Disclaimer: Nope, still not mine but JK Rowling's and CS Lewis'.
A/N: So yes, I updated early just like what I promised in the previous chapter. Ooh, I'm so excited for you guys to finally read the official meeting of Hermione and the Narnian monarchs (especially Edmund *wink* *wink*)
Okay, just to remind you again, I won't be updating on Friday because it's my best friend's birthday and we'll be having a sleepover in her house.
So there! Here's chapter five of "When Two Worlds Collide". Review afterwards and do enjoy, please!
Chapter Five: Dinner Mishaps
"Will somebody listen to me?" Edmund asked in exasperation, watching as his siblings walked in and out of the Great Hall, followed by some of their servants. "This is outrageous. Oh, I'm exasperated. SUSAN! You're supposed to talk sense into them. I'm sure you believe me, too."
His older sister swivelled around and smiled apologetically while fixing flowers on an ornate vase. "Sorry, Ed," she said, cutting the thorns from a rose. "I do believe that what we're doing can be risky to us and our countrymen but see that bloke over there?" She pointed her scissors towards Peter who was talking to a band of Badgers. "Contradicting him is futile."
Edmund rolled his eyes and turned around, planning to stomp off to the gazebo in the garden. It had always been his sanctuary since he was the only one who found comfort in the said place. He knew that if he were there, he'd be away from these mad people.
"If this woman turns out to be a hideous witch or something, then I won't help you at all if she wreak havoc in this bloody country!" he exclaimed in finality, opening the front doors of the castle. He ventured off to the gardens, walked inside the gazebo, and plopped down on one of its chairs.
He could not believe them. Not at all. There was a prophecy, for goodness' sake! It was a time for them to be on guard and look out for strange and potentially dangerous things around and inside Narnia. There was no time for this fancy hogwash. They needed to plan battles and form strategies.
Edmund heaved a huge sigh and leaned his head against the backrest of his seat. Of course he should be grateful that this mysterious girl that was going to dine with them this evening saved his sister's life. That was something heroic. Full stop. But what if it was merely a ruse? What if the girl needed something from Lucy… from them that could jeopardize the safety of Narnia? For all they know, she could be the one that was described in the first two lines of the prophecy.
"I knew you'd be here," a voice interrupted and Edmund did not have to lift his head to know who it was.
"Go away and… and spread glitters all over the Great Hall for your special friend, Lucy," Edmund spat, a small pout growing on his face.
His sister laughed and sat down beside him. "I'm not spreading glitters, mister," she interjected, smiling when her brother rolled her eyes. "Tsk, come on, Edmund, why are you being like this?"
"Oh, I don't know," he mocked. "Maybe because we have a country to protect? You tell me."
"Blimey, you're insufferable!" Lucy exclaimed, laughing softly. This made him scowl. "Look, Hermione's my guest, okay? All right, all right, she has this mysterious aura around herself. I want to assume that she's a Telmarine but there's something about her that seemed… off."
"Well, a good reason why we must stop this absurdity," he pointed out but Lucy shook her head.
"Shh, I'm not done," she reprimanded, ignoring the glare he threw her way. "I don't know. She's different but harmless. Definitely harmless." She emphasized her description upon seeing Edmund's scowl darken. "This Hermione I've seen in the forest was, err… something and I don't know, I think I was just compelled to get to know more about her."
Edmund sighed and straightened up, looking straight into Lucy's eyes. "That's the thing about deception, Lucy," he said. "It always makes things so pleasant and curious and before you know it, you're in danger already."
"What if she's the Daughter of Eve in the prophecy?" Lucy asked.
"We can't risk that," he reasoned out.
"But, Ed, what if?" she insisted, her eyes shining brighter than usual.
He sighed and reluctantly said, "Then, that's good. We found our sole defender of Narnia." He glared when a small smile appeared on Lucy's face. "But what if she's not? Lucy, come on, we have to be more careful from now on. I don't see why Peter couldn't feel the urgency of what we are suddenly thrust into."
