Chapter Two: The Ball

The four arrived at Baron Lare's large manor on horseback (the non-talking beasts of course) and were immediately shown into the ballroom. The immense, circular room was ornately decorated for the occasion. Tapestries were hung on the walls and streamers were laced from marble column to marble column. Above a large and elegant chandelier was a beautiful fresco depicting a epic hunting scene. Already people danced, a very organized and structured dance that flowed in a lovely manner. It not unlike a waltz, from the world the four came from. The orchestra was to be found a story up playing in a orchestra pit that extended from the wall. It played a smooth melody that one could not help swaying to.

A servant approached the siblings and asked for their title. Then he hurried to another man and whispered in his ear.

"High King Peter of Narnia, Queen Susan of Narnia, King Edmund of Narnia, and Queen Lucy of Narnia." The man announced. The host and hostess approached the four and exchanged bows and curtsies. The man, Baron Lare, was in his late thirties and had wavy black hair kept combed back and had a regal, handsome face. The lady, who could be no older than Lucy, had golden ringlets that was elegantly piled on top of her head and had a merry, youthful face. She wore a deep red dress and a lone rose in his eyes. Her eyes, Edmund noticed, seemed to be masking something he could not name. The couple was linked, arm in arm.

"Welcome to my home, your Majesties. Am I pleased you came!" The Baron greeted heartily. "It is my pleasure to introduce: Lia, my lovely fiancée." The woman curtsied to the four again.

"It is a pleasure to meet you all," she said grinning.

"Oh it's our pleasure!" Susan praised. "Your home is simply marvelous! Stunning!"

"I thank you, your majesty. Would you do me the honor of a dance?" The Baron asked Susan amiably. Susan suddenly noticed that she was swaying and blushed but took the Baron's outstretched hand anyway. Lucy and Peter paired off with others as well leaving Edmund to talk to the bride to be. He courteously offered his arm and she took it.

"Looks like we've been abandoned," Edmund teased.

"Yes we have," she replied. "Although, I'm glad I get to talk to you, your majesty. I am very curious about your government. What would you call a country ruled by four?"

"Well, we're basically a monarchy."

"But monarchies have only one or two monarch, yours has four. And what happens when you all get married? Eight monarchs?"

"I suppose our country's structure is different than others," Edmund replied, "I never really thought about one of us marring, though I know that Susan has."

"Your family seems so lovely. Do you get along?" Edmund chuckled.

"We didn't used to," he said. Lia laughed at that. "I'm sorry, here I am talking about myself when I don't know anything about you."

"I'll tell you if you ask me to dance." Edmund bowed and extended his hand to her in a silent request for a dance. Lia laughed again and placed her hand in his. He put his other hand on her waist and lead her onto the dance floor.

"Well," she began, "I am the daughter of Lord Ber. I enjoy archery and dancing." She nodded to him indicating she wanted him to take a turn.

"I am the brother of King Peter, Queen Susan, and Queen Lucy. I enjoy hunting and listening to music."

"I like to read history," she said.

"I like to practice sword fighting."

I wish to travel, but . . ." A solemn look crossed Lia's sunny face, "what Baroness has the time to travel?" When she added that Edmund finally identified what she had been masking earlier.

"Do you not want to be married?" He asked knowing as soon as it came out that it was inappropriate to ask such a thing. He bit his lip wishing he had not blurted that. She looked up at him, startled that he had figured her out. Then she schooled her expression.

"Well I didn't exactly have a say in the match. Lare asked my father for my hand, thinking that I would make a good wife to him. My father was thrilled, and the two arranged the whole thing. Now Lare's a decent enough man, and it's not my place to complain. I would disgrace my family and dishonor Lare if I-" Lia stopped not even daring to say it. "Lare cares for me. I'll be happy enough." She put on a smile that did little to reassure Edmund. But he said nothing. She brightened suddenly and said, "You're turn."

"I wish to have something to drink," He said and made her chuckle.

"So am I."

The night faded quickly, for all four siblings enjoyed themselves. Edmund was often found talking to Lia, when Lare was otherwise occupied. She showed nothing the rest of the night of what she had revealed earlier, and Edmund almost forgot about it. He told her what Narnia was like and she told him what her life was like. Peter talked to various guests and Lare most of the time and only occasionally danced. The soles of Lucy's and Susan's slippers were torn from all the dancing (luckily they both had a pair a riding boots) and all of them were tired.

As they walked to the stables where their horses were kept, Peter noticed the slouch that Edmund walked with. He couldn't be that tired, Peter thought, he talked with Lia more than he danced. Oh! Peter realized why Edmund looked so sullen.

"Cheer up Ed," he said clapping his brother affectionately on the shoulder, "As they say in that other place," (for they had already forgotten the name) "There are other fish in the sea.

"I suppose," Edmund said, feeling not in the least bit cheery. Lucy and Susan then caught on.

"Oh Edmund," Lucy sympathized. "You ought to just let it go, you'll probably never see her again.

"Probably," He agreed and they mounted their horses and rode away.