I have to say, last chapter I got the best review I've ever gotten. Never have I gotten one that combines constructive criticism with encouragement so well! Thank you in particular to that reviewer, especially for the wonderful suggestions! It really helped with character development, though I'm still trying to get it on paper just right XD I did edit chapter 3 a bit to reflect this new aspect of Laurah, so thank you thank you and thank you!
Thank you to Evy201, NymphadoraLupin98, Guest, and joycelyn. for your wonderful reviews! You all make me sooo happy when I read your comments! Thank you too to everyone who reads, favorites, and/or follows this story! It really does mean the world to me, people. Virtual candy all around! XD
Enjoy!
Chapter 6
Nikki POV:
"Well Cas, it does look like someone wants you deader than a doornail."
"Thank you, for putting it so gently, " Caspian mutters, though I can tell he's kidding.
"No probs. But seriously, why? It don't make no sense!"
"You mean to say it doesn't make any sense?"
"Yeah sure. Why would anyone want you dead? You're a gem, you are!" I cross my arms in my frustration, and huff indignantly that anyone would want to kill my adopted big brother.
"Thank you, but perhaps not everyone would share your opinion," he replies wryly. A bit too seriously too, I might add.
"Last time I check, the Narnians love you! And the Telmarines aren't complaining either! And you're on good terms with the sprites and whatnot. That leaves this mystery enemy, and why should they care two straws about you? They're fighting the sprites, not you!"
"Nikki, you forget that I am, in point of fact, the king."
"So it's a jealousy complex? They want your royal seat?"
"It could be possible..." he trails off, and I instantly narrow my eyes.
"Caspian the all-fired Tenth, you're not telling me something. Out with it. And don't weasel out of it by saying it's king business. I can tell it's not."
Cas sighs in defeat and asks, "When did you develop this skill for seeing right through people?"
"You know, Laurah complained about it too sometimes. But in the end, she was thanking me. Now out with it, lest I stuff burned spinach stems down your throat." Heaven knows I will, too.
"I understand your point."
"And you still haven't answered me. No more stalling," I order, drawing myself up to my imperious height of five-foot-four-inches.
"Very well. The queen of the sprites did not seem to be on good terms with me last I visited."
"And when was that?"
He hesitates a bit too long for my liking.
"Caspian..."
"Perhaps three, four years now."
"And you haven't seen or heard from any sprite since then?"
"Laurah's sister, Ainslie, came to me occasionally. Never the queen."
"Hmph. Odd."
"Indeed."
We both sit and stew over that weirdness for a while. If Caspian was Laurah's freakity-freakin' fiancee, shouldn't all problemos with Laurah's mother have been solved? But what problem could she have with him, anyway?
"And nothing happened to provoke the queen?"
"Nothing."
Super. Does she just have a stick up her arse about Cas, or was she just cranky that morning? Maybe she thought Laurah was too young...no, she would've said as much to her, surely. Maybe she just had a beef with Caspian...but again, wouldn't she have told Laurah? Well, maybe not, if she didn't want to ruin the upcoming wedded bliss. And surely she would've been short with him besides that one time.
"How did she - the queen - act normally? To you?"
"Cordial, but we met briefly. She was generally kept busy when Laurah brought me to spend time with her family."
"Huh."
So that doesn't help at all. Wait...maybe it does. If she kept herself busy on purpose...but I can't know that for sure. Dang, sprites are complicated.
"Well so then we're really back to square one, aren't we?"
After I muddle and puzzle over the question of who wants him dead, I let Caspian go to sign some papers and take care of the paperwork that eagerly awaits his royal attention today. The poor guy is almost overworked with the mountains upon mountains of paper he deals with day in and day out. I go in search of a certain star; if there's anyone who can help sort this big question mark out, it's Lilliandil.
It takes me a while to find her, but eventually I happen across her in the hallway on my way to the library.
"Hey, Lilli! Fantastic, I was just looking for you."
"And I was seeking you," she answers, looking relieved to have found me.
"Well then that just worked out beautifully. So did you have something you wanted to talk about?"
"I merely wished to inform you that Sadrian is looking for you even as we speak. He asked that I send you in the direction of the armory if I found you."
"Alrighty, I'll go there now. We can walk and talk. I'd like your opinion on a little idea of mine," I say, starting to walk back the way I came. The armory's on almost the other side of the castle.
