rthstewart | What I did over my summer vacation, Part 1

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What I did over my summer vacation, Part 1

So, the writing slump has been really, really bad, with bouts of I sux mixed in with ZOMG you all HATE me. I have not even attempted TSG Part 3, and have been sort of picking at Harold & Morgan on the misguided theory that that's an easier story (it isn't). I've been at the beach the last two weeks and thought some inspiration might come. It didn't. But, a few reviews have been popping up and I feel all churlish and guilty because you all are just so nice and I'm a grump. And H&M had the census bit that

autumnia started, so I've been playing there. And then I ended up posting a snippet of what I'd been working on in

keeperofqkeys LJ.

So, I figured I might as well post a bit more. There's a beginning to this, involving sending spies to the Lone Islands and the census and an end I still need to write where Peter returns with some alarming news which sets the Lone Island part of the story in motion. This and my 16,000 word NFE represent WEEKS of hand wringing and whining. The only condition is that should I ever actually complete this and post it, that some of you drop a line over on FF.net to drown out the Rthstewart as purveyor of smut chorus.

The census was, Edmund came to see, really not a bad idea at all. He and Susan were engrossed in the tax code revisions, regardless, and so the census occupied Morgan and the Crows and the Physician. It was not that he mistrusted Morgan, exactly. But, he did not wish to test her loyalties, for he did not trust the House to which she belonged. Morgan said she had invested in Narnia, but Edmund was unclear whether Morgan had expended the monies of her House, or her own – which were, he had come to understand, considerable of themselves.

Susan had worried that Morgan might be offended at this exclusion from their councils, but this the banker had greeted with (another) eyeroll. “I’m not here officially. I don’t represent Narnia.” This really did not explain it to them, but Edmund speculated that a duty of loyalty and confidentiality would accompany such representation. In the absence of such a formal relationship, she had no expectation of being admitted into their confidences and in fact assumed they were foolish to do so. These were distinctions that mattered under the practices of the banking syndicates, and so they continued to tread cautiously.

Regardless, the examination of the policies underlying the tax code and the necessary revisions were the business of the Narnia monarchy. He and Susan would both ask Morgan specific questions, which she would answer. Her answers were sometimes discursive or digressive but once provided and sorted, they were always illuminating.

Morgan was, simply put, helpful and her contributions saved him and Susan countless hours. The expertise was such that he and Susan began to entertain the possibility of actually retaining her in an “official” capacity. A decision of that magnitude, however, required Peter’s participation as well.

The weather grew warmer, the pollen lessened, and Cair Paravel settled into its peaceful, summer rhythm. To the surprise of no one, Peter’s journey South to Archenland became another ten-day with Lune, then another after that, and finally a trip to Calormen and a visit with the Tisroc. His tournament armor was sent for. Then, upon receiving a message about brigands in the mountain passes of Archenland, Lucy rode out with an Army unit, a Gryphon Wing, Peter’s battle armor, and his war horse. Whether the brigands actually materialized or fled in the face of such daunting force did not really matter. Lucy, Peter, and their soldiers romped through the cool southern mountains and if they tarried there longer than was necessary, the good company, fine weather, and lack of other pressing business were to blame.

One morning, Susan announced that she had had quite enough – cryptically observing that if Lucy and Peter were off in the mountains and as Edmund was having a very pleasant summer indeed, that she too would see a respite. She rode off the next day on the Hell Bitch with Lambert and a light guard to visit the slopes of the Faun winemakers. She would return to the dragon of the tax code when, and not until, Peter did.

And then, Edmund found he was a King alone in his normally bustling castle, with no business other than the tax code and only his lover for company.

He continued to toil on with the code, coming to understand better why tradesmen preferred operating under the generous and forgiving provisions of the Lone Island laws – leaving aside their questionable authority in enacting them in the first instance, as Narnia law should, but in fact did not, apply to much of anything at all in their Island protectorate. After wearying of his summonses for “just one more question, if you will, Banker Morgan,” she joined him in the Tower Library for good. And so, they would work together, he with Narnia’s business, and Morgan with hers.

