Hey, sorry to bother but I just wanted to ask tips and maybe like a guide to how you post fanfics on tumblr?? I just joined tumblr a few months ago and I’m still new, and I’m not sure of the procedure...
I have no idea how you came to the conclusion that I was the one to ask ahahah
I am incredibly honored. I usually jsut post drabbles and snippets and headcanons all over the place. Rarely more than that. I have posted I think it is 16 chapters of an adventure fanfic with Lucy and i can’t believe I’m about to do this but here it is
That was the first fanfic I ever posted anywhere, and also the first I ever wrote. It’s two years old and littered with OCs.
The second fanfic I ever wrote, which is substantially shorter, is the one I’ve just started. I’ve called it “Just Another War”, which is going to be all the one shots I want to write about how the Pevensies deal with the after effects of WWII. You can find that here
Honestly, I think however you decide to publish you work, you have to make sure it feels right for you! I have no idea if this helps at all. But I have a feeling seeing what I have done is far easier to understand than me attempting to explain what i have done the past 2 days, and what i did the summer of 2016.
Nevertheless, I am honored that you would ask me, have a lovely day!
Happy Birthday Danielle @itsalwaysnarnia, I am a toad, so you have to be my princess. This is my last gift, while also a ‘gift’ to all else who have been waiting for an update on 1014 NT.
Beth @evennstars
and Rachel @the-half-blood-princess-diary make their first appearance
Chapter 16 - Under houses and over roofs
“I look like literal trash,” Lucy said poking out her tongue in the mirror. She tried moving so she could view herself in different angles, but that definitely didn’t work. If anything it made everything even worse. They had to be joking. Did they seriously expect her to walk around like this?
“If anything, looking like trash is far better than whatever it is Meredith’s friends are having me wearing,” came the familiar voice of Edmund in the doorway. Lucy turned so she could face him, and then had to force herself not to drop her jaw. Because he was right. What in Aslan’s name were these two having them wear? It was hideous, but in the ridiculous way. He would be ridiculed on the streets for sure!
“I have no idea what they’re planning, but it seems they know something we don’t.” Edmund scratched his head, walked over to Lucy. “Did you even catch their names?”
“I never got to-“
“It’s Beth. Nice to meet you. Pretty gal over here is a minstrel in the local Tavern.”
“My name happens to be Rachel, not pretty gal” the girl, well Rachel, added dryly. They arrived in the exact doorway Edmund had been standing in seconds away.
They were both pretty, but in completely different ways. Rachel did in fact look like a Minstrel when Lucy took a closer look, but what Beth was she had no clue. Her clothing had intricate patterns and looked quite expensive. However, she was wearing pants. You could argue that now so was Lucy, but she also looked like trash and was in a disguise. Beth didn’t seem to be in any sort of disguise, and if she was, Lucy would have traded her any day.
“Why do we look like this?” Edmund asked with a sigh, seemingly tired of not knowing anything. “And names tell us nothing, who are you?”
Rachel stepped forwards and smiled a little. “Let me answer the first one. Now, Meredith notified me and Beth many fortnights ago that you would show, and wanted us to tell you of all the secret passages around the city. As you must be aware of, the city is a giant fortress, and to survive here, it’s crucial that you both know your way around town. I will start the tour and show you around, we’ll start here and end at the tavern where I work. As far as I am aware, Beth is still bribing the old barkeeper so hard that he won’t mind me not doing my job. That tour, will cover the cities slums, and we will spend most of the daylight going through all the necessary points of access.”
Beth did not move out of the doorway, but remained there, smirking, and continuing where Rachel had left off. “At the Tavern you will change clothing into far more noble attire, yet still remain disguised. We will spend the evening and night in noble company. You will learn every name, every spouse and every layout in all noble castles in the city before dawn approaches us. Somewhere on that last route, Meredith will join us, as she knows some nobles far better than I do.”
That seemed fair and square, at least to Lucy. Spending the day more or less surveilling the city might prove very useful in case of unforeseen events. And if she had even remotely understood how her brothers spy network functioned, unforeseen events arrived plentiful on the worst possible occasions.
“Far enough, but some more information about who you are would still be appreciated” Edmund’s voice was unnecessarily threating and grumpy. Lucy saw no reason for that. They were here to fix a terrible thing from happening, so if he could stop alienating allies, that would be great.
“I am Beth, 7 times national Wicked Grace Champion and local noble. I am my father’s 6th daughter, and I assume you can figure out by yourself that there are sons too, so I don’t ran particularly high. So because of that I have been trained in the art of assassination and take on varying tasks that suit me and pay well enough. I get by. Meredith allowed me to join her secret task force some years back, and we’ve been unseprable ever since. Except when she attends meetings. Or ride into the night. Or go to balls. Or she sends me off to forsaken isles. Now that I think about it, we’re actually not that much together in the same place as I think”
Rachel said nothing. Neither did Edmund nor Lucy. Everything was just significantly awkward for a short while. It was probably seconds, but it felt longer.
“Right. Thanks Beth. Anyhow. I am Rachel, I am a minstrel, and I too am a member of Meredith’s secret task force that work within this city. None of us know the actual amount of members, not even Meredith, but I believe we have infiltrated every single part of Anvard’s society. It’s nice to meet you, but the sun has already been up for many hours, your companion has left, and so should we.”
“Hazel left?” Lucy asked, a vague hint of hurt lingering in her voice. “She didn’t even say goodbye. How rude,” she said with a sigh and crossed her arms.
