Disclaimer- I don't own then… I just enjoy pretending I do.
Chapter 11- Peter and Susan
The rain pelted down fiercely, splattering against the windowpanes, leaving behind streaks of water. The Narnians were hurriedly heading indoors, trying to keep dry and warm in the chilly weather. Most of the Narnians, that is. Three of these said Narnians were in fact still outdoors, and had no intention of returning to the warmth of indoors anytime soon.
These three were the three kings and queens of Narnia: High King Peter the Magnificent, King Edmund the Just, and Queen Lucy the Valiant. The three monarchs were running around the grounds of Cair Paravel with their arms outstretched and their mouths open, attempting to catch the rain on their tongues. Their shrieks of laughter could be heard by all occupants of Cair Paravel, including their less-than-pleased sister, Queen Susan the Gentle.
Susan let out a huff of frustration as she watched her siblings outside in the rain. She quickly headed downstairs, leaving her original post at a window. As she hurried down, she stopped a faun and asked her to bring three warm towels to the entrance. The faun bowed graciously and rushed away to do her bidding.
Once Susan had reached the entrance to the gardens, she stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at the rain and her siblings, who were still quite far away. She could just make out the shape of Edmund, who had just jumped on Peter, resulting in the two falling into a nearby puddle. Lucy, not one to miss out on the fun, pounced on both of them. The three laughed and stood up, soaking wet. It was only then that they realized the door to Cair Paravel was open, and a very angry sister stood awaiting them.
Peter let out a sigh before turning to his siblings.
"Come on, we better go before Susan gets really mad," he said reluctantly. Edmund looked hesitant.
"Err, Pete? Knowing her, she's already mad. Is it… safe to go in at the moment?" He asked nervously, looking at the figure of their sister in the distance and gulping. Lucy giggled at Edmund's comment.
"Oh Ed, you're not scared of Susan are you?" She teased. Edmund looked at her.
"Of course I am! Susan can be downright terrifying sometimes!" Peter grinned at his sibling's antics before placing an arm around each of them.
"Come on. Time to face your fear, Ed."
The three monarchs approached Susan, growing increasingly nervous at the sight of her stance, her chin held high, hands on hips, and her eyes flashing. Edmund gulped again, Peter's grip on his siblings tightened. But Lucy merely laughed, knowing that her brother would be blamed rather than her. She was right, of course.
"Peter!" Susan exclaimed loudly as they finally reached the stairs leading to the entrance. Peter winced.
"I can't believe you'd be so… so foolish as to stay out in the rain! And taking these two with you!" She continued, gesturing at Lucy and Edmund, the latter looking both guilty and relieved that Peter was the one being scolded.
"Aw Su, come on. It's been an age since we've been able to go out in the rain, and with all the events that have been happening, it was a much needed break," Peter protested.
"A much needed break that will end up with the three of you sick in bed and leaving me with all the work," Susan snapped back. At the sound of hooves, she spun around to see the faun she had previously requested towels from. She thanks the faun and took the towels, which were quite warm. She thrust one each at Peter and Edmund, and decided to dry Lucy herself. Lucy's eyes were wide before they disappeared under the rapid motion of the towel. Susan rubbed ferociously, all the while frowning at Peter, who was trying to dry his own hair, which was currently sticking up in different directions.
"Honestly Peter, what were you think?" She asked slightly quieter. Peter continued rubbing his hair methodically.
"We were just having fun, Su. Don't you remember jumping in puddles, playing tag in the rain?" He asked her. Susan blinked.
"Well yes, of course. But it's different now, Peter. We're meant to be Kings and Queens. We're respected and we hold authority. We have to behave like adults down and take responsibility for our actions, not go gallivanting around the gardens acting like immature children," she responded, her voice growing louder. Peter looked at her.
"I think Lucy's hair is dry enough," he commented. Susan looked down, and sure enough Lucy's hair was only slight damp. She removed the towel from Lucy's hair and handed it to the young Queen, who was in the process of patting her head and wincing. Lucy spun around and glared at Edmund, who had begun sniggering at her actions. He quickly fell silent.
"Susan, I know we have a lot of responsibility on our hands," Peter began. All three of his siblings looked at him. "But that doesn't mean we have to grow up into adults overnight. We're still children. We still do childish things because we're not grownups yet. And it's alright that we do. The Narnians understand that we're still young, and they respect us because we're young but also responsible. You can be both, Su. It doesn't have to be a choice between one of the other." Peter held Susan's gaze for a few moments before turning to his younger siblings.
"Now, you two. I want you out of these wet clothes immediately. We don't want you catching a cold," he said with a smile as he tweaked Lucy's nose. She grinned at him sweetly.
"We're not the only one with wet clothes on, Peter," she pointed out. Peter glanced at himself, remembering that he too had been in the rain.
"Oh very well," he sighed, turning towards the staircase. Lucy and Edmund followed quietly for a few seconds before Peter turned quickly and, grabbing Edmund around the waist, proceeded to carry him upstairs. Edmund protested vehemently, feeling that his pride was being compromised, while Lucy followed, nearly tripping over her own feet from laughing so hard. Susan watched her siblings go to their rooms, a small smile on her face. She turned away, Peter's voice echoing in her head.
"You can be both, Su. It doesn't have to be a choice between one of the other."
That night at dinner, Susan turned to Peter at their table.
"You're right," she said softly. He looked at her, quite lost.
"I'm right?"
"Yes, you are. I can finally see that now. We… we are monarchs. We have responsibilities; we have to attend to our duties. But we are also children who are still learning about life. We are still growing, and its being a child that helps us become the adults we are born to be." She finished quietly, a smile gracing her lips. Peter stared at her for a few seconds before his face broke out into a smile.
"I'm proud of you Su," he whispered in her ear. She smiled back at him. The two then turned to look at their younger siblings, who were having a small argument.
"Edmund, you took that off my plate!"
"I did not; it's been on mine for ages!"
"Then where had mine gone?"
"I don't know, I don't keep track of your food!"
"Except when you steal it!"
Before their argument could grow any further, Susan decided to intervene.
"Hey!" She flung a pea straight at Edmund.
And thus began the first food fight at Cair Paravel.
A/N- Ok, this isn't very good, I know. But I feel guilty because I haven't updated in AGES. I've had writers block, and exams…. Anyway, yes, as always, reviews are appreciated!