Elizabeth's Return
All belongs to C.S. Lewis, except anything that isn't familiar. That's because I wrote it. Funny that.
As the title suggests, four chapters later and our little couple meet once more. And I'm not talking about the dishy Captain Torrent (Oh God, how my hormones wished he was real…) but out favourite little ones with the destiny of lurve. It's the least I could do after parting you guys with them for so long. Stupid education…
Two weeks had passed since Elizabeth had received a letter from Cair Paravel in response to her own. She had eagerly taken the note and ran around the vastly populated forest surrounding Prince Allegro's castle and had hidden in a beautiful meadow twenty minutes walk east of the castle which contained a circle of beautyberry and buckthorn bushes that hid the ocean from view with rock roses that littered the ground. It was slowly becoming Elizabeth's favourite place in Archenland and she often found herself there, lying amongst the white flowers smelling the sun, the sea and the strong perfume from the surrounding flora. So upon grabbing the letter from the messenger's hand, Elizabeth had hiked up the uncomfortable dress which, this time, was a collection of cerise, magenta, red-violet, fandango and plum, and ran to her secluded garden to read the response. For the next fortnight she had followed each letter precisely which, she supposed, had paid off now that she was sitting high up in a wooden stand in a brazenly tight and ostentatious gold dress meant for special occasions. Prince Allegro, so pleased with Elizabeth's change of character and almost instantaneous charm, had decided to hold a tournament in her honour. Elizabeth thought it was very medieval and wasn't sure if she could spend the week watching men fight and pretend to be interested. Her acting was certainly being tested staying here in Archenland.
As was tradition, Elizabeth sat next to Prince Allegro with a row of Archenland ladies to her left. They were waiting for their attentions to be fought over, but Elizabeth was seated out of obligation. The Prince had tried to pick suitors to fight for her honour, not allowing the Narnians to compete, and only Captain Torrent and three of his finest knights would be fighting for her dignity. Elizabeth had almost fled the country when she had heard this, her Narnian companions packed before she had mentioned it.
The Narnians who stayed with her had disapproved strongly of the country. They were not used to the propriety that Archenland followed and disliked the lack of freedom and choice or the way the country stifled its citizens. Castor was also strongly disapproving of the relationship between the captain and the lady, while Dapple, although thankful for his rescue, was fervent and fixated in proving himself a noble horse to his lady again but wasn't given the opportunity as Captain Torrent insisted that Elizabeth ride his mount while Dapple regained his footing. The stallion was swiftly becoming the very opposite of enchanted with the former prince and the rest of the group had began to pick up similar feelings out of loyalty to their countrymen and justly king.
Elizabeth had watched disheartened as Torrent had ferociously destroyed his opponents in Elizabeth's name. Very shortly after, Elizabeth had frequented a private meeting with the prince and had thanked him for his kindness, but told him that she was beginning to miss her home and while she had greatly enjoyed getting to know her allies and wished she could have stayed longer, situations at home demanded that her presence be required. The prince had understood and had invited her back for the summers (when they held bigger, more aggressive tournaments), an invitation that Elizabeth had laughed off. Captain Torrent had heard of the lady's rapid departure and had made sure to catch her on the last night of her visit. He had snuck into her room, grabbed her from her bed and not stirred her until they stood in the middle of her field. Elizabeth had panicked greatly when she had woken up in foreign arms with foreign smells and had made sure that Captain Torrent would not attempt anything like that again.
The captain had gestured around the field, telling her to stop being such a Western prude and to find the romance in his actions, before melding their bodies together and shutting her up with a deep kiss. Elizabeth was surprised, most definitely, bust slowly relaxed into it and she began to rather enjoy her first kiss from a boy ever. The two children had spent the night among the brambles stealing affections.
"My Beth," Torrent had whispered as the sun rose and the sound of the beach barely feet away came alive. Elizabeth turned her head to look up at the older boy, in need of his guidance of how to respond.
"Torrent?" She urged him as his eyes unfocused and his mind went elsewhere.
