GLIMPSES OF THE GOLDEN AGE

Part Two

Lady Alambiel and I all got together to do this Random Word Challenge. This is what I came up with, all set in my favorite Narnian time, The Golden Age. Check out hers, too!

BUZZ:

Everyone knew the worst gossips at Cair Paravel were the Bees who flew about the gardens spreading tales as freely as pollen. But the High King, being fond of honey in his tea, was lenient with them about this, even when they made him the subject of their daily buzz.

Then he began sitting in the moonlit gardens with a pretty lady from Archenland, gazing at the stars, making everyone wonder if a royal wedding was soon to follow.

But, being busy in the fine new hives the King had commissioned for them, on this point the Bees were silent.

BARTER:

"He's murdered and looted up and down our coast," spat the captain. "Run him through, Majesty."

"I can't," Edmund growled.

"My life for your sister's." The pirate stroked one grimy hand along Lucy's throat, his other holding a blade against her ribs. "A fine barter, eh?"

Lucy squirmed, turning to him, blue eyes entreating, one pleading hand over his heart. "Won't you let me go?"

"After I've done with you."

His laugh turned to a gasp, and he crumpled to the deck.

Lucy wiped her dagger on his filthy shirt and returned it to her sleeve. "You had your chance."

DISTORT:

"Peter!" Lucy threw her arms around his neck and pressed one little hand to his cheek. "You're cooler. You're awake."

He blinked into the dawn light. "How long?"

"Almost two days. We were so worried. They made Susan go to bed. Ed, well–" She smiled at Edmund who was curled up in a chair, sound asleep. "The healers said . . . " Tears filled her eyes and she clutched Peter's hand. "They said there was no hope."

He smiled faintly, remembering nothing but his dream of a Man with gentle, healing hands who spoke with Aslan's voice.

Funny how fever could distort reality.

BLONDE:

"That one," Peter said, pushing his dripping hair out of his eyes. "The little blonde."

Edmund glanced over his shoulder and, just as swiftly, looked away. "She was not."

Peter laughed, kicking slowly to keep his head above water. "She was smiling at you, Ed. Look."

Again Edmund looked out towards the horizon. In a little knot hardly twenty yards away were three bobbing heads, two with dark flowing locks and one with hair bleached almost white in the sun. When they saw him looking, they giggled.

Then, with a flash of scales and fins, they dove into the sea.

LIVE:

Edmund urged the Gryphon higher, up above the clouds, into the azure sky. Cair Paravel lay below him, gleaming like a jewel on the cliff above Lucy's sea. He could see Peter's mountains to the north and Susan's sunlit meadows down south. Best of all, to the west he could see his own cool, dusky woods, miles and miles of trees and brooks, of beavers and waterfalls and endless rolling hills.

This was Narnia, full of wonder and magic, full of life, and bless Aslan, it was Edmund's to guard. His to love.

It was the only way to live.

ACHE:

Peter lowered his blood-painted sword and nodded to the Faun who was his signalman. Immediately, the trumpet blared and the army of Narnia stopped pursuit. The living Fell were running for their lairs, leaderless and broken, but most of them lay dead. Their bodies and blood mingled with those of his own soldiers, flesh and bone, feathers and fur and skin, cooling in the evening air, cooling and soon rotting into Narnia's rich ground.

The victory was great, and he knew they had done no more than what they must.

But that did not ease the ache in his heart.

BENEVOLENT:

Edmund clung to the Centaur he had once thought so terrifying. The solemn creature was nothing compared to what waited on the hilltop.

"Come, little colt." The Centaur gently removed Edmund's arms from around his neck. "You must."

He set Edmund down in the grass and, bowing, left him. Left him with the huge Lion. A Lion with razor claws and teeth. A Lion Edmund had betrayed.

Able to do nothing else, Edmund fell to his knees before Him. Then he looked up into the golden eyes, the eyes that saw him and knew everything, and realized He was benevolent.

AREA:

"Have you scouted the area?"

The Bruin saluted. "We have, General."

Oreius narrowed his eyes, knowing that, for all their size and good intentions, Bears were not always the cleverest of his soldiers. "Any sign of Fell?"

"None, sir."

The Centaur looked up into the cloudless sky. "Those are our Gryphons, are they not?"

"Yes, General. The eagles are to circle a hundred feet above them."

"And there are sentries all around the perimeter?"

"Every fifteen feet, sir."

"Very good. Then you may tell the High King that we are ready for him and his family to have their picnic."

CHEF:

"Be nice, Edmund," Susan said sternly. "We don't want to hurt his feelings."

"But Su–"

Her eyes flashed, then she turned, smiling sweetly at the Terrier who had brought the covered silver platter with the main course on it. "Thank you, Ellis. And do tell Andre we appreciate him taking over while Mrs. Reynard has her kits."

The Terrier bowed. "Certainly, My Queen."

Edmund waited for him to leave the dining room before he took the cover from the platter. Then he sighed.

"Grubs and ants. Again. Tell me one more time why we have an Aardvark for our Chef?"

NOBLE:

Edmund pressed his blade against dusky flesh. "Yield."

"Not to you or any barbarian," the Calormene panted.

"Yield. Or die."

"May you have joy of her!"

With a curse, the Calormene shoved Edmund away and disappeared down the dusty street. The slave girl threw herself at Edmund's feet.

He immediately raised her. "I give you your freedom."

"I may . . . do as I please?"

"Of course."

A smile lit her face and she scurried after the Calormene. "Wait! Hasan, wait for me!"

Edmund stared after her, open mouthed, and Peter clasped his shoulder, laughing.

"It was a noble gesture anyway, Ed."

Do let me know what you think. I might consider turning some of these into one-shots.

–WD