Edmund reached over to his sister and patted her shoulder. A weird attempt at comforting his sister. “Don’t worry about that Lu, I saw her leave. She is riding home, and I have a feeling what she will come to learn is quite important. I also saw her send a letter with a Raven before going to bed. She has requested assistance from Danielle and Wind, and they will meet her in Calormen as soon as they are able to.”
It didn’t comfort Lucy nearly as much as she wanted it to, but she supposed it was alright.
“Well then, I have to leave. I have some parties to arrange, some clothes to drop off, and then I’ll meet you at sunset” Beth said, turned on her feet and swiftly left the room. Despite the odd introductions, Lucy still didn’t feel like she knew them. For all she knew they could leave them and give them up. Who would know? Certainly not Lucy. Maybe Edmund. He had a sixth sense for that sort of troubles.
Rachel walked after her, and looked over her shoulder, while talking to the siblings. “Come on you two, we have much to see while we still have light with us.”
They did indeed have much to see. In the back of Meredith’s stables was an old wooden hatch leading into the city’s underground river and water system. It was an infinite tunnel, like a maze Rachel told them and they spent hours inside it. Now and then they opened some hatches. One was close to the market square. “Excellent place to hide. Always hide in crowds Lu” Edmund had said, and then the hatch was closed.
The hatch was lowered and they ventured further into the maze. Lucy did her best to remember where to go. Tried to remember the directions. But all the tunnels looked the same. Wet and slippery grey stone, with no markers that gave any sort of direction. They continued further. “Eastwards” Rachel told them, but down here, Lucy’s sense of direction was non-existent, so she followed the two others. They went around a corner, then upwards a little and stopped udner what appeared to be a second hatch. “This one leads to the Royal stables. It’s busy at this point of day, so we cannot open it to look around. It is however intended that you use this route to return to Meredith this evening. The last party will be held at the Royal palace. Now, we must trudge on, there are other places to see down here”
And so they did. They returned back from that arm, and walked in another arm. They looked so alike to Lucy it would make her sick, but she thought she had a vague idea of where the halls lead. At least there had been a year engraved in the tunnel they came from, the one that led to Meredith. At least then she could always find her way back. Given that she found that arm of the maze.
How was Rachel even a part of what they referred to as Meredith’s secret task force. She was a minstrel at a tavern. So sure, she would hear the typical gossip from any town, but that would be about it, no? So why was she an asset. Lucy decided not to ask any of these, pretty rude questions, and kept walking, following Rachel’s back. Then, without stopping, Rachel just pointed up at a hatch located in a corner. “That goes up to the Tavern’s backyard. But we’re going somewhere else, so let’s go. We’ve only got one more hatch to see down here.”
How long did they walk down there, under the city? Lucy had no idea. Maybe it was miles upon miles. Maybe it was some furlongs. Even so she was getting bloody tired of it. “When will we get-“
“Here.” Rachel broke her off, and simultaneously answered Lucy’s question. If Lucy hadn’t been so revealed, she would probably have been an ounce offended.
Rachel opened the hatch, and used her arms to drag herself up and out. For a minstrel, she had some impressive muscles, pulling up her own weight like that. Edmund repeated Rachel’s actions exactly, and then the two lowered one hand each down, for Lucy to grab onto, so they could help her out.
“You must be joking” Lucy said, rolled her eyes, and used her own arms to grab onto the ledge, and pull herself over the edge. It had been somewhat clumsy, but she had done it. Did they think she had joined in on a secret mission to stop an assassination just to get helped all the time?
She looked around. They were standing just a couple of feet away from a brick wall, that went all the way up to the sky, or at least it appeared to do so from their location. They could look over the great big meadow that the city lied in the middle of.
“Right. Now. We’re outside the city, as you may have devised from the meadow and the brick wall. We’re not too far from the south entrance, and even closer to where some people have built ledges and other constructions on the outside of the wall. We will use those to get up on the wall. The rest of the slums will be seen from the rooftops”
Now she was joking. She had to be. But no. So they walked a couple hundred yards and stopped. Indeed. Some poles and ledges went from where they had stopped, all the way up the brick wall. Someone ought to take it down Lucy thought, but then they wouldn’t have been able to use it. Maybe she would hint King Lune about it, when all this business was finished with. Rachel went first, then Lucy, and then Edmund. They climbed up the brick wall, using ledges, poles and stones that stuck a lot further out of the brick than they ought to. Then there were no more things to climb on. They all stood on a horizontal beam, somehow attached to the wall looking up the last 10 yards.
Edmund commented on it first. “Rachel. I think you overestimate how high I can jump.”
“You cannot seriously expect me to climb on the bare surface of the wall Rachel” Lucy added, and they both looked at Rachel.
“No of course,” she said, stuck to fingers in her mouth and whistled. Three short whistles. “I’ve got this”
Down from the top one, two and three sturdy ropes were dropped, and they seemed to be just long enough. How considerate.
“So we are to climb?” Lucy asked, and took the rope in her hands.
“We are to climb” Rachel said with a grin, and used her rope as assistance to climb the wall. Lucy followed suit, scared to loose Rachel as soon as they went over the edge.
Edmund appeared to have been lost in thought, because he didn’t begin to climb till Lucy was halfway up, but he had far more experience than his sister in rock climbing so he wasn’t far behind her, when he too climbed over the edge.
It was spectacular. Best view in the entire area for sure. It was a panoramic view. Behind them was the great meadow, if they squinted to the east they would see a strip of blue, the ocean stretching across the coast. In front of them was the city. Houses stacked together, surrounded by the slimmest alleys. One broad main road stretched through the city from east to west. In the middle was a big square and probably market place. To the west the houses got larger, nicer and of a better quality. In the middle of the more decent houses, the Royal Palace, which they had been under was located, and it was truly more magnificent from this view, than below the ground.
