Daring to Dream
Chapter 23
Homeward Bound
As the sun rose above the horizon, Lord Peridan of Narnia watched it with a contemplative gaze. He had been up for most of the night, pacing the deck and taking in large lungfuls of salty sea air, trying to convince himself (and his stomach) that he did not feel nauseous.
He was failing.
By way of a distraction, he had sought conversation with those also on deck. But as all were either on duty or suffering from a similar ailment, the attempts had not really helped.
He had taken Karna to her cabin about an hour after Tashbaan had vanished from view and had been walking about the ship ever since. He had only paused now to watch the sunrise, which was shrouded in cloud and more of a lightening of the darkness than anything else.
He cast his mind back, marvelling at the difference a week could make. Just seven days ago, Queen Susan had still been seriously considering the prince's suit. Karna had simply been a Calormene servant girl that he was helping. Her mother had been alive.
Now they were several leagues out to sea, fleeing for their very lives.
In truth, he wasn't certain about what this act of fleeing meant for Narnia's political future. Any forthcoming trade agreements between the nations would be impossible and they had certainly offended and enraged the future monarch of a very powerful neighbour. It was true that they had the desert and Archenland as a means of protection, but he would be lying if he did not admit to being concerned about what Rabadash's next action might be.
They had discussed the danger of their situation at length, but in the end it had been the queen's safety that had forced their hand. The very notion of their fair queen being forced into marriage was abhorrent to all the party and so they had been left little choice. Peridan and Edmund had both agreed that being the wife to such a man would have crushed Susan's gentle heart.
Yet, despite the danger of their situation, he could never regret this visit. Without it, he would never have met her.
Peridan sighed, marvelling at the journey he had been on over the past six weeks.
He had come to Calormen as a learned and knowledgeable diplomat, clear and certain about what the trip would entail. In that time, his world had been turned upside down by Karna and he knew that his life would never be the same again.
He had never looked to fall in love, had never experienced such emotion before. In the end, it had taken Sallowpad's urgings for him to even realise the turn that his feelings had taken. But now, he was bewildered and amazed by what she inspired in him. And most unbelievably of all, she felt the same way.
He wanted nothing more than to show her all the special places in Narnia. To introduce her to Lucy and Peter, to Mr and Mrs Beaver and all his friends. To even take her to Archenland and introduce her to Per and show her the place he had been born …
Peridan marvelled. He had never been especially close to his older brother and certainly not since the death of their father. In truth, he had fled from the memory of their father's estate and Archenland when he had died. But maybe it was time for him to face his demons and return.
He pondered many things as he watched the sky lighten. His childhood in Archenland. His journey to join the young monarchs of the newly freed Narnia twelve years ago. His life since at the Narnian court. This new phase of life now that Karna was returning with them … to the question he knew he would one day ask her …
"Good morning, my lord."
Peridan jerked out of his daze.
"Good morning, Timeon. I trust you slept well?"
"Yes, I thank you. Yourself?"
Peridan sighed. "As well as I can, given our current mode of transportation."
Timeon nodded, slightly amused. "I expected as much, my friend. I have brought you some tea. It contains a herb that will help with the sea sickness."
The lord accepted the cup gratefully. "Thank you, Timeon. I had forgotten your magic remedy. We ran out on our voyage over."
"I stocked up in Tashbaan. I am afraid you are not the only person to suffer from the affliction. I have just come from Karna."
Peridan's heart lurched. "She is ill?"
Timeon nodded. "I just saw her. Rest and plenty of liquids will be her cure; I have told her as much."
"I should go to see her."
The older man stayed him with a hand. "You saw her last night, Peridan. Allow her to sleep. That is all the cure she needs."
The lord nodded, though he was not convinced.
They spent the better part of an hour discussing the likelihood of pursuit with Captain Felsted and were relieved to hear that none of the Tiscroc's ships could compare to the Splendour Hyaline for speed.
"We'll beat them, right enough," the seaman assured them. "Even if they started first thing this morning they'd have no hope of catching us with such a good north westerly wind as we have."
