Thank you for your patience! The holidays are murder, and I am simply exhausted, but very happy to finally give you chapter nine.

To my American readers, Happy thanksgiving. To all of my other lovely readers, I hope you had a great Thursday.

Enjoy!

GS

Ps. Nope. Still don't own Narnia.


The younger king's eyebrows disappeared into his shaggy, dark hair, and his mouth opened and closed a few times in confusion. Peter laughed, "Olivia, this is my younger brother, King Edmund."

Edmund finally reached for Olivia's visibly shaking hand.

"It's nice to meet you…" He trailed off and looked at Peter. "She's not from Archenland, and she's definitely not Calormene."

Peter shook his head, "I found her on the outskirts of the Western Woods. She wandered in through the wardrobe."

Edmund's eyes lit up as he looked from Peter to Olivia, still awkwardly gripping her hand, "Really?"

She nodded with a smile, "Yeah."

He opened his mouth to ask another question, but Peter clapped a hand on his shoulder, "Let's head in shall we? I'm sure the girls will want to ask all the same questions anyway."

Edmund released her hand and nodded, "Of course. I'll go ahead and let them know of your arrival." He gave a quick bow and turned on his heel.

Olivia stared quietly after his retreating back. Peter approached and offered her his arm. She looked at him questioningly.

"We have a bit of a walk, and your feet are still bare." He pointed out. She nodded and hesitantly linked her arm through his leaning on it lightly as they began a slow walk to the castle.

She looked over her shoulder toward where they'd left Peter's horse. He was being led away by a strange half man half horse creature. "Is that…?"

"A centaur? Yes. There are many creatures around here that you'll find only exist in stories and myths back home. It takes some getting used to." He glanced down at her, but Olivia was too busy observing the centaur to notice. "But I would recommend not staring too much."

Her head snapped forward at his words, a blush creeping up her neck. She quickly forgot her embarrassment though as they approached the castle. It was by far the grandest thing Olivia had ever seen. From the tall spires of white stone to the colored glass windows to the flags that fluttered everywhere, everything she saw was beautiful.

"This place is amazing." She breathed quietly, her eyes wide as saucers.

Peter nodded with a grin, "It is indeed. Even after ten years, I still get turned around occasionally. Welcome to Cair Paravel."

Two tall doors opened in the side of an impossibly high wall. They were held open by two large black bears who bowed their heads as Olivia and Peter passed through.

Olivia did her best not to stare, but her hand on Peter's arm tensed as she shifted closer to him. He patted her arm with his free hand, "You'll get used to it faster than you think."

Uneasiness was replaced quickly by awe as she realized that the inside of the castle was even more beautiful than the outside.

It wasn't at all stuffy or dark like the castles in history books. Numerous open windows made the castle feel open and bright. The warm glow of sunset cast everything in a soft orange light. Gleaming stone floors, high ceilings draped with colorful fabrics stretched as far as she could see.

A very short man with a rather large, red beard greeted Peter, "Your majesty, King Edmund has retired to dining room to meet Queen Susan and Queen Lucy. They are awaiting your arrival."

Peter nodded, "Thank you, Grikaward." He lead her up a few steps and down a long hallway. The smooth stone of the floors felt cool against her sore feet as they walked.

Olivia's neck was growing sore as she looked around in an attempt to absorb every detail. Peter slowed as they turned a corner and came to a stop outside a set of heavy wooden doors.

A knot settled in the pit of her stomach as Peter pulled the door open and ushered her inside.

The room was long and wide. Rich wooden paneling adorned the walls. The very long and ornate table sat at least twenty, but only three of the chairs were currently occupied.

The scraping of a chair was the only warning they received before a blur of purple fabric and auburn hair attacked Peter. He let go of Olivia as he stumbled and caught the younger girl.

"Oof! Hello, Lu."

She hugged him tightly before letting go and giving his arm a hard smack, "You mustn't ever go off again without saying goodbye! I have been sick with worry!"

He stepped back and bowed stiffly to her, "I am most sorry for causing you worry, my lady. In the future, I shall endeavor to be not the subject of your grief."

She huffed and rolled her eyes at his mock apology. Peter grinned as he stood and ruffled her hair affectionately, knocking her silver circlet askew.

Lucy stuck her tongue out at him, but smiled as she fixed her crown. "And now who have you brought us?" She moved around Peter to get a better look, her gray eyes traveling over Olivia. Another chair scraped and shoes clicked across the floor as a beautiful woman joined them.

Olivia couldn't help the warm blush she felt. Lucy and Susan were not only impeccably dressed, but also very pretty. Lucy's hair was loose and curled gently down her back while Susan's dark hair was twisted neatly into a low bun. They both wore gowns of richly colored fabric; Lucy's purple, and Susan's green.

