T H I R D    P E R S O N    P O V

"Ooof, it's nearly time for lunch. Uh, could you give me a hand up?" I ask Flynn as he's sitting the closest to me.

"Oh, look who needs help now," Flynn says smugly, crossing his arms as he stands in front of me.

"Seriously, Flynn?" I ask him.

"I thought you could handle anything," he says, still with that smug smile.

"Yes, well, I was wrong. I think we've all established that," I reply with a huff.

"Sorry, come again? I didn't hear you," The sarcastic little... My friends just stay put, chuckling and giggling. The traitors.

"Flynn," I complain, laughing.

"Alright, alright, I'll help you," he says, finally offering his hand. "But only because you ask so nicely,"

"You're an idiot," I tell him once I'm on my feet.

"Want me to kick his arse for you?" Roy volunteers.

"No, I'll do it myself in a few months," I reply, giving Flynn a smile of my own.

"Oooh, you're gonna get it Fletcher!" Roy teases him.

"Should have just helped her," Thea adds, shaking her head with a smile.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" Roselynn says running up to me as we reach the hallway.

"What is it Roselynn?" I ask her once she reaches my side.

"There's this small gathering tonight at Lord Peridan's. Very intimate, just us mates, a few other trustworthy fellows, no redheads," she adds, obviously referring to Danielle, "Will you come?"

"It'll be very fun," Thea asks with musicality in her words.

"Oh, I don't know..." I said I'd stay out of trouble for the past four months and I've lived up to it. Nothing remotely risky, except for the knife-throwing morning shenanigans with Lucy but that hardly counts.

"Come on! You've hardly been out ever since," Roselynn argues.

"Well, I do miss dancing and going out with you all," I tell her with a complicit smile.

"Yes!" Roselynn exclaims nearly jumping up and down in excitement. "Oh, it's going to be so much fun. I'm going to tell Lord Peridan," She says immediately heading down the corridor. They have been sort of an item these past months. "I'll see you at eight!" she shouts as she disappears down the right.

"Well, she hardly seemed excited," Flynn says sarcastically.

I just shake my head and chuckle a bit. "Are you all going?" I ask them as we walk towards the stairs. I've got to say I never noticed how many stairs there were until going up and down became more difficult.

"Why, yes, of course!" he replies.

"We're the mates and trustworthy fellows she was talking about," Roy adds. "Though I hardly see why we have to gather at night when we could be having this reunion at noon,"

"Oh, don't be such a party pooper, everyone knows gatherings are so much fun when the sun's down and the stars are shining," Thea tells him.

"And the booze is flowing," Flynn adds.

"True," Roy replies. "So will you get King Peter to join you at the party?" he asks, changing the focus of the conversation back to me.

"I thought it was a gathering," I point out.

"It's all the same thing, you know that," he replies.

True. "I shall tell him about it in a while and we'll see what he says. It's probably going to be a yes," I answer his question before changing the subject back to him. "What about you Roy? Are you taking anyone to this gathering?" I ask nosily.

Immediately Thea turns her attention to her brother. He has never shared with us who he fancies and I've always wanted to know. Thea has never told me either so this is the perfect time for an inquisition.

"Yes, I'm taking Thea," he answers, earning an eye roll from Roy.

"I think Imira meant someone who you're not related to," he tells him.

"Yes, that's what Imira meant," I add, earning a few laughs Flynn.

"No, I-" but before he can say whatever he was going to, Thea interrupts him.

"He didn't want me to go alone," Thea says promptly, "So as any good brother would, he's taking me," she explains. I look over at Roy who seems to have a look of... relief? There's something else going on, I can sense it. He looks way too uncomfortable and hot in his clothes, I can already see the trail of sweat going down his forehead. I really want to know what's going on, but if he doesn't want to talk about it, which he clearly does not from the sickly look he's getting, then I'm not going to push him any further. The inquisition can wait.

Flynn, however, is a persistent bitch. "Why don't you ask one of the Threston girls? The second one's cute," he suggests.

"Nah, I'm just going to take Thea," Roy says, trying to get Flynn off his shoulder, but he master archer just won't let it go.

"What, are you coward?" Flynn continues his teasing.

"No," Roy replies dryly, trying to keep his cool, but Flynn just doesn't know when to shut up.

"Then what? Are you gay?" he asks jokingly. He probably expected us all to laugh, which I would have if Roy hadn't looked so ashamed, evading our gaze. Oh my god, he is, isn't he!?! How did I not see this before?

An uncomfortable silence settles between us four, growing and growing by the second until at last I can't take it anymore. "Flynn, can you walk me to the dining hall? I don't want to be late,"

"Yes, I, uh..." he looks hesitantly at Roy who has turned to face the wall on his left unable to meet our eyes. "Yes,"

I mouth and I'm sorry to Thea who nods understandingly.

"He is, isn't he?" Flynn whispers once we're out of earshot. "Gosh, I feel like an idiot,"

"That's because you are," I whisper back. 

