Hey everyone! Whew - this is another long chapter! That has become a running theme with this story lately. I do believe though that we are starting to wrap up this story. I don't expect it to surpass 19 or 20 chapters. So this is the beginning of the end! I want to thank everyone for reading. As this is my first story, it means so much! This chapter went through many revisions and I added in snippets of scenes that I originally was planning on adding to this story, but that never actually fit in all that well. I hope you enjoy - please let me know what you think! Thanks!

~ Scarlett

High King Peter of Narnia,

It came as my great pleasure to have received your news of these miscreants. We've found evidence of a slow departure towards where you are at as well. Make shift, abandoned campsites have been found, some with ashes still warm. There have also been minor cases of thievery along the routes towards the Niar Estate and neighboring villages which lends to the idea of the bandits migration. We believe we are right on their tails and are hoping to cut them off once they all get to you and your men, us having surrounded them from the back end, you at the front. We expect to be in Birchwood and then at the Estate within the week. There we can decide upon a full plan.

As for your questioning of the Lord Roan Niar, it does not come as a surprise to me that you are asking. Lord Roan presides over the five villages of Birchwood, Cape Ridge, Rivilar, Fillurn, and Westbranch. He acts in the courts as a part of the judge and jury electors, as well as a part of our tax collections and census departments. While these positions come with high respect, they lack the grandeur of Roan's previous exploits. He used to be a member of the Tiran Guard, quickly making his way up the ladder and eventually acting as a direct member of the Royal Knights and Infantry, as I do now. This role was earned shortly after he had finished his schooling, something most unheard of for one of his age. It should be known that he has family ties in the upper levels of the Guard.

While I was not in the same battalion, keeping me from knowing full and well all of the situation, it was not unknown amongst us soldiers that Roan Niar failed repeatedly to uphold the duties befallen to him, as well as having taken advantage of his power and position against civilians. After more warnings than most get, and after his temper was unleashed multiple times, Roan was discharged. While this usually leads to one being stripped of all their authority, the lower levels of our courts allowed Roan his current position in local government. (It should be known that his father had given loans to many of those local powers. It should also be known that a disgrace such as a discharge is looked down upon in Tiran social and polite society.) Please know I mean no ill speech of such a host, but as I have been compelled by your royal authority, I believe you will overlook the brashness of my words and counsel. I do not wish to say that Lord Roan is not of high standing or regard, but his reputation does precede him. He has a habit for considering himself above the rest.

But if it was the wellbeing of your sister the Queen Susan you were concerned over, I've no doubt that she was treated with all the respects given to one of her station. Lord Roan is amongst the most dutiful and bellowing of the fairer sex that our ruling class has. I feel compelled to tell you, though, again, without bringing dishonor on me for such speech, that I would not be surprised if he was hoping for a reward from one such as yourself. It would fare him well among our social elites by having his name restored amongst the more acceptable of his family and Tiran nobles.

Godspeed and thanks be to you and your Royal family, and may my words be of help to you,

Captain Leland of the Tiran Guard and Royal Infantry

…...

Anna tried very hard over the past week to avoid any and all unwanted attention from the servants of the house. And thankfully, mostly in part to the Pevensies, she had been kept quite busy, making it easier to avoid. But the Pevensies were also the reason she wanted to shrink away from the staff to begin with. At first it had been Roan and his attention given to her, which now made more sense after their talk in the parlor. And he was still part of the reason she wanted to keep away from others. But Peter, and then Edmund and Lucy, had quickly become the talking points of the Estate.

Most everyone was in awe of the King and continued to whisper and share stories of his battles and exploits. The girls still wished for him to glance in their direction, fawning over his strong features and blue eyes. The men and boys found him and his soldiers impressive and longed for the glory of such a position. While a few of the older staff, such as the head house keeper and cook, found Peter and his family to be a nuisance that kept their workers from actually doing any work.

But everyone agreed on one thing, and that was that they found Anna to be an oddity. None were sure as to why she had been suddenly so active in the lives of the Narnian royalty. They had heard of the mess she and Peter had made and looked like that night after walking in covered in mud from the mazes. They had seen her laughing and walking with them, sometimes escorted by the High King himself. They had watched as she and Lucy made deserts in the kitchen. And how she had meals with them all every day. As if losing your memory wasn't enough, first she had Roan's attention, but then she seemed to have the High King wrapped around her finger.

