Enjoy!
Second daughter of eve-I say again, who said the romance was between those two characters?
Chapter 22: Home Again
"We made it!" Adelphos grinned. Turning to Nerina, he said, "It's your homecoming Princess. What do you want to do? Go straight home to the castle I assume?"
"Actually no, not just yet," she replied. "I have been thinking about this moment for months, and I want to go to our theater first, then home. The rest of the group can wait here until we get back, so that we can tell them where they will be staying. It will also be easier to surprise everyone. The six of us will wear our hooded cloaks until we reach our destinations. Let's go."
After explaining the plan to the rest of the group, and donning the cloaks, the six friends walked down the sleep path cut out of the side of the rock wall into the country.
There's no business like show business
Like no business I know
Everything about it is appealing
Everything the traffic will allow
No where could you get that happy feeling,
When you are stealing that extra bow
The outskirts of the round country were all fields. Since it was midday, everyone was busy, and very few Arcadians saw the travelers, and none asked who they were. As they got closer to the heart of Arcadia, the number of houses they saw grew. Finally they reached Arcadia's center. There were giant buildings everywhere. Each Narnian monarch wondered what was inside, but no one talked.
In the very center of the country was an enormous building that the group had to walk around. Once on the other side, they were able to see the castle in the distance, exactly on the opposite side to Arcadia's entrance. Nerina led them to an ornate building through a back door marked "Cast and Crew Only". Once inside the theater, singing was heard.
"There's no people like show people…" was being sung by a large group of Arcadians onstage.
They slowly crept closer to where the sound was coming from. Just outside the door leading backstage, Nerina halted everyone and put her finger to her lips. She crept to the doorway and stuck out her hand. A minute later exclaims were heard.
"Look! Everything is being covered in frost!"
"What's going on?"
"Be careful! We don't want anyone slipping!"
"What's happening?"
"I don't know."
The Narnians and Adelphos watched as Nerina stifled a giggle. Next she sang out, "There's no business like show business!"
"Who's out there?" they heard a female voice call out.
Nerina waved to her friends, signaling them to follow her. They stepped into the backstage area and into view. Everyone still had their hoods on, covering part of their face, but not preventing them from seeing.
They saw a girl as old as Peter jump down from a ledge and land in front of them.
"Who are you?" she asked.
Nerina whipped off her hood. "Surprise," she said with a slight smile.
There was silence.
"By all things musical, I can't believe it. Nerina? Is that really you?" the young woman asked.
"Yes, it's me. I've brought some friends with me too. Everyone, meet High King Peter, Queen Susan, King Edmund, and Queen Lucy of Narnia. And of course you all know Adelphos."
By this time the initial shock had worn off and after bowing, everyone ran to greet Nerina and her friends, who had removed their hoods.
"We knew you were still alive, but we never thought we'd see you again!"
"It's great to see you two again!"
"Welcome to Arcadia Your Majesties!"
"Have you been to the castle yet?"
"No, that's where we are headed next," Nerina laughed. "That is, if we don't have to stop at my other best Arcadia friend's house. Where is Filia?"
As if on cue, a slender red-haired young woman ran in. Not noticing the new comers, she dropped her bags, saying, "I'm sorry I'm late. I had to run to get my things at the ballet-" She looked up, not hearing the usual noise, and saw Nerina.
There's no people like show people
They smile when they are low
Yesterday they told you you would not go far
That night you opened and there you are
Next day on your dressing room they've hung a star
Let's go on with the show
"Filia!" Nerina shouted.
The young woman stared, dumb-founded.
"Nerina?" she whispered.
The two friends ran to each other and hugged. Tears in her eyes, Nerina introduced her new friends. Filia curtsied, and hugged Adelphos.
"I still can't believe you all found her," Filia smiled, her gray eyes sparkling. "Have you gone home yet?"
"No, not yet."
"Not yet?! Let's go then! I want to see the look on your family's faces! I'll be back later everyone!" she called to the theater group.
The cowboys, the wrestlers, the tumblers, the clowns
The roustabouts that move the show at dawn
The music, the spotlights, the people, the towns
Your baggage with the labels pasted on
The sawdust and the horses and the smell
The towel you've taken from the last hotel
After saying good-bye, the six put their hoods on again before heading to Nerina's home.
