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redsnake05
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narniaexchangeTitle: Ex Amicitia Familia
Author:autumnia
Recipient:redsnake05
Rating: PG
Content/Warnings: Spoilers for A Horse and His Boy; set after The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Summary: In which a Prince of Archenland performs a great feat and a Tarkheena learns that family is not merely flesh and blood.
Author's Notes: Many, many thanks to my beta for helping me with this story!
====
Ex Amicitia Familia
The snow was falling lightly when Aravis returned with her horse to the stable. At the threshold, she stomped her boots heavily on the ground and with a sweep of her hand, brushed off the snow that accumulated on her shoulders. When she was done, she led the mare inside and waived away the approaching groom. Both human footsteps and equine hoofs clicked loudly on the cobblestone floor, the sound partially muffled by occasional patches of damp, flattened straw on the ground. They walked beneath the hayloft and past the stalls occupied by the many stallions, geldings and palfreys owned by the King.
Clover knickered lightly as she backed into her stall. Once inside, the mare bent her nose to her human's head, nibbling on the loose strands that escaped from Aravis's tightly braided hair. Aravis could feel the slight tugging at the base of her neck as she untacked her horse.
"I've got something much tastier than that," Aravis said. She withdrew two white cubes from her pocket and held them up in her palm. Clover sniffed the sugar cubes and after a few seconds, reached for both of them with her teeth. Aravis smiled and patted Clover's neck but the mare was focused on chewing the cubes and paid little attention to the human beside her. Leaving the horse to her treat, Aravis turned away and walked up the aisle toward to the entrance.
As she reached the front of the room, another figure suddenly appeared in the doorway, startling her.
"Oh!" She took a step back and set a hand on the doorframe to steady herself. Once she regained her footing, she looked up, ready to reproach whomever it was that surprised her when she noticed the figure swaying slightly in the doorway.
"Are you all--" she began but was cut off when the stranger stumbled through the entrance, one long arm shooting out from beneath a cloak and grabbing her by the wrist. She nearly cried out for the groom when the mysterious person finally spoke.
"Shh!" a male voice hissed from the shadows and folds of the hood on his head. "It's me, Aravis."
Aravis blinked. "Corin!" she asked, though she easily recognized his voice. "What's going on?"
"Hush! And not so loud!" He took another unsteady step forward and Aravis had to use both her hands to keep him upright. "I need a favor."
She looked at him suspiciously and with a wary voice asked, "What kind of favor?" Having lived amongst the twin Princes of Archenland for several years, she knew better than to promise anything outright when it came to Corin. Though she would trust her life with either of them, Cor had always been the more sensible and responsible brother.
"Help me get to my room without being seen." He raised his head and though she could not see his face while it was hidden beneath the hood, he certainly saw the incredulous expression on hers. "All right, without being seen by Father and Cor."
"Why?" she demanded, keeping her voice low so as to not alert anyone else in the vicinity until she knew more.
He waved one gloved hand at her. "I'll tell you when we get upstairs." When she remained silent, neither accepting nor refusing his request, he said, "Please, Aravis. On my honor, I'll explain later."
"Take your hood off, Corin." Now it was his turn to not move but Aravis refused to give in so easily. "Let me see your face or I won't help you at all."
Corin sighed. "Very well. But promise me you won't make a fuss about it."
"Why would I--" Her voice trailed off as Corin slowly pulled the hood back to reveal his face. "Oh. Well..."
The Prince's face was covered with cuts and bruises. A large, dark ring circled his right eye while a long, narrow gash marred his left cheek. His lower lip was swollen from a cut that bled a little as he grinned at her.
To her credit, Aravis did not appear too surprised. She was briefly startled but recovered swiftly. With a careful eye, she catalogued the numerous wounds and when she was done, she sighed. "This is no small favor you're asking for, Corin."
"I know," he said, "but I have faith in Aslan and you, Aravis. Now will you help me get upstairs?"
"Can you even walk?" He hadn't taken another step while she held him steady. At his nod, she careful released him from her hold, one hand at a time.
"Yes, I think so." Corin wobbled for a second but remained on his feet. He took a step back, moving one foot slowly behind him and then the other. As he retreated another step, he stuck one hand out, reaching for but not quite touching the doorframe. After a moment, he felt more sure of his movements and dropped his hand back to his side, resting it lightly on the hilt of his sword. "I'm sorry about earlier. I think Shadow purposely hit every bump on the road hidden by the snow as we rode back. Later--" he added as he saw the question forming on her tongue. "On my honor."
She was not entirely convinced but all she said was, "First, we have to get past the groom."
"That part's easy enough," said the Prince. He straightened and drew the hood of his cloak over his head, shielding his face from view once more. "Besides, Stevin is used to seeing my cuts and scrapes; he won't say anything."
"That's because he won't be able to see anything," Aravis retorted.
Corin waved a hand dismissively. "'Sides, he already knew it was me when I handed him the reins on my return."
Aravis sighed. "All right, let's get you to your room."
Corin took the lead and with Aravis following close behind, proceeded to exit the stable. Stevin sat just outside the open doors, watching them carefully as they left. Just as the Prince said, the groom made no comment, merely tipping the brim of his hat as Corin walked past. To Aravis, he offered a grin and wink. She shook her head but did not hide the small smile that appeared on her face as she nodded briefly to Stevin in farewell.
It would normally be a few minutes' walk to the castle but the path between it and the stable was blanketed in snow. Aravis could make out slight impressions of where others had trod but the footprints were nearly filled when she and Corin stepped outside.
"The snow's falling heavier now," she observed, tilting her head up and raising one hand to shield her eyes from the flurries that continued to fall. The sky had turned a murkier shade of grey since her arrival and the snow was coming down in larger clumps. She held her hand out and stared at the pale flakes accumulating in her dark hand, each one the size of an Archen silver Crown. Had they been real coin, she thought there would be enough to buy several good meals at one of the taverns in the lower city.
Beside her, Corin shrugged. "It was like this when I came in. At least Shadow was able to--" he stopped, sneezing loudly.
She turned to him and finally noted how damp his cloak was, the dark brown wool turning nearly black from where the snow rested on his broad shoulders. "C'mon, we'd best get inside quick before you catch a cold."
"I think that might be too la--" he sneezed again.
She ushered him forward with a firm nudge and a word of caution, "'Ware that spot by the tree. There's a large patch of ice just beneath that thick branch over the path."
The Prince mumbled something that sounded very much like "Yes, ma'am" to her ears but he dutifully heeded her warning. When he reached the old fir that grew alongside the path, he slowed his steps and inched carefully past the glassy surface that was partially hidden beneath fallen needles, twigs and fresh snow. As he reached the far side, his left foot landed on the edge of the ice and he skidded briefly before regaining his balance once more.
"Are you all right?" Aravis asked before making her way across the ice. She skirted the slippery edge by keeping one hand pressed firmly against the rough trunk of the tree to steady her movements. The Prince offered her his arm but she waived him off as she arrived safely on the other side.
"Never better," he replied, his voice somewhat muffled under the cloak. "Are there any other spots like that between here and the castle?"
"I don't think so. There weren't any others that I could see when I came down earlier today."
The path widened as they neared the outer wall of the keep. A shallow trail was carved out from the many sets of footprints that remained somewhat visible in the snow. Aravis and Corin turned onto the trail and added their own footprints as they headed toward a door set into the stone wall. At the entrance, Aravis cleared some of the snow away from the door with her feet while Corin fished for the key in his pocket. He brushed the snow out of the keyhole and inserted the key, turning it until he heard the telltale click. As he pulled the door open, the wood scraped against the floor, etching a smooth crescent in the snow.
He gestured for Aravis to enter. "Ladies first."
"Thank you," she said as she swept past him and through the entrance. Corin followed her in and pulled the door shut, enveloping them in the near darkness. It was a stark contrast from the frosty landscape on the other side of the wall. Before, the light from the open door provided a brief glimpse of a narrow passageway that stretched into some unseen abyss. She blinked several times as her eyes adjusted to the darker surroundings. "Where exactly are we?" she asked; she had never been in this part of the castle before.
"The old servants' passage. I think Father said it was part of the original design of the castle, when King Col came to Archenland and chose this site for Anvard. It's rarely used these days because it's too narrow for bringing things into and out of the castle."
"But the footsteps outside..."
"Well yes, this entrance is on the main path to the stable but that doesn't mean that most people are entering and leaving from this door," he said, knocking on the wood with his hand. The sound echoed loudly in the silence before fading slowly as it traveled down the hall.
Aravis shivered; standing in the dark and listening to the echoes bounce off the cold stone walls left her with an eerie feeling. "Let's go, Corin."
"One moment." His voice floated ghostly around her. There was a pause and suddenly, something grabbed her wrist. Aravis started but relaxed when she realized it was Corin. "Follow me."
There was only one direction for them to go. In the brief moment when the corridor was lit, Aravis had seen that they were at a dead end; the door opened directly into the passageway. They walked slowly and mostly in silence, the rustle of fabric brushing against the wall and the heavy footfall of the Prince the only sounds that could be heard. As she listened to the noise around her, she noted his feet did not meet the ground in a regular pattern as hers did; she thought he might be limping but could not confirm her guess until she could see again.
"I do hope you know where you're going," she whispered, flinching at how loud her voice sounded to her ears.
"Of course," the Prince replied. "Don't you trust me, Tarkheena?"
Aravis grinned though she knew Corin could not see her face. Having lived in Anvard for several years, the Archenlanders rarely address her by her old Calormene title. The only people in the castle to do so now were the royal siblings and it would more likely come from the younger brother than the older one; Cor would do so if they were arguing but Corin enjoyed teasing her with it.
"Most of the time, your Highness," she said.
"Well then, I hope you'll trust me now when I say we are approaching the stairs. And we should reach them right about--" he paused and Aravis slowed her steps, stopping when she felt his hand reaching out for her, "--now." She heard him take a deep breath. "Right. I'm standing at the foot of the stairs which is about two or three steps from where you are, Aravis. There are sixty four steps to the top. Proceed carefully and count accurately."
She remained where she was and listened as he began to climb the stairs. "One, two, three, four..." he counted in a low voice, marking each number with a heavy footstep.
Aravis waited until he was a quarter of the way up before she began the ascent. She carefully stuck her foot out until she located the base of the stairs. She then set a foot on the first step and with a guiding hand on the wall, proceeded to follow Corin. Though there was some distance between them, she could still hear him moving above her. Aravis blocked out the sound of his voice and focused on her own climb, silently counting each step in Calormene. Her pace decreased the higher she climbed as she worked to conserve her strength; the climb wasn't difficult but the steps were steep.
