Disclaimer: That awkward moment when you say that nothing is yours. Except for my main characters! Ha! So maybe it's not so much of an awkward moment.
A/N: I'm so sorry! *breaks down and cries* I know, it's been nearly another month since I've updated. You can call me horrible. You can call me sad, pitiful and tired. But I didn't forget about this story! (As I claimed in the last chapter, but seriously, I didn't) I had the flu (in May, yes) twice last week and then my little sister was sick and I'm finishing up school and I have swim practice and I just finished one of my extra curricular activities for the year and I have another story I'm working on (four, actually) and I need to stop making excuses and I'm very sorry I haven't updated. The reviews have dropped considerably, and I feel like all of you have given up on this story. Have you? I hope you haven't. I ask for you to pay special attention in this chapter. I didn't say too much but boy has something been revealed. Also, another slight twist has come into the picture. I hope you will enjoy. Please, please review. Will you? I hope so. Plus, this is the longest chapter ever! I'm so glad. I know that I'm not going to write 12,000 word spectacular chapters, but I think this is a momentous occasion for me. Anyway, without any further ado: Enjoy :))
Close Calls
A few weeks had passed since Peter and I returned to Narnia. In that time frame, nothing of importance occurred. Atleast, nothing that was told, anyway. The Lords of the Council were quiet. Very quiet, and I was curious to hear what went on behind closed doors. Peter had been keeping a close eye on them as soon as Edmund had told him they were up to something. I was afraid. I couldn't help but be afraid.
Since our return, King Lune of Archenland had taken a sudden interest in the new rulers of Narnia and had begun writing letters to Peter. Lord Sosorion and Lord Hakim had sent small portraits of us to the royals in Calormen, and rumors began to circulate that a certain Prince—Rabadash—had taken an interest in Susan.
The days were getting longer, and early October found the leaves beginning to fall. Without the fact that autumn was taking its course, the days were slow, and the tasks of being High Queen were turning into a routine. All my time was spent holding teas with Susan and Lucy and trying not to succumb to the gossip our foreign guests exchanged. On some days a simple "hello" from Peter was out of the question. The Lords of the Council found countless ways of keeping Peter and I apart, and at times he didn't get a chance to rest.
Yes, my task from Aslan was a necessary weight no matter what it would bring, but I couldn't help but feel I wasn't worthy. Why did I have to go through all of this? I didn't know. But I'd have to find a way to fix it.
"Good morning," Peter's soothing voice aroused me.
A soft moan was my only answer. Nestling under the velvet coverlets, I rested against Peter's chest. I moved some hair away from my eyes and let out a sharp gasp feeling the sunlight that instantly shone its gazed upon my lids. Another moan was heard, louder this time, and I pulled the comforter completely over my head.
"Hiding isn't going to help you, Charlotte," I could feel Peter's breath blowing softly into my ear.
"It will temporarily." I said stoutly.
"Temporary is not permanent," he countered, and I could hear the amusement in his voice.
"Stop being so prim and proper!" I sat up, ushering Peter out of the bed and beginning to restore it to its daily appearance. "That's Susan's job."
He let out a great laugh, and kissed my cheek before tossing his robe over his shoulders and opening the doors to the balcony. The air sailed quickly through the open door, and the light shone boldly through the window panes. I breathed in deeply, marveling at its perfect sea scent.
"I've decided there needs to be a change of pace. Instead of entertaining our foreign guests day after day with tea parties and festivities and the like, why not socialize with the people of the village? We could make new friends, and I'm sure they haven't heard from their rulers in quite some time. Who knows what lies the Lords of the Council could be telling them." The last few words were said in a whisper, but I'm sure Peter sensed the same thing.
"That is a jolly good idea." He stroked his chin. "Speaking of tea parties, aren't you hosting one in the courtyard this afternoon?"
I sighed heavily, and uttered a curse word utter my breath. The sudden urge to strike Peter's shoulder rose within me, but I held back, crossing my arms.
"Yes, but tomorrow, the people of Narnia will receive an unexpected visit from their High Queen," I said softly, going to the wardrobe and choosing my attire for the day.
