Hey guys!
So, inspiration has finally struck me again and as a result, we have chapter 16!
I'm so excited about this chapter, which I feel is the first one of the final part of this fic. I had planned this fic to have 25 chapters so only 9 left to go! Some of them are already written, of course, but I have to edit them because I've made major edits ever since.
Also, I'm trying to establish major plot points for this fic and for the actual books. For example, I've always felt as if Susan's reason for refusing to believe in Narnia was super weak (just my opinion), so I've been trying to add that in this fic and you'll see more of that in this chapter. Also, I'm really trying to make Beth's journey with Jack come full circle because my girl deserves closure. That means that you'll be seeing more of him later on *yikes*.
Lastly, I'm undecided on whether I'll write a sequel to this fic. On one hand, I certainly have more ideas for a sequel both related and unrelated to "Voyage of the Dawn Treader" (one of which you will see in this chapter) but at the same time, I have no idea of when I would finish it. I started this fic when I was fifteen, so it's been nine years. I mean, there's just a lot to consider.
Anyways, once I have a clue of what to do, I'll let you know. But, out of curiosity, would you like a sequel to this?
Disclaimer: I only own Beth, Adrien and the other characters I've made up for this fic. Also, there's a line here that belongs to Game of Thrones (kudos if you catch it).
Chapter 16. "The Aftermath."
"The lone wolf dies, but the pack survives." - Sansa Stark, Game of Thrones.
It was strange, being on the other side of war.
There was still so much to do, that much Caspian was aware of.
But it was a different kind of work.
It was the work related to uniting two nations, so similar, yet so different. Nations that had done everything in their power to survive, nations that had specific values that ruled over their traditions. Nations that could learn so much from one another.
Nations that had so much history with one another, and all of it filled with struggle and hate.
Throughout his life, Caspian had been told that he was meant to lead his people - the Telmarines - into a new and improved Narnia. His destiny was to be King, and his goal to be a King better than those before him.
He had been told so, oh so many times, that at last, it was a message that had been printed in his mind. Caspian was meant to be King, and before too long, he had lost even the capacity of doubting such daunting premonition.
Or he had never doubted it, until he stood before the remaining Narnians.
The welcome yet haunting aftermath had arrived. As the structure of the How had been deemed too weak to host them for another night, a group of dwarves had entered the ancient landmark in order to retrieve their belongings and supplies so they could camp outside. Meanwhile, Beth turned into an elephant and with the help of the centaurs and the giant, had moved the fallen debris away from the scene.
The last thing anyone needed was more harm falling on the Narnian folk.
While Susan and Edmund had overseen the distribution of food, Peter and Adrien had been left in charge of organizing the watches as not only did the Narnians fear retribution from the army remaining by the Telmarine castle but also, the Telmarine soldiers who had surrendered were to be closely watched as well. Lucy and Caspian had been left in charge of helping the setting of the tents for their people.
Night had set in long before they were done.
Maybe the tasks were dragged on because of their exhaustion and grief. Maybe they were all too overwhelmed to do things in a quick manner. Maybe, just maybe, they had been at war for so long that they did not know what to do with themselves now that peace was just around the corner.
Whatever the reason was, the end of the preparations couldn't be put off forever. Eventually, rest had to set in and with that, the time for the reality of it all to dawn.
As Caspian walked towards his tent, passing by different groups of friends and families who were ready to turn in for the night, he tried to do so in a decisive manner. As the leader of the Revolution and future King of Narnia, he knew his job had just begun. He needed to seem sure of everything, he needed to be strong because if he failed to seem so - even for one second -, his people would be doomed and the chance to restore peace between Narnians and Telmarines would evaporate for good.
That's the thought that seemed to circle around in his mind, bothering him with its crushing weight. Not because it was a pressing thought but because he was making it so. He knew that if there was nothing to remind him of his current duties, then nothing would stop him from wandering around like a lost kid.
He couldn't help but snort at the training his father and later his uncle had provided him with. All of those years in which he had been taught the values and techniques Telmarines cherished above everything. All of those years in which he had been taught Narnians were a myth at best, and vermin at worst. All of those years in which he had come to know for a fact that if he followed all of those instructions with accurate precision, then he would be a good King.
He wanted to snort and, at the same time, he wanted to find those wretched tutors and slap some sense into them.
What was the use of such a rigid training if it left any person adrift in the face of sudden, shocking change? What was the objective of such hate and need to feel superior if it prevented a nation from achieving actual progress?
What was the point of hate and repression if it left nothing but two broken nations? How was one man supposed to fix centuries of struggle?
"I can hear your racing mind from here."
Caspian looked up, startled as he realized he had arrived at the tent he would be sharing with the other monarchs and Adrien. Then, his features softened as he caught sight of his beloved by the entrance of said tent.
Susan had yet to remove her armour and weapons but her hair, formerly braided away from her face, was now falling in chocolate waves and framed her face in the most enchanting way. The Gentle Queen smiled as Caspian's eyes met hers and stood upright. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"I don't know if there's anything to talk about," Caspian shrugged with a small smile as he reached Susan. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed her forehead. "I'm just worried about what's coming."
"I understand," Susan replied, her voice muffled as she rested her forehead against his shoulder. Withholding a yawn, she then turned to watch the Narnians around them. "When we won against the White Witch, right before we were crowned, Peter and Lucy were so exhilarated about the prospect, about our life in Cair. Ed and I...it was more complicated for us."
"Well, you guys have always been more practical," Caspian mused, his smile widening. "It is understandable."
Susan snorted, her mind seemingly in an ancient past. "I remember being so overwhelmed about the idea of being Queen. That we - four kids without any training or knowledge about their costumes and history - were respected and loved by such a complex and bright nation...I couldn't wrap my mind around it. It made no sense, the trust they placed on us."
"I am no kid," Caspian replied, his mood somber as he set his gaze on his people with apprehension. "But I have no experience either. How can I be a good King when I have only been taught to rule over the Telmarines?"
"Beth-," Susan began but Caspian shook his head and stepped out of her embrace.
"Beth will be essential if we want to unite Narnians and Telmarines, just like I will be. Like I am a representative of the Telmarines, Beth speaks for the Narnians." Caspian sighed, his shoulders dropping as he looked at Susan. "But I cannot depend on Beth for everything. Or any of you for that matter. I will be crowned King. I have to be the one who knows just how to bring peace and prosperity for my people. And I don't even know where to start."
