Chapter 2: The Chosen Twin
"A prince of Archenland?" asked Cor incredulously. "Which one? Why?"
"It cannot be Cor," said Aravis quickly. "He's needed here." Cor looked at her, surprised at her outburst. But the look she gave him was not one of fine feelings—perhaps it was his father's health she thought of.
"It cannot be me," said Corin. "I…" He didn't finished, for there was no reason. Everyone stared at the younger prince. The choice seemed obvious.
"Why not, your highness?" asked Tumnus, and the other Narnians nodded their heads in question.
"Did Aslan say specifically who was to go?" asked Cor.
"No," admitted Tumnus. "Though he did say…" Here he looked cautiously at the elder brother.
"Speak your mind, friend," said Cor. "No secrets here." His mind was reeling—could the Four truly be gone? What would this mean for Narnia? For the world? And… their friendships had been strong... He could not think on that now.
"You are soon to succeed your father," said Tumnus solemnly.
"That is known to all," said Cor gravely. All knew Cor was soon to be king of Archenland, but he did not like to think of it. His father, die? He hated the thought.
"Known generally speaking only," Aravis added, "Did Aslan tell you something more specific, Master Tumnus?"
"No, my lady," said the faun, sipping from a goblet. "He did say it would be soon… but…"
"But he would tell you no story but your own?" asked Cor, and everyone chuckled. All present knew very little of the great mysteries that made Aslan the son of the Emperor over the Sea, but they were at least familiar with some of his oddities.
"Indeed, sire," said Tumnus. "It may be days…" Cor stiffened. "Or years," Tumnus added. "But why does the younger prince remain silent?" Everyone looked now at Corin, who was absently crumbling bread onto his plate, watching them as they spoke.
"What have you to say, brother?" asked Cor.
"Very little," said Corin with a strange gravity that became him very ill. "If it is the Lion's will, then of course I will go to the aid of our neighbors. But I am unable to the task of regent. I have not the skill or wish for power."
"I would think less of you if you had, my son," came a voice from the end of the hall. All turned and saw King Lune, walking down the steps, dressed regally and standing erect and strong, despite his failing health. His sons stood first, and the rest followed, all bowing respectfully to Archenland's king. Both sons came to his side, kissing him in turn.
"How are you, father?" asked Cor.
"Why are you not resting?" Corin added.
"Something told me I was needed here," said King Lune, a smile on his lips and a twinkle in his eye.
Aravis approached him and took his arm. "Sire, may I lead you to a chair?"
"Yes, my dear," said King Lune, going with Aravis. "I should like very much to sit by you, if that is favorable."
"It is indeed, sire," said the Tarkheena. Cor and Corin stepped back to their own seats.
"My Lord King," said Tumnus, bowing to King Lune, and then seating himself once more as the King took his own seat. "I do not wish to bring trouble to your house…"
"Trouble will find a house whether or not someone brings it," said the King wisely, "But never have I had cause to fear when the court of Narnia visited. It was by your assistance that I have a kingdom at all, Master Faun." King Lune paused for a moment, and then took a deep draught from a wine goblet. Fortified by the strong spirit of his land (new season's wine, harvested that same year, in the vineyards of the Hermit of the Southern March), King Lune resumed: "I am sad indeed that the Four have been sent once more to that Other Place… but Aslan's will is always best. It would seem a choice must be made, then, as to whom shall fall the stewardship of our neighboring country. How long have I do think on the matter, Tumnus?"
"It is imperative that I return on the morrow, sire," said the faun. "With our new regent."
"Indeed?" said the King, and absently stroked his beard. "I shall have an answer then, by sun-up. We shall not fail your land." Tumnus visibly sighed his relief, and the tension was a very little less. "Mean while," continued King Lune as he stood once more, "Raise a glass, all—in salute to the Four…" As he spoke their names, his voice echoed in the hall: "King Peter the Magnificent… King Edmund the Just… Queen Susan the Gentle… Queen Lucy the Valiant…"
Aravis, who'd remained stone-faced through out the counsel, wiped her eyes now at the epithet of her dearest friend. Cor watched her expertly control what must be a sharp pain within. Calormenes were taught to hide pain—to control their emotions and face trial with equanimity. That she even showed a small amount of remorse at this news showed him the magnitude of her hurt. Something in his heart tugged at him on behalf of the Tarkheena. They fought daily, and seemed more annoyed with each other as grown ups than they ever had as children… but her pain called to something within his own soul—something wild, born of instinct… an urge to protect her. Where it came from, he could not guess, and he was actually scratching his head in confusion when his brother whispered, "That is quite a wise look for a future king," and chuckled.
"Shut up," said Cor, lowering his hand. "What do you make of it?"
"Bad business all 'round…" Corin replied.
