Daring to Dream
Chapter Twelve
The Arrival of a Queen
From the moment his father had come striding into to one of old Dusty's lectures on the history of Archenland and him that he was to journey with the Narnian delegation to Calormen, Prince Corin had been very excited. What had followed were two hurried weeks of preparation before the party left Narnia at dawn on the Splendour Hyaline.
So far, the journey had not failed to fulfil Corin's expectations. It seemed that every passing day brought new and exciting experiences.
There were hours of freedom spent exploring the ship's cabins and even the enormously high rigging (though First Mate Ralph made him promise not to tell). Half hours were spent learning the rules of seamanship with King Edmund. There would be lessons in history when kind Mr Tumnus would retell stories of great battles and adventures (far surpassing Old Dusty's plodding speeches). And every evening saw an hour spent with Queen Susan playing board games and in the telling of stories.
Though he had met the queen several times before this journey, it was only during these evenings that Corin grew to look upon the young woman as an aunt. Rather than dismissing his imaginings and thoughts, she would listen and speak to him as an adult. It was one of the first times in his life when an older lady (who was not his old nurse) would listen and discuss his concerns.
They had even spoken about Mother, though briefly, and he had delighted to hear about her kindness and merry heart. Queen Susan had known the late Queen Embeth in her girlhood and had heard her speak of her joy in her young son when he was only a toddler. They had even mentioned Cor – the brother he had never known.
"I can never speak of Mother or Cor to Father," Corin had confided. "He always grows so sad and grave at the mention of either. But it has been a relief to finally speak of it. Thank you, my lady, truly."
Queen Susan's simple response had been to squeeze his hand and suggest a game of cards.
That was one of the things Corin liked about the queen. Whenever things got heavy and he might embarrass himself, she never pried or tried to get him to talk, but distracted him with a game or puzzle.
So the days passed in a happy blur for Corin. But even he grew curious as they drew nearer to their destination and the land on the shore changed from thick woodland to the rolling hills on the downs.
His curiosity got the better of him one day when he was sitting with Mr Tumnus and the queen in the stern sitting room.
"What is Calormen like, Mr Tumnus? Have you been there many times?"
The old faun closed the book he was reading and smiled at Corin.
"Which question would you like me to answer first, young prince?" he asked, carefully folding his spectacles.
Corin pondered for a moment. "What is it like?"
"Well. Calormen is very like Narnia and your father's land of Archenland and yet utterly different. It has similar land marks. The Western Mountains tower to the very sky so that the snow never melts from their great heights – similar to that of Mount Pire on Archenland's southernmost border. There are rolling hills to the east of Tashbaan that are like the steppes in the south west of your father's land. But it is also a very different country.
"Theirs is a land of vast desert with sand spreading out as far as the eye can see. The great city of Tashbaan is also very different to your father's castle of Anvard. Where Archenland is filled with villages and small towns, Tashbaan is a vast city, situated all around the sides of a great hill. Thousands live within its walls and make their home in its dusty streets."
Corin's mouth was wide. "How many live there? Father told me that we have around four hundred living in Anvard."
Tumnus smiled gently. "Well multiply that number by at least five hundred and you might have an approximation for the population of Tashbaan."
The prince's eyes were wide. "200,000?" he gaped. "Surely that number cannot live in all the world!"
The faun laughed and patted Corin's shoulder. "I see my prince is quick with his numbers."
The boy smiled. "I love arithmetic, but Old Dusty … I mean … my tutor tells me I should focus more upon the study of politics and diplomacy. I can't wait until Father will allow me to train full time with the knights."
Queen Susan, who had been listening the whole time, now chose to speak.
"Do not forget that a king must have the skill of wisdom as well as talent with a sword, Corin," she stated.
The prince nodded. "Yes your majesty, I understand. But I do wish there was more swordplay and slightly less politics."
The queen laughed. "You remind me of the high king Peter. He too found diplomacy a most dull topic of study. He has ever thanked Aslan that our brother has a greater gift for it than he. It is always his excuse for leaving trade negotiations early. Lucy has often believed that he has asked Oreius to invent some invasion or skirmish to escape from the negotiation table!"
They all laughed at this image of the noble High King, of whom Corin was much in awe.
"Now Susan, we all have out gifts and talents," Tumnus interjected diplomatically. "Just as yourself and Lucy are as different as night and day."
"It is true!" the queen exclaimed. "I am often amazed at the difference between us."
