Disclaimer: I don't own Narnia, not even a crumb of Narnian toast that Edmund loves so much. Although I do own Mollie, Spirit of Fire (Proud of the name!) and any Talking Animals you don't recognise.

I am so sorry. I had to write this chapter, I had one, but it was too girly for me, I couldn't read it without being completely embarrassed. I also didn't think it was in their characters, it made Mollie too much like Susan and Edmund was completely off character, he was more like Peter. So, I wanted to make this more like them, so, I have re written it about 4 times now.

On with the Story!

The Army of Narnia

The next morning dawned bright and early. Mollie awoke and skipped down to breakfast. She was dragged to help with preparations for the Engagement ball for Peter and Annabel. She helped Susan by directing the men in charge of hanging the decorations in the halls. Soon flowers dripped down from the ceiling and vines wove around the pillars. The floor was freshly washed and sparkled. Mollie walked to the throne room and looked at the decorations. The late summer plants grew around the side of the room. Vines weaving around the balconies. Mollie complemented Susan on the beautiful design and reminded her of the time.
"Thank you Mollie" Susan replied
"Well, I know you like to look beautiful" Mollie replied with a smile at the Gentle Queen.
Susan hurried up to her room and Mollie skipped down to the training ground. She was practising with her daggers when one of Susan's ladies in waiting came down and told her sternly that she must go and see the Gentle Queen. Mollie glowered at the bronze haired woman and stomped into the castle. She knocked on Susan's door and was dragged in. Mollie found herself in the bathroom. A steaming hot bath was waiting for her. It was filled with bubbles and scented. Mollie slipped into the hot water and scrubbed the mud off her arms and face. She climbed out and dried off. Susan was waiting by her dressing table, brushing her long hair.
"Dress is hanging up in my dressing room" Susan said and waved her hand.
"Why do I need dressed by you? I do own a dress" Mollie asked her
"I found a beautiful one. But it doesn't go with my colouring" Susan said. Mollie rolled her eyes. "I saw that Mollie"
"Susan. This dress is my size, not yours" Mollie said from inside the dressing room.
"Yes, I accidently took a smaller dress" Susan replied
"Liar!" Mollie shouted back "You always get measured up. I also noticed my favourite ball dress was taken from my room. You, Lu and Annabel have been planning this, haven't you" Mollie said accusingly
"So. I thought it would look lovely with your colouring" Susan called back
"I look ridiculous" Mollie whined
"Come on out" Susan said
"Susan! Don't make me wear it" Mollie said sulkily
"Come on. Let me see" Susan said. A knock on the door sounded. Then Lucy's voice could be heard.
"Annabel, you don't need to knock" she said. The door opened and Lucy bounded in, with Annabel following with a smile at the Valiant Queen.
"Where is she?" Lucy asked
"She wont come out" Susan said "Oh Annabel, I have a green dress for you. It matches your eyes, I made it specially, think of it as an engagement present for my favourite brother"
"Oh Susan. Thank you" Annabel said "I truly cannot wait to have you as my sister"
"Neither can I" Susan replied, giving Annabel a hug.
"Mollie, you look beautiful" Lucy said. The two elder girls turned their attention back to the dressing room door. Mollie was stood awkwardly in the doorway. Her brown hair was curling slightly as it dried and she was wearing a sleeveless midnight blue silk dress. It had diamonds scattered on the bodice. A belt of diamonds was around her waist. Mollie's ivory skin was unmarred and she looked almost flawless with the dress on. Her freckles stood out on her face.
"Oh Mollie, you look beautiful" Susan said. Annabel nodded and smiled at her, before going into the dressing room. She emerged five minutes later, wearing a pale green dress. Her dress was dotted with emeralds and she looked elegant, graceful and beautiful in the dress. The skirt had an over skirt made of a forest green coloured material and woven of many shades of green. Just as all four girls had finished getting ready, Peter knocked on the door.
"Annabel?" he asked
"Yes?" she replied. She rose form her seat and opened the door.
"Can we go down?" Peter said
"Yes, are we all ready?" Susan asked
"Yes" Lucy piped up
"See you all down there" Mollie grinned and put Lucy's necklace on.
"Mollie…?" Edmund's voice came through the doorway. Mollie turned. "You look…." He said
"See you down there" she said and skipped out the door. Edmund watched her go, before offering his arm to Susan who took it gratefully. The five of them made their way into the throne room and took their places on their thrones. Peter stood in front of his throne with Annabel by his side.
"I am delighted to see you all here; I hope you will wish me and Annabel a happy future. I can only see our marriage bringing more friendship between Narnia and Archenland. And a secured future" Peter said. The hall clapped. Mollie was stood next to Rosabel, who smiled at her. Edmund asked Rosabel to dance and they twirled gracefully on the floor. Mollie smiled at Annabel and Peter and offered them her congratulations but when Susan went looking for her later all she found was an empty seat as Mollie had disappeared on to a balcony and shut the door firmly behind her.
The next morning Edmund asked Rosabel's father, King Triskila for a private word. When his audience was over, Edmund walked out of the room with an acceptance to courtship with an intention of marriage.

