A/N I do apologies for the late posting. As some of you may realizes I don't normally post long author's notes but I do need to vent for just a moment. It's been an odd time this past week. Today is the one year anniversary of one of my coworker's (and mentors in both my personal and professional life) death. So I also apologize if things seem a little emotional in text. The event that took the life of my coworkers shook and changed the very foundation of everything I've worked so hard for in the last several years of my life. Even through these tests my remaining professional family has been very strong in overcoming the adversity we've faced. I love and appreciate them now more the ever. I also feel that having people tell me I shouldn't be doing what I do everyday, I'm more determined now to prove them wrong. So I just want everyone to take a moment today and tell the people around you how much they mean to you. Never let anyone tell you what you want out of life is wrong. And please take a moment to make a child smile. -Ari-
The vote for the Mountain People was unanimous in court. Lucy set out early in the morning with the two messengers and her guards. Peter and Susan spent the afternoon and late into the night working on how to gather resources and finances to help build infrastructure for the new settlement.
"The talking horses and a couple giants have agreed to lend their support." Susan said looking a piece of parchment. Peter took it from her hand to look over and agreed. As they looked over some of the paperwork a loud horn was sounded throughout the castle. Susan shot Peter a bewildered look. His brow was creased in confusion.
"That horn only sounds when royalty returns. Lucy wouldn't be back so soon."
"Maybe she forgot something?" Susan suggested.
"Maybe." But Peter's hand went towards his sword as Susan went to retrieve her bow. "We should go see what's going on. Maybe there's some mistake?" The two made haste towards the gate tower and saw a dark, shaggy figure riding towards them. The two monarchs stood still and stunned for a moment as the rider trotted closer and closer.
"Peter," Susan managed to squeak out. "I fear my eyes are deceiving me, but the figure—does it not hold the same posture of Edmund?"
"It does look like his riding stance," Peter agreed, confusion evident in his voice. "By the mane, the horse looks like Phillip. He refuses to carry any rider besides Edmund. But this is impossible."
"Oh Peter! For the love of the Great Lion, if I didn't know that figure better than I know my own reflection than I may as well be blind. I don't know how it is possible- I do believe marvels can happen." Susan went to rush down to the gate but Peter stopped her.
"Dear sister," he replied softly trying to hold the emotion stirring in his chest. "It cannot be Edmund."
"Let me go." She shook herself out of her brother's grasp. "At least let me examine our guest with my own eyes. I have my bow if needed." As Edmund and Phillip reached the gate he saw Susan standing there as they road up. Susan quaked as she realized it was indeed her baby brother. It hit instantly, like an arrow, and before she knew it she was full out sprinting to his side. Tears filled her eyes as she laid her hands on his chest feeling that he was indeed real and looking for his heartbeat under his tattered tunic. Edmund's dark eyes searched his sister's blue ones seeing the mix of confusion and jubilation. They spend several minutes embracing one another before either one of them spoke. "We missed you so much. It's an absolute miracle to see you." She could hardly choke out any more words as sheer joy swelled in her chest. Then over Susan's shoulder Edmund saw Peter hanging back. His older brother's mouth agape as he recognized his younger brother.
"If you leave your mouth open for too long dear brother, you'll catch flies," Edmund finally spoke up trying to relive some of the tension. Peter came up checking Edmund in the same manner that Susan had examined him previously. He then pulled his younger brother into a choking hug. Edmund could feel his brother's warm tears falling onto the top of his head as Peter sniffed softly. His head buried in Edmund's hair.
"I don't understand," Peter finally said. "Not that I'm not elated you're here Edmund, but how are you… here? I saw you die. I felt your body grow cold and breathless." Peter was trying to keep his tone even. How could he not have known his brother was alive?
"I was poisoned. It did strange things to my body, but I managed to survive," Edmund replied tersely. He was much to tired to try and explain the who thing now.
