Note: which the Foreign Delegation arrives with a surprise, and news flies in from the forests around Glasswater. This chapter will heavily reference The Horse and his Boy.

Lucy loved Narnian clothes. Not so much for their appearance, though they were always beautiful, but for the feel of them as she pulled them on in the morning. Every morning, she would splash her face with the freshest and coolest of water, before pulling off her warm nightgown, and dressing for the day ahead.

First, a cool linen chemise, which fell to just below her knees, followed by a light summer kirtle, Usually, she wore dresses at just below her knees, since the bottom of her dress was prone to become a tripping hazard when she danced or ran as so often she did. But today, she wore a longer dress, because the delegation from the court of King Lune were coming. Simple but lovely, in a light-weight wool the colour of forget-me-nots, the kirtle brushed the floor at the hem. On top of that dress, a cream silk over-dress with no sleeves, fasted by a silver belt that matched her delicate crown. Susan had chosen her outfit for the day, and as beautiful as it was, Lucy missed her simple, but oh-so-comfortable everyday summer dresses.

Susan had curled Lucy's hair with rags, the way Mum used to do it. her curls bounced around her crowned head as she skipped down the stairs to the Great Hall to meet her sister and brothers. Susan had spent yesterday with Mr. Tumnus, and had requested the most beautiful display of summer flowers to decorate the Hall and the path leading from the main gate to the massive doors of the Cair. On entering the Great Hall, Lucy was greeted by the fragrant scents of a thousand perfect blooms, and she sighed with pleasure.

Susan was already there, looking as beautiful in purple and gold as Lucy had ever seen her. Peter, too, in a handsome tunic the colour of wine and a short cape, golden crown sparkling merrily. Edmund came down not long after Lucy, in his black and silver emblazoned with a rampant lion across his chest, to match Peter's, which was (of course) in gold.

They had not long been gathered when Timchim, the swallow, arrived with news of the party from Archenland,which was drawing near. Landing on the High King's shoulder, he spoke to all four rulers.

"Majesties, the men from Archenland approach. Six men from the court of King Lune, and the King himself."

"The King himself?" Susan whispered in shock. "He's come in person?"

"Be calm, Susan," Edmund whispered. "We are prepared for him."

Susan took a deep, steadying breath, as Peter thanked Timchim and ordered that the tiger twins, Shiver and Shear, set out with a party of fauns from the royal guard to meet the approaching party.

"Don't worry, Su," Lucy said, sidling up to her sister and looping one arm in hers. "They can't help but love it here."

"Thanks, Lucy," she replied, smiling down at the smaller girl.

Susan need not have worried. As it turned out, royal meetings were not as fearsome as she had expected. Within half an hour, King Lune and his men were dismounting within the walls of Cair Paravel, looking about them in interest. The King of Archenland, distinguishable by the circlet of gold sitting atop his sand-coloured hair, noted at once the four royal persons standing at the doors to the Great Hall, flanked by their subjects. Peter stepped forward.

"Welcome to his majesty Lune, King of Archenland, and to his lords. Well met."

King Lune was in his mid thirties, a tall, broad man with kind eyes and a short, round ginger beard. He approached the four Narnian rulers, back straight and eyes curious, but not haughty. Lucy instantly liked him.

"To your majesty High King Peter, and to your majesties Queen Susan, King Edmund, and Queen Lucy - " as he spoke their names, Peter could see him trying to put each well-learned name to a face. At once, the High King felt a rush of kinship with this man. Obviously, Lune had done some studying, too. "- Archenland thanks you and Narnia for your hospitality. and may I add," he continued. "It is good to see the Narnian prophecies fulfilled at last. Long has Archenland hoped with Narnia for a new spring. I am glad to see Narnia reborn, though I must confess, and without intention to offend, I did not expect such a victory at the hands of those of yet such tender years."

"By the grace and power of Aslan, the Witch has been overthrown," Peter replied, dignified yet smiling amicably. "As for the number of our years - the truth as such cannot offend us. Well met." He repeated. Susan smiled. This was going well, and Peter was performing magnificently.

"Besides," piped up Edmund, with a mischievous curve to his lip. "When we four combine our ages I think you'll find we pass even your majesty in age and wisdom."

Lune laughed, a booming, glorious noise, and all was well.

First contact having been so succesful, the Archenlanders arrived at the feast in the Great Hall in high spirits. Lune sat at the high table with the four, and throughout the evening he was respectful and sincere with Peter, gracious to Susan, and seemed as enchanted by little Lucy as he was tickled by Edmund's wit. At the King of Archenland's request, when the feast was done, the five monarchs met for private council in the map room upstairs, accompanied by two of Lune's lords, Oreius, Tumnus, and wise Sallowpad the Raven, a recent appointment as a royal advisor to the thrones of Narnia.

Once they were alone, King Lune, for the first time, seemed weighed down by some grave knowledge.

