Out of a Dream by Terra Forever
CH. 21 Beneath the Stars
As promised, the next morning, as the sun barely began to peer over the horizon, Peter and Susan watched as Nila led a party back to the charred forest. They let the other two Pevensies sleep in knowing they needed to let their bodies and minds recover. Once the party departed, the other Narnians went back to their usual business much to the relief of the two rulers, who feared that all the attacks, especially the most recent ones, might do considerable harm to the spirit of their people. However, while Cair Paravel was still bustling with activity, it was not nearly to the same degree as it was before the attacks. Hopefully their economy would not be seriously affected by their enemies for it did, it might lead to difficult times even after the threat of evil had been destroyed.
The Gentle Queen and the High King walked down the marketplace greeting the Narnians as they went about making their purchases, sales, or trades. They lingered at some stalls, chatting with the vendors or the passing shoppers. To some extent it seemed as if nothing was amiss, but under the cheery smiles lay grieving, worried thoughts and dark fears, which were growing ever so slowly.
Just as Susan and Peter were eating their freshly roasted chestnuts, a small present from a Mr. Bixby, a golden leapoard approached them with news from their allies. Susan and Peter immediately followed Lirai up to one of the rooms where several messengers sat waiting for their king and queen. When the two Pevensies arrived, they were immediately informed of the current state of their allies.
Their neighboring country, Archenland, reported that the kingdom itself had not yet encountered the ghastly beasts, but apparently, some of their merchants or other travelers have. Those who managed to survive told terrible accounts of their experience and Archenland's king ordered that his people should only travel in large groups outside their borders. He also ordered more vigilant watch for the creatures. He and his sons were more than willing to go to war with Narnia to stop the creatures before things became worse.
While Calormen itself was more an enemy of Narnia than an ally, Narnia did have friends within the kingdom and they reported that they too were victims of the beasts now. This came to prove that while the Calormen were often a terrible, mean, arrogant and ignorant people, they were not entirely evil. And therefore, were enemies of the terrible beasts as well.
"Imagine going to war with the Calormen, but on the same side," murmured a cheetah.
"I only saw it in my nightmares," snorted a boar.
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend," murmured Peter. "If it comes to a full war, we might need Calormen to come to our aid, however unsettling the idea may be. This evil threatens not only Narnia but the entire world and it may not even stop with this one." Susan knew that Peter was afraid that whatever doom may befall Narnia and this world, it may also reach their old home. "What of the Giants in the North?"
"They have not yet encountered the creatures, but they are aware of their existence," said the Cyclops, Trunorth. "They are willing to fight but only if we are in dire need of their services. Although, having spoken to some others, there is a fairly large group willing to come to our aid whatever the situation." Peter nodded.
"The islands to the east have not yet come into contact with any malicious creatures thus far, Your Majesties," said the human lietenant Keely. "However…" The entire room watched as Keely's face fell as he let out a heavy sigh. "We were attacked on our way home… two ships went down…no survivors."
"Oh Lt. Keely I'm so very sorry," said Susan, her face filled with sympathy.
Peter let out a heavy breath. "That is a terrible loss."
Susan blinked when she realized that this loss was far worse than they thought. "Elessy and Xilphen," she whispered. The Queen looked deep into Keely's eyes.
The lieutenant kept her gaze but then looked down at his hands. "Xilphen was on one of the boats," he said, trying bravely to keep his voice from wavering.
Peter's eyes widened and the entire room fell silent. Each person's thoughts fell upon a young, brave man, with wavy sandy hair, and freckles around his eyes like his sister. He was a good warrior, with uncanny speed. "And Elessy?" Peter managed to ask.
"She was on another boat… not too far away," replied the grieving father. "I thought I might lose her too…"
"Where is she now?" Susan asked.
"With her mother… she's still in shock I'm afraid."
"I'm so very sorry, Lieutenant," said Peter. "You need not do it now, but I would like to know who else was lost at sea so we can give them proper respect." The man nodded and he lowered his head to hide his tears which were falling at last. "Pray, what happened?"
"Some strange creatures rose from the sea…I've never seen them before in all my years, Sire, and I have lived my life more on those blue waters than on land" said Keely. "It all happened so quickly. Those creatures were unlike any other. There was something…something cold about them. Something…evil."
Susan looked at her brother. "Is it all related somehow?"
"I wouldn't be surprised," replied the High King. "From now on, there will be no traveling by sea unless absolutely necessary - we are at too great a disadvantage there. Utenio and Wellswater, you two are in charge of who should and shouldn't be at sea.