"Because Peter, unlike some scrooge out there, thinks it's perfectly harmless to invite a girl to dinner," Lucy said. "That maybe he, unlike some scrooge out there, feels that it was pointless to be constantly paranoid to the point that we're not able to see the answers anymore when they could be right under our noses."
Edmund stared at Lucy, and then laughed in disbelief. "When did you get so mature now?" he asked.
"When I realized that my brother's acting immature," she shot back, sticking out her tongue for an emphasis. "Now, will you go up to your room and at least look decent for my guest?"
He still frowned and looked away.
"For me, then?" she corrected and finally, Edmund sighed.
"Fine, fine, I'll do this for you," he said. "Dear God above, I have no idea why I have such a persistent sister like you."
Lucy squealed in delight and threw her arms around Edmund. "Thanks, Ed. You're the best," she said. "Now off you go and we'll be waiting in the Great Hall."
Edmund reluctantly stood up from his seat and trudged inside. Caspian was standing a few meters outside the threshold. Edmund glared when the older man smirked but did not say anything.
Lucy soon followed inside and when she saw Caspian's disbelieving look, Lucy winked.
"How do you do that?" he asked.
And Lucy, grinning widely, answered, "That's the power of little sisters, Caspian. Be glad you never had one."
"Are you nervous, Babbity?" Hermione asked, laughing when the Rabbit tripped for the umpteenth time. Reepicheep had been exasperated already since he had been crushed under Babbity's weight for a few times already.
"Oh, sweetheart, I sure am," she said, hopping excitedly once again with a huge grin stretched on her furry face. "This is the first time I'd be dining with the royalties. Almighty Aslan, this is the first time I'd be seeing them, face-to-face!"
Reepicheep groaned when Babbity tripped once again. The Mouse scurried away from the falling weight and almost did not make it. Hermione chuckled and then bent down, stretching her hand. "Come on, you can sit on my shoulder to avoid some, err, accidents," she offered and Reepicheep gladly accepted her offer.
Hermione giggled for a bit, tickled by Reepicheep's little paws. Once the Mouse was settled, they continued their journey.
"You're quite fetching, Miss," the Mouse declared, smiling charmingly up at Hermione. "Where did you come from?"
"Now, now, Reepicheep," Babbity warned, tutting when Hermione merely chuckled, a little embarrassed. "I'm sure dear Hermione here wouldn't really like animals as her romantic counterpart."
The Mouse scoffed and said. "I'm not just any animal, Babbity. I'm a Talking Animal," he corrected.
The Rabbit rolled her eyes and muttered a soft, "For heaven's sake."
"So, where did you come from?" Reepicheep asked, looking once again at Hermione.
The brunette, knowing that she had to live up with her lie of having amnesia, shrugged and said, "Truth be told, I really don't know."
"Eh?" he asked, a little surprised and confused.
"She cannot remember a single thing about herself," Babbity elaborated, seeing the discomfort on Hermione's face. "The poor sweetheart only remembers her name. I've seen her outside, bloodied and injured, and when she woke up, she doesn't even know how she came here."
Reepicheep looked down at her bandaged leg and frowned. "That's why you're limping," he said, frowning slightly. "Am I burdening you? Am I too heavy? Am I bothering your leg? I could go down now, if you like."
"Nonsense," she said. "I don't really feel 'burdened' by your weight."
"Oh, you flatter me, Miss," Reepicheep said, rubbing his cheek against hers.
"No, it's because you're a Mouse," Babbity interjected.
The Mouse sighed in exasperation and glared at the Rabbit.
"So, this Cair Paravel," Hermione said, gesturing to the nearing castle. "Tell me something about it."
"It's where the Narnian royalties live," Reepicheep answered.
Hermione smiled. "I think we've already established that," she said.
"Well, it's ruled by two Sons of Adam, two Daughters of Eve and a Telmarine King. Funny set of royalties, if you ask me, but they are exceptional, nonetheless," the Mouse elaborated. "The first few years of their rule, excluding King Caspian, Narnia had been in its so-called Golden Age. Everything was flourishing and Narnia ruled under harmony and beauty."
