Author's Note: Rameesh's stay in Narnia will occupy the next three or four chapters (maybe more knowing how I tend to run with these things!)
IDYLL: PART 1
Long, she corrected very quickly, and tiring; for the court of Narnia was in constant glittering attendance, providing entertainment to its guests as if to grant an hour's respite would provoke war between the kingdoms.
They rode in sparkling cavalcade to Beaversdam; cantered into the foothills of the mountains between Narnia and Archenland; toured pretty villages and endless rolling countryside. Eustace winced with every step he took, grumbling to anyone who would listen about the horrid discomfort of saddle-soreness. Edmund laughed at him, and everyone was too polite to point out that the Ancient Sovereign himself flinched every time he had to climb a stair.
Lucy, who rode in her other, half-forgotten English life, was kinder than her brother expected. "You're not the only ones suffering, you know," she whispered before bedtime on the eighth night. "I've danced at least twenty times every night for the last week, and I'm all over blisters! You'd understand, Ed, if Rameesh had brought a sister and her household who needed suitable partners!"
"Goodness, I hadn't thought of that." Eustace whistled. Edmund shuddered.
"Ghastly thought! Goodnight, everyone!"
They went hunting in the great forests of the Lantern Waste; paused at Aslan's How, the Stone Table of the Golden Age, to picnic on velvet blankets in its shadow.
"Where's Rameesh gone?"asked Edmund, tugging Drinian's sleeve as the tall sailor oversaw the packing of the picnic baskets in the mellow warmth of late afternoon. Drinian's brow creased.
"Last I saw, with Your Majesties to the top of the mound," he said, absently tearing a crusty roll and offering half to his young friend. Edmund munched it gratefully.
"Thanks; we've been so busy being the Ancient Sovereigns I hardly had a mouthful to eat at luncheon," he groused. "He buttonholed Lu and I for ages while the rest of you were setting out the food; I saw him later with Caspian and Celesta in the woods, but that wittering ninny of a Vizier's asking about him, and I've not seen hide nor hair in an hour."
"I know you've been trying to hide from him, Edmund, and really, it's quite unkingly of you." Caspian sidled out of the woods, looking guilty as a schoolboy caught with his hand in the cake tin. "Aslan's Mane! Hand me that wine flask, old friend, before packing it away. Our noble guest would drive the Hobbled Hermit of Hambdon Hill to drink!"
"Think yourself fortunate to be spared the company of his most unworthy servant Alyoshka, Sire." Edmund, who thought Drinian one of the bravest men he knew, was certain the Narnian blenched. "If I hear once more how benevolent a master his most gracious Imperial Highness has been, I shan't be responsible for my actions! Ah, Your Highness! Their Majesties were wondering where you were."
"Noble sirs, your pardons!" Arm in arm with Queen Celesta and the Duchess of Beruna, with the Ladies of Etinsmere and Beaversdam close behind, Rameesh fairly sauntered from the woods. "Lost in wonder at the manifold beauties of this astounding realm, I fear I have lost sight of time. Gracious ladies, for your society a thousand thanks! Truly, gentlemen, nature's gifts have been most lavishly bestowed upon the fortunate land of Narnia!"
"We think it so, Sir; in both our countryside and our ladies." Caspian wrinkled his nose behind their visitor's back, displeased with his attempt at gallantry. Lucy, wandering to join them in time to hear, buried a giggle in her yellow satin sleeve, while Rameesh plucked a golden rose from one of the many bushes growing wild to present to her fellow Queen.
"Indeed, most valiant sovereign, the fairest flowers of all varieties do dazzle the eye in these verdant forests!" he exclaimed, beard kissing the turf in another extravagant bow. "Venerated Queens – most radiant Duchess – fair ladies… how fortunate are the men of the northern lands!"
Celesta and Isabella blushed; Linetia Beaversdam simpered; Lucy rolled her eyes at her cousin, while the Mistress of Etinsmere chuckled richly. "As are the ladies of the Empire, Imperial Highness, if such extravagant compliments are offered their way!"
"Why, do I not compliment your fair complexion often enough, my Lady?" enquired Drinian, arching a brow to the King. Daniela wafted a hand his way.
"As often as you laud your galleon's fine trim, dearest; else when I kick your ankle hard enough," she cooed. Drinian caught her hand and raised it, palm uppermost, to his lips.
"Well, considering the dozen times daily I praise my lady Dawn Treader, my Lady Daniela may be the most admired woman in the kingdom!"
"I do wish you would stop flirting!" Linetia Beaversdam tapped her ruby satin slipper impatiently. "One ought never to be seen publicly flirting with one's husband, Daniela – my grandmother thought it quite improper."
