DISCLAIMER:**The character names of Chronicles of Narnia are owned by Douglas Gresham. The original content, ideas and intellectual property of this story are owned by NeverTickleASleepingDraco, 2011. Please do not copy, reproduce, ortranslatewithout express written permission
Someone shook my shoulder and I rolled over, stuffing my face into the soft pillow.
I could feel the cotton pillow against my face. I could feel the heather mattress underneath my curled up body. I could feel the stray dark brown curls fall in my face as the force of gravity overtook it. I could feel the rise and fall of my chest as I breathed. I could feel someone still shaking my shoulder, trying to rouse me awake.
I could smell the bacon on my breakfast plate on my bedside table. I could smell the lilies also on the plate. I could smell the freshly rained on grass outside my open window. I could smell the perfumes of my bath, waiting for me to get in.
I could hear the birds chirping and singing a gay song outside my open window. I could hear the servants bustling about getting ready for a gala later tonight. I could hear the sheets rustle as I adjusted my legs. I could hear my chambermaid straightening things and still trying to get me up.
As I sat up and was handed my plate, I could taste the vanilla in my tea. I could taste the soft, tangy blueberries in my muffin. I could taste the slightly burnt bacon still sizzling in my mouth, burning my tongue in the process.
But I could not see.
I could not see the flowers by my bed. I could not see the birds singing their gay song. I could not see the freshly rained on grass. I could not see my chambermaid rousing me or adjusting my room. I could not see the bath waiting for me. I could not even see myself.
That I knew from my brother, I had dark brown curly hair, and hazy eyes that you could just barely make out to be green. I was medium height and when I heard my brother, Cor, speak from above me, I could tell he was a good deal taller than me. I had freckles across my nose.
I've become quite clever, despite my disability. I knew how to listen for certain things. Even the faintest footsteps or bells. I was excellent in all my senses (except taste which was normal). My brothers and I pulled numerous pranks, which always got us in trouble.
My "brothers" aren't actually my brothers. I was found by Corin when I was about five. I could see perfectly fine until I was seven when cataracts were found in my eyes. We had no way to remove them so about a month later I became blind. You may not understand why I don't know what I look like. I don't really remember anything before I went blind.
Anyway, Corin found me in a village that had been burned down by a group of vagabonds. My whole family was killed, including my older brother Azhton. I was under rubble unconscious. King Lune and Prince Corin brought me back to Anvard and I've been living here ever since.
About three years ago, Corin discovered he had a twin brother named Cor. They got in fights a lot, which was a complete bother. Cor is more fun to talk to because Corin is just too spoiled. He got a pony for his birthday!
Also, Cor doesn't treat me as a helpless blind girl. He treats me as the adventurous, outdoorsy girl that my father doesn't let me be. He doesn't let me walk the ground without supervision. Of course, I don't listen to him. Mostly I go by night.
As I sipped another drink of my tea, a route I had memorized, the chambermaid (her name was Delilah) took my hand and helped me out of bed. I held out my arms and let her dress me. She sat me down and I felt fingers tug and pull on my hair. A knock sounded on my door and I yelled out, "Come in!"
The finger stopped on my hair and a, "Your majesty," was heard. "Thank you Delilah, I can take it from here." The now deep voice of my brother Cor resounded against my eardrums. A large hand was placed on my shoulder and I looked up toward the sound of my brother.
"Good morning, Cor," I said sweetly. I felt fingers lift my curls once more. Surprisingly, Cor was very talented with hair. Along with cooking fish. His "father" was a fisherman. His salmon is fantastic.
Well anyway, my brother finished with my hair (which I couldn't see, much to my dismay) and started leading me toward the door. "You must look your best today. You know what today is right?"
"Yes, of course. The monarchs of Narnia are coming today. I'm rather excited. I've heard nice stories about them," I replied.
It was true. I had heard great and awesome stories of the young Kings and Queens. I had heard of Queen Lucy the Valiant and how sweet and kind she was, especially to small animals. I had heard of King Edmund the Just who was kind and joyful, yet lethal with swords on the battlefield. I had heard of Queen Susan the Gentle and the beauty she held and the great galas and feasts. I had heard of High King Peter the Magnificent and how much of a leader he was to his people and of course, his charm.
"When shall they be here?" I asked.
