Author's Note
Sorry it's taken so long to get this chapter up. Between work, a horrid case of writer's block, and life itself I had a hard time getting it out as quickly as I would have liked. That said, thank you for being so very patient.
I'd also like to thank, elecktrum, Val Evenstar, and Chocolatecoveredespressobean for taking the time to review the story and let me know what they thought of it. It's always a help and inspires me to keep going with the story. So please, if you read, let me know what you think. Even if it's just one sentence I'd really appreciate it.
As always I do not own any of the character's created by Lewis or that are from the recent movie. Any other's however, are my own creations and yes, I do own them.
Love is a Battleground
Chapter 4
Two weeks. That was all the time that had passed since their arrival back at Cair Paravel and though Lareyna watched with pleasure as Oreius continued to improve greatly with each passing day, exasperation had begun to come to the forefront of her emotions.
For upon entering the room in which the General had been placed, her expression formed into look of suprise at the sight of him standing by the bed, just putting on his tunic.
"You should not yet be out of bed, General," she stated in a quiet, yet firm tone, walking further into the room and stopping to face him.
Glancing down at her, a flicker of amusement entered his eyes at the sight of her rather disapproving features. "I shall be the judge of that," he returned simply. Turning, he would have left the room, but was stopped by the strong grasp of a hand upon his arm.
"You forget, sir, that I am the healer and you are the patient and it is I who will be the judge of when you are ready to get up." There was a commanding tone in her voice that most would not have dared to use on the General and he turned back around to face her, finding a very determined look upon her face.
"You are not ready to be up and moving yet, at least not for long periods of time," Lareyna continued before he could give back a retort to her first words. Her normally calm brown eyes held a fire in their depths that he had not seen before now.
Annoyed, yet amused at her words, Oreius crossed his arms. "And if I refuse to comply with your orders?" Though said in an even tone, it was clear from the look in his eyes he meant it.
Giving him an arch look, Lareyna returned smoothly, "Then I'm afraid I will be forced to inform King Peter of your actions and I am sure you know he will not be pleased."
Though slightly scowling, Oreius could not help but admire how she had taken control of the situation with little hesitation. Sighing, he gave in. "Very well. I shall stay here for the time being, but do not think I will continue to do so for much longer." He was not accustomed to being still for long and having to stay in bed was driving him insane.
Her features softening, Lareyna inclined her head slightly. "Your cooperation is most appreciated." Though said dryly, it was in a good natured tone for she was not truly angered at him, only frustrated at his stubborness.
"Was there something you wanted?" the General inquired in a softer tone, referring back to why she was there in the first place.
"You bandage needs changed is all," Lareyna replied, unfolding a clean one as she spoke before turning back to face him. "If you would remove your tunic I shall get started."
Doing as she asked, Orieus allowed his gaze to glance down as she nimbly unwound the current bandage to inspect how the wound was healing. Though he may have sounded irritated with her he was far from it and if Lareyna had looked up at that moment she would have been suprised to see the sudden tenderness in his eyes.
Her gaze, however, was focused quite intently upon the bandage she was now wrapping back around his middle, cheeks flushing as she found herself fumbling slightly. Being so close to him was unnerving and made what had once been a simple task rather difficult to accomplish without humiliating herself.
After tying a small knot to secure the new bandage, Lareyna straightened, mentally telling herself to stop acting like a fool. Her lips curving into a slight smile, she announced in a cheerful, though slighty subdued tone, "There, all finished and I am pleased to see the wound is healing quite well, better than I had thought it would."
Unexpectedly, his hand reached towards her face, brushing away a lock of hair floating against her cheek. "I am not suprised. You do your job well," he said softly, his dark eyes staring down into hers with a sudden look in their depths that caused Lareyna's heart to quicken.
Unsure as to whether she was merely interpreting the look into what she wished it to be, Lareyna could barely form the words, 'Thank you' on her tongue. For a few moments, they simply stood there, neither moving or speaking to break the silence.
What may have happened next would never be known, the sound of footsteps echoing down the corridor effectively bringing each of them back to the present.
The moment now broken, both averted their gaze and Lareyna moved a few steps back, busying herself by putting away the extra bandages. She was still trying to make sense of what had just occured between them as Nyra appeared in the doorway but managed to give the faun a faint smile.
Though a bit suprised at the sight of Orieus out of bed, Nyra still gave a small bow of her head in respect before addressing Lareyna, "Forgive my intrusion, but Queen Lucy has asked that you come to her chambers if you are not too busy."
"I was just finishing and will go directly," Lareyna replied quietly, putting the last bandage away. Glancing slightly at Oreius as she headed for the door, Lareyna spoke to him softly, "Get some rest, General."
Watching as her friend shut the door quietly behind her, Nyra gave the female centaur a close look. "Is everything alright? You seem a little flustered."
Annoyed that she had let her emotions be seen so easily, Lareyna gave what she hoped was a casual smile. "You know how stubborn the General can be when it comes to obeying our instructions."
Nyra gave a short chuckle at that, seeming to accept her words as the reason for her mood. "He is rather obstinate at times, much like someone else I know," Here she gave a cheeky smile towards Lareyna, who laughed softly. "I will see you later, my friend," she said as they parted ways a moment later.
