Please be advised this chapter contains rape.

Chapter Twenty Eight

Cair Paravel

Miraz sat at the head of the table in his council chamber. The high ceilings gave way to grand chandeliers that lit up the room, reflecting on the long mahogany table that stretched the length of it. Around the table, high backed chairs stood tall, encasing their sitters in their grandeur. With the King at its head, to the left were Glozelle and Nathaniel, either side, followed by Prunaprismia and Sopespian, followed by the Masters of Coin, Whispers, Law and Ships.

Servants glided from chair to chair, pouring wine for the council. At the other end of the table was the Grand Maester, in his robes, who sat with rolls of parchment and a quill, poised. All of them there under Miraz's word and command.

Glozelle cleared his throat as the servants vacated the chamber. "We should discuss the matter of the North, your Majesty," he said, sipping from his wine. "Eustace Scrubb still holds Winterfell and Peter Pevensie hasn't moved from his encampment on the moors. How do you think we should proceed with this information?"

Miraz stroked his beard, deep in thought. Everyone sat in silence, waiting for him to announce his resolution. "I suggest we have a royal wedding," he said finally and gleefully, looking to Nathaniel for his reaction in particular.

"What?" gasped Nathaniel. "Father, you can't be serious."

"Honestly, your Majesty, that's not what I expected you to say," added Glozelle.

"I am serious, Nathaniel," nodded Miraz. "I think it's high time you and Susan were finally married. We have kept Lady Pevensie waiting long enough. She is the key to the North, to Winterfell, after all."

"I seem to remember she has an older brother," Nathaniel said, dryly.

"Peter is no longer Warden of the North. Eustace is," explained Glozelle, turning to the Prince.

"Yes, and once we get rid of him, Susan will be heir to Winterfell, and by extension, so will you," replied Miraz. "We will finally have control over the North, and we will finally have the Pevensie's where we want them. Her brother is at the Wall, his sister is missing presumed dead. The sooner you put a baby in her belly the better."

"Is a Royal wedding necessary?" sighed Nathaniel. "The whole thing could shape up to be incredibly… extravagant."

"What good is the word extravagant if it can't be used to describe a royal wedding?" scoffed Miraz.

"It will be a huge expense," the Master of Coin piped up.

"I think it's an excellent idea, your Majesty," said Glozelle, silencing the table. "The people of the city are hungry for more than just food. They crave distractions and if we don't provide them, they'll create their own. And their distractions are likely to end with us being torn to pieces."

"But what of Peter?" asked Lord Sopespian. "What do we do about him? About Eustace?"

Miraz steepled his fingers, still deep in thought. "Once you two are married," he said, looking to his eldest son. "You and Susan should pay Peter a visit. She hasn't seen her brother in so long," Miraz said, his voice dripping with insincerity. "After all, isn't that what this wedding is all about? The joining of two families."

Nathanial's eyes flickered devilishly, understanding Miraz's words perfectly. "Yes, Father," he drawled. "That's exactly what it's all about."

"Perhaps then you can travel to Winterfell and reclaim it for yourself, considering Eustace is a usurper," Miraz continued.

"What an excellent plan, Father," drawled Nathaniel.

"Guard!" Miraz called. "Send for Lady Pevensie."

The guard bowed and left, returning a few minutes later with Susan in tow. She was thinner than usual, Glozelle noticed. Dark circles ringed her eyes that usually dazzled like diamonds, but instead were dim and dull. Her head hung, similar to her stature, meek and subservient. He hadn't seen her smile for a long time. Upon entry, Susan bowed gently.

"You called for me, your Majesty," she said, quietly.

"We have good news," Miraz told her. "You and Nathaniel are to be finally wed."

Susan looked up, then over to Nathaniel. "This is excellent news," she said, almost robotically. "What day?"

"Three days' time?" Miraz shrugged, looking to his Master of Coin who shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"Yes, your Majesty," he nodded.

