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: The sea has always been the Valiant's but when she sets out on a quest with her favored knight, Tarrin Peridanson, Lucy finds both danger and adventure. Will a quest set by Nereids bring Lucy and Tarrin together or tear them apart?
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. Glistened takes place concurrent with the events of Brightened (post-chapter 20) so that story is not included in the summaries.
Chapter Seventeen – Explanations
Oreius opened his eyes, searching for what had disturbed him. Alambiel was closer to him than usual, lying on her side still but close enough that the curve of her belly rested on him. Her breathing was calm so he did not believe she'd been the source of the disturbance.
Something in the house felt different though he could not explain why. Taking care not to disturb Alambiel, he rose from the bed. She murmured in her sleep but didn't immediately wake. Standing still, he closed his eyes listening for anything that might have pulled him from sleep.
They should be safe in the heart of Centaur lands. However, he had been served painful reminders in recent months that assumed safety did not mean safety in reality. He could not rest until he was assured the house was still secure. He picked up one of his twin swords as a precaution then quietly left the bedroom.
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6 Fairdawn 1015
There was a sword at Tarrin's throat and it was all her fault. "Oreius, don't!" Lucy clutched the blanket more securely as she sat up. "Oreius, stop please! I can explain!"
The Centaur didn't move. The blade remained at Tarrin's throat as hard dark eyes blazed with an absolute fury. He also didn't speak. If anything, it was likely taking all his effort not to kill Tarrin then and there.
"Oreius, please!" When her cry still fell on deaf ears, she knew there was only one person who could hope to penetrate the General's protective rage. "Kat!"
The reply came far sooner than she'd hoped. Light filled the room from a candle as Kat stepped inside the open doorway. The older woman's jaw dropped and her eyes widened. "What in all the worlds is going on here?"
"Kat, please. He won't listen to me. You must get him to let Tarrin go. It's my fault really. Please, I can explain everything. I promise!"
"Cushla, don't skewer him," Kat called to her husband. Yet there was no true hints of teasing in her voice. She carefully approached the bed then rested her fingers against his grip around the hilt. "Oreius. We will hear them out first."
For a long painful beat she thought Oreius would ignore even his wife. However, he finally drew the sword back though his furious gaze still burned hotter than fire itself. His jaw worked though he didn't say a word. Kat placed a hand on his chest. "Calm yourself, Kentauri. Put on some of my tea, please. I've need of it."
He was still angry. She could see it in the death grip he maintained on his sword. However, he touched Kat's hand then her face with utmost gentleness. Even though his jaw was still tight and his tail lashed his flanks in clear temper, he offered his wife a slight nod before retreating from the room. A moment later the painting on the wall shook from an impact against the other side.
Kat glared at them, her voice now a low hiss as she spoke. "I don't know what is going on here. Or what could have possibly gotten into your heads to make this seem a good idea. At the moment, I don't care. You two will get dressed. Now. And join us in the main room." She turned toward the door then spun back toward them, the candle sputtering as she did so. The little flame did nothing to hide the flash of temper in her blue eyes however as she added, "You'd best have a very good explanation for this, Lucy Marie Pevensie!"
She winced a little. Kat almost never used their full names. In fact, she could count on one hand how often the older woman had used their full names. And every time she had been quietly furious. Kat set the candle on the end table then left the room, pulling the door closed behind her. She could hear Oreius' voice, a low rumble, and Kat's replies.
She turned to look at Tarrin. "Are you all right?" Lucy asked as she touched a finger to his neck. There wasn't even a line where the sword had been and yet her heart was still in her throat.
He nodded mutely as he sat up, handing her the nightgown they'd tossed aside earlier in the night. His ears were a bright red. "Let me speak to them. Take the blame."
"No." She kissed him quickly. "I'm the queen and you are going to be my consort but I'm the responsible party." She offered a little shrug and accompanying grin to soften the blow of her words. "I was the one who pounced on you."
"I didn't mind," he stated, sincerity shining in his eyes before they widened. His blush spread from his ears to his face.
She giggled.
"Lucy!"
Her giggles died at Kat's sharp call. Angering their only ally against Tarrin being dispatched by the General was not what they wanted. She pressed one last kiss to Tarrin's cheek before she tugged the nightgown over her head.
She exited the room while he scrambled to dress. However, she'd only taken a few steps before he came up behind her. Then his hand slipped around hers, squeezing gently. The gesture made her want to shriek with sheer joy and maybe tackle him.