"I would be happy to give it. What is this idea?" she asks genially, though seriously. She can tell it's kind of a serious matter.
"Well, remember breakfast and that whole fiasco?"
"How could I not?" answers the now-rattled star.
"Cas and I were going over possible culprits, and we're coming up a bit shorthanded. However, he did mention that the sprites' queen, aka Laurah's mummy dearest, wasn't particularly cordial last he talked to her. In fact, she was quite unfriendly. She seemed to be civil all other times, but he said she was always kept busy when he was around. Now I'm not jumping to conclusions, but something smells funny here. You know what I'm saying?"
"It sounds very much like she did not approve of him."
"It does, doesn't it? I mean, busy whenever he was there? It kind of looks like she wanted to be busy when he was there."
"But?" Lilli's perceptive; she picked up on my slight hesitation.
"But I can't really be sure. I'm fairly convinced she wouldn't poison him or anything, but I'd still like to check it out. And I can check up on Laurah while I'm there as well. Kill two birds with one stone, so to speak."
"And so you wish to seek out the sprites? In a forest where a band of Narnians was slaughtered?" she asks incredulously. Clearly, she's far from on board with this.
"Well...call me mental, but yeah. Laurah was fine, wasn't she?"
"You do not know that. She could be dead as well," Lilli reminds me, trying to be as gentle as possible.
"...true." I swallow the lump in my throat forcefully, but it comes right back.
The star sighs and shakes her head at me.
"I can see you are still determined to go. 'Tis not a wise move, but go if you must."
"I just might. Now, should I give Cas a heads up, or just take off?"
"If you have any sisterly care in Narnia for him, you will give him advance warning," Lilli sternly advises, her face leaving no room for argument.
"Very well."
By now we've reached one of the doors that leads outside, and I bid Lilli a temporary goodbye.
As soon as I open that door, MopMan comes into view. He's trying to look relaxed, sitting on a bench outside the armory waiting for me, but I can tell that he's impatiently awaiting my arrival. Best not keep the man waiting.
"Hello, sweetness," I greet him as I saunter up. "Miss me?"
He springs up as soon as my voice rings out, and his well-hidden impatience transforms into happiness.
"I did. And I must also ask you if you have a mind to go somewhere tonight."
"With you? And please say yes," I reply, turning on a little bit of the flirt in me.
"Yes, with me," he grins right back.
"Awesome. Whatcha got planned?"
"I was thinking that perhaps you could meet my family tonight, if it so pleased you."
I gulp down my nervous squeak and nod enthusiastically.
"That'd be great! I promise I won't be TOO weird."
"You may be as 'weird' as you wish, my lady. They are sure to love you no matter what you do." He finishes that sweet little comment with a kiss on my hand.
"Aww, you can be so sweet when you want to be."
"When I want to be?"
"Mmhm. Most of the time you're a little rascal."
"I will take that as a compliment, however it was meant."
I answer his smile with one of my own and throw my arms around him.
"I'm a hugger," I explain.
He laughs briefly in surprise before extricating his arms from their trapped position and hugs me back.
"And you're a nice hugger, you are."
"Thank you, my lady."
That evening, Caspian sees me and MopMan to the door and gives me a little brotherly reassurance before letting me go.
"And try not to die while I'm gone," I joke as a goodbye.
"No promises." Cas laughs, and then I'm on my own with MopMan. Well, I guess I better start calling him Sadrian.
"Nervous, my lady?"
"Shut it." I shrug sheepishly at his raised eyebrows. "Maybe a little."
"Don't worry-"
"They'll love me?" I finish his reassuring sentence for him, smiling impishly.
"They will, I promise."
"Thanks." For once, I leave my natural sarcasm out of my response.
We walk down to the small city that's been built up around Cair Paravel, and I'm happy when he holds my hand. Though it's probably more functionality than affection, at least at the moment; the crowds are pretty thick as we squeeze through the marketplace. Finally, we get to his house. I'm a bit surprised he still lives with them, but maybe he's waiting to have a wife before he moves out. That'd make sense, since Narnia's a wee bit different from home.
I can hear a lively little commotion going on inside as soon as we walk up, and Sadrian gets the door for me with a reassuring smile. Gulping down another nervous lump, I walk inside, immediately reaching back for his hand.