"The mermaids and other creatures must be warned," Susan added. "And anything they notice, anything at all out of the ordinary, must immediately be reported."
"I also want a constant guard on the Eastern wall. They may try to come at us from all sides…" Peter's face was grave. He only hoped that these new creatures were bound to the sea and could not attack on land.
When the meeting finally ended, Susan made some preparations to commemorate the sailors who did not return home. Peter felt as if another hundred pounds of weight had been added to his shoulders. He feared that something like this might happen. While they taunt us on land, they may try to sneak in from the East, he thought. He put his hand to his head, rubbing his temples with his fingers. In addition to his headache, his wounds were smarting a little despite the medicinal herbs that were applied daily. It was almost as if they were reacting to the terrible news he had just received. When he lowered his hand, he saw Esme up in one of the open hallways.
Despite the distance between them, their eyes met. Although he tried not to show it, putting a forced smile on his face, Peter's eyes betrayed him. Esme saw the weight that burdened him and she lowered her eyes and walked away. Peter sighed inwardly. Wonderful, you just scared her away, he chided.
"There you are, Peter," said a high-pitched voice. Peter turned to see Lucy smiling at him as she walked quickly to her brother. "I was wondering where you might be."
"Hello, Lu. Is something the matter?" asked the High King, putting on a smile.
"Oh no, I was wondering if you would like to join Esme and me."
"Where are you going?"
"Oh, well I thought I might try to cheer her up a little by taking her through some of the secret passages."
"That sounds like a good idea, Lu. I think she'd like that very much."
"Well, honestly, I think she'd prefer to get into some fight with those creatures and seriously injure the lot of them."
"I think we all feel that way," smiled Peter, genuinely this time, "but you're right, I think she would. Although I'd prefer if she stayed away from them. The same goes for you, Lucy." She stuck her tongue out at her brother who grinned. "She needs to rest and get away from the fighting. Where are you thinking of taking her?"
"I've yet to decide on that," admitted Lucy, "but I was hoping you might want to accompany us."
"I'd love to Lucy, I really would, but some matters have turned up recently that I need to tend to."
"Anything good?" asked the girl. Peter's countenance was all she needed to know that it was more of the opposite. Her cheery disposition faltered a little and Peter squeezed her shoulder.
"Don't worry, Lu. Go get lost in those passages and forget about this for a little while." He kissed her forehead. "Have you seen Edmund?"
"He's having lunch. I finished early and…well Esme didn't really eat much at all. Have you and Susan eaten yet?"
"No we haven't had a chance. I'll go find her and make sure she gets something to eat."
"I'm more worried about you," muttered Lucy. "Alright, I suppose I should go find Esme."
"Have fun," said Peter.
"Oh we will," grinned Lucy.
--
Although Esme was a little reluctant to have some fun when there were people who were possibly dying, she let Lucy lead her away down one hallway after another. Soon they were both giggling as they went through each passage. Some of them had small eyeholes through which they could peer through while some passages had thin walls that allowed them to listen in on conversations. Of course it wasn't very nice to spy or eavesdrop on people, so the girls did not do it very much but sometimes they couldn't help themselves. Some conversations were quite amusing and it helped greatly to distract them from their worries.
By the time they were expected for dinner, they both wore bright smiles and mischievous eyes. Only the other Pevensies knew what they had been up to and wondered what interesting things they might have discovered. But more than anything, they were glad to see Lucy and Esme in better spirits.
--
The next few days passed without any great incidents. It was almost as if their enemies were providing them some rest after their recent attack, but the Narnians knew better. They were being toyed with and it was unsettling. At least it allowed for the wounded to recover and the survivors to grieve. New trees were planted in the still-charred forest to help in the recovery process.
"Your wounds are healing rather slowly, Peter," murmured Susan, as she applied a poultice onto his still injured side.
The young man hissed. "Yes, so I noticed."
"I'm worried that something might be wrong that we didn't notice earlier. It doesn't show signs of infection or poison but maybe…"
"Maybe it just needs some time," said Peter. "You worry too much, Sue."
"Well, you ought to be a little concerned yourself, you know," muttered Susan, "the longer this takes to heal, the longer you remain here within the city walls."
Peter groaned inwardly. "Did you have to remind me?" He hissed again through grit teeth as Susan applied some other herbs. "Why on earth do these things have to sting so?" he complained.
"At least we know it's working."
"Or making things worse. Agh! That hurt!"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to press so hard."
"I'm not so sure about that – agh!" Susan gave him a look and Peter looked away. "I really think you ought to stop practicing with Esme, Peter, it's not helping at all."