“This view allows you to make a mental map of the area. Now, that right there is the tavern. I hope you can run, because we have to run over the rooftops to get there. Take a good breath and follow me”
That was the only warning they got. Maybe they should’ve gotten more, but they didn’t. Rachel jumped of the edge onto a roof and slid down, then she ran, and jumped and slid. She crossed rooftop and rooftop.
“SHIT,” Lucy yelled, jumped over to the same roof, and instead of sliding, ran down the roof, and followed Rachel as best she could. She ran over thin beams that lay from one rooftop to another, and rolled over rooftops. They ran downwards. The houses decreased in height, but still, keeping up with Rachel was hard, at the same time as they had no choice. Lucy dodged some clothes hanging on a thread, and ran as fast as her legs could bear here. Then she stomped her feet to the ground and stopped. She had reached the main road. It was several metres wide, and there was no chance in hell that she would make it across with a jump.
Filled with panic she looked around herself, trying to find some beam or similar that she could use to cross. There, to the left. She began to run again, and picked up her original pace. When she got to the beam, she got down on all four, and crawled over the beam. Don’t look down, don’t look down, don’t do it Lu. She got over, and saw Rachel waiting some houses away. The run over there was not very problematic and she reached her in less time than it had taken her to cross the main road.
“WHAT WAS THAT,” Lucy growled, desperately trying to catch her breath. Edmund arrived after her, seeming a lot less fatigued than Lucy. Cheater.
Rachel just shrugged. “It’s what I do in my past time. We locals call in parkour, they have similar styles in Calormen called free running, if that’s familiar to you”
“Of course it isn’t bloody familiar. Who spends their time running on roofs?” Lucy said and sighed. “Alright. Sorry, didn’t mean it like that. But where are we?”
Edmund viewed the area. “I’d say we’re pretty close to, or maybe even on top of the tavern. The sun is setting far into the horizon, and we are to meet Meredith soon”
“The latter. This is the Tavern’s rooftop, which quite conveniently, has a hatch leading to a staircase. No jumping down from roofs. Meredith would surely kill me in my sleep.” Rachel said with a laugh, walked over to a wooden hatch in the middle of the roof and opened it. “Come along” she said, and walked down the stairs.
Edmund and Lucy followed down, and just at the end of the stairs, some bar maid stood with two sets of clothing and directed them to a room of their own where they changed into far more noble attire.
Lucy looked at herself in the mirror. It was alright. Her dress was decent enough, a lot lighter than those in Narnian fashion, which served her well in the heat. She worked on her hair do for a short while, making sure it could play the part as well as the dress and then walked downstairs.
“It’s obvious. I am the smart ass, we all know this” That was Beth’s voice, nice, she must’ve arrived.
“And I am pretty sure no one would argue with me being the badass,” said Rachel.
“And what does that make you, Meredith?” came the somewhat mocking voice Lucy recognized belonging to her idiot brother. He would start a war with that damn sass.
“Meredith? That’s easy, she is the great ass” Beth said sniggering and then came a familiar sound of a high five.
She stood on top of the stairs and looked down at the four waiting for her, they didn’t appear to notice her just yet.
“And me then? What am I?” Edmund asked, with noticeable pride in his voice. Now, time to make yourself seen Lucy.
Hi there fellas, I was struck with some motivation today, so here it is, just for all of you, Chapter 15
Chapter 15 - The Dark Ride to Anvard
They rode into the night.
First through a valley. Lucy thought it probably was a pretty valley, but she didn’t really know. The pitch was dense. As if that hadn’t been enough, it felt as though she was riding through a lake. A combination of mist and fog soaked her to the very bone. Great. No one was particularly happy wet. That did of course include Lucy. Combined with the cold trapped in the valley, she could see the tips of her hair freeze solid. Crystalized water was sticking to her hair like glue. Her woollen cape had become stiff and provided a lot less heat than when the trip had begun. She rode after the light of the lantern, feeling as miserable as ever. It couldn’t get much worse than this dreaded cold and wet situation Meredith had led them in.
Then they rode up a hill. Out of the mist and fog. It was a steep hill, covered in sharp rocks. The horses struggled to get footing in the bad terrain. So bad was it, that each rider got off their horse and guided the horses up the hills. It appeared it could indeed get worse. It felt like a forever. One by one step they gradually made their way upwards. The darkness was dense, and their lantern only cast few shadows upon the rocks. It was a blessing that none of them fell or slipped, given the poor sight they had. Yard upon yard they walked. And they could never see the end.
Lucy had no idea how long they had been traveling, but sometime they stopped. In distance it couldn’t have been more than a mile, but it felt longer. It felt like ten thousands of miles upon miles, and her entire body ached. Her muscles cried, grateful for the break they had been given. The four sat heaving for their breaths, surrounding the low light coming from the lantern. Oh how grateful she was for bringing it. It was her ray of hope, as they had been riding, as well as walking. Meredith had attached it to her horse’s saddle, and the rest had used it as a guiding light. Lucy didn’t know about the other. Maybe they all had eyes like owls. Giving them the ability to see every rock, every rodent, every grain of sand on the ground, but she couldn’t see anything. Which probably was why she had been walking after Meredith. After her came Hazel, and so Edmund. Now they lied around the lantern. Their only means of sticking together through the night.
It was all so silent. Until it wasn’t. It sounded like a whale. A whale calling out to it’s friends. But they were far from the ocean, and Lucy couldn’t understand where the sound came from. Was it an enemy’s signal? Would they be ambushed?
