Hello guys! God, I'm sooooo sorry it has taken so long! As I mentioned in my author's note, I started a new job and that's why I haven't had much time to write. But enough excuses, the chapter is here! I really hope you like it! We meet some interesting people in this chapter and I would love to read your comments/opinions on them. Also, some good news: I already have a bit of the next chapter written, because I realised this chapter was a tad too long and decided to end the chapter sooner, thus leaving the extra bit for next chapter. I will try my best to work on it during my free time, although tiredness is currently my greatest enemy -_-
Enjoy!
Chapter 8: Foreign Guests, Foreign Feelings
Life started late at the castle the next morning.
Opting for an informal, more intimate breakfast, the royals gathered in the study, allowing themselves to indulge in the lazy mood left from the evening of revelry. The celebration had lasted into the early hours of the day, and they had all gone to bed nearly at dawn, giddy with happiness and ears still ringing with the fauns' music. Time had passed imperceptibly among laughter, dancing and sheer enjoyment, sweet wine passed around generously, perhaps a tad too generously, Caspian thought, rubbing his temples in an effort to soothe his headache.
The Faithful King cracked an eye open to look at his fellow Kings, biting back a chuckle at their miserable state, not unlike his own. Edmund and Peter had begrudgingly left the comfort of their beds to join them for breakfast, groaning at the bright morning light seeping through the large windows, earning a grunt of agreement from Scorpio. Thus, the heavy curtains were drawn to a hum of approval from a significant number of people in the room. And yet, not even the pain of their splitting headaches caused any of them to regret the previous night of carefree partying, and they all grinned as much as their throbbing heads allowed it whenever the topic was brought up.
The mood in the room was greatly improved after everyone had had a few cups of strong tea or coffee, and conversation soon filled the room along with the chinks of cutlery and plates.
"I must say, I do not remember the last time I had this much fun" Lord Caelic commented with a contented sigh. "It is only a shame that my dear brother could not be here to share this most magical moment with us; after all, it is not every day one has the privilege of meeting Aslan in person" he added as an afterthought.
"That is, if he doesn't jump on a carriage the moment the news reach him" Tairin joked. "In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if we get flooded by mail from all foreign dignitaries once the word of your return stretches far and beyond" she said further, nodding to the Pevensies and taking a bite of her scone.
"I have been thinking about this, actually. The notion of five monarchs with equal powers can be particularly confusing, especially when it comes to diplomatic relations. I think it is safe to expect many foreign sovereigns to be apprehensive by all the changes happening recently" Susan noted, dutiful even during her spare time.
"Well, I had been toying with the idea of throwing a proper state ball for some time, and I think this is the perfect opportunity; think about it, the first grand soiree of a new era to mark the occasion of your permanent return to Narnia and my sister's engagement. Nothing conveys diplomatic goodwill better than a celebration full of pomp and circumstance" Caspian suggested, taking a sip from his coffee. Lucy let out a happy squeal at the idea, almost spilling her tea with the excitement.
"Oh, that is a great idea! I love balls and it's been so long since we had one!" she exclaimed, and they could almost see the million ideas popping in her head.
"It certainly is a practical idea, not to mention that this castle hasn't seen a good party in ages. I just feel a bit self-conscious; it should be just the four of you sharing the limelight" Tai commented, accepting a fresh cup of tea from Zephyr with a smile. "What do you think, Susan?" she asked, turning to look at her friend. Caspian shot a curious look at the Gentle Queen, dark eyes searching for hers.
"I think it's a good idea" she agreed with a smile, shifting her eyes to Tairin as soon as she caught Caspian's glance on her, not for the first time that day.
"Excellent, then we just need to agree on when to do it" Caspian observed, noticing Susan's reluctance towards him. Taking another sip of his beverage, the King decided to ignore the needle piercing his heart and focus on the topic at hand.
"I say a month from the date the invitations are sent. It gives guests a reasonable delay to confirm their presence and organise the trip, and it gives us enough time to make all the necessary arrangements" Tairin commented, the tension between her brother and her best friend not passing her notice.
"Balls are great to strengthen fraternity ties with foreign countries, especially foreign girls" Scorpio remarked with his usual cheek. The bright smirk gracing his features did not last long, though, for Tairin kicked him under the table, causing him to spill his tea, much to everyone's laughter.
"I only think we can find another excuse for the ball, I mean, I don't think we deserve such a fuss" Peter admitted once the giggles and chuckles had subsided.
"I disagree," Caspian said, looking at Peter in the eyes. "You are important to Narnia, to all of us; without you this new era would not have been possible. Your influence in Narnian history is undeniable and now you were given the chance to be part of Narnia's future. You belong here, this is your home, this date must be remembered in books as one of biggest celebrations – if not the biggest – Narnia has witnessed in 1300 years. So please, do not deny us and everyone out there the pleasure of welcoming you all back as grandly as you deserve" he explained eloquently, leaving the siblings speechless with emotion.
"Wow, thank you Caspian, that was actually quite beautiful" Peter told, touched by the Telmarine's sincerity.
"Peter pleaaaasee" Lucy moaned, walking over towards the eldest Pevensie and looking up at him with puppy eyes, her lower lip sticking out in a pout. The Valiant Queen looked extremely adorable in Caspian's opinion, and he doubted Peter would be able to resist such face, knowing he himself would not. The Magnificent King took a deep breath and cast a sideways look at his little sister.
"I have already agreed to it, Lu, you can save your abandoned puppy look for another time" he told, smiling at his sister's antics. Lucy squealed and hugged him tightly, thanking him repeatedly. The little Queen then dropped herself between Myrina and Tai, rambling effusively about all sorts of things, bouncing on the sofa as she sat.
"Well, I am not looking forward to the diplomatic protocol, outdated formalities and stale conversation" Ed groaned, looking at Lucy's enthusiastic babble with total indifference.
"Do any of us?" Gemini replied with a snort, earning a concurring chuckle from Ed and a nod from Caspian.
"You say that, Ed, but I remember you enjoyed balls quite a bit back in the day" Peter argued with a smirk.
"Says the man whose sorry ass had to be dragged to bed after pretty much every ball" Ed countered, not missing a beat. "And I never said I do not enjoy balls, I merely pointed out the downsides" he explained.
"I am sure we will all manage to have some good fun, politics and all" Caspian commented optimistically, dipping a light biscuit in his coffee and munching on it in nonchalant fashion.
"And if everything else fails, at least there will be music and drinks; as long as you keep the wine flowing we should all be good" came Scorpio's insightful input.
"Hear, hear" Edmund cheered, raising his cup in silent toast amidst the laughs of the other four men.
A few weeks later, the castle was boosting with people walking around – some calmly, others in haste – busy with the initial preparations for the first ball the palace held in fifteen years. Caspian smiled at the lively noise filling the imposing stone building, maids and servants crowding the corridors as they carried on with their work, the hustle of the occasion seeming to brighten even the pale colour of the stone in the walls. His father and Miraz – as pretty much every king before them – had never been keen on big celebrations, the historical archives recording only marriages and births, the latter not celebrated grandly ever since his grandfather was born. The last great event at the castle had been his parents' wedding, and even that had been a subdued party according to the Professor. He shook his head; he should return and stay in the present, enjoying the pre-ball excitement vibrating in the air.
He rubbed his wrist with a chuckle, remembering all the invitations he had written and signed. All foreign sovereigns had accepted their invitation to the ball, taking no time in sending their replies, surprising the Narnian royals with the noticeable hint of eagerness in their letters. Caspian was relieved by this gesture, having feared that centuries of almost complete diplomatic isolation might have caused foreign monarchs to be wary or at least sceptical towards them. The Faithful King could not contain a laugh as he remembered the enthusiastic letter from the Raj, whose excitement could be clearly felt in his handwriting.
The King's thoughts then wandered to the eldest Narnian Queen, a deep frown pulling his eyebrows together. Susan had been avoiding him ever since the day of their almost-departure; she hardly spoke to him during meals and would leave any room almost as soon as he entered under some excuse or another, leaving him staring at her retreating back. He had tried not to make much out of it, but each of her diverted glances made him feel like an iron ball had hit him in the stomach, wringing the air out of his lungs.
