AN #1: Since this week is most likely going to be crazy hectic, I may not be updating for a while. Sad, yes, I know. But I've left you with a nice, long chapter which I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 14
Peter, Susan and Georgie, as planned, spent the next month at Anvard, despite the attempted attack upon the king and queen of Narnia. At the end of the month, the annual Archenland festival took place. Georgie had become increasingly excited in anticipation of the festival, for she had heard from the many Archenlanders whom she had met of all the exciting events that took place during the festival. As an honored guest and newly appointed Narnian princess, Georgie was allowed to sit with the king and queen of Archenland in a viewing box overlooking the festival grounds. From this seat, the monarchs and guests were given the best view of the various performers below. Several foreign dignitaries, including a prince of Calormen and the Duke of Galma, had been invited, bringing with them entertainment from their respective countries.
Georgie was seated between Susan and Peter while watching a group of Calormene dancers perform a traditional dance when Susan leaned over and whispered, "How bored are you sitting up here watching this?"
Georgie turned to look at Susan, who was wearing a serene smile so as not to raise suspicion but had a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
"What do you say to leaving the box after these dancers are finished and going to look about the festival grounds? There are a few dressmakers' booths I would like to visit. I'm sure Peter can be convinced to walk with us; there's a pie maker somewhere who's pies he loves to eat by the dozen."
Peter, overhearing his sister, leaned towards them, his eyes still on the dancers below. "I'll have you know that I don't eat that many. Stop filling her head with your vicious lies."
Georgie stifled a giggle and nodded to Susan. "I think that sounds great. I really don't want to miss anything during the festival," she said.
Susan smiled widely before turning back to the dancers. A look of disgust passed over her face and she said quietly, "Well, we certainly could miss seeing this. It's revolting. Why, they're barely even dressed!"
Peter leaned towards the two girls again and whispered, "It's great, isn't it?"
Susan rolled her eyes and snorted. The Duke of Galma, who was sitting on Susan's right, heard her and turned, asking "Are you alright, Your Majesty?"
Susan, regaining her serene smile, turned to the Duke and said, "Yes, dear Duke. My brother and I were simply commenting on the... gracefulness of the Calormene dancers." Georgie had to cover her mouth to hide her smile at Susan's words. The Duke, satisfied that nothing was amiss with the queen, turned his gaze back to the dancers below.
When the dancers were finished, Peter turned to King Sol and announced that his sister and Georgie would like to tour the rest of the festival.
King Sol waved them away, saying "Of course! Of course! You young people should be enjoying yourselves!"
When they had reached the ground, Susan took Georgie by the arm and dragged her towards the rows of tents set up on the edge of the festival grounds. It was in these tents that merchants and craftsmen set up their goods for festival attendees to view and purchase. Peter hurried behind his sister and Georgie, knowing it was worthless to call to Susan to slow down. Once she gets going, there's certainly no stopping her, he thought. I wonder how much this is going to cost me. Peter cringed remembering how Susan's shopping trips often left him broke whenever he accompanied her. "A queen must never jingle", she would tell him when he would ask why she couldn't use her own money.
By the end of the day, Susan had ordered several dozen fabrics, each a different color and pattern, and had made appointments with dressmakers to come to the castle to create dresses for both her and Georgie. Georgie had protested, but Susan quickly cut her off. "Georgiana, you're a princess of Narnia now. It's high time you looked the part!"
Georgie conceded, knowing she would never win an argument with Susan when it came to clothes.
"I wish we could get something for Lucy, but the way that girl grows there's no telling what she'll look like when she gets back," Susan said, a touch of sadness in her voice.
Later in the week following the festival, Georgie was in the middle of a fitting for one her many new dresses when Queen Clair entered the room. Georgie had grown fond of her over the past month. The queen had taken Georgie under her wing since becoming a princess, guiding her into her new role.