"I love you, Beth, as far as my soul can stretch, Aslan can roar and sun can shine. When you depart from me, you will leave me a hollow shell and it was unfair to me to let you leave without first telling you that should you call, should I hear you're in need of help or friendliness, I will drop my world to be with you and to give you all you deserve." Elizabeth froze. The sun caught his eyes and showed her that he meant every bit of it. The care he showed swam to her head and made her feel woozy.
"Come with me," She pawed at his tunic, trying to lead him from the meadow and towards the band of Narnians that would most likely be waiting for her, as they had agreed to set off at first light. "Come and stay in Narnia. Fight for Narnia. You'll be welcomed with open arms," She sent him a dazzling grin.
"If it was anything else in the world that you were asking, you'd already have received it from me. However, my father would not allow me to. I cannot leave my nation, especially since I had given up my right to the throne. Had it been stars and ships, you could consider it already given, but I am unable to leave my home at this very second," Torrent allowed his head to rest in her hair before she pulled away from him and left. She picked up a bouquet of rock roses and sent him a last parting smile before walking towards her own nation. Captain Torrent felt his world crash around him as Elizabeth mounted her black companion and ride away without a backward glance. His heart would forever belong to the fair girl who surrendered a life to royalty even though she, like him, wished for nothing more than an escape. Captain Torrent, former prince of Archenland, picked up his own collection of roses and walked into his chambers where he spotted the painting of Elizabeth he had requested from the palace's best artist. She was lying in the meadow in a close up showing her face, hair and breasts and she looked beautiful. He thought it was appropriate that she was smiling into a collection of rock roses and he grinned at the irony of the situation before he was called away to deal with a disagreement on the Western borders between Telmar and Archenland.
The Pevensies were unaware of Elizabeth's arrival. Wearing a fine red travelling scarf around her head and over her mouth, a blue, silver and purple Archenland dress and her skin no longer the finest ivory it had been before her travels, she was almost unrecognisable. It was impossible to describe the feeling upon seeing Cair Paravel months after she had originally left and upon glancing up at the creamy marble, Elizabeth's heart had jumped. She was overjoyed to be home and the pure joy it brought her was the closest thing to bliss she had experienced. Many Narnians peaked out from their buildings as they rode through the levels of the city. Elizabeth caught sight of citizens running ahead to warn people. Her scarf hid her smile from the world. When they reached the castle, the Pevensies had been told of a foreigner being brought to the city by Narnians and they, along with their guests, had assembled in the courtyard to assess their new unexpected arrivals. Elizabeth froze. The tears gathered in her eyes as she set her sights on her friends. It had been so long, and so much had happened, since her departure, and she remembered the feelings she had left behind. She sobbed quietly before her emotions spiralled and she ran full speed towards them, much to the Pevensies surprise and horror, and launched herself into Edmund's arms. To the Narnians surrounding them, this was seen as an act of aggression.
The foreign assassin was pulled off of the younger king quickly, and a sword was raised to deal with their forthcoming punishment, when a familiar voice began to cry out behind them. Castor, Dapple and the Narnian troupe ran towards their lady who was being held viciously in the arms of a minotaur and the teeth of a cheetah. Her eyes were opened with fright, but still she watched her friends come forth to save her.
"Stop!" They cried.
"Explain yourself!" Peter cried outraged. His heart was pounding and his overwhelming love for his brother would have allowed this assassination effort to demonstrate the consequences of attempting to hurt his family. "Remember, anything you say within the next minute will be seen as treachery against the royal family." Elizabeth's eyes popped and she wondered if maybe she had been banished but no one had told her.
"Sire, there has been a misunderstanding," Humphrey began to explain.
