CHAPTER 03 | was he going to apologise?
Aline watched bewildered, swearing under her breath as Edmund walked away, the book she was just reading, now tucked under his arm. Who exactly did he think he was, to tell her what and what not to read? Well, he may be a freaking King of a magical land where beavers spoke and mythical creatures she'd grown up reading roamed the land, but yet, he had no right whatsoever, over her!
For a while, he almost seemed alright. Almost.
Before she has time to relax the frown off her face, the archive doors flung open, and in walked the Gentle Queen.
"Oh Aline! Here you are! It's almost time for breakfast. Ive been searching for you everywhere!" Susan shrieked, and not even giving the other girl time to respond, Susan linked her hand through hers pulling her away.
Aline wondered if the two Queens were always this courteous, or was it because she was from err, home?
Then she found herself wondering about the other Pevensie brother, deciding if he was anything like his younger brother she'd just met, she wasn't going to like him much.
They passed through many passages, that Aline began wondering how Susan found her way through this maze. And when she asked, the Queen just responded, "Oh! You'll get used to it!"
The dining room, was just as big and majestic as you would expect a castle to be, and so was the dining table and the various delicacies on it.
At the head of the table sat whom, Aline assumed as High King Peter. He has the markings of a King, she thought, very much unlike another certain King she knew.
Lucy grinned catching her eye. Peter just smiled, and if he found her attire surprising he didn't give it away, "Apologies, my lady that I couldn't meet you anytime sooner, I was looking forward to see you. Anyways I trust my siblings have kept you good company?"
She smiled, deciding she liked him infinitely better than his younger sibling. "Indeed they did." And Susan proceeded to introduce the young boy next to Lucy, as Prince Corin, of Archenland- where ever in the world that was.
"Hello" he said an impish grin on his face, as he took her hand, kissing it gently, leaving her blushing furiously.
She sat down, noticing with a start that Edmund was nowjere to be seen only for her to shake her head with a mental smack, Why must she care wherever he was?
"So Aline?" Corin called, "You're from the Spare Oom?"
"Spare Oom?" she asked blankly.
"Corin," Susan called sounding almost exasperated, as if they'd gone through this conversation a lot of times before, "Its, a place called 'London' not 'Spare Oom'"
"Hey, but that's what Mr. Tumnus said!" the boy protested.
"Actually, I'm from America." Aline said.
"America? Like the United States of America?" Peter asked, just as Corin said, "Amri-what?"
She nodded as to reply. "Oh, and Pete?" Lucy said. "Aline is actually from the future!" the little girl exclaimed.
Alright, now this was getting awkward. Lucy made her sound like she was some time travelling, super hero.
The others looked at her skeptically, and she felt uncomfortable, with all their gazes on her. She'd never been a fan of the spotlight. "Erm, actually I'm from the year 2014."
Peter looked quite surprised, "Well, then who won the war?" he asked.
"What war?" she asked blankly. She was aware of a war going on somewhere in the Middle East, but she had a suspicion he wasn't asking her about it. "The last big war?" Peter said.
"Oh! You mean the 2nd World War?" He nodded. "We won, I guess." she shrugged.
High King Peter, whooped, a very unkingly thing to do, earning a disapproving look from his sister. "Come on Su! Were allowed to be ourselves sometimes right?"
Susan was about to say something back in return, but just about then the door flung open, and in walked the Just King. He just walked over pulled a chair and sat, unfortunately just opposite to her, and began digging into his food, ignoring the questioning looks the others were giving him. The book, A Complete Narnia History that he had taken away from her seemed no where on his person, Aline frowned.
"He's always like that," Lucy whispered, at the look on Aline's face. Gosh! The way he ate! Aline thought.
"Edmund," Susan called, to which he looked up. "Your foods not going anywhere."
He looked at her skeptically, "Yes Susan, I am well aware of the fact that my food is going nowhere, but you see I'm not as free as you are to spend lavish amounts of my precious time either eating, or planning balls." he said, and with that he stood up leaving. The food on his plate already gone.
Susan looked hurt, "Well, that was strange." Aline decided.
"It is strange," Peter replied, "He is strange indeed but that's our younger brother, Edmund Pevensie to you."