The calling from the whale ensued. Then she realised. Oh how couldn’t she recognize. It was one of the few perks of living in a castle, with a Queen title. She was hungry. Starving actually.
The other just giggled. Of course they would. Bloody adventurers used to not eat. Getting shot at with arrows was probably just a part of their daily routine.
“I have some bread in my pack, here Lu” Edmund said, reached into his back, and took out a piece of bread covered in leaves. “Split it in four, I think we all could use some food before we continue the journey. They ate one quarter of the bread each. It was still soft, which Lucy didn’t know she could treasure as much as she did now.
“It’s only a furlong more up the hill. I believe we ought to start now, if we are to get to Anvard before the dawn of day” Meredith said and rose to her feat. “Can you take it? My servants have a meal worthy of Narnian Royalty waiting for us, and if I remember your appetite correctly, Edmund, I should just have enough food for my other guests after you’re fed”
That lightened the mood as much as anything could. Meredith re-attached the lantern to her saddle and started to guide her horse. Lucy followed suit, and after Hazel came, and lastly Edmund, who made sure to kick some rocks and dirt around. No traces of them were to be seen. That is probably why they took this damn root. No one would see where a horse had been walking on rocks. At least Lucy didn’t think so.
So they walked. Yard after yard they kept climbing. Apart from Meredith, none of them knew they had hit the top, before they realised there was no more hill. Only flat surface. It was like those times you walk up some stairs, and then you expected another stair, but there was none, so you tumble forward, cringing to the hope that you won’t trip on something and break your nose.
None of the four broke their noses, so that’s a plus. Though they did become speechless. They had thought they were walking up a hill, to see a flat meadow, up till Anvard, but they had walked up a mountain.
The view was breath taking. They overlooked a meadow. In the horizon, the sky became lightly coloured with the eventual rise of the sun. In the middle of the giant meadow, was Anvard. Resembling a tall and proud stone fortress it stood. A Giant wall surrounded the city. It was a city ready for war. The farmers living in the meadow had already risen from their deep slumbers, and harvesting had begun on their fields. To the west some cows were gracing, and below them, in the less steep, and a lot greener hill, a flock of sheep were meandering.
It was a sight for sore eyes. But the brighter the area got, the more they realised they had spent too long. Each rider got on his and her horse and rode down the hill. The wind started drying their clothes, loosened up their hair and let their capes flow in it. They rode swiftly, and as they came up to Anvard, the gates opened for the day, allowing them to ride in, just as it dropped to the ground.
They greatly reduced their speed, and quickly covered their heads and faces with the hoods on the capes. Meredith’s sanctuary was not far away, but as they rode, a fifth rider approached them, and rode side by side with Hazel for ten yards, before disappearing into the maze that was Anvard.
To their left, stable doors opened, and Meredith lead the party into it. This was her home. A stable boy, looking only 10 years old, took their horses, and the four of them walked into Meredith’s home.
It was a pretty home, discret, and anonymous. Based on the items in it, you could derive several things. It’s inhabitant was rich, but apart from that, little could be none. The decoration was gender neautral and no portraits hung on any walls. In all likelihood, no one knew who lived in this home, but someone who was rich and kept to themselves. A Cover that worked well in the circumstances.
“Welcome to my home. Follow me this way, and I am sure the feast is prepared.”
The hungry companions just gave a mere nod and followed her into the dining room. Meredith hadn’t exaggerated at all. It was indeed a feast worthy of Royalty. It was more of a dinner than breakfast. Roasts, cakes, salads and expensive fruits and meats were placed on the giant table. Not an inch of space was left unwasted.
They sat down, and ate in quiet. They were tired, hungry and all but too ready to see a bed. The manners of Lucy and Edmund had nearly vanished. They dug in, ate with their hands and stuffed their stomachs as full as they could get. It appeared to delight Meredith.
“I am glad to see you regain some strength. There are beds prepared for you upstairs. I have a meeting I need to attend, but I will return around noon. You should gain some strength. I will brief you as soon as I get back.”
Edmund nodded, Lucy was barely awake enough to notice that Meredith was even the one to speak.
“Your majesties. As you may have noticed, I was approached upon entering this city” Hazel spoke as she laid down her cutlery. “A contact of mine approached me with disturbing news from my home country. I need to return there as soon as possible. I desire to leave in the hue of the upcoming night”
Edmund looked as if he needed to take it into consideration, and was just about to say something, but Lucy cut him short.
“Sure thing Hazel, let us know if you need help, yeah? We’ll be there in a heartbeat. Pinky promise” she said with a tired laugh, and she too put her cutlery down. “Now, I strongly desire to make that bed my acquaintance, so if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll do just that.”
And with those words she rose to her feat, and left the three of them rather dumbfounded.
So here it is. It’s been hanging around, unfinished, on my computer for a while, so i thought I’d publish it since i just completed the ending.
Newcomers: Meredith @digorykirke, Rachel @the-half-blood-princess-diary, and Beth (my queen) @evennstars
This is a link to chapter 13, where all other links also are provided
Chapter 14 - The Cottage on the Hill
It had far surpassed twilight as the three stood ready by the railing of the Mistral Falcon, watching with careful eyes as the ship slowly approached the port. It was run down, with splinters coming out of the wood in every possible direction. Just as the dock ended, the land went straight from wooden boards to forest, with only a faint track in the far east direction. All lanterns on the ship had been blown out, and only the dim light of the moon served as help as the Admiral docked the mighty ships, and sailors leapt off the ship too moor it to the dock.