On her way to Lucy's chambers, Lareyna worked to keep her emotions under wraps and felt sufficiently calmed down by the time she reached the door. Knocking softly, she entered at the sound of a young voice calling, "Come in!"
She was greeted by the sight of not only Lucy, but Susan as well, the latter seeming to be a trifle put out about something.
"Oh, Lareyna! I'm so glad you have come. I need your help most dreadfully!" This rather dramatically given statement were the first words from the younger queen's mouth, causing Lareyna to smile slightly.
"Really, Lucy, you know Lareyna has more important things to do than give you her advice on which dress you should wear," Susan said with a disapproving look towards her sister.
"It is alright, I do not mind in the least," Lareyna put in quickly, noticing the look of apprehension on Lucy's face. "Though if it is clothing you are asking my opinion on I cannot promise you I will be of much help." Fancy clothes were not something Lareyna bothered much with, wearing only a simple tunic herself most of the time.
Giving the female centaur a wide smile, Lucy ran over to her wardrobe and retrieved two dresses holding up each for Lareyna to see. "Susan says I have to decide what I am going to wear to the mid-spring ball. Though I do not understand why, for it is still three weeks away." This last part was stated with a little bit of a confused frown and her freckled nose wrinkled up slightly in distaste.
Ah, the mid-spring ball. In her desire to see Oreius healed, Lareyna had forgotten about the annual dinner given in honor of the returning spring season.
"I've already told you three times that those dresses are merely patterns for what style you wish your dress to be, Lucy. The seamstresses must have time to make one that is in the right fabrics and colors for you." Susan said in a slightly exasperated voice.
"I know, I know," Lucy retorted with a sigh, "but it does seem rather unnesscessary to make a whole new dress when I have so many others I could wear instead."
Seeing another speech coming from Susan, Lareyna broke in with a soft laugh. "It does indeed, my queen, but then again always pleases everyone to see you looking so pretty and elegant in a new gown."
This seemed to satisfy both Lucy and Susan, the former giving a small smile in Lareyna's direction. "Now why don't you show me the two dresses and I'll do my best to help you decide which one to choose."
Grabbing the two articles of clothing, the youngest queen hurried behind a tall silk screen to change. She emerged a minute later in the first selection. "This is the one Susan says I should wear, but I think it looks too stuffy," Lucy announced as soon as she came into view.
Taking a moment to look at the dress, Lareyna could not help but agree with Lucy's assessment of the gown. Though not ugly, it seemed more the sort of dress Susan would wear, it's overall design intended for someone a little older than Lucy's years.
"Let me see the other." Lareyna requested after studying the young queen for a short time. This time when she came out, the female centaur could not help but smile, the dress seemed so fitting for Lucy. Though still elegant, it's lines were much more simple than those of the first dress and it seemed to match the little queen's sweet and uspoiled nature.
"What do you think?" Lucy questioned with a grin, giving a twirl and a laugh as the skirt flared out around her legs.
"I think it suits you perfectly." Lareyna replied with a smile, her brown eyes twinkling at the young queen's fun loving character.
With a wide smile, Lucy looked towards Susan and said in a decisive tone, "This is the dress I wish to wear to the ball."
To Susan's credit she did not protest the decision, though one could tell she still thought the other gown better. "Very well then, we shall tell the seamstresses to begin working on it." Glanicng towards Lareyna, she added, "Now that we have that settled, perhaps Lareyna can be allowed to attend to whatever she was brought away from to come here."
Giving the female centaur a somewhat sheepish look, Lucy scurried over to give her a hug. "Thank you for helping me decide, Lareyna. I do hope I didn't take you away from something very important."
Smiling at the apologetic tone the words were spoken in, Lareyna shook her head slightly. "Not at all, my queen. I was just finishing checking on the General when Nyra came to say you wished to see me."
At the mention of Oreius, both Susan and Lucy inquired as to how he was doing, having not been able to visit those injured for a few days. Lareyna informed them he was doing quite well but wouldn't be able to attend to his regular duties for at least another two weeks.
"I'm sure Peter will be glad to hear that," Lucy said with a smile, her brown eyes twinkling, "He's been quite worried about him, all of us have been."
A few moments later Lareyna took her leave from the two queens, but did not head back to the infirmary, rather going to her own room inside the castle walls. Latching the door behind her, she made her way across the floor to stop by a large picture window.
Though her eyes were turned to the scenery below, she was not really focused upon it as her thoughts drifted back to earlier that afternoon. Had there been something different in his gaze when he looked at her? Never before had she noticed any kind of affection in his eyes when he looked in her direction. Gratitude pehaps, but nothing like the sudden look of longing and desire that had seemed to burn momentarily in their depths.
"Was it all just in my head?" she wondered softly to herself before turning away from the window. Settling herself down upon the large bed situated in the middle of the room, Lareyna felt herself begin to relax and though she had not meant to do so, was soon fast asleep.
Author's Note
If you happen to see any grammatical errors please let me know. I tend to not see them even when I go over it to search for them. Thanks.
UPDATE: Lareyna's last sentence seemed a bit too melancholy for her personality so I changed it to more of a wondering thought instead. And for all of you wondering, no I have not abandoned the story though I know it must seem like I have. The next chapter is coming, slowly, but it is coming...