Aline was going crazy. She was permitted to roam the halls of Cair Paravel's Royal Wing freely but that was about the extent of her freedom. Yet, at least the Pevensie sisters had assured her. For her own safety. And theirs, she deduced. And when the sisters broke the news looking as sincere as they did Aline almost felt bad questioning it, after all she was the intruder in their lives. Lucy accompanied her to the gardens quite often and that was a welcome distraction from the monotony her rather peculiar new life had become. Though she couldn't help but realise that a part of her was actually fine with being cooped up like that. The views from her balcony not only made up for it but Aline wasn't quite ready yet to confront the fact that the the Narnian Animals not only spoke, but were also just as sentient and held positions within the Narnian Courts. It was a whole different world she was sure she'd have to grow accustomed to but not now, Aline thought. Now, the very thought of Mrs. Rhino braiding Lucy's hair made her queazy from fear.
Yet for all her reluctance to dive in headfirst into her own brand of Wonderland, for a moment there, Aline paused to wonder whether she missed her homeat all. The smile on her face slipped away.
Sitting herself down in the vanity..her life before and now. Back at home, she never did have the luxury of an average life as a normal teenager. Ever since the accident- Aline winced- her life had taken a complete turn around. All the normalcy and simplicity thrown right off the window. But she didn't want to think of that. Not now, that the day seemed to be very nice judging from the warm sunlight spilling through her windows, the cheerful chirping of birds outside and the biggest library of books she'd laid her eyes on awaiting her.. she'd rather think of drastically different and rather recent things in her life.
Within the very short time she was here, Aline found herself growing closer towards the Pevensie family, though more towards the sisters. Susan and Lucy.. they were so down to earth, seeming almost too eager and impulsive to actually be royalty. The brothers on the other hand.. were more like polar opposites of their sisters. While Peter was almost too busy to give a care about anything, Edmund.. well, the Just King was an enigma. A small smile crept up her lips as her thoughts drifted off to the dark haired King. She recalled exactly how rude he had been to her, the smile on her lips fading steadily as she noticed her eyes slit in the mirror in front of her as her line of thoughts gravitated towards him.
She hadn't spoke with him much- or rather at all- after the little episode up the library.. but that certainly wasn't the last she'd seen of him. At the meals, though the Just King mostly seemed to ignore her, Aline could not help but chance a glance at the sombre Royal, if only intrigued, nothing else and she most definitely could not forget that one time he'd caught her in the act and the way he'd stared right back at her.. an eyebrow raised and a smirk on his lips before she turned away. They never shared glances again. At least not at the Dining Hall.
But still.. Aline couldn't help but blush as her thoughts took a rather quick turn. He still was attractive, she thought off-handedly, with his dark eyes set in a rather pale face and his accented cheekbones.. she'd also bet he looked pretty great underneath whatever it was he wore as well. She knew he did train regularly after all, and rumor was that he was the best swordsman in all of Narnia so of course if all those movies were half right he had to have a pretty decent-
She froze to a stop, the comb she had been drawing through her hair stopping mid motion. What the hell? She thought before rising up with a rush, quickly deciding she looked set with her hair down anyways.
Just as she was turning, a brown satchel sat on her vanity distracted her. It was her backpack! She'd must have travelled with her when she came into Narnia and she had simply tossed it aside with not a care. Aline smiled to herself, there was a time she could not survive without her iPhone and a pair of ear phones. But so much has happened the past week she almost forgot about the luxuries an advanced civilization afforded her. She rummaged through for the pair she stashed inside as she powered on the phone.
Aline scrolled down the vast play lists grouped in no particular order. Surprisingly the charge had lasted this long in fact it was on its final bar that Aline was sure this was the last she could use it, and thus she wanted to make the most of it.
Right on time to distract her came a series of impatient, rapid knocks on her door.
"Not now, Lu." Aline groaned.
"Open the door, Lady Aline." Corin's voice called from the other side.
She slid out of the all-too-comfortable bed, feeling much too lazy to walk the distance from her bed to the door. But the persistent knocking on the door making her change her mind.
Corin's blonde head peeked inside, taking a wide look around the room before finally resting on her. Giving her a fairly disapproving look, with a tsk-ing noise.
"Do you honestly think locking yourself up and wallowing in self pity, on such a fine sunny day is going to change anything?"
"First thing, buddy. I did not lock myself in, a fact you'd have known if you'd tried this thing called turning the door knob before knocking me to deaf-dom. Second, I'm not wallowing in self pity. Seriously, am listening to music."
"Music?" Corin asked, a mildly confusing look on her features. "Do not say you've got the fauns playing inside there."
It was Aline's turn to seem confused. Then she remembered, almost laughing to herself as she realised that the boy actually belonged to a civilization much much older and quite more magical in nature than the one she'd been in.
