Notes: Hey there!

Thank you so much for the kind kudos and comments.

In this chapter we'll have a lot of teasing and some gentle flirting... I hope you enjoy it!


Chapter 7

Lucy walked through Winterfell with Ghost by her side. The direwolf was the dearest thing ever; his eyes were so expressive that the young Queen just kept waiting for him to answer her questions.

She missed the talking animals from Narnia, missed the fauns and the sunny days in Cair Paravel. She wondered how they were fairing in Narnia. Had they noticed that the Queens and Kings were gone? Or had the time not passed at all for them?

She worried because she didn't know what they were supposed to do here. She had called to Aslan in prayer, in her dreams and even in the Godswood –as they called it here –but, so far, there was no answer.

Maybe they were supposed to help with the Others, as they were called. Maybe they were here to bring Spring. It was still a mystery to her and Lucy felt a bit unsure.

"Hey, little lady."

Lucy smiled at Arya. "You are aware that I'm taller than you, right?" She teased.

"Still younger, though." Arya grinned. "Come along. Jon wants to talk to the four of you."

"Did something happen?" Lucy asked curiously, as she started walking beside Arya.

"Don't know. Maybe he's going to execute your brother for being an arse." Arya teased.

Lucy rolled her eyes. "If that was cause for execution, we'd have done that years ago."

Arya chuckled. "Well, we're about to find out."

When they entered Jon's solar the other Pevensies were there already. Susan was talking to Sansa quietly, while Peter and Edmund were talking to Ser Davos about the training of the men. Jon wasn't there, though.

Lucy talked to Arya until Jon showed up, almost five minutes later. He had some men behind him, all carrying something.

"You're here." He nodded at them all. "I have something for the four of you. As a thank you for all you've done for Winterfell." Jon declared.

He made a gesture for the men to bring what they were carrying.

"Our things!" Lucy celebrated.

The siblings all but rushed to the collect what belonged to them. Edmund was the first to get there and pick his sword and shield. All his knives –the six of them -were there was well, in their proper cases.

Lucy's hand went immediately to her belt. The dagger was there and so was her cordial in its vial. "My knives?" She asked Edmund.

"Here." Her brother passed her said knives.

Arya arched a brow. "Damn, little lady." She snickered. "Why do you need so many of those?"

"This isn't even the complete set." Edmund informed. "Lucy has more knives than a kitchen."

Lucy rolled her eyes. "You're just jealous because my collection is bigger than yours."

Edmund shoved her sword at her, rolling his eyes all the time.

Peter picked his sword and shield, and Sansa took a step back involuntarily. There was a red lion on his shield, the pommel of his sword was also a lion. It was like some god somewhere was mocking her: bringing this golden king to her house, making him a lion and the epitome of every stupid childhood dream she'd ever had. It was like some cruel deity was taunting her, wondering how much of an idiot she was.

She wasn't a child anymore and she was dead tired of fairy tales.

"Susan, your horn." Lucy passed her sister said horn.

Susan pressed the smooth ivory object against her forehead. Now that it was back on her hands she felt better, like help would come if needed.

"One of squires almost lost his fingers handling your bow." Jon informed Susan.

"He shouldn't have touched it then." She replied placidly.

Jon arched a brow. "How can wood cut someone?" He asked.

"It's not just wood." She informed him. "The bow itself is made of a wood that is rare even in Narnia. Good enough for bows, strong enough to withstand attacks and…" She ran her finger to the curved tips of the bow. "Sharp enough to cut fingers off."

Jon wasn't amused.

Susan took a deep breath. "But… We are thankful for this, your Grace." She told him honestly. "For your hospitality and now for your trust."

He nodded at her.

"Mayhap now Lady Susan can start training the archers for us." Davos suggested.

"It would be an honor." She told the older man. "We need to find candidates."

"I'll see if I can pick some volunteers for you." Davos assured her.

"Susan is very particular about her archers." Peter informed the man. "She is ruthless with them, but they are like family to her."

"I just want them to be prepared." She replied dryly to her brother. "Archers have a very important role in battle and having them well trained can make a lot of difference."

"It's true. Susan once hit a flying arrow before it could hit Peter." Lucy informed the others excitedly.

The Starks traded looks, but no one dared to comment, making the Pevensies trade looks as well, but also forgoing the comments.

"I guess is time for dinner." Sansa declared suddenly.

"You are correct, my Lady." Susan passed the bow to Peter quickly. "I will check the meal."

"I will go with you." The two left the solar.

Sansa and Susan stepped into the corridor and looked at each other. "So…"

Sansa smirked. "Shall we continue?"

"Alys Karstark." Susan spoke as they started making their way to the kitchen.

Sansa shook her head. "Jon decided to marry her to one of the Free Folk and make the man a lord."