Gossip was told about her probably more than any of the others. Whispers and looks were sent her way in plain sight. And some, like Collette and Sadra, would openly ask her about it, all excitement and giggles. None could quite wrap their head around it. Not even Anna, who constantly downplayed her friendship with the Pevensies when asked about it, no matter how obvious it was that she wasn't being fully forthcoming.

All of it left people pondering but it bothered none more than it did Rayel. She hadn't been kind to Anna since her arrival and since Roan started paying her such attention. But a High King doing it was beyond worse. She kept giving Anna sideways glares and inserting snarky, hurtful comments when others were speaking to her. She even made fun of Anna for not seeming to remember anything.

For her part, Anna did her best to ignore it. And mostly she did. But occasionally Rayel's comments nagged at her, springing from the back of her mind to the forefront in her most vulnerable and insecure moments. And today, Anna was gifted the bad luck of being stuck in the same room as the girl, while one worked at cleaning the windows in the front room and the other dusted and sorted through papers strewn about it. At first, Anna thought about abandoning her work, after all, she didn't have to do it. Roan had made that abundantly clear. But she told herself no. She could and would work for all the kindnesses that had been given to her. She had been determined too. And as of late, she hadn't been getting too much done, opting to entertain Lucy while her brother's where searching the woods. But she had told herself she had to get things done today. So, no matter how much she disliked it, she would work around Rayel. At first, they had not said a word to each other. But of course, Rayel would see to it that that changed.

"Must be hard for you, getting back into doing actual work." She said it offhandedly but there was a biting behind her tone.

"It's not like I've been lazy, just sitting around. I've been a little busy as of late." Anna said.

"Oh, I know. Babysitting the young Queen. Tell me, what training do you have to hold such a task?"

"I am not babysitting her. She is more than capable of taking care of herself. I am just a friend."

"Hmm. Makes sense. I'm sure she has already had twice the amount of schooling you have anyways. You're probably running just to keep up with her."

Anna threw a look over to Rayel, where she stood sifting through papers. A small, smug smile graced her lips. Anna decided it didn't suit her.

"It's actually been quite nice. A wonderful reprieve from the dull work that this is. As I'm sure you can imagine. I've only been at this a few weeks. You, well, you've been working as a maid for much longer." Anna smiled at Rayel, who only looked back rudely. Truthfully, Anna found no shame in being a maid. It was honest work and something that was needed to be done. But she could tell that Rayel thought otherwise. She was a girl whose mind was much more centered on parties and gowns and the fanciful life of a noble or storybook character rather than work. Anna thought if Rayel got her wish and was able to climb the social ladder or marry rich, she would find the work involved with running governments and land and everything else much too tiring and burdensome. Spending time with Peter and overhearing all he was in charge of was enough to know that.

"I'm sure you have enjoyed being able to skim on your chores." Rayel retorted, tone high and mighty sounding.

Anna ignored her comment and went on. "The whole royal family is quite entertaining and welcoming. They have such great stories and accomplishments. The land of Narnia sounds like the most beautiful place there is. They've told me much of it."

"And why do you think that is?"

"I'm not sure I understand what you mean."

"It's simple, really. Why do you think their Majesties, High King Peter first and foremost, have told you such stories? Have taken you, a plain girl with no memory or home or family to help her, to such festivities such as their dinners and on walks and the sort? "

"Because they are my friends." Anna said it like it was obvious.

Rayel laughed loudly and full, like Anna had just said the best joke. She only stopped once she looked at Anna's stiff and questioning expression. "Oh, I'm sorry. You're being serious, aren't you?"

"Why wouldn't I be? You've seen for yourself the amount of time I've spent with them. They treat me like family." Anna tried to say it adamantly but sounded a little like she was trying to convince herself now that Rayel was laughing and questioning it.

"Oh dear. You are serious." Another laugh escaped her. She put a hand over her mouth to pretend to stifle it. "You think they mean that, oh how precious and naïve of you."

"Oh, stop acting like it means something different. You know as well as I do that you wished it was you getting this attention from them and not me."

"Actually no, I don't. That's because I understand what's really going on here. And it's truly heartbreaking."

"And what would that be?"

"Well, only if you really want to know. It's quite sad, actually. And quite pathetic on your part. But if you insist. Think about it, Anna. What's King Peter really doing here? Why did he come here?"

