Disclaimer: I don't own Narnia or any characters you may recognize from the books or the movies, I wish I did but I don't... I also don't own the Narnian Calendar. It belongs to Elecktrum who was kind enough to let me borrow it for my story. Her own stories are awesome and you should go read them too.
Summary: After almost a year of conflict in both the North and the South, Narnia's borders are secured once more. Hope brightens as Narnia prepares for a year of peace. Yet, when shadows from the past threaten, will the light be smothered or shine all the brighter?
A/N: If you have not read the first eleven stories in the A Light in the Darkness main story arc (Awakened, Shadowed, Revealed, Concealed, Rekindled, Refracted, Reflected, Veiled, Unveiled, Eclipsed, and Obscured), I highly recommend you do so for the full experience. However, I have included a quick summary of the previous stories so if you want to give this one a whirl on its own, you can.
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Of Centaurs and Diplomats
5 Quickening 1014
Happy shrieks filled the air as two young Centaurs raced along the beach. The Gulls cried encouragement or warnings to be careful but only Solon shouted in answer. He grinned over his shoulder at the small filly as she raced as fast as she could still. "Come on, Althea! Catch me!" He reared up, forelegs pawing the air as he raised his arms over his head and gave his only little war cry, before he lunged into a gallop with his baby sister dashing after him.
Alambiel laughed softly as she watched the foals playing. She rested her hand on her bump and imagined that she might soon be watching her own son galloping in Solon's wake or holding a happily squealing filly who would not be able to chase after Centaur playmates for the better part of a year at the very least. It seemed so unreal to even be able to imagine such a thing.
"For a woman who is insisting that diplomats and the like should not know about her coming foal, you are not making a good attempt at drawing attention away from your condition."
Alambiel grinned then forced it away as she propped her fists on her hips. "And comments like that are why I will be giving Solon as many biscuits as he wants this evening."
"And I will ensure he works off those biscuits by keeping his sire busy."
Alambiel glanced over her shoulder at Alithia and laughed. "Oh I'm sure Ardon will appreciate that."
The Centauress' low laugh mingled with hers. Her eyes twinkled as she brushed back her chocolate hair. "I do not think Ardon has quite adjusted to the demands of having two young foals in our house."
"Males are never as prepared as they think they are for additional cubs," Neith pronounced without ever looking up from her meticulous grooming.
The women exchanged amused glances before Alithia called for her children to stay away from the water. Alambiel watched with more than a small amount of mirth as Solon made a show of sighing and dragging his hooves as he moved away from the gently lapping waves only to be perfectly imitated by his baby sister. "I think you will have very full hands with those two, Alithia."
"It will only get worse as they age," the Centauress sighed. "My mother and Ardon's mother have both assured me of it."
Neith chuckled. "You will survive because you are the mother. I would worry more about your mate. He will not take very well to the first time his little daughter catches male admiration."
Alambiel's grin grew as she and Alithia exchanged a look. "Ardon and Oreius have already grumbled over the hazards of having fillies. For a number of years now."
Neith lowered her paw at that and gave them a curious look. "Oh?"
"Yes, the Queens' appeal to various potential suitors has long been a thorn in their hooves. And I imagine it will only be worse with fillies of their own blood." Alambiel smirked a little as she added, "I am rather surprised that Oreius didn't insist on sending more of an escort with Lucy given he's been breathing fire over Tarrin's interest since she came of age."
"Even Ardon has not mentioned it and he is Captain of the Royal Guard." Alithia's smile grew as Solon took Althea by the hand and led her back up the beach. "However, he has been rather distracted over the last few months. As has your Oreius. Though I never imagined that even news of his own coming foal would be enough to distract him."
"Oreius will deny it to his last breath too so let's not distress our Stallions by mentioning it."
"Mama, did you see? Althea almost jumped like she's s'posed to! But I'm still faster than her. Did you see, Mama?"
Alithia laughed as she bent to kiss Solon's hair and then picked little Althea up, cradling the young foal close. "I saw, my son. I saw you both." She nuzzled Althea's hair and then kissed the little filly's nose, making the baby squeal and capture her dam's long hair in both fists.