Several minutes passed before she reached the top. When she reached "sixty four", she breathed deeply and called out, "Corin?"
"Here," came his ghostly answer. "We're nearly there. The exit is at the end of this passageway."
With a sigh, she began to walk. "And how much farther is that?"
"Not very," he assured her. "Surely it's not that bad, is it? It's very much like the training exercises Lord Espan puts the army through."
She started to reply when Corin suddenly stopped. He had not given her any warning and she collided into his back. There was a thud and he let out a string of curses.
"Sorry," she said as she took a few steps back.
"No, no. My fault, really. I should've warned--" his voice trailed off and Aravis could hear him pull out a set of keys, each one tinkling against each other on what she assumed was a metal ring. "Give me a moment while I unlock the door."
She heard metal scraping wood. "You do realize a torch would have been helpful before we entered the castle, right?"
"Your suggestion is duly noted," he replied dryly. "Had I known I'd return home via this route, I would have left a torch and a tinderbox near the door. Remind me to do so for next time. Fortunately, I've used this passageway for long enough that I can navigate it in the dark if I have to."
"Which we have just done," Aravis said, her voice equally dry. "And dare I ask where you learned such a... colorful... vocabulary?"
"From the sailors that used to bring their ships to the port at Cair Paravel." There was a pause. "Don't tell my Father that."
"I won't," she promised. "I'm surprised you've managed to keep it from him. And your brother?"
She heard him snort with laughter. "Of course he knows! Lion's Mane, I've expounded on the merits of learning such terms to him many times but I've yet to hear him utter any such phrase. Wasn't he raised by a fisherman? Surely he must have learned at least one swear word!"
"I am sure he must know at least one," Aravis replied archly. She smiled in the darkness, knowing Corin could not see. What she failed to mention to the Prince was that Cor was quite as adept as his younger brother was in this... skill. Corin was correct; Cor had indeed learn much from his foster father, Arsheesh. The only difference was that the Crown Prince swore more discreetly than his boisterous brother would and when he did so, it was frequently in Calormene rather than in the Northern tongues. Aravis had been surprised the first time she heard such words coming from his mouth but given his earlier upbringing, it made sense.
For all that he was a member of the royal house of Archenland, Prince Cor could not fully erase the Calormene habits he had picked up as a boy. He managed to hide most of those inclinations from his Father's court but Aravis, with her Southern upbringing, could easily spot when he would stray slightly from the Northern customs.
Aravis heard the sound of a key fitted into a lock and then the scraping of a door as it slowly swung outward. Soon, a narrow slit of light fell through a crack in the darkness. She blinked and watched as the crack grew wider, revealing the broad outline of Corin in front of her. Beyond the door, she could see nothing but a stone wall some distance away.
The Prince poked his head out and after a few seconds, he threw the door open and stepped out. He turned around and gestured for her to do the same. She took his proffered hand and stepped through the doorway. Once she was on the other side, he shut the door and quickly led her away. They hurried down the corridor and turned at the next corner.
"You're limping!" Aravis hissed. Now that they were no longer traveling in darkness, she could see the awkward, unbalanced steps he made as he moved.
"I'm not--" he started to say but he stopped suddenly, lurching forward. She quickly reached out and pulled him back towards the wall. Her action was just in time; not more than a few seconds later, she heard voices coming from around the corner that grew louder as their owners headed in their direction. "Quick, Aravis!"
There was no time to answer him. She quickly scanned their surroundings, trying to determine their current location with the map of the castle in her head. It took a moment before she recognized where they were. Aravis tugged his sleeve and when she had his attention, set a finger to her lips; Corin understood and nodded. She tilted her head toward the other end of the corridor in which they stood and indicated that they should proceed in that direction. The Prince gave another nod and turned to go when she grabbed his elbow, holding him back. She stood on her toes and leaned forward to whisper in his ear. "Stop when you reach the third door on this side of the hallway. Go inside that room and I will meet you there." She quickly nudged him forward when she heard footsteps approach.
Without another word, Corin proceeded down the corridor, moving as fast as he could with a limp that appeared more pronounced the further he traveled. Aravis made a mental note to berate him later but quickly filed away that thought as she prepared to deal with whomever was approaching from around the corner. She unfastened the clasp of her cloak and pulled the thick woolen fabric off her shoulders, bundling it into a long, narrow roll and draping it casually in the crook of her arm. Her free hand reached up and tugged loose the ribbon that bound her long, pleated hair; she brushed the crown of her head with her palm and used her fingers to loosen the braid, sweeping away particles of dust and cobwebs that might have stuck to her from her climb in the abandoned passageway.
Aravis turned and began to walk away. The steps grew louder behind her and soon she heard snatches of conversation.
"--said he hasn't seen the Prince at all this morning."
"No? Has he asked Prince Cor about the matter? If anyone would know, surely it would be--" The voices trailed off for a moment and then, "Lady Aravis!"
She took a deep breath and schooled her face into a portrait of calm before she turned around. "Yes?"
The two men had stopped right where she and Corin had stood only moments before. Both wore similar garments that clearly identified them as King Lune's gentlemen-in-waiting. They were both young but still some years older than herself and the two Princes. One of them she recognized instantly.
"Hello, Terr," she greeted, smiling at the fair-headed man. Lord Dar had presented his nephew to King Lune shortly after Cor's reunion with his family and he became fast friends with the Princes and herself. She then turned to the other man with a look of polite interest.
As if on cue, Terr quickly made the introductions. "This is Brom," Terr said, "Lady Catrain's son. He arrived yesterday from Greybrook to join His Majesty's court."
"Lady Aravis." The other man dipped his head briefly to her.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Master Brom," she said. "I hope you will find Anvard as welcoming as it had been for me when I first arrived."
"King Lune bade me most welcome and I look forward to serving his Majesty and their Highnesses as best I can."
Now that the pleasantries had been exchanged, Aravis wondered if she could dissuade the two men from continuing further along the passageway. "I would not expect to find you in this wing of the castle, Terr. Are you and Master Brom on an errand for the King?"
Terr nodded. "We are. Perhaps you can help us, Lady Aravis."
She was bemused. "Oh?"
"Have you seen Prince Corin? King Lune has requested the attendance of both his sons. We spoke to Prince Cor but have been unable to locate Prince Corin."
"I did not see Corin at all this morning," she said. That much was truth; the first time she saw the Prince was that afternoon at the stable. "And I left the castle just after breakfast for a ride. I've only just returned," she added, raising her arm to show them the riding cloak she had just removed.
"Like you, Prince Cor has not seen his brother," Brom said, his brows knitting together in concern. "As a matter of fact, no one seems to have seen him at all today."
"Perhaps he went for a ride as well," Aravis suggested, offering another truth. "There was not much snow on the ground earlier and a horse would not have had any trouble on the roads."
The men exchanged a quick look with each other before Terr turned back to her. "You may be right," he said. "I cannot think of anywhere else he might be. We should speak with the grooms and see if any of them have seen Prince Corin."
"If I see him, I'll be sure to let him know of the King's request," she assured them.
"You have our thanks, Lady Aravis," Brom replied. The two men nodded briefly at her and they turned to go, continuing down the other passageway.
For a few seconds, Aravis remained where she was, listening as their footsteps traveled away from her. When she could hear no other sounds in the vicinity, she let out a sigh of relief and made her way to the door she had directed Corin to earlier. She stopped in front of the door and knocking once, turned the handle and let herself in.
Without turning around, she pushed the door shut and once she heard the click of the lock, she looked up.
Corin stood in the middle of the room, facing her. He still wore his cloak and the hood remained on his head, shielding his face.
"Have they gone?" he asked. "And are we safe here?
"Yes and yes," she said, smiling.
"Are you sure?" He sounded uncertain. "This room--"
"Is mine," she answered, dropping her cloak onto a nearby table before approaching him. She held her hand out and said, "Give me your cloak, Corin."
He sighed with relief and dutifully removed the garment before handing it to her. Aravis wrinkled her nose in disgust at the smell that emanated from the heavy, damp fabric. "It smells like wet fur," she said, draping it on the back of a chair near the fireplace. She stepped in front of the mantel and reached for the tinderbox.
"Let me do that," Corin said. He took a step toward her but stopped, hissing loudly.
"You are in no position to do anything but sit." Her voice was sharp as she allowed some of her anger to bleed through. Ignoring the Prince momentarily, she crouched down and proceeded to light a fire in the pit. She kept her eyes on the fire, watching as the flames consumed logs and scraps of discarded parchment while she reined in her emotions. Eventually, she stood up and turned around. "I think it's time for you to tell me what you've been up to today, Corin."
"I did give you my word," he said, reminding her of his earlier promise.
"You did," she conceded. "But before you begin, I need to fetch a few things from the boudoir. In the meantime..." She looked around and pointed to a large round cushion on the floor near where Corin stood. "Sit. Take your boots off and remove any damp clothing you have on. We don't need you to catch a cold in addition to whatever injuries you've already acquired."
"To hear is to obey."
Aravis shook her head to his cheeky reply as she left the sitting room and went to her boudoir. Once inside, she removed some clothes from a large trunk and carried them to her vanity. After scanning the items on the table, she selected several bottles and tins, placing them on top of the clothes and added a wad of clean linen scraps to the bundle as well. Satisfied with her choices, she swiftly scooped everything into her arms and returned to the outer room.
Corin was in the midst of removing his tunic when she entered. He was barefoot; she saw he had laid his boots and socks on the floor, near the roaring fire. Aravis carefully set the linen and ointments on a nearby table before turning to the Prince. "Here," she said, offering the pile of clothes she held in her hand.
"What's this?" he asked, dropping his tunic onto his lap. He reached for the topmost item and shook it loose with a flick of his wrist. He whistled as the sleeves and hem of the shirt were revealed and with a quirk of his brow, said, "This is a man's shirt."
"It is," she agreed. "And these," she handed him the trousers, "are men's pants. Hopefully they will fit."
The Prince stood up and held both garments against his body. "Perhaps." He dropped the trousers onto cushion and proceeded to slide his arms into the sleeves of the shirt. As he pulled the tunic over his head, he asked, "I say, Aravis, whom did you get these clothes from? Is there something Cor and I should know about?"
She laughed at his insinuation. "Absolutely not. If you must know, they came from your brother. I asked him to give me anything that no longer fits him; tunics and trousers are more practical to wear than skirts for weapons practice. And the seamstresses are happier that I ruin old clothes instead of new ones when I'm playing with swords and scimitars."
