Chapter 4: Point of View
The next morning when I woke up I had a skip in my step. Susan raised an eyebrow at my behavior while Lucy just giggled and Edmund rolled his eyes with a shake of his head. "Someone slept well last night" Susan commented. "Quite well" I agreed scanning the table. As usual Princess Aria wasn't present. "So King Lune, how many women usually participate today?" I questioned him. "Quite a lot, Princess Arland of Carlormene will be participating today as well. That is always good fun" King Lune smiled as the twin Princes snickers. "I didn't know there was a Princess of Carlormene?" I questioned him and he nodded. "Yes she's cousins with Prince Rabadash and arrived early this morning."
"And what's so funny young Princes?" Susan questioned them, Cor turned a cheeky grin towards her. He was quite smitten with Susan. "The rivalry between the Princesses Queen Susan" he answered immediately. "Rivalry?" Edmund questioned and Corin nodded. "Oh yes, Princess Arland last year by the end of it had a dislocated shoulder, broken ankle and a fine cut on her cheek" Corin put in, my eyes widened. I hadn't realized that serious damage was done during this tournament. "And was there any damage to Princess Aria?" I questioned curious and Cor nodded. "Yes she twisted her ankle and had a fine gash from her shoulder to wrist. The final match is almost the most eventful!" Cor informed us as Corin continued to talk Lucy up.
I'd have to keep an eye on that. Shooting Edmund a glance he agreed with me. Prince Rabadash soon joined breakfast along with his cousin Princess Arland, we greeted her as well before we made our way down to the stadium that was set for this. Standing outside with the other girls stood Princess Aria, she had a sword on her hip and remarkably the girls didn't wear dresses like I had expected them too. They wore their own chain mail and armor. Though they didn't wear helmets, their outfits were more skin tight, less bulk and I wanted to know why. But I had also noticed that each girl wore a colored sash around their waists that went down to their knee. Princess Aria wore a deep royal blue signifying her status and rank.
As we neared she looked up from the woman she was talking to and smiled at us. Cor and Corin instantly ran up to her giving her hugs and wishing her good luck. Lucy also ran up with them wishing her good luck. Susan also gave her a small hug before she hugged and received a kiss from her father. She curtsied to Edmund as he wished her luck before she turned to me. Her honey brown eyes showing excitement as she bounced on the balls of her feet in anticipation.
"Princess Aria," Princess Arland greeted her as I opened my mouth to wish her luck. Princess Aria turned her attention from me to the Princess of Carlormene. "Princess Arland, wonderful to see your cheek has healed. I hope your ankle didn't keep you from practicing for long" Princess Aria smirked, Princess Arland's lips turned into a snarl. "Of course not Princess Aria, though I hope you're ready to hand over that sash this year." Princess Arland smiled, "I will gladly when a worthy adversary wins today." Princess Aria remarked back before looking back to me as she curtsied. "I trust you sleep well last night High King?" She questioned, I smiled taking her hand and kissing the top of it, letting my other hand rest against her palm and sure enough a piece of paper was pressed into it. "As always, your talented dancing wore me out last night Princess and good luck today as well." I told her as I stood up straight easily slipping the piece of paper into my pocket without taking my eyes off hers.
She smiled giving me a small wink. "Why thank you High King, I hope you enjoy yourself today" she smiled before I followed my siblings into the stadium. As I sat next to King Lune I had more questions for him. "King Lune, Princess Arland mentioning something about handing over Princess Aria's sash? I thought it was a representation of herself?" I questioned him and he shook his head. "No, when she first entered the tournament she wore a dark red sash, the blue sash is won by the winner today. She will keep it till someone defeats her." King Lune explained, "the women enjoying wearing their sashes today but if you pay attention you will find that their men will be wearing them tomorrow in representation of his lady." King Lune acknowledged.
