She had a dream.
Ellie was walking along the stream near her home. She was going to meet someone, which she knew without being told. She didn't know who it was; she just knew she needed to meet them. When she reached where she thought she should be going she saw what she supposed she was meant to see. There was a great, tawny, lion staring back at her.
Ellie knew something was supposed to happen, and just as she was about to speak, the lion roared, his extended jaw swallowing her up.
Ellie's eyes flew open.
The first thing she noticed was that she felt like she could run three miles and jump on the bed. She didn't think she had ever felt so good when she woke up.
The next thing she noticed was that she was not in her own bed. She was sure of it. It was far too comfortable. She flung her arms out. They didn't fall off the side as they would have if it were her own bed. This bed was much bigger.
The ceiling was further away as well. In her room, the ceiling was cracked and peeling. This ceiling seemed miles above her and carved out of marble. This could not be her room. So where was she?
Ellie sat up and gasped quietly. The bed was a beautiful mahogany four poster with curtains. The room itself was sumptuous. The walls were papered with light blue and gold gilt wallpaper. There was a delicate screen to her right with a fluffy looking robe hanging from one of the sides, hopefully hiding something like a bathtub; a wardrobe was carefully placed in a distant corner. A small nook to the left held a table that was flanked by a few chairs. The door directly across from where Ellie laid was ornately carved.
She gazed down at her arms. The last thing she had been wearing was black. Now her arms were covered in gauzy white material. Someone had changed her into a nightgown.
The door opened and a fuzzy head poked through. Ellie screamed. The creature that was entering her room jolted, but it held the tray it was carrying steady. It seemed to be half woman half…something else. She had a mass of brown-red curls upon her head with short horns poking through. Ears that stuck out straight from her head and legs that were covered in the same hair that covered her head leading to hooves.
"By the mane, you have a set of lungs," the creature said with a bit of a nervous laugh in her voice. "But it's good to see you're up."
Ellie was terrified, she grasped the sheets hard. "What are you?" She asked, rather insensitively.
The creature gave her a warm, knowing smile, "I'm a faun, my dear."
Ellie nodded, as if in a trance. Nothing made sense to her. Even the clothes the self-proclaimed faun was wearing were odd. An old fashioned bodice and a purple skirt that split down the middle revealing a blue underskirt. Much older and fancier than the clothes Ellie was used to.
"Of course," she tried to backtrack. "I apologize." She didn't want to seem rude to the very first being she encountered. "If you don't mind my asking…where am I?"
"You're in Cair Paravel." The faun cautiously approached Ellie and set the tray down on the bedside table.
"Are we in England?"
"Inglind?" The faun asked. "No, dear. You're in the great country of Narnia. What is Inglind?"
Ellie felt a nervous giggle form in her throat. She was no longer in England. "It's where I am from, I suppose."
The faun hummed. "Is it very far away?"
"I don't know," Ellie said. She'd never heard of a place called Narnia. How long was that river? "I'm very sorry, what's your name?" She asked suddenly, realizing they hadn't been properly introduced.
"You can call me Mrs. Arnus, dear. And what should I call you?" She took the lid off of the tray. It held a teapot, a bowl of porridge, and some fruit.
Ellie's stomach rumbled. She wondered how long she had been asleep. Her stomach was making such a fuss she almost forgot Mrs. Arnus question. "My name is Eleanor Rose Chaplin." She looked into the faun's kind brown eyes. "But most people call me Ellie." She looked over at the food longingly, "Is that for me?"
Mrs. Arnus smiled again. "Yes, dear. Fresh from the kitchen. Here," she placed the tray on Ellie's lap. "Enjoy your meal. I'll be back to fetch the dishes. Do you need anything else?"
Ellie was unaccustomed to being served. "Er…no. Thank you, Mrs. Arnus."
"Very well," the faun turned to leave, bustling to the door.
"Oh, wait!" Ellie sat up a little further. "What time is it?" There were no windows in her room to judge the sun by.
"It's almost noon, dear. You've been asleep since yesterday." The faun gave her a sympathetic look. "You've had quite a time. Best eat up."