"That's understandable," Corin said as he tugged the hem of the shirt down and smoothed the creases with his hands. Aravis noted with satisfaction that it fit him well enough, though the fabric hugged his body rather snugly. Cor and Corin may be identical twins but their bodies were of different builds. The older Prince was the taller and slender of the two while Corin grew outward, with broader shoulders and more muscular arms. Based on family portraits she had seen in King Lune's study, Aravis thought Cor more resembled his mother and Corin took after their father. "Cor and I have had our fair share of scoldings from them as well." He held up the clean pair of trousers. "Is there some place I can change into these?"
Aravis pointed to one corner of the room where a large folding screen stood. "Will that do?" The screen was set an angle, creating a sheltered space between it and the two walls.
Corin nodded and limped across the room toward the screen. As he disappeared behind it, he called out to her. "You've got the most unusual things I've ever seen in a lady's chambers," he said. There was a pause and he quickly added, "Not that I've been in a lady's room in many, many years, mind you. Only when I was a child."
"Well, I don't think most ladies in Archenland would have lanterns, folding screens and cushions from Calormen," she said with a smirk. She sank to the floor, sitting cross-legged on a large, square cushion and tucked the hem of her skirt between her legs and the rug. "Queen Lucy thought it would help if I had some familiar furniture and decorations when she was in the midst of decorating my room before my arrival. She had done a fantastic job and I left much of it as it was all those years ago."
"Queen Lucy always knew how to make someone feel welcome, whether it was at Cair Paravel or elsewhere." The Prince stepped away from the screen and Aravis saw that Cor's old trousers just fit his younger brother; the fabric wrapped snugly around his legs and he had rolled up the bottom so he would not step on them as he walked.
He joined her in the middle of the room. She gestured to a nearby chair but he shook his head, choosing to sit across from her on the floor. He winced as he slowly eased his body onto the ground. "She said it was how they did things in Narnia."
The Narnian Kings and Queens were a rare topic in Anvard these days. Aravis could not remember the last time anyone had spoken of Peter the High King or his royal siblings. There were the occasional rumours and theories about their mysterious disappearance but she never listened to them, keeping to her own memories of the Narnian royal family.
"If Her Majesty saw you now, I'd wager she would take out that magic cordial of hers," Aravis said, reaching for a scrap of linen and one of the bottles she took from the boudoir. She removed the cap and after pouring a few drops of a scented liquid onto the fabric, dabbed at some of the cuts on her friend's cheek.
Corin hissed as the ointment touched his skin. "That stings like the--" He hissed again when she tended to the other side of his face. "What is that stuff, Aravis?!"
"It cleans the wounds of infection," she retorted. "Made from the oils of famous healing plants in the great gardens of Ilkeen. My elder brother used to smell of it when he returned from the wars, covered in as many cuts as you have now."
"I thought you had a younger brother."
"I do. Ilanum still lives with my father in Calavar but Arshah was killed as he fought against the rebel uprising in Tehishbaan, the capital city in western Calormen."
"I'm sorry, Aravis," Corin said, his voice stripped of his usual humour.
"It was a long time ago," she said softly, looking away from him. "He fought and died honourably in that great battle." She dropped the dirty scraps of linen onto the table and reached for a tin of salve. "You and Cor remind me of him."
She shook her head to dispel the melancholy thoughts and proceeded to open the tin. She held the tin up and warned, "This might hurt."
He winced as she applied the salve to the bruise around his eye. "It hurts a lot, actually. Does it look as bad as it feels?"
"Quite," she said shortly. Now that she had a better view of his face, she noticed there were many small scratches in addition to the cuts and bruises. She was used to seeing both Princes accumulate scrapes when they sparred in the tiltyard but they were never as bad as she had seen that day. "You look terrible, Corin. What did you do to earn so many wounds?"
Corin shifted in his seat. "I suppose it's time to fulfill my promise to you."
Aravis didn't reply as she continued to rub the salve onto his face. The Prince remained still as she worked but the corners of his mouth twitched whenever her fingers grazed across an open wound. When she finished, she set the tin on the table and wiped her hands clean on a fresh scrap of linen. She then reached for a silver flagon and turning to Corin, held it up in the air. He nodded in response to her silent question and she proceeded to fill two small goblets.
Corin took the cup from her hand and stared at the pale, milky liquid inside. "What kind of wine is this?" he asked, raising the goblet to his face and sniffing at it.
"It's almond milk," she said as she settled herself comfortably on her cushion once more. "A specialty drink from southern Calormen."
He looked surprised. "I thought milk only came from animals."
"It's mainly almonds and water. In Calavar, we add spices and sweeten it with dates and a bit of honey." She sipped from her cup and gestured for him to do the same.
After a moment's hesitation, he brought the goblet to his lips and took a sip. "It's not bad. Did you make this?"
She shook her head. "Cook doesn't have the right spices in the pantries. My friend Lasaraleen brought several bottles with her when she last visited. I gave one bottle to Cor and kept the rest for myself." She paused for a breath and held a finger up. "Now, no more questions, Corin. Not until you tell me what you've been up to."
He grinned ruefully at her. "I suppose I kept the story from you long enough, haven't I?" When she looked expectantly at him, he sighed. "Well, I went out early this morning for a ride and just followed the path north all the way to the border."
She raised a slim, dark brow at him. "You went to Narnia then?"
"Not exactly. I stopped for a break at Stormness and while I was there, some Narnians appeared on the road."
"Was it anyone we know?" She had ridden over the pass many times with Cor when they visited Hwin and Bree and their respective families and became acquainted with some of the Animals that lived along the border. No humans lived in that part of Narnia as far as she could recall; the tall mountains and narrow roads of Stormness were uninhabitable save for the Eagles and other Creatures that lived in rocky dens and lairs.
"No. It was a group of Dwarfs from the Shuddering Wood and a family of Hares. The Dwarfs were helping the Hares escort their young over the Pass because it was no longer safe for small Animals to travel through."
Aravis looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"Apparently, a bear has been harassing travelers along the Pass."
"A bear or a Bear?" she asked.
"Both," Corin answered. He saw the bemusement on her face and clarified, "A Talking Bear that went back to the ways of a Dumb Bear."
"Oh!" she exclaimed in surprise. "Is that even possible?"
The Prince nodded solemnly. "The Narnians have stories about the First Days of the World and Queen Susan told me one of the lessons every Talking Beast learns is that they can cease to talk if they revert to the ways of their non-talking cousins."
"That's awful," she said, shuddering as she imagined what it would be like if Hwin could no longer speak. Her eyes grew wide as a new thought came to her. "Did the Bear find you then?"
He looked sheepish. "Not exactly. It was more the other way round... I found him."
Aravis looked up sharply and her concerns for her friend were quickly dashed away. "Corin." Her voice dripped with disapproval. "What did you do?" She knew Corin well enough to guess at any number of possibilities but she hoped she was wrong about all of them.
He coughed lightly into his hand and said, "I boxed him."
For several seconds, she couldn't speak; Aravis opened her mouth but was unable to make a sound. She stared at him as she tried to process his words. "You what?"
"I climbed up to his lair just on the other side of the border and challenged him to a match. He didn't speak but he growled loudly at me and when he took a swipe at my leg, I took that as a 'yes'." He looked down and rubbed his knee in a circular motion. "He missed that first time but he banged my knee rather hard in the tenth round."
For as long as she had known him, Aravis knew Corin loved to box. Even on her first day in Anvard--after lunch with King Lune and the Narnians--she had learned of Corin's favorite hobby. She could clearly remember how he offered to box Rabadash after the Calormene Prince insulted everyone in attendance, including the Archenlandish and Narnian royals. If the younger Prince was not found in the tiltyard, armoury, or with his head literally buried in the books for his lessons, he could surely be found in the courtyard fighting with any that accepted his challenge.
"And how many rounds were there?" She recalled asking Corin about it once and she thought he said there might have been a dozen or so in a match.
He grinned widely, causing the gash in his lip to burst open again. "I lost track, to be honest. But Thonar said there were thirty-three."
"Thonar?"
"One of the Dwarfs from Shuddering Wood. He and some of his brothers helped me find the Bear's cave."
Aravis shook her head but she could not decide if she was more disgusted or impressed with his actions. "Only you, Corin," she sighed. "I suppose you won the match then?"
Corin nodded. "The Bear bested me in only seven matches. To be fair, he was half-asleep when I arrived. I had forgotten that they're mostly nocturnal creatures."
She made a sound of disapproval and frowned at him. "You do realize you assaulted a Narnian on Narnian lands, right? What do you think would happen if the Crown found out what you did?"
He looked at her in surprise; it was clear he hadn't given any thought to that situation. "Well, King Edmund and Queen Susan would certainly be angry with me. I expect Queen Lucy would offer the use of her cordial first and the scolding would come later. The High King would likely let me off with a warning and," he grimaced, "a strongly worded note to Father. But we both know that shall not happen, Aravis. Not anymore." Corin paused and took a deep breath, trying to banish the melancholy thoughts about the missing Kings and Queens. "Besides, the Narnian Council have more important matters to attend to than disciplining a lapsed Talking Bear."
"It wasn't your right to do that, Corin," she said softly, thinking back to a time when she caused harm to another person whom she thought deserved to be punished. She herself was not blameless and the faint scars on her back were a subtle reminder of that lesson painfully learned.
"And it wasn't right for that Bear to be attacking innocent passersby either," he said shortly, with the barest hint of anger in his voice. "But if you must know, everything did come out right in the end. After the last round, the Bear asked for mercy and I yielded when he agreed to stop bothering those that traveled along Stormness Pass."
She looked skeptical. "I thought the Bear couldn't speak."
"That's what I thought as well but towards the end, I could hear him cry out for mercy clearly. That's why I stopped: I was shocked to hear words instead of growls. And when he swore his promise to me, he did so in the Lion's name."
"Perhaps Aslan knew what was to happen and returned the gift of speech," Aravis said, looking thoughtful.
A moment of silence fell upon them as they reflected on her words. She hadn't seen Aslan in many years, not since he appeared the day she turned up at Anvard. The great Lion had the power to take away speech--watching Rabadash go from speaking in their native tongue to braying was a fine example of that--so it would not surprise her in the least that he could restore it as well. Bree told her that the mice of Narnia did not speak until very recently, when the Long Winter ended and the High King had taken the throne.
"I hope that means He somewhat approved of my actions, then. And if He does not, well, I'm sure I'll find that out soon enough."
Aravis frowned. "Even if Aslan approved, I'm sure your Father would not. And speaking of your Father, you can't hide in here forever, Corin. He has people looking for you even as we speak. What are you going to do?"
"Well, I wasn't planning on hiding out all day. Just long enough to arrive without being seen so I could clean up and hide the worst of my injuries. I was fortunate enough to have you helping me with that. Thank you, Aravis," he said, reaching out for her hand while looking solemnly at her, "I could ask for no one better."
