I'm just barely making the Wednesday update deadline, haha! (Is twice a week too much? I know I personally don't have enough free time to be on this site reading that often. Please be honest so I can figure out future story update schedules!)
"Peter! Peter! It's the Year of Beruna, Peter! Wake up!" Lucy's excited squeal came only seconds before she launched herself on Peter's bed.
Peter grunted when her weight landed on his stomach. She was getting too big to be jumping on him like that. But he secretly hoped she wouldn't grow out of the habit for another three years, at least.
"Is the sun even up yet?" Peter asked, keeping his eyes shut. "Or do we have to go over what we discussed at Christmas?"
"The sun takes longer to rise in the winter," Lucy defended.
"Yes, but it was your second Christmas of the year," Peter pointed out.
"It's not as though I told Father Christmas he had to come again," Lucy said. "It was his choice to come during the Thaw and then return for the actual Christmas Day."
"Well, it's nice to see that you show equal enthusiasm for ever holiday," Peter noted after turning his head to find only the first blush of dawn coloring the sky.
"I can't help it," Lucy giggled, hopping up and down on her knees. "I'm so excited."
"I see that," Peter chuckled.
"Won't you come down to the shore with me?" Lucy asked.
Peter pursed his lips.
"Come on, Peter, pretty please?" Lucy pleaded, tilting her head and batting her eyes at him.
Just as she knew he would, Peter caved. "Alright, Lu."
She grinned brightly and leaped off his bed.
"Shouldn't we change out of our nightclothes first?" Peter asked, watching her with amusement.
Lucy planted a hand on her hip. "We don't have time! Besides, doesn't it make more sense to get these wet and then change out of them into our clothes for the day rather than changing into a separate outfit inbetween?"
Peter conceded the point. "That makes sense."
"Of course it does. Now come on!" Lucy seized his hand and pulled him from his mattress.
Together they ran, barefoot and laughing, through Cair Paravel then out into the courtyard and out the gate down to the beach. The sea foam tickled their ankles as they raced each other through the surf. The crystal water shimmered in the rosy glow of the early morning. The two rulers splashed, sprayed and squirted each other playfully. Only once the sun broke over the horizon and shone directly in their eyes, blinding them, did they stop their games. They collapsed on the sand, breathless, soaked, and happy.
"I love this," Lucy sighed contentedly, lying down on her back with her hands behind her head.
"Love what?" Peter asked.
Lucy waved a hand in the air vaguely before putting it back under her head. "The sea, the sun, the sky, the sand. Cair Paravel. Narnia. Everything."
Peter smiled down at her fondly. "Don't ever change, Lucy Pevensie."
Edmund cracked an eye open. The first thing he saw was a beetle. It scuttled across a mossy log before disappearing into a clump of grass. Unalarmed by the bug, Edmund let his eyelid fall again and he burrowed his face into his arm. Then his brain processed what he had seen and he wondered why there was a beetle in his bed. After that, he realized he was not in his bed but rather, he was laid out on the forest floor. At least that accounted for the bug and it also explained why no one had come to wake him yet. Curious, he rolled over onto his back and peered up at the sun through squinted eyes. It was well on its way to the height of the sky and a jolt of panic shot through Edmund as he remembered where he was and why. He bolted into a sitting position, all traces of sleep fleeing. Scrambling to his feet, he cursed himself for oversleeping. As he started off at a light jog, he did a few calculations in his head, wondering how long it would take for him to get to Cair Paravel. His mood sunk when he came to the conclusion that he would be unable to maintain the pace necessary to reach the castle before nightfall.
The depressing prediction nearly defeated him before he'd even begun. Knowing that the limits of his body would defeat the desire of his mind was difficult to accept. Out of options, nearly without hope, there was only one thing he could do. He whispered a fast, fervent prayer to Aslan, asking for salvation for his brother and sisters, for his country. Edmund didn't know what the Wraith's plans were, or if he could stop them, but he trusted the Lion would be able to. Just as it had happened in the cave, so now Edmund felt peace descend on him, the lifting of a burden.
