Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Thank you to everyone who takes the time to review this story, I cannot begin the explain what it means to me (especially when I'm shipping a couple with such a small fan-base).

I hope you enjoy the next instalment.

'There's such a sad love
Deep in your eyes.
A kind of pale jewel
Open and closed
Within your eyes.
I'll place the sky
Within your eyes.' - David Bowie

XoX

Chapter 7

When they stepped back into the cool corridor of the castle there were tears in Susan's eyes. She had never been one to cry. It had always been Lucy that had been the tearful one. Even Edmund had cried more often than her.

But now she was trapped in a situation that had been taken out of her control. This was her worst nightmare.

Her hand, that Peter still grasped strongly, was pulled forward for a moment. Looking up into to the fierce determined eyes of her King she took some relief.

'We will fix this'.

His words were so firm and so sure that she believed him.

'Oreius,' Peter called angrily as the General stepped from the shadows to meet his King and Queen with a bow, 'find out how this got out.'

As he spoke Edmund came barrelling down the main staircase, looking as if he had just run from half way across the castle.

'And bring Lucy to my study, we have much to discuss.'

'Yes, Sire', the General bowed, turning towards the Royal families quarters, only to be stopped by Edmund.

'You'll find Lucy in my chambers' Edmund instructed, the back of his neck tinged pink.

Peter and Susan exchanged a glance at this but said nothing as they quickly made their way to the High King's study.

'What in Alsan's name is happening?' Edmund questioned as soon as the door was shut behind them, 'Oreius wouldn't answer my questions and half of Narnia is in the main square!'

Sitting down heavily behind his desk Peter promised to explain everything as soon as Lucy had arrived. They were all adults now and it was only fair that she be included. Not to mention he had no notion of how to get Susan out of this mess.

XoX

Lucy flew into Peter's study almost as wildly as Edmund had done not minutes before. She took one look at the scene, before rushing to Susan's side, grasping her hand in her own.

'What has happened?' she asked her usually gentle voice thick with worry.

Edmund turned to look at Peter who was glaring viciously at the carpeted floor.

'Susan has been tricked into a betrothal' he began as his siblings started, 'with Prince Darrin'.

He growled out the Prince's name with such venom that Susan had a brief flash of almost giddy amusement. He had always been protective of her and now after what had happened between them, a fact she still had not fully contemplated, his tendency for over-protectiveness seemed to have only escalated.

'But how did this happened?' Edmund demanded looking between them all.

When Susan did not answer, only flushing, he was forced to reply through gritted teeth.

'They were caught in a compromising position'.

'Whatever do you mean?' Lucy exclaimed, it was so unlike Susan to allow anything like that to happen that she couldn't believe it.

Susan was forced to explain.

'After our tea earlier with Princess Elana and the two Queens, I stayed behind to speak to Freya about tomorrows arrangements. He was waiting for me in the corridor outside. He claimed he wanted to accompany me back to my chambers', Peter and Edmund visibly bristled at this, 'When he became inappropriate I asked him to keep his distance. I assumed as a Prince and a gentleman he would have some semblance of honour. I was wrong though. He was too quick for me and before I knew what had happened he had..'

She paused, unable to go on, her voice shaking. But it was enough to have Peter reaching for his sword. It was only after Edmund forcibly pushed him down into a chair that he calmed slightly.

'You did not say that earlier' Peter hissed, the fury in his eyes scaring Susan for a moment, 'He attacked you! I should march down to his chamber right now and make him less of a man than he already is!'

'Peter' Susan soothed, rising out of her own chair and kneeling in front of him, taking his hands in hers.

'I am okay. Just embarrassed. I can't believe I let him do that'.

'Why did you? You are a good fighter, you could have easily stopped him,' Edmund asked, his face curious.

'I was distracted' Susan replied, avoiding Peter's eyes, 'I had a lot on my mind'.

'That is no excuse' Peter expression was fierce as he spoke, 'If he had…If no one had come upon you..' He could not finish his sentence and only held onto Susan's hand's tighter.

'What do we do?' Lucy asked when neither Peter or Susan went to speak further.

'All of Narnia seems to be under the impression that Susan's getting married' Edmund added, 'There's Susan's reputation to consider; not to mention protocol and our alliances. It's not going to be easy….'

Edmund paused halfway though his sentence and he stared straight at the wall for a moment, deep in thought. Abruptly he jumped out of his chair and started rifling through the enormous bookshelf behind Peter's desk.

