Plot-locked to Caspian

[livingintrinity]

The pool opened into a bower of sun streamers and green in the shades of fading new spring and the whisper of promised emerald summer. There was a rock formation which jutted upward for twenty feet in the Northern area just beyond them, trees crowning onward from it, and just beyond westerly was a worn path with rivets from cart wheels which wound its way through the dappled grove.

"This," Marian said, with an awe and love that was never, and would never, be tarnished by time. "Is Sherwood forest."

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[fortuneoftarva.livejournal.com]

"Nay."

He shakes his head. "None. There are few enough sailors among Narnians these days, and none of the seven lords ever returned to tell us if they reached so far. Some say that the ocean ends and drops off in a mighty fall; others say that the end is too far for Man to reach. There are those who say we might even find Aslan's Country there."

Though the words are calm and cheery, he feels the familiar flaring joy, thinking of the great Lion, and for a moment the sun seems brighter, the air clearer and the scent of grass and woodland sweeter.

[livingintrinity]

So the checklist of present?

1. Sailing to find fathers friends.
2. Sailing to end of the world,

Best newest piece?

3. Seven had apparently sailed to the end of the world, but never returned, possibly somewhere else, possibly gone off the edge of the world -- so thus the king went after them to the end of the world.

Marian had a strangely worried look on her face as they were walking out of the fair beginnings, spotting the horses. She was no green girl to run and hug a friend for worry. And, looking to him, he seemed to be fueled by the idea this was the grandest adventure.

Reminding her delightfully of someone who should not be named.

"That sounds like a great chance you are taking. What will happen if they have already sailed over the edge and into the beyond long ago?"

[fortuneoftarva.livejournal.com]

There's enough caution in her question--caution that is not aimed directly at him--that Caspian blinks at her in surprise, not a little pleased that she seems concerned for his welfare.

Still, she looks worroed, and while he thinks she needn't be, he nods and tries to explain.

"'Tis a chance, of course, and it's possible we never will reach the edge, or even come close to it, or find even one of the seven lords. We might have to turn back, if our food or water won't last us as long as we hope, or if foul weather comes up. Never fear, lady, we will return home again. I would not abandon Narnia, even for the Utter East."

[livingintrinity]

She'd heard this speech before. Exchange the words sea and and seven and edge for things like war and honor and King and it was almost too close. There was some burn to those thoughts, even as she knew them unfair.

"I hope for your safe return," that was diplomatic. Almost, wincingly, too. So she added, with a look that said she was attempting hopeful for him, even if she might not be winning completely. "I shall pray that you do find your friends and a good ending to your travel at home's safe shore."

When they reached the horses at the edge, she opened her hand breaking something apart. Giving him a small piece of the crust from her tart, she said, "For Sorely. I don't treat them often, but today just seemed that kind of day."

[fortuneoftarva.livejournal.com]

He takes the crust, but there was something troubling about her prior words and about her fleeting optimism.

"Thank you," he says, and whether it is for the crust of tart, the well-wishes or this visit itself remains unsaid.

Sorely sniffs and lips at his hand, and once the treat is gone Caspian runs his hand under the mane. "Would you?" He turns to her, hand still on Sorely's neck, and smiles. "I'd like very much knowing that you are thinking of us during the voyage."

[livingintrinity]

Marian watched him quietly, while she fed Lineave, feeling guilt for the rather awkward moment it had caused. Hadn't he caused enough of her life to be awkward; did he really need to far beyond presence?

She had not longed, nor truly meant, to put the almost withdrawn expression on Caspian face. He was much better painted in the colors of laughter and exhilaration. It was easy to see now, though, what he must have looked like when he found himself in hard rule.

At his question, she smiled, in spite of herself or perhaps because he pressed the small hope she'd given, with a nod, "Every dawn and sunset, if thee'd like."

She untied Lineave from the long bar, leading her back toward the path.