"Take him to the dungeons!" Peter cried out. Humphrey's brothers stepped forwards on the High King's command and regretfully moved their kin towards the dungeon. "This murderer," He raised a hand and pointed it at Elizabeth, "Will be hanged at dawn." Elizabeth's eyes almost popped as she realised what was going on now. She paused and then did the one thing that, for the second time that day, shocked the Pevensies. Elizabeth began to laugh hysterically. They thought it had been an assassination attempt, and Elizabeth couldn't help but picture herself in Edmund's room, asking him to stab himself, please. She leant against her captures as her lungs failed her. Edmund's ears couldn't believe it. He had only ever heard one laugh as freeing as this one, and the owner of it would most definitely laugh outrageously at this circumstance. Slowly, to his brother's utmost horror, he inched towards the assassin and reached out to the scarf around their face. The silk fell down at the slightest touch and his best friend's shining eyes glittered at him with mirth. A colossal grin stretched across his face and he launched his own body on top of hers, pushing them, and the two other Narnians, to the ground.
"Murder!" Elizabeth screeched in jest, "King Peter, rape! Attempted molestation and maiming! Help!" She cried loudly, unable to stop her laughter seeping through. Edmund joined in and as soon as the others realised who it had been, chuckles were floating around their courtyard must to the confusion of their guests. Edmund helped his friend up and they shared a proper hug this time, ignoring the smiles on the Narnians' faces, and without jesting.
"I missed you heaps," Elizabeth cooed into his ear, holding him tighter towards her. Edmund smiled back into her hair and smelled her deeply.
"I was rather lonely without you here," He admitted grudgingly. Elizabeth felt her smile widen. He must of missed her a lot if he was admitting this out loud. "How were your travels?"
"I'm sure Lizzy has many stories to tell us," Peter stepped forwards with an easy grin on his face, "But first, she should get settled again, and she must meet our guests!" He held out a hand towards the family off to one side. The Narnian nobility stepped forwards, keen to meet the woman of legend, but Elizabeth folder her arms and stood her ground.
"I'm not sure how I feel about staying with a man who asked for my execution," She teased Peter. He rolled his eyes and went to apologise when Susan cut him off.
"Not now," She spat out, "Meet your guests properly," She hissed. Elizabeth blinked in shock.
"Please, your majesty," An extremely pretty girl around Elizabeth's age curtsied in front of the Gracious Lady. Edmund scoffed. "My family and I understand that it had been quite a while since good friends have been acquainted. Please, allow them to finish their greetings and we shall hear the lady's tales at dinner." Her dark, calculating eyes landed on Elizabeth and the two girls shared a look. Elizabeth didn't particularly understand it, but she seemed as if she would become a very nice girl to speak with. She was definitely more articulate and eloquent than herself, Elizabeth noted.
"No, it would be rude of me to ignore new friends," Elizabeth curtsied back to the girl, "I am Elizabeth, but friends call me Lizzy."
"I am Oriana," The girl curtsied back deeply, lower than Elizabeth. Elizabeth noticed the younger king sourly roll his eyes and sparked her curiosity. She planned to speak with him later that night about what had happened, whether it was serious or whether he was simply in one of his moods. "And I'm afraid that associates call me by my full Christian name." Elizabeth hid a smile as she straightened herself up. A very Torrent-like thought ran through her mind and she decided to act upon it.
"Perhaps to breed familiarity you shall call me Liz, and I shall call you Ana," Elizabeth smiled at her. The girl smiled back shyly and nodded enthusiastically.
"That would be lovely, your Grace."
"Who is she?" A loud, whiny voice cried out. Elizabeth jumped in surprise.
"Now, now, Abby," The oldest man said as he pulled a tiny girl into his side.
"No! She's not even pretty," She whined. Elizabeth blinked. What a rude little girl.
"Abella," Edmund snapped as he went to stand by his friend.
"Take her away," The father told one of the Narnians. A little girl was dragged kicking and screaming back into the palace. She was incredibly loud, Elizabeth noted.
"Please excuse her, your Grace," Another woman bowed deeply, her family joining her barely a second later. "My youngest, Abella, has difficulty understanding hierarchy and structure. My sincerest apologies."
"Oh, um, it's fine, I suppose," Elizabeth shrugged, unsure of what to do, "In fact, dare I say I was similar when I was younger." The father laughed heartily.