He was confused at her sudden coldness towards him and had spent sleepless nights trying to figure out the reason for this behaviour. If only he could pinpoint what he had done for her to distance herself from him. His heart ached for an explanation, but she had barely spoken to him in the past few weeks and he did not want to pressure her or impose himself on her. He had noticed the hesitation and the confusion in her eyes and wanted nothing more than to help her, but how could he if she did not let him! His insides ached with frustration whenever she ran away from him, with each of her excuses, but he could not bring himself to confront her, his chivalry forcing him to let her be. His throat constricted with the pain of being unable to hold her, love her as he desperately wanted to.
Worse still, everyone else had noticed the tension between them. He had caught the whispers about Susan's odd behaviour and the worried glances Edmund and Tairin exchanged on several occasions. He had approached the siblings searching for some answers, to no avail; Peter agreed Susan was behaving quite unlike herself, but admitted he preferred not to get involved and worsen the state of things. Meanwhile, Lucy had tried talking to Susan, hoping to at least get a hint of what was troubling her, but her concern was met with a kind smile from the Gentle Queen and an apology for making her worry.
It was this uncertainty, this torturous waiting what drove him mad, not knowing when it would end, utterly ignorant of her thoughts and feelings. If only she spoke to him, opened up and gave him some hope, but she had shut him out almost completely! He knew he would not be able to take it much longer; patience was not his best trait and he was not one to wait for things to come to him, preferring to chase after them.
His heart, his soul, was calling for action and he had grown tired of this forced waiting game; if she would not take the first step, then he would. And it was going to happen at the ball.
The Maharabian representation – an impressive procession of grand carriages – arrived at the city in the early afternoon, and a messenger Robin was sent to the castle to inform the Kings and Queens. His excitement over such an important task was evident as he batted his wings energetically, eager to arrive and dutifully deliver his message. After peeking through several windows, the Talking Bird found the royals gathered in the study, his keenness causing him to overlook the glass of one of the windows, crashing into it with force and startling everyone inside. Lucy rushed to open the window, finding the disoriented Robin on the windowsill, still trying to recover from the crash. Cradling him in her hands, the Valiant Queen brought him inside, checking him for any injuries.
"Apologies, Majesties, I carry an important message that could not wait" he chirped, swaying a bit as he tried to stand on the table.
"We are more concerned about your state, noble Robin; whatever it is surely can wait a few minutes" Caspian spoke, leaning forwards in his chair to look over at the Narnian.
"Thank you, sire, this is a just a few ruffled feathers" Robin responded, shaking himself.
"Are you sure? Would you like some water? A biscuit?" Lucy asked, reaching for an empty cup from their tea.
"Your Highness is utmost generous, but I must decline" the Bird replied, feathers hiding his blush of embarrassment. "My Lords and Ladies, a set of carriages bearing the Maharabian standard has been spotted in the outskirts of the city and should arrive at the gates very soon, if not already" the little Robin added, cutely puffing his chest with a grand pose.
"Excellent! Thank you very much, Mr. Robin. Now please, do stay for a moment and have some rest, the impact was quite harsh" Caspian thanked him, pushing a small water container and a biscuit towards the flying messenger, and nodding at the bird's courteous bow.
Caspian and the Pevensies arrived at the entrance hall just in time to welcome the Raj and his family, who were just emerging from their carriages.
"High King Caspian, it is a joy and a pleasure to meet you again and under such auspicious circumstances!" the Raj greeted warmly, his arms stretched widely. The Maharabian sovereign was a stocky middle-aged man, his skin tanned with a rich cinnamon tint, eyes dark as the wood of an oak, but warm with infinite kindness. He – along with the rest of his family – was clad in very colourful clothes, fabrics doubtlessly rich, gems and threads of gold and silver embroidered in the most intricate patterns over the luxurious silk, linen and muslin. After exchanging a firm handshake and some pats in the shoulder, Caspian bowed at the eldest of the four women accompanying the Raj, whom the Pevensies guessed was his wife.
"Your Highnesses, allow me to introduce you to His Majesty Radhanath, the Raj of Maharayab, his wife, Akshamala Rani, and their family" Caspian spoke regally, turning towards the Pevensies.
"Welcome to Narnia, Your Graces, we are made better by your presence and friendship" Peter greeted, reciting an old Maharabian salaam. The Raj looked surprised for an instant before he smiled, bowing deeply in a customary Maharabian flourish, his sons, daughters and wife quickly imitating him.
"All that is heartily given may the Gods return hundredfold" the Raj replied, completing Peter's salutation. "I am surprised Your Majesty remembers such an ancient greeting, I am honoured" he added, sincerely moved.
"The people of Maharayab were very kind to us on our last visit and we keep nothing but pleasant memories from our trips to your land. We hope to return this hospitality in kind" Peter told, shaking hands with the Raj.
Peter then stood aside so the Raj could greet his siblings, the Maharabian's excitement growing more visible with each polite word exchanged.
"Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would meet the Kings and Queens of Old!" the Raj exclaimed, joy tinting his rich voice. "But enough of my ranting. Please, meet my children: these are my sons, Kaashi and Raj, and this young fellow hiding behind me is my youngest, Kajal" Radhanath told, patting the toddler's head as he grabbed onto the fabric of his father's long coat, hiding partially behind him and sucking on his thumb in the most adorable stranger shyness. The older boys took a step forward and bowed courteously when their names were called.
"And last but not least, the flowers of my eyes: the twins, Kajri and Ruma, and Nabeela, my eldest" the Raj added, turning to look proudly at his daughters.
Peter's train of thought was completely lost the moment his eyes fell on the eldest princess, and he was unable to tear his eyes away from her. She was beautiful, simply radiant; her eyes were the colour of dark mahogany, matching her cinnamon skin and the deep hue of her long silky hair, her features soft and delicate; he had never met a girl like her. Edmund discretely knocked Peter with his elbow and threw him a malicious glance before stepping forward to greet the foreign noblewomen. Peter shot him an aggravated look and followed suit; Ed would give him hell for this later.
Princess Nabeela smiled amusedly at him as he bowed in front of her, her vibrant, exotic eyes looking at him with a mix of mystery and mirth as his lips pressed to her hand, his own blue orbs not leaving her face. He then blurted a silly welcome, his thoughts too tangled to come up with anything more original or at least charming. A sharp pain on his chin caused him to look at his brother, who had just poked him, not at all accidentally, with his sheathed sword as he greeted the twin Princesses. The eldest Princess however, appeared to have been amused by this small mishap, her teeth flashing for a split moment as she bit back a smile, stealing another breath from him.
Later that night, Archen, Maharabian and Narnian royals sat in an elegantly furnished room, enjoying the entertainment provided by the Raj's musicians and exquisitely dressed dancers. Lucy was delighted by the sounds coming from the foreign instruments and the enchanting melody that was now floating in the air, clapping her hands and tapping her feet to the tune. Encouraged by their father, the Maharabian children joined the next dance, surprising everyone with the precision and coordination of their moves. Another song followed and this time, Nabeela stood alone. She smiled as she danced, clearly very skilled in this particular dance, beautifully performing the elaborate steps with grace and elegance.
Peter was having some trouble keeping his jaw from dropping inelegantly as he followed each of her movements, absolutely enthralled. She appeared to be teasing him with her dance, taking steps forwards only to step back, getting closer to the group before stopping a few feet from them and bending backwards in a way that could not be human. And she was staring flirtatiously at him, giving him the impression she was dancing solely for him. She looked like a goddess, her clothes and jewels glinting under the light of the chandeliers, the faint smoke of the candles swirling around her alluringly. He could not help but notice the bits of bare skin left exposed by her traditional outfit and he knew it was indecent for him to run his gaze along her curves, to find her dance so alluring. He desperately tried to compose himself and focus back on her face, on her smile, inevitably mesmerized by her beauty once more. He felt silly, like an awestruck teenager having his first crush, and he furiously hoped he did not look as foolish as he imagined. He had to get a grip on himself, he had met her only a few hours ago and was already losing his head for her; this was not good.