No longer bearing the sole responsibility of being savior, Edmund moved with a lighter step, his feet carrying him swiftly through the woods. The sun continued to climb, and Edmund continued to run. He stopped by a creek for a drink to refresh himself before resuming his self-appointed task. But eventually his strength began to flag and he was forced to slow down. It was frustrating but his burning lungs and aching muscles would not allow him to do anything else. Suddenly, a Deer jumped out of the trees and onto the path ahead of him. Upon recognizing her, Edmund hailed the creature and the Animal immediately turned around.
"King Edmund!" she exclaimed.
"Luna," Edmund greeted.
"Pardon my asking, but what are you doing here?" the Doe questioned.
"You say that as if I don't regularly visit," Edmund pointed out.
"Of course you come often to the Wood, and I am always pleased to see you, sire," Luna hurriedly backtracked. "What I rather meant to ask was why you are not at the palace, today of all days?"
"What's today?" Edmund queried.
Luna's large brown eyes widened. "Don't you know?"
"I've rather lost track of time," Edmund sheepishly admitted.
"It's the Year of Beruna," Luna reminded. "There are celebrations being held all across Narnia. I was on my way to Cair Paravel, since your sister, Queen Susan, has extended the invitation to any who wish to come."
"What a coincidence, that also is my destination," Edmund chuckled.
"I doubt those human legs of yours could accomplish the task before nightfall," Luna scoffed in good humor.
Edmund held his breath, not daring to ask for the help he desperately needed, knowing that riding a Talking Animal was a grave insult without prior permission. Luna blinked at him. He blinked back.
"Would you like a mount?" Luna finally inquired.
"I thought you'd never ask," Edmund laughed.
Luna knelt so he could climb onto her back. "I do caution you though. I am not strong enough to carry you the entire way."
"Just tell me when you need a rest and I will dismount straightway," Edmund assured her. "I do thank you, good cousin. Truly, you are an answer to my prayer."
If Deer could blush, Luna's velvet nose would have been red. "Such kind words," she said demurely.
"It is the truth," Edmund stated as she sprang into motion. "For there is another matter that requires my presence at the Cair, aside from the feast."
"Indeed?" Luna prodded.
"Yes," Edmund affirmed without revealing more.
"Then I shall endeavor to make all haste," Luna vowed.
The afternoon passed by in a blur of song, lively dance, storytelling, history lessons, personal testimonies, tearful outpourings of gratitude, dedications of artwork, and throngs of joyful subjects. Narnians had gathered from every corner of the country to commemorate the defeat of the White Witch. From the Bats of the Owlwoods, to the Leopards of Cauldron Pool, to the Nymphs of Glasswater Creek, the citizens came to rejoice with their sovereigns, no matter the distance that had to be traveled. It was a merry gathering. The castle was filled to capacity, and bursting with noise as its inhabitants celebrated their freedom.
Everywhere Peter turned, there was a Narnian bowing to him, thanking him for his part in the battle against the Witch and complimenting his skills as a warrior and king. The open admiration flustered him and he attempted to find one of his siblings, hoping to gain strength from the camaraderie with his family. Lucy never left the dance floor, and Peter wondered how she hadn't fallen down sick with dizziness after all the spinning and twirling she wholeheartedly participated in. Susan was constantly moving, speaking with each attendee and hearing their side of the story of the events from a year ago. Edmund, Peter discovered, had planted himself on the outskirts of the party. This would not have surprised Peter except for the fact that Edmund was not alone. Instead, he was with the Calormenes, all of whom remained seated and watched the revelries with expressions ranging from muted curiosity to outright scorn.
"Do the festivities not please you, Tarkaan?" Peter inquired politely, resting his hand on the pommel of his sword, part of his ceremonial outfit.
Uhanta glanced at him before he returned to scanning the crowd. "Your excellency, do not take my lack of participation as an insult. Within my heart, I am euphoric on your behalf. It was indeed an incredible victory you won over your enemy. The only thing that prohibits me from joining in these exuberant celebrations is my lack of familiarity with the customs of your stupendous land. In Tashbaan, the Tisroc (may he live forever), does not conduct holidays in the manner you do, oh King Peter."
