Author's Note: I apologize that this took so long. Out of town, concerts, and moving all combined. Hope you enjoy my belated chapter.
Jaselle sat on her bed. The sun was setting, and as usual, she watched its descent.
When Peter had first told her about the arranged marriage, she had been happy. Very. But now, she felt doubts creeping in.
Was he really a nice guy? Did he act with care, was he always kind? Or was that an act?
She had read about men who had said one thing, acted one way, and then turned completely different once you married them. Would Peter be like that?
She hoped not. He was so thoughtful, and caring. The way he looked at her. His bright blue eyes, tearing away all of her self doubt. Her sense of unworthiness.
Many evenings before she had sat here watching the sunset. And asked herself questions. Why had her mother died? Why had she left Jaselle here, alone, with an indifferent father and an uncaring brother? Was she as ugly has her brother said? As dumb? As stubborn?
Was there any point to her being alive?
But now, Jaselle knew the answer to that question. She hoped. And that was Peter.
He was so… As she searched for the right word, her gaze alighted on a flock of seagulls pin wheeling across her view, presumably heading for the sea. For the longest time, Jaselle had envied the birds. Their freedom to go wherever they wished, to be with whomever they pleased. Always surrounded by family and friends.
But now, maybe that was where she was headed. To a life with the High King of Narnia. One who had three siblings, although none were yet married. But she was sure they soon would be. Then Jaselle could finally be part of a loving, caring family. One she hadn't had since her mother had died.
Yet still, doubts plagued her. Would his family like her? Even more so, would they approve of their marriage? Would they be able to love her, like a sister?
Could Peter love her like she wanted him to?
All of this swirled around her, a raging inferno of chaotic thoughts. The wind seemed to whisper that she wasn't good enough. Her thundering heartbeat was thumping out the beats until her life shattered.
A creak outside made her jump, thinking it was some sort of creature come to kill her. Or maybe ruin her life.
But the knock and then Susan's cheerful voice broke through that.
"Jaselle, are you there? I wish to speak with you."
A smile slowly crept up Jaselle's face. Here was one new friend, and her soon to be sister.
That seemed almost natural for her, that Susan would be her sister. It was like they already were, this was just official.
Jaselle sprang out of bed and hurried to the door, throwing it open. Susan was grinning from ear to ear.
"Is it true? Are you and my brother, well, you know…?"
Jaselle's head bobbed up and down.
Susan squealed, and threw her arms around Jaselle.
"That's wonderful! I keep telling him he needs to marry, we all tell him. But he ignores us, saying he has to look out for Narnia first. And then he ignores Narnia when they tell him to marry."
Susan closed the door behind her, and the two excited young women headed for Jaselle's bed.
"And now he gets to do both! And he picked a really good one this time. I've always wanted a sister more my age, Lucy being that much younger. This is great!"
She paused for breath, then broke into giggles.
"I can't stop talking. It's you who's getting married. So, any plans yet?"
Jaselle shrugged, and bit caught off guard. Peter had just told her this morning that the two of them were getting married. Why would she have thought about anything beyond that already?
"Not really."
Susan gasped.
"Really? Well, as soon as I get engaged, I'm going to start first thing working on the wedding. My gown will need to be perfect, and so will the place. I-"
She stopped again. This time, both of them broke down laughing.
Susan was the first to sober.
"So, we need to get started right away. Which do you like better, traditional white or something more colorful?"
Jaselle grinned from ear to ear. Maybe all of her doubts were misplaced, and this would all turn out fine.
………………………………...
Clorin swaggered into the room. He plopped down onto the couch, propping his feet up.
Hassin felt like spitting, which he would have done in his homeland if someone like that had walked in. Instead, he rolled his eyes and turned his gaze back to the King, who was currently chewing on some sort of meat. He grunted, and waved a hand. Hassin took that as his cue to speak.
"From what I could hear, they seem to be very happy about it. I followed Peter to her room, where he told her the news. She seemed to take it well."
Clorin laughed.
"The wench Susan is in there now, shrieking and giggling about dresses and, whatever."
He waved his hand idly in the air.
The King belched, and nodded.
"Good, good. Alright. Are you ready for the trip then, son?"
Clorin shrugged.
"Sure. The sooner I get up there, the sooner they can attack the Calormenes. And we can be done with this business."
He snickered.
"Although, I find myself growing fond of the wench."
His laugh escalated into a guffaw. Hassin was disgusted. In his culture, they didn't abuse their women. At least, not without marrying them.
Hassin excused himself to go oversee the loading of the ships. With their special cargo.
………………………………...
Peter was silently munching on some salad when the King walked in. The monarch's face split in a grin, and he walked over and sat down across from Peter.
"Hello, son."
Peter glanced up.
"Well, almost. I'll just call you Peter. Is that alright?"
Peter shrugged, and went back to his lettuce. His instincts told him something fishy was going on, but the other part of his brain told him there was no logic to back that up. So he said nothing.
The King continued in his talking.