"Very soon. Very, very soon. A page just saw their horses on the horizon. We are to meet them at the gates and then have breakfast in the gardens. Tonight, there will be a grand ball in their honour," he informed me. I nodded and continued to be led to the gates.
We waited for at least five minutes before loud trumpets were heard, and a loud voice exclaimed, "The Kings and Queens of Narnia!" Feet were heard landing on the cobblestone, and the rustle of fabric as the Queens smoothed out their dresses, or so I imagined.
"Hello King Lune! Nice to see you, old friend!" a deep voice cried. I guessed it to be King Peter, the oldest.
"Corin!" two female voices cried. Queen Susan was very good friends with my brother, and I suspected some courting between Corin and Queen Lucy.
"Hello, Lady Cecelia," a clear, deep (but not as deep as the other's) voice said to me. My head had been bowed this whole time, so I suspected he knew nothing of my blindness. I guessed him to be King Edmund.
I curtsied, yet said nothing afraid to be wrong of his identity. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am King Edmund." So, I was right. I was caught off guard when he added quietly, "Although you may call me Edmund in private."
I smiled and said, "Hello, King Edmund."
"Why won't you look at me?" he asked suddenly. Because I can't I thought.
"Because I cannot," I voiced.
"What do you mean? Of course you can!" he exclaimed, incontestably confused.
I sighed and lifted my head, so the king could see my hazy eyes. I heard him gasp, and I said, "Now do you see? Because I cannot. I don't need your pity. Nice to make your acquaintance, King Edmund." I curtsied and walked off toward the gardens, another route I had memorized. My hand followed the green hedge until I got to the center of the maze where breakfast was to be held. It took me longer to get there than anybody else so Corin led me to the last seat available.
"I'm sorry about earlier," a voice said in my ear. I huffed as I recognized the clear voice of King Edmund. "I had no clue."
I snorted. "Evidently. It's fine. Perhaps I overreacted a bit. My apologies, Your Majesty." I continued to pick at whatever it was on my plate, seeing as I was not hungry. Delilah has a bit of short-term memory loss so she forgot about the Kings and Queens coming today.
After waiting for at least an hour, the sound of scraping chairs and shuffling feet were heard, signaling the end of breakfast. "Lady Cecelia? Would you care for a walk?" The voice I once again recognized to be Edmund's said and I felt a warm hand place mine over his arm.
I walked a little closer than necessary, trying to get his scent. That was another thing about me. I used people's scents to know who they were. For everyone had a certain smell about him or her. Edmund smelled of a strange combination of cinnamon and an oak tree. However, it was a nice smell and I breathed it in.
He led me to a stop suddenly and he turned me to face him. "I know this is an odd question, but would you like to know what I look like?" I nodded vigorously. I was always intrigued as to what people looked like. "Okay then, I have dark brown, nearly black hair that never, ever stays in its place." I giggled softly. "I have brown eyes. Girls
have said they are mesmerizing but I don't see how." I had a sudden longing to his brown eyes. "My skin is somewhat pale and I have freckles across my nose, like you." I could feel him tracing the light brown splats on my nose. I smiled and felt my way up to his face. I traced every inch of it. I felt his nose, which was straight. I ran my hands over his jaw, which was hard and had a little touch of stubble to it. Just the tiniest bit. I felt up to his forehead and felt how long his hair was. Not long really. It hung in his eyes I could tell and went down to at least his collar. Finding my way to his lips, I ran a finger over them. They were full lips, probably like his sister Susan. A slight tingle went through my body but I tossed it away.
"You sound handsome," I said simply, taking my hands from his face.
"I know," he said, his voice dripping with mock arrogance. If I could, I would've rolled my eyes. "I know you can't see yourself, but you are very beautiful."
I snorted in a very unladylike manner. "Probably no comparison to your sisters, my lord."
I heard him sigh and felt him take my hand once more and put it in the crook of his elbow. "Come on. I'll walk you to your room. I know you must have to get ready for the ball tonight."
"Why yes of course! How could I forget!" He led me along the pathways of the garden and into the castle before stopping before what I presumed to be my room.
"Here we are. I shall see you tonight?" I nodded. "Good. Save me a dance?" I nodded once more, smiled, and walked into my room.
"Finally!" the voice of Delilah screeched. "You must rest and then get ready for the ball!"
Reluctantly, I let myself be pulled into the world of being a lady.
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Hannah. x