.Title. Something New (Likely to Change)
.Author. MooMoogle
.Rating. PG (for now)
.Disclaimer. I own nothing! I am ignorant! Haha. Well, I own Maible, whose name was originally Sable; this pen I have behind my ear, and this disclaimer.
.A/N. Haha, now this is to be a odd sort of story I'm not sure about. Not sappy, but. Now, you should know me. Dark, angst-y person. Don't think I've changed. Now begone! I, uh, er mean, read and review please!
"But you haven't even met him," the boy complained silently.
He knew his brother was awful important and of high stature, and was the spitting image of any woman's dream, but this was getting a bit annoying; this was the fifth time this week he had stood, fuming silently as the maiden before him gave him a disapproving look, clearly only interested in speaking to his elder sibling. Not once had he received a visitor.
She sighed impatiently after a moment had passed, and though she needn't had have to say it, for Edmund already knew just what she was to say, she greeted dryly, "Good day to you, your Highness; My name is Maible, coming from Archenland. I've journeyed to Cair Paravel in search of High King Peter." The boy resisted the urge to roll his eyes as Maible casually emphasized his brother's stature.
Nonetheless, he offered a small, forced smile and returned the greeting, though his voice remained just as hostile as hers. "Of course…If you please--" He turned from her, almost relieved to, and called, "Rerian!" Not a moment later, the clipping noise of hooves echoed through the enormous halls. A small shuffle of feet mixed with the noise; Edmund resisted a grin. Dear Maible was obviously registering that Rerian was not human.
Indeed, he was not; a moment later, the small faun skittered from around the corner, a friendly smile etched through his features. He dropped into a half bow of respect before rising to ask happily, "You called, King Edmund?" The boy let his gaze flit to Maible, a small, true smile curving his lips at her uneasy fear as she eyed Rerian warily.
"Yes, thank you for arriving so quickly. This young lady here wishes to speak to my brother, but I haven't seen him since breakfast this morning."
Rerian shared a secret smirk with Edmund, sighing heavily, before finally replying slightly louder, "Ah, yes; King Peter as well as Queen Susan have gone for an afternoon ride. I am afraid they will not be back until late evening." Edmund nodded curtly, turning back to Maible.
She truly could meet his standards, were it not for the constant unsatisfied look in her eye. Her long blonde hair fell over her shoulders and down her back almost perfectly, she held herself with graceful poise, and her face was fair enough to trance nearly any unknowing man.
Edmund was not an unknowing man. And he knew Peter was not, either.
So, he informed her without a thread of sympathy, "As you can see, King Peter cannot join us until tonight. If you wish, you may reside here for the night and speak with him tomorrow." A look of pure disbelief and disappointment crossed her face as she pursed her lips tightly together. He was really praying to sweet Aslan she would decline.
But she only placed her hands on her hips and glanced around the Throne Room. "I suppose that will have to do," she said. Edmund gritted his teeth momentarily, very unhappy, before turning back to the faun, who was contentedly waiting, often repressing small chuckles. Rerian knew for a fact that the young King hated these women seeking Peter's hand; although, Susan and Lucy's suitors were not even to be mentioned. "Would you be so kind as to show our guest to a vacant room?"
The faun nodded, glancing at Maible, whose eyes had grown wide again. "Come along, Miss," Rerian chided, clip-clopping away, Maible not-so close behind. The two turned down another hallway, the small noise of Rerian's cloven hooves fading away, leaving Edmund alone in the large room. Truly, he was thankful for the loneliness as he sank into his Throne, his head resting tiredly against the marble. These people were simply coming more and more it seemed; he was just glad his siblings had enough sense to politely push each one away. He himself had yet to be pursued, and that was just fine for him. He had no desire to be wooed for by some maiden, let alone marry; he was only fifteen! That was one thing that really daunted him; they were much too young to consider any of these matters.
Perhaps that was why he despised them all.
"Ed?" A young girl poked her head into the room, the small crown on her head resting upon her short, brown hair. He opened his eyes in alarm as the silence split, his gaze landing on her before he relaxed again.