"I'm not even doing that much, Sue. It's fine. She hardly lets me do anything. Half the time I'm just watching her do those…what are they called – katas?" Susan nodded. "She doesn't show it normally but when she practices… she's full of so much pent up emotions."
"She still blames herself," murmured Susan. "She's still afraid she's responsible for all of this somehow."
"I don't care – she didn't do it intentionally."
Susan didn't reply and Peter knew it was because she did not want to remind him that they did not know the truth about Esme just yet. Although a part of her may not want to intentionally harm anyone, there might be a part of her she is not entirely aware of that does. Susan began to dress Peter's wounds and when she finished Peter took her hand and squeezed it. "Thank you, Susan." She smiled and kissed his forehead. The Gentle Queen began to help her brother dress when Edmund knocked on the door.
"How're you doing, Peter?" asked the younger king after delivering a message from Taliph.
"Well I've been better, but I've also been worse," said Peter, grinning.
Edmund smiled. "I know what you mean." He looked up at Susan. "So what's the official report?" He knew better than to expect a real answer from his brother, partly because he knew Peter all too well, and partly because he and his brother were not so different.
"His wounds are healing…but very slowly," replied the oldest sister.
Edmund was afraid to hear as much. Although Peter tried to hide it, there were several occasions when he would wince in pain when he moved or even breathed. He did not do it as often as before, but Edmund was still concerned that his brother was still in pain. "Well I suppose that's better than nothing." He looked back at Peter who was giving him a look that warned him not to make a fuss over him.
"Dinner's almost ready," said Lucy, poking her head in through the open door.
"Good I'm starved," said Edmund.
"Well you should be considering the workout you and Esme had today," said Lucy. "That was quite a match you both had. But speaking of Esme. If you want any food at all, you'd best be quick about it. I think she might be hungrier than you. I wouldn't be surprised if she ate everything and left nothing for the rest of us!"
"Oh no, I want my dinner," said Edmund rather decidedly as he started walking toward the door. The others laughed.
"Come on, Ed, you've got to make sure there's some left for us," said Susan.
"Sorry, Sue, but this time it's every man for himself," Edmund flashed his handsome, lop-sided grin.
"Well if that's the case," Peter stood up and bolted for the door. Edmund was surprised at first then he let out a laugh and chased after his brother.
"Peter," Susan cried. She sighed and shook her head. I wonder how he doesn't manage to make those wounds of his worse, she thought.
Lucy watched her sister and laughed, having read Susan's thoughts through her countenance. "Don't worry so much," she smiled. "Quickly, Susan, or there really will be nothing left for us." Susan smiled and took her sister's hand and the two rushed to the dining hall.
--
That evening, when Peter went to the practice field, he found Esme sitting by a tree looking up at the stars. Her staff lay beside her but still in its compact form. She was not in her usual practice garb but was still dressed in her gown from earlier that day. The High King approached the young woman with concern. "Is anything the matter, Esme?" he asked gently.
Esme looked up at Peter and smiled. "Oh no, nothing really." His look of disbelief widened her smile. "Really, there's nothing. I just didn't feel like practicing tonight. I hope you don't mind."
"No, not at all."
"Then please," Esme gestured for him to sit and join her as she gazed up at the stars.
Peter did not need to be told twice. "I'm sure this will make Susan happy. Wait…she didn't tell you not to let me practice did she?" He eyed Esme carefully.
"No, she said no such thing. But really, she wouldn't need to; I already know how concerned she is with your wounds though. I'm rather concerned myself. But I just felt like I hadn't taken the time to watch the stars lately. I know it sounds strange…but I missed it."
"It doesn't sound strange at all. I think I agree with you. We've all been rather busy and we haven't had time to enjoy the little things in life. If anything, that's what helps to keep us going."
"The Centaurs can't read the stars anymore," murmured Esme. "They say the stars are clouded by a shroud… as if someone is intentionally hiding the truth." Peter did not like where this conversation was going. "I cannot read the stars as they do, nor can I see this shroud… but I can feel it."
Peter looked up at the glittering diamonds in the sky, always amazed by their number. And to think there was more than this out in the whole universe. "Esme…"
The young woman continued to look up at the night sky piecing together the constellations she could find, trying to remember the different new ones she learned from the Centaurs.
"Esme, whatever the stars might hold for you, for everyone… it will not matter. I told you before that we will face whatever threats may come our way." He let his hand cover hers and Esme felt her heart flutter at his touch. He looked at her and finally she forced herself to meet his gaze. "I know I cannot convince you to let this go completely, but at least… for now, let it go, Esme. You cannot do anything more by worrying over this matter when it will accomplish so little. No matter how much you brood over the possibilities, it seems at this point only time will tell."
