A/n:
Yo! Thank you, Artemis-hunt-goddess, EC, Anon, GoldenAgeNarnian, AQuafin, QueenElenaofnarnia, Emily, PeterCaspianRlz, Narniafan, Aslanmane, Emma, Connors, QueenLucyfan, elomeno, Lea97, sarahwood, etc. for bringing this story to 400 reviews! So hip hip hurrah x3!
This chapter does contain some Caspian/Katrina but it's mostly dedicated to the Edmund/Gilda and Susan/Tyrone shippers. Enjoy! :D
(Telmarine Castle, Narnia)
~Chronicler's POV~
When Katrina finally woke up, she was not surprised to find her sister sitting by her bed, Ines's facial expression turning from one of worry to one of relief. But Katrina had certainly not expected to see King Caspian beside her bed.
"Your Majesty?" Katrina asked in a croaked voice as Ines helped her sister with a goblet of water that was placed on the night stand.
"Katrina," said Caspian, watching her intently. It was alright for a patient to not curtsy, since she was lying down already, but the King kissed Katrina's hand anyway.
"Are you feeling any better now?" Ines inquired. "The chocolate in your cookie was poisoned."
Katrina nodded in response but still looked bewildered. "Why would anyone do this?"
"Because," said Ines sardonically with a sigh. "A certain father and daughter apparently think they're above everybody else."
Katrina sighed. Of course she knew, right away, who her sister was talking about. "Have you got proof they did it?"
"Not yet," Ines grumbled. "But a team of gendarmes are working on our case and they're pretty trusty."
"I wish we could just make peace with them," said Katrina. "Why be at war instead?"
Caspian was actually moved by that forgiving and angelic personality Katrina had. She never had much of a grudge over anyone, regardless of how they had wronged her. But Ines rolled her eyes. "We did give them a chance to be nice to us, Katrina. They just ruined it. I'd give them a second chance, but frankly they have yet to show me they're worthy of it."
"But you forgive them?" Caspian enquired.
"Yes, my King," Katrina nodded. "Whoever did this, I forgive. Besides, it's better me than any royal the poison was intended for."
"Why? They don't deserve it!" Ines groused.
Katrina shrugged. "What they did can't be undone anyway. So, to me, there's really no point in being bitter."
"You have a noble heart, Katrina," said Caspian. A heart that Narnia needs, he thought to himself. A heart that I need, he wanted to add.
"I just wish I could have done something, said something to prevent this from even happening," Ines said remorsefully, even though Katrina beamed at Caspian's praise.
"Don't burden yourself with guilt," Katrina advised. "You're not the one at fault here."
"Promise me you'll stay safe though, and be extra careful from now on," Caspian said with a serious tone.
"I promise, Your Majesty," Katrina nodded.
"Good, because I've been waiting here all this time. I wouldn't be able to come to terms with it if anything bad happened to you. This time someone broke your bracelet, but what if next time –" Caspian gulped.
"I'll keep my sister safe too," Ines added. "I give you my word, my King."
"If it is my place to speak, Your Majesty, Princess Gilda must be very fortunate – or blessed – to have such a wonderful and caring man as her future husband," Katrina said, the hint of envy in her tone every so slight.
"Well, yes, I suppose," Caspian said, sounding a little forced. "I think we can all look forward to a happy matrimony between myself and her royal person."
"Oh, my King, do you always address Her Highness that formally?" Ines asked curiously.
Caspian sighed. "Hopefully not always," he said curtly, showing no eagerness to further pursue the topic. "A meal shall be brought to you shortly, Katrina," he stood up. "Now, I must take my leave of you ladies."
The sisters nodded. And with that, he exited the ward to join his royal friends for dinner.
"I'm going to notify Viscountess Beryl of your condition, and I'll come back to check on you after dinner. Would that be fine?" Ines queried.
"Yes, thank you," Katrina nodded, smiling weakly and sat up so she could have dinner – a poison-free meal.
Within a couple of days, Katrina had fully recovered, and resumed her training course, continuing to perform well. Frankly, Lady Carissa was appalled to know that all the royals were well and unharmed, and that Ines and Katrina were still not expelled from the training program yet, after the cookie poisoning accident she obviously was one of the masterminds of. But she had to keep this to herself, and not give away any clues to the officers of the constabulary that she had something to do with the incident.
So, days passed peacefully without further attempts on anybody's life. December had arrived, and December was always Queen Susan's favorite month of the year, not only because her birthday was on the 16th, but also because the winter snow set a romantic atmosphere. The winter dresses and gloves and millineries were always the prettiest anyway. On the other hand, King Edmund, after some not so pleasant experiences with the White Witch Jadis, didn't want to be cold again. Ever.
