Hello! Thanks to all of you reviewers and everyone who is reading this story-I really like it so far. Here is chapter 3! I'll try to get 4 up as soon as possible.

Chapter Three-I Want It All

"Touché! Excellent Lu, I thought you'd never get that move down."

"You only taught it to me last week." Damien laughed and took his sword back from Lucy.

"Well, you're usually faster at learning new tricks. Is that enough for today? We've been out here for three hours and you're awfully sun burned."

"I'm not the only one, you look like a tomato."

"Elves do not sunburn."

"You're face states otherwise. Come on, I'm sure Shaina has some lotion we could use." Lucy sheathed her sword and headed for the castle, Damien at her heels.

"Yoo-hoo! Damien!" The elf spun around to see Araminta walking swiftly toward them.

"Hello Araminta."

"I saw you fencing, you're very talented."

"Well I have to be to train this one."

"I didn't recognize you, Lucy. I guess it's hard for me to tell you're a woman in those clothes."

"Yes, it must be a total shocker to see a woman who isn't uptight about looking gorgeous every second of the day."

"Oh Lucy, you couldn't do that if you tried." Araminta patted Lucy lightly on the arm, and Lucy glared at her.

"I'd rather be able to defend my country than lay around it waiting for men to come and court me."

"Well of course! No man would come and court you, you'd be awfully bored." They both looked over at Damien, who was completely oblivious to the conversation as he was too busy gawking at the Calormen princess.

"I know, they'd all be too busy locking you up so that you couldn't break any of their hearts ever again."

"Lucy you're really horrible at comebacks. No wonder Caspian and Damien like me more. Well, besides the fact I that I actually act like a woman."

"I don't think Caspian and Damien like you more because you're better at comebacks. Oh wait…infact, they don't like you more at all."

"Then explain why he won't stop looking at me, not you." Lucy stopped, and looked at Araminta, who smiled. "Defend yourself all you want, Lucy, but if you keep up this behavior, no one is ever going to want to be with you." She and Damien walked away, leaving Lucy alone staring after them.

She stood there a good ten minutes before Peter finally walked by, and saw her.

"Lu? What are you doing? Are you ok?"

"Fine," Lucy lied, but she felt Peter wrap his arms around her anyway.

"What's the matter?"

"Araminta needs to go to hell."

"I figured this was about her. Edmund told me what she did to you in Calormen. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I'm just paranoid I guess."

"So what did she say to you?"

"She just made me realize a few things, that's all. Do you know where Shaina is? I need some lotion."

"I was just going to find her. Come on, walk with me." He took Lucy's arm and she decided to strike up the conversation.

"How are things going with the two of you?"

"They couldn't be better. I don't think I've ever been this happy."

"Aw, you're cute," Lucy grinned, tousling his hair.

"Thanks for that." The two siblings walked around talking and laughing for atleast an hour before they finally found Shaina, who was lying on the couch in one of the sitting rooms.

"Hi you two."

"What are you doing here?" Lucy asked.

"Attempting to get rid of a headache. That tour this morning got the best of me what with all her stupid questions and all his perverted remarks." Peter and Lucy didn't bother asking who the 'him' and 'her' was. It was pretty obvious if Shaina was complaining about a headache.

"It does take some getting used to."

"Pete's on our side by the way, Shain."

"Thank Aslan."

"Your side?" Peter asked. He ran his fingers through Shaina's light brown hair and began to massage her shoulders.

"Ooh, thanks sweetheart. And yes, our side. Ed, Lucy and I decided we have to prove that Araminta is faking the whole 'nice, innocent, I love everyone' act."

"Why?"

"So that Caspian doesn't fall victim to her. If he does, I fear we'll be in for the worst."

"How so?"

"Well if they're married, I have no doubt she'll act like her true self again." Lucy shuddered at the thought of the man she loved and the woman she hated together, and Peter pulled her to him.

"They aren't going to get married. You said yourself Caspian was complaining about her last night."

"That doesn't mean he can't change his mind. What if he gets used to it? Or what if she acts a little smarter? I fear he'll start acting like Damien."

"I can't believe my brother is so incredibly shallow. Have you seen the way he looks at her? It's not like he hasn't met any beautiful women in his life."

"Well she's probably the most so out of any he's met," Lucy pointed out.