"That eases my heart, Captain," Peridan replied. "I will inform his highness."
He went carefully down the ladder and found Edmund studying a chart in his study.
"Good morning, sire."
The dark-haired king glanced up. "Good morning to you, my lord. I trust you bring me good news of our voyage?"
"There is no way they could catch us with such a wind," Peridan assured him.
"That is well," Edmund replied. "I have been working out how long it would take to attack over land and we have at least three days by my calculations."
"Surely they would be waylaid in Archenland by King Lune, Edmund? He would never allow a large force to charge unchallenged across his lands."
"That is true, but my heart warns of some manoeuvre of Rabadash's we have not yet foreseen."
"We can know nothing until we have arrived safely. Speculation is fruitless."
The king sighed. "That is true. But it is hard not to guess after leaving in such secrecy."
"Her majesty is safe, that is all we need be concerned with."
Edmund again nodded, but his mind was elsewhere.
"Tell me honestly, Peridan. In your opinion, what will be the consequences of this action?"
The ambassador took a seat and they began a frank discussion of the likely political ramifications.
She was walking through the back streets of Tashbaan. On her right, she passed their local well and knew that she must be on her way home from work. But where were Tarlana and Karlis? With quickening steps, she approached the door, anticipating her mother's warm welcome. Eagerly, she opened it.
"Mother? Have you seen Karlis and Tarlana?"
The first room was empty. A stew bubbled on the fire. The table was set for seven.
"Mother?"
She pushed through to the bedroom and stopped.
Mother lay upon the mattress, obviously dead. Karlis and Tarlana knelt beside her, their faces streaked with tears. Karna fell to her knees and reached for a cold, withered hand.
"You did this." Tarlana stared at her accusingly. "You killed our mother."
"Why did you have to be so selfish, Karna?" Karlis demanded. "If it wasn't always about you, Mother might be alive."
"But I couldn't …" Karna exclaimed. "You nursed Mother, Tarlana. You know how ill she became."
"Only because you bought in those foreign men. They gave her a strange disease."
"But it wasn't my fault! I couldn't do anything!"
"Oh yes you could, you bastard." Karna turned and saw Tarneesh standing in the doorway. His face was blank and his fists were raised. "It's all your fault. If only your mother had allowed you to be drowned as she should have, she would still be alive. It's your fault!"
He slapped her across the face. Karna fell.
"It's your fault!"
"NO!" Karna sat bolt upright, knocking her head upon the bunk above her. She was soaked in sweat and so wrapped up in her blankets that they were like a net around her legs. Fearfully, she looked about the cabin, taking in the carved walls and daylight dancing off the swinging lantern.
The door slid open and she saw Flora watching her with concern.
"Are you alright?" the maid asked, "I was only gone for a few minutes to get you some water." She knelt down and offered Karna a plain goblet. "Would you like some?"
Karna nodded and gulped the liquid greedily, still shaken from the dream.
"Did you have a nightmare?"
She lowered the goblet and looked at the floor. "My stepfather and sisters were blaming me for Mother's death. They said it was my fault …" Hastily, she wiped away that tears that came to her eyes.
Flora took her hand and smiled at her gently. "Karna, you must not blame yourself. This whole thing is no more your fault than it is the queen's. Things happen and we have to deal with the consequence of our choices. But who knows if events would have turned out for the better if we had chosen to act differently?"
She nodded, feeling slightly better.
"Now, how are you feeling?" Flora asked more briskly, all business again.
Karna considered. "I am no longer sick, but my head is hurting and I feel dizzy."
Flora felt her forehead and frowned. "You're very hot. I'll send for Master Timeon. Lie back down and I'll fetch you some more water."
Karna did as instructed and felt a little better, though the dream still haunted her.
Was she, in part, to blame for her mother's death? The rational part of her refuted this allegation entirely, but a small part of her did question her actions.
