Disclaimer - I own nothing
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Chapter 9
'Peter'! Lucy exclaimed as she, Susan and Edmund pushed into Peter's tent. Rushing forward she flung her arms around him and smiled in relief, pleased to see he was in one piece.
'Well done Pete' Edmund smiled equally, slapping his brother on the back, 'that was well fought'.
Peter smiled as he released Lucy and looked up to meet the eyes of Susan. There was a moment's pause before she too came forward to embrace him. He savoured the short moment, breathing in her scent, before letting her go and allowing his squire to finish removing his armour.
The next challenge was to be held the following day. It was the challenge of wit and the trepidation he was feeling far exceeded that of this morning's duel. Ed had teased him when they were younger that Aslan had granted him all the brains and Peter the brawn. It had only been a joke at the time, but he had to admit that Ed had long since been considered a scholar as well as a fighter.
Of the two of them, Ed was definitely the one he would pick to embark on a challenge of wits. This was not an option this time though.
His squire finished his work quickly and left the foursome alone in the tent, the door flap falling into place behind him as he left.
'Adrian has been tasked with creating the next challenge' Edmund explained, as he leant against the rack of swords, 'he will send a message tonight to you Pete, and to Prince Darrin. In it we should find out where the challenge will take place. I imagine, since this is such short notice, that it will take place on the grounds, but I've haven't been able to get a good enough read of King Adrian to say for sure'.
'Thanks' Peter acknowledged, meeting Susan's worried eyes once again.
'I'm so sorry' Susan breathed, wringing her hands, 'This is all my fault'.
'Susan stop', Peter commanded.
'You have absolutely nothing to apologise for. This isn't your doing or fault. This is all on Darrin and his father. This is their scheme'.
Moving over to her he took her hands in his, regardless of their observers, 'but, even if you had kissed him willingly. I would always take your side, I would always fight for you and I would always defend you'.
Edmund and Lucy had the good grace to glance away for a moment as Peter took Susan into his arms again. She fitted so perfectly against him that he couldn't resist placing a gentle kiss on the top of her head. He heard her muffled thanks murmured against his chest and he squeezed her tighter in response. He promised himself he would speak to her privately about this. She needed to stop apologising for that man's actions.
'I have Orieus and the Knights Guard keeping an eye on our guests' Edmund said softly when Susan and Peter broke away, his own arm reaching up to pull Lucy to his side, 'I think it's best if we made ourselves scarce for the afternoon. I've made the arrangements'.
'A picnic?' Lucy asked hopefully, her face smiling in quiet excitement.
Peter and Susan exchanged a look at the affectionate grin Edmund granted Lucy in return.
'Yes, a picnic. I thought we might visit the lake in the Wildling Woods. We've not been there for years and it won't take us long to ride there'.
Lucy squealed, their troubles and the trials momentarily forgotten, 'oh, I've not seen the blossom spirits who live there in an age!'
The foursome briefly returned to the Castle for the horses and supplies before they set off for the afternoon.
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Susan had rarely felt so relaxed. She was lounging with Edmund on a blanket as they watched Pete and Lucy play in the lake. She leaned back and briefly closed her eyes as she let the sun warm her face.
'I'm stuffed' Edmund exclaimed with a burp, rubbing his stomach with satisfaction, as he stretched out next to her. The remnants of their meal was scattered around him after he had finished off the leftovers.
Susan laughed. She was still bemused at how much her brothers could eat. It was like they were bottomless pits. She and Lucy had never been able to keep up, despite their best efforts.
'You're disgusting' she teased as he burped again, 'that's hardly Kingly'. Then ducked, giggling as he threw a crust of bread at her in response.
'It's good to hear you laugh Sue. I haven't heard it in a while'.
'I haven't felt like laughing in a while' Susan mused, as she looked out across the lake shining in the evening sun. Peter and Lucy were exploring a little further around the shore line. She could hear Lucy's shrieks as he flicked water at her every now and then.
'Pete will win, you know' Edmund reassured her, his voice sobering.