This pattern persisted except when Leszi’s threats become too dire and the Sword Master summoned the King for regular trouncings on the training ground. Edmund’s ego was not wholly satisfied – Morgan had no interest at all in watching his drills and martial practices and it would have been gratifying if she appreciated his prowess at arms as she admired his intellect, contracting draftsmanship, and person. It was probably just as well, as Leszi was eager to extract revenge for his recent injuries suffered at Edmund’s own hand. However, the Sword Master also sent a huge bouquet of lilies to Morgan with his compliments; the flowers made Morgan sneeze.

The sneezing was really what started it. The flowers stayed in her room and Morgan and then her belongings began to appear in his rooms. Edmund found that it was not the imposition he had expected. Previous lovers had never persisted beyond a few days and once the passion was spent, his interest had waned. The Code and her knowledge provided a framework for their interaction beyond the initial attraction. Edmund also found he slept more soundly when Morgan shared his bed.

So, they would wake, break fast together, and then work. In the afternoons, they might swim, or sail, or ride. She was awkward at so many things, but she truly enjoyed sailing, and it pleased him to tack about the inlet in a little skiff and introduce Morgan to the seabirds and Mer-people. In the evenings, they would read, talk, and walk about.

He learned she had one younger brother and that she had been given her first investments and positions to manage at the same age he had ascended to the Narnian throne. He learned of the role of the House of Linch as compared to the other houses and that the families grew, expanded and profited through “joint ventures” with other houses. How a House managed its financial empire for generation upon generation was a complex matter of blood, marriage, and dynastic inheritance as complex as any Caloremen succession.

Appalled at his self-taught skills, Morgan began teaching him how to conduct financial analyses with a more critical eye, and provided a foundation and formal language for things he had struggled to master on his own – balance sheets and income statements, marginal and fixed costs, gross and net income, leveraging, returns on investment and management of assets, borrowing and debt.

Edmund never felt he was a particularly demanding person (Jalur disagreed), but really, the things he wanted, he found he had. He did not want the Palace staff to fuss and he wanted everyone to enjoy the summer as he was. Everything moved slowly and became simpler, every day seemed more Narnian. They settled for stale bread or none at all because really, why should the bakers not sleep in? Why bother with heating the ovens or turning the spit for just the two of them when something could be had from the cold larder and the garden? Why make the mess of table settings and linens for two when he and Morgan could just sit side by side, ankles locked together, and share a plate and a mug, or go on to the lawns or down to the beach? He and Morgan wished for no evening entertainment than what they themselves provided, especially once they began working through her volume of Calormene erotic poetry (and the numbered illustrations).

In that regard, she was as concerned as he was to avoid consequences and so Jina was always consulted. They erred on the side of caution and that was no imposition at all – particularly with the Calormene suggested alternatives. Something in this regard nagged at the corner of his mind, something that was unusual, but not concerning; they were of one mind and that was all that mattered.

Even the official correspondence lessened and his briefings shortened. It seemed no one made any demands on him at all. It was so peaceful, he suspected that perhaps all of Narnia was conspiring to leave him to enjoy the lazy summer days and nights with Morgan.

Something was occurring, and Edmund really could not name it. For the first time ever, his active imagination was sated. His intellect found a new, appreciative audience and foil. They argued, because really, Morgan was so peculiar and wrong-headed sometimes. But, there was no rancor. He was content, as he had never been before.

He found himself trying to compare the situation to his own observations and previous experiences and found them all irrelevant and uninformative. None of his siblings had been in such an association; the courtships, love affairs, arrangements, and sundry he had seen in other human courts and households did not cover the situation in which he found himself. It felt Narnian, but he knew of no Narnian whose course would have been similar. No other lover had provided so much, demanded so little, and lasted for so long. Uncomfortably, he tried to recall what he knew of such things from the place they had come from, but the views of the child he had been were too hazy in detail and too distant from the man he was in the situation in which he found himself.