Tumnus had just opened his mouth to speak when they all heard the clear call of the look out,
"Stormcrest Point off the starboard bow!"
In a moment, the comfortable atmosphere of the cabin was lost as their destination grew suddenly much closer.
"Isn't Stormcrest Point a day's sailing from Tashbaan's port?" Corin queried, moving to stare out of a porthole.
The faun nodded. "Indeed, my prince. Only a day left before we reach Tashbaan."
Corin glanced up to see Tumnus regard the queen with an unusual gravity. Queen Susan laughed at the faun's gaze and moved over to kiss his wrinkled cheek.
"Dear Tumnus, don't appear so severe. You look as though we are heading into dangerous waters."
Though Tumnus' expression softened at the queen's laughter, his tone was still solemn when he replied. "That, my dear queen, remains to be seen."
Through all his years of experience as a diplomat, even Peridan would admit a growing monotony in the endless ceremony of life in Tashbaan. He was just dressing in his green tunic for yet another dinner, (one of only two ceremonial tunics he had bought with him which he was sure was being remarked upon by the gossips of the Tashbaan nobility) when there was a swift rapping on his door.
"Enter," he barked while trying to do up his new belt. The leather was proving resistant.
Marken strode in, similarly dressed for dinner. "I have just had word that the Splendour Hyaline was sighted off Stormcrest Point."
Peridan grinned, "They will arrive in less than a day?"
"Prince Rabadash's scout is predicting mid-afternoon tomorrow."
"Then, by the mane, thank goodness I insisted upon confirming the menus today rather than tomorrow."
Marken snorted. "I really doubt that her majesty would have cared Peridan."
His friend smiled. "No, but Master Tirshan would have, and probably taken it out upon his staff if everything had not been perfect for the time of her arrival."
"With that in mind, we still have a dinner to attend."
Peridan rolled his eyes. "Hopefully the last where we will be the chief attraction."
Marken laughed. "What? You mean you haven't enjoyed being the centre of attention for the past three weeks, Peridan?"
"I think you know the answer to that."
In the end, the evening's meal proved to be one of the quickest of their visit, as most of the party were distracted by last minute preparations for the Narnian queen's visit.
Peridan found that he was actually able to finish his main course before a simpering Tarkheena Lasaraleen was bowing before him. He rose politely and returned the gesture.
"My lady Tarkheena, I trust you are well this evening?"
"I thank you, my lord Peridan, I am very well." The young woman bowed her head once more, causing her large gold earring to jangle. "We were thrilled to hear about the sighting if the barbarian's queen's ship. I understand that she will be arriving by tomorrow afternoon?"
"Yes, with her brother, King Edmund the Just."
"But the High King is not to accompany them?"
"No, High King Peter was to have originally been of the party, but our northern border was attacked the giants of the north and King Peter had to respond immediately before lived were endangered."
"How frightful! I do so worry about the safety of my own dear husband. The Tiscroc (may he live forever) has deigned that he remains on patrol for the next month. There is real fear of an attack by those dreadful barbarians in the land of Ulvar. Do you know the terrible land beneath our southern border?"
"I have heard of it, but never visited."
"Oh, neither have I or wanted to. It's a dreadful place by all accounts. It was thoroughly routed by our great Tiscroc seventeen years ago and their awful ruler was killed, but it remains important to always be vigilant."
"Indeed madam." Peridan nodded and was trying to find a way to extricate himself politely from this conversation, when he became aware of a Tarkheena standing behind Lasaraleen.
She was a tall woman and much older, beautifully dressed, but without the usual flair of the younger Tarkheenas. It took Lasaraleen a moment to notice the other woman, before she flushed slightly, hastily gesturing to her companion.
"My lord Peridan, you must forgive me. I came over to introduce my friend to you and quite forget my purpose! We are all just so thrilled by the queen's imminent arrival."
"There is nothing to forgive my lady, Tarkheena. Please introduce me to your friend."
"My Lord Peridan, in the name of Tash, the inexorable, the irresistible, may I present Tarkheena Menelay of Tashbaan, wife of Tarkhaan Abramman, chief counsel to the Tisroc (may he live forever)."
Peridan bowed to the older Tarkheena and was at once struck by the directness of her stare. It was honest and straight, without the coquetry of every other Calormen noblewoman he had met.
