Hi! So, this is my first fanfic. I hope you like it! Oh, and what C.S. Lewis owns, I don't.
Susan stalked around the corner, angrier than she thought she ever could be. Yes, she knew Lord Gregory was a member of the Archenland Court. Yes, she knew that by marrying him she would further cement their alliance. However, she would like to be told before the man was on his way! For heaven's sake, they were getting married that afternoon.
At sixteen, Susan was highly eligible. And after two years of ruling they had few allies, so any chance at a treaty was valued. But for Peter to go behind her back and do this, well, she would certainly fight this with all the strength she had. At least until Peter groveled a little.
Wrapped in her thoughts, she pushed open the door to her chambers only to see Edmund and Lucy sitting on her bed, apparently waiting for her. She thought about staying silent, but anger took control of her tongue.
"Well, I suppose you two know about it." The venom in Susan's voice made Lucy cringe a little. "Of course it isn't necessary for the one getting married to know anything about it. Just throw her into it without any warning. Just…"
Lucy cut her off. "Susan, we had to. The Tisroc set Peter a letter, requesting your hand as his wife…"
"Sixth wife," Edmund cut in. "The letter was a threat. If you don't marry him, he said he would attack us, although not in as many words. Unless we can say you were already married by the time we got the letter."
Susan stood with her mouth open wide, and then started crying. Edmund helped her to a chair while Lucy gave her a handkerchief. When she stopped weeping, which took some time, Lucy continued.
"Peter's going to pretend he didn't read the letter immediately, that it got lost in a pile somewhere. But you had to get married, and King Lune recommended Lord Gregory as honorable, young, and handsome."
Susan was about to say something when a young naiad burst in. "Your majesties, I bring word from your brother," she said, panting. "Lord Gregory is very close, and should be here within the hour." Still short of breath, she turned, stopped, swiveled back and quickly curtsied before rushing out.
Lucy laughed. "Wellingbrook is very nice, but she does forget 'little nicenesses of mannerisms' as she puts it."
Susan slumped in her seat. "Less than an hour. An hour. And I'm getting married."
Edmund smirked and said, "At least he's prompt."
He managed to dodge out of the room before Lucy's shoe hit him.
"Of all the insensitive things to say. Edmund should know better." Lucy clapped for maids, and they began to fuss about Susan, all the while talking about Lord Gregory's charms.
"And you will have a new lady in waiting as well." Susan just caught the words of a talkative dryad named Loris. "Lord Gregory has a younger sister who is the age of our Just King. Who knows, perhaps there will be two royal weddings soon."
"Loris! Dealing with my own is bad enough without you pairing off my brothers," Susan snapped. The dryad drew back a little, but then continued her work arranging Susan's hair.
When they had finished finally -- how long it took Susan could not be sure -- she walked over to her mirror. A lovely young woman in a rich white silk gown stared coolly back. The maids had been more careful than usual with her appearance, and Susan had even consented to wear some makeup. It would help mask her true feelings, and allow her to get through the day.
"Please leave, Lucy." The maids had retired, but Lucy had waited. Susan wanted, no, needed to be alone, without anyone to tell her that it would be all right.
Sighing, Susan sank to the floor. What did she know about Lord Gregory? Well, he was supposed to be handsome, and Peter had said he was willing to stay at Cair Paravel. But would he be a good husband? There was no way to be sure until after they had "tied the knot." Drat Peter. Drat the Tisroc. Drat being royal. If only they could wait a few days.... But no, the Tisroc had already sent his delegation. The wedding had to happen as soon as the groom arrived.
Sitting and huffing, Susan barely heard the trumpets. A few minutes or hours later, Lucy burst back in.
"He's here, Susan, come quickly, come!"
Lucy raced out the door, only to duck back in and announce, "We'll be in the throne room, for the ceremony. Oh, Susan, come quickly!" and with that she ran back out.
Susan walked slowly out the door and down the hall. The hallway from the bedrooms to the throne room was fairly short, something they had all been grateful for, and Susan too, until now. Her last moments to contemplate the drastic change that would happen in a few moments.
Edmund waited by the door, slouching against the wall with a legal book. Noticing Susan approach, he slammed it shut and tossed it to the guard. "They're waiting for us." Pausing, he looked her over. "You know, we do love you, Susan." And with that he offered her his arm and they walked through the door.
Please review! I accept single words, like "good" or "bad"