"Mother, Father?" MopMan - Sadrian - calls.
A little blur of energy bolts up and skids to a stop just before it collides with us, and when my eyes adjust I see it's a boy, probably around ten or eleven years old.
"Sadrian, who's this?" he quips, quirking his head to the side in a rather adorable way.
"This is Nikki-"
"Oh that girl you're always talking about! Hi Nikki!"
"Hi there! Can I get your name?"
"Only if you can catch me!" he retorts, his eyes sparkling and crackling with mischief and a dare.
"Better run like the wind then, cuz it's on!" I shriek, and he's off before I can even process what just happened. Alright, a chase this will be!
I tear after the imp, trying to avoid knocking anything over. He dashes so fast he looks like a blur, and I'm beginning to realize I'm doomed if I ever hope to catch him before I kill myself.
"Can't catch me!" he taunts. Little git!
"That's what you think!" I holler right back, picking up speed with decided determination. I'll catch the little rascal if it's the last thing I do!
I suddenly hear a thud, and it takes me a moment to figure out that I'm laying sideways on the floor. Guess I rounded that corner a little too quickly. My hip smarting a little, I scramble to my feet and race after the elusive little kid. He lets out a triumphant laugh, as he slips away from me easily.
Alright, time for strategy.
I skid to a stop and dive behind the closest thing that'll hide me, which happens to be a table. Hopefully it's not set. After a short wait, MopMan's little brother rounds the same corner that kicked my butt, and I see my chance. With a war cry to put all others to shame, I spring up and slide across the table on my tummy, arms outstretched to entrap the little squirt. He shrieks, but it's too late. The force of my sliding tackle brings us both to the floor, and I lock my arms around the squirming brother.
"Alright, your name would be?" I wheeze, still holding the little guy captive.
"Calin. Good job, ya caught me!" he flashes me with a pearly grin, barely breathing hard at all.
"Let me guess, squirt, you're a runner?"
"I like running, yeah."
I make a hum of interest and release him from my grip.
I find my way back to MopMan - Sadrian, will I ever remember to use his real name? - and he's waiting for me with two adults I can only assume to be his parents. His mother has the same ferociously-curled sandy hair as him, and he has his father's smile.
"You must be Nikki," his mother says warmly, instantly stepping forward to hug me gently.
"Yep, that's me. You must be MopMan's - wait, I mean Sadrian's - mother."
"MopMan?" his father laughs, his voice booming in the foyer.
"Um, yeah...long story there, but the name stuck," I explain sheepishly.
"Perhaps you could tell us over dinner?" he asks politely.
"If my mouth isn't full, I'd be happy to oblige," I answer with an easy smile. Most of my nervousness vanished when I chased MopMan's little brother around the house.
Calin runs up, and I eye him playfully. I don't trust that one. He's worse than my big brother, I'd bet.
"I see you've met Calin," Sadrian laughs, ruffling his brother's straight brown hair fondly.
"Hey!" Calin protests, swatting his brother's hand away.
"You're a little pill, ain'tcha?" I giggle, clarifying my christening of the little guy from "pill" to "handful" after I receive confused glances from MopMan's parents.
"Her way of speaking becomes less confusing with time," MopMan chuckles, and his parents - bless them - smile and nod.
Dinner, surprisingly, is anything but awkward. MopMan's parents keep me talking, and they seem genuinely interested in what I have to say. When I tell them the story about how MopMan got his name, I swear the neighbors can hear his father's laugh. I'm unsure what to call his parents at first, but they insist I go on a first-name basis. So I learn that the dad's name is Darius and the mother's is Beya. Both nice names, if ya ask me.
I end up chasing Calin around the house a few more times, and Darius and Sadrian both laugh more than a healthy amount at our antics. Eventually, Calin wears me out and I sit down with Sadrian and his parents, and we all chat for hours.
Seemingly after minutes, we all notice how dark it is outside. Darius and Beya apologize for keeping me so long, but I assure them it's quite alright. I had fun, after all. Sadrian walks me out, and I realize I should probably give him a heads up regarding my plans to find the sprites and spend some time with them. As soon as we're outside, I resolve to do just that.
"May I walk you back?" Sadrian so chivalrously offers.
