As the days passed, Freya slowly grew in strength. Lucy, Edmund, Susan, Leos and Corin would come at intervals to entertain her. She didn't see much of Peter, but she supposed he was busy. However, after about a week, she had seen nothing of Peter.

"Where's Peter, Ed? I haven't seen him for days. I haven't done anything to upset him have I?" she asked him, when they were playing cards one afternoon.

"Oh no…he's…in conferences with Lune." He said quickly. They were by the window, and at that moment, Freya spotted King Lune coming back from a morning's horse-riding with Susan and Lucy who had been showing him around Narnia. No Peter in sight.Freya turned back to Edmund, deciding not to tell him what he had seen.

She gave him a smile. "Two Aces. I win."

Edmund sighed. "When did you get this good?"

"Edmund, the games you can play on a ship's deck become limited. Cards were my only option. We use to play for water rations and limes." She said giving him a cheeky smile.

Edmund eventually left, and Freya sat by the window. She was restless. She was itching to get outside, on a horse, to escape the confined captivity of her bedroom. She sighed. 'Why am I so weak?' she wondered. 'No wonder Peter is avoiding me. But he seemed to care…' she thought back to about a week ago, when she kept having that nightmare as her fever reached its peak. He had comforted her, held her in his arms, while she cried. 'He was probably doing what he thought was his duty.' She thought bitterly. At that point, Susan walked in.

"Good afternoon Freya, How are you today?"

"Great. Can I go outside now?" Freya pleaded.

Susan laughed. "Not for another week I'm afraid."

"I see nothing funny about that." Freya muttered.

"I just came to see how you were. I had better be going now though, King Lune wants to see the giants for some reason. I have to sort it." she gave a smile and left.

"Another week! Damn that Susan. I'll be out within two days. Just you watch." Freya muttered to the door.

One thing to learn about Freya Bassing. She was a very determined lady.

That night, Freya ate her dinner with gusto and went to bed early, to build up her strength. She didn't let anyone know about her plan. Why? Because they would try and prevent her. There was no way she would wait another 5 days before being set free. All next day, she sat by the window, listening to horses neighing, the chatter of the gardeners and passing people below. She longed to be with them and excitement grew inside her.

'Tomorrow morning.' She thought.

(Note. This is about 4 days prior to the above section.)

Peter had avoided Freya for two days, ever since her fever had broken. He had felt bad about it, but he gave himself tasks, to keep him busy. He knew if he saw her, he would fall for her again and he had to stop himself doing that. One morning, he was staring out of his study window out onto the Narnian plains, waiting for Lune and his subjects to arrive. He hoped Leos wouldn't be there. He was finding it difficult to look at him without wanting to throttle him. Lucy was there busy scribbling a letter.

'Probably to Tumnus,' he pondered. His mind once again drifted to the girl in bed several floors above him. He wondered how she was doing.

"Lu,"

"Yes."

"How's Freya faring?"

She gave him a puzzled look. "Why don't you go and see for yourself."

"I'm too busy."

Lucy looked pointedly at the empty study before giving a sigh of frustration. "Still fairly weak, but stronger than before. She pointed out that her dinner was the same everyday, which is a good sign I suppose."

Peter gave a chuckle. Lucy looked at him pointedly. "Go up and see her." She said firmly.

"No."

"Peter-"

At that moment, Lune strode in. "Sorry we're late your Highnesses." He boomed. "We were waiting for someone." He moved aside.

Annaline walked hesitantly forward. Her chestnut curls fell down her back like a waterfall. Her deep blue eyes scanned the room, before falling onto the two monarchs who were staring at her. She curtsied deeply.

"This is my niece, Princess Annaline. You remember King Peter, I spoke to you about her?"

Peter nodded dumbly. Lucy shot Peter a look. "Welcome, Princess Annaline. I do hope you find your stay enjoyable."She said.

"I wanted to broaden her horizons, so I thought I would show her a little bit of politics." Replied Lune.

"Very good." Was all Peter could muster.

Princess Annaline was stunning. She was beautifully slim, walked with grace and elegance, and had enchanting beauty. She could turn any head when she entered a room.

After the conference was over, (in which Peter was rather distracted) Susan and Lucy pulled Peter aside. Susan had come in halfway through, and had been very annoyed at Peter's sudden interest in Princess Annaline.

"Haven't you forgotten someone?" Susan hissed.

"No. I haven't." Peter replied angrily.

"You've avoided Freya for days and she's noticed. She thinks she's done something wrong."

"If you don't love her, fine. But she is your friend. She deserves an explanation." Piped up Lucy. They both looked at her in surprise. It was very unlike Lucy to get involved in arguments.

"Exactly. I don't know what went on between you, but something changed. Freya has no idea what it is, so maybe you'd better tell her." Susan continued.

"Nothing went on. Someone just got in the way." Peter mumbled.

"Leos." Susan sighed. She glanced to the handsome young delegate, who was discussing something with Lord Byron. "Peter, you can't think-"

"If you don't mind," Peter interrupted crossly. "I have to go change. I will speak with you later." With that he stalked off.

"Oh dear," groaned Lucy. "I knew Archenland would cause trouble."

"Poor Freya." Muttered Susan. "She has no idea."

