Today was the first day of school.
I'm a sophomore and I'm taking all advanced classes, phewww.
Well, I'm going to try to put a new chapter up everyday or two, so please review.
Too Little Too Late
During the wedding reception Caspian excused himself and went to find King Peter. Just as he had suspected, he was in the royal library with the professor. Caspian knew that making the Magnificent King understand was going to be much harder than if he were explaining to King Edmund. Caspian had found a best friend in the Just King, they were so different and so alike at the same time, and they had immediately formed a bond. A bond that he didn't have with Peter. So as he walked into the library he took a deep breathe and prepared for the worst.
"Professor, do you mind giving us a moment?"
"Yes, your majesty." And with that the professor scurried off, leaving Caspian alone with Peter.
They stood there and stared at each other, neither sure what the other was going to say. So, as he had been the one to initiate the meeting, Caspian rushed into an explanation.
"Peter, I thought she was never coming back and I needed an heir. I refuse to have a mistress, so this was the only option. I didn't know you were coming. If I- I wouldn't have- but I had to. For Narnia. I want you to know that I love Susan and if I could- Wait, that's it! I'll immediately seek an annulment tomorrow." Caspian's eyes immediately brightened from guilty to hopeful.
Peter just shook his head at the now High King. "Caspian, think of Narnia and the woman you just married. And think of Susan. Do you think she could live knowing that she ruined another's happiness just so she could have what she wanted. If you think she could then you don't know her very well. That smile that she painted on her face for your bride and all of your guests was her gift to you. Narnia wouldn't support your marriage if Susan had not been okay with it. We have to be united for Narnia and Susan was showing our people that we are and that we support each other. If you went and ruined your marriage the day after your wedding, everyone would see it was because of her and she wouldn't want that. Caspian, leave her be, let her pick up the pieces tonight in peace. She'll be fine tomorrow." The Magnificent King wasn't sure if he was trying to convince Caspian or himself. With a respectful bow of his head to the other king, Peter retired to his chambers to think. Because the truth was he wasn't sure if Susan would ever be okay again.
XXXXXX
Susan couldn't sleep. She couldn't believe that she was finally back in Narnia to stay, but she wasn't excited like she thought she'd be. Instead she was allowing herself tonight to wallow in self pity for her one true love married someone else. She couldn't be angry with him, he hadn't known she was coming back and she wasn't really sure if it would have made a difference if he had. What makes you think you're so special that he'd be waiting for you for a whole year? A voice in her head asked. Susan felt her heart break once again because it was true, why would someone as amazing as Caspian wait for her. Just because she was in love with him didn't mean that he felt the same way. When had she become so conceited to think so? But it didn't matter now, he was married and there was absolutely nothing she could do but try to be happy for them. She'd give herself tonight to feel sorry for herself but tomorrow she would smile and pretend that everything is okay. For Narnia and for Caspian. But as she drifted off to sleep alone in her bed, she couldn't help but think that Caspian wasn't alone in his. Little did she know, Caspian avoided his bed and his bride all night and slept by the twisted tree, thinking of Susan.
XXXXXXX
The next morning Lorna was fuming. Her husband hadn't come to her on their wedding night! And when she had went to look for him, his guards had told her that he asked not to be bothered. She knew it was because that Queen of the Old had returned. Although Caspian thought she didn't know, Lorna had heard the maids gossiping about the Gentle Queen who her husband had fallen in love with. And she was breathtaking. Men stared at Lorna when she walked into a room but when Queen Susan was near, everyone stopped and awed at her beauty. From what she had heard and read she knew that the high queen was a strong, brave warrior, a fair ruler, selfless, kind, independent and witty, charming, beautiful, and of course gentle. Nobody ever said anything at all bad about her. But it is widely known that she has only three weaknesses, Narnia, her siblings, and Caspian. The way to hurt the Gentle Queen is to harm one of these, and since she couldn't harm Caspian since he is her husband, and she couldn't harm Narnia because if it wasn't prospering then neither was she, so the only thing left… King Peter.
When Caspian walked into the dining room for breakfast that morning Lorna was preparing had already made his plate and was making Peter's. He was actually glad that she was polite and motherly, maybe it wouldn't feel like he had a wife at all. But, a voice in the back of Caspian's head told him that he couldn't be more wrong, Lorna would make sure he knew that she was his wife. He wanted to feel bad that he left his bride alone on one of the most important nights of her life, but he couldn't manage it. So, he walked into the room and prepared for her to yell at him or burst into tears, but they never came, because as soon as she noticed him King Peter walked in. He had never been so glad to see the Magnificent King.
