Susan opened the door to the guest room where Laira was staying. She froze when she saw Laira turn quickly from the window.
"I'm sorry! I thought you might be asleep and wanted to bring you some clothes," Susan said, lifting several dresses towards Laira.
"Thank you, your majesty. That's very kind of you," Laira said quietly as she turned back to her window. Susan laid the dresses on the bed and walked to the window to stand by Laira.
"My brother seems to be very taken with you," Susan said, pushing the thin curtain away from the window. Below she could see her brothers sparring, their swords furiously clashing together.
"I know," Laira said quietly. Susan glanced sideways at her.
"You don't like that?" she asked. Laira sighed and turned away from the window.
"It isn't that, your majesty. I'm unsure whether I am the best woman for your brother. He is the High King of Narnia, after all," Laira said. Susan laughed gently as she closed the curtain and turned to Laira.
"Believe me, I know. He hasn't let us forget that for years," she teased. "What makes you think you're not the best for him? I admit I was surprised, given your past, but we all have our skeletons."
"Queen Susan, my past is hardly my reason for thinking myself unworthy for your brother. I killed my husband. How could I be right for someone as noble as your brother?" Laira asked quietly as she sat on her bed. Susan inhaled deeply and sat beside Laira.
"Maybe you should tell me what happened between you and Lord Brin," Susan said. Laira nodded and began her story, telling Susan of her life in Calormen and of how she killed Lord Brin. She also explained how Peter had stood up to the Tisroc for her, saving her from being executed. Susan listened intently, not interrupting Laira's story.
"What country would want me as their queen? I can hardly continue my relationship with Peter because I would never be worthy to be a queen of Narnia. I'm already afraid my own country will not accept me when I return and I cannot blame them. I don't know what I should do," Laira said, finishing her story. Susan was silent for several seconds before placing her hand over Laira's.
"Princess Laira, do you have feelings for my brother?" she asked. Laira's eyes widened.
"I do, your majesty. He's been so wonderful to me over the past week. He's the best person I've ever met," Laira said.
"I saw how my brother looked at you earlier. It's obvious to everyone that he feels something for you. And if what you say is true, that he's the best person you've ever met, then how could you not be worthy for him? I understand how you feel, what you felt when you killed Lord Brin. I understand probably better than anyone ever could. If you truly feel the way you do for my brother, then your past makes no difference," Susan said. Laira smiled.
"Thank you, your majesty." Susan squeezed her hand.
"Of course. But please, call me Susan. Now, I suggest you get cleaned up and dressed. We have a wonderful dinner planned for everyone tonight and you are certainly invited," she said, hopping off the bed.
An hour later Laira stood in front of her mirror putting the final touches on her hair when a knock on the door caught her attention. Walking happily to the door, she opened and smiled at Peter who stood behind it.
"Good evening. May I escort you to dinner?" he asked, holding out his hand to her.
"You may," Laira said as she placed her hand in his.
"I hear you've had a talk with my sister," he said.
"I have," she replied nervously. Peter leaned down to her and whispered, "Susan seems to like you."
"I like her too," Laira said.
"She also tells me that you like me," Peter said nonchalantly as he straightened.
"Oh dear," Laira whispered as she covered her blushing face with her hand. Peter stopped and pulled her hand away from her face.
"It's alright. I happen to like you as well, if my actions over the past days haven't been enough of an indication," he teased.
"I know. These few days have been the happiest I've had in a long while. It's just been so soon; I thought that maybe it was only... that you only saw this as..." Laira trailed off as she sighed.
"A flirtation? A dalliance?" Peter finished. Laira shrugged slightly.
"I wasn't sure what to think," she said.
"I know what type of man you married and I know the type of men you have lived among for years. I assure you I'm not that type of man nor will I ever be. I don't enter into mild flirtations with women, especially with crown princesses of neighboring countries. You never need to worry about that," Peter said firmly.
"That's... very nice to know," Laira said, her smile returning to her face.
"Good. Now, let's go to dinner. I'm famished," Peter said. The two continued to the dining room. When they reached the door, Peter leaned down to her ear and said, "By the way, you look lovely tonight." Laira's smile widened as they walked through the doors.
