The Trials of King Edmund - Chapter Two
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bungakertasThe Trials of King Edmund - Chapter Two
Disclaimer and general Author's Notes are in the first entry, which is linked at the bottom.
Edmund and Lucy were unable to carry on any further conversation, as their attention was quickly commanded by the next visitors to court. In fact, it wasn’t until that evening, when they had all retired to their sitting room that Edmund finally had a chance to compare notes with his brother.
“A celebration?” Edmund asked, as soon as they closed the door.
“I know it sounded a bit off-the-cuff,” Peter said, “but we can hardly let Rabadash traipse through without some sort of party.”
“True,” Susan said with a shrug.
Edmund crossed the room to the fireplace as Peter added, “Besides, it will, of course, be a strategic thing. Hopefully, by that point, we’ll have some better idea of what they want. If we need to talk to any of them alone, a celebratory setting would be the perfect excuse.”
Lucy’s eyebrows went up. “Peter, that is altogether devious.”
“Thank you, Lucy.”
Susan looked out the window. “This is a disaster.”
“Not quite yet,” Lucy assured her. “But, Su, please don’t take this poorly. What can they possibly want?”
“Surely it isn’t just to have Rabadash marry Susan, you mean?” Peter asked.
“And all that blather about better political relations,” Susan agreed. “Why would they care? They’re enormous compared to us, with a larger army. And all our trade routes to nations farther south go through them. There’s nothing they could possibly want from us, is there?”
“We have a better navy,” Peter mused.
“And we’ve certainly explored more,” Lucy agreed.
“They want to conquer Narnia,” Edmund said.
His three siblings turned to stare at him.
“Don’t look so surprised,” Edmund said. “It’s what they’ve wanted for a long time. And you know this. Naturally they’re going to want to conquer us. Regardless of their short-term goals for this encounter, we would be well-advised to bear in mind at all times that they have come into this country looking on it as already their rightful property. And on us as temporary and unwanted caretakers of it.”
Nobody looked happy at that. Then, unexpectedly, Peter grinned. “Well, then. Obviously we need to demonstrate to them that taking us on in battle would be a rather large undertaking. We should hold a tournament to celebrate Rabadash’s visit.”
Edmund blinked. “Now there is a smashing idea. Peter, that’s brilliant! Especially if we open things up to centaurs, bears, and unicorns… Good grief, they’ll never know what hit them.”
“Be sure to include an archery contest,” Lucy said. “It would be good to let Susan demonstrate her skill.”
Susan smiled. As much as she disliked fighting (and her dislike was very intense), she was immensely proud of her skill with a bow.
Peter’s smile turned a little feral.
The next two days were taken up with negotiations about what specific political agreements would accompany a theoretical wedding between Susan and Rabadash. Edmund argued very strenuously in favor of Calormene disclosure of military strength and armaments. The Calormene ambassadors said this was an impossible request. In turn, they asked for a dowry so large it essentially came down to a Narnian tribute to Calormen. Edmund and Peter both objected on the grounds that dowries were not part of Narnian marriage customs. On the whole, the only good thing accomplished was that Edmund’s hypothesis about which tarkaan would take on which role was proved correct.
Susan and Lucy were no less frustrated and annoyed than Peter and Edmund, although for different reasons. By combining the negotiations with a marriage proposal, the Calormenes had neatly shut Susan out of the proceedings, and while Lucy could have joined in if she’d insisted, they all agreed it would not have been politic. This left Peter and Edmund to keep their sisters up-to-date and forced them to guess what their input would be during negotiations.
The evening before Rabadash’s arrival, Edmund found himself, much to his dismay, actually ranting in front of his siblings in their private chamber.
“We have been rather neatly divided from one another,” he said. “Lucy, Susan…Peter and I have had a rather humbling revelation in the past two days. I never realized how much we depended on your voices in negotiations until they weren’t there. I have always known you to be thoughtful and wise, both of you, but I never appreciated how much until these past two days. I haven’t thanked either of you near enough.”
Susan gave a rueful smile. “To have our heretofore unappreciated skills revealed under these circumstances is rather unfortunate.”
“It’s nice to hear all the same,” Lucy said, much more cheerfully. “Buck up, Su. Tomorrow you’ll get to meet Rabadash in person, and you’ll be able to devise a whole list of reasons to turn him down.”