Wasn't it fair to consider her actions driven by selfishness rather than the passion that Peridan claimed it was? If she had married Lavarin, rather than pushing her own selfish agenda, would her mother now be alive?
And what if Narnia wasn't what she hoped it would be? What if she was seen as a strange outsider who had no place at their court? What if Peridan came to regret his decision and didn't love her anymore?
For the next few minutes, Karna allowed her panic to overcome her better reason as the fever took hold. While Flora searched for Timeon, his patient was becoming more and more hysterical as every irrational fear become real in her growing delirium.
By the time Timeon arrived, Karna was out of bed and half way to being convinced that her mother's death was her fault. He recognised the symptoms of the fever at once and forced Karna back into the bunk, ignoring her rambled confessions and panic.
"Pay her no heed," he instructed Flora. "The fever is making her delirious. Would you please pass me my satchel?"
Soon, he had brewed a calming draught and managed to make Karna drink it. She eventually fell into a more peaceful sleep and was left to the handmaid's able care.
He quickly made his way to the king's cabin and explained her condition. Peridan was quick to rise, saying he would see her.
"There is no point, my lord," Timeon stated. "She is delirious and in need of rest. Flora is taking good care of her."
"What has caused this illness, Timeon?" the queen asked.
The healer sighed. "I am afraid that the sea sickness weakened her immune system enough to allow the infection. She will be fine after several days of rest and plenty of fluids."
Peridan privately glowered at the wall. As though there was not enough to be concerned about already, he now needed to add worry about Karna's health to the list.
"She will be fine, my friend," the king assured him. The lord nodded, but he was not convinced.
In the end, the fever did eventually break and Peridan was allowed to visit her (though only every few hours). She was diligently cared for by Susan and Flora, who took it in turns. Gradually she became strong enough to come up on deck, though only for a few minutes at a time and she always had to be carried (invariably in Peridan's arms).
However, though Karna required constant care, the distraction seemed helpful rather than a nuisance to the queen. But, though she would not admit it, Susan's eyes were frequently searching the sea behind them, seeking for any sign of pursuit. Neither was her sleep as restful as it would be when they had landed safely at Cair Paravel. So, caring for Karna enabled her to focus her attentions and energies upon something far more productive.
They had long discussions about Cair Paravel and the surrounding countryside. Susan could speak for long hours about her home and Karna seemed particularly entranced when she spoke about the various characters and creatures they were likely to meet.
"I have only met Mistress Dell," Karna replied. "I am not certain how to speak to the other talking beasts of Narnia."
"If you address them with the same respect that you address Mr Tumnus or myself, you cannot go far wrong," the queen assured her. "Every race of talking beast has a particular role that they are happy to contribute to our life in Narnia. For example, the large cats such as Dell serve in the army or as body guards. The moles are very gifted in gardening and were helping in the cultivation of an orchard before we left. I imagine the trees will all be planted and thriving by now."
"How large is the human population, your highness?"
"Not very large. Only about a quarter of our court's population is human."
"But I understand that none are Narnian born?"
"No, the majority of our human population come from Archenland or the islands in the Great Eastern Sea. Myself and my siblings came from another land outside of this world."
Karna's eye widened, "Another land, your majesty?"
"Yes. I do not remember it very well, but we came through Ward Robe and Spare Oom."
The Calormene maiden marvelled. She had not realised just how magical the Narnian monarchs were. To come from a land outside of this? Who knew what strange magic ran through their blood?
By the third day of their voyage, Karna managed to ascend the stairs herself and enjoyed the satisfaction of being able to look out over the sea. Peridan had remained watchfully by her side but was pleased to see the gradual improvement in her strength.
"There is Terebinthia," he said, pointing to a dark lump off their starboard side. "We passed it a few hours ago."
"Passing Terebinthia means we're within a day's sailing of Cair," Captain Felsted stated with satisfaction.
"What is Terebinthia like, Captain?" Karna asked, trying to picture the island.