"Your Grace," The oldest daughter's eyes widened strangely, "We thank your kindness, but it is difficult to believe that you would act so spoilt after hearing the trials that you accomplished." Elizabeth blushed but laughed it off lightly.
"I assure you, Edmund and Lucy will talk me up. Lucy, out of the kindness of her heart and Edmund, simply because he likes to brag about his company," Elizabeth jested. She lightly poked Edmund's side as she saw the scowl on his face. The family laughed politely.
"Your Grace, I fear we had acted rudely," The father boomed after a slight pause where the laughter faded. "I am Lord Alveraz, and this is my most esteemed family. We hail from the islands to the east and have made this long journey to meet the royal family, only it has become much sweeter by meeting the most famed lady of Cair, as well. This is my lovely wife Calantha, who also is famed for her kindness and giving nature. Then, my oldest," He gestured to the daughter who had just spoke, "Nevaeh, my most beautiful daughter. Next, Legna, who has a voice that even the sirens in the north envy. Her musical talent is great and she, should you request it, would be most honoured to indulge you in a performance. My middle daughter, who you have met already, is my dear Oriana. There isn't another lady on any Narnian island who could compete with my daughter in military strategy or a battle of knowledge. I'm sure your wits and her brazenness will no doubt bloom into a fruitful friendship." Elizabeth smiled at the calculating eyes and dark hair and realised that, paired with her advanced intellect, she was a very intimidating girl. If Elizabeth hadn't seen Edmund's reaction towards her, she most likely would have been jealous of the girl in front of her. However, as it was, Elizabeth smiled happily and gave the girl a nod to show that she was joyful about the prospect of friendship. "My two youngest are Briar and Abella. Abella you have met, but Briar has an uncanny knack for causing almost as much uproar as her younger sister." The small girl blushed but Elizabeth could notice the fire burning behind her exterior. "My wife and I are expecting two more daughters in the beginning of next month, as well, and I can only hope that they are as prosperous and happy as the rest of my family." Elizabeth had to pause to take in all of the information.
"Well, I suppose we can only wait," Lucy chimed in happily.
"Milady," Nigel smiled from next to Peter, "We should get you settled." Elizabeth restrained from teasing him as she was ushered inside and towards a room above the Pevensie's floor.
"Where are we going?" Elizabeth whispered to Edmund. He shot her a grin and leaned closer to his friend.
"The Lord and Lady elected your room to stay in, so Lucy had another room prepared should you come back before they had left."
"Oh," Elizabeth muttered. Susan paused in front of the ivory double doors and opened them.
"These will be your rooms," She droned, "We'll alert your maids of your return." The queen left the room pulling her brother out behind her, leaving Elizabeth alone in her suite.
"Wow," She breathed as she glanced around. It was much bigger than the room she held before, probably because she had chosen one of the smaller guest rooms out of modesty when she had first arrived.
Elizabeth was in a small room with an unusual colour scheme of green and peach which strangely worked together to create an antique feel to the place. The floors were marble and the walls olive green and patterned luxuriously. The ceilings were high and there were three doors in front of her, one on each wall. Elizabeth walked straight ahead and found herself in a large room with the same colour scheme, except this one was a receiving room. Its furthest wall was made from windows that opened out onto a gigantic balcony while there were two more double doors on each side of the room. Elizabeth chose the right door this time and she ended up in another drawing room (although, this one had a tea trolley off to one side and a table to sit down at) and then, when she took another right, a fancy study and when she took the next right, she ended up in the foyer again. Elizabeth sighed in relief; it was beginning to feel more like a maze than a room. She assumed that the bedroom was behind the final door, otherwise she would have to sleep on her desk. She braced herself and walked forwards, happy to see the bed that was twice the size she had ever slept in before, with four posters and a canopy that touched the ceiling. She sighed blissfully and walked over to the large trunk at the end of the bed. Opening it up, she saw that someone had moved her dresses into it as her fancy Archenland dresses hung in her wardrobe. Elizabeth smiled happily and began to undo the uncomfortable, constricting dress and threw on one of her favourite Narnian ones: a floaty pink and white v-necked dress with silver suede slippers. It took a decent time with some exemplary struggle, but Elizabeth was eventually clothed and could only smile in joy when she felt the freedom around her hips and legs and the lightness of the material. Elizabeth twirled around her rooms for a while as she settled back into her previous life. She was happy, in the end, that she had travelled, but like Dorothy had once said, there was no place like home, and Elizabeth appreciated those sentiments now more than ever.
