Chapter 7
Georgie stared at the man standing in front of her, confused by his statement. "I'm not sure what "Calormene" is, but I assure you that I am most definitely not a spy," she said, a touch of anger in her voice.
The man, taking no offense to her sudden anger, let out a hearty laugh. "I apologize, my lady. I didn't mean to offend you. Please let me introduce myself. I am King Edmund."
"King? But I thought..." Georgie turned to a nearby chair and sank into it, covering her face with her hands. "Oh this place is becoming more and more confusing," she whispered.
Edmund laughed again, "That it can, my lady. May I come in? Perhaps I can offer some clarity on our country." Georgie waved him in, not bothering to raise her head from her hand. Edmund walked across the room and leaned against the large four-poster bed in the center of the bed chamber. "Now," Edmund began. "What seems to be so confusing?"
Georgie turned her head to look at him, scowling slightly at his question. "Well first of all, how are you king? I thought King Caspian was king."
"Well, he is. We both are. Along with my brother Peter. Although, he is High King, which does elevate him over Caspian and me. Just don't tell him I admitted that to you. He tends to enjoy his status a bit too much at times," Edmund smirked, winking at Georgie.
"So let me get this straight. There are three kings of the same country? How is that possible? I've never heard of such an arrangement!"
"Oh, there are also two Queens of Narnia," Edmund stated nonchalantly.
"So two of you are married?" Georgie asked.
Edmund laughed, "Definitely not! They're both my sisters! Susan and Lucy. You'll meet them at dinner. They'll both be excited to meet you, no doubt." Edmund smiled mischievously, knowing his sisters would be more than excited to have another girl to spend time with.
"I see," Georgie said softly.
"Do you? Your face says otherwise," Edmund kindly pointed out, noticing the confusion painted on her face. "Perhaps if I told you our story, you would understand how we are here today." Georgie looked up at him and, seeing the kindness and understanding in his eyes, nodded.
Edmund recounted the tale of how he and his three siblings entered Narnia through a wardrobe and helped to defeat the White Witch, becoming Kings and Queens of Narnia. He told her of their trials and adventures during their reign, and of how they left Narnia while pursuing the White Stag ("If you happen to see one while you are here, leave it alone and run the other way! Susan suggested something similar to that before and we all ignored her then. Look where it got us," he said, chuckling) He then told her of how they spent time somewhere (he could not remember the exact details, except that they all were a bit put out with their situation) before being called back to Narnia to help the then Prince Caspian defeat his uncle.
"We were given the choice to stay in Narnia, or return to where we had come from. None of us were ready to leave again, having missed our kingdom from before. So we decided to stay. And, as Aslan told us when we were first crowned, 'Once a king or queen in Narnia, always a king or queen.'"
When Edmund had finished his tale, Georgie sat back in her chair. "Wow," she breathed, leaning her head upon her hand. "That is an amazing story."
"It is, isn't it?" Edmund chuckled as he pushed himself away from the bed post. "Now, I'm getting hungry, as I suspect you are too. What do you say to going to dinner?" he asked, offering his arm to her.
The corner of Georgie's mouth curved upwards as she shook her head slightly. She stood and took Edmund's offered arm, "I think dinner sounds wonderful." They walked to the door, and as Edmund held it open for her, he asked "By the way, you never told me your name. What is it?"
Georgie smiled up at the kind king and replied, "Georgiana, Your Majesty."
Edmund led Georgie through the castle toward the dining room. It seemed like a maze to Georgie and she wondered exactly how he knew where he was going. Well he has lived here for years, Georgie thought. He should know where he is going. As they walked, Edmund pointed out interesting pieces architecture and large pictures that seemed to line every wall of the castle. There were portraits of former rulers and epic paintings of events from Narnia's past. Edmund recounted the history of some of them, stating that he should remember them happening because he was there when they occurred. Georgie was fascinated by his tales of the country's history, hanging on every word of his animated story telling.
How interesting, Georgie mused, to be walking the halls of a castle whose ancestor is in a history book and walking with someone who is, no doubt, in the same book as well! "This is simply fascinating!" Georgie remarked on a picture of a man fighting a dragon, as Edmund explained to her it was of King Gale defeating a dragon and saving the Lone Islands.
