Chapter Two ~ The First Summer
Edmund was not amused. He was currently in his room trying to prepare himself for the calamity befalling him that should be arriving at Cair Paravel some time later that day. Peter had informed him about a week ago that the King of Archenland was coming to Cair Paravel for a visit and that he was bringing his daughter with him. Normally Edmund wouldn't have minded meeting the princess but then Peter had informed him that he had volunteered Edmund to be the princess's personal escort for the duration of the visit.
Edmund normally wouldn't have minded spending time with the princess, but only at formal occasions and gatherings. He didn't see why he should have to put up with her in his own home and give up his own time to show her around and keep her company. Edmund had convinced himself that she would be exactly like all the other princesses he had met, quite feminine, slightly stuck-up, giggly and extremely vain. Edmund enjoyed spending time with these girls at formal events since they gave him a lot of attention but he imagined that they were quite high maintenance and would be a nightmare to live with.
Edmund had never lived with girls like this before. His sisters were very beautiful and could be quite feminine but they had never been vain or excessively girly. Also, Edmund was still at the stage in his life where he still didn't quite understand the female species. He saw couples like Susan and Caspian and he supposed it looked nice but he didn't quite understand why.
Edmund shook his head. Maybe he was jumping to conclusions too quickly. He knew he shouldn't judge the princess before he'd had a chance to meet her but it was just too easy. He could be very wrong and the princess could be very lovely and perhaps they could become friends or even best friends, and maybe one day they might evenfall in love. Edmund snorted and began to laugh at that last thought. Who was he trying to fool; this princess would be just like all the others. He was sure of it.
It was the first day of July and about two months had passed since Caspian's coronation and Narnia had never been a more glorious country. Apart from a few minor disputes that were dealt with immediately, everything was as it should be; peaceful and happy. Once Edmund was dressed, he made his way down to the great hall where breakfast was being served. As he entered he saw his siblings already sat around the table waiting for him.
"Morning Ed. Are you prepared for the arrival of our guests later today?" asked Peter obviously amused by the situation he had placed his brother in.
"Of course" replied Edmund through gritted teeth, "How long are they staying for exactly?"
"Oh, about a month, perhaps more" replied Peter absentmindedly whilst concentrating on his breakfast. Edmund sighed. He would have to waste almost his entire summer with this girl. What on earth had he done to deserve this? He had to find a way out of it, or at least to lessen the burden.
"Peter, I've been thinking, if I spend all my time babysitting this princess then when will I have time to carry out my duties as a King of Narnia?" Edmund was desperate; he would rather work than spend his whole summer with a girl he knew nothing about.
"Edmund please don't talk about the princess like that. Hashim is a good friend of Narnia and you won't be babysitting her, you will merely be extending a hand of friendship by offering to show her around. You never know, you might find that you enjoy her company," Susan said calmly, a small smile formed on her lips and her eyes sparkled. Peter glanced at Edmunds to see a look of disgust settle on the younger king's face.
"Not likely, especially if she's anything like the other girls I have to endure at all the formal social events and stuff like that," Edmund defended himself. Caspian let out a chuckle.
"Its funny how you complain about it now, yet you seem to enjoy their attentions at the time," everyone except Edmund let out a stifled laugh at Caspian's observation but Edmund let out a groan at his families mocking expressions and rested his head on the table. Lucy felt that she needed to help her brother, seeing that he seemed so miserable about the situation.
"Oh cheer up Ed. If you're really going to be that depressed about it, then I suppose I can help you. I can entertain the princess for a while so you don't have to give up all your time. Besides it will be nice for me to have another girl in the castle since Susan is so preoccupied a lot of the time now!" Lucy looked pointedly at Caspian who gave her a sheepish grin whilst Susan giggled next to him.
"Really Lu? Oh, thank you so much! I owe you one. Seriously if you ever need me to do anything ever again, it's done!" Edmund was so grateful for his sister at that moment.
"No problem Ed. Although I might take you up on that offer next time I have no one to go to the market with." Lucy said with a mischievous grin and Edmund cringed when he realised what he had let himself in for, but he would worry about that later, for now he was content with the knowledge that he wouldn't have to spend his whole summer with the princess, so he sat back up to enjoy his breakfast.
Meanwhile, the object of Edmunds troubles was sat next to her father in the royal carriage on her way to Cair Paravel. King Hashim was nervous. Since his last meeting with the Kings and Queens of Narnia, he had been feeling a slight twinge of guilt in the back of his mind, and he knew that it was caused by his discussion with King Peter.
When Hashim was younger, his older sister, Ramira, had been forced into an arranged marriage by his father. Hashim's father had not been a cruel man, but he had thought that and arranged marriage would be best for everyone. However, the look on his sister's face the day she was married and forced to leave Archenland was burned into Hashim's mind, tormenting him when he thought about what King Peter had suggested.
