Chapter the Third: The Lion Calls

As everyone rushed to congratulate Sir Peridan on being named swordmaster, I felt a gentle tug on my sleeve and heard a voice whisper,

"Queen Lucy, we have it here."

I turned and faced Avraiva, senior among my ladies-in-waiting. She carried a bundle that only yesterday Susan and I had carefully wrapped in bright fabric and ribbons. Behind her were two more of my ladies – a green-eyed Ocelot named Regand and Maidenhoof, a lovely little Fallow Doe. Between them they carried another package by the ribbons securing the wrapping. A smile lit Avraiva's pretty face, and she leaned close in to say,

"It's quite heavy, my queen. We'll stand back and hold these for you until you need them."

"Thank you, Avraiva," I replied, touched by the Dryad's thoughtfulness. I glanced at the crowd in the conservatory and twisted back to them to add, "This is so exciting!"

Susan turned to face me and I nodded to let her know that our gift had arrived. I could not stop smiling and my sister let out a little laugh of anticipation. Just then Jaerin called out above the din,

"So that's what this morning was about?"

He was pointing at the soldiers clustered around his father. He seemed both pleased by his own cleverness and indignant at having been so rudely awakened by my brothers and Oreius. Susan cast me a quick wink and turned to him.

"In part, Jaerin," she answered. "In part."

"So what's the other part?" he immediately asked, and then realized his tone was not quite the thing for addressing a queen. Before his mother could say a word Jaerin blushed scarlet and hastily added, "If it pleases Your Majesty. I do beg your pardon."

Lady Saera cast him a stern and warning look, but we in Cair Paravel were not so bound by formality as the court of Anvard and no offense was taken. Susan and I were used to boys acting like boys, after all, and we knew from experience that their excitement often outstripped their sense. I was certain, though, that Jaerin would get a talking-to after breakfast.

Susan left it to Saera to address her son's outburst. She gave him an enigmatic smile and said, "That remains to be seen, Peridanson."

When finally the clamor died down and people settled back to their places, Susan gestured to me to join her in the center of the room. I looked an invitation to Peter and Edmund to come with me, but Peter just smiled and shook his head, answering for both of them. We had asked them to be a part of this moment and they had declined, saying that this honor belonged exclusively to Narnia's queens since we had been directly involved in the events that brought this about while they had merely been the catalysts behind it.

I had practiced what I wanted to say at this moment and I hoped that if I forgot anything that Susan would remember for me. My words had been chosen with great care because I was about to touch on some frightening and painful memories. A hush fell as I stepped to Susan's side, and I clasped my hands before me to keep from fidgeting. Taking a deep breath, I began:

"Good my cousins, we stand here today united by friendship for each other and love of Narnia and of Aslan. My brothers and sister and I once again thank you for your loyalty and service . . . and our lives."

There was a faint stirring at this. I smiled, expecting such a reaction. "This year has been a difficult one, but our troubles have been well balanced by our many blessings. Chief among those blessing have been our friends that have risked all in our service. Heydensrun, Ettinskeep, Cwengarde, Rosenward, Captain Xati, on behalf of my family, I thank you." Here I curtsied deeply to the warriors I had just named, for they were the chief actors in the events my words touched upon. They bowed back to me in turn. Their fellow soldiers were plainly very happy to have them recognized publicly. "We would none of us be here were it not for your devotion."

I stole a glance at Susan, hoping I hadn't forgotten anything thus far. She smiled reassuringly. A slight movement off to the side caught my attention as Edmund shifted a step closer to Peter. I doubted he was even aware of his defensiveness, but it was very endearing. Since returning from that awful adventure in Ettinsmoor, Edmund had developed a protective streak that could rival Peter's. Luckily, he focused his attentions almost solely on our High King since Peter needed it the most.

I looked through the flower-filled room. Everyone was so content, so pleased with the day. The Fox kits were draped over their patient mother, warm and safe and loved. Rien leaned against Saera, holding her mother's hand. I was so very glad these good friends had families of their own! It was heartening to know that they were held as dear by their loved ones as I was by my own.

"There is another good and loyal friend that I – I mean we, would like to thank." I felt myself blush. Pausing for a moment, I collected myself, remembering what I wanted to say. "He was wise enough to listen when called, faithful enough to follow blindly, and brave enough to dare the disapproval of those he loves most in order to follow his heart."

