Chapter 5

Oh I Do Love Adventures

Not long after Cara's anger manifested itself into a physical manner, Peter declared that it was time for them to join King Caspian. Cara scoffed at the use of King, which enticed a glare from both Peter and Trumpkin, but she made no attempt to go against Peter's wishes. Instead she brought up a very important point: "Which way are we to travel?"

"I suppose going the way of Our Dear Little Friend would not be in our best interests," Edmund responded. All agreed, especially the dwarf, for he did not wish to be captured and executed again.

"But please, your Majesty, no more of that," Trumpkin added. He meant, of course, the use of Dear Little Friend.

"Very well," said Edmund, "may I use D.L.F. instead?"

Trumpkin agreed with a chuckle even though Susan, who said "Edmund, don't keep on him like that," opposed its use.

Once the chatter about the dwarf's new name died down, Cara mentioned the importance of creating a plan of travel once again. "Aslan's How is what you four know as the Stone Table," she explained. "I think it best to go by way of sea. At least for a short period, for we can row south until we reach Glasswater Creek."

"Jolly good point," said Edmund. "Glasswater comes directly behind the Hill of the Stone Table. Plus, sticking to the sea is a safer root."

The group assembled all of their belongings, took a quick sip from the well (for they decided that carrying the bucket would be far too cumbersome), and gathered together a great bundle of apples.

Soon preparations were complete, and the journey back to the shore commenced. Edmund and Peter led the way, with Cara and Susan bringing up the rear. The forest was thick and cool compared to the heat that perforated the open ruble of the Great Hall. Even so, it was not long before the group was dripping in sweat, and quite uncomfortable in their armor. "I do wish for this to be over," whispered Susan to Cara as she bobbled over one rather large stump.

"Truly you can't wish that," replied Lucy, who had overheard the older Queen. "I love adventures and exciting new places." Cara listened to the Queens with only half an ear, for she was more interested in the whispers of the two Kings that walked ahead of her.

"I think she might be mad at you," Edmund said softly to Peter

"And what ever gave you that idea, Ed," responded Peter.

"Well, it could be that fact that she almost killed you."

"She was simply trying to prove a point to the dwarf," Peter said in a tired voice.

"I'm not so sure of that," Edmund said as he cast a look back at the High Queen. Her eyes were glued to the back of Peter's head. "I truly think she is replaying that scene in her mind, except this time the dagger is a few centimeters to the right." Peter offered no response, so Edmund decided to keep talking. "Is there any particular reason why she would be so angry, apart from you telling her to hush a few times?"

Peter sighed deeply and brushed the hair from his eyes. "We got in a bit of an argument."

"A bit?" asked Edmund. "A bit of an argument would not warrant a look like that."

"I suppose it got slightly heated."

Realizing that Peter was only going to offer as little information as possible, Edmund blatantly spit out, "Peter, what did you say to her?" Sighing once again, Peter looked at his brother before casting his eyes downward.

"There was a part when I called her a child and another where I mentioned that Narnia fell while she was upon the throne." Peter's voice dropped off at the end, so it took Edmund a moment to comprehend exactly what his brother was getting at, but when he did, his face flushed and he grabbed his brother's arm forcing him to stop walking.

"Peter, you didn't!"

"Well she wasn't exactly nice either," Peter argued back with an exasperated voice. "She told me I had the body of a boy!"

Edmund responded the absolute worst way possible—with a laugh. Peter's face grew red as his brother continued to shake with mirth. To add to the situation, the rest of group stopped only a few feet back and were watching intently. Cara's face wore a smile for the first time since early that morning. Peter glared at her when he saw this.

"I'm happy you think it's funny," he shot at her, before turning on his heal and continuing down the slope.

"Peter!" Edmund called with laughter still in his voice. "Peter do slow down. I didn't mean to laugh. Really, I didn't." When Peter showed no sign of slowing, Edmund cast a look of amusement towards the girls, before picking up a jog and following after his brother.

"Why don't you go and giggle with her some more," Peter said when Edmund reached him. His pace was nothing more than a fast walk, but he pushed and snapped branches with far more force than was needed.

"Honestly Peter, the jab you threw at her was a far greater offence than the one she cast at you," Edmund responded. Unhappy with his brother's reply, Peter quickened his pace.

"I do admit that what she said was—," Edmund stopped for a moment to collect his thoughts, for all he really wanted to do was laugh, "—was ghastly, but step back and consider what you said to her. How would you feel if Narnia collapsed while you were her caretaker?"

Even though Peter knew that Edmund was right—as usual—he was far too angry at the moment to acknowledge it. Earlier, Peter had immediately regretted his words, but after hearing Cara mock him once again with her laughter, he wished for another chance to berate her. Therefore, Peter decided to marinate in his anger for just a bit longer, then he would subdue his pride long enough to apologize.

Maybe.

Soon the dense trees opened up and the creek bank appeared before them. Peter immediately began giving orders; his irritation apparent. "Lucy and Susan, sit in the bows and shout directions to the D.L.F. Trumpkin, you will steer while Ed and I each grab an oar."

Cara was intentionally left out, which she immediately noticed. Deciding that she was not going to allow the fowl temper of the High King to offend her, she climbed into the boat and placed herself between Lucy and Susan. She would help with directions whether Peter asked her to or not.

