The various greetings and courtesies on the quay were completed.

Peter the High King turned to his sister Queen Susan and said "Susan, of your courtesy, walk with me."

Susan put her hand on her brother's strong arm and began to walk to the castle.

Peter escorted her inside and said "Come to my study for a moment. There is something I want to share with thee away from the court."

Susan raised an eyebrow slightly and began to wonder what could be going on. They entered the library, a long room with carved wooden panels and bookcases, and crossed the room to enter Peter's study. Sunlight poured into the room from the tall windows. The High King closed the door and walked over to a window and gazed out to the garden in the courtyard.

Queen Susan said "Thou hast peaked my curiosity Your Majesty. What would you share with me?"

Peter turned and said "I made a decision while I was in Terebinthia – a rather hasty decision but a good one, I hope." He paused for a moment. "Do you remember the royal family from when we visited Terebinthia on our first trip to the Lone Islands? Seven years ago, I think that was."

Queen Susan replied "Yes, I remember King Antonio, then the Crown Prince, of course, and his brother Prince Marcus and sister Princess Melina. Their late father was there at the time. They were quite merry and gracious hosts. And both King Antonio and Prince Marcus have visited us here of course since that time."

Peter said "That was the only time you met Princess Melina then. I hadn't seen her since that journey either."

Susan asked "Dear brother, what do you want to tell me?"

Peter smiled and said "My apologies Su. I am not being direct, am I? Well then. Last time I was at the Terebinthian court, Princess Melina was a young girl but she has grown into a beautiful and gracious woman and I have asked her to marry me."

Susan's eyes widened and she gasped. Peter was secretly amused by Susan's reaction. Queen Susan was usually so poised, so ready to make the perfect gracious comment in any situation. It had been quite a few years since he had seen his sister speechless.

After a moment of silence, Susan said "I will confess to being quite stunned my brother. I will surely love her as a sister but thou hast always been thoughtful about making decisions. You were only in Terebinthia for two weeks."

Peter said "It was hasty as I admitted but I felt almost instantly that I wanted to marry her. It is difficult to explain."

Susan laughed and said "Dear Peter, it sounds quite romantic and I am glad that you are happy. I am probably most surprised because thou hast not appeared to be thinking of marriage before."

Peter admitted "It had not been on my mind much but I will confess Madam that Master Greystorm had spoken to me several months back. He was concerned about the succession to the throne. Although the four of us reign without discord, our descendents may quarrel. Wise Master Greystorm expressed the opinion that I should marry first and have an heir so that there be no questions about succession. Those thoughts have been on my mind but I wouldn't have asked Melina to marry me unless I loved her."

Susan asked "So my dear brother, when will Princess Melina come to Narnia? When will the wedding happen?"

Peter replied "In two months, Madam."

Susan gasped again and said "Two months. We have to host a royal wedding in two months. We have so much work to do to get ready. How will we know Princess Melina's desires?"

Peter replied "Countess Melissina is a kinswoman of the Princess and she will help thou with the planning."

Susan began to walk out of the study as she replied "Well now that I understand, I should go speak with Countess Melissina right away. We have so many preparations to make."

Queen Susan bumped into Queen Lucy who was running into the room, her skirts in her hands.

Lucy stopped and said "Come quickly to the throne room, dear brother and sister. Something wondrous has happened."