She smiled faintly. "Well, as I said before, you remind me of Arshah. He used to get into scrapes now and then and I'd help sneak him back to his room before our parents discovered he had gone out."
"You've been like a sister to Cor and myself," the Prince admitted, turning his face away so he could not see the look that appeared on hers, "though sometimes, I think that Cor would rather--"
He was interrupted by a loud knock on the door. Their eyes quickly met and after a several seconds, Corin nodded imperceptibly. She exchanged one last look with him and slowly rose from her seat. As she walked towards the door, she swept her hands along the skirt of her gown, shaking loose debris and smoothing away the creases from where she sat on the fabric.
She placed a hand on the handle and stood still for a moment, twisting her head to look at Corin. He remained where he was though he sat up straighter in his seat and his eyes were more alert than before. Aravis took a deep breath and opened the door.
A familiar voice came through the opening. "Aravis, I'm sorry to bother you but have you seen--" Cor poked his head through even before the door was fully opened. "Oh, there you are, Corin."
She stepped aside to let her friend in. Cor entered and looked briefly around the room before his eyes settled on his brother.
"Hullo, Brother," Corin cheerfully greeted his twin from his seat on the floor. "Is there something I can help you with?"
Cor said nothing at first. After a glance at his brother, he turned to Aravis, the question evident on his face.
"Corin needed a bit of help," she said, tilting her head up to look at him. He had grown quite tall and barely resembled the lanky boy she met years ago. "I just happened to be around when he showed up at the stable."
"I see," Cor said, though Aravis could hear the confusion in his voice. As she shut the door, the Prince moved forward to get a closer look at his brother. He whistled lowly when he saw the red and purple marks on Corin's face. "By the Lion, Corin! What happened to you?"
"Well, it's a rather long story," Corin began, but Aravis interrupted him.
"Your brother decided to box a Bear for some thirty-odd rounds and somehow managed to win," she said to Cor.
"A bear or a Bear?" he asked, echoing her own question to Corin when the younger Prince first spoke of his deed.
"A Talking Bear," Corin answered, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand. Aravis watched with narrowed eyes, wondering if there was a wound she had missed when she tended to him earlier. She moved away from Cor and picked up the tin of salve. When Corin noticed her action, he shook his head and attempted to waive her off. "It's nothing, Aravis."
She ignored his denial and gently lowered his head with a firm hand. As she carefully searched for any wounds that might be hidden beneath his fair hair, she heard a snort of laughter at her side.
"It'll be a lot less painful if you cooperate, Corin," Cor spoke with the confidence of one who had borne a similar experience.
"In this I shall agree with your brother," she said to Corin. She located a small but deep gash at the base of his neck and applied a dollop of salve to the cut.
Corin started and began swearing loudly. Aravis quickly retreated, dodging the younger Prince's flailing arms as he jerked his head up. She felt a steadying hand at her back before Cor stepped forward to still his brother's movements.
"Be easy, Corin," he said with some amusement. "The stinging lasts only briefly. The pain is nothing compared to what earned you all those cuts on your face." He paused and then added, "I'm curious as to how the Bear fared."
"Marginally better," Corin replied, "though his eyes were so bruised and battered that he could scarcely see when my fist closed in on him."
"That part I hadn't heard before," Aravis said, feeling even more sorry for the Bear.
"I did leave a few things out of the tale," Corin admitted. "I suppose I could tell the two of you at once and save myself from having to repeat it."
"Then you'd best be prepared to do that soon," Cor said. When his twin and Aravis turned to him with a questioning look, he said, "That's why I came, you know. Father has sent everyone to look for you, Corin."
"Oh yes, that."
Aravis's mouth formed a silent circle. She had been caught up in Corin's tale that she had nearly forgotten about speaking to the two men in the hallway not long ago. She gave Cor a sheepish grin. "Terr and Brom were in this wing earlier. I sent them to the stable while Corin hid in my room."
He gave her a knowing smile. "That much I knew. I happened to be in the stable talking to Stevin when they came to ask him of my brother's whereabouts. He didn't admit to actually seeing Corin but said you had just returned from your ride, so I thought you might have seen him outside the castle grounds."
"So why does Father wish to see me?" Corin asked, drawing their attention back on him.
"He wants to see both of us. It seems he has come to a decision about our birthday gifts this year."
Corin immediately sat up, his eyes growing wide with interest. "Oh? But that's several months away. Shall he make us Dukes or Counts or give us some other title?"
"He's decided to fulfill the promise King Peter made you years ago."
The younger Prince furrowed his brow as he tried to deduce Cor's meaning. "The High King promised many things; even I can't remember them all."
"Oh, this one I'm sure you haven't forgotten," Cor teased, grinning widely. "Father is planning to bestow knighthoods on us for our birthday. He wants to discuss some of the protocols and preparations since it will take a bit of planning."
Aravis had never seen Corin look as stunned as he did now. Nor had he ever been so speechless. A small, sad smile crossed her face as the interplay between the two Princes reminded of her of her own siblings. Her relationship with Arshah had been similar to what she saw now, with herself in Corin's position. Had she remained in Calormen, perhaps it would have been the same with Ilanum, but she would never know now.
Her sorrow soon turned to concern as Corin quickly rose from his cushioned seat. He gave a sharp cry before he leaned heavily into his brother's chest, limping slightly as he tried to regain his balance. "Corin, your knee--"
"I'd forgotten," he said through gritted teeth. He had been sitting with his injured leg stretched out on the rug and had not moved it, temporarily ceasing the pain. He slung one arm across his brother's shoulder as Cor helped him to reach one of the overstuffed chairs by the hearth. Aravis cleared the path for them, kicking aside cushions and moving some of the lighter pieces of furniture out of the way. After he settled into the chair, Corin asked, "Would Father would be willing to wait to discuss this at a later time?"
"I suppose he must, seeing as you're in no condition to be moving about just now," Cor said, stepping back once his brother was seated. "I'll go speak to Father about that now but you're on your own when you explain to him how you've gotten yourself in such a state."
"Fair enough," Corin agreed. He watched his brother make his way to the door and once Cor turned the handle to open it, Corin called out to him. "Thank you, Brother."
The elder Prince twisted slightly and gave them a brief smile before he stepped out. Aravis watched the door shut behind him, her gaze lingering at the spot where he stood for a few moments. She looked away, facing Corin when she felt him touch her arm. "And thank you, Aravis, for everything you've done today."
She smiled at his words.
"I meant what I said earlier," he continued. "You really are like a sister to us and though I shan't speak for Cor, I hope you wouldn't mind if I treated you as such."
Aravis was unused to such praise and she felt her cheeks grow warm in response to the sincerity and earnestness she heard in his voice. She was quiet for a moment and shook her head. "I won't mind at all, Corin."
"Then let me say this once more: Thank you, sister."
End.
Original Prompt that we sent you:
What I want: I love character-driven fic and would be quite happy to receive gen fic but pairings are great too. I haven't watched the movies, so bookverse only please.
I would love to read something about Jadis. Perhaps she met Aslan at other times, before the Long Winter? Perhaps there are Charnish legends about the Emperor-over-Sea, that she had always dismissed as old wives tales, but gave long thought to once she came to Narnia? What dealings does she have with the Tisroc? She must have been planning her invasion of Narnia for a long time, what were her plans? Did it all go smoothly?
I also love Aravis and would love to know what happens as she gets older in Archenland. Does she miss Calormene? Does she know about the origins of the Calormene empire and its link to Archenland? If so, what does she think about it? I think she and Cor must have had an interesting relationship as he grew into his princedom; feel free to tell me about it.
Also, anything about Polly Plummer would be amazing, or Queen Helen and King Frank in the first days of Narnia.
Even if you don't like these, do not despair! If you pick a somewhat obscure corner of the Narnia universe to explore, I will be delighted. Feel free to write fic from any of the books, especially The Horse and His Boy, The Magician's Nephew and The Silver Chair.
Author:
autumniaRecipient:
redsnake05Rating: PG
Content/Warnings: Spoilers for A Horse and His Boy; set after The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Summary: In which a Prince of Archenland performs a great feat and a Tarkheena learns that family is not merely flesh and blood.
Author's Notes: Many, many thanks to my beta for helping me with this story!
====
The snow was falling lightly when Aravis returned with her horse to the stable. At the threshold, she stomped her boots heavily on the ground and with a sweep of her hand, brushed off the snow that accumulated on her shoulders. When she was done, she led the mare inside and waived away the approaching groom. Both human footsteps and equine hoofs clicked loudly on the cobblestone floor, the sound partially muffled by occasional patches of damp, flattened straw on the ground. They walked beneath the hayloft and past the stalls occupied by the many stallions, geldings and palfreys owned by the King.
Clover knickered lightly as she backed into her stall. Once inside, the mare bent her nose to her human's head, nibbling on the loose strands that escaped from Aravis's tightly braided hair. Aravis could feel the slight tugging at the base of her neck as she untacked her horse.
"I've got something much tastier than that," Aravis said. She withdrew two white cubes from her pocket and held them up in her palm. Clover sniffed the sugar cubes and after a few seconds, reached for both of them with her teeth. Aravis smiled and patted Clover's neck but the mare was focused on chewing the cubes and paid little attention to the human beside her. Leaving the horse to her treat, Aravis turned away and walked up the aisle toward to the entrance.
As she reached the front of the room, another figure suddenly appeared in the doorway, startling her.
"Oh!" She took a step back and set a hand on the doorframe to steady herself. Once she regained her footing, she looked up, ready to reproach whomever it was that surprised her when she noticed the figure swaying slightly in the doorway.
"Are you all--" she began but was cut off when the stranger stumbled through the entrance, one long arm shooting out from beneath a cloak and grabbing her by the wrist. She nearly cried out for the groom when the mysterious person finally spoke.
"Shh!" a male voice hissed from the shadows and folds of the hood on his head. "It's me, Aravis."
Aravis blinked. "Corin!" she asked, though she easily recognized his voice. "What's going on?"
"Hush! And not so loud!" He took another unsteady step forward and Aravis had to use both her hands to keep him upright. "I need a favor."
She looked at him suspiciously and with a wary voice asked, "What kind of favor?" Having lived amongst the twin Princes of Archenland for several years, she knew better than to promise anything outright when it came to Corin. Though she would trust her life with either of them, Cor had always been the more sensible and responsible brother.
"Help me get to my room without being seen." He raised his head and though she could not see his face while it was hidden beneath the hood, he certainly saw the incredulous expression on hers. "All right, without being seen by Father and Cor."
"Why?" she demanded, keeping her voice low so as to not alert anyone else in the vicinity until she knew more.
