Chapter III

A Coronation to Remember

Tholyn was too distracted to notice Edmund's attention, though she would have been flattered had she not been so preoccupied. Her mind was tired from the ride, which had taken its toll on her body as well. Her thighs ached, her spine coursed with pain, not to mention the rough calluses on her hands and feet. All over were little aching reminders that she needed some work on her equestrian skills. She couldn't have felt less like the Charge if she tried.

Aslan and her father were speaking in the throne room so Tholyn excused herself to the balcony for fresh air. The sunlight was rich and the world was lush and green as far as she could see. The mountain forests she called her home looked so different from this perspective, and with the White Witch's frost gone forever the whole world felt alive at last. It was almost as if Narnia had gone to sleep under the snow and the whole land experienced the morning for the first time that day.

Down below, the sea was alive and loud as if in celebration as the waves rushed and crashed against the rocky beach below. The mermaids were singing a siren's song of jubilee that coiled on the crisp afternoon breeze and greeted Tholyn's ears with dulcetness.

The world was beautiful for the first time in Tholyn's life. Only when she had traveled far enough south had Tholyn seen grass, trees, or running water that were free of the White Witch's spell. Sunlight beamed in her crisp green eyes and it seemed to shine all the clearer now that the land was awake. However, all this was not enough to shake her mind from the future. How was she going to fulfill the Charge's full duties at such a young age? Why did her father think it was appropriate, how could he leave her in this time of merriment?

A sigh escaped her young, pouty mouth and she rested her chin on her hands as she drank in the sights below.

"Think positive." She said to herself, suddenly standing upright, her brows narrowing in determination. "You met Aslan today! Your father has great faith in you! Jeza will be happy to rest in the stables here, for sure – " her sentence stopped as she noticed Aslan pawing over to her with her father stride for stride with him. Taking a great look at them together, Tholyn knew she'd never seen a greater sight. Today, all of her book learning came to life and she met the lion behind the legend. He was majestic, his head and mane were so much larger than her than she felt rather small, yet not insignificant.

"Tholyn, I understand your anxiety," he father stated, grabbing her hand to assure her. "But the time of darkness is passed us. The witch is dead, the woods are no longer a place to fear and Narnia has need of our other talents." He explained calmly. Tholyn nodded and listened intently, wanting to show her father and Aslan that she was capable of handling the pressure, even if she questioned it herself.

"I understand. Will you be leaving, then? After the ceremony?" she asked bravely, not wanting to know the answer. It was not fear that drove her, but a sense of loss. Tholyn had been alone in the woods many times but with her father's retirement came the loss of company in the forest. He had been her closest friend and trusted protector. He knew what to do in every situation even when Tholyn felt lost.

Blane chuckled a bit at his daughter's strong behavior. She was already adjusting to the responsibility; he could see it in her stubborn expression. Tholyn was never one to back down or be defeated and with the coming of the four sovereigns he knew that she would adapt to the job with ease. No longer was there a dark fear in his heart of leaving her alone in the woods, or panic that he'd not showed her how to fend off a renegade. Finally, Blane knew that he had taught her all that he could and it was time to push her out of the nest.

"No. You are the Charge now, Tholyn. You tell me when we leave and you will escort me back to Archenland where we will inform the king of your new title." He replied, smiling as he spoke. There was never a prouder day. He'd transformed her into as fine a Charge as he could and it was up to Tholyn now to impress him.

Tholyn nodded, her curly russet hair mimicking the motion. It was good to hear that she had another week with him, at least.

"Dear young one, your father has taught you well. Know yourself and trust in our decision. It was not arbitrary." Aslan comforted warmly. He wrapped a paw around Tholyn's body – much to her surprise – and drew her to his shoulder in a hug. Her arms rose to grip as much of him as she could, instinctively scratching his smooth mane. The rumble of a great purr swelled inside of him and she couldn't help but smile. Aslan really was the great lion and she stayed beside him for as long as it took to fill herself with as much confidence as she could muster.

"Thank you, Aslan. I feel much better now." She said graciously, smiling to him and bowing her head a little in respect. "Besides, that's why I have a talking horse, right father? I won't get lonely with Jeza there." She said hopefully, the beginnings of a smile tugging the corner of her lips.

Both Blane and Aslan laughed, Blane reaching out to pull his daughter close in a tight embrace.

"You are a remarkable child, dear." He said, beaming with pride down at his lively girl. "You're going to be the best Charge Narnia has ever seen."

During the coronation, Edmund kept his eyes peeled for Tholyn, the girl who'd been running through his mind for the past hour. He still wasn't sure what exactly it was that she did but from the sounds of it she and her father were going to be of considerable aid to Edmund and his family. They already knew of Narnia and had probably seen just about the entire world already!