I looked to Avraiva, and she glided forward on her tiny feet and passed me the package. She was right – it was quite heavy, but it was a reassuring weight. I braced my elbows against my hips to hold it comfortably. I heard a murmur of thanks as Susan leaned over to accept the other package from Maindenhoof and Regand.

"It's not always an easy or simple thing to answer Aslan when he summons you, just as it's not easy or simple to do what is right. People may not see the same reasons or they may not understand the drive to act when the Lion calls." I paused, taking a moment to revel in my memories of Aslan now that I had mentioned him by name. The sound of his laughter echoed in my mind and set my heart to racing. Joy filled me, golden and soft like his mane, and I smiled to share the feeling with everyone there in the conservatory with me before I focused my attention again on the young man before me.

"Jaer Peridanson."

He sucked in his breath, and then scrambled to his feet. Hastily he bowed to us, and in his surprise he did not bow like a Narnian, but like an Archenlander. Charmed, the people in the room exchanged amused looks and there was an excited tension charging the air. When Jaer straightened his face was pale and his eyes were wide and stormy with emotion. I saw Peridan reach out and cover his wife's hand with his own, while Jaerin leaned around his brother's legs to see better. Susan spoke next.

"Jaer, it is thanks to your wisdom and foresight and daring that we your queens did not come to harm this past Mayblossom. And so we ask that you accept this gift with all that it means and all it entails."

Before he could respond I quickly added, "And we ask you to honor your kings and queens and all of Narnia by accepting the title of White Armor Knight and allowing us to address you as Sir Jaer until this season is done."

He was silent, overwhelmed, and he just stood there with his mouth opened in astonishment. Perhaps, upon hearing Susan's story of the White Armor Ball, he had hoped for this to happen, for he had proven himself on that anxious journey to the Northern Marches this past spring. The reality of being offered this ancient distinction seemed to rob him of speech, however.

I offered him the cloth-wrapped gift in my arms. "Please say that you will, Jaer."

Still stunned, looking as if he'd been hit full in the face by a snowball, Jaer slowly reached for the bundle. I motioned to the ribbon with a little nod of my head, and instead of taking the gift he pulled the bow. The silk fell away to reveal the suit of chain mail newly made for this occasion. It shone silver-bright and shimmered like a fish. It was Dwarf made, strong and light and flexible. Jaer gasped.

Though they had not said as much, I knew that Peter and Edmund had helped the smiths to make it. The Chief Armorer at Cair Paravel had let slip what good workers they had turned out to be even though Edmund swung a hammer like a Black Dwarf and Peter kept banging his head on the low rafters of the shop until the Chief Smith dismissed him for fear of him sustaining a concussion. They had done whatever they were told to do – Edmund being far more skilled than Peter - and had labored without complaint, anxious in their own way to show their gratitude to their friend.

Susan leaned forward a little, offering the gift in her hands. Just as I did, she held it for Jaer as he pulled the silk ribbon to reveal gauntlets made of white leather and polished steel greaves lying upon a tabard of snowy white samite. Each piece - the mail, the equipment, the tabard - was beautifully, simply made.

There was not a sound in the room as we let Jaer Peridanson absorb what was happening. Jaer pursed his lips, daring to reach out and touch the smooth mail shirt draped over my hands as if he could not believe it was real. He swallowed and finally looked at me. His eyes and face were filled with the kind of joy that words cannot express, but can only be felt.

His voice was faint when he spoke, and followed his father's example as he said, "You . . . you do me great honor, my queens."

"Then you accept?" asked Susan softly.

He swallowed again and nodded before he stepped forward and relieved me of the increasingly heavy mail. "Yes, Queen Susan. I accept. With all my heart."

A giggle of sheer happiness escaped me, because his reaction was all we could have hoped for and more. Susan nodded to our brothers. Immediately there came a hiss and a clear metallic ring as Peter drew Rhindon. A higher-pitched tone followed as Edmund drew Shafelm III, and then all the soldiers in the room stood and stepped a little away from each other to draw their weapons. Peridan hastened to his feet and after another long moment of gaping at his brother, Jaerin managed to stand and pulled out his short sword. He could not look away from Jaer, so awed was he.

