Previously
Liliandil stood up and looked at Brielle, her beautiful face filled with compassion.
"Let's get you a room. You can have a bath, eat and rest, and I'll find you some clothes and shoes. And tonight we can talk some more. Is that all right?"
Brielle was once again taken by surprise by their kindness. She had just told them that she was accused of stealing her former mistress's necklace and yet they believed she was innocent.
What kind of place is this?
Instead she simple said, "That's fine, your Majesty."
Chapter Five. A Place to Belong
Brielle's eyes opened and she sat up with a jerk. She was breathing heavily and was covered in sweat. She wasn't in the cold dark room of Jadellias house. Instead, she was in her own comfortable room in Narnia.
The memory of Jadellias' offer was still fresh in her mind.
How can I have been so blind?
Brielle took a deep breath to calm her breathing, while her eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness. She could feel a cool spring wind blow through the open window of her room. She pulled her legs up in front of her and smoothed out the cover and blankets on her bed.
She had been in Narnia just over two months and things seemed to be changing for her every single day. Along with getting a job working in the kitchen, Brielle had been given her own room and even her own clothes for work and regular daywear. So far, there hadn't been any problems. Brielle liked working in the kitchen and she liked the people she worked with. They were kind to her and seem genuinely interested. Anybody outside of the kitchen normally left her alone. She would see Ironhoof and his father and brothers' come in to eat breakfast and she would talk with Ironhoof about his day.
Brielle lived from her bedroom, to the kitchen, a couple of hours outside for lunch and her break, back to the kitchen, and then back to her bedroom for the night. One might find that routine boring, but Brielle was glad she wasn't noticed.
She hardly saw Caspian, and when she did he was busy. Every week or so, Queen Lilliandil would ask her how she was doing and Brielle couldn't help but give her an honest answer.
She was doing fine.
She was warming up to the queen, but it got annoying when it seemed that all the young girls at the palace just seemed to idolize her. Whenever Brielle saw her, Liliandil was always accompanied by her lady in waiting, her young ladies maids, and a constant swarm of young female courtiers behind her.
The courtiers were what annoyed her the most. Wealthy girls who looked her up and down like they were trying decide if she be sold at a market. They never talked to her and spent most of their time whispering and giggling, and flirting (quite badly) with the handsome boys in the court.
Brielle got out of bed and walked over to the window. She had a beautiful view overlooking the ocean and the beach. The sun was just coming up and it was sending its yellowish pink rays over the water. Even though she wasn't expected in the kitchen for another hour, she washed up and changed her clothes. After she tied her hair back into a braid, she went to the bedside table and pulled out the double sided portrait of her parents that her mother had given her.
Sitting down in her window seat she gazed at her beautiful mother. So young, so sweet, and so clearly confused with life. She flipped it to the other side and looked at her father. Dark and handsome with piercing black eyes that seemed to match his stern demeanor; and yet there was a small hint of loneliness and emptiness in those eyes.
Did Mother help fill that loneliness? Could I have made him happy? Give him a reason to come home at night?
She looked outside. The sun had risen; the day had begun. She could see guards, centaurs, and other workers down below by the portcullis and in the courtyards.
Brielle had never asked Caspian about her father or even about her mother. He never brought it up either. It wasn't exactly easy to get him alone long enough to ask. She would try though. She needed to know about her father. Where he was, why he didn't come looking for them, and if he really loved her and her mother.
Suddenly there was a gentle knock at the door. Brielle jumped up and put the portrait back into the drawer.
"Come in," she said smoothing her dress and taking a quick glance into the mirror.
The door opened and in walked a pretty young girl with dark brown hair and soft blue eyes. She looked a couple years older than her. Maybe seventeen, eighteen, but she had a very grown up face.
Brielle knew who she was by the beautiful gold dress she was wearing. She wore a delicate silver necklace with a symbol of a white star and in the middle was a small, but stunning dark blue jewel. Only Queen Liliandil's ladies maids wore those.
She had four very young ladies maids and they were all set apart from the rest of the girls and women in the court. They were gentle, quiet, and obedient. They didn't stand around and gossip and gawk at the boys, men, and guards. All four girls were attentive and aware of what was going on around. All that that the queen had to do was look at one of them and they immediately got the message.
Yet, there was little conformity. They all wore different beautiful dresses (much more beautiful than anything that the other women in the palace and court wore) and their hair was always styled differently. The only thing similar about them was their star necklaces.
Of all the people there, these four girls had made the biggest impression on Brielle. Their complete obedience to the queen and their open generosity toward others made her almost want to be one of them. To be a part of that small intimate unit, to have a place to belong, made her heart ache. She knew she could never be a part of anything. Not with a past like hers.
The young ladie's maid closed the door and gave a small curtsey to Brielle. This surprised her.
"The queen requests your presence this morning. Don't worry about your work in the kitchen. It's all taken care of," she said in a calm soft voice.
"Have I done something to displease the queen?" Brielle asked her stomach tightening. Memories of Jadellias rage raced through her mind.
Much to her surprise, the other girl laughed.
"No, of course not. Just the opposite. Please, you must come now. The queen cannot afford to waste time."
Brielle quickly followed her out the door.
"I'm Gael, by the way," said the girl as they walked up the stairs.
"I'm Brielle," she said quietly.
"That's a pretty name," Gael said, "What does it mean?"
"I don't know," said Brielle. "What does yours mean?"
Gael smiled. "It means joyful."
"I have a feeling it probably fits too." Brielle said.
Gael looked over and smiled. It was smile that meant that she didn't want to be seen as a stranger, but rather an offering of friendship.
"Here we are," she said as they stopped at a pair of ivory doors with brilliant gilded gold designs.