Ellie had a hundred questions, but her hunger took precedence. Mrs. Arnus left the room with a smile. Ellie picked up the spoon and dug into the porridge. Someone had drizzled honey on the top and she savored the sweetness on her tongue. What was the last thing she had eaten? She couldn't say. She hadn't eaten at her mother's luncheon.
Oh.
Her mother was dead. And her father—she had told her father she hated him.
She carefully put down her spoon and swallowed the porridge in her mouth with great difficulty. Tears welled in her eyes and she choked down a sob. Her father would think she had run away—hating him. There was no great love between her and her father but she couldn't bear the thought of him thinking she hated him. It was cruel. She was so far from home and she didn't know how or when she would get back. She didn't know if she would see him again.
The tears came harder and she couldn't hold them back. She wept openly into her porridge, tears falling hot and heavy down her cheeks. She let out a frustrated cry and slammed her fists into the bed, nearly upsetting the tea pot in her lap. It only made her cry harder. She felt like a child, unable to regulate her emotions. Her parents would be embarrassed by such a display. She took a deep breath through her nose, letting it out through her mouth. Slowly she calmed herself.
Wiping her eyes roughly with the back of her hands, she sniffled. She needed answers. She took the tray off of her lap, misjudging how heavy it was (nearly dropping it), and set it on the table beside the bed. Cautiously she slipped her legs out from under the covers. All the blood rushed from her head leaving her faint. She reached out and steadied herself against the bedpost.
Narnia? Cair Paravel? What is this a fairytale? she thought ruefully. Where am I?
Despite thinking it a bad idea to go exploring, as she may find more unfamiliar and possibly unfriendly things, she made her way towards the door. Her bare feet were quiet on the furs that covered the floors. She dug her toes in. Wherever she was, it was luxurious.
The door itself was beautifully carved with animals and lavish trees. It also looked heavy. She grasped the handle, turning it, then shouldering the door open. She peeked out.
There was another faun—male this time—who appeared to be guarding the door. A sword hung from his hip. She squeaked, slamming a hand over her mouth. He looked as surprised to see her as she was to see him. Quickly, she shut the door again.
Leaning up against it, she took a breath. She tried to run a hand through her hair but it was too tangled. She realized she must look a fright. She was in a clean nightgown, but suddenly she felt itchy. When was the last time she has a bath? How long had she been here? What had the faun said? She'd been asleep since yesterday?
Thinking about her violent trip down the river, she suppressed a shiver. She tried to think back to what she remembered. She remembered falling into the creek behind her house and nearly drowning in what became a river. Then there was a boy. He had pulled her out of the river. But after that, everything was fuzzy. He must have brought her back here. Could this be his home? What kind of people could live here? And if she couldn't find her way home, would she be allowed to stay?
She returned to the bed and sat on the edge. Halfheartedly she picked up the spoon and mixed the porridge around. She brought the spoon to her lips. It was cold. She put the spoon down and sighed. Folding her hands over her empty stomach she laid back on the bed alone and frightened. Her head was swimming with unanswered questions. She hoped Mrs. Arnus would be back soon.
Edmund slouched back against his throne as the last council member left the throne room. When he thought they were out of earshot he turned to the man who had stayed behind. He frowned, "I don't think an armed guard was necessary, Peridan."
The fair haired man stood before the four Pevensies, hands clasped behind his back. "With the report of a Calormene spy in Archenland we can't be too careful, Your Majesty."
"We don't want her wandering off, Ed." Peter turned to look at his brother, speaking in a tone that only his siblings could pick up as Peter saying 'not now'. "When we meet her properly there won't be any need for the guard anymore. It's not forever."
Lucy and Susan shared an amused look. "And we'll meet her at dinner tonight Edmund," Lucy said enthusiastically. "So it won't be so long."
Peridan pressed his lips together. "My Queen, I would really feel more comfortable if I interviewed her first, especially since you plan on letting her stay in the castle. We don't know where she comes from."
"I can tell Aslan sent her for a reason," Lucy answered. "She's not here to hurt us."
The youngest monarch had always proved to be nearly prophetic. Her dreams and gut-feelings had prevented much adversity. The Pevensies had learned to listen.
