Ehards29: What up peeps? Thanks goes out to all you guys who reviewed this and my new fic, For a Window in Paradise (which I promise I will be updating soon!) Enjoy my new chapter, and maybe I'll get a few more reviews this time around (wink, wink, nudge, nudge).

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Sword of Andriah

By: Ehards29

Chapter Three: Andrian

The journey to Andrain had taken the crew of Glorious Sun about a day's journey, the sun was just beginning to rise on the dawn of the second day. Peter slept peacefully in his room below the deck, dreaming of a beautiful day in Narnia. He, Lucy, and Edmund were riding their horses through the grounds of the Cair, smiling as they went. But as they returned to the castle, Susan was waiting for them, a large scowl on her usually elegant feature. Peter woke suddenly with a guilty feeling in his stomach. Susan's scowl bore a strange resemblance to the one her wore the day his siblings had visited the beach without him. Maybe Susan was right to be angry with him, but Peter had precious little time to think this over. Tumnus burst into his room, an excited look on his usually docile face.

"Your Majesty, I think you may want to take a look at this."

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Toward the horizon lay the largest structure Peter had ever laid eyes on. It appeared to be some sort of fortress from what he could make out. The walls around it were at least thirty times his own height and seemed to the taunt the sky with their shear size. The island itself was situated on didn't seem particularly impressive, and Peter found it hard to believe that such a small land mass could hold such a large structure. Peter looked toward Tumnus, who bore a look of shear amazement on his face.

"Is that Anrdian?" Peter asked.

"I can hardly believe it myself, but yes, that's it." Tumnus replied.

No further words needed to be exchanged, the situation spoke for itself. For the first time since facing the White Witch, High King Peter felt that he was in way over his head.

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It took the ship about twenty minutes to pull into the port beyond the walls, but to the Peter and the rest, it felt like an eternity. The excitement of the crew was palpable. The ship glided softly through a river which lead toward the walled city, large merchant ships filled with grapes, olives, gold goods and weapons floated non-chalently by. The Narnian sailors exchanging happy waves, but the Andrianen merchants seemed too stunned to do anything but stare. Peter observed the sailors, realizing that they were the first Andrianens he had ever seen. They had dark, olive colored skin, and wore flowing, free-fitting, white robes that were well suited for the island's warm climate. The Glorious Sun continued on its way. The entrance from the channel to the port within the city was heavily guarded by Andrianen guards, armed with tall swords, bows and serious expressions on their face. Peter could tell that entering the city was no small matter, and was taken very seriously. The port was absolutely huge, housing ships of all sizes, shapes and colors. The Glorious Sun docked next to a merchant ship that was filled ceramic goods of all sorts. Peter and the crew were happy to be able to put two feet on land again and quickly exited the ship.

Peter looked around. The Andrianen city was one of the mostly beautiful he had ever seen. Even the grand bazaars of Calormen or the massive towers of Galma could compare. The city's buildings were large and white, shining starkly in the morning sun. The streets were large and full of people busted busily around, preparing their wares for sale. Children laughed and played, wives kissed their husband goodbye as they prepared to set sail. Merchants shouted their sales to customers passing by. The city was bustling and full of excitement. Peter couldn't help but smile, maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. Peter was snapped out his thoughts as two soldiers, wearing the same uniforms of the Andrianen guards who had come to Cair Paravel that fateful night, approached him, bowing low.

"High King Peter of Narnia, I presume?" The younger of the two asked.

"Yes, that's me." Peter responded.

"Welcome to Andrian Sire, King Leon has been expecting you at his court of Golden Gate, if you will follow us, we will take you to him."

Peter nodded, turning to Tumnus.

"You're coming aren't you?" Peter enquired.

"Me, Sir?" The faun asked, surprised.

Peter laughed. "Yes you, you know more about this place than I do. Aslan knows I'm going to need all the help I can get."

Tumnus smiled.

"This way, Sirs." The guards motioned toward a large, gleaming chariot. Peter and Tumnus climbed in and began their journey toward Golden Gate castle.

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Twang!

"Oh, good shot, Princess!"

Princess Castilla Renee Monte looked toward the shining face of Elisa, her nurse and most trusted confidant, and grinned sheepishly.

"Oh, it was ok. I didn't get a bull's eye, I wasn't concentrating hard enough."

Elisa smiled. "Dear Princess, all your shots can't be perfect!"

The two began to laugh, but Elisa suddenly stopped, her eyes narrowing.

"Uh oh, here comes trouble."

Castilla looked up to see the angry figure of her tutor, Madame Lenia marching toward her.

Castilla and Elisa exchanged glances.

Castilla gulped.

I'm in trouble now. She thought.

"Princess Castilla, do you have any idea what time it is? Considering your practicing your godforsaken archery, I suppose not, so let me enlighten you! It's 10:15, meaning you should have been in my room fifteen minutes ago working on your poetry readings, like a lady should, not shooting arrows like a boy does. I don't know what to tell your father, he gave me specific instructions that you are to memorize that Goffani poem by Summer Solstice festival. You're supposed to read it to the entire court, to start off the ball, and it's only a couple days away!" Lenia's face was bright red.