"Stop that," Susan chided gently. "I understand, because I'm just like you. I was raised to take care of my siblings and that duty has travelled with me regardless of where I was. During the Golden Age, I was the one who counselled all of my siblings, Peter included. I was the voice of reason and as such, I rejected the idea of not being able to fend for myself. But Caspian, you know better than anyone that we don't have to do everything on our own."
"You shouldn't have to help me," Caspian argued. "I should have been more prepared."
"You couldn't have foreseen the Revolution, my love, and you know it." Susan cocked her head as she took Caspian's hands. "What you can do is take advantage of your position of power and speak in favour of those in need. The Narnians didn't have a voice, and that's on your ancestors, but you gave them the inspiration enough to recover that voice for themselves. You used your resources and you gave them a fair chance to fight for their place in this world. You will need help, because every monarch does, but you will be a good King just because of who you are as a man."
"And if I can't unite them?" Caspian whispered. He bit his lip in a surge of rare insecurity. "If the Narnians and Telmarines turn on each other?"
Susan reached to place a soft kiss on Caspian's forehead before smiling. "If anything happens, you won't be on your own. Your family will be with you. You won't ever have to carry a burden on your own again, Caspian."
oOo
Whenever she had set foot in that house, all she had been able to perceive was the oppressive force making its way through the different rooms, darkening the few happy memories she had of that place.
For it was the shadow of the man who was once her fatherly figure so long and dark, that what should have been an idyllic childhood had been forfeited in favour of neverending fear. That house, in her memories, was not about the rooms or the structure or even the few moments in which she had seen light.
In Beth's memories, that house had been tainted by Jack's memory.
If she had to choose the reason why she hated Jack the most, that would have been it.
So, it wouldn't be surprising for the reader to know that when Beth opened her eyes in her family's living room, she struggled to recognize her surroundings.
It was so hard to believe and yet, the undeniable truth was right before her eyes. Her living room had been modest, as her mother - the sole breadwinner in the family - didn't make much money working as a preschool teacher. Still, it was so beautiful. The walls were painted in a cream tone, some of it chipped off due to the course of time, yet irrelevant to Beth's eye as she continued to scour the room. Two old, comfy sofas had been placed under each of the two windows in the living room, a wooden coffee table filled with magazines between them. To Beth's right, a tv set and a bookcase filled to the brim with books stood against the wall, the archway that led to the rest of the house between them.
To Beth's left, a shelf filled with photos caught her attention. She felt her eyes narrow with confusion as they caught sight of a particular photo, older than the others. Then, as she recognized its protagonist, her steps were hesitant yet hopeful as she walked closer to the frame, picking it up with quivering, eager fingers as soon as she arrived next to it.
The chaos in her life had been so toxic, so enormous, that it seemed as if it had been able to suck in everything else. Her mother, her friends, her school, even her childish daydreams, they had all taken a supporting role in favour of Jack's destructive actions.
Looking at herself in that photo, with her long blond hair combed into two pigtails, her blinding smile and her bright eyes shining as the sun basked her with golden light, it was as if Beth's soul had been unconsciously in torture over her complicated past and at last, it had finally managed to find a shred of light to hold onto.
Seeing a happy memory of her childhood, proof that she had had at least a moment in which she had been a happy kid should have filled her with even more grief. Thankfully, it didn't.
Beth closed her eyes, feeling the happy tears roll down her cheeks as she blindly put down the photo. It felt as if everything had been worth it. Her true parentage, her dark past, her struggles, her pain, her loss, her baggage, it all seemed worth it because that moment, that memento of a happy day in her life, it was proof that she was not broken. She had known what happiness was during a time in which everything had been so, so horrible.
That photo gave her hope. Hope that one day she would be able to look at her past and find more moments such as that one. Hope that one day her baggage might just be the tiniest bit lighter.
"You had finished preschool."
Beth turned eagerly towards the sound of her voice. As Aslan's Daughter she was quite fast but still, that extra speed was not enough, it would never be enough when it came to casting her eyes on her beloved mother.
As their eyes found each other, gold meeting green, her mother smiled. "You were nervous about it because you didn't know whether you were ready to be a 'big girl'. You told me you were scared about growing up so after your last day of preschool, I took you to get ice cream before we made it to the beach. We stayed there until long after the sun came down. It was one of the happiest days of my life."
Greta Kingston was still the same woman Beth had known while living in England. The same brunette, long hair. The same piercing eyes. The same graceful figure and strong hands.
And still, there was something different about her. She seemed taller, or maybe it was the way she carried herself that was different. It was as if a weight had been taken off her shoulders and, for once, she was able to carry on with her life in peace.
As Beth realized what had changed, her heart clenched with both joy and grief. She took a step forward, yet her steps instantly faltered, her hands nervously clasping each other before her frame. "How long have I been gone?"
Her mother smiled sadly. "You're my daughter, Beth. Too long. You've been gone for too long."
"I'm so sorry, mom." Beth croaked, her voice quivering as her cheeks became drenched with tears. She hastily wiped them off, drying her hand with the soft fabric of her dress, the same dress she had used when she was crowned princess. "I never meant to leave you and once I did, I didn't know how to come back. I-."
"My love," Greta hushed her gently as she closed the distance between them. She rested her hands on her daughter's shoulders with a proud smile. "You have nothing to be sorry for. You were the one joy that got me through those years of torture. You saved me, Beth, so many times and you didn't even realize. All I care about is that you're happy. Are you happy, my love?"
"I am," Beth smiled tearfully, her eyes brightening as she remembered the remaining members of her family. Then, her brows furrowed with confusion. "Mom, I don't understand, how did I return? Where's Robin? How long have I been gone? I- I don't understand, mom-."
"Beth, sweetheart, I am so proud of you. Robin is alright, and so am I. You have nothing to worry about." Greta hugged her daughter tightly, her voice as clear and firm as Beth remembered it to be. "You have grown into such a remarkable young woman, my love. You are the brightest, most clever girl I've ever laid eyes on. I'm so proud. I love you so much, sweetheart, I want you to know that."
"Mom-," Beth began but she was cut off as her mother began shaking her.
"Beth!"
"Beth!"