Peridan was slightly more apprehensive. As their majesties top royal advisor he took his job very seriously. He was born during the long winter, his mother was Narnian by blood—a descendant of King Frank, and his father was an Archenlander Duke. He grew up in the Archenland court and became an advisor to King Lune. When the news came that the Pevensies had taken the throne he set off in search of employment in the Narnian court. His mother was very proud.
However, being very nearly ten years older than Peter, he felt almost paternal towards the young kings and queens. Peridan was the strong voice of caution in an otherwise passionate and headstrong monarchy.
Shifting from foot to foot Peridan asked, "Are you sure you don't want me to attend dinner tonight?"
This time Susan spoke, "We don't want to overwhelm her. If it soothes your mind Peridan you can meet with her tomorrow. Once she's had a chance to settle in."
"And you think the most prudent thing to do is introduce them to the four leaders of the nation? That might be quite a shock."
The siblings looked at each other, not having considered this. 8 years into their reign and they were still sometimes taken aback at their own importance.
Edmund leaned his head on his fist, "Peter and Lucy saved her life. If she remembers anything, they'll be familiar to her. And if Lucy is correct and Aslan sent her we should meet her."
"I agree," Peter said. "I'd like to meet her. Properly."
"Me too," said Lucy.
"And I," Susan agreed.
Peridan sighed. "As you wish."
"Is there anything else you'd like to talk about Peridan?" Edmund stifled a yawn. He wasn't trying to be rude. He hadn't slept well the night before. The fire had burned low in the hearth and the cold had seeped into his bones. He hadn't summoned the energy to stoke the flames until morning.
"Yes. About your upcoming trip to Archenland. Are you ready?"
"Yes. We're bringing Oreius, Phormus, and Apphia. We'll need one wagon prepared with provisions," Peter said, sighing, having explained this at the council meeting. "I've already sent word to the kitchens, they'll be working on rations as we speak."
"Are you sure three guards are sufficient?"
Peridan, in Edmund's opinion, was always a little too cautious. What was the point of living if you couldn't have a little adventure? "Oreius is worth ten men. And Phormus and Apphia are some of our most trusted soldiers. Besides we're crossing into friendly territory."
"But, your majesty, there are still those that wish you harm. Lone dwarfs, rumors of werewolves—"
"Peridan we appreciate the concern but we'll be safe on this journey. Please have faith," Peter said, ended the conversation.
"Very well. I have nothing else to discuss. I will be there to send you off." Peridan nodded once, then left the room, his footsteps echoing behind him.
Lucy hopped down from her throne and stretched, "Having these meetings after lunch makes me sleepy." She yawned to punctuate her point.
"Maybe if you hadn't eaten so much dessert…" Susan teased softly, rearranging her crown on her dark hair.
"Maybe if you hadn't eaten only dessert." Edmund chimed in from the other side of the alcove, slight grin on his face.
"I'm saving room for dinner! Isn't it so exciting? I wonder what she'll be like." Lucy's blue eyes nearly glowed.
"Do you really think Aslan sent her?" Peter asked. He believed in Lucy's intuition, but tended to err on the side of caution. She was excitable and tended to work on instinct alone. Peter preferred hard facts.
She nodded, suddenly solemn. "The night before you found her, I heard a lion's roar."
Edmund perked up at this, but hesitated. He wasn't sure he wanted to share that he, too, had heard Aslan's roar that night. Not knowing what it meant, he decided to keep it to himself. Lucy's word was enough.
"That could have been a warning, Lu," Peter admonished quietly.
"It didn't seem like one," she responded simply.
"I think we should believe her," Edmund said. "Besides did she seem dangerous? She only seemed to be about Lucy's age." He sighed. "We're just going in circles."
Susan stood from her throne. "I agree with Edmund. I thought we'd already made up our minds anyway. We'll meet her at dinner." She clapped her hands together. "Enough talking. I'm going to the kitchens to check on the menu."
Peter laughed lightly. "Always the perfectionist, Su."
"Someone has to be." She responded, smiling brilliantly.
The corridors were pleasantly warm as Edmund made his way to the Pevensies' private dining room. For a castle seemingly carved out of marble, somehow the castle staff managed to keep it comfortable during the winter. It always felt like a home.
