Disclaimer: All characters are not owned by me and are used without permission solely for the entertainment of fan-fiction readers.
Summary: After the celebrations, the kings and queens must take on the responsibilities of their position. But it may be harder for some than others.
Chapter 4: Misunderstandings
"For heavens sake Lucy, do try and keep that racket down", protested Susan.
Lucy was playing wooden pipes that had been the gift from some of the fauns during the victory celebration. That had been weeks ago. She stopped playing them to give her sister an annoyed look.
"Just because you're in a fowl mood doesn't mean the rest of us are", she replied.
"Hmph".
Susan returned to fanning herself while lying on the divan in the sitting room that she and Lucy shared. It was a very hot summer day, even for Narnian standards. Lucy continued to play for a while longer before she finally laid the instrument on the intricately carved wooden table beside her.
"I don't understand why the boys had to go off. It's quite boring here without them", the young girl said.
Susan gave her a vexed look, "Of course you wouldn't understand about the affairs of the kingdom. The boys are trying to establish relations with Archenland and Calormen again. Miraz made quite a mess of that. You never did comprehend the importance of politics Lucy".
Lucy sighed, "I just don't understand why everyone must get into such a flurry over it. It all seems like a bunch of rubbish to me".
"Of course you would! All you care about is music, dancing, and daydreaming with the fauns and nymphs all day long. Honestly, one would have thought that you would have grown out of it by now", Susan proclaimed.
Lucy turned red, "Well, I apologize if my happiness in the return to our dear Narnia bothers you so".
Susan sighed, "I don't mean it like that, Lucy. I suppose I just wish I could be as carefree as you. But some of us have important responsibilities to uphold".
"It's alright Su, I know it's been hard these past few weeks without the boys here", Lucy said as she took her sister's hand.
"I swear if one more Minotaur complains about having to share their land with the Dwarves, I'll banish them all myself!" the older Queen said in an exasperated voice.
Lucy giggled, "Perhaps we should send Trumpkin to resolve it".
"I think that would make matters worse", Susan scoffed.
- - - -
The following week passed by slowly, with many meetings in the council chambers that made Susan stiff with boredom. She didn't know how Peter and Edmund had done it. It's not like she hadn't had her share of council meetings, but her presence had not been required for most of them. And, most of the matters now at hand were debates over Narnia's lands. The Minotaurs and the dwarves were at each other's throats over the Northern Mountains. The fauns wanted Lantern Waste back. These were hardly matters that she wished to be a part of, but nonetheless it was her duty as Queen until the High King returned.
Trufflehunter approached Susan, who was, against her wishes, sitting on the Telmarine throne.
"Your Highness, there is a new matter which must be brought to the attention of this council", he said.
This council was a combination of both Narnian and Telmarine representatives picked by Peter and Caspian themselves. Peter had chosen Trumpkin, Trufflehunter, and Glenstorm to be the Narnian representatives. They would replace the Telmarines who had had not sworn allegiance to Caspian and thus had left through the portal.
The rest of the council was made up of Telmarine lords that Caspian found trustworthy, along with Professor Cornelius. Susan had brought Reepicheep for moral support.
Susan looked relieved that there would finally be a change in topic.
"Continue my dear badger", she said.
The creature took a step towards the Queen, "Upon Prince Caspian's return, a coronation ceremony must be held in his honor".
"What do you mean? Caspian is already King", Susan replied, an eyebrow raised.
The poor badger began to fidget under her gaze, "My dear queen, we may all be well aware that Caspian has earned his throne, but the peopledo not. It would do well, for appearances sake, to give them a public display of the unity of our kingdom".
Queen Susan stood from her throne, "You speak wise words, my friend. And I shall bring this matter at once to his royal highness upon his return".
Trufflehunter, now in clear distress, cleared his throat, but one of the Telmarine lords spoke up. Lord Armand was his name.
"If I may suggest, your majesty, that you allow us to assist you in making the preparations for such an event, so that upon Prince Caspian's return, he may be crowned King at once".
"And you have all agreed to this?" Susan said in a reproachful tone. It was clear they had been debating this behind her back and had already come to a decision.
"Your majesty, we only wish to do what is best for the kingdom", Trufflehunter offered.
Her eyes swept across the room, studying each and every one of them.
"It is quite clear to me that you have already decided what is to be done. It matters not what I think", she said.
Professor Cornelius now spoke, "Please, Queen Susan, try to understand. The people must identify Caspian as their new king. It is vital in order for him to maintain peace within the land".
Susan stiffened, "You would do well to remember, Professor, that Caspian is not the only King of Narnia".
The Professor looked surprised, "I do not to wish to offend her highness, but you and your brothers cannot be anymore than political figureheads. Caspian is the true king of Narnia, whether her majesty wishes it or not".
