Bound by Duty
Disclaimer: The Chronicles of Narnia belong to the estate of C.S. Lewis. I own nothing but the plot and the original characters in this story.
Chapter 7 – Much Ado About Eustace
"Master Rhince," said Reepicheep, "you never spoke a word that became you less. The creature is no friend of mine but he is of the Queen's blood, and while he is one of our fellowship it concerns our honor to find him and to avenge him if he is dead."
"Of course we've got to find him (if we can)," said Caspian wearily. "That's the nuisance of it. It means a search party and endless trouble. Bother Eustace."
— "The Adventures of Eustace", The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
oOo
Lucy thought Eustace had become noticeably quiet after they left the treasure chamber; he did not seem to be paying the slightest attention to anything that went on around him. Concerned by his silence, she attempted to draw her cousin out of his strange countenance. The Queen asked a question here and there, all the while keeping a watchful eye on his reactions. Though he nodded at the appropriate moments or made non-committal answers, it was clear his mind was still preoccupied with other matters.
From the corner of her eye, she glanced down at his side. The dagger her brother had given him was now strapped to the belt around his waist but he did not touch it—at least, he tried he tried not to. Lucy suspected the younger boy was still afraid of the weapon; she noticed that on the few occasions his fingers grazed the sheath or hilt, he pulled his hand back quickly, as if merely touching the dagger would scald him.
It seemed Edmund's words and actions in the treasure chamber had made a considerable impact on their cousin. Though the King had not spoken harshly, he somehow succeeded in making Eustace understand the necessity of carrying a weapon during their stay in Narnia.
She looked over her shoulder and saw her brother deep in conversation with Caspian. Neither king looked at their surroundings with much interest anymore; both of them were familiar with the layout of the castle and the tour had mainly been for Eustace's benefit. Lucy herself was mostly content with what she saw; however much Cair Paravel may have changed now, it was certainly better than the forlorn set of ruins they discovered on their last trip to Narnia. Though she had been prepared to see differences, it wasn't as much as she had expected; it appeared more like what it had been when her family had lived here.
With a shake of her head, Lucy dispelled the thoughts and looked forward. From the treasure chamber, they had taken a circuitous route of the ground floor of the castle. Distracted by her musings, she did not realize their walk had led them back to the entrance of the throne room.
"Well, I think we covered all the important areas of the castle," Lucy said as they stopped in front of the doors. "Do you think you'll be able to find your way around now, Eustace?" she asked him kindly.
"Hmm?" Eustace blinked and looked at Lucy with a start. "Oh, yes. I… I think so." His eyes roamed blindly about the corridor. "I think I'll head back to my room for now. Feeling a bit tired and all. What time is supper again?"
"Seven, in the Great Hall. If you remember, it's down this passageway and…"
"Yes, yes. I remember." He took an unsteady step away from her, turning and looking around until he could see the stairs. "I'll see you later then."
Lucy was still concerned; to her eyes, her cousin did look a bit peaked. "Shall I come with you? Or perhaps one of the fauns can…"
At the mention of one of this country's strange inhabitants, Eustace gave a little shudder. "No, no… won't be necessary," he replied. From the look on his face, it seemed fauns or any other non-human creatures were the last things he wanted to escort him back to his room. "I'll be off now," he said absently, not even looking at her. He then set off down the corridor, passing the others on his way out; he did not stop to speak to them as he took his leave.
Not a minute later, Edmund and Caspian stopped in front of Lucy. Breaking off the discussion with his friend, Edmund looked around. "Did Eustace leave already?"
"Yes," Lucy said, frowning at her brother. "He said he was tired and wished to rest before supper. I think you truly scared him, Edmund."
"There's a first time for everything then," he said, grinning at her briefly before sobering once more. "But truly, Lu, it's for the best. Eustace needs to realize and understand where he is now. Nothing is familiar to him and he should be prepared for anything that can happen here."
Lucy sighed, conceding that he did have a point. At least one good thing came of returning to land once again. After disembarking from the Dawn Treader, their cousin had finally ceased his insistence of contacting the British Consul in all his complaints. Perhaps he had begun to accept his current fate, after all. Maybe Eustace was finally coming to terms with the fact that he was stuck here with them until such time Aslan decides to send them back to their other world.
She pushed her thoughts aside for now. With a look at the two kings, she asked, "What were the two of you discussing just now?"
"Eustace, actually," said Edmund.
