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Chapter 51.

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Whoops.

I labeled the last chapter 51 as well, but I can not be bothered to go back and reload the chapter for a simple number. The directory calls it chapter 50 so that is sufficient in my eyes.

This isn't as long as Chapter 50 but I think considering I just updated yesterday... Readers should be happy.

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Now Enjoy:

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I took a deep breath and made myself knock the large, wooden door. For a few moments I heard nothing. Maybe Peter wasn't in there, maybe he'd gone to see Stilden-

"Come in!"

Or maybe not.

Pushing the door open, I had to smile at what I saw. Peter sat at his desk, well I couldn't see the desk itself because of the enormous amount of parchments and quills that covered it. He hadn't even bothered to look up and see who entered, he continued to write with his back to me.

I remained silent as I walked over to him. Coming closer, the side of his face came into view. His forehead was scrunched up in concentration and his tongue ran over his canines, a habit he picked up in the past few months. Whether or not he was aware of it, I did not know, but I still found it highly entertaining. Plus, a little cute too.

I wrapped my arms around him as I crouched behind his chair.

"Hello." He greeted in a soft voice, Peter knew who I was.

"Evening." I replied before pulling away. Taking a seat in an armchair besides the fireplace, I watched the flames dance. I had an obsession with fire, it was hypnotic to watch... And even more enticing to control...

I held out my hand, inviting the flames to jump onto my open palm...

"Kay?"

My hand snapped back, and I turned to Peter with a smile. "Yes?"

He was frowning, "What are you doing?"

I shook my head, what had I been doing? I was being silly, the fire no longer spoke to me. "Nothing, do you mind if I sit in here? I know you're busy, I'll stay quiet."

Peter laughed, "Do you need to ask?"

Unable to bring myself to laugh, I simply smiled dully and sunk down in the chair. "Peter..."

How could I ask? Should I just outright say it? No, I would just look silly. Maybe I shouldn't even bring it up, I already knew what Peter would say. He'd just say that I shouldn't worry and that everything would be okay.

Taking in my expression, Peter turned his chair around so that he could fully face me. "What's on your mind?"

I groaned, "I don't know if I want to tell you now."

"Why?"

"Because I already know what your answer will be."

"You don't know that," He sounded a bit offended.

I scoffed, "I can even hear your voice saying it!"

He crossed his arms, "Go on then! Tell me and we'll see!"

"Fine then," I snapped. "What are you planning on doing if lovely Marie begins to act, how shall I say this? Boldly with you?"

That took him by surprise, and Peter hesitated.

Then something that rarely happened followed: an awkward silence. No matter how much we bickered, Peter and I never felt tension between the two of us, until now. We stared at each other, both uncertain of what to say, what to do, what to think!

"Look," He spoke slowly, making sure to choose his words very wisely. "I never saw this coming Kay. Lady Marie has taken even me by surprise."

"Why would she just come randomly? She knows customs and mannerisms perfectly well," I paused. "Are you certain you gave her no reason to come? Perhaps a false lead?"

Peter narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean 'false lead'? To where? To what?"

Crossing my arms, I couldn't match his eyes. My voice went flat, "Perhaps you gave her hope in more than friendship."

"A-Are you implying that I flirted with her?" Peter said in disbelief.

"I do not know what exactly, but Lady Marie she could turn any single word that you utter against you. She has the shrewdness to twist and manipulate your words..." I whispered. "I found that out the wrong way."

"What do you mean?" Peter's voice was terse. "She did not harm you did she?"

"Not physically, but in reputation, yes." I muttered and stared into the fire.

Peter waited for a few moments before realizing that I did not want to go into detail. Dropping it, Peter put an end to our discussion. "I gave her no reason to give her cause to come here, and I certainly did not give her hope for anything... more. Why she comes I do not know, but know this Kay... I love you, and a pretty face isn't going to change that."

I sighed and closed my eyes, knowing exactly what he was about to say.

"You shouldn't worry, everything is going to be okay." He said in true sincerity.

There were some times about Peter that wound never change.

"I'm going to bed, good night." I told him quietly. Standing up, I gave him a kiss on the cheek before leaving.

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The party of men huddled around the fire, one endured the chilly night. He stood alone a distance away from the others, his eyes scanning the lovely horizon, alert and calculating.

Jagar had offered to take the first watch, but not out of duty... But out of personal need. Jagar needed to think, he needed time to himself. So while his eyes wandered the land, his mind was busy elsewhere.

"Why am I here?" He mused to himself. "This isn't what I was told was to happen."

It was true, Lady Marie had asked him to join her trip to Narnia. He had accepted naturally, but had been told by his Lady that she had been invited personally by the High King Peter. This hadn't surprised him, considering the rumors that were flying around the castle in Archenland. There were many whispers these days. Whispers that claimed High King Peter of Narnia had fallen in love with no other than Lady Marie.

But Jagar was no fool, he was well aware of the true nature of the young woman. Though many other soldiers found the beauty lovely in spirit, after serving her father for more than a decade Jagar had personally seen Marie grow up. Her mother was to blame, she spoiled her daughter from the day she was born. Of course, his Lord had been too smitten with his gorgeous wife to protest, and after her death he simply gave into Marie... For she was a living mirror of her mother.

Jagar loved her mother dearly.

Too dearly... He had made the biggest mistake in his life.

Jagar shook his head, no, he would not think of such things now. Those were too painful of memories.

Now what was the girl up to? It was clear that High King Peter hadn't invited her and most certain that he had no desire to court her... Was the girl so naive to think that she could trick the High King of Narnia? Jagar had met the young man himself, and Peter was not a boy. He was a man, and an intelligent one at that.

How exactly did Lady Marie plan on winning the heart of High King Peter?

"Jagar!"

Speak of the devil. The middle-aged man turned with extraordinary patience, despite her cruel tone. "Yes my Lady?"

"How soon can we arrive to Cair Paravel?"

"We can reach the castle in two days."

"I want you to ride ahead and inform my Peter that I will be arriving then. How soon can you be there?" Marie battered her eyelashes at the guard. Yet, he stared at her unfazed. She stopped, and inwardly felt angered. "Why do you never smile at me Jagar?"

"How soon do you wish me to ride?" The man made a point to ignore her last comment.

Her enchanting eyes narrowed. "Now."

He bowed, "I depart then my Lady and will arrive tomorrow afternoon."

My vision cleared and the heat fell away.

"UGH!" I threw myself at Edmund, impatient with the fact that I hadn't disarmed him yet.

Ed groaned as he fell back onto the grass, and I watched as he gasped, his breath stolen from him. I landed on top of him, pointing the tip of my Sai against his fragile skin.

"C-Can't breathe." He wheezed, and I silently stood up.

Inhaling deeply, he took a several seconds to recover. I on the other hand, paced slicing randomly through the air. "UGH!" I yelled in frustration again, and careless threw my weapons to the ground.

"What the hell is the matter with you?" Ed demanded, rubbing his neck clearly paranoid.

"Lady Marie!" I cried. "She just called Peter..."

Ed blinked in comprehension, "You just a vision? No wonder you went still for a few seconds!"

"That horrible girl called him, 'My Peter'!" I screeched.

Edmund stared at me, and then burst into laughter. "Her Peter?"

I glared, "This isn't funny!"

When he laughed, I could see his breath. The night was cold after all, and now Jagar was traveling through the chilly air. He was on his way...

And she wasn't far behind.