Summary: The Pevensies have disappeared, and Narnia and Archenland are in an uproar. Archenland offers to help the Narnians search for their lost monarchs. Cor | Shasta reflects on the impact the Pevensies have brought on him and his family, along with their disappearance. Meanwhile, Cor and Aravis also deal with budding feelings towards each other.
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Note to Giftee: So I have to say that I was very excited to have received your request. I’ve been WAITING and WAITING to write a fic for Cor/Aravis, or something in the HHB universe, but between them and Golden Age Pevensies, it was kinda difficult figuring out what to write. But I figured I might as well do both.
What was a surprise was that instead of this remaining a one-shot, this story is beginning to grow into a two-shot, perhaps even a three-shot. So I’ll tag you if I end up working on/finishing those following parts.
Also, sorry for the bad title. For some reason I couldn’t think up anything that could fit this fic. So if you have any ideas, let me know. ^_^
Anyway, I hope that you enjoy this fic and that I was able to incorporate the things you most enjoy. Thank you for the opportunity. ^_^
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It had been a year later, a year since the events of the Battle of Anvard, when Anvard had received the shocking news: the Kings and Queens of Narnia had disappeared during a hunting trip! Vanished! Cair Paravel was in an uproar!
When Cor — formerly known as Shasta (though still sometimes called that by his more intimate friends) — first heard the news, he was shocked. Took him time to process that, no, he wasn’t mishearing the information just given him.
Then came the denial. This simply couldn’t be true. Of course they didn’t disappear! They were fine! Perhaps they had forgotten to bring word to Cair Paravel that they were extending their hunting trip. Surely not all of the Monarchs of Narnia could’ve disappeared at once… could they?
When they had been told that it had been two weeks since they had left on that hunting trip, and that the Narnians were still searching for their Monarchs all throughout the realm, dread seeped in. Accusations of treachery, abductions, assassinations even flew in the air, and their natural enemies, the Calormene Empire and Telmar, quickly fell into suspicion.
Corin, his brother, was the first to voice out this conviction. “It has to be the Calormenes! It has to be!”
Others began chorusing this as well. “They’ve been coveting the lands of the North for ages!” cried one of the court elders. “Acquiring the Kings and Queens of Narnia as hostages would be just the sort of bargaining chip they’d need to pressure us into submission!” another wave of shouts and debates issued forth in the king’s court.
While it had been a year since the conflict with Prince Rabadash — now Tisroc (Emperor or King-of-Kings in the Common Tongue) of the Calormenes since the passing of his late father (though some wondered, even among his own people, whether or not the Tisroc died from assassination rather than natural causes) — and even though Rabadash had more than shown that he was a passive and ‘peaceful’ ruler in the short time of his rule, there had been rumors that Rabadash had been scheming to find solutions to redeem his recent disgrace at the hands of the Narnian monarchs. So this wasn’t a possibility that could be ignored.
That being said, Cor knew that just speculating on what happened wasn’t going to get them any closer to finding the lost Monarchs of Narnia. His father, who had been quietly observing the pandemonium in his court, seemed to agree with this, as he cleared his throat and ordered for silence. “Please, friends!” he implored, his usual jovial countenance had long past fled. “Now’s not the time for speculation. The larger issue at hand is trying to locate their persons. Should we not instead try to find figure out where they could be and try to bring them back to their respective residence, in a speedy and safe manner?”
Several of the councilors had the decency to look sheepish or shame-faced at the king’s gentle admonishment. Cor looked at his father thoughtfully. He knew how much the Pevensies meant to King Lune. He saw how they interacted and from what Corin and their father had told them, the Pevensies were like family to Anvard’s royal family. Ever since the Monarchs of Narnia began ruling Narnia, and the first delegation had been sent to Archenland, King Lune and his late wife, who had no children at the time, had practically adopted them into the family and became their foster parents of sorts, and the 'diplomatic missions’ between the two royal houses were more familial visits and holiday repasts in all but name.
