Author's Note: This - I think, for now - is going to be the most distinct chapter in this story. This whole chapter is letters between Peter and Ace. Let's see if you can read between the lines. For this chapter, I was inspired by Yellow Card's "Ocean Avenue". You should listen to it while reading this. By the way, Ace is not going to become picky like Susan. Just something I would like to add.
Aceline's Age: Sixteen
Quote from Chapter: "It's perfectly beastly to be so close to you and not be able to see you."
Chapter Twenty-Seven: Your Friend
Weeping Birch (September)
Dear Peter,
Today was a bit...unusual, perhaps? I went to Felimath with Iris and Lucylita and Filia. Lita and Lia went to collect shells and other things. Anyway, this group of sailors showed up. You have no idea how nervous I was! You know the Calormens now kidnap people to sell them and I thought they slave traders. But amazingly, they just looked at me, nodded politely and the youngest one - he was around seventeen or eighteen - said with a small smile, "Good day, miss."
They continued their card game and I decided to sketch them. Iris was sleeping next to me and only woke when the oldest one - one around her age - let out a great, big whoop. I started laughing as she looked at him. The poor bloke looked liked he rather be anywhere, but there. To everyone's surprise, the man simply tipped his hat to her and said, "Sorry, ma'am." Iris grinned at him and fell asleep. I sketched both of them and have the pictures in the envelope.
After a while, they left. But the chap came upto me and offered me an apple. I took it with a smile and he grinned back at me. When he went back to the sailors, they started to tease him about how "gentlemanly he was to the young lady". Now isn't that a nice state of things?
So, how are things in Narnia? Have you figured out your talent yet? I hope you do. Just hope that you don't find it by tripping it over a cart like me. I never could get out that stain.
Is Susan still annoying you? I bet you're wishing she found her talent already. Hmm. Well, write back soon.
Your friend,
Aceline
Weeping Birch (September)
Dear Ace,
My, my, my, we have boys falling for you already? In your next letter you'll probably tell me you have your first suitor! Don't make me come to the Islands, youg lady.
Well, now that we've gotten that out of the way, I can tell you where I am.
I'm in Calormen. It's perfectly beastly to be so close to you and not be able to see you. Susan still hasn't found her talent, but I've found mine - I'm good at the piano and flute and somewhat good at singing. But our dear Gentle Queen is driving me insane. Hmm, shouldn't have said that. She just came in, read that and punched me in the shoulder. Now, it's a bit sore.
Anyway, I never thought it would be so hot down south. I can't wait to go back to Narnia! (Ed and Lucy are handling things back home.)
You've certainly gotten better at drawing. Everything looks so...so lifelike. I wonder how you managed to catch it on a piece of paper.
Sincerely,
Peter
Weeping Birch (October)
Dear Pete,
Wow, you have another talent - clairvoyancy. How did you know that I'd be telling you about my first suitor. No, excuse me, first two suitors. Oh, and let's not forget that fate decided to make them Calormene.
The first one - a man named Khalil Tarkaan - looked around twenty-six or twenty-seven. Could you imagine me courting such a man? The idea is simply unbelievable. Well, I refused him (obviously) and he had the nerve to try and woo me. So, I refused him again and he started saying that "in the name of Tash, he would have me" and how that in "by the Tisroc (may he live forever), that it was my duty to marry him"! I had to order guards to escort him out. He was nearly in hysterics!
The second one - Azhar Tarkaan - was around eighteen. He was a bit quiet, which really surprised me seeing as he was a Calormen. He was so kind and calm, that I had a good mind to accept him. But seeing as I couldn't leave the Islands, there was no point, really. Anyway, he didn't take it too badly when I said no. I felt pretty bad afterwards.
So, our dear High King is a musician now, eh? Maybe you and Ed can play for me when I get back?
Waiting for your reply,
Ace
Weeping Birch (October)
Dear Aceline,
Ha! I knew it! Am I good or what? Wow, I just sounded completely conceited. Interesting. Anyway, you have no idea how shocked I was to read that part about Azhar. A quiet Calormen? Now, that's something. Guess everything is more than it seems, eh?
Sure I'll play for you. Ed doesn't like to sing in front of people. (He doesn't like it when they stare.) But I'd be happy to.
I must say that it's a relief that Susan has found her talent. Guess what it is? Archery! The thing that she was good at all this time, that's her talent. I nearly smacked my head against the wall when she told me.
It seems that everyone is receiving suitors. Susan just got hers yesterday. It was absolutely nerve-wracking! I hope that it's a long, long, long time before Lu gets hers.
Yours truly,
Peter
Winterberry Holly (November)
Dear Peter,
Do you remember Azhar Tarkaan? Well, he sent me a gift! A set of Calormene bangles in a red velvet box. And they had diamonds on them! It may not seem like a big deal, but to an amateur artist like, it's perfect. I sounded exactly like Susan there, didn't I? Ah, well, it can't be helped.
Ed doesn't like to sing in front of people? Hmm, maybe I can convince him otherwise.
Archery? It took her that long to figure it out? I feel no embarrassment in telling you that I'm shaking my head right now.
Aww, poor Petey with his fatherly and brotherly - and Kingly - worries. I'll be there sooner or later to help you.
Wishing you best,
Ace
Winterberry Holly (November)
Dear Ace,
Well, isn't he a decent chap? Unless, that's his plan to try to get you into marrying him...Anyway, I really hope you convince Ed in singing in front of a crowd. You'll be surprised when you see him. He's nearly as tall as me! (And I'm past the five foot five mark.)
Are you making fun of me, Ace? Teasing me and my worries? I'm offended. No, just joking.
You're becoming more like Su, Aceline. I'm worried. Maybe you should take a break from sketching. And that reminds me, I have to lay off piano-playing for a while. I'm becoming a bit obsessed with it.
Sincerely yours,
Peter
Winterberry Holly (December)
Dear Peter,
Merry Christmas, O Mighty High King! Can you believe it's been three years? It feels so much longer...
Do you have any idea how I wish for a white Christmas? It's just not the same with snow. But at least I don't have to wear all those thick clothes you have to wear. So there are some benefits.
Filia and Lita took me to the beach for an early Christmas party. It was quite fun. You'll love it at the islands. Incidentally, do you remember that chap who gave me the apple? The one I told you about? The one I saw in September? Well, I saw him again! He looks a bit different. I drew him so you can compare this drawing with the other one.
So...any plans for the holidays? I'm doing nothing exciting. Like I said, I wish it were a white Christmas.
Write back soon,
Aceline
Winterberry Holly (December)
Dear Ace,
Merry Christmas, dear, darling Princess! Wow, three years? You're right it does feel much longer.
So, you're wishing for a white Christmas, eh? I'd send snow as a present, but it'll probably just melt. And, no, I'm not teasing you.
Come now, he doesn't look that different. Perhaps a little taller, but nothing more. And, by the way, you should do something special for the holidays. Then you could tell me all about it in your next letter.
I really miss you. All of us do. Write as soon as you get this.
Your friend,
Peter
Wow, that took a while. It's nearly eleven at night as I'm updating. Anyway, I hope you like this. (And I hope you could read between the lines.) Thanks to Queen Emily the Wise for the idea of making Peter multi-talented.