Disclaimer: I don't own Narnia or any or the characters associated with it. Just my own OC's. ;)

Chapter 5: Tea Parties

I look up at the silver sundial. It's four pm. I should really apologise to Peter since Emolise has already forgiven him or I could be cruel and let him grovel in anguish for a while. I disregard that idea immediately. I should go and apologise and see if he needs help with his work. Actually, I wonder what it is he's even doing. I whirl around and head back down to the throne room. The door is closed again, but I don't care. I open it slightly and peek my head through. He has now moved to the ground. Parchments and books surround him as he writes something with a quill. His face is a mask of concentration. I slip inside, gently closing the door once I'm in. I stroll forwards being very careful not to take him out of his writing trance. My shoes click on the tiles and it's obviously noisy enough for he looks up at me before shaking his head again.

"What did I tell you before?"

"To not bother you about Emolise or see you before dinner."

"Then why are you in here?"

"Two reasons – one to say I'm sorry and two to ask if you need some help. I have no meetings on today and you look like you could really use a hand." His eyes meet mine in a dire state of emergency. There have been many times where Peter has had to work till two or three in the morning and I always feel bad about going to bed or doing anything when he's that busy.

"Apology accepted for starters," he says as he picks up a pile of books and parchments, "as for help, I do really need some. If you don't mind, of course?" I smile at him and take the pile from his hands before going and sitting down opposite him.

"What's all this for?" I ask while scanning across some of the parchment covers. They look like letters.

"Laws. I wasn't aware that the White Witch had passed a whole heap through the system while she was in rule. King Lune mentioned them to me, so I've been going through the books trying to find any that contradict with the ones we've passed and change them. The only thing with the laws that have been passed through is that there is no way of telling who passed it and for what reason, so I'm not sure which ones have been passed by the Witch and which ones were from predecessors. I'm taking a bit of a gamble here. There are a lot to get through though," he tells me while looking around him at all the parchments.

"We'll get it done. What's the process if you find one you want to get rid of?" I inquire.

"You need to write it fully out on parchment then void it with your signature before putting a stripe through it in the main book. Once we've done that, we need to bring it to the members of the court and go through each one to get consent to disregard them. It's such a pain."

"So I suppose laws like, 'Any Sons of Adam or Daughters of Eve are to be taken straight to the castle alive' would be subject to change then? Hmm, what a shame." I look up from the parchment in amusement only to catch him looking at me with a massive grin.

"Unfortunately, yes." I laugh. "Now let us get a move on, Mrs. Pevensie. I would like to be done before midnight." We spend the next five hours doing this; going through book after book. The amount of garbage in them is pitiful to be honest. We have a good laugh at quite a few of them. 'One shall not urinate off of the top roof of Cair Paravel' has got to take the cake though. So many questions; so little time to ponder on why that was even made a law in the first place. Who was dumb enough to try that?

"Alright and that is the last one," Peter says as he stripes off the final law, "thank you for your help." I smile as we stack the books into piles again.

"You're welcome, Your Majesty." He smirks at me before giving me a kiss just as my stomach grumbles. It feels like it's about to eat itself. "I am starving. I wonder if there's any dinner left over."

"You could just ring out for your friends?" he suggests with a smirk.

"Or we could do the right thing and go and make something for ourselves for once," I comment while rising to my feet. I offer him a hand. He chuckles before grabbing it and dragging himself to his feet.

"My Dear, that would destroy the whole point of having servants." I scoff.

"They're living beings too; they're not there to be treated like trash."

"I'm not talking about treating them like trash. You know exactly what I mean." It sounds awful, but I do. It's their job and if we try and do things in their place, it actually makes them feel bad. I remember a few times Peter used to try and help me, but in reality, it actually made things harder to finish and do right. In saying that, I'm still going to get our own dinner. It's only fair considering they've probably already cleaned up after dinner. Most of them have probably just about finished for the night too.

"Daddy?" I smile; a look of expectation on my face. Peter shakes his head at me before heading over to our young daughter who is standing near the door to the room.

"What is it, sweetheart?"

"Are you and mummy finished yet? You promised me we could play tea parties together," she says. I walk over to them before placing my hand on Peter's shoulder since he's kneeling down.

"I thought you wanted to play with Aunty Lucy?"

"No, father, I said you." Peter's eyes meet mine.

"I'll take some dinner up for you," I say with a smile Bree's way.

"Thank you, Dear. Come along, Bree, we'll go upstairs." Brianna's smile says it all. She loves to play with her father. They head outside the throne room together leaving me by myself. I head back over to the thrones and tidy up all the parchment into piles before placing them in the stone cupboard on the side. Now that everything is tidy, I walk over to the golden doors and push my way through them. The guards are just rotating so the corridor is quiet and empty. My heels click along the stone floor with sharp pings as I walk up the small staircase and into the kitchen which is abuzz with movement and noise.