"Why the blue sash then?" I questioned him, he smiled. "It was her mother's. She won it four years ago and hasn't lost it sense. I think it warms her heart to have a piece of her mother with her." King Lune said in a tight voice as both young Princes stiffened at the mentioning of their passed mother. "Who had it between the time she passed and Princess Aria?" I questioned him, "her nurse maid Maria, she made sure to keep it safe till young Aria was ready for it." He said softly as the duels went under way.
I had soon realized why they were the lesser armor, opting for just chainmail. The fighting was more close quarters then male fights. The movements were sharper and a wrong move could get one of the girl's fatally wounded. I watched in anticipation as Princess Aria took the field against a Lord's daughter. It didn't take long for Princess Aria to take her down. Sweeping her feet out from under her before putting the tip of her sword against the girl's throat.
"What are the rules of the matches?" I questioned, "the matches last till one of the two fighters either gives up or a fatal wound." King Lune explained. "Has anyone died from them?" I questioned him and he shook his head. "Very rarely, the people that participate are much better trained now." He told me and I nodded watching as the matches continued. Every now and then, more often actually I'd glance towards Princess Aria. After the third time she had caught me and would wink back at me, and I realized that I hadn't read her note yet. Well sitting next to her father I couldn't without him noticing, not to mention Prince Rabadash kept glaring at me before he'd go back to watching Princess Aria. It didn't take long before I understood what Princess Aria meant about a more viscous competition. All the women seemed to have at least one injury.
As predicted Princess Aria and Princess Arland made it to the final match. The two girls stood opposite of each other, their hands gripping their sheathed swords as they circled each other, neither refusing to break eye contact. In the blink of an eye the two girls had unsheathed their swords and attacking. Their swords clashing together in a strength matched. We could see their mouths moving but because of the distance we couldn't hear what they were saying. But the snarl that suddenly crossed Princess Aria's lips was quite apparent in the sudden burst of strength as she shoved Princess Arland backwards nearly knocking her onto her back before she bushed something on the handle of her sword and the blade suddenly split in two and she had a sword in each hand as she went for a fatal blow towards Princess Arland. She scrambled to get to her feet and back up and catch the two swords that were coming her way.
It was easy to see how Princess Arland received that scratch on her cheek from last year. Princess Arland had managed to get in one or two strikes in before Princess Aria threw Princess Arland's sword clean out of her hands. She had one blade behind the Princess's neck the other the tip rested against her throat. Again they spoke before Princess Aria suddenly backed up holding her abdomen. A dagger was protruding from her. She grabbed the handle and pulled it out, but in the time lapse Princess Arland had grabbed her sword and swung down towards Princess Aria.
"Look out!" I screamed at her, she looked up suddenly and quickly pulled up her sword, letting her enemies deflect off the blade before she attacked Princess Arland again sweeping the Princess's foot out from under sending her to the ground. Princess Aria rotated her wrist so the tip of the sword pointing down towards her stomach before she started to drop. Quickly King Lune stood to his feet. "Stop!" His voice boomed across the stadium, echoing in the gasps and silences of the people.
Princess Aria's body froze, the tip of the sword stopping just before entering the stomach. Princess Aria's eyes met her father's. With a stern look, Princess Aria dropped her eyes before standing up as King Lune declared the match to be over. With his proclamation two healers quickly ran towards Princess Aria, she had her free hand pressed against the wound shoving the healers away from her till she was out of sight from her people. King Lune and the Princes quickly left the stadium, my siblings and I in toe.
She had to be all right, she just had be. Did her chainmail protect her like it should have? King Lune disappeared into the tent and people quickly bickered before he stepped out again. "How is she?" The Princes quickly demanded, "they don't know. They're trying to examine her quickly" King Lune said. "My cordial!" Lucy suddenly declared before running into the tent pulling her cordial out of her belt as she disappeared into the tent.
