Alright, let's see how much of this I can get done at once! Here we go!
Disclaimer: I own none of the Pevensies, or any of the characters you may recognize as cannon characters of Mr. Lewis.
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Chapter Three
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Adelinde got out of bed the next morning and looked around at the grand room she was in. Blood red drapes hung down from the curtain rod above the large window, and from the top of the enormous four-poster bed. There was a bookshelf and a large, comfortable looking couch and armchair in one corner of the room, and next to the vanity was a sliding door that led to the closet, which had been filled the previous day with dresses of all colours and styles by the queens, Queen Lucy, with those to large for her, Queen Susan with those too small..
The bed that she was laying on was on the Western side of the room, across from the window, and the door to the hall was at the foot of it, and as she looked at it, the door opened, and in came Queen Susan, followed close behind by Queen Lucy. They were back to do her up for the day.
Queen Susan dragged Adelinde out of bed and to the vanity, where she proceeded to fix her hair and make-up, which she had neglected to remove the night before, not being used to it. Actually, Susan removed most of it, and simply pulled Adelinde's long hair into a braid down her back.
From the closet, Queen Lucy's head popped out and she called, "Su! What about this one?" She held out a long green dress that had belonged to Queen Susan several years earlier. It was too small in the bust and it was at least four inches too short. It had silver trimming on the neckline and hem, and around the bodice of the dress, and it was very beautiful. Susan looked at it shrewdly for a moment, as if it were some big important decision, then finally nodded.
"Alright," she said, "I suppose it will do."
She pulled Adelinde to her feet and Queen Lucy handed the dress to her. She stepped behind the partition to change. She pulled off her night dress and dropped it to the ground. She undid the back of the dress, pulling it over her head, adjusting it here and there. Of course, she couldn't reach the back to do it back up, so she stepped out of the enclosed area.
"Your Highness," she said to Queen Susan, nodding her head, since she couldn't drop a curtsy, "I don't mean to be a bother, but I cannot reach the back of this dress, would you mind lacing it up for me?"
"Of course, Adelinde!" said Queen Susan. She turned her around and pulled the laces snug. Just as Queen Susan tied the bow at the top of the laces, the door opened, and King Edmund came in.
"Sisters," he said, nodding to the Queens. Then he looked to Adelinde and smiled kindly. "My Lady," he said, taking her hand and kissing it.
Queens Susan and Lucy giggled as Adelinde blushed. "So, my Royal brother, is there a particular reason you have come to see us?" asked Queen Susan, putting her hands on her hips.
"I was sent up by Peter, who heard you two come in here – he said to bring you three down for breakfast, if you were ready, and if you weren't, to tell you that you were all to come down as soon as you were."
"Well, we're not ready yet!" snapped Queen Susan, "Now get out Ed!" she moved toward him and started shoving him backward out the door.
"Alright, Alright, Su! I'm going!" cried King Edmund, and he turned and left.
The door snapped shut and they could hear the sounds of King Edmund walking away. As soon as they could no longer hear his footsteps, the Queens Susan and Lucy both squealed.
"Adelinde!" squeaked Susan, giggling so hard her face was turning red, "I do believe our dear brother fancies you!"
"Surely you jest, Your Majesty!" cried Adelinde, placing a hand over her heart.
"I do believe she's right!" giggled Queen Lucy, looking as if she wanted to hug Adelinde. "I've never seen Edmund behave as such with any of the other girls that visit the Cair!"
Adelinde looked away from Their Majesties' eyes. "Well, even if he does, what can come of it? I am not a noblewoman, and I do not pretend to be."
"You have yet to understand the customs here in Narnia, I see," said Queen Susan, "Rank has no meaning in marriage here. If he wished to court you, he could, provided you had no objections to it."
"And by the look of things," said Queen Lucy, still giggling, "He may do just that!"
The two Queens dissolved into giggles once more.
When they recovered, Queen Susan said hurriedly, "Edmund was right, of course, we mustn't keep the court waiting any longer. We should go down."
"Alright then, Susan. Come, Adelinde!" cried Queen Lucy, tugging on her arm. Adelinde smiled slightly at the younger Queen's enthusiasm.
