Chapter Fifteen
Something changed between Edmund and me after the battle. We were civil to each other, even to the point of friendliness. I saw his other side, the side that I had only caught glimpses of before. He joked with me, smiled a lot more around me, and wasn't always so moody and mean. He thought of me as a friend now, just like Peter and Susan and Lucy did. And I thought of him the same way. At least for a while.
After the battle, we went back to camp for a week. We cleaned up, helped the wounded heal, and buried our dead. Much of the time the kings and queens were too busy to spend time with me, and I the same. But in the late afternoons, when the sun hung low in the sky and the shadows grew long, we retreated to the hill. We sat on the boulders, talking and laughing. Peter and I grew much closer. He began to look at me differently, but I wasn't sure what kind of look or how he saw me now. Susan and Lucy were like my sisters, and we brushed and braided each other's hair and gossiped like girls do. But Edmund became…more special to me.
I first noticed it about three days after the battle. When he called out to me one morning, I felt my heartbeat quicken when I whirled around to face him. I silently scolded myself, telling myself that he had only startled me, and that was all. But after that I began to notice him more. How his dark curls fell into his eyes and he would brush them out of his face to see me better. And his eyes were rich, dark brown, the color of chocolate. And how a few freckles sprinkled across his nose. He was nice to me now, and often we would ride together in the hills and talk about our pasts. I told him about life in the orphan's home, and he told me about how much he missed his dad who had gone off to war. Out of the four children, he had always been the closest to his father.
The more we talked and the better friends we became, the more it became apparent; I was falling in love with Edmund Pevensie. The same boy who, only a few weeks before, I had despised. I talked it over with Anduril, asking him for advice. He would listen closely, his silver ears pricked forward in attention as he rested in the straw of the stable. He snorted and flattened his ears when he disagreed and shook his head. But when he did agree with me, he bobbed his handsome head up and down and made a low, throaty noise of agreement. I told myself from the moment I realized that those heart-leaping moments weren't just surprise, but the feelings you get when you think of someone you love, that I couldn't do this. He was a king, it was doomed from the start. I was an orphan, a follower, and a friend, absolutely nothing more. He would court some princess from the other countries surrounding Narnia, and then when he found the right girl, he'd marry her. And I would never marry. Instead I would perfect my fighting skills, becoming the very best warrior I could, and maybe work my way up in the ranks. That was what I decided in all of my talks with my unicorn. That was how it would be.
Two weeks after the final battle, we broke camp and packed our things. We were bound for Cair Paravel, which was about a day's ride from the campsite. I stuffed my few belongings into a large pack which I set across Anduril's shoulders in front of me. At the beginning of the journey, I hung back in the lines, with the rest of the soldiers. But an hour after we set out, Peter rode back and shouted above the noise of clanging supplies, hooves, and boots, "Hey! Rose! What're you doing back here for? Come ride up with us! Lucy and Susan have been worrying why you haven't joined us!" I gave him a small smile and clucked to Andy, but he was already off at a canter after Peter's mount.
We reached the front of the march, and I settled in behind the girls. They demanded to know why I thought I wasn't welcome up front, and I just gave a small shrug and answered, "Well, I thought…I was going to ride with…my rank…" "What?" Peter shouted incredulously. "Your rank? You're Narnian nobility, Rose! You aren't supposed to ride way back there! Didn't you know that?" I just sat on my unicorn, and shook my head dumbly. Edmund laughed loudly. "Peter! You didn't ever bother to tell her?" He shook his head at his brother and smiled at me. "Rose, by riding on Peter's right side during the battle, you have earned yourself a place in Cair Paravel. A noble, I guess you could say, although I don't know if they have nobles here…" Turning back to his brother, he swatted at him jokingly. "You idiot, she didn't even know!" They went back to joking and arguing cheerfully, leaving me to my reeling thoughts. "What does a Narnian noble…do, exactly?" I asked Susan. She thought for a moment. "Well, from what I understand, you're the first and only one. But I guess you stay loyal to the king, fight in his wars, lead armies, help manage affairs, and things of the sort." "Oh," was all I managed to say. I guessed from then on I would be introduced as Lady Rose of Narnia. That would take some getting used to.
We stopped for a rest at about midday along the banks of the Great River. I sat with the Pevensies in the shade of the willow trees as we drank the cool, clear water of the river and ate a small lunch. We talked and laughed and were in a jolly mood. I stood and pulled off my boots and socks and rolled up my leggings and waded out into the river. The water was icy cold at first, but my feet got used to it. I walked along the bank, wiggling my toes in the sand and watching the little silver schools of minnows flash in the sun. Upstream I could see some of the Animals splashing around, cooling off in the water.
Out of nowhere, a spray of cold water hit my back and neck. I gasped with the shock of the water, and whirled around to find Edmund standing a few feet away, grinning broadly. I bent down and slapped the water, sending a stream toward him. He jumped back to try and avoid it, but slipped on a mossy rock under water, and fell down with a splash. Peter and the girls let out loud guffaws as Edmund stood back up, soaked up to his waist. I gave a very un-ladylike snort of laughter at seeing him dripping. "Gotcha," I said with a smirk. He sent another spray at me, and soon we were locked in a splashing battle and both of us were soaked to the skin. I ran squealing through the shallows, tripping and plunging. Soon the others joined in as well, and our splashing battle turned into a full-blown war.