"I was taken care of by a hermit in the mountains. It's a long story that I will tell you later, but first, where's Lucy?"
"Lucy went west on a diplomatic mission. She should be back very soon. Oh how joyous she'll be at seeing you returned to us. A true miracle from Aslan."
"Peter," Edmund said very softly for his brother's ears only. "Peter I'm sorry I let you down." Peter stood stunned back for a minute trying to figure out how to reply. He then dropped his head and shook it solemnly.
"I cannot accept you apology for you did nothing wrong. How could you have let me down? If anything it is I who should be begging for your forgiveness. I though you for dead and left you. I…" Peter's normally strong voice hitched in his throat. "When I thought you dead, it tore me apart. I felt like someone chopped off my right hand and I was helpless. Ask Susan and Lucy, I was but a shadow of myself and now that you're here with me now- I feel strength I've not felt in what feels like an eternity. I feel whole again." Edmund pressed his forehead to his brothers and pulled out the flag he found from the battlefield.
"I'm so grateful to be home again." Susan joined into their embrace unable to control her tears of joy. When they finally parted Peter ordered every lamp in the Cair to be lit so all of Narnia would celebrate the return of her King. He also raised the tattered flag as a sign of triumph.
"Now dear brother," Susan finally said. "You look dreadful, I'll get the barber up here to help get rid of that awful beard. Also we'll have to get the tailor to get you fitted for a new tunic, I'm afraid that one's a mess."
"Maybe tomorrow Su," Edmund said trying to stifle a yawn. "Right now all I ask is a hot bath and my bed for the night." She sighed and ran a hand though his ragged hair but nodded anyway.
"You do look weary." That night Peter and Susan never left Edmund's side. Susan slept soundly on cushions next to Edmund's bed. But Peter couldn't sleep. He was awkwardly positioned in a chair by Edmund's bedside, comforted by his brother's steady breathing. Sometime in the middle of the night Edmund woke up and saw Peter looking down upon him.
"You still awake?" Edmund asked groggily.
"I can't bear to close my eyes," Peter replied somberly. "I fear that if I blink this will all be a dream and I'll wake up and find you gone again. I can't stand to lose you again." Edmund laid a comforting hand on his brother shoulder and allowed him to sit next to him in bed.
"Sooner or later I'm going to go back out in battle and there's always the possibly one or both of us could be killed. It's something I accepted along time ago because I love Narnia and I love you. I can't live without the rush of battle and the adrenaline that courses through my veins when I lay my hands on my sword. So long as there is breathe in my lungs I will fight for Narnia. I am her King and warrior."
"As am I, all of this I know."
"Peter," Edmund sighed. "I guess what I'm trying to say is that, if the time comes and Aslan calls for me, I want to go down in glory. There is no shame in an honorable death. I want to go down doing what I love and fighting for my country. And… don't look at me like that; I know you feel the exact same way I do. We wouldn't be kings if we didn't feel this strongly."
From her camp site Lucy saw the light shine from the glass ceiling of Cair Paravel far on the eastern horizon. She knew it was a sign of something wonderful. From the whispers of a passing dryad she found out the whole kingdom was rejoicing in the return of King Edmund. Before she went to bed she silently thanked Aslan for the great miracle, but also vowed to keep it silent. She wasn't quite sure how these people would react. Edmund had killed their general.
As the two messengers road up to the small camp Perna went out of her father's tent the greet them. A young woman along with several knights road up with them. Perna looked over the woman curiously. She couldn't have much younger than herself. Her clothing alone was marvelous. The young woman wore an earthen red colored riding dress that seemed to flow around her elegantly. Her stature held a very commanding, liquid grace quality to it. Then there was her eyes, they sparkled with cheer. They reminded Perna of how cheerful her father's eyes used to look when she was a little girl. She instantly liked the look of the young woman. Something about her lovely face seemed familiar and comforting. One of the messengers walked up to Perna as the young woman dismounted her horse.