'To meet me' Anna wanted to say. After all, that's what Peter had said. He travelled here after Rinda told him of the girl with no memory. But Anna didn't think it best to repeat that now. Not with how cynical Rayel was being. At her silence, Rayel went on.

"Oh come on, think on it now. Who has he been looking for? It's not like it's any big secret anymore. We all know."

Susan.

"He's looking for his sister."

"Exactly. And well, it's obviously taking its toil on his Majesty. And that of his siblings. As losing any family member will do. Well, maybe not for your family since no one's come around asking for you. But definitely for the Narnians. And you, while not having any of the grace of a Queen, are still an interesting little case nonetheless. You kept their minds occupied. But then of course, they found you could easily be led around. You follow King Peter like a puppy, you're so desperate for a family. He saw that and latched on. All of them did. And then you became extra useful because they thought you may take them in the woods and help them with their bandit problem. Oh, don't look so surprised, you know word travels fast around here. And Collette has been feeding their soldiers dinner every night. She overheard them talking about it. But of course, you already knew all of this. So, either you just didn't want to believe it or were too blind to see it. You really should face it, though. They're just using you, Anna." Rayel gave her a pitying smile that was more patronizing than anything.

"That's not true – they're my friends." Anna was insistent. This couldn't be true. It wasn't. Rayel was just being cruel. But Rayel only looked at Anna like she was stupid.

"Have you ever heard of a King who befriends a maid? No, you haven't. Because it doesn't happen. That's just the fairytales, darling. King Peter and his family are just using you as a stand in for Queen Susan. I mean, think about it. You're the right age, right hair color. And you too are missing your family so you'll fit right in. And to top it off you could help them with the bandits! Oh, don't be foolish. As soon as they have their sister back, they will have no more use for you. And they'll leave, forgetting you ever existed. What more of a reason could a King have for entertaining a maid?"

….

Anna had left Rayel as quickly as she could once finishing the windows. She didn't want the girl to have the satisfaction of seeing how much she had gotten to her. 'Surely, Peter and the others don't look at me like that. Rayel is wrong.'

She told herself that over and over. But no matter how many times she said it, it didn't change the fact that everything Rayel said made sense. Peter hadn't come here to see Anna, not truly. He thought she might be Susan. Anna remembered the look Peter gave her the day they met when she was hanging laundry. She thought he had acted oddly, but thinking back on it, Anna realized he was disappointed. Disappointed and sad and hurt, having all his hopes dashed upon seeing it was merely Anna standing there and not Susan.

You look just like her, he had said. Anna always thought that might have been hard for Peter and Edmund and Lucy. But now it seemed that they used that to imagine she was Susan, for Anna to be some sort of comfort to them. Their actions would add up. I mean, all three of them had gone out of their way to befriend her. Peter and Edmund made it clear they weren't to be called by their titles, and why would they want to be if she was meant to be like Susan. Certainly, their sister wouldn't call them by anything other than their given names. And poor little Lucy had been glued to Anna's hip the past few days, asking her to do all the sort of things Susan did with her. Anna had done it because she wanted to make Lucy happy, but now it all felt wrong. They were just pretending to make themselves feel better for a little while.

All these thoughts jumbled her mind, adding to the headache that had bloomed at her temples. It was all too much. It hurt. Her head and heart. Peter had so quickly become her friend. He seemed to genuinely care about her. She felt oddly like they had been friends for forever. But was it all just because she reminded him of his sister? Because Anna was hurt and without a family and easily someone Peter could look after in place of the sister he could not? It did seem like his nature to protect.

A drop running down her face made her realize she was crying. And not just because she felt like they had used her, but because she had used them, too. Anna had loved the Pevensies so quickly. She wanted to have what they did, to be a part of it. She cared about them and thought they cared about her. But did they truly? She wiped her face and blinked back the remaining tears upon hearing footsteps coming down the hall towards the room she was now cleaning in alone. The footsteps were heavy and the person was mumbling to themselves.

Roan turned into the room Anna was in without looking up or noticing her. He pushed his hair back, making it a wild mess. His gray eyes seemed clouded and his shoulders tense. He held a note in his hand that his fingers gripped tightly. Clearly, he was not happy either.

