Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing. I'm just a poor seventh grader, so don't sue me.
Author's Note: I must apologize for any mistakes made in the last chapter. I'm afraid I don't have a calling in the editing career.
Ambassador Borin of Archenland looked up as he passed through the mighty gates of Cair Paravel, admiring the beautiful architecture. His faithful Mabel sagged slightly under his considerable weight, but the little mare still plodded bravely on. Borin's brother, Bor, rode beside him on a sturdy mountain pony. The two brothers had traveled for many days from their stronghold of Anvard to hold conference with the new kings and queens of Narnia. A Well-Woman met them and curtsied, the sun glinting off her fluid, translucent body. A couple of Fauns took their horses as the Naiad led them through the castle's halls to the pillared throne room.
Bor and Borin felt no little apprehension as they approached the raised dais that held four empty thrones. The ambassadors had heard many tales of the military prowess of the four monarchs and how they had destroyed an evil sorceress. Their lord, King Lune, had said that an alliance with such a fruitful land would be quite beneficial. Bor and Borin intended to follow his orders to the letter, but that did not erase their uncertainty.
A Faun herald pranced in through a small side door. The ambassadors were only a little surprised to see the creature, having already witnessed many other Narnians on their journey. The Faun puffed up his narrow chest importantly, announcing, "King Peter Wolfs-bane the Magnificent, High King over all Kings in Narnia, Lord of Cair Paravel, Emperor of the Lone Islands, and Knight of the Order of the Lion."
The Archenlanders' heads snapped forward to see a tall young man enter through a door beside the thrones. At first they mistook him for another herald, but then they saw the golden crown settled on his dark blond head. High King Peter bowed slightly in respect to them. Bor was the first to get over his shock and bowed low. Borin did so with more difficulty, as he was the pudgier of the two. Once Peter was seated, the Faun proclaimed, "King Edmund the Just, Duke of Lantern Waste and Count of the Western Marsh, Knight of the Order of the Table."
Another boy clothed in forest green sat on the second throne. His crown gleamed even brighter than that of the High King because his hair was darker in contrast. The ambassadors saw natural mischief tempered with wisdom in his hazel eyes and got a sense of why he was called the Just. After a courtly nod to Edmund the Faun declared, "Queen Susan the Gentle, Duchess of the Northern Hills and Countess of the Great Western Riverlands, Lady of the Order of the Table."
An older girl stepped in and slid gracefully onto the third throne with a sigh of silken skirts. Her black hair was braided and twined around the silver circlet she wore, making it more a part of her than a decoration. She smiled kindly at the ambassadors and they bowed even lower, their jeweled caps falling over their eyes. The Faun bowed also before trilling, "Queen Lucy the Valiant, Duchess of the Eastern Shores and Countess of the Northern Meadowlands, Lady of the Order of the Lion."
Bor and Borin got their biggest surprise yet as Queen Lucy trotted in and settled into the last throne. She was barely more than a child in their eyes, with an innocent face and cropped mahogany hair that gave her the look of an infant angel. But from the small knife that hung from her sash they knew that she had earned her title as the Valiant.
"My lord Ambassadors," said King Peter, "your master, King Lune of Archenland, honors us with your presence. My kin and I are willing to listen to any terms of peace and alliance that you wish to offer us."
Borin answered, "King Lune of Archenland sends his greetings to the new rulers of Narnia and extends a hand of friendship to your Majesties. We have the official letter addressed to you and wish to review it to negotiate terms."
Peter rose and gestured to a door leading off from the throne room. The ambassadors and the four kings and queens entered a small conference chamber with dark wood paneling and warm scarlet carpet. Bor took a sheaf of parchment from his traveling bag and spread it out on the mahogany table in the center of the room. "Here is the main path up to the stronghold of Anvard," he explained, pointing at a map with a quill pen. "However, my lord believes that it will be unsuitable for trade, especially during rain season. It is steep, rocky, and unpaved."
"What about this area here?" King Edmund said, running his finger down a small valley. "We've had some flying beasts scout out the terrain. It is reasonably level and a good place for a solid road. If we pool our resources we might be able to build it before next harvest."
Having neither expertise nor much interest, Lucy slowly wandered away from the table as the others discussed facts and figures for building. She sat in a plush velvet window seat and gazed out onto the white flagged stone street below. There she saw a small brightly colored caravan moving toward the castle. "Peter," she called, "there's someone on the road."
Peter rose with a bow to the ambassadors. He glanced out the window and said in surprise, "It's the ambassador from Calormen. He shouldn't have been here until tomorrow." He turned to Bor and Borin. "I apologize for the inconvenience. By your leave, I will have you escorted to your quarters."
Borin nodded as a Dryad entered and held the door open. Bor gathered up the parchment and set off after the Dryad with his brother. Peter and his brother and sisters left the room to make last-minute preparations for the unexpected visitor.