"Oh…Hullo, Lu." Lucy grinned, leaping from the hall and up to the dais, standing next to her brother.
"I saw her," Lucy explained, her smile fading to a look of disgust; "I think she looks spoiled. Isn't this the third on this week?" Edmund scowled.
"Fifth," he corrected, shaking his head. "It is tiring. And Peter always manages to disappear when they come."
"Oh, really, Ed! You know him. He just doesn't know what to do about girls," scoffed the Queen. They shared tired smiles.
"Yes, well…That gives him no reason to leave them with me." Lucy patted his hand, resisting the urge to burst into laughter.
"We all know you hate even the idea of all these suitors."
The King looked smug. He hadn't kept it a secret. "When are Peter and Su truthfully due back?" he asked, halfway changing the subject. He was immediately glad he had, and yet at the same time worried as his sister's eyes grew wide.
"Oh! By the Lion, I nearly forgot!" she cried, stamping her foot. She lowered her voice then, and whispered, "They got here five minutes ago."
Edmund leapt to his feet, cursing under his breath. "How many guards accompanied her here?" he demanded.
Lucy bit her lip, strumming her fingers. "I don't know how many exactly, but it was a group of them. If Peter and Su came around straight to the stable, they won't know they're there…That will be a surprise for them."
"But I already told Maible she would have to wait for him tomorrow," he hissed.
"Well, just tell her they came home early," Lucy said, slightly confused. The fazed look on her brother's face promptly straightened her out.
"If I'm going to be unhappy, she going down with me," he muttered. Lucy giggled.
"Well, I'd hurry; it shan't take them long to rub down the horses. If anything, I'll keep Maible busy." Edmund nodded, slipping from the room and down the hall, taking care to tread the opposite direction Rerian had led their guest.
---
"Peterrrrrrrrrrrr! Susaaaaaaaaan!" cried Edmund as he ran to the stables, ducking inside. The chatter of voices and laughter ended abruptly as the boy rushed into view, looking very flustered.
"Ed?" Peter stared at him with wide eyes, alarmed by the sudden appearance of his brother. The younger King stopped panting for a minute to glare at his oldest sibling. "Ed, what's wrong?"
"One- of your- stupid- women," he hissed between breaths. The color drained from Peter's face.
"What's that, Ed?" Susan stepped from the tack room, undaunted by Edmund's slight anger. "Another visitor for Peter? Oh, how is she?"
"Does it matter?" cried Peter. Edmund ignored him.
"Well, frankly, Lucy and I both agreed she's a spoiled prat." Susan's hopeful gleam faded into disappointment as she sighed piteously. Unlike her other siblings, she slightly enjoyed the 'attention' of a suitor. However, that still did not keep her from declining each one; whether of her own free will, or her brothers'.
"Lovely," muttered Peter, running a hand through his hair.
"Well, if anything, you can escape her until tomorrow. Rerian told her you two would be back too late to meet tonight."
"Edmund!" his brother snapped; "You expect me to avoid her for the next three hours!"
"Peter, it is Cair Paravel," Susan pointed out. "The castle is huge."
"With my luck, I'd run smack into her alone. Or with Ed."
"Hullo!"
"Well, you couldn't have given her an exquisite welcome," Peter said smugly, raising an eyebrow. "We all know you hate these suitors."
Edmund crossed his arms indignantly. "You don't care for them either. And that's the third time I've been told the obvious."
"No matter. The point is I cannot go in there until dinner tonight," concluded his brother. Susan sighed.
"Well, I'm going. I can say I came back early, if you truly wish."
"Good," murmured the youngest; "Peter and I could go hunting without you."
"That you can," agreed Susan shortly. Of the many qualities that had changed in her, the shuddering feeling of killing something had stayed firm. "But what should I say tothis maidenabout your disappearance?"
"Tell her Peter sent for me."
"Fair enough," she mused. Tossing her hair, she waved; "good luck to you then;" and turned on her heel, the swish of her skirts vanishing around the corner.