After several more minutes of thorough soaking, we staggered back to the bank and sprawled out in the grass under the sun, our chests heaving. "We're going to be sore when we reach Cair Paravel. Our wet clothes will rub us raw," I mused. "Oh, well, it was still good fun," Lucy said happily. We lay in the grass for awhile, just watching the fat, white clouds race by through the sky. The sky was so much clearer and bluer than in England. Everything was clearer and cleaner and brighter than in our world.
The warm sunshine dried our clothes quicker than I had expected, and after an hour we were almost completely dry again. I pulled my socks and boots back on and mounted Anduril again as we resumed our journey to the castle. As we neared the coast and the sun began its descent to the horizon in front of us, I began to grow more excited and nervous. It would be our first time inside of the beautiful palace, and the coronation ceremony would take place tomorrow afternoon, followed by a ball. It was both exciting and nerve-racking to think about.
I got my first glimpse of Cair Paravel as we emerged from the trees and saw the Eastern Ocean. There it stood, the sun burning brightly over the sea, and the castle itself shining golden from the sun's last rays. I sucked in a breath of awe. A stone road led to the gates of the outer wall, each side lined by tall evergreen trees. Red and gold flags waved from the towers, the emblem of Aslan in the middle. "It's…breathtaking," I whispered, to no one in particular. I just sat upon my unicorn, gazing at the scene before me. "Isn't it? And to think that we'll be living there. As royalty," a voice said behind me. I swiveled my head around to see Edmund astride Phillip, looking with the same expression as my own face wore. Our eyes met for a moment, and it sent shivers down my spine. My face flushed red, and I turned back to the east. I nodded, and then squeezed Andy's flanks, signaling him to catch up with the others.
We were met at the golden gates with joyful trumpets and cheers. Red and gold flashed all around me, and everything was so frenzied with excitement that I could barely process what was going on. Once inside the gates, Aslan stepped forward to meet us. He led the Pevensies inside, and I swung off of Andy. I asked for directions to the stables, and then went with Anduril inside. The royal stables were much nicer and grander than the horse tent at camp had been. I led the unicorn into one of the spacious stalls. I made sure that the straw was ankle deep and soft and dry, and then picked up a brush and started grooming him. After removing the grime of travel and making his silky coat shine silver again, I worked all the tangles out of his mane and tail. I polished his ivory horn, and then asked him if his feet were sore. He shook his head, but I checked them anyway, asking him to lift each ivory hoof for me to pick clean and oil. I gave him some cool water to drink, and the best of grain and hay. I left the stall door open as always so he could come and go as he pleased. Then I told him good night and left the stables.
When I went back outside, it was already quite dark. The familiar constellations of Narnia shone above me, and I picked out the northern star, the Spear-Head. Behind me I heard the sounds of footsteps and Peter call out, "Rose! What are you doing out here? We've been looking all over for you. Come wash up and get dressed for dinner. The Narnians are holding a feast in honor of our victory." He gave me that warm smile of his, and reached out to take my hand. He gave a gentle tug, and I smiled back and followed him. Once inside the castle, I stood and marveled at the beauty. Intricately carved statues and figures adorned the columns and a huge stained-glass window filled the wall behind the four thrones. Marble steps led up to them, and thick, lavish rugs covered the floor beneath them. The rest of the hall's floors were paved in colorful tiles. The Great Hall gave off a very cheery, airy, noble vibe. Peter called out to a serving girl who was actually some kind of wood nymph. "Please show Rose to her rooms," Peter asked her.
She led me up through many halls and staircases to a small tower. She unlocked the thick oak door and pushed it open. I stepped inside, and had my breath taken away again. On the far wall there were huge, floor to ceiling windows that overlooked the Eastern Ocean. There was a lavish marble fireplace with a hearty fire already crackling inside. Thick, warm rugs covered the floor beneath the huge four-poster bed. The bed was draped in silk and fine, soft sheets. There were comfy armchairs in front of the fireplace, with a small table between them. I walked through another door, which led me into the bathroom. There was a huge tub and ornate mirror, with a closet for linens and towels. The wood nymph had already filled the bath with steaming water, and motioned for me to bathe. Then she disappeared.
I eagerly undressed and slid into the tub. It felt so nice to have a hot bath after months of bathing in streams or not washing at all. I scrubbed all over my body, and dunked my head into the warm water to wash my hair. When the water began to cool, I climbed out and wrapped myself in one of the thick, plush towels. I picked up the silver comb set out on the counter, and stood in front of the mirror while I worked the tangles and snarls out of my hair. It took a while, since my hair now nearly reached my waist. When I walked back into the room, I saw a pale sapphire gown and slippers had been set out for me. Narnian clothes can somehow manage to look both beautiful and feel comfortable at the same time. This dress was no exception. I twirled in front of the mirror, admiring the way it fit me. My hair tumbled down my back in gentle waves and curls of gold. For the first time in my life, I felt beautiful.