Cor, for his part, despite only having known the Pevensies for a little over a year, had grown to think of them as elder siblings and it was no secret that the Twins — Corin in particular — idolized the Kings of Narnia (the Queens, too) and were always thrilled whenever they came to visit, and vice versa. Naturally, Cor tended to favor King Edmund, the first of the Monarchs that he had met and interacted with in Tashbaan on his Quest to reach the North. Now that he was Archenland’s Crown Prince and Heir, he had a lot of education to catch up on, and the younger of the Narnian kings had been the perfect tutor, patient and thorough. Cor was, in particular, interested in legal administration and law, similar to the Just King himself, and they had many long discussions concerning the matter.
Aravis, Cor knew, had grown quite attached to the Queen Lucy and they had often gone into the gardens and had done many outdoor activities, as well as telling each other stories and lore from their respective cultures. Being an only child, Aravis never had the benefit of sibling companionship (aside from some cousins), and the Pevensies, Queen Lucy in particular, became a sort of big sister figure for her. And the relationship really improved her mood over this past year. Cor tried not to notice how pretty she looked among the copper leaves — a Queen of Autumn. He tried not to notice the radiant glow on her face, the Spring in her smile, and the chimes in her laughter.
He tried not to notice a lot of things where Aravis was concerned. It tended to muddle the mind and leave him utterly confused. And warm. Particularly when she smiled at him. (Since when did her eyes shine like the black pearl that he saw a fisherman catch back in Arsheesh’s village?)
But she wasn’t smiling now. Aravis was sitting next to King Lune’s throne to his right, and worry for her friend clouded her face. Fear, even. The expression made his heart ache, and he had to stop himself from going over and comforting her. Now wasn’t the time or place.
But what he could do is help his father alleviate the situation. “May I propose something?”
Cor almost shrunk back against his seat as the whole room — including the Narnian messenger — turned to look at him expectantly. His father most of all (Aravis was also giving him a surprised look, and the boy was trying not to fidget).
"A proposal, you say, Cor?“ inquired King Lune, stroking his beard out of habit. "Do tell, my boy, do tell!”
"Why don’t we discreetly send search parties to Narnia to help in the search? I mean, we know that the last place they were last seen was in the Western Woods, right? Let’s start from where we know they could be and then work our way from there. We should be able to find them eventually with added assistance.“
While there were many who were still reserved doubts, there were others who nodded slow approval and even threw each other hopeful glances and murmurings as they voiced their consent.
King Lune was looking at Cor proudly. "Hah, excellent idea, my boy! Splendid! You’re picking up a thing or two, it seems.” he turned to the nobles expectantly. “Any objections?”
One lord tentatively raised a hand. “I do, my lord.”
King Lune gestured for him to continue. “Speak, then, Lord Galen.”
Lord Galen turned to Cor, his face the picture of skepticism. “If I am to understand you correctly, you’re proposing to send search parties to Narnia to speed up the search?”
Cor wasn’t sure where he was going with this, but decided to humor him. “Yes?” he then cleared his throat and emended his reply with a more resolute, “Yes, I am.”
"My issue with this idea is this:“ continued Lord Galen, "how do we do this, per your suggestion, without attracting the attention of our enemies, such as the Calormene Empire and Telmar. When word eventually reaches them, they’ll chomp at the bit to race each other to be the first to capture Narnia, and indeed Archenland, as well. What say you to this?”
Once again, Cor felt a multitude of gazes expectantly awaiting his response. He gulped. “Well, I…” from the corner of his eye, Cor could see Aravis giving him an encouraging gesture with her hand, and continued, straightening himself and trying to make his voice sound more confident than he felt. “Obviously, we can’t neutralize completely the possibility that the enemies’ spies will find out eventually…” he looked at everyone in the room, and they nodded their agreement, silently prompting him to continue, “therefore, the only option to counter this is to use that information against them.”
That got their attention. “How so, Cor?” asked his father.