All eyes returned to Susan. "Your Majesty, you do me a great honour," she said. "I am delighted to be inducted officially into your family.

"Yes, soon you will be Susan, of House Telmarine, Princess of Narnia," Nathaniel sneered.

Susan turned to him. "My Lord, an honour still. But the law allows me to keep my own name, as is befitting a Lady of my station," she said, gently. It was the one thing she had clung onto all this time.

"Yes, it is indeed the law, Nathaniel," said Miraz through gritted teeth, eyeing his Master of Laws with purpose.

"Very well," said Nathaniel, inhaling sharply. "Tell your ladies to call the dressmakers and florists. And be quick about it."

"Yes, my Lord," Susan said, bowing on her exit.

"I want that law changed," Miraz insisted, as the door closed behind her. "I will rid this land of the Pevensie name if it's the last thing I do."

Cair Paravel

Preparations for the Royal Wedding began immediately, as servants hurried in and out of the castle. Susan had never seen the castle so busy, not unless she thought about the time before the Telmarine invasion, which she tried not to. It was far too painful to compare it to the life she now had. When she did dare cast her mind back, those times felt like nothing more than a dream now. A dream basked in a golden glow, punctured by a lion's roar with a scent of apples and glistening sweat. It felt like another person had had that life, perhaps it was another lifetime altogether. Perhaps a different Narnia adventure.

Still, at least Susan now had something to focus on, even if it were her worst nightmare. At least she would no longer be living in limbo, waiting for the day to come. She was finally going to be married to Nathaniel, then her misery would truly begin.

"I don't see why we're having an engagement party now," sighed Susan, as Jill helped her into a dress. "It's the day before the wedding, surely we should just have the wedding and be done with it."

"It's all about spectacle, isn't it?" mused Jill, pulling the dress up around Susan. "It's not actually about the engagement at all."

"No, I suppose not," Susan said, dryly.

"I've heard whispers that you and Nathaniel will go and visit Peter once you're married," said Jill, lacing Susan up at the back.

"Really?" she gasped, trying not to turn to Jill whilst she worked. The thought of seeing Peter again made her heart ache and flutter all at the same time. "Oh, that's music to my ears, Jill."

"I know. I thought you'd be pleased," she replied. "But it's only a rumour. I overheard it in the kitchen's this morning. The stable boys were said to prepare the horses for a long trek after the wedding."

"How I wish I could ride a horse," sighed Susan, not only because she was reminiscent but also because Jill was lacing her up tightly. "I would go anywhere, at the moment. Even ride the whole way to Calormen."

"I'm sure," laughed Jill.

"You'll come with me, won't you?" asked Susan, as Jill finished tying her lace in a bow.

"If his Majesty permits me, of course, I will," Jill said, squeezing her friend's shoulders.

As the guests began to arrive, Nathaniel came to Susan's chambers to collect her, keeping up his appearances only for Jill, then falling to silence as he led her by the hand through the castle.

The doors to the Banquet Hall opened to rapturous applause, as Nathaniel walked Susan in and towards the grand table set out before them. For once, Nathaniel would sit in Miraz's chair, and Susan in Prunaprismia's, with them relegated to the side positions usually for Nathaniel and Susan. As soon as they were seated, the banquet began, plates and plates of food were served, piping hot and looking delicious, but Susan didn't want to eat a bite of it. She hated that all eyes were on her, watching her every move, waiting for her to make a mistake. With Prunaprismia at her side, her future mother-in-law did attempt in some small talk, which Susan was thankful for. Once they had all eaten, and once Susan had finished pushing the foot around her plate. Nathaniel stood up to address the court.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, if I could have your attention, please," he cried over the chatter. Everyone fell to silence immediately. "I have a gift for you all. Please, sit back and relax, and watch the Song for Narnia."

