Prince Caspian was left speechless. He snickered reckoning that no matter how hard Edmund thought such a thing was, yet it was plausible. But who could blame the young Telmarine? It was as if the sky along with its stars and planets and galaxies and everything had collapsed right on his meaningless existence. All those years he had laid his trust and belief on his Uncle, thinking that he was in fact as kind as caring as he claimed to be. He had never gotten the chance to spend actual time with him so he never knew of his true character. Weren't it for his Professor, he would have most probably ended up lying cold and rotting under the soil until the end of the world.
But this, this was just beyond imagination. He had never taken an honest liking to Miraz and after his stealing his throne and after learning of his ruthless character, he had came to hold nasty feelings for him. But learning how he had murdered the King, his father and Miraz's own brother, had a grave feeling of fury bubbling up inside of him, ready to explode at any time. What he was feeling was perfect hate and disdain. He had never thought he'd feel so for anybody but life can bring lots of surprised while discovering it.
«Professor…»
«I know you must be angry at me for not telling you any sooner.» Dr. Cornelius raised a comforting hand and brought it to the boy's trembling shoulders. No words could describe the guilt controlling his voice. «But you must believe me, Prince, everything I told you, everything I didn't, it was only because I care and believe in you. You have a chance to become the most noble contradiction in history - the Telmarine who saved Narnia. Feelings of hatred and revenged could have led you to the wrong path, the one that most Telmarines, like your uncle, have foolishly chosen.»
Caspian pursed his lips violently. There was a fusion of emotions that were blurring his mind. He had no reply for the elderly and as much as he'd like to be angry at him, the candour and worry in his voice and bespectacled eyes disarmed him. He could see what his tutor was trying to tell him and he knew it was a wise decision the Professor had made back then. But still the bitterness of Miraz's complete and despicable betrayal was choking him.
«I hope, my Prince, you are not thinking of planning anything…rash, are you?»
The Telmarine chuckled. The ever kind and polite tutor of his. How he liked him, like a second father. «No worries, Professor. I won't do anything stupid. I'm sticking to the plan we already have. I only hope the Giants of Ettinsmoor accept the High King's pleas to help the Narnians as well as the Ar-»
«Hush, my Prince.» the half-Narnian Professor shook him hastily but gently as he forced him to face him. «There could be spies of Miraz's anywhere in these woods. Do not forget we're not in the How right now. They could be hiding anywhere.»
Indeed Caspian had almost forgotten they had strolled away of the rest of the Narnians and the How itself so to have a bit of privacy. But now after really looking at their surrounding again he only met with immense tree trunks that shot up to the sky endlessly. It was true, it was the place where a spy could easily get comfortable behind one of those trunks and listen to their conversation. «Oh, yes, you are most right, Professor. I seem to have forgotten our place. Forgive me, I am just too shocked to…»
Dr. Cornelius smiled affectionately under his thick beard, only his puffy, pinky cheeks revealing of his upcurled mouth. «There's nothing to forgive. Instead it is I who should beg for your forgiveness for keeping you in the dark for this long.»
«I understand your reasons and forgive you, Professor. I trust, however, you won't keep any more secrets from me, is that right?» Caspian hadn't realised he was now smirking cockily at his tutor and that was what kept the latter's smile still plastered on his face.
«That goes without saying, my dear Prince! I'm glad to see you're back to your usual self as well.»
«That I am, my good Professor, that I am.» he muttered and patted a couple of times the old man on the shoulder. «Now, let's head back to the How. We left our King and Queen of Old waiting anxiously for us long enough!»
«That Miraz…! He is so- so… so evil!»
«A wise choice of words, sister, a wise choice of words indeed.» Edmund lightly applauded the Queen in teasing sarcasm earning a silencing glare from her which had him chuckle nervously.
«You know what you just told me is too unsettling for me to joke around! Do you know how hurt Caspian is going to be once Dr. Cornelius tells him the truth? That Miraz is downright beastly and I despise him with every fiber of my body!» Susan ranted on in one breath which had her panting slightly. Edmund gave her a look of understanding and nodded in agreement.
«You know how this is our second time in this time and place and whatnot, right?» The young man checked up on the information that he knew she still struggle to comprehend. «Well, had you had still your memories, you would realise that this time it was much easier on Caspian.»
Susan merely answered with a confused look.
«Last time Caspian discovered of Miraz's betrayal during a stupid and wrong in so many ways raid on the Telmarine Castle. Miraz himself confessed and… just that look on his face… one would expect just a trace of regret or something… good in him. But he more like seemed to enjoy seeing Caspian devastated by what he had done.»
