Jyoti awoke as the first rays of dawn peeked through the curtains. She jumped up immediately, pushing the curtains open wider. The trunk at the end of her bed was thrown open, though she carefully removed and folded her nightgown before slamming it shut in her excitement. Her customary thick tunic and breeches were replaced by light, summer-weight clothes: light brown breeches and a fitted pale green tunic with long, loose, gauzy sleeves. She thrust her feet into her boots, nearly tripping in her haste. Her swords lay on the small table at her bedside, the chain pooled neatly next to them, and she drew it over her head, clipping the sheaths back in place. Her daggers were properly strapped on and hidden within moments, and she peered through the still-open door.
The Queens, of course, were still asleep. Jyoti laughed in spite of herself, quickly clapping her hands over her mouth to muffle the sound. Neither of the Queens so much as twitched, and she relaxed, nodding to Malchus as he opened one eye from his perch at the base of the Queens' bed, backing up slowly to enter the corridor through her room instead. Outside, four fauns stood guard, and she nodded to them as she passed.
"I wouldn't have thought you to be such an early riser," a male voice commented dryly. Startled, Jyoti whirled around, drawing her katanas in one fluid movement. She stopped just short of Peter's neck, lowering them quickly with an embarrassed half-smile.
"Force of habit, I suppose," she explained. "Oreius said if I wanted to fight, I would keep a fighter's hours. We rose at dawn most days to spar. And what of you, King Peter?"
"I just couldn't sleep," he replied, grinning wryly. "It's not every day you become a king, after all."
"I wouldn't know," Jyoti teased, smiling back impishly. "I was actually going to fetch breakfast for your sisters. Would you care you join me? There's certainly more than enough room in their chambers. I believe there is a private dining room which adjoins your rooms to which we might bring food."
Peter nodded assent and followed her down the spiraling staircase that lead directly to the kitchens. Even at this early hour, they bustled with activity. Jyoti was surprised to see Lillin and Sola at the ovens, and they turned to greet her as she reached them.
"Hello, Fallen Star," Sola said, smiling. "Have you come for breakfast?"
"Actually, I came to take trays up for the Queens, and King Peter has offered to carry trays for himself and his brother," Jyoti replied, indicating the steam-obscured figure behind her. Sola bowed hastily at the King's appearance.
"Would it be possible to ask that everyone here not bow to us—my brother and sisters and I?" Peter asked. "We don't want to seem better than anyone else."
"As you wish, King Peter," Sola said, nodding her head. Peter smiled brightly, accepting a tray from Lillin. "And here's for you, Jyo." Jyo took a second tray, piled high with food, and inclined her head to Sola.
"You know them?" Peter asked, holding the kitchen door open with one foot. Jyoti laughed.
"They're in Oreius' herd," she replied. "They both have foals, and I used to be in charge of watching them. She thinks it amusing that I've been given a human foal to look after." Peter looked at her blankly. "Your sister, Lucy?" Peter nodded, understanding, and they fell into an awkward silence.
"Susan says she doesn't trust you," he said finally.
"I know," Jyoti replied quietly. "I thought so, last night, but I wasn't sure."
"She believes that you are some sort of criminal, and that Narnia is essentially your prison," Peter said. "And she is worried that you were corrupted by the Witch by your time with her." Jyoti's grip on the tray tightened noticeably, knuckles white with the strain of not reacting.
"I would not have stayed there had I any other choice," she said finally, though she spoke through gritted teeth. Peter nodded, glancing over at her. The strain in the muscles of her neck indicated just how much Susan's position hurt her, and he looked down.
"I know," he replied. "And Susan will understand, soon enough."
Jyoti loosened her grip on the tray with great effort, slowly relaxing.
"What did you do, to get sent down to Narnia?" he asked, curious.
"I refused to shine," Jyoti replied simply. "I believed that earth-bound mortals were not deserving of starlight, and that I deserved greater praise for giving it to them. I convinced many other stars to do the same, and for that, Aslan sent me here."
"You should tell Susan," Peter suggested. "She thinks you murdered somebody, or did something dangerous." Jyoti nodded, considering it, as they reached the door to the Queens' chambers. She paused, reluctant.
"I don't want to wake them up," she explained, biting her lip. Peter laughed, and pushed the door open.
"Wake up, lazybones!" he called, placing the tray at the end of Lucy's bed. He yanked on the curtain cord, binding them back and flooding the room with light. "There's food, and it's morning, and you should wake up!" Malchus wisely moved out of his way.