"Your Majesty," Susan began. "You seem troubled. Was this evening's meat not to your taste?" All four of them, evem Lucy, had been practicing speaking in this formal way. Put into practice, it ran off Susan's tongue in a way that felt both strange and yet nor strange.

"My Queen, your Narnia hospitality has been nothing short of perfect. It is matters of my home in Archenland that weigh on my mind, and strangers though we are, I would have counsel with you on these things."

They sat together, and King Lune began his tale.

"Not seven months ago my household was blessed with the arrival of my sons, two goodly children, and our first, to whom I gave the names Cor and Corin in the tradition of our people. I had cause for great joy, for when I brought him to be blessed by Greenfell, (a wise centaur who had taken refuge in my land from the cursed reign of the Witch), he then and there prophecied over my elder boy that the babe would one day save Archenland from 'the deadliest danger in which ever she lay.' My wife and I rejoiced to hear this, and counted ourselves blessed by Aslan himself in such a child. But the greatest misfortune soon fell upon us, for a traitor to my household, one Lord Bar, whom I had dismissed from my service for the crime of embezzlement, had overheard the prophecy. As I was later to find out, Bar was not only a thief but a spy for the Tisroc himself."

"Who's the Tisroc?" Lucy hissed to Susan, causing her sister to flush with embarassment. Thankfully, Lune had not heard.

"I understand an old rivalry exists between Archenland and Calormen," Peter said, casting a grateful look at Edmund. "We are to understand this emnity still runs deep."

Lune sighed. "Indeed. Not three weeks ago were the navies of Archenland and Calrmen in pitched battle in the Southern waters of the Bight of Calormen. For you see, your majesties, that a great evil has fallen upon my house. The traitor Bar kidnapped my son and heir, Cor, of whom the prophecy was spoken, and spirited him away on a ship after which we gave chase. But I have not recovered my son, and I know not now whether my babe lives or no." At this, a gruffness came into the kings voice, and he buried his head in his hands. Lucy's generous heart melted at that moment, and impulsively she ran to Lune's side and threw her arms around him.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, gripping the tall king tightly. He did not spurn her lack of formality, instead returning her embrace.

"It is by the order of the Tisroc of Calormen that your child has been stolen?" Edmund asked, gravely.

"I know not if by his order, but certainly at the hands of his servant," Lune answered, eyes hard and glaring into the distance.

After a time, Peter spoke. "As we stand, Narnia bears no emnity towards Calormen." The whole room looked to him in surprise. King Lune glanced at him sharply. "And yet Narnia also bears no friendship with Calormen." A sigh of relief rippled through the room as Peter went on. "Nor should Narnia wish to extend friendship to those who would shelter a stealer – and, though I shudder to say it, maybe murderer - of children."

"Long before the Witch and the Winter a friendship, nay a kinship, existed between Narnia and Archenland. Indeed, our kingdoms were as close as the High King is to any one of his royal brothers and sisters, since we share a common lineage. It would be my honour to extend that hand of kinship once more."

Narnia's four rulers looked to one another, and seemed to come to agreement. It was Edmund who spoke first.

"Narnia is just yet made new, and we would have her re-established before she is plunged into yet another war."

"But we would have your kinship, King of Archenland, for you are right in saying our kingdoms are kin," continued Susan, with a smile.

"We shall honour the old ways," Peter finished, with finality.

"And Archenland will honour its kin," replied Lune. "And lend a hand to her rebuilding, and cherish her long-awaited recovery by requesting no act of war from her at this time. Archenland, too must look from war to other means to recover her lost heir."

Peter and Lune shook hands. "Do they have Talking Animals in Archenland?" Lucy burst out. she had been holding the question all evening, and now seemed as good a time as any.

Lune burst out laughing. "Nay, little sister," he replied. "Save for those who have fled Narnia from the witch. But any Talking Beast is our Cousin, as they are yours."

"For we are kin?" Lucy asked.

"For we are kin," Lune replied, and he and Peter clasped hands. "And in respect of the newly established bond between us, I have a request."

"A request?"

"Not on my behalf, but on the behalf of one I hold dear." Lune summoned the youngest of his lords, a chesnut-haired youth only two or three years older than Peter. "This is Peridan, your majesty. And with your permission I would leave it to him to make his desires known."

Peter looked at the boy, who sank onto one knee before him and bowed his head. "Speak, Lord Peridan."

"Majesties," the young noble began, addressing all four, though he knelt before Peter. "I am only lately appointed among the lords of his majesty King Lune, and while I owe him a lifelong debt of gratitude for all that his has given me, I could not leave Narnia without making this humble request, in which I am graciously supported by my sovereign." Lune beamed genially down at Peridan as the boy continued his story. "I was born in Archenland, as was my father before me, though it was not always so.

