Golden Narnia 8: Changes
The luncheon with Rorin was as nice as Lucy could have wished. Rorin seemed genuinely interested in the book that Lucy had recommended, but argued some points of the book with her vigorously.
Lucy found it terrifically engaging and a wonderful distraction from her daily tasks. She said as much at the end of their luncheon, and Rorin looked pleased.
"In that case, Majesty, could I be so bold as to suggest we meet to discuss books more regularly? Perhaps we could invite others who'd be interested, too. Mr Tumnus, for instance."
"And Greyrock!" Lucy agreed, smiling. "I'll look forward to our next meeting, then."
"I as well," Rorin said, and left her to her law court reviews.
At the end of the day, when she was brushing out her hair, Lucy realized she hadn't seen Avarro at all. While she was his friend, and still liked him well enough, she had to admit the day without dealing with his petulance had been restful.
Perhaps Alissa was right: She needed to take time for herself more, especially when she was the only Pevensie at Cair Paravel.
The next couple of weeks went by far more smoothly. Lucy limited her dinners in the Great Hall, allowed Alissa to schedule her more frequent breaks, and she positively wallowed in the once-weekly book discussion meetings. The discussions had spiraled out to include not only Greyrock and Mr Tumnus, but Sar (one of the Archenlander ladies), Luelle (Lord Peridan's wife), and Shoshana, one of Alissa's sisters.
She found the thoughts sparked during the discussions made her more thoughtful in other aspects of her life, too. Barnabas commented on it when assessing her latest argument in her Politics tutoring session.
"You are seeing more layers beneath the surface," he said approvingly. "Your brother Edmund has the natural gift for it, but I'm pleased you're beginning to see them for yourself."
Lucy nodded. "I think it's because in our book discussions we all take turns telling our point of view of things, but also why we have that point of view. It's made me more sensitive to others' viewpoints, I think."
"A good tool for a monarch to have," Barnabas smiled.
During these weeks, Lucy spent a small amount of time with Avarro, but only among other people, hoping that would prevent her from shouting at him over his behavior at the school. So far, this plan was working—she hadn't gone off on Avarro—and she thought her temper might be cooling somewhat. They went on a couple of horseback rides, and on a hunt with the Court, and a few other things. Lucy ignored his sulky looks and when she didn't cave into his pouting, Avarro seemed to finally accept it and behave more normally.
Lucy was relieved.
Letters came from her siblings: reports on the werewolf situation from Peter and Edmund (they were finally close to getting the last one in the area, they thought); an update from Susan on the situation in Archenland.
While Susan had made great friends with little Prince Corin, she reported that he was quite the rambunctious little boy. Small wonder that Queen Ramilka was little able to keep up her strength, with a child whose response to any check in his plans seemed to be 'fight him.' It didn't seem to matter that none of the prince's plans were ever thought out; 'fight' was still Corin's response.
Susan was doing what she could to curb this impulse.
"Shalt have to wait to see if her gentleness can dampen Prince Corin's rampageousness," Lucy commented, amused. She and Rorin were having another luncheon together, away from the madness of the Court (there was a fire-eater performing tonight, and everyone seemed to think they needed to claim their seats hours in advance).
"Prince Corin always has been known to be a feisty child," Rorin said. "I do hope as he grows he will learn restraint. One of these days he's going to volunteer to fight someone who won't care if he gives the Crown Prince a black eye."
"From what Susan says, that might be just what Corin needs."
"Mayhap. Time will tell, I suppose. Now, back to what you were saying about The Jade Man," Rorin said, pointing his fork at her in mock exasperation. "I just cannot see how you have any sympathy for Cincilla at the end."
"Thou blamest the poor girl for being besotted?" Lucy protested. "Elric never gave her the chance to think aught ill of him."
"He did take advantage of her naivete," Rorin admitted, "but her friend warned her most direly about his real nature, and she didn't listen!"
"But don't you think Cincilla probably thought her friend was exaggerating? Lili had been courted by Elric, after all. It would be natural for Cincilla to assume Lili was jealous."
"Well, there's another thing," Rorin complained. "If Cincilla and Lili art such great friends, how could Cincilla even give Elric the time of day? He'd nearly broken Lili's heart."