The next morning Laira met Peter at the castle gates. "Are you ready?" he asked when she arrived. He had offered to take her on a tour of the castle and its grounds.
"I am," she said, smiling.
They walked the grounds first. Peter pointed out the training fields, the gardens and apple orchard, telling her the story of how they were planted. He took her down to the beach that edged the Eastern Sea, pointing along the shore to the woods they arrived through when they returned to Narnia.
"This is one of my favorite places to come when I need to be alone," he said as they walked along where the water met the shore.
"It's so nice here. Peaceful," Laira commented as she held her skirt up, letting the cool water brush against her toes. They had removed their shoes earlier and left them sitting further up the beach.
"I'm glad you think so," he said, taking her hand in his.
"I'll definitely miss this when I go home," she said wistfully.
"About that..." Peter started, running his hand through his hair nervously. Laira giggled. He had knocked his crown off center. She dropped her skirt and reached up, straightening the golden crown.
"What about it?" she asked.
"I was thinking maybe you wouldn't have to go home," he said.
"I have to. I have a duty to my country and my parents," she said confusedly.
"Well, yes. I know that. But I meant that maybe you shouldn't have a reason to go home," Peter said.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Perhaps we should get married. I know it's quite soon, but I think it would be a good idea for us," he said.
"Oh!" Laira exclaimed, finally understanding Peter's meaning.
"What do you think?" Peter asked. Laira smiled and answered, "I think that sounds lovely."
Days later Laira returned to her room. A letter on a silver tray sat on her bed. Staring curiously at it, she picked it up, opening it by running her finger under the wax seal. The letter was addressed to her; she quickly scanned it and saw that it was from her father. Sitting on her bed, she began to read:
My dear daughter,
I have received word from the High King Peter that you are to join him and his family at Cair Paravel. While your dear mother and I still grieve for your past actions, this new turn of events has lightened our hearts tremendously. The king has spoken highly of you in his letter to me and has asked to soon make an offer of marriage to you. I cannot stress to you the importance of this, daughter. A match such as one between you and the High King of Narnia would unite our countries permanently, resulting in an alliance that would benefit everyone. The king is aware of these benefits and has made them known to me. Please keep him in mind over the next few weeks that you are in Narnia and please put your past feelings for him aside so that your match will prosper.
We miss you more than I can write and hope you are well. We shall see you soon and hope to welcome you and your new husband when the time comes.
Love,
Your father
Laira let the letter fall to the floor. Her face turned stony as she thought of her father's words. Surely her father must have misunderstood Peter's words. While he had never spoken words of love to her, she knew that he thought more of her than just as a good match for his kingdom. He had been too kind, too attentive, too... wonderful.
"Father was mistaken," she whispered to herself. She jumped off her bed and bent down to pick up the letter, crumpling it in her hands. She tossed it forcefully across the room, hoping to relieve some of her anger. Sighing deeply she stormed to her door, jerking it open. Behind it stood a woman who Laira recognized as one of the queens' ladies maids.
"Your highness, Trumpkin, the Lord Regent, wishes to see you in the Council's chambers," the woman said, curtsying quickly before Laira.
"Take me to him, please," Laira said. She followed the woman through the castle to the Council's chambers. When they reached the tall wooden doors, Laira took a deep breath before pushing them open. She saw the dwarf standing in the center of the room, his hands clasped behind his back. Trumpkin's red beard had whitened over the years, his withered face aged.
"You wanted to see me, Lord Regent?" Laira asked. Trumpkin turned and replied, "Yes, your highness. Won't you have a seat?" He motioned to one of the many seats that surrounded the room. Laira sat as she was asked, folding her hands neatly in her lap, her back ramrod straight.
"Your highness, I have spoken with King Peter and he has made his wishes to marry you known. I trust you understand the magnitude of a marriage such as this?" Trumpkin asked.
"Exactly what are you insinuating, Lord Regent?" Laira asked suspiciously.
"The marriage between the High King of Narnia and the crown princess of Archenland is a highly sought union. The benefits to your country that an alliance such as this will bring are numerous. We, the Council and I, want to ensure that you are aware of your duty to the High King as his wife and that you are entering into this with the understanding of the role you will play," he explained.