He made the turn into the west corridor. It was a walk he took almost every night. The Pevensies rarely dined in the Great Hall. The Great Hall was used for festivals, balls, and hosting large numbers of foreign royalty. The dining room itself was small in comparison but by no means insignificant. It could hold up to thirty people. But as it stood it usually held just four. Tonight it would host five.
Edmund was intensely curious about this girl who had appeared so suddenly on their shores. If it was true, what Lucy said, that Aslan had sent her, he desperately wanted to find out why. She came so soon after his prayer on the beach he couldn't help but wonder if her appearance had anything to do with himself.
Lucy was already there when he arrived.
"Oh! Edmund! I want to sit next to her so you sit next to Susan on the other side and Peter will sit at the head."
Edmund didn't really care where he sat, so he just nodded and took a seat. Lucy kept fidgeting with the place settings. They weren't anything special. It was the same china they ate on every night.
"Lucy why don't you sit down?" Edmund reached out to still her hand from straightening his napkin.
"Oh, alright," she huffed, flopping into the chair across from him. "Where are Susan and Peter? Did you see them on your way?"
"No, sorry, Lu."
She folded her hands on her stomach. "Well, I'm hungry! And I'm anxious to meet this girl." She suddenly sat up straight. "What do you think she'll be like?"
"You asked before, Lu. I have no idea. What if she's terrible?" He teased.
"Edmund don't say that! If Aslan brought her here I'm sure she's lovely."
"Don't forget he brought me here." Edmund grumbled. He had been a perfect terror—almost destroying Narnia in his very first days in the place.
"Oh, Edmund." Lucy sighed. "All of that is so long passed."
She was right. Edmund knew she was right. But sometimes it seemed like he lived it every day.
Lucy brightened at the sound of the door and Edmund turned as Peter and Susan entered, Mrs. Arnus behind them.
"There you are!" She said, exasperated. "I thought you'd never get here!"
"You're so impatient," Susan chided. "We're perfectly on time." She took her seat next to Edmund.
Peter made his way to the head of the table and turned to the faun, "Mrs. Arnus, we're ready to meet her. If you would please bring her here."
"Of course, your majesty." She bowed her way out of the room.
Edmund's stomach turned over. Lucy may have been vocal about her curiosity but Edmund tried to play his off in front of his family. There was no need to get flustered over a girl.
"It took us a little bit to shake off Peridan. He caught us in the corridor on the way here." Peter said, settling back in his seat.
"What did he want?" Edmund asked.
"Oh, same thing he wanted this afternoon. To come to dinner." He sighed. "He thinks she's going to attack us or something."
"Don't underestimate young women, Peter." Lucy said primly. "We might surprise you."
"So you think I should go get Peridan then?" Peter asked, jokingly rising from his chair.
"No!" Lucy laughed, crossing her hands in front of her.
Though the Pevensies respected Peridan having him around was a bit like having a disapproving father hanging over their shoulders. It tended to take the fun out of whatever they were doing, dangerous or not.
Peter sat back down. There was a knock at the door. "Enter," Peter responded.
Mrs. Arnus stepped in. Edmund twisted in his seat. He could see the shadow of someone else behind her. His palms started to sweat.
"I'd like to present Eleanor Rose Chaplin, your majesties." She stepped aside and revealed the girl.
She looked significantly better than she had when Peter brought her to the castle. Cleary she had taken a bath and someone had tended to her hair, which fell in gentle waves held back by two braids. The blue dress she was wearing was familiar. Edmund wracked his brains and seemed to remember it belonging to Lucy at some point, though it was a few inches too short on the girl—Eleanor.
He caught her gaze by accident. Her eyes were a light brown that glowed almost gold in the candlelight. Suddenly she dropped into a deep curtsy, breaking eye contact.
"Your majesties." She said, voice quivering. She stood motionless in her bent over position until Mrs. Arnus gave a little cough. She popped back up, face pink.
Peter stood and gestured to the seat next to Lucy. "Please. Sit."