Susan laughed at that. “True. Tomorrow will be a good day.”
After such a pronouncement, Edmund was unsurprised when the next day started off miserably, simply to be contrary. Since the kitchen staff would be so busy that day, Edmund didn’t dare sneak into the kitchens for breakfast again. When Edmund did sit down in their usual breakfast room, Susan was pacing around so frantically that he couldn’t enjoy anything he ate in any case. Then one of the badgers trotted in with a message from Archenland. Prince Corin was scheduled to come and visit in nearly a week-and-a-half. The message was essentially a request to know if they should reschedule. Edmund would have thought they ought to, but Susan, who was very close to Corin after the queen of Archenland had died, wouldn’t hear of it. Peter nearly got angry at this, given everything else that had suddenly become urgent, and it took all of Edmund’s and Lucy’s diplomatic skills put together to prevent things from turning into a proper fight. This distracted Edmund so completely that it was only as he was leaving that he realized he’d had nothing for breakfast but one sausage and a glass of apple juice.
Therefore, it was tired, hungry, and irritable, that Edmund arrived in the throne room to welcome Prince Rabadash. When Lucy sat down beside him, looking fresh as a flower still covered in dew, he found he had only a terse greeting for her.
“Not your best morning, then, Ed?” she asked with a smile.
“I don’t understand how you can be so cheerful,” Edmund sighed. “Everything has been going wrong since Mr. Tumnus turned up sick.”
“Edmund,” Lucy scolded. “For all that may be true, now is not the time.”
Edmund swallowed a cross reply and tried to focus on the fact that Lucy was right.
If the Grand Throne Room had looked good for the Calormene ambassadors, it looked glorious for the arrival of Prince Rabadash. The pillars were twined with garlands of flowers again, but more hung from the ceiling, which Edmund guessed had to have been placed there by some of the talking birds, as he couldn’t imagine anyone else getting that high. Every surface of the room had been scrubbed and polished and shined until you could see your face in it. The long, green carpets that ran the length of the room from the dais to the far end and led to the doors on either side, had been laid atop a wider strip of gold fabric embroidered with flowers and leaves, to give it a border. A similar gold backing was added to the Narnian standard behind the four thrones, with silver ones going to the tapestries hanging from the walls.
Looking at all the splendor irritated Edmund even more. That they should put their best feet forward for someone they disliked to very intensely was maddening. However, Lucy was right, as much as it galled him to act like it. Now was not the time. So he schooled himself, and awaited Rabadash’s entrance.
A page entered and made a signal to clear the walkways.
“Here he comes,” Lucy sighed beside him.
“And now we finally see him in person,” Peter said on his other side. Susan, on the far side, sat up straighter.
And so entered Rabadash, crown prince of Calormen. He was dressed, as could be expected, in grand fashion. Likely most men would have looked ridiculous in the jewel tones and gold embroidery, but Rabadash managed to look absolutely splendid, as did his attendants. He had an entourage of only five, which was small for Calormen, but reasonable here given the ambiguous political relationship between the two nations. All of the Calormenes were carrying the curved scimitars that they favored, as well, but from the jeweled hilts and engraved blades, these were clearly ceremonial weapons. As much as Edmund hated to admit it, the party did make a fairly impressive picture.
He glanced at Lucy and, to his dismay, found her attention absolutely fastened to Rabadash. As he glanced around he noticed the same thing of most of the women in the court. Edmund would have been perfectly willing to admit he drew the eye, but this fascinated, wide-eyed attention was something he hadn’t expected. He changed a glance a Susan and was even more dismayed to discover that she looked absolutely thunderstruck.
This, he thought, was a terrible beginning.
The Calormenes came to a halt before the four thrones and all bowed. Rabadash, however, was looking straight at Susan the whole time. Edmund noticed that at this, Lucy stopped looking fascinated and narrowed her eyes instead.
“We are pleased,” Peter said, “to welcome your highness to Narnia, Prince Rabadash. It is our hope that your visit increases the friendship of our two nations.”
“In such a beautiful country as this,” Rabadash replied, still looking at Susan, “friendship can not do other than flourish.”
Edmund exchanged a look with Lucy, who now had an amused expression on her face. He smothered a laugh.
“We thank you, sir, for your courtesy,” Peter said, “and wish to welcome you properly to our nation. We propose, therefore, to hold a tournament in your honor, to begin the third day from today. It is our wish that this meet with your approval.”