Peter nodded, uninterested in a conversation with the visiting dignitary. He moved his focus over to Edmund, the true reason why he approached the Calormen's group.
"Edmund, may I have a word with you?" he asked.
The younger king rolled his eyes but pushed away from the pillar he was leaning against, albeit reluctantly, to join Peter. "What?" he grunted, taking a sip from the goblet in his hand.
Peter frowned. "Please tell me that's only water."
"It's only water," Edmund smirked, the expression implying the opposite.
With only an eyebrow raised to show his disapproval, Peter allowed the matter to drop without further comment. He took Edmund's elbow and led him to a small alcove, the most private place he could find in the midst of the party.
"Are you alright?" Peter questioned earnestly. "I had meant to ask you sooner, but I didn't see you at all this morning and then we had that ceremony, and then there was the procession, and then the festivities sort of began and I lost track of you-" His words tumbled over one another in his haste to explain himself.
"Of course I am," Edmund snorted. "Why wouldn't I be?"
Peter reared back. "Why wouldn't...Ed, do you mean to tell me none of this bothers you?"
Edmund shook his head, nonchalantly drinking his wine.
"The constant talk of last year isn't stirring any unpleasant memories in here?" Peter tapped Edmund's forehead.
The other boy ducked out of his reach. "No."
Peter blinked, perplexed. He puzzled over how he himself could be so affected by the past events when Edmund, whose experience had been far worse, was so apathetic. Edmund brought the cup to his lips again and narrowed his eyes at Peter over the rim.
"Did you think you were going to help me? You fancy yourself my hero, coming in to rescue me from my melancholy and despair?" he mocked, lowering the goblet. "Have you ever considered that perhaps I'm not the one who needs help? You're just looking for a way to distract yourself from your own weaknesses. All I'm going to say to you is to find someone else to cater to your pathetic need to feel in control," he hissed before sauntering off to rejoin the Calormenes.
Stunned by the venom of Edmund's words, Peter could only watch in wounded silence as he left. He stood frozen in the niche for some time, the happy noise of the partygoers merely a drone in the background. Caught up in his own thoughts, he jumped when a hand touched his shoulder.
"Sorry, I didn't meant to startle you," Susan apologized.
"It's alright," Peter said, shaking off his moroseness.
"What are you doing all the way over here by yourself? Do you have any idea how many people have been asking for you? Or how long it took for me to find you?" Susan asked in rapid succession. Without giving him time to answer, she gathered her skirts and turned back to the main area. "Come on, it's nearly time to begin the feast."
As Peter followed her, the aroma of the freshly made meal filled the air. Many of the Animals' noses were twitching, and some even licked their lips in anticipation. Susan spread her arms wide in the air, calling for attention.
"Good Narnians, tonight we celebrate Aslan's victory over the White Witch, and the Spring he brought back to the land. The table is now set, the food prepared. Come and enjoy the bounty with which our Great Lion has blessed us!" she invited, tone carrying through the room like a sweet melody.
A pair of Satyrs threw open the doors to the Great Hall, revealing rows of tables overflowing with all manner of delicious dishes. Meats, vegetables, puddings, bread, fish, cheese, fruit and cakes sat on silver platters. The glow of hundreds of candles, combined with the elegantly arranged flowers, created an almost ethereal atmosphere. Peter took Susan on his arm, escorting her at the head of the procession into the chamber. Edmund and Lucy came behind them, and the four took their place at the head of the table in the center of the room. The Narnians surged into the space around them, filling every seat. All eyes turned to the high king, waiting until he had sampled the food first to start eating.
"For our land, for our freedom, for our families, we give you thanks, Aslan," Peter said in a strong, clear voice.
Then he took a bite and the feast began.
ChildofGod: Thanks, I was rather fond of that scene too :) You'll have to join the queue for that-from what I've gathered from the reviews, the wraith has made a lot of enemies. *puts on sunglasses* Do these shades make me look cool? *searches for a mirror*
Guest: Thank you! I'm happy to hear that :)
Guest: The next chapter should be very exciting for you ;)