Chapter Six: Of Natures and Nine Months

(In which Lady Brianna's true nature is stripped bare.)

If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find in each man's life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility. –Longfellow

Brianna paced the floor anxiously. It was not uncommon for her to have breakfast with the queen—twice a week she and the other two ambassador's wives were obliged to breakfast with her. The thing that concerned Brianna was that it was to be just the two of them this morning. The other women had told her they were not invited. Brianna was already suspicious of Rose, but this morning, she was on edge. She sat down again, in a rustle of green satin, and licked her lips.

"Dilla!" the tall dark woman emerged from the en-suite. "Get my pearls. I will wear them to breakfast." Brianna glared at the woman. She was taller than Brianna, her head was shaved bare, and her clothes were a simple long tunic and sandals. Yet the woman had strength, and beauty that Brianna had never managed to posses.

It was no wonder Ayden took Dilla to his bed more often than his wife.

Brianna slapped the slave's hand away when she tried to fasten the pearls about her heck, and snatched the gems from her. "I'll do it, you idiot," she said, her voice thick. She breathed deeply, blinking furiously as she arranged the pearls. She stood, and Dilla opened the door. "Get the Rat to clean the room, and the fireplace. You see that Deidre is dressed, and take her to the music room." Brianna swept away.

She had a lonely breakfast with the queen to attend.

When Rose had first come to the castle eight years ago, as the soon to be queen of king Erlian, she had discovered a great many things about court life that she had never known.

The spy system of the monarchs was one of those things. It had been established so long ago that no one was certain which king or queen had originally started the Narnian Intelligence, and the history regarding it was vague, for a good reason: to keep secret that which they knew should remain so.

Now, as Rose sat on the South Tower balcony, waiting patiently for her breakfast guest, she knew that she was being watched more than usual. Apart from Sihan whom she had no doubt was lurking somewhere within earshot, having left Tirian in the dubious yet vigilant care of Jono, and Zyrphilla, who was openly present, as well as Lana, who lay in a patch of sunlight, Rose knew that several of the Murder and the Pack would be idly watching, listening, and betting who would come out of the confrontation alive.

Zyrphilla opened the oak doors and led the Lady Brianna through the Queen's rooms, and onto the balcony. Brianna took in the view and Rose at the same time, and smilingly sat down.

"I thank you for inviting me—"

"No, my lady, thank you for coming. I feared for a moment that you would allow our pasts to interfere with my wish for us to be friends."

Rose smiled a perfectly docile, queenly smile, and Brianna returned it. They were silent for a while, as Rose poured her guest some tea, and sat down again, nursing her own cup. Her eyes flicked over the other lady, who looked dazzling in a deep forest green dress and a set of pearls that looked valuable enough to buy a small kingdom. Rose wondered if the Crows were itching to touch it. Probably.

"It is a lamentable fact that we have not been able to converse more often due to both my duties as queen and yours as ambassador. It is indeed my wish that I come to know each guest in my household, and that your indefinite stay in Narnia is pleasant."

Brianna resisted the urge to raise an eyebrow at Rose sarcastically.

Did the impetuous woman honestly think that their malicious history was to be so easily forgotten? It was because of the silly peasant-girl Rose that Brianna was married to the sod Ayden! If she had not interfered, if she had been a good Archenlandic peasant and refused the besotted and infatuated king's proposal, the Brianna's sister, Allegra, would have been queen, and Brianna would have married Erlian's cousin, Farlan, who had since been wounded in a skirmish on the northern borders, and remained in one of the houses of healing in the Lantern Wastes.

It had been an arranged marriage, that of her sister's, but the Narnian king had agreed because the relationship between the two countries was testy, and then with the abrupt marriage to a peasant woman, it had become more-so. Allegra had, thinking it was her fault for the political unrest, and thinking she was worthless, killed herself with a jewelled dagger.

Brianna had found her sister's body, bleeding all over their bedroom floor.

After that, their father had married her off to Duke Ayden, a man only a few years her senior, but with an ill-repute when it came to fidelity. She had her children in quick succession, before her husband bought Dilla and seemed to forget his duties as a husband. It was no secret in the Tyrell house that they hated each other now. Brianna quickly brushed away the thought that told her it had not always been so...

So, instead of sneering at Rose's attempt at civility, she smiled graciously, as she was taught to.

"Of, course, your highness." Brianna sipped her tea, and waited for the queen to start dishing so that she could. She was not hungry—she had a small appetite as it was—but she would eat, for the sake of etiquette.