"Very green and covered in hills, Miss," the seaman replied. "You can always be sure of a ready welcome on Terebinthia. Great fishermen they are. No-one knows the seas quite like them for predicting the movement of shoals."
She nodded and watched the distant isle pass, marvelling at how little she had actually seen of the world.
The rest of the day passed in a pleasant mixture of conversation and watching the shoreline pass. Karna had observed the changing landscape as the sandier steppes of Calormen gradually changed to the more wooded plains of Archenland.
As the dusk was starting to fall, she was distracted by a shout from above.
"Your highness, you should not be up here!"
Far up in the crow's nest, she watched a figure that could only be Prince Corin emerge and shimmy down the shrouds with alarming speed, closely followed by a sailor. Unable to withhold a giggle, she watched the boy descend the rope ladder with the agility of a monkey and come to a grinning (albeit slightly guilty) halt at the bottom, right in front of King Edmund. The sailor dropped by the prince a few moments later and placed a heavy hand on his shoulder.
"Your majesty," the seaman stated. "I cannot be expected to keep a proper look out when his young highness insists on climbing the rigging as though he were a monkey. This ship is not a playground for children!"
"But sire I only wished to measure the distance to Cair …" the prince began, but was silenced by a look from the king.
"By the mane, Prince Corin! You have to learn that while courage is an estimable virtue to have, it must be paired with sound judgement. What would I have told your royal father if you had fallen and broken your neck?"
"But I can climb well."
"I do not doubt that. But for the sake of the crew's (and my) sanity, you are hereby confined to the deck for the remainder of the voyage, do I make myself clear?"
The prince lowered his head contritely.
"I am sorry, sire."
The king's anger softened somewhat. "I know you are. But it is better to think before you act, Prince."
"Cair Paravel in sight!"
Every eye turned to the shoreline and for the first time, Karna felt her heart leap with excitement. They had finally arrived!
The nearer they were to Cair Paravel, the further open Karna's mouth fell. Though she had seen many splendid buildings in Tashbaan, nothing could prepare her for the stately beauty of the castle. Its snow-white walls shone in the late evening light, as it stood majestically above the long bay of golden sand far beneath it. Numerous towers rose above the main building, dotted with a hundred lights glimmering through the windows.
"In all my wildest imaginings, I could never have dreamed of such a place," she marvelled.
She felt a hand on her shoulder and glanced up to see Peridan smiling down at her.
"Is it all you hoped?" he asked.
She returned the smile warmly. "More than I could have imagined," she replied.
"Well we're just entering the harbour now." As he spoke, all the sails started to fall as they were carefully lowered by the crew. "I suspect the beavers will have seen that dinner was prepared."
"Beavers?" she queried.
He laughed. "Mr and Mrs Beaver, the true hearts of Cair Paravel. Nothing goes on within its walls that they don't know about."
Gradually, Captain Felsted eased the Splendour Hyaline into the harbour and moored her comfortably against several fenders (set up to protect her paint from being scraped). All on deck were just allowing themselves to breathe a sigh of relief when hooves were heard rattling against the wood of the dock.
The next moment, a magnificent, lordly stag was in sight, his dappled flanks heaving from his run.
"I must speak to King Edmund!" he shouted, "This moment!"
"Is that Chervy?" the king enquired. "What news, friend?"
"Enemies at Anvard, Lord king!" the stag exclaimed. "Prince Rabadash is riding with two hundred horsemen to overrun it."
"When did you hear news of this, Chervy?"
"Just this very hour from a boy, my king. He was sent by King Lune himself!"
Without another word, King Edmund went to action. He started ordering men and supplies to be disembarked and made ready for a march at dawn the next morning.
"Has anyone seen her grace, Queen Lucy?" he enquired. "Please ask her to come as soon as she is able. I must have counsel with herself, Queen Susan, Mr Tumnus, Mr Beaver and Lord Peridan without delay."
As though in some carefully choreographed dance, the men started to empty the ship with a will. Karna found herself oftener in the way than out of it and was just trying to stand when she felt a strong arm supporting her weight. Peridan was troubled.
