Chapter 2: Dance Lessons with Peter


"Was it really necessary to bring in the entirety of the castle?" Crystal demanded as she surveyed the crowded hall. A group of fauns were stationed in the corner with large instruments waiting to be played. Creatures and Talking Beasts and humans of all sorts gathered on the floor, speaking to one another as they waited for their direction.

"This is merely to simulate a situation where you will have to introduce yourself to important figures throughout Narnia," Peter explained. He waved his hand and motioned forward. "Lesson one: you begin by politely greeting others and making and receiving formal introductions. For example…" he motioned Edmund to step forward. "Lady Crystal, may I present King Edmund the Just?"

Crystal blinked. "…Why are you introducing me to Edmund? I already know him,"

"This is just an example," Peter replied. "It's why I have filled the room with people you already know. To make it easier to do the introductions so you are comfortable when you need to do it yourself." He cleared his throat. "Now, if it were two gentlemen being introduced to one another you can shake hands. Women have a choice. You may choose to extend your hand but it is common practice for them to nod and offer a pleasant greeting."

"Yes but what if I knew this pain in the butt since I was a kid?" Crystal asked, jerking her thumb over at Edmund. "Am I allowed to kick him in the shins instead?" Edmund made a face and she stuck her tongue out at him.

"Please focus," Peter said, pinching the bridge of his nose. Susan's teachings earlier in the day was all fun and games, he had to admit. She did get a little uptight over her instruction but that was Susan for you. She liked to do things a certain way with a logical plan involved and that was fine. It came in handy whenever they needed a realistic view on situations. But now that he was in the hot seat he understood how much pressure was being placed on him.

They were responsible for how she turned out. They were the ones responsible for how she could handle her coronation ceremony and ruling a kingdom in the long run. If it didn't work out, it would ultimately fall on their shoulders and could reflect badly on them. Golden Age or not, at this moment in time they were setting the tone for the rest of their reign. And if they couldn't help their friend and mold her into a presence that was to be taken seriously in this world who was to say that they, in turn, would not be taken seriously.

"Okay, so, you two have been introduced. Please react however you would choose to in this situation," Peter said, motioning to his brother and childhood friend. Edmund turned to her and waited. With a small nod, Crystal extended her hand and he shook it.

"See? That wasn't too hard," Peter commented. "Now, because we already went over table manners we do not need to do that again. However I do want to touch on cordial behavior. It should be displayed towards anyone that speaks to you and anyone that does a task for you, such as a cook or a servant." Catching the disgruntled expression on Crystal's face he jumped in before she could protest, "I am not suggesting that you do not already display the respect they deserve, I am merely reminding you that during many social circumstances, especially with wines and meads involved, social graces can fall to the wayside. It is imperative that you always have it in the back of your mind.

"Which brings me to the next and equally important rule while in a social situation: polite and pleasant conversation is the protocol. Gossip, off-color humor, and controversial topics—while popular and enough to get tongues wagging—it has no place here, no matter what happens. Cursing of any sort should not be going on and you—I feel I have to personally address—should try and keep your…" his eyes roamed the room as he tried to find the right way to phrase his sentence. He could already see Crystal bristling as she waited for him to say whatever it was that was on his mind. "Hmm. You should try and keep your…passion, let's say, on a lower level than it has been. There is no need for you to be combative, verbally or physically, with your guests."

Peter was thankful that she kept her mouth shut rather than fight him as what tended to be her natural inclination. One that he never could quite figure out why it was but he was glad that it took a backseat that day. Perhaps she was catching on that he was telling her this because he was being serious and because it was important, not to be able to tell her what to do. Although, he had to admit, a small part of him was enjoying that part of it.

"Next comes the dancing part. Because the Merfolf Waltz is a new dance of which you have not learned yet, it is a perfect example for you to allow the man to lead you," Peter said. Turning to the band he lifted his arms. Everyone on the floor seemed to freeze in their spots, looking at him. Here he was, a young man, and he was able to command a room and demand respect without lifting his voice or even saying a word.

