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DEFINITELY DESTINY

– – A NIGHT OF LOVE – –

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"Having fun, are we?" Edmund asked as he came to stand next to Estella, who was watching the couples on the dance floor with a smile on her face.

"I was, until now." She replied shortly.

"I don't understand. Why do you hate me so much?"

"I don't hate you, your majesty," She replied. "I just don't like you very much."

"And why is that?"

"Do you honestly have to ask?" She asked incredulously. "Your behaviour towards me is appalling."

Edmund placed his hand on her back and led her forward to the dance floor. "Dance with me."

"You could have asked," Estella muttered as she allowed him to guide her hand to his shoulder.

He raised an eyebrow. "And would you have said yes?"

"Maybe. Maybe not." She paused in thought. "Most probably the latter."

"I take no risks. Not unless I have to." He said, and the two of them started swaying to the music. "So, tell me. Why do you think that my behaviour towards you is appalling?"

"You dumped a bowl of yogurt on me when we first met."

"That was over a year ago! You cannot possibly be angry about that."

"You ruined my favorite dress."

He shook his head. "You're such a girl at times."

"I am a girl twenty four hours a day, your majesty." She pointed out.

"Peace, 'Stella."

"Don't call me that. You're ruining my name."

He twirled her. "I like 'Stella." He twirled her around, then pulled her closer. "And you let Susan call you Es."

"Well, Susan is my friend."

Edmund rolled his eyes. "You're making it awfully hard for me to be nice to you."

She eyed him suspiciously. "Why are you being nice to me, for that matter?"

"I can be nice too, you know? Occasionally." He told her. "And I will have you know that the incident with the yogurt was an accident. That bowl was intended for Lucy, not you."

"That's not very nice either," Estella said. "She's your sister."

"Yes, well, I am like this with almost everyone. I don't see why you take it so personally."

"I don't like your stupid jokes." She sniffed with disdain. "And I'll remind you that even if the yogurt was an accident, you deliberately dumped your glass of juice on me right after that."

"Well, you deserved that." He said with a shrug. "You insulted me. Called me a blind buffoon."

"I called the person who dropped yogurt on me a blind buffoon. I had no idea it was the Just King."

"Just King or not, you insulted me... and amused me at the same time."

"So you dumped your juice on me, instead of apologizing?"

"Your shrieks were music to my ears." He winked at her. "Besides, you've had your fair share of pranks on me."

"I did play a few on you," Estella admitted, "but I wouldn't call that a 'fair share' compared to what you've done with me."

"You mixed soap in my juice once!" Edmund accused.

"And you drank it all nonetheless."

"I was thirsty!"

"You pushed me into that pool of mud on my birthday," Estella retorted.

"I'm a man who believes in revenge."

"Remember the time you set up that trap for me, that would have me hanging upside down on a tree," Estella recalled, her eyes twinkling. "And I had the same trap set up for you a few trees away."

Edmund chuckled. "We both fell into it and spent half an hour calling for help. Do you remember that little kid who found us and asked for money in exchange for rescue?"

Estella giggled. "You offered me to him as his prospective wife." She slapped his arm lightly. "I meant to do this for that rude joke of yours."

"The boy rejected you by saying that you were too old and had put on weight in the wrong places, and I am rude?" Edmund asked.

"For the first time in your life, you do have a point." Estella met his gaze. A moment of silence passed, and the two burst out laughing. "You do realize that this is the first real conversation we have had."

"Mm-hmm," Edmund nodded as he stared at her oddly. "You look beautiful tonight."

She smiled, flattered. "Thank –"

"You would have looked perfect if it weren't for the heavy perfume that makes me want to throw up all over you."

The smile left her face in an instant. "I should have known you don't know how to compliment women. And I'm not wearing any heavy perfume. It is a light one that smells of vanilla and I really like it."

"You have a horrible taste in smells, then. Why am I not surprised?"

Estella narrowed her eyes. "You're one to talk. You smell awful at times."

"How do I smell right now?"

"Do I look like I want to know?"

"Oh come on, tell me."

