Chapter 19
Over the next several weeks guests began arriving to attend the tournament and celebrate Princess Georgiana's birthday. At first, the guests, including the king and queen of Archenland and the Duke of Galma, trickled in, but as the days grew closer to Georgie's birthday, more and more people began arriving. Soon, Cair Paravel was crowded with visitors, making it busier than Georgie had ever seen.
She practiced daily with Susan and Lucy, trying to perfect her archery, which had gotten a bit rusty over the years. Edmund and Peter practiced as well, sparring with each other for hours. The kings' and queens' practices attracted their guests, eager to watch the famous swordsmen and archers, but also to size up the competition. Occasionally someone would offer to practice with Edmund or Peter, or shoot with Susan, only to draw laughter from the sizable crowd of spectators as they were soundly beaten.
It was the third night before the tournament and Georgie's party that the Pevensies and Georgie found themselves in their sitting room, each sprawled on a chair or sofa in exhaustion. The extra practices and preparations had worn them out and playing host to nearly a hundred people had proven to be mentally exhausting. "If I have to listen to one more bit of gossip from that insufferable Lady Ida, I may push her in the ocean," Lucy complained.
"Lucy," Susan warned, her eyes filled with laughter.
"Well I'm sorry, but she is driving me insane!" exclaimed Lucy punching the pillow she had in her lap. The others laughed at Lucy as she scowled. As the laughter began to die, Georgie announced, "I think I'll be heading to bed now. I can barely keep my eyes open!" As she stood to leave, Edmund stood quickly, causing all eyes in the room to stare at him.
"Edmund?" Lucy giggled, gaining a glare from her brother. Georgie stared at Edmund and raised an eyebrow at him.
"I, um, goodnight G," he stuttered before sitting again, his face slightly turning pink. Georgie smiled at him and said, "Goodnight everyone."
Edmund had returned from a trip to Galma and walked into the sitting room, anxious to go to bed after a very trying voyage. Sitting on the sofa was the last person he had expected to see, reading a large book. I see nothing ever changes, he thought sarcastically. Georgie looked up, a look of nervousness and irritation passing over her face. "Hello Edmund," she said coldly. "Georgiana," he stiffly replied. "How was your trip?" she asked closing her book. "It was good," he answered. Setting his bag down, he asked, annoyed with her presence, "What are you doing in here? Where's everyone else?" Georgie stood, irrational anger starting to rise. "Lucy asked me to move into her spare room. She and Susan have gone riding and Peter is working with the guards," she replied shortly. "Move in here? Why did you move in here?" he voice rising. "Because Lucy asked me to. She, at least, still likes me!" Georgie retorted, her voice rising as well.
"Well that's great. Wonderful. I hope you're comfortable in your new room," he said loudly, storming off to his own room. As he slammed his door, he heard a loud thud against it. Jerking the door open he saw the large book Georgie had been reading on the floor in front of his room. He glared up at her, meeting an equally angry stare. "Did you throw your book at me?" he asked, his voice nearly shaking with anger. "You hope I'm comfortable here? Since when did you start caring about my comfort?" she yelled. "Since the first day I met you, but obviously that wasn't good enough for you!" he yelled back.
"Oh, just go to bed and leave me alone!" she cried, tears welling in her eyes. "Fine. Goodnight, Georgiana," he said, his voice stinging. He turned and walked through his door, slamming it behind him. Georgie collapsed back onto the sofa and began quietly crying.
When Georgie had left the room and closed her door, Peter turned to Edmund and chuckled, "What was that all about?"
"I don't know. I'm not sure what I was thinking," he said quietly, before standing and going to his room, closing the door behind him.
"What's with him?" Susan asked.
"Same thing that's been wrong with him, I expect. He's still in love with Georgiana," Peter replied.
"Well she's still in love with him, too," Lucy said quietly, shaking her head.
Georgiana laid in her bed listening to Peter, Susan and Lucy talking in the other room. He still loves me, she thought, a single tear slipping down her cheek. She remembered the night she and Edmund kissed and the feelings that coursed through her as she felt him against her. Even five years later she still felt them whenever she saw him. The kiss had thrilled her and scared her, excited her and worried her. Edmund was her best friend. He was also the man she loved.
That night on the balcony had made her realize how strong her love for him was. The realization had overwhelmed her, questions of "what if" beginning to run through her head. She had meant what she said that night; she didn't want to lose Edmund. But what if things went wrong and their feelings changed, as Caspian's for Susan had? What if Edmund's feelings for her hadn't been as strong as hers were? What if someone else came along? He could have any woman he wanted. Their friendship would have been destroyed. For years she had wanted to talk to him and discuss what happened that night, but her fears always got in the way. By now, it seemed too late. Although, Peter did say he still loved me, Georgie thought. Maybe it's not too late?
The next day the Pevensies and Georgie sat in their thrones in the Great Hall, waiting to welcome the newest visitors to Cair Paravel, when Trumpkin hurried into the room, walking close to where they were seated and bowing quickly to them before speaking, "Your Majesties, Highness, riders from Calormen are headed this way. A Calormene messenger arrived just now announcing their impending arrival. They're traveling with the Tisroc's oldest son, Prince Rishdamar. The rider claimed Prince Rishdamar is coming to honor the Princess Georgiana's birthday, but hobnobs and handles, I think he's coming here for ulterior reasons."
"I believe you're right," Peter said, agreeing with the dwarf. "Have the number of guards at the front gate doubled and alert the Council that we will need to meet later this afternoon to discuss the prince's arrival."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Trumpkin said, bowing and hurrying out of the room to complete his tasks.