"If you are here to protect them, Jyoti, I believe I will go and call your father," he said quietly, drawing Jyoti aside. "Riel yet stands guard in the Kings' rooms." Jyoti nodded her assent, turning back to the Children as Lucy called to her.
"Jyo," Lucy said drowsily. "You're supposed to protect me, right?"
"Yes, Lucy," Jyoti replied, smiling. "I take it you need protecting right now?"
"Make my brother be quiet," she ordered, rolling over into her pillows. "Don't permanently damage him, just make him quiet."
"Your wish is my command," Jyoti answered, her smile broadening. Taking Peter's tray, she placed them both on top of Lucy's boudoir, well out of reach, and turned to face Peter. He was completely oblivious to his danger, still bouncing on Lucy's bed to wake her up, and she grinned. She grabbed a pillow from the stack next to Lucy's head and promptly bowled Peter over with it, knocking him onto the floor.
"You want a fight, do you?" he asked, springing upright and snatching a pillow of his own. "Have at it!"
Jyoti jumped off the bed, tucking her legs up and flipping backward. A pillow hit her mid-flight, and she landed on one foot, wobbling, catching herself on the bedpost. She whirled around, flinging a second pillow at Peter. He shook his head, spitting feathers, and threw it back at her. She ducked, and Susan received the brunt of the blow in her stomach. Jyoti and Peter froze, seeing the murderous look on Susan's face.
"Peter William Pevensie, you are a dead man!" she shrieked, grabbing an extra pillow as she rolled out of her bed. Jyoti wisely stepped out of the way as Susan lunged across Lucy's bed, diving on top of Peter and holding him down as she pummeled him with the pillows.
"Jyoti, why aren't you helping me?" Peter demanded, trying to cover his head. Jyoti stifled a giggle.
"I protect and follow the orders of Lucy," she explained, still giggling. "As she has not ordered me to protect you, I must assume that she does not want me to do so." Peter finally got an arm free and caught the pillow as Susan aimed for his head once more, yanking it from her grip and rolling free.
"Oh, sweet revenge," he crowed, pummeling his sister mercilessly with the pillow. Susan finally threw up her hands, surrendering, and Peter turned his attention to Jyoti instead. Her eyes widened and she raised her pillow slowly, backing away unobtrusively.
"I was merely following orders," she said cautiously. Peter shook his head, grinning, and dove at her, skidding across the bed. She got her pillow up just in time to block his strike at her head, though it knocked her backward onto Susan's bed. Jyoti scrambled to her feet as he swung at her legs, jumping over his head and turning to swing at him. Instead, she found her pillow pulled from her hands as she stumbled backward and landed on Lucy's bed, barely avoiding the young Queen's feet. She threw up her hands to protect her face, but Peter dropped the pillow and pinned both wrists above her head instead. "I surrender."
Peter grinned and let her up, placing a cautionary finger to his lips. Jyoti cocked her head, puzzled, until she saw that he was reaching for his pillow once more. On her other side, Susan, too, had risen, pillow in hand.
"Rise and shine, Lucy!" Peter called, yanking the pillow from her head. "Or face the wrath of our pillows!" Lucy groaned and rolled over, glaring at Jyoti.
"You were supposed to protect me," she accused. Jyoti shrugged.
"I was defeated," she replied. "Come now, Lucy. The food's still hot, at least."
"What's all the ruckus?" Edmund asked sleepily, leaning against the doorframe. Susan and Peter exchanged wicked looks before lunging at him. Jyoti merely slid back until she sat next to Lucy, watching the battle before them with mild interest.
"Would you care for a piece of toast?" she asked the young queen mildly, offering the tray.
"Is there any jam?" Lucy asked, accepting a plate. Jyoti wordlessly passed it over, pouring them each a glass of juice as well.
"Eggs?" Lucy offered, taking some for herself. Jyoti nodded, and Lucy handed them over. "My, it certainly doesn't look as though they intend to let up any time soon." Jyoti stifled a giggle at the sight of Susan and Peter attacking Edmund mercilessly.
"Any tea for you, Lucy?" Jyoti asked, pouring the boiling water at the Younger Queen's nod. "Cream and sugar?" She added them accordingly, stopping at Lucy's signal, before filling her own cup.
"Thank you," Lucy said mildly. "I hope every morning isn't this exciting. I don't know that I could stand the energy." Jyoti smiled at her charge.