"Cordial?" King Lune questioned and we nodded. "It heals any wound" I explained to him and shortly after Lucy's disappearance did both girls reemerge. King Lune and the Princes immediately wrapped their arms around Princess Aria and I couldn't help but sigh in relief at seeing she was all right. She had a whole in her leather top but other than that she was just fine. "You will one day start a war with Carlormene single handedly!" King Lune accused his daughter. A devilish grin crossed her face before she batted her eyes at her father. "Father! Don't say that around Prince Rabadash he might take you seriously" she muttered looking around for the Prince in question. He chuckled, "well to bad for him. At least you get to keep this for another year, though you were close to losing it this year" King Lune commented, "I know Father, I should have suspected Arland's trickery" she scolded herself.
"I thought you battled quite beautifully, you would be a deadly threat on a battle field" I complimented her trying to cheer up her spirit. She smiled thankfully at me before King Lune interrupted. "A battle ground is no place for a woman." He said firmly. "Then why teach them how to fight if they're not allowed to actually use their skills besides these festivals?" I questioned him, he sighed. "The happenings of the Ice Queen's battle reached Archland, I'm sure you slew your enemies King Peter?" King Lune questioned and I nodded. "Would you wish the weight you carry of taking someone's life on your own future daughter?" He questioned me, I sighed. He had a point. I glanced at Lucy.
There was no way in hell we would ever allow Lucy to be present on the battle field. King Lune caught the fond look I shot towards Lucy. "Then you understand as much as you can without having a daughter yourself" he said softly. "Father you worry about me far too much!" Princess Aria scolded as she walked with her father back towards the castle. Thanking those that stopped her and congratulated her on winning again.
He smiled softly at her kissing the top of her head. "One day you will understand" he told her softly and she just rolled her eyes before her eyes met mine in a tugging grin before she turned to Lucy and Susan. "Would your majesties like to retire? There's a wonderful natural spring to rest in if you'd like to join me?" She offered to them. They quickly agreed and I couldn't blame them. It was hot, making all of us sweat. The three girls quickly detached and disappeared down the winding hallways of the castle.
We all soon dismissed ourselves to clean up before dinner and the ball. Reaching my room I put my hand in my pocket and felt the parchment that Princess Aria had given me earlier. Pulling it out I quickly unfolded it.
'By the wild flowers at the end of the ball, see you there. ~Aria'
Queen Susan, Queen Lucy and I all rested happily in the hot springs letting the warm water relax our muscles. Well my muscles. "You must come to Narnia for the summer! I can't wait to see you against Edmund! It's about time someone knocked him on his rear end at his own game!" Susan beamed and Lucy nodded her head eagerly. I laughed, "Well I'm sure he can hold his own. After all tomorrow he's going to need it. Is he a better swordsman then Peter?" I questioned Susan and Lucy shook their heads. "He's very good with a sword but somehow Peter always seems to one up him." Susan informed me and I nodded. "Then tomorrow should be very interesting!" I smiled.
When it was just the three of us, we made sure to stay informal and drop the tittles. It was so annoying to use the tittles all the time. "So have you never let a man wear your sash during the tournament?" Lucy questioned me and I shook my head. "No, never" I told her. "Why? I mean I heard your reasons last night but there's got to be more to it" Lucy questioned. I sighed, "Well the sash belonged to my mother originally, she past some time ago so it's one of the few items I have a connection with her and well I just haven't found the man that I would trust enough to allow them to wear it." I explained to her shrugging my shoulders.
"Oh don't let Peter hear you say that, you'll put him in a soar mood fast" Susan teased and I blushed. "Oh come off it! He doesn't look at me like that, he has his own fan club!" I told her, "yes that's why he made sure to dance with you the whole night last night!" Lucy smiled, "that was to keep Prince Rabadash away from me!" I defended, "Please Peter was enjoying last night far to much for it to just be keeping you from Prince Rabadash!" Susan informed me. "That may be so, but he's High King! He wouldn't be interested in me" I told her and she gave me a look. "Yes the beautiful Princess of Archland just wouldn't interest Peter at all!" Lucy laughed making me blush as I swatted water at her. She screamed before throwing water back at me thus causing a rather large splashing fight to erupt.