Well I don't know how good this is, but I hope you like it. Let me know what you think, especially if there is something you don't like about it.

Wooing and Swooning

I awoke early the next morning. Tossing on a simple day dress, I grabbed my shoes and rushed out the door. In the large corridor I slipped on my shoes; trying to figure out how to get down to the courtyard.

I wandered around looking for the correct exit, but after fifteen minutes of going around in circles, I decided to ask a guard.

"Excuse me sir." I stopped by a soldier who was standing near a door. "Could you tell me how to get down to the courtyard?"

"Turn left at the end of the hall. Go past three halls and take the fourth to the left. After a few feet there will be a large staircase. Go down the stair and out the door directly ahead." He told me gruffly.

"Thank you." I smiled, quickly heading down the corridor, having already wasted precious time.

A few minutes later I reached the lovely, spacious courtyard. The stable stood on a grassy hill next to the calm, lonely beach. There was a huge pasture to the west and a cobblestone street ran along the length of the barn.

Stepping into the cool, dimly lit barn, I saw a few grooms mucking out stalls and cleaning tack. The sweet smelling alfalfa, mixed with the pungent smell of horse manure met my nostrils, creating a heavenly sent.

I've been away from horses too long.

"Excuse me." I said to a groom who was oiling a dark brown saddle.

"Yes?" The dark haired boy looked up from his work.

"Could you tell me where I could find the Terebinthian groom, Hayden?" I inquired politely.

"He is down in the tenth stall with one of his horses." He pointed down the stall way.

I squealed, "Thanks!"

Reaching the stall, I threw open the door and rushed inside. "Star!" I embraced his neck. "Oh how I've missed you!"

"Hey Cassandra." Hayden came around the other side of my stallion with a stiff brush in his hand.

"Hello." I greeted him while stroking my horse's cheekbone. "How is everything?"

"Fine. No one but the grooms know about my arrival. I think we will be all right as long as your brother or father doesn't find out. How did your meeting with King Peter go?" He winked at me. "Do you like him?"

"He is quite nice, but I don't know how I could ever love him…much less marry him." I sighed. Then I told him all about the previous night and about the way father wanted me to act.

"I bet you aren't too happy." He guessed after I finished my tale.

"No, I hate being here already," I affirmed, "And I'm sure it won't get any better."

We stood in silence for a moment. "It's getting late. I best return to my chambers before anyone awakens." I soughed. "Could you have Star ready for a lungeing session in the morning?"

"Of course," He grinned.

"All right, see you tomorrow." I turned to the door after giving Star a final pat.

"Have a good day." He said sarcastically.

"I can only hope." I played along as I walked into the isle.

"See you later." He said.

I gave him a final wave and returned to my bedroom. Once I shut the door, I hung my dress back up and snuggled under the covers again.

Two hours later Chrissie woke me up. I hadn't really been asleep, just pretending. I had been thinking about how to get out of this courtship without getting into trouble with my father. Unfortunately, nothing had come to me.

Chrissie helped me dress in a cotton candy pink colored dress that had a bunch of white lace and ribbons.

Disgusting. I looked down at the dress with distain. I would rather be in a plain brown dress while riding my horse. Instead, I have to wear a pink frilly gown and be with the King today. Even the dress I wore yesterday would be better than this one. I frowned.

After I was ready, I had breakfast with my father and brother.

"How was your dinner with Peter last night, Cassie?" Jameson tried to make conversation.

Like you don't already know. I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes. "It went fine." I responded taking a sip of my tea.

"What do you think of him, dear?" My father was interested.

"He is kind, handsome, and noble, but I don't think I could marry him." I chose my words carefully.

"Why not?" My father cried, "He is perfect for you!"

"He just doesn't seem like the kind of man I would like to marry." I said bluntly.

"He will grow on you. The more you get to know him the more you will love him." Jameson told me confidently.

"Maybe," I tried to sound optimistic. I highly doubt it.

The rest of the morning I was free to do what I pleased. Since I didn't want to raise suspicion and go down to the barn, I spent time in the library reading about the history of Narnia.

Lucy found me in the middle of the fifth chapter of The Tale of the Dryads. "Princess Cassandra?"

"Yes–oh hello Queen Lucy," I stated cheerfully.

"Good morning, are you enjoying yourself?" She asked with a brilliant smile.

"As well as could be expected," I said. For being forced into something like this.

She picked up a book that was lying next to me and sat upon the velvet cushion. "What are you reading?"

"This," I turned it over and showed her the title.

"Oh I love this book! It's one of my favorites." She gasped. "Look at the time! I have to go and attend to some business. Farewell!" She rushed off.

"Farewell," I quietly returned to my book. She is really nice.

--

Late that afternoon, I joined the Pevensies for tea in the garden. Peter greeted me kindly and the two queens chatted gaily as we sipped the herbal tea that had been prepared for us. Edmund sat on my right and Susan on my left. Peter sat directly in front of me and Lucy sat in between her older brothers.

"I cannot wait for the ball." Susan exclaimed in an excited frenzy. She went on and on about dresses, décor, and eligible ladies for Edmund. Chewing my snack as daintily as I could, I tried hard to seem interested. She turned to me. "What are you going to wear Lady Cassandra?"

I skirted around the conversation as best as I could. "I haven't decided yet."

