The Lion is an Angel
Disclaimer: I do not own the Chronicles of Narnia. All rights go to C.S. Lewis, Disney, and BBC.
Chapter 14: Cair Paravel
Henry's POV
By sunrise everyone in camp packed up the camp for the journey to Cair Paravel. I was excited for Agnes, the Pevensies, and I will be living in a castle. In London there are hardly castle but palaces. Before the war, my dad would take the family to visit Buckingham palace and the Tower of London. Just the construction and beauty fascinate me. Although we never got the chance to see the inside King George VI home, the outside appearance is grand, including the Kings Guard. Them standing there constantly without moving a single inch while tourist or residences try to make the block have a reaction. I still wonder how they can keep such composure after all the silly things that's been done?
Anyway, Lucy and I stayed out of trouble by grooming Pegasi who much on the grass. Mr. Tumnus also was our chaperone. He looks much better than yesterday having much sleep and food in his tummy. In fact, Peter has decided to make Mr. Tumnus an advisor, though Aslan requested he be a tutor as well. The moment Lucy and I heard that we gave a look of horror. Why do we need another teacher, aren't we on holiday? Sadly Peter and Agnes agreed to the idea of the faun being our tutor, as Agnes puts the children complaint "End of discussion." Anyway, the others were helping dismantling the camp. Lucy took a brush and combed it down the horse's salt and pepper mane. She smiled widely as the horse let her do so.
"Are you excited to be queen?" I asked.
"Oh yes, I can't wait!" Lucy answered.
"I don't get it?" I said. "Aren't you young to be queen? Shouldn't you be a princess?"
Lucy pause thinking about the question, "I don't know."
"Aslan said there shall be two kings and two queens to rule Narnia." Mr. Tumnus confirmed.
"Then I should be calling you, your majesty," I told Lucy.
"Do not call me majesty," Lucy said. "You are my friend."
"As her highness commands," I laughed. Lucy huffed and shoved me, but I couldn't help but laugh. "Well, that's wasn't lady like." She shoved me once more causing me to trip. However I couldn't stop laughing.
"Well, as your queen, I command you to never call me majesty, highness, or milady." Lucy proclaimed with much authority . . . for a girl.
"Whatever her grace commands," I giggled.
"Enough you two," Mr. Tumnus chuckled as he stood between us. "You humans are very interesting."
After Aslan camp was packed and put on wagons. Agnes and I shared Pegasi riding instead of flying; Lucy rode with Peter on the unicorn while Susan joined Edmund on his horse Philip. The fauns carry the Narnia's banister which had the insignia of a red lion on golden shields with a metal plate of Aslan on top. Aslan lead the way to Cair Paravel through the shuddering woods. It was a long journey and we didn't reach the castle till the late afternoon.
My mouth literally dropped at the sight of Cair Paravel. The castle fused into a hill over the cliffs near the beaches reaching up to the sky as the trees blooms around every flat surface. Just looking at the stone I could only guess was cut out of the rocks from the cliff. Here you can easily smell the ocean, where the sands are practically golden, decorated by the rocks and seaweed as the beach go long for mile on end.
Once the gates open the Narnian cheered to be home again. All of us humans awed at the magnificent beauty the castle hold. Throughout the day Aslan gave a tour of Cair Paravel while Oreius followed. The halls massive filled with columns and tapestry of Narnia's history, including statues of mythical creatures. The windows and balconies larger that either side of the castle the view is grand from the ocean and forest. When we were given a tour of the great hall things just seem like a fairy tale. The Great hall is massive as the roof seems to be made out of ivory, peacock feathers hanging on the west wall while the eastern side looked out into the ocean.
Up ahead were the four thrones. Each of the four thrones is carved out of stone while on top of each throne there was a crest. I could only guess which throne represented who. As the sword was Peter, the horn Susan, the scale possibly Edmunds, and the cordial be Lucy. The Pevensies walk over to their thrones while Agnes and I stood next to Aslan.
I felt a little bit green eye that they get a throne but as mum says, 'You can't always get what you want.' Also Aslan said our place in Narnia is far greater than a chair. I think he says our duty is to join a country called Archenland with Narnia once more. Something about blood relatives from great uncle Frank decedents; though I find it odd because of the generation differences?
By sunset we had dinner in the mass hall with the other Narnians as we children ate in front of the grand tables. Aslan however didn't join us for the meal. I sat next to Lucy as we talk about the tour while the older siblings chat with one another.
"It's so massive," I told Lucy.
"We can play hide and seek much easily than Professors Kirks manor." Lucy replied.
Then it hit me . . . Professor Kirk?
"What's wrong?" Lucy asked.
