chapter 16

Orieus saw Edmund off the setting sun at his right painted the sky a majestic orange and red collage. He knew that Peter was watching from the castle but this was meant to be Edmund's moment in the eyes of the people. Having Peter here would detract from that. He gave one last look to Cetus who nodded their mutual understanding.

They had left the city and were heading to cross a massive desert. It would be a long and perilous journey and it was Cetus' responsibility to get Edmund back in one piece. In that time Orieus would see to Cair Paravel and her defenses.

Orieus saw a flight of birds flying from the castle but something was off about the formation one of the birds seemed a little slower. He was trying to figure out what to make of it when he was interrupted by Mr. Tumnus. "Orieus you must come quickly we cannot find Queen Lucy."

The remaining members of the royal guard that were not on duty had been at the gate to see Edmund off. Without having to give the orders they were off and searching the various sections of the castle. Orieus took the dungeon level and on his way down he met Lucy coming up. She noticed that he seemed both winded and relieved all at the same time.

"Is there a problem Orieus?" she asked.

He was trying not to seem like he had just ran from the main gate of the city all the way to the castle dungeon when he answered. "No your majesty the guards informed me that you were unable to be found."

Lucy smiled shyly saying. "Oh, I am sorry for worrying you but I was simply visiting a friend." without explaining she left Orieus trying to understand who she was meeting in the dungeon. After he realized that he was standing on the stairs staring at the wall trying to answer a question that honestly needed no answering. He turned and headed up the stairs on his way to manage the remaining guards.

Falaah was worried, Lucy had laid out a dress for her and left her a note detailing her plan. Lucy had put together both the outfit and the plan so fast that Falaah was wondering if she had already been working on it.

The dress was a basic design but it seemed well made. It was mostly red but it had pieces of yellow trim. The note explained that a picnic basket would be waiting in the kitchen tomorrow afternoon.

It wasn't hard to figure out what she was being sent into. Lucy wanted her to have a picnic with Peter. All part of her master plan to get Peter to make her stay. Falaah didn't like that plan instead he was going to tell Peter everything.

If Lucy was correct and he loved her then he would do the right thing. The only question left was what the right thing was. Could she in good conscience let him effectively start a war over her. What if she did. Would she be to blame for all the lives lost.

Falaah found herself standing outside of Peter's door. It was closed and she was about to knock when she heard voices coming from inside. It was Oreius speaking to Peter. "Your majesty I have done some thinking and some talking with a friend of mine. I have an answer that may serve you well."

By the level and tone of his voice Peter sounded tired and worried. Falaah had a good idea why and it made the lump in her throat grow even larger. "Alright then what may that be?"

"Your majesty the love your people have for you comes from who you are, what you hold dear." the centaur could be heard walking as he spoke. " If you deny that and wound yourself in the process it damages the very thing your people love. I speak for all the men of Narnia. If a war were waged with the Calormen because they attempted to claim Falaah as theirs. And if they knew of your feelings for her." The walking stopped as Oreius finished his words. " Then they would take up arms for her in less than a thought. They would see her as their third queen and any threat to her would be handled as a threat to all of Narnia."

There was a long silence before Peter broke it. "That is troubling news," Falaah could almost hear Oreius' shock but she knew what Peter meant. "I worry about one day misusing my power. My own people going to war because I am…`` There was a pause that lasted only a moment. "Because I am in love is the exact thing that I am terrified of. The people of Narnia, my people have placed their lives in my hands and the thought of spending those lives for nothing more than my own heart is…"

Peter was silent once again and Oreius was the one who broke it this time. "My King, it is for that very reason that we are willing to make that sacrifice. I know that you are wrestling with matters that often exceed my purview so I will take my leave and allow you to come to your own conclusion."

Oreius could be heard walking to the door and Falaah panicked. The centaur already had a mild distrust of her. If he caught her listening in on a private conversation it may worsen the already confusing situation.

She scurried away from the door and was thankfully outside of the Centaur's line of sight as he left.

She needed to decide what she was going to do. She loved Peter and she knew that he loved her but was she willing to be the cause of a war. No, she knew that it would be her death if she went back but she needed a better plan than starting a full scale war. Maybe if Edmund managed to get the tisroc to do something about Rabdash then she could act but for now all she had to do was wait and hope.

On her way back to her room she saw Simon and Susan sitting in the window of his room. They had their feet dangling outside and one of Simon's arms was wrapped around Susan. It was an endearing sight that gave Falaah a small amount of hope.

She had returned to her room when she saw Lucy waiting for her. Falaah could tell that Lucy was unhappy about something but had no way of figuring out what.

"Why is the dress still on the bed?" she asked. Lucy seemed to have realised that Falaah had no intention of following through with her plan.

"Lucy I can't try and court your brother right now. It's the last thing he needs. He has enough to worry about. Maybe if Edmund returns with good news then we can see." she was hoping that Lucy would agree with her. She knew that she was right but that didn't change the fact that Lucy may not agree with her.

"I think you are being foolish but I suppose that it is ultimately your choice. So there is only so much that I can do about it." Lucy said conceding the point.

"I saw Susan and Simon." Falaah said, trying to change the conversation. The look she got from Lucy told her she had succeeded. "They were in Simon's room."

Lucy moved with surprising speed for someone of her size. Before Falaah could ask where she was going the queen was already in the hallway and tip toeing in the direction of Simon's room. When they were just outside the room they heard the two of them talking. Taking a chance Lucy peeked around the corner and saw them sitting together on the couch. They were looking out the window at the sunset.

"Susan," Simon started. "I need to say something, something I know for a fact, but I'm terrified of it."

At this Lucy was beaming. She knew where this was going. Simon was going to say that he was in love with Susan. It was much faster than expected but turning to look at Falaah she remembered that sometimes life comes at you out of nowhere.

"I know," Susan said as she snuggled in a little closer to Simon. "I know, you have a lot on your heart and I know what you are going to say. If it makes you feel any better you don't have to say it right now."

Taking another peak around the corner Lucy saw that Simon and Susan were looking into each other's years of eyes. They were getting closer and Lucy had to do her best not to giggle. When she saw them kiss she had to tiptoe all the way back to her room before she started jumping around and shouting with joy.

The world may not have been that bad but the sight of Susan and Simon as well as Lucy gave Falaah a sense of peace. It may take a little while but everything would be fine. She was sure of it.