"A toast to peace and quiet," she proposed, and Lucy raised her cup in response. "Have you any plans for today?"
"Peter said we could go to the ocean," Lucy replied eagerly. "And I want to teach you to swim, Jyoti." Jyoti laughed.
"I will be a model student," she promised. "I suppose we should really offer breakfast to your royal siblings, should we not?"
"Peter, Edmund, Susan, we're going to eat everything if you don't come over here right now!" Lucy called. The pillow fight came to an immediate and abrupt halt, and Lucy ducked as her siblings joined them on the bed. Jyoti reached up, passing around the second breakfast tray as Riel, Malchus, and Oreius entered.
"Come and join us!" Peter called, waving them over. "There's more than enough to go around."
"I thank you , my King, but we have already eaten," Oreius replied gravely. "Have you any plans for the day?"
"You promised we could go to the beach, Peter!" Lucy said immediately, tugging on her brother's sleeve. "And I have to teach Jyoti how to swim, because she doesn't know how."
"Can we have a picnic?" Edmund asked eagerly. Peter looked to Oreius.
"Don't we have to deal with matters of state or something?" he asked. Oreius chuckled.
"Narnia has no standing army, no governors or towns or cities," he replied, shaking his head. "Your job, as Kings and Queens, is to maintain peace. When there are problems, Narnians will tell you. The only 'matters of state' you need concern yourself with are becoming knowledgeable about your kingdom and your subjects."
"There are merpeople in the ocean," Lucy interjected hastily. "We could start by learning about them!"
"Narnia does not require much ruling, only a touch of guidance, my King," Oreius said quietly, just loud enough for Peter to hear. "The Queen was the exception, not the rule. Narnia has never had a standing army, or a secret police. Your only true responsibility will be to do what is best for your subjects, and you must know them to do what is best for them." Peter took a deep breath.
"Alright, then," he said finally, smiling. "Yes, Lucy, we will go to the ocean, and yes, Edmund, we may have a picnic." Lucy jumped up from the bed, tackling her elder brother before tearing through her trunk, searching for a bathing suit.
"Lu, they're not going to have bathing suits," Susan called, reclining against the pillows.
"What are we going to go swimming in, then?" Lucy asked, puzzled.
"Wear your shift," Jyoti suggested. "It's lightweight, short, and won't drag at your legs."
"But won't it be ruined?" Lucy asked.
"Wear a black one," Susan called. "Salt stains will always wash out, and it won't be see-through. Just wear it under your dress."
"Does that mean we're getting kicked out?" Peter asked plaintively. Susan nodded, and Peter led Edmund out. Oreius and Riel followed, and Malchus politely turned to face away from the girls.
"We'll come get you when we're ready!" Susan called, closing the door behind them.
"I've a black chemise in my boudoir," Jyoti informed them. "I wouldn't be surprised if you did as well." Susan looked through her boudoir, finding one of the short-sleeved, knee-length garments there. Jyoti darted back to her room, pulling out her own chemise and slipping it on under a pale green dress. She re-entered the room in time to help Lucy and Susan with the buttons on their chemises before making sure all of her weapons were in place.
"I can ask Sola to pack us a picnic lunch," Jyoti offered. "Have you any requests?"
"Toast, for Edmund," Lucy replied, grinning. "What about sandwiches?"
"And lemonade," Susan suggested. "And perhaps strawberries?"
"Are chicken sandwiches with lettuce and tomato acceptable?" Sola asked, poking her head in the door. She smiled. "Edmund and Peter sent for me."
"That would be fine," Susan replied, recovering from her surprise. "Thank you."
"You are most welcome, my Queen," Sola replied, bobbing her head. "If you are in a hurry to reach the shore, Lillin and I could bring the basket down to you."
"I hate to give you extra work," Lucy protested.
"Really, it's no trouble at all," Sola assured her. "We would be glad to."
"Then we'd be glad for it," Susan replied. Sola bowed her head once more before closing the door behind her.
"Let's go get the boys, Susan!" Lucy insisted, bouncing off the bed. Jyoti caught her before she fell, grinning, and placed her gently on the ground.
"I'll get Oreius and Riel," Malchus promised, slipping out the door ahead of them, and Jyoti held the door open for the Queens.
"Are you going swimming with all those?" Lucy asked, pointing at Jyoti's weapons. Jyoti laughed.