He stomped forward towards a desk Anna was standing in front of. She was about to speak and alert him of her presence when he abruptly looked up, stopping short. He looked frantic for a moment only to pull himself back together.

"Anna. I'm sorry my dear I didn't see you." He sounded annoyed but she didn't think it was with her.

"No harm done. Are you alright? You seem stressed." She stated with concern.

"Yes, yes. I'm fine. I don't mean to worry you with anything."

"That's alright. If I can help you, I'd be happy to. Is there bad news in your letter there?"

He looked at her and then his letter and his mouth hung agape for a moment, clearly looking for the words to say. "No, nothing too worrisome. Just some...dealings with court to take care of. I thought everything had been decided upon and saw to. But there were some...issues that now fall on me to take care of." Roan folded the letter up and put it in his inside coat pocket. "And of course, His Majesty King Peter is still questioning me incessantly. I don't know what to do to make him trust me." He said, changing the subject.

"I'm sure he'll come around."

"Easy for you to say. He trusts you."

Anna looked down at his words, still wondering if that were true. Maybe he trusted her but did Peter care about her at all? Roan saw her downtrodden look and lifted her chin with his finger.

"I don't mean to sound bad. I think very highly of the King, truly. And I know you two are close. I understand if this puts you in a bad place, listening to me talk like this, telling you of my doubts that I feel he carries about me. Besides, he thinks he has reason for it. And who are you to trust a man of my standing over a King and his opinions?" He stated with a sad look.

"Oh no, Roan. I trust you, I do. And I understand your frustrations with Peter. I don't look down on you for it. Lately I'm starting to question things myself, but please know they're not about you. You've been my friend since I came here."

"I appreciate that, I do. But Peter and you became friends as soon as he got here too. Even though I have known you longer than he since you came here, I don't wish to put any strain on your relationship with him." Roan looked like he was trying to be honorable but seemed gloomy and self pitying.

"I do not hold the time spent with Peter in any higher regard. I am keenly aware of the time you and I have spent together. And it has meant more to me than you know."

Roan looked at her a moment before he stepped closer and cupped her cheek. His gray eyes pierced into hers. "Does that mean you've been thinking about my proposal?"

"I-I have been thinking about it. But -" She pulled away. "It's still something that needs further consideration. I do hope you'll forgive me, but it is a big decision. And you promised me patience."

Roan pulled the frustrated look from his face and relaxed his shoulders. "That I did. And I will continue to uphold that promise."

"Thank you. I appreciate it. I've got so much on my mind as it is, things I don't know what to make of."

"More dreams?"

"No, not this time. It's, well -" She looked to him warily, unsure if she should bring this up to him. Certainly, Rayel was wrong. But of course, Roan would listen to her and tell her his take. He's spent more time around her and the Pevensies. Rayel's only watched from a distance. Surely, Roan could give her reason to not believe any of the things she said were true.

"You know you can tell me anything." Roan smiled at her behind unruly blond wisps that fell into his eyes. He looked a little like Peter now. Kind and open. It was just the wrong color eyes. His were like steel or ice. Peter's were closer to the sky or running water. Anna felt like she could talk to both of them. And since this was about Peter, and since Roan was asking, maybe she should tell him.

"It's Peter. Well it's all of the Pevensies really, but it started with him. Do you ever get the sense that I'm not so important to them? That I'm merely just filling in for Susan?"

"Do you feel that way?"

"No. Yes. Well, I don't know! I'm trying not to. It's just, why would they care about me in the first place. I'm just a maid."

"You're so much more than just a maid." Roan repeated the words Peter said to him about Anna and smiled sweetly at her. Anna felt her cheeks blush.

"Thank you, but I'm not so sure they see it that way. Other people look at me with them and see a silly girl playing family for the day. And with royalty to top it off. I mean, all three of the Pevensies treat me very well. But I can't help feeling like they are just using me."

"Using you how?"

"To be Susan. Or, at least, a reminder of her. I have the hair, the eye color, I'm the same age. They want her back so bad that it hurts and so they just use me to play pretend. To get something out of me until they find her and then they'll be gone and not care about me one bit."

"I can see how it may seem that way to you. They have taken you into their fold, but..." Roan thought carefully about his words, an odd look on his face. "I do not think they mean to harm you, but rather help you. Though, now that I think about it, Peter was very keen to have you show them the woods. As a way to advance their search for Susan. But that was to help you too. To maybe find who hurt you."