'But what if he doesn't' Susan said, finally expressing the thought that had been plaguing her all day. The idea that she would be forced to wed Darrin made her angry and at the same time fearful.
'Then Pete will go to war for you' Ed replied without preamble, 'you know he will. Everyone in this Kingdom will gladly fight to keep you safe'.
'I couldn't ask anyone to do –'
'You wouldn't have to ask' Ed interrupted sitting up and looking her dead in the eyes, 'you are a Queen of Narnia. This is where you belong'.
Susan had to fight back the tears in her eyes at Edmund's words. This loyalty, this devotion. This is what she felt every single day for each of her siblings. She knew they felt it to, but it was nice to hear it all the same.
'Thank you' Susan said with a watery smile.
'I just need a moment' she continued, getting to her feet, 'I'll go check the horses are okay'.
Walking off to the tree line where their horses were grazing she wiped the few stray tears that had fallen.
'Are you okay my Queen?' asked Phillip, Ed's mount, as she approached.
'Perfectly, thank you' she replied, as her own horse, Storm, greeted her with a gently nudge of her nose.
She wrapped her arms around Storm's neck and buried her head in her soft black mane. A moment of calm came over her as she inhaled the earthy scent of her animal friend. She and Storm had been together for many years now and their rides had brought such comfort to her. Especially when she was feeling particularly fraught. Storm had always been a mothering figure to her, both fierce and protective. It was no different today.
'All will be well, you have no need to fear for your King' Storm soothed, her soft nickering rumbling against Susan's cheek.
Susan couldn't form a response, a lump in her throat preventing anything but nodding into Storm's mane.
'Your King approaches' Storm gently announced, a little while later.
Turning Susan was almost knocked over by Lucy in her excitement.
'We think we saw the White Stag!' she all but shouted, 'it was only for a moment. On the other side of the lake. But I'm sure it was'.
'If it wasn't for the Challenge, Ed and I would go after it' Peter agreed. The legend was that if caught the White Stag would grant wishes. If there was anything Susan needed right now, then it was a wish from a magical being.
'Lucy and I would come too'
'I don't think that would be safe Sue' Peter fell silent almost as soon as he finished speaking at the look of annoyance that crossed Susan's face.
'I ride into battle but you think it's too much for me to ride after a stag' Susan bristled, Storm snorting at her side.
'A battle in which you almost died!' Peter countered, his eyes flaring, 'I don't think I can forget about that anytime soon'.
Susan bit back her retort, the look on Peter's face causing her to pause. She had brushed off her injuries already, but Peter had been the one to carry her home to Lucy and the healing tonic. She still vaguely remembered the look of pure terror on his face as they had rode hard for home. She had been in a haze of pain at the time, but Peter obviously remembered every moment.
'We should probably start to head back' she said softly, changing the subject. The sun had already begun to dip low on the horizon. A soft orange light had been cast through the trees and they all had been reminded of how beautiful the land was that they ruled over.
They all lingered over their ride back to Cair Paravel. Each of them contemplating the challenge in the morning. The sun was down by the time they arrived back in the stables and Peter and Edmund immediately left the girls to speak with Orieus.
The report was good. Both Kings Marion and Adrian had kept within their suites during the day, with the families only emerging for their meals. Orieus had said that all seemed calm and well, a fact that made Edmund and Peter distinctly nervous.
'I've had the Knights Guard tailing each of them since they arrived' Edmund explained, as he and Peter made their way to the latter's study. 'Subtly, of course. I was concerned about the Princes, Darrin in particular. They are playing a long game here. I don't want us to get so caught up in protecting Susan that we miss it'.
'Marion and Adrian don't trust us' Ed continued as they took a seat at Peter's desk, glass of whiskey in each of their hands, 'they never have. They fear the power of Narnia, and the Narnians. The old magic is something that they've never experienced. Not like we have'.
Peter murmured his agreement, taking a sip of his drink, the sharp liquid warming his throat pleasantly. He sometimes thought that they took the magic of this land for granted. Lucy of course, still delighted in it all, but he had observed the way the Calomene and Archenland court had cast wary glances at the Narnians who graced the halls of Cair Paravel.