'Where is it', he mumbled under his breath. When he reached the end of a row he briefly glanced round the room searching for something, then ran out. They heard the door to Edmund's study bang open along the hall and then a few moments later he reappeared lugging a heavy tomb.

'I know I've read something' he murmured as he leafed through the aged pages. He thumbed through the book for a few more minutes as his siblings rose and joined him at the desk.

'There!' Edmund exclaimed triumphant, 'I knew I'd read something'.

Looking up at Susan and then back down at the aging volume.

'This is a book of the ancient laws and rights of Narnia, set down in the early years by King Frank I. It reads that should there ever be "contestation for the hand of a King or Queen of Narnia a challenge must be issued. The challenge should be of three parts; the challenge of strength, the challenge of wits and the challenge of love". We just need someone to challenge Darrin for your hand, Susan'.

Edmund looked up at the others, each of them in their own state of musing.

'I'll do it' Peter's voice rang out resolutely.

Susan's heart leapt in her chest at his words. Looking over at him as he avoided her eyes again she didn't see her brother. She saw a man, a fiercely determined man. Peter had always gone feet first into things, it was one of his traits that drove her mad. But this was different, this was so very different (and embarrassing). All of Narnia was going to think she was such a hussy. The strange phrase 'scarlet woman' appeared in her head. She couldn't think where she had ever heard it before though. Would Peter be able to once again save her?

'What?' Edmund exclaimed, 'I don't think you understand. This is the kind of challenge that takes place between love rivals.'

'I know that' Peter finally looked up at his family, 'my job is to protect you all, as High King and as the head of this family. If this is what I must do, so be it. I cannot let Susan be forced into a marriage with that bastard!'

'Peter' Lucy exclaimed in shock at his language.

'He attacked Susan' Peter countered, showing no remorse, 'there are far worse things I should be calling him'.

Striding to Edmund's side and looking down at the text he asked what he had to do in order to issue the challenge. The two brothers spoke for some time before Susan's voice interrupted them.

'Do I have any say in this at all? You are both acting as if I am not even here'.

'Do you want to marry him Sue?' Edmund questioned.

'Of course not! But that doesn't mean I don't want to voice my opinion', it wasn't that she was ungrateful but she couldn't help herself. Her embarrassment at the situation was now transforming into anger at herself. Why hadn't she reacted faster? Why hadn't she thrown Darrin off her? Why hadn't she denied the betrothal straight away? She hated herself for the weakness of character she had displayed.

'Peter, you can't do this' she argued. 'These challenges, what if they are dangerous. You can't risk yourself like this. Not for my mistake'.

Looking up at her from where he was bent across the desk he smiled gently.

'I would do anything for any one of you' he said like it was the end all. And it was really. Susan didn't argue anymore, just smiled softly to herself. Edmund and Lucy both had similar reactions. It had always been the four of them. The four of them as one tight-knit group. Even in Edmund's moody youth they had loved each other fiercely.

'You'd better announce your challenge in the morning during the leaving ceremony' Edmund said, when the moment had passed, 'I'll have to speak with Freya, since it looks like we're going to have company for a while longer'.

'Let me do that' Lucy piped up, eager to help in some way. Getting to her feet she encouraged Susan to go with her to speak with the head of the palace staff and soon the brothers were left alone.

'Have you read the entire passage?' Edmund asked, as Peter stood from where he had been hunched over the book and moved over to the drinks cabinet. Taking down a decanter of Fawnish whiskey he poured a glass for himself and one for Edmund.

He nodded as he sat down heavily, taking a sip of the burning amber liquid.

'The law determines that once a challenge has been met and won, the hand of the Narnian royal must be taken or the challenge is forfeited' Peter recited, 'it means that when I win I have to marry Susan or Darrin can claim her as his'.

They were quiet for a long time. Both silently sipping their drinks before Peter spoke again.

'Do you ever think about the time before we were the Kings and Queens of Narnia?'

'What, you mean my betrayal and Jadis?' Edmund asked, still uncomfortable about the part he had played.

'No, before that' Peter mused, 'I've tried as hard as I can but I can't remember a time before Narnia. We can't have been born here, surely we'd remember. Who were our parents? Where did we come from?'

Edmund could almost see Peter straining at his memory for a moment, before he sighed.

'Every time I feel like I'm close to an answer it just slips away. Maybe we were born here'.

'I don't know, Peter. I've not thought about it. Either way, you will have to marry Susan. Think you can do that?'

