The group walked down one of the pathways, following behind Caspian and Peter. It was obvious that the two were silently squaring up to one another. Raelyn rolled her eyes as the glares they were shooting one another. Men. She and Edmund remained silent as they watched the two bicker before Peter growled and stormed ahead. Edmund sighed and set a hand on her back, leaning in to whisper in her hear.
"I should go talk to him. Be right back." He assured her and jogged to try and pacify his older brother. Meanwhile Raelyn caught up to Caspian who has slowed his pace, his face thoughtful.
"Don't worry about him. Oftentimes with Peter he talks a big game." Raelyn casually piped up from beside him. Caspian jumped a little and smiled down at the girl beside him.
"Maybe he's right. After all I am not king of these people." He mused sadly. Raelyn chuckled, causing him to frown curiously at her.
"And from what I understand Peter has been away for hundreds of years. I don't think either one of you has an advantage here." She countered pointedly. Caspian smiled, a bit more genuinely this time. He watched the girl beside him gaze around at the scenery with childlike wonder, yet at the same time she was able to spout out wisdom like it was nothing.
"Forgive me but I don't remember you in any of the stories that I have heard." He asked her curiously, his mood a bit lighter than when Peter had stormed off. Raelyn smiled shyly, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.
"I would assume not. This is actually my first time here." She informed him. He stared at her in surprise.
"You are from a different land?" Raelyn bit her lip, trying to figure out how to explain this.
"Sorta…..I actually came from where the Pev….um….the kings and queens came from." She elaborated. Caspian nodded in understanding. Sorta.
"That would explain your strange accents then." Caspian mused. She looked at him, a grin tugging at her lips. Yes she still had her Irish accent but it wasn't quite as thick as it once was.
"You're one to talk." She muttered in response, refereeing to his thick Spanish one. Caspian nodded and smiled at her. As they fell back into silence, the two heard the conversation going on behind them.
"So what are they like?" Trufflehunter eagerly asked Trumpkin.
"Malcontents, whiners, stubborn as mules in the morning." He listed dryly.
"Oh….so you like them then?" Nickabrik casually pointed out from beside them. Caspian shot Raelyn a smirk, to which she blushed.
"Well enough." Trumpkin admitted after a moment. Caspian and Raelyn snickered quietly.
...
Soon enough they made their way to the edge of the woods and paused. Caspian and Raelyn watched as the others stared at the small hill on the other end of the field before them. Raelyn frowned at how it stuck out amidst the scenery. After a moment of silence the Pevensies continued on, the rest of the group following behind. Arriving at the How there was a group of centaurs lined up along the stone path leading into the hill. As the royals got close enough they each unsheathed their swords and held them above the path, making an archway of sorts for them to walk under. Raelyn smiled in amazement at the sight, causing Caspian to chuckle next to her as he caught sight of her expression. The two of them watched from behind as the Pevensie's straightened up, falling easily into the royal life and disciplines. Raelyn smiled as she watched her friends make their way forward with proud steps. Caspian held back beside her for a moment, recognizing that he didn't hold the same respect as they did. When it was appropriate he followed behind them. Raelyn frowned and glanced around at the other Narnian creatures surrounding her, unsure of where she fit into all of this. She wasn't a royal and she wasn't even a native to Narnia. Feeling her timid nature flaring up again she began fidgeting with her fingers, uncomfortable with the situation. A few murmurs from the dwarfs beside her caught her attention and she looked up to see what all the fuss was about. As if he had felt her nerves, Edmund was making his way back out towards them in a jog. He smiled over at Raelyn and instantly took her hand, tugging her along to walk down the pathway with him.
"Ed aren't you supposed to be in there with the other royals? That's your place isn't it?" she shyly asked as he casually led the way. Edmund looked down at her in confusion.
"Why would I do that when you were out here?" he countered easily, shooting her his crooked grin. Raelyn blushed heavily and walked closer to him.
"Thank you." She muttered quietly. Edmund was one of the few people who understood her and continued to care about her well being. Hearing him admit that he would choose her over his royal status was heartwarming.
"I would never leave you behind Raelyn." He assured her warmly. The girl beamed up at him and continued onward, leaving the Narnians to watch them with new interest.