Here you go!

Chapter Nine-Starts With Goodbye

Last time on 'True Love Never Dies'

"You WHORE!" they shouted, and lunged at Lucy.

Caspian and Lucy instantly broke apart, and before they knew what was happening, Araminta was practically on top of Lucy, pulling at her hair and trying to rip her dress. With a swift move of her knee Lucy got Araminta off of her, and before the Calormen Princess knew what was happening, she was on her feet with her arms pinned behind her.

"What did you just call her?" Caspian asked dangerously, as Lucy was too preoccupied with keeping Araminta from moving to talk.

"You heard me, and that's what she is! She has caused me more harm than anyone else ever has, and she needs to pay!"

"How did she cause you harm? If I remember correctly, you're the one that almost morphed her into a completely different person." Araminta glared at them both.

"She stole you away from me! No one crosses my path without any consequences."

"Araminta, you never had me."

"I did, and you know it."

"No, you didn't. I love Lucy, not you."

"You lie. She's just using you, I know she is!"

"She isn't, you were using me so you could become a ruler of Narnia and practically turn it into Calormen. It's sad that you thought you could succeed."

"My father won't stand for this, you know. You will face the consequences of letting me go."

"Then we will. Anything is better than enduring your presence any longer," Caspian said, finally snapping. He couldn't take her anymore. "Because you have threatened Narnia's Queen, and Narnia's Guard-"

"When did I do that?"

"Blane told me about your little midnight excursion the other night." Araminta fell silent. "Anyway, I ask that you remain in your room until your brother arrives tomorrow evening."

"You're keeping me hostage?"

"Oh no. You have committed a number of crimes during your stay; you should be lucky we've been so courteous as to not lock you in the dungeons. However, if you would rather stay there…"

"Fine, I'll go to my room until Valdis comes. But know this…you will regret this day in the future. I will have my way no matter what, and you and your whore and all of Narnia will pay for this dearly." She stocked off, leaving the new couple alone in the hallway.

"Caspian, I don't think you should have done that…"

"She deserves it. I will tell Valdis about all the laws she's broken, and I'm sure he will understand. We've been as kind and civil as possible, but she just crossed the line." He looked down at her and smiled. "By the way, very nice moves you did there. You had her pinned in all of about five seconds."

"Yes, well, Damien is a very good trainer." Caspian laughed, and took her hand.

"So…since we really don't have to deal with Araminta any longer, and you said you loved me...Lu, will you enter a courtship with me? Er, again?" Lucy smiled at him and said,

"Of course." He hugged her and kissed the top of her head.

"Thank Aslan," he sighed. After putting an arm around her waist they headed back into the ballroom. Rhince was the first to see them.

"So are you two together, then?" he asked, and they both nodded. "Then Lucy, I suggest you fix your hair and your dress before either of your brothers sees you." Rhince smirked as Lucy quickly smoothed down the dark pink fabric and redid her hair.

"Thanks Rhince."

"Well, I didn't think you'd want to be interrogated in the middle of a very crowded room."

"You thought right. Have you eaten yet?"

"No, the feast is just starting." He led them over to the table that was especially for the wedding party, and they all sat down.

"There you are," Edmund said as Lucy sat down next to him. "I've been looking for you…I wanted to apologize about earlier."

"Don't worry about it, Ed. I shouldn't have been so blunt about it."

"Yes, but I shouldn't have been such a pill about it either." He paused, for something caught his eye. "You two are holding hands."

"Good job, Ed," Caspian said and rolled his eyes. "Yes, we're back together. And I uh…kind of confined Araminta to her room until Valdis gets here tomorrow."

"You did what?"

"I'm sorry, but I couldn't take it anymore…she's broken so many laws, she's been so cruel, and she just called Lucy a whore." Edmund sighed and ran a hand through his dark hair.

"We'll explain to Valdis tomorrow, I suppose. But the Tisroc won't forgive us for treating his daughter like this."

"I know, but look at the way she's treated us. She deserves much worse than she's getting."

"I'm sure the Tisroc will punish her for failing at her task so miserably," Peter said, frowning.

"I almost feel bad for her…I hope she isn't beaten or anything. No one deserves that kind of treatment," Lucy said.

"I'm sure she won't be beaten, she is the Tisroc's favorite daughter."

"I thought Jacinda was his daughter too. You know, the one we think is going to Archenland?"

"She is, but she's not nearly as manipulative and beautiful as Araminta," Damien said from across the table. "I doubt he likes her all that much because she isn't as useful." Drinian and Carina took their places at the head of the table, and the meal began. After many tries on the Galmian sister's parts of getting Edmund's attention, and Elizabeth's on getting Caspian's (even though she saw him holding Lucy's hand) Peter spoke up.

"Drinian, Carina, I am sorry for bringing this up since this is your day, and a happy occasion, but I just remembered, and the matter is very important. I received a letter from Archenland yesterday."