Solon trotted over to Alambiel, his eyes bright and sides heaving a little. He grabbed her hand and tugged. "Aunt Alambiel, are you going to play tig with me? Althea is too little to follow the rules. She thinks she's always it," he explained with solemn exasperation.
"Aunt Alambiel is not allowed to play tig right now, Solon. Didn't your da and uncle tell you?"
The young colt scrunched his nose but nodded. "Yes, Mama." He turned back to Alambiel and tugged on her hand a little. "How come you can't play tig, Aunt Alambiel? And how come Uncle said I can't help wake you up early so you can go gallop before sunup? How are you going to not be lazy if I don't help?"
She really hadn't made Oreius suffer enough to make up for all the, ahem, interesting things he had apparently been filling Solon's ears with about her. Alambiel crouched down, still holding Solon's hand in hers. "My dear Solon, I love playing tig with you and I'm certain we will play many games. However, for now I cannot play tig because Tuulea won't let me."
"Are you sick?"
"No." She kissed his forehead. "I am feeling quite well, thank you. But you know who really needs to play tig?"
Solon shook his head, eyes shining with excitement and his tail twitching. "Who, Aunt Alambiel? Who?"
"Uncle."
"Uncle and Da are busy," Solon protested.
"They're not that busy. They're just trying to pummel the Kings again and I think they will feel far less grumpy if they play tig with you." Alambiel grinned as she added, "And you can tell your Da and Uncle that Aunt Alambiel said they need to play tig before I make them go play in the marshes."
Solon made a face. "The marshes are icky."
"I shall never argue with that," she admitted with a laugh. "Now you go off and get your Da and Uncle. They have to play tig now."
Solon looked at his mother, nearly dancing in place, as he breathlessly asked, "Can I, Mama?"
"Yes, go see them but come straight home if Da says you mayn't stay."
"Yay!" The colt didn't wait another breath before he galloped toward the training yards. A quick glance at the sky confirmed one of the Hawks had broken off patrol in order to follow the youngster. He would not be allowed to wander too far off course if he were distracted. Although Alambiel rather doubted it. She only wished she could see the Kentauri's face when Solon gave him her message.
"I am not certain I like the idea of your using my colt as a means to needle Oreius and Ardon."
"Alithia. They started it. I am merely encouraging bonding time between Stallions and colts. Besides, Solon so missed his da and uncle that he told me everything they ever said about me, my laziness, and probably you too."
Alithia didn't say anything at first as she stroked her daughter's hair. Then the Centauress flicked her tail. "I hope he makes them play at least three games of tig. In front of all their soldiers."
"Now that is more like it," Alambiel said approvingly.
Neith cleaned her paw and then rubbed her face before she murmured, "So this is why Ptah said you delighted in batting at the General."
Ignoring the pang of regret, Alambiel forced herself to grin. "He is my husband. If I don't bat at him, who would?"
"No one usually thinks to 'bat' at a Centaur any more than they dare to laugh at one, especially a warrior like Oreius," Alithia pointed out.
"And that's why I do it. Besides he likes the fact that I give him a challenge."
Alithia raised an eyebrow. "Does he?"
"Of course. Otherwise he would have strangled me years ago instead of chasing me until I finally agreed to marry him."
"Is that so?"
Alambiel almost squeaked at the sudden interjection by a voice far too deep to be either Neith or Alithia. Drat those two for not warning her. Pasting an innocent smile on, Alambiel whirled to see her Kentauri watching her with his patently unamused expression. Honestly, no father-to-be should be allowed to make that face at his wife even if he is the General and known for having no sense of humor in spite of all her hard work over the years. "Oreius, I- I thought you were busy this afternoon."
"Yet that did not stop you from sending Solon to demand a game of tig from his sire."
"Well, I actually told him that you needed to play tig too."
Oreius arched a single eyebrow as he folded his arms over his chest. "I am aware."
Oooh so he was going to be that way. This could be a little more difficult to extricate herself from than she had thought. A quick glance proved that Neith and Alithia had abandoned her. Cowards. She turned her attention back to Oreius and gave him a winning smile. "So instead of playing tig, you decided to come surprise me with your always welcome company? How flattering, Chuisle."
"Alambiel."
"Yes, dear?"