Tairin snorted for the umpteenth time ever since the performance started, glaring at Nabeela as she sauntered over the Narnian Kings. She had heard this song before and had the sneaky feeling Nabeela had picked it up on purpose, as it was one which allowed her to sneak flirtatious moves into the dance. Unsurprisingly, her coquetry was directed mostly at Peter, who of course was too enthralled by her movements to notice anything else. With some satisfaction, she noticed Zephyr and her brother having a quiet discussion about the musicians, Caspian gesturing vaguely at one of the instruments. At the other end of the sofa, Edmund looked uncomfortable as he stared into his wine glass, and she could see the hint of a blush, most likely at Nabeela's less than decent dance moves. Peter, however, had completely surrendered to her charms, his blue eyes glazed over with noticeable attraction. What a fool. Tairin rolled her eyes, not at all shocked by his behaviour. She snorted with the irony of seeing the Magnificent King of Old looking everything but magnificent with his mouth hanging half open. Poor man, he had no idea what he was getting into.
Susan tried to politely enjoy the performance despite finding the Princess' subtle fixation on Peter a bit troubling. Back in the Golden Age, she had gotten used to the attention her brother got from the ladies and trusted him to know how to handle it, but a quick glance at him now and she was not so sure. Peter seemed hypnotised by the foreign girl, and she sighed at how silly he looked, admitting it was quite a funny sight. Yet, she was not so much concerned about her brother as she was of Princess Nabeela. However much she tried, she could not shake off the feeling that there was something amiss about the Princess; her every gesture and word seemed calculated and yet, Susan could not put her finger on why she had this impression. The Gentle Queen took a sip of her wine and hoped this to be just a silly thought. Throwing another glance at her brother, she smiled into her glass and prayed Aslan to remind Peter of the gallantry and regal composure of his older self.
She allowed her eyes to wander to Caspian out of curiosity. The Faithful King was observing her brothers, playful malice shining in his eyes as he hid his smirk behind his goblet. It was no wonder he had become Edmund's best friend in no time; like her brother, Caspian made good use of his wits and eloquence when it came to raillery, both Kings taking inordinate amusement from banter, especially if Peter was the target. As if feeling her eyes on him, Caspian glanced at her, forcing her gaze away once again; there was something in his eyes she could not yet face, something that shone intensely every time his dark orbs fell on her. To escape from Caspian's breath-stealing glance, she focused on Scorpio, whom she had expected to be as enthralled as Peter with the dance, but to her surprise, the Archen Prince looked irritated, a glare replacing the characteristic mischievous glint in his eyes. Her curiosity was piqued and she wondered what could have happened for him to behave so unlike himself. Making a mental note to ask him about it some other time, she turned to look at Tairin, who had just exhaled loudly. Her newest and closest friend was openly glaring at the dancing Princess, alternating between aggravated sighs and snorts. Noticing Susan's enquiring look, Tairin rolled her eyes and shook her head, a clear hint that the two girls would be discussing the topic at large in private later that evening. One thing was certain, she was not the only one having a bad feeling about the Maharabian Princess.
Nabeela ended her dance with a flourish, earning a round of polite applause from her audience, especially from Peter, who was clapping with gusto. She smiled at his enthusiasm and joined her mother on the sofa, sitting conveniently close to Peter. Pleasant conversation resumed with the background of a softer and quieter melody, the topic steering towards Maharabian fabrics, famous for their richness and beauty. Lucy remarked on the splendid gauze that was Akshamala's headscarf that now rested elegantly on the Rani's lap.
"I adore Maharabian fabrics! I had so many dresses made entirely of embroidered silks!" Lucy sighed, reaching to touch the delicate pattern in the Rani's sleeve. "And I was only so happy when I was given my first headscarf, although I never understood why I got it only after my sixteenth birthday" she added, frowning slightly.
"Only women in marriageable age wear headscarves, Your Highness. Maharabian tradition and beliefs tell that evil or sinful thoughts travel in the air and may enter our minds through the top of our heads, and thus need to be covered, for they can awaken the evil that is said to rest in every woman" Akshamala explained kindly. "But between you and me, it doesn't prevent us from scaring men every once in a while" the Rani - Queen in the Maharabian language - added with a conspiring smile, eliciting amused giggles among the Narnian girls and her own daughters.
"Oh, then Tai needs one immediately, before she starts getting sinful thoughts about Zephyr" Lucy joked, laughing loudly as Tairin tickled her in revenge, blushing lightly.
Tairin walked through the stone corridors, turning corners expertly to reach her destination. Shortly after breakfast, she had witnessed a tense encounter between her brother and Susan. The King and Queen crossed a few words before Susan quickly excused herself with a certain rush and left Caspian looking rather upset. Her brother ignored her enquiries as he walked past her, an angry hint to his steps and a frown wrinkling his forehead. In moments like that it was best to leave him alone, knowing that her questions, even if prodded by loving concern, would only make matters worse. She now hurried towards Susan's room, hoping to comfort her best friend, but was prevented from it by a strong and familiar hand holding her arm and bringing her to a halt. Zephyr smiled at her, not needing to ask her about her intentions, having also witnessed the scene.
"My darling, I think it wise to leave them to their thoughts for now or at least a little longer" the Archen Lord argued, lovingly pulling one of her curls away from her face.
"But Susan may be needing comfort" Tairin claimed, very concerned about her best friend.
"She will talk to you when she needs to, love, this is a private matter of theirs and it's up to them to solve it, we better not get involved" Zephyr replied, his clear eyes filled with understanding.
"I cannot understand how this went awry, I mean, it is so painfully obvious that they love each other, so why do they keep making each other and themselves miserable!" Tai huffed, leaning her head on Zephyr's chest.
"Love is neither simple nor straightforward, at least not always. Opening your heart to someone is quite an important decision that requires a degree of certainty, not only in the other person's feelings but one's own, so as not to cause any harm. To some people it is an easy decision to make, to others it requires a bit more pondering, after all, 'Love happens on its own time', or isn't that what Aslan said?" Zephyr whispered, wise and fair as always. Tairin remained silent for a moment then sighed.
"Alright, but I can still invite her to come to the market with me later, can't I?" the Princess asked with a grin, earning a chuckle from her fiancé.
"I am sure it shall cheer Her Majesty up, though I'm worried you'll tire her with your eagerness and shopping pace, darling" he joked. Tairin poked his chest lightly.
"You underestimate the endurance of women, Lord Zephyr" Tairin countered matter-of-factly.
"Far from it, My Lady, I have it in the highest regard" Zephyr admitted with a smirk, placing a tender kiss on her lips, which she gladly returned.
Having pondered on Zephyr's argument, Tairin decided to invite Akshamala to their impromptu trip to the market. He hoped the Rani's charming company and amusing personality would lift Susan's spirits and distract her from the current tension between her and Caspian. As expected the foreign Queen accepted the invitation, quite eager to explore more of Telmartown and the adjacent woods. Tairin smiled. Akshamala – Aksha as she insisted to be called – had become instant friends with the Narnian women, and it was no surprise, for her sense of humour and quick wit suit theirs perfectly.
On their return, the girls found their guests and family in the garden terrace.
"I see your shopping habits haven't changed, sister" Caspian commented, noticing the several bags and other wrapped packages in Tairin's hands. "The royal funds will not last much longer if I let you lose" he teased, smirking impishly.
"Mind you, brother, I am a very careful shopper" she told him, placing the bags on an empty chair.
"And that's why all merchants in Anvard love you, Tairin dear" Scorpio piped in with a snicker.
"Ah, before I forget," Tairin spoke loudly, pointedly ignoring Scorpio's comment. "I stopped by the tailor's to schedule a fitting for the lot of you" she added, her smile widening at the alarmed looks she got from the boys.
"I had new robes made for my coronation, I don't need more" Caspian hurried to say.
"Nonsense, you need new clothes for the wedding and a few extra pairs of breeches; those look like they've gone through war, and knowing you, they probably did" the Princess replied.
"I see you also found something of your liking, My Queen" Caspian said, quickly shifting the focus of the conversation towards Susan, who was showing a piece of fabric to Myrina.
"I- yes, indeed" Susan said, smiling tensely, once again avoiding his gaze. "Anyway, I should take this to my room, if you excuse me. I can drop these by your room, if you want, Tai" she told, grabbing the bags and parcels and disappearing inside. Caspian groaned and knocked the chess pieces with the back of his hand before storming away, leaving Edmund to sigh and pick up the remains of their game. Knowing looks were exchanged among the royals, silent at the tension still hanging in the air.
