Memory Theater
Aug. 7th, 2008 01:48 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
treadingdawnThe Coronation Ball of King Caspian X, King of Narnia, Emperor of the Lone Islands, Lord of Cair Paravel.
But they are not in the ruins of Cair Paravel. They are in the castle of the Telmarines.
"May I have this dance?"
"I cannot refuse an order of the King."
"It is not an order, it is a request. Please."
She watches him carefully, with dark eyes that hold guilt and faded contempt. Then she accepts his hand, and they are on the smooth floor, dancing amidst courtiers, soldiers, fauns, cats, mice, and the Kings and Queens of Old. He is young grace on his feet and she is seasoned elegance on hers. They dance well together, complimentary.
"You are very good."
"I believe I have you to thank."
"Do not thank me for anything, Caspian."
The music slows, coming to a rest as his fingers spread along the silk at her lower back. His posture is tall and confident. The fine structure that defines his nobleman's cheek and jaw doesn't demand respect but it deserves it.
"I have learned to refuse ill will when it is better of me to do so."
She doesn't say anything to this and turns in time with the music that begins the next measure. Her movements are beyond practice, natural, and she invests her attention in this to avoid his. He knows what she is doing, but he follows her and doesn't miss a step. Perhaps no one knows they are even conversing.
"Whatever it is that troubles you, I'll give you a clear mind and a clear heart."
He insists quietly, when they are side to side, facing opposite directions while the flat of their palms touch. She looks at him again and her dark brows knit. For a moment she sees his father, the man to whom she gave her heart could not be. She wonders who had really been betrayed, and it's this that troubles her. Her world is not the same.
She curls her fingers around his and turns him so that they are facing each other. She raises her other hand to his face and kisses his cheek. The dance is at its end.
"I am sorry, Caspian."
Her sincerity sooths him and for a moment he truly believes it washes away years of their lives.
He returns the kiss in kind and nods. He knows she is conflicted, and it's not his place to add anymore to its weight.
"Thank you for this dance, Aunt Prunaprismia."
He raises her hand to brush his lips across her fingers then releases. There's a cheerful clapping, but it's only for the court's performance.
But they are not in the ruins of Cair Paravel. They are in the castle of the Telmarines.
"May I have this dance?"
"I cannot refuse an order of the King."
"It is not an order, it is a request. Please."
She watches him carefully, with dark eyes that hold guilt and faded contempt. Then she accepts his hand, and they are on the smooth floor, dancing amidst courtiers, soldiers, fauns, cats, mice, and the Kings and Queens of Old. He is young grace on his feet and she is seasoned elegance on hers. They dance well together, complimentary.
"You are very good."
"I believe I have you to thank."
"Do not thank me for anything, Caspian."
The music slows, coming to a rest as his fingers spread along the silk at her lower back. His posture is tall and confident. The fine structure that defines his nobleman's cheek and jaw doesn't demand respect but it deserves it.
"I have learned to refuse ill will when it is better of me to do so."
She doesn't say anything to this and turns in time with the music that begins the next measure. Her movements are beyond practice, natural, and she invests her attention in this to avoid his. He knows what she is doing, but he follows her and doesn't miss a step. Perhaps no one knows they are even conversing.
"Whatever it is that troubles you, I'll give you a clear mind and a clear heart."
He insists quietly, when they are side to side, facing opposite directions while the flat of their palms touch. She looks at him again and her dark brows knit. For a moment she sees his father, the man to whom she gave her heart could not be. She wonders who had really been betrayed, and it's this that troubles her. Her world is not the same.
She curls her fingers around his and turns him so that they are facing each other. She raises her other hand to his face and kisses his cheek. The dance is at its end.
"I am sorry, Caspian."
Her sincerity sooths him and for a moment he truly believes it washes away years of their lives.
He returns the kiss in kind and nods. He knows she is conflicted, and it's not his place to add anymore to its weight.
"Thank you for this dance, Aunt Prunaprismia."
He raises her hand to brush his lips across her fingers then releases. There's a cheerful clapping, but it's only for the court's performance.
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Re: On the table, BB!
Date: 2008-08-07 10:18 pm (UTC)A lady's whose name I never got.
[They're leaning against the counter in tandem, busy eating without bother.]
On the table, BB!
Date: 2008-08-07 10:22 pm (UTC)I believe it may have been Lady Anaduis of the House of Catalunere or Lady Bellaluna of the House of Nepherim. They look alike.
[Cousins of a sort.]
On the table, BB!
Date: 2008-08-07 10:27 pm (UTC)[He gives him a look of incredibility. Maybe Edmund really should have asked her name.]
On the table, BB!
Date: 2008-08-07 10:32 pm (UTC)It was not my responsibility to know your dance partner.
On the table, BB!
Date: 2008-08-07 10:37 pm (UTC)Nice of you to have it sorted.
[He licks at stray jelly on his wrist.]
With your aunt, I mean.
On the table, BB!
Date: 2008-08-07 10:42 pm (UTC)She accepted His offer.
[Even then Caspian had felt somewhat conflicted to see her and Glozelle leave.]
On the table, BB!
Date: 2008-08-07 10:46 pm (UTC)[Edmund notes without the slightest trace of sarcasm. He turns and makes another sandwich.]
Another one?
On the table, BB!
Date: 2008-08-07 10:52 pm (UTC)I wouldn't mind.
[He gives Edmund a smile.]
On the table, BB!
Date: 2008-08-07 10:59 pm (UTC)How is it? [Slathers on some more jelly than peanut butter, again.] Settling back in?
On the table, BB!
Date: 2008-08-07 11:01 pm (UTC)Yes, slowly. And you?
[Still sore? Backaches? Let's talk about you, not me.]
On the table, BB!
Date: 2008-08-07 11:09 pm (UTC)Better.
[He says simply. It's almost sad how he gives this more care than he does most things. Edmund idly wonders how Susan's doing. He hasn't seen her recently.]
On the table, BB!
Date: 2008-08-07 11:10 pm (UTC)I haven't seen much of Susan or Peter these days.
On the table, BB!
Date: 2008-08-07 11:14 pm (UTC)Neither have I.
[Edmund pauses, sets the knife back down. He frowns. Angles it, then proceeds to slop on some more jelly. You can never have too much.]
On the table, BB!
Date: 2008-08-07 11:18 pm (UTC)[That said to Edmund, while he eats his own. Best not to dwell perhaps.]
On the table, BB!
Date: 2008-08-07 11:23 pm (UTC)The curses here are odd.
On the table, BB!
Date: 2008-08-07 11:28 pm (UTC)[Concurring with Edmund, om nom nom.]
On the table, BB!
Date: 2008-08-07 11:31 pm (UTC)On the table, BB!
Date: 2008-08-07 11:33 pm (UTC)[Nod nod.]
On the table, BB!
Date: 2008-08-07 11:36 pm (UTC)[Curious, curious, curious. Gotta watch out, Ed. Lest you be killed.]
Who?
On the table, BB!
Date: 2008-08-07 11:38 pm (UTC)[His eyes seem brighter just at mentioning the Ranger.]
On the table, BB!
Date: 2008-08-07 11:41 pm (UTC)How good?
[Bites into the sandwich.]
On the table, BB!
Date: 2008-08-07 11:46 pm (UTC)He barely used the edge of his blade and still he disarmed me. He is nearing a century's age but he appears only twice mine.