Olivia, on the other hand, was pretty sure there was at least three twigs embedded in her hair. She played nervously with the sleeve of the large shirt she wore.

"Hello!" Said the younger queen brightly. "I'm Lucy, and this is Susan! Edmund says you came through the wardro…" She began, but was cut off by Susan.

"Peter Pensivie! Look at this poor girl! What in the name of Aslan have you put her through? And to think you simply brought her here?" Susan's eyes traveled over Olivia's dirty and battered appearance.

Olivia's cheeks reddened more, "I'm sorry, Queen Susan. I know I'm not dressed for dinner…"

The blue eyed queen patted her shoulder gently, "Oh, you have nothing to apologize for, but he should know better. We don't ask our tired guests to sit in a stuffy dining room for a long meal when what they really want is a hot bath, some tea and a soft bed."

Peter rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, "My apologies. I suppose I was just excited to introduce Olivia. We haven't ever had another visitor from our world. I forgot my manners."

Susan nodded stiffly as she linked arms with Olivia. Lucy took up a similar position on the other side, "Well, we shall have this taken care of in no time." They began to walk towards the door, towing Olivia with them.

She glanced over her shoulder at Peter in a mild panic. He gave her a half smile and shrugged.

As they slipped out the door, a centaur came down the hall from the opposite direction and headed into the dining room. His voice carried faintly down the hall. "Your majesties, I apologize for interrupting you, but there is a matter of some importance at hand." His voice disappeared with the click of the door.

Lucy's voice startled her back from her attempts to hear the centaur, "Now, let's see about a nice hot bath hmm?"


Peter stared after the doorway his sisters had led Olivia through. The anxiety filled look she'd given him as they left had almost made him follow to be sure she would be okay, but the sudden interruption had kept him rooted.

General Raenius was a serious centaur but trustworthy through and through. Peter had relied heavily upon his council and experience these past ten years.

"Sir, I have brought some disturbing news from the north." He began.

Peter sighed heavily and settled into the nearest dining room chair. His pulse spun up and the beginnings of tension headache played at his temples.

Raenius continued, "I have just received reports of giants across the Narnia border. There has also been a sudden rash of disappearances, particularly from the Marshwiggles."

The giants had never really been happy with the new monarchs. After siding with the white witch during the great battle, they had been forced out of Narnia after her defeat and driven back into Ettinsmoor and the moutains.

For the first few years, it seemed as if they were contented to be at peace and to live and let live. The number of reported border crossings, though not unheard of, had been minimal until recently. The disappearances were new altogether though and worried him.

Peter rubbed his forehead before looking from Raenius to his brother, "I'm afraid we can't over look this any longer. In the morning, I'd like both of you to take a group of soldiers and investigate. This isn't coincidental."

He stood and crossed the room to the nearest window, staring out with hands clasped behind his back, "I am concerned that war will soon follow. The giants have grown bold these last few years, and I have a feeling that we will not resolve this without a fight. We need to see to preparations. If it is war they seek, they will not find us lying down."

A large hand clapped his shoulder, "We will be ready, high king. Of that they can be sure." Raenius said in a low voice.

Peter bowed his head, but did not turn from the window. The hand lifted, and the door soon opened. The soft clip of hooves faded from the room and down the hall.

Edmund came to stand next to him, "Quite the day. A visitor and giants. Whatever will we do with ourselves?" His tone was light, but Peter could feel the tension radiating from his younger brother. "What do you make of her Pete?"

Peter shook his head, "Nothing yet. She seems quite genuine for the most part, but she carries her own secrets. Aslan has sent her for a reason though, and I intend to help her."

Edmund nodded solemnly. They stood in companionable silence watching the fading light for quite some time before retiring upstairs.

Peter's feet never made it to his bedroom though. Somehow he found himself standing outside the only guest quarters with light shining under the door.

He knocked lightly. The soft thud of footfalls grew closer, and the door clicked. Peter's heart jumped a bit as the door opened.

Olivia stood on the other side, freshly washed, brushed and wearing a soft white nightgown and a robe. Her golden brown hair fell around her shoulders in gentle waves, and her skin was still pink from a thorough scrubbing. She looked almost child like in the gentle glow of the candles.

"Hi." She said softly. Her brow creased as she peered at him. "Are you okay?"

Peter stared at her for a moment. The urge to tell her everything about this evening crashed over him like a wave, but he nodded instead, "I'm fine. I came to see that you were settled."

She nodded, "Your sisters are great. I haven't been this clean or full in a long time." She said with a hand on her belly. The hand moved to stifle a yawn.

"I should go. You need to rest." Peter said with a smile. He gave a small bow, "I will see you in the morning."

The corners of Olivia's mouth lifted, "Good night, Peter." She shut the door with a soft click.

He stared at her door till the light disappeared, pondering the girl from Texas.