People waved and smiled at him as he walked through the streets. Several stopped him to show their respect and tell him how pleased they were with the recent changes; the King even had to decline the gifts that were offered to him by more than one thankful subject. These sincere displays of affection spilled a warm sensation on his chest; it was the feeling of doing things right, of knowing his work had improved the lives of his people. It gladdened him to no ends.
He strolled down a narrow pebbled road, finally reaching his destination a few paces ahead. He stopped in front of a derelict house, small and needing urgent repairs aside from a good layer of paint. The Faithful King sighed at the sad picture. He pushed through the small – and thoroughly rotten – fence open and got inside, stepping into a stone path that cut through the small patch of grass that separated the front door from the street. The door opened mere seconds after he first knocked, Coralee's slightly freckled face appearing through the small gap.
"Oh, Y-Your Majesty! Please come in" she spoke, bowing nervously, stepping aside so he could pass. The door wobbled and creaked loudly when the girl opened it wider, causing Caspian to throw a concerned look at the piece of wood, which looked about to fall off its hinges.
"Forgive the mess, Your Highness, we were not-um- expecting visitors. Please take a seat" she explained, rushing to take some things off an old armchair and dusting it quickly with her hand.
"May I get you something to drink? I can brew up a fresh cup of coffee in no time" she offered kindly, taking some dishes and cups from the table, blushing lightly at the terrible state of the humble dining room.
"Perhaps another time, my visit will be short and I don't want to trouble you" Caspian told, returning the girl's smile as she curtsied and disappeared inside the kitchen.
"Coralee? Who are you talk-" Glozelle spoke from the stairs, his sentence unfinished as he noticed Caspian standing in the room. "Forgive me sire, I did not know it was you" he said gravely, bowing courtly. Caspian responded with a nod.
"It is alright, General, this is your home and I came unannounced" said the King. Glozelle gestured towards the table, vacating two chairs from the objects piling on top of them. Despite the mess and piles of items stacked in almost every available surface, Caspian got a feeling of homey cosiness from the room. Sensing the General's curiosity, he decided to go straight to the point.
"I've come to invite you to the ball that is to take place in the castle next week, General" Caspian told, taking a richly ornamented envelope from one of his pockets and placing it on the table. A light gasp was heard, and the two men turned to find Coralee standing a few feet away from them, carrying a tray with two glasses of lemonade.
The girl blushed at her bad timing and placed the tray on the table, not before throwing an excited glance at the invitation.
"I take it you would like to go, Coralee? It would be a perfect occasion for you to meet Queen Lucy, she's been asking me about you incessantly" he told her, noticing how the girl's expression brightened at the idea.
"Why don't you start peeling and cutting the vegetables for dinner? I will join you soon to debone the fish" Glozelle told her with a smile. Coralee nodded and excused herself with another crude curtsy. Out of the corner of his eye, Caspian noted she skipped over an open gap on the floor on her way to the kitchen.
"Your invitation is most kind, My King, but I cannot accept. I have no right to participate of such a celebration. My presence will only serve as fuel for comments, for gossip; it is not me I worry about, it is Coralee. She has no blame for my mistakes, but it won't dissuade malicious tongues from aiming their venom at her" the former General said, looking at his hands. Glozelle had a good point. Caspian understood his reasons and his noble wish to protect his niece. Yet, he knew Glozelle was capable of facing the critics with his head held high, what better opportunity than a ball?
"I understand, Glozelle. I admire the love you have for your niece and your concern with her welfare" Caspian told, looking at the General in the eye. "Forgive my honesty, General, but the malicious tongues, as you call them, will talk whether you accept the invitation or not, so why not show them that you are stronger and nobler than to avoid them? As per Coralee, she will be in good company and I assure you no harmful comments will reach her ears. Anyway, keep the invitation, in case you change your mind" the King added, holding the Glozelle's gaze for a moment before pushing the envelope closer to him. The former General remained quiet. Caspian could see in his intelligent dark eyes that Glozelle was weighing everything he had just told him.
"Alright then, I shall not take any more of your time" Caspian stated, getting up on his feet and walking to the door. "You are my personal guests, General, and I would please me greatly if you were present, so please, think about it" he told Glozelle, who held the door open to him.
"I shall" said the General and with that the King left.
Tairin and Susan – the latter dragged along by the former – were then enlisted to convince the General. On his return to the castle, Caspian had told them about the General's house, Coralee's excitement at the prospect of going to the ball, and of Glozelle's reluctance, and suggested a feminine approach, hoping Tairin's stubbornness would be a match for the General's. Tairin then insisted Susan to come, trusting her gentle demeanour and kind approach to work its magic on Glozelle.
"Susan" Tairin called as they walked towards the General's house the next day, enjoying the afternoon stroll. "Call me nosy, but- I can't help noticing you've been avoiding Caspian lately; we have all remarked the tension between you two, to be honest" the Princess told, wringing her hands nervously. "The last thing I want is to constrain you, please do not think otherwise, but I cannot sit back while the two of you are miserable" Tairin practically blurted, stopping and looking at Susan with a mix of guilt and concern, grabbing her hand and squeezing it fiercely. Susan sighed, smile faltering slowly.
"I- I don't know how to explain. I am embarrassed, I think, about what happened that day in the courtyard" Susan whispered, looking down at her feet. "I shouldn't have kissed him" she added, twisting the fabric of her skirt with her fingers. Tairin sighed and pointed to a bench nearby.
"You did very well by kissing him, if you ask me. Susan, Caspian loves you deeply, as much as I can see you love him, but his respect for you is so great that he preferred to keep his feelings to himself rather than risk losing your friendship; that kiss was the push he needed to react" Tairin told, squeezing the one hand of Susan she was still holding.
"It was a call of love, my darling, of true love, what else is there more thrilling than love, more passionate than a goodbye kiss?" Tairin spoke passionately, sighing romantically and exaggerating her tone a bit, managing to get Susan to smile.
"Should I blame Zephyr for this burst of unbridled romanticism?" Susan teased and Tairin chortled.
"You may. But do let us not get carried away from the subject" Tairin told with a wink. "Would it be too wrong to ask why you are avoiding Caspian? If you rather not tell me I would completely understand" she asked, looking deeply into her friend's ice blue orbs.
"I- I really don't know. I am confused about this whole thing," Susan spoke, leaning back into the bench. "I can't look into his eyes and see the intensity of his love because I fear, I'm scared that something will prevent me from being happy with him. I know how it is to be shattered completely inside, and I don't want it to happen again" Susan vented, feeling quite silly yet relieved at the same time, glad she could finally open up to someone. Tairin wrapped her arms around the Gentle Queen, pulling her closer, sensing the misery that was and had been consuming her for the past days. Susan leaned into her embrace, finding its friendly warmth immensely comforting.
"Susan, listen to me" Tairin said, breaking the embrace to look straight into Susan's clear gaze. "You are staying here forever, with us, by Narnia's own wish! You have been given a second chance to be happy and I firmly believe it was so that you and Caspian could be together! Caspian wouldn't ever let you go, not after this! Susan, he loves you, in a way he has never loved anyone, and I've never seen him this besotted, this passionate; do you really think he would let anything bring you two apart?" Tairin said, fierce in her trust not only in her brother but in Susan as well.
Susan knew she was right. Caspian would never let anything bad happen to her, he would valiantly fight away any threat, any harm; she could see it in his deep chocolate gaze every time he looked at her.
"I feel silly for being so impulsive; I behaved like a love-struck teenager when there were hundreds of people watching!" Susan replied mortified, earning a throaty laugh from Tairin.
"I think you sometimes forget your age. Even royalty has the right to behave impulsively sometimes, especially for love. And anyway, people always gossip. Had you not kissed him, rumours would have started circulating either way sooner or later; no secret is kept for too long in the castle, and people love royal gossip. I would not be surprised if they were already betting on a royal proposal and wedding" Tairin told in between chuckles. Susan winced and covered her face in despair at the prospect.
"You think about this too much, dear. You are the one to decide what happens in your private life, gossip and gossipmongers be damned!" Tairin advised, Susan returning her smile, grateful for having her as a friend.