They were silent again, and Rose helped herself to the food, and motioned that Brianna should do the same. After a few minutes of taut silent eating, Rose wiped her mouth on her napkin and set her fork down.

"Lady Brianna, I must be frank." Rose had never been one for lying, and she knew she would not be able to carry through with starting one now. "Are you and the Duke aware of Narnia's laws regarding slavery?"

The only thing that gave Brianna away was the way her eyes darkened. "Why, your highness?"

"I know you have at least three slaves within your quarters here," Rose said.

"And how would you have come upon that information? Spying on your guests?" This time Brianna couldn't keep the malice from her voice.

"I am within my right as queen to ensure that your activities within the Narnian borders are without dishonest intent," Rose spat back. "And you have breached Narnian law. Each House, upon your acquiescence to become Archenlandian Ambassadors here in Narnia, was given a docket of all laws, regulations, and actions you would be responsible for. And yet you have slaves, here, in the very city and castle of Cair Paravel."

"Oh, yes, and aren't you the lovely queen simply fighting for justice!" There was a growl from Lana as she rose, and Sihan skulked out of the shadows. Brianna merely laughed, pointing to them, and said: "And you bring your fury pets to fight your battles, peasant!" Brianna spat the word out as if it were an oath. "You have brought my house nothing but pain! It's your fault my sister is in her grave—but no, you would never see it that way! I'm sure you think it was simply because she was too insecure and weak willed, that she killed herself. You, of course, went through so, so many trials and hardships, yet you continue to care for your family, even your sister who now lives here in Narnia." Brianna's derisive laugh ended as she continued. "Everything is your fault! And you wish to question why we keep slaves? My family has done so for generations! We buy and sell them because they're mere desert nomads. In my house, those stupid slaves have more hope of being noble than they do living in filth and squalor the way their parents have." Brianna was breathing heavily, glaring at the pale-faced Rose. The Lady's cheeks were flushed dark in comparison, and she put a hand to her chest, and sat back in her chair.

There was silence.

"I'm sorry," Rose said, eventually, "About your sister. But the slaves, Brianna...it's against the law."

"As should a peasant marrying a king be," retorted Brianna, as she stood and strode out of the room.

Rose sat at the table for a long time, unsure of what to do. Her past had raised its head and it was not a pretty sight.

Everything Brianna said was true: Rose had been a peasant, and had been living close to the Narnian border of Archenland with her two younger sisters, when the King and his garrison passed through: they had been chasing a group of hags and were-folk. They spent the night in the village's inn, and the next morning, would have set out, but one of the hags had attacked the village, and several people had been injured, and some even killed. Rose's one sister had been one of the fatalities.

It had been a tragic meeting, but the king had been kind to her, and had taken the offence by the hag almost as if he had been able to stop it. Through her grief, Rose had told him not to worry, but he had gone off with his men again, and this time they found the group, and they were dealt with accordingly.

Erlian had been wounded, and they returned to the village. Rose had nursed him and dressed his wounds. She had fallen for the man who had avenged her sister.

They had made love. And soon thereafter, he married her for her honour.

Their first child had died within months of the pregnancy, and a year later, Tirian was conceived. No one outside of their trusted guard and advisors and friends knew the truth of the marriage. And Rose knew he loved her, ever since that first time.

Oh, how she wanted his wisdom on this matter now.

Erlian looked into Lillipad's eyes earnestly, and slowly tied the letter to her leg.

"Fly swiftly, friend," he murmured. She gave a curt nod, and was off, fast disappearing into the distance. He watched her for a moment, before turning and heading in from the balcony. He hoped the Swallow was not intercepted—if she was, this letter, which was of vital importance, would not reach his wife in time, if ever. And he and his men would be in more dire straits than they currently were. His eyes trailed over his room for the millionth time, and out of habit, he checked the door. Still locked from the outside.

Erlian sighed, and hoped his plan would work. Lillipad was returning home, and very soon, he intended to have all of his brave soldiers on that path as well.

Author's note: More to come on Erlian's bit next chapter—I promise it will be a long one. Also, was it just me, or does Rose seem a bit Mary-Sue-ish in this chapter (or all over)? Also, previous and this chapter's references to Rats and Crows as Narnia's Intelligence—courtesy of rthsteward's fics, used with permission. Her stories are incredible-go and check them out if you haven't yet!