Susan's blood ran cold. The Song for Narnia was an old piece of Narnian folklore, one that told the story of how Aslan created the world of Narnia by singing it into being. Susan knew it well, as she and the Old Narnians embraced their history with this knowledge. It was told in songs in taverns and inns all over Narnia, it was delicately woven into tapestries that used to hang all over the castle until they were stripped down and burnt the night of the Telmarine invasion. If Nathaniel was upholding this piece of mythology, Susan knew, having spent far too long in the company of the Telmarines, that it wasn't meant well.

Everyone craned their necks to see as a group of servants entered into the middle of the hall, all dressed up and took their places, ready to begin. Susan blinked a few times, then realised some were dressed as animals. She inhaled sharply, coughing to hide her shock. One of the servants stepped forward and began.

"The time has come for all of us to contemplate our history. Many years ago, this land was packed with raving savages who raped and pillaged their way across Narnia."

The servants began mounting each other, grotesquely mimicking the acts described. Susan tried not to look uncomfortable. Of course, it wasn't true. In her eyes, it was blasphemy, but she couldn't show even a flicker of disdain. It would cost her if she did, perhaps her head. Instead, she resolved to look intrigued, like she was learning something. They could grant her naivety, Susan thought. The guests, on the other hand, of the banquet clapped and cheered, pouring over the vile acts before them.

"The Telmarine army invaded the land and sought to rid what plagued Narnia," the servant went on, as one dressed as Miraz stepped forward and began slashing with a wooden sword at the other players. It was at this point, Susan zoned out, deciding that for her own sake she must let this wash over her, in the name of self-preservation. She hardened her stare, and her heart, under the watchful eyes of the court.

Later that night, when Susan had returned to her chambers, she recounted to Jill in hushed tones exactly what had happened.

"That's awful," cried Jill, as she let loose Susan's hair. "How can they even suggest such a thing?"

"They choose to remember history in a way that casts them in a positive light," sighed Susan. "I just shut down, eventually. I couldn't watch it."

"I don't blame you," said Jill, fanning Susan's hair around her shoulders.

There was a knock at the door. Susan and Jill looked at each other.

"Who could be calling at this hour?" asked Jill, as she got up to answer the door. Susan watched as she opened it, then bowed deeply and set it aside.

Nathaniel walked into her chambers. "You are dismissed," he told Jill.

Jill looked to Susan, who was officially under her orders.

"But my Lord –," Susan began.

"You are dismissed!" Nathaniel insisted, making both Jill and Susan jump. With a bow, Jill did as she was told and exited the room. Nathaniel stood there, silent, slightly swaying, his eyes glazed over. Susan realised the Prince was drunk. As he stepped forward to her, Susan tensed up but tried not to show it.

"My father says you're still a virgin," Nathaniel said. Susan gulped and thought of Peter but hardened her face. "Are you?" he asked.

"Yes," she nodded, after a beat.

"Why?" he asked. Susan didn't understand his response but kept her face still. "Why are you still a virgin?" Nathaniel walked forward, drawing her into his embrace. "You're not lying to me?"

"No, my Lord," Susan gulped, trying not to shy away from him.

"Lying to your husband to be? That would be a bad way to start a marriage," he said, cupping her face. "We're to be man and wife. We should be honest with each other, don't you think?"

Susan tried not to recoil from the smell of his sour, alcoholic breath.

"Yes, my Lord."

"Good. Take off your clothes."

Susan gulped; her throat dry. "Pardon?" she asked, her voice shaking.

"Do I need to ask a second time? I hate asking a second time."

Slowly, her hands shaking, she pulled the muslin slip over her head. As it rose from her body, she shivered slightly in the cold. Nathaniel grabbed her underdress and threw it down on the floor, pushing Susan's shoulder so that she stumbled backwards onto the bed. He roughly handled her waist, turning her around in his grip so that she lay face down on her stomach. Susan yelped in pain, closing her eyes she could hear his belt buckle be undone. She wanted to scream but found she had no voice. Nathaniel put his cold hands on her hips and thrust into her without warning. He grunted loudly, and Susan bit down on her arm to hide her shriek. She was sure she was bleeding.