Meanwhile wedding arrangements were in full swing for the upcoming wedding between the High King and Lady Annabel. Susan was flustered, her and Annabel spent most days discussing the wedding. Lucy beamed more than usual and was one of the first to give her blessing to her brother and his fiancée. Edmund spent his time between working, training and courting Rosabel. Mollie spent most of her time away from the castle. She would ride off and not be seen of for a week then come back, her armour broken and a new scar to add to the collection.

Then the time came for a new engagement, and a new wedding. Set for a month after Peter and Annabel's, Edmund and Rosabel were now engaged to be married and more invitations had to be sent out.

The next few months were filled with hectic arranging of the wedding. All the flowers were grown carefully and as the day grew closer life at Cair Paravel grew busier. Soon the day arrived.
Mollie stood in the crowd of guests and was soon ushered into the great hall. She smiled at the decorations. Elegant flower arrangements cascaded down the pillars of the great hall and intertwined along the balcony that ran around the room. She took a seat near the back and watched as the monarchs walked in sitting on their thrones. Peter looked nervous as he watched the door. It opened to reveal Annabel in a stunning white dress. The bodice glittered and the skirt was decorated with glittering jewels weaving up one side. Mollie smiled as they exchanged their vows in front of an old centaur. The celebrations lasted long into the evening and Mollie watched the couple dancing, she smiled to herself.

The month passed quickly, and soon the day of Edmund and Rosabel's wedding had dawned. The castle was full of guests. The servants were rushing about finishing the decorations. Rosabel was being dressed by her ladies-in-waiting, her hair and make-up being done. The castle was a hive of activity. Peter, Susan, Annabel and Lucy all dressing ready for their brother's wedding.

Susan had given Mollie a dress and she had put it on, but she couldn't go. She couldn't smile and pretend she was happy about it. It was something she just couldn't do. So Mollie, dressed in her pale yellow dress had saddled a horse and bolted out the castle, she avoided everyone in the town, some exclaiming cries of surprise, some of anger. The white stallion ran on and on, turning at the slightest touch. But eventually the young Lady stopped him. She dismounted and tethered him to a tree, the stallion cropped at the grass as his heavy breathing subsided. While Mollie sat on the grass, her back against a tree and began to cry.

Edmund swallowed, he looked down the aisle at the Princess gliding beside her father. Then his eyes met Lucy's and she gave him a bright smile. He turned to watch his future wife come towards him, although his eyes frantically searched the rows of guests, all in their finery. Rosabel smiled at him and he managed a weak smile back. He didn't hear the Centaur's words, they were jumbled together in his brain.
"King Edmund, do you take this woman to be your wife?" the words cut through the cloud around Edmund's thoughts.
"I do" Edmund replied.
"And do you, Princess Rosabel take this man to be your husband?"
"I do" her voice was clear.
"Then by the…" the Centaur began.
"Wait" Edmund looked around "I cannot do this. I don't love you Rosabel, and I will not marry for convenience. I'm sorry"
"You're calling off our wedding?" she said.
"I promised myself that I would only marry for love, I thought I was doing the right thing, strengthening our alliance, but I cannot do it" Edmund said "I am deeply sorry if I have caused any grievances" With that, Edmund turned and strode out the room, Lucy and Peter ran after him, while Susan and Annabel comforted the crying Princess.