"I am so sorry to ruin this moment, my love," her murmured. "It is not how I envisaged showing you Cair. But our friends need us and we must hasten to their aid."
Karna nodded, though she felt a lump forming in her throat.
"May I carry you straight up to the castle? It will make things much quicker."
She nodded and soon found herself comfortably cradled in his arms. Peridan headed steadily for the gangplank and only paused to ask the queen where she thought would be the best place for Karna.
"You mustn't move out to Timeon's small holding until you are quite recovered, Karna," the queen decreed. "I would suggest taking her to the Great Hall. Mrs Beaver will undoubtedly have a meal prepared and we can decide on the best chamber for her after the council of war has been convened."
So it was that Karna got her first view of Cair Paravel, not walking but being carried in Peridan's arms. She looked about her as they travelled towards the castle. First along the side of the dock, then up a flight of stairs and then into the main castle courtyard.
They had just entered the main square when a young woman came flying down the steps to meet them. Tall and merry-faced, she so resembled her brother and sister that Karna had no trouble in identifying her as Queen Lucy.
"Welcome home Peridan!" she exclaimed, leaning up to give him a light kiss upon the cheek. "I am delighted to see you, despite the dreadful circumstances surrounding your arrival."
"Well met, your highness," Peridan replied with a smile. "May I introduce Miss Karna of Tashbaan? We brought her back with us. She is to live with Master Timeon."
"Welcome to Cair Paravel, Miss Karna. I am Queen Lucy."
"It is an honour to make your acquaintance, your majesty," Karna replied timidly. "I apologise for not being able to curtsey properly."
"Have you been unwell?" the young queen surmised, now alarmed.
"I am afraid so," Peridan replied. "She was dreadfully seasick and developed a raging fever. Thankfully she is over the worst of it now, but lacks strength. Where do you think would be the best place to help her rest, Lucy?"
"I would recommend the Great Hall," she replied. "Mrs Beaver is organising the evening meal for everyone. She was about to ring the gong when the Splendour Hyaline was sighted."
Peridan readily agreed and the young queen led the way into the castle. They passed through a large entrance hall and then moved through a heavy pair of oak doors into a huge hall. Before she knew it, Karna was seated upon a great chair before a roaring fire and having a blanket tucked around her by a female beaver who could only be described as "motherly".
Peridan and Lucy had been quickly dispatched to the council as soon as the kindly creature understood what was happening. She had a brisk, gossipy way of chattering while she worked that Karna instantly liked.
"Can't believe what the world's coming to. Can you, my dear? You've all only just landed after that dreadful voyage and now we're faced with yet another battle. As if there isn't enough going on already with poor High King Peter up in the freezing north routing those terrible giants. He took half the army and General Oreius with him. I do hope that there'll be enough left to take on that terrible Rabadash. By the mane, such a dreadful thing, and in time of peace as well!"
Karna found a cup of hot tea pressed into her hands at this point and took a grateful sip.
"What did you say your name was, my dear?" Mrs Beaver asked after she had finished sorting the crockery for the evening meal.
"Karna, Mrs Beaver."
"And you've travelled all that way from Tashbaan? Dreadfully hot place I've heard and awfully sandy. Never an easy thing to get sand out of your fur, believe me."
"Yes. Master Timeon has been so kind as to invite me to live with him."
The female beaver stopped at that. "Did he now? Well that was kind of him, but I daresay you very much deserve it. He's never been one to make rash decisions, has Master Timeon."
Karna nodded and found herself being presented with a bowl of stew unlike any she had ever seen. It had a rich dark gravy and a strange white root-type vegetable swimming in it.
"Eat up," Mrs Beaver urged, "It'll do you the power of good."
She complied and found the stew very tasty and filling. It warmed her from the inside out. Several bowls were soon dispatched to the council of war and Karna was pleased to see the entrance of Flora.
"Where have you been, young miss?" Mrs Beaver scolded. "Sorting out your mistress' gowns before you've even got a bite of food in you?"