Could he marry Susan? Of course he could, thought Peter. He could barely keep a handle on his desire for her. She had been his closest friend and confident for years and now he was beginning to realise that the love he had always felt for her was transforming into something more. Or maybe it had always been more and he hadn't even noticed. He dared not even think what more would entail. He could not think about it. But one thing he did know for sure was that there was no way in hell he was going to let Darrin get away with this. Susan belonged in Narnia and on the throne at Cair Paravel. That was the way it always had been and always should be.

XoX

Dawn broke slowly the next day and Susan was awakened gently by the breeze wafting through the doors to her balcony. Wrapping a shawl around her plain night shift she rose and went out to look down over the ocean.

It was warm and peaceful in the early morning light and for a moment she forget what had happened the night before. The calm didn't last long though. Her hand-maidens came bustling in to her chamber soon enough and they got her ready for the day. Things would change from today she realised. She didn't know how Prince Darrin and his father were going to take being challenged. It was a dangerous line they were going to be walking, which she was sure Peter was well aware. Peace had been hard won, to lose it now in a war with Archenland would be disastrous for Narnia.

The main courtyard below the entrance to the palace was bustling with excited people come mid-morning. Narnian's had come from far and wide to bid farewell to the visitors and to celebrate the engagement. Fawns played music while they danced and sang in delight with the dryads and nymphs. It was a happy day for them all. All except the Narnia Royalty.

It was Mr Tumnus who met Susan at her door to walk her down to the courtyard. It took one look at his face to realise that he knew what had occurred and what Peter planned to do.

He patted her arm reassuringly and they walked down in relative silence before Susan asked a question she had been mulling on since the arrival of her hand-maidens earlier that morning. They had been so excited and happy. They had trilled around her like fluttering birds.

'Why is everyone so pleased? Don't they understand that if I marry Darrin I'll have to leave Narnia?'

'Yes' Tumnus smiled sympathetically, 'But, after marriage comes children and then the Narnian throne will have an heir. The line will be continued and their future secure.'

Susan turned to face him, horrified. His explanation had been so simple and forthright. She had not even thought about children and the very thought of having children with Darrin made her blood churn. Of course the Narnian's would want a heir. The current King's and Queen's would not live forever and one day they would need someone to take over the throne and responsibility of protecting Narnia.

There was silence for the rest of the walk to main gateway. Just before they entered the courtyard Susan grasped Mr Tumnus' arm.

'And what if I married someone else?'

'I do not think Narnia would care who you married' Tumnus smiled, 'so long as you did'.

Susan sighed sadly as she stepped out into the beautiful sunlight. She felt like a brood mare.

XoX

Peter stood at the head of his family with their guests gathered in front of him. The formal farewelling of the guests was a tradition that had been resurrected for this particular visit. It had been Edmund's idea, in order for the Kings of Calomene and Archenland to feel equally important to Narnia.

'Gathered friends' Peter announced, as a gentle silence fell, 'this meeting has been a first in our recent history and I hope one that will be repeated in time to come'.

Edmund had drilled the speech into him last night and it was all Peter could do to not grit his teeth as he got through it.

'Kings Adrian and Marion , it has been an honour to receive you and your families at Cair Paravel. I hope your stay has been enjoyable and that you agree with me in saying the friendship between our nations has been unified'.

King Adrian nodded in agreement and approached to clasp hands with Peter.

'It has been my honour' Adrian countered as Marion also approached Peter, flanked by Prince Darrin.

Grudgingly Peter also took King Marion's hand, though his grip was white knuckle tight as he looked directly into the eyes of Darrin's father.

Turning to the gathered Narnians King Marion's hands rose as he bid for hush to make an announcement.

'It is my pleasure to announce the betrothal of my son Prince Darrin of Archenland to Queen Susan of Narnia and the joining of our two great Kingdoms'.

The crowd erupted in cheers as he spoke.

Stepping forward Susan looked out at her subjects and their apparent joy at the pronouncement. Darrin came to her side and she endured it when he took her hand in his and brushed a kiss across her knuckles.

Once the crowd had quietened it was Mr Tumnus' turn to speak. Stepping forward he unfurled a scroll and began reading to the crowd.

'As per the old and noble traditions of Narnia I pronounce the betrothal of our Queen to be binding. Unless anyone here can challenge the right of Prince Darrin of Archenland to her hand, may he ever keep his peace'.

There was a breath of silence that stretched quietly around the square, before King Peter the Magnificent stepped forward.

'I challenge Prince Darrin's right' he said loudly and clearly.

It was then that Prince Darrin drew his sword.

Xox

And that's the end of this chapter! Please review.