"That may be so but Lucy, as long as you're around, there is no way Caspian will fall for Araminta," Peter assured her. "In the mean time, I want to know what's going on. Valdis isn't the type of man who would let his sister go off on her own and try and get someone to marry her. Something strange is going on, and I want to know what it is."

"I couldn't help but hear my name as I was walking by."

"Hello, Valdis. Is there anything we can do for you?"

"Nothing you can do, Peter." He looked over at Lucy, and Peter tensed up.

"Valdis if you're looking for your sister, I don't know where she is. I'm afraid you'll have to look elsewhere."

"I'm not looking for Araminta. I thought I'd spend some time with my friends before I leave in the next hour."

"How wonderful," Shaina grimaced.

"Oh Lucy, you look absolutely miserable. Would you like some lotion?"

"I'm fine, thankyou."

"Nonsense." Valdis produced a small bottle from his pocket-something the other three had a hard time not laughing at-and poured some into his hand.

"Really Valdis, I do not need any." He neared her, and Lucy finally snapped. "Don't touch me!"

"Ah, feisty today, are we?"

"Valdis, I would ask you not to make such vulgar comments to my sister."

"Forgive me, Peter, but I cannot help how young and ravishing she is."

"Valdis, I am right here."

"I'm sorry, angel. I'll stop." Lucy mimed throwing up behind his back, and Shaina bit back a laugh. Peter just sat there clenching his fists and glowering at the raven-haired prince.

"What's going on in here?"

"Hello, Ed. We were just leaving," Lucy said and stood up. Edmund instantly took her arm before Valdis had the chance to, and Peter took Shaina's hand.

"Any word on my ship?" Valdis asked, and Edmund nodded.

"It's completely stocked with everything you need, now. It is ready to leave when you are."

"Excellent. I must have a private audience with my sister before I go, however." Valdis walked off in the direction of Araminta's room, and Lucy sighed a sigh of relief.

"I can't believe he has the guts to say things like that. Especially right in front of my brother!"

"If beating the living daylights out of him wouldn't start a war with Calormen, I would do it right now," Peter scowled.

"Well we can all relax, he's leaving soon," Shaina said.

"Thank Aslan."

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"Caspian, I don't mean to intrude, but I need to speak with my sister alone."

"I will leave you at once," Caspian said, and sped off down the hall before Araminta could utter another word.

"What are you doing? He's warming up to me a lot, I think."

"I need to make sure you'll be able to hold your own."

"I'll be perfectly fine, Valdis. I know what I'm doing. In two weeks time, Caspian and Lucy won't even be speaking to each other if I have any say in it."

"Excellent. And you know what you're supposed to do."

"Of course. Act like I completely understand his pain, and I'll be his shoulder to cry on."

"Exactly. But Minta, make sure you step up your game a little bit. I think Lucy is more competition than you think, and though you may have the beauty, you don't have her brains."

"I am not stupid."

"I know that, but you have to act much smarter or I fear Caspian will become completely annoyed with how simple your conversations are."

"He is very deep." Araminta sighed, and smiled. "I'll make sure to be more of a conversationalist."

"Thankyou. I must be off now. Write to me if you need suggestions or if something has gone wrong."

"I will, but I have it all under control. I think we can expect a wedding by mid January."

"Wonderful, that's only about five months away. But I must attend to Jacinda now, and try and get her ready to take on Archenland like I spent so many months getting you ready for Narnia." They reached the Narnians who were gathered in front of the Calormen ship, waiting to see Valdis off. "It was a pleasure seeing you all again, I wish I could stay longer."

"It is a pity," Shaina said, faking a smile. "Good-bye!" Valdis boarded the ship, and waved.

"Write often!" he called. "I'll be counting the days until we see each other again." The ship began to sail, and Araminta faked a few tears.

"It's so hard to see him go. I've never been without my brother before you know," she said, looking up at Caspian. His heart went out for her, and he took her arm.

"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll have a splendid time here without him."

"Thankyou, Caspian. You do help a sad situation."

"Er…thanks?" He looked at her oddly, the moment of pity gone. Lucy silently thanked Aslan he wasn't completely moved by her fake tears.

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The next day Lucy and Caspian were walking around the gardens and hiding from Araminta, when they heard the woman shriek from inside the castle.

"CASPIAN!"

"Oh no, what now?" Caspian groaned and banged his head repeatedly against Lucy's shoulder.

"There, there. It will be alright."