Hashim knew that King Peter had a good heart and had no intention whatsoever of forcing anyone to do anything, and neither did he. Hashim supposed it wasn't the thought of his daughter having an arranged marriage that made him nervous, King Edmund seemed like a fine young man. He was scared of losing his daughter. He loved her dearly and she was all he had left in the world, the only thing that truly mattered to him was her safety and happiness.
Hashim looked across the carriage at Danika. She was staring out of the window, her golden hair catching the morning sun, lost deep in thought. She looked so much like her mother. He suddenly had an urge to tell her everything, but then had second thoughts. She might be angry with him for even considering it, and besides, if she and King Edmund didn't get along then neither of them would ever have to know anything about it.
"What are you thinking about, daughter?" Hashim asked, already knowing the answer. Danika turned to look at her father and gave him a bright smile.
"I'm just wondering what living at Cair Paravel will be like." Replied Danika breathlessly, "what was it like when you stayed there, father?"
"Well, we will be there soon and then you will be able to see for yourself." Hashim said with a twinkling smile. He decided to leave his daughter in suspense for a while longer. It would only heighten her enjoyment and surprise when they arrived which would only be a few more hours.
Danika smiled but sighed dejectedly at her father's playfulness and returned to staring aimlessly out the window. It was the morning of the fifth day of traveling now, and Danika had been told that they would arrive in Cair Paravel later that day, and that they would be staying for at least a month. They had been traveling through Narnia for about three days now and Danika had already fallen in love with the country.
Archenland was a mountainous country; completely different to Narnia which was beautiful and green with huge plains of grass and dense forests. There was something very magical about the way the leaves on the trees and flowers in the grass fluttered in the breeze, and the sound of a clear stream trickling over the rocks on the waterbed. Danika was completely entranced.
Then her thoughts returned to their imminent arrival and she became slightly nervous again. She was so looking forward to seeing the castle, for she had heard many stories of what a beautiful sight it was, standing alone on the edge of a cliff facing out toward the great eastern ocean. However, what Danika was nervous about was meeting the monarchs of Narnia.
She had heard so much about them and admired them so, what if they didn't approve of her or she didn't live up to their standards. These thoughts plagued the princess's mind until she decided that there would be nothing she could do, she would just have to be herself and hope that they grew to like her, and if that didn't work, she was sure she could invent perfectly good excuses to sneak off and make herself scarce, Narnia seemed like a big enough country to hide from five monarchs in.
A few hours later, the Kings and Queens of Narnia were stood out in the courtyard of Cair Paravel awaiting their guests. They were all dressed formally and felt slightly awkward and uncomfortable in the summer heat. Susan and Lucy were excited about meeting the princess and having another girl in the castle to talk to, Caspian and Peter were discussing some minor political issue and Edmund was standing slightly behind them all, trying his best to make himself invisible since he still wasn't happy about his predicament.
A few minutes later, and a guard of soldiers and horses came into view followed by a grand carriage. The Kings and Queens quickly straightened themselves up and put on their best welcoming faces, which in Edmunds case turned out to be a slight grimace. The carriage stopped in front of the monarchs and one of the soldiers hurried forward to open the door and extended his hand to help the passengers out. King Hashim emerged smiling from the carriage and stepped down to be welcomed by a firm handshake and a warm welcome from Peter since he was the monarch with which Hashim was the most acquainted.
Edmund was watching the Kings converse when something caught his eye. A girl had just stepped out of the carriage behind King Hashim. She looked to be about his age and she was quite petite and had bright blue eyes and very pretty features framed by long wavy golden hair. Edmund suddenly felt a slight twinge in the pit of his stomach but dismissed it quickly as hunger, since he was hungry most of the time anyway. He watched the girl as she was introduced to his brothers and sisters.
"Your majesties, this is my daughter, Danika." Hashim motioned to the girl. Danika gave a polite curtsey and Susan and Lucy beamed and nodded their heads while Peter and Caspian kissed her hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet you." said Lucy as she shook the princess's hand.
"No the pleasure is all mine your majesty" replied Danika as she greeted each of the monarchs in turn, then her eyes came to rest on Edmund who she realised hadn't moved an inch since she arrived. He looked about the same age as her but he was slightly taller than her. He was quite thin with messy brown hair and big brown eyes.
Edmund was startled when he snapped out of his trance-like state and realised that the princess was looking at him. Susan gave him a subtle prod in the ribs and when he looked her she tilted her head pointedly towards the princess to try to get him to remember his manners. Edmund put on his most charming smile and turned to look back at the princess.