"Beth," Edmund whispered as he gently shook Beth's shoulder. "Wake up, love. It 's time."
"Time for what?" Beth drowsily whispered as her eyes blinked open.
Chuckling lowly, Edmund tightened his grip around her waist before kissing her temple. "We are paying our respects to the battle's fallen. Lucy just came to let us know everything's ready."
Beth looked around with a frown, the events from the previous day coming back to her. After everything had been set up, Beth and Edmund had chosen to spend the night on watch by the edge of the forest and next to Beruna. She had the last watch but she guessed she must have fallen asleep, even though she couldn't remember the moment in which she had closed her eyes.
She had fallen asleep.
It had all been a dream.
"Whoa, Beth," Edmund frowned as Beth suddenly sat up, no longer using his chest as a cushion. His concern increased as he noticed the panic in her eyes. "Love, what is it?"
"It was a dream," Beth breathed anxiously, not even realizing as she once again collapsed against Edmund's chest. Her eyes drifted around the forest surrounding them almost with hectic speed, her mind clearly becoming used to her whereabouts. "It was all a dream. I do not understand, it all felt so real."
"What felt so real?" Edmund pressed on gently, relaxing slightly when Beth distractedly shook her head. "Beth, I'm here. You can trust me."
"I-," Beth began, suddenly looking behind her and right into Edmund's eyes. Then, she smiled in relief, unknowingly lifting her boyfriend's spirits up. "Ed, love. I...I'm so sorry. I had a dream. My mother, she...I had not seen her in so long."
"Your mother...you were back in England?" Edmund asked softly, tightening his hold around her waist as Beth rested her head against his collarbone and breathed deeply to calm herself. "What happened in the dream?"
After Beth told him about it, she shook her head with a slight smile. "It was so weird because it seemed as if she knew what had happened to me. She didn't say anything in particular that would prove that but the way she talked to me, it seemed as if she knew who I was and what had become of me. I know that she was a reflection of the image of her I have in my mind but the thing is, I had never seen her so unburdened and the way she talked to me about Robin...it felt so real. I still feel as if I was really with my mother."
"Well, I'm glad you saw her. You deserve to be happy, Beth, and I'm so glad that you got to see a side of your mother quite unlike the ones you've seen before. Maybe it was the way your mind had to help you find closure." Edmund kissed Beth's temple yet again, but frowned when Beth tensed in his arms. "Beth? Is everything alright?"
"Closure." Beth spoke slowly, her voice laced with wonderment. She smiled brightly as she turned towards Edmund. After kissing his lips soundly, she pulled back and beamed. "You, Edmund Pevensie, are a genius. Whatever may I do to repay your assistance?"
"Can I collect later? I would like to save this offer until I have a suitable idea in mind," Edmund replied cheekily, barking a laugh when Beth merely rolled her eyes.
"I suppose you may," Beth began airily. She then stood and offered Edmund a hand. "But I expect the idea to be up to par with both our creativities, sir. Shall we go?"
oOo
There was a silence that could only be related to funerals and that Lucy would never be used to.
Maybe there were some things that could never be comprehensible or customary to a person. Things that went beyond a person's experience, things that were just too emotional, too overwhelming to become casual eventualities.
Funerals were that for Lucy. For it didn't matter the battles she had fought in, the wounded she had treated, the death she had seen with her own two eyes, she would never be used to the idea of a life ceasing to exist from one moment to the other.
Maybe it was the fact that a lifetime of memories, experiences, journeys and adventures were supposed to be naturally closed in the course of a moment. Whatever it was, it made Lucy sure that she would never become used or comfortable when it came to funerals.
The Telmarines had been left by the shore of Beruna, locked with magic so they were unable to escape while the Narnians said their goodbyes. No Narnian deserved to be left unable to say goodbye.
As the Narnian Royal Family had opted for allowing their people to say goodbye as they pleased, they were all now in the grounds behind the How, the various groups of friends and family members walking in silence across the graves lined up.
And the silence. That silence was deafening.
Lucy knew that had been the right choice, for it allowed the Narnians the comfort of saying goodbye however they wanted to, without pressure or time frames. It wasn't any harder to witness but, by being respectful of their grief, Lucy knew they had made a step in the right direction.
Though her focus was in the Narnians, Lucy distractedly kept tabs on the rest of her family. From the corner of her eye, she could see Beth and Edmund with Adrien, accompanying him as he said goodbye to his uncle. Susan was wandering around as well, offering her assistance when needed, especially when it came to little kids. Peter was before the grave of Glenstorm's son. Meanwhile, Caspian and Cornelius gravelly watched everything from a distance.
Lucy couldn't see Aslan but she wasn't too worried. After all, He wasn't a tame lion.
Lucy glanced around her, and couldn't help but feel the grief and sadness of her surroundings enveloping her like a tight, warm blanket.
She gulped.
Were they ever going to be okay?
"Dear One. What is it?"
Lucy would have jumped had it been anyone else but, somehow, she had gotten used to Aslan appearing out of nowhere. Besides, she had longed to talk to Him so it wasn't an unwelcome presence at all.
It was comforting in a way. Knowing that He always came when she needed Him.
"I'm worried, Aslan." Lucy kept walking, her arms crossed before her chest in an effort to keep herself together. "We now have a fair shot at uniting Narnians and Telmarines but, look at my people. The grief they are feeling for our fallen is only the surface of everything that went on between them and Telmar. What if their history is too grave? What if too much has happened? What if the Narnians are never okay again Aslan?"
"Dear One, as you well know, we all face different sorts of wars regardless of where we are." Aslan replied. "Wars are a common thing, Lucy. A heartbreaking one, yes, but also common. We lose and we win with them but Dear One, we all have the strength to overcome anything. It might be deep inside but it is there. We just have to find it."
Lucy nodded slowly, her gaze hesitant. "What will happen now? I have been through a lot of battles, of course, but it never gets easier. Imagining what the aftermath will be like."
"You know there is no way of knowing that, Dear One," Aslan chuckled lowly, casting a smile onto Lucy's lips.
"I know, I know but..." Lucy hesitated but Aslan's reassuring gaze compelled her to continue. "Will you stay with us for a little while, Aslan? We all need you here and Beth she...you need to talk to her, Aslan. Please."