"Oh? Why didn't you tell us?" Caspian asked indignantly.

"Because Trufflehunter gave it to me after you all had gone to bed, and this morning has been rather busy."

"What did it say?" Drinian asked.

"It wasn't from the new King, it was from Vera. Well, now Princess Vera. Apparently our letter was too late."

"Oh no," Shaina frowned. "Rama is completely corrupted?"

"From the sounds of it, yes. And Jacinda has Nain fooled as well as the prince."

"How long has she been there?" Carina asked.

"About two weeks, I think."

"Alright, there still is time…we need to go to Archenland," Edmund said. Everyone but Peter and Caspian looked shocked.

"Why?" Rhince asked.

"As you know Nain's brother, Cane, was assassinated last spring. Because he had no children and his wife was already dead, Nain was next in line for the throne. He, Vera and Rama, are very new to being rulers of a country, and therefore are easily fooled. If we don't go to help them, who knows what will happen. Afterall, we were almost fooled by Araminta, and look how experienced we are! Caspian's been King for seven years, and Peter, Lucy and I all ruled for atleast fourteen years. I fear if we don't come to Archenland's aid, Jacinda will have her way and Archenland will be at the mercy of Calormen."

"And if Jacinda is ruling Archenland, it will be easy for Calormen to get into Narnia," Peter finished, and Edmund nodded. "I agree with you, Ed. We should go." By this time, Carina's sisters and cousin were back on the dance floor, and the meal was almost finished. "Not many should leave though, just incase the Tisroc is angry at us for sending Araminta home. Therefore, Damien and Glenstorm, I think you should stay here."

"But Peter-"

"You two are our best generals. You'll know what to do if by some chance there is a war."

"I'll be glad to come, Sire," said Drinian, but Caspian shook his head.

"Drinian you got married today! You should spend this time with your wife." Drinian smiled and put his arm around Carina's shoulders.

"I was hoping you'd say that."

"Lu, do you want to come?" Edmund asked, as it was a given he, Peter and Caspian were all going.

"Of course!" she said indignantly. "Shain, you have to come with us!" The elf bit her lip and looked at Peter.

"I can't," she finally said.

"Why not? I don't know how long we'll be gone, and I don't want to be away from you for months," Peter said, looking at her with big, puppy dog eyes.

"I…I shouldn't…"

"Come on Shain, what is it?" Damien asked, and she sighed.

"Fine. I can't go because…because I think I'm pregnant." The table was dead silent, and Shaina looked at Peter. His face was a mixture of shock, disbelief and delight.

"Why?" he finally managed to say.

"Well I'm terribly late and I've been getting sick in the mornings...I didn't want to tell you today because I didn't want to spoil the wedding."

"Oh Shain, don't worry about it!" Carina said, rushing over to hug her friend. "This is wonderful news!"

"But we've only...er…done that once," Peter said quietly, and Shaina nodded. "Well then," he said loudly enough for everyone to hear him. "I guess there couldn't be a better time for this…I've been planning to do this for a while now, but I couldn't think of how…" he got down on one knee, took Shaina's hand with one of his own, and produced a small box from his pocket. "Shaina, I love you more than anything in this world...will you marry me?" She laughed and threw her arms around Peter's neck.

"Yes!" she laughed. "A thousand times yes." He twirled her around, and after he set her down they were bombarded with hugs and handshakes from everyone at the table.

"You're engaged!" Lucy squealed. "You're pregnant! I call godmother! Oh, and maid of honor!"

"Then I call godfather and best man!" Edmund said, and Shaina and Peter laughed. After everyone quieted down, Shaina turned to Damien.

"Are you ok with this?" she asked him. "You are, afterall, the only family I have left."

"Of course I am…and I'll be happy to give you away when the day comes."

"Thankyou!" Shaina said, and hugged her brother tightly.

The rest of the day was fun filled and care free until the reception ended and Drinian and Carina were off on their honeymoon. Then it was time for the fun to be over, and Lucy, Caspian, Peter and Edmund had to decide what they were going to tell Valdis the next day.

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"Hello darling, I've missed you." Lucy groaned and turned around.

"Valdis, it's a pleasure to see you again," she said with a sickly sweet smile pasted on her face.

"Please, where is my sister?"

"In her room." She felt an arm snake around her waist, and she silently thanked Aslan that it was Caspian, and not Valdis.

"Ah yes. Please forgive her for any trouble she may have caused you. You know how naive and selfish women can be." He strode off in the direction of the guest wing, leaving Lucy to glare after him.

"He is the most pig headed, vile creature on the face of this world," Lucy finally said, and Caspian laughed.

"I'm glad to know someone shares my opinion. But we should follow him before Araminta starts telling him any lies."

