Chapter Nine

The next day, Peter was in a practically giddy mood.

"What's wrong with you?" asked Edmund quizzically.

"Oh, nothing," said Peter with a smile. "I'm just happy that there are no interviews today."

"So, it finally sank in, did it?" said Edmund. "You do know it's a bad sign that Susan gave up on you, right?"

"Why do you say that?"

"Aren't you just a little bit curious about why she suddenly decided the interviews were unnecessary?"

"Not really," said Peter. "I'd rather not think about it."

Edmund shook his head. "Peter," he said. "What am I going to do with you?"

"Nothing! That's the great part," exclaimed Peter, "All we have to do is attend a few banquets and dances."

"Yes and next week the council is going to pick your bride."

"Ugh, don't remind me," said Peter. "I'd rather go riding. How about it?"

"Sure," said Edmund. "Whatever makes you happy."

Peter and Edmund rode out of Cair Paravel toward Owlwood. They rode in silence and Peter enjoyed the beauty that surrounded him, until Edmund broke it.

"So Peter when are you going to tell me who you really fell about Amira," Edmund questioned. Peter glared over at Edmund who just smiled cheekily in response. Peter sighed softly wishing that his family couldn't read him so well.

"Edmund, I've already told you how I feel about her," said Peter.

"Refresh my memory."

"In fact I've told you and Susan, and Lucy," Peter ranted.

"Uh-huh. And the final answer is? Let me guess. You find her absolutely gorgeous, not to mention devastatingly charming. That is what you said right? Or am I just remembering things wrong?" Edmund asked mockingly.

"Your memory leaves something to be desired," said Peter dryly.

"Okay, so you actually find her devastatingly gorgeous and absolutely charming, so sue me."

"While the princess may be beautiful I do not believe that she is the right woman for me."

"Because?" Edmund prodded.

"Because…because I said so," Peter winced when he said this.

"You're just afraid she might be 'the one,'" said Edmund matter of factly. Peter scoffed.

"Please, I do not believe that."

"Because? Again I'm asking for concrete reasons here."

"You know what Ed? You're annoying me. Go away," Peter said as if banishing someone.

"All right. I'll leave you, so you can moon over your beloved Amira. Ta-ta!" With that Edmund wheeled his horse around, and headed back to Cair Paravel. Peter shook his head a little.

"Good grief. I never thought that he'd leave," Peter said to himself.

Amira looked out her window, and stared wistfully at the beautiful landscape. Narnia truly was a magical place, which she was slowly beginning to love. Amira then decided that a ride would be nice, and she stood up. She changed into her riding clothes, and walked to the stables. Amira pulled out the apple that she grabbed for Hasana, and offered it to her.

"It's about time that you came for a ride," Hasana mumbled as she munched on the apple. Amira laughed a little.

"Please forgive me. I have been very busy." Hasana snorted, and allowed the stable boy to saddle her. Amira mounted Hasana, and rode out of the stable. She allowed Hasana to wander, and Amira let her thoughts wander. Amira was confused about the situation with the high king. She could feel that she was starting to develop feelings for him, and was scared about that since he seemed to not care for her. Amira sighed a little. She wondered if it was even worth staying in Narnia only to have her heart broken.

"Princess Amira, what a delightful surprise." Amira looked over and saw Edmund. She smiled at him.

"Good day your majesty," Amira said.

"Are you enjoying your ride?" Edmund asked. Amira brightened.

"Oh, yes. It is a beautiful day." Edmund smiled at her, and a mischievous thought came into his mind.

"Some of the nicest views are at Owlwood." Edmund turned his horse around and pointed forward.

"It is the cluster of wood yonder. I believe that you will enjoy the wood," Edmund said.

"Thank you your majesty," Amira said. Edmund grinned at her.

"Please Amira; call me Edmund when we are in private. Enjoy your ride!" With that Edmund turned around, and speed back to Cair Paravel.

"What an odd man," Hasana said. Amira laughed, and patted Hasana's neck.

"Indeed, but he is a nice odd man." They headed in the direction that was pointed to them. As they went along Amira noticed another person on the same path. Amira sucked in her breath quickly when she noticed who it was. She then collected herself and put on a more neutral face. Amira's heart thundered in her chest.

"Good morn, King Peter," she called. Peter jumped in surprise and wanted to curse. I'm going to kill him, Peter thought. Peter desperately wanted to ignore her, but the reaction that Susan would give made him cringe. He sighed mentally and smiled at Amira.

"Good morning, princess," he said. They rode in silence for awhile until Amira couldn't stand it anymore.

"Your brother said that this was beautiful countryside."

"Yes it is." The conversation fell flat thereafter and Amira wanted to hit something, more specifically Peter. Hadn't he ever heard of making civil conversation? However she curbed her violent wishes, and smiled at Peter. Peter was blown away from the brightness of her smile.

"My lord, I propose that we have a race to Owlwood," she said. Peter looked at her in shock, but he was a very competitive individual. He nodded at her.

"All right, my lady. Shall I give you a head start?" he said, trying to be a gentleman.

Amira smirked and Hasana snorted disdainfully. "Why, whatever for?" said Amira mischievously. She didn't wait for a reply and horse and rider were off like a shot.

Peter cursed under his breath before spurring his own horse after them. Amira and Hasana were, of course, the winners of the race.

"You cheated," accused Peter.

Amira merely grinned at him. "Forgive me, milord," she said, "for taking advantage of your chivalry, however, it was no more than you would have done in my place."

Peter scowled. "I would have done no such thing. It was a dirty trick."

Now Amira was getting upset. "You offered," she retorted.

"Yeah, well," said Peter before pausing. "I didn't expect you to take me up on it. Most ladies refuse to be treated differently than men. And aren't all women feminists?" Peter finished triumphantly, sure he was right, even if he didn't believe what he was saying.

"Oh, for Aslan's sake," snapped Amira, "don't make a mountain out of a mole hill. This isn't about feminism. You're just upset I won."

"If you're going to be that way about it," snarled Peter before wheeling his mount around and heading back to Cair Paravel.

"Aren't you going to go after him?" asked Hasana.

"Why should I apologize when I didn't do anything wrong?"

"I thought you liked him."

"I do," said Amira firmly before pausing to think about what she had just said. "I do," she repeated softly. She shook her head. "But I feel it's morally wrong to apologize for the wrong reasons!" she cried out. She bit her lip and felt like crying. With a sigh, Amira dismounted.

"Come on, Hasana," she said. "I think I see a dirt patch you can roll in. I know you like to indulge when no one's looking and now's the perfect opportunity."