Being a Lady of the Court, Filia was able to get the group inside without any problems.
Led by Filia, they all headed to the throne room. The large, carved ash doors opened and a fanfare was played, announcing the arrival of a Lady and guests.
You get word before the show has started,
That your favorite uncle died at dawn,
On top of that your ma and pa have parted,
You're broken hearted, but you go on
Walking up to the thrones, Filia curtsied.
"Your Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses, Lords, and fellow Ladies of the Court, I bring to you a group that had traveled very far to meet you. I apologize for interrupting anything, but I believe whatever is was, pardon my saying, is not as important as seeing this group."
Not everyone could tell that to the King and Queen's faces. However Filia's parents were life-long friends of the rulers, which is how Filia and Nerina met. Filia's parents were a Lord and Lady who lived near the castle. The two monarchs were very fond of Filia, and thought of her as family, which is why Filia could say what she did.
There's no people like show people,
They don't run out of dough
Angels come from everywhere with lots of jack,
And when you lose it, there's no attack
Where could you get money that you don't give back?
Let's go on with the show
"And what is so important, pray tell," said King Arion, "that you interrupt my family's discussion?"
"The fact that you are missing a member," said Nerina, stepping forward and removing her hood. The others removed their hoods as well.
Queen Charissa screamed, started crying, then ran to her daughter, flinging her arms around her. Nerina cried as well and hugged her mother.
"I love you Mom. I missed you."
"I lobe you too, and I missed you so much," cried the Queen.
King Arion also hugged his daughter, followed by Chorevo and Anthea, Gelio, and Iremo. There were plenty of hugs, tears, and laughter.
The costumes, the scenery, the makeup, the props,
The audience that lifts you when you're down
The headaches, the heartaches, the backaches, the flops,
The sheriff who escorts you out of town
"Where is Koros?" Nerina finally asked.
"He had to step out for a moment, but he will be back," said Anthea. She was very graceful, with gray eyes and straight dark blonde hair.
"Well until then, these are my rescuers," said Nerina. "I'd like you all to meet the Kings and Queens of Narnia. This is High King Peter, Queen Susan, King Edmund, and Queen Lucy." Everyone nodded as his or her name was said.
The opening when your heart beats like a drum
The closing when the customers won't come
"And now, my Narnian friends, this is my family."
"What's all the fuss about?" a new voice called.
"Koros!!!" screamed Nerina.
The tall, sandy-haired, glasses-wearing young man jumped. Seeing his sister, he stood and stared. She ran to him.
"'Rina!!" he shouted, holding his arms out, catching her, then swinging her around before setting her down and hugging her.
"I missed you so much!" Nerina said, squeezing her brother tightly.
"So did I 'Rina," he smiled. Seeing the Narnians, he asked, "And who are these fine people?"
Introductions were made again, and then Nerina introduced the rest of her family.
King Arion was an older man with a small, graying beard. His tenor voice was very comforting.
Queen Charissa was a beautiful woman of 891. Her white hair gently curled around her face. She and her husband had only been married fifty years, and her love for him still showed in her eyes.
Chorevo, the heir to the throne, was very handsome. He had brown hair and clear, blue eyes.
Gelio had brown eyes and hair, and loved to laugh, just like his name. Iremo was also quiet like his name. Iremo had blonde hair and blue eyes just like his sister.
A messenger was sent to the rest of the Narnians to bring them to the castle, so that they could meet the Royal Family as well. It was decided that the four monarchs would sleep in the castle, and the other Narnians would be staying in the homes of various Arcadians.
There's no people like show people
They smile when they are low
Even with a turkey that you know will fold
You may be stranded out in the cold
Still you wouldn't trade it for a sack o' gold
Let's go on with the show
Later it was announced to all of Arcadia that Nerina had returned, and that her rescuers had come as well. Everyone was ecstatic to hear that there would be a performance the following week. They were also happy to hear that a ball would be held in honor of Nerina's return. Balls were very common in the land of music, but everyone still loved them. All the Narnians were to be distinguished guests. The Narnian monarchs and Adelphos would be guests at the head table for assisting in Nerina's return.
It was with these wonderful anticipations that everyone went to bed that night.
Let's go on with the show!
Song Used-There's No Business Like Show Business from Annie Get Your Gun
That song could fully be Arcadia's national anthem.
Please Review!
Haras