She held up the white cords of the ear phones. "Girl from the future, remember?"
Corin rolled his eyes, "Do I even want to know?"
"I don't think so."
"Oh, and Susan called." a grin spread up his face. "Library. 5 minutes. In which I believe I've wasted about-" he cocked his head to a side, pretending to calculate. "Jeez, Aline! Better hurry before she gets my head, you're almost out of time."
Edmund Pevensie had gone nowhere. In fact, he'd been exactly where one was most likely to find him. His chambers.
But well knowing his siblings acquaintance with his erratic riding habits, he'd known they'd assume the obvious. Not that he was complaining though. He smiled to himself, at their obliviousness. Or perhaps, he was just clever enough.
"What are you smirking about, Ed?" Lucy's clear voice cut through his reverie. Ever observant, little Lucy. He mused.
"Things," he replied bluntly.
"What do you mean 'things'?" his sister prodded.
Thankfully, he was saved from replying by the creak of the doors that opened, in waltzing a certain Archen Prince, and behind him treading self consciously Narnia's recent guest.
Hiding behind the book he was reading, he could notice the hesitation in her step as her gaze swept through everyone in the room, lingering at himself for a second. Even with his face turned away from hers, he could see distaste colouring her features. He knew exactly what she was thinking, his mind going back to a few days ago, when he'd walked out, the book she was reading safe under his arm.
Suddenly he felt a wave of embarrassment hit him. Why could he not have asked a bit more subtly?
Of course, the answer came almost too quickly. He was not thinking straight. Edmund felt this urge to slam his fist down on the table as he ran through the countless other ways he could've handled the matter which would've ended preferably without her glaring daggers at him but alas no, the damage was done.
Throughout the land, it was a well known fact that though the majority of Narnians had forgiven him the fault of his tender years, the King knew, it was only out of fear of Aslan for not all of them still trusted him.
Though most benign enough not to speak of it, at least not to his face, there were the others. Ones he was less fond of, who let him know, and not too subtly at that, of what they thought. Though the Just King knew, for the sake of his family if not for himself, he had to let it go. Had to pretend as if they mattered no more. He had to let it go, just as the breath he was holding in right now. So did it come to existance, that deep, cold mask its edges laced in dark humor. The being he'd grown used to becoming over the years.
He returned her harsh stare right back at the girl now seated opposite him, doing her best to ignore the King in front of her, though occcasionally curiosity got the best of her and she'd sneak glances only to be met by the cold placid mask that concealed his feelings almost a bit too well. He was curious of her, intrigued even. And he could say she was too by the way her nose crinkled and her eyebrows furrowed each time her gaze sought him out. Well, perhaps now a tad more angry at him than curious but he knew he intrigued her all the same. Though he did a better job than her at hiding it, masking it.
The burst of anger he felt was not directed towards her, but rather at himself and his for once brash decisions. He knew it was wrong nor fair for her, nor rather just of him, what he'd done. She was right, he'd been a jerk, and he knew it. He did not shy away from being rude to any who dared catch him at the wrong time but for once Edmund felt a shred of regret as she enthusiastically nodded smiling at something Lucy just said, his heart softening at that. Maybe it was what she represented that intrigued him, the world she came from. A world his siblings had all almost forgotten already but the Just King remembered. Narnia was home, but London was once a happy place too, despite the war, despite the hunger, cramped up housings and worrying if they'd get that one dreaded Telegram. He barely remembered Mrs. Pevensie, Mother, in her colorful Sunday apron, smile as she whipped up cookie batter. Edmund had positively forgotten how Dad looked like, it had been so long, so so long ago. A world now lost to him. He wondered what her story was, his gaze rising to the scar on her forehead she'd never mentioned again.
And for that, as much as he hated to admit his fault, he intended to apologise.
Once again, the archives door flung open, and in walked his long-awaited sister, the expression on her face suggesting he was rather not going to enjoy this little family meeting.
"So everybody's here! And all on time!" Susan's smile grew wider as her eyes lingered a moment on both her brothers.
"Or else you'd have our heads off." Peter muttered under his breath, not meaning it to reach the ears of his royal sister, but unfortunately, it did.
"What did I hear you just say, Peter Pevensie?" the Gentle Queen questioned in a sharp voice that she'd somehow managed to make look severe even with a smile still plastered on her face.
Only Susan could pull off something like that so perfectly, Aline thought a smile gracing her own.
