Tada!

Chapter 17—He's Got It All

The next month and a half was very dismal for the Narnians. Not only were they not succeeding in finding out any of the Calormen plans, but it had also been snowing non-stop. This meant they couldn't leave if they needed to, and also Valdis couldn't leave. But things began to look up on one snowy afternoon when Vera and Jacinda had a rather interesting conversation.

"Your plan isn't working." Jacinda raised an eyebrow at Vera and said,

"I'm sorry, but I've been rather busy for the past month and a half…you see, unlike you, I'm getting married."

"You wouldn't be having this wedding if it weren't for me. And I want my Edmund!"

"Goodness you're whiny."

"Excuse me? That is no way to speak to a Princess of Archenland."

"I can speak to you however I want. I'm of higher rank than you."

"And how do you figure that?"

"I'm getting married to Rama, and he's next in line for the throne. Not you. Therefore, I shall be Queen of Archenland."

"You aren't yet."

"I will be soon enough."

"I will have you know that my father is only 49 and is in good health. He won't be passing for a long time." Jacinda's eyes shifted, and Vera's widened. "What are you planning to do to him?"

"That is none of your business."

"Oh? I can easily start helping the Narnians again."

"You wouldn't."

"Oh yes, I would."

"I loathe you."

"I don't care. What are you doing to my father?"

"I don't know Valdis is planning it."

"You lie."

"Fine!" Jacinda huffed. "At the wedding feast, Valdis is going to draw King Nain away on some urgent matter of business, send him out to sea with some of the worst navigators, and they'll be so hopelessly lost that he'll never find his way back home."

"So you aren't harming him in any way?"

"Only his reputation. Us Calormens are too chivalrous to allow any physical harm be done to another royal. And don't fret about your Edmund. The potion is nearly ready. Infact, you may even be able to slip it in his drink at supper tonight."

"But Jacinda, I don't think I can do this anymore…not if my father is a part of this."

"I see. And here I thought you loved Edmund."

"I do love him!"

"Then prove it. Your father will be perfectly safe—why should that stop you from getting what you want?"

"I suppose you're right," Vera sighed. "If it weren't for the little brat I wouldn't have to use the potion."

"Don't worry, she's nothing compared to you. The only reason the Narnian Kings like her is because she's a whore. I have no doubt of their intentions with her. As for Queen Lucy, she likes every person alive except for us Calormens, and she's too naïve to see what Rose really is. But you, you're beautiful and you have morals." It was then they heard an odd noise outside the door.

"What was that?" Vera asked sharply.

"It sounded like someone laughing. Open the door, see if anyone is there."

"No one."

"That's odd. Here, take this. You can put it in his wine at supper."

"Thankyou." Vera left the room, and passed right by Peter, who had heard the entire conversation.

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"Oh, that's terrible! I could never think of betraying any of you," Lucy said once Peter had explained the entire story.

"I feel so violated," Edmund shuttered, and Rose looked to Caspian who was still chuckling.

"What is it?" she asked him.

"Vera has morals…oh the irony," Caspian choked, wiping a few tears from his eyes.

"Caspian, this is a serious matter," Lucy scolded, but he could easily see the smile she was holding back.

"So what are we going to do?" Rose asked.

"Well Ed, don't drink anything for a while," Peter said, and Edmund just gave him a look.

"You think?" Peter laughed, but quickly sobered.

"Anyway, we have got to find out what the Calormens plan is after Jacinda becomes Queen. I know we've been saying it for months now, but it's becoming crucial that we know."

"But we aren't going to let her take the throne," Lucy frowned.

"We'll try our best to prevent it. But in order to do that we need to prove to Nain that they are trying to take over, and the antidote has to be ready in time for the wedding."

"But that's two weeks away."

"It only needs two more weeks. It's been brewing for a month and a half now. But we need to find Jacinda."

"And Valdis," Caspian added. "We should find out where he is planning on sending Nain."

"That's a good idea," Peter nodded.

"Lucy and I will find him. You three find Jacinda," said Rose.

"Definitely not," Peter said instantly.

"We aren't leaving you alone with him," Caspian added.

