Disclaimer- I disclaim Narnia.
The next day the royals and I were to go to the castle and be given a tour of it by the Prince himself. I was dreading it but Susan seemed to be excited.
"The Prince has promised to keep us entertained. Supposedly, he even prepared a fireworks display for the festivities. The man is so thoughtful, Lina." She informed me as we sat on the terrace of our large, castle-like lodge. I still had not found a way to tell the royals about Rabadash. There is no good way to tell your friend that the guy she likes is a snake but it's even harder to tell a queen the prince that is courting her is only after her kingdom. I needed to tell her but in all honesty, I was too big a chicken to do it. Hurting Susan's feelings would be horrible, I didn't want to be the one to do it...but I had to. I placed the book I was reading down and looked over to her.
"Susan?" I started slowly. The Gentle Queen tore her blue eyes away from the landscape and set them on me. "How well do you know Rabadash?"
She tilted her head to the side gracefully, showing her confusion to my question. "I know him well enough, I suppose." She told me with a small smile.
I nodded. "Susan, what do you know of him though? Of his character?" I questioned. My forehead wrinkled up in concentration and frustration. I had to get out what I needed to before I could chicken out. I just had to work up to it and eventually the words I needed to say would come to me. Susan gave me an even more confused look.
She pursed her lips. "Lina, is everything alright-?"
At that moment, a flock of people came out onto the terrace and cut her off. They were led by none other than Prince Rabadash. I groaned as my attempt to tell Susan failed. How could he possibly know when I was trying to do this sort of thing? However he did it, it made me very annoyed.
"Ah, the two loveliest women in Tashbaan are in the same place. How marvelous!" He announced with his arms stretched wide open as if telling it to the whole city. I found that I had somehow stood up along with Susan to greet the prince. The Queen dipped into a curtsy and I had no choice but to do the same.
"Good morning, Prince." She said, bowing her head and smiling.
Susan outstretched her hand to Rabadash and he swept into a bow and kissed her knuckles. "Your Majesty." He greeted. The prince's eyes drifted to me and he smiled. "Lady Lina."
I just nodded to him, not even bothering to give him my hand to kiss or even a small smile. He tilted his head and grinned at me mischievously. I tried not to but ended up looking away from him, feeling uncomfortable. "Are you ladies ready to go on the tour?" He asked with a smile in his voice.
Susan nodded. "Of course, we are. Lina and I have been waiting for this all morning." She told the prince. Rabadash held his arm out to the queen and she gladly took it. The two started to walk back into the the main room of our lodge before Susan stopped and turned back to me. "Oh, Lina. You were going to say something?"
My eyes shot to Rabadash and he gave me a knowing stare as if challenging me to say what he was out loud. I stuttered to get a few words out and Susan waited patiently for me to answer. I ended up sighing. "It was nothing, Susan."
"Oh. Alright." She said, her forehead wrinkled up again as she looked into my defeated eyes. I think she was just about to question me further when Rabadash interfered yet again.
"Shall we be off?" He asked, regaining Susan's attention. The Gentle Queen looked at me a second longer before nodding to Rabadash. The group of courtiers followed the two royals off the terrace and out of the main sitting room, all were heading for the main entrance. I took a deep shaky breath and laid my hands on the railing for support. I couldn't win, could I? Rabadash would not allow it. Ever. He was way out of my league and I couldn't help but feel helpless then. The game was over. He won.
Whistling sounded from behind me but I did not turn to see who's company I was now in. Feet fell on the marble floor making a rhythmic sound before coming to rest next to me. "What are you thinking about?" Edmund asked. I turned to look at him as he stared out at the streets of Tashbaan. This was becoming a routine with us. Standing on balconies doing nothing but talking or staring at beautiful landscapes. This was our thing and it had become comforting to me.
"Nothing important." I muttered. Edmund pulled his eyes from the busy streets and set his skeptical, brown gaze on me. He turned toward me and leaned one of his elbows on the railing.
"Lina, if you are thinking so deeply on it, it must be very important." He said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. I chuckled once and looked away, shaking my head so I didn't have to answer. Ed sighed and took my chin in his hand gently. He turned my face so I looked at him once more. "You don't have to tell me anything but if you do need to talk..."