"I will keep that in mind. Thanks Tai, you have given me much to think about and it helped me a great deal" Susan spoke, hugging the Princess.
"Whenever you need it, dear, that's what friends do" Tairin replied, smiling and returning the hug. "I am sorry for insisting on such a touchy subject, Susan, but I love my brother and it pains me to see him so- so torn! He is confused and sad and irked, I can see it, even if he changed since I went to Archenland. I sometimes feel like he is not the same boy from back then, my brother how I remembered him while in Anvard; he has changed into a man, his features are darker with experience, but brightened by the good moments he went through. Yet, he is still my brother and I can see the endless love in his eyes, the one kind that brightens his gaze whenever you are around, that lightens his whole expression. It is true love peeking from behind the eyes of a grown man who lacked affection most of his life and who is eager to share all the love he has to give with the one person he loves above everyone in this world: you!" Tairin spoke vehemently, her tone laced with sadness. "I'm sorry for telling you all this, knowing it brings you more pain, but after being far from him so long, I can notice these small details. Give him an opportunity, Susan, give yourself the opportunity to be happy, with him" Tairin added, passionate in her fraternal love to her brother, her words warming Susan's heart yet causing it to ache even more. She was very aware of his love for her, and it destroyed her to know she was hurting him, her self-reproach prodded by the love she too felt for him.
"I know and I love him even more for all that. I will, Tai, I will talk to him, but I need to reach an understanding with myself before that, so as not to hurt him even more, not to give him hope on something I can't fully grasp yet. I'm sure you understand, I am sure you can see how terrible this is all being for me" Susan spoke, looking pleadingly at Tairin, wanting her to understand this situation was as bad for her as it was for Caspian.
"I do, and you have my support, dear, for everything and anything" Tairin said, smiling reassuringly, Susan replying with a thankful smile of her own. "Shall we go then?" Tairin asked, both of them resuming their walk, reaching the General's house shortly after.
Coralee welcomed them in with stuttered words, astonished to find them standing at her doorstep the very next day the High King had paid them a visit.
"May I fetch you some fresh grape juice while you wait? I'm afraid I don't know how long my uncle will be out" she offered, taking them to the modest living room.
"You must be Coralee" Tairin stated, remembering Caspian telling them about her. Despite her nervous shyness, Tairin noticed the clever streak in the girl's eyes and took an instant liking to her.
"I am, Your Majesty, at your service" the girl bowed, knocking a pile of random things as she did, biting a curse.
"Caspian should have mentioned how adorable you are!" Tairin squealed, grabbing a few of the objects that had rolled over to her.
"Is it just you and your uncle living here?" Susan asked, gently helping Coralee to clean up the mess, adding to the girl's mortification by doing so.
"Yes, but it wasn't always this messy. This house is very old, it was crumbling even before the war, but it got worse while my uncle was in prison and the house was closed" Coralee explained, offering a cloth for Susan to clean her hands.
Glozelle returned not long after that, surprised to find the royal ladies chatting to her niece.
"Ah, General, we were waiting for you. Let me tell you, your niece is truly charming" Tairin greeted, smiling warmly at the man and causing Coralee to blush at her words.
"Greetings, My Lady, Your Highness" he said, bowing elegantly.
"Coralee, how about I help you with that grape juice you were talking about earlier?" Tairin told, throwing a meaningful look at Susan before grabbing a bag of oranges from the General's hand on her way to the kitchen.
"My Lady, please-" Glozelle protested, but the Princess had already started opening cupboards, Coralee trailing behind her.
"I apologise, My Queen, this is not a place to properly welcome Your Grace" Glozelle said turning to address the other royal lady in his home, Susan smiling and motioning him to take a seat.
"General, I appreciate your formality and respect, but I came to converse with you, and those two traits – although admirable – will keep our conversation from being enjoyable, don't you agree?" Susan noted, her calm, kind tone inviting. Even her gesture towards the old armchair was delicate and elegant, and Glozelle felt as if he were given the choice to remain standing or to sit down, not an order he had to follow; Susan's gentleness worked in such ways.
He nodded and took a seat facing the Queen. The young woman exuded nothing but royalty, though it was neither oppressive nor uncomfortable, rather the opposite: she was very welcoming in her kindness.
"I apologise for the way you found us, it appears we have all decided to drop unannounced at your doorstep these past couple of days" Susan stated, offering the General an apologetic smile. "I understand High King Caspian paid you a visit yesterday with an invitation to the upcoming ball" she added, choosing a straightforward approach.
"An invitation I regrettably had to refuse, Your Grace, as my irrelevance makes me undeserving to be a guest in such celebration" Glozelle spoke firmly, telling her he had not changed his mind.
"And yet, you are important enough for the High King to hand you the invitation in person, General, and for Princess Tairin and I to be here today" Susan parried, gentle in her persistence.
"I am just a humble man who has made bad choices in life, My Queen, I do not deserve the honour of such an invitation, let alone of your company" Glozelle argued, his soul still charged heavily with guilt.
"Why do you keep yourself in the poisonous darkness of guilt, Glozelle? Everyone has forgiven you already, why haven't you forgiven yourself? If you don't do it for yourself, then do it for Coralee; she is a lovely girl who deserves to enjoy herself. Why not use this ball as an opportunity to show everyone the great man you are, to stand up to the gossipmongers and honour the trust and faith we have in you" Susan told, touching him with the care in her voice, pushing some confidence into him. The sincerity in her eyes was inspiring, rousing him to get out of the hole he had willingly dug around himself. The corners of his mouth lifted upwards in a small smile and the Gentle Queen's eyes lightened up at this.
"Your Grace is a skilled diplomat; you have made it very difficult for me to refuse your request" the former General told with a sigh of defeat. "It will be an immense privilege to participate of this celebration" Glozelle said after a few seconds of silence, nodding courtly at Susan, who smiled brightly.
"It gladdens me to hear it, General. We were all counting on your presence, especially High King Caspian" Susan replied. "Oh, and speaking of His Highness, he has asked me to give you this, as a compensation for your years of loyal service to the Crown and the recent circumstances you were unfairly thrown into" she added, producing a pouch of coins from her purse, big enough to fill a man's palm. Sensing the General's refusal, she gently reached for his hand and placed the pouch inside it, closing his fingers against it.
"It's the least we can do, even if you think otherwise. We hope it enables you to start anew, to do the repairs your house desperately needs and also to pamper your niece; I'm sure she will fancy a new dress for the ball and the court tailors will be delighted to help you" Susan explained, gently pushing the pouch towards Glozelle. "You are still a General, Glozelle, even if you chose a simpler lifestyle" she added, and once again Glozelle felt he was given a choice, that there was no difference of rank between him and the Queen before him.
"Your niece is a total sweetheart, General, you should be proud of her" Tairin's voice reached them. The Princess entered the room through the kitchen door, her arm linked with Coralee's, the girl's cheeks tinted lightly at her comment. "Ah, I see you have accepted our invitation, splendid! I knew you were going to give it more thorough consideration" Tairin remarked, a pleased smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
"You haven't changed a single bit in all these years, My Lady" Glozelle commented, remembering the headstrong young girl from the past, now standing as a woman in front of him.
"Neither have you, General, that is why I now kindly ask you not to refuse yet another thing from us" Tairin retorted, gesturing at the pouch he was still holding.
"Your Grace, I-" Glozelle tried to complain, but was cut short by Tairin.
"General, do not make it harder than it is already, you just have to agree, nod your head and put the gold in your pocket. I am sure a man of great bearing such as you can excel at such simple action" Tairin told, pushing the pouch in his hand closer to him.
"Your wish is my command, Princess" Glozelle told, defeated, bowing courtly to the royal ladies.
"Perfect! Now, my dear Cora, make sure your uncle gets you a very pretty dress, alright? I'll be waiting for you at the ball" Tairin said, leaning a bit towards Coralee and hugging her lightly, the General's niece beaming at her.
The Queen and Princess left moments later, smiling as they crossed the small fence, taking the road back to the castle.
"Tairin, you are unbelievable" Susan commented, still mortified at how casually her friend spoke to Glozelle.
