Chapter 4

The regal doors of the throne room swung open silently, revealing the council members in their appropriate seats. As I entered they all rose and bowed. I nodded in return and then sat down.

I glanced around and noticed that Spindell had yet to arrive. Just then, he barreled in, bowed, and then sat down, his face red.

"Now that we're all here," Brogan began, giving Spindell a pointed look, "we'll get started."

One particularly fat black dwarf, Councilman Dwengel, stood up.

"I want to know what happened to the Kings and Queens! I hope you have a good explanation as to why you," He shot a suspicious glare at Brogan, "called off the search party! Unless they've been found, I see no reason why it should have been!" He said in a highly nasal voice.

I stifled a snicker. Hearing such a voice coming from such a fat, short dwarf was very amusing.

"Councilman Dwengel, I was getting to that before you started blathering on. Now, if you will kindly sit down, Princess Iridessa will explain." Brogan instructed.

I proceeded to tell my tale, getting quite a few suspicious glances along the way. After I had finished, it was as quiet as a tomb.

Just as Brogan was beginning to speak, Dwengel stood up.

"And how are we to know if what she says is the truth? We hardly know her! She's only been here for two months! Plus, she would have great gain in getting rid of the Kings and Queens- she would become queen!" Several other council members nodded their heads in agreement with Dwengel and I began to feel uneasy.

Spindell jumped up, his face purple.

"How can you accuse the Princess like that! She has done nothing to incite any of our suspicions! I know for certain that you, on the other hand, have incited mine!" He yelled, sticking his finger in Dwengel's face.

This statement turned the whole council into an uproar. I glanced at Brogan. He glanced back at me and we gave each other looks as if to ask how this had gotten so out of hand.

"Councilmen and women! Be seated! Have you forgotten this is a civil meeting?" Brogan bellowed.

Everyone abruptly stopped arguing and sat down looking like children who had just been reprimanded.

"Brogan, may I say something?" A beautiful amber colored squirrel asked. She was the only council member I had noticed that hadn't gotten involved in the uproar.

"Yes, Lady Ember, you may." Brogan replied.

"Some of you may not remember or know this, but I knew her mother. And even though I was a young squirrel then, I still remember that she was the most gentle and kind person I had ever met. She was wise and was a wonderful queen. And if Princess Iridessa is anything like her, which I already know she is, then we can trust her. I know I do." Lady Ember said wisely, giving me a kind motherly look.

"Thank you Lady Ember. I believe you are right and if any of you are wise, then you would take Lady Ember's counsel." Brogan stated.

"I trust Princess Iridessa." Spindell said.

Many other council members voiced their agreement, but Dwengel and a few others still weren't convinced.

"That's all fine and well Lady Ember, but-" Dwengel started.

"That's enough! Instead of going back and forth, I propose a vote. Everyone in favor of trusting and crowning Princess Iridessa, say aye!" Brogan said.

Spindell stood up and said, "Aye!"

Lady Ember did as well and many others including Brogan. Dwengel and three others did not, but it was obvious I had gotten the majority of the vote.

"That settles it then! Princess Iridessa will be crowned queen of Narnia." Brogan stated, smiling.

Dwengel and the three others jumped up and left the throne room in a huff.

"Don't mind them." A voice said softly in my ear.

I jumped and turned to see Lady Ember.

I smiled and said, tears in my eyes, "Thank you for saying what you said about my mother."

She smiled. "You are quite welcome. You remind me so much of your mother. You are growing up into a beautiful lady. Your mother would be proud!" She said.

Just then Spindell stood up and said, "I will be in charge of planning the coronation! I'll need to hold a meeting about what date and time, decorating, food, music, and a dress. I will be holding it tomorrow at nine o' clock in my study." He finished.

"Off I go then," Lady Ember said, "I must speak with Spindell about the music." She scampered off and joined the gathering crowd around Spindell.

I shook my head. Spindell was sure to go overboard on this.

I slipped unnoticed out of the throne room and into my chambers. I glanced at my clock quite surprised to see that it was eleven o' clock! I changed into my nightgown and brushed my hair and teeth. Then I crawled under my covers. Most likely Spindell would be at my door at six o' clock demanding that I get up and study. With that final thought I drifted off to sleep and dreamed of fat black dwarves with nasally voices.

"Dessa! Wake up! It's time to study!"

I groaned and rolled onto to my stomach.

"What time is it?" I inquired, looking through sleep-blurred eyes and my tutor and friend standing in front of me.

"Four-thirty." He said absentmindedly.

"Four-thirty?!? Are you nuts?" I asked.

"No. Quite far from it, actually. I have a meeting at nine o' clock. I need to study with you now so that I can fit everything else in for today." He answered calmly, tapping his toe.

"And how, pray tell, do you expect me to study with only five and a half hours of sleep?" I asked incredulously.

"If you didn't get enough sleep it's your own fault. Now come on, get up. Daylight's wasting."

"The sun hasn't even come up yet! How can daylight be wasting?" I complained, stumbling out of bed.

"Stop complaining! Now, get dressed. I'll be in the library." He replied, walking out of the room.

Convinced my friend had finally gone off his nut, I rolled my eyes as I picked out a sunset orange dress with pink accents. Then I made my way to the library.

"Alright, my meeting is going to start any minute. I have to get down to my study. I'm so excited!" Spindell told me.

"Great for you," I said unenthusiastically. "I'm going back to bed since you rudely woke me up at four-thirty in the morning."

"Do what you want," Spindell said, leaving.

I headed back to my chambers and flopped on my bed for a nap.