"That color looks lovely on you, my dear," Queen Clair said, admiring the soft green fabric of Georgie's dress.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. This one is my favorite, I admit," said Georgie.
The queen smiled and turned to the dressmaker, saying, "Would you mind leaving us for a few moments, please?" The dressmaker nodded and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind her. "Come and sit with me, dear. I have some things I would like to discuss with you," said Queen Clair, motioning to a pair of chairs. Georgie stepped off the small stool she had been standing on, careful not to disrupt the progress on her dress, and followed the queen, sitting in the chair opposite of her.
"The king and I are so pleased you came to stay with us these past weeks," began Queen Clair.
"I'm happy I came too. Archenland is such a beautiful place and I've loved staying here at Anvard," Georgie said.
"I'm very pleased to hear that, dear. I spoke to Queen Susan earlier this morning and she seems to feel, and I agree, that perhaps it might be beneficial, now that you are in your new station, if you were to stay here for a few months longer instead of returning to Narnia with Queen Susan and King Peter."
Georgie's happy face melted into one of shock. Do they not want me back at Cair Paravel? she thought frantically.
Queen Clair, upon seeing her crestfallen face, quickly took her hand and exclaimed, "No, no, no dear! We both feel that there is so much for a princess to learn, especially one of Narnia, and that you would be able to learn best here. Queen Susan said that with her brother and sister and King Caspian gone, she and King Peter would be terribly busy and would not be able to spend the proper time instructing you on your new duties. I offered to train you myself, having raised a princess myself, who, until recently, was quite a model for all the young ladies in our court."
Georgie looked at the queen's kind and caring face and knew that she was right. There was a lot for her to learn and she didn't want to let the kings and queens of Narnia, the Narnians, and, most importantly, Aslan down by being a bad princess to her country. "Alright, I accept," Georgie said, smiling.
"Wonderful!" exclaimed Queen Clair, clapping her hands quickly. "We'll begin now. First thing, a princess must always sit up straight!" She emphasized "straight" by gently pushing Georgie's shoulders back to force her to sit up straighter. Feeling as though her back would snap in the ramrod straight position, Georgie sighed.
It's going to be a long three months.
She was wrong. The months flew by, her days busy from sun up until sun down. Queen Clair kept her in constant lessons, instructing her in subjects such as how to address various stations of nobility (I already know this. I am from... where was it again? Well, I already know this, she thought impatiently.), how to properly perform various waltzes (both Archen and Narnian), and ways to politely decline an unwanted or untoward suitor.
How do Susan and Lucy deal with all these rules? They seem to function so naturally, she thought one night as she fell back onto her bed, exhausted from the day. Queen Clair had kept her for four hours learning how to walk down a flight of stairs gracefully and unaccompanied, stating that when she entered the room for her crowning ceremony she would have to perform similarly. A crowning ceremony. I forgot about that, Georgie thought. I wonder when that will be. What will my crown look like?
At the end of the third month Peter sent a message to Anvard telling King Sol and Queen Clair that Georgie was needed back at Cair Paravel and that an escort would be arriving shortly to bring her home. Georgie was excited and rushed to quickly pack her belongings and say goodbye to her temporary home at Anvard.
When the escort arrived, consisting of ten Narnian guards and two dryads (Peter's overdoing it slightly, I think), Georgie's belongings were quickly packed into a large wagon that was brought. She hugged King Sol and Queen Clair, thanking them for their hospitality and friendship, and mounted the horse which was brought for her. With a wave, the party set off on the day and a half trip to Narnia.
Georgie and her escort reached Cair Paravel late in the afternoon the next day. After leaving her horse at the stable, she ran (Hang the princess lessons! she thought) to the castle and to find Peter and Susan. She finally found them in the Great Hall.