Susan pursed her lips and with a look assured her brother that he needed not speak anymore. She understood perfectly well what he didn't want to describe to her for he as well would get all enraged and furious. «Let's not talk about this anymore. It's no use sitting here and saying how much we hate Miraz.»
«An interesting thing to be done, for sure, and I couldn't be more honored that you two, Majesties, share my ugly feelings. It would be awful for me to be the only one burdened thus. I thank you.» They were surprised to see the Prince bowing respectfully to them while his tutor next to him merely nodded gratefully towards them.
Although feeling flattered, the siblings burst in a roar of laughter and approached to pat a puzzled Caspian's shoulders friendly. «You really are something, you Telmarine you!» Edmund exclaimed and directed an amiable punch on his arm.
The olive-skinned Prince huffed in feigned pain as he brought a hand over the hit spot. «Ow, that was really painful, King Edmund.»
«Who are you lying to, you sneaky Telmarine!»
«I would really appreciate the cessation of my being called such names all the time, Your Majesty. I may be a Telmarine but I do not feel proud of it.» Caspian confessed not sure whether he was still joking or had suddenly switched to his serious character's side. He was slightly caught off guard by the charming smile forming on the Queen's luscious lips.
«We are all well aware of that, Prince Caspian. I am sure everyone knows you're a true Narnian at heart.»
Caspian went through a turmoil of emotions which showed perfectly clearly on his face as he was smiling and blushing and looking away from her while he put in some major effort for his saturnity to resurface. But just one look at the amused expression of the King, he knew he had utterly failed at the latter and was probably looking like a moron –a blushing moron at that too. He cleared his throat and directed his gaze at anything but the siblings' pair of eyes. «Well, I should be-»
«Hold your horses for a second there, Caspian.» Susan interrupted him as he was about to kindly escape from everyone's stares. «What is that you have in your hand?» She questioned and he was reminded of the achievement of his that he had so badly wanted to show to her just a while ago. «Is that a pinecone?» She asked again and light of realisation shone in her already brilliant eyes.
«Oh, this, well I-»
«You did it! I knew you would!» she exclaimed in immense glee and attacked him with a felicitating hug. Completely taken aback, he remained stiff and frozen like a greek statue until she got embarrassed by her own boldness –which only took a second- and jumped back to her previous spot looking a lot redder that ever before. «Congratulations on your archery skills improving, Prince Caspian.» she said a bit more pent up now and even curtsied in respect before hastily treading away shyly.
«Women.» Edmund broke the silence after a while. «Those mood swings and everything are one day going to be the death of me, what with having two sisters and all.»
His two companions simply nodded with lips pressed.
«Your Majesties! My Prince! Everyone!»
«Pipe down, goatsleg.» Trumpkin said scornfully at the frantic Kamrian but it seemed like there was no calming him. «What's this fuss all about?»
«A mole delivered this letter to us. He said it's from the north!»
The ever grumpy dwarf's eyes rounded as realisation dawned on him and with a swift, unpredictable jerk of his arm and a slight jump of his body, he snatched the letter from the faun's hand, who rewarded him with a scoff and a roll of his eyes. As Trumpkin unfolded the piece of parched paper, the three royalties had already towered over him as they bent over to read what was written in the letter.
Dear friends, how are you faring? I wish from the bottom of my heart that no harm has befallen you in our absence.
«Hey, that's Lu's handwriting!» Edmund announced gaily. Indeed the writing style was not only feminine but elegant and refined, with carefully upcurled letters and it was so neatly composed that the words flowed effortlessly. It was the handwriting of a noble Queen indeed.
I will avoid mentioning our names and status out of fear that this letter might befall on malevolent hands. I assume that you have been informed, dearest sister and brother, of our whereabouts and I am most certain that you are familiar with our course of action. It will not be our first time executing it, anyhow! This time there are going to be no mistakes made, our eldest brother assures you of that!
«Edmund, what is she t-?»
«Shhh!» The Just King shushed his sister hastily and she decided to postpone her interrogation.
This time, having on our side as many powerful allies, we'll be sure to effortlessly claim our rights and restore justice and peace in this land. According to our calculations, this letter should find you in four days time, considering the moles are familiar with underground passageways and can quickly deliver this letter to you. But for us it'll another seven days to reach your hideout. We are quite the large group of friends! We'll have to take the road that leads to the west out of fear of meeting with foes that could expose us and ruin our plans. So once we reach the west shores of the river of Beruna, a messenger shall be sent to inform you.
