Beyond the Horn

CHAPTER 18: KARA

Kara felt much better in a looser, lighter, and shorter dress of maroon. Despite the fauns' great protests, she'd told them that she absolutely refused to go out there and dance in the blue gown she'd worn at her coronation, and they absolutely refused to let her go in trousers and one of Ed's shirts. So, they compromised with an everyday gown that Kara could move comfortably in, and leggings beneath it.

Despite all that, she was honestly thrilled, to say the least. Queen Kara, Warrior of the North! What had caused Aslan to give her that title? She desperately hoped she could live up to it.

But with all of the people staring at her, all of the expectations, the terribly tight dress, and no time to talk to Ed all day, she was beginning to feel the stress weighing her down. What she really wanted was to sit outside and look at the stars with Ed.

Upon entering the dining room, she immediately turned around and walked back out. The crowds of people laughing, talking, and taking their seats at the table were so overwhelming that Kara was certain she would make a horrible blunder and ruin her reputation ("What reputation?" Annaliese would've asked teasingly) and, worst of all, the reputations of her dearest friends who were, in fact, actual royalty.

But apparently she was now, too. How many blunders could she possibly make? She was Queen Kara, Warrior of the North. She could handle a few snooty nobles...right?

"Kara, you ready?" Ed materialized on her right, his hand reaching out to take hers.

Kara caught her breath. Ed looked...well, handsome was probably the best word, but he was always good-looking, this was...even more so. He wore a fresh pair of black trousers and a royal blue tunic that brought out the warm brown of his eyes. His black hair had probably been washed and brushed from the looks of it and swooped over his forehead. It had gotten long since their arrival in Narnia and nearly hung in his eyes now.

"What?" he was still waiting, his hand held out, but now he was smiling.

"Nothing, you just look great," Kara replied, albeit a little awkwardly, but she still managed a small smile up at him.

"So do you," he said, his smile changing into an expression more intense.

"Thanks." Kara put her hand in his, and he turned so her palm rested on his wrist.

"Ready for this? Just stick with me and you'll be fine, I know all the proper Narnian protocols...mostly," he added in a mutter that had Kara laughing as they walked in.

The feast was delicious. Kara ate as much as she could, but ended up only eating about half a plateful. She was starting to feel nervous about the dancing that was sure to be coming up.

It was nice sitting between Ed and Annaliese. She wasn't forced to make conversation with any of the proud noblewomen picking at their food. But there was so much merriment and laughter from the Narnians that the excitement was contagious and soon everyone wore smiles on glowing faces.

Afterward, a few Dryads began to play their lyrical, beautiful music, and the dancing commenced. Nearly everyone leaped in to dance immediately, Annaliese included, though she seemed only to dance with people she knew and refused anyone else.

Kara watched for the first few dances, and had to admit it looked like fun, especially watching Lucy and Susan spinning in place holding hands, but she was still so unsure of the steps and knew how clumsy she was, so she clapped her hands and bounced in her seat. She purposefully avoided looking at Ed as he danced gaily with other girls around the room.

Suddenly someone stood in front of her. Looking up, Kara smiled at Peter.

"Come dance with me Queen Kara, Warrior of the North!" he commanded playfully, bowing at the waist and extending his hand.

"I don't know the steps but I'll try, Pete." Kara got up and seized Peter's hands, and soon they were whirling and sidestepping and jumping up and down, interweaving throughout the crowd and somehow finding each other again. The music was singing through the air, filling Kara up from her toes to her head and she let herself get lost in the fun.

At the end of it she stumbled into Peter's arms, laughing and gasping for breath. His chest heaved as he panted, but he was grinning and laughing too. His strong arms hugged her tightly, and she returned the embrace, trying to let him know how much he meant to her.

Lucy galloped up to her. "Come dance with me and Susan and Annaliese! We're doing a group dance; the centaurs are going to teach us!"

"Duty calls, Pete!" Kara had time to yell before Lucy was dragging her away. Kara could hear him laughing at her though, and she shot him a quick, good-natured glare. A swift lively dance followed that had Kara stumbling all over the place and ramming into Lucy and Annaliese and Susan in her hysterical fits of laughter, but it was so much fun they begged the centaurs to teach them some more.

"Alright girls, my turn!" came Ed's voice after the third dance.

Kara withdrew from the girls with a wave and turned to Ed with a nervous smile. "I don't know this dance," she warned him.

"That's okay. I don't either."

"Wait, wha —"

He grabbed her hands and spun her around suddenly. With a shriek, Kara sailed around, nearly tripping on her own feet.

"ED!"

"Just go with it!"

They bounced around in circles, Ed swinging Kara out one way then another, then Kara would spin out, and then spin back in and slam against Ed, nearly knocking both of them over. By the end of it they were so breathless with laughter that they tripped over each other as they sprinted to the drinks table for some water. Watching him pant and gulp down the water, his eyes as dark as a river at night, Kara felt the sudden desperate urge to tell him how much she cared about him. But the words caught in her throat and she became too embarrassed and shy.

Ed invited her to come keep dancing, but by this point Kara was pretty worn out, so she waved goodnight to him and left the room in search of quiet. She found it on a balcony with a perfect view of the night sky, so vivid and clear tonight that she could've sworn the stars were dancing too.

What was going to happen? The Pevensies couldn't stay here forever, their previous time here had proven that. It was understood that she and Annaliese couldn't go back with them either if they both had just been crowned queen, for their true place was here in Narnia, taking care of their people. They would rule with Caspian and bring peace to Narnia... but what then?

What about Ed?

Kara's chest tightened and she wrapped her arms around her knees, shivering in the wake of a cool wind. How could she say goodbye to Ed? He was one of the best friends she had ever had.

Kara stared at the stars until they blurred from her tears. She headed back to her room.