"Simple: by making them believe it all to be a cunning ruse,“ Cor explained, beginning to warm up to the subject. "A selected and trusted retinue of Archenlanders ride to Narnia, such as myself, Corin, Aravis, several of the lords, and, of course, various guards and servants, etc, etc, under the guise of having been invited to Cair Paravel for a social event. We will remain for two weeks, secretly helping in the search for the Pevensies, while the festivities and games that will happen in the palace will provide us with a distraction…” he paused, thinking of his next words before continuing. “Meanwhile, the nobles of Narnia and Archenland will provide a double ruse, in which they will hold a 'secret meeting’ while the games commence. They are to drop hints and to make sure that they are overheard, with enough discretion to make it believable; that way when they rendezvous to a vacant room or tent, it’ll spike the spies’ curiosity enough to venture there in order to collect any supposed important information for their masters. Doesn’t matter what the topic’s about, so long as it’s a ruse with some truth implemented in it for validity’s sake.
"Meanwhile, while all of this is going on, Archenlander and Narnian search parties will search high and low for the Kings and Queens of Narnia as thoroughly and quickly as warranted. I recommend some look-a-likes to play as decoys of Their Majesties, so as to appear altogether present, yet distant, in order to prevent spies from getting too close. Some of them I recommend to join the parties, dressed in the Narnian garb or armor to hide their identities and to keep the ruse alive for as long as possible. In this way, we could use these search parties as mere 'patrols’ to act as if we’re searching and vanquishing any enemy presence in the realm, such as, for example, the Fell-Beasts.
"This will serve two purposes: One, it will keep the Narnians from panicking and thus increasing the chances of instability in the realm as well as the likelihood of our enemies finding this out and using this to their advantage. This, of course, cannot happen. And two, it will allow us to search for the Pevensies freely without worry of discovery, since it will be known that it’s merely routine patrols and war games in order to bring further stability into Narnia and to increase the bonds between Archenland and Narnia.
"Naturally, those of us among the royal family must remain in Cair Paravel in order to keep the ruse up, or else it might raise suspicion. And we’ll only be there for two weeks before returning to Archenland. Of course, if we needed more time, we could extend it to a month, and use the excuse of the young Princes — Corin and I — wanting to stay in Narnia a bit longer and the Pevensies having given their permission to do so.
"That’s pretty much all I can think of at this moment…” Cor finished sheepishly.
The audience gave a stunned silence before murmuring amongst themselves concerning the plan. King Lune was more ready with his opinion.
"Excellent idea, my boy!“ praised his father, stroking his beard thoughtfully, a proud smile on his face. Cor looked to Aravis, who wore a stunned expression, before giving him an approving smirk.
And it was doing some strange sensations in his stomach, and a quick beating of his heart.
What was this?
He quick shook himself of this as his father called for attention. His father stood up, his huge girth, as always, making whatever action he did look comical, regardless of the seriousness involved, his normally deep and jovial voice turning most solemn, indeed.
"Right! If we’re all in agreement, then let us make haste to Narnia and find their lost Kings and Queens. Let us pray that we find them soon and that they’ve not come to harm.” the King turned to the Narnian messenger — a falcon — who was busy combing through his feathers with his beak in preparation for the return journey. “Will this suffice, friend?”
The falcon, Takar by name, stopped what he was doing to tip his beak and spread his wings in the customary sign of respect by his kind. “Arrah! Aye, King Lune! Takar hath no objections to this scheme. If thou wilt permit me, Sire, Takar shalt fly forthwith through the south-eastern gales, as true and fast as one of yon Queen Susan’s arrows. Thou can rely on Takar to inform me fellow Narnians of thy plan!”
"The Lion be with you, friend. Safe journey!“
"Arrah! And to thee, Sire! Mayest the winds favor thy back, and mayest the Great Lion be with thee all thy days!” And with that, the great falcon took off and flew like an arrow from a bow.
King Lune then turned to his councilors. “And may Aslan be with you all, and I pray that the Monarchs of Narnia will soon be found and restored to their thrones and our hearts.
"Now let us prepare.”
The courtiers dispersed to prepare for the coming journey, and just as Cor was going to leave and make his own preparations, Aravis made her way towards him. She gave him a congratulatory smile. “That was well spoken, Shasta,” she said softly, her Calormene accent folding around his old name like a warm blanket. Only in times like this, when it was just them, she would use his old name from their past life, neither of them having quite gotten used to his real name in the past year. It was always a comfort for Cor whenever she said it, her voice like a cool and soothing balm that calmed him whenever he felt the stresses of his sudden heirdom overwhelming him.
