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 Four

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Tarrin tugged anxiously on the edge of his most formal tunic as he and his family trailed after the huge Tiger leading the way to where they were going to join the Four for dinner. His parents had both stressed the importance of everyone being on their best behavior, even Thane and Shane seemed to grasp the concept as they solemnly nodded in response to their mother's admonishments. Of course, there was no way to know whether the twins would stay on their best behavior for as long as was needed tonight. Tarrin yanked one last time on his tunic as he glanced around, taking in the tasteful elegance of the statues, carvings, tapestries, and stained glass windows they passed as they continued walking. He couldn't wait until the twins asked him to go with them to explore the Cair. And, he knew they would...anything to avoid having to drag Raisa along.

Looking up as his parents came to a halt, Tarrin watched in silent wonder as the huge Tiger opened the doors then bowed his head, "You will find their majesties within."

His father nodded his head, "Thank you..."

The Tiger grinned, which made Tarrin take half a step back at the unexpected sight of those huge teeth while Raisa shrank behind him...the twins simply nudged each other in excitement. "My name is Kumbali."

His father gave a slight bow, "Thank you for escorting us, Kumbali."

Kumbali bowed his head, "It was no trouble. Good evening." Tarrin couldn't help noticing that the Tiger watched them file by him with a fascinated gleam in his eyes, especially the twins…but then all the Narnians he had seen in the last week had been particularly fascinated with his family.

Tarrin's attention was ripped from pondering the strange fascination the Narnians seemed to have with his family when his father bowed and his mother curtsied. He quickly copied his father's movements, out of the corner of his eye, he noted Raisa also sweeping a curtsy in precise imitation of their mother. The twins bowed and Tarrin saw Thane reach out to pinch Shane, only to stop when their mother's gaze landed on them. A bright laugh filled the air, "Oh please stand, there's no need for formality tonight."

Tarrin straightened along with the rest of his family and he was surprised to see Queen Lucy the Valiant standing only a few feet away with her siblings. According to his father, the youngest of the Four was actually a little younger than Tarrin himself while King Edmund was a year older. The youngest Queen smiled brightly, "Welcome Peridan and Marsalla and your children as well. Please come and join us, we've been missing the company."

Tarrin briefly wondered what she meant, but then High King Peter spoke, "Indeed, you are all most welcome but please come and sit. I assure you Kori and the rest of the cooks outdo themselves for every meal, Aslan bless them." The Four led the way to the large table and as soon as everyone took their seats, the High King raised his glass as did his siblings. They waited until Tarrin and his family copied their actions, the twins wrapping both hands around their glasses, and then the High King raised his eyes to the ceiling, "Aslan, for this bountiful meal and friendly company, we give thanks."

That was a lot shorter than the prayers King Lune would offer the few times Tarrin had been present to one of the smaller affairs in the Archenland court...which didn't bother him in the least as his mouth began watering at the most delicious smells wafting in from the platters being carried in by several servants. For a little while, no one said a word as they all enjoyed the meal. Then, his mother looked at Queen Susan, "Your majesty, I apologize that we were unable to attend the celebration thrown in honor of your birthday three days past."

Queen Susan smiled gently, "Do not trouble yourself, Lady Marsalla, we are all familiar with how taxing it can be to travel between Archenland and Cair Paravel, especially in the month of Quickening, and that is without traveling with very young children." The queen's gaze moved over Tarrin and his siblings before returning to Marsalla, "Am I correct in the understanding that you and Lord Peridan have five children?"

His mother nodded, "Yes, your majesty, our youngest, Maisee, is but nine months old."

Queen Lucy suddenly chimed in, "Oh, Maisee is a lovely name."

Queen Susan smiled at her sister before turning back to his mother, "Lady Marsalla, I was wondering if you might join my ladies and I tomorrow morn. I should like the chance to get to know you better."

Tarrin watched as his mother's eyes widened then she smiled back at the young queen, "I'm honored to accept your invitation, Queen Susan."