"Oh?" Lucy said, giving her brother a curious look.
Edmund and Caspian exchanged a quick glance. Not wishing to discuss this in a public setting, the Telmarine pushed open one of the doors to the throne room and gestured for them to proceed inside. Once they stepped through the doorway, he shut the door firmly behind him and turned the lock, ensuring they would be left undisturbed. In a matter of seconds, they traveled across the room and sat down on the steps of the dais that led to the four thrones.
"So what's this about Eustace?" Lucy asked, looking between the two kings.
"We're trying to decide what's to be done with him if the two of us are traveling with Caspian on the morrow."
"Oh," the Queen said, startled. Preoccupied with other concerns, she had not given any thought of how their plans would affect their cousin. "Well, he could come with us, of course."
Edmund raised an eyebrow at her. "I highly doubt our cousin wants to have anything to do with us or with Narnia. Do you remember what I told you earlier?"
She did, but thought it was unfair of them to give up on Eustace so soon. "He may change his mind if we ask him."
Caspian coughed, his action interrupting the conversation and drawing their attention to him. "As you know, this will not be a pleasure journey," he said delicately, reminding them of the purpose of their trip, "and begging your Majesties' pardon, but I think your kinsman does not seem as one who would enjoy the rough riding involved as we travel through the woods." He paused briefly before adding, "And while we're speaking of it, has he ever ridden before?"
Lucy looked at Edmund, and the King shrugged. "More than likely not. As much as Harold and Alberta think fresh air is good for their son, I doubt they'd let him get anywhere near a horse." He snorted. "They'd probably think Eustace would come home infested with fleas and flies. No, his interest lies more in reading about animals than actually interacting with them."
"Perhaps a Talking Horse will agree to carry him for this trip?"
Edmund sighed. "Given Eustace's particular disposition, I think we'd be hard-pressed to find any horse—Talking or not—that would agree to bear him willingly."
"That maybe so, but I don't think we should leave him here all by himself," Lucy said. She chewed on her lip thoughtfully as she tried to picture herself in Eustace's situation. "He's a stranger in a foreign land. How would you feel if it were you and not he, surrounded by all these strange people and creatures you've never seen before? He knows us and trusts us, but I wish he would learn to trust the Narnians as well and see that they mean him no harm."
A strange looked stole across Edmund's face. "I think I know exactly how he would feel, Lucy," he said quietly, eyes locking onto hers. "And I do not blame him for his inability to trust those who are strangers to him."
Caspian stirred, feeling a slight shiver run down his spine as a deadly quiet descended upon the room. Even with the silence, he could see some sort of exchange occurring between the two ancient sovereigns. Whatever Lucy had said obviously struck a nerve and he noted the other King had stiffened slightly beside him.
The Queen gasped as she realized exactly what she said and immediately regretted her choice of words. "Oh Edmund, I'm sorry!" she cried out softly; she had inadvertently reminded him of that which he always longed to forget.
Edmund shook his head, brushing away her concern. He knew she hadn't meant to bring up those memories of his very first days in Narnia. Of his meeting with the Witch. Of his foolishness and betrayal. Nearly two decades had passed since he made that dreadful mistake and with the help of Aslan and his family, he eventually learned to put it behind him. As he looked up, he was startled to find Lucy trembling a little beside him; she appeared more hurt by her own words than he was.
After a moment's hesitation, he leaned forward and reaching out with both hands, drew his sister closer to him. "It's fine, Lu. Truly." He bent his head down and kissed her forehead. "Fortunately for Eustace, he's been in good company ever since his arrival here." With a slight smile, he added, "We should be thankful that it is summertime in Narnia, though I'm sure the winters now are not quite as eventful as the first one we experienced in this land."
The fair-haired girl pulled back until she could see his face and a small laugh escaped from her lips; her brother somehow managed to find the right things to say to make her feel better. "He is definitely starting out in a much better position than we were in," she admitted.
Caspian remained silent throughout this exchange as he tried to understand the strange conversation between brother and sister. It finally dawned on him several minutes later what particular topic his friends were discussing. The realization struck him hard and he felt winded, as if some invisible force had suddenly slammed into him.
He had nearly forgotten what the old tales had said about the Four when they first came to Narnia, and of the deeds and trials that took place to end the Great Winter.
