Nothing Can Come Between Us (2)

Chapter 4: A Not So Peaceful Narnia

The baby was the focus of everyone's lives for the weeks that followed. Lucy dressed her up in all sorts of clothes she had sewn and was constantly volunteering to babysit. Of course Susan thankfully took her up on those offers and used the free time to sleep. Edmund and Peter were constantly battling to see who could make her laugh more and Caspian spent his time with his daughter pestering her to say "dada". One thing was for certain: Eliana would never go without attention!

~

"Your majesties! I'm sorry to interrupt but I have some urgent news." The five royalties were gathered around the dining table for dinner when Trumpkin burst through the grand double doors, obviously in a hurry.

"It's alright Trumpkin. What is it?" Peter asked forgivingly.

"Some griffins have just spotted a small party of Telmarines headed this way. They appear to heavily armed with weapons" Trumpkin informed them. They exchanged puzzled glances across the table.

"I suppose we better find out what's going on." Caspian said, his fork clanking loudly on his plate as he carelessly dropped it. Susan scooped Eliana into her arms and hastened after them.

They headed outside where an assembling of Narnian soldiers stood ready at the gate. The Telmarines had gathered outside and stood with a fearless air about them.

"Do you come in peace?" Peter asked, approaching the gate.

"Today, yes, but what happens tomorrow depends on your response." Said a man with a long brown beard as took a step closer. Peter's eyes darted between Caspian and Edmund, who looked just as bewildered. "I am Lord Tyran." The man stated, raising his head a bit.

"He was one of my uncle's good friends and supporter." Caspian turned to inform his fellow rulers. "I am currently in rule over Talmar, under your majesties of course." The Lord began. "We Telmarines would like to break away from Narnia and form our own country. Of course, there must be an agreement made between your majesties before such a change can be made." He stated with a slight bowing of his head at the end.

"Why would you want to break away?" Edmund asked, stepping forward.

"We feel we can do well independently with our own choice of authorities." He explained.

"So you feel we are not doing a good job as rulers of this country?" Peter asked, adjusting his stance.

"Yes." Lord Tyran answered after a slight moment of hesitation. The five royalties exchanged concerned looks.

"Lord Tyran you do know you can't just break away from Narnia whenever you want." Edmund said with a hint of his usual sarcasm.

"Yes I do. I have to get permission from your majesties, but since you are obviously not willing to sign the contract that means we must fight for our independence." His voiced slowed.

"But your telmarine population has decreased dramatically since the war five years ago. How are you going to get an army big enough to fight against us now?" Caspian asked.

"Us Telmarines are growing more powerful than you realize." Lord Tyran said confidently with a suspicious raise of his eyebrow. "No, we are not quite ready for war yet, but when we are I hope you're ready too."

Lucy's eyes grew wide. Peter clenched his jaw and Edmund watched him nervously. Susan adjusted her baby on her hip and slid one hand up Caspian's shoulder. He watched as the party of Telmarines left and sighed discouragingly at the thought of his own people wanting to break away.

~

"When do you think they will launch their first attack?" Edmund wondered. They sat around the large marble table engaged in a council meeting regarding - none other than - the Telmarines' request.

"There's no way to know, Ed." Peter said in a low voice, one he only used in discouragement and frustration.

"Why don't we just attack them now?" Lucy asked, for she had little knowledge on the subject of war and government.

"Because we have to give them a fair chance. They have a much smaller population than we do. We wouldn't be being the best rulers we can be if we attacked a part of our own country, especially if they are way outnumbered." Peter explained patiently.

"What do you propose we do your majesties?" Reepicheep asked.

"We'll just have to sit tight till we have more information." Peter concluded with a deep breath.

As if on cue Trumpkin entered the room. "We just got some information from a griffin. They flew over the Telmarine city and saw nothing out of the ordinary." He informed them.

"Well that's good news." Peter said, leaning back in his chair.

"However," Trumpkin continued.

"Oh of course there has to be a 'however'." Peter rolled his eyes.

"they did see an army of soldiers ride into the woods, but that is where they lost track of them. The griffins believe they have a hideout where they are keeping and building all their supplies and weapons, but they're not sure where it may be."

Peter threw his head back against the talk back of his chair and exhaled slowly as if he was trying to let out all the stress. "Thank you Trumpkin." He finally said.

Trumpkin bowed his head slightly and left.

"We're still just going to have to wait until we have more information. Council dismissed." Peter concluded.

~

Susan soft voice drifted down the hall catching Caspian's ear. He followed her sweet lullaby to the nursery where he stood leaning in the doorway. She was cradling their precious daughter in her arms and swaying back and forth in front of the window.

When she had finished - the last note fallen from her tongue - she turned to put the baby in her crib. Seeing Caspian she smiled lovingly. Caspian strode across the room. Susan bent down and kissed her sleeping baby on the cheek. "Sweet dreams." She whispered. Caspian gazed down at his daughter who was sleeping soundly.
He slowly extended his hand into the crib as if he dared not touch her. He folded a flap of the blanket that was covering her face over so he could see her sweet face.

Caspian and Susan exited the room leaving the door ever so slightly cracked open. The waked into their bedroom where Susan fell to the bed sighing. "I'm so relieved I finally got Eliana to fall asleep." She she said and climbed under the covers.

Caspian sat on the bed, his back facing Susan with his elbows rested on his knees and his head in his hands. "What's wrong?" Susan asked, noticinh his troubling behavior.

"I can't understand why the Telmarines want to form their own kingdom. What have we done wrong?" His voice was filled to the brim with stress.

Susan scooted closer to him. "I'm sure they're just craving power is all." She said rubbing his back. "Besides," She rested her chin on his shoulder. "what could we have possibly done wrong? We've had peace across all of Narnia for three years now, and that's all thanks to you."

Caspian relaxed. Somehow Susan managed to make every situation make sense and seem simple. He turned his head toward her, leaning his forehead against hers. "I love you." He whispered the words that were just as unnecessary as they were necessary. She knew he loved her - there was nothing she was more sure of - but they were still the words she couldn't get through a day without hearing. She smiled, her eyes fading shut as he pulled her lips to his.