"Has Peter said he was marrying me to join Archenland to Narnia?" Laira asked, feeling her anger rise.
"We spoke of the very thing earlier today," Trumpkin replied. Laira's lips drew together as she inhaled deeply through her nose.
"You will have to excuse me for a moment, Lord Regent," she said through her teeth as she stood to leave.
"Your highness..." Trumpkin trailed off as Laira slammed the door behind her.
She stormed through the castle in search of Peter. Her anger rose with every step and the longer she took to find him, the angrier she became. She pushed open the doors to the Great Hall and saw Lucy and Susan.
"Laira! We were wondering were you've been!" Lucy exclaimed.
"Where's Peter?" Laira asked, her voice shaking as she tried to control it.
"He's in his room, I believe," Susan said hesitantly.
"Is everything okay?" Lucy asked.
"No," Laira said as she turned and shut the door behind her.
She quickly walked to the apartment Peter shared with his siblings, her heart beginning to race as she neared it. Taking a deep breath, she pounded on the door. Seconds later Peter appeared at the door. "Is everything okay?" he asked when he saw Laira's dark look.
"Did you want me to marry you to make an alliance with Archenland?" she asked.
"Did I what?" Peter asked confusedly.
"Is that the only reason you've paid me any attention? To align our countries? Was I just an easy way to control Archenland?" she demanded, her voice rising.
"How can you ask me that?" Peter asked, scowling at her.
"My father wrote to me and said that you had written to him saying the very same thing. Trumpkin just spoke with me asking me if I knew both my duty to you and the benefits my country would receive with you as my husband. So answer me! Did you want me to marry you to join our countries?" she said. Her voice shook as tears began to well in her eyes. Peter growled low and glanced around her into the hall. Grasping her arm he pulled her inside his room and shut the door behind them.
"Sit down," he said, his voice low as he motioned to a small sofa.
"Peter," Laira began.
"Sit!" Peter ordered, his voice hard with anger. Laira did as she was told, her heart continuing to pound. She had never seen Peter this angry and it began to make her nervous. She remembered when her husband was mad, his temper terrifying at times.
"Now, what is it you wanted to know? Am I marrying you to make an alliance with Archenland? Yes, as a matter of fact, I am. Am I marrying you because both our countries could benefit from an alliance between us? Yes, that's exactly why I'm marrying you. Am I marrying you because I think no one else will after everything you've been through? Of course that's the reason," he said.
"Then you can forget about-" Laira started.
"I'm not finished yet!" Peter cried in exasperation. "Laira, I asked you to marry me because of all those reasons. It just makes sense for us to. But none of those reasons are important to me. What is important to me is the fact that over the time I've known you, I've grown to love you and can't imagine not marrying you," he said, his voice growing calmer.
"You never asked me," Laira said softly.
"I know. My biggest mistake yet," Peter said as he walked closer to where she sat.
"You love me," Laira stated.
"Yes, I do." Peter replied, sitting next to her. "I've really made a mess of everything. I should have done this right, not just suggest we get married as I did. I should have had a ring and gotten on one knee and told you how much I loved you and asked you properly," he said.
"Maybe then I wouldn't have doubted your reasons," Laira said, her voice slightly teasing.
"Then I suppose I should correct my mistake," Peter said softly as he took her left hand in his. Taking a deep breath he scooted off the sofa and knelt before her. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small wooden box. Placing it in her hand, he asked, "Laira, will you marry me?" He opened the box revealing a ring, its large diamond sparkling. He heard her gasp slightly.
"Is that a yes?" he asked.
"Yes!" she answered happily. Peter chuckled as he took the ring out of the box and placed it on her finger. She slightly bounced in her seat as she looked at the ring.
"Happy?" Peter asked.
"There are no words," she answered, throwing her arms around his neck. He wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her from the sofa has he stood, spinning her around. "I love you," she whispered in his ear.
AN: Oh! This chapter was MUCH better to write! Sorry for the shortness of this chapter and the last one... they actually were supposed to be one chapter combined, but I was so frustrated with the last one that I just had to stop it and start anew on this one.