Carefully Eleanor passed behind Peter to reach the other side of the table. Edmund could tell she was trying not to stare. He didn't blame her. They didn't call him High King Peter the Magnificent for nothing. In official capacity his brother was imposing. Broad shouldered and tall, he was also considered extremely handsome by many. Edmund on the other hand was a couple inches shorter and much leaner than his brother. It made him less threatening and he could blend in a bit better.
Eleanor sat uncertainly in the chair next to Lucy. Peter nodded to Mrs. Arnus and sat down again.
Lucy turned immediately to Eleanor. "So that's your name? Eleanor?"
The girl nodded. Edmund could feel the discomfort coming off of her in waves.
"I'm Lucy. And these are my siblings, Peter, Edmund and Susan."
Each of the Pevensies nodded at their name.
"How old are you?" Lucy began what Edmund would classify as an interrogation. He felt bad for the girl. She seemed to be extremely reserved.
"17, your majesty."
"And where are you from?" Lucy's eyes were bright.
The girl shifted and pulled at her sleeve. "England."
"Inglind? Doesn't that sound familiar?" Lucy looked pensive.
The word tickled something in the back of Edmund's head. He looked to Peter and raised his eyebrows, curious to see his reaction. Peter shook his head as if to say: later.
Lucy jumped back in. "And how did you get here?"
"Um." Eleanor angled slightly towards Lucy, still not meeting her eyes. "It's sort of a strange story."
Lucy looked at her imploringly and not many people could ignore that look from Lucy. "Please tell us everything."
It seemed Eleanor was not immune either.
"Well," she hesitated, "I was at the creek behind my house and it looked like someone had dropped something in the water. When I reached in something grabbed me and suddenly the creek was a river. I—I almost drowned." Her eyes were wide as she recounted her tale, but focused on the table in front of her.
"Something grabbed you?" Lucy asked, breathlessly. "That sounds like magic." She looked around the table at her family.
Edmund cringed inwardly at her cavalier response to Ellie's harrowing journey. Lucy often focused in on the details and failed to see the larger picture.
"Lucy." Susan admonished quietly. Lucy looked at her questioningly. Susan looked to Ellie. "That must have been terrible for you. I'm sorry you arrived in Narnia in such a brutal way. I promise this is a place of peace."
The girl looked doubtful and forlorn. Edmund felt terribly for her. For the most part Susan was telling the truth about Narnia being a peaceful nation. After the White Witch fell there were several years of eliminating her remaining supporters. Those years had been violent and long and instrumental in shaping each of them as young rulers.
Susan was still speaking. "I know it doesn't seem it right now, but things will turn out alright. There is a reason for everything."
"Did you see a lion?" Lucy interjected, no doubt wondering if the girl had met Aslan.
The girl paled and spread her hands out on the table, as if to brace herself. "Am I a prisoner?" She asked suddenly, looking directly at Edmund for some reason. He immediately looked away, searching for anything else to look at. He chose the floor. He felt his palms start to sweat again.
Susan spoke before Lucy had a chance, "No. You are not a prisoner. Why would you think such a thing? Do you think we normally sit down to dinner with prisoners?" She said all of it in her best 'Queen Susan the Gentle' voice; all soothing and sweetness.
"Because there was an armed guard posted outside my door." Eleanor replied sharply, surprising Edmund with her tone. She had seemed so tentative.
It was the Pevensies' turn to be uncomfortable. They hadn't explicitly wanted an armed faun outside of her door, but it was better than continuing to argue with the council—specifically Peridan.
Edmund crossed his arms and looked sideways at Peter, "I told you it was overkill," he muttered under his breath.
Peter shot him a sharp look.
Eleanor looked at him as well. But her look was more curious than cutting.
They were interrupted by attendants bringing in the first course of dinner: squash soup.
Eleanor's hands remained on the table stiffly as a faun ladled soup into her bowl. "Thank you," she whispered.
Everyone except Eleanor picked up their spoons to begin dinner. Susan hesitated. Edmund, noticing his sister's pause followed suit. Peter and Lucy soon followed, after an awkward silence.
Susan leaned forward, a crease forming between her eyebrows. Edmund knew that look. He had been on the receiving end of that look many times. "Eleanor, eat, please."
Mechanically Eleanor picked up her spoon. Before she dipped it into the soup she murmured, seemingly embarrassed, "I'm not going to eat if you're all staring at me."
