Narnia: The Royal Advisor (Side Stories)

Engagement (1.5)

I had only been back for a day and I was already best friends with the Archenland prince. He was quite the rowdy boy and refused to give up in our boxing matches, no matter how many times he had lost. The Calormens were already at the Cair and I realized immediately why Peter said he needed my advise now more than ever; I was walking in the garden with Edmund when I met Susan walking with the Calormen prince. He had somehow make short work of wooing Susan and was asking her to return to Calormen with him.

Prince Rabadash was a shifty character and I didn't trust him one bit, neither did my fiancé. I could feel him tense up next to me whenever he stroked Susan's cheek or whispered sweet nothings to her. I was cringing too, but I was better had hiding it.

That night Gladyolus was happy enough at my return to help me pick out a dress to the evenings activities. She insisted that I wear something to not only catch the eye of my future husband, but also show the Narnians that I had returned and was there to stay. Tonight would be the night where Edmund and I would officially announce our engagement and I would give a speech to all those in attendance explaining my absence, how extremely ashamed of my decision, and would forevermore vow to never turn my back on my duty to Narnia again.

As I waited outside the ballroom, waiting to be escorted, I grew nervous just hearing the voices on the other side. However two voices broke me out of my inner torment, "Apologies for keeping you waiting, my lady."

I sighed, "No, Sir Hektor, I fear that I must ask for your forgiveness; I asked you and Kastor to do something impossible and then had the gall to blame it on you. I'm nervous just thinking of the possibility that the Narnians will not accept after abandoning them."

Hektor took my left arm under his, "I forgive you and also do not blame you for your decision, Kastor and I gladly agreed to help you without so much as a second thought.

Kastor then took my right arm, "You have nothing to fear from anyone beyond those doors, my lady. The Narnians still love you and would happily accept you as their protector once again. Remember who you are and raise your head, prove to them that you deserve to be their queen.

I smirked, "I do not wish to have that title, as punishment for what I did I shall forever remain the First Noble of Narnia and never a queen." I could tell that I surprised them due to their stunned expressions and then commanded, "Come my knights, my subjects await."

Both my knights nodded and the doors opened and Tumnus called to those in assembly, "Announcing the arrival of the Red Lady, Royal Advisor to the Kings and Queens, and the First Noble of Narnia; Lady Emmaline."

The room nearly fell completely silent and all eyes fell on me in my floral dress. I entered the room with such regal grace that Susan would be proud of.

With my trusted knights on either side of me, I was escorted across the entire room, where I was left to stand alone off to the right of the four thrones. The first one to break the silence and stillness of the room was none other than Sly Fox. He walked right up to me and smiled, "It is a great joy that you have returned, Lady Emmaline; welcome home."

He bowed his head and I held up mine, "Please, there is no need for you to bow to me, old friend." I looked at the crowd before turning to the kings and queens, "If I could your highnesses; I would like to speak to all those gathered here."

Peter nodded, "Please speak your mind."

"Thank you," I gave a short bow before addressing the crowd, "Friends, Narnians, and visitors from other lands I do not deserve your awe or reverence because I have done something that is unforgivable. I abandoned my duties to Narnia as Royal Advisor and disappeared into the wind because I selfishly believed that Narnia no longer needed me in it." I got down on my knees and lowered my head, "I come before you today to apologize for what I have done and hope that you all eventually come to forgive me for that sin, should any of you gathered here wish me to leave Narnia and never return I will not hesitate to accept that punishment."

After several long moments of silence I felt a hand on my shoulder and Edmund's voice, "Well brother, it seems that no one wishes for Lady Emmaline to leave, may she be allowed to stand once again as a proud Narnian and live once again as one of us?"

Suddenly cheers and encouragements from man and beast alike rang through the hall. I smiled, but kept my head bowed hearing everyone go silent as Peter stood up, "I believe the people have spoken, "Lady Emmaline, please rise and know that you have been forgiven of your crimes and are once again a proud and noble citizen of Narnia."

Edmund helped me stand and cheers rose up in the hall again. A great grin spread out across my face as I looked across the room. My eyes landed on each of the royals before locking with Edmund's dark ones and I had to catch my breath as I felt an overwhelming happiness encompass my being. Edmund smiled back before raising his hand to silence the crowd, "Before tonight's events officially begin I wish to make an announcement. For as long as I can remember there was a very important person in my life, but I never knew how much they really meant to me until one day I lost them. However now that she has returned I have been given a second chance to express my undying love for her, she thankfully by the Lion's Mane returned my love. And so it gives my great pleasure to announce to you all that Lady Emmaline has agreed to become my wife!" For the third and final time the room exploded into jubilee and Edmund shouted, "Let the celebrations begin!"