A piece of rope had been attached to the sturdier of the ship’s three masts, and would serve as aid for the three companions too get off the ship. Hazel swung off first, and then Lucy followed by Edmund. They only had one small leather satchel each, and had covered their heads and bodies with capes made of old rags. They had dressed themselves in some of the sailors ruined clothing, and had left nearly all valuables behind. Only a bracelet that had been given to Lucy by King Lune, and a golden quill which Edmund used for all spynetwork business was close to being valuables. Hazel had brought her bow along, but the materials were rather plain, though expertly crafted, so most thieves would not look twice at it.
They gave a short wave to the ship, following four swift hand movements, that were directed to the bridge, were the Admiral stood firm on the ground. Up on a hill, north from the three’s position, a small cottage made itself seen, by turning a lantern on and off three times. They had not been seen, nor were there any unexpected travellers on the roads visible from the house.
Lucy had never been inside it, nor talked to its inhabitants, but Edmund had. It was small, yet extremely valuable for his network. In it lived an elderly couple, who also farmed the land surrounding their cottage. It was enough to keep them fed, but not enough to make a living from. Some years ago, Edmund had trekked through this very forest, when he was approached by the couple. They were friendly enough, and after some supper, they proved eager to assist the Narnian King in his endeavours.
Small merchant ships with Anvard as its destination, brought timber along from the Western Woods, and the couple, along with some craftsmen, built the dock. It was unstable, but long, and could accommodate even the largest vessels in the Narnian fleet for some hours, should the need arise. After the dock was built, it became Edmund’s spynetwork’s foremost route into Archenland’s many corners.
It had gone peacefully beneath the radar of any prominent Archenlander figure, and the few who approached were informed of its use as an ancient dock used by farmers further into the country.
Few ventured that far north into Archenland, yet the elderly couple remained on top of the hill, in their small cottage, looking out for any travellers who might set foot close enough to cause trouble.
The light, despite only being there for brief seconds, clouded their night vision. That was probably why it took them a while to spot a fourth cloaked figure standing on the dock. Hidden in the pitch of the oak trees overhanging the dock, stood the figure, and four horses. It had to be her.
They walked quietly, but quickly from where they had been standing and over to the horses. As they moved, so did the Mistral falcon. The sailors got back onto the ship, pulled in any lingering rope, and gently followed the flow of the water away from the dock side.
It would travel many a mile down the coast, to the main port of Anvard, to pick up some luxury items on behalf of the Narnian Crown. Some black pearls had been lost at sea to freedom seeking pirates many winters ago. Fortunately, the Archenlander navy had brought the ship to bay in recent years, and collected all the treasures aboard. But they’re attempt at holding the fugitives imprisoned proved futile and in the cover of the night, both the pirates and the ship left port. The treasures were left behind and so the Mistral Falcon was able to collect the lost treasures of the Crown. Though it was all as a cover for sending the best ship in the Narnian fleet for a simple merchant mission. Any ship would do, but for the safety and comfort of King Edmund and Queen Lucy, High King Peter had issues the order that the Mistral Falcon was to collect the Pearls, and drop his siblings off.
It would be hours from the ship left the dock at the Cottage on the hill, before the Admiral ordered the lanterns to be lit once again. Only a young mother, struggling to make her new born baby fall asleep, who lived in a small farm house situated on top of a cliff, saw the lanterns lit out there in the darkness.
The cloaked figure stepped forward and removed the hood from her head. For it was a she. A fair she, with bright eyes and a solemn smile, holding up a flat hand, the universal symbol for a spynetwork greeting. It was she.
“Hail the Kings and Queens of the fair Land of Narnia, I am Meredith, and despite the circumstances, it’s an honour to meet you. I also greet you, Lieutenant Hazel, I have heard of your work in the recent Battle of the River Delta, and not to mention the famous assassinations in Calormen in recent years. Your knowledge of Calormene customs and traditions are astonishing.”
Hazel lowered her head as a token of appreciation, and spoke up. “I just know my country mam, your skills in infiltrating all kinds of groups in society is impressive. My knowledge of my homeland is alright at best, and only based off what I learned when it was still my home. I am confident the Lady knows more of it than I”
Meredith laughed, and shook her head. “We can agree to disagree, but we must make use of the hue of the night. There is more than one night’s time of riding to Anvar, and if we are to get there in time, we ought to leave now.”
Lucy held up her hands to stop Edmund who had made his way to one of the horses. “Wait up a second. I barely know you. I am Lucy, and I’d like to know some more things before anything more happens. Who are you? What do you know?”
Meredith sighed. “We don’t have much time, so I’ll have to keep it brief. Over time I have infiltrated several noble houses all over the continent as a member of the Spy Network. I began as a solo operation before I was recruited. I also infiltrated a secret underground group, who the past decade has worked on a conspiracy believing the Lost Prince of Archenland, Prince Cor, was killed by his father on purpose to have the current Crown Prince Corin be next in line. Blinded by their radical nationalism, they have decided to assassinate both King Lune and Prince Corin. This is where you come in”
“To do what? We’ll stand in the way for the arrows sent? I understand the grave situation, but not of how we can be of assistance.” Lucy said. “And anyhow, I suppose we need more people than the four of us?”
Meredith nodded. “We do. I have organised with a Minstrel at a Tavern, and one of my dearest friends. They will join our party for the sake of this quest.
Lucy settled with that. It made her heart rest a little easier. Tho the task at hand seemed infinitely more scary, it was a lot easier to work with information, rather than lack of it. And so the three newcomers strapped their bags onto the saddles on the horses, and got on. Meredith got on her own horse and led the party.