They were speaking with Trumpkin and a tall man, a small group of castle workers moving a chair to various spots that Susan pointed to. The chair was similar to the five thrones in the room, but smaller and less ornate, made of silver rather than the gold the others were constructed of. Susan turned as she heard someone enter the room, and cried "Georgiana!" when she saw her friend enter the room. "You're back! Welcome home!" Susan hurried across the room and embraced her friend in a tight hug. "We missed you so much!" she said, releasing Georgie.
"Welcome home, Your Highness," Peter teased, hugging Georgie when Susan stepped aside. "Did you have a safe trip?" When Georgie nodded, he added, "We weren't expecting you quite as soon. We had a surprise for you."
"A surprise? What is it? I love surprises!" Georgie stated happily.
"Spoken like a true princess," Trumpkin said, coming up behind the three. Peter and Susan laughed as Georgie blushed, before continuing, "Can I see it now?"
Peter nodded and motioned to the chair the workers had been moving. "This is your seat in the Great Hall. We thought it would be appropriate for you, seeing as how you're now a part of the Narnian royalty," he said, winking.
"And we thought that since you'll now be required to be with us during every function held, it was only practical that you have a place to sit. They can sometimes last hours," Susan added, linking her arm through Georgie's. "Come along, try it out!" She pulled Georgie toward the silver throne. "Sit! Sit!"
Georgie laughed at Susan's excitement, hers nearly similar. She sat on the throne, which was quite comfortable.
"How does it feel?" Peter asked.
"Regal!" Georgie exclaimed. "I've never felt more like a princess."
"Just wait until you get your crown!" Susan said.
"My crown! I really get to wear one?" Georgie asked excitedly.
Peter and Susan both rolled their eyes, Peter responding, "Of course you do. How else will anyone know what and who you are?"
"When do I get it? Queen Clair mentioned a crowning ceremony..." she trailed off when she noticed the two siblings' smiling faces slightly falling.
"Well, that's the thing Georgiana," Susan began, trading a glance with Peter.
"We can't have the ceremony until all five of us are here. Caspian is the one who must crown you, not either of us. When I named him rightful heir to the throne, I passed my power to crown new monarchs, or in your case, princesses, to him," Peter finished.
"I see. Well, we'll just wait until they come home. I'm in no hurry!" Georgie said happily. She saw a another nervous look pass between the two and asked, "What is it?"
"It's just," Susan started, seeming to struggle to find the right words. "The voyage has lasted longer than Peter and I had expected and we haven't heard any word from the Dawn Treader since the letter you brought to Peter from Edmund." Her voice cracked on Edmund's name and she shook her head slightly.
"Oh no," breathed Georgie.
"What Susan means to say is that we really have no idea when they'll return. Without word from them, we don't know where they are. We know they at least made it to the Lone Islands, which is far as we have ever traveled. If they reached land farther than that, they most likely wouldn't have any way to let us know, as we have no communication past the Lone Islands," Peter said, hoping to ease Georgie's growing fears.
"So then that explains it," Georgie said slowly, rising out of her throne.
"Explains what?" Peter asked confused.
"That explains why we haven't heard from them. We have no proof telling us something has happened to them, so it does us no good to sit here and be upset and worry," Georgie answered, feeling irrational anger rising in her chest. "I refuse to accept that something bad has happened to them and that they aren't coming back. Furthermore, it's an insult to them to assume that since we haven't heard from them it must mean they are in trouble. I refuse to believe that and I refuse to harbor those ideas any longer." Georgie walked quickly from the Great Hall, her anger nearly bursting from her.
Once she was gone, Susan glanced at Peter. "Well, High King, it looks as though some of your kingly temper tantrums have rubbed off on our Princess Georgiana," she said sarcastically, smirking at her brother.
Peter sighed and nodded. "She's going to be a handful when Edmund gets back, mark my words."