"I know where to find you, Ed." I said with a crooked smile spread across my face. "Thanks."
Edmund nodded, serious once again. Lately, I have noticed that his serious attitude could be turned off, leaving Edmund as a normal, sweet guy. The serious Ed was alright, I suppose, but the Just King without that persona was down right amazing. I was completely lucky to have him as a friend. A friend... Edmund was my friend. A friend that I was sure would believe me if I told him the truth about Rabadash. I know it's cliché but it was almost as if a light bulb went on over my head. DING!
"Hey Edmund, about that thing I was thinking about-"
"There you two are!" Tumnus said as he rushed over to us. "Everyone is waiting for you so we can leave! Come,come you two!" He said, waving Edmund and I to the door. I sighed and followed him to the exit. People in Narnia were really good at interrupting you at the worst possible moment.
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The castle was, indeed, beautiful with it's large Arabian style columns and interesting paintings. Plush pillows of every bright color sat in the sitting rooms instead of having furniture to sit on. Everything about the castle was awesome. I really loved it.
I was pleasantly surprised that Rabadash left me alone the entire tour. I thought he would have tried staring me down or flirting like he normally did but not today. Today he was focused on Susan and Susan only. If I didn't know better I would have thought that the two of them were a couple and a gorgeous one at that. But since I did know better I didn't fall for his tricks. I stuck pretty close to Edmund that day, clinging onto his arm much like Susan did with Rabadash.
Every once in a while Edmund would pat my hand, thinking that my quietness was due to boredom rather than nervousness. I decided to let him think that, it was easier for him that wondering what was going on with me. Once we were back at our lodge, I planned on telling Edmund everything but I couldn't now. Not here. I would try again tonight after the festivities in our honor.
Great, move festivities. People in this world were very into honoring people with parties. I was never a party goer so this ritual was very abnormal to me.
The tour ended back in the throne room where two very large, golden thrones sat smack dab in the middle of a dais. One of the thrones was for Rabadash's father, the other for him. He sat at his father's side since there was no Queen of Calormen.
"This is lovely, Prince Rabadash." Susan complimented courteously. The prince nodded his thank you.
"Well, shall the festivities begin? It is nearly night fall and soon the fireworks shall start and you do not want to miss them, trust me." He told us with a smile.
Everyone in our party agreed that it was a splendid idea and we all headed out to the garden to watch. The garden was my favorite part of the whole palace. It was like a little green haven surrounded by a never ending desert. Inside the garden, a small maze was nestled. It wasn't very large but I'm sure it was big enough for me to get lost in, I could get lost in my walk in closet if left alone in there too long.
We were led to a sort of opening in the garden where chairs were set out for us to sit on during the fireworks display. I took a seat in between Susan and Edmund and waited for the final rays of the sun to disappear. All was quiet until Susan spoke up. "Edmund!" She said as if she hadn't even realized that he was sitting right there. The Just King looked at his sister like she was crazy and I had to cover my mouth to stifle the laugh that was threatening to burst out of me. "Where have you been all day? I feel like I have not seen you in ages." She said, sincerely wondering what had been occupying her brother's time.
Edmund smiled. "I haven't been anywhere, Susan." His answer was simple, no frills. You could tell that he didn't want to elaborate anymore. Ed didn't like to talk and Susan knew it so she would not push him any further. Like predicted, Susan smiled and turned back forward. A second later, the fireworks appeared in the sky. Bright sparks of red, yellow, green, and blue filled the dark night. They were beautiful and I smiled at the sight of them.
Fireworks went off for the next half an hour and all watched in amazement. When they ended, I along with the three other royals, stood up to stretch our legs. It was tiring to sit still for so long. I turned away from the horizon and looked at Edmund. Smiling, I asked what he thought of the display.
"They were brilliant." He stated. The king had a twinkle in his eye that showed he enjoyed the show much more than he would let on. These fireworks brought on the kid in him and I figured he had not seen that side of himself in a very long time.
"Edmund!" Susan called to us from across the clearing in the garden. "Won't you join me for a walk, brother?"