"I know. But it's not just them that have been using me. I've been using them, too. I think that I've made them the family I don't have." Anna looked down, unable to look Roan in the face.

"I think you have found a friendship with them that you may have felt extra attached to because of your situation. But no one has been purposely trying to hurt you. Nor you them. But," Roan paused again, thinking over his words. "...if it makes you feel better to spend less time with the Pevensies – in order to distance yourself and make those fears of yours lessen, I will always be here. It may do all of you some good to have some time spent separated. That way you don't feel like a filler for Susan. Just know that at no time will you be alone. You will have me around." He looked at her with an urging to follow his words, like he truly wanted the best for her.

Anna realized it made her incredibly sad to not spend time with the Pevensies regardless of her worries. But Roan was probably right. It may do some good for her and them if they had a little time a part. After all, the three of them would have each other and could devote more time to looking for their fourth. And Roan would be here for Anna. She wouldn't be alone.

…...

Anna tried her best after that to busy herself with chores to avoid thinking about everything. But when Peter found her and asked her to take a break for a little while she found herself unsure of what to say. She looked at him and felt an overwhelming mix of hurt and longing. She wanted so badly for Rayel to be wrong about the Pevensies. And for herself to not want Peter to take the place of her family. In that moment though, she realized he had started to feel like the big brother she felt certain she had. She thought back to the mazes and how scared and in pain she had felt. She had almost hugged Peter when running back to him. She had to stop herself. And she had been so painfully worried over Edmund when fighting off those creatures in the woods. And Lucy felt like a mini me to Anna. She wanted to stop her crying and fix it all once her arguing with Peter had made Lucy upset. Anna realized then that she wanted to be Susan, if only to have the family she did. Anna was jealous of her at that moment. And no matter how much she thought it best to say no, she stopped her work to go sit outside on the back veranda with Peter, merely because he had asked her too, and because she wanted to.

When they sat down Anna shivered in the brisk Autumn air. Peter didn't seem to notice it. His blue eyes were staring out at the vast landscaping and he seemed to have a lot on his mind.

"How have you been feeling lately, anything coming back?" He finally asked.

"Same old, same old. Just headaches mainly. Fordis has put me a little at ease, though. Thank you for letting me see him."

"Of course. Anything I can do to help, you know I will." Anna looked at him when he said this. She wanted so badly for a family that looked after her like he did. Just to have someone who cared so much about her health and wellbeing but also wouldn't ride away as soon as their real sister was found.

"How are you feeling? About Susan, I mean. I know this has been a lot on you." She asked.

He gave her one of his odd looks and then plastered on a weak smile. "I'm okay, at least I will be. I miss her. I miss her a lot. I feel that all of Narnia does. This hasn't been easy. We need our Gentle Queen."

Anna thought for a moment. "Gentle. That is a nice title. Though, it certainly doesn't have the grandeur of Magnificent." She smiled and nudged him, still trying to make things light and cheer him up despite the questions she now had about him.

He smiled back. "It may sound that way. But maybe that depends on what you value. Anyone can be great or powerful if they work hard enough. It is often done through scheming or meddling. It isn't nearly as dignified or deserving as it may seem. It is, on the contrary, a much more difficult task to be kind and loving when there is so much that is neither kind nor lovely in return. A strong heart and mind is much more valuable than a strong body."

Anna pondered over this. "That is true. I guess I hadn't thought of it that way. But does it ever seem like you've got a greater burden, as High King, I mean? Surely your load is greater than the rest. I suppose it is fitting to have the more reveling title."

"You can't be serious?" Peter nearly laughed at her.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Anna looked at him confused. He smiled and continued.

"She may not be High Queen but trust me when I say that her burden is as great as mine."

"How so?"

"Well, for starters, she is the one who has to deal with the High King. She is the one who lifts the burden from my shoulders when it gets too much to bear. When I don't think I can go on, or know what to do, or even when I'm just throwing a fit. She is a constant in my life and relays wisdom and guidance to her best ability. She is also one of the first to let me know when I am being an utter lummox, if Edmund doesn't beat her to it. She helps me take care of Narnia, and our siblings, all the while, she is also taking care of me. It takes someone as Gentle and good as she to do all that. Aslan knew what he was doing when making there be four of us. People always speak of how great and powerful he is. Aslan, that is. And knowing him, even just glimpsing him, those aren't surprising characteristics. He is frightening and fierce and is by no means a tame lion. But what is surprising is just how gentle he is. For one so great as he, he is the gentlest being I know. He is forgiving and kind, loving even when I myself don't feel very loveable. And that is truly great indeed. Susan knows that probably better than any of us."

