Hey Hey Hey!!

Ok, so this chappie is prettyyy much the ball, and all the events that occur. I'll do my best to sort of swap between characters, but a lot will be focused on Belles' actions. Hope you like, eh?

When the boys told uncle Peter about the mini tournament, he surprised them all by grinning happily, especially when they told him about Belles reaction.

"You did good boys." Laughed Peter, clapping them all on the back as he left the room.

"Okay…" said Lorian. The boys laughed and separated, all heading for their separate rooms.

An hour and a half later found the male section of the family standing just outside the ballroom with all the other foreign gentlemen. The great oak doors opened and they all bustled inside. The room was decorated lavishly, an orchestra in the corner, and a great table full of food, and another of wine lining the opposite wall. A faun stepped onto a small platform, and stamped his hooves on the ground to gain attention. The bustling chatter of the males stopped. The faun gestured towards a large, winding, golden staircase to his right, and the crowd turned.

The faun cleared his throat.

"Queen Gestrena, of Serement." A beautiful woman appeared at the top of the staircase, and made her way down, joining her awed husband at the bottom. And so the list went on, a lady or queen making her way down the staircase, and her husband or a young gentleman would rush forward to grab her hand. One would have thought after a few men getting their wives there would be talk, but all was silent as each woman made her entrance, the audience intrigued to see who was here.

Finally, only the Narnians remained. They stood at the front of the crowd, awaiting their queens who, they knew, would be the most beautiful. The young men were all waiting most eagerly for the appearance of Belle though, as this was the first time she was actually known as a woman, having just recently turned sixteen. Peter was reminiscing. He remembered his beautiful wife, and how she loved balls, and was an incredible dancer, both traits Belle had inherited. He bowed his head, having a small moment, and Caspian moved over to place a hand on his shoulder. Dune leant over and whispered in his adoptive fathers ear.

" As long as we remember her, she will be here with us." Dunes words sent a warm feeling through Peter, and he raised his head in pride.

"I know."

The faun cleared his throat again.

"Queen Lucy, of Narnia." Gregor smiled happily as Lucy appeared. She was wearing an olive green metallic looking dress, with a full skirt, and black lace with glittering diamonds falling diagonally from her waist to the floor. The bodice was also decoraed with the glittering lace, Lucy's shoulders covered by thin sleeves of the same material. She wore a diamond necklace and earing set, her hair curling gracefully on the side of her head, loose waves falling lightly on her back. She reached the bottom of the stairs and took Gregor's hand.

"You look beautiful, my love." He whispered.

"Wait until you see Belle." She breathed to him.

The faun stomped again. "Queen Aamee, of Narnia."

Aamee stepped onto the stircase, smiling only at her family. She wore an ashy metallic ballgown, decorated with glistening silver and black thread in twisting, intricate patterns. The dress was perfectly shaped, outling her curves nicely. Her dark hair was up in an intricate bun, diamond earings hanging from her lobes. She met Edmund at the bottom of the stairs and joined her sons.

"You look fantastic, mum." They both said eagerly and exactly at the same time.

"I couldn't agree more." Whispered Edmund, kissing his wifes hand happily.

"Queen Susan, of Narnia." As usual, Susans beauty was breathtaking as she descended the staircase. She wore a simple, deep, blood red gown, with diamonds glistening at her throat, ears and wrists. Hair hair was half up, and half down, the deep brown locks caressing her half covered shoulders beautifully. Caspian dashed forward to his wife, kissing her fingers one by one before he took her hand.

"Breathtaking." He breathed.

Peter inhaled and exhaled quickly. Belle was next. He was nervous as hell. His baby girl was a woman now, and Peter hated that idea. He missed when she was little, and he could bounce her on the knee. He missed the times when he didn't have to worry about boys always asking to court her. He missed that, so very very much.

The faun stood up straight.

"And finally, presenting for the very first time, Princess Bellique of Narnia." As Bellique appeared, all the male members of the audience momentarily stopped breathing. Bellique was wearing a light, pale pink dress. It was pulled tight just under her chest, and fell freely from there down. There were tiny diamonds embedded in the dress, making it glitter lightly. She wore diamond earings, and her long, golden locks tumbled gracefully down her back, tiny diamonds placed in the few braids that laced her head. She stood up straight and sent her father a glittering smile, and descended the stairs. Lorian nudged Norious quickly and he almost ran forward, kissing her hand and leading her to her cousins. As soon as they were no longer visible, Belle let go of his hand and stood next to her cousins. The audience, still in awe from the intensity of her beauty, broke out in conversation. The orchestra started playing, and the family grouped together.

"You look fantastic, Belle." Said Lorian.

"Wow." Whispered the twins.

"Amazing." Laughed Treyton.

"My little sister." Sighed Dune. The rest of the family arrived, chatting happily, and Belle skipped over to her father.

