Caspian's Visit to Ambergeldar

[kitchen_maid]

In light of the fact that she seems to be bringing more and more visitors from Milliways, Amy has cleaned out the wardrobe that holds her Door to there. Her warmest and heaviest cloak still hangs off to one side, and a number of crowns rest on the shelf above, but Caspian will not have to pick his way across his sister's shoes or avoid getting caught in the trains of her dresses.

Amy keeps hold of his hand as they step through -- she's still being very careful about that after Mal wound up miles and miles away, and no doubt will be for some time to come. Even if the Door has gone back to behaving itself, it's a simple measure, and much better to be safe than sorry.

Her dressing room is a bit cramped now that there's an extra wardrobe (all those shoes had to go somewhere, after all), and not at all the best first view of Ambergeldar.

But then, it's not Caspian's first view of Ambergeldar, is it?

(Which was, of course, a pantry in the kitchens, back when his sister was a kitchen maid. Years ago. But he's seen many non-storage views of the kingdom since then.)

"Welcome back," Amy says.

Comments

[the_seafarer]

He takes her by both hands and pulls her close, then gives her a twirl.

"You read my mind. How did you know I wanted to come for a picnic and stay all afternoon?"

Amy gets a wink.

[kitchen_maid]

"It's a picnic," Susan says, as if it's the most obvious thing in the world.

Really, now, Uncle Caspian. Who wouldn't want to come for a picnic and stay all afternoon.

"Merry, Susan, would you two look after your uncle for a moment for me?" Amy asks, returning her brother's wink. "I'm going to go make arrangements with Nurse Marta."

There's a chorus of "Yes, Mama," and then Merry turns back to his uncle. "We always have to ask Nurse Marta. She's in charge. Even Papa has to listen to Nurse Marta."

Or, at least, so it seems to Merry.

[the_seafarer]

"I should imagine he does," Caspian agrees, giving Susan another twirl until she giggles and he steadies her somewhat unsteady steps.

"But I suppose she could let us go today. Seeing as how it's my first visit in so long. Susan, I hear you're friends with a dragon. Is he about?"

[kitchen_maid]

"Norman," Susan says. "He is the Royal Dragon of Ambergeldar."

"He's really big," Merry puts in.

"He left this morning for the mountains. He says he misses them sometimes. But he will be back soon."

"He flies very fast," Merry adds.

[the_seafarer]

"I suppose he would," Caspian agrees. "Dragons have terribly large wings, after all. Well, it's a shame, but I hope I'll get to meet him another time."

It ought to be interesting, meeting a dragon who hadn't ever been a person.

"The two of you are going to have to show me around, you know. I haven't been here in a very long time, and I suppose things may have changed outside a bit."

[kitchen_maid]

"We have to wait for Mama," Merry says tells him, solemnly.

She would be very sorry if she missed the picnic.

And they're not allowed in the Forest without a grown-up.

[the_seafarer]

"Oh, naturally, naturally," he agrees. "I wouldn't dare leave without her."

He would, perhaps, point out that he is clearly a grown-up, but as it is, he doesn't hear the rule.

[kitchen_maid]

"Leave without whom?" Amy asks, rejoining her brother and children.

"You," Susan says, promptly.

Amy grins at Caspian. "Certainly can't have that. Are we ready, then? Everyone find a hand."

Caspian, who completely counts as a grown up, will promptly find both of his hands claimed by his niece and nephew.

[the_seafarer]

He winks back at his sister before feeling both hands dutifully taken by much smaller ones.

"We're ready," he declares, making an exaggerated headcount that Susan giggles at. "And I think we're hungry, too. It's a very good thing we'll be out all afternoon."

[kitchen_maid]

"I'd say we're ready to go, then," Amy says.

"We'll collect the picnic basket, and then we shan't stop again till we reach the Forest."

It's not that far.

And they hardly have to rush.

[the_seafarer]

In reality, of course, there are at least a few stops, but as they are fairly short and generally filled with Susan or Merry pointing out something of note to their uncle, they are not of any consequence.

They certainly do not rush -- one might call their pace more of a meander, really -- but even with multiple pauses it doesn't take long to get to the Forest, or to spread a blanket, or to set out food and drinks.

As promised, they stay out all day. Caspian shows Merry and Susan how to construct little twig boats with a leaf for a sail, and they send them on a merry voyage along the bubbling waters of a friendly brook. The food is excellent, the company delightful, and the afternoon fine.

There really isn't a nicer way to spend the day.