The slam of a hoof against wood reminded her now was not the time. She swallowed hard then squared her shoulders and held her head up as they moved into the main room of the house. Kat was seated on one of the couches with one hand still on Oreius' arm as he stood beside her, tail lashing his flanks even now. His gaze still flashed with temper as he looked them over. "Explain."
She squeezed Tarrin's hand for courage. "There was a small piece I didn't tell you about the hidden isle. You see, in order to reach the shore, we can only enter at an equinox or solstice and we simply couldn't tarry until Midsummer. So we… Well, I agreed to use the second way to enter the isle before I quite knew what was required. And I hadn't actually planned on Tarrin because I thought he didn't love me and I didn't want to trap him. Of course, then once we started, I couldn't bring myself to choose one of the Sea gods although Triton had brought several of them with him all willing to step forward if I did choose them. It was quite nice of them really. Only Tarrin interrupted and sort of volunteered himself. I was really quite glad for it, naturally. Although I should have said so sooner instead of waiting until tonight that is. And you were the one who told me to be honest with him, to make the first move."
Kat's eyes widened and then she shook her head as she raised both hands in exasperation. "Oh for the love of the Lion! I meant talk to him and give him a kiss that couldn't be explained away by mistletoe! Not for you to climb into bed with him!" She rolled her eyes. "Clearly the next time I give the advice to make the first move I shall have to be painfully clear as to what I'm actually suggesting."
"Kat, I didn't just climb into bed with Tarrin," Lucy protested her cheeks warming. "It's like I said. He and I… We…"
"We participated in the mingling of the waters ceremony in order to gain access to the island," Tarrin interjected. His stammer was utterly absent as he drew himself up to meet their shocked gazes. "I am sorry for how it came about, that we couldn't handle things with proper approval, but Lucy has not shamed herself or her family or her morals or Aslan."
"Do your siblings know?" Oreius asked, his voice still filled with doom and thunder though some of the murderous rage had faded from his gaze. "Have they been informed of this?"
Lucy blushed. "No." At the disappointment in his gaze, she blurted out, "Oreius, you know Peter would've had a fit! And he likely would be trying to exile Tarrin or toss him in the dungeons or some such nonsense instead of listening to me. And my quest cannot be delayed overlong. The Sea Folk are depending on my successful completion."
She took a shaky breath then continued breathlessly, "I know! I know I've disappointed you both in the way this has all gone about and I am very sorry. However, what has happened between Tarrin and me can be made right after the quest is over and done. Please. You mustn't tell anyone what we've done."
"I will not lie to your brothers and sister," Oreius intoned sternly. "Nor do I approve of the fact you rushed blindly into this without thought or concern for the consequences of participating in such a ceremony. If you had, you would not now be attempting to hide it to the point that you have deceived Alambiel and me only to now make us your coconspirators."
"Oreius," Kat interjected. She waved toward the kitchen and the whistling tea kettle. "Would you pour me a cup please?"
The Centaur flicked his tail but nodded. Kat fixed her gaze on them as Oreius prepared a sweet smelling tea for her. "I don't like the idea of keeping your siblings in the dark about the ceremony. And I'm not very fond of the fact that you lied to us only to turn around and sneak about under our roof. Oreius and I will be held just as responsible as you two should word of tonight ever reach Peter's ears. You know how protective he is of you, Lucy." She accept her tea from Oreius, smiling briefly in thanks, before continuing, "However, I suppose we are also obliged to aid in your quest since it seems serious enough for you to jump headlong into ceremonies you had no business participating in just yet."
Lucy's face burned. They were right that she had been impetuous and impulsive. She looked between them. "I am sorry, Kat. I'm so very sorry, Oreius. I know I've disappointed you but I beg you to keep this secret between us. It…it was the first time since the isle that we even shared a bed much less more."
"How reassuring," Kat deadpanned before sipping her tea.
Oreius folded his arms over his chest once more, his stern gaze boring into them. "And it shall be the last time until you have completed your quest and confessed to the rest of your families all that has passed between you. You are being reckless and I do not approve. Nor do I understand why you were so willing to throw yourself into the arms of a knight who has not even your brother's permission to court you. Though I suppose it is a small relief that he is better than one of the Sea gods whom you most certainly do not know well enough to countenance such a thing. Sir Delos, on your honor as a knight of Narnia, you will not break this condition until Queen Lucy's quest is complete. Do you agree?"
Tarrin nodded. "Yes, General."