Susan looked appalled, "How could you suggest that I do not wish Caspian to be king? Did I not fight side by side all of you to put him in his rightful place? Is it that you are unaccustomed at having a Queen, or perhaps it is that you are unaccustomed at regarding the opinions of a woman?"
"Your majesty, I . . ." the Professor stammered.
"You've said quite enough", Susan snapped before marching off the dais and through the side door entrance.
"Now you've gone and insulted the Queen", chirped Reepicheep.
The Professor turned to him, "It was not my intent and you know it!"
"Perhaps one of us should ask Queen Lucy to speak with her", said Glenstorm.
All eyes turned to Trumpkin.
"Why must I always be the one to smooth things over? And I'm the dwarf", he grumbled.
- - - -
Queen Lucy swept through the sitting room that she and her sister shared. Ahead of her, two large doors stood, each leading to one of the Queens' bedchambers. She walked up to the door on the right and gave it a light knock. When no one answered, she knocked a little bit harder. Again, no response.
"Su, you can't stay locked in your room forever. At least let me in", Lucy called.
The door opened a fraction of an inch to partly reveal Queen Susan's face.
"Only if you haven't come to scold me", she replied.
Lucy put her hands on her hips, "Well perhaps if you would stop acting so foolishly, I wouldn't have to scold you in the first place!"
Susan sighed and let her sister in. The door swung shut behind them.
Lucy walked past her sister and sat on the bench by the windowsill. It had been covered by soft pillows and cushions as was quite comfortable. Queen Susan enjoyed sitting and reading there for hours on end.
The older Queen went over to her bed and plopped down onto it. She was immensely frustrated, not only by the events that had taken place and their implications, but by her behavior as well. But it was hard not to take offense when such suggestions were made.
"I think you're overreacting about all this", said Lucy.
Susan groaned, "I know that I've acted the fool, but if you only heard what they said. They actually suggested I was against Caspian being King!"
"Yes but you need not have made your thoughts so openly known", the younger Queen reprimanded.
"I merely pointed out that Caspian was not the only royalty in Narnia. We have just as many rights as he does, maybe even more".
"But that's just it Su, we don't have those rights. We've had our time to rule Narnia. That time has come and gone. We are here to help Caspian be a better King. It doesn't mean that we can go about acting like we did back in the Old Days", Lucy said thoughtfully.
Susan threw herself back so that she was now lying on the bed, "It hardly seems fair. Our time was taken away from us. And we have more experience in ruling than he does".
Lucy looked at her angrily, "Don't start having a go at Caspian now. He's only been kind to us. And yes, we may have more experience, but he is the King. What do you have against him anyways? He did save your life!"
But Susan remained quiet.
Lucy huffed and jumped down from the bench, it was much too tall for her. She made her way to the door, but turned back to her sister before her hand reached the handle.
"The Telmarines aren't accustomed to women holding positions of power. That is why they are hesitant to take your advice among matters of the kingdom. But that doesn't mean you need to give them a reason to keep thinking that way. Give them some time", the girl said in a kinder voice.
Susan sighed, "And I thought I was the sensible one".
Lucy giggled and left.
Susan knew her sister was right. She shouldn't have let her emotions get in the way. She must show them that she was strong and trustworthy. They had seen her in battle, but now she needed them to see the regal Queen Susan who knew something or two about running a country.
She went to bed feeling more at ease that night.
- - - -
The sound of trumpets blaring in the courtyard brought Susan abruptly out of her sleep. The past few days had been hectic with the preparations for the coronation and she was exhausted. If she had to pick out just one more ribbon or flower . . . she would go mad. The young queen had surrendered herself to the heavenly escape of her bed early the night before.
A groan escaped the Queen's lips as she forced the covers away from her body. Suddenly, the door slammed and loud footsteps filled the room. She was soon joined by Lucy, who jumped on top of her in the bed.
"Oh Susan, they're back! The boys are back! Let's go down to greet them in the courtyard!"
Susan's voice came from underneath her sister, "Maybe if you would stop smothering me, I could get out of bed to dress".
Lucy giggled and removed herself from his sister's bed. The older Queen stretched out and allowed a yawn to slip from her lips. As she rose, Susan eyed her younger sister, who was still in her nightdress with a silk robe covering it.
"Do you propose that we receive them in our nightgowns?" she asked in a shocked tone.
Lucy rolled her eyes, "We haven't time to get dressed Su, they'll be here any moment. They've already sounded the trumpets! Besides, we won't be in our nightgowns, we'll be wearing robes. Hurry now, just throw yours on".
Still hesitant at the thought of the unseemly sight of both Queens outside in the courtyard in their nightgowns and silk robes, Susan reluctantly took hers from Lucy.