Edmund smiled, "Are you interested in history? We have a large library I can show you if you would like to learn more about our country's history."
"That would be wonderful, thank you." The two continued walking, reaching the dining room. From behind the closed, double wooden doors came the sounds of angry yelling. Edmund sighed, put on a brave face and turned to Georgie.
"Ready to enter Bedlam?"
"Peter Pevensie!" Susan yelled, standing in front of her older brother with her hands on her hips. "You knew there was a prisoner here? That was falsely arrested? How could you keep this from me?"
"And me!" echoed Lucy. Peter glanced at his youngest sister, suppressing a grin. She held the same pose as Susan, the same murderous stare on her face. Turning back to Susan, he said "Well I was going to tell you! I just haven't had the opportunity to!"
"We were all upstairs together earlier. Was that not opportunity enough?" Susan countered.
"I was not sure if that was the right time then. Besides," he yelled, pointing at the man standing next to him. "Caspian knew as well! And he invited her to dinner, without discussing it with any of us! Why aren't you yelling at him?"
Susan turned to Caspian, seeming to relax when she saw his face. He looks especially well tonight. I really like that color... Susan shook herself out of her state of staring and turned back to her brother. "Caspian isn't my brother! I'm sure Caspian had reason to not tell me. You, however did not! Besides, Caspian did tell us, just now."
"But I was going to tell you! How is it my fault that the little snitch got to you before I did?"
"Hey!" Caspian yelled, insulted at Peter's remark.
"How many times do we have to go through this before you..." Susan stopped mid-sentence as the dining room doors opened. The siblings and Caspian turned to see Edmund walking through with a pretty girl on his arm.
Peter's eyebrows raised when he realized who she must be. "So this is the girl who was thought to be Calormene? When Trumpkin gets it wrong, he really gets it wrong," he whispered to Caspian. Caspian chuckled as he walked towards Edmund and Georgie.
She must be the spy! Calormene indeed! Susan snorted at the idiocies of the men surrounding her. I really like her dress. It looks familiar though; where have I seen it before? Susan thought, running through her memories of every dress she had ever seen in the castle. It dawned on her that it had actually been one of her dresses from a few years ago. She had gone through a sudden growth spurt, right in the middle of having new dresses made, rendering everything including the dress Georgie was currently wearing, too short for her. It looks good on her. I'm glad someone got some use out of it.
"Susan, Lucy, Peter. Let me introduce you to Lady Georgiana," Caspian announced, gesturing for Georgie to come closer. She walked towards the king, uncomfortable under the stares from the three monarchs. "My lady, this is Queen Susan, Queen Lucy, and High King Peter," Caspian introduced the remaining Pevensies, motioning to each one as he said their names.
"A pleasure, Lady Georgiana," Peter said, coming towards her and shaking her hand. The gesture seemed odd to her. Does a king normally shake a person's hand? Should I curtsy to him? Georgie had been taught at a young age to curtsy. The thought of knowing how to curtsy seemed ridiculous to her at the time, her mother's idea of "All young ladies should know how to curtsy in case you should ever meet the king" was laughable to Georgie. Now she realized her mother had known best all along and was grateful for those lessons so many years ago. Although, these kings and queens do not seem like the type who expect one to curtsy, she mused, amazed at the relaxed and friendly nature all five of them seemed to exude.
"Wait a minute!" Everyone turned towards Susan's outburst, shock passing across the monarchs' faces at her momentary lack of manners in front of a guest. "Edmund knew about her? You told Edmund? You said you didn't have the opportunity to tell us!" she yelled at Peter, angrily pointing at Edmund.
"No," Peter began slowly. "I said I did not have the opportunity to tell you. I had the opportunity to tell Edmund."
"Susan," Edmund stepped in, hoping to rein in some of her anger. "We were going to tell you, after dinner. Peter only told me first because he didn't want to upset you and Lucy."
"Well a lot of good it did! I don't seem a bit upset now, do I?" Susan said sarcastically. "And do not try to placate me, Edmund Pevensie. You are just as guilty as Peter!"
