Daring to Dream
Epilogue
The main heat of day had just passed into later afternoon when the squeals were heard. Two little girls came racing out of a low doorway, one brandishing a stick and the other with her arms raised, almost as though she had antlers. The older of the two charged away, roaring loudly. Her younger sister raised her stick.
"Die barbawian lion of Naria!" she shouted, pointing her stick.
Her older sister dived behind a barrel and roared once more.
"Never you evil witch!" she replied, racing ahead.
The smaller girl followed. "I will turn you to stone. I am Jagis, Queen of Naria and you will not steal my kingdom!"
The girls chased around the alley for a while, the older always managing to stay a few steps ahead of her sister. That was, until she had to dodge to the side to avoid one of their neighbours and was cornered by her sister.
"Now die, barbawian!" the little girl cried, pointing her wand directly at her sister's heart. However, instead of falling down as was expected, the older girl sprinted away.
"I'm a magical lion!" she called, roaring for affect. "I can't be turned to stone!"
Her little sister suddenly howled. "That's not fair!" she exclaimed, tears rolling down her face. "I caught you fair and square! Mama!" She ran to their open doorway and buried her small face in the calico apron that had just appeared there.
With her sleeves rolled to her elbows and wet hands, it was obvious that their mother had just been cleaning, regardless of her heavy belly. She sighed in resignation and reached down to lift her youngest daughter on to her hip.
"What's wrong, my delight?" she asked, wiping the tears from her daughter's cheeks.
Her daughter pointed a finger at her eldest sister, who was now trying to climb on to the barrel. "Hezal wouldn't die when she was supposed to!" the little girl exclaimed. "She's Alsan. In the story, Alsan gets stabbed by the witch and comes back to life. It's only after the bakkle that Alsan kills the witch Jagis. She didn't play fair!"
Again, the three-year-old dissolved into tears and had to be rocked gently by her mother. Lifting her youngest daughter higher on her hip, she walked over to the barrel that her eldest had failed to climb on to.
"Hezal, would you come here please?"
All freckles and flying hair, her older girl trotted obediently over, giving her mother a guilty smile.
"Yes, Mama?" she asked, innocently.
"Why did you change the rules of the game?"
"Because Alsan is a magical lion! He shouldn't be turned to stone!"
"Well, As-lan was stabbed in the story. Why didn't you die like you were supposed to?"
"Because I'm magical Mama, and I have the best roar!" Hezal replied, capering around her mother and roaring for dramatic affect.
"Be that as it may, if you agree to a set of rules, you must stick to them or it isn't fair. Now, what do you need to say to Karna?" Hezal pouted slightly.
"Hezal?" her mother pressed.
"I'm sorry," the older girl stated. Her little sister wiped her eyes and stared at her for a moment.
"Karna?" her mother prompted.
"In the name of Tash, I accept your apowogy," Karna replied, struggling with the long word.
"Good, now why don't you both come in? You need to finish your chores before your Father comes home."
Karlis led her two girls into their home and they were soon settled at their chores. Hezal peeling turnips and Karna tidying away their toys. She returned to scrubbing the floor.
"Where did you hear that story, anyway?" she asked.
"Aunt Tarlana told it to us when she visited on rest day," Hezal replied. "She told us that she had been told it by Aunt Karna."
Karlis paused, allowing herself a smile. "I should have guessed. It's the type of story your grandfather wouldn't approve of you hearing. He'd rather you heard some moral poetry."
She didn't miss the face Hezal pulled. "But Aunt Tarlana is such a good story teller. Is it true that Aunt Karna went to live in Naria, Mama?" Her eyes were wide.
Her mother nodded. "Yes. She left Tashbaan six years ago. Her husband saved her from being hurt and they went to Narnia together."
"Why do we never see her, Mama? We see Aunt Tarlana and Aunt Lamarla all the time."
"That is true, but Aunt Karna lives many hundreds of leagues away, my delight. Grandfather would also be angry to see her."
"Why?" Hezal asked.
Karlis chided her for asking so many questions, but answered nonetheless.
"Because she wished to marry your Uncle Peridan and your father wished her to marry someone else."
"Like Aunt Tarlana and Uncle Dareesh?" Karna piped up.
"Yes. Just like Aunt Tarlana and Uncle Dareesh.," Karlis agreed, unable to help smiling.
It had been a great private source of joy to her when she had heard that their father was finally going to allow Tarlana to marry. She had kept his home for two years until Kanzeesh had married Lamarla. Even then, it had not been until Lamarla was pregnant with their second child that Tarneesh had relented at last and allowed Tarlana to marry his fellow carver. Dareesh was several years older than her sister, but he was a good man and Karlis had never seen Tarlana so happy.
"Do you think there will be another wedding soon, Mama? I want to wear my orange dress again." Hezal had particularly enjoyed the wedding last year.