"Worry not, Susan, Glozelle knows I mean well; he is stubborn, and so am I" Tairin replied with her customary brazenness, causing Susan to sigh and chuckle.
To the relief of everyone involved in the organisation of the ball, the weather appeared to have stabilised after a couple of days of chilly winds and sudden showers, and the sun was back, shining shyly but constantly.
Edmund paced along the long terrace of the library, hesitant on a thought. He was one of the many who had noticed the tension between Susan and Caspian as it grew thicker and thicker, and he had inevitably become worried at the turn events were taking. As much as he preferred to avoid interfering, he could not help but to wonder how this was going to end and what was causing the drastic change in his sister's character. He was now trying to decide whether he should speak to her or give her space; Susan had always understood and respected his privacy and the last thing he wanted was to intrude in hers. Yet, the truth was that he was growing quite bothered by the state of things.
"You look like you are about to burst into bits" a delicate voice said behind him, startling him and causing him to turn around harshly.
"Ah, Lady Myrina, I didn't hear you coming" he breathed, his muscles and expression relaxing visibly.
"I am sorry, it was not my intention to spook you" she apologised, her steps clicking lightly against the stone of the floor as she joined him. "Is everything alright?" she asked, leaning on the cold stone railing and looking at the stretching land ahead.
"I am not quite sure what the answer to that question is" he replied, turning around so his back was pressed against the railing, elbows resting on top of it.
"Sounds like quite the issue" she enquired, to which he shook his head softly, narrowing his eyes slightly.
"More like a hard decision" he told, exhaling deeply.
"I see" the Archen girl told. They remained silent for a moment before Myrina had an idea and ran back inside, reappearing an instant later, the pieces of a glass chess set filling her hands. Edmund looked at her in puzzlement as she arranged the pieces in front of her.
"Whenever I struggle with a decision, I weigh the important factors related to the problem at hand; whichever side has the more pieces, then that's what I'm doing" she explained. "In the end it is all a question of doing what you think is right, the rest follows eventually" she added simply. Ed frowned lightly, considering her words.
After a brief moment of silence, he explained everything to Myrina, surprised at how comfortable he felt around her and how untroubled he had been to open up to her. The Archen Lady listened carefully, making small comments and questions as he spoke, remaining silent for a short while after he had finished, evaluating the situation before voicing her thoughts. Following her suggestion, he directed himself towards Susan's room, having asked Lucy about her whereabouts.
"Susan?" he called, poking his head inside after receiving no answer to his knocking. He entered the room completely looking around for any signs of his sister, finding the door of the adjoining terrace open.
"Oh, Ed, it's you, I didn't hear you knocking" Susan told, smiling warmly as she closed the terrace door behind her.
"Is this a bad moment? Cause I can come back later" he asked, Susan shaking her head in response.
"No, I was just getting some fresh air hoping to clear my head to continue reading these reports. Is there anything the matter?" she asked, noticing his slight hesitance.
"I- well- I was wondering how you were" he told, swallowing uncomfortably, shifting his weight from one leg to the other.
"I am, why?" Susan asked, puzzled at his strange behaviour.
"I saw what happened between you and Caspian this morning, you know, in the garden" he said, looking up at her. Earlier that day, he had witnessed another tense exchange between the two as the Faithful King approached Susan with an invitation for a morning ride in the forest. Susan sighed, smile lost from her features as she sat on the small settee nearby.
"We are all worried, Su" he added, sitting next to her, taking one of the coloured cushions in his hands and picking on a loose thread.
"It's- complicated" Susan spoke, taking a deep breath, twiddling with the fabric of her skirts.
"I thought you loved him" Edmund told, looking at her sideways, holding her gaze for a moment, enquiring her quietly.
"I do, that's not the problem" she replied tiredly, the certainty of her feelings unwavering in her gaze. "I just- my head, my thoughts, everything is a mess, I am a mess, Ed, I can't stop thinking on how stupid it was to kiss him like that, without even knowing what he felt" she confessed, leaning to rest her head on the cushion he been absentmindedly playing with. The Just King tensed, now quite knowing what to do.
"Personally, I think you needn't ask him; it's obvious he loves you. I mean, he kissed you back, didn't he?" Edmund commented, tentatively placing a hand on her arm, the other patting her hair softly, his movements cumbersome and doubtful. Susan remained like that for a while, staring into the wall across the room, drawing comfort from the closeness of her brother, his hesitant strokes on her head and arm reassuring in their ungracefulness.
It was a bit of an awkward moment for him, being the one comforting instead of being comforted. Susan and Peter had always been the ones doing the soothing, while words had always worked better for him than actions, his hesitance towards touch adding to his predicament. She must have sensed his stiffness, for she sat up, sending him an apologetic glance.
"Oh, sorry Ed, I forgot" she told, suddenly aware of how uncomfortable Ed must have been.
"It's alright, really, I wish I could help more" he replied, his tone slightly self-reproaching. Susan smiled and tenderly patted his shoulder.
"You did enough, just by being concerned for me. Thanks Ed" she said kindly, a sincere smile tugging shyly at the Just King's lips. "I still feel silly, though" she added, fumbling with her thumbs mindlessly.
"About the kiss?" Ed asked, raising his left eyebrow slightly.
"Yes" Susan admitted simply, dropping her head forwards and letting her hair cover her face.
"Seriously, I don't see what's so wrong with it, and you know I do not feel strongly about public displays of affection" Edmund replied, rolling his eyes.
"Yet" Susan added, glancing at him and smirking lightly.
"And hopefully not soon, but we are talking about you not me" Edmund replied with a smirk of his own, cleverly returning to the previous topic.
"I don't know, I think that after what happened with Rabadash, I fear something will happen, something that will ruin everything as soon as I start enjoying myself" the Queen admitted. She had thought about the incident with the Calormene Prince lately, that one experience back in the Golden Age, centuries ago, but only a few years for her.
"Susan, please, it is absurdly unfair to Caspian to compare him to that man; he is much nobler and wouldn't dare to hurt you or force you into anything, you should know this as well as I do" Edmund remarked, a slight lecturing tone mingling in his voice, his eyebrows pulled closer by a tiny frown.
"I know, it's so very silly of me, right?" she responded mortified, hiding her face in her hands, part of her sentence muffled by them. Ed sighed and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer, hugging her loosely in a simple yet touching display of affection, especially coming from him.
"This fear is baseless, Su, what in the world could happen? We are staying, forever, by Narnia's own wish, and you deserve to be happy; maybe this is the reason why we stayed, to discover true happiness. I know Caspian will make you very happy, he loves you, we all can see that" he said wisely, taking a small breath before carrying on. "I hope that one day I too will love someone as deeply and truly as Caspian loves you, Su" he confessed, deeply and sincerely, his low voice reaching only her in the empty room. The small moment warmed Susan's soul immensely, his small gesture comforting her greatly, particularly because such moments with Edmund were rare.
"Though, on the other side, I'm grossed out at the prospect of having my best friend kissing and cuddling my sister all the time" he joked, rogue returning to his voice as she pulled away from the hug, chuckling at his statement.
"Well, you better get used to it, not to mention Princess Nabeela seems to have caught Peter's fancy, and we both know what happens when King Peter The Flirt is let loose" Susan commented, sighing deeply at the thought of her brother and the Maharabian Princess.
"Shush, before I get nauseous!" Edmund exclaimed dramatically, wincing as if under excruciating pain, Susan laughing gaily.
"Anyway, my brotherly duty is done, so I'm off" he said, getting up from the small sofa and tossing the cushion aside. As he reached the door, he looked back at Susan, the warm hue of brown in his eyes telling her he had been truly concerned about her.
"Thanks Ed, really, I feel much better" she said, earning a quick nod and a small smile from him, before his slim figure disappeared through the door.
The mess inside her started to look just a bit less complicated.
Caspian shifted his weight to his left leg for what seemed the hundredth time that morning. He could not believe he had spent the past three hours standing at the entrance, greeting guests one after another and leading them inside before he had to go back to welcome yet another approaching carriage. Heck, he should have asked Ed to change with him after the first two hours. His feet were starting to feel the strain of just how long he had been standing, and he once again shifted his weight to his other foot. With a groan, the King made a mental note to ask for a new set of boots to be made, since these were long past the state of suitable wear and had already started falling to bits.