"You will be spectacular," he whispered against my back, letting his head fall into my shoulder, where he began to breathe contentedly.
"You're not coming with me?" I turned to him, sudden alarm in my eyes.
"You're not a Lady of the Court anymore, Charlotte! How many times do I have to keep reminding you? You don't have to answer to anyone. And don't let anyone question your authority."
"Why not?" I asked.
"Because there are some people who are beginning to question mine."
Lady Calloway
The Lady of the Court lay in Lord Sosorion's bedchambers. Her auburn hair was let down and she was dressed in her night clothing. She propped her head up on her elbow, and traced invisible constellations into the Calormene lord's bare shoulder. Daylight had broken hours ago, and they both knew they should've been out and about by now.
"Don't you think breakfast is being held in the grand hall by now, Sosorion?" she spoke softly, finally meeting eyes with his after sometime.
"We could have breakfast served here in my chambers if you'd like," his tone was flirtatious, and a low chuckle sounded.
"But we're not the kings and queens. We can't lounge about and do whatever we please." She shrugged.
"What if we were?" she could hear him mutter, a sense of stealth in his voice.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
Before speaking, he let his head rest on his elbow in imitation to her and his chocolate eyes burned deeply into hers. Lady Calloway loved the attention. She wasn't sure of the sudden attraction that he expressed towards her, but she loved the way he cooed her name, and lured her into him, with words that should never be repeated whispered in her ear.
She had thought about love. She had thought about the many men that would come racing after her as soon as a sign came that her maiden years were compromised. But no, that never happened. She'd never imagined Sosorion as the one who would take interest in her. Seeing as he was occupied with matters of the kingdom for the majority of the day, she couldn't see how he'd fit her into his life.
"Callie," the young woman erased all thoughts from her mind and focused on her suitor, "do you love me? Would you do anything for me?"
She was slightly taken aback by his words. Letting herself fall from her current position, she pushed all imposing thoughts aside and placed a smile upon her peach colored lips.
"Of course I love you," she breathed, feeling a blush grow as she said the words. "And I would do anything for you; anything to help you."
He pressed a tender kiss upon her lips. "I am glad."
Leaving the bed, she began to dress, and ponder on his words.
"I am glad." He had said. But didn't he love her, too? Maybe he was just afraid to say it. Maybe one day he'd come out in the open.
Yes, yes Callie, that was it, she thought to herself. He's just afraid to say it. But you know he does.
The Lady of the Court marveled in her newfound realization, and dressed in a gown that had a neutral shade of green covering it, with a white sash flowing around her waist.
"I am attending a tea with the Narnian queens today," she said, fitting several pins into her hair.
"Again? Why must you?" he asked, not failing to show the exasperation in his voice.
"I am not sure. They do not commend you for the generous work you do in this country. They should. Without the Lords of the Council, Narnia might as well be lost."
She heard a low laugh sound from the man, and turned away from him; a sudden rush of red coloring flew to her cheeks.
She loved him. And he loved her.
Lord Sosorion
The lord danced in his triumph. She loved him! She'd do anything for him! She'd jump off cliffs and swim through a sea of snakes for him. This made everything all the more easier.
Lady Calloway had left his chambers sometime earlier, and he was alone to explore his own thoughts.
It was all so marvelous! We the kings and queens were defeated—he'd have to conjure up some sappy death tale to cover for it—the Lords of the Council would take their place as the caretakers of the throne, and one day they'd eventually have to choose a king. Lord Palamore had his heart set on it.
Blast him! Lord Sosorion roared inwardly, pounding his fists on his mahogany dresser. Of course, the lord from Archenland was threatened by his majesty. But did that give him any reason to automatically assume he was the right choice for the throne? After all, with the kings and queens soon to be gone, he'd have to marry, and in his older age, Lord Palamore was in no position to do so. A sudden realization darted through Lord Sosorion's mind.
Callie loved him. She loved him. But did he love her? Absolutely not! It was absurd. But by taking the soon-to-be empty throne into consideration, he could grow to love her. Was she not constantly saying he was an excellent caretaker of the coveted seat's wellbeing while the rulers were away? She had boosted his confidence, and maybe…maybe he could be a good king.