"Honourable madam, I think it charming – though it pains me to dispute the opinion of so amiable a dame as yourself!" Rameesh wrung his hands. "And my Lord Drinian, in the name of my father, the delight of mine eyes, the most venerable Tisroc (may he live for ever!) I beseech you; continue to flatter and honour this rare jewel you have for your wife! Such wit and spirit are seldom so enchantingly combined with beauty."
"I dare not disagree, Sir, lest my ankle be the sufferer." Smiling, Drinian released his wife's small hand. Daniela dipped a teasing curtsey.
"A great sorrow, most beauteous Duchess, that my lord the Count was required so urgently in his own land." Amid the laughter of their friends, Rameesh turned his large dark eyes to the elegant girl hovering with head bowed at the edge of the lively group. "With marriage so near, would not all men value the lessons to be learned observing such contented alliances as those we see about us here? Reverend Majesties – my Lords and Ladies all! Tash grant me equal satisfaction in my life's mate!"
"I trust he shall, Sir." Blushing under his scrutiny, Isabella murmured the appropriate response before Caspian could bestir himself. "Cor hopes to return to Narnia before the end of your visit, as he must acquaint himself with the Beruna estates: I hope Your Highness will accompany us there."
"Your Grace's benevolence to we poor travellers is unbounded!" For a horrid moment Lucy thought he was actually going to fall to his knees before the stricken Duchess. Edmund stooped over her shoulder, his gusty sigh blowing through her hair.
"One really would think they'd have learned not to fall for Narnians," he whispered. "I say, Scrubb! There's a bowl of strawberries been missed, pass them around there's a good chap! What's the agenda for tomorrow, Caspian?"
"We shall ride to Lionmead, King Edmund, and take a tour of the Dawn Treader, at His Imperial Highness's special request." If he hoped his nervous glance toward the galleon's Captain passed unnoticed, Edmund thought, Caspian was going to be disappointed. "Then to my Lord High Admiral's residence for dinner. I believe you will appreciate Etinsmere House, Imperial Highness; sparing my old friend's blushes, I think it one of the finest old manor houses in the country."
"Shan't hear disagreement from me, Sire," said Drinian comfortably, offering a cupped hand to boost his lady into the saddle. Rameesh, stepping onto the bent back of his Vizier, dipped his lofty head.
"And will our most admirable hostess, and the other ladies join us aboard ship?" he asked, and though the enquiry was general his almond-shaped eyes never left Isabella's lowered head. Queen Celesta shook her flowing yellow mane.
"The crew will endure disruption enough by His Majesty's visit, Imperial Highness. Queen Lucy, King Edmund and Master Eustace will be of your party, they being familiar to the crew from their long voyage east; we ladies have ample occupation at Etinsmere!"
"Right glad I shall be of all the assistance offered," agreed Daniela cheerfully, her eyes meeting Celesta's in sympathetic accord. "Isabella, you're welcome to join us; there's naught more tedious for an affianced maid than sitting at home in her beloved's absence - as I know all too well!"
"Do come, Isabella!" cried Caspian, snatching his startled cousin's hands and giving her an impetuous spin as their horses were led up. "Why! You go to Archenland for ages between now and your marriage; grant me at least a little time before you leave! Imperial Highness, you'll support me?"
"Her Grace's radiant presence would delight the soul of any so blessed as to share a table with her." Rameesh kicked his mount to an extravagant rear, forelegs clawing the air. "Gentle lady! Grant us a few more sacred hours in your revered presence! Dine with us at great Etinsmere tomorrow!"
"If Your Highness would have me attend – and my Lord and Lady of Etinsmere have room at their table…"
"Always for you, Ma'am, though we may send your cousin to the scullery," Drinian volunteered. Caspian chortled.
"Thank you, old friend!" he exclaimed, steering his glistening chestnut stallion onto the forest path leading east to Cair Paravel and the coast. "Oh! I shall gladly eat in the darkest cellar, my dear Highness, if it should leave a seat for my cousin at so honoured a guest's side."
"And the King well knows, Imperial Highness, my husband would find himself eating with the kitchen maids before His Majesty would be dismissed from Etinsmere's table." Serenely smiling, Daniela guided her fine-boned roan between the two grinning friends. "Really! Your Majesty - my Lord – you behave more like naughty infants now than you did as children at Caspian the Ninth's castle!"
"And so they jolly well should!" said Edmund firmly. "D'you remember how dashed difficult it was, Lu, having to be sober and grown-up all the time?"
His sister nodded vigorously. "Being expected to be serious is ghastly," she agreed. "Do hurry up, Eustace! If you keep allowing Scimitar to chew the hedgerow, it'll take us all day to get home!"