"You know, I thought as a gesture for our new contract, that a Lorsolum envoy to Narnia would be a large benefit. As well, we would send along six cargo ships, laden with goods for your lands."
Peter looked up again. The King's proposition made sense, following the treaty.
"I think that sending my son Clorin would make the most sense, to speak on my behalf. And maybe your sister Susan could return with him, as they seem to be getting so close?"
Peter tilted his head slightly. He didn't see anything wrong with it. Right? Clorin seemed to be a nice enough guy, although Peter didn't want him getting too close to his sister. But he knew Susan could take care of herself, as she always did.
He nodded slowly.
"That sounds like a good idea."
The King beamed.
"Splendid. I shall have the ships prepared at once. They could leave at dawn the day after the morrow."
He heaved himself up and left. Peter was left to consider his words, and munch on his salad.
………………………………...
Hassin stood leaning against the mast of the ship. A dark line of men walked into the hold of the ship. Around the wharf, the same was happening.
An almost demonic grin split his face. It was proud, to say the least. But then, he was proud of his work. Not overly proud, as he knew that would lead to his downfall. But self confident proud, because he had helped a King trick another King, while he was tricking both.
It was delightful. Hassin excelled in these kinds of battles. Not the kind that would soon be fought further north. But a battle of wits, where you held all of the cards and tried to make a card house around the other players without them seeing. Even better was the fact that he was good at it. As the results showed.
A shadowy form walked up to him.
"Sir, cargo is loaded. And hidden. Ready to depart."
Hassin nodded.
"Acknowledged. Get into place. And, if you succeed, you will be rewarded."
The figure saluted and left. Hassin watched for a moment more, then left when the wharf was silent and still. He had a few things to attend to before the next morning's departure. ………………………………...
Peter hugged Susan.
"Stay safe. And make sure you give that letter to Edmund. He needs to read it. And then make sure you give Oreius that note I wrote him. It's important. And-"
Susan held up her hand.
"You've told me three times already. I will deliver all eleven letters you wrote."
Peter grinned sheepishly, a bit embarrassed as he realized he had been pestering his sister.
"Thank you."
Susan's smile turned a bit sly, her eye twinkling.
"And enjoy your time with Jaselle."
Peter raised an eyebrow.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Susan shrugged her shoulders, and spread her hands palms up.
"Nothing. Just telling you to have fun while I'm gone with your new fiancée."
She giggled. Peter sighed, exasperated.
"Alright, whatever. You have fun with the Prince as well. But not too much."
Susan rolled her eyes.
"Yes, your majesty. I will make sure he keeps his," she lowered her voice in a comical rendition of Peter, "greasy, slimy, greedy hands off of me."
They both laughed.
"Well, you do that."
His smile softened.
"Tell Edmund and Lucy I love them, and I miss all of you."
Susan nodded.
"I will."
They hugged one more time, then Susan went and boarded the courier that her, the Prince, and both of their honor guards would be staying. Going along with that would be a half dozen large cargo ships, laden with goods. The ambassador, Hassin, would go along to manage the cargo. The plan was for the ships to arrive, and within a week of their arrival the ships would return, with Narnian goods. The beginning of a trade system. As well, Edmund would take the acting army down to Archenland, to speak with King Lune and watch the border. And await further contact from Peter. The King was arranging a white flag meeting between the Tisroc and the two Kings in Lorsolum. The outcome of that would determine whether further action was needed.
Peter watched as the ships departed, Susan waving until they were out of sight. Peter turned to leave, and spotted Jaselle sitting on a rock that jutted over the water. She was wearing an emerald green dress, and her free hair was blowing in the breeze.
He walked over towards her.
"Seeing your brother off?" he asked. She turned, and her face lit up when she saw him.
"Sort of. More happy to see him leave. I don't like him much, and the feeling's mutual. We've never got along. It's like we aren't even siblings."
Peter nodded, although he didn't necessarily understand. He had always been close to his siblings, although Edmund had drifted away a bit back when they weren't here in Narnia…
But that was all hazy, his pre-Narnian days. The past seven years, the four monarchs of Narnia had been tight, an inseparable group.
Peter reached the rock. He had to look up to meet Jaselle's eyes. Which he enjoyed doing, despite the crick in his neck it caused. Her eyes were just so beautiful to look at.
"You coming up?"
Peter grinned, and climbed up beside her. From that position, he was looking down at the sea, instead of across it.
"You must enjoy nice views."
Jaselle laughed.
"I do. Nothing better then nature."
Her gaze flicked towards Peter, and caught his gaze.
"Well, just about."
Peter felt his heart skip a beat. Almost unconsciously, his hand reached out and held hers. She smiled at him, and he slid a little closer.Peter slid his arm around her waist, and she laid her head on his shoulder.
They sat there like that for awhile, watching the sun rise over the sea.
Author's Note: Alright, another chapter completed. For those of you who enjoy fighting, theere will be some of that in upcoming chapters. Please review!
