The Morning After;
((A/N: This is the shortest chapter, I think))
When the sun peeked in through her window, Ranon rolled over and groaned. Her head ached and her feet were sore. She remembered little about the night after the drinks were served. Sitting up in her bed she at first wondered how she got there. The she remembered Edmund carrying her up the stairs. He said nothing during this and this was when Ranon surmised she fell asleep. The princess was still dressed in her evening dress from the party and though her shoes were missing she was otherwise completely dressed, even the ribbons were still in her hair.
She slid out of bed and tip toed down to the dining hall. There she saw Lucy and Tumnus talking quietly over toast and jam. Susan was just coming in from washing her face and Peter was sitting in his chair. His head was down and one hand rested on his brow. Ranon managed a smile. He was hung over too. The quiet was shattered by Edmund who came bounding down the stairs past Ranon and said "Good morning everybody!" Ranon and Peter groaned in pain. Susan, Lucy and Tumnus all three 'shushed' the younger king. Ed smiled and leaned over and whispered into Ranon's ear "sleep well?" She nodded, her eyes squinty. "Good. Have some breakfast and a glass of milk then meet me in the throne room." His voice, though barely above a whisper was like the grating of fingernails on stone. It made Ranon's teeth hurt. She nodded and gingerly walked over to the table and seated herself.
Peter looked up long enough to nod his had and extend his free hand in a gesture of welcome. Ranon nodded back and ate her toast as quietly as she could.
When breakfast was over and she was starting to feel a bit better, Ranon went to meet Edmund in the throne room. She stepped under the archway into the beautiful domed room and saw Edmund sitting in his throne. Giving him a curtsy, Ranon approached him from the front as was custom to do when coming up on someone royal. "You wanted to see me?" she asked.
Edmund stood up and walked down to her. "Yeah. I uhm, wanted to know something." He paused as if struggling to find the right words. "I have to do my kingly duties in the Spring, as you know. I am to take a survey of the western part of Narnia. I'd like it if you would accompany. The companionship would make the trip a lot easier. What do you say?"
He spoke at a rushed pace. Ranon smiled. He'd been nervous in asking her. Probably why he wanted to ask her with no on else around. The princess smiled. "Of course, your Highness. I'd love a chance to see the countryside. His Highness is most gracious to invite me." She curtsied again.
Edmund too a couple of steps closer to her. He was now within arm's reach. He touched her on the shoulder. "How many times do I have to tell you not to treat me like that?"
Ranon looked up into his brown eyes and smiled. "At least once more, Sire." Her mouth split into a wide grin, telling Edmund that she was toying with him now.
Edmund sighed. "Ranon, you're insufferable. Do you know that?" He swiped at her playfully. She ducked him and hopped backward a step. The two of them took to chasing. Edmund being the chaser and Ranon being the chased. Their squeals of laughter could be heard throughout the castle.