That forced Rabadash’s attention. He turned his head to Peter and said, “Your majesty, such activities must always meet with the approval of men of honor. I find this a highly desirable plan.”
Peter gave a smile. “Excellent. Then I commend you to the care of our excellent brother, King Edmund.”
Edmund rose from his seat, descended, and escorted Rabadash and his party out.
They exited the throne room to one of the pillared breezeways that ran along the outside of the castle.
“Such a palace as this must’ve been difficult to win from the control of the evil enchantress you defeated,” Rabadash observed, looking at the bulwarks and walls curiously.
“It is an easily defensible building,” Edmund admitted, considering whether he should stop there, given that he was not, precisely, lying. After a moment, he decided against it. “However, the Witch’s castle was to the north and west of Cair Paravel. Near the place we call the Lantern Waste. This castle belongs to Narnia’s ancient kings and queens, who were descended from King Frank and Queen Helen, so crowned by Aslan himself at the dawning of the world.”
“Why would so powerful an enchantress leave such a jewel as this untouched?” Rabadash asked, with a deceptively off-hand tone of voice.
Edmund looked the prince up and down, taking in the fact that his hand rested on the hilt of that ceremonial sword he so casually wore. His pointed questions were annoying and Edmund had to wonder if the man had no subtlety at all.
“The White Witch was very powerful,” Edmund said seriously, “but a greater power than she could ever hope to be kept this castle for the rightful kings and queens of Narnia.”
“Then it is true. You are favored by the northern gods,” Rabadash mused.
They turned out of the breezeway and into the section of the castle where Rabadash would be staying while he remained with them. Edmund’s opinion was confirmed. The man had no subtlety whatsoever. Only idiocy or supreme overconfidence could prompt him in showing his hand like this.
“Aslan is the son of the Emperor-over-the-Sea, and king over all High Kings in Narnia. And he did crown us himself,” Edmund replied. There. Let him think on that.
“It is said by one of our poets,” Rabadash replied slowly, “that ‘More worthy than water in the desert is the favor and blessing of heaven.’”
“I believe, sir,” Edmund replied, “that your poets are very wise men.” He indicated a door with his arm. “These will be your apartments while you are with us. If anything does not meet with your approval, call for Tarrence. He will attend you.”
“What a happy land is Narnia,” Rabadash said, still sounding careless, “to have so many kings and queens that one or the other of them may be dispatched from court, when they are not needed there, simply to play guide to a visitor.”
Edmund didn’t miss the dig, but decided not to acknowledge it directly. “It is our fashion when we receive very honored guests.”
Rabadash did have the grace to look somewhat chastened at that. Before he could say another word, Edmund inclined his head and said, “Your servant, sir.” With that, he strode off, carefully not letting his boot heels snap too hard on the floor and wishing he had a sword to lay his hand on.
Peter and Lucy were naturally appalled by this behavior when Edmund told them about it over lunch. Susan, however, did not join them for the meal as she was dining with Rabadash on one of the balconies.
“A Calormene meal, I’m told,” Peter said, picking idly at his beef. “Apparently he is taking this courtship very seriously.”
“The man has nothing to recommend him,” Edmund snapped. “He has no manners and less sense.”
“I would not say nothing,” Lucy put in slowly.
“Oh, Lu, don’t say it,” Peter said, sounding almost pained.
“He is very good-looking,” Lucy said, at which Peter groaned and Edmund buried his head in his hands. Well, it’s true,” their sister protested. “And it was clear just from seeing him come in that he can be very charming when he puts his mind to it.”
“Well, we’ll just have to hope Susan is immune to his charm,” Edmund sighed.
“I think she’s got more sense than that,” Lucy answered. “There’s no fear of her actually accepting.”
But much to all of their shock, all Susan could speak of that evening were Rabadash’s many excellent qualities. His wit, his intelligence, his wide reading, his quick reflexes, and his overwhelming charm.
“I’m beginning to wonder if this is all exactly what it appears,” Susan sighed happily, sinking into her favorite chair.
Peter and Edmund exchanged looks and said nothing.
“Susan,” Lucy said with a snappish tone, “two days ago, you were certain that this was a political ploy. And we have years of difficult relations with Calormen to support that theory. You mean to say that your entire experience of growing up as we staved off their advances and attempts to encroach on our kingdom have all been overturned in one afternoon?”
