an old lady who knew more about caring for children than the entire castle put together.
"Miraz," Prunaprismia murmured as the dance ended. "Won't you get me something to drink?"
"Of course, Mia," I said absently, leading her to a chair and then heading to the table where the drinks were served.
As I carefully picked up two glasses, I saw my brother grab his large, golden goblet. I watched him drain it in ten seconds, and then wondered why I hadn't decided to poison him. He certainly drank enough wine. But I knew when I began making plans to kill my brother, that if he died of poison, every finger would point to me, since I was the only one who would gain anything by his death, and Caspian had too many friends among the Lords for me to be able to kill him and get away with it.
No. I had to lay my plans deeper, and place the blame somewhere else. The first phase of my plan would begin within the hour. As a messenger came running into the ballroom, I smiled evilly. So it was finally beginning.
"Sire," the messenger gasped. "We are…under attack!"
The King put down his goblet and looked in shock at the man.
"Under attack! And by whom?"
"The peasants sire," the man said breathlessly. "They are rebelling!"
Caspian stroked his chin thoughtfully. Finally, he put his hand on his sword hilt and looked at his general, Lord Orlian of the Passarids.
"Orlian," he said, looking his friend in the eye. "Will you gather a few men to retaliate? I am sure that the peasants' rebellion will not last long if we strike quickly."
Lord Orlian bowed.
"As you wish, my lord," he said.
With a nod to a few of his men, one of whom was his brother, Lord Orlian left the room, heading to the armory to be fitted out with mail. I smiled as I watched him leave. It would not take much to quash this planned rebellion. The peasants would flee at the sight of men on horses, no doubt. Attacking the castle was all they had been paid to do. A few anxious whispers spread throughout the room, but then Caspian shouted:
"No worries, friends. This little rebellion of the peasants will not last long. Start up the music again!"
The people, reassured by their King, stopped worrying. The music began, and several couples started to dance. I carried a drink to Prunaprismia, and then sat down beside her. After a moment, Prunaprismia turned to me.
"Will you not ask me to dance again?"
I hesitated, and then shook my head.
"I fear not, milady. Pray sit and speak with me awhile."
The girl had begun to rise, but then remained seated. Unconsciously, she brushed back a flaming strand of red hair, and blinked her green eyes twice.
"Very well, my lord," she murmured demurely. "What is it that you wish to discuss?"
I cleared my throat and glanced over the crowd, hoping to catch a glimpse of Sopespian or Fairron. No such luck. They were probably waiting for me at the fountain.
"Um…that dress," I said impulsively, catching sight of her green gown once more. "The fabric is exquisite! Where in Narnia did you discover such a work of art?"
Prunaprismia eyed me suspiciously.
"Do you mock me, Miraz?"
"Of course not!" I replied hastily. With Mia, it was better to keep on her good side. "Why do you think I am mocking you?"
Prunaprismia giggled and laid her smooth, white hand on my calloused, dark one.
"Come now, Miraz. When do you ever discuss dresses with me?"
I was fumbling for an answer when a shout came from the door.
"The peasants' rebellion has ended! Lord Orlian is victorious!" cried a messenger as he burst through the door.
Caspian heaved a sigh, and smiled down at Elenor.
"I told you the fight would not last long," he shouted to his friends.
As if you would know, I thought angrily. I felt a hand on my shoulder. Glancing up, I saw Prunaprismia's father, Lord Perimon, smiling kindly down at us.
"Mia, dear," he said, "bid Lord Miraz good night. Now that those peasants have gone home, it's time we did the same."
"Yes, Father," Mia said reluctantly.
Perimon turned away, and we both stood. I held her hand and led her to the door, where I helped her into her dark green cloak.
"Thank you for a lovely night, Miraz," she said softly, reaching up and planting a kiss upon my cheek.
Ordinarily, I would have been elated by this, but on this night gave it no thought at all.
"I bid thee good night, Lady Mia," I replied absently, smiling at her as she left.
I headed back into the ballroom, and found that many other people had begun to leave as well. Caspian waited until most of them were gone, and then he led Lady Elenor to the door.
"Good night, brother," he said with a yawn. "It has been a long day, and we must be getting to bed."
"Good night, brother," I replied, smirking on the inside, "Sleep well."
"Oh I will," the King said with a grin. "Elenor tells me that I sleep like a dead man!"
How true that will be, I thought with a wicked smile as I watched them go. You don't know the half of it, brother.
After all the nobles had left the ballroom, and we had carried those who had drunk too much wine to bedchambers where they could pass the night, I slipped into dark clothing and made my way to the seventh fountain where I was to meet with Sopespian and the others.
They were all there, armed and dressed in dark colors, just as I was.
"Understand," I said, just loudly enough for my men to hear, "that we only want the King. Harm no others, if you can."
Sopespian nodded, and the others all grunted their assent. As we sneaked to the King's private garden, just outside his apartments, I noticed that Fairron was unusually quiet.
