Kaleidoscope

Kaleidoscope - a continually changing pattern of shapes and colours.

Chapter One - Green

As she emerged from her tent that morning, Lady Maraya of Galma was nearly overcome by the sheer amount of green that seemed to exist in Narnia. She knew that this would seem a ridiculous statement to make aloud when they were camping in a forest, but it was not just the leaves that filled her vision.

Thick moss covered the trunks of the trees in a fuzzy jade layer. Freshly dampened from the light fall of rain they had had in the night, it seemed an almost garish shade when blended with the emerald canopy of the leaves. Even the forest floor was covered with a moulding layer of leaf-mould that seemed more olive than brown. Overall, when combined with the green-tinted sunlight that filtered through the covering foliage, the effect was rather overpowering for Maraya. It caused her to yearn all the more for the open meadowland and broad hills of Galma.

To her slight chagrin, she found her companion to be utterly content, if not even very well pleased by their surroundings.

For a moment, and to Maraya's great relief, a ray of sunlight was able to find a break through the leaves, casting a patch of gold through the dominance of green. With a slight smile, she darted forward, lifting her hand to watch the affect of the light upon her pale skin. Its warmth lightened her mood somewhat, widening her smile and triggering a small sigh of relief.

She was so engrossed in her contemplation that the sudden giggle surprised her.

A quick glance informed her of her companion's knowing smile and caused a small blush to stain a pale cheek. The laugh came again.

"Don't be so shy, Maraya," her friend said, rising to give her a gentle hug. "There is nothing wrong with enjoying a spot of sunlight. It was just the look of utter bliss on your face; you would think that you had never seen the sun before."

Maraya's smile faded.

"It almost feels like I never have seen morning," she muttered. "How much longer must we endure this infernal woodland, Nelise? I understand the importance of this alliance but your father never said anything about Narnia being one huge forest!"

Nelise laughed, causing her golden curls to shake prettily.

Maraya almost scowled at her friend, though she forced herself to withhold the expression.

She was often amazed by Nelise's positive perspective upon life. If there was a person feeling isolated or alone in a room, then Nelise would be the one to befriend them. If there was tension or unease, she would do all within her power to dispel it. She was always looking for the good, constantly trusting and expecting others to be the same way.

Maraya sighed.

It still amazed her that her closest friend was almost her direct opposite.

Where Nelise always looked for the positive, she expected the worst. When her friend was open, friendly and charming, she was shy, quiet, and introspective. She had always been distrustful of strangers, and however much Nelise might try to socialise her, she still struggled in unknown company. Even in colour, she was tall, dark, and awkward where Nelise was small, fair and graceful.

Their friendship was still a thing that baffled her. Yet, despite her constant confusion, it was a thing that she would not have traded for the world.

These thoughts were still occupying Maraya's thoughts when she felt Nelise's poke.

A quick glance announced the approach of Nelise's brother, Prince Lyron, heir to the Galmian throne. He strode towards them with his normal bold stride. No doubt he would have looked both handsome and princely in his dark blue tunic, to one who had not known him from childhood. As it was, Maraya only saw the lanky boy with whom she had climbed trees and learned to ride, though even she was forced to admit how comfortably he now wore his royalty.

She smiled slightly. Marriage was obviously doing him good.

With a slight grin, Lyron approached them, offering a mock bow. In response, Nelise bobbed a coy curtsey. Maraya remained seated. The Prince's response was one of wry amusement.

"You must learn the appropriate etiquette when greeting royalty, Lady Maraya," he announced, struggling to hide a smile.

Maraya arched a curious eyebrow.

"Must I indeed, your highness?" she inquired, "I was not aware that we had already arrived at the Narnian court." She shuddered as an afterthought struck her. "Or is Narnia truly one large forest with no variation in its landscape?"

Her shudder was so real that Lyron and Nelise both laughed.

"Indeed it is not, Maraya," he replied merrily, "but you must practice the appropriate etiquette or you shall not be prepared for the ceremony required at our arrival. This is, after all, a visit of state."

"To consider whether your sister and my dearest friend is a suitable wife for some man she has never even met?" Maraya responded bitterly, feeling her chagrin start to take hold.

Lyron sighed.

"Maraya we have spoken of this, no contract has been drawn, no decision made."

"Nothing will be done without my consent," Nelise added gently. "Raya, this visit is for my benefit; so that I may meet the High King and seriously consider my feelings about the match."

Sullenly, Maraya nodded. "I still do not like it," she muttered, staring intently at her friend. "Nelise, you are too sweet, too good, my friend. I fear that you will be tricked and charmed by this king into marrying him."

"Nonsense, Raya." Lyron was annoyed. "I will not hear any more complaints from you. You may be our dear friend, but High King Peter is a good man, my father has spoken very well of him, and you should gladly accept any match that our king supports, as Nelise and I do."

Suddenly repentant, Maraya bit her lip and murmured a quiet apology. With a curt nod of his head, Lyron left them to tend to the horses and help the men dismantle the tents.