"Edmund Pevensie, I am not sniffing you."

"Your loss." Edmund said. "I will have you know that I do not smell. Ever. Even my sweat is perfumed. I could sell it if I wanted to."

Estella made a face. "That is gross."

"No, it isn't."

"You truly are hopeless."

"And you smell."

"I do not!"

Smirking, Edmund opened his mouth to reply when he felt someone tap his shoulder. He turned and saw Lord Alfred of Daelhr standing before him. A couple of years older than Peter and Caspian, Alfred was the lord governor of the city of Daelhr. He inclined his head, smiling politely at Edmund and Estella. "I was wondering," he said, "Can I have this dance?"

"No, I'm sorry," Edmund replied. "I cannot dance with you."

Alfred blinked. "Forgive me, your majesty, but I was asking the beautiful lady here."

Edmund looked around. "What beautiful lady?"

"The Lady Estella, of course."

Edmund looked at Estella before turning back to Alfred. "My dear friend, I shall ask our best healers to take a look at your eyes. We cannot have you going blind."

"Blind?" Alfred asked. "But I am not."

"Mad, then."

"I hope not." Alfred looked utterly confused.

"Well, every insane person does deny his condition so I suppose it makes sense." Edmund stepped back with a sigh. "She's all yours." With that, he walked away.

Alfred watched him go, then looked at Estella questioningly. "I don't understand what he was trying to say."

"Probably a joke that no one but him understands," Estella replied, her cheeks pink. "No disrespect intended, but I do feel the Just King is rather mad himself."

Edmund chuckled to himself as he heard Estella's response. Every since the yogurt incident, he had loved playing jokes on her. Mostly because he rather enjoyed seeing her reactions - angry, irritated, frustrated and eventually vengeful. It was an amusing game they had been playing for over a year now, and she had rather surprised him with her creativity in practical jokes.

He walked over to the newly married couple, who were sitting at the stage. Irene was sitting in Susan's lap, playing with her aunt's locks. Caspian was smiling at his wife and the little girl in her arms. "And how fare the bride and groom?" he asked, taking a seat next to her sister.

"Ridiculously happy," Caspian replied.

Susan nodded in agreement, then smiled at Irene. "She is so adorable, is she not?"

"She is," Edmund agreed, running a finger across the little's girls pink cheek. "Hello, little one."

"Eda!" Irene cheered but remained in Susan's lap, content to play with her hair.

"She still can't say my name," Caspian complained.

"She's little," Susan told him. "I'm sure she will be able to pronounce it in a couple of months."

Caspian sighed, dejected. "Meanwhile, I guess I'll have to be content with 'Cash'!"

"Cash?" Edmund snorted. "That's rich!"

Caspian didn't entirely understand the joke; the currency of their world was still somewhat a mystery to him, but Susan rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say, Eda." She said.

"Eda is cute," The Just King replied.

"She calls me 'shoo'," Susan chuckled. "Oh, I love her so much. I love children."

"Don't worry," Edmund said. "I'm sure you will have a dozen of your own in a couple of years."

Susan choked on air. "A dozen?"

"In a couple of years?" Caspian was wide-eyed. "Is that even possible?"

Edmund laughed. "With a love as insane as yours, who knows, it might be."

Susan shook her head. "I am not giving birth to dozen children. I'll die."

"I don't want that many." Caspian said. "Can you imagine the noise?"

"Perhaps you two should discuss this tonight before you get to work." Edmund winked. The result was immediate and expected: Susan blushed and Caspian did too.

"Shut up, Edmund." Caspian mumbled, then changed the topic. "I noticed you dancing with Lady Estella. How did that happen?"

Edmund shrugged in response.

"I also noticed her glaring at you when you were walking towards us," Caspian continued. "No surprises there."

"Didn't I tell you to be nice with her, Ed?" Susan asked, looking over at her friend on the dance floor. "Oh, look, she's dancing with Alfred. They do make quite a pair. The Lord and Lady-to-be."

"Sorry, what?" Edmund asked, confused.