"Would you like me to help you pick something out?" She offered graciously.

"That would be grand!" I squealed, trying to sound enthusiastic.

"All right, maybe I could meet you in your chambers tomorrow morning. Would that be suitable?" She inquired, pouring another cup of tea.

"That would be perfect." I grinned.

Peter stood. "Princess Cassandra, would you care to join me for a walk around the garden?"

"Of course," I said, rising from my chair.

He took my arm and escorted me away from the table. I walked rigidly as we strolled among the flowers. The birds chirped happily and a breeze floated on the air.

It's a lovely afternoon. I thought. It would be perfect for riding.

"Are you all right?" Peter inquired, glancing at me. "You seem a bit tense."

"I'm fine." I giggled. But I'm sure I'll go mad before the end of this ordeal. My mind screamed as I forced myself to walk. It took everything in me not to turn and run.

"Do you like to ride?" He inquired, stopping under a tree that spread its branches over us like a canopy.

Yes! My heart leapt, but then I remembered my false identity. "No, I don't. Horses are smelly and sweaty." I scrunched up my nose in fake disdain. "I try to avoid them as much as possible."

"Oh," he seemed a bit off guard. "That's alright."

"Sire," a faun interrupted us, running across the lawn. "I apologize for barging in, but there is a matter you must attend. It will only take a minute."

"Excuse me, Princess." He looked oddly relieved. "I shall return in a moment."

I nodded politely and sat on a stone bench that sat under the tree. I heaved a great sigh of relief. Suddenly, I heard something behind the tree.

"Psst, Cassandra," Jameson came out from behind is hiding spot and hissed.

"Jameson," I tried to act surprised. "You scared me! What are you doing here?"

"Making sure you don't mess up father's plan!" He snapped.

"What plan?" I inquired innocently.

"Never mind that, listen, King Peter isn't falling for you! You need to faint or something, so he can feel like he is saving you." He demanded.

"What! How in the world do I pretend to faint?" My eyes widened. I've never fainted! How do I know what to do?

"Just pretend," he commanded. "Fall and make a noise or something. I don't know."

"But-" I began to protest.

"Shhh, here he comes." Jameson disappeared behind the trunk.

Goodness. What have I gotten myself into? I stood greet my "love".

"I apologize, Princess." He stated formally.

"No matter," I took his arm. "It is pretty warm out here though."

"Would you like to go inside?" He looked concerned.

"Yes, that-oooohh!" I fell forward going limp, hoping my act would work.

"Cassandra!" I heard him cry and felt his arms wrap around me.

Before I knew it, I was lying in the soft grass and felt his presence hovering over me. I felt myself being lifted and carried. A few minutes later, someone lay me on a cushion and pressed a cool cloth to my head.

A moment later, I let my eyes flutter open. "What happened?" I queried weakly.

I was in a small room that had a few chairs in it. I was lying on a chaise that was velvet with green cloth. A huge window graced the back wall, looking towards the sea and the sunlight streamed in through the glass.

Peter's blue eyes met mine. "You fainted. Are you all right?"

"I think so." I replied, trying to sit up.

He pushed my back down. "Lay there and rest a while. I don't want you to faint again."

I let my head fall back onto the cushion. This is annoying.

"I have a meeting to go to, Princess." Peter said. "I shall leave you in the care of Miss Chrissie." He motioned to my maid.

"All right, thank you." I answered softly.

He squeezed my hand and left the room. After the door was shut, I rose. "I'm fine." I said harshly.

"But, dear, you fainted!" Chrissie tried to make me lay back down.

"I said I'm fine." I put my hands on my hips.

"All right, but if you faint again, it's not my fault." Chrissie warned.

--

That evening Peter lay on his bed, thinking about the day's events when Susan entered the room. "Peter, can I talk to you?"

"Of course, Su." He nodded, staring at the ceiling.

She bustled in and sat on the edge of the bed. "There's no sense in beating around the bush about it. I think you should marry Princess Cassandra."

"What!" Peter bolted upright. "Why? She is just like every other lady I have courted."

"No she is not, you said so yourself last night." Susan declared. "She does act like every other princess, but I think she is sweeter. She isn't as pushy as the other ladies you have courted. She adores you Peter! Did you see her looking at you shyly at the tea this afternoon?"

"No, I didn't and I think you are wrong. I don't want to marry her and I don't love her." Peter said defiantly.

"Don't you see?" Susan asked. "She loves you. If you let her down, she might not ever get married. King Jasper told me that this is her first courtship and that she was looking forward to it immensely."

"That's why she seems tense." Peter muttered to himself.

"You will break her heart if you don't at least ask her to marry you." Susan sighed dramatically. "Even if she turns you down, it will be better for her to turn you down than you not asking her."

"What if she says yes?" Peter shouted. "I don't want to be stuck with her the rest of my life!"

"Peter, that is the most selfish thing I've ever heard come out of your mouth!" Susan scolded. "Ask her. Imagine if Lucy was courting someone and he broke her heart. How would you feel?"

"I guess I'll think about it, but I'm not making any promises." Peter warned. "Let me get a chance to get to know her better. And promise me you won't pester me."

"I promise," Susan stated quickly, "As long as you give serious thought into asking her."

"I will." Peter agreed.