"My lady Tarkheena Menelay," he replied, kissing her hand. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"As it is mine, my lord Peridan," the Tarkheena replied. "I apologise for not meeting you sooner, but my eldest daughter has recently given birth to my first grandchild and I wished to meet him."
"I congratulate you, my lady. A grandson, I take it?"
The older woman beamed. "Yes, my lord. A strong boy, in excellent health."
"And how is dear Anaraleen?" Lasaraleen bludgeoned in.
"She is well, I thank you, Tarkheena Lasaraleen. Exhausted but recovering from her labour."
The younger Tarkheena gave an ear-grating giggle. "I suppose she is not looking to give the young lord a sibling any time soon?"
"Not for at least a season, I should think, my dear."
Peridan watched the older woman with a growing respect as she introduced the younger woman into a nearby conversation and expertly removed herself.
She returned to Peridan with a wry smile. "I apologise for my companion but she is as she is, the product of her upbringing. Very like her mother."
Peridan smiled. "It has been my observation that the younger Tarkheenas believe a certain pitch of giggle to be particularly becoming."
Tarkheena Menelay allowed herself a low chuckle. "I am afraid it is so, my lord Peridan. They are brought up to charm and please their husbands. It is very rare for a Calormen noblewoman to take an interest in politics, or to seek to aid their husband in a more profound way than beyond the running of his home and the throwing of parties. Lady Lasaraleen and her ilk will purely see Queen Susan as a rival for Prince Rabadash's affections. They will not see the political gains behind the match."
"You are very blunt, my Lady Menelay."
She smiled back. "I speak as I find, my lord."
It was instantly clear to Peridan that Lady Menelay was a very skilled courtier. She had the ability to please everyone, but also the ability to recognise a person's true intentions.
What followed was a frank discussion of Narnia and Calormen's trades and the likelihood of there being a match made between Prince Rabadash and Queen Susan.
"My daughter is a friend of Princess Ritaraleen and she has spoken of the prince's clear regard. He is apparently quite smitten with your queen."
"I do not know the depth of her majesty's feelings," Peridan admitted. "But she was serious in her consideration of the the prince's suit when I left."
"She is fortunate to have the freedom to make such a decision, it is unheard of in Calormen. A young woman's husband is always chosen for her here."
Peridan nodded. "I have heard of your country's traditions. Queen Susan has not mother or father, so it makes sense for her to be able to make her own decision."
Lady Menelay smiled. "If such were the case in Calormen, she would be under the protection of her brother and would marry the man of his choosing. It is what is socially expected."
"How long have you been married, my lady?"
"Many years, my lord Peridan. Twenty next summer. What of you? Have you a wife waiting for you in Narnia?"
He shook his head. "I have not. We do not arrange marriages for monetary gain in Narnia. If I were to meet such a young woman, I would certainly visit her father to ask for his permission for her hand, but it is less of a business transaction in my country."
The Tarkheena nodded. "Then you are fortunate, my lord. I hope your Queen Susan knows how fortunate she is herself to live with such freedom."
Tarkheena Menelay then bowed graciously to him, leaving Peridan feeling both confused and thoroughly intrigued.
Though she had been walking to work with Tamara for over a fortnight now, Tarlana could not help laughing at the other girl's enthusiasm as she all but bounced to work that day.
"She's coming, she's coming, she finally coming!" Tamara exclaimed as they rounded a corner and met Lamarla outside her door.
They had received word the previous day from Kediza that the barbarian queen's ship had been sighted. This had instantly reignited the speculation and curiosity about the queen's appearance and whether her beauty would be as great as was foretold.
"I've heard that her hair is as dark as night," Tamara said.
"But we all have hair as dark as night," Tarlana responded, "why should hers be so remarkable?"
"Because she has eyes the colour of grass and skin as pale as freshly churned cream," Tamara replied.
Lamarla laughed. "We've already had this conversation! No-one can have skin of such a hue. She must go out in the sunlight sometimes! None of the Narnian lords in the first delegation had such pale skin."
"But the barbarian queen is a woman!"
The conversation continued in this vein all the way to Master Tirshan's house. It was only once they were within the changing room that they were brought back to reality by a loud call from Kediza.
"Silence!" she called. "I know that there has been much hearsay about the barbarian queen's arrival and I can confirm that Master Tirshan has received confirmation from the great Prince Rabadash that her ship will be arriving by no later than this afternoon. So we have a very busy day ahead of us and will be required to clean this house from top to bottom. I myself will be overseeing the cleaning of the queen's personal apartments. You must go beyond your usual level of diligence and ensure that every room is perfectly presented. Failure to do so will result in immediate dismissal from Master Tirshan's employ. Do you all understand?"