If he truly thought about it, the total amount of time he had ever spent in the company of Edmund and Lucy has been about a month; that figure was significantly lower with regards to the High King and Queen Susan. Having only known the Four long after their reign, he would never have believed that King Edmund actually committed those sins against his own family, his subjects and his country.
Much of the original stories had disappeared into the distant past, long before Doctor Cornelius had ever shared them with him up in the tower of the Telmarine castle. Though the tales had been remembered amongst the Old Narnians, none of them presented a completely accurate picture. Not many could remember what was truth or myth; with each retelling, details would have been altered as the stories were handed down to future generations.
However, there was a book in the libraries of the Cair—one that he discovered during the first week he took up residence in the castle—that he had read repeatedly and almost memorized by heart. The slim volume contained a detailed history about the end of the Witch's rule and the fulfillment of the prophecy. Having read it from beginning to end, Caspian knew that Edmund's betrayal was indeed fact and that Aslan saved him through His sacrifice on the Stone Table.
Caspian never expected any of them to ever speak of it, especially in public; it did not seem a topic the Four would bring up so willingly. The king wished he could quietly fade into the background; he felt as if he were intruding on a very private moment between his friends.
"What do you think we should do, Caspian?" asked Lucy. The Queen remained where she was, her head resting against her brother's shoulder with his arm still wrapped around her.
"I am afraid I do not know your kinsman well enough to help you make a decision, my Lady."
"So after all this talk, we seem to be at an impasse," said Edmund with a sigh. He ran a hand absently through his hair as he searched for the best solutions available to them. "If Eustace comes along," he began, outlining his train of thought, "he would likely hinder our journey. And yet, were we to leave him here at the castle, it would probably invite just as much trouble. I suppose we may as well ask him outright which option he prefers since neither suggestion is perfect."
"If your kinsman wishes to join us, I'll see if we can find a horse that will suit him," Caspian proposed. "If he would rather stay here, then we could arrange for someone—one of our friends or someone from amongst the staff—to keep an eye out for him. That is the best help I can offer you, my friends." He then stood up, as if preparing to leave.
Edmund nodded. "Let's do that." Following Caspian's lead, he began to rise from the dais until the older king waived him off.
"Feel free to stay as long as you wish; do not hurry yourselves on my account," he said. "I need to go and speak to my captains and the staff about preparations for the journey tomorrow. After that, I shall head to the stables to personally see about the horses."
"We'll see you at supper then," Lucy said. Her friend nodded and after bowing briefly to her and Edmund, headed for the door. The two children watched as he slipped out into the hall, the door closing behind him with a dull thud that echoed lowly in the room before all was silent once more.
Turning to his sister, Edmund asked, "Shall we retire to our rooms for the rest of the afternoon?"
"In a few minutes," Lucy said. "There's one thing left to do first."
Curious, Edmund watched as his sister reached for the pouch at her hip. Lucy bent her head down and he heard her fumbling with the clasp; her long hair fell forward, forming a sheet of gold that hid her actions from view.
After a moment, she looked up at him again. "I have something for you." She reached forward and took his hand into hers. Lucy pried his fingers open and gently pressed a hard, cold object into his palm.
He looked down and inhaled sharply before quickly looking back up again. "Where did you find this?" he asked, surprised.
"In the treasure chamber," she said, smiling at his reaction. "I found all four of them together on a little plate but I only took the ones that belonged to the two of us."
Edmund silently slid the ring onto his finger. The golden band moved comfortably along his skin until it could go no further. He gazed solemnly at the engraving: the lion rampant of Narnia set above his own personal seal.
"I—" he paused. "Thank you, Lu."
The Queen shook her head. "It is rightfully yours, Ed, just as this one," she held her other hand out where her own signet ring glimmered brightly on her finger, "is mine. No other king or queen of Narnia can claim such a thing for themselves."
He nodded even as his eyes were fixed on the delicate carvings on his sister's ring.
"Edmund." Now that they were alone, she dropped the cheery façade she had maintained over the course of the afternoon. There were things she wished to discuss solely with her brother and the time had finally come when they had some privacy to themselves.
The King tore his gaze away and looked up with a frown, noting the serious tone in her voice. "Lucy?"
Lucy glanced up at four thrones on the dais. "I cannot bring myself to sit up there again," she confided, giving voice to the thoughts that had lately troubled her. "There may be four thrones in Narnia once more but they are no longer ours." She lowered her eyes and looked at him. "No matter how much this Cair Paravel is similar to the one from thirteen hundred years ago, it will never be quite the same."
