Chapter Six

The scene immediately following Corin's departure was one of complete chaos. No one was in their seats anymore. Everyone was shouting, gasping, or whispering in tight little knots. The Duke was bellowing "What is the meaning of this, Lune?!" and the Archen King was left stuttering for an answer.

In the midst of the confusion, Cor pushed his way to Aravis. She was already meeting him halfway. "We have to find him," he said, taking her by the shoulders.

She nodded and took him by the hand to lead him outside. It was much quieter in the echoing hall. "Do you think he's in the castle?" she asked.

Cor thought about this and shook his head. "No. He's gone. He may be in the Old Guard House, but my bet is on the woods."

There was a swell of noise as the chapel door opened. Cor and Aravis turned to see Queen Lucy emerge with her brother King Edmund. Lord Peridan was a step behind.

"I want to help look for him," the Queen announced, looking between them.

"We'll all help," King Edmund said, stepping forward and volunteering himself and Lord Peridan. "It is imperative we find him as soon as possible. The Galmians are crying foul. This has international incident written all over it."

"Hang the Galmians!" Lucy cried. "We need to find him to understand." She shook her head and led the party towards the stables.

Within the space of a few minutes they were mounted and ready to go. They split up into parties—Cor and Aravis would search in one direction, King Edmund and Lord Peridan in another. Queen Lucy insisted on going alone. They hastily determined signals with their hunting horns and a rendez-vous point down the road. As soon as this was determined, Lucy spurred her horse and galloped off. All four watched her until she disappeared in the dark trees. Then King Edmund turned to Lord Peridan. "Come on," he sighed. "And I thought we'd lost him for the last time in Tashbaan."

"His disappearances do seem to be fortuitous though," Lord Peridan answered, flashing a smile at Cor. Cor turned his head and saw that Aravis was smiling too. His cheeks grew hot and he started his horse.

Aravis quickly caught up to him. He didn't look, but he felt her next to him. "Let's hope this disappearance is equally fortuitous," he muttered.

"I doubt he'll facilitate the finding of another lost prince," Aravis returned. Her voice was so deadpan that Cor had to smile a bit. He sighed and turned to Aravis. "It's better he didn't go through with it. But he might have chosen a better moment."

"When has Corin ever chosen the right moment for anything?" Aravis wondered. "But yes, it is far, far better. Worth all this, even." Her cheeks flushed and she turned to him with sudden passion. "He could not have married her, Cor! I could not have borne seeing it."

Aravis' tone touched Cor so much he reached out and took hold of her hand. "He won't now."

She turned her face away. "I don't see how you could have allowed it. You or your father."

"The choice was his!" Cor protested.

Aravis scoffed. "How can you even pretend that, I don't know. If she was really his choice, we wouldn't be searching for him in the woods. If he had a bride of his own election you know full well who would have been at that altar." She yanked her hand away and cantered ahead, peering through the trees.

Cor pursued her. "That's not fair. You know I was against the match. How could I say no when Corin wouldn't?" he demanded with a frown.

"You should have anyway!" Aravis shouted. "When you know how he feels, when you said to me on Queen Susan's wedding night…" she broke off, shaking her head.

Cor remembered her face as she watched Corin at the altar, and he understood. He took her hand again. "That hasn't changed," he assured her. "I believe in love still. And I will see you married to the man of your choice."

For a moment it seemed as though Aravis would soften. Her eyes grew bright and her lips trembled. But then her face closed off with hard pride and she tossed her head. "And what if the choice of my heart is too cowardly to say he wants me? " She looked at him hard. There was little doubt as to her meaning.

At first Cor was shocked. This was the first time either of them had said anything beyond "I love you." The fact that Aravis might have a point angered him more than her words alone. She started her horse. Cor reached out and grabbed the reins. The mare looked like she was going to buck, and Aravis jumped down to prevent behind thrown. She looked up at Cor, her face blazing.

He dismounted and took her by the arms. "I am no coward," he growled.

