Disclaimer: I do not own Narnia or any of its peoples. Ariella (unfortunately) is mine as are Edmund and Erain of Nartanis.
"His Royal Highness, Prince Edmund of Nartanis and his Royal Brother, Prince Erain!"
Lady Ariella paused a moment to look back into the Great Hall as the faun announced the next visitors. They were two fair-haired young men wearing light circlets of gold and silver and tunics and boots much the worse for their travel. She sniffed (a dainty delicate sniff). These probably came as suitors for the hands of the queens. They could have them. Narnia would soon have a new queen and could do without her current ones. Besides, those two princes were nothing compared to her king. Lady Ariella turned and followed the squirrel who was impatiently beckoning her forward. He led her to a large room decorated in blues and silvers with a touch of purple. It was a lovely room but Lady Ariella was not pleased; it was not grand enough for a future High Queen. Not to mention that the colors did not complement her complexion or coloring.
"Do you not have better rooms?" she demanded imperiously.
The squirrel looked at her in surprise. "Do these rooms not suit you, miss?"
"'Miss'? I must ask that you do not address me so familiarly, squirrel. You speak to a lady, not some serving wench. And no, this room does not suit me. I wish to have one more worthy of my future status."
"Future status, lady?"
"Yes. Before this month is out I will be your queen and so you had better show more respect for your betters. Take me to your finest room."
The squirrel smiled strangely—an expression Lady Ariella thought brought on by fear of what might happen to him when she became queen—bowed and led her to another room a little further on. This room was larger than the first and decorated in reds and bronzes but still did not meet Lady Ariella's specifications and so the squirrel led her on. The last room was enormous. Green and gold covered the walls and bed (which looked as if it were coated in gold and had its posts made from whole trees) and a window stood wide open in the eastern wall. Lady Ariella walked delicately across the plush carpet to find a balcony set hundreds of feet above the Easter Ocean extended from the window. Surely this was a room worthy of a queen.
"Is the lady pleased?" asked Twitterpatter.
"I am. Send in my maids and I will forget your earlier impertinence."
"Of course."
Some time later, not very long, but long enough for Lady Ariella to grow the tiniest bit impatient, the ladies-in-waiting knocked softly at her door. With them came the serving men and several knights carrying all of Lady Ariella's trunks, boxes, bags, and bundles that she had packed (there were twenty-seven in all). Lady Ariella sank down in a velvet covered chair with a sigh.
"See what luxury they have accorded me?" she said as one of the women began unbraiding and brushing the long golden waves and another unlaced her shoes. "If this is what they give one who is not yet royalty, what richness will be mine when I am queen? Ouch! Be more careful with your strokes, Mary."
"So all went well, my lady?" asked one of the maids.
"But of course it went well! How could it not? The High King was everything spoken of by his subjects; he was overcome by my presence and could not utter more than a few words. I believe we shall be hearing from him very soon.
"My wedding dress will be white satin, of course, trimmed in a pure gold braid and with a gold belt. The train must be at least seven feet long; the Great Hall is quite large and it will look most elegant. The neckline…Sweetheart would be best I think. The sleeves…Let us make them like this one, no, let us have two sleeves, one overlapping the other and then the gold undersleeve peeking out at the wrist. The petticoat must be white lace, layers of it, and the veil will match. But I will not have a full veil; it will fall lightly over my hair but not my face. I want to see and be seen. For flowers, I am not sure. I will have to visit the gardens of this castle to determine what would be best. Oh! Such dreams I have of what will be!
"I will say that the younger king was also nice, but he claimed to suffer from an allergic reaction to something. Sarai, see if you cannot send out finest remedies for difficulties with breathing to King Edmund with our complements. It would be well to have him on my side if his sisters should attempt to put up a fight. The eldest will surely be jealous at no longer being the highest ranking queen."
"As you wish, my lady." Sarai went quickly to the door and opened it softly. Lady Ariella continued with her wedding plans. A sharp squeal startled her and there was a loud thump as the door slammed shut.
"Sarai! What was that for?" Lady Ariella exclaimed.
"I'm sorry, my lady, there was someone out there and he…he frightened me." As Sarai finished a loud knocking sounded at the door. The maids all stopped what they were doing and stared at their mistress.
"Well? What are you waiting for? Don't just stand there! Put my shoes back on and open the door!"
The maids leaped into action and the door was opened to reveal a massive centaur who towered above Sarai and looked very solemn. Even Lady Ariella was taken aback by the sight of so massive a person.
"Is the lady, Ariella, within?" asked the centaur.
"I am she. For what reason do you seek me?"
"I am come to inquire if all is well and to bring you a message," he held up a small scroll, "by orders of King Peter."
Lady Areilla smirked (not that she would admit that it was a smirk). Already the High King had fallen in love with her and wrote to tell her of his passion. "All is well. Very well. What message do you bring?"
"Will you allow me to read it to you?"
"But of course. Do come in first and make yourself comfortable." Lady Ariella settled herself in a chair again and waited for the centaur to begin. This would be interesting to see what protestations of love the High King made.
"The Codex Consors," the centaur began.
"Whereas the Four Kings and Queens of Narnia: High King Peter the Magnificent, Queen Susan the Gentle, King Edmund the Just, and Queen Lucy the Valiant, by grace of Aslan, son of the Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea, were crowned joint Sovereigns of that land and its holdings in the year 1000,
"And whereas Jadis, self-proclaimed Queen of Narnia and tyrant, was overthrown in accordance with the Prophesy that foretold the coming of said Kings and Queens,
"And whereas the presence of the Four chosen Kings and Queens, enthroned in Cair Paravel, stand as a bastion against Evil's rebirth or resurrection in the land of Narnia,
"Be it known that Four was the number of Sovereigns chosen by Aslan, beloved Creator and Protector of the land of Narnia, to rule in his blessed name and grace. The number of Sovereigns shall neither be increased nor yet decreased (except upon death) either by marriage, birth, or subsequent decree, proclamation, law, or order, except upon express command of Aslan himself.
"Therefore, upon marriage to one of the Four Kings and Queens, their spouse shall be known by the title of Royal Consort to said Sovereign. The Royal Consorts shall not at any time be considered Sovereigns of the land of Narnia, nor shall they be afforded the title of king or queen, nor shall they be eligible to assume the throne in the absence of their spouse. If they be of royal blood by birth, they shall retain their rightful titles, but shall not gain authority over the land of Narnia, and they will not be crowned Sovereigns to rule in their own name.
"By the blessing of Aslan, and with the consent of his fellow Sovereigns present, this Decree is hereby put forth by King Edmund the Just in the year 1001 and shall remain in effect until such time as the last of the Four Kings and Queens passes from the Land of Narnia."
A/N—Well, sorry folks, I couldn't quite fit in Ariella's reaction here. However, rest assured: it will be in the next chapter "Reaction, Resolution, and Results." Though, I'm sorry to say, I don't know if I'll get that up before I leave tomorrow. I will try but I won't guarantee anything. Once again, the "Codex Consors" and "Dream Dasher" came from Electrum's work "They Also Serve"