He clapped twice. The sound echoed and bounced off the stone walls and the high ceiling. A brief silence hung in the air afterwards and then the fauns started to play their instruments. A few of them were odd-looking things but they made music so sweet and so lively it was almost as if the notes themselves rejuvenated the spirits of those in the room.

They did survive a battle and it was a victory for them but it was a pyrrhic sort of victory. They came out with the win but they lost a lot to get there. Family and friends were no longer with them and the loss hung low over their heads and weighed down their shoulders. But the magic of the music put a light back in their eyes and a spring in their steps as men and women coupled up and began moving around the dance floor.

"Edmund, if you wouldn't mind entertaining Mala while I help Crystal," Peter said, turning back around to address his brother. He paused as his eyes rested on Susan and Caspian who had already found their way to the middle of the floor and were spinning on the spot. Her dress flared up with each controlled spin that Caspian set her through before bringing her back to him so they could move through the next few steps. They made it look easy. He cleared his throat and then rolled up the sleeves on his nice shirt. "Also, keep an eye on Lu. I know we have treats out for everyone but she will get a stomach ache if she doesn't watch herself."

Edmund nodded and navigated his way through the dancing couples who were moving along the floor. He ducked and weaved to avoid swinging hair and elbows and arms. "Ed just gave a good example of what not to do on the dance floor," Peter spoke up. "If, for any reason, you need to leave or navigate to the other side of the dance floor, walking through is not a good idea. You should either walk around or dance your way from one end to the other. Which brings me to the next lesson: asking someone to dance and accepting a dance invitation.

"When you see someone that you wish to share a dance with you should notice what they are doing before you ask. You do not want to interrupt a conversation. Do not grab or pull a potential partner onto the dance floor without asking, despite your connection with said person and your excitement. There are a few phrases you can use to ask for a dance, the best one being 'May I have this dance'." Men mainly ask women but it is accepted for a woman to ask a man to dance if she so desires though the men are still expected to lead."

Peter turned towards the dance floor and held out his hand, waiting for Crystal to take it. He expected her to roll her eyes or follow him in a begrudging manner but he was surprised, pleasantly so, when she took his hand right away and allowed him to walk her out onto the dance floor. A few couples moved aside to give them space without breaking their stride. The up-tempo music continued, sucking them all into the festive atmosphere.

"Now, the next lesson is declining," Peter said as he lifted their hands to a height by his shoulder. "You should never decline unless you have a very good reason, such as fatigue or if you have already promised the dance to someone else. If you would not like to dance with them in that moment or you have been asked previously, offer to dance with them later. If you honestly have no desire to dance with someone just decline in a polite manner but do not turn around and accept a dance with another if it is during the same song. That is considered a rude gesture. You may decline a dance if you feel uncomfortable with a person or if you find that they were too forceful in their dancing."

Crystal's head began to spin with the mass amounts of information being thrown her way. Was he going to teach her every single step next? She wasn't so sure she would be able to follow it. Dances in their world were complicated enough with the Quickstep and the Foxtrot but with Narnian dances needing to be learned, who knew how many steps there were? Who knew how complicated the sequences were?

She was no stranger to parties. That was all thanks to Susan and her once steady stream of invites back in England. It seemed as if Narnia had changed Susan much more than they had anticipated. It gave her a sort of poise and grace that could only have been obtained over years. Years that had been compressed into a short span of time for them. Of course a social event in England could not compare to one held in Narnia. It was apples to oranges.

"But the main thing you need to learn…" Peter's voice made her blink and shift her attention back to him. His blue gaze held hers as he placed his hand on the small of her back and pulled her closer. He smiled a pleasant smile at the surprised expression that appeared on her face at the mere close proximity they were in. "Is to relax and have fun," he finished.

Relax and have fun. Crystal wanted to scoff. He made it sound so easy. And it probably was to him but, then again, he wasn't the one who had to be held close to his own body for dancing purposes. Sword-fighting was good to him, she had to admit. He wasn't the scrawny boy that she used to make fun of.

It annoyed her.