Lucy stepped forward. "Oreius, I…" Her words faded into nothingness as she met the disappointment in his eyes once more.
Kat blew out a breath then lowered her teacup. "I suppose we must help you find Oberon then. It's the best way to put this whole mess behind us."
"I was hoping you could tell us how to get to his house," Lucy replied, eager to move to a less painful topic. "Since Markus came to us from there."
"I don't actually know where Oberon's house is located," Kat interjected. "Not off the top of my head in any case." She shrugged then winced. "Ouch. No I'm fine." She waved off Oreius' concern then continued, "Markus wrote the details down and I think he drew a map although I can't recall for sure at the moment. I do have the documents in safekeeping, however."
Her flagging hope drew new strength. She grabbed Tarrin's hand and squeezed it as she bounced on her toes. "How wonderful! Then we can leave at dawn! If you don't mind giving them to us, that is, Kat."
"I don't mind giving them to you. Unfortunately, I don't have them here." Kat smiled ruefully. "They are in Cair Paravel."
"Oh."
"How fortunate then that Oreius has been summoned back to the Cair and I intend to accompany him."
She smiled tentatively. "Oh! Yes, that would be quite perfect! Although are you certain your wounds are healed enough for travel?"
"So long as I don't have to walk the whole way, I should be all right," Kat replied mildly. She set her empty teacup to one side then slowly rose to her feet.
"You can ride my horse, Kat, and I'll ride with Tarrin. His charger is more than capable of carrying the two of us." She smiled brightly. "We can leave at dawn then! That's only…"
"One and a half hours away, Your Majesty," Oreius intoned. "Alambiel."
She raised a hand and murmured a reply in her Irish. Whatever she said made the General flick his tail but he still followed her. Kat then called over her shoulder, "I suggest getting some rest while you still can."
Lucy called her assent then turned to Tarrin. She smiled at him, heart glowing when he returned the gesture. "I know we promised no more…incidents until after the quest is over. But I'm glad tonight happened."
He nodded. "Perhaps a farewell kiss to warm us until we are free again?"
She giggled and grasped his shirt, bunching the fabric in her fists, as she closed the distance between them. The kiss was fire and the magnificence of the sea rolled into a breathtaking experience. It couldn't last long and ended far too soon. Tarrin brushed his fingers against her cheek then pressed a kiss to the same spot. "I love you."
"I know."
How she would ever be able to sleep even for a few minutes was entirely beyond her ken, however.
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Alambiel eased down onto the soft bed with a sigh of relief. "Well, it's never boring when any of the Four are around."
"I do not like this." Oreius was looking a tad too long at his swords again.
"Which part, dear? The incident of discovering your youngest filly in bed with one of your knights? The very awkward position said filly has put us in with her requests?"
He turned an exasperated look on her. "None of this is amusing, Alambiel. And while I most certainly do not like either of those occurrences, I am most concerned about your declared intent to leave here in less than two hours' time. The Valiant does not have her cordial with her."
And he had been severely disappointed by it, she knew. She held out a hand to him, waiting until he took it before speaking. "Oreius. My chuisle, I know. This has not been a restful visit for you. However, I do wish to return to Cair Paravel. The High King has summoned you with the intent of a summer campaign. And the Valiant needs us to return to the Cair posthaste. This is the best way to satisfy all three desires and then we shall be early enough to satisfy. Not to mention being free to rest comfortably in our own home again."
At his skeptical look, she smothered a grin. "I promise. In fact, I promise that as soon as I uncover the documents Lucy needs, I shall hand them over and allow her to go on her merry way without so much as a thimble of further interference from me."
He let out a long breath then bent and kissed her cheek. "I have misgivings about all of this. I do not like agreeing to keep secrets from the rest of the Four. Nor do I like the idea of moving you without consulting Tuulea."
"She was going to check on another herd today, remember? That is why she came so early yesterday." Alambiel reached up to rest a hand against his cheek, ignoring the faint pull on her healing scars. "Why not summon Hestia to change my bandages? Then we can still leave at dawn as Lucy wishes and make decent progress before the day grows too hot."
He sighed. "Very well. If only because I believe Queen Lucy's urgent need and that you would merely follow along on your own if I tried to leave you behind."
A soft laugh escaped her. "Probably. But this way I can let the horse do most of the work. And sitting sidesaddle should be tolerable enough." She kissed him. "It is going to be fine, Kentauri."
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A/N: Please Read and Review!