Edmund had always preferred the blazing summer, no matter how much it made him sweat. Even in the sweltering heat he did not mind marching out onto the fields to practice sword fighting, slicing down all the dummies with ease. Lucy, on the other hand, loved spring. It was sort of linked to Aslan, and the trees that came back to life and danced after a long period of hibernation. Peter, though, was always one for autumn. It was just the right balance. The four Pevensie siblings represented different things, and complemented each other so well.
Susan had just finished breakfast one day. She knew that today King Peter and King Caspian were at the council meeting, while King Edmund and Queen Lucy were in their offices looking through some official documents – all just a part of being a ruler.
Susan was always the most methodical and efficient one. She had already signed all the documents that required her approval, and her office was now tidy. With nothing to do for the rest of the day, she looked out the window and wondered when it was going to start snowing. This year's snow came late. It usually began in November. She had missed the snow, and the fun of frolicking in it with her dearest siblings. It wasn't as if anyone could ever say no to a snowball fight anyway.
It was as if Susan had gotten an extra early birthday wish. A few delicate, tiny snowflakes were starting to fall from the sky. One had landed on the window sill of her office. She beamed immediately, her mood instantly brightened. At that moment, she felt as if she was the happiest person in Narnia.
Susan felt the urge to share the joy with her loved ones. Like a little kid, but in the most ladylike manner possible, she ran out. The guards stationed in the corridors were wondering why the Gentle Queen was so exhilarated, but she didn't have the time to explain to them just yet. She rushed to Lucy's office, and then the Valiant Queen's light squeals of laughter could be vaguely heard. Then together, the two sisters burst into Edmund's office. The Just King had to drop the baguette he was eating – his second breakfast, as usual – because his sisters had dragged him out from his warmer, cozier office, to outside. He decided not to grimace so that he wouldn't ruin their mood. Instead of running around in the open courtyard like his sisters did, he just wrapped his cloak closer to himself and beamed at them.
While the two Queens frolicked, Edmund was just distracted. He kicked a pebble around and pursed his lips when the pebble dropped into a ball of moss. He looked up and saw the tree he once caught Princess Gilda drawing under. He thought of her instantly.
And as luck would have it, her royal person showed up at just the right moment. Graciously, she was making her way through the courtyard to the post office. She had a letter to send to her parents, asking for confirmation regarding their tentatively proposed visit to the Telmarine Castle during Christmas time. Gilda smiled once she spotted Edmund, and paced briskly to meet him.
"Hello, Edmund," said Gilda softly.
"Hi," Edmund smiled.
"There are snowflakes in my hair," Gilda giggled.
"Oh, I thought it was raining dandruff over these lands," Edmund joked.
Gilda laughed. "I knew I could always count on you to make me laugh."
"Well, I thank you, but I would think, isn't it supposed to be Caspian's job, rather?" Edmund replied as he walked around with Gilda.
Gilda's smile faded. "It's not his job. He has no duty toward me."
"No; he's your husband. I mean, he's going to be your husband, so yes, he does have a duty toward you," Edmund iterated.
"We're not married yet," Gilda insisted. "He's just my political fiancé."
"Humph. Fine," Edmund shrugged. "I'm not going to argue with you. For I do suppose it is a husband's job to banter with his wife."
"Edmund," Gilda rolled her eyes. "Must you?"
"I really just want you and Caspian to work things out," he said honestly. "Clearly you'll need to be doing that, because it would just be the most awkward thing in the world if you just don't know whether or not you should keep emotionally investing in this relationship, romantic wise."
"I'm actually on the brink of giving up, to be honest. I mean, I still am going to marry him. But love? Love is not part of the equation. When we signed the agreement, it wasn't one of the things listed on the pact. It never was. And perhaps it shouldn't be. It'll just complicate things," Gilda said as she adjusted her scarf. "But don't tell Caspian that. He won't be happy with me if he knows."
"Question is, are you happy with him?" Edmund prodded smartly.
Gilda turned to look at Edmund, smiling wryly. "See, why doesn't Caspian have your quick wit, eh?"
"Your complaint will be processed by the industrial relations department. But my answer to your question is: because you can't recreate perfection," said Edmund smugly.
Gilda laughed. "You enjoy teasing me. And ignoring your sisters, too."
"Yes. They're my favorite pastimes. My hobbies, actually. I find them to be refreshing and uplifting," Edmund chuckled. "In fact, I might turn them into a full-time profession. Who cares about being king? Being a harmlessly mean sibling and friend is much better. At least there's job satisfaction."
"You might be sent back to one of the sovereign isles for bad behavior," Gilda said, but in a joking tone and not an admonitory one.
"Ooh, that would just be really bad. Because it means you won't get to see me anymore, and what would you do without me?" Edmund asked rhetorically. "I would think you would miss me so much that you'd just end up having me sent back to Court so I can come back swinging."