"I know," said Edmund simply. It was difficult now for the two of them to be surrounded by so much evidence of their past lives. With Peter and Susan, the four of them lived and breathed Narnia to the fullest but Lucy had always been in tune with their kingdom more deeply than her older siblings. "That's why you said no to Caspian, wasn't it? When he asked you if you would sit on your throne."
"Yes," she said. "It hurts a little right now because it is Caspian's time to rule, not ours. And even though we knew this on our last visit, it was easier to accept when there weren't so many reminders of the past." She paused and Edmund watched as she fidgeted with her signet ring. "And during our walk around the castle, I realized that almost everything we've seen belongs to Caspian now.
"But this…" she reached forward and traced the worn edges of his ring with her finger, "even though this is a symbol of what once was, it is something that we need not pass down to those who rule Narnia now or in the future; Caspian has his own seal, as will his descendants. These rings are one of the few things left from our reign that we can solely claim as ours."
"Lucy," he began, but before he could say more, she threw her arms around him and pulled him close to her.
"I'm glad you're here, Ed," she said, her voice muffled as she pressed her face against his shoulder. "I don't think I could be happy being back in Narnia without you, or Peter, or Susan beside me."
"There's always Eustace," he reminded her.
She pulled away, laughing lightly as she looked at him. "He is not a friend to Narnia, not yet. But I hope he will be soon." She brought a hand up over her mouth as she felt a yawn escaping her lips. "And like our cousin, I think I could make do with a bit of rest before supper."
Edmund nodded and rose from the dais. Standing, he stretched his limbs, working the stiffness from of his arms and legs. He then turned to Lucy and offered a hand before he gently pulled her up.
"My Lady," he said as he gallantly held his arm out to her. With a small smile, she accepted it and together, they walked out of the throne room and proceeded to the stairs that led to their quarters.
oOo
It was several hours later when all three sovereigns found themselves in the Great Hall once again. During their visit earlier that afternoon, they had seen workers readying the cavernous space for the banquet. It was just as busy and boisterous now as it was then, with even more people in attendance; there was hardly space to move around in between the groups of servants, nobles, townsfolk, and musicians that filled the room.
Even with all the merriment and lively activity, it was neither as grand nor glorious as the feasts Edmund and Lucy remembered from their own reign. This banquet was a little more subdued but it was pleasant enough in its own way. Many of Caspian's subjects came to the feast in hopes of catching a glimpse of the royal guests; word had quickly spread out of the castle and into the surrounding city that the King had returned and two of the ancient sovereigns were with him when the Dawn Treader pulled into the harbor.
As the musicians struck up another song from one corner of the Great Hall, Edmund regained his seat at the High table. It was as far as he could retreat from the music and the din of chatter without making a conspicuous exit. As he nursed the drink in his hand, he could feel the headache starting to recede slowly from his temple.
One very noticeable difference between this feast and the ones he remembered was the sheer number of Humans gathered; there were just so many. The throbbing in his head came from the difficulty of trying to remember the names of all the Telmarine lords and ladies that were presented to him, in addition to the various Talking Animals and other Creatures of the court as well. While he kept a look of polite interest on his face as he met one courtier after another, all he could hope for was to escape the crowds as soon as possible. He never did enjoy this part of his royal duties and in the past, had left this role for Susan and Peter to deal with. His elder siblings were much more suited to playing host and hostess, Susan with her charm and gracefulness and Peter as the great and noble King of them all.
A familiar laugh caught his attention. He looked down to see Lucy performing the very duties he had just escaped from. After their somber conversation in the throne room, he was pleased to see her behaving more like her usual self again. She was surrounded by a small group of Telmarine nobles and appeared to be quite interested in what they were saying. He could tell she was truly listening to them from the way her head bobbed up and down and her eyes were focused so attentively on whoever was speaking to her. In their time, the valiant Queen was known for her regard of her people, to listen to them and to speak on their behalf amongst the four monarchs. It was clear that his youngest sister had not lost this precious skill as they traveled between worlds.
Edmund took a sip from his goblet and surveyed the room. He saw a small group of Telmarine lords deep in conversation with a centaur and a Bear. In the corner, several fauns were in the midst of playing a jaunty melody on their flutes and pipes while Red and Black Dwarfs were beating on drums in time to the music. A few of the younger ladies of the court—he thought he saw a Dryad or two amongst the Humans—laughed and danced to the rhythm. He smiled, pleased to see that after just three years, both Old and New Narnians seemed to be getting along rather well under his friend's reign.