We shall also need to discuss a part of the plan to which I find it hard to acquiesce and probably my sister will as well...
Therefore in the meantime, please be well and healthy. I am looking so very forward to meeting you all!
P.S. Sister, have you been well? He told me of a hardship you're facing so this keeps me worried constantly. Oh, I do hope you're all right!
«She can never hold herself back that girl.» Edmund chuckled at the last line written and drew soothing circles on Susan's back who smiled kindly at her sister's concern. Despite not remembering the girl, those words gave birth to a sudden feeling of nostalgia and bittersweet sorrow inside her. «She doesn't know about my…problem, does she?»
Her brother ruffled her weirdly unruly but silken hair. «Don't feel bad about it. It's not your fault. And just so you know, Lu would definitely do anything to help you and not to make you feel uncomfortable. She's just like that.»
«Yeah, I'm sure she is.» A small smile crept up her lips. «By the way, who's He?»
«Why Aslan, of course, who else could it be?» Edmund replied cackling softly and the Archer Queen could easily make out the fond feelings of his meant for their little sister.
A subtle cough forced them to stand up abruptly. «Pardon me, Majesties,» Kamrian spoke apologetically «so what do we do now?»
«I knew fauns possess a goat's mind instead of human's.» the dwarf muttered to himself though was heard by the royalties. «We wait, that's what.»
«We have to remain unnoticed by the Telmarine spies at all costs. Only Aslan knows what could happen in seven days time.» Caspian emphasised in his thick Telmarine accent. «In the meantime, we will keep up our training activities of course.»
«I'll inform the Narnians.» the faun volunteered eagerly and was instantly out of sight.
«Hey DLF! Why are you being so mean on poor Kamrian?» Susan requested but everyone –but Edmund who looked extremely cocky and satisfied- didn't seem to understand who she was addressing to.
«You talking to me?» Trumpkin looked up at her in question.
«D-L-F?» Caspian repeated slowly just to make sure he had heard right.
«Yes, DLF, dear little friend.» the girl's gaze traveled between the two quizzically, expecting a different demeanor from either of them.
«Oh, a new one, and that's not at all patronising, is it?»
«New one? But I've called you by that name quite a few times already…»
«No, you haven't…»
«But I hav-»
«Su, come here for a minute, will ya?» her brother cut in for her rescue and gently dragged her away from their two perplexed friends. «That name… well, it's a name you and Lucy invented during that other time. So it's a memory. Do you understand what I mean?»
«Oh, yes, I do!» she beamed in delight for a new memory had popped in her head. But simultaneously a sad feeling tagged on her heartstrings slightly, one of disappointment. Because this time it was someone else who couldn't remember, who couldn't share a memory she just got even though he was part of it. «Is that what you feel like, Ed? When you talk about something I'm supposed to know but can't remember?»
Edmund merely shrugged, a smile of carelessness playing lightly on his lips. «It's okay since it's only temporary, so I don't mind!»
oOoOo
Later on that day, Susan found herself defusing all of her spare energy on her most beloved activity. After all, she couldn't stay hidden in the dark catacombs of the How when the outside of its walls was beyond memserising and beautiful. The moment the light, chilly breeze caressed delicately her face and tangled even more her chestnut hair, she felt like a great weight had been lifted off her shoulders. It was extremely refreshing.
She was all alone in the practicing fields so she didn't mind when she purposely misdirected a couple of shots while admiring the exquisite canvas of colours stretching above her head. The sun was in the process of setting and the shades of rose and yellow of its dying rays mingled with the brilliant blue of the sky, producing the most wonderful purplish hue.
Oh, how she cherished this Narnian sky, she pondered as she absentmindedly placed another arrow on her bow's string.
And there she goes again, missing a third shot which landed a few inches away from the bull's eye.
«I saw that.»
She jumped around startled, her chocolate locks twirling in a crazy dance at the move. «Would you mind not sneaking up on me? If I wasn't spaced out, I could have actually aimed an arrow at you!» she reckoned but then gave a slight laugh as her hand found her wildly beating heart.
«Please forgive me, Your Majesty. I shall be more careful not to scare you next time.» the intruder of her solidarity faked an apologetic tone with his Spanish accent. «And to be in full armor when you're practicing while in dreamland.»
«Hey!» she protested, now in a melodious, chuckling manner. «If you must know, I don't tend to exercise my archery skills when I'm so…distracted. To be more honest, I just felt like being out here on such a fine day than stay in Aslan's How. Archery was merely an excuse.»