Susan hummed her understanding. "So why not one of them? Like Val."

"I've heard they had something." Sansa admitted. "But I think it was brief and it's over."

"Well, they can rekindle the flame or something." Susan made a dismissive gesture.

Sansa didn't even try to fight her grin. "Jon would not be very happy if he knew what we're doing."

"Your cousin needs a wife." Susan informed the other woman. "It's is best if it's someone from the North, so you can strengthen your alliances. And it's better to choose someone from the North fast, before the Dragon Queen decides to marry him to some Southern rose or marry him herself. You all do love incestuous weddings."

Sansa let out a giggle, before covering her mouth. Susan's heart ached every time the redhead felt like she needed to hide even the simplest emotions, but she was going to cure Sansa's heart, even if it was the last thing she did in her life.

"You are terrible." Sansa spoke.

"Me? How absurd." Susan spoke primly, then cracked a smile. "How about your letters?"

"I received some answers already." Sansa confirmed. "I think it was your wording."

"Well, I am no called the Gentle Queen for nothing. I have a knack for diplomacy."

"I was starting to think your title was ironic."

Susan rolled her eyes. "So amusing, My Lady." She snorted and they walked along the hallways, arm in arm.

XxX

"Your sister and my cousin are plotting something." Jon told Edmund as soon as the others cleared the solar.

Edmund snorted. "How observant, Your Grace."

Jon arched a brow at the younger man.

"Jon…" Edmund gave him a pitying look. "They're always plotting something." He informed the other man. "They hardly do anything else."

"What?" Jon asked confused.

Edmund chuckled. "Let us just say that you are very lucky that your cousin is loyal to you. Otherwise they both would have already taken over the North and would probably be preparing to take over Westeros."

"You are joking." Jon spoke flatly.

Edmund snickered. "No, Jon, I'm not. I know my sister. And I'll give you fair warning: the last time she was this secretive about something, she was trying to marry Peter off."

Jon arched a brow. "But she wasn't successful."

"No." Edmund admitted. "But only because she didn't find anyone she liked. She looked all over Narnia, but couldn't find the right woman for him. Peter might be an arrogant fool at times, but he and Sue are close and she wants him to be happy."

"So you're telling me I should be concerned."

"If I were you… I would be."

XxX

Susan had asked Ser Davos to round up all of those who wished to be archers. He asked how young the boys could be, and she arched a brow at him. "I leave the ages of the boys and girls to your consideration."

"Girls?" He asked, a bit dumfounded.

Her brow was still in that elegant arching. "Yes, Ser Davos. The girls."

He opened his mouth, maybe to argue, but then thought better of it. Smart man.

Susan had always been demanding of the people -or animals -she accepted to train as her archers. She took her position as their leader seriously, because good archers could change the result of a battle.

Peter used to make fun of her, saying that archery wasn't that essential. Once she hit the arrow meant for him with hers, he stopped talking that. And apologized. Repeatedly.

She made sure of it.

Ser Davos brought her quite a few candidates, from the Free Folk to Northerners. Most of them were curious; they'd seen her practicing and her ability was becoming something of a legend.

There were over 30 people there, only six of them were girls. She dismissed two of them when she realized they were there because of some of the boys. She then dismissed seven other men, a few because she knew they were there to prove their male superiority.

Yes, she could put them in their place, but she had a serious job to do here and no time to waste with idiots.

She was left with 28 potential archers.

She was curious to see how many of them would be there by the end.

XxX

Susan was sitting with Sansa and embroidering. The Queen of Narnia despised embroidery with a passion, but it didn't take her long to notice that Sansa not only was good at it, but she truly relaxed with the needle in her hand.

Susan imagined it had something to do with the control, the peace and quiet and the logic of embroidery. Lucy was quite good at it, but Susan never learned to like it. Sansa once admitted to the other woman that during her most terrible moments, embroidery was the only scape she could get.

Therefore, if Sansa asked Susan to sit and embroidery with her, she did it.

Sansa was making a red-breasted robin for Lucy –she loved the birds – while Susan was focusing on putting initials on handkerchief. This was simple enough. Brienne was standing by the open door, keeping guard over them.

They had been sitting there in companionable silence when the first pair of giggling maids passed by the door. The three women traded looks, but went back to their work.

Then another three maids passed.

Susan arched a brow at Sansa. "Is your cousin on the training yard?"

Sansa grinned. "Not that I know of. He was supposed to be in a meeting now." She arched a brow at Susan. "Why do you assume it's Jon?"

"The maids fancy him a lot." Susan explained.

Sansa's grin became bigger. "Maybe it's one of your brothers." She indicated.

"Well, it's possible." Susan admitted. "It's just that mostly they are a bit scared of them."

"It's because of the rumors." Sansa offered. "They think you're magical creatures."