Susan narrowed her eyes at her sister. “Don’t you believe he could possibly want to marry me?”
Lucy opened her mouth and then closed it and looked out of the window.
“And I suppose you two think the same?” Susan said, turning on Peter and Edmund.
Edmund did not speak.
Peter began very slowly. “Su, it isn’t that we think—”
“Oh, don’t bother,” Susan hissed at him. “I’m for bed. I’ll leave the three of you to your own councils.” And with that, she vanished gracefully through the door.
“Well, that was a total disaster,” Lucy sighed.
“I suppose we might go back to the old stand-by,” Peter said.
“What? Minding our own business?” Edmund asked. Ever since the professor had suggested it to Peter and Susan when they were children in England, it had been adopted as a standard procedure among the four siblings when they had reached a point of impasse in some argument or other.
Peter nodded.
“I’m afraid, Peter, that that’s no good in this case,” Lucy said. “Susan is a queen of Narnia. Who she marries affects the whole kingdom. It’s everyone’s business.”
Peter didn’t look like he liked that idea at all. Edmund knew he didn’t, however much Lucy might be correct. They lapsed into an unhappy silence which stretched until Peter said, “Oh, yes. I forgot. More bad news.”
“What is it?” Lucy asked.
“The envoy from Harfang arrived today. We’ll have to meet with them tomorrow,” Peter told them.
Edmund sighed. “Today is…over. Thank the Lion. I’m going to bed. Hopefully, a full night’s sleep will help.”
He stood up and left his two siblings exchanging glance, but ignored their looks.
Chapter One - A Proposal is Made to Queen Susan
Chapter Three - Harfang Sends an Envoy
Chapter Four - The Narnians Hold a Tournament
Chapter Five - A Voyage to Tashbaan
Chapter Six - In the Court of the Tisroc
Chapter Seven - Prince Corin Goes Missing
Chapter Eight - The Plan of Mr. Tumnus
Chapter Nine - Escape to Narnia and the North
Chapter Ten - The Battle of Anvard
Chapter Eleven - King Edmund and Queen Lucy
Chapter Twelve - The Return To Cair Paravel
Disclaimer and general Author's Notes are in the first entry, which is linked at the bottom.
Edmund and Lucy were unable to carry on any further conversation, as their attention was quickly commanded by the next visitors to court. In fact, it wasn’t until that evening, when they had all retired to their sitting room that Edmund finally had a chance to compare notes with his brother.
“A celebration?” Edmund asked, as soon as they closed the door.
“I know it sounded a bit off-the-cuff,” Peter said, “but we can hardly let Rabadash traipse through without some sort of party.”
“True,” Susan said with a shrug.
Edmund crossed the room to the fireplace as Peter added, “Besides, it will, of course, be a strategic thing. Hopefully, by that point, we’ll have some better idea of what they want. If we need to talk to any of them alone, a celebratory setting would be the perfect excuse.”
Lucy’s eyebrows went up. “Peter, that is altogether devious.”
“Thank you, Lucy.”
Susan looked out the window. “This is a disaster.”
“Not quite yet,” Lucy assured her. “But, Su, please don’t take this poorly. What can they possibly want?”
“Surely it isn’t just to have Rabadash marry Susan, you mean?” Peter asked.
“And all that blather about better political relations,” Susan agreed. “Why would they care? They’re enormous compared to us, with a larger army. And all our trade routes to nations farther south go through them. There’s nothing they could possibly want from us, is there?”
“We have a better navy,” Peter mused.
“And we’ve certainly explored more,” Lucy agreed.
“They want to conquer Narnia,” Edmund said.
His three siblings turned to stare at him.
“Don’t look so surprised,” Edmund said. “It’s what they’ve wanted for a long time. And you know this. Naturally they’re going to want to conquer us. Regardless of their short-term goals for this encounter, we would be well-advised to bear in mind at all times that they have come into this country looking on it as already their rightful property. And on us as temporary and unwanted caretakers of it.”
Nobody looked happy at that. Then, unexpectedly, Peter grinned. “Well, then. Obviously we need to demonstrate to them that taking us on in battle would be a rather large undertaking. We should hold a tournament to celebrate Rabadash’s visit.”