Yes, he thought, twisting the curls of his beard through his fingers. Maybe he could grow to love her after all.
Charlotte
Please, Aslan, make it stop. I tried to maintain composure, but the constant sounds of chattering women sent boulders crashing into my head. The last time I had any recollection of their conversation was some time ago, and I could swear I felt myself aging rapidly.
"You know, the kingdom probably wouldn't be in the wondrous state it is in, if it weren't for Lord Sosorion," Lady Calloway was saying; I turned my attention to her words. She continued. "Politically speaking, since the kings and queens seem to be wrapped up in personal matters, the Lords of the Council have taken charge of the Narnian Empire, and I do believe they'd make excellent rulers—"
"What makes you think so, Lady Calloway?" I asked, and several heads turned towards me. I softened my expression and a pleading smile grew on my face. "Do continue, I'd like to be enlightened."
"They would make excellent rulers if the prophecy had been…say…redirected," she pondered upon her words before saying them, her cheeks colored immensely from embarrassment.
"I understand. Tell me, what would make this kingdom grow? The empire, and the people who reside in it?"
"If you don't mind my saying so, we don't have to hold this many teas. Yes, it does give the ladies a chance to catch up with each other, but it seems as though we're hiding behind walls and not doing anything for our country." The auburn girl's voice was reduced down to a whisper by now, and several eyes alternated their gaze between herself and I.
"I've already thought about that, and speaking of which, I have an announcement to make." I stood, and I had everyone's full attention. "I have decided that starting tomorrow, I will begin paying visits to the people of Narnia. Instead of them hearing stories of their rulers, why not have them tell stories of their relationships with their rulers. We'll make new friends, which can help keep this country standing. Not that it's falling apart, of course."
"That's a lovely idea, Charlotte!" Lucy piped up, putting her hand on mine. "I'd love to make some new friends."
"It does sound nice," Susan murmured.
Sitting down again, I surveyed the response from the guests. There were many nods of agreement, and a few joyous exclamations. I was sure that after I had disappeared they'd take it upon themselves to speculate and find any speck of wrongdoing I had committed. Hoping this wouldn't be another case, I crossed my fingers and set that thought aside.
Yes, maybe they'd keep their mouths shut tonight.
The remainder of my time at the tea was spent listening to Lady Calloway's marvels about Lord Sosorion, and my conclusion was only the most logical of them all.
"She loves him, Peter," I turned down the coverlets of the bed. The sheer fabric of my nightgown fluttered loosely in the wind, which was allowed inside by the balcony door. "She can't stop marveling about him."
"It's just an infatuation. I doubt it's actually…love." Peter fought to voice the last word.
"What harm could it do? Other than the fact she quotes his every word and supports every motion he makes."
"It won't last long, trust me," he pulled me onto the bed, and laid the covers over my body.
Closing my eyes, I nestled up against him, and relaxed. It seemed the night was my only escape. But maybe tomorrow would be different.
Lord Palamore
Lord Palamore and Lord Sosorion were in the council room. The lights were dark, and the only thing that kept them company were two tumblers of spiced wine.
"Lady Calloway has told me that Queen Charlotte plans to visit some of the people in the village," Lord Sosorion was saying, but Lord Palamore was paying little attention.
His thoughts were focused on only one thing. Success. Yes, one day, the Lords of the Council would succeed, and the Pevensie's would soon be pushing up daisies. He couldn't help but think of the fun he'd have, prancing around the castle as king doing whatever he pleased and drinking, and flirting with women, and the like.
He had thought about leaving Susan and Lucy alive, but had realized, if anything should happen to High King Peter, Charlotte would take his place. And if anything happened to her, then Edmund would take her place. There was a line of successors, and the lord from Archenland would just have to rid himself of all of them. One was enough to deal with, after all.
Another thought crossed its path along his mind. Who really was this "Lady Calloway"? Why did Lord Sosorion speak so highly of her?
"Callie is always saying the kings and queens are always stalling for time, and that if I was king that maybe—"
"Stop!" Palamore said suddenly, holding up a finger. "Did you say 'Callie'? You call this woman 'Callie'?"