"There you are! You have a huge mouse problem and they…and they TALK."

"Yes, they tend to do that," Caspian chuckled, and Lucy bit back a laugh.

"But how? That isn't natural…you should have it checked out."

"Araminta, Narnia is full of talking animals. You've been here three days and you haven't met any of them yet?" Caspian asked.

"No! I mean, I'd see a few animals and some strange looking men in the castle but I figured it was just a Narnian custom to allow animals in the castle."

"Those 'weird looking men' are centaurs and fauns, and very respectable creatures so I advice you not to say anything of offense, like 'weird looking men' in front of them," Lucy said. "And it's not a custom, they're our friends, and they live here."

"They're your friends?"

"Yes, all of them are very good friends. A few of them are my advisors and war generals," Caspian said slowly. "Do you have a problem with this?"

"No, not at all," Araminta lied. "I'm just not used to it yet."

"It won't take long getting used to. Here, we'll introduce you to some others." Caspian stood up, and Araminta followed as well. "You coming, Lu?"

"I suppose. I haven't seen Trufflehunter since he got back yesterday, and I would like to talk to him."

"Wonderful." Caspian smiled at her and the three of them began to head toward the castle, much to Araminta's annoyance. She wanted as much alone time with Caspian as possible. "Hello, Glenstorm."

"Your majesty. I thought I'd let you know you received a letter from the Lord Bern yesterday."

"Really? Do you have it with you?"

"Nay sire, I apologize. Blane was the one who received it. Infact he's most likely looking for you right now."

"Thanks Glenstorm. This is Princess Araminta of Calormen."

"Ah yes, I've seen you walking around. I am Glenstorm, the Centaur, Caspian's general and councilor of war."

"N-nice to meet you," Araminta stuttered, and curtsied.

"The pleasure is mine, Princess. We have been looking forward to your visit these past few months." Glenstorm nodded at them and walked off.

"I told you everyone here is nice."

"Yes, I suppose. Oh goodness!"

"That's Link, he's a cheetah, and one of the guards."

"Hey Link!"

"Good morning Lucy, Caspian. And who is this?"

"Araminta of Calormen," Lucy said, not bothering to put in 'Princess'.

"Welcome to Narnia, Lady."

"Er…thankyou."

Two hours passed when Araminta had finally met most of the occupants in the castle, whether they were a faun, a centaur, a cheetah, a squirrel, a tiger, a girl, a boy or a bird. Lucy could tell she was still petrified, but Araminta never let it get the best of her and was as kind and loving as possible to everyone she met for Caspian's sake. This intrigued Caspian, because he had never thought Araminta to be a particularly caring person, but here she was being exactly that.

'Why was I so annoyed by her again? She's lovely…' he thought to himself, and then shook himself out of his reverie.

"I'm proud of you," he finally said. "I didn't expect you to get over your shock so quickly."

"Well everyone is so kind. How could I remain so cold?" Araminta lied, and Lucy rolled her eyes. "But now, I must talk to Lucy…meet me in the gardens?"

"Of course." Caspian walked off. Lucy looked after him, completely shocked. All it took was a few kind words to their friends and all of a sudden he thinks she's wonderful?

"I was right."

"Right about what?" Lucy asked.

"I told you that Caspian would like me more, and look…he does."

"That isn't true, and you know it. You've been annoying him since day one."

"Ah, but not anymore. He finds me intriguing now, you can see it in his eyes." For once Lucy was quiet, something Araminta was quick to pick up on. "Obviously you see it too, otherwise you would have retorted. I told you Lucy, you will never get anyone to court you, but you didn't believe me. But here we are, and I'm the one everyone's attention is focused on." Araminta gave Lucy a very triumphant smile, and headed for the gardens to meet Caspian.

"She's right," Lucy said aloud to herself. "I've been so blind…"

During the next month, Lucy tried her best to keep away from both Araminta and Caspian. Whenever he tried to talk to her she'd run off with some 'business' she had to take care of. Afterall, she didn't want him talking to her about how wonderful he thought Araminta was. And everytime she saw Araminta, Lucy would look the other way so she couldn't see the triumphant smile that illuminated her face whenever Lucy came near.

And there it is! I hope you all review, I love hearing other people's opinions. Oh, and by the way-I promise next chapter will be one everyone will love. Unlike this one...I don't like this chapter. Poor Lucy! :(