"The thing is," Babbity added, "there was a time when the four of them suddenly disappeared, and the Telmarines invaded Narnia. Almost all of the Talking Animals were reduced to silence. Narnians had almost been a myth now, but our leaders returned, younger than what they were supposed to be, and fought for the freedom of Narnia. Cair Paravel had been destroyed because of time and age, but they restored it. Hence, you can now see that wonderful castle before your eyes."
Hermione stared at awe. Of course she knew about the story of Narnia already. She had read about them countless times already. "W-wait," Hermione said. "They're not going back anymore? I mean, to their home? Earth?"
Both Babbity and Reepicheep looked scandalized. "Go back?" the Mouse asked. "That's preposterous, Miss. Nobody really knows the real reason why but we heard that if they were to go back, they could die."
Hermione's blood ran cold. 'If they go back, they die?' she asked, her heart beat racing. 'Does that mean if I go back I -?' Hermione shook her head, trying to rid of such hopeless and ridiculous thoughts. She was sure that there was a proper and good reason why the Pevensies could not go back to their world anymore and Hermione prayed to the great cosmic powers above that the same fate would not befall upon her.
"Well, we're here," Reepicheep said, hopping off from Hermione's shoulder down to the ground. The high gates were guarded by two Centaurs and two Minotaurs and the Mouse strode forward and waved his little sword, seemingly unafraid.
He then turned around and spread out his arms. "Well, ladies, welcome to Cair Paravel," he said.
And then, the gates were opened.
"The guests have arrived," a Bear announced before walking away. Peter had said his thanks and waited for the guests to arrive.
The Pevensies and Caspian were all wearing some of their best clothes. It had baffled Edmund the most that they must glamorize themselves for just a girl and a Rabbit. Lucy, ever the modest one, would say that a girl who had saved her life is a girl worth glamorizing over.
They were all lined up in front of the doors to welcome their guest and soon, the wooden doors of the Great Hall opened. In came Reepicheep, who bowed down in respect. "I've brought the lady and her companion, your majesties."
"Thank you, Reepicheep," Lucy said, grinning when the Mouse sent her a wink.
He then scurried away and left the royalties and their guests.
The girl and the Rabbit both walked inside simultaneously. The Rabbit fell down on her knees and bowed reverently. The girl, on the other hand, stood stock still for a moment before realizing that her companion had bowed down. She, too, fell on her knees and bowed.
"Erm… your majesties," she said and Lucy, softly laughing, stepped forward and pulled the girl and the Rabbit up.
"No need to be so respectful now, Hermione and" – she looked at the Rabbit.
"My name's Babbity, your highness," the Rabbit said a tad too enthusiastically.
"Babbity," Lucy said, grinning. "Both of you are our guests today. Think as if you're both our equal. Hermione." The young queen looped her arm around the baffled brunette and pulled her towards the table. Lucy then realized that the two of them were the only ones walking. She turned around, almost laughed at the surprise on the faces of her siblings, most especially her brothers, and said, "Come now, you lot. I'm famished."
Everybody soon found their places on the table. As High King, Peter sat at the head of the table. Caspian was at his left and Edmund at his right. Susan sat down beside her fiancé while Lucy sat down beside her brother. Hermione was pulled down beside Lucy and Babbity hopped towards Susan's right.
"You have no idea how grateful we are to you for saving our sister, Miss Hermione," Peter amiably said and the brunette smiled.
"Any sensible creature will sense that she was in danger, your majesty," Hermione said. "And so, it's not really necessary to thank me or to… to prepare this dinner for me."
Beside her, Lucy laughed in disbelief. "Nonsense," she said. "And can you please drop the 'your majesty' part? It's a little uncomfortable when you call us that.
Hermione smiled and said. "Yes, your ma –" She coughed and her smile turned into a sheepish one. "Yes," she repeated once again, this time not adding the honorary term in the end.
And so, the dinner continued.
