Thank you for the kind reviews.
And for the unkind ones – if you don't like the story, I'm not forcing you to read it! This is a magic FICTIONAL land, and I'm making everything (additional) up as I go.
I hope you enjoy the next chapter!
XoX
Chapter 12
'Darrin got to the Phoenix first' Peter explained as they all took seats around the room, 'he was tailing me for most of the way, until I was up near the eastern edge of the Western Wood. He ambushed me when I was tending to White Cloud. And when I woke up he was long gone'.
Edmund swore in response in a way that had Susan looking over scandalised.
'I will go speak to King Adrian at once' Edmund said as he strode to the door.
'No!' Peter all but shouted stopping Edmund in his tracks. 'No. I'm not going to complain and tell tales like a child'.
'Attacking you and essentially leaving the High King of Narnia for dead is hardly childlike' Susan couldn't help but snap. She was fuming alongside Edmund at the actions of the so-called Prince. To win a challenge by unabashed cheating was so un-honourable it was abhorrent to her.
Peter sighed in frustration and disappointment, running his hands through his already messy blonde hair. He had been dreading telling them what had happened. There was so much pressure now. He knew he had no choice but to win the next challenge. Even if Darrin won the final challenge and therefore the whole competition there was no way in hell Susan would be leaving Narnia. At the moment he couldn't bear to think about her leaving his side ever again.
He had held her tightly for a long moment before he had left her chambers this morning to dress. Their early morning love-making had awakened a part of him that he didn't even know existed. He had thought his heart might burst from both happiness and fear. Fear of what Darrin's possible win could mean for both Susan and for Narnia.
He would go to war for her if he had too and knew that she would be right there at his side. That thought alone made him instinctively reach over to where she sat in a chair next to him and grasp her hand in his. She glanced at him with the warmth of memories that made his fingers clench around her own slim, archery calloused, ones.
Looking up Peter realised that he and Susan had been quiet and staring at each other for longer than might be considered normal.
Clearing his throat and releasing her hand he turned back to Edmund who was looking at him oddly.
'I suggest we start preparing for the next task. Have you heard anything about what Adrian has planned?'
Edmund admitted that he had not. The King in charge of creating the challenges had been very tight lipped, and even Ed's ears around the castle had not been able to gather any useful information.
'It's the challenge of love isn't it?' Lucy clarified, 'what do you think King Adrian will come up with for that? I mean, how can Prince Darrin even dream of winning. There is no way he could be in love with Susan!'
'Of course not' Susan agreed, an equally incredulous expression on her face, 'he cheated in the second challenge so I've no doubt he'll find some way to weasel his way round this one too'.
They all silently agreed with this and lapsed into quiet before Edmund got up and went to the breakfast table again filling up a plate as he went.
'No need to think on an empty stomach' he grinned looking over his shoulder, 'what's done is done Pete, you must be starving. Come, let's all have breakfast together'.
They all couldn't help but smile at the good humour on Ed's face and rising they all joined him at the small table laden with food.
The Kings and Queen's shared a breakfast of good food, laughter and conversation, the conflict outside the room forgotten for a brief time. Peter basked in the small moments, the jokes he shared with Edmund, the gentle carcasses of Susan's hand in his underneath the table and the affectionate smiles Lucy graced him with. These four people were his whole world. He had always know it. But these past few weeks had only heightened the knowledge.
They were still picking at the food when the note came from King Adrian. Peter and Darrin were to join Adrian at the entrance to the Apple Orchard in two days time.
'I can think of no reason why the challenge would be there' Edmund finally offered, 'Adrian knows that the Orchard is a sacred place to us, but how that links to the challenges I have no idea'.
'What else does it say?' Lucy asked taking the note from Edmund's outstretched hands. Reading it she found that the only other information was a strange passage that didn't make much sense to her.
'Oh this shackle, by which I am both freed and enslaved' Lucy read aloud, 'I am bound, I am trapped, I am at liberty. And when the final end comes, embrace me oh ever-ending prison. Take me to your bosom and free me, chain me. Until I am yours, ever more'.