"Ah, there, I think—" Lucy broke off as a faun tapped at the doorway of the little courtyard she and Rorin were sitting in. She and Rorin turned in his direction. "Yes?"
The faun trotted forward. "Sorry to interrupt, your majesty, but this letter just came from Queen Susan, and it's marked 'urgent.' "
"What?" Lucy's eyes widened. Susan had never sent a letter marked 'urgent' before. Lucy took the letter and tore it open.
A few seconds in, she gasped slightly, putting her hand to her mouth. She paled visibly, so quickly that Rorin put out a hand to steady her.
"Queen Lucy?" he asked anxiously. "Is all well with thee?"
"Oh, no." Lucy murmured, her eyes filling with sudden tears.
They spilled over her cheeks as she lifted her face from the letter. "Oh, no. Queen Ramilka of Archenland has... has died." She got out, with some difficulty. "Susan is..." she took a breath. "Queen Susan is staying for a time to help with arrangements, but most earnestly wishes for me to come, before the fall storms start. Oh, poor Susan. She and Ramilka were such friends. And poor little Corin!"
She found herself overcome by tears a moment. She felt a brush against her hand and looked up, surprised, to see a bashful Rorin offering her his handkerchief. As she took it and dabbed her face, he stood and bowed.
"Shalt excuse myself, Queen Lucy. My cousins and fellow Archenlanders will be better served if this news comes from a friend."
"Oh—oh, I'm so sorry, Rorin, I wasn't thinking—" Lucy gasped, dismayed at her thoughtlessness in blurting out the news in front of one who, after all, was one of Ramilka's subjects. This news had to be painful to hear.
Rorin took the liberty of squeezing her hand reassuringly. "Nay, Queen Lucy. Thou spoke out of your own shock and loss, which comes from thy generous heart. I know you feel her loss as keenly as we do. But I shall leave thee to thy thoughts, now. I will seek out Alissa or General Orieus and send them to you—" he offered, but Lucy waved this off.
"Nonsense. Do you go see to your fellow countrymen, and let Us know if there is anything you need. Anything at all. We will make plans for traveling to Anvard as soon as it may be done."
"I shall let the others know. My sincerest thanks, Your Majesty," he replied simply, bowed, and took off down the halls of Cair Paravel.
Lucy sat a moment to compose herself, then set off in search of Alissa. She had work to do.
By early evening, Cair Paravel was bustling. Touches of black had been added to décor, public announcements of Archenland's loss had been made, and an express dispatch had been sent to Peter and Edmund.
Lucy had set aside one of the Royal Parlors for the Archenlanders to gather in privacy, and Alissa was organizing the packing-up of funeral clothes and all the trappings necessary for a visit of condolence.
The Ettins had, fortunately, heard the news and tactfully mentioned they were planning to return home for a while anyway, to discuss matters. They said they'd contact Narnia about those mining permits at a later time, probably the spring.
Lucy was glad that one difficulty, at least, had removed itself from her path.
Especially as there was another firmly in her way: Avarro.
"...can you believe it, Alissa?" Lucy fumed, exasperated, as she flung black and dark clothing toward her luggage. "He interrupts me when it's apparent I'm very busy—with today's news, he should have known I'd be very busy—and whines about how I've hardly spoken to him since—" She broke off, flushing.
"Since what, Your Majesty?" She eyed the young queen. Lucy had not quite been herself, since that evening she'd fallen ill, and the Dryad was watchful for a repeat. Alissa paused in her retrieval of hastily flung garments, which she was pointedly folding before placing them in the suitcase.
Lucy flushed deeper, went to the maltreated clothes, and began folding them herself. "I apologize. I was allowing my temper to get the better of me."
"It has been a trying day," Alissa said, but she looked mollified at the apology. "You were saying?"
"Oh, it doesn't matter now. I'm just astonished at how—oblivious Avarro could be to all that's going on!"
"Perhaps this is a good opportunity to send him back home?" Alissa suggested hopefully. She'd never liked Avarro. "We will be in mourning for Queen Ramilka for a few months."
Lucy pursed her lips. "That is a good point. But we'd need the High King to make the overture to King Henrick," she sighed. "Since Peter is the one whose favor technically keeps Avarro here."
