Fairdawn 21, 849
After court was finished, I grew slightly nervous while I awaited Amesh Tarkaan’s arrival, but I didn’t understand why. Thankfully, waiting did not take long for he was standing right outside the doors waiting for everyone to file out. Amesh walked up to the dais and bowed to me. I answered him with a respectful nod, and we got underway reviewing the treaty. The review took but minutes since we were both present when the treaty was made, so we both knew the main points of it.
After we discussed the treaty, I asked, “How is your companion today, Tarkaan?”
“He awaits the departure of the boat back to Calormen with great anticipation, O Queen,” the Tarkaan answered.
“You may tell Xemphar Tarkaan that your ship will most likely set sail before sunset.”
“He will be ecstatic to catch wind of the news, O Queen.”
I had to keep myself from snorting at Amesh’s flowery speech. He hadn’t spoken so flowery yesterday when we were talking. It made me wonder if Calormenes spoke in such a way all the time or not.
“Queen Swanwhite, there is a request I would like to make,” Amesh said, bringing my thoughts back to the present.
“What is your request, Tarkaan?”
“I was wondering if it would be acceptable with your Majesty if I stayed in Narnia.”
His request caught me off-guard. I never thought a Calormen would ever want to stay in Narnian longer than he needed to. Golly! I never thought a Calormen would want to stay in Narnia, period!
I mulled his request over in my head for a minute before I asked, “Is there a specific reason as to why you want to stay, Tarkaan?”
He smiled softly at me. “I desire to learn more about a country that has intrigued my interest ever since I was a young boy.”
I smiled back at him with amusement. “You may stay, Tarkaan.”
“Thank you, gracious Queen.”
“You are dismissed,” I said, rising from my throne.
Amesh bowed, turned on his heel, and headed out the door. I guess that he was going to go tell Xemphar that he was going home alone.
-x-x-x-x-x-
General Kaymen, Shream, Famina, Amesh, and I went down to the dock to bid Xemphar Tarkaan farewell. It was obvious that Xemphar did not want to be around me any further; the feeling was mutual. I, on the other hand, hid my feelings of disgust for the man, and had a pleasant expression on my face.
Amesh and Xemphar exchanged a few words before the latter bowed to me. I curtsied back.
“May your trip back to Calormen be a safe and uneventful one,” I said to the Tarkaan.
He grunted in response and then boarded his ship. We all stayed at the dock until the ship was a good distance from shore, and then headed back to Cair. We reached the castle in a few minutes, for the dock was not far away. When we got to the gates, the General made his excuses to go down to the training grounds, and I asked Amesh to walk with me down to the gardens because I had a couple of questions to ask of him.
“What is it thy heart desires to know, O beautiful one?” he asked as we started down a path.
I blushed at his flattery, and heard my Wolf guards laugh. “I was wondering if the Tisroc would react poorly to your decision to stay here. Should I expect Calormen troops knocking on my door within the next few weeks?”
Amesh chuckled quietly at the way I worded my inquiry. “You needn’t fear any such invasion, O Queen. If at all, the Tisroc (May he live forever) should have expected my decision to stay. He did choose my person because of my interest in the country and because I made friendships with the monarchs.”
“That is a relief,” I said with a smile.
We walked in silence for the next few minutes as we enjoyed the various flowers and plants in the garden. A new question formed in my mind, though I wasn’t sure how to frame it. I decided to just come right out and ask the Tarkaan.
“Amesh?” I started awkwardly.
“Yes, Queen Swanwhite?” he answered.
“Would you care to dine with me tonight?”
The both of us stopped walking. Amesh looked into my eyes. “It would be my honor, O Queen.”
We smiled at each other. “Dinner is in an hour. You can ask any of the Narnians in Cair Paravel for directions.”
“I shall meet you there.”
I quickly made it back to the entrance gates and headed for my room. Shream and Famina followed me in.
“So are you letting yourself fall prey to the predator, Queen Swanwhite?” Shream asked.
“Oh Shream! I wish you’d get over your romance ideas for me.”
“Would you expect less from my mate, my Queen?” Famina piped in.
“I guess not. But Shream, would you please stop asking every time I talk to him?”
“Then why are you dining with the Tarkaan, Queen Swanwhite?” Shream asked.
“I figured he’d like to dine with someone so he would not be alone,” I answered.
The two Wolves exchanged looks. “Yes, my Queen,” they said in unison.
I rolled my eyes, and headed for my hair brush. I brushed until there were no tangles, and then headed for the door and to the dining room.
-x-x-x-x-x-
I arrived at the royal dining room fifteen minutes before I told Amesh to be there, and made sure that there was a place set for him. I was fretting around so much, and I still didn’t understand why. Sergeant Teman, a Faun guardsman, came in to tell me that Amesh had arrived.
“Please show him in, Teman.”
“Yes, your Majesty,” he said as he bowed.
I went and stood behind my chair so I could properly invite Amesh to dine with me. As soon as Amesh came into the room, my heart started racing. I fought to keep my anxiety from showing.
I gestured towards the chair to my left. “Please sit, Amesh Tarkaan.”
After we seated ourselves, the Dryad servants brought out a meal that consisted of steak, grilled corn, baked potatoes, sherbet, and a red wine.
“Your cooks make a beautiful spread, your Majesty. Almost as beautiful as you,” Amesh commented as he looked at me.
I glanced down at my plate, blushing and smiling. “You flatter me very much, Amesh.”
“You look to be a lady who needs praise.”
I gave a short laugh. “Well, thank you, Amesh.”
He gave me a polite nod, and raised his glass to me. I did the same, and we drank from our glasses. We ate in silence with some small talk in between food items. We had a delightful time.
After dinner, I walked Amesh to his room. He turned around once he got in the door and looked in my eyes. “I had a tremendous night.”
I looked right back at him. “So did I.”
His eyes fell to the floor. “I failed to mention a very important reason why I chose to stay in Narnia.”
I cocked my head in curiosity. “Oh?”
He looked back into my eyes. “My heart desires yours, my Lady.”
I took a quick, deep breath. I could hardly believe what I was hearing.
“I wish to court you, Queen Swanwhite.”
Feeling the blood rushing to my face, I quickly ducked my head. Amesh gently brought my chin up so that I’d look him in the eye.
“May I, your Majesty?” he asked, taking his hand from my face.
“My answer at the moment is not relevant. You would need to ask General Kaymen about that. You see, since Father died, the General has acted as my guardian.”
“You are an adult, though.”
“Granted, but there are some suitors who have been, to say the least, a bother.”
“I understand. I shall speak to the General Kaymen tomorrow morning.”
“I suggest after training. Good night, Amesh Tarkaan.”
“Good night, Queen Swanwhite.”
After his door closed, I danced all the way to my room, and fell asleep with a smile on my face after I thanked Aslan.