Fear: The Horse and His Boy

Chapter 8

"Your majesties," Mr Tumnus said as he entered the room, "I have a matter I would like to discuss with you."

"What is it Mr Tumnus?" Queen Susan asked the Faun while getting up from her seat.

"May you please come with me. It is regarding Prince Corin and his guest."

At Mr Tumnus' words the king and queen excused themselves before exiting the room.

"Your majesties," Tumnus began, "I do believe that the young girl the Prince has brought into our residence is, in fact, a Daughter-Of-Eve. A girl from the place you came from."

"You know we remember very little of our lives before Battle of Beruna." The king stated.

"I know Sire," the Faun argued, "However I do believe that you could be of assistance to her. She is awfully frightened and does not understand what is happening around her."

"Please," Alvina said, "Don't fight on my account. I will stay in the back and stay out of everybody's way."

The sudden comment from Alvina caused the three grown ups to turn and look at the two children. It was at this moment that Queen Susan truly noticed Prince Corin's face.

"My dear, Corin." She said as she crouched down in front of him. "What hast befallen you through the night."

"Worry not for me," Corin said to her, "My tale is long and may hurt thy lady's honour. Do decide what shall become of Alvina before you worry about me."

"She may return to Narnia with us," King Edmund stated looking at the smaller girl. "From there we shall consult with Lynette and Lucy. She may return to Anvard with you or if she would like she can remain in Narnia with us."

"Who are Lynette and Lucy?" Alvina asked the King and Queen in front of her.

"Lucy is our sister," Queen Susan said.

"And Lynette is our friend." The King finished.

Queen Susan gave her brother a look which neither of the children understood.

"Thank you for allowing me to come with you." Alvina said to them.

Alvina and Corin went to leave.

"Corin dear," the queen called after them, "You never did tell me what happened to you."

"Oh," Corin responded, turning around to face her. "I knocked down a boy in the street who decided to make a beastly joke about you your Majesty. He went and got his brother who I also knocked down. After that they went to fetch the Watch who knocked me down. I took them to get a stoup of wine and had them drink until they fell asleep. I saw the first boy again as I left and knocked him down again. From there I found a roof to lay on until morning before I found my way back here. I do apologise for any trouble I've caused you."

The monarchs nodded at the boy before he led Alvina back to the room Corin had been staying in.

Not long after they boarded the ship having packed all their supplies earlier, during Alvina's sleep and the conversations with the King and Queen.

The ship sailed out of the bay and once they were far enough away from Tashbaan the Narnian let out a cheer. They felt as though they were free at last from the Calormenes.

For two days they sailed. Alvina loved to look out at the world that passed as it was all new to her. As she sat watching the land and sea go by Corin sat beside her and the two talked.

Alvina felt as though she had grown to know Corin better in the short time they had been together than she had known Shasta in all the weeks they had been riding together.