"That would be breaking a rule, and I would say that would be against your nature, my Just King," Gilda pointed out cleverly.
"Ah, well you got me there," Edmund laughed merrily. "Feel better now?"
"Yes," Gilda nodded satisfactorily. "But it doesn't change the solemnity of the situation. What if Caspian decides he doesn't want to marry me anymore? Since he does not love me. And I would think he would probably much prefer one of the ladies in training to me."
"Then I guess you'll just be sent back to your parents. Sent back to Anvard. Ooh," Edmund said casually.
But Gilda gasped. "King Edmund! That is a dreadful thing to say!"
"Huh? What?" Edmund stuttered. "Why the sudden formality?"
"Don't you understand, Your Majesty? It's the worst thing that could ever happen to a maiden!" Gilda explained. "To be sent back to her parents' household, with an engagement dissolved. I'd have no future, and hardly any prospects of every getting a good husband again."
"Oh. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I just – I wasn't aware of how marriage customs have changed over the years. It seems I really have been away for too long," Edmund replied quietly.
"Well you're forgiven," Gilda said carefully. "But I just wish things weren't the way they are."
"Well we're just humans. There are a lot of things we can't do. Still, why don't I tell you something you actually can do?" Edmund offered.
"Sure; go ahead," Gilda nodded and listened intently.
"Let your smile change the world, but don't let the world change your smile," Edmund said eruditely. "You have a beautiful smile. It would indeed be a pity if you stopped wearing it."
"I haven't been given a whole lot of reason to smile lately," Gilda admitted.
"Well then, I am going to do something about that, Gilda. I am going to give you a reason to smile, each day," Edmund said, smiling.
Now Gilda smiled. "Sounds like a plan."
As the two Queens played, Lucy ended up literally rolling on the floor laughing. When they could finally hold back their giggles, Lucy sneezed. She rubbed her hands together and let out puffs of air.
"It's getting really cold. Maybe we should get back, Lu," said Susan.
"Well, I will get back, but I'm not sure you want to go back inside just yet," Lucy smirked.
"Why?" Susan inquired, a little lost.
"Because," Lucy giggled, an impish glint in her eye. "You have a man to keep you warm!"
"Oh, Lu," Susan rolled her eyes. "I have a cloak to keep me warm."
"Got to go!" Lucy said suddenly, turning on her heel and running back inside.
"What's up with you, Lucy?" Susan enquired, chuckling. She wondered if this was one of Edmund's pranks, but he was nowhere to be seen. Oh, well, maybe that was his plan, Susan thought to herself.
"Ed?" Susan asked hesitantly. "You sure this is a good place to play hide and seek?" She looked around. "I thought you hated this game, brother."
Susan rounded a corner and heard some footsteps behind her. She stopped abruptly and turned around, but nobody was there. There wasn't enough snow accumulated to see the footprints. So she shook her head and kept walking.
Suddenly, a pair of gloved hands was clamped over her eyes. She squeaked in shock but when she realized that it wasn't a stranger trying to assault or kidnap her, she turned around and came face to face to the man she loved.
"Tyrone," Susan squealed, embracing him.
"Susan, hmm," Tyrone laughed. "Did I scare you?"
"A little," Susan admitted. "I nearly thought this was one of Edmund's pranks. Because I can't find him anywhere."
"Well I saw him just a few minutes ago, walking to the post office with the Princess Gilda," Tyrone reported.
"Oh, Lucy and I must be horribly boring people for Edmund to have gone off with Gilda and neglecting us like that," Susan joked.
"That's nonsense; you're the most fascinating woman I've ever met," Tyrone said, grinning. "And, your sister had done quite good a job in concealing me from your sight so that I could have a moment alone with you."
"You had wanted to speak with me?" Susan queried.
"I had just wanted to be with you," Tyrone explained. "Spending the first snow, the first winter with you my lady. Simply because it's romantic."
"Is sneaking up on me even considered romantic?" Susan asked puckishly.
"No, but this is," Tyrone said promptly before pulling Susan closer to him and kissing her. It was quite chilly outside, but there was warmth in their hearts, and it felt really great. Raw, slightly watery snow was falling around them.
Susan was a little like the winter snow – without the gusts of strong wind. She was pure, untainted, quiet, and good. The stillness and serenity of the surroundings were just where she belonged. Tyrone quite appreciated the tranquility and peace in his heart that Susan had brought. There was no better way for them to revel in the winter snow than locking lips.
A/n:
Well? How was it? Did you guys like the Ed/G scene? How about the kiss? Tell us your thoughts please. :D
In the next chapter, it's Susan's birthday. But you'll also get to discover a secret about Peter. So stay tuned! :D