[fortuneoftarva.livejournal.com]

"I would like, aye."

The thought of Marian thinking well of him--of them, that is, of the voyagers--suffuses Caspian with simple pleasure. He can feel the warmth of it creepiing up his neck and into his face.

"Thee are very kind, lady, to do so. For someone you've only just met, I mean," he adds, glancing over at her while Sorely, untied and following behind him, nudges at his shoulder with a soft nose, companionably.

[livingintrinity]

Putting a foot up into the stirrup and boosting herself into the saddle, she managed to take extra seconds in settling before getting to respond.

Looking back she was struck with how easily he fit. With Sorely, who rarely liked new people. With the town, who was sweeter though for the faire. With herself, whom no one agreed with especially the more honest she became.

It was a pleasant expression of amusement that she watched him under. "Tis no problem, sir, though if it is not too bold the longer we speak the more it seems as though we are two mirrors alike, simply never knowing until the pools magic."

The word magic still has some awe and majesty in it. It was rare in her world, after all.

[fortuneoftarva.livejournal.com]

"Nay, it is not too bold." And to tell the truth, he rather likes the way Marian speaks her mind, alternately wistful and dreaming, quick and bright. It's refreshing, after the ladies who visit him in court at Cair Paravel, nice enough though they are.

He swings up into the saddle and Sorely prances, rested and questioning, mouth moving at the bit. "Had we met under different circumstances, I'd have thought you a native of Narnia for certain--but that isn't what you mean, is it?" Even though it's true. With her dark hair and fair skin, she could easily be a daughter of the Telmarines who had remained--or a maid of Archenland, mayhap, one who loves the woods and the mountains."

[livingintrinity]

She pet Lineave gently though her eyes lingered on Sorely. They were two of kind in way no words could give. There was the edge of a sheepish smile before she waved for him to come up and join him as she tapped her heels and start forward leisurely.

"T'would be quite different, I suppose. To fit in and be attended to as one among many alike. I tend, most times, to stand out differently among my own."

The tone said this was still not quite a welcome thing.

[fortuneoftarva.livejournal.com]

"It is, very different."

Might it be that the pools of the wood were mirrors, held up to different worlds to show their far-off twins? As a child, Caspian had ever felt cut off and alienated from those he knew as his only family, even from those whom all said were his people.

He hadn't felt at home until he was hurled as by a wind into the wild joy on the Dancing Lawn; not until he had fled the castle he had grown up in.

But he knows his own story; it is Marian's he is interested in hearing. "You seemed well-loved in the fairgrounds," he says, gently, keeping Sorely at a walk next to his mistress and her mount. "Why do you feel so?"

[livingintrinity]

Marian road a great distance, a strange sadness drawing across her face, her eyes becoming more gray than blue, before she could even find the right words to give him an answer.

"They love me for the Lady I have been, and very much for the love I have for them which shows as it can." She frowned at a tree, as her mind unbidden came guards and her nightwatchman escapades and even her simple hate of the government.

"There are many, in important place, with more power, who say I speak too freely and continuously act unlady-like for our ways."

Who would have her head for the smallest peep of the real job she was doing of the people.

[fortuneoftarva.livejournal.com]

"Lady," says Caspian, who has never truly learned the art of thinking deeply before speaking his mind, "your free speech is only another of your charms, and those who would silence you would do better to keep a greater hold on their own mouths. I take it those you speak of now are the men who took power once your kind was gone?"

He hadn't liked the silence, but what Marian tells him might even be worse. It is horribly frustrating to listen to accounts of a lady of his acquaintance being insulted or pushed aside, and unable to do anything at all about it besides try to cheer her or listen to her as best he can.

Those men, he thinks, are fools.

[livingintrinity]

Marian does not unveiling scars, and while these might not be deepest, they still counted. Weakness was not a thing willingly displayed, even as she looked in at it.

"Three years since those days." There is a careful sadness in those words. But an ambivalent one.