Castilla sighed. She hated reading poetry, but she also hated getting yelled at by Madame Lenia, which was surprising considering how often it happened. Elisa scowled at Lenia, catching the tutor's eye.

"And you", Lenia pointed to Elisa, "Are her caretaker, and are supposed to help her keep track of time, not let her lollygag out here all day!"

Elisa scoffed.

"It's not my fault that watching paint dry is more exciting that your "lessons", Madame Lenia."

"Why you…!" Lenia lunged toward Elisa, and vice versa.

"Stop it, stop it both of you!" Castilla yelled, separating the two.

Elisa and Lenia glared at each other for what felt like an eternity, the silence suddenly interrupted.

"Princess Castilla, Princess Castilla!"

All three turned toward the western entrance to the courtyard where Madea, one of Castilla's lanky and unfortunately clumsy ladies-in-waiting stumbled toward them, her face red, her chest rising up and down with each raspy breath she took.

"Princess, you…you…you look awful!" The girl blurted out.

Indeed Castilla was looking particularly un-princess-like at the moment. She was dirty and sweaty from her archery expedition. None the less, Castilla scowled.

"Did you come here for a reason, Madea?" The Princess enquired.

"Oh, yes Princess! I came to tell you that the Narnian king is heading toward Golden Gate as we speak, he'll be here any minute!"

"Oh dear!" Exclaimed Elisa, grabbing Castilla by the arm, pulling her toward the castle, with Lenia and Madea in tow. "We have a lot of work to do Princess!"

Castilla scowled for the second time that day.

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Castilla grunted as Elisa tightened her corset and slipped her into one of her best gowns. Castilla's dog, Arrow, watched his master with interest as she looked at herself in the mirror. She had to give her nurse credit, she could get a lot done it a small amount of time. Then again, she had been doing it ever since she was a child. Castilla's dark, curly, hair had been tied into a neat bun on the top of her head, the dirt washed off her olive face. She wore a traditional Andrianen gown, a simple white robe adorned with a gold rope belt and a flower crown. Castilla sighed. She hated wearing such fancy, uncomfortable clothes, but she had to make a good impression to the Narnian king, for father's sake.

Suddenly, Castilla heard Madea squeal.

"Princess, he's here, quick!"

Castilla, Elisa, and Lenia ran out to the balcony. Below a chariot was pulling in front of the castle doors. In it sat a faun, something Castilla found quite exciting, for she had seen them in books alone, and a golden haired young man.

Catilla studied the scene before her.

"Where is the king?" She asked.

Elisa looked inquisitively at the Princess. "Why My Lady, that's him right there." Elisa pointed toward Peter.

Castilla studied the boy. That was Peter the Magnificent, High King of Narnia? There was just no way, he was no older than she was! There must have been a mistake. There must have been!

"Are you sure that's not just the king's stable boy or something?" Castilla enquired.

"How many stable boys do you know that wear crows?" Snapped Lenia. "That, My Lady, is why you need to show up on time for your lessons."

Lenia continued on about the importance of studies, but Castilla wasn't listening.

No, this was wrong. All wrong! King Peter was supposed to be a deep chested, battle tested warrior, with facial hair and a legion of Narnian soldiers at his side. Not a little boy with a faun at his side! This was Andrian's savior, some blonde haired, pretty boy!

Elisa glanced over at Castilla's shocked expression.

"Handsome isn't he, Princess?" She laughed.

"Yes…" Castilla answered, still lost in thought. She glanced over at her nurse's amused expression; suddenly remembering was she was asked. "I mean…No! I mean…that's not the point, he's a foreign diplomat, he deserves more respect than that, Elisa!" Castilla scolded.

Madea began to giggle. Suddenly the Castilla heard the silence of the main hall below her room filled with the voice of her father greeting the Narnian king. Evidentially, she was not the only one who heard, as her dog, Arrow rose to his feet and shot toward the door of Castilla's chamber as fast as, well, an arrow.

"Arrow, come back!" Castilla shouted. But it was too late; she could hear him bounding down the stairs toward the chamber.

This isn't going to be good. The Princess thought.

Ehards29: Okay, just a few notes about Adrian/Castilla

1. Adrian is supposed to be based off of Ancient Greece, so just have that image in your mind when you're reading this fic.

2. Castilla is good-looking in my fic and is good at archery (but not as good as Susan!), but I'm trying to make sure she isn't Mary Sue. She and Peter don't fall in love at first sight, and she has normal colored eyes/no weird, magical skills. There is a reason why she freaked out about Peter's age and what-not, but that will be exampled in time my dears.

Anyway, please, please review. It's sort of my b-day (I'm a leap-year baby!), so make me smile! Adios, amigos!