Peter and Lucy moved to either side of Edmund as he strode down the hall.
"Where are you going brother?" Peter asked.
"I need to apologise" Edmund replied.
"Yes, but she's back there" Peter pointed behind them.
"Not to her, to Mollie, where is she?" Edmund asked.
"I saw her riding out of the castle earlier" Lucy said.
"Then I must go and find her" Edmund replied.
"Yes, you must" Lucy said "Come on Peter, we better go organise the guests. Good luck Ed"
"Thank you Lu" Edmund replied and broke out into a run. Edmund attempted to saddle Phillip quickly. His hands fumbling over the girth, before he gave up and pulled it off Phillip's back.
"Sorry Phillip, but we need to find Mollie, and quickly" Edmund said.
"It's alright Sire, come on then"
The pair galloped out of Cair Paravel and down the road, Edmund had already grown accustomed to riding a Horse, talking or not, without tack. He came to a halt when he saw the white stallion tethered to the side of the road, he quickly dismounted Phillip and walked towards the figure sat down, curled up. She looked up when he was close enough and her sword was out, pointing at him. But she hid her eyes under her fringe.
"How is your Queen?" Mollie asked.
"I'm not married." Edmund replied.
"Why not?" Mollie asked, surprised. Her sword lowered.
"I don't love her" Edmund said.
"Took you long enough to figure out" Mollie replied.
"I'm sorry Mollie. I thought I could manage this. I thought I could marry for convenience, but I can't." Edmund said.
"Maybe you should try harder" Mollie replied scathingly.
"I can't, I think about marrying her, but I can't bring myself too, because I can only think of you" Edmund said.
"I can't believe you." Mollie said. For the first time she looked him in the eyes. He could see her tear stained cheeks.
"You've been crying" he stated. "Why?"
"Because Edmund, you kissed me! Then two days later you were courting Rosabel!"
"I know. I'm so sorry Mols" Edmund said "But I now realise I love you"
"Oh how lovely, well I'm not the sort of girl you need Edmund. I'd run back to Rosabel if I were you" Mollie said angrily.
"I don't want Rosabel. I want you" Edmund said.
"Not happening Edmund" Mollie's reply came back "I can't trust you, because you've hurt me already"
"I know. But Mols, please give me a chance. I know you hate me for what I've done to you." Edmund said
"That's an understatement" Mollie said dryly.
"Mollie, I made a mistake, I should never have requested courtship with Mollie, I should have requested courtship with you" Edmund replied.
"You didn't though" Mollie said.
"I know Mollie, I didn't know why I kissed you, and then during my courtship with Rosabel I began thinking of you too often" Edmund said.
"You were my friend, until you kissed me and then it changed, but I don't care about you" Mollie said.
"Then why are you out here crying?" Edmund asked.
"Because I came for a ride and hurt my foot" Mollie invented wildly.
"And I don't affect you at all?" Edmund asked.
"No, you don't" Mollie said.
"And this doesn't affect you?" Edmund asked. "Tell the truth"
"What?" Mollie asked. Edmund's hand cupped her cheek and he kissed her.

"I hate you" Mollie said once he pulled back.
"Why?" he asked.
"Because you have no idea how much you affect me!" she said.
"No, but I know how you affect me" Edmund said.
"Oh and how is that Edmund?" Mollie asked.
"You drive me crazy Mols." Edmund said.
"Oh?" Mollie asked tilting her head.
"What are you planning?" Edmund asked at Mollie's smile.
"Nothing Edmund" Mollie laughed.
"Oh sure" Edmund said and at Mollie's smile he stood and held his hand out. "Do you forgive me?"
Mollie bit her lip "It depends. Will you hurt me again?"
"Never. I'll never hurt you, ever again" Edmund said passionately.
"Then Edmund, can we go home?" Mollie asked.
"Come on Mols" Edmund said and helped her mount.

Three weeks later the last of the guests had left. Edmund had officially asked Mollie for courtship, she agreed, although some people didn't understand why, it hadn't even been a month since Edmund called off the wedding. But some understood their motives. They went to Peter's study to inform him.
"As you both know, I am Mollie's guardian" Peter said after they had told him and he had looked at them for a long period of time in silence.
"Can't I be my own guardian?" Mollie asked.
"No" Peter said "As you're now courting, there must be some rules"
"Rules?" Mollie asked.
"I know Edmund's intentions are completely honourable. After all Mollie would probably kill you if they weren't" Peter said.
"I would" Mollie turned to Edmund.
"But any meetings between you must be supervised" Peter ignored Mollie's comment.
"Obviously" Edmund nodded.
"You must inform us where you are when you leave" Peter said.
"Yes" Mollie said.
"Finally any offers of marriage must be passed by me" Peter finished, Mollie's eyebrows raised.
"Marriage?! I'm 16, that's way too early!" she said.
"For future considerations." Peter said. Mollie curtsied then left.
_Well. Here it is! This is much shorter. But. Next one SHOULD be longer. No promises though
With Love. Please review if you have time!
Jedhev Xxxxxx