As his mother continued speaking with Queen Susan and Queen Lucy drew Raisa into the conversation as well, Tarrin realized he was being watched. He looked up and realized that King Edmund was looking at him while High King Peter conversed with his father about the state of Archenland. Looking at him, it was hard for Tarrin to believe that he was but a year older...there was simply something more to the boy...to all four of them really, but then King Edmund smirked and nodded his head toward Thane and Shane. Tarrin looked and immediately winced at how the twins were studiously creating a fort complete with four towers out of bread crusts, celery stalks, some lettuce leaves, and they had planted a wineglass holding a handful of smashed raspberries in the middle of their creation. Not again...Mother in particular would not be happy with any one, except Raisa, if she saw what the twins were doing. He was about to reach for Thane when their parents caught sight of them, "Thane! Shane!"

The twins paused and looked around in surprise when they noticed everyone was looking at them and their fort. His mother was blushing as she turned back to the Kings and Queens, "I am so very sorry, your majesties, for my sons' behavior."

Queen Susan smiled, "Oh please, don't trouble yourself, Lady Marsalla. This is not the first time battlements and such have been built out of leftovers at this table." Tarrin's eyebrows shot up in surprise and wondered how many other dignitaries had been embarrassed by their children. Queen Susan slanted a look at her brothers as she continued speaking. "Indeed, it is not so unusual to find our brothers and a goodly number of our officers animatedly recreating Beruna with whatever leftovers they happen to have at hand, though that battle was won nearly six years past and they do not have the excuse of being only six years of age."

Tarrin's jaw dropped open. He didn't remember to close it again until the Kings chuckled before High King Peter gave his sister a wounded look and placed his hand over his heart, "Aww, Su, are you implying we don't act our age?"

Queen Susan gave the Kings a stern look, although Tarrin could have sworn there was a glimmer of laughter in her eyes, as she responded, "You know you do not, my dear brothers."

King Edmund suddenly cleared his throat, "Oh, but Susan, you must understand that the dissecting and analysis of all possible alternatives to battle plans, especially those that were victorious, is crucial to developing better plans for future battles and improving our tactical comprehension of how minute decisions affect the outcome of a battle. 'Sides we do wait until after dessert is served before we really get into it."

Queen Lucy giggled and even Queen Susan couldn't hide her smile at King Edmund's cheeky tone, while the High King clapped his brother on the shoulder, "Well said, Ed. There you see, Su, no harm done." He looked at Tarrin's parents, "Lord Peridan, Lady Marsalla, I realize the discipline of your children is yours to determine, but perhaps it might wait until we have finished. As our sister has pointed out, we are no strangers to, shall we say, less than perfect manners."

Tarrin watched his mother give his father a long look before she nodded. However, even though his parents and sister each returned to the previous conversation and Thane and Shane continued to work on their fort, now lining the bread crust walls with little blocks of cheese while a handful of raspberries were dropped in front of a celery stick with some lettuce draped over it just outside the fort, Tarrin had no doubt the twins would not be escaping a lecture once they all returned to their quarters. King Edmund turned to his father, "Lord Peridan, I heard you managed to meet with General Oreius."

Tarrin suddenly fought back a laugh as he recalled the way the twins had just been dangling in the air, completely ignoring the fact that the huge Centaur had been holding them by the back of their shirts as they argued. He sobered though as his father nodded, "Yes, your majesty. It was a very informative meeting." Tarrin paused as he nibbled on a piece of blackberry tart. He would have thought that his father would want to inform the Kings right away that he was going to serve in the military and in the court as well, but his father didn't elaborate.

Dessert was brought in and Tarrin was thrilled to see it was pie. He barely hid a grimace though when the slice on his plate revealed it was rutabaga pie...the twins poked at their pie slices before Shane made a face after he took a huge bite out of it. Not wanting to appear impolite, Tarrin took several bites before he forgot himself and blurted out a question that had been plaguing him since the dinner began, "Why did Queen Lucy say you were missing the company?"

His face heated up immediately when everyone looked at him. His parents continued to stare at him while Raisa gave him a disapproving look, but the Four looked from him to each other before Queen Lucy cleared her throat. To his relief, his parents instantly turned to look at the Four although Raisa didn't immediately look away as she was obviously torn between paying attention to the Four or the surprising gaff made by her older brother. But, then Queen Lucy cleared her throat once more before she cheerfully explained, "What I meant was we sometimes get lonely for the company of our close friends, the one I was thinking of has a tendency to lighten the conversation whenever it becomes too heavy. Kat, I mean Lady Katerina is tending to some urgent business otherwise I'm certain she would have loved to meet all of you tonight."

King Edmund nodded solemnly, "Oh yes, she would have been delighted...if we had managed to drag her through the doors."