It was new and without precedent.

And Part 2 here

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Oh. Oh. Ohhhhhh.... you wrote H&M!

she had no expectation of being admitted into their confidences and in fact assumed they were foolish to do so

It's amazing how clueless our dear Kings and Queens are sometimes, when faced with such bluntness and realistic expectations from the Evil Banker. And how right Morgan is about these things, when she's clearly not in Narnia in any official capacity!

brigands in the mountain passes of Archenland

I am most intrigued by the brigands and Lucy, and Peter. There could be a story there, if you ever want to indulge us.

as Edmund was having a very pleasant summer indeed,

*cough* VERY pleasant, I'm sure. No more pollen and he had the necessary and pleasurable company of a woman. Oh Susan! Good for you; I agree that Peter should not be having all the fun.

Now... did Leszi send the flowers as a compliment or a threat? Or both?

Oh dear. Poor Jina... to be consulted in reference to the book of poetry.

But truly, it does seem that Edmund indeed had an unprecedented summer. And after annoying the staff, Leszi and his Guard during the spring, I suppose everyone else enjoyed the quiet and relaxed state of the castle.

Hmm. Should I read part 2 now or save it as something wonderful to enjoy tomorrow?

Thank you so much. There's a section that is omitted which takes care of that cluelessness point a bit. They aren't -- the line actual begins, "The Narnians were no novices at trade..." I don't want to make them dumb to boost Morgan, but she does have a broader experience, doing it day in and day out for years, and Susan is quick to appropriate that knowledge, even if Morgan keeps insisting she's only there unofficially. I did see them as naive with regard to finance and that they have relied upon themselves, upon Aslan, and upon the Narnians for their advice. They've never needed to go elsewhere and that's even mentioned in BRD -- that money is a subtle business they've not dealt with before. Suddenly, the syndicates are snooping around and in some cases, that's not a good thing. Something that I'm addressing on Peter's return is that he's spoken to Lune, discovered that Archenland has been a Linch client ever since the embezzlement scandal, and has also learned some things while in Calormen. Then developed further in the Lone Islands to follow is that having one of these families throw its support behind you is a big deal, business-wise. It's not a casual sort of representation but akin to a political ally -- very Mafia/cartel like. Narnia has not been noticed much because 1) investing in a place with magic is like insuring against Acts of God -- not a good idea; 2) it's a bunch of children, so who cares, they'll be dead of their own stupidity soon anyway and 3) it's a bunch of talking animals, so how stupid is that?

ERrr, anyway, I should stop rambling and write the darn thing, I suppose. I'm still stumbling badly through the writing. But, I'm trying.

With Peter's return and such, I feel like we'll be in for a lovely little adventure. Kind of like TQSiT but in Narnia instead of Spare Oom.

And I applaud you for trying to work on this! Lord knows, I've been staring at both my fics and trying to will myself to write instead of re-reading other people's works (a lot of bedlam and elecktrum). That's the beauty of LiveJournal, I think; posting things here is less a commitment for me than FF.net. There's less pressure and expectation about reviews and critique, and what have you. It's much more fun this way.

Yay, H&M. I love this story.

I'll come and review any time you post (anything), and the Greek chorus should all run away and boil their heads (or something). I agree with Autumnia, too - definite dearth of quality fics right now, though I guess everyone could still be on holidays : )

Anyway, this is wonderful. I love the way you have restless, suspicious Edmund finding contentment and groping towards something he can hardly define - quite a dilemma for an analytical man.

Not very nice that his siblings have gone and abandoned him to the tax code (Ugh), but he's finding a balance that's not requiring his brother, which delights me. Don't get me wrong, I like the brotherfics (at least, some of them), but I love that you bring a different way of looking at the Narniaverse. Like A, I'm also now also quite curious about 'what Peter did on his summer vacation'.

