Chapter Seven, hope you enjoy. It's almost a filler chapter, except for the part at the beginning and the end. But it's cute.
Chapter Seven-What About Now
"Would you care to explain why you've been killing the innocent animals of Narnia?" Edmund asked, pacing the room where ten guilty Calormen sat, looking rather wary.
"We were instructed by Prince Valdis, Your Majesty." The speaker looked over at Lucy, who was writing all that was being said onto a piece of parchment.
"And why did he tell you to do this?"
"He believed it necessary if Princess Araminta is to rule Narnia."
"Your country believes Araminta will become Queen of Narnia?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Do they have any reason to think this?"
"Only Princess Araminta's word."
"Then I am afraid Araminta is lying to Prince Valdis. We have reason to believe Caspian does not have any feelings for Araminta in any way other than friendship," Edmund lied. Like Caspian could be friends with Araminta after the incident with Lucy? Though they had found out the Princess was lying a few weeks ago, Caspian still could barely keep from attacking her whenever she came near him, something that happened more often than anyone would like. "Tell me, do you think that murder is acceptable here in Narnia?"
"No, Your Majesty."
"Then why did you do it?"
"We always do as instructed, Your Majesty."
"Did the Tisroc have anything to do with this?"
"I believe so, Your Majesty."
"Very well. I will write to the Tisroc himself, explain the situation, and request someone to come and take the ten of you and Araminta back to Calormen."
"You can't do that."
"And why not? This is not your country, I have the right to do as I please."
"But the Tisroc will probably kill us for telling you all this."
"And how is that any different from what you did to atleast nine families?" The Calormen speaker fell silent. "Blane take these men to a room."
"A room, Your Majesty? But there are ten of us."
"Be thankful I am not sending you to the dungeon," Edmund said tersely.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"And Blane? Find Hector, and guard the room. One inside, one out." The men were lead out, and Edmund flopped down in a chair. "Wow, I haven't had to act like that in years."
"Good to have you back, Ed," Caspian grinned.
"I don't think this is over yet, though," Peter said.
"Me neither," Edmund, Lucy and Caspian said together.
"Caspian, I think you should write to the Tisroc." Caspian looked over at Edmund and said,
"Why me?"
"Well you are the rightful King of Narnia at this present time," Edmund pointed out. "Peter and I may be here, but Narnia crowned you seven years ago. We were crowned about 1300 years ago."
"I suppose you're right. However, do you think it would be better if we went to Calormen and spoke to the Tisroc in person?" Caspian asked.
"We don't want to do that only because in Calormen, they have the upper hand. It's their land; they can do whatever they want with us. We'll only go to Calormen if the Tisroc refuses to send a ship over to Narnia," Peter said. Caspian nodded, and took out a quill and a piece of parchment. Edmund, Peter and Lucy all conversed in low voices until Caspian was finished, and he handed the piece of paper to them.
"What do you think?"
To the Tisroc of Calormen-
Late last night, November 27th, ten Calormens were brought to Cair Paravel by a small party of Narnians. This small party informed us that these Calormens had murdered nine innocent Narnian families. While questioning them, they told us they had been instructed to do so by Prince Valdis himself, and that they believed you to be a part of this as well. They told us Prince Valdis asked them to kill as many animal families as possible, because, I quote, "he believed it necessary if Araminta is to rule Narnia." With all due respect, we ask that you send a ship to Narnia as soon as you get this letter to take these ten Calormens and your daughter back to your own country. Please do not take offense at this request, for High King Peter, King Edmund, and myself all believe it is only right. Your people have caused much suffering in our country these past few months. We wish to remain at peace, and will ask you for nothing but what we have already requested.
King Caspian X of Narnia
"I think that will do. Are you sure you don't want to mention to him you aren't going to marry his daughter?" Peter asked, and Caspian nodded.
"I think it's implied since we're asking for her to go home as well." The four of them walked outside to find Bash, one of the eagles that lived at the castle.
"Your Majesties," the bird said, and bowed deeply when they approached.
