Chapter 21~Crazy Little Thing Called 'Love'

"Oh thank Aslan, there you are!" Peter cried the next afternoon when he ran into Edmund in the hall. "You've been asleep the entire day, is everything alright?"

"Everything is fine," Edmund lied.

"Valdis didn't do anything to Rose?"

"No," he lied again.

"Hello all," Lucy and Rose said together.

"Okay, what is going on?" Caspian asked suspiciously when he joined his friends.

"What do you mean?"

"Rose, you're wearing a dress, and you and Edmund awoke at noon today…something is obviously not right."

"That doesn't matter," Edmund shrugged. "Come, it's late, and we need to see the Calormens off."

"Why should we?" Rose mumbled, but luckily no one heard.

"So…why are you really wearing a dress?" Edmund whispered, and Rose blushed a bit.

"The leggings hurt too much because they ride up between my legs."

"I shouldn't have asked."

"No, you really shouldn't have. Did you get any sleep?"

"Not much, did you?"

"No."

"Hello," a cheerful voice greeted from behind.

"Rama!" Rose beamed, and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"I have some rather funny news," he said.

"Oh? What is it?" Caspian asked.

"Vera is going to Calormen with Valdis an Jacinda because…Valdis has asked her to marry him."

"What?"

"When!" Lucy cried.

"Yesterday afternoon, but they didn't announce it until this morning."

"That monster…" Rose muttered quietly to herself.

"What does this mean for Archenland?" Peter asked, rather concerned.

"Nothing, really. Vera has been disowned, and she's never known any Archenland secrets that could come in handy for the Calormens. She has no way of getting into the castle…I don't think it will matter."

"So basically she will just bask in the glory of being a Queen when the Tisroc dies?" Caspian asked.

"Exactly. It's what she's always wanted…to be Queen, I mean."

"No wonder she had feelings for me," Edmund shuddered.

"Had? My dear Edmund, it is obvious she still does."

"But she's marrying Valdis…"

"Love has nothing to do with their engagement. Valdis wants an attractive wife, Vera wants power—it's a perfect match."

"When is the wedding?" Lucy asked.

"Summertime. I shall not be attending."

"Neither shall we," said Peter. "We've been away from home long enough."

"What time will you depart tomorrow?"

"Early morning. That will bring us to Cair Paravel in time for lunch the following day."

"Men and their food," Lucy whispered to Rose, and they laughed. Caspian looked to them with one eyebrow raised.

"What was that?"

"Nothing," Lucy said sweetly.

"I'm sure." Caspian drew her to him as they walked to the harbor. It was a long hike, and after about a half hour they finally reached their destination.

"Thank Aslan they're leaving…what a nuisance these Calormens have been," Rama sighed as he watched them draw nearer to the ship.

"We understand completely," Edmund said. "Araminta and Jacinda are a lot alike…infact, I recall having to lock Araminta in her room."

"That we did," Caspian nodded. "I'm still not sure who is worse though."

"I would say Jacinda," said Lucy. "She may not have ripped anyone apart, but Araminta didn't use magic."

"Araminta didn't have Valdis' help either."

"Oh my…"

"What is it Lu?" Peter asked.

"Speaking of Valdis, look at his face. He has a black eye. I wonder what happened?"

"I asked him earlier today, but he would not say," Rama said. "My hypothesis is that he got into a fight and didn't win."

"But with who?" Caspian asked. Lucy was the only one who didn't miss the look Edmund gave Rose.

"Edmund Robert Pevensie, what did you do?" Lucy asked, frowning a bit.

"Nothing at all. Why would you accuse me of such a deed?" he asked smoothly. He was saved from further questioning by the arrival of Valdis, Vera and Jacinda.

"I can walk by myself from here!" Jacinda snapped, shaking off her guards. "Honestly! Archenland has no respect." She stalked off toward the boat, leaving Valdis and Vera alone.

"King Nain, once again I apologize for the behavior of my sister. I thankyou for your hospitality, and I am sorry for the failed alliance between our two countries."

"As am I, but I am no longer able to trust your country."

"I understand. I trust you are not grieved by the departure of your daughter?"

"Had I not known she betrayed me and her brother, I would be. As it is, I am glad she is departing from us." Vera just shook her hair out of her face in a dignified manner.

"You shall miss me someday, father," she sniffed, and she and Valdis turned to Rama.

"O Prince, I am sorry for the harm Jacinda has caused you. Could we maybe someday be friends?"

"You have tried to harm my sister and the Queen Lucy too frequently to allow me to forgive you Valdis, I am sorry."

"But he hasn't harmed me at all, Rama. Infact he's made me very happy," Vera said, smiling up at Valdis.

"I wasn't speaking about you, Vera. I bid you both farewell and a lifetime of happiness. Aslan knows you deserve each other."

"Thankyou for your blessing," said Valdis. "It's been a pleasure seeing you all again," he said to the Narnians.

"As it has been for us as well," Peter said politely.

"I apologize for any action toward your sister you may not have approved of. I cannot help that she is such a lovely young woman." Valdis smiled at Lucy, and the three Narnian kings surrounded her. This allowed Valdis to let his eyes rest on Rose, however, so Edmund and Rama backed up so that they were on either side of her. Valdis' gaze held fast, and Rose wanted to cry, crawl into a hole and punch Valdis in the face all at the same time.

"I shall miss you more than you know, angel," Valdis smirked. He bowed, and after Vera glared at all of them (except for Edmund who she gazed longingly at) they boarded the ship.

"Farewell my friends!" Valdis called from the deck. "We shall meet again soon!" The anchor was released and as the ship sailed away Nain said,

"I certainly hope not."

"Father, that is not a very kingly thing to say."

"I know it isn't, but it is the truth. Now, I think that since we're finally separated from these meddling Calormens we should go back to the castle, and all dine together so we can discuss affairs we didn't want them to overhear."

"I think we would all be open to that," Peter said.

Yeah, yeah I know it's short, and the next chapter will be too. I'm sorry, but these chapters aren't very important...they're just necessary, if that makes any sense. Reviews please!!!