Georgie slammed the door to her bed chamber and allowed her anger to overtake her. "How can they?! Just accepting something bad has happened! Their own brother and sister!" she yelled to her room, pacing angrily across it. As she continued her tirade, her phrases became less and less coherent, hot angry tears beginning to pour down her face. She stormed to her balcony door and flung it open, walking out onto the balcony. Staring down into the garden below she whispered, "But what if it's true?" She saw the stone bench she and Edmund had shared the night she first met Aslan. A pang of longing and loneliness overtook her. Closing her eyes and turning her face to the sky, she whispered, "Edmund, please return to me. I miss you so much. Please be alright."
Over the next several months Georgie fell back into the routine she had held before her trip to Anvard. Trumpkin insisted she resume her Narnia lessons, which she grudgingly agreed to. She loved learning of Narnia, but felt as though she constantly studied so many subjects her head was swimming with facts, often times confusing themselves with other facts. Captain Perth had agreed to continue their swordplay lessons and Peter insisted that he assist when he was able, adding tricks and moves to Georgie's instructions. She often found herself knocked down by Peter, who was considerably less easy on her than Captain Perth ever was. Occasionally she trained with Susan and the archers, both continuing their attempts to out shoot the other. And each morning she found herself dressing before dawn and walking to the cliff overlooking the ocean to watch the sunrise.
Our sunrise, she thought, missing Edmund more than ever.
Nearly a year had passed since the Dawn Treader had set sail when Georgie was told that word from the ship had arrived at Cair Paravel. Rushing to the Great Hall, she found Susan sitting in her throne. More like slumped, actually, she thought. Susan's pretty face was tear-streaked, the letter she had read hanging from her hand. "Susan! What's wrong?" she cried, hurrying to her friend. "Did something happen to King Caspian? Edmund or Lucy?" Susan closed her eyes and shook her head, a single tear escaping from the corner of her eye. "Then what is it? Tell me!" she ordered. Susan opened her eyes and glared at Georgie, before sighing and handing her the letter. It was addressed to Susan from Caspian.
Dearest Susan,
I write to you with a both elated and heavy heart. I am happy to tell you that we have successfully completed our voyage and have located the lords we came searching for. Unfortunately, not all were found alive, but we are happy to be returning with four of the seven. We currently are in Narrowhaven, and are checking on Duke Bern and his progress since I appointed him to his dukedom. Edmund and Lucy are well, anxious to be home of course. Your cousin Eustace, who I am happy to report has turned into a rather pleasant sort of fellow, returned to his own world. But that is a story best told by Edmund and Lucy.
My heart is heavy because I know what I am about to say will cause you some pain, although I hope that me being gone all these months will help to ease it. While on Ramandu's Island (we will surely explain who he is and the mysteries of his island) I met the aforementioned's daughter and she has agreed to be my wife. I know at one time we both cared for each other, and in a way I still do care for you, but in the few months prior to us leaving I felt that your feelings for me had changed and lessened. And, being away from you, my feelings for you lessened. Again, I pray that my worries for your pain are unwarranted and that my future marriage will not damage the deep friendship I hope we still share.
We shall be home in Narnia by the end of the month. Please give my best to Peter and Lady Georgiana.
Caspian
"Oh Susan," Georgie said, going to her friend and kneeling down in front of her, clasping her hand. "I'm so sorry."
"It's my fault! I've loved him since we met! Everyone told me to hide my feelings, and I listened to them! It's all my fault! I should have told him!" Susan cried, sobs wracking her body. Georgie jumped up and wrapped her arms around Susan, rubbing her back comfortingly. Susan wept for several minutes before Peter walked into the Great Hall. Seeing his sister crying and the forgotten letter on the floor, he rushed to the two girls, demanding, "What happened?"
Georgie removed one arm and pointed to the letter before returning her arm around Susan. Peter picked the letter up and quickly scanned it, his head jerking up towards his sister when he read the news of Caspian's engagement. Georgie turned and saw the anger entering Peter's face and quickly pursed her lips and shook her head to stop him from speaking his thoughts. His face gentled and he went to sit next to Susan, patting her back in a brotherly fashion.