Edmund blinked. “Now there is a smashing idea. Peter, that’s brilliant! Especially if we open things up to centaurs, bears, and unicorns… Good grief, they’ll never know what hit them.”
“Be sure to include an archery contest,” Lucy said. “It would be good to let Susan demonstrate her skill.”
Susan smiled. As much as she disliked fighting (and her dislike was very intense), she was immensely proud of her skill with a bow.
Peter’s smile turned a little feral.
The next two days were taken up with negotiations about what specific political agreements would accompany a theoretical wedding between Susan and Rabadash. Edmund argued very strenuously in favor of Calormene disclosure of military strength and armaments. The Calormene ambassadors said this was an impossible request. In turn, they asked for a dowry so large it essentially came down to a Narnian tribute to Calormen. Edmund and Peter both objected on the grounds that dowries were not part of Narnian marriage customs. On the whole, the only good thing accomplished was that Edmund’s hypothesis about which tarkaan would take on which role was proved correct.
Susan and Lucy were no less frustrated and annoyed than Peter and Edmund, although for different reasons. By combining the negotiations with a marriage proposal, the Calormenes had neatly shut Susan out of the proceedings, and while Lucy could have joined in if she’d insisted, they all agreed it would not have been politic. This left Peter and Edmund to keep their sisters up-to-date and forced them to guess what their input would be during negotiations.
The evening before Rabadash’s arrival, Edmund found himself, much to his dismay, actually ranting in front of his siblings in their private chamber.
“We have been rather neatly divided from one another,” he said. “Lucy, Susan…Peter and I have had a rather humbling revelation in the past two days. I never realized how much we depended on your voices in negotiations until they weren’t there. I have always known you to be thoughtful and wise, both of you, but I never appreciated how much until these past two days. I haven’t thanked either of you near enough.”
Susan gave a rueful smile. “To have our heretofore unappreciated skills revealed under these circumstances is rather unfortunate.”
“It’s nice to hear all the same,” Lucy said, much more cheerfully. “Buck up, Su. Tomorrow you’ll get to meet Rabadash in person, and you’ll be able to devise a whole list of reasons to turn him down.”
Susan laughed at that. “True. Tomorrow will be a good day.”
After such a pronouncement, Edmund was unsurprised when the next day started off miserably, simply to be contrary. Since the kitchen staff would be so busy that day, Edmund didn’t dare sneak into the kitchens for breakfast again. When Edmund did sit down in their usual breakfast room, Susan was pacing around so frantically that he couldn’t enjoy anything he ate in any case. Then one of the badgers trotted in with a message from Archenland. Prince Corin was scheduled to come and visit in nearly a week-and-a-half. The message was essentially a request to know if they should reschedule. Edmund would have thought they ought to, but Susan, who was very close to Corin after the queen of Archenland had died, wouldn’t hear of it. Peter nearly got angry at this, given everything else that had suddenly become urgent, and it took all of Edmund’s and Lucy’s diplomatic skills put together to prevent things from turning into a proper fight. This distracted Edmund so completely that it was only as he was leaving that he realized he’d had nothing for breakfast but one sausage and a glass of apple juice.
Therefore, it was tired, hungry, and irritable, that Edmund arrived in the throne room to welcome Prince Rabadash. When Lucy sat down beside him, looking fresh as a flower still covered in dew, he found he had only a terse greeting for her.
“Not your best morning, then, Ed?” she asked with a smile.
“I don’t understand how you can be so cheerful,” Edmund sighed. “Everything has been going wrong since Mr. Tumnus turned up sick.”
“Edmund,” Lucy scolded. “For all that may be true, now is not the time.”
Edmund swallowed a cross reply and tried to focus on the fact that Lucy was right.
If the Grand Throne Room had looked good for the Calormene ambassadors, it looked glorious for the arrival of Prince Rabadash. The pillars were twined with garlands of flowers again, but more hung from the ceiling, which Edmund guessed had to have been placed there by some of the talking birds, as he couldn’t imagine anyone else getting that high. Every surface of the room had been scrubbed and polished and shined until you could see your face in it. The long, green carpets that ran the length of the room from the dais to the far end and led to the doors on either side, had been laid atop a wider strip of gold fabric embroidered with flowers and leaves, to give it a border. A similar gold backing was added to the Narnian standard behind the four thrones, with silver ones going to the tapestries hanging from the walls.