Up on the hill the elder couple signalled with a lantern that the coast was clear, and no unwanted spies had been seen for miles upon miles.
Lucy rode next to Meredith, while Hazel and Edmund rode behind. Lucy looked over at her. “So, Meredith, who are your friends?”
Meredith pulled her hood over her head and rode a little faster. “Their names are Rachel and Beth”
IT’S FINALLY HERE. You may rest at peace people, chapter 13 is out, and though it’s taken me half an eternity, I am really proud of it! Per Danielle’s counting system you’ve waited several millennias, so I do apologize.
Read the First Arch
Read Chapter 11
Read Chapter 12
Chapter 13 - The Mistral Falcon
“No. Way. There’s no way. You’re kidding, right?” Lucy’s jaw was practically rolling on the deck, dangerously close to falling off the ship all together. Her eyes staring at him, unbelief practically emitting from her very being. No words out of those lips would invoke the same reaction. Not even ‘Oh Lu, by the way, I drink tea with Aslan every Tuesday’ or ‘Oh, I forgot to mention that I am straight’.
Hazel didn’t appear surprised in the slightest. She crossed her arms casually and leaned towards the railing of the ship. The news didn’t affect her, but why should it? She didn’t know. She hadn’t been there, but Lucy had. And since she had, she desperately needed to make sure. “Meredith? The Meredith? The…”
Edmund who had turned away from the horizon and started to stare daggers at Lucy, instantly looked down and away. He blushed, and his cheeks went completely red. “Lu, don’t”
Lucy changed her posture and mimicked Edmund, somewhat awkwardly, but it was no doubt to anyone who would have seen her, who she was mimicking. She made an uncertain expression linger on her face, and talked with a trembling and whispering voice. “Lu, I think I have a crush on a subordinate.”
She stopped mimicking him and raised an eye brow. “That Meredith?
A laugh started bubbling up from her tummy. Up through her chest, up her throat until it erupted from her lips. The crimson red brother of hers, perfectly contrasted the blue sky and teal ocean. Not to mention his usually pale face.
Hazel, though still looking casual, glanced from Edmund over to Lucy. “Queen, would you care to elaborate?” Lucy nodded with a desperate grasp for air, which only made her laugh fade into a giggle. Luckily that allowed her to take a deep breath from time to time.
She was answering Hazel, yet spoke to Edmund, as the story also would allow her to ask some long awaited questions. “You were 4 years into the spy network, talking about this glorious girl you’d met called Meredith. It actually came to a point in which me and Peter decided that she didn’t even exist. That you had dreamt something, taken a fancy too it and simply couldn’t shut up. Or maybe you had become cursed by a local village girl. We had no idea, but you were infatuated.”
Hazel snorted and Edmund gave a look which told lengths about how he would make sure Hazel’s death was never found out as she rotted in a non-existent Cair Paravel Dungeon. “And now, you attempt to tell me, that not only does she exist, but we are visiting her, staying at her place, and in general will be spending time with her, maybe for weeks?”
Edmund gave up. His shoulders fell from an angered position to one of a tired man, awaiting the judgement of his sisters. Some mocking, or maybe Lucy and Hazel would doubt his judgement about the importance of the case, in the belief that he acted upon old and unrequited feelings. That they ought to return back home to Cair Paravel, while the sun was still high. That he led them out for nothing, and would lure them away. Just as he was supposed to have done years ago. He should have known better. He should have discussed it with Lucy, or Peter, or Susan. But he hadn’t dared to. So he looked over at his sister. With saddened eyes and a hunches back. Much like a young child awaiting punishment.
But it never came. Not the mocking, nor the distrust. Instead, Lucy offered a warm smile to one of her two favourite brothers and gave him a gentle pat on the back. “Man, you had some feelings for this chick. Do you think you’ll be alright?”
It had been a weird time. Edmund was close to being an adult, per British standards, when he had confessed to Lucy that he was crushing on a subordinate. Maybe he was concerned about the whole boss subordinate thing, or maybe he was just uncertain in general, but for a whole month, all Lucy and Ed talked about was Meredith’s eyes, beautiful face and amazing personality. Apparently she was from a nice family, but not even Susan had ever heard of her. Peter only mocked Ed about it. Why wasn’t he bringing her home? When could they meet her? Suddenly, Ed just stopped talking about her, and they didn’t hear more of her. Peter told Lucy it probably was a ghost, or something Ed had made up, and Lucy settled with it. If only she had known that she did in fact exist.
Hazel and Edmund nodded simultaneously, but Hazel spoke up first. “Tell me, didn’t you brag about this guy you… met? Tennant was it? A doctor?”
Edmund laughed and nodded. “Yeah. His name was David. We had some fun I suppose but that was weeks ago. He is quite the busy fellow. He, just like the rest of his family are traveling doctors. They travel by themselves, and sometimes they meet up, but that is awfully rare. Quite a big family, or so I’ve heard. David claims to the twelfth brother, but that does seem like a little bit too much to me After all, I barely get along with Peter”
Lucy laughed and shoved his shoulder. “Why don’t you try commitment for a change, Ed? Who knows, you might like it?”
Edmund shrugged. “That may be, but for now I am young, free, and would like to do as I please without being concerned that someone is constantly fearing for my life.
“Hey. I, Su and Pete worry about you Ed. Are you saying you don’t want us too?” Lucy mocked.
He returned the shove, not as hard this time.. He laughed a bit, as the shove was unanticipated, and Lucy landed ungraciously on her butt. There she sat confused and looked up at Edmund and Hazel.