"I will stay as long as I'm needed, Dear One, so there is no need to worry," Aslan began. "Besides, it is high time for me to get to know my daughter. And that boyfriend of hers."
Lucy couldn't help to giggle. She could have sworn Aslan's tone was smug. "Well, my brother is a fool but his heart is in the right place. I hope you know that, Aslan."
"Of course I do. But I still want to hear what he has to say." Aslan smiled warmly. "Now, Dear One, I must tend to our people. We will talk again."
Lucy curtsied and watched as Aslan walked away from her. In a way, it was sort of poetic, how as his bright presence retreated, the darkness of the gathering fought to get into her again.
Only, this time, Lucy was different. She was hopeful that at the end, they were going to be okay. The darkness was no rival against that.
oOo
As the three male Narnian leaders walked by the river, Caspian slightly behind the Kings of Old, the brothers seemed to be ignorant to caspian's silent disposal.
"This reminds me," Edmund commented as he pointed in the general direction of the river. "We will need to discuss Adrien's training as soon as we reach the castle. As Oreius' legacy, he will turn out to be a natural leader."
"Well, as Beth's brother, it wouldn't be too far fetched of an idea. He could even become Narnia's general in due time," Peter replied before shaking his head. "Oreius legacy, huh? When do you think will be time to tell him about all those nights the three of us got together to drink?"
"When Beth will not kill you for it, I suppose."
Caspian would have laughed at that, had he been in any other circumstances. That being said, he had mysteriously been brought to the river by the two brothers, having claimed their need to discuss something with him.
Sue him for being overcautious but he couldn't help but fear the discussion wasn't going to be beneficial for him.
After all, Peter was his worst enemy when it came to falling in love with his sister. And Edmund, well, Edmund had forgiven him for the White Witch' incident but still...he could have been waiting for the right time to perform his revenge. He wouldn't put it past him, if he was being honest. Not when it came to someone as cunning as Edmund the Just.
"Anyways, now that that's been decided," Edmund began as he and Peter suddenly stopped their walk. They turned towards Caspian and crossed their arms simultaneously. Peter fixed him with a serious gaze, while Edmund seemed expectant. "I suppose you know why we are here."
To throw my corpse into the river. Caspian gulped before coughing to clear his voice. "Am I truly supposed to know?"
"Caspian, you will be crowned in a matter of weeks," Peter began, frowning at the look of panic shown in Caspian's features. "We thought we should share our experience, in order for you to be a good Narnian King."
"The war might be over," Edmund added, "But the animosity between Narnians and Telmarines is still very much present. You have the training to be a great Telmarine King, of course, but we reckon we should offer our assistance in order for you to rule over the two folks without major problem."
"Of course, we need to get used to the idea that Telmarines might have a hard time accepting you as their King but if they are loyal followers of tradition, as you've claimed them to be, we shouldn't have much trouble." Peter shrugged. "Though I suppose we can cross that bridge when we get to it."
"Oh, oh," Caspian uttered, relief clouding his mind. He shook his head slightly. "Well, we might have to deal with that sooner than expected. With such hatred and resentment between Narnians and Telmarines, it should be quite difficult to be a good King for any party without the other thinking I'm favouring one party instead of both."
"Of course," Peter nodded in agreement. "But as King, the resources you will have will be essential in order to unite your people."
Caspian opened his mouth to express his confusion but Edmund cut him off. "In the early stages of your reign, the amount of trust you inspire is vital. You cannot stick to speaking about your plans for everyone to be equal, heard and taken account for. You need to prove to them that your priority is making sure your reign will ensure equality between the folks. Trust is gained through actions, not through words."
"That means you need to take both parties into account for everything." Peter continued gravelly. "When you form your counsel, when you name your generals, when you declare new laws, when you establish traditions. It is important, essential, that you involve and listen to both parties equally."
"Isn't it weird how easily we are finishing each other's thoughts?" Edmund mumbled, smirking when Peter turned towards him with a glare.
"Can't you leave your remarks for later?" Peter retorted.
As Edmund opened his mouth, surely with the intentions of quarrelling with his brother, Caspian rushed to intervene.
"Thank you for your advice. I suppose Beth and I have a difficult path ahead of us," Caspian commented before smiling crookedly. "Thankfully, the Kings and Queens of Old will be with us, right?"
Peter and Edmund exchanged a look, forcing the other to silence their concerns. The last time they left Narnia, it was so sudden that it was left unprepared and therefore, defenseless to the Telmarine invaders. Now that their job was done, what assured them of their permanent stay?
What assured them that one day they were going to wake up once again in England?
They couldn't talk about it, though. Not yet. Not while there was so much to be done.
So, Peter smiled tightly. "We are just preparing for any scenario."
Ooo
In a way, Beth had been relieved there was so much to do. It would have been more difficult to avoid her father if things weren't so hectic.
One would argue that she should have been more eager to talk to her father who, coincidentally, was also the King of Kings. Having Aslan as a father was an honour and even more so for Beth, if one took into account the improvement from her first father' figure to her most recent one.
Beth tried to look at her true parentage from that perspective, she really did. To no avail. All she could see was the chaotic childhood she had to endure. The years of danger she had to overcome. The life she'd had without even knowing her true identity.
And yes, her life had brought her so many people that she loved. Still, Beth liked to think that that love had been brought to her life because of the bond between the people in question and herself. She liked to think that Aslan had nothing to do with it.
However, there was a time for everything. And, as everyone began with the preparations for their journey to the Telmarine Castle, Beth realized the time had come for father and daughter to reunite.
Which brought her - and us - to her present location in the Royals' tent, where Lucy and Adrien stood before her with identical gazes of shock.
"I'm sorry, but did you just say you want us to summon Aslan, the Aslan, to this tent?" Adrien squeaked nervously.
Trying her hardest to ignore her own nerves, Beth sat behind the desk they had brought from the How and raised an eyebrow. "Did I stutter, dear brother?"
Adrien turned to Lucy. "Please do something. She's lost her mind."
Lucy snorted at that but faced Beth anyways. "Beth, sweetheart, one just doesn't summon Aslan."
"Why?"
Lucy looked at her best friend as if she'd grown a third head. "Because He's Aslan."
"And I am his daughter. As such, I have more pressing responsibilities to my people than wandering about in search of the lion that abandoned me in a violent household." Beth retorted gently. "I reckoned that since you have your own duties outside, that you could summon Him before resuming them but I'll do it myself if you are busy. I don't mean to undermine you, of course."
