Chapter 11: Separation
I held Demetrius reigns loosely as we made our way too Cair Paravel. Roan, my archery and sword fighting mentor rode just behind me. The Princes behind him followed by the rest of the cavalry. Father wanted us to have a large caravan escorting us. So naturally we did. It was drizzling slightly causing mud to get on Demetrius's hooves. Which he wasn't appreciating. It was interesting. But I tried to keep my mind focused on the rain at hand and not the past couple days events.
"Think rationally Aria, you have to be careful! You're a princess! You have a reputation to protect!" Father shouted at me. "I am thinking clearing Father! You know from the stories I remember mother's father never interfered in your relationship like this!" I growled. "That is a different Aria! King Peter is a High King! He's only had a couple years on a throne! The people will not respond highly if you're caught doing God knows what in the dark!" Father accused.
My mouth fell open in shock. "How can you not trust me?" I growled at him. "You know I trust you Aria but the people will think badly of you if that situation were to arise and you know it! You have to be very careful! Cor isn't old enough to run the kingdom yet as crown prince and if their only Princess is seen acting inappropriate with a High King no less your reputation will be ruined and our home, our country would be left in shambles!" Father shouted, "Father speak rationally! That wouldn't happen! We'd be just fine and besides you don't need to worry about Cor, he'll be ready when the time comes and that time won't come for a very long time Father!" I tried to reason with him.
He sighed as he sat back in his chair, he took a deep breath as if to steady himself. "Aria I am only thinking of your well being." He said softly opening those light blue eyes. I took his hand squeezing it. "I know and I love you for it and trust me when I say I won't let anything inappropriate happen" I told him pressing his palm against my cheek. His hand felt so cold. "Are you feeling all right father? Your hand is clammy?" I questioned him moving to press my hand against his forehead. "I'm fine Aria, go pack you'll be leaving soon" he told me, shushing me out of the room much he did when I was little interrupting his study time.
Either way, I had Maria keeping an eye on Father. I wasn't a simpleton. There was a reason father was having that conversation was me. A reason his hand was so clammy. I knew he was older, it was expected for his health to be declining. Men usually didn't live as long as he has lived and it was worrying me.
"Princess" Roan said softly. I looked over at him suddenly startled. He smiled softly, "you've been thinking too much lately Princess" Roan smiled, "I'm fine Roan" I told him. "Your worrying about something" he observed, I sighed. I couldn't lie to Roan. So maybe an abstraction of the truth would work? "I'm worried about High King Peter" I told him.
"Because?" He questioned and I gave him a look. He smiled and nodded his head getting the message. Peter almost kissed me three weeks ago! What am I supposed to do? How am I supposed to react around him? Does he expect me to kiss him? He obviously wants me to kiss him the way he was kissing my cheek the last time. Roan chuckled at the changing expressions on my face as my internal debate continued. "Don't worry about him Princess, just be who you always are. He likes that Aria" he told me. "So you think he likes me too?" I questioned him, "It's completely obvious Aria!" "Yeah he was practically tripping over himself to try to get you to come back to Cair Paravel with him!" The twins butted into the conversation.
"It is true Princess, don't stress over this. Just say hi and take it from there" Roan advised as he led for a little while. We were going up the mountain that Cair Paravel was built into facing the Eastern Sea. It was so beautiful. It was built into the landscape not to ruin the scenery but to compliment it. It was gorgeous, the white stone had a light tan coloring as it glowed in the light.
Breathe taking.
Peter wasn't lying about Narnia being beautiful.
As our horses led us up the stairs to the top of Cair Paravel I spotted Susan and Lucy standing there waiting for us. Where was Peter? Susan must have noticed my expression, "the boys are busy. They apologize for not being here to greet you" Susan apologized, so he wanted me to come home with him but couldn't be here to great me? Maybe his feelings had changed about me? Maybe father was right? For once I might add.
I quickly got off my horse as the boys went with Lucy to be shown to their rooms. "I'll take care of the horses Princess" Roan told me, I nodded. "Will you also send word to Father that we made it hear safely? I don't want him to worry" I told him and he nodded. "Of course Princess, it will be dispatched with our fastest messenger" He told me before Susan and I went into Cair Paravel.
"You were right by the way. Narnia is beautiful, even in the rain" I hugged her. She smiled hugging me back. "I told you so! And don't let Peter's absence bother you so!" Susan told me. I gave her a look and she returned it with one of her own. I sighed and couldn't help but smile softly. "Is it that obvious?" I questioned her and she nodded. "Well to me anyway, Lucy noticed it a little bit but brushed it off but I wouldn't be surprised if she told Peter about it to make him feel guilty for missing greeting you" Susan smiled linking her arm with mine as we made our way up the winding stairs and hallways.