We part ways long before reaching the dining hall, agreeing we'll apologize individually to Roy. Gosh, I feel so bad about that, I just want to give him a hug and tell him that it's alright and that it doesn't change anything. 

When I enter the dining hall I find only Lucy has arrived. We have been eating alone for the past three months now, just Peter, Edmund, Susan, Lucy and I. Occasionally Darren will pop by, but he tries to divide his time evenly between having lunch with us and with Danielle. She and Darren have become inseparable these last past months so I can't invite my cousin and tell him not to bring her along. That'd just be too rude and I've decided against taking that path.

Now, why are we having private meals as opposed to our typical loud and fun gatherings with our courtiers and friends? The reason is simple and it's completely my fault: strong smells upset my stomach. I miss the chatter and the entertainment though, but it's a great excuse not to have people I dislike over.

I thought I'd be arriving late considering the bit of drama we experienced in the hallway, but I'm the second one to make it. Lucy's reading a book as I walk in and doesn't stop on my account. Must be something interesting.

"Hello," I greet her, just to make sure I don't startle her once I reach her side.

"Hold on, I'm about to finish this chapter," she tells me holding up a finger.

I wait for about five minutes in silence, eating lunch by myself until at last, she puts the book down.

"Is it any good?" I ask pointing to the book, although by the look on her face I already know the answer.

"Oh, it's wonderful!" she tells me excitedly. "Mr Tumnus gave it to me the other day and I haven't been able to put it down,"

I am just about to ask which book it is when finally the doors open and in come Peter and Edmund.

"So," Peter says, immediately getting all of our attention. Both he and Edmund look very concerned as they stride in, swords on their side. They must have gone with the soldiers or to some important army meeting. They look like something's bothering them, Edmund being uncharacteristically quiet, unlike his usual cheery yet sarcastic self. I can already tell this is going to be something important. "I've got news," Peter finishes as he takes the seat beside me.

"Good news, or bad news?" I ask him after exchanging worried looks with Lucy.

He and Edmund exchange a glance as their food is served before turning back to face us. "We need to go," they say at the same time.

"What?" Lucy and I ask back in unison.

"There's some trouble brooding west," Edmund explains.

"And I'm needed in The Lone Islands," Peter adds.

"But I need you here," I protest. He can't leave! Who knows when he'll get back and I'm close to having this baby. I'm not going to do it alone! I can't...

"I know, and I want to be here, but something came up and I must go," Peter tells me patiently.

"Why can't Edmund go?" I ask, looking at the uncharacteristically quiet boy.

"I'm not Emperor of the Islands," he tells me, picking at his food, "I am, however, Duke of Lantern Waste so, I have to go,"

"But... I need you," I tell Peter pleadingly. He can't leave me. Not now.

"You're breaking my heart, love. But I must go," he tells me softly as he takes my hand.

"Maybe I could go," Lucy offers. But we all know that's out of the question. She's still too young.

"It's alright, Lu. I won't be long," Peter tells her.

I know better than to encourage her.

"But I want to help," she protests.

"And you will," Peter tells her. "With Susan gone, we need you here,"

"Yeah, Imira's going to need your help," Edmund adds. "Right, Imira?"

"Yes," I reply quickly. "You can't leave me too, Lucy,"

She nods seriously and we go back to eating our food silently.

Edmund and Lucy head out together after having lunch to discuss what is to be done next, leaving me and Peter alone in the dining hall.

"Must you really go?" I ask Peter pleadingly one last time. I cannot put into words how badly I want him to stay.

"If there was any other way, I would stay," he says as he helps me get up. "But Lord Gaynesford has died and-"

"Oh dear, that's terrible," I interrupt him.

"Yes, something about a heart problem. Anyways, I have to select a new governor now. And since I'm not particularly familiar with anyone in the Islands apart from the Gaynesfords I've got to go over there and take the role upon myself until I can decide on who's gonna fill that post next," Peter explains.

Well, I can't ask him to stay now. This is very important. That's the unfortunate thing about this privileged position; a King has no days off, the job must always come first.

I nod understandingly. "When will you leave?" I ask him, expecting to hear something along the lines of in a few weeks, but once again I am disappointed by what he has to say.

"Tomorrow, at dawn," he offers me an apologetic look.

"Tomorrow? But that is so soon," Way too soon! How am I supposed to cope with him gone?

"The sooner I leave, the sooner I get back," he tells me.

Huh, well he's not wrong there. "That makes sense," I say nodding. Oh, but Peter, Edmund AND Susan gone? This is going to be tough. Lucy is still too young, Susan usually does her part, I am going to have to get more involved. No more slacking on the excuse I am pregnant and tired, the job comes first. 

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE AND WASH YOUR HANDS ALL THE TIME!

STAY SAFE OUT THERE

[PUBLISHED MARCH 17TH, 2020]