Despite his discomfort, he was happy to see the genuine eagerness all the foreign royals showed to be in Narnia, as evidenced in the warm greetings he had received from every one of them. He smiled. This was exactly what Narnia needed to put an end to the centuries of unwelcoming suspicion towards foreigners established by his ancestors. He was pulled of his musings by a discrete cough behind him.
"I suggest My King drinks something or you will dehydrate under this bright sun we have today" the warm, slightly husky voice of his mentor and saviour reached him, bringing a smile to his face.
"Doctor Cornelius" he greeted, wincing lightly at the pain inflicted to the balls of his feet as he turned.
"Is there anything wrong, My King?" the old man asked, kind concern deepening his features.
"Professor, would you mind greeting the rest of the guests for me? One more minute in this boots and my feet will need to be chopped off" Caspian pleaded, leaning on the nearest pillar and starting to remove the offending pieces of leather, much to the old dwarf's surprise.
"Certainly, Your Majesty" the Professor replied with an amused smile as Caspian sighed in relief when his feet touched the cold marble of the floor.
The Professor had been right, it was an exceptionally nice day, the King thought. Deciding to take a walk around the garden, he tossed his boots somewhere near his chamber and strolled through the quieter corridors of the castle, still barefoot and enjoying the feeling very much. Once he reached the garden, he took a moment to enjoy the feeling of the grass under his feet, wriggling his toes a bit, aware of it being a totally silly action, but not caring about it. He then noticed Ed resting under the shadow of a tree munching on an apple. Lifting an eyebrow, Caspian noticed it was not the first he had eaten, for a few cores lied carelessly close to him.
"Oh, hi Caspian" the young King said, noting the Telmarine approaching him. "Why are you barefoot?" he asked, gesturing at Caspian's feet peeking from under his breeches.
"Rebelling against boots" the Faithful King answered cheekily, sitting next to his friend. "What are you doing here?" he asked in turn.
"Escaping from chores. Susan and Tairin went berserk about decorations and last minute details and have everyone running around with flowers and candles and whatever other things they can think of. I managed to escape when Scorpio got stuck while helping with one of the chandeliers and was half hanging from it, screaming his lungs out" Ed told, Caspian letting a loud throaty laugh at the Archen Prince's misfortune.
"He has a gift to get into the most outstanding situations" he commented, still chuckling slightly.
"'Outstanding' is one way to put it" Ed told with a glint of amusement. "He's been here less than a month and is already famous in town for not one but several mishaps he insists on calling 'accidents'" the Just King added, chuckling a bit at the stories he had heard.
"Thank Aslan I found you! Get in fast, you need to start getting ready for the ball!" Susan exclaimed, her head sticking out through one of the windows.
"Su, the ball is in four hours" Edmund pointed out, clearly not wanting to move.
"Just get in here or I'll find something for you to do for four hours" the Queen retorted, receiving a groan of defeat for an answer.
"We better go" he said, and both Kings got up and dusted themselves off, entering the castle a moment later.
As soon as they entered the castle, the two Kings were approached by a distressed servant, who had been sent to fetch them by Tairin. The Telmarine Princess was in quite the rush, instructing the multitude of servants running around with flower arrangements, silverware and an array of other items. Catching her breath, Tairin asked them to find Scorpio, who, like them, had most certainly taken advantage of the mass of servants running around to clear away from chores. It did not take them long to find the blond Archen, who had taken refuge in one of the smaller courtyards of the castle and was currently flirting shamelessly with a blushing maid.
A few hours later, Edmund and Caspian were practically tossed by Tairin into one of the rooms, where a very irritated Peter welcomed them with one fuming eyebrow arched upwards, his blue eyes piercing the Princess as she wordlessly left the room.
"What are we doing here? I barely had time to grab my belt and breeches" Edmund complained, clearly dissatisfied, holding said items in one hand, the other gripping his boots.
"Don't ask me, she didn't even let me talk" Peter replied acidly, Caspian and Ed deciding not to utter another word on the matter at the risk of causing another pitched battle between the Princess and the King. The door opened once more, revealing Susan as she sorted a pile of clothes in her arms, distributing them among the Kings. Her hair was up in a simple yet very regal bun, although she was still wearing the dress she had on that morning. Peter huffed and grabbed the coat she handed him, disappearing through the door with an irritated pace, probably to his room, leaving them staring at his back.
"Tairin dragged him here apparently, us three actually" Ed told her, catching her enquiring look. Susan arched her eyebrows as all comment and handed Caspian his coat, not even looking at him.
"Don't take too long, we are supposed to be at the ballroom in about an hour" she told them, walking over to the door and closing it behind her.
Edmund's gaze travelled to Caspian as soon as the door closed; the poor man was still holding the coat, eyes stuck on the inert piece of wood, his expression one of frustration and pain.
"She will come around, just give her some more time" Edmund said quietly, patting his friend's shoulder and walking towards the mirror, putting the coat on and working on the tricky buttons.
"That's the thing, Ed, I don't know if I'll hold on much longer. This aggravation I feel every time she eludes me is driving me insane! I just- I need to sort this situation with her, I need to know what's wrong!" Caspian vented, dropping himself on an armchair, coat tossed on a tea table in front of him. Edmund threw him a sympathetic look.
"I understand, but give her some more time to sort herself out" Edmund commented from his spot in front of the mirror, angrily battling the buttons near his neck.
"I know, and I don't want to pressure her while she ponders and organizes her thoughts, but her lack of words, the evaded looks, they all feel like I'm being gutted alive" the Telmarine King spoke, and Ed did not need to look at him to know Caspian was suffering deeply.
"You know I don't want to interfere, but if it makes you feel any better, she seemed to be getting closer to an understanding of whatever is going on when I last spoke to her, so be patient, at least a little longer" Edmund told him, sitting on the matching armchair to Caspian's, trying to cheer his best friend at least a little.
"So much for 'The Telmarine Who Saved Narnia', who couldn't even tell the woman he loves about his feelings" Caspian spoke with a light joking tone, mocking one of the names given to him by his people.
"She loves you too, as much as you love her, Caspian, and that's why I know you'll wait for her to settle her inner struggle" Ed spoke, his tone and mien showing the ghost of his past adulthood. His advice was one of a man who had experienced much more than his current age could tell. Caspian smiled at his fellow King and friend, thankful for his friendly counsel, knowing he was right.
"I hope, Ed, I really hope so, because I love her more than words will ever tell" he replied, sighing and picking up his coat, moving towards the mirror. As he got himself ready, Caspian noticed Ed lacked that relaxed excitement he usually showed and looked rather reluctant towards the party.
"Is it just me or you are not very pleased with the ball?" he asked, working his way down the buttons of his coat with a groan and sharing Edmund's earlier irritation.
"It's not the party what bothers me, it's me having to be in it" Edmund replied in a flat tone from his position on the armchair, eyes stuck to the ceiling.
"Come on, it won't be that bad; most of the guests are very nice people, I can assure you" Caspian told, starting to wonder if he really needed a coat after all.
"I'm sure they are, but I don't want to spend the whole night being asked the same questions and be told the same things while having to plaster a fake smile every time someone approaches me" Edmund told, sounding quite annoyed by the fact already. "Also, you can call me unfair and uselessly cautious, but I'm still reluctant towards Calormenes. I know they probably changed in 1300 years, but I won't be comfortable around them" the Just king added, glowering at the stone ceiling.
"I can understand why you feel like that, given the issues you had with Calormenes back in the Golden Age. But although some of their customs remain almost the same, the people have changed and Tisrocs have been much more rational in the past few centuries. Tisroc Rashid and his family are particularly nice; you will see the moment you meet them, and I'm certain that your wariness towards them will vanish instantly" Caspian told, hoping to ease his friend's attitude. "However, there is just one person you should be careful with" the Faithful King added gravely, turning to look at Ed and gesturing towards one of the doors. Opening the door slightly and quietly, they took a peek into the ballroom, where a large group of guests were already gathered.
"See that man in black standing near the third column from us, the one with a wine glass in his hand" he pointed. Edmund's clever eyes soon found the man Caspian was talking about. "That is Prince Tarik, the heir of Calormen. He can seem very polite and well-mannered at first, but he is known for his explosive temper and uncontained rage, especially when having had a glass too many. Rumour has it that his temper is so much out of control that his father is thinking of naming his second son, Taabish, as his successor" Caspian spoke in a grim voice, piercing the Calormene with his glare through the slit of the door.
