Disclaimer: Ariella is mine as are the books; Cheroom is Electrum's; All other Narnians belong to C. S. Lewis and company.
Lady Ariella was almost frantic with worry and frustration when she returned to her room that afternoon. Not only had all her glorious plans of conquest been threatened by the queens and the other ladies, but also they knew and approved of the dreadful Codex Consors. How anyone could actually like that law was beyond her comprehension. Add to that the fact that she had not been able to find the High King anywhere. If only she had been able to at least see him, it would have made the afternoon so much better. A sigh escaped her lips as Lady Ariella thought longingly of Narnia's High King. If only she could find him and speak to him! Then this whole nonsense about not being able to be crowned queen could be done away with. Lady Ariella stood abruptly from her chair. She would find the High King and persuade him.
After nearly half an hour of wandering the halls of Cair Paravel and becoming thoroughly lost (not that she would admit it, the lady had a perfect sense of direction), Lady Ariella stumbled (almost literally) across a large, book-lined room. Curious as to what kind of books one could find in a Narnian castle, she entered and began reading some of the titles. A few were laughable but there were some that looked interesting. One especially caught her eye and she pulled it out. Laws of Narnia from the Days of King Frank the First to the Present, Volume I. The remainder of the shelf was full of similarly bound and titled books to the fifteenth volume. A thought struck Lady Ariella's mind and she immediately began leafing through the thick book. Perhaps there would be something in one of these manuscripts that would enable her to utterly discredit the basis of the Codex Consors!
For the next hour, Lady Ariella poured over the books of Narnian law. To her dismay, there was nothing in the first volume that could be used to destroy the law and the thickness of the books promised a long search if she wanted to examine them all. A hint of a groan was on her lips as she reached up to replace the large volume.
"Allow me to assist you, Lady."
Lady Ariella yelped and stumbled ungracefully back, dropping the tome as she did.
"King Edmund! I did not see you come in."
An amused smile played along the edges of the king's mouth. "I am not surprised. You were rather intent on your reading. Allow me to replace the book." King Edmund bent over and picked up the book. One eyebrow cocked up as he read the title. "The lady is a student of the law?" he asked as he replaced the volume on the shelf. "Is there any way I can be of assistance to you?"
Lady Ariella was about to politely decline the offer when she suddenly thought that if she could persuade the writer of the Codex Consors that it was illegitimate, then there would be little problem in having it revoked. (The thought did not cross her mind that perhaps the Narnian sovereigns actually wanted the law to stand and would only strengthen it if she found a loophole.)
"Actually, King Edmund," she said smoothly, "I was looking for more information on the Codex Consors. It is a most interesting law."
If King Edmund was surprised by her comment, he hid it well as he answered. "The Codex Consors? If you wish to read it again you will find it inscribed here." The king lifted down a volume from the shelf above the one where Lady Ariella had been looking. "It was a decree written in the second year of our reign as king of Narnia and is thus in the most recent, and incomplete, volume. If you would like more information on the background of the decree, you can either read this," here King Edmund walked across the room to where several massive books were stacked and returned with the largest of them, "or we could simply tell you the story."
One look at the enormous book convinced Lady Ariella that she most definitely did not want to read the decree's history. While she prided herself on her extensive reading habits, this, this thing was thicker than her hand was wide!
"I think I would rather hear the story from your lips, King Edmund," she said.
"Very well." King Edmund gestured to a cushioned chair nearby and escorted Lady Ariella to it before seating himself in one nearby. "This is how it is inscribed:
'In the second year of the reign of the Four Sovereigns of Narnia, King Edmund became aware that many suitors were coming for both his Royal Brother and the older of his Royal Sisters. Realizing that most, if not all, who came seeking their hands in marriage came in reality seeking to gain the Crown of Narnia for themselves, he wrote this decree with his own hands. It was read before the Parliament on the first day of its session in the Narnian year 1001 by Sir Giles the Fox and ratified by both of his Royal Sisters and the entirety of the Parliament of Owls on that same day. Since the writing of this decree, it has become customary to send a written copy of the Codex Consors, sometime called the "Dream Dasher," to any and all who come seeking the hand of any of Narnia's Sovereigns. In this manner, those seeking only a Crown will be more easily identified. This entry made by Cheroom in the name of Aslan, by the authority of the Sovereigns, in the third year of the Four's Reign.'
'Tis quite simple really," King Edmund finished.
Lady Ariella was very still for several seconds after King Edmund stopped talking. "'Dream Dasher'? What a strange name," she said finally with a high, nervous laugh. "Why is it called that?"
"Because, as our royal brother has often noted, it 'dashes' the dreams of many who come only seeking to become a king or queen. Have you not observed this?"
There was no answer from the lady as she quickly replayed all that King Edmund had said through her mind (she had an excellent memory). Eagerly, she seized on one point that seemed to show a weakness and brought it forward. "Why did not your High King ratify this decree?" Lady Ariella asked. "Surely something of such weight requires the consent of your highest ruler."
"I fear that you do not understand how Narnia is ruled, Lady." King Edmund's voice changed suddenly; it became hard and unyielding though no less courteous. "No one sovereign of Narnia is higher than another; we rule on equal footing. Each has their own strengths and will strive to excel there but none can say that one sovereign's word carries more weight than another's. Our brother is the High King by right of birth and by the gift of Aslan Himself, but he does not rule over us in the same sense that we rule over Narnia together. His approval is not necessary to make a decree final. Even had he disagreed, our royal sisters and our own person could overrule him."
"Oh," was the only reply that Lady Ariella could muster. She glanced nervously at the window where the light was now dim and stood abruptly. "I am sorry, King Edmund but, fascinating as this conversation is, I must be going now. I need to prepare for supper."
"Of course, Lady." King Edmund stood and offered her his arm. "I will escort you back to your rooms if you so desire."
It would have been rude to refuse so Lady Ariella was forced to walk calmly and daintily back to her room with the one man she least wanted to be near. However, she did manage to reclaim her composure and engage the king in general small talk as was proper. At the door of her room, she curtsied deeply.
"Thank you very much for your assistance this afternoon, King Edmund. Our conversation was most enlightening."
"Any time, Lady, that any of us can be of assistance to you, we are glad to do so. We are but servants of the realm of Narnia though we carry the title of 'King' or 'Queen.' Shall we see you at supper?"
"Perhaps, King Emund, but I am not certain."
King Edmund bowed in answer and left. Lady Ariella waited until he had disappeared around the corner of the hall before flinging open her door and running in to throw herself on her bed in wild hysterics. One by one, her dreams and plans were being destroyed and she could only weep. Her maids did nothing but stand around her and stare; they had never seen their lady in such a state. Slowly, Lady Ariella's tears subsided and she sat up. Words of reproof were on her lips when a strong, rich voice filled the room.
"Ariella."
A/N—Ok, so I'm back after a rather long hiatus. And the story is almost done. I know I said Thanksgiving, but that may be pushing it. I will guarantee that The Dream Dasher will be done by the end of the week. I decided to take this in a slightly different direction for the end than originally planned. I hope you like it!