Oreius sighed heavily and then looked over her head. Probably toward the ocean. She really hoped he wasn't thinking what she was afraid he was thinking. "Tuulea said no tossing."
The Kentauri's dark gaze returned to her and a tiny quiver shook the corner of his mouth. He raised both eyebrows. "Yes, I am aware." He leaned down suddenly and breathed in her ear, "However, if you think you are going to escape without some punishment for your mischief, Wife, you have forgotten much in my absence this past year."
She barely kept from giggling as a delicious shiver ran down her spine and curled her toes. "Be careful, my dear General, or else I will take that as a challenge. And we both know I always win when I am challenged."
"You carry much confidence for a Mare who is not allowed to prove her words are more than fluff."
A grin curled her lips as she purred, "And you speak bravely for a Stallion who knows I do not have to lift a finger in order to visit chaos upon your armory. And I can certainly create enough mischief to even exhaust you by the merest rearrangement of your schedule. Perhaps you should reconsider testing me, hmm? It might be, mmm, dangerous."
Fire danced in his dark eyes as he held her gaze. "One does not become the General of the Army by shying away from dangerous foes. However," his eyes flicked over her, "I also suspect I can find a way to force your surrender and perhaps even an alliance."
"An alliance? And who exactly am I supposed to ally myself with, hmm?"
The fire danced hotter as his fingers tangled with hers, stroking over her skin and circling the betrothal and wedding rings adorning her fingers. He never looked away as he dipped his head toward her. "I am certain that the alliance I intend to propose will be more than satisfying. Alambiel, I-"
"I found you!"
Oreius closed his eyes as a groan escaped. Alambiel was torn between disappointment and amusement as Solon shouted again, "I caught you, Uncle! You're it now."
"Wonderful," the Kentauri muttered. Then he grunted as Solon shoved against his right foreleg. "Come on, Uncle! You can't pick Aunt Alambiel. She's not allowed to play tig, 'member? Come on! Da said he was faster than you."
Oreius scowled at him. "Your Da has never been able to outrun me since before we were your age."
Unable to resist tugging on his tail, Alambiel murmured, "Isn't Ardon older than you?"
"Not enough to signify," the Kentauri countered. Then he took her hand once more, pulling her close as his breath tickled her lips but he didn't kiss her. "And if winning this foolish game of tig will prove the worthiness of my proposed alliance, then I will win it. And you will have no recourse save to be extremely…impressed."
He released her before she could react and then galloped down the beach with Solon racing beside him. In moments, she saw Oreius chasing Ardon into the rolling surf. She laughed softly. "Soon enough, my little one, your father will be playing with you on this beach. Even if it takes a little longer for a proper game of tig if you are a filly. And know he will love absolutely every minute of it."
"Ah, Your Highness! I am so delighted to have found you. I was just telling my Jokin that I had been quite despairing of seeing you again."
Alambiel's smile vanished and she barely resisted the urge to protectively cover her bump. Oreius was still playing tig with Solon and Ardon but a cry would bring both Centaur Stallions to her side before there was much chance for any harm to be rendered. And she did have a few daggers hidden away. She forced a pleasant expression back into place before she turned to greet the Zelaians. Baroness Jael was not accompanied by her nephew, however, small relief that it was. The knot in her middle eased a little more when she caught sight of Neith creeping up behind the baroness and Sobek was circling on the baroness' other side.
"Baroness Jael, am I to understand that you have been searching for me?"
The baroness did not seem to notice any hesitance or displeasure as she nodded. "Oh yes, I have been wanting to speak with you for some time but you have been indisposed. I do hope that your condition hasn't proven too troubling. I recall that my second time was absolutely plagued to the point that I thought I might lose the babe, which I did not much to my lord's pleasure since that was the first time I bore him a son. Of course, my understanding is that you've already suffered the loss of a babe. I do wonder if that is caused by the, well, the unusual nature of your union. However, you shouldn't despair. If you're still early on when the coming child is lost, you can still give your husband another child before too much time has passed. I've seen it happen many a time. Or rather I should say I have heard about it many a time as neither of my daughters have had such unhappiness visited on their houses and they have six sons between them. Both are expected to give their husbands a new child before autumn is upon us so I am quite eager to visit them again." She paused suddenly, looking almost confused, as she exclaimed, "Why, Your Highness, you look positively white as a sheet. Perhaps you should sit down? Oh where are your attendants? I do not understand the Narnian penchant for not keeping servants at the ready to attend a lady's needs at any moment. You would never see such a thing in Archenland, I wager."