"I don't think anyone would object if you usurped that one aspect of King Peter's power," Alissa suggested dryly.
Lucy shook her head. "No, I really can't, in good conscience. He was placed as High King over all Narnian monarchs, after all. I couldn't, unless—Aslan forbid—something happened to actually incapacitate Peter, Su, and Ed. Peter's absence doesn't mean all of his powers fall to me. But I shall press him on it as soon as I am able." The thought of not dealing with Avarro for a few months sounded rather nice. She still liked Avarro, and considered him her friend, but lately he'd been... well, exhausting. His deciding to behave himself the last couple of weeks notwithstanding.
And she was still confused about the whole incident—had it only been a couple of weeks ago? She still needed to resolve her vague anger, too. She wasn't even sure what she was angry about.
Never mind. She had far more important things to deal with at the moment.
For one thing, she had to decide who ought to accompany her to Archenland, and who should stay. There were several nobles whose absence would constitute an insult, but on the other hand, Lucy had to leave some people here. She would also have to dig through Peter's notes to see whom he had selected as Regent in the absence of the Four.
Though all four of them had never been away from the Cair for more than a day or two at a time, a longer absence was bound to happen at some point. Lucy knew her brother would have considered the matter.
It wouldn't be Mr Tumnus, she knew. He was a dear, but tended to anxiousness when in charge of extremely large groups. His talents were much better suited to being part of the entourage going to Archenland.
Orieus would go with her, too, Lucy knew; his second-in-command was extremely capable, and the period in charge of Narnia's defenses would be good for his growth.
Perhaps Barnabas? He was not much for traveling, and was as shrewd a politician as any, and could easily hold off importunances from other countries until Peter, Susan, Edmund, or Lucy herself returned to the Cair. Or perhaps Silene, who was on the Council. She was wise, and had a lulling way of speaking that had her listeners walking away thinking they'd won—until they considered the actual content of their conversation with her. She was also a champion chess player.
As she finished her packing and Alissa bustled off to see to more things on the list, these thoughts kept Lucy's mind busy so she didn't end up blubbing into her pillow.
Ramilka, gone to Aslan's Country! Ramilka had been wonderful to Lucy and Susan. She and King Lune had been among the first of the royal visitors to the Cair, and she'd spent a couple of weeks teaching Susan and Lucy how royal ladies managed their houses, and dresses, and all the other things that came with being a Queen.
That had all been before the twins' birth, which Lucy and Susan had attended, and before the disastrous loss of Prince Cor. After that terrible incident, Susan had stayed with Ramilka, as she grieved the loss of her son and her trusted courtier's betrayal.
As sorrowful as Lucy was, she knew Susan's grief would be even greater, as she and Ramilka had been very close.
At the thought, her eyes welled again, and she bit her lip and inhaled through her nose, trying to not start crying. A soft tap came at the door.
"Come in," she said thickly, quickly wiping her eyes with her handkerchief.
Orieus entered, a black armband already cascading from his bulging bicep. He came and stood soberly in front of her. "Queen Lucy..." he said. "I... I do not have words for you right now, but I think you should not be alone with your sorrow. Through grief must come to us all, we are made to help one another through it. Your family is far away, and..." he stopped. "Well, I am here."
"Oh, Orieus," Lucy said, on a slight hiccup. "It's so awful."
His strong arms came around her in a comforting hug, and Lucy hugged him back tightly, finally letting some real tears fall.
Curiously, after letting even a few sobs out, she felt much better.
"I know, Queen Lucy," Orieus said, and stroked her hair comfortingly. "While we rejoice that she has crossed to Aslan's Country, I do not think He begrudges us our time of grieving."
"He doesn't," Lucy said without thinking, and pulled away, a little startled at the sudden memory. "He even had sorrow for all those awful people and—and Things—when the White Witch had him shorn and beaten. I can't think sorrow for a good person is wrong."
"It is not," Orieus assured her. "But I do not think I ever heard that part of the tale."
"Really? I suppose because it's so terribly sad, I never want to think of the details," Lucy mused, sitting down in a chair.
Orieus settled on a cushioned bench and assumed an attitude of listening. "Are they so very awful?"
