Disclaimer: I don't own Narnia or any characters you may recognize from the books or the movies, I wish I did but I don't... I also don't own the Narnian Calendar. It belongs to Elecktrum who was kind enough to let me borrow it for my story. Her own stories are awesome and you should go read them too.
Summary: Don't judge a book by its cover...or a knight by their rumors... A lesson Peridan and his family learned as they adjusted to their new life in Narnia.
A/N: This is part of my A Light in the Darkness universe. I recommend reading the main story arc (Awakening, Shadowed, and Revealed) first, but you can give this one a whirl on its own too.
Chapter Three
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Peridan made sure that Shane and Thane were under the watchful gaze of four of the more experienced family maids before he left for his meeting with the General. He was taking no chances that the twins would be able to slip off and cause any more trouble. The General immediately opened the door at his knock and motioned for him to enter the study. Once safely ensconced in the General's study, which had many papers and files on the desk and several smaller tables but didn't feel cluttered even with the presence of other furniture, the Centaur finally spoke, "There is a chair in the corner if you wish to sit during our conversation."
Peridan absently noted the chair was tucked into the one corner that allowed anyone who sat in it to have a clear view of both the door and the General's desk...and it was the only piece of furniture in the room that was not built to accommodate Centaurs. "With respect, General, I believe I will be fine standing."
The General merely nodded, giving no sign that Peridan had insulted or irritated him by refusing, but the invitation had felt like a test to Peridan. He still managed to meet the General's stern gaze calmly as the Centaur spoke, "Very well. Tell me why you requested this meeting, Lord Peridan."
Blunt and to the point, the Centaur was clearly not worried about offending Peridan and he seemed to expect Peridan to also be straightforward. Peridan willingly obliged him, "General Oreius, I have requested this meeting because I wish to establish my place among the Four's court."
The General flicked his tail before he cut in, "Why do you meet with me if this is the case, Lord Peridan? Should you not focus your efforts elsewhere?"
Peridan blinked but gave no other indication of his surprise. This was the opportunity he had been waiting for, the chance to persuade the only person besides the Four who had the power to turn his request to serve the Four in a military capacity down. "Because I wish to establish my place among the military, not just among the court itself. I served King Lune and his father before him from the time I was seventeen. I wish to continue the path of the warrior in my service to the Four. I, Peridan Nerianson, have already pledged my oath of fealty to the Four and to Aslan. If there is need, I will raise my sword in defense of Narnia and of the Four. My family once served alongside the Royal family of Narnia both as nobles of the court and as brothers-in-arms. When we were forced to flee Narnia by the wrath of the White Witch, we served the Royals of Archenland, but this is now the time for my family to return to Narnia and the Four have welcomed us. Again, I say if there is need, I will raise my sword in defense of Narnia and of the Four, whether I do so only as a noble of their court or also as a brother-in-arms. My wish, however, is to serve as both."
The Centaur watched him with a completely impassive expression, giving Peridan no hint of his thoughts as he waited for the General to make his decision. He was eager to do more, but he knew everything hinged on what the General of the Narnian Army decided. Rumors floating among the court in Archenland reported that the Centaur who served as the Four's General was a formidable being, intensely loyal to and protective of the four sovereigns of Narnia, a true warrior among warriors but also extremely serious in his general demeanor. One of the lords who had visited Narnia and seen the General in person had told Peridan that he pitied the fool who ever tried to attack the Four. Because the General could intimidate people just by entering a room with same serious and impassive look as always, so they could only speculate as to how much worse would the General's anger be to experience. So far, Peridan had to admit that General Oreius was living up to the rumors.
The General spoke without taking his eyes off Peridan, "I took the liberty of inquiring after you with several trusted sources. I am well aware of all of your accomplishments in service to Archenland and the fact that you are yet unknighted only because of your continued refusal to accept King Lune's offers. You have been here for a week, why did you not request this meeting before now?"
Another test, Peridan was certain...because it was what he would do if his and the General's positions were reversed. "It was necessary for me to see to my family's needs before approaching you, General. The journey was long and it took slightly longer for us all to recover." When the General didn't respond right away, Peridan hesitated before cautiously asking, "Do you require an oath of fealty?"
The General shook his head, "No, your fealty is pledged to the Four and to Aslan alone." Peridan was relieved to hear the Centaur's answer. He also felt like he had passed yet another test as the Centaur continued speaking. "Only once, Lord Peridan, have I ever accepted someone who was not originally a soldier of Narnia to enter the military aspect of service to the Four. It did not turn out badly, which is why I am willing to consider your request as I take your measure." The General's eyes flicked to the empty chair for a brief moment before he pinned Peridan with an assessing look and sternly stated, "Both the court and the military of Narnia are far more diverse than those found in Archenland. No one, be they Human, Animal, Magical Creature, or Plant, male or female, will be treated with scorn or malice without an accounting being required. Some Men, though they are successful in the Human courts, simply cannot make the transition to the diverse uniqueness that is Narnia and that is when they visit Cair Paravel as ambassadors. Though you have sworn your fealty to the Four before Aslan and His Father, I reserve my judgment until I have seen and heard how you and your family adjust to Narnia and her people."
Peridan formally bowed, "I hear and understand your reasons, General. I will abide by whatever restrictions you set down until your decision is made and then I will abide by that decision."
The General inclined his head then proceeded to outline a very reasonable and short list of restrictions for Peridan to follow. Peridan bowed again, ready to leave when the General spoke once more, "Lord Peridan, I am curious. Exactly how many children do you have?"
"My wife and I have been blessed with five children."
General Oreius nodded and turned back to his papers as Peridan slipped out of the room and quickly entered the hall outside of the General's quarters. He breathed a sigh of relief at not having his request immediately rejected, praise Aslan, now he merely needed to await the General's decision. Upon reaching their assigned quarters, Peridan was pleasantly surprised to see Marsalla on her feet organizing their children into a straight line as she inspected them for cleanliness. He gave her a questioning look and she smiled faintly, "The Four have extended an invitation for us all to join them for a private dinner tonight. Hurry and clean up, dear, we've less than thirty minutes before a guide will arrive." He walked over to her and kissed her gently before he changed his clothes and freshened up. This would be the first time since they had initially presented themselves to the Four that they would be interacting with the royals. He was equal parts eager, hopeful, cautious, and nervous about the evening ahead. Looking over the twins, who stopped whispering when they felt his gaze, Peridan prayed they would behave themselves at dinner.
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Oreius slipped the letter back into the envelope as he looked over his study. His gaze settled on the chair that Katerina Alambiel had simply carried into the room and placed in that specific corner a few years earlier. She had cheekily told him that the corner looked lonely. Although he had been exasperated with her at first, Oreius grew accustomed to the chair and to the fact that Katerina Alambiel preferred using it when she was rifling through his papers, well, when she wasn't perched on the edge of his desk. His gaze shifted from the chair to the study door, which Peridan had left through an hour beforehand. He was curious as to what Katerina Alambiel would have to say about Lord Peridan once the two met...because he knew she would say something. It was the exact wording and context that he was unsure of...for now.
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A/N: Please Read and Review! Should the next chapter be told from the POV of one of the children, Tarrin or Raisa, or should I keep it in Peridan's POV? Let me know via PM or in your review. Leave a review and let me know what y'all think about this one.