Alambiel fought the urge to lose her breakfast. The still tender wound of her lost foal had been ripped open and she felt as though a blade through her heart would have been less painful. Tears burned against the back of her eyes but she blinked them away. She would not show this…this woman any hint of weakness. Solon's bright laughter carried to her, giving her something to focus on as she counted to ten. She forced her lips to curve up in a facsimile of a smile. "Baroness, am I to understand that you have been told I am with child?"
"Why, yes, of course!"
"I see." She was going to kill Oreius for ever breathing a word to the army. The diplomats were not supposed to know. "And who exactly gave you this information?"
The baroness blinked almost as though she had been expecting a different reply. Had she only been probing or was it something more…sinister? She couldn't tell, Aslan preserve her, she could not tell what was driving the baroness' careless comments. Malice or simple nosiness. She did not know. And that worried her. Baroness Jael's voice broke into her thoughts again. "Why I do believe Jokin was the first to confide it to me. But I think he said he had heard it from one of your own people…a Wolf perhaps? Although I cannot recall if it was one of those rascals who tag after the Just King. I confess I have had some difficulty keeping all these creatures straight in my mind. Oh and then I heard several of the Queens' ladies-in-waiting discussing how happy they are that you have another chance to start a family."
Alambiel bit back the instinctive snap at the slight against Narnians and released a slow breath through her nose. Aslan help her but she wasn't going to be able to hide her growing frustration for much longer. Still she drew on all her princess lessons and managed to keep a civil tongue in her head as she quietly replied, "I see. It would seem that my life has once again become fodder for the Cair Paravel's rumor mill. I do hope it has not caused you too much worry over my health as I assure you I am in perfect health. If you would like, we may schedule a meeting for the morrow."
The baroness' eyes narrowed for a half a heartbeat before her expression eased, a movement so small that Alambiel might have missed it if she had not been watching for it. The baroness' smile did not reach her eyes this time as she gave a little laugh. "Oh that is reassuring. Although I confess to some confusion now. Are you not carrying the General's child?" Her eyes widened and she lowered her voice slightly, "Of course he was gone for the better part of a year to my understanding and it would not be unheard of for a woman to seek companionship when her soldier husband is away on a long campaign."
"Baroness Jael, for the sake of the relationship between Narnia and Zelaia, I am going to pretend I didn't hear that. However, if I hear even a hint of a whisper that I was unfaithful to my husband, no matter how 'understandable' the situation, I will not rest until the one responsible for those rumors has not only retracted such despicable falsehoods but is banned from the court of the Four." She paused a long moment as she held the woman's gaze and then added softly, "I am also certain you value the relationship between our two countries far too much to do anything that could jeopardize it."
"Well, yes, of course. I…I meant no harm, truly. Forgive my rambling, I fear my tongue at times runs ahead of my mind." Two bright spots appeared in the woman's cheeks as she looked away from Alambiel. Her gaze rested on the three Centaurs down the beach. "Some things I shall never grow used to…"
Alambiel turned slightly in order to see them. Oreius and Ardon had locked arms, each clearly trying force the other off his hooves, while Solon pranced around them as he filled the air with childish shouts of encouragement. Ardon might have been huge even by Centaur standards but he had yet to force Oreius into giving ground. Had the circumstances been any different than they were, Alambiel might have run down there to shout encouragements of her own.
"You truly love him."
"With all my heart," she avowed before she focused once more on the baroness. "Why did you wish to see me?"
"It was more a matter of curiosity than import, I must admit." The baroness finally looked away from the Centaurs in favor of running her eyes over Alambiel, focusing on her middle. "You must not be very far along. That is if you are with child. Of course, if Narnia is like Zelaia or even Archenland, then you will not have much time before you are confined. Once you begin to show, correct?"