Cor stood at the close of the meal and bid the court good night. Aravis, he noticed then, had already departed. Nodding to his father and clapping his brother on the back, he quitted the hall and went to bed.
oOoOoOo
Aravis walked through the Garden of Anvard—Archenland's most lovely wonder. There were mazes and pathways, arches, gazebos, fountains and marble statues of Archenland's great heroes of the past. It was these statues that Aravis studied keenly as she walked in the moonlight—there was Ram, God of Peace…holding in one hand a sword, and in the other an olive branch… The Hero Twins, Dar and Darin, who'd fought gallantly in many battles together, finally meeting their shared doom in the Lapsed Bear of Stormness Head, whom Prince Corin later defeated, avenging them. There were the statues of the twin princes of Archenland… Corin in his boxing stance, his hair shorn, and Cor with his sword at his side, his long hair blown behind him. There was King Lune, a jolly smile on his face, his hands splayed over his belly. He stood next to his wife—she'd passed in the birth of her sons. Aravis returned to Cor's statue, and stared overlong at it… so lifelike, so the image of the future king of Archenland. Aravis wiped another tear away. Were he to leave… But, was Corin ready for such a responsibility? She knew whom she'd prefer remain in Archenland… but she also knew that it was important to do what Narnia needed most. And it wasn't that Corin couldn't make a fine ruler… but she never imagined… Yet, as intelligent and brave as Cor was, he was a rash man—often acting before thought. True, it had saved a nation once… but could he act as regent… possibly for a short time? He would be needed here soon as well, if King Lune passed.
And then there were her thoughts of the Four of Cair. She breathed deeply, controlling a terrible urge to sob—to weep in sadness. She breathed in deep breaths, repeatedly wiping tears from her eyes, hating the thought that she would never see her friend, Queen Lucy, again… She lost her friend… must she lose Cor as well? And why did she care so for him? He was a daily annoyance, and his manner toward her brash and unfeeling. But something in him… she couldn't tell what, but something filled her with terror at the prospect of his possible departure for Narnia—for who knew how long?
Eventually she knew she must go in to bed, but she also knew she would not sleep that night. Laying in her bed, the imagined the Other Place, where the Four had disappeared to, and wondered what it was like. Surely nothing like Archenland or Narnia… Would Lucy ever return? Would she have another chance to see her friend?
oOoOoOoOo
"I have made my decision," said King Lune at breakfast. Cor noted that his father's color was good—his cheeks not as pale as they'd been for some time, and he ate heartily. It was good to see his father looking so well. The court of Anvard and that of Narnia waited for the King to make the announcement of who was to travel back to Cair Paravel. "I intend to have Corin take over Regency," said King Lune, but before anyone could speak or cheer for him, he added, "But I do not believe he is ready on his own yet. And so, Cor will go with him—and Corin will learn what needs to be done."
"No!" said Aravis, then, checking herself once everyone looked at her, she corrected, "Both of them cannot go, sire."
"I am not going to die in the next month, my lady," said the King, and everyone laughed nervously. "In a month's time, Cor will return, and Corin will remain regent of Narnia. Perhaps then we will better know the will of the Lion."
"So it is decided," said Tumnus, and everyone raised their glasses to the twins of Archenland—the temporary regent lords of Cair Paravel.
oOoOoOoO
"Both of us?" asked Corin, pacing the hall while everyone bustled about, readying themselves for departure.
"I thought you didn't want to do it?" said Cor.
"I don't know if I am ready… but it's more humiliated to have my brother come—to teach me!
"I'm not there to teach you anything," said Cor. "The country will be in disarray. I'm there to help shoulder the burden until things settle down. I am quite at your disposal, I assure you."
"You are sure father didn't send you to play nursery maid to me?"
"Of course not, Corin," said Cor, annoyed with his brother. "Look at it as a blessing. And besides, I will leave within a month—then you'll be rid of me forever."
"Why would I WANT to be rid of you?" asked Corin, who seemed determined to argue, whether or not it was warranted. "Why do I have to stay in Narnia…"
"You've never wanted to rule anything," said Cor, fed up with the complaining. "You've boasted for years about being allowed to remain a prince, well, now your words come back to haunt you. Now you can't dream your days away—you'll need to be responsible."
"I have to be responsible?" asked Corin, his voice raised. "You're older than me by less than an hour! What gives you the right…"
"Do you think I haven't been under considerable pressure these last years? You eat, drink, and box the day away, while I study with father and learn pomp and court, diplomacy, and strategy. It's about time you did a thing or two." Cor turned on his heel, intending to stomp outside, and saw Aravis at the door. He stopped suddenly, and bowed with stiff politeness. "My lady," he addressed her, then continued on.
Corin laughed and said, "He's out of sorts. Can you believe the nerve—"
"Corin, don't," said Aravis shortly. "He's right—you need this. And you need his assistance. He's only trying to help—and he is certainly well-prepared. Trust that he will guide you well. You wouldn't have been chosen if your father had no faith in you both."
"Then you want us both to go?"
"Of course not," said Aravis, then, containing her true feelings, she added, "One of you certainly is needed here. But I trust your father's judgment also."
"If the choice had been yours, what would you have chosen?"
"I don't know," said Aravis.
"Come now," said Corin, joking with her dangerously. "Which of us do you like better?"
His teasing and refusal to take the matter more seriously angered her more. "Frankly?" she said, "I'm glad you'll BOTH be gone a month—and I hope more!" She too stomped off, in the direction of the bailey.
"You're just like Cor," said Corin, roaring in laughter. "Both of you too hot-headed for your own good, and too easily annoyed." He thought a moment, and chuckled. Both of them alike, he thought… what an interesting match that would make. If only he could manage it…