The crowd of girls nodded and swiftly set about their prescribed tasks. Tarlana was pleased to be grouped with Tamara and Lamarla, meaning that their previous conversation could continue as they polished the walls and floor of one of the bathing rooms.
"Do you think we might actually see her?" Lamarla asked.
"I doubt it," Tarlana responded. "She'll be spending the majority of her time at the Tisroc's palace, (may he live forever)."
"But surely she'll need to come back to sleep?" Tamara suggested hopefully.
"I suppose so," Tarlana agreed.
"What of the Narnian men?" a girl called Tarleen added. "Do you think the visiting king will be handsome?"
"If the other men are anything to go by …" her friend added with a giggle. "Did you hear about what happened to poor Kezara?"
"No."
"She took them their water for their washing one morning and the door was answered by a shirtless man!"
The girl all exploded into scandalised giggles.
"Oh poor Kezara!"
"What did she do?"
"Fled for her life apparently," Tarleen's friend continued.
"Well I am sure Prince Rabadash would never act in such a way," Tarlana stated. But then, the memory of Lord Peridan's actions returned to her and she felt guilty for speaking in such a way of his kin.
"Whatever they did, I am sure it was an accident," she added, focussing entirely upon a dirty corner and giving vent to her feelings as she scrubbed.
The truth was, she had pondered the Narnian lord's actions for over a week now and was still no closer to understanding them than her mother or sisters. Besides an obvious regard for Karna, there seemed no other explanation as to why he would have acted in such a way. No Tarkhaan ever would.
But why did he have such a regard for her sister? She was one servant girl that he must have come across among hundreds. Yet, he had not only saved her sister's arm, but also firmly stated that they owed him no payment or even thanks. It simply made no sense to her.
She was so engrossed by her thoughts that the rest of the morning passed in a blur for her and then, before she knew it, they were being shooed out of the main rooms of the house because the queen was due to arrive.
For the time being, she pushed all thoughts of Lord Peridan aside as they waited for the queen's arrival.
From the moment Stormcrest Point had been sighted, Lord Edmund of Narnia had been troubled. Up until this moment, it had been easy to pretend that they were simply on a voyage of pleasure. But with the sighting of that point had come a swift return to reality and the truth of his dear sister actually considering the hand of a spoilt, vain prince.
It had been a wonder to himself and his other siblings from the start that Susan would even consider marrying such a man as Rabadash of Calormen.
Since the last summer when the Prince had visited them at Cair Paravel on a visit of state, Edmund had been struck by his extreme arrogance. But with his true nature hidden under a veil of brittle charm, he had seen his elder sister taken in and flattered by the foreign prince. Even now she was cheerfully anticipating their arrival, dressing herself for the occasion and seeming to look forward to her reunion with Rabadash.
He was startled from his thoughts by a croaky voice, "You seem troubled, sire?"
Edmund turned to greet Sallowpad the raven with a solemn nod. "I am Sallowpad and I believe you can understand the turn of my thoughts?"
The raven nodded. "Indeed, my lord king. But I believe that we all trust the judgement of our lady queen?"
"Indeed we do."
"Then we must trust my lady, Queen Susan to make up her own mind about Prince Rabadash and trust that she will have his true nature revealed to her. My lord, if I might be so bold? Why do we not ask Aslan for guidance and trust her to his paws?"
The king smiled. "As always Sallowpad, you are the voice of reason. I wish I had more of your wisdom and half of Queen Lucy's faith. She is always a voice of guidance upon such matters and said very similar words to me before our departure."
"Then might I humbly suggest that we both follow the queen's advice, my lord king? We know that Aslan guides the lives of all Narnians and we can be certain that he will guide the Queen Susan in this most important decision."
Edmund felt himself smiling for the first time in a day. "I thank you for your wise words my friend, I will trust in Aslan. Now I should probably follow my sister's example and change for this great arrival. Knowing Prince Rabadash it is sure to be as long and ceremonious as he can manage."
The raven cackled. "Then feel pity for the Lord Peridan, lord king. He has had to put up with their ways for three weeks already!"
The young king laughed. "I do, my friend. I daresay even Peridan will have been driven to distraction by their mysterious ways by now!"