Hermione thought it wasn't bad at all, dining with these supposedly fictional characters. All of them were amiable and welcoming. There was this warm ambiance around them and soon, the brunette started to relax and talk smoothly with the others already.
Well, save from King Edmund the Just, who kept on shooting her suspicious glares when he thought she was not looking. It had unnerved Hermione, especially because she was starting to get a little insecure every time his onyx eyes landed on her form. He always seemed calculating, scrutinizing her every move and Hermione was starting to be afraid and thought that he was somehow reading her very soul.
"Miss… Hermione," the king suddenly started and all the noise in the dining table was halted. Edmund had not talked ever since the visitors had arrived; therefore, it had somehow surprised everybody when he suddenly addressed the mysterious young lady.
Hermione coolly looked at him, although her heart was thudding so loudly inside her ribcage. "Yes?" she asked.
She watched as King Edmund leaned slightly closer to the dinner table, his eyes never leaving her face. "We've been talking quite awfully right now and you've never even mentioned anything remotely about yourself," he continued.
"Ed," Lucy warned but his brother brushed him off.
Hermione licked her lips and looked at him thoughtfully for a while. 'What does he want?' she asked, her eyes connected with his own.
"You see, your majesty," Babbity piped in. "Hermione, here, does not remember where she came from. In fact, she does not remember anything about herself at all."
Edmund raised an eyebrow. "Interesting," he said, and Hermione, starting to get a little annoyed, glared.
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Susan said, cutting in.
"You have no recollection whatsoever of what had happened to you?" Caspian added and Hermione, finally tearing her eyes away from the piercing gaze of Edmund Pevensie, looked at the couple and shook her head.
"Babbity said she saw me sprawled messily outside her burrow erm… bloodied and injured," she said, tucking a stray strand behind her ear.
"You are?" Lucy asked with concern and Hermione smiled at her.
"No need to fret," she said. "I'm quite all right now. Babbity's taking care of me wonderfully."
If Talking Animals could blush, Babbity would be doing so right now. Instead, she just reached for Hermione's hand and patted it.
"Anything for you, sweetheart," she said, and Hermione's heart swelled for the Rabbit.
"No recollections of your past," Edmund echoing, diverting her attention. Hermione once again looked at the king, this time guarded and a little stern. "If you must know, Miss Hermione, you have this accent the same as ours and I couldn't help but think that maybe you're from England, too. A Londoner, perhaps?"
Hermione blinked and frowned. "That has occurred to me a few hours ago, your majesty," she said. "But I'm afraid such memories are not triggered inside my mind."
"I don't know, Peter," Edmund said, looking away from Hermione to his brother. "Don't you think amnesias are quite cliché?"
"Edmund," Lucy admonished, now slightly fuming on her seat.
"Remember that movie we've watched a few years ago?" the king repeated, ignoring his sister. "The one who pretended to have amnesia but turned out to be the antagonist of the whole movie in the end."
"Edmund, stop it," Peter ordered, now glaring darkly at his brother. Caspian was shaking his head and Susan was wearing a scowl on her face now. Lucy turned into a furious shade of red and Hermione… she had had enough.
"Are you trying to imply something, your majesty?" Hermione asked through gritted teeth.
The youngest king turned his head towards her direction again, this time the suspicion and hostility visible on his face. "I'm sorry, did I strike a nerve?" he asked with mock sincerity.
Scandalized and offended, Hermione stood up from her chair. Because of the abruptness, the chair toppled and fell on the floor with a loud bang. Silence followed after Hermione's drastic action and she, unable to contain her emotions anymore, said in an eerily calm voice, "I see I am not entirely welcome anymore." Her voice had sent chills through the spine of all of the occupants, even King Edmund. "I had a wonderful time," she said through gritted teeth. "Let's go, Babbity."
And with that, she turned away and walked out of the Great Hall. Babbity, at loss of what to do, finally decided to hop down from her chair and followed the slightly limping brunette.
The doors closed with a thud.
Her departure was followed by a tensed silence. Soon, it was Edmund who broke it.