He waved one gloved hand at her. "I'll tell you when we get upstairs." When she remained silent, neither accepting nor refusing his request, he said, "Please, Aravis. On my honor, I'll explain later."
"Take your hood off, Corin." Now it was his turn to not move but Aravis refused to give in so easily. "Let me see your face or I won't help you at all."
Corin sighed. "Very well. But promise me you won't make a fuss about it."
"Why would I--" Her voice trailed off as Corin slowly pulled the hood back to reveal his face. "Oh. Well..."
The Prince's face was covered with cuts and bruises. A large, dark ring circled his right eye while a long, narrow gash marred his left cheek. His lower lip was swollen from a cut that bled a little as he grinned at her.
To her credit, Aravis did not appear too surprised. She was briefly startled but recovered swiftly. With a careful eye, she catalogued the numerous wounds and when she was done, she sighed. "This is no small favor you're asking for, Corin."
"I know," he said, "but I have faith in Aslan and you, Aravis. Now will you help me get upstairs?"
"Can you even walk?" He hadn't taken another step while she held him steady. At his nod, she careful released him from her hold, one hand at a time.
"Yes, I think so." Corin wobbled for a second but remained on his feet. He took a step back, moving one foot slowly behind him and then the other. As he retreated another step, he stuck one hand out, reaching for but not quite touching the doorframe. After a moment, he felt more sure of his movements and dropped his hand back to his side, resting it lightly on the hilt of his sword. "I'm sorry about earlier. I think Shadow purposely hit every bump on the road hidden by the snow as we rode back. Later--" he added as he saw the question forming on her tongue. "On my honor."
She was not entirely convinced but all she said was, "First, we have to get past the groom."
"That part's easy enough," said the Prince. He straightened and drew the hood of his cloak over his head, shielding his face from view once more. "Besides, Stevin is used to seeing my cuts and scrapes; he won't say anything."
"That's because he won't be able to see anything," Aravis retorted.
Corin waved a hand dismissively. "'Sides, he already knew it was me when I handed him the reins on my return."
Aravis sighed. "All right, let's get you to your room."
Corin took the lead and with Aravis following close behind, proceeded to exit the stable. Stevin sat just outside the open doors, watching them carefully as they left. Just as the Prince said, the groom made no comment, merely tipping the brim of his hat as Corin walked past. To Aravis, he offered a grin and wink. She shook her head but did not hide the small smile that appeared on her face as she nodded briefly to Stevin in farewell.
It would normally be a few minutes' walk to the castle but the path between it and the stable was blanketed in snow. Aravis could make out slight impressions of where others had trod but the footprints were nearly filled when she and Corin stepped outside.
"The snow's falling heavier now," she observed, tilting her head up and raising one hand to shield her eyes from the flurries that continued to fall. The sky had turned a murkier shade of grey since her arrival and the snow was coming down in larger clumps. She held her hand out and stared at the pale flakes accumulating in her dark hand, each one the size of an Archen silver Crown. Had they been real coin, she thought there would be enough to buy several good meals at one of the taverns in the lower city.
Beside her, Corin shrugged. "It was like this when I came in. At least Shadow was able to--" he stopped, sneezing loudly.
She turned to him and finally noted how damp his cloak was, the dark brown wool turning nearly black from where the snow rested on his broad shoulders. "C'mon, we'd best get inside quick before you catch a cold."
"I think that might be too la--" he sneezed again.
She ushered him forward with a firm nudge and a word of caution, "'Ware that spot by the tree. There's a large patch of ice just beneath that thick branch over the path."
The Prince mumbled something that sounded very much like "Yes, ma'am" to her ears but he dutifully heeded her warning. When he reached the old fir that grew alongside the path, he slowed his steps and inched carefully past the glassy surface that was partially hidden beneath fallen needles, twigs and fresh snow. As he reached the far side, his left foot landed on the edge of the ice and he skidded briefly before regaining his balance once more.
"Are you all right?" Aravis asked before making her way across the ice. She skirted the slippery edge by keeping one hand pressed firmly against the rough trunk of the tree to steady her movements. The Prince offered her his arm but she waived him off as she arrived safely on the other side.
"Never better," he replied, his voice somewhat muffled under the cloak. "Are there any other spots like that between here and the castle?"
"I don't think so. There weren't any others that I could see when I came down earlier today."
The path widened as they neared the outer wall of the keep. A shallow trail was carved out from the many sets of footprints that remained somewhat visible in the snow. Aravis and Corin turned onto the trail and added their own footprints as they headed toward a door set into the stone wall. At the entrance, Aravis cleared some of the snow away from the door with her feet while Corin fished for the key in his pocket. He brushed the snow out of the keyhole and inserted the key, turning it until he heard the telltale click. As he pulled the door open, the wood scraped against the floor, etching a smooth crescent in the snow.
He gestured for Aravis to enter. "Ladies first."
"Thank you," she said as she swept past him and through the entrance. Corin followed her in and pulled the door shut, enveloping them in the near darkness. It was a stark contrast from the frosty landscape on the other side of the wall. Before, the light from the open door provided a brief glimpse of a narrow passageway that stretched into some unseen abyss. She blinked several times as her eyes adjusted to the darker surroundings. "Where exactly are we?" she asked; she had never been in this part of the castle before.
"The old servants' passage. I think Father said it was part of the original design of the castle, when King Col came to Archenland and chose this site for Anvard. It's rarely used these days because it's too narrow for bringing things into and out of the castle."
"But the footsteps outside..."
"Well yes, this entrance is on the main path to the stable but that doesn't mean that most people are entering and leaving from this door," he said, knocking on the wood with his hand. The sound echoed loudly in the silence before fading slowly as it traveled down the hall.
Aravis shivered; standing in the dark and listening to the echoes bounce off the cold stone walls left her with an eerie feeling. "Let's go, Corin."
"One moment." His voice floated ghostly around her. There was a pause and suddenly, something grabbed her wrist. Aravis started but relaxed when she realized it was Corin. "Follow me."
There was only one direction for them to go. In the brief moment when the corridor was lit, Aravis had seen that they were at a dead end; the door opened directly into the passageway. They walked slowly and mostly in silence, the rustle of fabric brushing against the wall and the heavy footfall of the Prince the only sounds that could be heard. As she listened to the noise around her, she noted his feet did not meet the ground in a regular pattern as hers did; she thought he might be limping but could not confirm her guess until she could see again.
"I do hope you know where you're going," she whispered, flinching at how loud her voice sounded to her ears.
"Of course," the Prince replied. "Don't you trust me, Tarkheena?"
Aravis grinned though she knew Corin could not see her face. Having lived in Anvard for several years, the Archenlanders rarely address her by her old Calormene title. The only people in the castle to do so now were the royal siblings and it would more likely come from the younger brother than the older one; Cor would do so if they were arguing but Corin enjoyed teasing her with it.
"Most of the time, your Highness," she said.
"Well then, I hope you'll trust me now when I say we are approaching the stairs. And we should reach them right about--" he paused and Aravis slowed her steps, stopping when she felt his hand reaching out for her, "--now." She heard him take a deep breath. "Right. I'm standing at the foot of the stairs which is about two or three steps from where you are, Aravis. There are sixty four steps to the top. Proceed carefully and count accurately."
She remained where she was and listened as he began to climb the stairs. "One, two, three, four..." he counted in a low voice, marking each number with a heavy footstep.
Aravis waited until he was a quarter of the way up before she began the ascent. She carefully stuck her foot out until she located the base of the stairs. She then set a foot on the first step and with a guiding hand on the wall, proceeded to follow Corin. Though there was some distance between them, she could still hear him moving above her. Aravis blocked out the sound of his voice and focused on her own climb, silently counting each step in Calormene. Her pace decreased the higher she climbed as she worked to conserve her strength; the climb wasn't difficult but the steps were steep.
Several minutes passed before she reached the top. When she reached "sixty four", she breathed deeply and called out, "Corin?"
"Here," came his ghostly answer. "We're nearly there. The exit is at the end of this passageway."
With a sigh, she began to walk. "And how much farther is that?"
"Not very," he assured her. "Surely it's not that bad, is it? It's very much like the training exercises Lord Espan puts the army through."
She started to reply when Corin suddenly stopped. He had not given her any warning and she collided into his back. There was a thud and he let out a string of curses.
"Sorry," she said as she took a few steps back.
"No, no. My fault, really. I should've warned--" his voice trailed off and Aravis could hear him pull out a set of keys, each one tinkling against each other on what she assumed was a metal ring. "Give me a moment while I unlock the door."
She heard metal scraping wood. "You do realize a torch would have been helpful before we entered the castle, right?"
"Your suggestion is duly noted," he replied dryly. "Had I known I'd return home via this route, I would have left a torch and a tinderbox near the door. Remind me to do so for next time. Fortunately, I've used this passageway for long enough that I can navigate it in the dark if I have to."
"Which we have just done," Aravis said, her voice equally dry. "And dare I ask where you learned such a... colorful... vocabulary?"
"From the sailors that used to bring their ships to the port at Cair Paravel." There was a pause. "Don't tell my Father that."
"I won't," she promised. "I'm surprised you've managed to keep it from him. And your brother?"
She heard him snort with laughter. "Of course he knows! Lion's Mane, I've expounded on the merits of learning such terms to him many times but I've yet to hear him utter any such phrase. Wasn't he raised by a fisherman? Surely he must have learned at least one swear word!"
"I am sure he must know at least one," Aravis replied archly. She smiled in the darkness, knowing Corin could not see. What she failed to mention to the Prince was that Cor was quite as adept as his younger brother was in this... skill. Corin was correct; Cor had indeed learn much from his foster father, Arsheesh. The only difference was that the Crown Prince swore more discreetly than his boisterous brother would and when he did so, it was frequently in Calormene rather than in the Northern tongues. Aravis had been surprised the first time she heard such words coming from his mouth but given his earlier upbringing, it made sense.
For all that he was a member of the royal house of Archenland, Prince Cor could not fully erase the Calormene habits he had picked up as a boy. He managed to hide most of those inclinations from his Father's court but Aravis, with her Southern upbringing, could easily spot when he would stray slightly from the Northern customs.
Aravis heard the sound of a key fitted into a lock and then the scraping of a door as it slowly swung outward. Soon, a narrow slit of light fell through a crack in the darkness. She blinked and watched as the crack grew wider, revealing the broad outline of Corin in front of her. Beyond the door, she could see nothing but a stone wall some distance away.
The Prince poked his head out and after a few seconds, he threw the door open and stepped out. He turned around and gestured for her to do the same. She took his proffered hand and stepped through the doorway. Once she was on the other side, he shut the door and quickly led her away. They hurried down the corridor and turned at the next corner.