"Do you think our family is going to miss us?" I replied.
The others stop and look at us. Realization hit us hard for we forgot the most important thing, home and family. Ever since coming to Narnia I completely forgot about our world. My mum would probably be awfully worried if Agnes and I disappeared. And I bet so would Mrs. Pevensie.
"I think when all is right . . . we should probably return home." Agnes suggested.
"If we ever get back," Susan mumbled.
Peter gave Susan a hard look then sighed, "I'm sure we can see our family again soon. Maybe Aslan can bring them here or something?"
That brightens the mood some, though I'm still thinking of mum and dad. Hoping dad is safe in the war and mum as well. After dinner some of the servants lead us to our room. The Pevensies were escorted to the east wing while Agnes and I were lead to the west wing. I pouted since Lucy and I won't be closer to play. Anyway we were lead to some sort of building that would be our home. The dryad who is a maid explained this room once belongs to a prince. My eyes widen in the amount of detail and furniture you can only find in the museum or a rich man's home. Some of it similar to Professors Kirk mansion. Marble floors and columns all about, vibrant curtains of beaded lace detail, plush furniture and rich furnishing.
We went to my room and I couldn't help by jump on my huge bed. I mean it was so huge that five of my classmates can fill it. The bedding green and four posts made out of wood. On the headboard was a carving of a winged horse who I can think was Fledge, I prefer the reference to Pegasi. The walls were painted in a bluish green tone, as one wall had a mural of the one historical event while the opposite side of the wall lead to a balcony facing the forest and across Narnia as far as I could see. The furniture a deep brown color, while bronze items spread throughout, if not a marble fireplace where a shield of Aslan lingers on top.
"Does this please his lordship?" the dryad asked.
"Yes," I said jumping on the bed.
The dryad and Agnes chuckled at me but who cares. I never had a large room. Being the youngest means I had to have the smallest room in the house back home. No wallpaper of flowers on the wall, hamydown bed, and iron post bed. Not like this.
"All right you rascal, time for bed." Agnes said.
"Awe! Can I stay up late please?" I begged landing on the comfy mattress.
"Nope, bed time." Agnes said.
I tried the puppy dog face, yet it doesn't work. Instead Agnes laughed before she got me ready for bed in a large shirt called a chemise and tucks me in of silk sheets. Not the scratchy sheets in the guest room of the Professors mansion. Agnes wished me goodnight, blowing out the candles then left for her new room. I sighed getting comfortable before closing my eyes to sleep.
.o0o.
Agnes POV
The dryad escorted to my room after I tucked Henry to bed. To watch my energetic brother ecstatic about his new bedchambers made my day. Back in Camden he didn't have much because of his condition. But now that he is better and more mobile he be exploring much more indeed.
When I shown my room I stood there amazed. The room is large indeed as the chamber held a feminine side compare to the other one. The elegant room center point being a king-size bed secure in a four post bed made out of marble golden accented columns and orientated headboard. The bedding beige and copper tone trimmed with a soft blue while the pillows embroidery. The shape of the ceiling artistic and inspiring archers painted in Narnian design with a chandelier hanged out of gold. As the walls a soft elegant blue mix with gentle practically vague strokes of gold while gold and silver orientated mirrors hanged along with portraits of swans in a lake. Nearly every decoration and furnishing had a bit of bronze and gold embed into them is such fashion it seems it had grown with the wood.
"Does this suit soothe her ladyship," the dryad asked.
"Yes," I manage to say. "It's beautiful."
"This room once belonged to the late Queen Swanwhite during King Gale's reign when she was a princess." She explained walking over to the wardrobe to pull out a nightgown. "Aslan requested you and Lord Henry live in the estate."
"Then I must thank him for his generosity." I said.
The dryad whose name is Cypress helped in prepare for the night. At first I denied the offer suggesting she should get ready for bed. But she insisted saying she is my handmaiden. I frown on the idea of having a handmaiden, but being generous I let her do as she pleased. Once she left I sat down on my bed feeling of comfortable it is. It was no worn out mattress that is for sure. Also the silk sheets feeling soft against my skin, I stare at the fireplace mantle to see Aslan shield. Looking closely at the ivory mantel there were carvings of swans. Guess Queen Swanwhite kept to her name.
.o0o.
The next morning Cypress open the drapes to the bedchambers allowing light to fill the room. I groan slightly as the nymph chuckled wishing me to get up for the morning. Even though it is the first time living in Cair Paravel today holds no exception. Tomorrow shall be the coronation, so all of the Narnians are busy.
"You must wake up, milady." Cypress said. "You and Lord Henry have breakfast with the Pevensies and then a meeting with the seamstress on your gown."