Tarrin couldn't keep from asking, "Why? What is she like?"

The Four were silent for a moment, then Queen Susan smiled, "Well, it is rather difficult to describe Lady Katerina."

Queen Lucy nodded, "This is true." She turned to look past King Edmund to their elder brother, "Peter, what word would you use to describe Kat?"

The High King didn't even pause before he simply answered, "Sassy."

Queen Lucy giggled before looking at her other brother, "Edmund?"

Tarrin watched, feeling puzzled yet fascinated with the entire situation, as King Edmund tilted his head back to gaze at the ceiling then looked back down at his sister and shrugged, "I was thinking more along the lines of crazy but sassy works too."

The High King snorted into his wineglass and Queen Lucy giggled as King Edmund leaned back in his chair with a satisfied smirk. Queen Susan shook her head at her siblings before addressing Tarrin and his family, "All joking aside, what they are trying to say is that Lady Katerina has a very unique outlook on life, which shall be easier to understand once you have met her in person."

Tarrin glanced away from the Four in time to see his mother directing a slightly alarmed look at his father. None of the Four seemed to notice but his father did. "Given the time, perhaps it is best if my family and I retire now, with your permission, your majesties. We thank you for the invitation and the pleasant company, but we are still recuperating from the rigors of our trip."

The High King nodded, "Of course, pray forgive us for not taking that into account tonight."

Tarrin stood along with his father and prodded Thane and Shane into standing as well before they all bowed and left the table. Glancing down as he walked by Shane's chair, Tarrin had to smother a snicker when he noticed Shane's slice of rutabaga pie with one large bite missing from the end was balanced on top of the wineglass in the middle of their fort, effectively trapping the raspberries in the glass.

This time a large Raccoon led them back to their quarters, but once they reached their quarters, Tarrin was surprised when their parents merely told them all to go to bed. He ushered the twins to their room and helped the maids corral the sleepy boys into washing up and changing into their nightclothes before he went to his own room. It was odd how his parents were acting and he wasn't quite sure about what exactly had happened to cause his mother to look alarmed. Maybe she wasn't feeling well again. Tarrin paused after tugging his nightshirt over his head, and then he decided to go peek in on Maisee. Creeping into the nursery, Tarrin peered into the cradle and grinned at the sight of Maisee sleeping peacefully. He froze though as soon as he heard his mother's voice, "Peridan, what are we going to do?"

"Don't fret, Marsalla, everything shall be all right. We are finding our places and remember Queen Susan has invited you to join her and her ladies in the morning. I wouldn't be surprised if she doesn't ask you to be among her ladies before sunset tomorrow."

His parents must have been standing fairly close to the door separating their rooms from the nursery for Tarrin to hear them so clearly. He didn't dare move until they moved further away again, especially since Maisee might wake if he made too much noise. He heard a slight hopeful tone enter his mother's voice, "Perhaps, but looking too far ahead is what causes us to fall. Peridan, did the General agree to your request?"

"In a manner of speaking. He is going to let me participate in certain areas and duties but the rest will have to wait until after he takes my measure."

"Oh Peridan."

Tarrin held his breath as he heard his father's heavy footsteps come closer to the door, "Don't get upset, o queen of my heart. It will all work out."

He frowned as he heard fear enter his mother's voice, "But, Peridan, what if the tales about her are true?"

"Please, Marsalla, don't worry. Half of those rumors are probably nothing more than the far-fetched ramblings of your uncle and his friends having a few too many drinks in the local pub."

"Sisemaal doesn't have "pubs", Peridan. And, Uncle Teppo is one of King Jukka's advisors. Besides, the rumors are not coming solely from his visits or my mother's letters, they are also in the court at Anvard."

He heard his father sigh, "All right, Marsalla, all right, we will be cautious. But, there is such a mixture of rumors, it will take time to determine which ones are truth and which are just wild tales." Tarrin frowned as he heard his parents' footsteps retreat and he crept out of the nursery and back to his room. There were rumors scaring his mother, but rumors about whom? The queens? That didn't make any sense to him. He was still puzzling over what he had heard when he fell asleep.

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A/N: Please Read and Review! So, this chapter is completely in Tarrin's POV...hopefully you liked it. Next chapter shall probably go back to Peridan and Oreius narrating...although Marsalla might narrate a small piece as well. In any case, leave a review and let me know what y'all though about this one.