Trumpkin climbed in next and tried to find a comfortable place to sit where he could still steer. He quickly found that comfort was not going to be offered to him on this trip, for his feet could not reach the ground no matter which way he turned his body. Cara immediately felt bad for the dwarf, and was about to ask if he wished for her to steer, when Peter's voice cut off her question.

"Wait a tick, Ed," Peter said just as Edmund was climbing into the boat. "This armor is going to be terribly hot once we get out into the high sun." Edmund paused for a moment before stepping back onto the shore and removing his shield from his arm. Cara watched as both boys pealed off the bits and pieces of their armor and placed them into the boat; a blush creeping onto her cheeks with each new removal.

Finally finished, Edmund climbed into the boat and took his place by the left oar, while Peter undid the boat's tie and pushed them into the water. As Peter jumped into the boat, Cara could not help but observe that Peter's body looked nothing like a boy's. His broad shoulders were apparent through the thin fabric of his tunic, and his leggings hid little of his muscular legs.

It wasn't until Lucy giggled from beside her that Cara realized she was staring open mouthed at the High King. The grin on Edmund's face proved that Lucy was not the only one who had noticed. Feeling quite embarrassed, Cara turned her body so she was facing the water, and looked directly ahead.

Luckily for Cara, Peter was too lost in his own thoughts to notice that her eyes were glued to him as he undressed and found his place beside the right oar. It was not until he glanced up at the sound of Lucy's giggle, that he realized that he had missed something. Cara's back was now facing him, while Edmund and Lucy were both casting her and Peter amused glances.

"What?" Peter asked defensively, which caused his two siblings to leave behind their giggles and burst into laughter. "Oh sod off, you two. Edmund, get to rowing."

"Aye, aye, Sir Peter Wolf's Bane," Edmund replied with a laugh. Peter sent Edmund a glare that caused him to finally quiet his laughter and mumble an apology. Soon the boat fell into thick silence.

Not five minutes later the ocean opened up in front of them. Both Peter and Edmund were already soaked in sweat due to the blaring heat, and Lucy was beginning to complain about a headache. Cara stared at the rolling waves before her, longing to jump into them and cool her burning body. As the heat covered the small boat, Cara began to wonder how much she really did enjoy adventures. Bloody hell she thought. I too wish this was over.

Strangely enough, Susan seemed to be taking great pleasure in the boat ride. "This reminds me of the days spent on the Splendour Hyaline," she said as she bent over the boat and allowed the tips of her fingers to brush the water.

"Oh yes!" Lucy chimed in, "and the feasts on the poop and the musicians playing well into the night."

"And our voyages to the Seven Isles and the Lone Islands," added Susan.

"Cara, did you ever have such adventures when you ruled from Cair Paravel?" Lucy asked with excitement. She was sure that the High Queen also shared in such happy times.

"No," Cara replied rather blandly. "Narnia was a different place when I ruled. These waters were far from safe."

Lucy's face fell. "I suppose it was like it is now," she said softly.

"Quite worse, Valiant Queen, for Narnia was under attack then. These are much quieter times," Cara replied; her eyes downcast on the water.

"But not for long," interjected the D.L.F. "Narnia will return the favor that the Telmarines bestowed upon us."

"Speaking of favors, would one of you girls be good enough to trade places with me for a bit? I'm quiet put out at the moment," asked Edmund, whose face was flushed and arms were tired.

Cara quickly noticed that Susan was once again busy trying to touch the water, and seemed to have little interest in stopping, which left only her to take Ed's place, for Lucy was too small.

After a deep sigh, Cara turned around and began to unburden herself. First came her six hidden daggers and her word. Next was her leather corset, for rowing and breathing went hand in hand, and breathing with a corset is never easy. Last she removed her tight fitting chain mail, which Peter almost asked her if she needed help with. Luckily he remembered that he was angry with her. Not to mention that helping the High Queen remove her clothes would be rather inappropriate. Peter blushed at the thought and concentrated on his rowing.

Once Cara was prepared to row, she and Edmund switched places. The oar was almost too big for her slender hands, but she managed to get a good grasp and match Peter's pace. Even though she tried not to notice, the top of Peter's tunic had come untied, allowing a large part of his bare chest to show. Cara promptly realized that rowing beside the High King was going to be difficult, but she tried to focus on the sea before her, and pretended that a fat, old man sat beside her instead.

Peter's thoughts were not much different that Cara's. Every few strokes his shoulder bumped into hers, and the glistening of her skin was hard to look away from. The heat seemed to dissipate the tension between them, and the closeness of their bodies was more intoxicating than irritating. With all of these things in mind, Peter decided that he was no longer angry with Cara at all. Matter of fact, their words to each other seemed rather silly at this point. Thinking of this, Peter let out a chuckle.

"Something funny?" Cara asked while keeping her eyes on the island that was disappearing behind them.

"Just thinking about our earlier tussle, and the stupidity of it," Peter responded with a grin. Cara looked over at the King, and noticing the laughter in his eyes, smiled as well.

"I suppose it was slightly childish on both our parts," said Cara.

"So all is forgiven?" asked Peter with hopeful eyes.

"I suppose," she responded with a smirk.

From this point on, Peter's shoulder bumped Cara's more often than not, both silently thinking that they rather enjoyed the contact.