Author's note: Here is Chapter 4 at last. It took me a while to write because it is pretty intense towards the end. And we get a look at Susan as well. Hope you like it!
Chapter 4 – Ready or Not
Susan emerged from the deep forest and her horse broke into a canter. The fresh spring breeze tossed her dark hair as she rode. She could see the gleaming white towers of the castle ahead. A Wolf bodyguard loped along behind her. Three flags flew above the castle. One was the green and red lion standard of Narnia, followed by the dark blue and silver eagle belonging to Edmund. Her own standard fluttered in the breeze beside her brother's. It was forest green with her ivory horn stitched in silver. Susan mourned for her absent siblings and knew she would never see the golden griffin and silver phoenix flying over the castle again.
Below the flags, on a lower tower, she could make out a figure. She could see his dark hair ruffled in the wind. He raised his hand in greeting, but she did not return it. It had been three days since she had seen him and she wondered about all that had gone on in her absence. He had sent for her and she wondered if he was ready to apologize. It never crossed her mind that perhaps she had been the one in the wrong.
She urged her horse into a gallop and was soon flying up the green slope to the city. She slowed her pace when she reached the city and smiled cheerfully at her subjects who stopped to wave at her as she passed. Soon the massive gates of the castle loomed up before her and they opened as she approached. When she reached the stables, she slid off her mare and handed the reins to the stableman who appeared quickly.
Susan smoothed the wrinkled skirt of her light brown riding habit as she approached the double doors leading into the castle. She ran her fingers through her loose, windblown hair, trying to suppress the long waves cascading over her shoulders. She forced herself to smile as the doors opened and she stepped into the marble hall filled with ladies-in-waiting and various courtiers expecting her.
Susan greeted all her friends. She asked after their families and spoke politely to all. But she was relieved when she reached the end of the line. Edmund stood waiting for her. She noticed that he looked paler than usual.
"Sister." He greeted her formally and kissed her hand.
"My lord," she responded in the same fashion and dropped a quick curtsy.
"No doubt you are tired after your ride," Edmund assumed.
"Naturally," Susan answered.
"Then I shall escort you to your chamber." Edmund offered his arm, which she took and they glided down the hall. They said nothing as they passed countless doors. They at last approached Susan's room. Susan desperately wanted to say something to break the awful silence. The lack of color in Edmund's face informed her that something was very wrong, but she couldn't summon enough courage to speak to him. Edmund opened the door for her and she opened her mouth to speak.
"Thank you," she said as she removed her hand from his arm and stepped into her room. She mentally chided herself for being such a coward. It was only her brother after all!
"Susan," Edmund pleaded. But she wasn't ready to face him yet.
"I am weary, my lord," she answered and closed the door.
Susan quickly walked down the hall, her scarlet skirt flowing behind her. She had received summons from Edmund to join him in the throne room for a meeting with the council. She paused at a nearby mirror to check her hair before continuing on her way. She glided down the stairs and wondered if this meeting had to do with the reason that Edmund seemed so pale. She crossed the main chamber to the double doors, gilded with gold leaf, and opened them. She stepped inside and Lord Peridan met her with a smile.
"My queen! I trust that you returned safely."
"Indeed, I did," Susan answered as he led her over to the table and pulled out her accustomed chair. She gave him a smile in thanks as she took a seat. He crossed to the other side of the table and sat at Edmund's left. Edmund was leaning his head heavily against his hand and his face was troubled. Three more of the lords came in as they waited in an uneasy silence.
As Edmund struggled to collect his thoughts, Susan let her eyes drift to the two empty seats beside her. For a moment she could still picture her cheerful sister and heroic brother sitting beside her. But then the memory was gone and she was only staring at cold, empty chairs. Susan abruptly stood up, her chair grating harshly across the marble floor and dragging Edmund out of his thoughts. Her hands trembled at her sides and there was conflict in her face. At last she spoke but it was almost to herself.
"I must go."
"Susan!" Edmund called after her as she quickly fled from the room. He leaped up from his seat and dashed after her. He caught her outside the massive doors and took hold of her elbow. "Susan."
"I am indisposed." She refused to look into his eyes.
"Susan," Edmund repeated. "Susan, look at me."
She tore her elbow from his grasp. "Do not follow me, my lord." With that she bolted down the hall, leaving Edmund to stare after her.
"King Edmund."
Edmund turned to see a slim man addressing him. He had shoulder length dark hair and a distinctly Telmarine accent.
"Ambassador Luzan," Edmund answered through gritted teeth. He wondered how long the Telmarine had been lurking in the shadows, watching his sister's emotional flurry.
"Has the council been summoned?" Ambassador Luzan questioned.
"Yes." Edmund forced himself to speak civilly. "Come. We are assembled and will hear what you have to say." Edmund led the way back to the throne room and the doors closed soundly behind them. Edmund took a look over his shoulder once as he wished to speak with Susan, but it was certainly not a convenient time. He took his place – what used to be Peter's – at the head of the table. Ambassador Luzan stood at the other end. Edmund nodded for him to begin.
Ambassador Luzan cleared his throat. "First I must thank you for all the food and supplies Narnia has sent to help us during the famine this past winter. But instead of appeasing our country, it made Telmar restless. The populace is growing impatient. They want better crops. The sailors want better ports with better trade. The lords want better estates. We all want a better life. And Narnia offers all that we seek."
"Your citizens have crossing our boarder for months," Edmund responded. "Some legally, others illegally. We welcome all people here, but Narnia cannot support itself and all these immigrants. My brother, the High King, passed the immigration laws for the safety of our country. Telmarines are welcome but they must come legally."