“By Aslan Lu, don’t be so childish. Only children playes on the ground” He said with smug smile and laughed. Strangers would be deceived, but Lucy saw it. Lucy saw the smirk that rested on his lips. The twinkle in his eyes and how he was genuinely having a nice time. It was a nice change of pace.
“ME?! That’s coming from the guy who just shoved me to the ground. It’s obvious who is the bigger child here” Lucy said and picked up the closest item to her left, which so happened to be a glass bottle and threw it in Ed’s direction
“You’re the one throwing fits! And bottles!” he shouted back as he dodged the bottle by ducking and covering his head with his arms.
“Do you two need to go outside or something?” Hazel said dryly, eying them. “You’re behaving like small children.”
“We aren’t, right Lu?” Edmund said and looked to Lucy for support.
“No, sir. We’re a King and Queen of Narnia. We aren’t childish.” Lucy added and got on her feet, walking to Ed’s side.
“You are” Hazel groaned and shook her head.
“Are not!” the siblings said in unison.
“Are too” a hoarse voice, belonging to a quite young faun added to the extremely silly argument.
They were embarrassed to say the least. In all the ruckus they had forgotten one essential point. That they were standing in the front of the fastest ship in Narnian possession. Where the wind blew in her sails, the sun stood high on the sky, and 150 sailors were employed to bring the three to their destination.
“Keep it down will you? All my men are occupied listening into this silly conversation of yours, and we’re losing wind.” Admiral Jacob said with a smile, and nodded backwards to one of the masts, where no less than 10 men, positioned at different placed were looking at them. When Lucy looked at them, all quickly turned their heads and focused on the task at hand, making sure to shift the weight of the sails, to better use the wind to their advantage.
Hazel suggested that they would go below deck, to the galley, where only the chef, and two assistants were working behind loud boiling kettles, and chopping knives. So the three made their way to the galley, took up the table furthest away from the working chef and assistants and continued on with a conversation about Edmund’s former conquest, with eager additions from Hazel, which she recalled from a variety of missions over the years. After a particularly mean addition, Hazel’s former conquest were also brought to the table, and Lucy laughed for as long as words came out of Edmund’s or Hazel’s mouth.
Neither had noticed the setting sun, after hours of chatting. Food came and went, yet they didn’t consider that time as well was moving. Time stood still, as they recalled past adventures and conquest. Shared both victorious and awkward tales from the past, with eager voices and sparkling eyes. They were adventurous people, and enjoyed tales far more than the common folk. First when twilight approached, and one of the kitchen staff members came up to them with a small candle light during one of Hazel’s stories did it dawn on them that time had moved at all.
“..so the arrow went right through the prince’s head, right? And right behind him stood his wife. She was terrified to say the least? But how was I supposed to know she was there? The intel didn’t say anything about it? Anyhow, I suppose she fancied me, and I like to have some decent company after a successful mission, so she booked us into one of the local taverns, where…”
Lucy placed a finger over Hazel’s babbling mouth. “Ssshh for a sec. It appears to be night time. I didn’t notice” she said and brought her arm back to her side of the table.
The three looked out the nearest round window, and only saw the reflection of the moon on the pitch black water.
With a loud bang, the doors to the galley was roughly opened, and in the opening, stood Admiral Jacob.
“I recommend you get ready. We’re five minutes away from port”
This is the Second Arch of the 1014 NT series. I hope you will enjoy this one as much as you have the previous ne. It is independent, so there is no need to read the first part, but if you’re interested, it is here
Chapter 11 - Pevensie Family Council
“What about some bird?” Peter proposed.
“Or some warthogs?” Susan suggested.
“If I have to eat one more piece of warthog this month I will resign on the spot” Peter groaned.
“Don’t Whine Peter. Lamb then?”
“We had lamb yesterday, it’s boring to have it again” Edmund scoffed.
“Well make a suggestion then, if you’re so clever” Peter spat and then leaned back into his chair.
It was 8am on a Monday. They were always eating breakfast together at 8am on Mondays. To be frank it actually began at 7am. Whoever had the idea of eating that early was beyond Lucy’s imagination.
It was the Pevensies’ weekly Family council. Where they discussed the future of Narnia, who to wage war on, the different royalties plan for the following week, and what to eat for dinner the next day. Surprisingly it was the latter that appeared to take the most time. Guest where always baffled by this part of the routine in their family.
It was Mr Tumnus who had suggested it many years ago, when they kept having tiny arguments because everyone claimed everyone else didn’t tell them anything. Apparently it was supposed to help communication. In the beginning it probably did, but now over 50% of the conversation was about food, so Lucy personally felt like she wasted most of her time.
Nonetheless, it was a necessary part of ruling a country as 4 royalties. It was always Monday mornings. Lucy would have to wake up at 7am. Then, still in her pyjamas she walked down to breakfast, meeting her two brothers who too only wore their sleep wear and a robe, and Susan who for some reason managed to look impeccable and fully dressed. Susan was usually the first to arrive, and Lucy second. Then 15 minutes late came a super grumpy Peter followed by a mischievous Edmund, who once again had found some intricate way to wake Peter up at the most annoying way known to man.
When everyone were seated, Susan gave her standard lecture about being dressed for meals, which no one really listened to, and when it was done, the servants brought in breakfast. None of them knew how to eat in silence, and it was when they started eating that their silly talks of what to eat for dinner throughout the week was brought up.
“Why do you even bother. See, the Chef is here, with the meal plan for the week, just like every week, and it’s all been decided. Man, I don’t see why you even spend any effort at this!” Lucy burst out and drops her cutlery down on the table in the process. It makes some noice and the bickering stops.
