Peter gulped. He walked inside, and Susan, as expected, waited for him to get inside before running to him with a hug. Peter hugged her back, content.

But that could not last for long. After about twenty seconds, Susan pulled away from Peter and started yelling at him.

"Peter Pevensie! What took you so long? You were due back weeks ago! You look fine, don't tell me you were injured! Peter! Answer me!"

Peter pursed his lips. "Calormenes. I had fixed the giants, but a squadron of Rabadash's finest were on my tail and trying to kidnap me. Su, do tell me, I've been wondering for weeks."

Susan nodded. "They were muttering something about a false jade, good lady. Perhaps you could enlighten me?"

Susan's face went pale. "We had to escape Tashbaan."

"Ah," said Peter. "I take it that the refusal did not go over too well, then."

Susan looked past Peter to the door where Katrelina and Sharla were standing. "Not to be rude, brother dear," here Katrelina jumped and Sharla raised her eyebrows, "But who are these women you have picked up on your journey?"

Peter's face fell. He turned to face Katrelina and Sharla, who were glaring at him, arms folded across their chests. He motioned to them to come forward, a sheepish and ashamed look on his face. "This is Katrelina daughter of Vitlati of Narnia and Sharla Celeste of Downhurst Palace from Ettinsmoor."

Susan nodded and called, "Lu! Ed! Peter's back!" The two younger royals came running. Edmund's face was set in a grin as he clasped hands with his brother, then pulled him into a hug. Lucy, however bounded over to him and kissed him on the cheek. A dark-skinned girl of about fourteen leaned against a pillar. There was no expression on her face other than blunt interest at the affectionate displays before her.

Peter's hand itched to go to his sword and the girl noticed that and smiled. Lucy gestured to her. "Peter, this is the Lady Aravis Tarkheena of Archenland. Aravis, this is my brother the High King Peter, Knight of the Lion's order and the rest."

Aravis curtsied in the Calormene fashion, and Peter bent to kiss her hand. Edmund stifled a laugh.

Susan said to Katrelina and Sharla, still glaring at Peter, "Would you like to wash off the dirt of the road?"

Katrelina nodded, curt as always, but Sharla stepped on her toe, hard as she responded, "Yes, your majesty, we would like that very much. It is an honor to meet you." Susan blushed slightly.

"Follow me, you two," ordered Susan in a kind tone as she turned to walk down a hallway. Sharla followed, her black braid swinging as she caught up to the queen, but Katrelina turned to face Peter, who, to her surprise, was looking at her with a blank face.

"You," she said bluntly, "Have a lot to answer for."

"I know," replied he.

Katrelina turned around and walked out of the throne room. Lucy and Aravis soon followed.