At that, Lucy straightened. Not because she was offended by Beth's words - though she would have been had it been anyone else. She finally caught onto Beth's real feelings, which had been carefully concealed by the Wise High Lady of Narnia.
Fear. Overpowering fear.
"It's not that we're too busy, it's just that-," Adrien began, trailing off when Lucy raised a hand.
"We'll do it."
Adrien's eyes widened. "Are you crazy!? Lucy, I thought you were my ally!"
"C'mon, Adrien, we should leave Beth to pack our belongings," Lucy cut Adrien off, her eyes on Beth as she smiled. "We love you, Beth."
Beth couldn't reply for fear of her façade finally breaking down. Instead, she smiled lovingly as her brother and best friend retreated, both of them arguing as they went.
Soon enough, though, silence had become the sovereign of that tent once more. Beth sat behind that desk in her family's tent, her hands clasped together on her lap, so tightly that her knuckles were soon white. She stared at the flailing opening of the tent as the sun drifted through it, casting different shadows onto the ground.
And she waited.
Until she didn't have to anymore.
For a second, or a small eternity, father and daughter stared at each other, allowing their history and relationship to speak for them.
The actual silence, that one was broken by the princess.
"I hope you will forgive me for summoning you, Your Majesty," Beth began as she stood abruptly from her seat. She bowed her head respectfully. "I'm afraid there's just too much to be done for me to find you myself."
"Beth."
"No," Beth shook her head, anger burning within her. "I understand that as King of Kings, you are entitled to everything and anything you might desire. But you will not call me Beth, Your Majesty. You do not know me and you certainly do not hold my trust."
If Aslan was wounded by her words, He did not show it. Instead, He sat on his hind legs and regarded Beth thoughtfully. "How may I call you then?"
"I...I do not know," Beth admitted, her voice barely breaking before she masked it with a cough. Then, she sat once again behind her desk. "I suppose I would rather you don't call me in any way. I will inform you once that situation changes, Your Majesty, of course."
"Very well," Aslan agreed. "Before we begin, though, may I say one thing?"
"You may."
"The moment that you were born, your mother and I were filled with tremendous joy, more joy than we've ever felt, before or after. But we were also filled with burden, for we knew that you would share my fate. Like me, you were bound to be in service of the different worlds under our protection and like me, that service was bound to be your first priority," Aslan's voice was gentle, his gaze even more so as Beth began to tear up against her will. "The moment in which we parted from you, you were so powerful already, and we could do nothing to stop the fates from involving you in the course of history. I...my duties have always prevented me from being a true father to you. You know that as much as I do. That day I was not Aslan. I was a father, a father who had to leave his daughter. That was the worst day of my life."
"A day." Beth growled, not even noticing as angry tears rolled down her cheeks. "How does a day even begin to compare with years of being abused? How does it even begin to compare with the darkness I've lived in, the life I've led not even knowing who I was!?"
"It doesn't. Of course it doesn't," Aslan agreed calmly. "But I can only tell you your own story. That is part of it."
"My own story," Beth repeated drily. "Very well. Then, tell me. For how long had Jack been instructed to kill me before that day in which my brother was born?"
"I do not know for certain. I have been trying to track his allies and at last, I think I have the answer I've been looking for."
"So you knew he was alive. You knew he was coming back for me," Beth stated, her voice hardening. "Seriously, Your Majesty, how tight are your hands tied? Or were you simply too untroubled to do anything?"
"You know that's not it. As angry as you might be with me, you know there is nothing I wouldn't do for you," Aslan argued, his voice at last heightening with emotion.
"Then why?" Beth growled, so loud she was almost screaming. "Why did you stay away? Why did you allow Jack to do everything he did to us? Why did you send me into that house in the first place? Why, oh why, did you keep your own daughter from the bloody TRUTH!?"
Beth's eyes widened as she took in what she had just done. She had just screamed at Aslan. It didn't matter that she was her father, she never thought she would be this rude to the King of Kings.
With sudden exhaustion and shock, Beth rested her back against the backrest of her chair.
And the day had only just begun, yet Beth was already doing so good.
Aslan, however, seemed unfazed. "You have seen enough of the world to know how it works. Our lives, our actions, they are interlinked. An action causes another. A life has an effect on those around it. Some things, Beth, they have been written since before any of us were born. As such, neither of us can hope to go against it."
"So me falling into Jack's claws was written by the Fates or the Deep Magic or some other force I do not know of?" Beth scoffed.
"You are the one I love the most. You are my daughter. Do you think I would have left you there for twelve years had I known there was an alternative?" Aslan questioned. "Do you think the end of the world would have stopped me from saving my own daughter?"
At that, Beth could only stammer nervously. She had not been expecting such an answer. "Well, I certainly hope it would. I will not be blamed for the death of millions, Your Majesty."
Aslan seemed to shine even brighter as He took in his daughter's words. "I know there is so much we need to discuss. And we will. I promise you I will tell you about your mother and your days with us. I will tell you what I know about Jack and I will help you in order to become Narnia's leader. But first, I need to tell you something. Something that will affect Narnia and Archenland."
At that, Beth straightened with alarm. "What is it?"
When Edmund entered the tent, much later, he found his girlfriend on her own, sitting behind their desk. As she looked up with shock, Edmund rushed to her, kneeling before her with concern. "My love, I heard about your encounter with Aslan. Are you alright? What happened?"
Beth's voice was an amazed, yet terrified whisper. Her eyes drifted across Edmund's features, as if they would help her to remain tethered to the ground. "My brother Tor was betrayed by Torin. Him and Jack have been working together under Tash's orders. Ed, Tor is alive. He is alive and Ersan has no idea."
oOo
"Poor Beth," Susan sighed as she oversaw the preparation of the horses. "I cannot imagine how conflicted she must be feeling."
"She was so angry and afraid when I left her," Lucy replied with concern as she followed her older sister, her arms filled with medical supplies she was supposed to put in one of the empty saddle bags. "I don't know whether I want to know what they are talking about right now."
"I mean, she has a point," Susan shook her head, her eyes on the list in her hands. "She deserves to show her anger. Now she's in a better place but...Lu, can you imagine going through that? Can you imagine how haunted she must feel by her past?"