Four generations ago, my family was forced to flee our home and throw ourselves upon the generosity of Archenland, since my native land was conquered by a Dark Power, whom you well know had no love for the Sons of Frank, who himself was of Adam. Therefore at least by right of blood I may be so bold as to claim myself a Narnian, though I and my family have been much blessed by Archenland and her king, who took me into his household as a page when I was but five years old, and has since raised me to walk among his lords.." '

Here he paused, looking to King Lune, who smiled generously and seemed to beckon for him to continue. "It is with his permission that I now leave his service, and fall on my knees before the Narnian kings and queens who have won back my homeland from the Witch. I beg you, good your majesties, to accept the humble gift of my service to Narnia, and allow your servant to reclaim for himself and his lineage the right to call myself Narnian once more."

"A noble request!" Peridan looked up at King Edmund, who by his tone seemed much impressed.

"And eloquently made," added Susan.

"Rise, Peridan," said Peter. "Your request shall be most happily granted, and at dawn two days from now you shall be formally sworn in as a member of the Narnian court." Peridan bowed his head in gratitude, and rose to his feet.

That evening, alone, the four kings and queens of Narnia sat in Susan's chambers. Edmund had flopped across Susan's bed in a most unkingly fashion.

"Ugh," he sighed. "Thank goodness it's all over. I don't know how much more of that formal royal language I could spout before my tongue packed it in and moved out of my head forever."

Lucy grimaced. "What a horrible image, Edmund."

"I know how you feel," Peter agreed with his brother. "It's quite tiring, remembering everyone's titles and addresses and never ending a sentence with a preposition. I'm glad it's over, too."

"I thought it went well, though," Susan said, looking quite tired herself.

"Congratulations, Su," said Lucy, happily. "You planned it perfectly, and I think King Lune and his men had a marvelous time. He's such a lovely man. And I think it's wonderful that Peridan will stay and live with us."

Edmund rolled his eyes. "You don't know anything about him, Lu. He said nothing the whole time until he made his formal request. He could be a total bore."

Lucy refused to be dissuaded. "I think he's a perfect dear. And besides, he loves Narnia, and as far as I'm concerned that already makes him a good sort. I can't imagine anyone could love Narnia and be a truly awful person."

"Hm," said Edmund, a trifle begrudgingly. "I suppose you have a point."

Susan smiled, pulling her sister into a hug. "And Narnia has made her first friend beyond her borders."

"And perhaps her first enemy," returned Edmund, his face sober. Peter alone stayed silent, his back towards his siblings as he looked out of Susan's window, across the forest to the Southern horizon.

II.

"Are you sure, sire?" Peridan asked, gnawing his lip.

"Don't fret, Peridan," Peter chuckled. "It's only for three days."

"I have been in your service for but six weeks, your majesty," Peridan replied, pacing the floor of the High King's private study, dismay written across his features. "I fear you leave the safety of your castle in the hands of a stranger."

Peter looked up, face serious, one eyebrow raised. "Do you call me foolish?" Peridan's eyes widened, and he froze.

"I meant no offence, majesty, I swear -"

Peter burst out laughing, and Peridan realized he'd been had. "Oh, Peridan." He shook his head. "Your worrying that we're leaving this castle to you is one of the very reasons I trust you for this task. Besides, you will not be alone. Oreius and the good Beavers will remain here with you, as well as the whole royal guard save the fauns, the cook, and all two score of the staff! I'm sure between you all you can keep the walls of Cair Paravel from collapsing."

"In that case, you will not be well enough protected," Peridan replied, his concerns far from banished. "Are you sure the fauns will be guard enough for your journey?"

Peter rolled his eyes. "There are twelve of them, plus me and King Edmund. I'm sure between us we will manage a simple day's journey to the Dancing Lawn."

The four monarchs were making plans to accompany Tumnus to the first great Midsummer Dance since the end of the Long Winter. Spirits were high among the young kings and queens, and Queen Lucy had been able to speak of little else for a fortnight.

Peridan bowed his head. "I do not mean for my worries to cast a shadow on this grand occasion, sire." He said. "But I cannot help the strange feeling of foreboding I feel in regards to your impending absence."

Peter frowned, thoughtfully. "Funny you should say that. Oreius said something similar when I spoke with him last."

"Your majesties' enemies still walk among the Free Narnians, sire. The General's concern is not misplaced."

"Well, I'll tell you what. I'll keep an extra eye open for danger, and carry Rhindon and my shield for the journey. And I shall ask King Edmund and my sisters do the same, and have the faun guard stay vigilant."

Peridan looked shocked. "You did not intend to wear your sword, your majesty?"

"It wouldn't be respectful to bear arms into the Midsummer Dance. The Dancing Lawn is a place of peace, Peridan."

"Let us hope all in Narnia agree on that, sire."

It's been two years since I thought about this story! Right after I started it my entire life exploded and something Not Very Nice happened, but I was reminded about this recently and would like to try to continue it.

I have only half a plan as to where I'm going to take this next. This update has been sitting in my files since 2019! But as I recall the story was about to get much more exciting. Now I have to figure out how to publish again...