"She loves me, Palamore! She'll do anything for me," The Calormene lord was simply as giddy as a child. Lord Palamore waved it off.
"How did she come about this…loving you?" he asked, and a Lord Sosorion's silent answer, he nodded, and sufficed with a chuckle. "You share each other's chambers." A small cough was heard.
"Well…yes, but she'll do anything for me! It's delightful!" Sosorion flashed a wide smile. Caught.
"What do you mean: 'anything for you'?"
"She'll jump off cliffs for me, she'll drown and rise to the surface again for me. She'd let herself die a thousand deaths, but all for me. We can't just crush King Peter's spirit anymore, Palamore! We much dispose of Charlotte's as well. They will betray each other's trust, and eventually, with them at each other's throats the kingdom will fall apart. Then, we can swoop in and lift it back onto its feet."
"How do you plan for them to betray each other's trust?" Palamore leaned in, obviously intrigued by the words he'd just heard.
"That, my friend, is where Callie comes in."
As he listened to the words his fellow council member was speaking, a faint smile appeared on his face. It grew wider, and wider. Eventually they were both grinning from ear to ear, and they touched their tumblers together in delight.
"Excellent work, my lord," Palamore nodded, in between sips of the wine. "Most excellent."
They went their separate ways and the lord from Archenland entered his bedchambers. He sighed, gazing at the painting of the most coveted object in Narnia (to him, atleast): High King Peter's crown. The structure bound in gold, with several jewels adorning it almost mesmerized Lord Palamore, not for its beauty, but for the power that it held.
The words that Lord Sosorion spoke came back to him. He had pretended to let them slip away, but on the contrary, they created a seal in his mind. One that could not be so easily broken.
"Callie is always saying the kings and queens are always stalling for time, and that if I was king…"
"Yes, if I was king…" he said, beginning to dress himself in his nightly attire. "Well, that's just it, Lord Sosorion, you are not king. And you never will be. I was meant for the title. I was the one who was threatened. You're just off gallivanting with your special 'Callie', eating, drinking, and sleeping. When the kings and queens are overthrown only one person shall sit upon the throne as a ruler, and that ruler will be me. You were meant to be a council member, and a lord, and I will appoint you as my caretaker of the throne, but nothing more. The power you think you see lighted around you will be extinguished, and you will see it surrounding me." He chuckled. "Quite the contrary, dear friend, the words she spoke towards you were 'if you were king'. That does not mean you will be. No, not at all."
Instead of settling himself in his bed, he decided to sit on the balcony and admire the painting from afar. It was far from him now, but soon, power would be his. And he would not let anyone stand in the way of it.
No. Absolutely no one.
Charlotte
Daybreak had come and gone, and I was awake and dressed when the bell tower struck nine. Peter was just stirring, and I tried to stifle a laugh as he groggily emerged from the bed and staggered towards the balcony, where I was eating my breakfast. His hair was tousled and his shirt rather wrinkled, and the buttons that were sewed upon it were all loose.
"Good morning, my darling," he whispered, pressing a kiss into my hair. He sat down. "Are you ready for your visit to the village?" He poured himself some tea and placed several waffles onto his plate.
"As ready as I'll ever be," I couldn't help but laugh at him.
"May I come with you?" he asked playfully.
"No, I have Susan, Lucy and the Ladies of the Court for company. Besides, you said you weren't coming anyway. But thank you for your kind offer, dear sir." I feigned a high-pitched, dramatic voice, which happened to belong to one of the foreign guests.
"Then you must except my offer for a picnic, by the light of the moon on this night, in the Mirrors of Crystal garden—which is a lovely name, I might add—which resides in the Orchard of Abundance."
"I do except," a small blush grew around my cheeks.
"Good." He rose, came around the table to me and kissed my lips tenderly. Leaving the balcony, he began to dress, and left me to imagine the events of the day.
A sudden thought arose in my mind, and I pondered upon it. It had been sometime since the last pain I had received, bringing a vision with it, and I was very thankful. Maybe the world would be peaceful after all.
Just as that thought subsided, a sharp feeling announced its presence within me. No matter how many times I had experienced this, it always managed to hurt. I'd have to learn to control it.