"How insolent," he remarked lightly, glaring at the closed wooden doors. He almost jolted in surprise when there was a loud bang on the table. Turned out it was a furious Lucy, who had just banged her hand on the table.
"You've got the nerve," she exclaimed, her eyes growing darker. "When you yourself was the insolent one!" Lucy turned on her heel and walked away from the Great Hall. She had closed the door much louder than before.
Edmund, staring at the space that Lucy once occupied, scoffed. "What did I do now?" he asked, looking at the others. All three of them were glaring down at him and he threw up his arms in exasperation. "I was merely interrogating," he defended. "It's not my fault this Miss Hermione girl became sensitive about it."
"Edmund, you idiot," Susan said, leaning towards the table to slap the back of his head.
"OW, SUSAN!"
Caspian sighed and shook his head. "The girl does not remember anything about herself," he pointed out. "You should have given her at least some sympathy or a fraction of respect."
"Oh, come on now," Edmund cried. "You really do believe that mumbo jumbo of hers?"
"Edmund, she's a girl who does not remember anything besides her name," Peter repeated, this time more sternly than Caspian.
"For the love of Aslan!" the youngest king exclaimed. "Betrayal of the most unlikely. Did it ever occur to you that maybe she - "
"ENOUGH!" Peter thundered and Edmund was reduced to silence. Peter had always this ability to make people speechless, whether by his imposing nature or commanding authority. Right now, Edmund couldn't help but obey him. After all, one must not mess with an enraged Peter Pevensie.
Peter calmed down and held Edmund's arm. "Look, I understand about your great concern for Narnia, Ed," he started. "I'm worried, too. We all are. But, that doesn't give you the excuse to accuse all of the mysterious creatures you see in Narnia."
"We do not know who'll betray us, okay?" Edmund exclaimed, roughly pulling his arm away from Peter's grip. "Can't you understand? Another war is looming, Peter! Another blasted war that could cause the lives of our people. Aren't you tired of it? Fighting? I - "
Edmund then chose to shut his mouth, shook his head, and walked towards the door. Before he could completely walk out of the doors, he turned around and stated, "I just want Narnia to be safe." And with that, he walked out of the Great Hall.
"I cannot believe that such a respectable person could act so… so unregal and impudent!" Hermione exclaimed as she flung the door of the burrow open and stomped inside. Babbity followed, hopping on one of the available chairs. Hermione chose to sit down on the bed and continued to rant.
"Can you believe that, Babbity?" she continued. "Can you believe him? And I thought he was King Edmund the Just. Just my foot."
Babbity softly smiled at the furious girl. "There, there, sweetheart, calm down," she said. "It's been a tough night for all of us. I think it's best to go to sleep."
"He said something rude," Hermione continued, annoyed that frustrated tears started to gather at the corner of her eyes. "I don't understand why such a person could be rude to someone he had just met."
The Rabbit hopped off from her chair towards the emotionally unstable girl. "Understand that one wrong move by the monarchs could cause a great war between nations, Hermione," she said, patting her back with her paw. "I think it's sensible for creatures to act violently over something mysterious."
"But not impolitely," Hermione shot back, haphazardly wiping a tear on her face. "Babbity, I don't belong here," she mournfully said, accepting the little hug that the Rabbit was offering her. "I just want to go home."
"Hush now, sweetheart," she said, pushing Hermione with all her might. The brunette budged and fell down on the bed. "Just sleep and tomorrow morning, you'll be all right."
Hermione nodded her head and closed her eyes, a small tear running down from her face.
As Babbity watched the poor girl sleep, she wondered what Hermione had gone through in the past.
A/N: And, end of chapter five! How'd you like it? Tell me in your reviews! I think I've somehow established the initial relationship Hermione will be having with the royalties, yes?
Just a little trivia, Babbity the Rabbit is inspired from "Babbity Rabbity and the Cackling Stump" from the book of "Tales of Beedle the Bard". Hehe, I think it's adorable and I remember that one reviewer of mine pointed that out.
So I think that's it. See you next Monday!
With love,
WickedlyAwesomeMe