"Lord Fairron?" I hissed, fearing that one of us might be losing his nerve. "What ails you?"
Fairron turned to look at me, and I saw his face was deathly pale.
"Why do you seek the death of your brother?" he whispered.
I bit my cheek and cursed to myself. Would Fairron betray me? He had been one of my closest friends from childhood, and even after joining my brother's army remained more loyal to me.
"Because, Fairron, Caspian cannot rule Narnia the way I can. You know he is a poor leader."
Fairron gasped softly and his eyes grew wide.
"You want his throne! He has an heir, Miraz."
When he saw my frown, his eyes grew wider as a look of disbelief covered his face.
"You would kill the boy? He's only a child, Miraz! A baby!"
I said nothing, and Fairron continued.
"And what of the Queen, Miraz? Will you slaughter her in her sleep as well?"
I halted suddenly and grabbed the front of Fairron's tunic, pulling him close.
"I will do what I must. The throne must be mine. I will take it however I can."
Fairron's face grew hard as he shook his head.
"You are a fool, Miraz."
I released him and marched forward, making a mental note to keep him in sight at all times.
"Maybe so, but no more a fool than my brother."
When we finally reached the King's garden, I nodded to Sopespian, who was to stand guard, and then began climbing the ivy that hung down from the King's window. Quietly, I slipped over the window ledge, and pulled Fairron up after me.
The King lay asleep in his bed. A lump on the other side, I realized, must be the Queen. The child, to my surprise, was not in their room. He must have a room of his own, I realized in disgust. As silently as I could, I drew my sword and placed the edge of the blade at Caspian's throat. Suddenly, Fairron grabbed my arm and drew a dagger.
"No, Miraz," he hissed, "I cannot allow you to kill my King."
With a quick movement, I twisted my sword around his wrist, causing him to drop his dagger, and stabbed his right arm. Fairron gasped in pain, and fell back against the wall, not mortally wounded, but badly hurt.
Hastily, I stepped forward and drove my sword into the bed where my brother lay. His eyes fluttered open, and his sky blue eyes held me in a look that would haunt me till my dying day. His lips barely moved as he whispered,
"Miraz…"
Then he was dead.
I stumbled back, my eyes locked on his. Then, I felt a smile growing on my face. I had done it. Caspian was no longer the King of Narnia. I glanced over at Elenor's place, and gasped in shock.
The queen was not there! It was only a pillow thrown sideways that I had assumed was Elenor. Then, sheer panic filled my mind as I heard footsteps in the corridor.
Of course! The queen had gone to check on her child.
"Caspian?" I heard her say softly, as her quiet footsteps approached the doorway. "Is that you, Dearest?"
I pulled my hood over my face and ran to the window, grabbing Fairron and hoisting him over.
"Climb," I hissed, pushing him down before me.
He sent me a look of utter hatred, but climbed down as quickly as he could. Now that the King was dead, any conspirators, even unwilling ones, would face the death penalty. Fairron dropped onto the ground.
"Don't let him escape," I whispered to Sopespian, who stood below.
Then, I heard a loud scream, a shriek of sorrow and pain, from the chamber above. I knew the dead king had been discovered. Jumping to the ground, I hurried my men out of the King's garden and into the courtyard. Fairron was only half-conscious now, having lost too much blood from the wound in his arm.
"Release him," I ordered Sopespian.
Sopespian obeyed with a look of confusion. Fairron bolted for the door leading to the castle hall, and I drew my sword, stopping him before he could escape.
As I stood over his dead body, my men all took a step back.
"It's too bad that there was a murderer among us, gentlemen," I said softly, wiping my sword and holding it up in warning. "Apparently Fairron was in league with those rebelling peasants who attacked the castle earlier and longed for the King's blood. He has paid for his crime."
Hesitantly, a few men nodded, and then the others gave their assent. Elenor's screams continued, and several guards appeared through the courtyard doorway.
"Lord Miraz," one said, glancing swiftly at the body below me. "The King has been murdered."
I knew I must appear shocked, and so put on a surprised expression.
"Then this must be his slayer," I said, glancing down at Fairron. "He will never kill again."
The guard nodded, and I sheathed my sword. Wearily, I shook my head and headed for my bedchamber.
"Lord Miraz, a word!" murmured Sopespian, coming up behind me.
"What is it?" I asked shortly. It had been a long night, and my patience was at an end.
"Though now may not be the time to mention it, in view of your highness's sorrow at the death of your brother, will you not become the new king now that Caspian is dead?"
I straightened in the moonlight, smiling tiredly.
"King? But the Queen still lives. Perhaps not the King, just yet, Lord Sopespian, but maybe the Lord Protector. Patience. I will be King soon enough."
And with that I turned and left the courtyard, heading to my chambers, and an almost assured night of restless pacing as the vision of my brother's dying face flitted through my mind over and over again.
--