"Your Majesty," Mernedia and Telisha greet earnestly with bows, stopping in their tracks upon my entrance. I hear a loud laugh and glance over to the other side of the room where Mirasdean proudly stands, earning herself dirty looks from the two older servants. She straightens and curtseys quickly to appease the older women before chuckling slightly again as they turn back to what they were doing.

"I don't think I'm ever going to get used to seeing people do that to you; no matter how long you're queen for," she explains to me as she comes over and gives me a hug. I laugh.

"I know, it still feels unnatural sometimes for me too." She pulls away slightly, her face becoming as stern as nails.

"You're getting too distant from me; Peter really needs to lay off you slightly. There are three other people who can do everything you can in this castle."

"I'm the High Queen, Mirasd-"

"And I never get to see you anymore. Come on, Ash! Remember all the fun we used to have; pulling pranks on the staff, covering the throne room in fish, leaving the hallways soaking wet so people would go flying down them? I want one day with you. Surely the man who loves you to the ends of the earth can give you one day off?" It would be nice.

"I'm a mother – and married – and Queen; Mira, things cannot be how they used to be."

"Says who?" I glance down.

"Says me. I don't want to lose anyone as a friend, but I also need to be realistic. I can't just stop being queen – or a mum - for a day. Life doesn't work that way."

"I do understand, but it doesn't mean I miss having you around working with me."

"I know. I miss working with you too sometimes." I sigh before I turn my attention over to the other side of the kitchen. "How goes your night?" I inquire politely to the older servants while sneaking an orange from the fruit bowl before peeling it in the bin.

"Very well, thank you, Queen Ashley," they reply whilst looking between the two of us curiously.

"Ashley, I can get you some food if you're hungry; there's no need to sneak oranges." I blush and look over my shoulder to my now giggling friend who is uncovering something from behind her. "I am way ahead of you anyway; I put some food aside for you and Pete. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that you missed dinner." I sigh happily.

"Thank you. You are a life saver!"

"I've always got your back, which reminds me – I was talking with Lara and Em today; we would really like it if you and Pe – " One of the older ladies clears her throat in a directive manner, interrupting. I smirk at Mira as she sighs – "You and 'His Majesty' could possibly consider putting some servant quarters in town? It would make our lives so much easier if we could live in town instead of having to travel long distances every morning," she tells me while handing me a tray with the two steaming hot plates of food on it. I place the orange on it before grabbing it with two hands.

"I think we could take that into consideration."

"Wait – really? You'll talk to Peter about it?"

"Of course. Between the nine of us we've been talking about it for years! I had completely forgotten about it though. I wish you would've reminded me sooner!" I say as I poke out my tongue mockingly. She laughs again.

"Thank you, Ash! It would make such a huge difference!" she exclaims while placing cutlery and a bottle of spiced wine on the tray. She then grabs two glasses and places it besides the wine.

"You're lucky I have good balance." She rolls her eyes at my obviously sarcastic comment before turning me around and pushing me out the door.

"You go and enjoy the rest of your night and if you don't talk to your husband about a day off then I certainly will!"

"I will keep that in mind. Have a good night, Mira." With those words I walk down the stairs and over to the main staircase. Once I reach our chambers, Oreius opens the door for me before I waltz in. I place the tray of food on the dining table and look around. Hmm, where are they?

"Peter?" No reply. I cross my legs and lean against the table. "Husband." I don't know why but I always feel like I'm chasing my family down. I open the hallway door before waltzing over to Brianna's slightly open door. I push it a tiny bit and peek my head in. A hand goes to my mouth, trying to withstand the chuckles that are threatening to escape.

In the middle of the room is a small table set up with four chairs and surrounded by soft animals. The surface of the table is covered in wooden mugs and plates with a pretty, pink tablecloth. Sitting in the chairs is my small family. Peter has a small tea cup in his hand pretending to sip it while Brent and Anna are trying to copy him. Bree is talking proudly about horses and gesturing from her "royal subjects" (the fake animals) to her rocking horse. Peter nods to what she's saying before throwing out a suggestion on her "Kingdom" which sets her off talking about the kinds of teas she wants. I can't recall a time I ever spoke about different flavoured teas with her. Should I disturb them? I creak open the door a little bit more; the noise alerting my family to my presence.

"Mother! Would you like to join our tea party?" Brianna asks me with a wide smile while standing up. Anna tries to follow her big sister's lead, but instead topples over. It really is a sight to behold.