"What time is it?" I asked with a yawn.
"Two hours pass the rooster crow," Cypress answered.
Not very detail on time, I thought. Then again I don't thinks clocks are invented yet here in Narnia.
Fortunately I manage to get out of bed and prepare for the day. Once dress in my archer's gown I met Henry in the foyer before Cypress escorted us to the private dining room where the Pevensies were. All seem to be eating breakfast. So Henry and I sat down and serve ourselves breakfast of food and juices. As we were eating I reached over the table for some butter at the same time as Peter's hand touch the plate. Our hands touch, which Peter pulled back in shock like something burn him.
"Agnes, your hand is freezing," Peter notice.
"Really," I said, as I rub my hands together feeling no change in temperature.
Edmund touch my hand and nodded, "Strange even your wrists are cold."
"Same with Mr. Tumnus," Lucy announced.
"In fact when treating the wounded those who were turned to stone were cold as well." Susan added.
"The coldness shall be gone in time." Aslan said, coming into the room. "It's nothing to worry about."
"That is good to hear," I sighed in relief.
I was a bit afraid that the White Witch's curse held an aftermath side effect. Luckily believing the lion words shows no hesitation. Although I find it ironic that everyone puts much faith into him. You shoulder feel terrify to be near a lion, but the same time you feel attracted to him as well. Aslan walked around us till he stopped in front of the table. His face held a neutral expression, though his amber eyes held much emotion.
"I hope you all had a goodnights rest?" Aslan said.
"Yes Aslan, the rooms are lovely." Susan said. Everyone agreed with a nod or compliment.
The lion chuckle, "Good, I'm glad to hear that since no one has lived in Cair Paravel for over a hundred years." He then took a moment before continuing. "Today shall be tedious day, for tomorrow shall be your coronation. Sons of Adam you are accompany me. Daughters of Eve, Mrs. Beaver shall take of you of your preparations as well."
After breakfast Mrs. Beaver escorted us to the Dressing chambers. A few nymphs waited for us with scissors and thread ready. Also three gowns were on display. The smallest dress assume to be Lucy's dress, the gown is a lovely silver teal, fabric made out of rich velvet and sleeves made out of silk. Around the collar pearl beads in metal flower while a few cascaded around to the bottom. Lucy awe at her gown walking over to grasp the red and gold cape that came with her dress.
Susan walked over to her gown. The dress is pale blue/silver crushed velvet, done over in gold leaf with diamond scallop and swirling design, with what looks like sprigs of berries. Her cape blue and gold. Susan complimented the seamstress of their craftsmanship. They smiled in gratitude as the two help theirs into their gowns to make final alteration for the coronation. I walk over to my dress that was being worn by a manikin. The dress look like a medieval gown, the fabric cranberry red, bronze trimming along the neck, sleeves and bottom with authentic Celtic patterns. The bodice was the same bronze color as the patterns continues in gold under the bust line. From all the three dress the most common theme between them is the bell sleeves and medieval attire.
Once Susan and Lucy were done with alterations I put on the dress and the nymph did final adjustment.
"Oh lovely, you three girls look so lovely in your gowns." Mrs. Beaver complimented. "Never have I thought I see this day!"
"Thank you, Mrs. Beaver." Lucy said.
"You're welcome, dear." She replied.
Throughout the day we girls help arrange the coronation for the ceremony. All the choices of flowers, food, and type of music. Lucy knew what kind of music she wanted having heard a Narnian lullaby. BY late afternoon we girls sat in the garden having a cup of tea and lemon cakes.
"Are you two ready to be queen?" I asked them.
Susan nodded, "I wonder, do you hold ill towards us?"
"No," I answered. "Just because you two are being royals I feel no negativity towards you."
"Maybe you can be queen too," Lucy said.
"And how so, my dear Lucy?" I asked.
"You can marry Peter in the future." She answered.
Susan choked on her lemon cake. "Lucy."
"What did I say?" the girl replied.
Meanwhile I sat there dumbfounded if not blushing madly. It hardly occurred to me of the possibility of Peter to like me in such a way. Yes Peter and I have become friends and understand each other since planning the battle of Beruna. Oh dear, now I fear for the future of Lucy instigating such a topic and what it shall bestow upon her and Henry. Since we left London to the Professors manor I notice how close Henry and Lucy have become. If things go out very well there might be a courtship.
Anyway I took a deep breath then sighed, "Let time tell."
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Sorry for the rush in Agnes part. I was in the zone and suddenly it goes in a blink. I hope you guys like the chapter and sorry for the grammar. I'm still debating if I should do a sequel for Prince Caspian. You guys decide.
Thanks for reading and please leave a review.