"Well, Daddy?"

Peter sighed. "You look breathtaking, sweet. You remind me of your mother immensily." Belle beamed and threw herself into his arms.

The 'olds' departed to talk to other monarchs.

"Now," whispered Zaro, pulling out a flask of what Belle knew to be his homemade vodka. "It's time to party."

Dune grinned around at his family. Sometimes he wondered what it would have been like to grow up with his real family. Then again, he thought, I couldn't have it any better. And with that he pulled his teenage family into a group hug.

*********

"Lorian?" The oldest Prince turned to see his old friend Norious standing beside the drink table.

"What's wrong?" asked Lorian, seeing his expression.

"I do not think Her Majesty likes me." Whispered Nrious.

Lorian frowned. "Is she being standoffish."

"I hate to say it, but quite so."

"Then I know the answer. Perhaps she is angry about the fact that she was won."

There was a huff of breath and Belle stepped out from the crowd, angry tears in her eyes.

"How would you like it, Lorian? To be seen as nothing more than an object, a prize to be won by violence? I hate you, so much!" and with that, Belle ran from the room, no one noticing except the Narnian family. They all converged on Lorians frozen form. The only one who didn't see Belles tears was peter, who was on the opposite side of the ballroom, talking hurredly with another king.

Caspian grabbed Lorians shoulder, shaking him gently.

"What happened?" he hissed.

"She was angry.."

"I could see that!" said Susna, clearly angry.

"Look," said Treyton slowly, "I'm going to go talk to her.."

"No." said Norious unexpectedly. "I'll do it." And before anyone could say anything, he left the room, searching for Belle. His feet led him up three levels, bringing him to a stop in a corridor, ending in a door. It was slightly ajar. He opened it lightly to the sight of Belle's back, her torso leaning over the balcony, her face turned up to look at the stars. As usual, her beauty was astonishing. She sniffed when she heard his footsteps.

"I'm fine Trey.." she said, turning. "Oh."

"I'm sorry to intrude, your Majesty. If you wish for me to leave.." said Norious nervously.

"It's fine, Norious. I..I was just a little upset." She sniffed again, wiping the last tears from her eyes. "I'm sorry for yelling at you."

"It was perfectly within your rights, your majesty."

"Belle. Call me..Belle."

"If that is your wish, your majest- Belle." Belle smiled at him.

"I hate the idea of being an object. I am my own person, you know?" Belle said.

"Yeah, I know. And as a friend, I am sorry. I honestly didn't even know there was a prize in the tournament. I just did it for fun, and when I was told by your brothers, I thought it was amazing, and such luck that I could get even one dance with such a beautiful woman like you." Belle smiled at him so beautifully that his head swam.

"Thankyou, Norious. Just for that, I may not just give you one dance, but many." Norious's smile was just as happy.

*********

When Belle and Norious returned to the party, they walked straight towards the small group consisting of their family. Belle walked straight up to Lorian and threw herself into his arms, more tears escaping her eyes.

"I'm so sorry, Lorian! I could never hate you! You're my family! I am so, so, so very sorry!" she sobbed. Lorian held her tight, patting her hair.

"It was my fault, Belle. I am so sorry." They walked outside, and a few minutes later they returned, Belle dry and once again radiant, and Lorian grinning happily.

"Now," said Belle to Norious. "I believe I owe you a dance?"

"More than one." Norious whispered to her, grinning. They took to the dance floor, eyes shining. After their third dance, Prince Jasif approached them. His eyes were sparkling wickedly as he asked Belle for a dance, and he whisked her away from Norious, who walked over to get a drink .

"So, your majesty, I hope that dog has been at least a tiny bit civil to you," Jasif said, gesturing to Norious.

"Excuse me? Why wouldn't he be civil?"

"Surely you know? He was boasting this afternoon to everyone how you are his slave, for..well..private matters." Jasif lied.

"WHAT?"

"He was telling everyone, how you are nothing more than a hussy."

Belles eyes blazed as she left the dance floor and marched over to Norious. He smiled happily at her.

" May I help you with something, Your-Belle. Sorry." He laughed.

Belle raised her hand and slapped him hard across the face. Her face was wild as she screamed.

"YOU CAN HELP BY NEVER TALKING TO ME AGAIN, YOU DISGUSTING BASTARD!" And with that, she blew from the hall. Jasif strutted up to Norious, not noticing Lorian standing behind him.

"I told you not to mess with me. I always get what I want."

****************

Okay, I know it seems like Belle gets upset a LOT, but just remember, this is her first ball as a woman, and her mother isn't here with her, so it's a bit emotional for her. And she is quite independent and a feminist, so she is against sexism. Next chappie will probably just be a continuation of the ball, I want the others to meet some people, and we will go back to Belle and see how she is doing.

The bar is open! Review review!