There are things she did now, things even those who loved her best would balk at.

"I am unfit for the role of a Lady as they would have it." Lineave sped up slightly due her suddenly movement of annoyance upward. "I am uncontent to sit idle, to watch people hurt, to simply sew and play, dance and sing, to run races and pretend that nothing is changed, as though seeking a husband might be the biggest dream a girl ought have."

Too much, indeed, had changed. In her and in the land.

[fortuneoftarva.livejournal.com]

"Nor should you sit aside and do nothing."

He taps at Sorely, who catches up easily, head tossing. "Perhaps it is they who are wrong about what a lady may or may not do. There is a Queen whom I know, a dear friend, who used to ride with the archers into battle, despite anyone who tried to stop her. Do what you must, to protect your people. When will your king return? Has anyone news of him?"

[livingintrinity]

Oh, there was news. The look said that clear enough before she looked away. Her voice wasn't completely clear now.

"We are told that we are winning. They never say otherwise. The only news that comes truly direct though is the lists."

The names. Each month, the names. And the wailing.

Her shoulders stiffened, shaking her head. She focused on Lineave who stayed at the changed pace, but she knew might not be so keen to go faster again. The house wouldn't be terribly further.

Marion's voice was very still when she added, "The actions I take would bring any other to the noose long before now."

[fortuneoftarva.livejournal.com]

Winning. Caspian has been in enough battles to realize exactly what that might mean for the people here, and he has seen lists of his own all too often.

And the thought of Marian and the violent death she describes makes his hands clench against the reins, so that Sorely tosses his head and sidesteps in confusion. He glances down, and finds that his knuckles ar very pale.

"Then pray, do not get caught." His voice came out low, barely heard over the breeze that shuffles the new leaves around them. "I won't ask what those actions might be; not here. I'm sorry to have brought up sorrowful subjects, lady."

He'd sooner see her smile, but this is a part of Marian, as well, and he finds he admires it as much as he does all the others.

[livingintrinity]

"Tis truth, Lord Caspain," she replied, looking toward him, her face somewhat sad but there is an ironic something perked at the edge of her lips. "I do not regret truth."

Though she had no intention of being caught anytime soon. And she wasn't sure what of that she could say or quite why she felt compelled to.

"There is the house," Marian said, looking forward.

[fortuneoftarva.livejournal.com]

He follows the movement of her head, grateful for the interruption. "Aye. Do you think your father will be there by now?"

It isn't that he's worried, merely curious. Marian spoke of her father with a great deal of fondness, and he's sure that Ravenkeep's master is a fine man.

[livingintrinity]

The house slowly loomed at their pace, forming into shape and then the lines she could distinguish. She glanced at him for his question, seeing her gray eyes still far beyond, dappled in the streamers of the forest and yet blending to them in a way.

And no fear. Simply curiosity. Yes, this would be for a man who sought the edge of the world. No fear, just curiosity.

"I could inquire within if you'd like, this time."

[fortuneoftarva.livejournal.com]

The temptation is to say aye, I'd like that, for he would, dearly. It would be a pleasure to meet Marian's father and to tell the man how impressed he is by the way his lands are kept--but they have already been gone a long while and he is eager to return to Narnia and the preparations for his voyage.

"Perhaps another time," he says, though his voice is a little wistful. "I'd not want to disturb him, and this has already been a very pleasant visit." Nor put Marian in a nealrly unexplainable situation. "We ought to make our way back to the Wood, if you'd not mind."

[livingintrinity]

"Not at all." And, in fact, it was true.

She was quite grateful that fate had given her the chance to show him her world without the many garish things that bombarded her daily -- her father's wary protectiveness was the least of it when compared to the trails of the peasantry, the sheriff or his lackey's.

Putting the horses away, she led him to the main pool in the woods and they left the forest to the echoes of their laughter and talk once they'd gone back through.