Anna thought on these things. She felt tears once more coming to her eyes but she blinked them back hurriedly. How lucky Susan was. How sweet it was to have a family that talked about her in such a way. It would be so easy for Peter, being High King, and the oldest, and the one who is called Magnificent, to be haughty or lofty with pride. But he looks at his sister with a love and respect that Anna could only hope to have with her own family.

"I do wish that my family speaks half as highly of me as you do Susan." She said it quietly and when Peter looked at her, her eyes were far away.

"I'm sure they do. Better even." He smiled at her but she wasn't having it.

"You don't know that."

"I do."

"How?"

Peter thought on that a moment. How should I say this?

"I can just tell." Then added in a laughing tone, "Trust me, I am an excellent judge of character when it comes to these things."

Anna smile at him. It was patronizing kind of smile. Peter thought it looked very much like the kind Susan gives him when they both know he's giving her some kind of dumb reason to go along with what he's saying. Something like, I'm the oldest, I know everything, or because I'm always right. That made him smile more until he his mind reminded him that he was the only one sitting here who knew that about Susan.

"You know, I could help you. You could come back to Cair Paravel with me, and Edmund and Lucy, and we could help you find your family."

When he said that, Peter looked and sounded so very hopeful and pleading. And he knew it but he didn't care. He needed her to come with him. He knew his family was needing to get back to Narnia and he was starting to think it may be the best way to help return her memory. And he didn't want her around Roan much longer, especially after the letter he received. For all it was worth, Anna considered it for a moment. She liked the idea of staying with the Pevensies. But she couldn't help but feel like if she did that, then she would be simply playing house. Using them to replace her real family until she found or remembered them. And they would be doing the very same thing with her concerning Susan. She was just a replacement, a replica, not the real thing. And that wasn't fair to anyone.

"Thank you. But I don't know, Peter. I woke up near here. That means that my family or anyone who knows me, who I really am, is probably somewhere in this area. If I go all the way to Narnia, I could very well be dashing every chance I have of finding my home. My family. Besides, Roan is allowing me to stay here for as long as I need. He has even given me a proposal I'm sure any girl would be foolish not to take."

"A proposal? What sort?" Peter looked at her with a sudden hot annoyance. Not towards her, but Roan.

Anna paused for a moment. She felt a little nervous to tell Peter for some reason. But she thought that stupid and trudged on. "He has offered me a permanent home here. With him."

"Permanent? You mean like a marriage?" Peter said it incredulously, and with a hint of anger.

"If I so choose, yes."

"And do you so choose?!" Anna wouldn't look at him, she could hear in his voice the sheer insanity he thought of it all.

"I don't know. He is very taken with me but I told him I needed time. It's not a decision I want to make right away."

Peter took a deep breath and moved closer to her, angling himself so that his knee was touching hers. When he spoke he was serious, yet he was also trying to keep his voice quiet because of the anger he felt at this knowledge.

"You have to listen to me. You cannot stay here."

"Peter, this isn't something I'm asking your permission for. I know you don't like him but -"

"-No, no you don't understand. Besides, I've got a good reason. I inquired of Captain Leland to tell me anything he knows about Roan. To tell me of his background, if I should be worried about anything. I thought it'd be helpful in continuing the search for Susan. And he sent back-"

"Wait, you did what?" This time she looked up at him.

"I ask Captain Leland for background information. About Roan."

Anna looked at him dumbfounded. "I can't believe you did that! Until today, you've not gained one good reason to be warry of him, and even now, you not liking his proposal has nothing to do with Susan!"

"It's not just Susan, I'm trying to help you too."

"How? I'm not her, Peter. You have to stop equating me with her."

Peter felt a sudden fear. He had worried she'd wonder at his actions towards her. "What are you talking about?"

"Peter, I know it took me a while to see it, but I'm aware! Why else would you spend any time with me other than to have me bring you your dinner if it were not for Susan!"