"You're limping!" Aravis hissed. Now that they were no longer traveling in darkness, she could see the awkward, unbalanced steps he made as he moved.
"I'm not--" he started to say but he stopped suddenly, lurching forward. She quickly reached out and pulled him back towards the wall. Her action was just in time; not more than a few seconds later, she heard voices coming from around the corner that grew louder as their owners headed in their direction. "Quick, Aravis!"
There was no time to answer him. She quickly scanned their surroundings, trying to determine their current location with the map of the castle in her head. It took a moment before she recognized where they were. Aravis tugged his sleeve and when she had his attention, set a finger to her lips; Corin understood and nodded. She tilted her head toward the other end of the corridor in which they stood and indicated that they should proceed in that direction. The Prince gave another nod and turned to go when she grabbed his elbow, holding him back. She stood on her toes and leaned forward to whisper in his ear. "Stop when you reach the third door on this side of the hallway. Go inside that room and I will meet you there." She quickly nudged him forward when she heard footsteps approach.
Without another word, Corin proceeded down the corridor, moving as fast as he could with a limp that appeared more pronounced the further he traveled. Aravis made a mental note to berate him later but quickly filed away that thought as she prepared to deal with whomever was approaching from around the corner. She unfastened the clasp of her cloak and pulled the thick woolen fabric off her shoulders, bundling it into a long, narrow roll and draping it casually in the crook of her arm. Her free hand reached up and tugged loose the ribbon that bound her long, pleated hair; she brushed the crown of her head with her palm and used her fingers to loosen the braid, sweeping away particles of dust and cobwebs that might have stuck to her from her climb in the abandoned passageway.
Aravis turned and began to walk away. The steps grew louder behind her and soon she heard snatches of conversation.
"--said he hasn't seen the Prince at all this morning."
"No? Has he asked Prince Cor about the matter? If anyone would know, surely it would be--" The voices trailed off for a moment and then, "Lady Aravis!"
She took a deep breath and schooled her face into a portrait of calm before she turned around. "Yes?"
The two men had stopped right where she and Corin had stood only moments before. Both wore similar garments that clearly identified them as King Lune's gentlemen-in-waiting. They were both young but still some years older than herself and the two Princes. One of them she recognized instantly.
"Hello, Terr," she greeted, smiling at the fair-headed man. Lord Dar had presented his nephew to King Lune shortly after Cor's reunion with his family and he became fast friends with the Princes and herself. She then turned to the other man with a look of polite interest.
As if on cue, Terr quickly made the introductions. "This is Brom," Terr said, "Lady Catrain's son. He arrived yesterday from Greybrook to join His Majesty's court."
"Lady Aravis." The other man dipped his head briefly to her.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Master Brom," she said. "I hope you will find Anvard as welcoming as it had been for me when I first arrived."
"King Lune bade me most welcome and I look forward to serving his Majesty and their Highnesses as best I can."
Now that the pleasantries had been exchanged, Aravis wondered if she could dissuade the two men from continuing further along the passageway. "I would not expect to find you in this wing of the castle, Terr. Are you and Master Brom on an errand for the King?"
Terr nodded. "We are. Perhaps you can help us, Lady Aravis."
She was bemused. "Oh?"
"Have you seen Prince Corin? King Lune has requested the attendance of both his sons. We spoke to Prince Cor but have been unable to locate Prince Corin."
"I did not see Corin at all this morning," she said. That much was truth; the first time she saw the Prince was that afternoon at the stable. "And I left the castle just after breakfast for a ride. I've only just returned," she added, raising her arm to show them the riding cloak she had just removed.
"Like you, Prince Cor has not seen his brother," Brom said, his brows knitting together in concern. "As a matter of fact, no one seems to have seen him at all today."
"Perhaps he went for a ride as well," Aravis suggested, offering another truth. "There was not much snow on the ground earlier and a horse would not have had any trouble on the roads."
The men exchanged a quick look with each other before Terr turned back to her. "You may be right," he said. "I cannot think of anywhere else he might be. We should speak with the grooms and see if any of them have seen Prince Corin."
"If I see him, I'll be sure to let him know of the King's request," she assured them.
"You have our thanks, Lady Aravis," Brom replied. The two men nodded briefly at her and they turned to go, continuing down the other passageway.
For a few seconds, Aravis remained where she was, listening as their footsteps traveled away from her. When she could hear no other sounds in the vicinity, she let out a sigh of relief and made her way to the door she had directed Corin to earlier. She stopped in front of the door and knocking once, turned the handle and let herself in.
Without turning around, she pushed the door shut and once she heard the click of the lock, she looked up.
Corin stood in the middle of the room, facing her. He still wore his cloak and the hood remained on his head, shielding his face.
"Have they gone?" he asked. "And are we safe here?
"Yes and yes," she said, smiling.
"Are you sure?" He sounded uncertain. "This room--"
"Is mine," she answered, dropping her cloak onto a nearby table before approaching him. She held her hand out and said, "Give me your cloak, Corin."
He sighed with relief and dutifully removed the garment before handing it to her. Aravis wrinkled her nose in disgust at the smell that emanated from the heavy, damp fabric. "It smells like wet fur," she said, draping it on the back of a chair near the fireplace. She stepped in front of the mantel and reached for the tinderbox.
"Let me do that," Corin said. He took a step toward her but stopped, hissing loudly.
"You are in no position to do anything but sit." Her voice was sharp as she allowed some of her anger to bleed through. Ignoring the Prince momentarily, she crouched down and proceeded to light a fire in the pit. She kept her eyes on the fire, watching as the flames consumed logs and scraps of discarded parchment while she reined in her emotions. Eventually, she stood up and turned around. "I think it's time for you to tell me what you've been up to today, Corin."
"I did give you my word," he said, reminding her of his earlier promise.
"You did," she conceded. "But before you begin, I need to fetch a few things from the boudoir. In the meantime..." She looked around and pointed to a large round cushion on the floor near where Corin stood. "Sit. Take your boots off and remove any damp clothing you have on. We don't need you to catch a cold in addition to whatever injuries you've already acquired."
"To hear is to obey."
Aravis shook her head to his cheeky reply as she left the sitting room and went to her boudoir. Once inside, she removed some clothes from a large trunk and carried them to her vanity. After scanning the items on the table, she selected several bottles and tins, placing them on top of the clothes and added a wad of clean linen scraps to the bundle as well. Satisfied with her choices, she swiftly scooped everything into her arms and returned to the outer room.
Corin was in the midst of removing his tunic when she entered. He was barefoot; she saw he had laid his boots and socks on the floor, near the roaring fire. Aravis carefully set the linen and ointments on a nearby table before turning to the Prince. "Here," she said, offering the pile of clothes she held in her hand.
"What's this?" he asked, dropping his tunic onto his lap. He reached for the topmost item and shook it loose with a flick of his wrist. He whistled as the sleeves and hem of the shirt were revealed and with a quirk of his brow, said, "This is a man's shirt."
"It is," she agreed. "And these," she handed him the trousers, "are men's pants. Hopefully they will fit."
The Prince stood up and held both garments against his body. "Perhaps." He dropped the trousers onto cushion and proceeded to slide his arms into the sleeves of the shirt. As he pulled the tunic over his head, he asked, "I say, Aravis, whom did you get these clothes from? Is there something Cor and I should know about?"
She laughed at his insinuation. "Absolutely not. If you must know, they came from your brother. I asked him to give me anything that no longer fits him; tunics and trousers are more practical to wear than skirts for weapons practice. And the seamstresses are happier that I ruin old clothes instead of new ones when I'm playing with swords and scimitars."
"That's understandable," Corin said as he tugged the hem of the shirt down and smoothed the creases with his hands. Aravis noted with satisfaction that it fit him well enough, though the fabric hugged his body rather snugly. Cor and Corin may be identical twins but their bodies were of different builds. The older Prince was the taller and slender of the two while Corin grew outward, with broader shoulders and more muscular arms. Based on family portraits she had seen in King Lune's study, Aravis thought Cor more resembled his mother and Corin took after their father. "Cor and I have had our fair share of scoldings from them as well." He held up the clean pair of trousers. "Is there some place I can change into these?"
Aravis pointed to one corner of the room where a large folding screen stood. "Will that do?" The screen was set an angle, creating a sheltered space between it and the two walls.
Corin nodded and limped across the room toward the screen. As he disappeared behind it, he called out to her. "You've got the most unusual things I've ever seen in a lady's chambers," he said. There was a pause and he quickly added, "Not that I've been in a lady's room in many, many years, mind you. Only when I was a child."
"Well, I don't think most ladies in Archenland would have lanterns, folding screens and cushions from Calormen," she said with a smirk. She sank to the floor, sitting cross-legged on a large, square cushion and tucked the hem of her skirt between her legs and the rug. "Queen Lucy thought it would help if I had some familiar furniture and decorations when she was in the midst of decorating my room before my arrival. She had done a fantastic job and I left much of it as it was all those years ago."
"Queen Lucy always knew how to make someone feel welcome, whether it was at Cair Paravel or elsewhere." The Prince stepped away from the screen and Aravis saw that Cor's old trousers just fit his younger brother; the fabric wrapped snugly around his legs and he had rolled up the bottom so he would not step on them as he walked.
He joined her in the middle of the room. She gestured to a nearby chair but he shook his head, choosing to sit across from her on the floor. He winced as he slowly eased his body onto the ground. "She said it was how they did things in Narnia."
The Narnian Kings and Queens were a rare topic in Anvard these days. Aravis could not remember the last time anyone had spoken of Peter the High King or his royal siblings. There were the occasional rumours and theories about their mysterious disappearance but she never listened to them, keeping to her own memories of the Narnian royal family.
"If Her Majesty saw you now, I'd wager she would take out that magic cordial of hers," Aravis said, reaching for a scrap of linen and one of the bottles she took from the boudoir. She removed the cap and after pouring a few drops of a scented liquid onto the fabric, dabbed at some of the cuts on her friend's cheek.
Corin hissed as the ointment touched his skin. "That stings like the--" He hissed again when she tended to the other side of his face. "What is that stuff, Aravis?!"
"It cleans the wounds of infection," she retorted. "Made from the oils of famous healing plants in the great gardens of Ilkeen. My elder brother used to smell of it when he returned from the wars, covered in as many cuts as you have now."
"I thought you had a younger brother."
"I do. Ilanum still lives with my father in Calavar but Arshah was killed as he fought against the rebel uprising in Tehishbaan, the capital city in western Calormen."
"I'm sorry, Aravis," Corin said, his voice stripped of his usual humour.
