Chapter Three: A Strange Development

It was about a month after the ball and the siblings were going about their daily business when Mr. Tumnus rushed into the throne room. He told them that there was a dryad saying Archenland soldiers were marching through the woods near over the Narnian border. Alarmed and confused by this act of aggression the four quickly discussed their options.

"What could they possibly want? We haven't done anything wrong!" Susan asked worriedly, wringing her hands restlessly.

"It confuses me as well, should we assemble our army?" Lucy asked hoping the answer would be no.

"Peter I'll take a company of Narnians with me to investigate. This could all just be a misunderstanding."

"It seems that is the best thing to do," Peter said and Edmund was off to prepare.

It took all day to assemble a company of Narnians, and follow the dryad to where the Archenland soldiers were. When they arrived, Edmund thanked the dryad, and she ran off back to her tree. Twilight had settled into the forest. It was that time of day when the day animals went to sleep and the night ones are just awakening. All was quiet when all of the sudden they heard laughter and cries of pain. The Narnians peered through the the bushes to observe what was going on. The scene upset all, but for Edmund it disturbed him.

The soldiers were beating a young woman, dressed in nothing but bloomers and an underblouse. Her golden ringlets hid her face. The men took turns hitting and/or kicking her. Among the soldiers was Baron Lare, only watching with an furious expression. Suddenly he bid them to stop. The woman straightened defiantly to face him, her face clouded in shadows and curls. He hit her across her face, knocking her to the ground. Edmund had seen enough he motioned the Narnians out of their hiding place. Lare was positioning himself to kick her.

"Stop!" Edmund cried, the first to rush out. He stood protectively over the woman. She looked up at him, her face battered. "What did this lady do to deserve such inhuman treatment?" He spoke diplomatically.

"She is guilty of infidelity." Lare proclaimed. Edmund glanced down at her. "Twas our wedding night and she conspired to run away. A servant saw her leaving and alerted me. My men and I pursued her here. I am sorry to have disturbed you. We shall return to our country at once."

"What is to become of her," Edmund asked.

"She is to be put to death, she has dishonored our agreement, she shamed her family, and she made a fool of her ex-husband. We are no longer married."

"Then let her remain here," Edmund proposed.

"What?" Lare exclaimed, like the proposal was an insult.

"Let her remain in Narnia. Never to return to Archenland. Never to be in your presence again. It would be like she was dead but without the shedding of blood." Lare seemed to like this idea.

"Get her up," Lare ordered. Edmund glared at him for giving a king an order. "Please." Lare added apologetically. Edmund helped Lia to her feet, and she turned to face the Baron. He squared his shoulders. "Lady Lia you are hereby stripped of title and banished to the land of talking beasts. You are no longer worthy to remain in Archenland. If you are caught back in Archenland you shall be put to death immediately." Then he added in a softer tone, "I thought that you were happy. I thought we would be good together. But you've made a fool of me."

"It's not y-" She began but he hit her one final time. Edmund barely caught her in time before she hit the ground. His arms were hooked under hers and her head slumped forward toward his feet. Lare and his men retreated into the trees. Full darkness had set in and the forest was no longer quiet, teeming with nightlife. Lia began to sob softly and lifted her head to look at Edmund. "I'm sorry," She whispered through tears. Edmund picked her up.

"Don't be," He comforted and she went limp. The Narnians cheered and whooped. He lifted her into his saddle and climbed up behind her. They rode swiftly back to Cair Paravel.

When the company arrived back at Cair Paravel a messenger fetched the other three. Lucy was the first to reach Edmund, a figure draped in his arms.

"Ed! I know you liked her but you shouldn't have stolen her!"

"I didn't steal her!" He cried defensively. Next in was Susan.

"Oh Edmund! How romantic."

"No, it's-" Peter came rushing in.

"Ed, what-" He began.

"I'll tell you all the details later. I don't know the full of it myself. No it was no attach. Yes it was a misunderstanding. But right now she needs medical attention." Lucy got her phial ready. "No Lu, it's not that bad, you should save your elixir." She put it away and Edmund headed for the living quarters. Followed by the other three. He quickly found a room for her and gently laid her on the bed. Mrs. Beaver scuffled in.

"Oh my!" She exclaimed. "What happened to this poor dear?"

"It's a long story," Edmund said, tired.

"Oh well I'll see she gets extra care! You look almost as battered, your majesty. You should get some rest and don't worry about her." And so the four retired to their private study where Edmund told them all he knew of what had happened.

"I don't understand," Lucy said perplexed, "She looked so happy at the ball!"

"I guess not," Peter pitied.

"Arranged marriages are simply horrible," Susan put in. "There's no sense in them! Why arrange a marriage where both people will be miserable the rest of their life? I'd like to get married someday but to someone I want to marry!" She huffed angrily. "Poor thing."

"Well then," Peter said getting up, "since she's nowhere else, Lia shall live here in Cair Paravel. If that is what she wishes." They all went to bed.