Flora grinned. "I can't deny it," she agreed, "But at least I feel like I've earned it after my work is done."
Soon, she too was seated by Karna and they were enjoying a quiet dinner together. Eventually though, the day's exertions caught up with Karna and she was soon nodding off.
This led to the inevitable discussion about where she would sleep and Mrs Beaver soon settled upon a guest chamber just down the corridor from Queen Susan's. With some help from Flora, Karna was able to climb the grand staircase and eventually found herself in a pleasant, airy chamber with a large window and comfortable furnishings. Flora turned back the covers of the bed with a smile and helped her in.
"I'm just down the corridor if you need me," she assured her and with that, Karna found herself finally there. In Narnia. Safe. At last.
That night, she slept peacefully for the first time in days. It might have been the feeling of safety that came from having finally arrived. But whatever caused it, she was still deeply asleep when a figure stole into her room at first light. Quietly, they seated themselves upon the edge of her bed and simply watched her for a minute before they were forced to act.
A gentle touch upon her cheek eventually roused Karna, though she was still very sleepy when she heard her name being whispered.
"Karna, my love, are you awake?"
She opened her eyes to find Peridan sitting next to her.
"Peridan," she murmured.
He stroked her cheek again before leaning down to kiss her hair.
"Karna, I must go. I have come to say good bye."
Suddenly, she was very awake as yesterday came back to her in a rush.
"Are you going to war?" she asked.
He nodded.
Karna swallowed hard. "What if you don't come back?"
Instantly, she was in his arms. He held her close, stroking her hair.
"I will, my love."
"Promise me, you'll come back."
Without hesitation, he promised. "How could I not come back to you, now that I finally have you safe and with me?"
She looked down, unable to meet his eyes. Gently, Peridan coaxed her face up. "Karna, look at me." She forced herself to.
"I promise you. I will come back to you. If Rabadash is allowed to take Anvard, there will never be peace. We won't ever be truly safe."
Karna took Peridan's face in her hands and nodded. "I know you will come back," she stated. "You would not be the man I loved, if you did not go to war for the protection of the innocent, Peridan. I will wait for you. Just come back safely."
He nodded a final time before kissing her. It started out as a tender touching of lips, but was less careful than their previous and became more passionate as their separation became more real. Eventually, Peridan pulled away and rested his forehead against hers.
"I love you," he stated. "And I will come back."
Karna held his face for a few seconds before replying, "I love you too."
With that, Peridan left for war.
Author's note:
Gasp! She's updating twice in one WEEK? Yes folks, pigs do fly and I have managed to get this written very speedily! It comes down to one simple word – holidays!
I have drafted out the last few chapters and we will have two more proper chapters and an epilogue.
I wanted this to be a realistic portrayal of what it was like to go to a new land and it couldn't be all smooth sailing. Sea sickness really does suck (or so my dad tells me!) and can lead to other illnesses like fever.
I had to do a lot of re-reading to make the timeline of this accurate and worked out that it took them roughly four days sailing to get back to Cair Paravel. I have made one slight change in that I had them arriving during the evening, not in the morning as Corin states in the book. This simply worked better with the timings I had worked out so I hope I am forgiven for taking this one liberty!
The reviews for the last chapter really touched me when several of you lamented the finishing of this story. I have one or two projects in the works and wanted to know which you would more like to read. One is a Peter/OC romance. Please do not throw fruit and veg at me and say "It's been done to death!" I KNOW it has, but this fic is my attempt to do a Peter romance properly and show myself that I can create a realistic character and decent storyline that explores life in Narnia during the golden age. The other is retelling the story of Lord Bern and how he comes to stay in the Lone Isles rather than travelling on with the other six lords in VODT.
Which would you prefer to read? Feedback would be really appreciated and is very necessary to help me pick one!
Thanks again so much for the wonderful reviews. You guys have made this journey so fulfilling and worthwhile.
Thank you for every review, favourite, follow and reading of every chapter.
Breeze.