#archenland

Like the telmarines are all descended from pirates in our world that fell through a portal into the narnian world and colonized narnia itself.

We don’t really get explanations for calormen, the lone islands, the seven isles or archenland so I’m just assuming here but I like that idea.

So my thinking is that for my version of it narnian architecture and clothing and etc would be the most like, fantastical, meanwhile the other lands would have cultures more grounded and “human.” Though obviously some human influence I guess.

Of course over time even those human cultures would change. Like maybe telmarines start out being very 1:1 with the culture of the time period and area they came from (I haven’t decided what that is other than vaguely carribean or Spanish maybe) but over time it becomes it’s own thing. Like I’m thinking about how for example the nations in ATLA are very clearly inspired by certain cultures in certain time periods but they’re still their own fictional thing in some ways.

Maybe the islands are where many different people from different places have ended up. Like not as much of a direct ancestry as telmar.

Or Lucy Pevensie & the boy she left behind

In the years between Lucy’s entering and exiting the wardrobe, the girl grew up. She was not yet a woman, but still a young lady in the land of Narnia. And, soon, as she saw so many suitors of her sister, Susan, Lucy began to dream of romance as well. But she was yet a young queen, and high king Peter would not approve of her courting (he felt responsible in the absence of true parents).

However, despite her elder siblings, Lucy did meet a boy from amongst the Archenlanders. So she would slip out in the nights (she was a queen after all, and could take care of herself) and meet a boy under the moonlight who fell just as deeply as any of Susan’s admirers (perhaps deeper than even Caspian, since Caspian would eventually give up on Susan upon separation [movie version]).

Then, one day, Lucy disappeared, along with her siblings. The rulers of Narnia were gone, back to whence they came. This had many effects in Narnia, but the loss most deeply affected those who had cared for and been companions of the kings and queens.

What does it mean to not be God's favorite? Archenland is friendly to Narnia and shown as morally upright, and (seemingly as a consequence) is well-off and thriving, but Telmar and Calormen both tried to conquer Narnia and were rebuffed, and they've been left in the dust. Both have their societal problems, for sure, but I can't help but wonder if they thought it terribly unfair that Aslan was the god of Narnia, and not of them, too.

ARCHENLAND, a small country to the south of Narnia, from which it is separated by a high range of mountains.

Looking west from Archenland the traveller will observe the mountains rising above pine-covered slopes and narrow valleys, to a range of blue peaks that stretch as far as the eye can see. At one point, however, the mountains dip to a wooded saddle—this is the pass leading into Narnia. The highest peaks in the range are Stormness Head and, much farther inland, Mount Pire. The latter is a double-peaked mountain; it was once a two-headed giant, turned into stone by the legendary Fair Olvin. The story of their combat and of the petrification of the island is recorded in the songs of Archenland.

The southern boundary of Archenland is marked by the Winding Arrow River, beyond which lies the desert that separates Archenland from Calormen. Travellers crossing the desert from Calormen to Archenland usually use the double peak of Mount Pire as a landmark.

The seat of the kings of Archenland is at Anvard—a small but many-towered castle nestling at the foot of the northern mountains. A wooded ridge behind it protects it from the north wind. The castle is extremely old and built of a warm, reddish-brown stone. It is defended by a gate and a portcullis, but it is not moated. Green lawns stretch out in front of the entrance gate.

In the Southern Marshes visitors will find the only inhabitant of this area, a hermit who lives in a thatched cottage surrounded by a circular wall of green turf. In his garden is a magic pool in which he can see reflected the events of the world.

The first recorded king of Archenland was the second son of King Frank and Queen Helen of Narnia. Little is known of the history of Archenland before the days of King Lune, who ruled during High King Peter's reign in Narnia. By all accounts, King Lune was a jolly, fat man with twinkling eyes, who often appeared in public in his old clothes, since he had just come from attending to his animals.

In accordance with Archenlander customs, visitors will notice that brothers tend to have similar names; thus pairs of brothers are called Cor and Corrin, Dar and Darrin or Cole and Colin. The origins of this custom are unknown.

Archenland is famed for its wine, so potent that it has to be mixed with water before drinking.

(C.S. Lewis, The Voyage of the "Dawn Treader," London, 1952; C.S. Lewis, The Horse and his Boy, London, 1954; C.S. Lewis, The Magician's Nephew, London, 1955)

Rumours and stories had already come trickling and flying over the passes to Anvard, mostly through the Narnians who had once fled the Witch’s winter.

But still it was a surprise when a page came into breakfast with a letter of introduction from:

"Sir Renard and the raven Carrisol, Envoys of Their Majesties the Kings and Queens of Narnia."

King Lune raised his eyebrows at his wife. "Kings and queens? Whatever can they mean?"