"Shoulders down, back straight, strong frame…perfect," Peter mumbled as he helped Crystal adjust her posture. "Don't look at your feet," he added, noticing her straying gaze. "Look at me and trust me. I know the steps. Just follow my lead."

"Yes, well, you might lead me down a flight of stairs or into the lake or…something," she muttered, still avoiding his gaze. The last thing she wanted was for him to catch the dusting of red on her cheeks and comment on it.

"You're in good hands," Peter assured her, rubbing his thumb against her spine. She wanted to kick him for that but kept her feet planted on the floor until he took a step forward, which forced her to take a step back. With a few more quick step they fell into the easy rhythm of the music, spinning around with the other couples on the dance floor.

Peter's hold on her stayed firm yet gentle at the same time, enough to support her and make her feel at east simultaneously. His movements were fluid, as if water was controlling his body. Once sequence melted into the other with barely a stutter in his step. He held more power and grace in his body than she had ever seen before.

The Merfolk Waltz was an interesting dance, full of turns and spins and progressing and receding movements, of which Crystal was was the point of the Merfolk Waltz: to tell a story of their journey through the seas and the characteristics of the ocean itself through their dance step, in quick, easy movements.

"That wasn't too bad," Peter commented with a strained smile once the music came to an end. He let her go and applauded with the rest of the dancers as the musician bowed.

"I stepped on your feet five times," Crystal grumbled, her arms crossed over her chest.

"Which can easily be fixed if you trust your partner and allow them to lead."

Her lips twitched. "Why do you have to lead anyway? Why can't I lead?"

Peter briefly pressed his lips into a line. "Because it is customary for this dance that the men lead," he explained, his voice tight. He turned to the musicians and rolled his wrist, signaling for them to start the song again. "You have to learn to trust that your partner is there for you to experience and enjoy the dance."

"Yes, if there is no trust between partners, the dance will not work," Mala commented, appearing by their side. Her bright white smile accompanying her words made Crystal bristle even more than she had before.

"Did you need something?" Crystal asked, her arm tightening over her chet.

"Yes, I came over here to ask Peter—that is Your Majesty—if he would share the next dance with me," Mala replied, turning her golden eye over to Peter. She tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and smiled up at him from beneath her long lashes.

"Which brings me to the next lesson: cutting in. If someone asks to cut in it is customary to oblige and dance with the one who asked. The only time you should decline is if you feel that the asker has been trying to monopolize your time. A dance is a social event and should be conducted in such a manner," Peter explained. He turned to Mala and said, "I would love to share the next dance with you."

"What about me?" Crystal asked.

"You will be testing out a little of what you have learned with Tomas here," Peter replied, extending his arm. Crystal had to contort her face to keep an expression of absolute horror from appearing as Tomas shuffled over. He smiled at her and she couldn't ignore the large piece of food stuck in between his teeth. That coupled with his unkempt hair and stained shirt made her lower eyelid twitch. "He is a very honest man. All afternoon he said he wanted to share a dance with you. Tomas, may I introduce you to Lady Crystal?"

"Oh, it's my pleasure, miss," Tomas said, holding out his hand. "Er…Your Royal Highness. I should get used to calling you that, yes?" Crystal allowed her lips to pull back into a smile at the corner as she held out her hand. He grasped her finger and gave her arm a hearty shake, jerking her in the process. Mala's and Peter's laughter earned a short-lived glare from Crystal as Tomas pulled her further into the dance floor.

She held her distance from him as much as possible without appearing rude but it was hard. Every movement he made, a foul odor wafted from somewhere she couldn't pinpoint. His breath was not the freshest, his shirt was not the cleanest, and his own body odor was not the most pleasant in the world.

Peter Pevensie, I'm going to kill you! That one thought circulated around in her mind as she tried to focus on the dance steps she had just been taught but it was hard when she had to dance with a man who smelled foul and had a habit of "accidentally" shifting his hand on her. She was a hair trigger away from clobbering Tomas due to spitting on her when she laughed until Edmund swooped in out of nowhere, asking to cut in and whisked her away.