I'm sorry you've been having such a crappy time with the slump, but be assured that I'm there anytime you write something new.

Cheers : )

I wrote a bit above that Peter is learning an awful lot of the Lone Island syndicates while with Lune and in Calormen. Peter actually is going to apologize to Edmund for at first dismissing his brother's concerns.

Oh, Edmund has not been abandoned to the tax code. They've all left him quite deliberately. This is, I suppose, the confident TQSiT Susan who is of the view that if Peter is off romping in the woods with Lucy and the Archenlanders, and Edmund is dallying with Morgan, that she is going to have some fun too. She's not going to stay in the castle and be the third wheel. Further, there's some serious acrobatics going on "below stairs" to make sure King Edmund spends lots of quality time with Banker Morgan. Everyone is conspiring to make certain he is undisturbed.

Edmund -- who has the emotional maturity of a gnat -- has no idea what he has stumbled into. I didn't delve into it any more deeply than I did because he's just not sure what to make of it. This is one where the reader sees better than either of the parties and eventually we'll get to how it looks from other points of view. But, I think Edmund will spend the rest of his short life trying to recapture these idyllic weeks.

Thanks so much.

That's really cool, if somewhat bittersweet. Love your comment elsewhere about Jina being in trouble with Dalia et al for not 'making a mistake', too. That's such a different and interesting spin on the narniaverse (again), though I know it's a continuation of themes that you have running elsewhere. See, this is why I come and read - quite apart from how well you put all these ideas together : )

Good to read something from you again!

Here's to Morgan the non-romantic soul:
"However, the Sword Master also sent a huge bouquet of lilies to Morgan with his compliments; the flowers made Morgan sneeze."

The move away from the flowers seemed to give good results, though - Edmund and she seem to have had a lovely summer together.

If a bit unusual.

Very unusual. Which is the fun of this. It's not normal at all! And Leszi's gift of flowers was quite deliberate.

Thank you so much!!!

'E'

I am staggered by the amount of overt and covert manipulation by the Native Narnians. I find myself wondering if the bouquet from Sir Leszi was suggested by Jalur or Jina to get Edmund and Morgan in the same room. Certainly the fact that all the Narnians became AWOL is indicitive of how much the Narnians were to be pushing this to happen. Not to mention all of Ed's siblings being gone.

I like how you have Morgan so utterly unimpressed by Edmund's martial prowess. Swords? Phhbbbt. And how she's appalled by Ed's lack of formal financial training; a nice reminder that, as bright as Edmund is, finances are her business.

So Ed and Morgan are practicing NFP, huh?

And its great how you have Ed trying to rationalize and categorize this new relationship, and how it kind of sneaks up on him. This was great. I'm just thrilled to be reading more Harold and Morgan, or any of your new stuff. On to Chapter II.

Yep, the whole of the castle is conspiring here. That bouquet was no accident, or the rest of it.

AH HA! You got the NFP! But with the added assurance of a Hound's nose as opposed to the "sympto-thermo method"! I assume that as dogs can detect tumors and bullets in bodies, drugs and explosives in airports, ships, and planes, and scents on trails that are days old, that once the Hound knows what to detect for, the physical symptoms of ovulation would be very easy. Which will eventually become a pressure upon the Hound as some of the Beasts would want her to lie -- issues that would be dealt with in later chapters if I get to them.

In fact, it would be something like this,

“I think the Lion expects us to mostly solve our own problems,” Willa said. “We always say he’s not tame, and he really isn’t. He’s got other worlds, too. Other problems.”

And Jina knew that was where she would fall for the harshest criticism from Dalia, the High King’s former Guard. The Cheetah would have expected Jina to have done her duty to Narnia first, even if it meant betraying Morgan. Just as Dalia herself had done, in stepping aside as the High King’s guard and forsaking her oath. But Dalia was foresworn and still the High King had not found a willing mate. Dalia’s sacrifice had been for nothing but that did not stop the Cheetah from pushing everyone else to the same.

