Caralono was on his knees at Ashlana's feet. The City suddenly went silent, and Edmund tensed up next to Ashlana. It seemed nobody liked this man, as everyones face seemed to drop into a scowl.
"What now?" Ashlana deadpanned. Edmund dropped his arm across Ashlana's shoulders, hand on the hilt of his sword. Ashlana noticed it was the sword he'd gotten from Lord Berne. Peter's own sword was at his hip, but the High Kind was in a similar stance to his younger brother.
Caralono suddenly stood and smacked Edmund's arm off of Ashlana's shoulder.
"Do not touch my woman, you cur!"
Ashlana snorted, Edmund fumed, the crowd gasped, Peter winced, Gael looked up at Lucy and whispered "What's a cur?" at which Lucy hused her quietly. Susan glared, and the rest of the Dawn Treader's crew just outright laughed.
"Who's your woman?" Asked Edmund stiffly. Ashlana rubbed his back awkwardly.
"Do not play daft with me, you sea dog." Caralono pulled Ashlana to him, and she had a look of 'WHAT THE FUCK' on her face.
"Excuse me?" Peter grabbed the man's wrist. "But I'm taking the girl out of the equation, for a moment." He squeezed until Caralono's grip was relinquished. Then he carefully pulled Ashlana away.
"Ew." She whispered to him. "Thanks."
"Yes, your Majesty! A brilliant idea! Best to keep the Lady away from the likes of these pirates." He pointed at Edmund and drew his sword. This made the Dawn Treader's crew crack up all over again.
"Oh my God, is he an idiot?" Asked Rhince, stiffiling a laugh.
"It's possible." Ashlana grinned. She climbed up and perched carfully on Tarvos' shoulder. "Because he obviously doesn't see that crown on Edmund's head."
Edmund cast his siblings a look. Peter shrugged. Susan and Lucy both gave him a look that said 'Defend your woman, you idiot!' Edmund pulled his sword out and twirled it expertly in his hand.
"So the dog has learned a few tricks at sea, has he?"
"Wow, he's really playing up this sea dog thing, isn't he?" Asked Tally quietly to Ashlana. The girl looked down at her Faun friend and nodded.
"He's not very original. Also not very smart."
"More then a few," Edmund smirked.
'I trust you will take care of this if it get dangerous, my daughter?'
'Of course father.'
"I'm setting some ground rules. There are children around. There shall be no killing, no maiming and no blood. Am I understood?"
"Course Ash,"
"DO NOT SPEAAK TO MY LADY, YOU COW!"
"The hell?" Ash giggled. "Ed's skinnier then you. And I'm not your lady." She shook her head. "Oh well. GO!"
Caralono made the first move. Big mistake. Edmund blocked easily enough, and began the same Complicated series of attacks he used on Trumpkin, long ago. Caralono lost his sword within seconds.
"Thank you for following my ruled, Edmund. Fix your crown, it's falling off." Ashlana jumped off of Tavros' shoulder and walked over to Edmund, kissing his cheek.
He grinned down at her, blushing at how public that display of affection was.
"My lady, you cannot be thinking of leaving me for that cur!"
"No, but for a KING I shall make an exception."
"There is no way he's a King! First of all, he's far too young-"
"Sixteen. Caspian was that age. Edmund has been King for ages anyways." Ashlana shrugged.
"And second, he's far too ugly to be a king!"
"ENOUGH!" A roar cut through the crowd. The city, with the exception of Ashlana dropped to their knees. Aslan's eyes were like liquid fire as he glared at the foolish Ambassador.
"Stand, noble Narnian's and City goers." Everyone rose, including Caralono. Aslan roared again. "That does not include you, you insolent fool."
"Insolent? But Aslan!"
"A testiment to your insolence," Ashlana's eyes were as dangerous as her father's. "You dare speak to my father in such a way?" Edmund shivered in pleasure despite the situation. That voice...
"You should be executed for such Insolence," Peter came to stand between Aslan and Ashlana. "But that is not the way Narnia works."
The other four monarchs joined the half circle. Edmund and Susan next to Ashlana, and Lucy on the other side of Aslan.
"Drinian!" Edmund called. The captain strode foreward. "Please be sure to Escort this fool back to the Lone Islands, and make sure Lord Berne and Caspian are Aware that he is to stripped of his high status and treated as a peasant until Aslan deems fit."
"Your Majesty," Drinian nodded, smirking at Caralono. He grabbed the ashamed man and was about to bring him to the Dawn Treader's brig.
"Oh, and Drinian," Drinian paused, looking back at the Lioness. "Make sure Lord Berne know's he's the new Ambassador for the Lone Islands?"
"Of course, My Lady." The old man smiled fondly at the girl he thought of as a niece.
"Thank you!" She laughed.
"Now," Aslan said once everything was as it should be. "Continue with your celebrations! The kings and queens must attend to their duties." Everyone cheered.
Back in the castle, Ashlana sat in a very Un-Royal like manner on her throne. She was listening to the sibling catch up. Then she felt the sick feeling again. She groaned, standing, sending Lucy and Susan identical looks of 'Help Me'.
She made it to her bathroom before landing next to the toilet. She began throwing up, hardly feeling the calming presence of the entire Pevensie family. Susan pulled her red hair back for her as she dry heaved into the toilet. Edmund carefully placed kisses on her temple. Lucy rubbed her back gently. Peter whispered comforting words to her. When she was finally finished, she fell onto the cool tile floor.
She glared at Edmund. "I hate you." He laughed and lay parallel to her.
"Lies."
