It was dark in the garden by the time Geminie and Grace got there. It was just before midnight. Geminie flicked her tail towards an opening between two hedges. Grace looked at her and went in the direction she was directed. When she looked behind her the cat was gone. In the dark Grace could not see Peter. She was alone in a garden in the dark. Grace was afraid, not just afraid, she was terrified. A noise ahead of her made her jump.
"W-who's there?" asked the Princess. Her voice shook and she was well aware of it.
"It's just me, Peter! You needn't be so afraid. No one will hurt you here. Even if you are in the castle's garden in the middle of the night. Come here, I want to show you something." Peter's voice came from a little ahead of Grace, on the other side of another hedge. "Just go straight ahead and when you come to the trees turn left then you'll see the opening." Peter's voice was kind. Grace hurried to where he was, not just because she didn't want to be alone in the dark.
Grace rounded the corner and was shocked at what she saw. The moon, which had previously been hidden behind a cloud, hung low in the sky. Its silver light lit up a marble fountain surrounded by roses. Peter smiled at the look of pure joy and genuine happiness that radiated from Grace-Elizabeth's face. She simply stood there and looked at the moon and the glittering stars that twinkled in the night sky above them.
"I-I've never seen anything like this before! Is the moon always so close to the ground? And the stars, they look like I might be able to reach out and touch them!" Grace couldn't pull her gaze from the sky.
"The moon is only this low at certain times, mostly just when it's a full moon or close to a full moon. But the stars always are like this. It really is beautiful. In Narnia the stars are really spirits that dance through the night sky. In Isandria can't you see the moon?" Peter was curious as to why Grace was so fascinated by the sky. It was like she had never seen it before.
"Isandria is in a deep valley surrounded by tall steep mountains. There is only one way in and out of the country, a pass between two mountain ranges. The trees and the bush is so thick and the valley so flat that you can't really see the sky at all. The moon and the sun are only directly over the castle for a few hours each day. Isandria is very dark and cold. There is only one city and it is centered around the castle, Siantria. There are few honest people in the whole country because most of the people are outlaws and criminals from other countries. It's the perfect hiding place for anyone who doesn't want to be found. No one trusts anyone and the only person that the people hold any loyalty to is the King because if he so desires he can get rid of the outlaws. It's probably one of the most dangerous places on earth." Grace never once looked away from the magical sky.
"Grace I have to ask you this not. Do you want to marry me or do you want to stay in Isandria with your family?" Peter wanted her answer quickly. He was tired of having to think so much and wonder what he was going to do about the Isandrian Princess and her father.
"I-I-I don't know. I barely know you! I know one thing for sure if I return to Isandria I will be dead within a month. My father won't keep me alive unless I am to be married because he doesn't want me to get the throne. He wants my brother to be the next monarch of Isandria, and he's welcome to it! I would rather be someplace warm and where I could see the sky." Grace tore her eyes away from the stars and looked Peter in the eye. Many emotions swirled in her black eyes. Pain, Fear, Hope, and Love were the emotions that Peter could best interpret. Grace had one tormented soul, that much was certain.
"I feel very strongly for you Grace. I don't think it's love exactly but I am positive that if given the chance it would grow to that. I want to be able to protect you from whatever is troubling you but I don't know who or if I can. There is something different about you. I have had lots of girls thrown at me by lots of people and countries but you were the only one who I would even consider marrying. I just have to know if you feel the same or if you even care at all." Peter didn't look away from Grace. She didn't pull her gaze away either. Peter waited to hear what she would say. Her answer was what would determine the answer that Peter would give King Oberon in the morning.
"You are different from any other man I have ever seen or heard of. You care so much about someone you have only just met! I can't imagine how much you must care for your brother and sisters. You have a good heart and I can tell that you mean well and will keep your word. You have asked me whether I feel anything for you and the truth is, I don't know. There are few emotions that I do know and understand. Love, Caring, and Truth are not things that I have ever had or seen. I can't give you a straight forward answer because I do feel something, but I am unable to identify what it is exactly. I'm sorry Peter. I wish I could help you more." Grace finally looked away from him and back to the moon surrounded by all the stars.
Peter looked at the girl who stood before him and knew what he had to do. He moved closer to her and wrapped his arms around her small frame. She shivered and then relaxed in his arms. "Grace, you may not know how to explain what you feel but your eyes tell me everything. Tomorrow I will accept the proposal that your father has laid out. I want to protect you and I know that I love you. I am going to make sure that everything works out for us. Don't worry." Peter whispered in her ear.
Peter and Grace stood together under the night sky for quite a while. The moon had disappeared and the sky was changing colour before Peter realized that they needed to be inside. Peter looked at Grace and saw that he was asleep. He smiled and lifted her easily into his arms she was as light as a feather. He carried her back to her room and gently placed her on the bed then took a blanket and draped it around her shoulders. She rolled over but did not wake up. Quickly Peter left her and went to his own room where he got ready to meet the King.