"Cousins! Friends! Soldiers and Knights of Narnia!" I cried aloud, drawing the knife Father Christmas had given me and holding it high. "I give you Sir Jaer, the White Armor Knight!"

"Sir Jaer! Sir Jaer! Sir Jaer!" cried everyone in the room in the traditional salute to a new knight. The sound was deafening, but nothing compared to the ecstatic shouts and howls that followed. Susan leaned over and kissed Jaer on either cheek, filling his arms with our other presents as she did so and weighing him down. I kissed him the same way before Edmund wove through the excited crowd around us. Grabbing Jaer by the ears, he pulled his friend down a bit (for Jaer was older and taller than he) and pressed two kisses to the top of his head. Peter followed suit a moment later, kissing Jaer's hair. I don't think Jaer noticed he was being kissed by his queens, let alone by his kings, so amazed was he. Jaerin tackled him from one direction, Rien from the other, and it was only their father that kept the three of them from tumbling over in their enthusiasm. The Fox children bounded around their feet, yipping with excitement and tripping everyone that tried to move.

"Well?" Peter finally asked Jaer a few minutes later when he finally escaped the clutches of all the well-wishers. "Are you going to carry that or wear it?"

Jaer blinked as if it hadn't occurred to him that the whole purpose of armor was to protect the one wearing it. For the second time that morning Peter bodily hauled Jaer off, only this time it was to help him don the new suit. Edmund and Jaerin and Peterkins followed them for good measure. All of them except for Jaer were talking at once as they stepped out of the conservatory. I saw Saera sink down on the cushion that served as her seat. She looked quite overwhelmed with happiness, as if she didn't know where to start expressing such great emotion. I smiled to see so much joy because I knew the feeling well. When she looked up and saw me, I gave in to the urge to take her hands in mine hold them tight.

"Oh, Queen Lucy, this is the most wonderful thing!" she exclaimed breathlessly. "I . . . I feel . . . So full, so blessed by all of you and by Aslan. Oh, I am the most fortunate of women!"

I smiled broadly at this good lady. I was just thinking how her warmth and affection reminded me of my own mother, when Rien, who was almost dancing in her excitement, came rushing up to us.

"Mother, Jaer is almost a knight! It's the most wonderful thing! Oh, Queen Lucy!"

I laughed to hear her repeat her mother's words, and I laughed again when Rien squeezed me in a quick, tight hug.

"It is! It is! I'm so happy he accepted! You'll be at the ball tonight?" I pressed. "Your brother is the guest of honor, after all!"

Rien nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! My very first! Mother and Camilla have made me the most beautiful new gown of shining white cloth and I'll wear holly in my hair like the Nymphs do."

"There will be wassail and the armored ball and everyone will dance and play games and then we'll feast," I replied. "Will you take part in the singing?"

Rien blushed prettily and cast a quick look at her mother, who smiled reassuringly. "I can try."

"Well, one of the games will be a great deal of fun," I said, encouraged by her response. "Everyone that wants to will make up a verse to the song we sing to open the ball and we'll each get a turn to sing a verse. I'll be going first, but Susan and I will be singing for our brothers, too, and I know they'll be singing. If you want to try you just have to tell Sir Giles. He'll be the Master in the Hall all night long."

"What's a Master in the Hall?" she wondered.

"Oh! I'm sorry, Rien. That means he'll be directing all the games and call for dances. Last year it was Mr. Tumnus, but with Peter so sick last Christmas we really didn't have anything as grand as this year's celebration. We certainly didn't have anything as thrilling as a White Armor Knight!"

Being reminded of Jaer's elevation got her excited anew. She drew in a breath to say something else when a commotion from the hall seized everyone's attention. At first I thought the boys were back already, but then a handsome Zebra herald stepped into the room. He was accompanied by some gaily dressed Fauns and Nymphs and a Baboon carrying a red lion standard. They were all bedecked with ribbons and bells and the Nymphs carried evergreen branches. I beckoned them to draw closer and they filled the room with even more color.

"My queens," called the Zebra, bowing low. "A health to you this blessed day and ever after!"

"Be welcome at this merry time and ever after," I replied in turn, guessing their errand. "From where do you come?"