"Either you are a coward, or you are a liar and have played me false," she gasped, struggling to free herself.

Cor roared with rage and in the same breath pulled her to him and kissed her hard. He felt her stiffen in resistance, then yield as he persisted. Instead of fighting him off, she pressed herself to him. She threw her arms around his neck and buried her hands in his hair. They kissed for a long, heady moment before he broke away with a gasp. He kept his arms tight around her and looked down into her face. He could feel the warmth of her breath on his cheeks.

"I want you," he said lowly. As he looked at her, he realized that yes, he wanted to lay with her, take her here on the forest floor even, explore her body. But more than that, he wanted something else. Finally he found the courage or whatever it was he needed to say what he hadn't been able to say before.

"I want you, Aravis. I love you, and I want to be with you. Not like—" he blushed, letting the implication hang in the air. "Not just like that," he qualified. "I want to marry you. I want to be with you forever. You—you are the choice of my heart."

At first Aravis didn't say anything. Her expression was unreadable: her eyes were glittering but her mouth was prim, tight. Cor had stopped breathing and didn't know how to start again.

The she opened her mouth and he leaned forward lest he should miss her words. In place of her voice though, there was a clear call from a horn. For a moment Cor was confused—was that her voice?—until he recognized the sound.

"Queen Lucy—she's found him," Cor said. They had no choice but to mount their horses and ride to the rendez-vous, leaving Cor's proposal hanging in the air.

Cor felt sick the whole ride. What if, despite her implications, she felt compelled to say no?

They reached the rendez-vous point before Corin but after King Edmund and Lord Peridan. Clearly this was not a moment to speak. Cor's horse felt his nerves and started to sidle. Shortly they came riding through the trees, Lucy in front, Corin a few paces behind. The Queen had a strange little smile on her face, while Corin's eyes were wide open and glazed over. Clearly something had happened, but all either of them said was when Lucy announced "Corin's ready to go back now and make his apologies."

She started her horse and rode forward, still bearing that strange little smile. King Edmund and Lord Peridan hurried to catch up, eager for more details and strategizing diplomacy. Corin fell back to ride between Cor and Aravis. He was silent for awhile, watching Lucy's back intently. Not until they were halfway to the castle did Corin say in a hushed, reverent sort of voice "She kissed me, you know." He did not take his eyes off Lucy.

Cor threw out his arm to hold Corin back. "Wait—what?"

He nodded dazedly. "Yes. I told her I loved her and that it was hopeless and she kissed me and told me not to be stupid."

Cor leaned around Corin to look at Aravis. Her eyes were glittering with triumph. Cor frowned her off from saying "I told you so." He wanted to laugh with relief. Corin did it for him, shaking his head and chuckling in amazement. Lucy heard the laugh and turned to look at him over her shoulder. Her face was glowing.

The scene back at the castle was utter chaos. When the party rode through the gate, sentries announced them and a great crowd of people rushed down the steps, all of them shouting something. Cor could hardly make out who was in the group, except he could hear the duke shouting "Will someone please tell me the meaning of this?"

King Edmund and Lord Peridan dismounted and entered the fray, seeking to soothe. The High King peppered them with questions, keeping the duke at bay. Corin jumped down and prepared to make an account of himself. Lucy slipped her hand into his. When he looked at her, she gave him a brief, brave little smile. He visibly swelled with warmth and pride.

Cor drew closer to Aravis, reaching out for her hand. He had to know if he had her hand in more ways than one. His father appeared then, anxious and drawn. Cor saw for the first time that his father looked old. His full cheeks had a papery texture to them, and there were grooves round his mouth.

"Art his brother, Cor," Lune said, twisting his hands. "Dost thou know why he did this?"

Cor stared, not sure what to say. Could he tell the truth and betray his brother? Was it in fact a betrayal?

Aravis stepped forward and took his hands. "It's an inopportune time, but you should celebrate. Your son is in love." She nodded to him, still so close to Lucy. "He's in love with Queen Lucy."