As for Caspian himself… Edmund turned his head, his gaze directed at the far end of the table. It was there he found the king, sitting in one of the many chairs left vacant by the nobles that were mingling around the room. Lord Hazan was seated to the king's left while Trumpkin sat on his right. All three had been ignoring the festivities around them once the music and dancing began; Edmund knew they were still discussing the plans the king set for tomorrow.
"Well, that should be the last of them, I hope."
The King swung his head just in time to see Lucy returning to the table. She dropped into the seat beside him and reached for her own goblet, draining most of its contents in a single gulp. She set the cup down and a Satyr approached the table, discretely withdrawing the Queen's goblet for a minute before returning it to her, full of wine once more.
Edmund raised an eyebrow at his sister. It was most unlike her to consume that much wine in one sitting, never mind she did so with just one sip from her cup. "That wasn't very ladylike, Queen Lucy."
"Are we channeling Susan now, my Lord?"
"I think our royal brother and sister would both agree that such behavior does not befit a Queen of Narnia," he teased.
She laughed. "I don't think Peter would agree completely but yes, that does sound very much like something Su would say. Only she'd look like this as she said it." Edmund chuckled at the very prim and proper expression that now graced her face; it would fit perfectly on his older sister but looked rather out of place on his younger one.
Lucy took a smaller sip from her replenished goblet. In a lower voice, she said, "Between ourselves, I think if I have to greet one more courtier, I shall truly go mad." She shook her head. "I don't know how Susan managed this so well in our day. It's bad enough remembering names from one Narnian court, let alone another one. That's one thing I don't miss about being queen."
"What are you two going on about?"
The King and Queen looked up at the sound of the voice. They turned their heads to watch as their cousin climbed the steps that led to the dais. As the younger boy approached, he looked down at the table, taking note of the different people and creatures that sat there. Lucy motioned to the empty seat beside her, gesturing for him to sit down.
"Nothing you would understand," Edmund replied. He noticed his cousin had a flushed look on his face and his breathing was uneven. It was subtle but he could see the other boy was panting a bit. "Where have you been? We had to open the feast without you; Caspian waited as long as he could before giving his speech, but we couldn't wait forever."
"I went to get some air first," Eustace said. "It's too stuffy in this castle." He was unwilling to give either of his cousins the satisfaction of knowing he had woken up late and gotten lost in the castle yet again. Most of what Lucy had shown or explained to him in the afternoon had already been forgotten and he refused to ask the unusual creatures running about the castle for directions.
Edmund raised an eyebrow but did not press the matter further. Instead he waved a hand toward the waiting attendant.
The Satyr stepped up to the table and set a goblet down in front of the latecomer. Without looking at its contents, Eustace raised the goblet to his lips and took a sip. Barely a second later, he choked on his drink and spattered it out, almost spraying Lucy in the process.
"What is this ghastly stuff?" he asked as he looked around for something to wash the foul taste out of his mouth.
Edmund reached over and examined the other boy's goblet, sniffing at the liquid remaining in the bottom of the cup. The color and smell matched the contents of his own drink. "It's probably a summer wine from Archenland," he said, looking to the Satyr for confirmation.
"It is, Sire," the Narnian said with a slight smile. "'Twas a gift from King Nain's ambassador when he visited in the spring."
"Disgusting," Eustace muttered before adding more loudly, "And it's way too strong."
"On the contrary," the King replied amiably; the wine seemed to temper the normal irritation that arose whenever he dealt with Eustace. "Archenland's summer wines are very light; there's no need to dilute it with water the way we do with the winter ones."
Eustace ignored him, choosing instead to cast his eyes about the table. "Isn't there anything normal to drink around here?"
"This is a normal drink for Narnians. You have much to learn about our country, cousin." Edmund then turned his attention to the Satyr. "Would you please bring water and perhaps juice for our kinsman?"
The Narnian nodded with a twinkle in his eye. "Right away, King Edmund." He made a half bow to the King and descended from the dais, disappearing behind a side door. The attendant returned a few minutes later, carrying several flagons and a goblet on a large silver tray.