"I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about." He said carefully, not liking the turn this conversation was taking.

"Oh, come on, Peter. You keep acting and treating me like I'm her! All of you have. Why else are you so speculative of Roan? I'm not Susan, I'm just a maid. I'll never be able to be her. I know you're all hurting but you cannot use me for the time being to replace her. It's a disservice to her and to me and I won't play along anymore." Anna stood and walked a few paces away.

"I haven't been trying to replace her with you..." Peter stood after she did, gently grabbing her arm to turn her back toward him.

"Maybe you didn't realize it, but think about it. You came here searching for her but you only found me. Yet, I look just like her and I act like a big sister to Edmund and Lucy and I was able to take you into the woods to where those criminals might have hurt us both! You've just been using me and I've been using you and I'm tired of it."

Peter was heartbroken at her words but he had none of his own. He could understand how she could get this idea. It made perfect sense to him, actually. He had hoped that she wouldn't find his attention to her odd, but clearly she had caught on, just not in the way he had hoped. But how was he supposed to explain how wrong she was without telling her who she is and risk hurting her? "Anna, I..."

Anna put a hand to her head, feeling her headache worsen and her breathing getting heavy. "I just want to be left alone. No more. I'll not play this game any longer. You know I'm not Susan, you have to stop treating me as such because we both know that as soon as you find her, you'll be gone without one thought for me. Roan is the only family I have here and all you've done is question him and distrust him and now this investigation into his past! Truly Peter, he's given you no reason for it! I've asked you repeatedly to let this be and you couldn't and now you've done something you shouldn't have. It's an invasion of privacy. I know you don't like him, but I do. I trust him."

"Look, Anna, I know you're angry, but you don't understand!"

"I understand enough!"

"If you would just listen, I'm trying to help you, I-"

"Don't you get it? I don't need your help, Peter, because I am not your sister! You need to focus on finding Susan, not worrying over me. I think we both need some time a part now. No more family dinners with the maid, no more including me on your walks or picnics or any of that! I don't belong there and we both know it. It's hurting all of us, Peter. I'm not your family yet we've both been allowing me to act like it. It does Susan wrong, as well as my own family. I don't wish to do any of it anymore. Especially after how you've been treating Roan. I'm done."

"Wait wait wait! I'm trying to help you, I promise! I know you don't think so and I can understand why but I promise you you got it all mixed up! Just – just let me take you for a walk or something and we can talk -"

"I just want to go home, Peter. I don't want any more of this! There's nothing you can do for me and there's nothing I can do for you! Now good day, your Majesty."

Anna started walking towards the door to return inside just as Lucy and Edmund came walking out.

"Anna! Do you want to go with us to-"

"I'm sorry, Lucy I can't." She stated hardly, trying her best not to cry.

But Lucy only heard her hard words, she didn't see her tears. "Okay, well maybe tonight after dinner we can read another story. I found a new book-"

"Lucy, I will not be attending anymore of your meals. I will not be doing anything more with you or your family at all. I'm sorry." And with that she walked through the door without so much as a look to Lucy or Edmund.

Lucy's face pulled tight as she watched her sister walk away from her, tears filling her eyes at hearing Anna's words. Edmund looked shocked and turned to Peter for some kind of answer for the sudden change. Peter simply stared at where Anna had been standing, feeling like he'd once again failed his little sister, and tried very hard to not show the hurt on his face.

…...

"What did you say to her?"

Roan looked up from his study desk to find Peter seething.

"I'm sorry your Majesty, I am unsure of what you mean."

"Susan just told me that she wants to spend less time with me and our siblings – because she thinks we are just using her to take Susan's place – that we'll run off and abandon her as soon as our sister is back."

Roan sighed and sat his pen down before returning his attention to Peter. "Yes, I know. She relayed such concerns to me, as well."

"And what exactly did you say to her in response?" Peter started into the room.

"I told her that she had no reason to worry. That I didn't believe you and your family were using her in any way. If you don't believe me you can ask her for yourself."

"You told her all that, that we weren't trying to replace Susan?"

"Exactly." Roan's tone stayed unbothered and calm.

Peter reached Roan's desk and leaned down heavily on it in front of him. Roan stared back, unfazed, with clear eyes.

"Then what is all this business about a proposal? Care to explain that?"

