Chapter Twelve: Meetings With Dwarves
Helda, Zarin and their companions had slipped away unnoticed by the Dwarf - who had been too preoccupied looking for the Humans to have even cared.
She had seen the Humans come into town by themselves earlier that day. Whispers had spread throughout Hogwood, everyone was wondering who they were and why they chose to come here.
After all, children like themselves weren't safe here.
So Darla the Dwarf sat, watching the house in utter eagerness. All of a sudden, she saw one of the curtains peep open. Holding back a gasp, she saw a small pair of brown eyes stare directly at her.
A moment later, the door to the house swung open and a boy, no older than thirteen stepped out.
Edmund, pretending to be taking out the compost, walked past Darla acting as if he didn't see her. When he did turn around, he saw her and greeted her with a friendly wave.
"Good eve," he called, in his best Archenlandish accent. "How goes you?"
Darla came out from her hiding post behind an oak tree. "Well, lad, decently well," she smirked, her Dwarfish features twitching.
Edmund didn't even flinch at the sour sarcasm in her words. Putting on his best little boy face, he asked her sweetly. "Would you like to join my sister and I for some dessert? We're new here and we'd terribly enjoy some company."
Darla agreed, taking her time following him towards the house.
"Oh Ed, are you done yet?" a voice called from the house. At the door, another, somewhat younger female figure appeared. She smiled cheekily at her brother, then turn her face to grin angelically at the newcomer.
"Hello there," she called. "My name's Luoue."
The Dwarf snorted. "Like the washroom?" she couldn't help asking.
Edmund growled internally, frustrated at his sister for not coming up with a more original name.
"No, it's spelt differently," Lucy said childishly. She was playing a part, after all - she wasn't a queen right now, but an innocent child.
"And that's my brother, Ed," she said, pointing at Edmund. "Just Ed."
"Pleasure," Darla said gruffly. "They call me Darla."
"Hi Darla!" Lucy welcomed cheerfully once again. "Now that we know each other, why don't you come inside?"
The Dwarf agreed, following the humans inside their humble home.
"So are you parents home, kiddos?" Darla asked absentmindedly, looking around the empty room. "I didn't see anyone come in with you, 'cept that dog," she pointed at Daleen, who bared his teeth at her.
Edmund shot Daleen a look, who quickly lowered his head, acting like an innocent Dumb Beast.
Daleen snorted again, pretending not to be interested. She really was, peeping around every corner and asking questions.
"They'll be here in about a week," Edmund said, offering the Dwarf a seat on the sofa. "We just came down first to explore."
"And enroll in school," Lucy piped in, coming back to the sofa with a plate of bread and fruit. We need to fit in as best as possible. "We thought it'd be best if we came early for that."
Darla raised an eyebrow. They looked like they could be full-grown Dwarfs, but in humans standards, I guess they're just children. She thought. I've never had a human child learn at my school before...
"Enroll, eh? Well, why don't you drop by tomorrow? I'll be working."
Edmund and Lucy looked at each other anxiously. As if they were having a silent conversation, Edmund nodded sternly. Turning to their guest, he accepted.
"Alright, thank you. What position do you hold?"
"I teach the young'uns, Ed," she said. "You two are old enough to be with the big'uns."
The two children nodded quietly. They sat in awkward silence for a few moments. Until, Darla broke it.
"You two do realise, that you're a bit young to be living by yourselves, even for a little while. Especially here."
Not evening acting curious (because they already were), Lucy asked. "What's so dangerous about here?"
"Narnia," the Dwarf started. "Is never safe."
Clenching his jaw together, Edmund tried to hold back another growl. Lucy stopped him though, with a pat of on his elbow.
"Surely it is wonderful here," she said happily. "I've only heard great things about Narnia in recent years."
Darla smirked. "Yes it is a great place, if you leave the walls of this wretched place."
Lucy wanted to drop the act right then and there, and rush towards the Dwarf to give her a hug of reassurrance. But, her brother's firm grip squeezed her hand tightly.
Edmund stood, still holding her hand. "Well, that's all I think my dear sister can take for tonight, gentle neighbour. Hopefully, we will see you tomorrow."
The Dwarf reluctantly got up and left. Closing the door behind her, Edmund looked down at his sister.
"Really?" he inquired. "You almost lost us the mission!"
"You almost did the same!" she shot back, referring to his growls of annoyance. "Look, let's not get into their political views if we don't have to, alright?"
He nodded, knowing he wasn't going to win against his sister. He turned to reach for his cloak.
"Where do you think you're going?" Lucy huffed.
"The Night Watch, remember? I promised I'd take Flintisk's place."
"Not without me, you aren't."
"Luc-"
"Nope."
"Lu, I-"
"I'm getting my boots. You can't stop me."
Once again, the king of Narnia sighed, defeated by his little sister.
Edmund likes to growl. Wow. okaaay. And Lucy's new name sounds like a washroom? I'm sorry. XD
Anyways, Happy belated New Years! What's your resolution? I'm never good at those, haha.
Froom, Daleen, Edmund and I, will invite her in."