XoX
Prince Darrin and his brothers could be heard in the dining hall from half way across the castle. The raucous laughter echoed along the stone corridor and Peter had to steel himself, pushing away the irritation before he entered the room.
Edmund was grim faced at his side and together they approached the table.
'Good day' Peter greeted coolly, as he sat down, drawing a golden pitcher towards him and pouring himself a goblet of water. The servers who were quietly stationed at the edges of the room had sprung forward at their King's entry but retreated back when Peter and Edmund begun to serve themselves.
Mort and Castor had also quietly entered the room, Mort positioned by the door and Castor the window. They glanced around in almost a casual manner. A way in which to anyone else would look untroubled and unthreatening. Looks are deceiving though and between the two of them they were currently almost the equivalent to the whole Narnian armoury. The countless concealed weapons matched with their strength and skill made the pair formidable opponents.
Both tensed slightly, hands hovering over the pommels of their blades when Darrin looked up and a slow smirk formed on his face.
'Whatever have you done to your head King Peter' he mocked, 'that bruise really does look quite awful'. Lounging back in his chair his younger brothers snickered and he shot them both a triumphant smirk.
Peter's hand had clenched around his cup and he forced his fingers to release it carefully before casually remarking, 'I thought I mentioned before, it's High King, Prince Darrin'.
'And this' he gestured to his hairline, 'a mere scuffle with a cowardly boy'.
He caught Ed's small smile out of the corner of his eye and was proud, if only for a moment, that he had kept his temper in check. Though from the way the younger Princes were glancing at their brother he wasn't sure if Darrin was going to be able to control his.
'My brother and I were wondering if you and your family would like a tour of the city, Darrin' Ed interrupted in an effort to diffuse the situation, 'I particularly think you'd enjoy the cultural quarter. It boasts the best music and food that Narnia has to offer. Our personal guards are waiting to escort you, should you wish?'
'Really, how interesting' the tone of Prince Darrin clearly demonstrating what he thought of Narnian culture. 'Perhaps my brother's would enjoy it, but I think my time would be better spent preparing for my journey home as husband to darling Sue, don't you think?'
Edmund's hand shot out and prevented Peter from rising angrily from his chair. Peter wasn't sure what he had been about to do, but the idea of punching the smirk off of Darrin's face had suddenly become very appealing.
'You seem to be very confident in your ability to win the next challenge'. You wouldn't know from his even voice, but Edmund's restraining fingers were still wrapped around his brother's forearm so tightly that his knuckles were white. 'I wonder where such confidence comes from? Perhaps the support you receive from your father?'
Darrin's eyes narrowed at Edmund. Mort had briefed them both fully on what he had gleaned from tailing Darrin since his return to the castle and it was clear that all was not calm and peaceful in the Archenland Court. Ed had been particularly interested to hear about the argument between the King and his son. Peter had seen Ed mulling over this information for a long while, a storm of thoughts behind his eyes.
King Adrian had formally accepted the phoenix feather from Darrin not long after breakfast and Marion had been almost purple with pleasure at his victory over Peter. He had revelled as he accepted Adrian's words of victory and yet his sons had stood to the side seemingly struggling not to appear bored and un-interested.
Adrian it seemed ruled over his sons with sharp words and an iron fist. Peter would almost feel sorry for the Prince's had he not disliked them so much. Darrin had made his own unforgivable choices, even without his father's influence.
'Perhaps I will view what your city has to offer' Darrin finally said after a tense moment in the dining room. As he spoke, the guards on the wall relaxed slightly and the serving staff seemed to let out a sigh of relief.
'Wonderful' the lack of sincerity in Edmund's voice was palpable, but he smiled graciously nevertheless.
'I will arrange for carriages to be brought round for you and your family. I will of course provide you with a capable guide'
The Princes nodded as Ed and Peter stood to leave, their mission to get the Archenland royals out of the castle for a short while complete.