"My people do not see it this way," Ambassador Luzan replied. "They see their wealthy Narnian neighbors with plenty of food and large expanses of land. They want a share and we believe that riches should be shared among all people."
Edmund frowned.
Lord Peridan rose to his feet. "Haven't we done enough for your country already? In your time of starvation, we have provided food for your people. We have sent teachers for your schools. We have put you back on your feet and you tell us that it has only fueled your desire for our beautiful land? You seek to dominate a free country. The Narnians will never liberally give up their land. This is our home."
"Yes," Edmund agreed as he found his voice. "Where will the Narnians go, if Telmar seizes their lands? How will we live? We cannot go to Telmar. We have no use for the resources there and we do not know how to use them. What will become of Narnia? Will your people respect the dryads and their trees, or shall they be mercilessly cut down? What about the naiads? Will you change the course of their rivers? Narnia will not give itself away so freely."
"My king, Caspian the First, is well aware of that," Ambassador Luzan answered. "So your country shall go down in darkness. We will have Narnia. But to prevent the unnecessary shedding of blood, King Caspian is prepared to offer you an irresistible bargain."
"You think that I will just sell away my country!" exclaimed Edmund in horror.
"Of course not," Ambassador Luzan replied slyly. "But every king must think of his people and what is best for them." Edmund hesitated as the ambassador watched him closely. "Every king must also think of himself. This could be your chance to escape from this sinking kingdom. Now I've only heard fragments of the story – a missing sister, deserted High King, empty treasury – but from my understand, your country is going under. This is your chance to escape from all the problems and responsibilities."
"Our High King did not abandon us!" Edmund exclaimed, leaping to the defense of his brother. "And who said that our treasury was lacking? I think you are assuming more than you know, Ambassador Luzan. I will not abandon my country. Aslan has given me kingship and I shall use it to protect my subjects and friends."
"But if you do not agree," Ambassador Luzan continued as if Edmund hadn't said anything, "we will have no choice but to declare war on you. None of your people shall be spared. They shall be wiped out and you and your siblings shall be put to the sword. It would be a shame to see the pretty face of the eldest queen so lifeless," he sneered.
It was in a moment like this that Edmund realized he was not Peter, even in part. Peter would know what to do. His elder brother would be so sure of their victory. And they would win. But Edmund was afraid. He was afraid that he was making a terrible mistake and he was terrified of harming his people. He desperately wanted Peter's courage and confidence.
"Think wisely, O Just King," reminded the ambassador. "Your decision will affect your entire country."
And Edmund knew that so well. He did not want to agree. He knew that Narnia would rather fight to the last. Surrender was not an option. But he was afraid that he could not lead her to victory. It wasn't that he doubted his skills as a warrior, but he doubted that he could lead the entirety of Narnia's strength to battle. What if they failed? He would be to blame and Narnia would be subjected to a conqueror's ruthless domination.
Lord Peridan could sense his king's helplessness. He rose to his feet and addressed the ambassador. "Will you kindly withdraw so that we may discuss this amongst ourselves?"
"Yes, of course, my lord," Ambassador Luzan answered. He bowed and left the room.
Lord Peridan placed a hand on Edmund's shoulder. "Those who seek the Lion find new strength," he whispered. Edmund smiled gratefully.
"Of all the indignities that Telmar could subject us to!" exclaimed one lord farther down the table. "They just assume that we will go along with their schemes because we are a peaceful nation."
"What of our families and land?" another asked. "Will they try to take those from us if we agree?"
"Narnia suffered under the Witch's rule for one hundred years," Lord Peridan commented. "Many of our ancestors were torn away from their homes and fled to Archenland. Now that the Witch has been defeat, we the descendants, have returned to rebuild our lives and the legacy of those who were before us. We have worked diligently for nearly fifteen years. We are not ready to give up our freedom! And we will not do that willingly!"
"I would rather fight in a doomed war than sell away everything we believe in," a lord sitting to Edmund's far right announced boldly.
"Then I have your answer?" Edmund asked.
The lord nodded. "Lord Peridan speaks what echoes in all our minds. There is no surrender. We will not freely give our country away. Even if they burn our estates and take our families away in chains, we will fight. And we shall fight to the last."
Edmund nodded. "Then war it shall be." He looked to the door and nodded to the courtier standing erect beside it. "Let Ambassador Luzan return. Our answer is prepared." The courtier hurried to open the door and Ambassador Luzan entered, looking a little smug as if he guessed what their answer would be.
Edmund knew what he must answer and though he had hesitated at first, he suddenly felt sure of it. His hand clenched at his side and he felt the muscles in his jaw tighten. "Never." He told the ambassador. "We will not surrender."
Ambassador Luzan paused but then continued, still undaunted, "King Caspian knew you would shun his offer, but I will let you look it over before you come to your final conclusion." He produced a scroll and held it out.
"We have made our decision, Ambassador Luzan," Edmund repeated. "Good day, sir. You are free to leave on the first ship bound for Telmar." Lord Peridan stood up to escort the man out.
Ambassador Luzan looked back over his shoulder at Edmund with gleaming eyes. "We are coming, King Edmund, whether you are ready or not."
Author's note: My sister and I have dubbed Ambassador Luzan, 'Lasagna boy'. :)
Things are looking pretty bad for Narnia. Were the Telmarines' motives believable? I remember that the invasion had something to do with a famine in Telmar. Did it make sense? And I'm sorry that Susan and Edmund haven't made up yet. (Poor Ed. She shut the door in his face!) That was going to happen in this chapter, but Lasagna boy took up more pages than I had planned. So in the next chapter, I have something cute planned. I think you will like it. :) Until then, the Lion's Blessings!
P.S. I'm running a poll on my profile regarding "Born For This". Check it out and vote please!