"They're getting married next month." Susan told him.

"I didn't know they were courting each other," Caspian commented.

"It wasn't exactly courting. Something of a semi-arranged marriage. But Estella is very happy. She's smitten with him, can't you see?"

Edmund looked back at the dance floor, watching Estella and Alfred dance in a whole new light. "Yes. Yes, absolutely." He said, and quickly stood up. "Now, if you will excuse me, I think the food table awaits me."

[][][][][][][]

"Lady Estella," Alfred said. "I assume I won't be the first one to say that you look beautiful tonight."

Estella blushed. "No but your compliment matters the most, my lord."

"Please, call me Alfred. You are to be my wife and I'd rather have you call me by my name." He smiled and took her hand in his. It was late at night, the reception had ended not long ago, and Lord Alfred had offered to walk Estella home. The two were strolling down the empty street, lit only by the full moon and the bright, twinkling stars. "So, Lady Estella–"

"Shouldn't you call me Estella too?" she interrupted him, a small smile playing on her lips. "Repay the favor?"

"Favor, I see," he laughed. "Alright, then. Estella dear, I only wanted to say that I cannot wait for us to be married. It gets quite lonely back at home. I think it would be nice to have someone around… especially someone as wonderful as you."

"Is there no one in your family?"

"I'm afraid not."

"What about your parents?" She asked, and noticed how he stiffened at that. "Forgive me, I was being intrusive."

"No," Alfred shook his head. "You needn't apologize. It just... brings back some bad memories. But like I said, you are to be my wife, and you deserve to know all about me." He was silent for a short while. "My parents are dead."

"I am sorry," She murmured, squeezing his hand lightly. "My mother passed away when I was nine years old. She had caught some incurable disease."

"I don't really remember what my mother was like."

"Were you little when she…?"

"No," he hesitated for a second. "I was twelve, but my father didn't allow me to meet her. She was ill."

"I see." Estella nodded. "Was it contagious?"

He shook his head. "My father told me that she was mad and that she would kill me if I went to see her. I... I've always wondered but... I- S-She..." He trailed off and cleared his throat. "Please, may we speak of something else? Bad memories."

"Of course... I-I heard your mansion is located on a hill."

"It is." Alfred said, relaxing at the change of topic. "My ancestors have lived in that mansion for over a hundred years as the lords and ladies of Daelhr. It is not as huge as the palace that every girl probably dreams of living in–"

"I never dreamed of a palace, Alfred, I don't really care about it." Estella told him. "What matters to me is that the place I live in feels like home, whether it is a palace or a hut."

"And that is what makes you special, Estella." Alfred said. "And why I wanted you the moment I first laid my eyes on you."

Estella blushed. "T-tell me more about your house."

"Well, it's big and like I said before, lonely," he said, his eyes far away. "The view is brilliant, though. You can see the entire city from the height."

"Is it that high?" Her eyes were wide. "I'm afraid of heights."

He chuckled. "Don't worry, dear. I won't let you fall down."

"I trust you."

"I am glad you do."

They walked quietly until they reached Estella's house – a cozy two-storey house with a small garden. "Would you like to come in?" Estella asked politely.

"It is late," Alfred said. "And I should head back to the palace."

"Thank you for walking me back, Alfred. You didn't have to."

"I didn't," he agreed. "But I wanted to."

She smiled. "Well, good night then."

"Goodnight." Estella turned to leave but he took her hand and stopped her. "I'll tell you someday," he promised, "About my family. I am not quite used to talking about my family, or about myself, for that matter."

"I understand," Estella replied. "I'll wait."

"Thank you," he whispered and then moved forward.

Estella held her breath as he closed the distance between them, her eyes fluttering close. And then she felt it – the spark in her heart that ignited the moment his lips on hers. His touch was so gentle, but it made her giddy, as if he had had too much wine.

A few seconds later, he pulled back. "Will I see you tomorrow?" He asked.

She opened her eyes. "I-If you want to."

"I want to."

"Then, yes."

He smiled and kissed her again, quick and short this time. "Good night, Estella."