"Don't cry, Su," he said. "Maybe this all worked out the way it was supposed to and for the best. I think I may have killed him if I had to have Caspian for a brother-in-law!" His joke, which was meant to cheer Susan up, backfired, causing her to cry even harder. She pushed out of her chair and away from Georgie's embrace and fled from the Great Hall.
Georgie shot Peter an angry look and said, "Well done. You've upset her even more!"
"I know, I know. I'm no good at this sort of stuff. Ed's the better brother for it. He did great last time this happened," Peter said, running his hand through his hair.
"Last time?" Georgie asked. "Has Caspian...?" she drifted off when Peter shook his head.
"No, and he'd better be damn glad he didn't do this to her already. The prince of Calormen wanted Susan to marry him when we were here before, and I guess she had fallen for him then. He was a charmer," Peter said, rolling his eyes. "Something happened between them when she visited him in Calormen, she wouldn't ever say, and, long story short, Susan got hurt. She's never had the best luck with men."
"Poor Susan," Georgie said quietly, staring at the door.
The entire castle was turned upside down over the next month as preparations began to be made for the return of the Dawn Treader and the kings and queen. A celebration ball was to be held in honor of the ship's crew and Georgie had taken over most of the plans for it for Susan's heart simply could not find itself in it. Invitations were sent to each crew member's family as well as the king and queen of Archenland and members of the Narnian court. A week before the Dawn Treader was set to arrive a letter came for Georgie.
Dear G,
While I'm hoping I arrive before my letter, I sincerely doubt that will be the case. We are in Terebinthia now, Caspian wanting to speak with the king here about the pirates we ran into at the beginning of our voyage. I tried to tell him to handle it later, that we were all ready to be home, but Aslan help us, he's become nearly as stubborn as Peter since we left.
Lucy and I are very eager to be home and to see you and Peter and Susan again. I cannot tell you how much we've missed you all. I admit, G, I think I've missed you the most. Throughout our journey I've seen so many things that I wished you could see, things I think you would enjoy more than the others here. I've tried to bring back items from each of the islands we visited, so maybe you could see a little piece of what we have experienced. Lucy and I also have presents for you (and Peter and Susan as well), which I hope you like. We can't take them back if you don't!
We should arrive within the week, willing we have a good wind. I look forward to seeing your face waiting for me when we make port. Bring the others if you must.
Yours,
Edmund
Georgie was sitting in her favorite chair in the library, reading Edmund's letter for what must have been the hundredth time, when Trumpkin ran into the room and announced, "The Dawn Treader has been spotted!" Georgie jumped up and ran past Trumpkin to find Peter and Susan. She finally found them in the Council's chamber, discussing the possibility of negotiations with a Calormen trade route. Peter and Susan both looked up, startled at Georgie bursting into the room. "They're back! The Dawn Treader is back!"
By the time the three had changed their clothing, the clothes they originally had on being "inappropriate for greeting the kings and queen of Narnia," according to Susan (Georgie assumed she had simply used that as rouse so that she would have an excuse for looking her finest when greeting Caspian's new fiance for the first time.), the Dawn Treader had nearly made port. They rushed down to the dock to greet the ship.
When the ship had docked and the anchor had been dropped, a gangway was set on the pier and lowered onto the ship. Before anyone could stop her, Lucy flew down the gangway and ran straight at her siblings and Georgie. "Peter! Susan!" she cried, throwing her arms around them. Peter caught her in a hug, spinning her around off the ground. After settling her back on her feet, he held her away from him and said "Well little sister, it seems the sea life suits you. I believe you've grown half a foot since we sent you off!"
Lucy laughed, agreeing with his statement. "I have! I've outgrown all my clothes I'd brought and ended up having to wear some of Caspian's and Edmund's during the voyage!"
Susan hugged her sister then looked over her, patting her hair, and asked, "Are you alright? No sickness or anything?"