"It was bad enough at the time, but I think I'm glad I was so young when I saw it," Lucy replied. "I didn't fully comprehend what I was seeing until a few years later. I don't know how Susan stood it."
"Perhaps it accounts for how very tenderhearted she is now," Orieus suggested.
"Oh! I'd never thought of that. It's very likely. Well, after the White Witch had Aslan tied..." Lucy began. As she told the tale, she realized that it had one thing in common with many other stories: just when things seemed hopeless and darkest, something happened to turn things right again.
It wasn't usually as dramatic as the Great Lion leaping to life in the glorious dawn sun, but it was there.
They'd been sent away from Mum and Dad by that beastly War, but had ended up walking into Narnia. They'd been chased all over Narnia by the White Witch, but had become victorious rulers. Lucy had been left on her own to rule, but had discovered great support among her friends. They'd all get through this sad time, too.
The day set for her departure to Archenland dawned cool and wet. Lucy frowned as she looked out her window at the softly falling rain, hoping it wouldn't render any of the roads impassible. Shrugging to herself, she finished eating and dressed in some of her sturdier gear instead of a dress. She could change clothes when she arrived in Archenland, but the day and a half long trip would be easier in a riding outfit.
She ate in the hall with the others, and caught up with Alissa and Silene (who was, indeed, Peter's choice for Regent) to ensure all contingencies had been thought of. They were standing in the doorway looking over the last items on the list when a Stag bounded through the curtain wall and came toward them.
"Queen Lucy!" he called, coming closer.
"Good morning, friend." Lucy greeted him. "Catch your breath. What need do you have of me?"
"I bear a message from the High King and King Edmund," the Stag said. "They bid you to wait their arrival, which should be only a couple of hours hence. They finished the last of the pack of Werewolves yesterday, and they are hastening to the Cair as we speak."
At the news, Lucy felt a tremendous weight lift from her shoulders. Peter and Ed were back! Well, almost. She wouldn't have to do everything alone anymore.
She thanked the Stag and she, Alissa, and Silene began revising the plans.
She had hot baths drawn up for her brothers, and a quick meal prepared. Maids went through their suites and gave them a quick touch-up. Despite the sad news of a few days before, and despite the fact that they all were leaving shortly, the whole mood of the Cair lifted. Things just weren't right with most of the Pevensies gone.
Just as Lucy was heading down the stairs to greet her brothers, Avarro intercepted her.
"Are you really leaving me here?" He demanded, with no greeting.
Lucy eyed him. "We're going to a funeral of a friend," she said. "Only people who need to pay their respects are going."
"But how long will you be gone? I haven't got to spend any time with you lately."
Was he whining? She resisted the urge to slap him. "I don't know how long. We might be back in a couple of days, or I might stay there for weeks. It depends on what King Lune needs."
"But—" He reached for her, but she twitched her arm out of his reach.
A fanfare from outside could be heard. Lucy hurried toward the Great Hall. "That's Peter and Ed. I have to go!" She hurried away and secretly hoped he didn't follow.
He didn't, so it was a nice, quiet, small group that greeted the returning Kings.
They'd pushed themselves to get back as soon as possible, and the whole group was so uniformly dust covered that it took Lucy a moment to pick Peter's golden head out from among the others. Ed's dark head was just behind his brother's as they wove through the crowd. The three siblings greeted another effusively.
Lucy said, "I've got baths waiting for you all, and food when you're finished. Everything else is ready to go to Anvard, when you are. It should only take us a day and a half, and I've sent ahead for a place to camp along the road. King Lune's steward knows to watch for our arrival early tomorrow afternoon, too."
Peter looked impressed. "Your organizational skills have certainly improved since we've been gone."
"Oh, not all that much," Lucy said, but was pleased by the praise.
"I suppose you're not so much the pesky little sister," Edmund joked, and scooted backward at Lucy's swat. "Just being honest!"
"It's great, Lu. We'll see you here in an hour?"
"That's fine," she said, and shooed them toward the Cair.
Peter and Edmund were home—and soon they'd reunite with Susan. With the four of them together, even the prospect of attending a funeral and helping a grieving King Lune sounded less dire than it had this morning. While they couldn't make Queen Ramilka return to life, they could help King Lune and Archenland begin to recover, Lucy was sure of it.
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