“I couldn’t lie to her,” Jina said. “She did not want to whelp. Not now. Maybe not ever. She never said, but I knew.” Morgan had been so easy too; the woman’s body had been very clear, very regular.

“I’m not sure it would have made any difference,” Willa said, scratching Jina’s shoulder. She was combing Jina's own coat the way Rats groomed one another. “I don’t quite understand it, but I think under those contracts they were always talking about, Linch claims any of her pups as their own. I don’t know if they would be Narnian, for all that King Edmund sired them.”

“Try explaining that to Dalia and the others,” Jina said bitterly. She knew this had been their best hope in years.

“I’ll help,” Willa said stoutly and the Rat’s support did more than anything to ease her heartache. “Sallowpad too. And Jalur, even if he wasn’t there, he’ll understand. He knows King Edmund better than anyone.”

“Jalur even warned me. Mr. Hoberry, too. They said King Edmund required management. I didn’t understand what they meant, and didn’t want to overstep my role.”

They both fell quiet, sensing footsteps overhead. Willa bent over herself and began grooming her tail.

“You’ve whelped?” Jina asked Willa.

Willa ran her teeth along her toes. “Twice a year, three years straight,” the Rat said. “You’ve had what three litters?”

“Four,” Jina said. “No fewer than five each time. Three still births.”

“And Humans usually only have one at a time, two at most.”

Willa knew these things. She had traveled a lot among Humans doing her work for the Mischief.

“So why all the fuss?” Jina asked. Really, it made no sense to her. Handling five or six, or eight pups surely was more difficult than only one or two?

“Human pups stay with the mother longer,” Willa said. “From what I’ve seen, they grow very slowly. They nurse for months and months.”

“Still, why wouldn’t you want pups? At least one litter?” Jina asked. It was different, but it wasn’t that different. “At least for us? For Narnia?”

Awwww, Harold and Morgan are adorable. It makes me sad knowing that he'll lose her when he goes back to Spare Oom :-(.

"The only condition is that should I ever actually complete this and post it, that some of you drop a line over on FF.net to drown out the Rthstewart as purveyor of smut chorus."

There's something wrong with that? I mean.... Well, in comparison, at least it's well written and intellectual smut, and not just and excuse for thirteen year olds to write porn....

Yep, she who must not be named is that one behind the wall of lilies that 13 year old Edmund really doesn't want to see just yet. I even went back to Part 1, in the chapter Argentum (7?) where it's Edmund and Lucy talking about Peter. Edmund now has a line referring to his and Lucy's common history -- the implication being that they both left companions/consorts behind.

Oh, and I should have mentioned, if you did not read Part 2 because it looked like what I'd posted earlier, there's a whole new bit at the end added after the line about the thrown pottery.

Yes, I saw. I just didn't have anything intelligent to say in reply aside from "awwwwww". It's all so terribly bittersweet, and that bit you wrote in a comment above here, and just... awww...

Awwww, this just makes me so happy because of the lack of drama and squealing and angsting. I adore Harold and Morgan and their easiness and their contentedness!

Also, Susan giving herself a vacation, and Peter'n'Lucy vs brigands. Sounds like a good summer all around for the Pevensies!

And you do not in any way suck, and nobody hates you, and anyone who sees your writing as simply purveying smut needs to go jump off a mountain into a very very cold lake. So there. :D

Wonderful as ever! I'm sorry your summer has been woeful!

Thank you! I figure Edmund will be spending the rest of his short life trying to recapture the feeling of these weeks and I don't think he has the emotional maturity/insight to even describe what's going on. It makes it interesting to see from the outside or reader point of view who has a better understanding that the character does.

Awwww. ♥

You still make tax codes sound hot.

(Saw this link, thought of you, it looks like just the thing you would use.)

I have nothing further intelligent to say. On to part 2!

Awww, thanks so much!!!

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What I did over my summer vacation, Part 1

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