"The truth. I hate you because I love you." She felt Lucy lay against her back, and assumed Peter was behind her, because Susan was behind Edmund. How strange it would be when some one walked in the next morning and finding them all asleep together on the bathroom floor.
It was indeed strange, when Tally came to wake them. But only because Ashlana's morning sickness was actually in the morning this time. Edmund was looking quite upset, because he knew he was the reason for her miserable mood. Tally quicly left again.
"I'm sorry." He whispered as he held her gently. "So, so sorry."
"Shut up, Ed. It takes two to tango. God, I hate that saying." She nuzzled into his neck. "My point is, don't blame yourself. It makes me happy, anyways."
He pulled back, trying to keep his voice quiet to not wake his sleeping family.
"How can you be happy when your so sick?"
"It'll only last a few more weeks." She took his hand and slayed his fingers over her stomach. He could instantly feel a bond with the tiny being inside his lover. "Then I'll be as big as Dragon Eustace." Ashlana lay on the ground again. Edmund sighed and place his head on her stomach carefully. Absently, Ashlana's finger wound into his hair.
Peter woke up, and noticed his brother and best friend in their own world, and gently shook Lucy awake. Neither Edmund nor Ashlana notice the two wake Susan and quietly make their way out.
"Names." Edmund mumbled.
"For a boy?" Ashlana stilled her gentle combing of his hair for a second, before continuing.
"For either." Edmund stopped her hand and brought it to his lips.
"I suppose for a boy, Edmund Alexander Pevensie II sounds like a good name for a Narnian Prince." Edmund leaned up and kissed her gently before settling back down.
"And a girl, my Love?"
"Well...Helen Lucille Susana Pevensie. Your mum, and sisters."
"Ashlana, I love you so much." Edmund grinned.
"I know. Now, let me up, please. I need to get dressed, we need breakfast, and then there is a council meeting. Ettinsmoor's Ambassador has finally arived, if I hear correctly, as has Lord Berne." Edmund frowned, but heard the pounding footsteps of a giant in the distance.
He stood, pulling her to stand before placing a chaste kiss on her lips and walking out to get changed first. Ashlana heard the door close a few minuets later, and walked out. She quickly changed into a black dress with a white flower on it, pulled on some heels, and a few bracelets, (Eleven actually, but who's counting?) and grabbed her sword.
On the way to the council room, she stopped by the kitchens and got some toast and seltzer to soothe her raging stomach. Upon entering the Council Room, she was greeted by an annoyed looking Ettinsmoor Giant.
"Lady, I don't wanna be here."
"Sssssssuck it up!" She grinned up at him, dodging his giant feet. "You know you missed me anyways, you big lug of a sweetheart." She placed herself in her throne, adjusting her crown with now black and white diamonds in place of the sapphires. One white between two black.
"Ashy, can you even fight in those shoes?" A childish voice asked. Ashlana rolled her eyes and turned her amber gaze upon the over grown brat of Calormen princess. Shorely.
"Wanna find out?" She grinned.
"Actually, I'd rather not, you rediculous looking sorry excuse of a warrior child."
"What ever you say you half bat half brat creature from hell!"
"Take it back!"
"You fiiiirrrrst,"
"CHILDREN PLEASE. You know we've come to discuss only how much peace has spread through out Narnia and it's surrounding lands." The Ambassador from Galma ordered. Shorely nodded respectfully at the elder, and Ashlana crossed her legs. "Now, Ashlana, you've travled as far as your Father's Country. What uncharted islands are East of The Lone Islands?"
"DEATH AND EVIL!" Lord Berne shouted, coaxing a grin out of Ashlana.
"Actually, aside from Duffle Isle, that pretty much sums it up," She laughed. "In order from The Lone Islands, It's Duffle Isle, Deathwater Island, Dragon Island, Ramandu's Island and of course Aslan's Country." She paused. "Scratch the first sentence. Neither Ramandu's Island nor Duffle Isle are much dangerous. I just don't like Lillandil."
Edmund snorted next to her.
"And as for King Caspian X," Shorely nodded to the only vacant throne. "Shall he be here any time soon?"
"He is on the Lone Islands, assuring it is back to it's former glory."
"He sends his love," Lord Berne added. "Just not to you, Princess. To the Kings and Queens."
"Hehehe" Ashlana giggled quietly. No one really liked Miss Brat. She looked to Refuele, the Gentle Giant. "How goes Ettinsmoore, my friend? I'm sure Peter would like to know," The High King straightened from his hunched over pose.
"Ettins has begun full trade with Narnia, as agreed upon in the last of these meeting before you set sail. All is peaceful. The wife and Kids say hello, by the way, and hope you will allow a visit for the winter months."
"Up to Peter," Ashlana looked to him.
"All allies are welcome in Narnia, as has been since the Golden Age." Peter was glad to hear there were no problems in Ettinsmoore.
"Does anyone Else have any problems they'd like to Discuss?" Ashlana looked at each individual. "No? Then this meeting is ajourned." She stood and everyone bowed as the five walked out.
"That was the fastest meeting we've ever had!" Peter announced. Everyone gave noises of agreement.
"Time flies. That was longer then usual. More to discuss. Ususally it's only Shorely and I arguing for an hour, before someone decides we should stop."
"Yeah," Susan said. "I didn't like her."
"No one really does, Su," Ashlana shrugged. She suddenly brightened. "The ball is tonight!"
"A ball?" Lucy's face lit up. "Already?"
"Yes, for Dawn Treader's crew. We knew we'd be tired yesterday so it was planned for tonight."
"I love it!" Susan smiled as well. "It's a wonderful idea!"
"Well then, Let's get ready!" Ashlana winked at Edmund, linking arms with the girls and walking off quickly with them to the seamstress' room.