"I don't know. Maybe your Uncle Andur will take a wife soon."
"Will they live with Grandfather and Uncle Kanzeesh?"
"No, my delight. Homes pass to the eldest son. He will be given his own home when he marries."
Peace reigned in the small home for a time.
Karlis finished scrubbing the floor. Hezal completed her turnips and even Karna had stacked her blocks by the time their mother started to think about dinner. She was just turning to the fire when there was a knock upon the door. Curious as to who it could possibly be at such a time when most women were expecting the return of their husbands, Karlis opened it.
She gasped.
The man who stood before her had hair that was greying at the temples. His face was lined. But his back was still as straight, his eyes the same grey and his expression as kind. He bowed deeply to her.
"It is a great pleasure to see you again, Mistress Karlis. In the name of Aslan, the son of the Emperor over the Seas, I greet you."
Karlis forced herself to act and dipped a curtsey.
"In the name of Tash, the irresistible, the inexorable, I greet you, Master Timeon. Please, come in."
She stood aside and motioned to their most comfortable seat.
"Would you care for some tea?"
"Yes, thank you," he said, inclining his head. It was only after he was holding a cup of tea that Karlis allowed herself to speak.
"It is such a surprise to see you, master. But I am delighted."
The healer smiled. "And I, mistress." He glanced at the children. "Are these your daughters?"
Karlis nodded. "This is Hezal, my eldest." She motioned her forward. She was being unusually shy. She was normally so forward with everyone, but she kept to her mother's side and stared at the stranger. "And this is Karna, my youngest." She pulled the little girl around from where she was hiding behind her and lifted her on to her lap.
"Karna?" Timeon queried.
She nodded. "Yes, I named her after Karna. It was actually Ahoz's idea."
The Narnian smiled, creases fanning out around his eyes. "She'll be honoured to hear it."
"My lord, how is it that you are here and in Tashbaan, of all places!"
"I am part of a trade envoy from Narnia who are visiting Tashbaan. The Tisroc thought that six years of sulking from his eldest son was enough and sent envoys wishing to recommence trade negotiations for our lumber. High King Peter sent a delegation to open discussions with the Grand Vizir and I was among them. I could not be in this city and not pay you a visit. Though of course, it must be kept secret from your father. I have a letter to you, from Karna."
Karlis' eyes widened. "Karna can write?"
Timeon's answering smile was one of pride. "She is a talented young woman. She has gained many skills since coming to Narnia. She can now ride and use a bow and arrow. She is also a wonderful mother."
"A mother?" Karlis exclaimed in joy. "Am I an aunt?"
He laughed. "Twice over and I am a grandfather."
"How many children?"
"Two boys, the twins Har and Harradin and a baby girl last winter. She was named Evelina after Peridan's mother. The boys in particular are bundles of energy and frequently run myself and Peridan ragged. Mrs Beaver has taken a particular shine to them and is always chasing them around the castle."
Karlis laughed. "Are she and Peridan happy? Did they marry soon after your return?"
"They were married the following spring and are very happy, I thank you. We all live on a small holding together."
Karlis felt her eyes growing wet as she learned of her sister's life. "I am so happy for her," she stated.
Timeon squeezed her hand kindly. "Shall I read you her letter?"
Karlis nodded.
He drew a roll of parchment from his cloak and unrolled it.
"Dearest Karlis. I'll warrant that you were astonished to see Timeon arriving at your door. I hope he found his way, though he did assure me that he still remembered how to get there! I told him that Calormene homes remain within the family. So I was sure that you and Ahoz would not have moved.
"My dear sister, I hope you are well and happy in Tashbaan with your husband and I do not doubt, a growing family. I was overjoyed when Timeon told me that he was to be part of the delegation heading to Calormen. He is still the most experienced healer at the Narnian court, though he has several apprentices who are also learning the craft.
"Peridan and I were married the Spring after coming to Narnia. It was a beautiful ceremony held in Cair Paravel. I cannot believe that it has been five years since we were wed! I am sure Timeon has already told you, but we have two boys called Har and Harradin. It is the tradition in Archenland to name brothers in such a manner, so we named our youngest son after my father. Our little Evelina arrived last Spring and I have never seen Peridan so protective!
"I have found more happiness and friendship here in Narnia than I could have ever expected or deserved. Timeon is now my stepfather and he treats the children as his own. Thank you for advising me to go, my dear sister. If you had not, I would never had travelled to what really is my true country. I have so many cherished and true friends. Queen Lucy and I are especially close and spend every day together (she is Evelina's godmother).
"I feel in my heart that we will never meet again in this life, but I will look for you in the next. I want you to know how happy and full my life is. Thank you for all your love and support. I hope that you and Tarlana have both found the happiness you deserve.
"Know that I think of you every day and send all my love to you from across the desert. Your sister, Karna."
Karlis was moved beyond words and could only squeeze Timeon's hand gratefully. He passed her the letter and she kissed it lightly.