"I...I don't know, I just wish she didn't have to be so angry." Lucy hesitated as she looked around her, making sure no one else was listening to them. "You should have seen her as she talked about Aslan. He called him 'the lion who abandoned her'. Can you imagine being so rude to our dear Aslan?"
"I can," Susan admitted. "I mean, we might not have been through everything Beth has and when we suffered, we suffered together but Lu, she didn't even know who she was. She was thrown between worlds, placed in different families, forced to make so many important decisions, and she didn't even know who she was. She knew she had all these responsibilities and she never knew why."
Lucy's gaze grew nervous. "You're thinking about us, aren't you?"
Susan shrugged, pausing to smile at a couple of fauns who walked past them before resuming in a hushed whisper. "I don't think I've ever stopped. Lu, we've been thrown between Narnia and England without a care for our own lives. I love Narnia and England with all my heart but that isn't healthy, not for anyone."
"I remember we talked about this before," Lucy mused as she emptied her arms. Then, she crossed them as she faced her sister. "After the White Witch made us see our deepest fears. I asked you what you would do if we had to leave again and you didn't answer."
"Well, is it my decision? Has anything related to our journeys to Narnia happened due to our own will?" Susan retorted defensively.
"But if it turns out to be your decision," Lucy insisted. "If we had to go back, what would you do?"
Susan gulped, her heart constricting at the idea of being sent away. It was just a hypothetical possibility but it still made her feel so disposable, so useless.
She refused to continue feeling like this.
As Susan opened her mouth, Adrien, Edmund, Beth, Peter and Caspian joined them.
"Glenstorm has informed everyone is ready to move," Peter stated, looking between his sisters as if sensing the tense mood. "Is everything alright?"
"It is," Susan nodded, her eyes guarded. "We are set as well."
"Beth?" Lucy asked in turn, her gaze hesitant as it fell on the clearly stressed princess. "Do I even want to ask what happened?"
Beth snorted at that, her pale cheeks regaining some of the colour. "I don't know whether you'll believe me. I had the hardest time believing it myself."
"Thankfully," Caspian intervened. "It's a long ride to my ancestors castle. You can tell us on the way there."
Beth cheered weakly. "Yay."
Ooo
After the group of royals, Aslan in cue, finished planning for the eventual arrival to the Telmarine castle, Beth didn't lose time in riding by the front of the group. She made some excuse about wanting to be alert for any sign of the castle and, having decided they wanted to reach their destination before nightfall, her words weren't too difficult to believe. However, none of them believed her. They could see the burdened and racing thoughts flying just behind her careful nonchalant facade and knew she just needed a moment to herself.
Well, almost all of them knew.
Some of them, they just never learned.
Edmund and Beth had been riding on their own, enveloped in deep silence, when Beth finally sighed. "I will not break, Ed. I promise."
"I know you won't." Edmund replied with a small smile. "You would have every right to, of course, but I know you won't break."
Against her will, a smile pulled Beth's lips upwards. "Then you're shadowing me why?"
"Oh, I'm not. I'm avoiding your father."
At that, Beth almost halted her horse. "Excuse me?"
Edmund laughed nervously. "Lucy told me that Aslan wants to talk to me. I suppose he wants to confirm whether I'm worthy of dating you."
"Because he has much saying in the matter," Beth scoffed sardonically. "Don't worry, I'll talk to him."
"It's okay, you don't have to." Edmund waved a hand dismissively, though the idea of avoiding a talk with Aslan about Beth relieved him to no end. "The only permission I need is yours, after all. Anyways, Lucy's warning got me thinking. The war is over."
"I know," Beth chortled with light amusement. "I was there."
"You are a real riot, has anyone told you that?"
"Once or twice," Beth shrugged, her mood improving exponentially as she allowed herself to enjoy the playful banter between her and her boyfriend. "What's your point?"
Edmund looked away, trying to ignore the way the sunlight cascaded down Beth's golden locks, making her resemble an elf or some beautiful creature from the woods. He was truly afraid he was going to fall from his horse if he let himself be too hung up on his girlfriend's beauty. "My point is that we have a lot of responsibilities, of course, but we won't be in mortal danger. Not always, at least. We will actually have time to be a normal boyfriend and girlfriend who go on dates and get to know each other."
"A normal boyfriend and girlfriend besides the fact that you spent more than a millenia away from home - yet only grew one year -, and that I am the daughter of a talking lion?"
"Is there a serious answer coming from your beautiful lips anytime soon?"
"Maybe," Beth taunted with a smirk, laughing as Edmund scoffed. Then, her eyes softened with mere adoration. "That sounds...truly wonderful, Ed. I would love to."
"Great," Edmund beamed before cocking his head understandingly. "But I can't help but feel as if you're doubting."
"Do you think we'll have the time?" Beth asked weakly. "With Tor and Caspian's coronation and my own duties as Aslan's Daughter, I mean. There is so much I want to talk to you about and so much I want to show you in the castle but Ed, what if there's no time? What if who I am gets between us again?"
"I'm so sorry I made you doubt my love for you, Beth. I truly should have handled things better," Edmund reached and clenched Beth's hand with his own for a moment. "Just trust me on this. Trust me and time will show you that I'm not going anywhere. We can have everything, Beth, it's only fair for us not to choose again."
Beth smirked. "Even if you have to face my father?"
At that, Edmund sighed dramatically. "The things I do for love."
ooo
One of the benefits of being publicly loyal to King Caspian IX was that, while all the other lords had been instructed to march with Miraz to the structure known as The How, the twin Lords Robertson had been instructed to guard the Telmarine Castle until Miraz's return, for they were unworthy of the trust implied in an army position.
And luck had been their friend so far, too. As the wealthiest lords in all of Narnia, second only to the Royal Family, Miraz had been forced to form an alliance with them, instead of merely killing them as he had done with all the other lords loyal to his brother.
So, the battle had come and gone without them. Still, it had turned them from enemies to the crown to the highest ranking members of the Telmarine army, in charge of ensuring the safety of the Telmarine folk.
Sunset had turned the sky into a mixture of yellow, orange and pink when the lords caught the first glimpse of the victors by the edge of the distant forest.