Looking at all the splendor irritated Edmund even more. That they should put their best feet forward for someone they disliked to very intensely was maddening. However, Lucy was right, as much as it galled him to act like it. Now was not the time. So he schooled himself, and awaited Rabadash’s entrance.
A page entered and made a signal to clear the walkways.
“Here he comes,” Lucy sighed beside him.
“And now we finally see him in person,” Peter said on his other side. Susan, on the far side, sat up straighter.
And so entered Rabadash, crown prince of Calormen. He was dressed, as could be expected, in grand fashion. Likely most men would have looked ridiculous in the jewel tones and gold embroidery, but Rabadash managed to look absolutely splendid, as did his attendants. He had an entourage of only five, which was small for Calormen, but reasonable here given the ambiguous political relationship between the two nations. All of the Calormenes were carrying the curved scimitars that they favored, as well, but from the jeweled hilts and engraved blades, these were clearly ceremonial weapons. As much as Edmund hated to admit it, the party did make a fairly impressive picture.
He glanced at Lucy and, to his dismay, found her attention absolutely fastened to Rabadash. As he glanced around he noticed the same thing of most of the women in the court. Edmund would have been perfectly willing to admit he drew the eye, but this fascinated, wide-eyed attention was something he hadn’t expected. He changed a glance a Susan and was even more dismayed to discover that she looked absolutely thunderstruck.
This, he thought, was a terrible beginning.
The Calormenes came to a halt before the four thrones and all bowed. Rabadash, however, was looking straight at Susan the whole time. Edmund noticed that at this, Lucy stopped looking fascinated and narrowed her eyes instead.
“We are pleased,” Peter said, “to welcome your highness to Narnia, Prince Rabadash. It is our hope that your visit increases the friendship of our two nations.”
“In such a beautiful country as this,” Rabadash replied, still looking at Susan, “friendship can not do other than flourish.”
Edmund exchanged a look with Lucy, who now had an amused expression on her face. He smothered a laugh.
“We thank you, sir, for your courtesy,” Peter said, “and wish to welcome you properly to our nation. We propose, therefore, to hold a tournament in your honor, to begin the third day from today. It is our wish that this meet with your approval.”
That forced Rabadash’s attention. He turned his head to Peter and said, “Your majesty, such activities must always meet with the approval of men of honor. I find this a highly desirable plan.”
Peter gave a smile. “Excellent. Then I commend you to the care of our excellent brother, King Edmund.”
Edmund rose from his seat, descended, and escorted Rabadash and his party out.
They exited the throne room to one of the pillared breezeways that ran along the outside of the castle.
“Such a palace as this must’ve been difficult to win from the control of the evil enchantress you defeated,” Rabadash observed, looking at the bulwarks and walls curiously.
“It is an easily defensible building,” Edmund admitted, considering whether he should stop there, given that he was not, precisely, lying. After a moment, he decided against it. “However, the Witch’s castle was to the north and west of Cair Paravel. Near the place we call the Lantern Waste. This castle belongs to Narnia’s ancient kings and queens, who were descended from King Frank and Queen Helen, so crowned by Aslan himself at the dawning of the world.”
“Why would so powerful an enchantress leave such a jewel as this untouched?” Rabadash asked, with a deceptively off-hand tone of voice.
Edmund looked the prince up and down, taking in the fact that his hand rested on the hilt of that ceremonial sword he so casually wore. His pointed questions were annoying and Edmund had to wonder if the man had no subtlety at all.
“The White Witch was very powerful,” Edmund said seriously, “but a greater power than she could ever hope to be kept this castle for the rightful kings and queens of Narnia.”
“Then it is true. You are favored by the northern gods,” Rabadash mused.
They turned out of the breezeway and into the section of the castle where Rabadash would be staying while he remained with them. Edmund’s opinion was confirmed. The man had no subtlety whatsoever. Only idiocy or supreme overconfidence could prompt him in showing his hand like this.
“Aslan is the son of the Emperor-over-the-Sea, and king over all High Kings in Narnia. And he did crown us himself,” Edmund replied. There. Let him think on that.
“It is said by one of our poets,” Rabadash replied slowly, “that ‘More worthy than water in the desert is the favor and blessing of heaven.’”