Edmund stifled a laugh and the Pevensies turned their attention to their own food, though each of them would steal glances of the girl out of the corner of their eyes. It seemed that this girl was just as confused about her sudden arrival in Narnia as the Pevensies. Edmund relaxed a little. Maybe this had nothing to do with him. There was no message Aslan wanted to pass along. She was just a normal girl.
They remained silent, eating their soup. It was unusual for the Pevensies to eat in silence, but it wasn't exactly like they could talk about their days in front of a stranger. They were kings and queens, after all. At the moment they shared very little common ground.
As the attendants reappeared to clear their plates and deliver the main course Peter cleared his throat to speak. "You know," he began, "one of our advisors thought you were a spy."
Edmund knew he was trying to make a joke, but sensitive information from their top advisor wasn't good material. He rolled his eyes.
The girl, who had once again been staring at her lap, looked up sharply. "Your majesty I am not a spy." Her eyes glossed over. "I don't even know why I'm here. I think I almost died."
Clearly Peter's comment had not achieved its desired effect. Tears seemed imminent. He looked at his siblings desperately, willing them to say something.
"We don't know why you're here either. Or how to get you home," Edmund said, surprising himself. "But don't worry, we'll figure it out together."
"You're letting me stay?" she asked, still teary.
This time Edmund laughed. "Unless you prefer the Narnian wilderness. Where else would you go?"
"I'll work to earn my keep, your majesty. I can clean! I can—well I can't cook, but I can learn!" She offered desperately.
The Pevensies smiled at her.
"Though your offer is generous, it is unnecessary. Cair Paravel is our home and you are our guest. You are welcome here." Peter assured her.
The girl wiped her face delicately with her napkin. She looked to Peter for the first time since she had entered the dining room. "You saved my life. I'm sorry I haven't thanked you. I didn't know how. Thank you, your majesty." Eleanor looked up at him with big eyes.
Edmund was amused to see Peter turn slightly pink. He was used to girls looking at his brother like this. Like he was a savior—a knight in shining armor. Sometimes Edmund found it annoying but in light of what had happened to her he was willing to accept it.
"It was really all Lucy," Peter said quickly.
Eleanor smiled slightly, the first smile since she had entered the room, "Thank you, Queen Lucy."
Lucy smiled enthusiastically back at her. "Don't think of it. And please, call me Lucy. I'm sure were going to be great friends."
After Eleanor had accepted she was not being held prisoner and was in fact welcome in the castle the mood lightened considerably. More smiles were pulled from her by Peter and Lucy as they joked and chatted. Susan, ever the listener, was more reserved and Edmund was content to sit back and watch.
Armed guard, he thought irritably, really. The girl seemed entirely harmless. He briefly imagined himself boxing Peridan's ears the next time he saw him, but quickly pushed it out of his mind. Peridan truly had their best interests at heart, no matter how overzealous he became. Still, it wasn't the image the Pevensies wanted to project. They were kings and queens of the subjects. Not frigid monarchs.
Watching Lucy animatedly discuss the plans for the Winter Solstice with the reserved Eleanor Edmund found himself growing melancholy about his impending trip with Peter. He had interest in the situation in Archenland, but the girl in front of him was interesting too. Beneath that nervous exterior there must be a story.
He caught her eye again, then quickly looked away. She was the only person sitting at this table, perhaps in the whole of Narnia, that didn't know of his trespasses, he realized slowly. As he turned this thought over in his mind he began to envy Susan and Lucy and the time they would surely spend with her while he was away with Peter camping out in the harsh, biting winter until they reached the palace in Archenland.
Perhaps there was a reason for her arrival after all. Perhaps Aslan was listening.
A/N: Jeez, I'm so sorry friends. I got a new job and everything went sideways. I'm sorry you waited so long for a new chapter. Thank you to my one reviewer, you were very kind. I understand the last chapter may have been a bit dull, so hopefully this chapter is a little more well liked. As always please let me know what you think! The good, the bad, the ugly! I hope to have a new chapter out in less than a month, but please don't be angry with me if I can't get it up in time. I don't have much free time in which to write. Lots of love to all you readers out there!