"It was a long time ago," she said softly, looking away from him. "He fought and died honourably in that great battle." She dropped the dirty scraps of linen onto the table and reached for a tin of salve. "You and Cor remind me of him."
She shook her head to dispel the melancholy thoughts and proceeded to open the tin. She held the tin up and warned, "This might hurt."
He winced as she applied the salve to the bruise around his eye. "It hurts a lot, actually. Does it look as bad as it feels?"
"Quite," she said shortly. Now that she had a better view of his face, she noticed there were many small scratches in addition to the cuts and bruises. She was used to seeing both Princes accumulate scrapes when they sparred in the tiltyard but they were never as bad as she had seen that day. "You look terrible, Corin. What did you do to earn so many wounds?"
Corin shifted in his seat. "I suppose it's time to fulfill my promise to you."
Aravis didn't reply as she continued to rub the salve onto his face. The Prince remained still as she worked but the corners of his mouth twitched whenever her fingers grazed across an open wound. When she finished, she set the tin on the table and wiped her hands clean on a fresh scrap of linen. She then reached for a silver flagon and turning to Corin, held it up in the air. He nodded in response to her silent question and she proceeded to fill two small goblets.
Corin took the cup from her hand and stared at the pale, milky liquid inside. "What kind of wine is this?" he asked, raising the goblet to his face and sniffing at it.
"It's almond milk," she said as she settled herself comfortably on her cushion once more. "A specialty drink from southern Calormen."
He looked surprised. "I thought milk only came from animals."
"It's mainly almonds and water. In Calavar, we add spices and sweeten it with dates and a bit of honey." She sipped from her cup and gestured for him to do the same.
After a moment's hesitation, he brought the goblet to his lips and took a sip. "It's not bad. Did you make this?"
She shook her head. "Cook doesn't have the right spices in the pantries. My friend Lasaraleen brought several bottles with her when she last visited. I gave one bottle to Cor and kept the rest for myself." She paused for a breath and held a finger up. "Now, no more questions, Corin. Not until you tell me what you've been up to."
He grinned ruefully at her. "I suppose I kept the story from you long enough, haven't I?" When she looked expectantly at him, he sighed. "Well, I went out early this morning for a ride and just followed the path north all the way to the border."
She raised a slim, dark brow at him. "You went to Narnia then?"
"Not exactly. I stopped for a break at Stormness and while I was there, some Narnians appeared on the road."
"Was it anyone we know?" She had ridden over the pass many times with Cor when they visited Hwin and Bree and their respective families and became acquainted with some of the Animals that lived along the border. No humans lived in that part of Narnia as far as she could recall; the tall mountains and narrow roads of Stormness were uninhabitable save for the Eagles and other Creatures that lived in rocky dens and lairs.
"No. It was a group of Dwarfs from the Shuddering Wood and a family of Hares. The Dwarfs were helping the Hares escort their young over the Pass because it was no longer safe for small Animals to travel through."
Aravis looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"Apparently, a bear has been harassing travelers along the Pass."
"A bear or a Bear?" she asked.
"Both," Corin answered. He saw the bemusement on her face and clarified, "A Talking Bear that went back to the ways of a Dumb Bear."
"Oh!" she exclaimed in surprise. "Is that even possible?"
The Prince nodded solemnly. "The Narnians have stories about the First Days of the World and Queen Susan told me one of the lessons every Talking Beast learns is that they can cease to talk if they revert to the ways of their non-talking cousins."
"That's awful," she said, shuddering as she imagined what it would be like if Hwin could no longer speak. Her eyes grew wide as a new thought came to her. "Did the Bear find you then?"
He looked sheepish. "Not exactly. It was more the other way round... I found him."
Aravis looked up sharply and her concerns for her friend were quickly dashed away. "Corin." Her voice dripped with disapproval. "What did you do?" She knew Corin well enough to guess at any number of possibilities but she hoped she was wrong about all of them.
He coughed lightly into his hand and said, "I boxed him."
For several seconds, she couldn't speak; Aravis opened her mouth but was unable to make a sound. She stared at him as she tried to process his words. "You what?"
"I climbed up to his lair just on the other side of the border and challenged him to a match. He didn't speak but he growled loudly at me and when he took a swipe at my leg, I took that as a 'yes'." He looked down and rubbed his knee in a circular motion. "He missed that first time but he banged my knee rather hard in the tenth round."
For as long as she had known him, Aravis knew Corin loved to box. Even on her first day in Anvard--after lunch with King Lune and the Narnians--she had learned of Corin's favorite hobby. She could clearly remember how he offered to box Rabadash after the Calormene Prince insulted everyone in attendance, including the Archenlandish and Narnian royals. If the younger Prince was not found in the tiltyard, armoury, or with his head literally buried in the books for his lessons, he could surely be found in the courtyard fighting with any that accepted his challenge.
"And how many rounds were there?" She recalled asking Corin about it once and she thought he said there might have been a dozen or so in a match.
He grinned widely, causing the gash in his lip to burst open again. "I lost track, to be honest. But Thonar said there were thirty-three."
"Thonar?"
"One of the Dwarfs from Shuddering Wood. He and some of his brothers helped me find the Bear's cave."
Aravis shook her head but she could not decide if she was more disgusted or impressed with his actions. "Only you, Corin," she sighed. "I suppose you won the match then?"
Corin nodded. "The Bear bested me in only seven matches. To be fair, he was half-asleep when I arrived. I had forgotten that they're mostly nocturnal creatures."
She made a sound of disapproval and frowned at him. "You do realize you assaulted a Narnian on Narnian lands, right? What do you think would happen if the Crown found out what you did?"
He looked at her in surprise; it was clear he hadn't given any thought to that situation. "Well, King Edmund and Queen Susan would certainly be angry with me. I expect Queen Lucy would offer the use of her cordial first and the scolding would come later. The High King would likely let me off with a warning and," he grimaced, "a strongly worded note to Father. But we both know that shall not happen, Aravis. Not anymore." Corin paused and took a deep breath, trying to banish the melancholy thoughts about the missing Kings and Queens. "Besides, the Narnian Council have more important matters to attend to than disciplining a lapsed Talking Bear."
"It wasn't your right to do that, Corin," she said softly, thinking back to a time when she caused harm to another person whom she thought deserved to be punished. She herself was not blameless and the faint scars on her back were a subtle reminder of that lesson painfully learned.
"And it wasn't right for that Bear to be attacking innocent passersby either," he said shortly, with the barest hint of anger in his voice. "But if you must know, everything did come out right in the end. After the last round, the Bear asked for mercy and I yielded when he agreed to stop bothering those that traveled along Stormness Pass."
She looked skeptical. "I thought the Bear couldn't speak."
"That's what I thought as well but towards the end, I could hear him cry out for mercy clearly. That's why I stopped: I was shocked to hear words instead of growls. And when he swore his promise to me, he did so in the Lion's name."
"Perhaps Aslan knew what was to happen and returned the gift of speech," Aravis said, looking thoughtful.
A moment of silence fell upon them as they reflected on her words. She hadn't seen Aslan in many years, not since he appeared the day she turned up at Anvard. The great Lion had the power to take away speech--watching Rabadash go from speaking in their native tongue to braying was a fine example of that--so it would not surprise her in the least that he could restore it as well. Bree told her that the mice of Narnia did not speak until very recently, when the Long Winter ended and the High King had taken the throne.
"I hope that means He somewhat approved of my actions, then. And if He does not, well, I'm sure I'll find that out soon enough."
Aravis frowned. "Even if Aslan approved, I'm sure your Father would not. And speaking of your Father, you can't hide in here forever, Corin. He has people looking for you even as we speak. What are you going to do?"
"Well, I wasn't planning on hiding out all day. Just long enough to arrive without being seen so I could clean up and hide the worst of my injuries. I was fortunate enough to have you helping me with that. Thank you, Aravis," he said, reaching out for her hand while looking solemnly at her, "I could ask for no one better."
She smiled faintly. "Well, as I said before, you remind me of Arshah. He used to get into scrapes now and then and I'd help sneak him back to his room before our parents discovered he had gone out."
"You've been like a sister to Cor and myself," the Prince admitted, turning his face away so he could not see the look that appeared on hers, "though sometimes, I think that Cor would rather--"
He was interrupted by a loud knock on the door. Their eyes quickly met and after a several seconds, Corin nodded imperceptibly. She exchanged one last look with him and slowly rose from her seat. As she walked towards the door, she swept her hands along the skirt of her gown, shaking loose debris and smoothing away the creases from where she sat on the fabric.
She placed a hand on the handle and stood still for a moment, twisting her head to look at Corin. He remained where he was though he sat up straighter in his seat and his eyes were more alert than before. Aravis took a deep breath and opened the door.
A familiar voice came through the opening. "Aravis, I'm sorry to bother you but have you seen--" Cor poked his head through even before the door was fully opened. "Oh, there you are, Corin."
She stepped aside to let her friend in. Cor entered and looked briefly around the room before his eyes settled on his brother.
"Hullo, Brother," Corin cheerfully greeted his twin from his seat on the floor. "Is there something I can help you with?"
Cor said nothing at first. After a glance at his brother, he turned to Aravis, the question evident on his face.
"Corin needed a bit of help," she said, tilting her head up to look at him. He had grown quite tall and barely resembled the lanky boy she met years ago. "I just happened to be around when he showed up at the stable."
"I see," Cor said, though Aravis could hear the confusion in his voice. As she shut the door, the Prince moved forward to get a closer look at his brother. He whistled lowly when he saw the red and purple marks on Corin's face. "By the Lion, Corin! What happened to you?"
"Well, it's a rather long story," Corin began, but Aravis interrupted him.
"Your brother decided to box a Bear for some thirty-odd rounds and somehow managed to win," she said to Cor.
"A bear or a Bear?" he asked, echoing her own question to Corin when the younger Prince first spoke of his deed.
"A Talking Bear," Corin answered, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand. Aravis watched with narrowed eyes, wondering if there was a wound she had missed when she tended to him earlier. She moved away from Cor and picked up the tin of salve. When Corin noticed her action, he shook his head and attempted to waive her off. "It's nothing, Aravis."
She ignored his denial and gently lowered his head with a firm hand. As she carefully searched for any wounds that might be hidden beneath his fair hair, she heard a snort of laughter at her side.
"It'll be a lot less painful if you cooperate, Corin," Cor spoke with the confidence of one who had borne a similar experience.
"In this I shall agree with your brother," she said to Corin. She located a small but deep gash at the base of his neck and applied a dollop of salve to the cut.
Corin started and began swearing loudly. Aravis quickly retreated, dodging the younger Prince's flailing arms as he jerked his head up. She felt a steadying hand at her back before Cor stepped forward to still his brother's movements.