The sight of Prince Caspian X, an unmistakable one as he rode with five other warriors and a lion by the Narnian' first line, didn't bring hatred to either Robertson's hearts. Their only concern was that Caspian IX's son was no longer a Telmarine after living so long with Narnian heathens.
It was only when the Narnian army halted a few yards from the Telmarine Lords and their ten guards that they were surprised. Soon enough, Caspian X dismounted along with a blonde young woman and they, accompanied by the Lion, began crossing the remaining distance to the Lords.
Lord Darrhen and Lord Geon exchange a glance before dismounting as well, shaking their heads when their guards went to follow them.
If they died, Caspian X would be proven to be a traitor, and they would need their guards to carry the news to the castle.
"Prince Caspian," Lord Darrhen spoke first, bowing his head slightly. "As one of your father's must trusted advisors, it is a relief so see you alive and well."
"I thank you, Lord Darrhen," Caspian nodded with a charming smile. He gestured towards the young woman besides him. "Lord Darrhen, Lord Geon. I trust you remember Elizabeth, Princess of Archenland and now High Lady of Narnia. Also, may I introduce you to her father Aslan, High King of the Kings of Narnia."
At the same, both lords turned towards Elizabeth, who somehow was worthy of more scrutiny than her mighty father (or inspired less fear than the remarkable lion). In the two years she hadn't made the journey to the Telmarine Castle, Elizabeth had seemed to grow from the innocent, beautiful girl she once was to the intimidating leader that stood before them. Clad in armour and with her long hair braided away from her face, she was as beautiful as she was when she first stepped into Miraz's castle but now, her looks were shadowed by the respect she seemed to inspire. She was a Queen through and through, which was not at all illogical when considering the training she'd had.
About Aslan, neither of the lords would remember much about Him from now on. Maybe it was because they were too fearful of the Mighty Lion. Maybe that fear had refrained them from looking at Aslan more than the absolutely necessary. Whatever the reason was, both lords knew right then and there that they would refrain from discussing it after that day. They would do themselves a disservice should they talk about such an obvious cowardly act.
"My Lady, of course. It is truly a privilege to see you well. News reached us from Archenland about your disappearance." Lord Geon nodded, bowing respectfully at both father and daughter.
"Your loyalty to Prince Caspian is truly inspiring, of course," Lord Darrhen bowed as well. After all, as High Lady, he was now in the presence of his superior. "And Aslan, Your Majesty, it is a rare honour to encounter the subject of such enchanting tales."
Aslan nodded and bowed his head at the falsely charming lords, his amusement only noticeable to the Narnian leaders on either side of him.
"Thank you for your words, my lords." Beth nodded in turn, bowing her head slightly as she did. "It is good to see you again."
"My Prince, Your Majesties," Lord Darrhen began again after a tense moment of silence. "As you know, we have always been loyal supporters of the rightful monarchs, even while your uncle held the crown. For that, you are a welcome sight in these lands and we are eager to support your reign. However, you must surely know that your people are...concerned about your affiliation to the Narnian...folk."
"Of course, that concern is only heightened by the presence of the Princess of Archenland," Lord Geon added, straightening when Beth raised an eyebrow almost in impression. "One cannot help but wonder what the activity of a foreign princess in our court will cause for the equilibrium of the Narnian society."
"I understand your concerns and I will do my best to reassure my people as soon as possible in that I have both the Telmarines and the Narnian's interest as my utmost priority." Caspian was calm and authoritative as he made his case. "However, us Telmarines must realize that a time of change has come to Narnia. We have found a home in this land, but it is also the land of the Narnians. I am positively convinced that we can all live together in peace and that, united, we can reach true prosperity."
"In turn," Beth intervened, "I can assure you that I will not be a double agent for Narnia and Archenland. My allegiance to Archenland is yet to be terminated but Narnia is my home and it is my destiny to protect it and its people. Soon enough, my titles will only reflect my relationship to my true home."
"We appreciate your words, My Lieges," Lord Geon admitted cautiously. "But you must surely realize that what you stand for will not be enough for the entire population waiting for your arrival."
"What my brother means with that is that though we want nothing but to live in peace with your...Narnian allies, there are some who will refuse to live in equal ground to them." Lord Darrhen added. "It is a rather regrettable thought but surely you had foreseen such possibility."
Beth's eyes darkened dangerously, though she managed to keep her tone even. "We have certainly discussed such a possibility, my lords. While the details have not yet been finalized, we believe that both Narnians and Telmarines should be free to choose how and where they want to live. Narnia belongs to both Narnians and Telmarines and as such, it will remain a country in which both folks must live in peace. We are confident that we can find a suitable solution for those who refuse to live in such terms. Our goal is for all of us to carry on with our lives in peace."
"So you are ensuring the Telmarines' wellbeing?" Lord Geon retorted. "Forgive me for asking this, my lady, but as the daughter of the Narnian Great Lion, I suppose your alliance are with the Narnians, and now with us."
"My alliance is with my people. That includes the Telmarines," Beth tightly replied. "I might be a noblewoman, sir, but I am foremost a person. I refuse to watch anybody live in unfair terms, so I will do everything in my power to make sure everyone carries on with their lives as they choose and under equal terms."
"I can promise you, Lord Geon," Aslan intervened for the first time, causing the Telmarines to gulp nervously. "That we have no ill intentions. The Telmarines belong to Narnia as well and that is something my folk agrees with."
Both lords exchanged a glance before Darrhen nodded gravely. "In that case, you have eased our concerns for the moment. Allow us to escort your army to the castle so you may speak to your people."
"It would be our honour," Caspian bowed his head. "We thank you, old friends."
"How did everything go?" Peter asked anxiously as the trio finally made it back to their army.
"Better than we hoped," Caspian admitted as he took his place by Aslan's right, Susan and Lucy stepping by his right. "Lords Darrhen and Geon were good friends with my father. They are going to escort us back to the castle so the people know we mean no harm to them."
"Of course, they seemed rather unsure what will happen with the Telmarines who don't want to live with the Narnians," Beth shrugged tensely. She in turn was riding by Aslan's left, Peter and Edmund on her left. "I suppose we will ease their minds with time but we need to come up with a plan soon enough."
"We will," Aslan assured her. "All in due time, Dear One."
ooo
"Open the gates!"
Lucy held her breath as everything seemed to still for a moment. Her eyes wandered over to the Telmarine castle, noticing how the sunset light seemed to obscure the gray walls. Still, the castle had a certain beauty to it, one that demanded respect and admiration from whoever stood in its presence.
