Spring 1014
It was a perfect spring day in Narnia. There was a soft light breeze from the sea surrounding Cair Paravel. The sky was a perfect shade of blue with warm sunshine and fluffy white clouds. The smell of roses and lilies were in the air along with the smell of fresh dug dirt. A group of talking moles had just finished digging holes in the north lawn outside of the walls of Cair Paravel. Lilygloves, the chief mole, was carefully inspecting each hole to make sure it met his high standards. Members of the Narnian court were on the north lawn waiting. Queen Susan, King Edmund and Queen Lucy were standing near the gate. Their eldest brother, Peter the High King, was walking across the courtyard to join them. He was carrying his young daughter Alanna and accompanied by his wife Melina. When they reached the gate, he transferred the young princess to his wife's arms and walked forward to greet Lilygloves and his workers. The talking moles were standing outside the north gate by holes they had already dug.
A procession appeared as dryads lead by their chief, Pomona, walked towards the kings and queens. Pomona carried a beautiful carved wooden pitcher. Several dryads behind her carried wooden bowls while the remaining dryads were carrying small trees to be planted. They were accompanied by several fauns playing flutes and the dryads were singing an ancient song about the fabled Tree of Protection. That legendary tree was an apple tree and today's plan was to plant a grove of apple trees. These trees were not magical but the symbolism was still good.
King Edmund found his thoughts drifting to the tales of Frank and his wife Helen who were made the first king and queen of Narnia. Their descendents had ruled Narnia for 900 years before the White Witch killed them and any remaining humans fled Narnia. Their good friend, King Lune of Archenland, was a descendent of Frank and Helen as were many royal and noble families in other countries. Peter's wife Melina was the great granddaughter of an Archenlander princess and the Terebinthian royal family could count King Frank and Queen Helen among their descendents through several branches of their family tree. Historians appreciated the fact Peter and Melina's marriage brought the older Frank dynasty's blood back into the Narnian royal family. According to the histories that Edmund had read, Frank and Helen were a son of Adam and a daughter of Eve like Edmund and his siblings. He assumed they came from the same land that was such a distant memory. The time before Narnia seemed like a half forgotten dream or like a foggy day with vague shapes in the distance. He had no real desire to remember. Everything Edmund desired was here in Narnia.
The dryads carefully placed the trees in the holes. Lilygloves handed a spade to the High King and then Peter symbolically shoveled dirt into the first hole. Lilygloves then motioned to his waiting moles who began to fill the holes with dirt, carefully packing the dirt so the tree roots would be secure in the ground. When the holes were half full, the talking moles stepped back and the dryads poured water from their sacred spring into the holes. Pomona raised her hands and than sung an ancient blessing on the trees. When the ritual was complete, the moles finished filling the holes and the dryads poured more water around the newly planted apple trees. Pomona sang another blessing and then the ritual was complete.
Peter the High King thanked the dryads and then thanked the moles for their work.
Chief Lilygloves leaned on his spade and said "Believe me, your Majesty, you will be glad of these fruit trees one day."
Peter smiled and said "Yes, I am sure we will be glad of these trees." The High King then raised his voice and said "Come fair friends, a banquet awaits us in the great hall."
King Peter turned and courteously offered his arm to Pomona, the chief dryad.
Queen Susan turned to Melina and asked "Why were thou and the High King late in joining us. Is anything amiss?"
Queen Melina replied "Nay dear sister, a messenger arrived and Peter delayed for a few moments to speak to the messenger."
Queen Susan asked "What was the message, Madam?"
Queen Melina replied "The Tisroc of Calormen is sending ambassadors to our royal court. The ambassadors will arrive in a few days."
Queen Susan said "How curious. There are no trade issues. I wonder what they want from us that they would journey to our court."