After slipping it on, her sister grabbed her hand and pulled them quickly out of the room. They swept through the sitting room and were soon running through the hallways of the castle. Lucy expertly guided them to the courtyard in a timely manner. Just as they arrived, the gates swung open to receive the returning Kings.
Caspian rode in first, looking very regal atop Destrier. He was followed closely by Edmund and Peter, both riding very beautiful chargers. They were all serious and talking amongst themselves as several servants scrambled up to them. They all hopped off their horses, which were led away by the stable hands.
They began to walk up to towards the castle, Caspian leading the way as he pulled off his riding gloves. He was looking rather displeased and troubled. None of them noticed the two figured at the top of great stone stairs leading up to the castle. Lucy gave a great shriek and ran down the stairs, engulfing Peter in a hug.
"Oh! I'm so glad you are back! It's been dreadfully boring here without you. Susan's been a bore, meeting with the council day in and day out. I would have been out of my mind had it not been for the other day's incident. Then it was raining and . . ." Lucy rambled.
Peter waved her to stop, "What incident?"
Lucy's eyes grew wide, "Oh, I shouldn't have said anything. Su's going to be quite angry with me for telling".
"Perhaps Susan would like to tell us herself", Peter said loudly.
At this, the three young men raised their eyes to the figure still standing at the top of the stairs. Queen Susan seemed to grow smaller when she realized all eyes were on her. But Lucy's regretful and apologetic look let her know the subject of the matter at hand. She pulled her robe tighter around herself and began to descend the staircase.
Peter's eyes were narrowed as he watched his sister. Edmund looked confused still by the situation. And Caspian, well, once he had noticed that the Queen was in her nightgown and robe, he averted his gaze out of respect to her highness.
Susan now stood in front of Peter, her shoulders squared and prepared for what was coming.
"You wish to speak with me?" she asked politely.
Peter's glare did not falter, "Lucy says you've gotten into some trouble while we were gone. Would you care to explain what happened?"
Susan gave Lucy a sharp look before facing her brother again, "It wasn't exactly trouble. It was merely a misunderstanding between the council and myself".
Edmund groaned at this, "You didn't go off on one of your rants again, did you Su? Don't you remember all the trouble that used to cause?"
She glared at her brother, "I was not informed that I was forbidden from having a mind and an opinion about things, Ed. As I can remember, even a Queen was entitled to that".
Peter sighed, "But things are different now. There hasn't been a Queen in 1300 years. The Telmarines did not even allow women to be present during council meetings. You can't just go off and have a go at people excepting that there will be no consequences!"
Susan looked cornered, "And just why would you leave me in charge if that was the case? I did nothing but follow what you asked me to do! It is not my fault that these Telmarines cannot look past their pride in order to see reason. I was never subjected to this sort of humiliation at Cair Paravel".
At this point, Caspian stepped towards her, "My queen, if my people have offended you in any way, I give you my sincere apologies", he said with a bow of his head.
Susan looked almost repulsed by him, "It was you dear Professor who said it best. My brothers and I are no more than political figureheads and that we would do well to remember that it was you who were the rightful king, whether we wished it or not".
"Surely the Professor would not say such a dreadful thing to your majesty", Caspian said in an angry tone.
Was it anger at the council, or anger at her for suggesting these comments had been made?
"Perhaps the King should try and have more control over his people", she sneered.
Now it was Caspian's turn to look repulsed by her behavior, "I would never condone such words to be said to a Queen of Narnia! I would think that you should know me better than that, my Queen".
But Susan would not back down, "Peter, are you going to allow the council to make such remarks? Or shall I be banished from the council's chambers for all eternity?"
Peter squirmed, "Now Su, there's no need to get all upset about this. I'm sure you just misunderstood what the council was trying to say".
"Oh, so now it's my fault? Of course it has to be my fault. I'm just a silly girl who can't think for herself!" Susan cried.
With that she turned and fled towards the castle. She had never been so angry in her life!
Once she had left, Caspian turned to Peter.
"I do not think now would be an appropriate time to tell the Queen about our travels".
Peter shook his head, "Certainly not. Not with her in this state. Honestly, must girls always take everything so personally?"
Lucy shouted in protest.
Edmund kneeled down to his sister, "Sorry Lu, but it's true. Girls do go quite mad when it comes to their pride".
"And like you lot don't", Lucy countered.
Edmund laughed, "Point taken".
Caspian stared at the door that door Susan had stormed through.
"I think that a talk with the Professor is in order", he said.
- - - -
And so begins the reign of Caspian the Tenth. Trouble brewing in the kingdom much? I thought this chapter was a bit dull, but necessary to make the transition into beyond the film. R & R.
- Lady Artemis -