"Bash, we need you to do us a favor," Peter said, and the eagle nodded.
"Whatever it is, I will be glad to help."
"You're the swiftest creature out of everyone who lives here; we need you to deliver a letter to Calormen."
"Your Majesty, with all due respect, I am not a mail carrier."
"We know that Bash, but this letter is of great importance. If it wasn't, I wouldn't dream of asking you. But you would be doing us an extreme favor."
"If it is of such importance, then I will fly right away."
"Thankyou, you will be greatly rewarded when you return. And Bash? Insist you return with a letter from the Tisroc himself, telling us whether or not he will do as we requested."
"As you wish, Your Highness. I will return as quickly as possible." With another bow, the eagle departed, leaving the royal party on the beach.
"I wonder if anyone's gone in the water this late in the year," Lucy finally said, and the three boys just looked at her.
"It's doubtful, afterall it is rather cold," Caspian said.
"It's probably not that cold."
"Oh really? I bet that you wouldn't want to go in there right now."
"I would if I had to!"
"Fine then, I dare you to go in."
"Why? To scared to go in yourself?" Lucy retorted, and Caspian grinned.
"Alright then, we'll both go in."
"Er-I don't think that's the best idea," Peter said, but Caspian and Lucy were already running toward the water. "I will never understand them."
"Don't complain, atleast they're friends again."
"IT'S FREEZING!" Lucy shrieked, and Caspian laughed, his teeth chattering.
"I told you it would be!"
"Then why were you stupid enough to suggest we both go in!" Lucy cried, and both of them began to swim back to shore.
"It's Caspian, doesn't that explain enough?" Peter teased, and Caspian stuck his tongue out at him. "Real mature, mate."
"Come on, we should get you two back to the castle before you catch pneumonia," Edmund said, shaking his head in disbelief. "Here." He wrapped his cloack around Lucy's shoulders, and she nodded in thanks.
"There you all are!" Damien said once they had returned to the castle. "Drinian's looking for you three, and Carina is looking for you, Lu."
"She's going to have to wait," Lucy said.
"Er…why are you and Caspian wet?"
"It's his fault." She mockingly glared at Caspian, who just grinned.
"I see. Drinian's in his study, if you two want to find him."
"Thanks Damien." Peter and Edmund walked off, leaving Damien alone with Caspian and Lucy.
"Would you like me to send for something hot to drink?" he asked them, and both of them nodded.
"Yes please," Lucy said weakly. "Is it just me, or is getting colder in here by the second?"
"Oh it isn't just you," Caspian said.
"Alright, we need to get you two up to your rooms before you pass out. Lucy, get on my back, and Caspian, lean on my arm." They did as instructed and the three of them made their way up the stairs very slowly. "Now go get showered and changed and I'll call for some tea." The other two nodded, and entered their respective rooms. As soon as their doors closed, Damien headed for the kitchens.
"Hello Damien, what may I help you with today?" Elise, one of the servants, asked him.
"Just some tea…very, very hot tea."
"Coming right up." He sat down for a minute until the door burst open, revealing a beautiful young lady with dark skin and jet-black hair.
"Araminta, what are you doing here?" Damien asked, surprised.
"I need food," she said.
"What is the matter?"
"Nothing…I just want to go home."
"I thought you wanted to be with Caspian."
"Oh please, it's so obvious he'll always have feelings for that little brat."
"When you say 'that little brat' I sincerely hope you don't mean Lucy."
"Of course I do, who else would I be talking about?" Damien's eyes darkened a bit, but Araminta sighed and sat down. "Atleast someone in this castle has feelings for me."
"I didn't believe anyone did," Damien said, not caring if he was rude anymore. He had gotten over how beautiful Araminta was a while ago, for she had caused Lucy too much pain to be forgiven easily.
"Oh really? I thought you did."
"Me? What gave you that impression?"
"Well you used to gawk at me almost every day if you remember."
"I won't deny that you're by far the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, but my heart already belongs to another."
"Ha! I doubt it."
"Doubt all you want, Araminta. But know this…at the rate you're going, no one will ever, ever love you."