"Well there isn't a chance of you three getting anything out of him," Lucy pointed out.

"Even so, I'll go with Rose, and Lucy, you go with Peter and Caspian."

"I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself," Rose mumbled.

"I don't care. Come on, we need to find him." Edmund took her arm and they left the others alone.

"We should go too," Lucy said. "Maybe we should split up. It's a big castle, and she could be anywhere."

"Good idea, Lu. I'll go to the main hall. Why don't the two of you try the hall her apartment is in?"

"We'll meet you in our dining room," Caspian said in reply, and they went their separate ways. It didn't take long for Caspian and Lucy to find Jacinda.

"I heard my name," the familiar voice said when Caspian and Lucy passed one of the sitting rooms.

"I had just been mentioning how lovely I think you look today," Caspian said in a very King like manner. Lucy looked up at him with an amused expression on her face. When Jacinda saw Lucy, she instantly grabbed Caspian's arm to try and make her angry. Afterall, she wasn't very fond of Lucy after what had happened with Araminta.

"Really? You do too." Caspian gave her an awkward, uncomfortable smile, but Jacinda couldn't tell the difference. Lucy gave him a little nudge and he said,

"So your wedding is in two weeks. Are you looking forward to it?"

"That is a very personal question, sir," Jacinda giggled. Lucy looked at her a bit strangely. 'What an odd woman,' she thought.

"My apologies, I didn't mean to offend."

"I never said I wouldn't answer. I'm actually not sure if I'm looking forward to it or not," Jacinda sighed, twirling her hair a bit.

'Ah I see where this is going…she's putting on a pity act so that Caspian will feel sorry for her and do what she wants, and make me angry…and she thought I wouldn't figure it out? She's so thick…' Lucy thought.

"Why ever not?" Caspian asked Jacinda.

"It's just, my family has been pressuring me to marry Rama to such an extent that I'm not sure if I love him, or if I'm just trying to please my family." Here Jacinda sent a glare in Lucy's direction, and batted her eyes at Caspian.

"That's never good. Why would your family be pressuring you to marry so young?"

"I'm not sure really…something about being in control, and a war, you know, reasons like that."

"I see," said Caspian, his eyes widening.

"But I would love one last free night with another man," Jacinda said slyly. After winking at Lucy to let her know he didn't mean it he said,

"I would be honored, madam, but I am in a courtship and that wouldn't be right."

"I suppose," Jacinda sighed. "I'll just be off then." After sending another withering glare at Lucy, she ran off in the opposite direction.

"That was different," Lucy grinned.

"I feel violated," Caspian groaned.

"Well you did a good job acting. I hope she didn't find it odd that I didn't react, but I was too focused on what she had said before about the war?"

"I have no doubt that she means war on us. If it was war on Archenland, she would have said. But even someone as dense as her wouldn't tell the rulers of a country that an attack was going to be launched on them during a time of 'peace.'"

"I think you're right," Lucy agreed. "But we still shouldn't jump to conclusions. If we're wrong about their intentions, we don't want to cause any rifts."

"So what do we do?"

"Wait for Peter, Edmund and Rose to get back," Lucy sighed. "Oh I do hope they get back soon…"

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"If I were Valdis, where would I be?" Edmund asked.

"In bed with a prostitute."

"You're horrible," Edmund snickered.

"I'm just honest."

"The sad thing is, you might be right."

"I'm half expecting his door to open right now and see him with some woman."

"Then we wouldn't have to look for him."

"That would be nice." They had no such luck. Infact, it took them over an hour to find him and when they did, they weren't surprised at what he was doing, as he was attached to one of the cooks, who was also Rose's friend.

"Ed, just wait outside. He won't tell me anything if you're there."

"Fine. But just scream if there's a problem," Edmund sighed.

"That will be subtle," Rose joked, and opened the door to the kitchens. "Dara!" she practically shrieked at her friend once she spotted her. "What are you doing?"

"Rose! What are you doing here?" a tall, blonde asked, pulling away from Valdis.

"I was getting something to eat," Rose lied. "What are you doing?" she repeated.

"What does it look like?" Valdis sneered.