Ed smiled at his sister and nodded. "Well, best not keep Sue waiting. Would you like to come with us?" He asked.
I shook my head. "No, I fear I have been monopolizing you these last couple of days. Susan misses her brother, I wouldn't want to intrude." I told him.
Edmond shrugged. "I shall take my leave, then." He bowed to me before leaving to go to Susan. I waved at the two of the them as they walked in the direction of the courtyard, arm in arm. I smiled, wishing I had a sibling like that.
The smile faded as the reality of the situation I put myself in hit me hard in the face. I was alone. With Rabadash. Gosh, Lina! You are so stupid! I threw a look over my shoulder and saw the dark eyes of the prince looking back at me. He smirked at me and I felt myself shrink. I hated that look and I didn't think I could handle it, not until Susan and Edmund got back. I had to find a way to get away from him, just until the royals came back and his 'pleasant behavior returned.
I looked around and saw the only place I would be able to find solitude. The maze. I rushed over, well, I went over to the maze as fast as I could without making a scene. And whirled through the twists and turns until I felt like I was completely lost. I took a deep breath and decided to just walk a little bit and attempt to slowly make my way out of this maze. Susan and Edmund shouldn't have been gone long, at least I hoped they wouldn't be gone long.
It's short, I know but if I went any further it would have been insanely long. Dun, dun, dun. It's a cliff hanger...just a bit. I'll update ASAP! I hope you enjoyed it and thanks for reading! =]
I took another left to find myself at another dead end. I was starting to get frustrated again. I was so stupid. I put myself in another situation that turned poorly. I knew I would get lost in this maze if I went in but I went in it anyway and I only had to go in this stupid maze because I decided to be left alone with Rabadash. I couldn't get anything right anymore.
I tried another passage and took a right when that one stopped. Another dead end followed. By now I was sure I was in the deepest part of the maze, far from everyone that was at the festivities. I was alone.
"There you are. I have been looking for you." I turned around and saw the worst possible person imaginable. Rabadash. Maybe I wasn't alone after all. He took a seductive step toward me and then another. "We have not had any time together since you arrived."
I managed to walk backwards until I hit the high shrubberies behind me. I was trapped and starting to panic. Rabadash kept coming towards me until he was only inches from my body. He reached up to caress my cheek and I turned away from his touch the best I could. "Leave me alone." I asked, furious with myself for letting my tone turn frightened. My voice shook ever so slightly and I trembled under his finger tips.
He took a step closer and we were chest to chest. "Where would the fun be in that, Lina?"
He leaned down to me suddenly and attempted to kiss me. At the last moment, I managed to get a shred of braveness and push him away from me. Rabadash was expecting this and grabbed hold of my wrists, pulling me towards him and forcing his lips down on mine. His kiss was angry, urgent. His lips pressed down harder on mine as I struggled to get out of his grasp. I knew that I would not be able to fight him off and stopped resisting. Perhaps that way it would be over sooner. I stood as still as a statue as he continued to kiss me. He tried to force his tongue inside of my mouth my I kept my lips pressed together. I wanted this to be over, when would this be over?
"Lina?" A male voice asked, shocked and furious. Rabadash pulled away and took a step back from me, whipping his lips on the sleeve of his tunic. I took a deep, gasping breath and turned to see who was calling me.
It was Edmund. He stood at the end of the passage with an expression full of bewilderment, hurt, and anger on his face. His eyes went from me to Rabadash and he shook his head. I was frozen in fear. I wanted to run to Edmund and tell him he misunderstood what was going on here. I wanted to cry and tell him everything that had been going on. I wanted him to tell me that everything would be okay. But as I looked into his brown eyes I saw that this was going to be everything but okay.
I took a step toward him, not know what else to do. "Ed, I can explain." The words sounded horrible on my tongue but it was the only thing I could think to say. It was the only thing to say.
He held his hand up to stop me from coming towards him or saying anything else. I froze again as silent tears began to roll down my face. Edmund was looking down at his feet but finally placed his eyes on me reluctantly. He let out a chuckle of disbelief and shook his head before turning and walking away. I began to sob.