"Of course, Your Majesty!" Adelinde said, hiding her smile. She followed the two Queens out of the room and down the hall, where King Edmund was exiting his room.
"Why, Ed, you hypocrite!" cried Queen Susan, slapping her brother on his arm. "You weren't even ready, and you were telling us to be!"
"Well..." King Edmund seemed to have no response to this accusation.
"Well, since you're up here, why don't you make yourself useful and escort Adelinde to breakfast?"
King Edmund reddened, but smiled and offered his arm to Adelinde. She grinned and accepted.
"So, my Lady, how was your morning?" He asked, looking down at her.
She was feeling bold at that moment so she said, glancing at the backs of the Queens in front of them, "It was quite good, Your Highness, although I feel it mightn't have been the best it could."
King Edmund caught on. "Oh?" he asked, "And why wasn't it you morning just perfectly magnificent?"
"Because I was being attacked by your royal sisters. Their Majesties practically had to tie me down, and then they tortured me with makeup!"
"Oh, you poor soul!" cried King Edmund, before he burst out laughing at the expressions of his sisters, who had turned around to glare at the two.
Adelinde laughed too, this time, unable to hide her smile.
"Why, I never knew!" Cried King Edmund, "The Lady smiles!"
"Yes, Your Majesty," said Adelinde cheekily, "I do so quite often, if Your Highness would only look!"
Queens Susan and Lucy giggled as King Edmund tried in vain to come up with an appropriate response.
"Give up, Ed!" laughed Queen Lucy, "She's beaten you!"
King Edmund bowed his head, still grinning. "Aye, that she has. I know when I am lost, and if ever I was, it would be now."
The Queens hurried ahead again, leaving Adelinde and King Edmund behind once again.
"So, pray tell my Lady, how are you fairing now your torture is done?" asked King Edmund, placing a hand on her hand, which was resting on his arm.
"In your presence, my King?" Adelinde said sweetly, "Simply wonderful."
He beamed at her, and she couldn't help but smile at the look of delight on his face. She hid it quickly, though, which caused King Edmund to frown.
"Please, Adelinde – Do not hide your smile from the world. With it, the palace may be a bit brighter."
"As you command, Your Highness," Adelinde said, bowing her head.
King Edmund looked taken aback. "Nay, Lady 'Twas not a command!" he smiled kindly. "It was merely a request."
"Then I shall do so with good will, Your Majesty," she said, and smiled – for once, not hiding it.
"And, if you will, please drop the 'Your Majesty' bit. Please just call me King Edmund. It is confusing to tell who you're addressing when there is more than one king and one queen."
Adelinde smiled again. "As you wish, Your- King Edmund," she laughed lightly at her small blunder.
"It's alright, Adelinde," King Edmund said, noticing her slip, "You'll get used to it."
"Thank you for your patience, King Edmund," said Adelinde, smiling genuinely for the first time in far too long. "At my old home any small slips or blunders were not tolerated."
King Edmund frowned. "That reminds me – we must discuss your presence here with my brother."
"What is there to discuss, my King?"
"Well," said he said slowly, "There is a quite surprising amount. You see, since you are still underage, and not only that, but you are not even a citizen of Narnia, your father still has command over you. If he orders that you be sent home, we can do little to nothing about it."
"But surely, King Edmund!" cried Adelinde, "You shan't make me go back to a house where I am neither loved nor treated right?"
"We may try, but we do not wish to anger King Lune, nor anyone else in Archenland." He looked down at her with pity in his eyes. "I am truly sorry, Adelinde, but if he wishes you to come home, we shall have little choice."
Adelinde looked angry. "Please, King Edmund, do not pity my situation. I am far from the only girl that has this kind of thing happening at home."
She could see an apology on the tip of his tongue, but before he could utter it, they entered the Great Hall and he had to put on his public face. Adelinde watched the mask slide over King Edmund's face and smiled inwardly. If he thought she was angry with him, she could use this to her advantage...
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Well that damn near went on forever. What's that? Oh! Why, yes! Adelinde is a conniving bitch!