The throne room was filled to bursting with creatures and animals alike, from centaurs bearing their coat of arms and armored with shining swords in hand to welcome in their majesties to naiads who continually produced falling petals. The shining marble columns reflected the sunlight and not a cobblestone in sight could be seen on the floor, so full was the room with admirers. Mr. Tumnus stood at the front, next to Aslan, holding a cushion with four great crowns.

When it came time to be crowned, Edmund could scarcely contain his excitement. Today was definitely the best day of his life, without question. To make matters better, he finally had spotted Tholyn and Blane near the western columns, watching in awe as the ceremony continued.

"Queen Lucy, the Valiant!" Aslan cried as the crowd bowed to their youngest queen.

"Queen Susan, the Gentle!"

Edmund was next, he knew. The knot in his stomach was untying in hopeful anticipation and before Mr. Tumnus reached him to deliver his crown, Ed caught eyes with Tholyn.

"King Edmund, the Just!" Aslan stated regally. Edmund inclined his head a bit to let Tumnus place the gleaming crown and he stood still, smiling crookedly back at Tholyn. He staunched the urge to wave at her, thinking that was probably too bold, but he couldn't help but keep eye contact with her.

"High King Peter, the Magnificent!"

Instantly the room roared, clapping and cheering loudly at their kings and queens. From outside the mermaids' song was heard all the louder, the sun shone out the brighter and illuminated the entire room, bouncing off sword and shield and marble and crown.

The music began shortly after the coronation and the dancing ensued immediately after. It was impossible to contain the joy that was felt that day. The party began in the corridors, with fauns whipping out their wooden flutes and panpipes, playing to the trees out the windows and frolicking along like a pied piper, leading the guests into a great hall where the feast was to begin.

The four Pevensies took a moment to themselves and all held hands together, sharing a moment of recognition.

"Praise Aslan for this, all of this." Susan said calmly, though her smile belied her seriousness.

"I don't know if I've ever known joy like I do today." Peter added. He smiled at his sibling and then pulled them all close for a brief hug.

"Let's feast!" Edmund encouraged. A plan was busy stitching the final threads together in his mind and he needed to find Tholyn for his plan to work at all.

"Oh, I see Ed. Go find your girl and we'll meet you in the hall." Peter joshed, ruffling his brother's hair around the crown. It just didn't matter that he was King Edmund the Just; he would always be Peter's younger, sillier, very different brother. The two boys had made tremendous strides in the past week and it was appreciated by all that they continue to fool around and get along.

Ed flushed a shade of pink and smiled in spite of himself.

"All right, all right. I'm going to see if she wants to sit by me at the table." Ed informed with a wag of his eyebrows, leaving his siblings to laugh at his intent.

He set off, running in boyish haste out of the room and down the hallway. As he passed, he was cheered and celebrated, having to sidestep a game of marbles in order to get to the great hall. From up above, he heard a loud caw and immediately stopped his stride to look. Flapping down from a candled chandelier was a rather impressive hawk, flying effortlessly in an out of the flying ribbons and falling petals. Watching, Edmund realized that the bird's trajectory was leading straight for him. The bird seemed to be intent on Edmund, so he stuck his arm out for the creature to land on.

The bird gripped Ed's arm, tearing some of the fabric with his sharp talons and bowed to the king.

"Your majesty, it is an honor." He clucked with a voice most regal. "You and your siblings are a godsend to us."

Ed smiled and shuffled his feet.

"Thanks! Perhaps you can be of service to me, then, uh, what did you say your name was?" he asked, realizing his rudeness.

"Idlebeek." Answered the hawk with a wave of his great brown wing, he bowed as low as he could without falling from his perch a top Edmund's arm. "What can I do to help you?"

"Well, I'm looking for a girl." He replied in a somewhat hushed voice.

"There is certainly no shortage here! What kind of girl?" Idlebeek asked seriously.

To that, Edmund hooted in amusement and shook his head.

"No, I mean a specific girl. Her name is Tholyn and she's about – "

Edmund had stuck his other hand out to panamime her approximate height when Idlebeek cut him off.

"Tholyn? I know her! I have just been informed by Aslan himself that she is to be my captain! She is the new Charge, you know?" he said somewhat disjointedly, puffing out his chest as he mentioned Aslan.

Edmund grinned widely

"So you can help me then? Take me to her!"

"Yes sir! She is in the stables checking on her horse." With that, Idlebeek took off from his arm and flapped just ahead of Edmund's jogging form, dodging party-goers and columns. Once they reached the large wooden doors, Edmund had to ask a few centaurs to help him open them and once there was a crack big enough for him to slip through, he and Idlebeek were off like shots, making a line directly to the stables.