"The women of Narnia do not practice confinement. We are not ashamed of carrying new life." Alambiel hesitated, weighing her words and asking herself if she truly wanted to confirm her pregnancy in this manner. She shook her head. "With respect, Baroness, it is not your concern if I am with child or not. It has no bearing on our negotiations and, in truth, I consider it rather poor taste to harass a woman solely to discover if she is indeed carrying new life. Though it is not so bad mannered as to remind her of a past loss. As it is, I fear I will not be able to make time for a meeting tomorrow. Perhaps in the next sennight. Until then, I bid you farewell."
The baroness opened her mouth but only squeaked when Neith brushed close to her skirts. She gave the Leopardess a wary glance before she hurried off without so much as a word. Alambiel almost kissed Neith for doing it. As it was, she contented herself with resting a hand on Neith's head as she murmured her thanks. The Leopardess butted her hand and stuck close by her side with Sobek noticeably closer as well when Alambiel left the bluff in favor of the beach.
Oreius gave a shout as he successfully knocked Ardon off balance (with a little help of the distraction caused by Solon darting beneath his father) and then shoved him so the bigger Stallion fell into the incoming wave. There was just a hint of a proud strut in Oreius' step when he spied her and left the sputtering Ardon and chortling Solon in favor of coming out of the water. However, the roguish glint in his eyes vanished as he drew close enough to study her face. "Alambiel, what is it? What is wrong?"
She shook her head, not wanting to cry. "It is nothing. I merely had the occasion to speak with the Baroness Jael. It seems there have been a number of rumors spreading that I am with child and the baroness felt the need to see if she could learn the truth of the matter."
Oreius stiffened but his touch was gentle as he cupped her chin and pushed until she raised her eyes to his. His dark eyes searched hers for a long moment before he rumbled, "And what did you tell her?"
"That it was not her business."
"I will speak to her."
"Please don't. I fear she will only say something to insult you and, like it or not, she is still a guest of the Four. And the lead diplomat from Zelaia." Alambiel touched his hand for only a moment before she added, "And I do not think you have the patience to tolerate the careless nonsense that the baroness lets fall from her lips with such ease."
Oreius scowled. "That does not reassure me at all. What did she say to you?"
"It is of no matter now," she insisted. She offered him a faint smile. "Besides I think you should concentrate on the fact that Ardon is now seeking to redeem himself in his colt's eyes."
The Kentauri did not smile or allow her to redirect the conversation easily. If anything he grew more grave. "Are you certain you are all right?"
"Yes." She offered a smile she didn't feel and could only hope he didn't notice enough to point it out. "Yes, Oreius, I am fine. But I fear I feel rather weary. I think I am going to lie down for a while and rest. We still have the banquet to get through tonight and it wouldn't do for me to fall asleep before afters are served. Especially since I've been told afters are to be chocolate cake."
Oreius frowned but nodded. He stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers and then tugged a lock of hair free although he didn't press a kiss to it this time. Rubbing his thumb over the hair curling around his finger, he seemed torn. "Do you want me to escort you back, sweet?"
This time she offered him a real smile. "That is not necessary. I have Neith and Sobek and I do not intend to make any detours between here and our quarters."
"Very well." Oreius paused and then looked as though he were about to say something further when Solon galloped up to him. The Centaur colt chortled as he flung a long strand of seaweed onto Oreius' back. Then he galloped away to his laughing sire, shouting for the world to hear that he got Uncle.
Alambiel smiled and nodded to Oreius. "Well you cannot let that blatant rebellion go unanswered, Husband. It would be most undignified for a General to be so soundly defeated by a mere colt."
The concern did not fade entirely from his eyes but he still nodded. He kissed her forehead. "Rest well, love. I shall ensure no shame falls on our house due to a mischievous colt of a rival house and herd."
A laugh escaped her at that and she stayed long enough to watch Oreius gallop toward his challengers and fling the offending piece of seaweed into Ardon's beard. Sobek only accompanied her and Neith to the palace itself before leaving. She had no doubt that her husband would soon know the whole of the baroness' cruel words. She could only hope he kept his temper. And despite her initial weariness, Alambiel quickly found herself bypassing her bedchamber in favor of once more entering the nursery. She had already stenciled the outlines for the murals on the walls and now she only lacked painting. Picking up her paintbrush and palette, Alambiel crossed to the far wall. She would start with Aslan.
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A/N: Please Read and Review!