She wondered what her siblings were thinking as they stood before the place in which half of their army died in the failed raid. She wished she could ask them. She wished to know whether they would be able to form happy memories in that place, whether those dark memories would be obscured. Not forgotten, but shadowed by happier ones.
The six of them were formed by the front of their army and right before the bridge that led to the castle. Aslan stood slightly before them, his gaze fixed on the castle's walls.
"Do you think they will open?" Lucy asked her sister slowly, trying her best not to disturb the utter silence.
"They have to," her sister replied.
And then, the bridge began lowering onto the ground.
Lucy took a deep breath. It seemed as if all of her years of training, all of her diplomatic meetings, all of her struggles as Queen had led her to this moment.
She then schooled her features into the determined Valiant Queen the stories described her to be.
Aslan was the first to march solemnly through the bridge, followed by Caspian and Beth, Peter and Susan, Edmund and herself, the rest of the army behind them. All of them were clad in full armours, their silver weapons glinting against the sun.
The first thing Lucy noticed were the guards. They were lined up across every face of the stone walls, their weapons not drawn but within reach. The rest of the castle's occupants - lords and ladies of Miraz's court, maids, workers, blacksmiths, tailors, generals and knights filled the main plaza and even the stairs that led to the castle. They did not seem to be openly aggressive towards the Narnian folk but, as the Narnian army spread around the perimeter, Lucy noticed that their postures tensed and their eyes narrowed in distrust.
The royal party was the only one that headed for the stairs. It only took one look for Aslan before the crew that had been occupying the stairs hurriedly retreated to stand with the rest of the Telmarines. That way, Telmarines and Narnians stood together as their new leaders got ready to speak to their people.
Caspian stood on the highest step, Beth and Aslan slightly behind him and to his right. Meanwhile, Lucy, Susan, Peter and Edmund - in that order - stood behind Caspian and to his left. Lucy directed her gaze towards her people and felt her heart constrict with concern. The fear, resentment and stress in the Telmarines features were as clear as day.
Still, Lucy felt hope. After all, they had managed to get there. What could actually stop them from achieving unity between the two folks?
With a nod from Aslan, Lord Darrhen turned towards the crowd. "Standing before you are Aslan, the Great Lion, High King of Kings, Guardian and Saviour of Narnia; Prince Caspian X of Narnia, son of the late King Caspian IX and true heir to the Telmarine Throne; High Lady Elizabeth of Narnia, daughter of Aslan and true heir of the Narnian throne; High King Peter the Magnificent, Queen Susan the Gentle, King Edmund the Just and Queen Lucy the Valiant, the Narnian Kings and Queens of Old. By the late King Miraz's defeat in the battlefield, Prince Caspian has now the strongest claim to the throne."
"Why does he waste his time talking to us, then?" A man said, to the agreeing chorus of the crowd.
"Boy, what is keeping you from taking it?" Another said, his glare fixed on Caspian. "Your uncle sure didn't hesitate!"
"He isn't a true Telmarine!"
"Miraz might have been a true telmarine but not because of the right reasons." Caspian retorted loudly, struggling to make himself heard amongst the general clamor. Thankfully, the crowd quietened in order to hear what the young man had to say. "Miraz became King by murdering my father, the late King, and by selling himself as an honourable man to his own people. As my father's only son, I'm the rightful heir to the telmarine throne by bloodline and tradition. By Aslan's blessing and the Monarchs of Old' agreement I am to rule over the Narnians as well. It is my right to take the throne in this castle and this country as mine to rule but I will not do so forcefully. We Telmarines have always taken what we could in order to survive. We were never ruled by hunger for power or ambition, but rather by justice, sharpness of mind, and strategy. I will not execute any more power than the one I'm entitled to. I am here in order to unite our two folks under a new Narnia, one that will be led by equality and peace. One in which Narnians and Telmarines will be able to learn from each other. I assure you today, that neither will be left in disgrace or in disadvantage, but that you all will be heard and taken into account."
"So we are supposed to believe you?" a woman scoffed. "The disgraced son of a dead King that has been fraternizing with Narnians for far too long?"
At that, chaos seemed to be on the verge of erupting. Lucy exchanged a worried glance with her siblings and, by Caspian's other side, Beth seemed ready to intervene but Caspian never allowed himself to lose his confidence. Instead, he raised a hand, ordering his people to quiet.
"You don't have to believe me." Caspian replied, his eyes on the woman who had spoken. "You just have to see for yourself. As soon as the final details are decided, I will be naming my army leaders and council members, both of which will be completed with Telmarines and Narnians in equal numbers. From then, the needs of both folks will be taken into account. I would never ask you to have blind faith in me. I can only ask you to give me time enough to demonstrate that I do not speak lies to my people."
At that, the crowd was rendered into silence, shocked that a King would not demand their blind faith. Finally, Lord Darrhen and Lord Geon unsheathed their swords and knelt before Caspian, soon enough followed by the rest of the crowd.
As Caspian bowed his head thankfully, Lucy glanced at her siblings with wide eyes. "For one second, I thought everything was going to implode on us."
"Can you imagine what our reign would have been like if we had Caspian's easiness with words?" Peter scoffed subtly, his eyes on the crowd. "The bastard."
"Peter," Susan chastised gently. "Your envy is getting old."
"We all have our strengths, dear brother," Edmund intervened, a glimmer of mischief shining in his eyes despite his efforts to remain grave. "Beth and I have our minds, Caspian has his ability with words, Susan is our best peacemaker, Lucy is our bravest warrior and you...well, your brute force is just unrivalled."
"You are so lucky we are not in the privacy of the royal quarters," Peter growled as he followed Caspian, Beth and Aslan inside.
Edmund exchanged a smirk with Lucy as he followed Susan. "And I thank my lucky stars for that."
Well, thoughts? comments?
I might come back to edit some of the parts of some of the scenes but not in the first couple of days 'cause I need both to step out of this fic for a second and I need to get onto working on my other fics.
Next chapter will see the Archenlandian plotline developed and also, my boy Adrien will be appearing more. There was actually a scene featuring him in this chapter but I liked the way i closed it so I suppose it will appear later on.
Hope you guys liked it and stay tuned!