---
"Ah! Oh, sorry, Rerian…You scared me."
The faun merely brushed aside the mistake and bowed slightly. "My apologies, Queen Susan. I've just finished showing our guest to her room."
Susan sighed at this bit of news; she felt she would not enjoy this one half so much. Lowering her tone, she whispered, "Rerian, please, try to keep my arrival quiet; Peter and Ed have just left for a bit of sport and-"
Before she could finish, there was the soft padding of feet hurrying towards the two, drawing Susan silent. Her gaze darted up, immediately landing on whom was approaching; and she repressed a groan. Maible was shuffling towards them, her eyes alight. Like her brother, Susan noticed the greedy glint mixing with the look of hope.
"Good afternoon, your Highness!" she beamed, curtseying. Susan half-smiled in acknowledgement, shooting a helpless glance at Rerian. Maible, oblivious, continued; "I heard you enter the castle; how was your ride with King Peter?"
"Fine…fine, thank you." Though from the tone of her voice, one might have thought it had been a terrible outing. But the maiden happily babbled on;
"Excellent! King Edmund informed me that you two would not be back until much too late tonight—as you know, I am to meet with King Peter…Speaking of which, may I ask where he is? I did not see him enter the castle with you, and I am terribly anxious to see him."
Susan fondled with her hair, waiting patiently for Maible to pause, managing to keep her face blank. "Ah, yes, about that. I am awful sorry, but my royal brother has not returned; he sent me for King Edmund, you see. I am afraid his arrival will continue to be delayed." Maible's plastered grin faded, her lip's forming a small 'o' before sealing shut. Susan also pursed her lips in disapproval as the maiden's hands clenched, a look of lividness cross her face, for you see, she was just thinking how "that spoiled little boy got to go meet her husband-to-be and she did not." Susan must have guessed this, for she quickly offered, "I'm sure it was for important matters women should stay away from." This was a slightly hypocritical statement, for that was what she fought against constantly. She was a woman, perhaps, but that did not make her unable when a man supposedly was.
Maible sighed irritably, but fell to fuming silently, marching away without a word more to the young Queen. Susan only sighed, half relieved that was out of the way now. Rerian shook his head, rolling his eyes. "I think that's one of the more unfavorable Daughters of Eve," he said. "Do not worry, Queen Susan; I will not speak of Peter's arrival and quick departure."
Susan nodded, placing a hand to her head and swiping a strand of hair from her face. "This won't get out of hand, will it?"
"I cannot say," the faun sympathized; "But we can only hope it does not."
--
"Come on, Peter! God, can't you go any faster!"
Peter narrowed his eyes but deliberately ignored his pacing younger brother, continuing to groom his mount thoroughly. The unicorn stood quietly, eyeing Edmund with slightly alarmed eyes, but enjoying the small time attention from his master. Phillip was already, well, ready; as of five minutes ago.
"Patience, dear brother," mused Peter; "If I recall correctly, it was you who lied to the maiden."
Edmund scowled. "Oh, but, if my memory does not fail me, it is you who dreads each one. Forgive me for trying to assist you."
Peter sighed, placing the brush back in its original spot. The unicorn itself seemed to sigh resentfully as it released a blow of air. Phillip 'accidentally' nosed Edmund's back, silencing the impatient boy; and at the same time, nearly throwing him off his feet. He glared at Phillip, who snorted and said with a commanding tone, "Quiet." The boy obeyed, and with a dramatic wave of his hand he retired to standing beside his horse, stroking Phillip's muzzle even as he sulked.
"Okay, we can go-" Peter started, having swung himself up on his steed's back, but stopped short, stiffening.
"Stupid…sending that…and then the creature…so uncivilized…"
Faint traces of an unfamiliar voice floated innocently inside the stables, bringing the Kings' activity to a stop. The two exchanged looks of worry; Edmund mouthed glumly, "stupid woman."
--
.A/N. Well, there you go for Chapter one. It went reaaallllly fast, but oh well. Kinda choppy too...Anyways, reviews please and small flames! If any... -cowers-