Little Karna ran a small finger over the ink and looked enquiringly at her mother,
"Is it a letter, Mama?"
"Yes, my delight," Karlis managed, wiping her eyes.
"Who is it from, Mama?" Hezal asked, stepping forward to look.
"Your Aunt Karna," she replied, lightly stroking Karna's hair. "The Aunt Karna you were named for, sweeting." She nodded towards Timeon. "This is your Great Uncle Timeon."
Hezal thought for a moment. "Like Grandfather?"
"Yes. But unlike Grandfather, I think he'd like to meet you. Would you Timeon?"
The older man's face was very gentle. "Very much." He crouched down to the girls' height and smiled. "How old are you girls?"
"I'm five, nearly six," Hezal replied, her shyness forgotten.
Timeon smiled at her sister, "and what about you?"
Karna hid her face in her mother's skirt, shy.
Karlis gently coaxed her up. "Tell him how old you are, Karna."
Eventually, the little girl looked up. "Three," she whispered.
He smiled at her. "My grandsons are both three."
"Grandsons?" Hezal queried. "You mean two boys?"
"Yes," he agreed. "And Harradin is just as shy as you Karna, but do you know what always makes him laugh? When I make him fly."
"Fly?" Hezal exclaimed, "You mean like a bird?"
The healer nodded. "Yes. I guarantee you will giggle if I make you fly."
"Please make me fly!" Hezal cried.
So began an hour of play as Timeon tossed first Hezal and then Karna into the air until they giggled. Karlis watched him with pleasure, seeing the ease with which he interacted with her daughters. He obviously played with his grandsons a lot.
Eventually, the light began to fade and he turned to her sadly.
"I must go," he stated. "But it was an absolute pleasure to see you again, Karlis. To meet your lovely daughters."
Karlis nodded and kissed his cheek. "May Tash watch your travels and keep you safe, Timeon. Thank you. For everything."
Slowly, Timeon kissed her cheek and crouched to hug both girls. "May Aslan guide your steps in safety all your life," he replied. "Good bye."
He left as he had come, like a shadow, melting into the evening dusk.
THE END
Author's note:
*Wails again and sighs heavily*
Well folks, that as we say, is that. I wanted to end Karna's journey with a wrapping up of loose ends. It might be a little cheesy but I wanted poor old Tarlana to have her happy ending.
I just want to say a MASSIVE, HUGE thank you to you, my wonderful readers for every hit, review, favourite, follow and message. I was discouraged at times on this journey, not knowing where to go, but your reviews often kept me going. I cannot express my gratitude enough. It meant SO much to have people appreciate the time I wanted to take to build the working-class world of Calormen. To have reviewers who found the development of the romance believable and the intertwining with the HHB story believable.
I will miss these characters but am proud of how far we have come. Again, I cannot thank you enough and hope to see you again very soon.
Many thanks, and hugs,
Breeze.
Now, a few personal thank yous to some incredible people:
Zoey Rain – My first ever reviewer back in the summer of 2015 and someone who has read this since the beginning, I cannot thank you enough for all your support and encouragement in sticking with me. Your delight and frustration with the characters often made me feel so happy that I was doing something right. So thank you SO much Zoey.
Calyn – You have read so many of my fics and are always SO encouraging. To call my writing "the real treasure" encouraged me so much. It confirmed to me that I was doing something right and helped my confidence immeasurably as a writer.
Anyabar1987 – You also have been around throughout this writing adventure. Thank you so much for every review and all your support. You reviewed almost every chapter and encouraged me so much to keep going.
Meldahlie – Mel I have few words to express what your reviews have meant to me. Thank you for your honesty, your honest reactions, your humour and for making me laugh out loud more times than I can count with your reactions to my characters (especially Corin!). Your praise means so much to me and the detail with which you review has given me such a joy that you enjoy and appreciate the way in which I write. I'm running out of words, but just thank you SO much for being you and being so faithful in your reviews. I promise to read more of yours when I find some time!
Narniac4aslan – Thank you for every review. Your encouragement has meant a huge amount to me and your great enjoyment of Karna and Peridan's story has been really evident. Your enthusiasm has really helped me as times, so thank you so much.
Kilgarrah – (Is your penname taken from the dragon in Merlin?) Thank you so much for your reviews. Your enjoyment and love of my characters came out in every review and encouraged me so much. Reviews like yours gave me the courage to keep writing when I thought I might be long-winded and started to doubt myself. Thank you so very much, I can't express how grateful I am and what your support has meant.
Sorry if I missed anyone, but your reviews have proven to me the value of having reviewers who appreciate detail and a more novel-like approach to a fanfic. As I cannot seem to do any other kind, my next project may take another year, but never mind! Every review has meant the world and is treasured by me.
Again, for the last time, thank you and hopefully see you soon,
Love,
Breeze.