Roan stood to address him. "I know you are wary of me, your Majesty, and because of concern over your sister, so I understand. But I assure you, as I have already stated to you, I care for your sister deeply. I did before you even showed up here and explained to me who she truly is. With no disrespect to you, I offered the proposal on the chance that she feel the same way, but also as a comfort so that she felt she had someone who cares for her and is offering her a family. Which she so clearly does not feel like she has already. At least not a real one."

Peter shook his head. Thoughts of Leland's letter and Roan's character were running through his mind.

"What are you hoping to get out of this?"

"I must say I don't know what you mean, your majesty."

"I mean that you must have a reason for pushing yourself onto my sister."

"I assure you, that is not what's happening. I very much doubt that that is even the way she sees it, but rather the way you interpreted it. And even if she did say something of that sort, then your sister is mistaken, she is confused-"

"Losing your memory doesn't make you an idiot! She may be unsure of who she is but she isn't oblivious to your obvious on comings towards her. Especially not when it is spelled out in a proposal!"

"Your majesty I meant no disrespect, but-"

"Is it because she is a queen? When I first learned of you and came here you seemed less than forthcoming about the girl who didn't remember herself. As if you wished to keep her locked up here, make her think she needed you, to keep her all to yourself. That is, until you realized she was royalty. Now what? You think that if you can charm her - make her have feelings for you because you took her in - that if she does regain her memory, she would feel indebted to you? Maybe even, close to you? I mean, you gave her a home, protection, a name. You want her to feel dependent upon you?"

Roan stood with teeth gritted, gray eyes steeling over. He opened his mouth to retort but Peter persisted.

"You know, I was told that you took a liking to her right away. She even told me about it herself, though she didn't want to believe that it was anything more than kindness. You saw an opportunity with her, though, didn't you? Because she is a queen, and hurt, and alone. So you pushed yourself onto her. To manipulate her. To make her feel that you were the one she could go to, instead of her family because she didn't know who they were. Well guess what? My little sister may not remember her family or know who I truly am to her, but she always comes running to me when she is in trouble. Not you. And I am certain it will stay that way. So, I am telling you this now, stay away from her."

Roan stood still, fingers twitching, mouth pulled into a grimace. Peter turned to leave, anger still ebbing off of him.

"And what if she never remembers?" Roan boldly took a step forward, but stopped short when Peter faced him again.

"Excuse me?"

Roan looked shaken but he also looked angry, which must have been what made his mouth open again. "I said, what if she doesn't remember. Doesn't remember who she is or who you are to her. What will you do then? Take her away anyways, tell her who she is, run the risk of her never regaining her memory, of hurting her? You can't stay here forever. Not while keeping your secret under wraps. And definitely not while running your country. She will find out if you don't leave. If you don't leave her here."

Peter's jaw was tight, teeth grinding together. He wanted to say something, to yell at him, to hit him – anything! But Roan had asked questions that Peter didn't have any answers to. So in Peter's silence, Roan went on.

"And if she does remember? What if she does reciprocate the feelings I have for her? Will you deny her the fulfillment of that just because you do not like me? I have no reason to lie to you, King. And I want nothing more than to help her, to make sure she feels that she has a family. I gave her that proposal on the off chance that she doesn't remember – so that she doesn't feel alone! And I only told her then because I knew you would be telling her lies about me in your distrust. She needs to know that someone is there for her and not merely trying to use her for their gain. And if you don't stop this anger and distrust towards me and if you don't come up with a way to make her believe you aren't just using her to fill the space that Susan left than she won't ever believe that she is anything but alone. Now I know that is the last thing you want. It is the last thing that I want. I seek to protect her, to care for her, just as you would. I promise you I have nothing but true and honest intentions and feelings for Anna."

"Her name is Susan. And should I find any more reason than I already have to not believe you, I promise you I will take her away and you will never see her again." Peter didn't believe his own words but he was grappling for control over the conversation. Roan may have a valid reason for his proposal and true feelings for his sister but he didn't care. Peter wasn't about to believe it. So, he said what he felt he had to and turned to leave.

"And it'll be her and the rest of your family that you are hurting by doing that." Roan said as he watched Peter go.

Oooohhh so intense! Well that was Chapter 16 and I hope you enjoyed it. I can't make any promises but there is a chance I will update this story again before this coming Saturday so keep an eye out for it!