"Nothing sister. Just expressing how excited I am for the Spring Ball. Hopefully it'll be just as-" Peter paused asif searching for the right word, "eventful, as last year."
If Susan detected sarcasm there, she hid it quite well, "Then, royal brother, am fairly sure you would like what I've planned, very well." a smug smirk spread up her lips, as Peter visibly paled. Aline wondered what had occured the last time.
"Come on Pete," Lucy chided, "You know, you did enjoy the last Christmas Ball, though."
But then, realization hit her...What did she just say?
Ball? Ball as in a dance ball? Where one is required to..dance...in a.. gown..with a..partner
"Hold on! Did you just say ball?" she questioned hoping the streak of panic in her voice was barely audible.
"Why, yes Aline! Oh, and its your first ball in Narnia!" she practically sqealed in quite an unqueenly way. "More the reason to make it the best."
Aline held up a hand a bewildered look on her face, "Nobody mentioned a ball! No way in Earth, Narnia and whatever magical lands exist,am I going to go to a ball. "
Susan's face hardened, her lips pursued in a line. Peter gave her a sympathising look, as Lucy and Corin had identical smirks up their faces. Edmund looked up suddenly interest as if whatever it was, that was going on was more fascinating than the book he'd seemed engrossed in. Aline knew instantly, she was about to witness the not so graceful side of High Queen Susan the Gentle. Uh-oh, she'd time to think.
"Aline Frank," the girl in question cringed. Full names were never the sign of a peaceful conversation. "You will attend the Narnian Spring Ball, as will everyone present in this room. No excuses, whatever they may be." her gaze settling on both her brothers.
"Moreover that would be the perfect way to introduce Aline formally into society." Lucy said.
"But I thought you mentioned not to reveal that specific fact to anyone, man or beast!" she tried in vain.
"It would just be a matter of time, before someone figured it out anyways. We can't keep you literally locked in the castle now, can we?" Lucy asked with a smirk.
"So that's it!" Peter concluded seeming almost too eager to get away. "The ball is on, and meeting over. Now if you'll excuse me I've got some errads to run."
"But, Peter, we haven't even begun to discuss the arrangements and whom to invite and who not.." Peter interrupted before Susan could trail on.
"That, I'm sure you could handle it on your own, and of course you've got Edmund to help in the arrangements."
The King in question looked up at the High King with a sombre expression, "What have I ever done to offend you, Pete?"
"Peter Pevensie, you're not taking a single step away from where you are standing right now! You will stay here, and you will help us in whatever it is that we require."
And with that, began the never ending conversation of who to invite and who not. The colour of the roses and the other decor. Who was responsible for the decor, invitations, and so on. Aline tuned down the chatter, retreating deep within the confines of her mind, not focusing on anything particular, but letting her mind just float in oblivion. Offering her opinion out of courtesy whenever someone asked, though actually she'd only half a ear in the conversation.
It was long after, when Lucy got tired that she dozed off right at the table, did Susan conclude the discussion. Though Aline could hear Susan's clear words before she'd left, "Oh, and Aline? Did I forget to mention you're required to wear a gown?"
"Exactly what I need right now." she muttered under her breath. "And they call her the Gentle Queen."
"Trust me," said a voice behind her that made her jump. "I've been asking myself the same question for years."
"Oh, its you," she said in a voice that seemed more of an accusation than a statement.
"Yes, it's me," he replied a grin tugging the corners of his lips.
She held her hands up, waving them in the air, "I've no books for you to snatch away this time."
She could see a sudden spark of anger ignite his eyes, as if he didn't like being reminded, but then when she looked again, it had disappeared, exactly how it had appeared, instead a grin plastered on his face, like it had been there all the time.
"Believe me, as fun it is snatching away your books, I've better things to do with my time," he said.
"So what do you want?" she questioned arching an eyebrow.
"Yeah, that.." he trailed, "About that day-" before he could go any further in walked Lucy, "Oh Aline, there you are," she came to an abrupt stop her eyes shifting between her brother and Aline, before going back to their normal stance, as she continued whatever it was that she'd wanted to say. But Aline could not hear what it was, the wheels in her brain clogged on a single strand of thought..
Was he going to apologise?
Question:
So it's been announced that Greta Gerwig is directing the upcoming Narnian series! What do we think of this? Personally I am having so many mixed opinions on it and particularly its the way Susan's character alone that was posted on Netflix's promotional material is bothering me about the direction the series would take. Do let me know what you think!