Edmund took a few short moments to observe the Prince, following him with his eyes and taking in every detail he could see from the distance. Prince Tarik was tall, well built, looking quite strong and well trained, a fact confirmed by the curved scabbard of a scimitar strapped to the man's belt; like any other royal, he must have been trained by the best instructors. He had a dark complexion – like all Calormenes – a trait that had not changed in the slightest in their 1300 years of absence. His dark orbs were framed by thick dark brows, underlining the glare the Prince seemed to show constantly. Contrary to the long beards Calormenes used to wear in the Golden Age, he had a short stubble, dark as his hair, trimmed perfectly to frame his jaw. He definitely carried himself with an air of royalty, posture and clothes certainly betraying his high birth. And yet, the way his gaze followed some of the ladies across the room gave Edmund the certainty he was not to be trusted; a conclusion he could have reached just by looking at Caspian, who was piercing the Prince with his glare, muscles tensed and clearly upset. Edmund rose an eyebrow in question and the Telmarine King promised to tell him about it later, that is, if he had not figured it all out by himself by the end of the evening. This certainly spiked the Just King's curiosity and succeeded in making him eager to attend the ball, even if just a tiny bit.
"There is also the matter of Peter and the Maharabian Princess" Edmund commented a few minutes later as they both waited for Tairin to call them again.
"He seems to have it quite bad for her, huh?" Caspian replied, absentmindedly poking a lump on the carpet with his foot.
"Sadly, it appears to be the case, yes" the young King nodded, cringing lightly.
"Did this ever happen in the Golden Age? You know, Peter taking a fancy to some girl" Caspian asked after a moment of silence, genuinely curious.
"I suppose he did. As far as I was aware, he did have some romances and affairs, but they never developed into anything more serious, I think, not that I wanted to know either" Edmund replied, his wince becoming a one of disgust throughout his speech. "Peter becomes easily infatuated but it never lasts too long; I hope that is the case this time because there is something wrong with that Princess but I can't quite put my finger on what it is" Edmund told, his expression turning serious, eyes glancing deeply into the small wooden table in front of him. Caspian nodded. He understood well what Ed meant, although contrary to his friend, he knew exactly what caused his wariness towards the Princess. Choosing to change the subject, Caspian rose to his feet and walked to the door, wondering if they should be going out already, but finding the corridor deserted. Or quite. Peter and Nabeela stood on the farthest side of the corridor, speaking in whispered words, the distance between them much shorter than what the appropriate for a King and a Princess. Nabeela left an instant later, whispering something to Peter, to which the King smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, both parting towards opposite directions a moment later.
Caspian closed the door and sighed; he, too, hoped it was just infatuation.
Tairin had already finished getting ready and checked herself on the mirror one last time before going to look for Caspian and Edmund; one last look to make sure she had not forgotten anything. Her hurried steps clicked on the floor as she directed herself towards the room where she had left the boys and she opened the door without much thought, ready to lecture them in case they were not yet ready. To her surprise, the room was empty, if not for the Great Lion standing in the middle of the room. Aslan was looking through one of the long tall windows, the soft breeze caressing his Mane. He turned his head to acknowledge her and smiled, his warm gaze wordlessly inviting her in. Unsure of what to do, Tairin gently closed the door behind her and walked closer to Aslan, her steps tentative and uncertain.
"Emotions know no etiquette, dear one, why would you care for all the titles given to me, when in your heart I am just Aslan" the King of Beasts spoke tactfully, sensing the Princess' hesitation. Tairin looked at him completely at loss of words, for Aslan seemed to have read her mind. Aslan chuckled, his rich baritone laugh echoing the room.
"If one listens carefully, it is possible to hear the whisper of every heart, the truth of emotion beating; in times like this, silence proves itself more eloquent than the best of orators" he spoke again, and Tairin felt completely enveloped by the warmth of his speech. Without uttering a single word, she closed the distance between her and Aslan and buried her cheek on his golden and silky Mane, allowing her heart tell Aslan just how much she loved him and feeling his love for her in return. Lucy had told her numerous times how everything felt right when Aslan was around, a feeling she now understood wholeheartedly.
"Ah, there you are! I've been looking for you everywhere!" Lucy's voice reached them. Tairin chuckled and rose to her feet.
"I was looking for Caspian and Ed, have you seen them?" Tairin asked, parrying Lucy's 'I-told-you-so' look with a pointed glare of her own.
"Susan sent me to get them just a moment ago; that's why I was looking for you" Lucy explained, smiling at Aslan and lacing her arm with Tairin's, pulling her out of the room.
"You see? I told you you'd know what to do" the young Queen noted knowingly as they hurried down the corridor.
As Caspian and Ed walked towards the ballroom, they crossed paths with the Professor, who wisely pointed out that the Kings had forgotten their crowns, prompting the two Kings to run to their rooms to get them. Caspian had his – the new one, less eye-catching in his opinion – in his study, in the beautifully carved wooden box it had been delivered in. He placed it on, uselessly trying to get his hair to look more or less like he had combed it, sighing and deciding he would leave it like that, having no time to battle it properly.
He was joined by Gemini on his way to the anteroom to the ball, the Archen Prince having just come out of his room, ready for the evening in his dress military uniform, as was customary in Archenland.
"Are you ready for the long hours of faking smiles and dodging pesky comments on the best of your diplomatic ability?" Caspian asked jokingly, wincing lightly at the prospect of having to do the same.
"Sadly, it is my duty and yours, though I am thankful to have my father and Zephyr around; our dear Lord of the Court is just unbeatable with his diplomatic sidestepping, I'm not even sure if the people he dodges realise their comments have been circumvented and their questions unanswered" Gemini commented, chuckling softly.
"Diplomacy, kindness and great manners are a deathly combination in politics, and my soon-to-be brother is lucky to possess all three" Caspian agreed, having witnessed Zephyr's impeccable social skills when it came to annoying high-borns and other court members.
"I've been meaning to ask you, my friend: I only now realise Nabeela's presence may be uncomfortable for you. Unfortunately, it was impossible not to invite her without compromising diplomacy" Caspian asked a moment later as they walked. Gemini smiled and shook his head.
"Do not trouble yourself, Caspian. I have not yet forgiven her for what happened during her last visit to Anvard, but at least I can say it does not bother me anymore. This castle is big so the chances of us crossing paths are rather slim. I am having a really good time, all thanks to the highly entertaining company you and Their Majesties provide. I can honestly tell you that her presence brings me no pain; I firmly believe that the past should be left in the past and I genuinely am enjoying myself" the Crown Prince of Archenland spoke, looking ahead calmly despite the almost imperceptible ghost of sadness lacing in his voice, Caspian noticed.
"You are definitely too kind, dear friend. But you are right, better leave the past where it belongs" Caspian agreed, patting Gemini's shoulder.
"I thank you for your concern, my friend. My worries lay with those who don't know about Nabeela's true nature" Gemini told, his blue gaze becoming serious.
"Me too, my friend, me too" Caspian concurred with a nod, knowing the Archen Prince was referring to one Magnificent King in particular.
"I noticed Tarik came, surprisingly, given how little he cares for gatherings like this" Gemini then commented, exchanging a knowing look with Caspian, who tensed at the mention of the Calormene.
"Another guest invited for the sake of diplomatic relationships" Caspian said through his gritted teeth.
"I pray he causes no trouble, although I have the feeling he won't take the news of Tairin's engagement well. I fear he will challenge Zephyr to a duel" Gemini noted, noticeably worried. Caspian nodded in agreement.
"Coming from him, I can expect anything. We will have to keep an eye on him, I don't trust him to behave well the whole evening" Caspian replied grimly, Gemini agreeing with a nod.
Caspian took a deep breath. Aslan give them strength.
AN: I've wanted to write this ball for soooo long! Next chapter will be pretty much all about the ball and the different interactions with the guests, so I hope you liked them!
Just a friendly reminder that comments inspire me to keep writing (yes, I'm blackmailing you XD)
Cheers!