She opened door and they walked into a large beautiful bedroom. All the windows were opened and the air smelled fresh and sweet. The view was possibly the most beautiful in the palace. Brielle could see the entire landscape of the beach and the sea.
"Where are we?" asked Brielle as she took in the elegance of the place.
"The royal bedchamber," said Gael, "The queen is in the adjoining room."
Brielle could hear the soft laughing of several girls mingled in with Liliandil's voice in the other room. When they walked in they saw Liliandil sitting in a chair with a lovely dark haired woman next to her and three young teenage girls sitting across from her.
"Torah, I'm going to need your help teaching the children today. Especially with correcting papers and recitation."
"Yes Ma'am," said a girl wearing a light blue gown.
"Meava," I'll need you to take food to the servants that are ill. The cook already has the food ready for you. Here's the list of names."
"Yes, Ma'am," said a girl wearing a celadon colored dress and took the list.
"Chassell, I'll need you to accompany Helaine and me into court."
"Of course Ma'am," said a tall girl wearing a deep red dress.
"And…of course, Gael always comes back on time," Liliandil said.
The three girls turned around in their chairs to look at Gael and Brielle.
Both of them bowed.
"Now, you may all go," said Liliandil as she stood up. The three girls all got up from their chairs, bowed to their queen, and left.
When they passed by Gael they smiled and gave Brielle a brief glance.
"Come, sit down," said Liliandil.
They walked over, bowed, and sat down.
"Now," Liliandil began looking at Brielle, "You've only been working here for just over two months and I have heard of your rapid progress in the kitchen. From what I have been told, you work very fast and Lessee (the cook) is having quite a time finding chores for you to do."
Brielle didn't know what to say to that.
"So," continued Liliandil, "I think it is time to take you out of the kitchen and train you to become a ladies maid."
Now, Brielle didn't know what to say. Only twenty minutes ago she was thinking of how wonderful it would be to be a ladies maid and now the queen was offering it to her.
"Your Majesty, that's quite a leap. Are you sure about this? You still don't know that much about me…"
"What I do know is enough for now," Liliandil said gently, "Are you willing to learn to become a ladies maid?
"Yes. Yes I would love to," said Brielle hoping she was doing the right thing.
"Good," Liliandil smiled.
"There is also another reason, Gael is getting married in September and I need someone to take her place."
"That's wonderful," Brielle said looking over at Gael.
"Thank you," she said.
"Your Majesty," Brielle said apprehensively, "This really is all of a sudden, are you sure there aren't any other maids who would better fit the criteria of a ladies maid? I have only been here for two months and I hardly know anyone outside of the kitchen."
"I have heard reports not just from the cook, but from servants, and the guards about your obedience, your character, and your discipline," said Liliandil, "As far as I can see, that is criteria enough for me. And you will learn; Gael will teach you."
A gentle wave of warmth went through Brielle. Even though she had just met Gael, she felt that she was worth knowing and learning from.
"Alright, I'm willing to do this."
"I was hoping you would," said Liliandil, "Gael has several errands to do for me today, so you're training will start tomorrow."
"That's fine," said Brielle, "I'll miss being in the kitchen, really."
"You'll find yourself down in that kitchen every single day," said Gael, "Someone is always going to need food."
They all laughed.
Liliandil excused them and Brielle and Gael left and walked down to the kitchen.
"Are you excited?" said Gael.
"A little bit. I will be so nice to feel that I belong somewhere. I mean, I hope I can belong here. With the Queen and ladies maids."
"You will. The queen is wonderful. I can see why the king loves her so much. Just being around her makes you want to become a better person."
"Have you known her for a long time?" Brielle asked.
"I've known her since I was nine. I was with King Caspian on the voyage of the Dawn Treader to find the seven missing lords of Narnia. I first met the queen when she was on Ramandu's island and the king fell instantly in love with her and brought her back to Narnia."
That story was completely foreign to Brielle, but romantic all the same.
I wish some handsome king will fall in love with me and take me away.
"I really am happy for you and your engagement," said Brielle when they came to the kitchen door.
"Thank you," said Gael blushing slightly, "My fiancé Garrett is wonderful. I can't wait for you to meet him."
"Well, I better get to work," said Brielle.
"Me too," said Gael, "Bye, I'll see you soon."
"Bye," said Brielle as she walked into the kitchen.
When she got into the main area, servants and maids were rushing back and forth carrying food, cutting vegetables, and washing dishes.
"Oh good, you're back," said Lessee walking up to her. She was small and a typical dark haired Telemarine woman. Brielle liked her immediately and she had become a wonderful guide for her in the kitchen.
"I'm sorry I'm late, the Queen-"
"I know all about it," Lessee interrupted her, "And it was for a good reason."
"You can't wait to get rid of me?" said Brielle jokingly.
"Actually, I'm quite sad at losing you. I've never had a harder worker, but I think you'd benefit better with the queen.
"Anyway, you're far too pretty to be kept down here," said a loud male voice.
Brielle turned around and saw Ironhoof with his father Glenstorm, his brother Suncloud, and several other centaurs file into the kitchen for breakfast.
"Ironhoof is going to be heart-broken at you leaving," said Suncloud, "He can't pay attention whenever you're in the kitchen."
"Be quiet!" said Ironhoof throwing an apple at his brother.
"Not in the kitchen," said Glenstorm getting his breakfast.
They both stopped, but Suncloud pushed ahead of his older brother to get his food.
"It will be sad not seeing you every morning," Ironhoof admitted as he took his plate from Brielle.
"I don't think I've ever been missed before, so I'm somewhat flattered. I guess," she giggled.
Ironhoof smiled and tossed her an orange. When she caught it she realized that she had some belonging there in the kitchen and not even realize it.
Maybe she belonged in Narnia after all.