"Pleased to meet you Princess." said Edmund through slightly gritted teeth. Danika was slightly shocked at the Kings subtle hostility since she had no idea what she had done to deserve it, but nevertheless, she decided to play his game. She composed herself again and gave him her most sickly sweet smile to match his grimace.
"Pleased to meet you too King Edmund." Susan gave Edmund another prod in the ribs and he stepped forward, took her hand and lightly kissed it, his hand lingering over hers for just a second too long, which made Danika very confused. Peter and Hashim watched the exchange between the two young royals with much anticipation, until Caspian saw Lucy looking slightly red and suggested that they should go inside to escape the heat.
The monarchs chatted as they walked to the great hall where a late lunch was already laid out waiting for them. Peter and Hashim were walking in front of the group so Edmund had somehow managed to end up walking at the back next to Danika. Edmund wanted to talk to her but he didn't really know what to say, and considering the look she gave him just now, it was obvious that she didn't like him. Little did he know that she was thinking exactly the same thing.
When they arrived at the great hall, Edmund again ended up sitting next to Danika. The silence was very awkward so Edmund decided to try to join in with the other conversations that were taking place around the table. Peter, Caspian and Hashim were still discussing politics. Edmund knew that as a King of Narnia, politics was an important part of his duties, but that didn't mean that he had to like it so he avoided it when he could. He gave up and decided to concentrate on his food instead.
Danika had also decided to concentrate on her food when she realised that King Edmund wasn't going to talk to her. She couldn't work out why he had walked next to her or sat with her if he obviously didn't like her, and what right did he have to judge her anyway, especially since they had only met half and hour ago. She decided that she and King Edmund were definitely not going to see eye-to-eye so she should try to distance herself from him as much as possible to avoid any embarrassment. Lucy thought that Danika seemed quite quiet so she decided to try to coax the princess out of her shell.
"I'm hope you will enjoy your stay in Narnia, Danika, there is plenty to see and do." Danika looked up from her food to see the youngest queen beaming at her, a smile which she couldn't help but return.
"I'm sure I will, Queen Lucy. It seems very beautiful so far." Danika replied.
"Please call me Lucy, and I'm sure my siblings will say the same thing." Susan nodded next to Lucy, Peter was still in deep discussion with Hashim and Caspian so he didn't hear what Lucy said, but Edmund had obviously heard since he was sat right next to her, but he ignored them. Danika was beginning to get very annoyed with him. She had never met anyone so rude in all her life.
Susan sensing the tension between her younger brother and the princess decided that she would have to think of a way to make them become friends, or at least be civil to each other or it could be a difficult summer for all of them. She could tell that her brother had started the dispute and she would have a talk with him later, but the princess was getting very annoyed with him very fast, and she didn't blame her really. She knew that her brother could be a pain sometimes, but she loved him dearly nonetheless.
"Edmund, after lunch why don't you give the princess a tour of the castle and show her where she will be staying." Susan suggested. Peter had heard this and looked up from his plate. He couldn't believe that he hadn't thought of that idea first, but this made him think that Susan knew what his and Hashim's plan was. He would have to talk to her later.
"That a marvelous idea," Peter exclaimed, "How about it Ed?" Edmund was completely deflated. He had hoped that if he kept his distance from the princess he wouldn't be forced to spend time with her, but it looked as if his horrible ordeal was just beginning anyway. All eyes were on him, except for the princess who was furiously staring at her plate, her pale cheeks reddened in embarrassment or anger, Edmund couldn't tell which.
"Yes, that does sound like a good idea. What do you think princess?" Edmund couldn't really refuse the proposal, not with everyone staring at him like that, so he decided to pass the burden onto the princess as well.
Danika looked up shocked at his answer, She was sure he would refuse straight away, but obviously not. What was he trying to do to her? She noticed then that everyone was staring at her now, even Edmund, then she realised why he had asked her opinion on the matter and her dislike for him came rushing back. Two could play this game, she thought.
"I think its wonderful idea. I would like to see everything." Danika put great emphasis on the last word and watched the smug smile drop of Edmund's face. Peter and Hashim were delighted, this was exactly what they wanted. Everything seemed to be going well so far.
Edmunds heart sank. She wanted to see everything. That would surely take hours, he thought. Well that was the rest of his day gone out the window, he thought to himself. This princess didn't seem at all like the other princesses he had met, she seemed more cunning and feisty. Maybe he was wrong about her, but it was too late to admit that now, he would have to keep an eye on her. It was going to be a very long summer.
Sorry about the wait, i struggled a bit on this chapter but i have most of the story properly planned out now so hopefully it won't take me long to update again :)
Please review and the next chapter will be up just as soon as i know that at least one person likes this story :) x x x
