Narnian and some characters belong to CS Lewis and some characters to elecktrum. I'm just borrowing them for a bit, I will put them back unbroken and hopefully untarnished when I'm finished . Some I just made up. This isn't meant to be a Mary Sue so if I'm going wrong please tell me.
I watched as Minovan closed the door behind Edmund, my initial displeasure at him interrupting my day vanished at the thought of being part of one of his schemes.
I had helped him before sometimes knowing that I was helping and sometimes not. The best for Narnia always seemed to be after he had been in the chapel. I nodded to myself. Aslan himself guided my brother's steps and as such I needed to convince Peter that I needed a champion.
I twirled in the sunlight that glinted on the court windows and started to skip down the corridor, I caught myself on the third skip. I was grown up now.
The references to the window could not be mistaken; he wanted me to end seeing Tunmus "I won't" I declared to myself. I stopped myself from turning around and poking my tongue at the closed door far behind me.
It was at the third corridor that I saw Tyran, one of my ladies in waiting, she was laughing into her wing tips.
"Tyran! Why the mirth?"
The goose dropped her wing tip "oh Lucy! It was such a sight you have just missed it" she waded into one of the open spaces that make Cair Paravel so light and airy. The entire population of the garden was smiling and sitting in the middle was my one of ladies, a small and shy mouse that generally looked after my ribbons was on a garden bench, being fanned by a honey eater.
"Oh Lucy! Lucy!" the goose was practically honking my name "Captain Kannel came and bowed to Erann and said the Centaur Orieus felt the Lady Se'zann the weapon master of the Western Wall should be on her list of legendary woman warriors"
"My ribbons were pretty today were they? Brother Mine" I muttered under my breath.
Centaurs in the women's gardens were enough to make most of the ladies flit, but to have the dashing and handsome bow to the smallest of my staff would have been a sight.
Erann lists were made up on the spot and many an afternoon not involving court duties were filled with discussion of such lists, yesterday the list had been woman warriors, in this very garden. My brow furrowed. How had Edmund known?
That was why I'm getting increasingly angry with him, it wasn't fair that he knew everything, there was no news that I could give the Just King that he didn't already know and his night terrors seemed to be getting worse. I longed to sit and talk with him, in the shade of the castle, talk to him about Tunmus and Susan and Peter and, and, and… the list I admit was a long one. I had always liked to talk to Edmund and today was not going to be the day either. I missed him.
"Queen Lucy" a tall rabbit with a fetching blue bonnet sat next to me, when I smiled at her, she continued "the silk worms and the textile traders are in the morning room west wing"
I turned; it seemed we never had much time together to talk anymore.
oooXXXooo
We were meeting a Calormen delegation at this evening meal, I had spent so long admiring the fine threads of our eastern provinces that I was running late, I had also lost my shoes, gained a blue silken shawl that I'm sure Susan would love, that was currently wrapped around my shoulders, I was running with my skirts held high with the swift gazelle Jill at my side it was an evening for racing on the beach, dancing in the woods and singing with the Merpeople, it was definitely not a night for sitting quietly and eating daintily oil drenched foods with old men who reeked of cloying clove perfume.
Su was waiting for me outside the room, I could feel her disapproval before Id even reached her, it rolled of her in waves that had me slowed to a sedate walk by the time I reached her, and Jill had taken cover down another corridor.
"Lucy" she said as she straightened my crown and smoothed my hair " you are Queen Valiant" she paused "and these are Calormen from the Tisroc himself who are set in their ways, try and remember how we present ourselves is how we present Narnia" I pulled my skirts down to cover my stained bare feet before she noticed.
"We had better hurry, Edmund has missed both break fast and lunch, he'll be starving" I knew how to deflect my sisters attention from my current state of attire.
She pivoted gracefully and opens the doors in a fluid motion, the four men seated at the low tables on large cushions immediately rose as Susan and I entered. My elder brother's presence dominated the room. It seemed to be a physical force that filled every nook and cranny.
He didn't say anything to either of us, just stepping forward to first me, lightly touching his lips to my forehead and to Su who smiled at his silent greeting, he took Su's arm and escorted her to a cushion by his side, Edward was their for my arm and settled me on a cushion away from Su. Which surprised me, Su was famous for pinching me at these diplomatic meetings to keep me quiet.