Over the next few days, while Freya lay upstairs fretting as to what she had done, Annaline was shown the sights of Narnia by Peter. They spent nearly all day together, laughing, joking and chatting, while his siblings wondered how this would affect Freya once she returned.

"Maybe she'll have left by the time she's better." Lucy said hopefully.

"I wish, Lu. Have you seen how happy Lune's looking recently? If he has his way, this will go all the way to marriage." Edmund replied glumly.

Lucy said nothing.

It was the night before Freya 'escaped her prison' as she put it. She was about to lay out her riding clothes, when-

"Thank you for today Peter. It was a lovely picnic. I had no idea that your trees could dance so well!" the woman laughed merrily.

"It was my pleasure Annaline." Freya moved closer to the door. Her heart pounding. There was a silence. She heard an intake of breath.

"Peter!" It was Lucy. She heard a tut of annoyance. Freya went back to bed and buried under the covers. 'Were they about to kiss?' she wondered. 'Is this King Lune's niece? I hear she's the beauty of Archenland. How could I ever compete? I just couldn't.' With these thoughts, Freya fell into a troubled sleep.

It was a grey dawn. Freya slipped into her clothes, a shiver of excitement running through her body. She slipped out of her room silently, and ran lightly down the stairs. She felt stronger than ever. As she passed the Dining Hall, she heard a patter of footsteps. She ducked quickly behind a near statue of a centaur. It was only a maid. She eventually managed to get out of one of the many side doors unnoticed. She kept to the early morning shadows of the castle, until she realised that Cair Paravel was still sleeping. Not even the stable boys would be up. She chuckled to herself. 'I am an idiot sometimes.' she thought. However, she only felt safe when she was in the stable surrounded by the familiar stamp of hooves, the occasional snort and the sharp smell of horse. She felt more at home here, than any dance room, no matter what her mother said. She crept over to Judan's stall. He whinnied with delight at seeing her. Freya pressed a finger against her lips.

"Come on, old boy." She whispered. "I need to feel free. Up for an early morning gallop?"

"Need you even ask?"

Freya beamed at him. "A horse after my own heart." She silently saddled him up. As quietly as possible, they made their way across the cobbled courtyard and out through the gates. Judan kept trying to lift his hooves, to stop them making to much noise. The sight kept wanting to make Freya laugh, but that would burst their cover. Once they were out the gates, Freya mounted, and looked out across the vast space. She breathed in the air. She knew she would be murdered by Susan when she got back, but it was worth it. She spurred Judan into a gallop, and they were off. At one point she thought she'd never make it. But she did and now she could feel the wind in her hair, the air stinging her cheek, refreshing and rejuvenating her, making her alive again. She let out a loud, free laugh. Judan whinnied with her, and they just rode.

When the sun was risen in the sky, they stopped by a tree. Freya dismounted and lay on the grass, a beam on her face.

"Oh Judan," she said breathlessly. "You have no idea how brilliant this is. I couldn't wait to get out of the castle, leave all my worries-"

"Worries?" Judan interrupted. "What worries?"

Freya turned to him. "Promise you won't tell?"

"Freya I'm a horse. All I talk with the other horses, is food and subjects along those lines. Not our rider's secrets. I have many secrets about former riders that would make your hair curl."

Freya laughed.

"Well?" asked Judan.

"Well, it's Peter."

"Ah."

Freya ignored that and continued.

"He seems to be ignoring me. He didn't come up to see me for over a week, while I was ill. I know that sounds selfish, but I thought he cared." Freya stopped herself. She didn't want anyone to know about that night, where she had her nightmare. That was between her and Peter. "Susan, Lucy and Edmund all came up and talked with me or played cards. Peter just didn't want to know. I don't know what I did wrong. Also now, there's Princess Annaline. I've never seen her, but she's rumoured to be the beauty of Archenland. How could I compete Judan? I feel as if he's replaced me, but I don't know why. Edmund claimed that Peter's been busy with Lune, but I know he's lying. He's been spending his time with Annaline. This may sound so selfish Judan, but I felt like I was close to him, and now I feel like I've been replaced…just like that." Hot tears pricked her eyes.

Judan nuzzled her hand. "I'll never replace you."

Freya smiled through her tears. "Thank you Judan."

"Anyway." Judan continued. "You've got the other three, Leos and Corin."

"That's the thing. I think Leos is the problem."

"I think Peter thinks that Leos loves me. Which is absolutely ridiculous. I see Leos only as a friend."

"Well, show him that."

Freya shook her head. "I don't know how. I expect he's besotted with Annaline by now." She gave a sad sigh. Judan climbed to his feet.

"Come on. I want to do some jumping." He said authoritatively. Freya smiled and climbed on.

"You laways know what to say Judan."

After about 15 minutes, Judan stopped suddenly.

"Freya."

"What?"

"Look ahead. It looks like Peter has come to fetch you with someone else, who I can't quite make out."

Freya peered. The other figure looked like a woman. However, they stopped by a tree and sat down. Freya sighed and wheeled Judan around. "I wish Judan. I wish." She muttered. For she knew exactly who the other figure was and she could never be her.

Thank you for reading!

I promise a turning point in the next chapter! Don't forget to review! I really appreciate them, and take all comments on board.

Thank you again for reading!

S x