"Look, Dara, you deserve so much better than him. Please, if you want a good life, stay away from him. Trust me." Dara nodded and left the kitchens, and Valdis rounded on Rose.

"Jealous?"

"Hardly. I'm just saving her life."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well, you ruined mine, and I didn't want you to ruin hers."

"I don't see why you pretend to loathe me so. I'm doing you a favor."

"What, are you leaving?"

"Very funny." Valdis smiled eerily and touched Rose's cheek. "I'm actually getting rid of your awful father…just for you."

"For me? Really?" Rose asked, pretending to be flattered. Afterall, she might get somewhere if he thought she was on his side. "Where are you taking him?"

"Only to the Lone Islands, so not very far, but I'll ruin his name so that he won't come back."

"And you're doing this just for me?"

"I'd do anything for you darling. I'm placing my sister in the Archenland throne so that your life will be better. Once she's in power she won't let any harm come to you. And then once Jacinda is in power, I'll have her launch a surprise attack on the Narnians to get revenge for them treating you so unfairly."

'Treating me unfairly, eh?' Rose scoffed inwardly, but said out loud, "Oh Valdis, how could I ever have been so wrong about you?"

"The Narnians corrupted you."

"I do believe you're right. I must be off, I must tell them I've changed my mind." Rose ran off and began laughing hysterically.

"You're something else," Edmund laughed, shaking his head.

"Oh I cannot believe he bought that," Rose grinned as they walked back up to their quarters.

"That was pretty miraculous. I never would have believed you for a second."

"Yes, but you know me and you're an experience politician. He only thinks he is, whereas you can handle any situation."

"I'm glad to know you have such faith in me," Edmund said wryly, but then frowned.

"What is it?"

"If Valdis knows you aren't really breaking off ties with us, he'll change his plans."

"Oh dear, you're right…"

"I suppose just pretend like you're still talking to us so that his plans will be more inconspicuous."

"That should work."

"Well I must say, I'm glad I didn't go in with you."

"What did I tell you?"

"Yes, yes, you're correct."

"As usual." Edmund just rolled his eyes.

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"Where is he?" Vera whined when she sat down for supper that evening. One of her ladies in waiting turned to her and said,

"I'm sorry miss, but the Narnians are dining in their private quarters this evening."

"No!"

"I'm afraid so."

"I'll be back," Vera growled, and stormed up to the Narnians quarters. She knocked viciously on the door, and Peter opened it. "May I speak to Edmund?" Before an answer was given she stalked in, grabbed Edmund's arm, and pulled him into the hall.

"Er-hello," he said, looking at Vera a bit oddly.

"How did you know?"

"Know about what?"

"The potion."

"Ah, so you admit it."

"HOW DID YOU KNOW?"

"I have my sources," Edmund said vaguely, not wanting to drag Peter into this. "And may I suggest that if you want someone to love you, let them come to it on their own terms."

"But you won't, not with my sister around."

"Even if I didn't know Rose, there would be no chance of me falling in love with you. I do not love, I forbid myself to. So don't drag Rose into this, because it's your own fault I could never even begin to think of being friends with you after all that you've done: causing Rose all the pain you have, and betraying your own family just to get what you want. Yes, I do know these things. So don't try to make me fall in love with you, because whatever you do won't work."

"You're lying. You do love. You love her."

"Lucy? Why yes, she is my sister."

"No, Rose! I see the way you look at her, and all the reasons you just gave for not loving me all have to do with her. But I'll have you know this—she'll use you once and throw you away just like everyone else. And when she does, don't expect me to help you recover. You're a fool, Edmund Pevensie. That whore doesn't deserve your love." Vera stomped off and Peter came out into the hall.

"Is everything alright?"

"I don't know anymore."

"Knowing you, you don't want to talk about it, do you?"

"You know me too well."

"I hope that's a good thing."

"It is. Thanks Pete."

"For what?"

"For not forcing what I'm thinking out of me."

"Oh, that. You're welcome." Edmund gave him a weak smile and they rejoined the others.

"There you are! Sit down, we need to discuss what we're going to do…"

Yeah. Out of all these chapters, this one is definitely my least favorite. I'm sorry it's so bad, but the next one should be better.