When they did eventually dock, Edmund was washed and deemed suitably "kingly" by even Susan's exacting standards. He had donned a pale blue tunic and even wore his crown, (at Tumnus' suggestion). Susan herself was stunning in a gown of spring green with her tiara placed in her long black hair, her throat bearing only a single emerald upon a simple silver chain. She looked beautiful and held her head proudly as the ship drew alongside the dock.
It was a relief to Edmund when the first face he saw was Peridan's. Smiling widely, his friend strode up the gangplank and they shared a warrior's embrace, clasping arms and slapping each other upon the back.
He bowed low to Susan and kissed her hand, but received a scolding embrace and kiss from the queen.
"How can you greet me with such formality, Peridan?"
"I am merely trying to live up to the expectations of our hosts, my lady queen," he replied. "If I have learnt one thing these past few weeks it is that the Calormen people love their ceremony and poetry."
He bowed once more. "May I have the honour of escorting you to his highness, the prince? There is a litter prepared and he is waiting to greet you in all his pomp and circumstance at his father's palace. He has sent the Grand Vizir to greet and escort you through Tashbaan."
Susan was surprised. "He has not come to escort me, himself?"
Peridan shook his head. "I regret not. He wished you to see him in all of his riches and splendour."
A little taken aback, Susan nodded and recovered her smile. "Very well, let us greet the Grand Vizir."
"Prepare for the pontification," Peridan murmured. The queen smiled slightly ruefully.
Grand Vizir Ahosta was expectedly long-winded and obsequious as he bowed before Queen Susan and King Edmund. He bowed so low that his nose touched the floor once and Edmund found himself wondering whether the carpet had been especially laid with this is mind.
After a tediously drawn out speech about the graciousness of Tash (the inexorable, the irresistible) and the greatness of the Tisroc (may he live forever!), the queen was finally able to enter the luxurious litter and Edmund to mount the horse provided for him.
They passed through crowded, curious streets on their way to the Tisroc's palace and as they moved, Edmund found himself remembering the two other occasions when they had visited this impressive city. It was so different to their own beloved Cair Paravel. The sheer number of inhabitants seemed overwhelming as he glanced down at the staring eyes of the common folk, watching the arrival of the barbarian lords.
Eventually, they wound their way up the grand colonnade and arrived outside the Tisroc's intimidating palace. Great marble pillars soared above to meet the huge roof of the building. They dismounted and were then led into the huge antechamber before the main throne room.
Here stood Prince Rabadash, gloriously clothed in blue and gold, a jewelled turban upon his head and a proud smirk upon his lips. He approached the queen with an arrogant swagger, bowing deeply to her before he kissed her hand.
"My lady queen," he drawled, "Allow me to welcome you to our great city. I cannot tell you what a pleasure it is to welcome you to my home at last. It has been far too long an absence and I have missed the radiance of your presence."
Susan curtseyed deeply and rose with a smile, thanking the prince with her usual graciousness. "It is indeed a pleasure to return to your great city, my lord prince," she replied. "We were honoured by your invitation."
The prince returned her smile, "Might I have the honour of escorting you into the royal presence?"
The queen nodded her acquiescence and allowed herself to be escorted through the vast oaks doors. With a slight dread, Edmund fell into step behind them, knowing that there was now no turning back.
Author's note:
Early Christmas present! I promised to update sooner and I hope this was worth the month's wait! I won't be able to update before Christmas again but my plan is to before the new year so (fingers crossed!) it might be once a week before I have to return to work in January.
Anyway, they have arrived! I hope you enjoyed this viewing of Susan's arrival from four different perspectives. I've had to do a lot of re-reading of HHB for this chapter because of wanting to be accurate. They are apparently in Tashbaan for three weeks, so we have a lot to get through before they leave again.
This was my first Karna-less chapter in the whole story, don't worry, she will be back in the next chapter and the character of Menelay is going to become a very strategic one (wonder if anyone can make an educated guess?) I did leave a clue in the chapter!
Words cannot express my gratitude for the continued reviews and kindness of people. To hear that an update made someone's day just made my week (thanks Zoey!). Your reviews just motivate me to update sooner and sooner.
Thanks so much for reading, I hope this chapter met expectations.
Many thanks to Guest, Mel, Kilgharrah, Rosazul, Anyabar and Zoey Rain for reviewing, you guys are amazing and HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday,
Thanks so much,
Breeze.