"My Lady," the man said kissing Perna on her cheek. "Our mission has proven to be very satisfactory indeed. In fact may I present to you Queen Lucy of Narnia." So the woman before Perna was a queen. A young queen, but a queen none the less. Perna gave her a brief and shallow curtsy.
"Your Majesty," she said trying not to look Queen Lucy in her eyes. Somewhere she remembered it was rude to do so. But the queen did seem to mind and smiled kindly.
"You must be the Lady Perna," Queen Lucy said in a jolly tone. "I've hear a little about you, but I must say my brother is quite interested in meeting you." Perna hesitated slightly.
"I will do what I have to for my people… your Majesty. If you're willing to help my people, then I am very glad, and interested in meeting your brother." Lucy studied the woman before her. She had a presence about her. Peter very well may like her.
"Lady Perna, my brother wishes to grant your people land northeast of here. It is not large, but we agree to the terns presented by your father Chief Renlon. I am here today to escort you back to Cair Paravel to meet High King Peter, and to counsel with your father. I have also brought with me a supply of good food and hunting supplies to see your village trough, until with can coordinate a move to your new farm lands."
"I will show you to my father," Perna replied still staring at Queen Lucy. Perna's father was still sick in bed when Lucy walked in. The young queen gently took the now warm cloth from the Chief's head and dipped it into the cool water and replaced it. Perna was surprised by Lucy gentleness as her father stirred awake.
"Why I must have died for I have an angel standing before me." The Chief said as he blinked his eyes a few times. Lucy giggled slightly and then smiled.
"Chief Renlon I am Queen Lucy of Narnia. I am here on behalf of my royal brother High King Peter the Magnificent, Emperor of the Lone Island, and Lord of Cair Paravel. He has heard your cry for help. After speaking to our council we have agreed to grant you some farm land about a three days ride from here north and then slightly east. It's not much, but it should help your people recover and in time more land may become available. My brother sent a copy of the laws of Narnia that all citizens must abide by. If you and your people settle on our land you will be subject to the laws and all the consequences so please read it well. As for the terms of the agreement we accept them. After every planting season you will grant ten percent of your crop yield, which we have decided will go to help feed our standing army. We also agree to take on your soldiers as members of the Narnian army. If at anytime this gets too burdensome, please, don't be afraid to speak at court. We are willing to work with you as needed." The old chief had tears in his eyes showing gratefulness. These people did not seem to the barbarians he had previously thought them to be. They were kind, not cruel. "My brother High King Peter is also curious regarding your daughter, Lady Perna. He would very much like to meet her. As for her hand in marriage, that has yet to be determined, but she will return back to Cair Paravel with me and my guards at our earliest convenience."
"Thank you dear child, I mean dear Queen Lucy." No one in the village had ever addressed royalty. In their eyes most of the people were equal. Even those that were higher in social status never stood on ceremony. But without demanding it, Queen Lucy seemed to earn his respect. "What will happen with my status?"
"You will still govern your people as you always have. However, you are now a subject of our court, as such my brother will probably grant you a title, but you will be loyal to our monarchy. Does this sound fair?"
"Most fair your Majesty. On behalf of my people, we thank you." Lucy looked kindly upon the older man who face now had more color returning to it. His eyes were no longer dull, they sparkled with hope. Perna saw this and had to take a deep breath to suppress the emotion rising in her chest. Her father looked so happy. The few minutes Lucy had spent with him seem to take years off his face and his fever broke. Marrying the High King couldn't be all bad, if he were anything like his sister, he would be wonderful. But Perna also couldn't shake how familiar she seemed. Some of her mannerism and the way she spoke with charisma, Perna had seen it before, but couldn't quite place where. Queen Lucy's eyes seemed very familiar. She remembered gazing deeply into eyes so much like the queen's warm brown ones. "Dear Perna," her father called to her breaking her thoughts. "Tell your mother to gather what we have, and light a bon fire. We're celebrating tonight!"