They heard giggling coming from somewhere on the hallway.

"Brienne?" Sansa called the other woman, a question clear on her voice.

"They are all going downstairs, My Lady. I don't know why." The woman admitted.

"Well, you know what?" Susan got up. "I want to know."

Sansa bit her lip for a second, before putting her embroidery down. "I do too."

Brienne sighed, but followed the two ladies out of the solar.

They went down the stairs and into the training yard. Sansa had been right, it wasn't Jon. It was Peter.

Susan sighed as she took in the scene. Each one of the siblings was good at something: Susan was the best archer in Narnia, Lucy could throw daggers and knives, Edmund was an amazing swordsman and Peter had a deep appreciation for hand-to-hand combat.

He'd learned some in London –mostly boxing –and in Narnia he found some other masters to teach him.

To make a long story short, Peter was very good at it and he could take most opponents down easily.

Now, that was all beautiful and great. Fighting was a useful ability, but not when her brother was rolling around shirtless.

Why her, good lord?

He was facing off some man of the Free Folk whose name Susan couldn't remember. There were men cheering around them –including Tormund. She found Edmund a bit farther and he was… Yes, he was taking bets, the little prick.

But none of this was a problem. Well, perhaps the fighting and the gambling were a bit of a problem. The biggest problem was that her brother was rolling around the mud shirtless.

No wonder the maids were giggling and fanning themselves.

Susan had to roll her eyes at that.

"Oh my…"

Susan looked at Sansa, who was covering her mouth. She arched a brow. "Something wrong, My Lady?" She asked amused.

"Your brother…" Sansa started, but stopped herself.

"Is an idiot?" Susan offered.

"Yes." Sansa agreed.

"Arrogant."

"Absolutely."

"Completely shameless."

"Yes, definitely."

"And so handsome."

"That too." Then she turned to the other woman. "Susan! No!"

"You agreed." Susan indicated as she laughed.

"You tricked me." Sansa accused.

"Did I really?" Susan asked.

Sansa huffed and refused to answer.

Susan knew that her brothers were good looking –she'd heard many ladies saying so. They were handsome; and she said that in a sisterly way –seriously, what was wrong with the people of this kingdom?

She could only guess the effect that Peter had in other women. She couldn't say she remembered feeling that much interest in a man, but… Well, that was her.

"Should we stop this?" Susan asked Sansa.

The redhead opened her mouth, but before she could actually make a choice, Peter kicked the man on the middle of his chest and he went flying back.

"PETER!" Susan called before she could stop herself.

The whole place went quiet as the men around traded looks. Edmund looked absolutely guilty as he tried to hide the coins in his hand.

Peter ran his hand through his hair and arched a brow in her direction. "Yes, sister?"

Cheeky bastard.

"Care to explain?" She asked dryly, an eyebrow raised in the exact same manner as her brother.

Sansa marveled at how alike they were.

"Just showing the lads some moves." Peter informed them.

"And Edmund?" She turned to her other brother.

"Raising morale among the men." He informed easily.

"With gambling?" Sansa inquired, her voice as dry as a desert.

"It's good for building trust, My Lady." Edmund replied cheekily.

"Your brothers are both shameless." Sansa informed Susan.

Susan sighed. "I am aware."

"Go cover yourself, Peter." Sansa told the man. "Before you freeze."

"Yes, my Lady." Peter gave her a bow and a smile before turning back to the man.

Even as Sansa told Peter he would freeze, she couldn't help looking around. It was sunny; the sky was clear and blue.

It was less cold. Again.

XxX

Jon read the letter on his hand, took a deep breath and then read it again.

Yes, it still had exactly the same message.

Lord Glover was inquiring after Susan. He wanted to marry her to one of his men.

Susan. He wanted to marry Susan to…

This was bloody ridiculous. The mere idea was preposterous.

Susan was not going to leave Winterfell, much less to marry a knight! She was a Queen!

Jon was about to reply exactly that to Lord Glover when he remembered something: Susan. If she knew he was replying that type of letter on her behalf without even consulting her… Well, Jon didn't want to be used as target on her next practice session.

Sighing he got up and left his solar. He hadn't planned on working so much after supper, but time ran away with him. He knew that Susan sometimes went to Sansa's solar before retiring for the night, so he went there.

Brienne was standing by the door. "Your Grace."

"Brienne. Is Sansa still awake?"

"Yes, Your Grace."

"Is Susan with her?"

"They are all in there." She informed him. "The Pevensies and also Lady Arya." She explained when Jon looked confused.

Jon scratched him chin. "Maybe I shouldn't bother them."

Brienne opened her mouth, then closed it, then opened it again. "I'm sure Lady Sansa won't mind."

"Right." Jon cleared his throat. "I will just…" He indicated the door, then knocked on in.