"This is not good," Peter muttered to Edmund. They knew the reputation of Prince Rishdamar. He was a well-known charmer, having ruined the reputation of several Calormene ladies, as well as some from Archenland. Two years ago he had visited Narnia and had attempted to work his charms on Lucy, who, at the time, found him fascinating and handsome. Peter and Edmund had interceded at the last moment when they noticed he was leading her out into the gardens, alone. They had warned him against any further attempts at their sisters, promising all peace between Calormen and Narnia would be lost should he try to ruin either of them.
"You're right," Edmund replied under his breath. "Captain Perth?" he called to the captain, who standing near their thrones.
"Yes, Your Majesty?" Captain Perth answered, stepping forward and bowing.
"Will you please escort Princess Georgiana to her room? Also, please place two guards outside the entrance to our apartment and below the window of her room," Edmund said in a voice no one would dare question.
"Of course, Your Majesty," he replied at the same time that Georgie cried, "What?"
Edmund turned to Georgie, his face void of emotion, and said, "Go with Captain Perth, Princess Georgiana."
Captain Perth came to her throne and held out his hand to help her up. She ignored him and asked, "Edmund?"
"G, don't be difficult. Please just do this for me," Edmund said quietly, his eyes begging her to follow his orders. Her eyes narrowed in anger as she placed her hand in the captain's, allowing him to lead her out of the hall. When they had exited, Peter looked at his brother and asked, "Do you think that was really necessary?"
"I'm not going to have her sitting in here, waiting for Rishdamar to arrive. He's not going to get to her," Edmund said through his teeth.
"But putting her under guard? Isn't that going a bit to far?" Susan hissed.
"There are problems with Calormen, Susan. Until we know the exact reason for his visit, I think this is necessary," Edmund explained irritably.
"How dare he!" Georgie yelled when she entered the sitting room, Captain Perth following behind her.
"Your Highness, King Edmund has a good reason. He never makes decisions without a rational explanation," he said.
"Rational explanation? I don't care about his rational explanation! He sent me away as though I was a helpless child!" she cried.
"Princess, the king doesn't think you're helpless," Captain Perth began, but was cut off by Georgie, "Oh yes he does! He wouldn't have put me under heavy guard if he thought I could help myself!" Sighing over her irrationality, the captain remained quiet, allowing Georgie to rant for what felt like hours, but in actuality was only several minutes. Giving up her complaining, she took to sulking in a chair placed in the back corner of the room, occasionally muttering "stupid, stubborn, untrusting king."
An hour passed before the sitting room door open, Edmund walking in through it. Captain Perth sighed quietly with relief, glad the king had arrived to take the irate princess off his hands. Bowing to the king and princess, he excused himself to check on the guards.
"G," Edmund began hesitantly as he walked towards her. Georgie glared at him from her chair, causing him to stop.
"Don't you 'G' me," she said low.
"I can explain," Edmund said.
"I don't want to hear it!" she cried, pushing out of her chair and storming to her room, slamming the door behind her. Hot, angry tears began flowing down her cheeks when a knock sounded on her door. "Go away!" she cried.
The door opened and Edmund walked in, saying firmly, "I'm not going to leave so you can forget that idea. You're going to listen to me." She glared at him and crossed her arms in front of her, not arguing with him. "Prince Rishdamar is a notorious charmer. He always gets whatever woman he wants, often times ruining those women in his conquest of them, before throwing them away like garbage when he's done. I didn't want you around him," he explained.
"So you don't think I would be able to resist his charms? Do you really think that I'm that easily manipulated?" she cried.
"Of course not, you know that isn't what I think of you," Edmund said quickly. "You're a very eligible and beautiful woman, G. He would want you, I have no doubt of that," he started, but Georgie interrupted him, "Are you jealous then?"
Sighing, Edmund pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. "G, you're missing the point entirely and becoming extremely frustrating. Rishdamar doesn't stop his pursuits until he gets what he wants, regardless of what he has to do to get it. I've dealt with someone similar to him before and seen the effects of it. I'm not wanting to deal with it again. I'll do whatever I have to to ensure he stays away from you, regardless of what you think," he said firmly.
Georgie's tears, which had stopped, began to fall again, contradicting feelings consuming her. She felt she should be angry with Edmund for sending her away, but was touched by his protectiveness. She felt no less confused about her feelings now than she had that night on the balcony. Edmund walked closer to her, wiping her tears away, saying quietly, "Don't cry, G. I'll take care of you."
"I know you will," she whispered. He put his finger under her chin and lifted her head up to look at him. "What is it then?" he asked softly.
"I'm so confused," she said quietly.
"About what? Tell me," he gently prodded.
"Everything," she breathed, staring at his brown eyes, seeing a look of tenderness in them. "That night on the balcony..." she began, but he placed a finger over her lips.
"It doesn't matter, G," he said. "It was a long time ago. We were young then. Things were different."
"I was wrong," she whispered, stepping slightly closer to him.
"What do you mean?" he asked, confused at her admission.
"I shouldn't have left you there that night. I was just scared. It broke my heart when I realized what I did and how you hated me afterwards, even though I deserved it," she said.
Edmund shook his head and said, "No, I was a fool to treat you like that. I shouldn't have kissed you without knowing how you felt about it."
"If you hadn't, I would have," she said, lifting her hand and placing it on his shoulder.
"G, I-" he began, but was cut off by her lips pressing against his. Shock ran through his body before being replaced with a longing he hadn't felt since their last kiss. When Georgie pulled away, she looked up at him, her eyes smoldering.
"Do you still love me?" she asked softly.
"You know I do," he replied, putting his hands on either side of her face and kissing her again. She wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss, as he moved his hands down to her waist, pulling her closer to him.
This is how it should have been, he thought. This is how it should always be.