Edmund looked more or less as bored as Lucy, but he had decided to deal with it, which was far more than Lucy could say she had.
The chef humbly walked up and presented four menus the the four Pevensies and then walked back into the kitchen. There were some approving hums from Susan and Peter and then they quietly continued eating. Just like usual. It wasn’t really a surprise that neither of the siblings were huge fans of Mondays.
Edmund was the one to break the silence, and to break away from the food topic, and onto the more ruling-a-country topic. Which happened to be far more important.
“Dark news is coming from a contact I have in Archenland. I plan to take Lieutenant Hazel with me as soon as possible to investigate it”
Peter looked over at Edmund and raised a brow. “Archenland? Sue, weren’t you going there on official business as well?” he said and looked over at Susan, searching for approval.
Susan sighed and placed her cutlery down on the table, and fished out a letter from one of her pockets. “As a matter of fact I am.” She said and handed the letter over to Peter. “As the letter states, I have been invited by King Lune on official diplomatic business to perfect the already established, but poorly executed Narnia-Archenland Trade route. I plan to stay in the Royal palace, and the Narnian ambassador stationed in Archenland will join me on all events in Anvard”
Lucy groaned and leaned back on her chair. “So you and Ed will get to roam Archenland while I will be stuck in this boring Castle with Peter who no doubt will do tons of paperwork?” She inches forward and looks at Susan with the biggest puppy eyes she can create and hope in her voice. “Can’t I go with you Susan? King Lune surely wouldn’t mind?”
“Absolutely not!” Susan looks as if though nothing could shock her more. “I will not sit through balls, with my sisters, who is infamous for being completely and utterly bored, and then bring her to negotiations, in which she flirts with everyone in the Archenlander Court. We will end up with an unfair and unstable Trade route, which will all come back to bite us in the tails.” Was Susan’s reply to that. Susan looked sternly over at Peter. “Peter, she can stay here with you. That won’t be a problem.”
Peter’s jawed went open but Lucy just sighed. It was fascinating how often Susan ended up ruling these Family councils. It wasn’t a new thing. Peter and Susan would argue, Susan would get her way, and somehow Edmund would slip away from it all. It was standard procedure. All that was left was Peter to be okay with it, and Edmund to somehow have slid through a door. But surprisingly, this week’s Monday appears to be full of surprises.
“That’s will be a problem! Rumours from the North says the Frost Giants threaten to wage war on us. I have planned meetings with a variety of diplomats, and we will travel to the north and exposed regions to consider the situation before we do anything hastened. That will be dangerous, and Lucy cannot stay here with me.”
Okay, so Peter was not okay with it, that’s a new. However, Lucy was not having any of this extreme over protectiveness. It had been going on forever, and enough was enough. “I am not someone you can move around like a chess piece! I get to take my own decisions, and go where I want to go. I am sick and tired of all of your over protectiveness! Why can’t I do what I want to do for once? Why do you always have to decide where I am to be or not be? I won’t have any of it.”
Lucy was tired of it, and would definitely not have any of it anymore. Why on earth did they have to do this. Her face was red with rage, and Susan and Peter blushed and looked down into their laps. Serves them good when they were as rude as this.
Edmund was not embarrassed and looked from one sibling to the other and sighed. “I know what we will do. There is room for one more to join me and Hazel to Archenland. It will be dangerous no doubt, but Lucy will be able to handle it.”
Susan stared at Edmund in horror. “You cannot seriously mean to tell me, that you purposefully will expose Lu of danger, Ed? What if she gets hurt?”
Peter seemed to be the next to take Lucy’s side in this weeks heated debate. “Give it up Sue. Lucy has showed that she is able to trudge through this country and take on Rebel groups without”
“And that was only because Ed left her here alone!” Susan countered. Edmund wasn’t late to bite back.
“She is capable of being by herself Sue. We let you be by yourself, don’t we?”
“I am not a child!” Lucy shouted, shutting everyone else up. “I am capable of taking care of myself. If Ed says its okay that I join him on a spymaster mission to Archenland then it is! The only hindrance to me joining Ed is if they find something out that I shouldn’t know because it might endanger their entire operation. Ed is capable of taking that assessment, and I suppose he has since he invited me. Of course there will be danger, but it’s not as if I am unable to take it. You have to let me grow up. It might be scary, but I am no child anymore. You know this Susan, and you too Peter”
Peter nodded and looked over at Susan, who still appeared to be weighing the options over. “Maybe you can come with me” Peter glared at Susan “Sue…” he threatened, and that was all it took for Susan to back down. “Fine. Fine. Alright. Lucy has grown up, and it is time to acknowledge it.”
“This should’ve happened far sooner” Lucy grunted. “It’s not as if though Ed just got to go around beginning last year. You’ve been unfair”
“We have, but we just wanted you to be safe” Peter apologized. He stretched out his hand and placed it over Lucy’s. “Please forgive me? Us?”
Lucy pulled her hand back and crossed her arms. Glaring at all three siblings. The glare gradually vanished into a smirk. “Only if I get the last piece of cake.” She says with a laugh, and moves the cake slice from Peter’s plate over to her own. “Yup, you’re forgiven. And I get to go on an adventure with Ed and Hazel! Sounds like fun, doesn’t it?”
Susan smiles a little and directs her gaze at Edmund. “Now, do share. What are these dark news you have heard from Archenland”
Edmund looks at his siblings with a solemn look and sighs. “There is a conspiracy to assassinate King Lune and Crown Prince Corin”