Lune stared, and between them they launched into an explanation. Even after they had told the tale, or what they knew of it, the diplomacy was not over. Lune pulled Cor forward to help pacify the Galmians and shield Corin from their ire. Cor entered the diplomatic fray of his father's state chamber.

Everyone was there—the Duke of Galma was in the center, shouting. His daughter was shrinking behind him, her eyes burning dark with humiliation. They were surrounded by several lords who grumbled echoes of the duke's anger. King Edmund and Lord Peridan were in the midst of all this, the King engaging the duke, trying to pacify him while Peridan picked lords out of the clustered group, plying them with Archen wine and entreating them to sit down because it had been such a trying evening. Lune stood near King Edmund, wringing his hands and not saying much as the Duke shouted. Cor's heart swelled with pity. His father was a noble man and no coward, but what could he say? Diplomatically, Corin's actions were indefensible.

Corin himself was hovering by the doors with Aravis, who held fast to his arm and wore a rather severe expression. Cor knew this was because she was nervous and worried—when Aravis was most upset, she appeared most severe. Corin himself was looking rather green as he surveyed the scene, but when his eyes landed on Lucy his face became tense and alive with hope.

Lucy stood with her sister, unnaturally quiet. After a few minutes observing the melee, she looked up at Queen Susan and whispered something to her. Cor saw the gentle queen gasp and put her arms around her sister. He guessed Lucy told Susan the same news he had learned from Corin.

Finally everyone was seated and the shouting subsided to a disgruntled murmur. Underneath it Corin leaned over and whispered, "I don't know what to do, Cor. I can't marry her. But I can't start a war."

Cor turned to his brother and gripped his forearm as the Duke rose to speak.

"This is an insult," he declared in a ringing voice. "An outrage against my nation and my house! Do you think just because you are the pawn of Narnia you can do as you please, Lune?"

There was a cry of outrage from all the Narnians and the Archenlanders. The High King was on his feet at once, his face pale and thunderous. Queen Susan lad a hand on his arm. He looked down at her, and then at King Edmund, who shook his head ever so slightly. The High King took a breath and relaxed his features before he spoke. "Archenland is not our pawn. She is our ally."

"And the world knows it!" retorted the Duke. "You have insulted us, Lune, undeniably and categorically. You have broken faith with a treaty and made a mockery of Galma. Such is cause for war, and even your Narnian friends cannot deny that."

Corin blanched and leapt up from his seat. "It's my fault, not my father's," he said in a trembling voice. "He didn't do anything. You can take me away if you like, but please don't declare war." He held out his hands for shackles.

The Duke blinked in surprise, and Lune's brows drew together in distress at the very thought. "You shall not take him away. He is my son," he said quietly but clearly. "I would fight—"

"It needn't come to that," Cor interrupted. "Your pardon, Father," he added, remembering his manners. He caught his father's nod of forgiveness, but then he saw that every eye was fixed on him. He swallowed and rose to his feet. "Friends," he said, his voice shaking a little, "What my brother did was wrong. No one denies that, certainly not he himself. But this is no cause for war. Are we not free men? Are we not faithful men? We don't need marriage to form an alliance between nations. That is why the bond between Archenland and Narnia is so strong. It is built on trust, and nothing more. We would extend that same hand of friendship to you, your grace." Here he nodded at the Duke. The room was very quiet. Cor's hand was trembling, and he balled it into a fist so no one could see. He drew a large breath, feeling somewhat sick, and continued.

"Moreover, as free northerners, do we not believe in the choice of a person's heart? So many of you were at the Battle of Anvard. All could have been prevented with the marriage of Queen Susan to Rabadash, but to a man the Narnians would have died before they saw that happen. The High King himself refuses to barter his sisters' happiness, and my lady Aravis fled here in the hopes that she could make a marriage of her choice." Cor felt his cheeks grow hot, and he pressed on quickly, careful to avoid Aravis' eyes. "Perhaps my brother did not act as he ought, and it was dishonorable to flee. But is there not more dishonor still in swearing fidelity to one when his heart belongs to another? Let him make his own choice, and let us keep our alliances in the state chamber and out of the bed chamber."

