Corin wanted to run away when the sound of cheerful hooves echoed through the hall he was in. He had wanted to be left alone, had said so to all guards and staff, every archenlander and narnian he came upon and insisted to accompany him, but none had listened. It was too dangerous, they said, as if Corin couldnât fight his own battles. It wouldnât do well for him to wander of, they said, as if Corin was stupid enough to walk into enemy fire because he was upset. But the worst thing they said was their terrible, terrible condolences. As if Isla was dead. As if there was no hope at all. Corin had punched a great number of trees since that night, although not the one he really wanted to.
He was, in fact, on his way to find oneâor it, if he was luckyâwhen Rinassa came upon his umpteenth angry walk. He didnât seem to walk on eggshells around him, which was certainly a fresh breath of air, so he let him speak. Rinassa had, very politely but not miserably, extended Lucyâs invitation to have a picnic at the orchard that very same day. Corin thought briefly about declining, considering that she would probably have one of those miserable, pity-filled faces, but decided against it on the grounds that he wasnâtânot at allâfeeling well and Lucyâalways Lucyâcould make him feel better. Besides, there were trees to punch at the orchard.Â
So there he was, after having changed into fresher clothes, walking towards the orchard. All things considering, he was doing marvelously at deflecting the unwanted attention, so there was one good thing about his day so far. Were it not for the thought of seeing Lucy soon, he would probably be distraught. He didnât knowâhe didnât really want to think about it. Thankfully, once past the guarding dryad and the actual guards at the entrance, there were no people to encounter but that whom he sought.Â
The path to the meadow Rinassa had given him directions for was crooked, and coiled like a snake around taller and more vigorous trees that provided ample shadow without hiding all light. The whole trip inside felt like somewhat of an adventure, and it sent aâguilty, undeservedâthrill down Corinâs spine. Soon, he spied between the leaves, a known and welcomed figure, and jumped off the path to sneak around the trees and emerge in the clearing where Lucy sat on a blanket, and Rinassa picked apples from a particularly full tree.
âOh,â he said, trying to hide his disappointment. âI didnât know Rinassa was joining us.â
kianamaiart
izzy806
jacobvanloon
snowghoul