“I believe, sir,” Edmund replied, “that your poets are very wise men.” He indicated a door with his arm. “These will be your apartments while you are with us. If anything does not meet with your approval, call for Tarrence. He will attend you.”
“What a happy land is Narnia,” Rabadash said, still sounding careless, “to have so many kings and queens that one or the other of them may be dispatched from court, when they are not needed there, simply to play guide to a visitor.”
Edmund didn’t miss the dig, but decided not to acknowledge it directly. “It is our fashion when we receive very honored guests.”
Rabadash did have the grace to look somewhat chastened at that. Before he could say another word, Edmund inclined his head and said, “Your servant, sir.” With that, he strode off, carefully not letting his boot heels snap too hard on the floor and wishing he had a sword to lay his hand on.
Peter and Lucy were naturally appalled by this behavior when Edmund told them about it over lunch. Susan, however, did not join them for the meal as she was dining with Rabadash on one of the balconies.
“A Calormene meal, I’m told,” Peter said, picking idly at his beef. “Apparently he is taking this courtship very seriously.”
“The man has nothing to recommend him,” Edmund snapped. “He has no manners and less sense.”
“I would not say nothing,” Lucy put in slowly.
“Oh, Lu, don’t say it,” Peter said, sounding almost pained.
“He is very good-looking,” Lucy said, at which Peter groaned and Edmund buried his head in his hands. Well, it’s true,” their sister protested. “And it was clear just from seeing him come in that he can be very charming when he puts his mind to it.”
“Well, we’ll just have to hope Susan is immune to his charm,” Edmund sighed.
“I think she’s got more sense than that,” Lucy answered. “There’s no fear of her actually accepting.”
But much to all of their shock, all Susan could speak of that evening were Rabadash’s many excellent qualities. His wit, his intelligence, his wide reading, his quick reflexes, and his overwhelming charm.
“I’m beginning to wonder if this is all exactly what it appears,” Susan sighed happily, sinking into her favorite chair.
Peter and Edmund exchanged looks and said nothing.
“Susan,” Lucy said with a snappish tone, “two days ago, you were certain that this was a political ploy. And we have years of difficult relations with Calormen to support that theory. You mean to say that your entire experience of growing up as we staved off their advances and attempts to encroach on our kingdom have all been overturned in one afternoon?”
Susan narrowed her eyes at her sister. “Don’t you believe he could possibly want to marry me?”
Lucy opened her mouth and then closed it and looked out of the window.
“And I suppose you two think the same?” Susan said, turning on Peter and Edmund.
Edmund did not speak.
Peter began very slowly. “Su, it isn’t that we think—”
“Oh, don’t bother,” Susan hissed at him. “I’m for bed. I’ll leave the three of you to your own councils.” And with that, she vanished gracefully through the door.
“Well, that was a total disaster,” Lucy sighed.
“I suppose we might go back to the old stand-by,” Peter said.
“What? Minding our own business?” Edmund asked. Ever since the professor had suggested it to Peter and Susan when they were children in England, it had been adopted as a standard procedure among the four siblings when they had reached a point of impasse in some argument or other.
Peter nodded.
“I’m afraid, Peter, that that’s no good in this case,” Lucy said. “Susan is a queen of Narnia. Who she marries affects the whole kingdom. It’s everyone’s business.”
Peter didn’t look like he liked that idea at all. Edmund knew he didn’t, however much Lucy might be correct. They lapsed into an unhappy silence which stretched until Peter said, “Oh, yes. I forgot. More bad news.”
“What is it?” Lucy asked.
“The envoy from Harfang arrived today. We’ll have to meet with them tomorrow,” Peter told them.
Edmund sighed. “Today is…over. Thank the Lion. I’m going to bed. Hopefully, a full night’s sleep will help.”
He stood up and left his two siblings exchanging glance, but ignored their looks.
Chapter One - A Proposal is Made to Queen Susan
Chapter Three - Harfang Sends an Envoy
Chapter Four - The Narnians Hold a Tournament
Chapter Five - A Voyage to Tashbaan
Chapter Six - In the Court of the Tisroc
Chapter Seven - Prince Corin Goes Missing
Chapter Eight - The Plan of Mr. Tumnus
Chapter Nine - Escape to Narnia and the North
Chapter Ten - The Battle of Anvard
Chapter Eleven - King Edmund and Queen Lucy
Chapter Twelve - The Return To Cair Paravel