"Sure thing. I'd like to let you know about something, so that works out beautifully." I flash him a smile and take his offered arm with a contained giggle. I thought guys only did that in movies and dance classes.
"What is it you wish to tell me?"
"Well seeing as how Caspian's had two assassination attempts in the past month, it's reasonable to look for a culprit, right?"
"Yes..." he agrees hesitantly, clearly unsure of where I'm going with this.
"Cas recently told me about a little coldness between the sprite queen and himself. Now I'm sure she didn't order someone to kill him or anything, but I'd still like to check it out. If nothing else, I just want to know what her deal is, especially since she's Laurah's mom, ya know? And that's another thing: I'll probably find Laurah there and I can report back to Cas and set his poor frazzled mind at ease. So in short what I'm saying is I'm leaving to go looking for the sprites soon and please don't freak out if I'm not there one day."
"Nikki, the Narnians-"
"I know. I'm still set on going. I'll be fine, I promise."
He sighs in defeat, and I know I've won.
"Very well. Please do be careful, my lady. I'll miss you."
"Aww, I'll miss you too. And I'll be as careful as always, don't you worry."
By now we're almost to Cair Paravel , and I have a sneaking suspicion Sadrian's going to want a goodnight kiss. That's okay, because I'd like one too.
We walk easily past the centaur guards, since they recognize both of us. Sadrian starts to hesitantly raise his hand to open the door, and I stop him gently.
"I think we both want a goodnight kiss," I whisper, already tipping my face upwards.
His boyish smile slides across his face, and his lips brush chastely over mine as he wraps one arm around my waist.
"Good night," he murmurs, breath tickling my lips.
"Good night," I answer just as softly, kissing him gently once more before letting him open the door and sliding inside.
As the door closes with a quiet 'click', I lean my back against it and try to smother the giddy grin taking over my face. Sadrian's kisses tend to whisk me off onto cloud-nine.
"Pleasant evening?"
I manage to stop my daydreaming long enough to recognize Cas walking over to me, a brotherly smile on his face.
"Mmhm, quite pleasant. Tiring, since I chased Calin, his brother, around the house several times, but very pleasant indeed." A hum of happiness echoes in my throat, and I roll my eyes at myself. "Sorry I'm going all love-struck schoolgirl right now. I get goo-goo-eyed sometimes."
"It's quite alright, Nikki."
Caspian had that reserved look on his face, which usually translates to 'I've got an important question to ask you but I'm waiting for the right time.'
"Okay Cas, I can tell you've got something you'd like to ask me. Go ahead, I'm sane now. Mostly. Maybe." Best find out what's eating him sooner than later.
"You really are exceptionally talented at reading people. But to get to the point, Lilliandil told me of your plans to go to the sprites."
"Ah, okay. Are you going to try and talk me out of it?" I ask, walking out of the foyer and sitting room toward the hallway that leads to my room. I know Cas knows to follow.
"I would, if I thought it any use," he answers with a half-smile.
"Good, so you've figured out I'm going, period."
"Yes, and I thought you could use a bit of help finding the sprites. Am I right?"
"You are very right! I honestly haven't the faintest idea where to start," I admit, grateful he thought of that.
"I can tell you where they used to live, but Ainslie told me a few years ago that their village and palace shifted further east. That does mean they're closer to Cair Paravel, but I do not know their exact location."
"Still, it'd help a lot if I knew someplace to start. Oh, and I'm going alone just f-y-i."
"Alone? Nikki-"
"C'mon, who else is Laurah going to see besides me?"
"If she is even there with them. She could be dead, Nikki."
"Then I'll be sure and find out. In the mean time, I'll be going alone because I'm just stubborn like that. Mmkay?"
"I see arguing with you is useless, as always," concedes a very wise Caspian.
"Yep. So when shall you help me narrow down where to look?"
"Would tomorrow morning suit you?"
"As long as it's not earlier than an nine o'clock. I'm not really much of an early riser."
"Few are," he laughs. "Good night then, adopted sister."
"Just call me sister, Cas. I might as well be anyhow," I chuckle.
"Good night then, sister. I'll be in the library at nine for you."
"I'll try not to be too late. G'night, big brother o'mine." I give him a one-armed hug goodnight and continue on to my room. I'm very much looking forward to a good night's sleep.