"Goodnight, Alfred."

She watched him walk away, her heart beating wildly in her chest. Slowly, she brought her fingers to her lips. What just happened? Why did she feel so… happy? It felt as if something had fallen into place – just like the last piece of puzzle. Was this what Susan and Isabel talked about – was this it? The one thing she had read about. The one thing she often thought of. The one thing she wasn't sure if she would ever find. The one thing she hadn't expected when she had agreed to marrying Lord Alfred. Was this it?

Yes. It most certainly was: Love.

Smiling to herself, Estella walked into her house.

Elsewhere, in the palace, King Caspian kissed his wife deeply, smiling as she buried her hands in his hair. Slowly, gently, he led her towards the bed covered with rose petals.

Down the corridor, in another room, Princess Irene was asleep in her cot. The High King Peter and Queen Isabel stood above her, watching their daughter with tender smiles on their face.

On the other side of the palace, Edmund Pevensie lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking… Just thinking, about nothing at particular and about everything at the same time.

And in her room, the Valiant Queen looked out the window at the clear night sky and sighed, happy for her sister. The day had been wonderful. And then she noticed something that filled her with intrigue: light in the stables. Who would be up at this time?

[][][][][][][]

Lucy walked towards the entrance of the stables, a lantern in her hand and her senses alert. She reached for the door knob and then stopped, she could hear movements inside. Slowly, she walked in. "Hello?" she called.

She heard hurried footsteps down by the stalls.

"Who's there?" she asked, following the noise.

Nothing.

She looked around. A flicker of light caught her attention: a shadow. She cautiously moved forward and turned around the corner –

A brown stallion looked at her. The non-speaking kind, but a beautiful beast nonetheless.

She smiled at the animal before her. And then she felt it. A blade – pressed against her throat.

"Who are you?" a voice whispered in her ear.

She froze, only her hand moving expertly within the folds of her dress and pulling out her dagger. She kicked the person behind her, taking advantage of his stumble and pushed him against the wall, knocking the knife out of his hand and placing her dagger against his throat.

Her attacker was a boy, about her age, with shaggy blonde hair and green eyes. He seemed startled, and then apologetic. "M-my q-queen," he stuttered. "Forgive me, I-I though it was some thief."

"Who are you?" Lucy asked, tightening the grip on her dagger.

"I'm C-Chad," the boy replied. "I'm one of the servants of Lord Alfred. Please don't complain to him about me, he will have me fired… p-please I beg you."

Lucy looked at him for a moment before lowering her dagger and stepping back. The boy seemed to be telling the truth. "What are you doing here, Chad?"

"I came here to see him," Chad pointed towards the brown horse. "His name is Dusk."

Lucy looked at him and then at the horse. "Dusk, you say?"

"Aye, he is my friend," said Chad, "He listens to what I have to say and never gets bored, don't you, Dusk?" he asked the horse, running his hands on its neck.

Lucy smiled slightly. "You could have picked up a better time to meet your friend."

Chad looked up. "Oh, I talk to him whenever I feel lonely. He is a good companion." A pause, "How rude of me, I didn't introduce you to him." He turned towards the stallion. "Dusk, this is Queen Lucy – the Valiant."

"Hello, Dusk," Lucy smiled at the horse, slowly approaching him but then stopped when she felt the horse get uneasy.

"He's not very comfortable with strangers," Chad told her.

"I can see."

"My queen, I'm sorry for startling you like that," Chad began. "And I beg you not to –"

"You did what anyone would have done in your place," Lucy said, holding up a hand. "I will not tell anyone of this. Don't worry, this misunderstanding will not cost you your job."

Chad bowed. "Thank you, your highness."

She nodded. "It is late; I must go. Lock the stables when you leave."

"Of course, your majesty."

"Very well then, good night," Lucy looked at the brown mare. "It was nice to meet you, Dusk."

The Valiant Queen walked out, glancing back at the boy and the horse as she went. She saw whisper something to the horse, and wondered why the he felt so lonely that he had to confide his feelings to a mute animal.

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