Georgie looked at the arguing siblings, a happy warmth filling her as she witnessed their argument. She felt an arm wrap around her shoulders and looked to see Queen Lucy's smiling face next to her. "You get used to it," she softly laughed, indicating to her siblings and Caspian. "Mark my words, as soon as dinner is set on the table, they will all be the best of friends again."
"It must be exciting to have siblings like yours," Georgie remarked.
Lucy laughed again, "It really is. We may fuss and fight, but we love each other fiercely. Now, come sit by me and maybe the other children will behave. I think dinner will be served any moment now," Lucy's voice raised an octave as she spoke. The others turned at her words and watched her as she led Georgie to one of the seats at the table.
The remaining Pevensies and Caspian followed suit, Susan still grumbling over the idiocies of men, Peter muttering "difficult woman."
Once everyone was seated, Caspian turned to a man in a deep blue uniform standing near a door on the back wall and said, "I believe we are ready to be served." The man bowed at the waist and turned to disappear through the door. Moments later, he returned, followed by a procession of similar dressed men carrying trays of food.
After plates were filled with delicious Narnian food, the Kings and Queens began to eat and chat about their days. As Lucy had foretold, they all seemed to be best friends once again. Georgie smiled at their behavior, happy to be in the presence of such friendly people. Susan noticed her smile and asked, "So tell us Lady Georgiana, where are you from?" Georgie quickly swallowed her food she had been chewing and took a sip of water before answering. "I come from England, Your Majesty." Confused glances were exchanged between the others at the table before Peter said, "England? Is that outside of Narnia? I don't believe I have come across such a place."
"I, um-" Georgie began, not sure how to explain where England was.
"No, I think it was where we came from before Narnia, Pete. I was just thinking of it yesterday, although I must say I don't remember anything from it," Edmund offered, saving Georgie from answering Peter.
"Hmm," Peter muttered, leaning back in his chair, stroking his chin.
Hoping to ease the tension from the moment of awkward silence that followed, Lucy spoke up, "So Georgiana, do you have any siblings back in England?"
Georgie shook her head. "No, I was an only child." She noticed the looks of pity on each of the Pevensies faces at hearing this knowledge and quickly added, "But I had several cousins. I spent time with them when I was younger. Although," she said wistfully. "I would have preferred a sibling, who was always at my home instead of visiting like my cousins would."
"What kind would you have liked?" Edmund asked.
"I-I'm sorry?" Georgie asked, confused at his question.
"You know, what kind? Brother, sister? Older, younger?" he explained, waving his dinner knife as he listed the types.
Georgie giggled before answering his question. "Oh, I don't know. I suppose it depended on the situation. Sometimes I longed for an older brother who could threaten the boys down the street who picked on me. Other times I wished for a younger brother so that I could tell him what to do."
"Did you ever want a sister?" Lucy asked. Georgie looked at Lucy's hopeful face and gave her a sad smile, slowly shaking her head.
"I'm afraid not. I always thought if I had an older sister she would be better liked than me, and as a child I always wanted to be liked best. And I figured a younger sister would not listen to me and would become spoiled. Although, as an only child I was horribly spoiled when I was younger," she added, smiling over the terrible child she once was.
Lucy nodded at Georgie's explanation, casting a side glance at her older sister. I understand what she means about older sisters being better liked, Lucy thought, rolling her eyes at Susan, who was stealing glances at Caspian when she thought no one was looking. Lucy's annoyance grew at Susan's actions. I wish she would just tell him how she feels. She doesn't fool anyone.
"Well, I don't know about older sisters, because I can't think of anyone who likes Susan better than me," Edmund began, chuckling at the horrified look Susan shot him. "But I have found that little sisters do listen to their older siblings and mind them when they tell them to do something." He winked at Lucy, who became agitated over Edmund's statement.
"I only "mind" you because you threaten to get me in trouble!" she said loudly. The whole table laughed at her statement before Peter patted her hand and said,"Lu, I think you do a fine job of getting yourself into trouble without assistance from anyone else." Lucy sheepishly grinned as she joined in the laughter.
They really all seem wonderful, Georgie thought, smiling at her new friends. I think I'm going to be very happy here, however long that may be.