"Good Morning Caspian. And… I'm sorry I didn't get your name yesterday?" Peter turned towards Lorna.
"Lorna, Queen Lorna." Lorna replied with a smile that made Caspian get chills.
They all sat down and began to eat breakfast. Peter complimented the food and thanked Lorna for making him a plate, but it was all just awkward small talk. They were all anxious to see Susan, that was if she was going to come down. Just as they were finishing up their meals, the door swung open and, to their astonishment, she was smiling brilliantly. Only Lorna noticed that her eyes were empty and void of any emotion. Both men stood up, until Susan sat down. Once they were all seated, Susan looked around the table, but avoided Caspian's eyes.
"Good morning. I'm sorry, I slept a little late but I didn't expect any of you to be out of your chambers already." Her eyes went back and forth between Caspian and Lorna.
Caspian cleared his throat, forcing Susan to actually look at his face.
"Umm… about Aslan's offer yesterday. Will you stay here or go to Cair Paravel?"
"I'm not sure what Peter has decided, but as for myself, I believe Cair is the best choice. I'll want to leave by lunch, would you mind if I took Reepicheep with me as my personal guard?" She asked the High King, nodding her head in the direction of the mouse Lord who had just entered the room.
But it was Lorna who replied. "That's a problem because I would like Reepiceep to be my personal guard. And why ever does the warrior queen need to be guarded? All of Narnia talks of how talented you are with a bow, surely they are not mislead?" She asked, her tone sour, revealing she knew exactly what she was implying.
Fires flashed in Susan's eyes while the two kings and the mouse froze, watching.
"No, I assure you that they are not mislead. But while I am a decent swordswoman, my talent truly is with a bow, which is not ideal during close combat. Reepicheep on the other hand is an excellent swordsman and very pleasant company. But maybe we should let him decide?"
Reepicheep stepped forward looking nervously between the two queens. "Your majesties, may I ask permission to speak freely?"
"Permission granted."
"Permission not granted."
They both spoke at the same time and then looked at each other.
"You cannot allow mere subjects to speak freely. Besides, he's a mouse!" Lorna stated.
" Well, that mouse can speak as freely as he wants. He is a warrior of Narnia and above all, he is a friend." Susan was now livid.
"What kind of queen is friends with her subjects?" Lorna scoffed.
"The good kind." The Gentle Queen said simply.
"Are you implying that I'm not a good queen?" Lorna yelled.
"I would never! But if the shoe fits…" Susan yelled back.
At this point Peter thought it was best to cut in before they both said something they'd regret.
" Su, maybe you should-" But he was cut off.
"Are you siding with her?" Susan asked, whirling on him.
"What? No, I just… Umm-" He rambled.
"Stay out of this!" And he did. The Magnificent King could lead armies and win duels, but he was too much of a coward to get in his sister's way when she was angry.
Lorna was also in a rage. "Well, I guess that's another way that we're different…Susan, because I'll tell you. You're a bad queen and you're angry because I have the one thing you want the most but can never have!" She rolled her eyes toward Caspian.
"That's High Queen Susan to you. And did you just say that I'm a bad queen? I couldn't have possibly heard you right… Lorna. And yes you have one thing that I don't have and you didn't win him. Or have you forgotten the only reason you are here? And if you think about it, I might just have him more than you. You only have him on paper."
Lorna leaned in close to Susan and whispered where no one else could here. "As of last night, I have him more than on paper, High Queen Susan."
Susan recoiled as if she'd been slapped and then she did exactly that to Lorna before turning towards her brother who was awestruck.
"I will be leaving immediately. Reepicheep will not be accompanying me after all; I'll be going alone on a griffin." And then she walked off avoiding looking at Caspian. Who was silently debating on whether or not he should go after her. But instead he turned to his new wife.
"What did you say to her?"
She looked him straight in the eyes.
"That she shouldn't be so trusting because if someone were trying to hurt her, she wouldn't know until it was too late."
Less than ten minutes later, King Peter collapsed while helping his sister prepare for her journey. When he was brought to his chambers, he started puking. Queen Susan ordered for all of the best physicians to look at the Magnificent King. The vote was unanimous. He was poisoned.
I'll try to write again tomorrow, but please review and tell me what you think. Your opinions are greatly appreciated! Now I have to go do my homework that I blew off. Until next time,
-Callie