"Not all of them," she replied. "I would prefer to hold onto at least a dagger or two, to best protect you, but I will not wear all of them into the ocean. Besides, I'd rather not swim with my katana."
"That's what they're called?" Susan asked. "Are they different from regular swords?" Jyoti drew one of them, holding it out hilt first for Susan to see.
"Katana are sharp only on one side," Jyoti explained. "They're slightly curved, and they come to a point, just as a regular sword does. The groove in the center is called a blood channel, but it has nothing to do with blood—it lessens the weight of the blade without weakening it. None of my blades will rust, because they're all made of star-metal, but they will dull, so I have to be sure to polish and whet them still."
"What's on the hilt?" Lucy asked, tracing the ornate lettering there.
"It's a message, from my parents," Jyoti explained, smiling as she followed Lucy's finger.
"I thought your parents were stars," Lucy replied, confusion evident on her face.
"They are," Jyoti agreed. "When I was ten, just after the Eryn-Gwae took me in, we were at the Stone Table—Oreius didn't want me anywhere near the White Witch's palace. It was my birth-day, Midsummer's Day—or it would have been, if we had summer. I was sitting on the Table, just watching the stars, and there was a bright light, just like a falling star. It was so bright I couldn't look, and I hid under the table. When I came out, the katana were just lying there, with the knives next to them. Oreius said they were probably meant for me, and then we saw the writing on the hilts."
"So what does it say?" Susan asked, curious.
"This one says 'Be not the slave of your own past,' and this one says 'Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres,'" Jyoti said softly, not even needing to look down at the hilt to know the words. "They remind me why I'm here."
"What did you do, exactly?" Susan asked, a hint of a challenge in her voice. "No one's said anything about it."
"I suppose Peter hadn't had the chance to tell you just yet," Jyoti replied. "I refused to shine, and I convinced other stars to do the same thing. I thought that earth-bound creatures weren't worth my light, or my effort, and Aslan sent me here to learn otherwise."
"Oh," Susan said quietly, and a slightly awkward silence fell until Lucy handed Jyoti her sword and knocked on her brothers' door.
"Ready?" Lucy called.
"Just a moment!" Edmund called back, his voice muffled by the door. Lucy made a face he couldn't see, slumping back against the wall.
"They always complain about how long we take," she whispered theatrically, more than loud enough for her brothers to hear. Jyoti chucked, absentmindedly beginning to plait Lucy's hair.
"I heard that!" Peter called back, as Jyoti tied the braid off with a flourish. "And we're coming, I promise."
Edmund tugged the door open, grimacing, and stuck his tongue out at Lucy.
"So there," he retorted, waving his towel at her. "I'm ready to go whenever you are."
"Come on, Peter!" Lucy insisted. "We haven't been to the ocean in ages!"
"Alright, Lucy," Peter laughed, closing the door behind him. "We'll go."
"Finally," Lucy sighed, exasperated. "I thought girls were the ones who take ages to get dressed."
"For that, you will be receiving a dunking," Peter said loftily.
"Thus speaks the High King," Edmund added pompously, performing an ostentatiously obsequious bow, and the girls giggled.
"You'll have to catch us first!" Lucy called, leaving her slippers behind as she took off down the hall toward the outdoor stairs leading down the cliff, followed closely by Jyoti. Susan sighed, resigned but smiling, as she chased after them. Edmund and Peter spared a moment for a wicked glance before offering pursuit, thundering down the stairs behind their sisters. Riel descended behind them at a more sedate pace, while Malchus simply coasted in the air above them. Oreius met them at the base of the cliffs, stepping aside as Lucy and Jyoti tore past him. He chuckled slightly.
"Where do they keep all that energy?" Peter asked, pausing to catch his breath. Oreius smiled at the King.
"I have not seen her smile so for too long," he remarked, indicating Jyoti's fleeing figure. "Your sister is restoring her innocence."
Peter nodded sagely, contemplating the runners before him.
"Come on, Peter!" Edmund called, breaking into his musings. "I thought Lucy was getting dunked at some point!"
Oreius could only laugh as Peter raced after his siblings, followed resignedly by their less-energetic guards.
Author's Note: I am so incredibly sorry for having taken so long to get this chapter up! I got stuck for a while, and there was this obnoxious thing called "real life" that kept intruding on my writing time. To quote the brilliant Calvin and Hobbes: "Reality continues to ruin my life." Anywho, apologies again. Enjoy! And as always...review, please.