After the sun had set and Elizabeth had orientated herself within her rooms, she found herself lounging in the morning room (which is what her new head handmaiden, Lapis, had told her it was called) with her candles lit and a book in her lap. There was a knock on the door and Elizabeth had to pause to hear if it was her imagination because it was so faint. When she heard it repeat, she stood up, put a roll of parchment in between the pages to mark her spot and walked towards the door. She opened the door and was happy to see Edmund standing there.
"Ed," She grinned happily and stepped out of the room, "I take it that dinner's ready?" He nodded and gestured to the door, asking if he could enter. Elizabeth held it open and he walked straight through as if he was very familiar with the place.
"It is, and we're about to leave for it," He told her. Elizabeth followed him into her study, the confusion on her face properly expression her bewilderment.
"And I take it the dining hall has moved, then?" She asked slowly as she watched Edmund dart around the desk.
"No," He paused long enough to send her an amused smile, "I'm showing you why I chose this room for you." Elizabeth blinked.
"Oh, that sounds interesting!" She smiled back after a second and ran around to where he was. Edmund took Elizabeth's hand and guided it to one side of the fireplace where a faun playing the flute was carved out of marble. He ran their fingers down to where a slight crack broke the smoothness. Elizabeth grinned as he put pressure onto the latch and she heard the familiar telltale click of a lock moving. "I knew you hadn't spent your time moping in your study," She shot him a teasing grin. He laughed back, sounding carefree for the first time since her departure and took his hand away. Elizabeth felt the latch before more prominent beneath her fingers and so she slid them deeper into the crevice and pulled outwards, revealing a hidden door within the fireplace. If it was in use then they would not be able to use the secret passage, but other than that Elizabeth couldn't fault it. She lifted her skirts and stepped over the wood and into the darkness. Edmund followed his friend and took the lead, telling her how to close it behind them. Then, Edmund toured Elizabeth around the tunnels that he had found and showed her his map that he had made. She was overjoyed at this and didn't realise that, as he was discovering the passages, he wasn't making friends or doing his duties. Edmund showed her, first, that is connected to his room, her library, Peter's study, the armoury, the stables and the throne room as well as many other miscellaneous hallways. Elizabeth couldn't stop grinning for the entire show and Edmund fed off her joy. He was feeling rather chuffed with himself as they arrived at the grand staircase and snuck out to head into the dining hall, where the others were waiting for them.
"Elizabeth!" Lucy said brightly as we sat down, "Something arrived for you just a moment ago. It was sent to your room." I smiled and nodded back to her as a server cut off our conversation. The meal was laid down much more fancily than Elizabeth remembered, and she attributed it to the guests. Elizabeth was eager to get back to her room and see what it was, but she couldn't help but notice Edmund blatantly ignoring Oriana for what seemed like no reason. In truth, Elizabeth was starting to become undeniably curious about what had happened between to two of them so she suggested that she and Edmund take dessert in his library as he had mentioned earlier in the evening that he had a fair amount of work to do. Two very nice Narnians took the meal to the private room while Elizabeth and Edmund slowly made their way up the stairs. Elizabeth knew that, had Edmund not been there, she would most certainly have been lost by now. Once they were seated and comfortable, Elizabeth brought up the conversation that Edmund knew she had been waiting to talk about all day.
"So, Oriana seems like a lovely girl," She began.
"Looks can be deceiving," He muttered back, sourly. A scowled coated his face and Elizabeth, too happy to be around her friend again, could easily ignore his back attitude with rose-coloured glasses.
"Edmund," Elizabeth scolded him in a warning tone, making it very clear she wasn't looking to dance around the issue.