'Do you think it's wise sending them out amongst our people?' Peter questioned as they made their way to Ed's study. 'They're bound to cause trouble you know Ed'.
'I don't like having them in our home any more than you do Pete, but at least with them out of the castle there is less chance of Darrin and his father from discovering anything more about the challenge. I wouldn't put it past them to attempt to enter The Orchard to scout before the time.'
Peter agreed. Darrin would care little for the sacred places of Narnia and he doubted his younger brothers would have any more respect.
'I'm going to send Mort with them and he suggested Hadja as the guide'. Hadja was one of Orieus' prize students. She had arrived at the Royal Barracks when she was a very young fawnling and had immediately befriended the staff there. A few years had followed of her working in the stables before she had been caught sneaking over to the training ground to watch the soldiers. Orieus had taken it upon himself to adopt Hadja into his herd and not long after that into his training group.
Hadja had taken to fighting like she had been born with a blade. She had earned the respect of even the most experienced of soldiers with not only her skill but her determination to succeed. She had always been intensely committed to her training and Orieus had indulged her every interest. Decades later, she was still fiercely loyal to him.
Orieus had employed her talents as Peter and Ed's sparring partner throughout their own training. Even now both brothers enjoyed fighting with her, she was an opponent that Ed and Peter had only beaten a handful of times. Hajda had also taken particular pride in training Queen Susan. Peter had always enjoyed watching the dance of blades in the training arena when they sparred.
'She's a good choice' Peter agreed. Having grown up in Cair Paravel and the surrounding city, Hadja knew every nook and cranny and every secret their capital city concealed. He couldn't help his grin when Ed then explained that Hajda was also going to be feigning the role of a palace servant.
'Better Darrin and his brothers think she is just a guide. People like them don't even see servants. The amount of valuable information I have gleaned from our servants overhearing conversations would horrify you!'
'Of that I have no doubt Ed!'
Arriving at Ed's study his Stewards were already waiting outside armed with maps and plans. Peter had called a meeting of the Royal Council this morning. If the worst happened, they would be prepared.
Ed collected his papers quickly and then they all made their way to the meeting chamber where Susan, Lucy and the rest of their council were ready for them.
XoX
'Lucy!' Edmund called, catching up to her. He had been on the way to the Palace's library, intent on finding an old law book one of the Council members had mentioned during their discussions.
Slowing her pace Lucy waited for Ed to catch up, 'will you come help me find that book Councillor Longtooth mentioned? It might be useful'.
Lucy smiled and nodded slipping her arm through his. Edmund couldn't help but place his hand over hers when it was resting in the crook of his elbow. They had the rest of the evening to themselves, the meeting had lasted most of the day and the Archenland family were still out in the city, so the castle was peaceful.
Peaceful and quiet and it felt once again like home, despite Castor following along silently behind them, just out of sight. Their constant guard would remain until their guests had left the palace. Edmund couldn't wait to be free. He was tired of the constant need for discretion and wariness in his own home.
The library at Cair Paravel was a collection of huge connecting rooms with bookcases lining every spare inch. It was one of his sanctuaries. When he wasn't in his study under a pile of documents, he was in the library.
Pushing open the door, he was relieved to see the fires and lamps had already been lit. The main room was aglow with a soft low light and he let out a sigh as his shoulders relaxed.
'The way he spoke of it makes me think the book must be in the 5th century record' Edmund commented as he made his way over to the card catalogue. He had spent a joyful couple of years in his late teens cataloguing all the books in every spare moment he could find. A task that had proved worth every effort in recent years.
But flicking through he couldn't find the card he was looking for.
'I wonder if it's with the books discovered in the vaults this summer? You haven't had a chance to sort through them yet, have you?' Lucy queried, 'are they in the reading room?'