I looked around their was more servants than normal for this type of visa entry interview, many were young females and I wondered briefly if we sought to show the Calormen who prized female beauty that Narnia had many beauties. It made me vaguely angry that we would stoop to consider that part of Calormen culture.
Peter began the formal introduction and I nodded and spoke in turn as I looked at our guests. They looked like most Calormen diplomats and I wondered briefly if they had a uniform. A turban decorated with feathers and jewels topped the white voluminous billowing cloaks that were covered in talismans and tassels enveloping both men and in sitting on the cushions they looked like meringues covered with sprinkles.
Su suggested we eat as we spoke, Ed was quickly into the food, which had Su eyes narrowed and I knew my appearance would not be a matter of discussion before bed tonight.
It turned out the Calormen were here to search for a missing statue of their horrid god, I'm condensing the conversation for you as Calormen take forever and ever to say anything and they say it in a most convoluted manner. I quietly listened to their story, in between Tisroc (may he live forever!) and quotes from the poets, it turns out that the statue was quite important and they wished to travel to a Centaur settlement in the South to search for it and needed passes for two maybe three weeks.
It is very rude to interrupt a Calormen when they are in story mode, so we sat and patiently listened through the story that took three courses. At the end, just when dessert was being served, they finished formally and Su was smiling,
"Tarkaan Ashota, Tarkaan Areshhessh, I believe I have been gifted a boon that may save you much travel" She inclined her head to Peter "if my High King Peter will excuse me from the table I will fetch it from my quarters"
As Peter murmured his assent, I watched Ashota eyes as they watched the interchange between Peter and Su, the Calormen not knowing Alsan, had made some assumptions in regards to my siblings' relationship. That did not stop their prince from pursuing Su, but it was still insulting. Ed casually reached across and took Peters plate to finish the oily desert that was left. Ashota eyes widen and flickered in astonishment between my brothers and a heat flared up from my chest.
"O, Most High King" Areshhessha began even his voice was oily, "as Queen Susan in our sight, as the poets say, is a jewel who glimmers in with many jewels"
"She's pretty handy with a bow and arrow too" I interjected. Ed didn't stop his eating, but Peter stilled slightly.
Areshhessha, cleared his throat unsure of why I had been allowed to speak, he thought he had paid us a compliment by calling my sister a jewel, and Susan was a Jewel in her graciousness and gentleness, but this man did not mean that, he was commenting only on her physical beauty and at this I felt insulted. What use was that sort of jewel except to be an ornament?
"An unnecessary and unseemly occasion for a Tarkeena" said Ashota firmly; you could hear the distaste in his voice. "The poets say "raising children is an art...""
The heat had reached my cheeks and I interrupted hotly "Narnian women are extremely proficient in the arts of war also, Sir!" I turned to Peter whose eyes had hardened first towards the Calormen and then towards me "In fact, to prove the effectiveness of my gender to you Tarkaan, with the High Kings permission I intend to enter a lady Champion in this year's Lone Isle Tournament!"
Peter was angry, but other than the chilling in the room he gave no sign of it. "We already have a much loved Champion, your Highness"
"Me!" said Edmund it was the only word he had contributed that evening.
"Of course you are," I was floundering now" but we could start a new division, like hand to hand combat and then we, well, Ed could compete in the lances"
"Don't you think I could win in close quarter combat?" Edmund mildly asked me. What was he doing, this was his idea!
I was abruptly aware of how this conversation must appear to the Calormen and my cheeks redden further, bickering between children. I opened my mouth and was saved from saying anything by the poised return of Su who carried a small ornament box.
She picked up the chill in the room immediately and sent a questioning glance to Peter who remained mute. She sat gracefully, placing the box in between the empty dishes "I am sure that you would be honoured to accept this in response to your request to the Lion Throne" she said as she deftly flicked the box open facing the Calormen.
Both men opened their mouth in shock, I strained to see around the box lid, what I could see was an extremely distasteful statue of something with lots of teeth and arms. No wonder it was in a box.
Susan continued "I had thought to give it to Prince Raba-"
Ashota interrupted by spitting out "you have kept this sacred Statute in the worthless women's quarters!"
My voice was clear in the silence, "Susan, I was suggesting to the High King in your absence that we should have a Lady Champion at this years Tournament, not competing against our esteemed brother, of course, perhaps in a hand to hand combat, against all species."