"We just don't get along," Edmund decided to shrug it off as a casual occurrence with the belief that Elizabeth would drop the subject. Elizabeth fixed him with a look, which he ignored promptly. Elizabeth, seeing this, put down her dessert and moved across the space so she was sitting next to him, facing him so he couldn't look away from her.
"Edmund, do you remember how I'm your best friend?" She started in a light tone. Edmund sighed. He knew she was trying to guilt him into it, but he was King for Aslan's sake, and he wasn't going to let a little bossy girl control who he was friends with!
"Yes, Liz?" He droned.
"Well," Elizabeth titled her head to one side and looked up at him imploringly. "That means that I can tell when you're lying," She reached out and hit him lightly, "And when something is upsetting you. Now speak, or you'll force me to go to Peter as a last resort, and who knows what I'll be subjected to?" She giggled.
"Peter will have you trialled for murder," Edmund grinned weakly at his friend.
"Ed," The girl began to whine. Edmund took one look at her puppy eyes and decided that he might as well just tell her.
"People think we should get married," He grumbled. Elizabeth blinked, and then she pushed down all of the feelings that swelled inside her.
"And do you think you should get married?" She asked eventually.
"No!" Edmund told her quickly and surely. Elizabeth couldn't help but smile at his response for whatever reason.
"Well, then that's all that matters," She smiled at him. He grinned back softly at her and rolled his eyes at her next sentence, "So stop being so boorish and…vulgar and befriend the girl already! From what I've seen, you two would be equally matched in a game of wits."
"I believe we would be," A decidedly feminine voice said from the doorway. Elizabeth and Edmund's gazes were pulled towards it and they saw the subject of their conversation smiling at them, a present in her hands. "Milady, the younger queen commanded me to bring this to you. I do hope it's not against your wishes," Oriana walked forwards and presented the box to the younger girl. With a smile, Elizabeth took it and waved Oriana over to her previous seat to join them. Edmund bristled, and Elizabeth smiled at that.
"Go on, then," He snapped, "Open it."
"I'll do just that," Elizabeth cooed back to him. Oriana secretly smiled at the two and couldn't help but admire their banter. Three sets of eyes were fixated on the glossy red wooden box that remained in her hands once the silk packaging fell away. Elizabeth fiddled with it for a moment and saw that there was an intricate gold lever system that would unlock it. There were fourteen little latches that would spin around, each with six random letters on each.
"What is it supposed to be, if you don't mind my asking, your Grace?" Oriana asked as she saw the box.
"Well, it's a box," Edmund stated dryly, only ending up getting elbowed by Elizabeth. He sighed and shot Oriana a half-apologetic look. "It's called a Frobisher box. It's supposed to be unlocked by a particular pattern or message depending on the person it's sent from or who it belongs to," He stated in a surrendered voice.
"Who would send me one of those?" Elizabeth asked incredulously as she looked at the beautifully box in her hands.
"Well it sounds like something lovers would do," Oriana smiled trickily. She watched amused as the king's face fell in a mixture of outrage and jealousy, "Do you have a secret lover, milady?"
"No—" Elizabeth paused. She picked up the box and began to twist the letters around. P-R-I-N-C-E-T-O-R-R-E-N-T She tried the lid, but it remained shut. "No," She shook her head once more. But the damage had already been done. Oriana's eyebrows had shot up since, obviously, the lady had thought of someone who was close enough to a lover to send her that, while Edmund's curiosity (and jealousy) had peaked.
"Who's name did you just try to open it with?" He asked, suspiciously.
"No ones," Elizabeth blushed. She stared dumbly at the box and ran her hand over a small bump in the wood along one side. She brought it up to her face and saw gold engravings of strings of rock roses. A smile spread across her face as her fingers lithely slid over the gold fixtures once more. "Had it been stars and ships," He had told her, "You could consider it already given." S-T-A-R-S-A-N-D-S-H-I-P-S There was a sliding sound as the locks moved away. With a soft smile on her face, Elizabeth gently opened the box to see a pressed yellow rock rose sitting amongst a carefully folded letter and a big yellow diamond necklace.