«I can see that, considering you missed 3 out of seven shots, you, the greatest archer Narnia has ever seen and even the lands beyond its borders, since the Golden Age!»
«Are all Telmarines such flatterers or is it just you, Your Highness?» she felt playful and he didn't miss it. That giddy way her cerulean eyes shimmered had taken his breath away and he had to put in great effort to conceal it.
He slightly squeezed his eyelids in a slit-eyed expression of pensiveness. «I'd like to think myself…quite different than the average Telmarine standards.»
«That you are, Caspian, be certain of it. Anyone in their right minds can see that.» With a couple of steps forward, she stood a few inches away from him, close enough for her to reach out and place a comforting hand across his cheek, her touch ever so feathery that he thought he was dreaming it. «Dr. Cornelius was telling me just yesterday, after your talk, just how proud he is of you.» The Prince lowered his head in timid delight at her words and grinned. «And I'd like you to know that so am I.»
«My Queen, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have never felt more honoured.» he said sinking even deeper in her touch, enjoying while he could the feel of velvet against his rougher skin. It had been too long since he had received affection in such a manner. He had subconsciously longed for it and now that he was finally receiving it, he felt as elated as a five-year-old would in the protective arms of his mother.
«Not even when Reepicheep said you are one of the most noble opponents he has ever dueled with?» she cocked a clever brow, recalling one of the days she had been fondly watching the two knights practicing their impeccable sword-fighting skills.
He chuckled. «No, not even then.»
She withdrew her hand, much to his displeasure, so to tuck a rebellious strand of chestnut hair behind her ear, an action that he thought utterly darling. «Caspian, I know you for merely three weeks but I feel like I have met you long ago. I don't understand but there's something about you that… from the moment that we first-met makes me want to be by your side, to help you be happy. I don't know the reason but you effortlessly earned my trust and…friendship since day one.»
Susan was starting to feel flushed and extremely self-aware of what she was saying so she abruptly put a full stop to her speech, biting her lips. She heard a heaved sigh but missed the expression of the young man before her, an expression of utter torture and yet fondness. Without warning, she was enveloped in a tight embrace while she felt his nose and lips pressed against her hairline. A funny thought of their height difference almost popped in her head. Almost, as a kiss placed on her temple instantly dissolved it.
«Susan, you are the most wonderful person I have ever met, have I ever told you so before?»
Her vocal abilities somehow were stolen from her so she merely shook vividly her head to which she felt his lips form a smile against her forehead.
«Yes, you are. If you ever were to disappear from my life, I think I'd be lost.»
«That would be bad.» she whispered. «If Narnia's King ever gets lost, what would happen to this gorgeous land?»
He jerkily pulled away but his hands still remained on her shoulders, a look of doubt clouding his handsome features. «You mean you're going to leave someday?»
«Oh, I wouldn't know what's going to happen in the future. Look at me! I don't even know what's happened in my past!» She tried to make it seem like a joke but his frown had her drop her awkward smile. «Listen, Caspian, I don't know what the future is going to be like. But what I really know is that I-»
«Hey, Su!»
«-just got interrupted.» the girl deadpanned, terribly annoyed. A look at the Prince who instantly put some distance between them told her he was just as vexed.
«Forgive my untimely interruption –as Master Mouse would say- but I want you to help me with…something.» Edmund looked sincerely apologetic so it was hard for his sister to be angry at him.
«What is it?»
«There's been a…mess in the kitchen… I kind of…destroyed our dinner… by burning it… heh…» he scratched his head awkwardly. «Please don't kill me!» he exclaimed when he received a Telmarine's poisonous glare. His already dark features got shadowed by the darkness that had started to take its rightful place on the sky as the sun had set quite a while ago. «Caspian, please, you are a good man! Don't do something you'll definitely regret later!»
«Oh, I'm not entirely sure I'll regret it.» he replied menacingly which had the younger man ran away in terror. What else could he do other than play along? And so Susan was left all alone staring amused after the two royals frantically running. Shrugging, she decided to collect her arrows and return back to the How.
Besides, thanks to Edmund, she was needed in the kitchen. Not to mention she had been cut off of saying something that would have her flush seven shades of red. But she still felt slightly on edge, disappointed he hadn't had the chance to hear her out till the end. With a sad smile, she stared at his figure as he trapped Edmund with the crook of his elbow and rubbed a fist against his forehead.
