༄ ⍴һ᥆ᥱᥒі᥊ ᥕᥲrrі᥆r sһ᥆r𝗍 s𝗍᥆rіᥱs ༄

To Narnia and the North

Credit to C.S. Lewis for most of the dialogue in this chapter. I edited it a bit to make it more "modernized" and sound more like my writing as well as adding some parts. But unlike the previous chapters, a lot of the conversations taking place are more or less direct quotes from the book. I did name the two Dwarfs (as previously mentioned) as I could find no mention of their names anywhere and they have a decent amount of dialogue. Besides, Ana would know their names (whereas Shasta/Cor would not) and this is told from her perspective rather than his.

᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽

Summary: The Narnians discover that their lives are in danger and make plans to flee Tashbaan.

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~Part Four of The Horse and His Boy~

Ana was studying the Prince carefully. Ever since Edmund brought him back he had been acting strangely. He seemed more reserved and uncertain, not at all like the Prince Corin she knew. It could've been that he had gotten too much sun—as Tumnus had suggested—but she felt like there was something else. So even though their Majesties were talking, Ana was only half-listening.

"Now," Edmund asked his sister, "what do you think? We have been in this city for three full weeks now. Have you decided whether you will marry this dark-faced lover of yours, this... Prince Rabadash, or not?"
"No, Edmund," Susan replied, "not for all the jewels in Tashbaan."
"Honestly,  Susan, I think I would have loved you less if you had chosen to. I tell  you now that at the first coming of Tisroc's ambassadors into Narnia to  arrange this marriage—and then later when the Prince was our guest at  Cair Paravel—it was a wonder to me how you could find it in your heart  to show him such favour."
"That was my folly, Edmund, of which I cry mercy. When he was with us in Narnia, this Prince bore himself in  another fashion than he does now in Tashbaan." Susan turned to direct her next statement to all those in the room, rather than solely her brother. "I'll remind all of you of the marvelous feats he had in that great tournament and hastilude which our brother, the High King,  prepared for him. How meekly and courteously he associated with us in the space of seven days. But here, in his own city, he has shown another  face."
"Ah!" Sallowpad croaked. "It is an old saying: see the bear in his own den before you judge of his conditions."
"That's very true, Sallowpad," Ana agreed. Those who had something to hide often showed a different face in their own home than when they were guest of another.
Thrudle nodded. "And another is: Come, live with me and you'll know me."
"Yes,"  Edmund agreed. "We all have now seen him for what he is: that is, a  most proud, bloody, luxurious, cruel, and self-pleasing tyrant."
"Then in the name of Aslan," Susan said, "let us leave Tashbaan this very day!"
"There lies the issue, sister. Now I must tell you all that has been on my  mind these last two days and more." He turned to the Archenlandian lord.  "Peridan, would you please look to the door and see that there is no  one spying on us?" The Archenlander did as instructed and confirmed no  Calormenes were lingering outside the door. "All well? So, for now, we  must keep this secret." Everyone grew serious and Ana started paying more attention. Taking her focus off Prince Corin she noted the distress that Edmund had been trying to hide was now visible to all.
Susan approached her brother. "Oh, Edmund," she cried. "What is it? There is something dreadful on your face!"
Edmund took a breath and spoke in a calming voice. "My dear sister and very good Lady, you must have courage. For I tell you plainly that we are in  danger."
"What is it, Edmund?" she inquired
"It is this: I do not think we will find it easy to leave Tashbaan. When the Prince had hope that you would take him, we were honoured guests. But by the Lion's  Mane, I believe that as soon as he has your flat denial we will be no  more than prisoners."
One of the Dwarfs—Thrudle if Ana wasn't mistaken—gave a low whistle while the Raven flapped his wings in annoyance. "I warned Your Majesties, I warned you," Sallowpad stated. "Easily in but not easily out, as the lobster said in the lobster pot."
Edmund nodded. "I've been with the Prince this morning. He is not used to having his will crossed. And he is very annoyed at your long delays and doubtful answers. This morning, he pressed very hard to know your mind. I  put it aside—meaning at the same time to diminish his hopes—with some light common jests about women's fancies, and hinted that his favour was likely to be cold. He grew angry and dangerous. There was a sort of  threat, though still veiled under a show of courtesy, in every word he  spoke."
"Yes," Tumnus agreed, noting he had a similar discussion.  "When I dined with the Grand Vizier last night, it was the same. He asked me how I liked Tashbaan. And I—for I couldn't tell him I hated every stone of it and I would not lie and say I did—told him that now,  when high summer was coming on, my heart turned to the cool woods and dewy slopes of Narnia. He gave me a smile that meant nothing good and  said: 'There is nothing to hinder you from dancing there again, little  goatfoot; always provided you leave us in exchange a bride for our prince.'"
"Do you mean he would make me his wife by force?" Susan exclaimed.
"That's my fear, Susan," Edmund said. "Wife: or slave which is worse. Not to  mention the fact that some Calormenes have taken an interest in Ana..."
"What?"  Susan gasped, her gaze snapping questioningly at Ana. Some of the others did as well, clearly surprised. Apparently, they had not been made aware of the advances as Edmund had been.
"I didn't wish to bother Her Majesty when she was so distraught," Ana explained. "But, yes. What King Edmund said is true."
"They've offered to pay me quite a large amount if I'd allow the marriage,"  Edmund added. "But unless Ana was interested, I couldn't in good name allow it. I'm not sure I would allow it even if she was." The last part was said mostly to himself but Ana wasn't sure whether to feel pleased or slighted by his comment. "Still, if we're not careful they may try to  take Ana before we escape, leaving them with at least one potential  bride."