Cor shrugged self-deprecatorily, feeling a little self-conscious. “It was nothing. King Edmund deserves the credit; it’s how he thinks. Whenever one of us visits, he’s sort of been teaching me these kinds of things, along with administration and law. I’ve just been parroting what he said.”
"But isn’t that where greatness comes — by walking in the footsteps of and learning from those who have walked the paths less traveled?“ she asked him with a raised eyebrow and an inquiring smile. Aravis stared at him thoughtfully, and regarded him for a moment.
"W-What?” Cor stuttered, not used to the intensity of Aravis’s gaze.
She simply smiled and began walking away. But before she left, she turned to face Cor, the look in her eyes sincere. “You know, I believe that, when the time comes, you’ll be a great king…,” before adding with a teasing look, “Prince Cor.” With a giggle, Aravis left the throne room for her own chambers to prepare for the journey, leaving Cor to stand there with a flustered and surprised look on his face, before shaking himself and moving on to his own room, deep in thought.
To him, it was her eyes that Prince Cor found to be the most dangerous feature that made up Lady Aravis — those eyes as dark as black pearls.
And yet, Cor couldn’t wait to greet those eyes again.
Spoiler! This is a long passage containing me trying to explain why I think the Susan’s Horn from Father Christmas holds a hidden meaning.
Okay so I just a had a thought but I’m not sure if anyone’s ever talked about it. But remember how Susan got a Magic Horn from Father Christmas who told her that help will arrive to her whenever and wherever the horn is blown.
“And when you put this horn to your lips and blow it, then, wherever you are, I think help of some kind will come to you.“―Father Christmas
It kinda hit me, what if, Father Christmas had given the horn to Susan because he knows, and so does Aslan, that one day, there will be a time when she would need help the most?!
What if like Dumbledore, who had given the Deluminator to Ron because he knew Ron would need a little more push to get him to make the right choices, Aslan knew that Susan would one day need a little more push to get her to start believing again?
What if, Aslan understood Susan because unlike the others who have experienced the power of Aslan and Narnia more personally, Susan was always the one filled with doubt? I mean, think about it.
Peter experienced Narnia as an older brother who not only had to lead his siblings away from trouble but the whole of the Narnia too. Narnia relied on him and those battle scars he earned are not easily forgettable. His personal experiences were significant because they taught him how to be a leader.
Edmund experimented Narnia in a more eye opening way because he realised how his betrayal of his family nearly costed them their lives. Narnia will always remain in his heart as it’s where he learnt the value of family and love. The journey he went through transformed him into a better man, not just in Narnia.
And Lucy, who practically grew up in Narnia, who went to bed and woke up with the sounds of waves splashing against the sands, remembers Narnia as a place where she truly belongs. She was the sole reason they were in Narnia and the majority of her childhood memories consisted of her life in Narnia. In a way, Narnia affected her more than anyone.
However, Susan, who is the second oldest, always had doubt in her. You can’t really blame her because while the eldest makes his decisions, she needs to be the constant follower that judges whether Peter’s decisions will result in the four of them being harmed or not. That’s why she was pronounced as the Gentle because while her three siblings went on to fight wars, she stayed back to help treat the wounded and took care of the current affairs.
Susan’s time in Narnia was obviously one of her most glorious and happiest days, but as soon as she stepped foot back into the 1940s England, she doubted whether that time was reality or not.
I would assume she dreams about Narnia, about the days when they ruled the country and when they were running around the pathways in Cair Paravel. But it is because of those dreams, she starts to doubt her memories. Was it all just a make belief story the four of them made up while they were hiding in the Wardrobe?
And when they depart from Narnia after helping Prince Caspian with the information that they can never go back again, she channels her sadness and doubt into denial. She denies that Narnia ever existed and I feel like she only did this because she doesn’t want to face the reality that Narnia is real and yet she cannot go back to it.
Peter Pevensie - High King Peter the Magnificent Emperor of the Lone Islands Lord of Cair Paravel Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Lion Sir Peter Wolf’s-Bane
