*I am currently (as of 2/02/2013) looking for someone who would be willing to Beta different (mostly) one-shots dealing with the Chronicles of Narnia. Updates are definitely going to be sporadic, maybe even non-existent sometimes, but I am just looking for someone who can be available whenever. PM me if you're interested! Thanks!*

Okay, so this is pretty much what is going on on the Narnians' end while Shasta is traveling with Bree and Aravis and all that =)

I'm writing another story right now, which is also about Amber, but it's not really relevant to HAHB. That one's called "Lady Amber of Narnia, the Lost Tales," and is about what goes on in Narnia in between the books. You can read more in the description of that story, but my point is that even though The Lost Tales is post-HAHB, it doesn't really matter which one you read first.

Sorry if that didn't make much sense up there... I'm half asleep right now.

Okay. No more rambling. Enjoy, and please review!

Chapter 1: Prince Rabadash

Amber reclined in her office, putting her hands behind her head. She had just seen the last person of that afternoon, and she was ready to relax. But she knew that she could not.

The Calormene prince Rabadash had arrived to ask Susan for her hand in marriage, just that morning. Amber had overslept and missed it, but apparently he had used much flattery and courtesy, though his intentions had been quite clear. Amber wasn't sure how Susan felt about this - or even the boys or Lucy, for that matter - because each had been busy since that moment. This was the main reason for Amber's eagerness for the end of the day. Until that night, none of the rulers would have a private moment together.

Knowing that she would have to face the rest of the world soon, Amber stood and, making sure any compromising documents were well-hidden and that her office door was closed properly, made her way down to the Throne Room. It was midday, which was the only hour when all four Pevensies would be in their thrones, and Amber was usually in attendance for whatever was going on. At this moment, it was Prince Rabadash, who had apparently not finished complementing the Gentle Queen or her nation.

When Amber had sat in her chair, which was beside Peter's, but on ground level- and somewhat hidden, so that it was not easily noticeable- rather than the raised dais which held the Four Thrones, Peter gave the signal for Rabadash to be allowed in.

"Prince Rabadash of the great nation of Calormen, firstborn and most beloved son of the illustrious Tisroc - may he live forever!" announced a Calormene crier as the doors opened. Amber watched as a handsome young man made his way toward the Thrones. She assumed that this was the great Prince. As he came forward, each monarch, as well as Amber, stood and bowed gracefully in the Narnian fashion- the men bowing at the waist, coming to a stop at a perfect 90-degree angle with one hand behind their backs and the women holding their skirts out and curtsying so that their knees almost touched the floor before standing back up again. Rabadash bowed in the Calormene fashion, which was to- for a Prince, anyway- get on both knees with hands folded as if in prayer.

"O most Magnificent High King Peter," Rabadash said graciously, "Most Gentle Queen Susan, most Just King Edmund, most Valiant Queen Lucy! I express only the highest gratitude for being so graciously accepted into your most esteemed home."

"And we, as High King, welcome thee gladly, Prince Rabadash," Peter replied, using his most formal, kingly tone. Out of pure habit, the other four sat up straighter upon hearing the High King speak so. "As we noted this morning, your Highness wishes to make an alliance between the kingdom of Narnia and the empire of Calormen."

"It is even so, O King Peter," replied the Prince. "As the poets have said, 'One stick is easy to break, but when tied to a greater bundle, it becomes indestructible.'" Amber did not miss the blatantly obvious fact that Rabadash had basically just called Narnia a small, easily-broken twig. She dearly hoped that the Pevensies had caught the Prince's poorly-disguised insult, as well. She sneaked a peek at Peter's face, which was an inscrutable mask. She should have known as much; they had all been trained not to show emotions when in certain situations. Amber had no doubt that her own face was just as hard to read.

"A union between our two great nations would, no doubt, be equally advantageous to both my father the Tisroc - may he live forever - and your most high Majesty." Amber knit her brows together, glad that she was in shadow. What would Calormen have to gain from an alliance with Narnia? "I have poured much energy into thought on this matter, and, with my illustrious Father's glad approval, I have judged that this alliance would best be conducted through the marriage of myself and your most beautiful and Gentle sister, Queen Susan." Amber had to grip her armrests to keep from bursting something out that she would later regret. How dare he just strut in here, thinking he was all high-and-mighty, and speak to Peter about Susan's fate as if she weren't even in the room!

"This is a logical answer," Peter said calmly. Amber felt her eyes widen in bewilderment. What was he thinking? "Of course, it is one that our sister, the Queen Susan must think on extensively before giving a reply to thy most gracious request. And one that, I am sure, she shall not answer lightly. Thou art welcome to remain in Narnia for the time being." This was an obvious dismissal, but Rabadash was quite pleased about Peter's answer, and had no hesitation in showing so.

"If it please your most High Majesty, I would invite her Grace to speak with me ere the day is out," Rabadash said, testing just how far he could go before being refused.

"If our royal sister is in compliance-" here Peter looked to Susan, who nodded, "we shall grant thee permission to escort her through the gardens. My Gentle lady, wouldst thou consider gracing his Highness with a tour of the grounds?"

"Of course, my King," replied Susan with a smile, "I would be honored, Prince Rabadash, to show thee our gardens."

Good show, Su, Amber thought, watching Susan stand and walk to Rabadash, who had his arm out for the Queen to take. Sorry you have to spend all afternoon with him, though.

After Rabadash and Susan had departed, everyone was up out of their seats and converging behind the thrones, as they did sometimes when they couldn't wait to talk things over.

"Oh, Peter, this is perfectly dreadful!" cried Lucy. Amber laughed.

"Well, I admit that it was a bit of a shock, Lu, but I wouldn't go so far as dreadful," she smiled. Lucy had grown quite dramatic in her teen years.

"But suppose Susan falls in love with him!"

"I doubt she will," Edmund replied. "She's smarter than that. She'll see right through his little facade and douse his hopes like one of Amber's disastrous kitchen fires." Amber glared at him like only a Tigress could, and Lucy burst into giggles when Edmund seemed to shrink, head down contritely.

"I just hope she isn't too hard on him," Peter said, choosing not to acknowledge Edmund's joke. "We wouldn't want to hurt our most esteemed Prince's fragile ego." Everyone laughed at this, and even Lucy's over-exaggerated fears were put to rest.