Chapter 4: Peter's Verdict
The next day passed with little incident. Susan spent most of the day with Rabadash, and King Lune and Prince Corin had rested after their long journey from Anvard. Amber saw little of either of the afore-mentioned throughout the day. Rabadash was again invited to dine with the Kings and Queens, as were King Lune and Prince Corin. After that, everyone but the Gentle Queen had agreed that Prince Rabadash was without a doubt the most insufferable prig ever to walk the halls of Cair Paravel (though, of course, no one voiced these opinions to Susan).
That night, the Pevensies, Amber, and Corin sat in the private sitting room doing various things- King Lune had already gone to bed. Edmund was sitting by the window, thinking. Amber and Peter had been talking, but Amber had accidentally fallen asleep with her head on Peter's shoulder, and the High King hadn't had the heart to wake her. Susan and Corin were chatting happily over Edmund's chess set, and Lucy had her nose buried in a book.
Peter looked around the room contentedly. These were the people he loved the most. Each of them, even Corin... Peter would have gladly given his life to keep them safe. He had always felt this way; even before they had entered Narnia, Peter was the protector. He was the one who had punched Susan's first boyfriend after he'd broken her heart. He was the one who made sure Edmund didn't get into trouble with bullies. He was the one who had always held Lucy when she'd had a nightmare or had skinned her knee. Even with Amber, Peter had been the one to help her limp up to the Professor when she had twisted her ankle.
Now, though... now he had to let the others help him. He knew that each person in the room would have to take on responsibilities. Susan would have to decide whether to marry Rabadash or not. Edmund would have to watch over Susan and make sure she wasn't hurt. Amber would have to keep peace between Narnia and Calormen, should things go wrong. Lucy would have to rule the entire kingdom by herself. Even Corin would have responsibilities when he got back to Archenland.
Speaking of which, Peter still needed to make the announcement. He looked down at Amber and gently shook his shoulder. Her eyelids fluttered for a moment, then she was fully awake.
"Oh! Peter, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to..."
"No," Peter said. "It's no problem, but I think you will want to hear this." By now Peter had caught the attention of the others in the room. All eyes were on Peter as Amber hastily scooted over to the other side of the couch.
"What's going on, Peter?" Lucy asked, looking up from her book. Peter adopted his best High King voice.
"As our royal brother, King Edmund, has brought to our attention, the giants of Ettinsmoor have been encroaching upon Narnian lands. This is something that must be addressed. Indeed, it must end. After much deliberation, our royal person has decided that we must make all haste toward Ettinsmoor."
"When were these reports confirmed?" Lucy asked, sitting up straighter. "I had no knowledge of such complaints."
"Hawks and Ravens have been flying in almost daily," Edmund said, adopting the formal tone that Peter had taken on. All of the Pevensies, as well as Amber, tended to speak this way when talking about matters of State.
"When shalt thou take thy leave?" Susan asked.
"I have decided that, due to the most urgent nature of this matter, I shall depart on the day after the morrow."
"But, my Lord," Susan interjected. "What of the invitation of Prince Rabadash? His Highness has been anxious to hear my reply, and I so wish to accept. Must the whole visit be postponed?" Everyone could hear the eagerness in the Queen's voice.
"We have taken this into consideration," replied the High King. Amber sat attentively, waiting to hear his verdict. "And, after deliberating carefully with our honorable brother, King Edmund, as well as our friend and adviser, the Lady Amber, we have judged that by no means may we deny your Grace the chance that has presented itself. We shall indeed send thee with an escort to Tashbaan to meet with Prince Rabadash in his own home."
"Oh, Peter! Thank you!" Susan exclaimed, completely abandoning all formality and throwing herself around her older brother (which was rather awkward, seeing as Peter was reclining on the sofa right beside Amber).
"Is Rabadash that man who's been strutting around Cair Paravel like he owns it? He's the one who ate dinner with us, right?" Corin scoffed. He never joined the Kings and Queens in their formal tones; he was notorious for speaking his mind with no pretenses. It had started more than one fistfight among his peers. "Why would anyone want to visit him?" Susan ignored her friend's comment, but Peter turned (as well as he could) to face Corin.
"Thou mightn't judge too quickly, your Highness," he said as Susan stood up, "because thou shalt be a part of Queen Susan's escort. We have spoken with thy royal father, and he believes that a journey to Tashbaan will be good for thee."
"Really? Father'll let me go with you?" Corin got over his attitude quite quickly when he heard that he was to go, as well.
"Only if thou wilt promise to behave thyself," Peter continued. "We have also decided that our brother King Edmund shall go in our own stead, and will be given full charge of everyone we send. The Lady Amber must go, because she is the Ambassador as well as High Keeper of the Peace, when she is not needed as Regentess. Should things go poorly, I am charging the Lady to correct them. Furthermore, we shall send the Faun Tumnus, and the Raven Sallowpad. We shall also send two Dwarves- General Galanik and Thornbut, both of whom are renowned warriors. We have contacted thirteen of our most trusted lords to make an even escort of twenty. We will send for Lord Peridan, our Prince's own chaperone, whom I would trust with my life, to head this company."
"But what is to become of me?"asked Lucy. "For I would accompany thee, brother."
"Nay, sister dearest. For if thou were to accompany us, who then would rule Narnia?"
"Dost thou mean that I am to be left here alone?" she cried. "Without even my beloved friends for company?"
"I should hardly think you'd have time for friends, Lu, even if they were here," said Corin carelessly, earning a hard glare from Edmund. "You'll be too busy being Queen."
"It will be a stressful ordeal, sister," Peter warned. "And we are deeply sorry that thou must endure such pressure, with so few in whom to confide. But know now that we can trust no one else with such an important responsibility." Lucy was placated, but she retained a frown on her face.
"Do not fret, Milady," Amber said sweetly. "Forget not that the Beavers shan't be leaving, and neither shall the Moles or the Badgers. And the Merpeople shall remain, as will the nymphs and the staff. Thou hast ever been friendly with them." Lucy smiled at this.
"Checkmate, Su," said Corin. Susan, who rarely lost to the young Prince, didn't even seem to notice. Her mind was on other things.
"When shall we leave?" Amber asked practically.
"I shall leave the details of thy departure to King Edmund," said Peter wearily. "Our royal person must retire. My fair consorts, I bid ye all a good night." With that, Peter stood and went to his chambers.