Nodding, they both made their way into a connecting room that was full to the brim with high back chairs, sofa's and small reading tables. Small lamps adored every available surface and the room was warm and cosy. In the far corner on a large desk, sat piles and piles of ancient volumes. It had been Lucy that had discovered them in a forgotten corner of the castle. Edmund had been beside himself with interest and excitement – but there had been so much to do that he hadn't had the time he wanted to devote to them.
Weaving through the furniture Ed was surprised to find the room empty. The library at Cair Paravel was open to anyone; staff, member of the court or solider. There was usually someone to be found hidden away. But not this evening it would seem.
The pair sorted through the dusty piles. The ancient law book they were looking for laid down the first treaties with both Calormen and Archenland, in the early history of Narnia . Edmund was collecting every piece of information possible in order to keep his kingdom safe.
'Is Peter going to marry Susan?' Lucy asked, completely out of the blue, breaking their easy silence.
Looking up in shock over at her, from where Ed was hunched over the table, he saw that she was slightly pink and looked embarrassed.
'What?' he ineloquently stuttered, closing the book he had been scanning through.
'When Pete wins, and Narnia is safe, is he going to marry Susan?'
'I.. he… I mean…' Ed stumbled, unsure of what to say or even if he had an answer.
'I mean, I wouldn't blame them' she continued, putting down the book she was holding and wringing her hands together, 'they have always loved each other. I know that. And my maids talk about it all the time when they think I can't hear. It's expected that they will. I just….I just. I just want them to be happy. And safe'.
'Happy and safe' she concluded, in a slightly more assured tone, 'do you think they will then?'
Edmund was silent for a long moment, as he drew closer to her, his own searching abandoned. She looked so lovely in the low light, her hair soft around her heart-shaped face. Her slightly too big front teeth unsurely biting her lower lip.
'Yes, I think they will' he realised as the words came from his mouth. He took her hands in his, stopping her from twisting them around any further. Looking down at the sight of his larger hands encasing hers, his thumbs brushed gently over her soft skin reverently. 'Peter has not told me of any romance between them, but I'll admit I've suspected. Seeing them together over the last couple of days, it'd be impossible not to notice their…' he struggled for the right word, 'their attachment. At breakfast this morning they hardly kept their eyes off each other. Did you notice?'
Lucy nodded in response.
'I just want all this to be over' she whispered, 'I hate what Darrin has done to the peace of our kingdom'.
'It's not Darrin by himself' Edmund reminded her, 'I have absolutely no doubt that it's his father's scheme. Darrin is just one player in the plot for Narnia'.
'I know' Lucy murmured, her eyes still downcast.
Releasing one of his hands, Edmund pulled her chin up gently so her eyes met his.
'It will be okay' he assured her, 'whatever happens, we'll all be together. We protect each other, it's what we've always done isn't it?'
She nodded, her eyes watering slightly, a small smile finally emerging on her lips as Ed's hand came up to join his other. Cupping her face he brushed away the tears that had fallen with his thumbs. When he was certain her tears had stopped he went to move away but he was stopped by Lucy, her hands claiming his.
'Won't you kiss me?'
Edmund froze. His eyes widening and his heart suddenly beating so loudly he was certain she could hear it. Lucy was looking up at him, her face so earnest and sweet that he couldn't move.
Her words echoed round the empty room, before she moved closer to him. Her hands moved, one brushing his jaw, the other bracing herself on his chest. On her tiptoes she leaned up and brushed her lips sweetly with his and he forgot to breathe. She kissed him for one long beautiful moment, before pulling away.
Stepping away from him completely, her cheeks even pinker than before, she waited for him to move, or speak, or do anything at all.
But Edmund was still frozen, his eyes and heart wide open.
XoX
AN: I've taken the liberty of creating a city around Cair Paravel as I feel like there must have been one, if only as a place to house the Palace's staff, the staff's families and the army.
Also,
I'm interested to know what kind of readership I have, so, if you feel like it, comment with your age, location and job (or if you are still at school).
My stats are:
Age: 28
Location: South East England
Job: Accountant