"What sort of person is this Sir Renard?" Queen Celeste asked the page boy, still standing by the table.

"He is a fox, your majesty."

A fox he certainly was, when they met him in the throne room an hour later. Sleek and ruddy, keen eyes that surveyed the room, and a confident tilt to his head. The raven hopped beside him, as they both came forward and bowed.

"Your majesties," said the fox, "we come to you in Archenland as envoys sent from Narnia, from the High King Peter, the Queen Susan, the King Edmund, and the Queen Lucy."

"We come in peace and friendship," continued the raven, his croaking voice echoing in the high ceiling, "with hope for the renewal of old treaties, and the return of the goodwill that had long existed between our lands."

"So it is true then!" Queen Celeste leaned forward, her excitement drawing a smile from the king. "The Witch’s reign has ended and the winter is over?"

"Indeed, your majesty." Sir Renard smiled, white teeth gleaming. "Slain by Aslan Himself."

Just the name 'Aslan' caused a thrill to run through the room, and King Lune's heart beat quicker in his breast.

"It was He who called the Four from the Worlds Beyond, and crowned them Lords and Ladies of Cair Paravel, jewel above the eastern sea."

Carrisol hopped in place twice, excitement getting the better of him. "When Aslan bares His teeth, winter meets it's death! So it was written on the High King’s sword, and so it is! This, your majesties, is the age of restoration!"

"Astonishing," Queen Celeste murmured. "Can anyone here recall a time before the reign of the White Witch?"

"A hundred years, and the curse broken." King Lune shook his head in wonderment. He himself had only just reached 30, and his father had died not five years prior having seen less than 80 years. Lune had never visited Narnia, only heard the terrible stories from a handful of Narnian creatures who had escaped to join the Archen court.

"And so in peace and friendship we welcome you," he said aloud. "We will hear the whole story at luncheon, if you will take it with us."

"Certainly, your majesties." Both fox and raven bowed low.

"But briefly." Queen Celeste leaned forward, curiosity getting the better of her. "These kings and queens. There are four of them you said? How is this possible? Who are they? What are they like?"

A laugh from the fox, quickly stifled by a swift peck from the raven.

"Ah, pardon, your highness." Sir Renard regained his dignity with a quick shake of his body. "They are brothers and sisters, called from another world into this land to sit in the four thrones at Cair Paravel, and rule us by Aslan's decree."

"But what are they like?"

King Lune did not try to hide his own smile, but he too was eager for a clearer picture of these new monarchs.

Renard and Carrisol looked at one another for a moment, before the raven tilted his head.

"You have known them since the first days, Renard."

The fox sat back on his haunches, thoughtful. "They are young, your majesties. The eldest has seen but sixteen winters. They are not royalty in their own world, and have a lot to learn of rulership and courtly business. As do we all," he added, with a rueful grin. "So we learn together. And truly these half-grown cubs are... extraordinary.

"The High King Peter is a fierce protector, brave and quick to act. His heart is great, his sight is keen, and his sword is sharp. Even in these few months, he has loved us and our land with his sweat and his blood and his tears. He is one I would follow into the very fires of the Underworld."

"So would we all!" croaked Carrisol fervently.

"The Queen Susan, now," Renard went on. "Gentle Aslan called her, and gentle her hands can be. She is the motherly one, making sure all are heard and cared for, and very much the mistress of the castle. But she has no little skill with a bow, and does not hesitate to defend her family when her gentle words have failed."

He fell quiet then, eyes cast down for long enough to cause unease to creep into the room, but he raised his head as Queen Celeste drew in her breath to speak.

"His Majesty, King Edmund is wise beyond his years, swift to see that which is not shown, and hear that which is not said. His story is his own to tell, but I can say that though he followed after the Witch in the first days of their coming to Narnia, he learned the error of his way, and was restored by Aslan, showing great bravery in the Battle of Beruna against the Witch. He is his brother's beloved right hand, and shows mercy in ways I do not think I ever could. He too would I follow wherever he might ask."

There was something in the fox's tone that Celeste could not understand, something suggestive of far more than was said. But her heart squeezed with sympathy for a boy gone astray and brought back. She wondered who their parents were, and if they still lived in that other world.

"As for our Queen Lucy," and Renard's voice lightened, "why her laughter makes the trees dance. She is small, but strong in hope. She is like a light, and she brings healing wherever she goes. She cares for all, even the smallest, most forgotten creatures, and all love her in return."

"Indeed we do!" agreed Carrisol.

"They do sound extraordinary," said King Lune after a respectful pause. "We look forward to hearing more at the noon hour."

"Indeed, your majesties." Both bowed low again. "King Lune, Queen Celeste."

As they were shown out of the audience chamber to rejoin their centaur escorts in the courtyard, the raven Carrisol was heard to remark, "Very nice, decent people they are."