Silver bells tingled sweetly as the Zebra tossed his head. "Queen Lucy, we set out two days ago from the forest at the foot of Mount Selain at the westernmost reach of Glasswater Creek. It has been our honor to escort the wassail bowls and their makers to Cair Paravel."

"Where are these bowls and their makers now?" I asked.

"They await your pleasure in the great hall."

I clapped my hands, and I very much wanted to jump up and down. "We'll wait for the kings to return, and then you can escort us to the hall. In the meantime, please, refresh yourselves and eat your fill."

I don't know if the heralds got much chance to eat because several soldiers whose families lived in the area pressed them for news and gossip. A merry din rose up as everyone talked and ate some more when suddenly Peterkins came bounding into the room.

"They're coming! They're coming! Jaer is wearing his armor!" he called before darting out again to make a grand entrance with the rest of them.

Peridan, his wife and daughter moved closer to see and all eyes were on the entrance to the conservatory. We could hear Jaerin talking long before we could see the four boys return, and we listened intently, trying hard not to laugh. It seemed the younger of Peridan's sons had come to realize that after being rudely parted from his warm bed and soundly thrashed by the finest warriors in Narnia, he had no new title and nothing to show for it.

"Have you any bruises?" we heard Peter ask with deep concern.

"Yes! Many!" Jaerin replied indignantly.

"Well, there you go," Edmund said in a matter-of-fact tone. "Happy Christmas."

"Your presents were delivered a day early," Peter added. "My heartfelt congratulations."

Jaerin moaned in annoyance at the situation and shook his head as he rounded the corner. He came to a stop as he was met by so many smiles and he moaned again as he realized everyone had heard his complaints. With a hearty yell, Peterkins announced his own arrival and bounced down the steps to sit on Jaerin's feet. Peter and Edmund kept Jaer between them as they stepped through the arched doors and a great, happy shout rose up at the sight of Jaer in the shining mail and gear. He blushed and smiled with quiet pleasure, his eyes bright as he looked at his parents.

From where I stood I could not see their faces, but I saw Peridan reach across Saera's shoulder and he pulled her close for a one-armed hug. Their pride in their son was evident in every gesture, and I would not have been the least surprised if Peridan suddenly burst into song.

"Peter!" I called before anyone could speak. "Peter, the wassail bowls have arrived!"

The High King's eyes grew wide with pleasure. "Where are they, Lu?"

"The great hall! The heralds are here!" I pointed to the Zebra and his troop.

My brothers exchanged a quick glance and Peter said, "Splendid! We can present Sir Jaer to everyone assembled!"

Began Jaer, "I-"

He tried to move away, not used to being the center of so much attention.

"None of that," insisted Edmund, laying hold of his friend's arm. "You accepted everything it means and entails to be the White Armor Knight. Don't force us to make up more duties for you to carry out."

"But . . ."

"Be of good cheer, Sir Jaer," reassured Peter in milder tones. "'Tis the Eve of Christmas and we only ask that you let us pay you every honor you deserve."

Jaer cast a swift glance at Peridan, who nodded his encouragement, and with a sigh and a smile I saw him relent and give himself over to the celebrations. Peter clapped him on the shoulder and laughed for the sheer pleasure of it.

I stooped to pick up little Helene to save her from being trod on by feet or hooves large or small. Beside me, Rien picked up Sarai and held her tenderly, stroking the little vixen's sleek red fur and whispering secrets between them. I saw Peter watching us and a moment later he scooped up Peterkins as he bounded by and dumped the kit into Jaer's arms. Rien and I giggled and the young Foxes we carried joined in as Sir Jaer tried to contain the wriggly and excited handful that was Peterkins. Jaer finally managed to stuff the Fox under his arm, leaving the kit stretched out on his forearm and hand.

"Your first duty as a knight is to protect those smaller than yourself, Sir Jaer," lectured Peter. "Therefore I charge you with the safety of my namesake. Guard him well, sir."

"My human is taller than yours," Peterkins bragged to his sisters, looking down from where he was firmly pinned.

Sarai sniffed, completely unimpressed. "Ours are prettier."

With a laugh I reached over and ruffled the fur atop his head. Susan gestured to get my attention and looked pointedly at the doors as if to tell me we had guests waiting.

"To the hall!" I called to the happy crowd. "Good heralds, lead the way!"