"Don't worry about it, Edmund is already in the hall waiting for him."

"And you really want to let your brother deal with them on his own?"

"Oh, definitely not. Let's go."

They quickly followed Valdis to the guest wing, and when they got there Edmund was already explaining the situation.

"-which was when we asked her to remain in her room. We tried our best to be as courteous as possible, but she's broken about four laws during her stay here."

"I see," Valdis said, frowning. "And how do I know you aren't lying?"

"Valdis, I have never lied to anyone in a situation like this. Why would I start now?"

"Alright, I believe you." He walked over to the door and knocked on it. "Araminta, come out-it's time to go home." The door opened immediately to reveal a very dissheveled looking Araminta. "Sister, what in Tash's name have you been doing?"

"Packing," she said simply. When she caught sight of Caspian and Lucy her eyes narrowed.

"So. I see you two are together."

"Yes, we are," Lucy said calmly. Araminta walked toward her until she was about two inches away from Lucy's face.

"I warned you before, but now...you will see my wrath and my father's. And you will see it very soon," she hissed, and Lucy's eyes darkened a little bit. Though the threat in itself was a rather badly worded one, she couldn't help but believe Araminta's words.

"I am sorry I cannot stay longer, but we must get home to my father, the Tisroc, as soon as possible."

"Yes, it is a shame," Edmund said wryly.

"Valdis, if you follow me, I will lead you to the room where your ten Calormen men are currently being housed." Valdis turned a little red and said,

"Oh yes, I thought you might have forgotten about that."

"Definitely not. When someone is killed in Narnia, it is not easily forgiven," Caspian said. They met Blane in front of the door, and Valdis drew back a bit. "It's alright Blane, you can let them out." The cheetah bowed, and stepped aside. Once Caspian had opened the door, the ten men came rushing out, but they were stopped before they could even get down the hall.

"Prince Valdis," one of them stammered. "How wonderful it is to see you, oh powerful one. We have-"

"Quiet, dog," he said coldly, and turned to Peter who had just joined the throng.

"Is my ship ready?"

"Yes, Valdis. We will escort you and see you off," Peter answered, not missing the little glint of dissapointment in Valdis's eyes. 'No men are getting off your ship this time,' he thought to himself.

The rest of the walk down was mainly silent except for a few rather perverted remarks toward Lucy on Valdis's part, and a few threatening ones on Araminta's.

"Thankyou ever so much for allowing my sister to stay here these past four months," Valdis finally said as he was boarding his ship. "I am sorry she became so inconsiderate and disrespectful."

"She wasn't the only one," Edmund said, looking pointedly at Valdis. "We will not do anything rash this time about your actions, for we like peace between our two countries. But if you ever come into our country and treat us and our people-" here Araminta snorted-"so poorly again, we will take drastic measures."

"I understand, King Edmund."

"Good. Until next time, Prince." They bowed to each other, and the ship began to drift away.

"Thank Aslan," Peter said after a few moments of silence. "I thought this day would never come."

"Tell me about it," said Lucy. "By the way, Damien, Glenstorm-thankyou for making sure no men got off the ship."

"It was the least we could do," said Glenstorm, and Damien turned to Peter.

"I haven't seen Shaina at all today, is she-"

"I asked her to go to one of the dryads and make sure she actually is pregnant, and if she is to make sure everything is alright," he said. As if on cue Shaina came walking toward them, a huge smile planted on her face.

"So?" Lucy asked excitedly.

"I am!" Shaina beamed. "I'm going to be a mother!" Peter's face lit up and he hugged his new fiance tightly.

"And everything is alright?" Peter asked. "You're ok, the baby is ok..."

"Everything is perfect so far," she told him, and he relaxed. "I'm only one month along too, so you should be back from Archenland long before the baby is actually born."

"That's right...I won't be here for you and-"

"You are not staying home, Pete," Shaina said sternly. "You have to go, and I'm not going to let you stay. I'll be fine here, I have Damien, and Trufflehunter, and almost the entire castle."

"Alright, I'll go."

"So what are you going to name it?" Lucy asked, and the others laughed.

"I have no idea, Lu," Peter laughed, shaking his head, and then stopped. He turned to look at Shaina and he said, "Well...if it's a girl, could we name it Susan?" Shaina smiled and nodded.

"Of course." She squeezed his hand and they continued walking toward the castle.

"Well," Caspian finally sighed. "This has been an eventful two days."

"Too bad it won't calm down at all," Edmund frowned. "Come on, we have to plan our trip to Archenland before we go to bed."

"Can I help?" Lucy asked excitedly, and the boys looked at her a little oddly. "What? I love planning things, you know that..."

"Oh we know, we just don't understand it," Caspian said.


There it is...hope you all liked it. It is rather unexpected, and sorry about the crappy ending. But Araminta's gone. Yay! Please REVIEW! Please.