10) Gifts
It had been two months since Peter had left Archenland, and Liz had gotten five letters from him. The first one looked like this:
My Dear Elizabeth,
Just kidding Liz! Wish I could see your face when you saw that heading! How is stuff going over there in Archenland? Over here in Narnia it's pretty boring. I just caught Edmund teaching Lucy how to use a sword. I think I'll ask Aslan if I can teach her. She really wants to know, or maybe you can teach her. You're practically better than me. Sort of. Is Calvin still giving you a hard time? If he is, just ask him to duel you; that will straighten things out. How's Anna? Alex is depressed. I think I might have to make a trip out there just to make my horse happy, not that I don't want to. I have to go, Sirius wants to discuss future war tactics.
Love,
Peter
That letter was practically falling apart by now. The second letter was much the same, as were the rest of them, but they were all falling apart. Dora (who had stayed with her) came rushing in.
"There's a messenger here who wants to talk to you immediately," Dora said, beaming brightly. Liz was puzzled over who it was, and rushed from the room. When she got to the gate, she saw Susan and Stephen.
"Su! Stephen!" Liz ran and threw her arms around them.
"Liz! I've missed you so much!" Susan gushed. "Lucy is on her way, she had to visit some old friends. Edmund is running Narnia and…" Susan searched Liz's eyes, asking if she actually wanted to hear this. "Peter's in the Lone Islands. There's some kind of civil war going on, and he went to stop it. And he said to tell you not to worry, he'll be fine."
"And he said to give you this," Stephen added, pulling out a package and handing it to Liz. "He also sent us with one very heartbroken horse. Alex!" Alex came galloping in, and looked around before trotting over to the nearby stables."
"What are you guys doing here?" Liz asked, tucking the package under her arm, to be opened later.
"We had some things to settle with a few of the rulers from the other countries, and Archenland is in the middle of all of them." Susan explained. "Peter would be here, but it might take a few months to get everything sorted out over there."
"And Peter said that I'm given permission to seriously hurt this Calvin kid, since we're even," Stephen said with an evil grin. "We are both Princes after all."
"He's been fine," Liz said, rolling her eyes. "Especially after our last duel."
"SUSAN!!" A voice screamed, and the three of them looked to see Aravis barreling toward them. Cor was strolling at a leisurely pace behind her, shaking with laughter. Over the two months that Liz had been in Archenland, Cor had become her best friend.
Aravis hugged Susan to the point to suffocation, then Susan finally managed to say, "Hello to you too Aravis." Liz quietly extracted herself from the joyous scene, and headed to her room. Halfway there, Calvin cornered her.
"Where are you going Princess?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I'm going to my room," Liz answered icily.
"To do what?" He asked, hoping for a real answer.
"I just feel like it," Liz answered, hoping he wouldn't notice the package tucked under her arm. He did.
"What's that?"
"Just something that I want to open while I'm alone…" Liz said, desperately trying to escape.
"Can I see it?"
"NO!" Liz said, as Calvin moved to take it from her. He was faster (for once) and he immediately started running with it. "CALVIN! GIVE IT BACK NOW!!"
Calvin laughed and threw it up in the air, intending on catching it. He missed and it went tumbling to the ground. They both heard the sound of glass breaking.
Susan, Stephen, Cor, and Aravis all heard the unearthly scream that Liz let out. They all started running, Cor muttering, "What did Calvin do now?"
They found Liz in tears, next to what looked like a very jumbled and broken package, and Calvin with a shocked look on his face. They watched as Liz found a letter in the jumble of broken glass. She noticed what looked like parts of a horse, and parts of a person, and a sword.
Liz,
I was walking through one of the local villages when I saw these. The horses with the entwined necks look so alike to Anna and Alex I laughed. And then the warrior woman looked exactly like you, it was amazing. She even had a sword! By now you know I'm going to be in the Lone Islands for a few months, but as soon as I get back, I'll visit you.
Love,
Peter
Liz sobbed harder after reading this, before the sadness was replaced by anger. She stood up, drawing her sword (she had started to take it everywhere with her) and immediately cornered Calvin. She pressed the tip of the blade into his neck, glaring at him with pure hatred.
"I have such a desire to kill you," She said. "But that would be such a waste of energy." She turned and walked calmly out of the hall, still clutching her letter.
Calvin started to walk away when Stephen slammed him against a wall.
"Just because she didn't kill you doesn't mean I won't," He snarled.
"You can't go against me," Calvin taunted. "Kings and Princes can't duel, it's out of etiquette."
"Well, sorry to disappoint you," Stephen said, pressing Calvin harder again the wall. "But I'm Prince Stephen, and it's not going to be a duel. I'm going to beat the crap out of you." Let's just say Stephen had some pent-up overly protective brother-ness to get out.
"Stephen, please put Calvin down," Susan ordered quietly.
"But Susan!" Stephen whined.
"Stephen, put him down." Susan said, more fiercely.
Stephen put Calvin back on his feet, and began to walk away, before spinning around and hitting Calvin hard in the jaw.
Stephen walked next to Susan, and she rolled her eyes. "You just couldn't resist, could you?"
Stephen shrugged, smirking in an arrogant way. "He hurt my little sister, he couldn't get away with that."
"Do you think Peter will be back for Christmas, we all want to see him then," Susan sighed. "And Liz needs to see him."
"Tell me about it."