Eustace watched as he tilted one of the flagons, pouring an amber-colored liquid into the cup. The Satyr placed the goblet in front of him and bowed before stepping back from the table. The boy looked at the cup and after a long pause, turned his head to look at the Satryr. "What's in this?" he asked, a hint of suspicion in his voice.
"'Tis cider, my lord. Made from the apples in the orchard just beyond the castle walls."
Before he could ask another question, Eustace realized his cousins were staring at him. He shifted in his seat, uncomfortable with their attention. As one, Lucy and Edmund raised their goblets and waited for him to do the same. With a bit of reluctance, he held his own goblet up.
Once all three cups were in the air, Edmund said, "To Narnia and to Aslan." Lucy echoed her brother's words while the younger boy muttered half-heartedly under his breath.
Eustace slowly brought the goblet close to his face and sniffed it. The liquid inside indeed smelled of apples. He took a small sip and his unease melted away as he recognized the familiar taste on his lips; the Satyr was true to his word. Peering over the rim of his cup, he watched as Lucy sipped delicately from her goblet. "You're not old enough to drink that vile stuff."
"Technically, there isn't an age restriction here, Eustace," Edmund drawled. "But for your information, Lu is quite of age to be drinking wine. We all are." The King lifted his brimming goblet to Eustace. "Cheers, then," he said, saluting the younger boy with a wink before draining its contents in one try. He flashed a wicked grin at his sister and cousin as he set the cup down.
"Edmund!" Lucy admonished, shaking her head at him. "Tsk tsk, brother. If Peter were here…"
He snorted and waved a hand toward her goblet. "Pot. Black," he said, pointedly reminding her of her earlier behavior. "Besides, Peter wouldn't do a thing; he and I have both had worse. Unlike our dear brother, I can hold my drink quite well. Remember, Sister, it wasn't I who woke up with a hangover on the mornings after the victory feasts with the fauns."
Lucy made a face at her brother as she conceded the point to him. Edmund laughed, knowing he had a secured a small victory; he didn't think he'd be as lucky the next time they discussed such intimate observations about their elder siblings.
"What is that lot up to?"
Eustace's question broke through his musings. Edmund followed the boy's gaze toward the other end of the High table where Caspian and his advisors were still deep in discussion. "They're finalizing our plans for tomorrow. Which reminds me: will you be coming?"
"What plans? Where are you going?" Eustace looked suspiciously at his two cousins. Somehow, he didn't think he was going to like anything either of them suggested.
"Ed and I will be riding out with Caspian to the north and west of Narnia," Lucy said, speaking up before her brother could answer. She had seen the weary looked that crossed Edmund's face for the briefest of seconds and decided to allow him a reprieve from the younger boy's endless questions. "We'll likely be gone for a few days," she continued, "possibly a week, depending on how often we'll need to stop and rest."
"Horses?" Eustace wrinkled his nose in disgust. "I take it they're not civilized enough to have trains around here."
Edmund sighed and ignoring his cousin's last comment, rejoined the conversation. "It's up to you whether or not you wish to join us. Otherwise, you can stay here at the castle and wait for us to return."
"I refuse to join in this mad romp of yours," Eustace said, his response and tone of voice clear indicators of his decision. After being aboard that horrid ship for weeks, the last thing he wanted to do was travel through more of this wild country. And on horses no less!
"But wouldn't you want to see what the rest of Narnia is like, Eustace?" asked Lucy. "This is such a beautiful land and there's so—"
He cut her off. "Absolutely not," he huffed.
So that's that. Edmund shrugged and glanced at his sister, a silent 'I told you so' conveyed on his face. "Have it your way, then. But know that if you stay, there are a few rules you'll need to abide by."
"Very well," the boy replied, seemingly unconcerned by Edmund's warning.
"Eustace," the King said sternly. He was prepared to impress upon his cousin the seriousness of following castle rules when he noted Lucy staring at something behind him. He turned to see Caspian rising from his seat; it appeared the council had finally reached an end.
The Telmarine king strode purposefully toward them. "Ah, there you are, Eustace," he said, smiling brightly as he greeted the boy before including his friends in his gaze. "Have all of you been enjoying the feast? I do hope everything has been to your liking."
"It's been lovely," Lucy assured him, returning his grin. "To be here, watching all these people and listening to the music… it's brought back some wonderful memories," she added a bit wistfully.