With a scraping of his chair, Cor sat down. He kept his eyes on the grain of the table, sure his ears were bright red. No one said anything, and he felt quite sure everyone was looking at him. The silence endured, and Cor glanced up in alarm. He met the High King's eye, and King Peter nodded to him with a small smile and a wink. This make Cor flush even more, and he ducked his head again.

"You might begin with the terms you were hoping for in a treaty of marriage," King Edmund suggested with a pleasant smile.

A long, convoluted discussion followed which involved a lot of tricky diplomacy. Sometimes they strayed far from the subject of what Corin did; sometimes they battered it needlessly, saying the same things over and over again. It was an agony of tedium during which Cor felt his chest tightening and tightening—none of the questions posed were the one he wanted an answer to. He was afraid to look at Aravis because he didn't want to know if her answer was no in front of all these people.

At two o'clock in the morning, everyone adjourned for bed. Cor stumbled into the hall and forced his eyes open to look for Aravis. Corin found him first.

"Thanks for that," he said, clapping his hand on his brother's shoulder.

Cor nodded. "Well, it's true. You should get to marry Lucy if you want to."

"And I just might have the chance," Corin mused, looking past his twin to the door of the state chamber. Cor twisted his neck to see Queen Lucy emerging, and Corin went to her at once, grinning broadly. Cor did not miss the warm smile she gave him. Her face lit up, and she took a quick step forward as if she would run to Corin, but she checked herself until he was close enough so she could reach out for his hands. She looked up into his face, her expression shining.

Cor smiled to himself and turned at once to look for Aravis, but she was gone. A weight that was a ball of nerves settled in his chest, and he dragged his feet to the bedchamber, pondering his proposal which dangled in the air.

He stumbled up to his room, his head splitting with yawns. In the back of his mind was a vague humming anxiety about Aravis. Did he dare ask her again? How could he? And yet if he didn't, how would he get an answer? But did he dare ask her…and so his thoughts went, round and round as he trudged down the halls. His head swam dizzily from trying to think so hard when he was so tired.

When he entered his bedchamber, he was awakened from his sleepy reverie by quite a surprise. Aravis was sitting in the center of his bed in her richly embroidered dressing gown, the filmy cotton of her nightshirt peeking from underneath. Her slippered feet were tucked up underneath her and her black hair flowed over her shoulders.

"You are a most noble champion of romance, my prince, and you speak beautifully, but I am very upset with you," she announced, tossing her hair. "If you are going to propose to a woman you ought to do it properly, kneeling before her and presenting her a ring, not in the middle of the woods on a manhunt. How can a woman accept such a proposal and preserve her pride?" She pursed her mouth severely, her eyes sparkling.

Cor grinned and came forward. "Marry me," he said warmly.

She arched a black eyebrow. "Ask me properly."

He reached the bed and crawled onto it. Still grinning, he took up the hem of her dressing gown and kissed it. "Marry me." Now he took up her hand. "Marry me." Their faces were very close together now, and he raised his brows, trying to keep from grinning.

She pouted for a moment, but then she slid her arms around his neck. She fell back onto the pillows and he with her. He could smell the rich perfume of her hair and feel the softness of her body underneath his. He reflected that once he thought she was all angles, but clearly this was not so. He moved his hand to stroke her body—she was so appealingly soft—but she smacked his hand away and gave him a reproachful look. In the next breath she smiled and kissed him warmly, and his head spun with the contradiction of her. Somehow that made her all the more dear, and his mouth on hers was tender.

"Oh Cor," she whispered to him, her voice full of emotion. "The delight of my eyes. Yes. Yes, I'll marry you."