lunam et stellas

chapter eleven

the year 1008...

Alexandra walked hurriedly through the halls of Cair Paravel, late to a meeting with the Calmoranian diplomats. That wouldn't help at all with their relations, they were already on bad terms. She nodded at the fauns outside the doors, and they opened them slowly, revealing a table of old Calmoranian men. She smiled, walking to her seat.

"Hello, gentlemen. I hope I did not keep you waiting too long."

Lord Dilitmof smiled. "Not long at all, my lady." He looked to the other lords. "Shall we begin?"

"Of course." She looked at the papers in front of her. "The King wants an alliance with Narnia." She smiled. "Well, that is good news. What are the terms-" She sighed, looking at the men in front of her. "Is this a real proposal?"

Lord Mian sighed. "Yes, my lady."

"And what do you all think of these terms?" She looked out at the table. "Hmm? Speak, someone."

Lord Sopespian spoke. "Your Majesty, this is a normal custom in Calmoren-"

"It is custom to demand a bride from wherever he sees fit and gets what he wants?" She looked at him icily. "Is that it?"

"Well, yes my lady."

Lord Mian intervened. "He originally wanted you, my lady. We soon informed him of your engagement to High King Peter."

She nodded. "We are not marrying off Queen Susan. That may be how it is done in Calmoren, but this is Narnia."

Lord Sopespian sighed. "He did send a letter along with us to read in case of this-" he looked around the table. "In case this situation occurred." He looked at the High Queen. "May I?"

She tried not to make her displeasure obvious, and nodded tightly. "Please."

He ripped off the wax seal and cleared his throat.

"My dear High Queen,

I will get straight to the point. I would like to marry your fellow Queen, Susan the Gentle. I assume if this letter is being read, you have said no to this request. Let me ask you to reconsider. Our armies united could strengthen both of our nations, as well as open up resources for our people.

I would also like to add that we have been working on a way to come to an agreement for some time, and I doubt there is any other way this can be remedied.

King Tisroc"

Alexandra sighed at the letter. She took a deep breath before looking back up at the lords. "I know that this is how things are done in your country, and I respect that. But it is not how it is done in mine. Lord Dilitmof, please draft a letter."

He pulled out a paper and a quill. "What shall I write, Your Majesty?"

"Dear King Tisroc, I will follow in your stead and get straight to the point. While Calmoren has its own ancient customs, so indeed, does Narnia. In Narnia, Queen Susan has the right to choose wether she does or does not want want to accept a marriage proposal."

Lord Dilitmof's mouth quirked into a slight smile.

"While I do recognize the the advantages that this union could bring to our two great nations, our law is still law. Queen Susan will not be leaving her country for marriage unless she chooses to. I hope that you and I can come to a more suitable agreement for both of great countries.