"Come in." Sansa called from inside the solar.

Jon pushed the door open and entered the room. Sansa was sitting close to the fireplace, embroidering with Ghost by her feet. Lucy was doing the same, while Arya and Edmund were talking about something and Peter and Susan were doing the same.

Jon felt like an intruder, like he didn't belong there.

"Jon!" Arya smiled at him and he saw himself smiling in return.

"Did something happen?" Sansa asked, putting her embroidery down.

"Well…" He closed the door and came closer to them. "I got a letter from Lord Glover. He is asking about Susan."

The woman in question arched a brow. "Yes?"

"He would like you to marry one of his men." Jon informed her.

Lucy and Edmund started laughing as soon as the word "marry" came out. Even Peter seemed to be fighting off a smile. Susan gave them all a look, but it didn't do any good.

Jon took a seat, watching the siblings with an amused smile.

"Well, look at that." Arya commented amused. "You've barely gotten here and you already have men wanting to marry you."

"Susan always had men stumbling over themselves, trying to get her attention." Peter informed Arya.

Susan rolled her eyes. "That is an exaggeration. If I remember it well, Lucy always had more suitors than me."

"Only because you scared yours away!" Lucy protested.

"There was one you used to like, wasn't there?" Edmund put in. "The one that wrote you poetry."

Susan scoffed. "And that was the end of it. I wonder who first discovered the power of poetry in driving away love?"

Sansa let out a surprised giggle. "I thought that poetry was the food of love." She teased.

Susan shrugged regally. "Of a strong love, perhaps." She conceded. "But if it's only a vague inclination I'm convinced one bad sonnet will kill it." She made a dismissive gesture with her hand.

Arya was snickering and Sansa rolled her eyes, but it was Jon who shocked them all.

"So what do you recommend?" He asked, silencing them all, making himself –although unintentionally –the focus of everyone's attention. "To encourage affection, I mean." He cleared his throat.

Susan looked at him, an arched brow. Then her lips turned into a small enigmatic smile, as she replied, "Why, dancing, of course."

It was his turn to arch a brow at her.

Edmund groaned. "What is with you ladies and dancing?" He asked.

"It is the only 'appropriate' way to spend time alone in a man's company." Lucy indicated. "At least in Narnia."

"Here it's the same." Sansa confirmed.

"So it's the only time to talk freely and see if you like someone." Lucy concluded.

"It's also a great opportunity to get closer." Susan spoke cheekily.

"Sue!" Lucy exploded in giggles.

"It is true." She defended. "Nothing is appropriate for ladies. But dancing is."

"It has its charms." Peter conceded, a smirk on his lips.

Susan gave him a look, like she knew exactly what he was talking about. Sansa looked resolutely ahead.

"And you know…" Susan continued, putting her hands together, palm to palm, like they did in some dances. "Palm to palm is a holy palmers' kiss."

"That sounds sickly romantic." Arya offered with a look of distaste.

"Just because I don't like to have sonnets written in honor of my pretty blue eyes, it doesn't mean I don't like good poetry." Susan indicated.

"So that's why you all like dancing so much?" Edmund teased. "It's a chaste way of kissing."

"O, then, dear saint." Peter spoke softly, his voice just a bit above a murmur. "Let lips do what hands do."

They all turned to him in shock –though his siblings looked a bit more amused.

"What? Susan repeated that line so many times I memorized it." He defended himself.

"What a suave way to ask for a kiss, dear brother." Lucy commented, very much surprised.

"I'm a gentleman." Peter indicated. "I would never ask for my dear saint to give me anything she does not wish, but…" He grinned. "I'm always a great devout."

Susan slapped her brother's shoulder, even as she saw Sansa turning to look at the fire to hide her blush. She really needed to talk to Peter about this.

Then her eyes turned to Jon, who'd been awfully quiet during this whole conversation.

"So no marriage?" He asked once they locked eyes.

"Not yet, Your Grace." She inclined her head. "No dancing?"

His lip quirked up a bit. "Not yet, My Lady."


Notes: I guess most of you recognized the dialogue from "Pride and Prejudice". I changed it a bit because I felt the words weren't exactly matching the tone I was using, so I adpted it. Also, Peter and Susan proclaim lines from "Romeo and Juliet", Shakespeare's work. I imagine they could have seen it in London, or maybe it was in Narnia... I didn't think much about it, I just wanted to use the line XD

Let me know your feelings!

Also... Bad news, guys… My life is about to be turned upside down. I quit my job, but I still have to stick around for a month to help until they find a replacement. However, I still have to start working on the new place, so for a month I will have two jobs. That means I am so fucked right now. So… It's very unlikely I will manage to write anything for the next month… But life is life. I hope you guys don't give up on me!

Cheers!