"Excuse me?"
"You're selfish, you're vain, and you're cruel." He stood up and glared at her. "You need to grow up and get over yourself." Araminta's eyes widened, and before she could say anything Damien had taken the tray from Elise's hands and was already storming up the stairs.
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"Thanks Damien."
"No problem, Lu. You'll never guess who I ran into in the kitchens."
"Who?"
"Araminta."
"Why was she in the kitchens? I didn't think that she would want to associate herself with anyone of 'lower class' than us."
"That doesn't matter. What matters is I told her off."
"You did? Oh, bravo!"
"Thankyou very much." The dark haired elf bowed and Lucy applauded him. She sneezed violently and Damien shook his head. "I still can't believe you two were stupid enough to jump in the ocean in freezing weather."
"Me neither, I think I'm getting sick." Lucy coughed a little and sniffed.
"Well I'm not surprised. I'll go find Shaina and Carina and tell them you're sick."
"Thanks Damien." He left the room, and Lucy lay there for a few minutes. After many attempts of reading, sleeping and drawing, she finally got fed up. She wrapped herself in a quilt and made her way across the hall to Caspian's room.
"Hey Lu," he said. "Do you feel terrible too?"
"Yes," she sniffed. "I hate not doing anything."
"Well atleast we can not do anything together." Caspian moved over a little to make room for Lucy, and she sat down next to him. "Sorry about this."
"It isn't your fault. I could have chosen not to go in." She paused, and then said. "Guess what Damien did?"
"What?"
"He told Araminta off."
"Really? Finally! She's had it coming for a while." More silence ensued, so Caspian took it upon himself to bring up a question he had wanted to ask Lucy for a while. "Lu, do you…do you want to start courting again?" She looked over at him, and his hopeful expression caused her heart to ache when she said her next statement.
"Not now, Caspian." His face fell, and she quickly continued. "Caspian, we've been stupid enough to do that once in Araminta's presence. We can't let it happen again."
"I guess you're right."
"When she goes home, we'll talk. Okay?" He nodded, and Lucy smiled. "For now, being friends will have to suffice."
"As long as I can talk to you, I don't mind. Those few weeks had to be the worst of my life."
"Mine too." Lucy wrapped her blanket around her a little tighter. "It was so weird not being able to tell you anything."
"I agree." He laid his head on her shoulder, and she gently stroked his hair. They yawned simultaneously and in the next few minutes they were both asleep.
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"Should we wake them?" Peter whispered, and Edmund shook his head.
"Let them sleep. And when they wake up, a day alone together will do them good."
"I suppose you're right. You don't think they'll…"
"They'll…"
"You know, do…anything?" Edmund looked at his brother in disgust.
"I certainly hope not. That's just…ugh." Peter and Edmund were silent for a few minutes, trying to wash out the unwanted images Peter had accidentally planted in their heads.
"Hopefully they'll get better in time for the wedding. It's only a few days away."
"I'm sure they will be, I don't think it's anything serious."
"I hope not…life without Caspian and Lucy? That's too depressing to even think about." They said their goodnights, and both of them went into their respective rooms, as it was extremely late.
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"Please, all I want to do is talk to my fellow Calormens."
"I am afraid we cannot grant that wish, Lady," Blane said. "Go back to bed."
"You have no right to tell me what I can or cannot do."
"I have a right to keep you from entering this room. These men are criminals."
"They're my friends!"
"I am sorry, but-"
"Look here, you disgusting creature," Araminta hissed, grabbing the cheetah around the neck. "I have extremely important affairs to discuss with these men, and if you don't let me in right now, I will squeeze this hand and this will be the last conversation you will ever have."
"I would like to see you try." Blane whipped his tail, and it hit her in the face. She instantly let go, and the cat hissed at her. "You will not enter this room." Araminta knew she had been defeated, and stormed back to her room.
"I hate Narnians," she muttered. "And they will all suffer as I have done, even if it's the last thing I do."
Foreshadowing anyone? Review please!!
PS-next chapterLots of Lucy/Caspian