Cair Paravel was so huge! It was at least three times the size of our home, but then again it was built down the side of the mountain overlooking the ocean. Trees were everywhere giving it a natural feeling, that Cair Paravel grew with the mountain as if it was part of the scenery. "I just don't understand it" I sighed, "Understand what?" She questioned, "why Peter keeps going back and forth it's driving me insane!" I told her, all I could think about these last three weeks was about seeing Peter again.
I couldn't sleep at night.
I couldn't eat.
I was miserable without him and I hated myself for letting it get that far.
"He acts like he likes me back in Archland, he even questions me about coming to Cair Paravel with him when you guys left and three weeks later I'm here and nothing!" I told her as she opened a door and led me inside. "It's not like that Aria" Susan said softly, "he's been very busy these past couple weeks. He's been driving me up a wall especially to make sure everything is perfect for when you arrive" she told me. I sat on the coach in the study that she had brought me too.
"Well what is he doing?" I questioned her, "meeting with the court. His favorite thing to do" she snickered as a Dryad brought in a tray of tea. I sipped at mine and nodded. I understood that he had political commitments but it still stung a little that he wasn't standing there.
Maybe it was just my insecurity, but I hoped that when I saw him my doubts would be washed away by those clear blue eyes. Susan leaned forwards as he squeezed my knee. "Don't worry, everything will be fine" she smiled at me.
Peter's POV
I tapped my fingers impatiently against the arm rest of my high backed intricate carved chair. They would be arriving soon. They were supposed to arrive today. "Peter" Edmund growled kicking my leg chair. I looked over at him and he nodded his head towards Mr. Tumnus. I looked over, "sorry what was that?" I questioned him. A smile stretched across his lips. "There is still the matter that needs to be decided about Carlormene your majesty. They've been rather un restful since the Spring Festival incident" he said lightly. I smirked knowing what he was referring. "We'll wait for them to make the first move. I will not declare war without proper cause." I told him. "Yes your majesty but what about Archland? Fellow Narnian's fear that the young royals that are arriving here today are here to escape any violence from Carlormene. This will surely pull us into a war." Orius reasoned.
"That is not why they are here, Narnia needs all the allies she can find. And Archland would make a very good ally. It'd be best if Archland was on our side and not Carlormene's." I reasoned, and Edmund nodded his agreement. "We'd be able to defeat Carlormene easily with Archlands help." Edmund agreed. "A marriage with Carlormene would settle better with the people to ensure peace. Not a summer house for their young royals" Barium reasoned, male alpha of the wolf pack.
I narrowed my eyes at him. There was no way in hell I was going to pressure King Lune for a marriage with his daughter just for a peace treaty. Aria would have my head if she thought I only wanted to marry her for my country's sake. I folded my fingers as I stared down this wolf. "And you suggest that either Edmund or I marry his Princess Aria who Prince Rabadash is clearly ready to kill for. This will surly cause an act of war and violence against Narnia" I reasoned, "but it will ensure Archland were on our side" Barium reasoned, "and it will also cost thousands of Archland and Narnian lives. That is not an acceptable cost just to teach Carlormene a lesson." Edmund jumped in. "We will not prompt Carlormene to attack. We'll just be ready when it happens" I reasoned as Exander, my personal griffon messenger slipped into the room and approached me.
He inclined his head and once catching my eye again he gave a quick nod.
They were here.
"Is there anything else on the agenda for today Mr. Tumnus?" I questioned him and he shook his head no. "Nothing that can't wait till tomorrow your majesty" he conceded. "Then consider this meeting officially adjourned" I said standing up and quickly leaving the room. Exander walking after me. "Are they still in the front entrance?" I questioned him, "no your majesty, Queen Lucy took Prince Cor and Prince Corin to their rooms before showing them the grounds." Exander told me, "and what of Princess Aria?" I questioned him, "with Queen Susan in her private study your majesty" Exander informed me. I turned on my heel to walk the other direction. "That information would have been more pertinent" I told him. "Then you should have asked for that information first your majesty" Exander replied back with a certain teasing skip in his step.
I found myself jogging to reach Susan's study faster. As I neared my jog turned into a full out sprint, Exander racing next to me in my hurry. Reaching the door I stopped so I could catch my breath and fix my disheveled appearance from running. "All right?" I questioned Exander. "Perfect your majesty" he replied, taking in a deep breath I slowly opened the door only to see the two girls sitting opposite each other on sofas drinking their tea and catching up.
Susan's eyes glanced up to meet mine as she smiled, but Aria had her back facing me. "Good day Princess Aria" I smiled, I watched as her body went rigid before she quickly looked over her shoulder at me. The big curls in her warm brown hair quickly flew over her shoulder at the sudden movement. Warm caramel eyes stared at me as the grin I had dreamed of since I first met her filled my vision as she stood up. "Good day your majesty."