They were interrupted by a knock on the door and when the Faun entered they realised it was the message about the next challenge.
'We are to convene on the palace steps at dawn dressed for a 4 day trip' Peter read aloud from the sheet of parchment he had been handed, 'there's nothing more'.
Rising from his seat Edmund picked up and opened the maps of Narnia on the desk. Scanning the map he assessed what locations were reachable within 2 days, assuming the 4 days were there and back.
'It could be as far as the edges of the Western Wild' Edmund summarized as he measured the map, 'or the mountains to the north. I doubt very much he would send you south, or across the sea'.
'This is a quest' Peter said, refilling his glass, 'I think Adrian will treat is as such. So the task will to be to retrieve something surely'.
'Your guess is as good as mine Pete. So much for it being on the grounds of the castle!'
They both retired to bed not long after that. There was nothing more to really say on the subject of the second challenge. With no more information, they was nothing to plan for. Peter could only rely on his knowledge of the land he governed and his surety that he would do everything in his power to protect Susan.
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Peter woke the next day having slept poorly. His dreams had been plagued with visions of empty thrones and a feeling of despairing loss. He had bathed in cold water just to wake himself from the haze of the dream that had lingered over him.
Edmund and he walked down to the steps of the castle just as the sun was peaking over the horizon, lighting the hallways and stairwells. When they arrived both Susan and Lucy were already waiting along with the Archenland King and Prince's.
The assembled crowd fell to a hush as King Adrian stepped forward and as he did Peter noticed the two saddled horses that were standing ready.
'Gathered friends' he began, his arms raised, 'today marks the beginning of the second challenge in the contest for the hand of Queen Susan of Narnia'.
Gesturing to Peter and Darrin he asked them to step forward.
'Far west of here lies the Cauldron Pool, a most sacred site within the Narnian realm. There you will find a Phoenix that guards the pool. To succeed in this challenge you must return with a feather from this Phoenix'.
There was a moment of whispers as the crowd murmured with excitement, before they were hushed and King Adrian continued.
'However, this feather must be freely given and it will grant only one. You have 4 days to complete this challenge, starting from the moment the sun touches the Great Tree'.
Turning, Peter saw that the Great Tree at the edge of the courtyard was still in shade, but judging from the position of the sun he had only minutes.
Inclining his head to King Adrian he moved over to where his family stood.
'We've been there once before' Ed said quietly and rapidly, 'do you remember the way?'
Peter nodded as he clasped his brother's hand in farewell. In had been years, nearly a decade, but he remembered.
'Phoenix's are cleaver, smart birds' Lucy whispered as he moved to hug her quickly, glancing back at the tree that was beginning to lighten. 'It will probably strike a deal with you or a bargain in exchange for the feather. You will have to be calm and patient'.
Nodding, Peter acknowledged her advice and turned to Susan. She looked beautiful in the dawn light. Her dark brown hair being framed by the rising sun. He was desperate to kiss her again. It had been in his thoughts almost constantly since their embrace a couple of days ago. He longed for the feel of her in his arms, the touch of her soft skin, the whisper of desire. He wished he had had a chance to speak with her, properly. But that would have to wait.
'Be safe' she said almost desperately and in front of all these people he could do nothing but squeeze her hand in his, trying to convey everything he was feeling in that simple touch.
'I'll be back soon' he promised as the sun hit the tree and light fully spilled out across the courtyard.
Taking one last look at her earnest face he turned and walked rapidly to his horse. He and Darrin had been granted the use of their own horses and White Cloud snorted loudly as he mounted him, anxious to be on their way.
He didn't need to say a thing, the moment he was properly seated White Cloud took off in a fluffy of noise. Darrin and his own horse close on their heels.
As they left the courtyard Peter refused to look back. He would do this, he thought resolutely, tightening his grip on the reigns, this challenge would be his to win.
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Yes I know, I disappeared…. Well, now I'm back.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter! More to come soon. I've always know where this story was headed so I'm planning to have it finished in the next couple of months.
Please review!