She chuckled at the picture. "No matter what happens, I want to stay by your side, if you'd let me."
«Lu?»
..
«Hey Lu.»
..
«Lucy?»
..
«Spacing out again?»
..
«Seriously what's wrong with her these days?»
«Everything all right, Your Majesty? You've been murmuring on your own for quite some time now.» the ever kind Archenlandian ambassador requested, dragging his horse after him in an attempt to march at the same speed as the High King.
«Oh no, Canlar, don't mistake me for some lunatic.» Peter chuckled humourlessly.
«Your Majesty, I would never-»
«Take it easy, friend! I'm joking. And to answer your question, everything's fine, I was just trying to talk to my sister but she's a little distracted at the moment.» he confessed and turned to watch as the Valiant Queen rode on her white mare, a pensive frown shadowing her usually beamy character.
When Peter got back his attention on the man beside him, he saw he had mimicked his previous action and was still staring blankly at the troubled Queen. He could make out no emotion in his kind features so he said nothing. «Has she been like this for a long time?»
The blonde shrugged but shook negatively his head. «To be honest, when she found me she was perfectly her usual self. But once in a while I'd catch her dazing off like she is now. When I ask about it, she is all smiles again and says she simply got lost in thought.»
The Archenlandian wasn't exactly sure how to respond. And for even a split second, he had forgotten he was actually talking to High King Peter the Magnificent but rather to a concerned older brother who wanted to make his baby sister smile again. He never thought that royalties are like any other ordinary human as well. And to top all of it, he just now realised that it was precisely that which made them the greatest rulers Narnia had ever seen. They, above all, loved each other and so they were able to love their people and country as well.
«Hmmm? Wha-? Is there something on my face?» the King started touching his face frantically in worry as he noticed the ambassador staring absentmindedly at him. Canlar coudln't control the slight chuckle that escape his tightly sealed lips. He really liked that High King. His sister too. Something told him that he'd feel the exact same way for the rest of their family. «What's gotten you so happy?»
«Nothing, my King. I'm glad to be of help to you and your siblings. And you shouldn't concern yourself too much with Queen Lucy. I think that she is worrying over the rest of your family, especially your other sister. I thought she mentioned something about the Gentle Queen facing a…problem?»
«Oh, yes, that's right.» Peter looked as if clarification of mind from heavens had been bestowed upon him. «It's true, did she tell you about it? She said it was just me who knew about it.»
Canlar chuckled nervously and directed his gaze at the tip of his muddy boots as if in shame. «That day when she wrote the letter to your brother and sister I bumped into her. She kindly asked me to read it again to check for any-»
«But I had told her it was perfect.»
«I know but she was still uncertain for some reason. So having read it, I asked her about her sister's problem and as she said she has no idea, she looked horribly concerned. So that's why I'm guessing it's her sister's condition that's troubling her.»
«Should I have a chat with her?» Peter wondered, looking more perplexed than ever and resembling more to a young man in confusion than a High King once again.
«I don't see why not. You're her brother, after all, Your Majesty. If not her own brother, who else is better to give her comfort?» Canlar smiled kindly, earning a grin of appreciation.
«Thank you, Canlar. You're a kind man and a good friend. And please call me Peter.» the young Archenlandian simply bowed his head ever so slightly to him, to which the King rewarded him with a look of amused disapproval.
«Now,» he yelled, letting his King side take over, «I think we should rest for the night. There's a meadow ahead perfect for all of us.»
Voices of fatigue sighed in relief and somehow the pace of the group fastened till they reached the spot pointed at by the Narnian King. Those Giants were surely a trial sent from Aslan to test his patience.
Lucy, shaken out her trance, jumped off her horse and landed gracefully next to her brother, staring disappointed at the Giants getting comfortable on the ground. «Do you think we'll ever gonna make it just in seven days time?»
The three of them exclaimed glances and shrugged.
«Hopefully.»
Well, I think I'm jumping back into my old shape as a FF writer, don't you think? I particularly like this chapter because I introduced a bit more Canlar who I kinda like and in the future chapters I hope he'll warm up to you too ^_^
I want to especially thank my reviewer and follower truelover for her (or his) awesome review. It really brightened not just my day but the entire month! I hope you stick with this story till the very end!
I also want to apologise for the ending didn't come out as I had pictured it to be. Sorry, I got a bit spaced out like dear Lu and I really had no time to write it. Hope it's not too bad! Oh, and I made sure to add a Suspian moments for the ones who so craved for it!
So, thank you for reading! I love you all!