"Oh, what is it?" Elizabeth snapped back to reality as Oriana spoke. Her head snapped up to see Edmund glaring heatedly at the box and Oriana looking at her inquisitively.
"Nothing," Elizabeth shut it quickly and stood up, "But I've been so rude," She began to back out of the room, "You two have been so used to spending your nights conversing that my company is probably hindering your repartee. Please, excuse me for the night and we can all get to know each other as a group tomorrow over breakfast. How about on the balcony overlooking the orchard? It's particularly beautiful close to the sunrise. I'll send for you both when it's ready," Elizabeth shut the door behind her as she stepped out of the study and hastened to her room quickly. She flew into her bedroom and locked the doors around her before opening the box again. She smiled happily at the flower and put it on her nightstand. Then she took out the necklace and hid it at the back of her jewellery collection before turning to the letter and opening it up.
My Beth, It read, If you love me only in my dreams, then let me be asleep forever. If you love me in your dreams, then let me know. Forever yours, Torrent
Elizabeth clutched the note to her chest and collapsed against the bed. It felt unusual note being loved and to be honest, she missed the attention and the bliss Torrent had given her. She missed him, she realised, though it had only been three days since they had last spoken face to face. She sighed deeply and locked the letter up in the box again before making a dash to her desk where she hid it in the deepest compartment before scrawling out a note in reply.
My Captain, You promised me stars and ships, but I promise you my heart and soul. Yours, Beth
Unknowingly to Elizabeth, Oriana and Edmund were smart enough to know that there had been a secret lover that had let her open the box. Edmund felt horrible as he realised this, although he couldn't put a single feeling into words, and Oriana felt a deep sympathy and renewed vigour for her cause.
"If it was love," She told the boy sitting across from her who looked as if he was lost, "She would be shouting it from the roof tops."
"Elizabeth doesn't keep secrets from me," Edmund confided in her, finally. She winced when she heard his hurt tone, but decided that ultimately it was a good sign—a sign of their trust being explored and a sign of his affection for the girl downstairs.
"She hasn't had the chance to tell you yet," Oriana replied logically. Edmund shook his head.
"When I betrayed my siblings," He began after a pause, "She followed me. Not because she didn't trust me or she wanted to rile me, but because she was a good friend and an even better person. She was there because of me and what we went through is something that ensures a deep friendship. There is no way that she would lie to me or not tell me something important because of time," Edmund shook his head slowly and decided to rush out of the room as he felt his eyes itch. He retired to his room for the evening knowing full well that Elizabeth was elsewhere in the castle, and elsewhere in the country in spirit. Oriana followed him out shortly and went to her own rooms for the night. Perhaps this would be harder than she thought. As she walked to her room she heard voices.
"Please, keep this to yourself. I know the castle gossip better than most," Oriana heard a familiar giggle. She glanced around the corner to see the Gracious Lady speaking to a Narnian messenger.
"Of course, milady, discretion is of utmost importance in this situation. To whom will I be delivering this to?"
"Captain Torrent Antony of King Lune's 26th battalion," She replied nonchalantly, "He's in the South, I believe, helping with the disturbances along the treaty lines." Oriana made a mental note of the name and hid back around the wall and behind a statue as Lady Elizabeth made her way back to her rooms. The conniving girl made her way to her father's rooms to find out all he knew about this Captain Torrent Antony. If she wanted to win this battle of the hearts, information was key. And she knew who to go to for which information. Oriana stopped in her tracks as she heard a low grumbling noise that sounded like a large cat. She shook her head and continued onwards. Aslan wouldn't have brought them together if he knew they did not belong happily in love with one another. Oriana knew this for a fact and it only strengthened her resolve to make Edmund happy. She also had to admit, getting them together would be winning over two of the greatest figures that would surely shape history, and she knew that was a victory that she wished to claim. Oriana, Elizabeth and Edmund all went to bed that night knowing that the next morning's breakfast would be most interesting.
Reviewer, you know who you are (I.e. Lu). Yes, only one review. I feel unwanted. Anyway...