Laurah POV:
"Excuse me?" I think I imagined what Mother just said. Either that, or she's playing a hideous practical joke. "If that was supposed to be a joke, it wasn't funny."
"I fear it is no joke, daughter. The council advises it strongly."
"You're the queen, Mother! Can't you tell them no?" I plead, my face squenching up at the very thought of marrying anyone, let alone Hallan. I'd just as soon bean him with a brick as marry him!
"I could, but I confess I see the wisdom in their proposal. Laurah, daughter, a marriage between one of the royal family and one of the enemy's commanders could stop the constant bloodshed."
That silences me. I hate the idea, but Mother's right. And since I know him better than Ainslie does, it should be me. If I didn't loathe the man before, I certainly do now. It's not his fault, not really, but I still hate him all the more because I have to spend the rest of my life with him. Damn him. We'll make such a lovely couple, won't we?
"Very well." The words are out before I can stop them, and I can't be completely sorry I said them. Mother's right. As much as this annoys me, it's for the best. I can marry an ass if it saves the sprites' lives. My people's lives. Yes, if hundreds of them could sacrifice their lives, I can sacrifice this much. I'll put on a good face about it too. I can't gripe and mope.
"I am proud of you, Laurah." Mother wraps her arms around me in a comforting embrace, one I gratefully accept.
"Not to be an ass myself, but I'm kind of proud of me too."
We sit in silence for a few more moments before Mother stands.
"We mustn't be late for dinner, must we? You need to be filled out again for your wedding."
"Yes, I suppose I do." I'd almost like to sit in the garden for just a little while longer, but I know I'll start feeling sorry for myself if I do. So I obediently get up and follow my mother to the dining room, where Ann's waiting for us.
From her face, she's guessed that I know now, and she smiles sympathetically at me as I take my seat next to her.
"Everything will work out, sister."
"I dearly hope so, Ann. I think I'll have to change part of the vows from 'to love and to cherish' to 'to love and to loathe'."
"An amusing idea, and certainly an original one," Mother laughs, and I can't help but smile when Ann joins her in chuckling.
"What can I say? I'm a fountain of inspiration," I answer sarcastically, but in good fun.
Dinner comes and goes, and all I can think about is how my left hand will look with a ring on it that is Hallan's and not Caspian's.
"You're getting married?" Rhos repeats, her voice both flabbergasted and a touch horrified. "To Hallan?"
"Match made in heaven, isn't it? But it's okay, really. It might stop the bloodshed, so it's worth it."
"I understand, but still..." she trails off, unsure what to say.
"At least I can get creative when repeating the vows. I suggested 'to love and to loathe' last night, and Mother and Ann seemed to find it amusing. Do you think I might be able to throw that in there?" It feels better to joke about it than take it seriously.
"You certainly are taking this rather well, Laurah. But yes, hopefully you could. It'd be quite funny, at least I think so. Shall I get you a sledgehammer for a wedding present?" Rhos takes to my light-hearted approach rather easily, and I silently thank my lucky stars for her forbearance.
"A sledgehammer or a brick; either will do nicely," I laugh, though it sounds strained even to my ears. I can't tell if that's because of the idea of my upcoming nuptials, or because of how closely Rhoslyn's remark came to something Nikki might say.
"And you know you can always come to me and we can have a woman-to-woman midnight talk if he becomes too unbearable."
"Thank you Rhos, I'll most likely take you up on that offer."
"Most likely?" she teases gently.
"Alright, definitely. And let's hope I don't get pregnant. I don't know how I'd be able to have his child."
"Completely understandable," Rhos soothes, stroking my back to comfort my dark-tinged thoughts.
"Anyway, now that I've shared that bit of news, how does a midnight frolic in the meadow sound?"
"I've missed our times in the meadow! Let's!" she cries happily, jumping up eagerly.
"Shh! Do you want to wake the whole palace?" I hiss, though a grin breaks my attempt at seriousness.
Rhos claps a hand over her mouth to quiet her laugh, but her eyes tinkle with all the merriment she can't vocalize.
"Race ya!" I whisper gleefully, jumping to my feet and careening through the halls as quietly as I can manage without sacrificing speed.
"Not fair!" She whisper-calls, racing to catch up to me.
"Totally is!"
I have to clap one hand over my mouth too, because it's too tempting to break out into giddy giggles.
