I honestly have no idea where I'm going with this story...
Disclaimer: I only own Adelinde and a few other characters that have yet to appear.
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Chapter Two
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The ride back to the castle was surprisingly short. Adelinde had not realized how close she was to the coast. When they arrived, the guards in the courtyard all came forward. All of them asking King Edmund who this strange girl was.
The queens were kind, and High King Peter was as handsome and gracious as everyone said he was. The Queens Susan and Lucy promptly took hold of Adelinde and dragged her up to a spare bedroom and proceeded to dress her up and play with her hair for the next twenty minutes.
But much to Adelinde's delight, before they were half way done, a faun came into the room an announced that, "It's time for dinner, and, you, Miss Adelinde, are to dine with the royals."
So the girls did up the rest of the laces and clasps and various buttons on her dress, threw a clip in her hair, and lead her to the door, where the two Kings were waiting to escort them to dinner. Peter took the arms of his sisters, while Edmund held out his arm to Adelinde, and she took it, with a hand that shook a little, while her heart was beating faster than a humming bird's wings. She was very aware of the King's hand on her arm.
Dinner was completely uneventful, but she did talk to King Edmund a great deal. She discovered that, despite their difference in rank, which she still found overwhelming, they had a similar taste in literature. They both held a deep appreciation for the arts, and they spent most of the meal discussing the difference between faun-written legends, and centaur-written legends – the main difference seeming to be that the centaurs described the battles in greater detail, while the fauns described times of peace.
"Not only," said King Edmund, "Does this help to describe the differences in parts of Narnia history, it helps to show the differences between the two species."
"Oh?" asked Adelinde, raising and eyebrow, "And how does it do that?"
"Because," explained King Edmund, "The way the two species write can tell much about them – for instance, there is no better warrior than a centaur – myself and my brother are centaur trained – but the creatures tend to be terribly serious. While they are in no way cruel to anyone, they don't often take jokes well, and they are very proud creatures."
He looked at her, gesturing with his hands for emphasis. "And fauns, on the other hand, while valiant fighters when pressed, much prefer peaceful times. They love festivals and love recounting them – although," He admitted, sheepishly, "I don't know how they do it – the festivals are often very difficult to remember. Even Peter has done his fair share of stupid things at those parties..."
Adelinde laughed lightly. "And have you ever done anything 'stupid', King Edmund?"
He turned as red as the wine in the goblets and stumbled over his words. "W-well, th-there's really n-no way for anyone to r-really know what goes on..." he swallowed and tried to conceal his reddened cheeks. "I must admit I usually end up drinking too much...but you have to understand, Miss Adelinde, that's more than most people can remember."
She smiled. "Well, Sire," she said, with an eyebrow raised, "What was something you did that you do remember?"
He looked thoughtful for a moment. "Well..." he said slowly, "I don't ever remember anything specific, but I know that if you want a truly scandalous story, talk to my Royal brother, High King Peter."
Adelinde looked skeptical at that. "Truly, Your Highness?" she asked, looking at him sideways. "I would think the High King would be more dignified!"
King Edmund laughed. "Oh, he is, believe me, but the more dignified someone is sober, it seems they let go more when they're drunk." He grinned again.
Adelinde laughed with him, and smiled. King Edmund might not be as handsome as his older brother the High King, but he was certainly kindhearted. He was fair and, although he did not hold as much power, he used what he had very well.
Yes, she thought, He'll do...
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Alright, so I know it was short,...but I had a good way to end it, so I did.