"She's still stalling for time." Lady Calloway was saying.
She and several other Ladies of the Court were huddled together in small groups, and I wondered how they didn't seem conspicuous to the other people who resided at Cair Paravel.
"She's not sure what duties she must assume as high queen and honestly, I can't take any more of it. If Lord Sosorion was on the throne then maybe things would be different!"
"Hold your tongue, Callie! Who would suggest such a thing?" An older woman said stoutly, pinching the young girl's arm.
All of this Lord Sosorion talk! I couldn't take it. She was obviously infatuated with him. There was no question about it. Maybe one day she'd see it was a little childish crush and she'd move on. But her actions said the opposite.
"She's very beautiful, and—" another Lady of the Court broke in.
"Beauty does not run a kingdom!" Lady Calloway cut her off, arching her eyebrows and tilting her nose in the air.
"But she's kind, and courageous. Surely you cannot mean such things…" A different voice—which I recognized as Naramay's—sounded, and I breathed a sigh of relief.
"You're under her spell, Naramay. You're only her handmaid." Lady Calloway had surely crossed the line.
Suddenly the vision left, and I was alone, to speculate upon what just happened. Lady Calloway had been turned from her shy, delicate being, to a hard woman, whose eyes could only see Lord Sosorion. I couldn't believe that. Not one of my own Ladies of the Court! She'd turn back eventually. I knew she would.
Several carriages were waiting when I descended the great staircase, and we'd journey through the meadow to the village. I found the Ladies of the Court in the same small groups I'd seen earlier, and I could hear Lady Calloway's voice clearly.
"This is a waste of time," she was saying, "we wouldn't even be here if Sosorion was king."
"What was that, Lady Calloway?" I asked, and the young girl froze, turning slowly to meet my gaze. She quickly dropped her eyes to the ground, and opened her mouth, but nothing came out.
"Nothing…your majesty," she stammered.
I nodded, trying to suppress the smile that rose within me. Turning away, I was helped into the carriage, and after nearly a minute of silence, the chatting began again.
"You're on a first name basis now?" someone asked.
"Your majesty." It was Naramay. "I was wondering if I could journey with you. Some of my friends live in the village, and I haven't seen them in so long."
"Of course, Naramay!" I said gaily. "Ride with me." After some coaxing, the dryad took a seat beside me.
Susan and Lucy sat opposite us, and eventually the procession began. The ride in my carriage was silent, but I could hear the sounds of conversation ringing through the air from the other carriages.
The familiar iron gate swung open, and the procession stopped. Several satyrs and dryads and even some humans turned to us in astonishment. Stepping out of the carriage, with Naramay at my heels, I made my way to a young faun, whose eyes were a soft blue, and his hair was a fiery red. I knelt down to his level.
"Hello there," I murmured, taking his hand in mine. "Remember me?"
"Lady Charlotte," he nodded, putting his index finger to my nose.
"Queen Charlotte," an older faun, of whom I assumed to be his mother, hissed.
"Cirrus," he pointed to himself.
"Yes, I remember you, Cirrus. And you can call me plain-old 'Charlotte'. I could do without some formalities for once."
"Plain-old Charlotte," he put his finger to my nose again.
"Plain-old Charlotte," I nodded, my eyes sparkling.
At that moment, Susan and Naramay went to find there old friends, and Lucy joined Cirrus and I. The Ladies of the Court gingerly stepped out of their carriages, and began to mingle, sharing their thoughts with the villagers, but mostly with each other.
I suppose they cannot help it.
But I'm sure they could. If they tried.
Lord Sosorion
"I told them that you'd make a much better ruler on the Narnian throne that the kings and queens," Lady Calloway was saying, as she brushed her long, auburn locks of hair.
Would that woman ever stop talking? Lord Sosorion thought. He was propped up against some pillows, reading a book on Narnian politics he had found in the library. Callie was almost ready for bed; she just had to change into her nightgown.
"Queen Charlotte had interrupted me once, asking what I had said. It was a very close call," she continued.
"I'm sure it was, Callie," his eyes never left his book.
She eventually came to his side and turned so she wasn't facing him. "Help me with this?" she asked.