"Be easy, Corin," he said with some amusement. "The stinging lasts only briefly. The pain is nothing compared to what earned you all those cuts on your face." He paused and then added, "I'm curious as to how the Bear fared."
"Marginally better," Corin replied, "though his eyes were so bruised and battered that he could scarcely see when my fist closed in on him."
"That part I hadn't heard before," Aravis said, feeling even more sorry for the Bear.
"I did leave a few things out of the tale," Corin admitted. "I suppose I could tell the two of you at once and save myself from having to repeat it."
"Then you'd best be prepared to do that soon," Cor said. When his twin and Aravis turned to him with a questioning look, he said, "That's why I came, you know. Father has sent everyone to look for you, Corin."
"Oh yes, that."
Aravis's mouth formed a silent circle. She had been caught up in Corin's tale that she had nearly forgotten about speaking to the two men in the hallway not long ago. She gave Cor a sheepish grin. "Terr and Brom were in this wing earlier. I sent them to the stable while Corin hid in my room."
He gave her a knowing smile. "That much I knew. I happened to be in the stable talking to Stevin when they came to ask him of my brother's whereabouts. He didn't admit to actually seeing Corin but said you had just returned from your ride, so I thought you might have seen him outside the castle grounds."
"So why does Father wish to see me?" Corin asked, drawing their attention back on him.
"He wants to see both of us. It seems he has come to a decision about our birthday gifts this year."
Corin immediately sat up, his eyes growing wide with interest. "Oh? But that's several months away. Shall he make us Dukes or Counts or give us some other title?"
"He's decided to fulfill the promise King Peter made you years ago."
The younger Prince furrowed his brow as he tried to deduce Cor's meaning. "The High King promised many things; even I can't remember them all."
"Oh, this one I'm sure you haven't forgotten," Cor teased, grinning widely. "Father is planning to bestow knighthoods on us for our birthday. He wants to discuss some of the protocols and preparations since it will take a bit of planning."
Aravis had never seen Corin look as stunned as he did now. Nor had he ever been so speechless. A small, sad smile crossed her face as the interplay between the two Princes reminded of her of her own siblings. Her relationship with Arshah had been similar to what she saw now, with herself in Corin's position. Had she remained in Calormen, perhaps it would have been the same with Ilanum, but she would never know now.
Her sorrow soon turned to concern as Corin quickly rose from his cushioned seat. He gave a sharp cry before he leaned heavily into his brother's chest, limping slightly as he tried to regain his balance. "Corin, your knee--"
"I'd forgotten," he said through gritted teeth. He had been sitting with his injured leg stretched out on the rug and had not moved it, temporarily ceasing the pain. He slung one arm across his brother's shoulder as Cor helped him to reach one of the overstuffed chairs by the hearth. Aravis cleared the path for them, kicking aside cushions and moving some of the lighter pieces of furniture out of the way. After he settled into the chair, Corin asked, "Would Father would be willing to wait to discuss this at a later time?"
"I suppose he must, seeing as you're in no condition to be moving about just now," Cor said, stepping back once his brother was seated. "I'll go speak to Father about that now but you're on your own when you explain to him how you've gotten yourself in such a state."
"Fair enough," Corin agreed. He watched his brother make his way to the door and once Cor turned the handle to open it, Corin called out to him. "Thank you, Brother."
The elder Prince twisted slightly and gave them a brief smile before he stepped out. Aravis watched the door shut behind him, her gaze lingering at the spot where he stood for a few moments. She looked away, facing Corin when she felt him touch her arm. "And thank you, Aravis, for everything you've done today."
She smiled at his words.
"I meant what I said earlier," he continued. "You really are like a sister to us and though I shan't speak for Cor, I hope you wouldn't mind if I treated you as such."
Aravis was unused to such praise and she felt her cheeks grow warm in response to the sincerity and earnestness she heard in his voice. She was quiet for a moment and shook her head. "I won't mind at all, Corin."
"Then let me say this once more: Thank you, sister."
End.
Original Prompt that we sent you:
What I want: I love character-driven fic and would be quite happy to receive gen fic but pairings are great too. I haven't watched the movies, so bookverse only please.
I would love to read something about Jadis. Perhaps she met Aslan at other times, before the Long Winter? Perhaps there are Charnish legends about the Emperor-over-Sea, that she had always dismissed as old wives tales, but gave long thought to once she came to Narnia? What dealings does she have with the Tisroc? She must have been planning her invasion of Narnia for a long time, what were her plans? Did it all go smoothly?
I also love Aravis and would love to know what happens as she gets older in Archenland. Does she miss Calormene? Does she know about the origins of the Calormene empire and its link to Archenland? If so, what does she think about it? I think she and Cor must have had an interesting relationship as he grew into his princedom; feel free to tell me about it.
Also, anything about Polly Plummer would be amazing, or Queen Helen and King Frank in the first days of Narnia.
Even if you don't like these, do not despair! If you pick a somewhat obscure corner of the Narnia universe to explore, I will be delighted. Feel free to write fic from any of the books, especially The Horse and His Boy, The Magician's Nephew and The Silver Chair.
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(no subject)
Date: 2013-09-18 02:29 am (UTC)And of course, the expansion on Corin boxing the Stormness Bear is wonderful to see!
(no subject)
Date: 2013-10-04 07:49 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2013-09-18 03:04 am (UTC)The mentions of the Pevensies is a bittersweet touch...as is Corin's lament that the Council of Narnia has too many things to do now than worry about a Bear gone wild and he takes it upon himself to help them despite it being not quite right.
Corin's cheekiness and using Calormene expressions gives the story wonderful doses of humour.
Really well done :)
(no subject)
Date: 2013-10-04 07:52 pm (UTC)And yes, I think one random Bear causing trouble far south of the country would not get as much attention with the people now trying to run Narnia. There are far more important things to worry about since the Pevensies mysteriously disappeared.
(no subject)
Date: 2013-09-18 03:10 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2013-10-04 07:54 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2013-09-18 10:15 am (UTC)I enjoyed Corin's recital of his boxing match with the Lapsed Bear. I think it is so totally in character that he would challenge the Bear to a match on impulse like that, fuelled by his sense of righteousness. I enjoyed the way you wove in the politics of the time, including the mysterious disappearance of the Pevensies.
Thanks so much, mystery author!
(no subject)
Date: 2013-10-04 08:01 pm (UTC)As for the Lapsed Bear, it was one of those little moments that Lewis mentioned but never really explained and it was fun exploring how and why Corin went up to Stormness to box him. And without the Pevensies around, there really wouldn't have been anyone in Narnia to stop him... not really. I'm sure the people running the country had far more important things to do (like avoiding invasions once everyone knew Narnia's rulers disappeared).
(no subject)
Date: 2013-09-18 11:37 pm (UTC)Just a lovely story all around.
(no subject)
Date: 2013-10-04 08:04 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2013-09-19 02:56 am (UTC)The relationships with Cor and Corin are really wonderful, they are subtlety different. I never got a shippy feel with Corin at all, which I did appreciate it. They really are just adorable with Aravis acting like the older responsible sister who will still help her young bro get out of (another) jam.
Adding the backstory on the bear was terrific!
(no subject)
Date: 2013-10-04 08:09 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2013-09-19 08:24 pm (UTC)I really liked seeing the differences of the two brothers...and that they'll always be different. And normally when we hear the relationship between Cor and Aravis, it was wonderful seeing it between Corin and Aravis. They secured their in-law-hood before Cor and Aravis were even married!
I also loved the peek into Aravis' upbringing, and though she's very happy where she is currently, a part of her will always long for home. Good thing that Lucy made sure that she felt at home from the very beginning!
Thank you for the story!
(no subject)
Date: 2013-10-04 08:13 pm (UTC)Hopefully Corin won't get into too much trouble later on though I'm sure he gets into a few scrapes here and there. And I wouldn't be surprised if one of his exploits ends in a diplomatic mess. And Aravis is a nice counterbalance to him, providing insight into things that he may not have thought of, or what the consequences of his actions could be. It really helps that they get along here since she's going to be officially part of his family in the coming years.
(no subject)
Date: 2013-09-20 12:49 am (UTC)Nice sense of place in all three locations, too... the detail of the straw deadening the clatter on the cobblestones of the stable - little details like that really made each place very vivid.
(no subject)
Date: 2013-10-04 08:19 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2013-09-22 01:20 am (UTC)It's great to see Aravis settled easily into Anvard without having to renounce the parts of Calormen she loves; the casual mention of Lasaraleen visiting her and bringing almond milk was a great way to show both her continuing connection with her heritage and that international relations have normalized after Rabadash's raid. Relations with Narnia, on the other hand, seem to have deteriorated slightly with the chaos after the Pevensies' departure, which is understandable... though of course Corin would never let that stand in the way of a good adventure. *wry* He's always going to be a bit of a loose canon, but at least his heart is in the right place, and this is a wonderful explanation for how and why he came to box the Lapsed Bear.
I second the praise for your descriptions of the physical setting, from the snow to the stables to the darkness and grime of the hidden passageway to the furnishings of Aravis's rooms; you create a very convincing sense of place.
(no subject)
Date: 2013-10-04 08:25 pm (UTC)I hadn't really thought too much about the relationship between Corin and Aravis before but I think you're right -- she definitely would not be as close to him as to Cor but I do think the three of them would be loyal and supportive of each other. It's a new experience for Corin to have a new brother and sister, while he and Shasta fills in for the family Aravis left behind.
And even though she left her homeland, Aravis is still proud of her ties to it. Not everything nor everyone is bad in Calormen and we get glimpses of some of the good things about it. And she's wise enough to know that Corin's actions in Stormness could have possible ramifications between the two countries.
(no subject)
Date: 2013-09-27 02:22 pm (UTC)Almost from the moment Corin appeared, I wanted this to be about the Stormness Bear, and then happily observed that it was. But I really like that it was about much more than that. Ah yes, what others did not mention: Aravis' new horse. Obviously Dumb, and no longer a friend, though still a good horse. Great observations all around.
I am afraid some of the things from this story will now be going into my headcanon...
marmota-b
(no subject)
Date: 2013-10-04 08:29 pm (UTC)I too have skidded across the ice like Corin so I could relate to that quite well. : -) Writing about the Lapsed Bear was fun and it fills in a bit of history that Lewis skips over. As for Aravis' horse, there aren't any Talking Horses in Archenland (at least in this story) and she knows better than to ride one since Cor/Shasta mentions it when they reunite at the Hermit's home in HHB.
And I'm pleased that there were some things here that you liked that will be a part of your head canon. :-)