Hey everyone! So, here is a new story that really recently came to mind and has been gnawing at me to write. I have an idea of the overarching plot and certain scenes, but this is a story that is very much in the process of me figuring it all out. So, you and I will be finding out what happens at the same time! You can all thank my impatiences for that XD
Anyways, I ask for your patients in place of my lack thereof and if you would grant me the kindness of bearing with me! I promise to try my best amongst this crazy time to write and upload quickly and to make this a good as I can. Thanks so much, and please review and tell me what you think as the story progresses! I love talking to everyone!
~ Scarlett
P.S. I don't own anything!
It was a dark night and the waves were beating roughly against the sides of the ship, sending its sturdy, wooden boards into fits of creaks and moans. The stars overhead were fiery, but not burning bright enough to break through the mist and clouds that shrouded the inky sky and waters. Despite the eerie atmosphere, there was a great – though somewhat raucous – meal happening, and its attendants couldn't be bothered by the odd night. Agreements had been made between Narnian and Archenland political and military leaders, and now the already friendly allies could lose the stiff, serious language and airs of court, and celebrate their trade deals - and more importantly their newly solidified allegiance to defend one another should anyone, most considerably Calormen, attack one or the other. It came as a great relief to the monarchs of both lands.
There had been lengthy discussions about such allegiances, all held under the guise of trading, and though deals had been struck over imports and exports, their main reason to gather was to speak in hushed voices around trusted company about the threats of Calormen, who had been steadily pushing further into the desert towards the Archenland border. Both King Lune and King Edmund agreed that their boarder infringement and the 'accidental' disputes over Narnian commerce in the Lone Islands were growing signs of a Southern military and political move coming out of Calormen.
This was taken as such a potential threat, that all three of the eldest leaders of Narnia gathered rather quietly at the Archenland court in Anvard to discuss. After a few days of conversation, decisions were made, hands were shaken, and names were signed in ink. Usually King Lune would have thrown a feast to celebrate, but with keeping this allegiance quiet, he instead opted to grant the Narnians a swift and easy voyage home over the sea instead of having them trek all the way back to Cair Paravel on land, where there would be plenty of eyes to see all three monarchs and members of their court coming home, and just as many voices to spread rumors to what their business had been with Archenland.
After all, neither country wanted to scare their people with whispers of war before any actions had been taken against them. And they didn't want there to be any chance of Calormen finding out the Northern's were on to them and conspiring together.
So, Lune bid a kind farewell to the young rulers and sent some of his finest diplomates and soldiers to sail them home on a small, yet fast and nondescript ship.
And now they had their feast, and it went late into the night. Lune, in his absence, provided a steady array of candied meats and sweet fruits, all dripping with glazing's and sauces. Along with it came fine wine and rolls buttered and warmed. As the joyous time proceeded later and longer, a wind blew cool on top of the waves and across the ship's deck, sending the lovely Queen Susan into shivers. Many offered her their cloaks, and all wished to the sky and Aslan himself, in hopes that she'd take them up on the offer.
Susan smiled at all kindly, but in the end the High King Peter wrapped his own cloak around her shoulders, after King Edmund poked and prodded and badgered him into doing so, just because he thought it would be funny to see the Archenlander men's faces as they attempted to not be disappointed, or upset, as Peter dashed any chance they had at having any bit of Susan's full attention. And Edmund wasn't wrong that it'd be a silly affair, not after watching soldiers and ambassadors, (having wine run through them that caused them to stumbled over a few words here and there, yet feel like they couldn't lose any bet made) screw their faces into humble and understanding smiles, trying to remember it was Peter who stepped in, the High King, their strongest ally, and the Queen's older brother, and not some other young man with high aims of charming a Lady such as Susan.
Peter tried to scold Edmund about this, but he couldn't hide his own laughter at watching the men try to not look pitiful or wet and hung out to dry, before they guzzled down another sip or two and told the fiddle player to pick up the tune.
Susan, for her part, found all the men very kind and charming, but was thankful that Peter easily put an end to any choosing she'd have to do. She wanted so very badly to stop having to feel diplomatic, and just enjoy herself. After all, this was a party.
As the night went on, their lanterns on deck dimmed some with the intruding fog, but it didn't stop the merriment. The waves tossed the small ship more, eventually sending the wine from the High Kings cup sloshing over the rim and onto his tunic. At this, Peter laughed and didn't mind, but it did make him colder against the wind and he decided to head to his cabin and change before stretching out into bed.
The party went on for a little longer without him, with his younger siblings staying up on top to enjoy their allegiance some more. But before too long, the fog drifted further in, and almost like it carried in it the magic to send one to sleep, everyone quickly descended to their own bunks, yawning wide with tired eyes. And all at once, the night's eeriness, and the waves, and the creaking of the boards took over as the only noises to be heard.
Except the few crew members on deck manning the ship, all were blissfully unaware of the conscious world they rested in as they swayed with the movement of the waters and fell into a deep sleep and peace and quiet. Their dreams flooded them.
That's when two things happened at once.
First, the screams came.
Second, all hell broke loose.
Oooohhh well what do you think happens? Please review and let me know! Thanks!