"Should I be getting used to you saving me like this?" she asked in a dry manner.

"My conscience—of which I tried to silence, I really did—got the better of me," he replied with a sigh.

"Who knew it actually existed? Here I thought you were a little ball of darkness."

Edmund laughed at her joke, pausing his rapid steps to allow her to swing out and then pulled her back to him. "I need to take a break from that every now and then," he teased, sticking out his tongue. "You do know Peter planned this to test you, right?"

"Yes, because that's what Peter does. Dig and poke and prod until he get under my skin," Crystal replied, her nose scrunching up as she tread on Edmund's foot, having taken a step forward instead of backward. "But Tomas? Really? Have you smelled his breath?"

"Mmm, yes, he's not one to have a close conversation with," Edmund agreed. "Frankly, I'm surprised you last as long as you did. Any longer and I would have won the bet."

"Nice to know you're on my side," Crystal said with a small smile although she did whack his arm for good measure. Her eyes trailed over to the other spinning couples of the floor, resting on Susan and Caspian who took the floor by storm. It was as if they felt the music deep within their bones and too command of it, controlling the steps instead of letting the steps control them.

They were only rivaled by Peter and Mala who, in comparison to Susan and Caspian's outward performance of the dance, executed the technical procedures of it perfectly. Peter and Mala looked like seasoned dancers, anticipating the other's movements and became an extension of the other rather than dance partners. It made Crystal roll her eyes. The journey ended when they stopped on Lucy and James who were giggling with one another as they tried the steps themselves. It was unpolished but one could tell that they didn't care and were simply enjoying one another's company.

Edmund lead them around the room and past the group of musicians who nodded at them on their way around. He had a nice sense of control that she didn't expect from him. He wasn't as confident as Peter in his hold but he tried and that was all she could ask for. Over time she lifted her eyes from her feet and was able to look around the room as they danced. She did look down every now and then, especially when she uttered an apology for a forgotten step or taking a step that didn't exist but Edmund held fast and kept them going. It was when his grip shifted that her eyebrows crinkled and confusion took ahold of her.

"What are you—?" she started.

She couldn't finish her question for her had flung her across the room. For a brief moment she was wrapped up in a blur of color and sound, all swirling around her as she spun. And then she came into a screeching halt. She had to blink a couple of times to get her bearings but when her mind finally stopped reeling and her eyes focused she saw that she was back in the arms of Peter.

"I outta kill you," she said in as calm of a manner as possible one her brain registered who it was she was now dancing with.

"I know you are angry with me but I was merely making sure you listened to what I was telling you and that you are serious about taking the necessary step to get to the position you need to be in in a week's time," he explained, carefully choosing his words.

"I understand that but…Tomas, Peter? You had to pick Tomas of all people?"

"Come now, he could not have been that bad."

"Besides his...horrid breath and his disgusting clothing? He tried to grab my arse!"

He blinked rapidly and then his face faltered for a moment. "Remind me to have a talk with him. That is not behavior that should continue."

"It's not behavior that should have gone on in the first place because you—"

Her words died on her tongue as Peter's grip tightened on her and he leaned her backwards in a sudden dip. The floor switched and became the ceiling for her. She could feel blood rushing to her head and pressure build up by her nose and in the background she could hear the music coming to a close as it died down.

Peter easily lifted her back up to a standing position as the room burst into applause. Red settled in Crystal's cheek as he now stood upright, gaping up at him and his choice to end the dance with a brazen move.

"You were saying?" he asked, his eyes boring into her.

She didn't break his intense gaze. She swallowed the lump in her throat, ignored the strong beating of her heart and the sweat that gathered on her palms, licked her lips, parted them slightly and uttered, "Shut up, Peter."


a/n - I hope the wait was worth it with this chapter! This one is one of my favorites so far, I found it a lot of fun to write so I hope that is translated well into thi scene. And there was a little bit of Peter/Crystal thrown in there for you shippers. ;) Up next: Sitting lessons with Lucy! I hope you enjoy this chapter and please leave a review!