Edmund carefully watched his sister as she spoke and was relieved to find the smile on her face to be genuine. Despite the good time they were having, there had been a slight possibility of the feast bringing sadness to Lucy as well; sitting at the High table was yet another reminder of the past.
Once assured that Lucy was fine, he then turned to Caspian and looked at the other king thoughtfully. "I'm glad to see to see that after three years, your subjects seem rather harmonious with each other," he said, nodding towards the Telmarines and Old Narnians below.
The king laughed. "They are now, but not at first," he admitted. "In my first year as king, the rift between Narnian and Telmarine was still great, and it took a lot of effort to finally bring them together. As a matter of fact, I have the war with the Giants to thank for that. It helped to bridge the gap between our two peoples and brought them together since we were all fighting for the same thing." He looked across the hall, smiling contently. "I am proud they've all adapted and the country is no longer divided."
"It is a very good thing indeed," Edmund agreed. "I don't think I've seen the hostility and fear the Telmarines had of the Old Narnians from our last visit."
"Indeed, my countrymen are less superstitious about the Narnians than they were before the Revolution." Caspian bent his head down, positioning himself between Edmund and Lucy. "I hope it's not too late to advise you to watch out for some of the Telmarine lords," he cautioned lowly. "Good men they are, but a few of them can talk your ear off." There was a hint of amusement in his voice. "I think some of them just like to hear themselves talk."
Edmund groaned a little. "Your warning came a bit late, I'm afraid. I've already had the pleasure of speaking with one or two of them," he said, looking around until he spotted the men in question.
The other king followed his gaze and chuckled. "Ah, I see what you mean. My apologies, Edmund, for not cautioning you sooner." After a moment, he turned his attention back to the High table. The relaxed look faded from his face and was replaced with a more somber expression. "Trumpkin and Lord Hazan have informed me that the preparations for tomorrow's journey have been completed."
"Excellent," said Edmund. His eyes fell on Eustace briefly before he spoke again. "And you needn't worry about finding a horse for our cousin. Eustace has decided to stay at the Cair while we're away."
"A fine choice," Caspian said solemnly. "Perhaps you would like to explore the castle grounds and the city outside these walls, Eustace? I will speak to Lord Octern and arrange for someone to show you around." He read the apprehension on the young boy's face and quickly added, "a Telmarine guide, if it pleases you."
Despite the assurance of a human escort, Eustace still appeared skeptical. He opened his mouth to protest but the king wished to settle the issue as quickly as possible. "You are our honored guest, Eustace," Caspian interjected smoothly, "and as such, you are due every bit of hospitality Narnia has to offer. And speaking from experience, I think you would find it helpful to have a guide that can explain all the different customs to one that is new to the land."
Eustace could find no words to refute the king's reasoning. For once, Caspian surprised him; everything the king said sounded quite logical to him. Though he was loath to admit it, he was pleased to hear himself spoken of as an honored guest.
"Oh, very well," he muttered, looking away from their faces. He then turned his attention to the plate of food in front of him. Eustace picked up his fork and knife and stared down with a scowl. He jabbed at the slices of venison and pushed them away, toward the far side of his plate until the meat teetered along the rim, nearly falling onto the table. With less trepidation, he speared several pieces of vegetables onto his fork and popped them into his mouth.
As he was engrossed with his supper, the younger boy missed the exchange that occurred above his head. Had he looked up, he might have taken offense at the expressions that appeared on the faces of the two kings and queen.
All three sovereigns wore looks of relief to varying degrees.
Caspian was satisfied that the boy chose to stay at the Cair; it was easier to keep his friends' kinsman entertained within the bounds of the castle and city than it would be to locate a suitable mount for an inexperienced and difficult rider.
Though she knew Eustace's decision was likely for the best, Lucy could not help feeling somewhat disappointed. A small part of her hoped he would come and see a bit of Narnia as her family had known it.
Given his observations of the other boy all summer, Edmund had recognized early on what choice Eustace would ultimately make. Like his sister, he too thought this was probably the best course of action and yet, he could not help but think that it was an unwise decision as well.
He had given much thought to the matter all afternoon and the conclusion was always the same. The King was quite sure that wherever Eustace was, trouble would certainly follow.
Next: To One's Own Journey (tentative) — In which the Kings and Queen finally set off on their journey while an English schoolboy begins to learn of Narnian hospitality.
A/N: Apologies once again for the long delay of this chapter. I had been trying so hard to post this sooner but being sick for well over a month put a dent in that plan.