Susan smiled directly towards me, "yes, that does sound appropriate for this years festivities, Peter" she was totally ignoring the Calormen now, her cheeks were flushed " I believe since our honoured guests no longer need to travel South, they can stay and enjoy the fray"
High King Peter rose signally the end of the meal, the end of the interview and the registering of the insult, it was impossible not to rise with him and we all did, including the Calormen.
"Gentlemen, the Lion Throne is pleased that Narnia could return your icon with little delay, let it not be said that Narnia holds to the relics of our neighbours, since that you no longer need to travel South please enjoy our hospitality until the Tournament and then until fair winds prevail for your swift journey home"
He led us out of the room and he strode towards our private quarters and we followed in his wake in silence until we reached our quarters.
When he closed the thick doors was shut behind. He spun and addressed us three.
"Since when did we want to go war against the Calormen?" Peter could roar at a whisper "and where were you, my diplomat? Stuffing your face" the last was addressed at Edmund.
Edmund opened his mouth but Susan beat him to actually say something "Peace brother, he hasn't eaten all day and they were obnoxious" she tossed her hair "worthless women's quarters, indeed!"
"an additional champion for the crown throne at the Lone Island Tournament is nothing to do with the Calormen, Peter, there is no way it can be construed as an act of aggression against the Tisroc, The tournament is after all Narnians competing against Narnians" Edmund spread his hands in a conciliatory manner as he spoke.
Peter eyes narrowed "good my brother, I feel that I face the diplomat who has resurfaced when I need my brother"
There was a brief silence that followed Peter's words as Ed held his gaze, I couldn't help but break the stalemate.
"Peter, He called Susan and I worthless women when Su was returning an item that obviously has as much value to them, why else would they travel so far to gain it? And then when we return it to them it they insult us! They do not just insult as Queens of Narnia but every female cousin!" I knew I was repeating myself but a sense of outrage was still in my chest no matter how quelling the High Kings gaze. "We may not want to go to war with Calormen but THEY obviously wish to start a conflict with us"
"She speaks the truth, Peter, and well you know it" Edmund spoke "The Tarkaans had no cause to insult Queen Susan and in such a public manner also, Her Majesty was not to know there was a gender preference to that Icon. It is trivial to us as we are Aslans, however they see a transgression when we do not"
A chill went through my bones, quelling some of the heat in my chest, I bet Queen Susan didn't know that the artefacts religious significance were Male Orientated, but King Edmund the Just, the crowned head who was our main ambassador to the Calormen and Telmarine would know just that. I resolved to quiz Su as soon as we retired to our chambers to where she had got the artefact from exactly.
"They as Tisroc ambassadors have erred, ours was a innocent mistake. Our Gentle Queen was preparing to return the artefact to Prince Rabadash, perhaps that mere fact of good intention saved the artefact from destruction. We were acting in good faith with a religious artefact that has no place in Alsans country. They, however, are in our Court in Cair Parvel. I ask you, My High King, if we were in Calormen and you berated the Tisroc for his ownership of slaves or perhaps insulted the Prince Rabadash?" Edmund voice was silky "even now they would be arming their Calvary"
There was silence again. Peter took of his crown and rubbed to clear the slight indent on his forehead with his thumb and index finger. I felt a deep pang of sympathy; his crown was far heavier than ours. I knew his head would be aching from his long day.
"You must also consider the impact this insult will have on our allies and our cousins, there is many a noble young man who will be on our doorstop tomorrow who will want to prove themselves to the Gentle Queen, our cousins will take this as insult to both Queen Susan and Queen Lucy" Edmund smiled ruefully at Su, "this may be the queen who launches a 1000 ships, those who will not stir for Queen Susan, will stir for Queen Lucy, the very trees will sing for a vengeance with Calormen"
Peter almost flopped in one of the chairs that surrounded the fire that blazed. "The impact of their insult will ripple across Narnian and beyond. We must take immediate action to settle those ripples" Edmund continued.
Peter leaned forward and steeped his fingers to his chin, his crown on the side of the chair "In truth I did not see events in this light, Edmund" he began "Is this in fact the first of our war councils?, should we wake the lords and commence preparations for battle, you speak truthfully that as Tisroc ambassadors they insult not only our queens but Narnia itself, do you believe Aslan wishes us to War with Calormen?"