Esme took a deep breath and weighed Peter's words. Perhaps he was right. At least for now, she would let the stars soothe her as they often did before.
Peter smiled. "So what new constellations did the Centaurs teach you?"
"Do you even remember any of the ones I told you from before?" asked Esme.
Peter took a slight breath. "Well, a few of them… but…honestly, I fear it's only a fraction of what I should know."
Esme shook her head, but couldn't hide a smile.
"Well remember, I don't do it very often."
"We'll have to change that, I suppose," murmured Esme.
"I'd like that," said Peter, staring at Esme. She tried to hide a blush by turning back to the sky.
"It's easier if you're lying down," said Esme. So the two lay down side by side as she pointed out the different constellations. Peter had quite a good imagination but there were some constellations which he just could not see. It frustrated him to no end but it amused Esme a great deal.
--
The hours passed and without realizing it, the two fell asleep on the field. When Esme opened her eyes, she found herself wondering where she was. Feeling the soft grass beneath she realized she must still be out in the field. Then she became more aware of a body very close to hers. Taking a deep breath, Esme turned her head a little and saw Peter's face not too far from hers. Their bodies were barely touching but it was enough and a soft blush grew on her cheeks. When she finally let her breath out, her heart was beating quickly.
What happened, she wondered. Weren't they just looking at the starry sky a little while ago? How long had they been out there for? She considered her options. I can get up and wake him up so we can go sleep in our own beds, thought Esme. Or I can let him sleep… The thought was very tempting because Peter looked very comfortable. In fact, she was very comfortable herself. If I do let him sleep then I should at least move away a little… should anyone find us sleeping so close… Esme bit her lower lip. She did not want to move anywhere except closer to the young man. Staring at his face, his brow relaxed, his lips twitched slightly into a smile, Esme found herself falling for him even more. She wanted to put her hand on his cheek to feel the smooth skin under her fingers. Holding her breath, Esme carefully and slowly lifted her hand and barely let it touch his cheek. As she expected, the skin was smooth and soft. Afraid she might wake him if she let her hand linger there much longer, she pulled it back. She continued to gaze at his face and mentally traced its contours. There's something about you, Peter Pevensie, that I cannot place, she thought. Something I feel… shaking her head, Esme looked at the stars. Then, gathering her courage, she shifted a little so she would be even closer to the High King. Just this once, she thought. She looked up at the stars and pleaded to them. Please, if even just this once, let me sleep by his side in peace.
Peter felt himself shiver a little and he moved to grab his blanket only to find that there was no blanket – only air. Opening his groggy eyes he suddenly became lucid when he realized that he was still out on the field lying beside Esme who was fast asleep very, very close beside him. His heartbeat began to quicken its pace as a mirage of thoughts and emotions rushed through him. But he put them all aside when he realized that this was what he wanted. If nothing else, he just wanted to lie beside her under the stars she loved so much, with no worries, no fears. Without really thinking, he let his hand caress her cheek gently. She stirred a little and he realized what a fool he was. The last thing he wanted to do was wake her and disturb her from her slumber, especially since he wasn't sure how she'd react. Letting out a deep breath, he took off the cape that he wore and lay it over both Esme and himself. He dared to move in closer but not so close that he could not focus on her sleeping face.
Alas, their peace did not last. As Peter studied Esme's face he saw it slowly contort into fear, pain, and confusion. Esme's breathing became heavier and her fingers started to grasp for something. Peter's eyes widened when he realized she was having a nightmare. He immediately sat up and put his hand on her shoulder. "Esme," he called. "Esme wake up." But the young woman did not seem to hear him. And how could she when her ears were deafened by the sound of piercing screams and murderous howls? "Esme! Esme wake up!" Peter started to shake her now but still she did not wake. A tear slid from her eyes. "Esme!" Finally, with a gasp, Esme's eyes flew open. Peter saw so much in her wide eyes that he immediately embraced her.
Still in shock, Esme could not find her voice. Her body trembled and she could not feel the warmth of Peter's body against hers. She was far too cold. Finally her voice returned. "They're attacking," she gasped. "They're killing them all!"
A/N: Thanks again for reading! I promise I'll update again soon!
Here are some NEW doodles – please check them out!!
The Gentle Queen Susan: /view/37365775/
WIP - Even Kings Need Rest (lineart): /view/37399981/
WIP - Even Kings Need Rest (colored): /view/37563319/
And more (Esme and Peter, Esme in action, Costume ideas) – all in my gallery at terraforever.