He uttered a curse word so softly, that he wasn't sure he said it. It wasn't that he didn't enjoyed Lady Calloway's presence. No, he enjoyed it greatly; it was the fact that she just couldn't keep her mouth shut at times. But it could be an asset to him.
Sosorion stood and began to unbutton her gown. He pressed kisses into the nape of her neck and into her hair and he smiled softly when he heard a soft moan escape her lips. He liked the fact that he could be in control of her. She would do whatever he asked of her. And after his talk with Lord Palamore the day before, she would be of great importance to the task at hand. Yes, maybe her incessant talk about him would pay off in the end. Maybe it would.
"Callie," he murmured, turning her to him and capturing her lips into his. "Do you love me? Would you do anything for me?"
"Of course, Sosorion," she said, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Good," he laid her onto the bed. "Because there is something I need you to do."
Charlotte
Peter and I walked along the beach. The moonlight set its glow upon us, and in my left hand was the picnic basket and in Peter's was the velvet blanket. We laid everything out near a large peace tree near the garden, and began picking peaches and apples to eat. We brought some bread and cheese with us, and a tumbler of spiced wine.
"It's a good thing we took this from Edmund, otherwise he would've had another hangover," Peter chuckled.
"Quite the contrary, Edmund has actually refrained from drinking any wine. I'm not sure why."
"I believe he wants to be alert when the Lords of the Council are around..." he mused.
"I'm afraid to see what they're going to do," I shook my head, "they've always been so secretive. I can't understand it. The visions I've been happening don't seem to make much sense right now. I try to make it seem logical, but it never does."
"Don't strain yourself, darling," he let a hand rest on my hip. "Besides, this was supposed to be a romantic night." he moved against me and kissing planting kisses down my neck.
I let myself relax against the large tree, and he began to draw the strings on the front of my gown.
"No, Peter, not here, not now..." I whispered somewhat heatedly.
"Why not?" he asked, the light in his eyes was slightly faded.
"You needy king," I sat up, beginning to tie the strings.
"Can I help it if I love and want my wife?" he drew my hands away and kissed them tenderly.
"You're very forward," I couldn't help but blush.
"You're very beautiful," he murmured, slightly awestruck.
After some time of laying in the glory of the stars, Peter and I packed up, and headed back to the palace.
"After a long day in the village, I will be glad for some rest," I said, taking the pins out of my hair, that had begun to ache some time ago.
"How did it go, by the way?" Peter asked. I had been in bed for quite a while now, and he was just preparing to enter himself and turn out the light.
"I think it went very well," I admitted, "of course, I found out something about Lady Calloway." He sighed heavily, and I hit his arm. "It's important! She feels that Lord Sosorion would make a good king. She says that I just stall for time, and that looks can't run a kingdom."
"It's true, beauty cannot run a kingdom," Peter said, and at my wide eyed expression, he quickly added, "but, it does help." He kissed my cheek. "Still, it is not her place in saying so. Did you reprimand her?"
"I only asked her what she said, and she became her usual shy self again. Lord Sosorion is doing something do her. It's as if she's under a spell. It's as if…Peter, do you think they're having an affair?" It struck me now.
"He's from Calormen. I wouldn't be surprised."
"I'm surprised I'm not getting a different reaction from you!" I set the book I had been reading aside and laid my head down onto the pillows.
"With Calormene men, they usually go from one woman to the next," Peter said, failing to stifle a yawn. "I'm sure it will pass. Maybe one day, every Lady of the Court will be turned against him." He blew out the candle.
"Maybe," I whispered, closing my eyes.
He murmured a "yes" and encircled his arms around my waist. I felt his lips atop my forehead for a moment, and eventually I heard the steady pattern of his breathing against my back.
There were a lot of "maybes" in this time. Maybe…just maybe…they would all disappear.
Maybe.
A/N: Yes, alot of maybes it this chapter. But there were a few close calls (hence the chapter title) and overall I hope you liked it. You didn't think Lady Calloway would be so important, did you? No, I don't think you did. Oh, well. I can't promise much on when I'll post again, but I'll try to make it soon. Scones and iced tea to all who review! Thanks for reading :))