We both fly through the palace and out through the front doors, and by the time we burst through the trees into the meadow, we're neck and neck. Rhos has always been just a little bit faster than me, but I did have a bit of head start this time.
"Tie. So truce?" I gasp out, kneading a stitch from my side.
"Truce." Rhos shakes my free hand and lets out a laugh she's surely been holding in since we first started running.
Mercifully, she lets me catch my breath before insisting that we begin our frolicking.
Neither of us can contain our joyful laughs when we skip through the tall grass, our fingers brushing the petals of the wildflowers that live here and there in the midst of the meadow. It's a good thing we're a bit of a clip from the village, else we'd surely wake everyone. We've never been the quiet sort, not when we're giddy. The lateness of the hour combined with the intoxicating feel and smell of being in our meadow gives us a sort of happy high, one that we only get here.
I take to twirling on the balls of my feet, and I don't hesitate to fling my arms out wide and tilt my head back toward the sky. My eyes see the same patch of inky night sky and stars as I spin and spin and spin, and it almost feels like if I spin fast enough, I can spin my way out of all my worries and troubles. If I spin fast enough, I won't have to marry Hallan. If I spin fast enough, my human mom won't be in any danger of falling apart. If I spin fast enough, the mist never existed to torment me, and I never spent a moment on the Dawn Treader. If I spin just a little faster, I can stay here in this rare moment of happy peace until I grow to be an old lady and I can spin no more.
"You know Rhos, maybe the mist actually did me a favor by taking so many of my Narnian memories away," I muse as I spin faster.
"What on earth do you mean?" Rhos asks, sounding a little worried and a lot mystified.
"I mean that maybe something sad happened with me and the king. Maybe we had a fight or something, or maybe I left Narnia in such a way that would have made things awful between us, had we both remembered. Maybe it's better I don't remember my first life with him, you know?"
"Oh Laurah, don't you say that," pleads my friend. She sounds saddened by my spoken thoughts. "Even if there were some bad memories mixed up in that little forgotten package, there were far too many good and wonderful ones to wish them all away."
I think on that a moment and decide she's right.
"Maybe I should put some effort into finding those memories," I wonder aloud, and I'm a bit surprised when Rhos responds in the positive.
"Yes, you should. It's worth it, I promise."
"Maybe it is. But where do you suppose I ought to start? They could be hidden anywhere."
"Alright, perhaps you can't start looking now. But do keep an eye out."
"Hallan talked about being possessed by the mist too. He said that green lady saved him. If she's the enemy's real leader, couldn't she also be the one who was controlling the mist?"
"I do think that might be worth a thought, yes. But why save him from the mist if she put it in his head to begin with?"
"That's true. I don't have an answer for that. The mist must be something separate." Then I remember his eyes. "Or perhaps not! That green lady missed a little bit of the mist, unless she meant to leave a little in his head. His eyes have the slightest swirl of pale green in them."
"Are you certain that green means the mist?"
"Absolutely. It was the exact same color, and it didn't stay still. It was moving around even as I looked at it steadily."
"Curious indeed. Perhaps your upcoming marriage is not so horrible after all. It could prove useful, as the council and your mother the Queen suggest."
"Yes, perhaps it won't be so awful after all."
But my dreams have said otherwise.
"Though, I doubt you've thought of..." Rhos trails off almost pensively, but it does its job of raising my curiosity.
"Thought of what?"
"Surely King Caspian could be of some help, if we went to him and asked."
"Rhos, there's no need. Mother hasn't asked for help for a reason, and I think it a good one." I feel a little bad for shooting down the idea, but I can't even think of it positively for more reasons than one.
"What might that reason be?"
I'm a bit surprised Rhos doesn't know, but I fill her in anyway.
"Best not let our losses be inflicted on the Narnians as well."
Rhos considers this for a minute or two before shaking her head vehemently.
"What?" I instantly ask, defensive for some strange reason I'm not sure of.
"That isn't selflessness, Laurah. That is only pride."
"Mother's not proud, at least not in that way," I argue.
I try not to think about the twinge in my heart that whispers Rhos could be right.
And now that the Queen is being a little difficult and refusing to let me inside her head, my writing has hit a rather huge block XD So I apologize for that even though y'all aren't feeling the effects just yet :P
Please take a moment to let me know your thoughts! I love hearing from you fabulous people! :D
