Chapter Four: Welcome to Narnia

Lia woke the next morning because the bright sun would not permit her to sleep anymore. There was the sound of someone shuffling around but she saw nothing. Then she remembered she was in Narnia. Her bruises and cuts had been treated and only dully ached. Groaning, Lia propped herself up on her elbows, to better survey her surroundings. She lay on a large, soft bed in a airy room, dressed in a nightgown. The smell of the sea drifted in on a briny wind from an open window. She could hear the waves hitting the beach, and the laughter of the merfolk, delighting in the morning tides. Cair Paravel, Lia thought, elated, I'm in Cair Paravel! Another smell interrupted Lia's thoughts, the smell of food.

"Oh good deary, you're awake!" A beaver came into her range of sight, followed by a fawn carrying a tray loaded with hot porridge, a sweet roll, some sort of juice, and milk. The beaver hopped onto Lia's bed. "Here love, let me prop your pillows up for you. There you go! Set the tray on her lap, so she can eat. How are you feeling, deary?"

"I'm a little sore," Lia replied, tearing into her roll.

"Oh of course you are, poor thing! Being treated like that. Well that's all behind you now. I'm Mrs. Beaver, I'll be taking care of you, till your wounds are healed properly."

"I think I'll be alright. I hardly feel a thing."

"That's because we gave you medicine, dear heart. You've a few broken ribs and your pretty face is all mangled. No you'll be in bed for a while." Lia's face fell. "Oh but don't worry, love. Cair Paravel is the perfect place to recover! Why the very air gives you strength! And don't worry about your face, it'll all heal nicely and you won't look any different."

"Mrs. Beaver, don't frighten the poor girl," said King Peter who had just entered the room with the other three. "Good morning, Lia, how are you feeling?" Lucy and Susan rushed to Lia's side.

"Fine, but it's only because of the medicine."

"Speaking of which," piped in Mrs. Beaver as she headed for the door, "be sure to drink all of that juice down, it's laced with your medicine." And she left.

"Well Lia, We all came here to tell you that you are welcome to stay at Cair Paravel, permanently, if that is what you wish," Peter said sweeping his arms around the room. "If not then we can arrange lodgings elsewhere in Narnia for you."

"Could I really stay here?" Lia asked with wide eyes. The girls nodded, smiling. "Oh thank you, your majesties!"

"So why'd you run away? You looked so happy at the party." Lucy asked.

"Well my father and Lare arranged the marriage together. You see I'm his only child, and my parents were worried about my future. If they were to die the estate would go to my cousin. So when Lare asked for my hand, my parents were ecstatic. They knew Lare would take very good care of me so they said yes. I didn't object because I thought that being a wife of a wealthy noble was the only future for me. And Lare was kind enough. But then at the party I realized that didn't want to be married. I couldn't just call off the wedding, everything was arranged. It wasn't until after we were married that I got the opportunity to escape. So on our wedding night I ran away. I guess someone saw me and alerted Lare. His soldiers pursued me all the way into Narnia. They caught me and you know the rest."

"How horrid!" Susan exclaimed.

"I never how single-minded the Archenlanders were," mused Peter solemnly.

"Oh we're not all bad, it's only the nobles. When it comes to marriage they are very strict," Lia defended.

"I meant no offense," Peter apologized.

"It's alright, I took none."

"Well now you're free to do as you wish," said Edmund with a friendly smile. Lia smiled sweetly back.

"We should go, and let you rest," Peter announced.

"I would rather not be alone, perhaps you could send someone to visit, at least while I'm awake."

"I'll stay," Edmund said quickly, jumping on the chance. Lia smiled. The other three filed out room, saying goodbye and wishing Lia a speedy recovery. The girls assured her that they'd visit later too. Edmund pulled a chair up next to the bed and sat down. Somewhere outside a seagull called. A chill breeze blew and Lia shivered.

"Are you cold?"

"A little," She said uncharacteristically shy. He got up and shut the window then came and sat back do.

"Wouldn't be exactly good to catch a cold," he said sardonically. There was a moment of awkward silence.

"I never got the chance to thank you, for intervening for me," She said sounding more like her bold self. "For saving me. Thank you." Edmund smiled warmly.

"You're welcome."

"You know, most people would say thanks first and then apologize. But I had to apologize first." Edmund chuckled.

"Not one who likes doing things the way other people do, are you?"

"No I suppose I'm not. Ah!" She remember then that she had a tray of food on her lap that needed eating. "Here I am chatting away, while good food goes cold." Lia tore, very unladylike, into her bread.

"So where were you planing on running away to?" Edmund asked and hoped that the answer was Narnia. Lia swallowed her food.

"Well at first I was planing to lay low in Archenland, but knowing Lare he would stop until he found me. So I decided on Narnia, and it was a much better choice." She looked at her surroundings approvingly.

"I agree." He grinned.

After Lia had finished eating Edmund told Lia all he could remember of the place he lived before. He told her that his memories were like those of a dream: dim and scattered. The one thing, or rather person, he remembered the most was of his mother. When Lia inquired after her he told her that his mother had dark, wavy hair, green eyes, and red lips. He told her that he remembered that she was endearing but strong. Curious as ever, Lia asked what was the thing he remembered most.

"A wardrobe, with epic scenes carved into it."

"A wardrobe? Curious, why a wardrobe?"

"It's what brought us to Narnia. Lucy discovered it first. Mr. Tumnus was the very first Narnian she ever met. He is her dearest friend. If not for their ages. . ." He shook his head ruefully, not daring to finish the thought.

"Does Peter have a wife?" Edmund laughed. "What?" She asked not getting what was so funny.

"I never thought Peter the marrying type. No he's not married. He's courted a few before, they never last long. To devoted to being High King. He never leaves room for a relationship."

"What about your sisters?"

"Lucy's not interested in a. . .serious relationship. Susan, however, is. She's not found any suitable suiters yet. She's had plenty of offers, though.

"And of King Edmund?" She asked, a mischievous gleam in her eyes and playful curve to her lips. He chuckled softly, looking down.

"No, no lady-friends for Edmund. I've not been looking."

"Why not?" Lia looked at him, her expression somewhere between serious and curious.

"I don't know," He said meeting her gaze. Edmund felt he face redden and quickly looked away, not wanting to reveal to much of his feelings. He chuckled nervously. For the longest time he did not look at her. It was about noon, he observed, looking out the window. It had a nice view of the beach. He spotted Lucy, Susan and Mr. Tumnus swimming in the ocean. Then he looked back at Lia and saw that she had fallen asleep. He closed the curtains to the window to shut out the bright noontime sun quietly left the room.