Pale, Maraya turned to Nelise.

"I am sorry," she said. "You would think that after ten years I might have learnt to hold my tongue."

Nelise smiled gently at her friend, giving her arm a soft squeeze.

"I understand why you think as you do, Maraya, and it warms my heart to know that there is one so concerned for my welfare. But you must also see Lyron's side. He is my father's representative on this visit, and as such, all the honour of Galma rides upon his shoulders. He does not have the freedom to so openly judge the man my father has chosen as a possible suitor. If he were allowed, I know he would happily find fault with any young man who sought my hand. It is an older brother's prerogative to guard his sister. But we have to remember, my father has made this choice very carefully, and if general opinion is to be believed, King Peter is a very brave and worthy man."

Solemnly, Maraya nodded.

"Of course, you are right," she admitted. "I promise I will hold my tongue and judgment until I have met this golden High King Peter."

With an amused grin, Nelise nodded.

"Then let us prepare to go and meet this perfect man."

0 0 0

To Maraya's great relief, they left the green oppression of the forest around mid morning, before making steady progress across a wide chartreuse plain of sun-ripened grass. The sun was just approaching its greatest height in the sky when a deep, clear sound filled the air.

It was a sound more lovely than any Maraya had ever heard – pure, vibrant and lovely. She felt it gladden her heart and strangely lighten her growing fears.

To her right, Nelise had an expression of similar awe as they halted their horses and waited - though for what Maraya was not at first sure.

Soon however, she caught the sight of a red flicker far away in the distance. With a second careful glance, she was able to make out a vague red shape against a golden background. It was a banner.

"It's the red lion," Lyron said. "The Narnian delegation is coming to meet us."

"What was that sound, Lyron?" Nelise asked, squinting at the approaching party.

"A hunting horn announcing their approach," Maraya replied, feeling her trepidation return at the nearing arrival of the Narnians.

Lyron nodded.

"I believe so."

Maraya watched as Nelise's eyes widened and brightened at the Narnians' approach. With a heavy inward sigh, she wished that she could muster such a level of excitement at the approach of strangers.

Gradually, she was able to make out individual figures in the group. Seven distinct figures rode upon horses, with four centaurs, a large bull, three cats, and a variety of dogs guarding the flanks. The red lion banner was clear now – a single, huge scarlet beast against a background of yellow.

Eventually, they slowed their pace with the last fifty metres, approaching the Galmian delegation at a respectful pace.

Unwilling to look at the tall, proud man at the head of the group, Maraya found her eyes wandering, considering every person and creature in the delegation. They all stood comfortably and at ease, though respectful before their guests.

Feeling oddly intimidated, Maraya looked at the Narnian monarchs. She marvelled at the grace and dark allure of Queen Susan as she sat, poised and lovely upon her mare. To her right, Queen Lucy was seated as comfortably upon her war stallion as though she had been born there. Smaller and thinner than her sister, she had a kind, bright face that Maraya found strangely encouraging for all her fears. Carefully avoiding the High King, she studied his pensive and more reserved younger brother. With a contemplative glance, King Edmund seemed to be considering Lyron and the party before him with a quiet sort of fascination.

Eventually, however, Maraya knew that she would have to look at the High King. In the end, she was forced to raise her gaze when Lyron turned to introduce her, dragging her most unwillingly into the limelight.

A gallant, warm gaze met hers. Tall, broad-shouldered and kingly, High King Peter was all that she had been expecting – and dreading. With an over-exaggerated courtesy, he deeply inclined his head to her, welcoming her with a chivalry that bordered on ridiculous. It was all that Lyron and Nelise had led her to expect, and despite her horror of the etiquette, Maraya mirrored the gesture with as much elegance as she could muster.

It was only when she raised her eyes from the inclining of her head that Maraya noticed the colour of the High King's tunic. It was a rich shade of forest green.

With an inward groan, Maraya moved her horse to the side for Lyron's next introduction.

It seemed that she was not going to escape from the colour green any time soon.

0 0 0

Author's Note: A long time ago, I swore to myself that I would never write a Peter/OC, but this idea hit me one night and it has not left me alone!

A challenge was set on Narnia Fan Fiction Revolution a couple of weeks ago to write a fic based upon a colour and I came up with the idea for what will be the last chapter of this fic. Green appeared in my head about a week ago and I loved the idea of each chapter having a colour as the central theme. My plan is to have a different colour as the centre of every chapter for this story – but the chapters will only be snap-shots capturing the development of Peter and Maraya's relationship through the use of colours.

Confused?

Well I hope that the later chapters will make more sense!

Thank you so much for reading and please leave any feedback you have, I really appreciate constructive criticism. I have really tried to run away from Maraya being a Mary Sue but if you think she has the makings of one then please let me know!

Huge major thanks to my wonderful, super hero of a beta Tasty. If you haven't read her stuff then you really should, her penname is Tastyasitgets and she is an amazing author!

Thanks again,

*Breeze*