Lucy rolled her eyes, "Su, stop mothering! I'm wonderful!"
Turning to Georgie, Lucy cried, "Georgiana! You're here! I've missed you so much!" She threw her arms around Georgie, embracing her tightly. "Edmund missed you terribly," Lucy whispered in her ear. Georgie's eyes widened at hearing this and quickly scanned the area for him.
"Peter, Susan!" came a voice from behind them, thick with an accent. "Lady Georgiana too!" Caspian said, seeing Georgie from behind Lucy's hug.
"Caspian, welcome home," Peter said, clapping his friend on the shoulder. Next to Caspian stood a beautiful young woman, her skin pale and glowing with long yellow hair. Turning to Susan, Caspian said, "Hello Susan."
She smiled at him, her beautiful serene smile, and said softly, "Welcome home, Caspian." They embraced briefly and when Susan pulled away Georgie saw the discomfort in her face that Peter had warned her of being hidden behind her perfected smile.
Caspian turned to the woman standing next to him and smiled and said, "I would like to introduce you to the woman who has agreed to be my bride." The woman blushed and sank into a deep graceful curtsey.
"It's a pleasure, Your Majesties," she said, her melodic voice ringing out.
"I suppose you all forgot about me?" a familiar voice called from behind them. They all turned at the voice, Susan and Peter both crying, "Edmund!" The two rushed to greet their brother, exchanging hugs and handshakes. Georgie stood in awe of the man who stood there. No longer was Edmund the gangly, all-limbs teenager he once was, with messy brown hair and freckles covering his nose. He was bigger, his shoulders wider, lean and muscular. He had tanned considerably, his freckles no longer standing out as they once did. His once messy hair was now longer, nearly brushing the collar of his tunic, and the faint shadow of what was most likely a day's growth of beard on his face. Georgie had lost herself in staring at him when she suddenly came to and saw he was staring straight back at her, a crooked grin on his face.
Edmund walked towards her, his smile growing bigger as he neared. Georgie was unable to control the ridiculous smile that forced itself onto her face, nor did she care to try to stop it. When he reached her, he softly said, "G," before pulling her into a tight hug, lifting her off the ground causing her feet to swing in the air.
Leaving the crew to finish unloading the ship, the Pevensies, Georgie, and Caspian and his fiance walked back to the castle. Peter and Caspian walked first with his fiance, followed by Edmund and Georgie.
Edmund had thrown his arm around Georgie's shoulders, holding her close as they walked. Georgie's heart beat excitedly as she walked with him, happy he had returned.
Behind them Susan and Lucy walked, arm in arm, talking quietly. "I tried to hate her, really I did Susan. But she's wonderful. I've never met a kinder person. I spoke to Caspian after we left Ramandu's Island and asked him how he felt about her and you. He said he had felt you didn't return his feelings anymore," Lucy explained.
"Well he might have asked me instead of just assuming he knew my mind!" Susan hissed.
"Oh Su, please don't cry!" Lucy cried softly. Georgie turned at hearing her words, seeing Lucy throw her arms around her sister.
Georgie felt Edmund stiffen beside her; she knew he had heard his sisters' conversation as well. Remembering Peter's tale of how Edmund had been there the last time Susan was hurt, she turned back to him and asked, "Is everything alright?"
Edmund relaxed slightly and nodded.
"You're angry about Susan and Caspian, aren't you?" she asked, understanding his reaction to Susan's words.
He sighed and smiled, pulling her closer and tightening his arm around her. "We'll talk about that later," he promised.
AN #2: I can't tell you how long I have been waiting for this moment! Edward and Georgie's reunion has been going over and over in my mind for days!
Also, I know you'll probably hate me for Susan; trust me, I had to force myself to write Caspian's letter to her. I had originally wanted the two of them to end up together, but as I've stated before, I feel bad for changing so much of the original books that I felt I needed to make everything right again. Anyway...