"I would, darling, but your father and I have to eat our dinner still," I explain as Annabella comes over to me. She grabs onto my leg and I hoist her up into my arms. "How are you, my beautiful little girl?" I ask as I tickle her stomach. She giggles as I kiss her small cheek.

"I'm going to agree with your mother this time, Princess. I am starving!" Peter exaggerates. My gaze drops on him as he stands up himself.

"Aww, but, mother! We were having fun!" Bree cries, running over to me. I stroke her stark, black hair back with my free hand.

"I know you were. Maybe we can play after dinner with you?"

"Or, I suppose, we could always come and eat in here at your royal table, Bree?" Peter suggests with his handsome smirk. He winks at me while grabbing Bree's shoulders and standing behind her. I glance down to my daughter who is eagerly pouting out her bottom lip.

"Oh alright then. I'll go and get our food."

"Yay!" She turns back to Peter, his full undivided attention leaving me instantly. "Daddy! Sit back down! I command you as Queen!" He chances a quick glance at me with a smile before bowing before his daughter.

"As you wish, my Queen." He sits down on the tiny chair before smiling at me. I put Anna down on the ground, leaving her confused on the carpet, before I walk back out and grab our food from the table. I walk quickly back over and place the tray on the tiny table before going and grabbing another small seat from the corner of the room.

We spend the next hour playing tea parties. The twins get restless after a while though (it's a lot later than their usual bedtime) so I put them to bed before tucking Brianna in. I read a story to her as usual, putting her to sleep almost instantaneously before I exit her room quietly, shutting the door behind me. A quick glance at the sundial tells me it's only nine-thirty. It's late, but I'm not really that tired yet. I waltz back out into our living room. There are no candles on, the only thing lighting up the room is the bright glow from the now lit fireplace.

"What are you reading?" I ask Peter as I come into view of the couch. He's lying across it, his head propped on his hand as he holds the book in his other hand. He looks up at me, his lips turned up slightly into a smile.

"It's called 'The History of the Dunmocks'." He sits up slightly allowing me space so I can sit down with him. "Apparently there was a clan of pirates that tried to seize Cair Paravel during the reign of the White Witch. Obviously, they failed, but it's an interesting read nonetheless."

"It sounds interesting. Would you mind putting it down for a moment, though? I have something really important to talk to you about."

"It can't wait till tomorrow?" He opens an arm to me and I happily cuddle into his side.

"Not really; it's about Brianna. I was meant to talk to you about it earlier, but completely forgot to."

"Is there something wrong?"

"It's about the nightmares." He dog tags his place in the book immediately before tossing it on the ground in front of us.

"You mean how she had another one last night?"

"No, it's regarding what was in her nightmare. I went for a walk with her to clear our heads for a bit and I thought that if I showed her the secret courtyard she would feel better and be distracted. When we entered though she ran straight back out in a panic explaining that was where her nightmare had taken place."

"Has she ever seen the courtyard before?"

"No, that's why I'm worried. Apparently one of the wolf creatures was there and had killed us. That's all she had told me. I didn't want to push her any further since she was so distraught over it." He's quiet for a moment, his hand drawing patterns on my arm.

"You don't think they're visions, do you?"

"It has crossed my mind though I highly doubt Aslan would allow either of us to die right now."

"We can't really assume that, Ash. Either way, we need to keep an eye out. I'll block off the entrance to that courtyard, explain that no one is to go in there." I smile.

"I was just about to ask you about a way to keep people out."

"What can I say, our minds work one in the same these days. Now, was there anything else you wished to discuss? Because I've had a long day and I would really like to get back to reading."

"No that's all." He goes to pick his book back up, but I quickly grab his arm. Wait a moment. "Actually, no, there is one more thing. Why did you tell Brianna about Bella?" He freezes, his eyes meeting mine a moment later.

"I haven't mentioned Bella to anyone, let alone Brianna."

"Then how did she know of her and why did Bree tell me that you told her about her?"

"I'm not sure why she would say that to be honest, I've never mentioned Bella to her."

"Something is not adding up right now. She even knew where her room was. How would she know that unless someone had told her?"

"Maybe you could ask my brother and sisters? They might have been talking about something and not realised Bree was there."

"I couldn't imagine any of them talking about her - ever. It was too tragic."

"I don't know then. We will talk to Bree about it tomorrow."

"Oh, and about what happened today..." Peter's arm stops its descent to the ground.

"Yes?"

"I really am sorry. I was just annoyed and frustrated over the whole situation."

"You're forgiven." He pauses looking at my face before reaching over again.

"You can read now." He sighs deeply.

"Thank you."

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