A/N: This is a two-chapter sequel to "Lessons in Diplomacy" which takes place 12 years after that story. I recommend you read that one first before you read this one, although this can still stand alone.

Queen Susan's Marriage

Chapter One:

The Curse of Helen's Daughter

It has been said that a ruler never finds peace for long. There will always be a battle that needed to be won for his or her country.

King Edmund was finding that saying quite appropriate today as he walked the halls of Cair Paravel on his way to the throne room. The stench of the assortment of flowers from the bouquets that lined the hallway assailed his nose, reminding him yet again that peace is forever an elusive and fleeting luxury.

It had been two years since Edmund had been to a real battle. That was in Anvard when the Calormen prince Rabadash had sought to take Archenland and have revenge on Narnia's Queen Susan, Edmund's sister, who eluded his offer of marriage. It all turned out in their favor, of course. Edmund, his younger sister Lucy and the Archenland lords had defeated Rabadash's forces, had him properly humiliated, and effectively frightened Calormen from any future attack. A week later, Edmund's elder brother, the High King Peter had arrived from the north, victorious from subduing the giants who were threatening Narnia. These two successful battles secured Narnia's position as the strongest kingdom in the known world.

Potens, who had for years, tied with Narnia for supremacy, was now a wasteland of poverty and degradation. Seven years ago, its great ruler Minax died of a terminal illness. The crown prince Ignavus, who everyone thought would be the heir, was denied the crown by his father's will. His younger brother Mentis inherited the throne. Mentis ruled well for four years, before he died suddenly in his bed. Some say he was assassinated by Ignavus who took Potens for himself and sent it to ruin. The kingdom was barely surviving, almost living off on the charity aid from Narnia and Archenland. Most of its citizens had already migrated or were currently migrating to neighboring kingdoms. Almost everyone predicted that the kingdom wouldn't be called so by next winter due to its alarmingly declining population.

Narnia no longer feels threatened by any country, yet Edmund couldn't call it at peace. For a new war had come by stealth and entered the walls of Cair Paravel like a snake. It was now slowly wreaking havoc within the kingdom, in particular, Edmund's patience and good humor.

"Your Highnesses beauty has captured my heart. You are my sun, my star, my goddess!"

Edmund's ears irked at these words when he entered the throne room. He had heard them hundreds of times before. He stepped over several boxes of jewelry, fine fabrics and jars of perfumed oil that littered the grand hall. Like the cheap flowers that lined the hallway, nothing in there was of any value at all. Narnia had far greater riches.

"I would move mountains for you, sail the oceans, fight battles…"

"How about running your heart through my sword?" Edmund interrupted rudely at the young man speaking as he passed by him. "Would you do that?"

The pale-faced youth merely stared blankly at him as if he didn't quite understand.

"Ed!" The hissed warning came from Lucy who was sitting on her throne. Susan and Peter were sitting with her on their own thrones, looking bored. Normally his elder siblings were the ones shushing him whenever he made these outbursts to insult Susan's suitors. But for the first time, they did nothing of that sort. In fact, Peter looked like he would have wanted to have a go too at this youth who was before them but was only too polite to do so.

Edmund sat on his throne and gave the visitor the eye. Normally his look sent the suitors running out the kingdom like they were chased by tigers, but this one appeared to be too dim-witted to realize his subtle threat. Edmund contemplated sending for the real tigers to chase him out.

"Lord Venustus, as much as I am flattered by your suit…" Edmund tuned out the rest of Susan's rejection speech. He and his siblings had memorized her refusals by now, they could all recite them in their sleep.

"But your Highness, I must insist you consider! I'm sure if you know what I offer you, you would find my suit most acceptable."

Edmund gritted his teeth. The suitor was now addressing Peter. Edmund knew what was coming: another offer for a bride price. Typical.

"I am sorry, but my sister's honour cannot be bought," said Peter firmly. "There is nothing you can possibly offer that we do not have in Narnia."

"Oh but I have," said the suitor. "I have noticed your kingdom lacked certain shall we say… forms of entertainment that I am sure you and your royal brother will be delighted with." He called forth his companions and they brought in six beautiful women attired in costumes that left nothing to the imagination. "My gift for you, O High King and for your royal brother. The finest from my harem."

Edmund stared at the man before him in a mixture of disgust and indignation. Peter was looking equally appalled. But it was Susan who appeared the most offended. She shot her suitor a look of pure venom before she stood and stomped out of the throne room in a huff. Lucy quickly ran after her.

Peter stood up and as he did, the tip of his sword grated against the marble floor producing a harsh sound that gave the impression (to Edmund, at least) of a gun being cocked. There were no guns in this world, of course, but the sound produced the same effect as the young man quivered.

"Sir, you insult my virtue, that of my brother and the whole of Narnia with your base gifts. You are dismissed and I bid you to be out of Narnia within the hour if you value your life."

The young duke (for he was a duke of a small distant kingdom in the Eastern Ocean), didn't need another word. He backed away silently.

"Wait!" cried Edmund. He had noticed the six girls. He could see they were all teenagers, the youngest was probably no older than 13. His stomach sickened at the thought that they were slaves ordered to do Aslan only knew what.

"How much do you want for these girls?" he said.

The prince turned back to him with a hopeful expression but didn't say anything. Edmund addressed one of his companion lords and asked the same question.

"T-they're the finest of our women, your highness," replied the lord. "If they please you… we would gladly give them… as a token of… g-goodwill, between nations."

Peter caught Edmund's eye and nodded to indicate he understood. "Very well then, leave them here with us."

The girls looked fearfully between Peter and Edmund.

"We have no slaves in Narnia," assured Peter though he was staring straight at the duke and his lords. "We do not tolerate such cruelty to either beast or human. You are freed women now. You may stay here in Narnia if you wish provided you abide by our laws. If not, you may go as it pleases you."

The girls looked puzzled then threw themselves at his feet. The duke and his lords looked rather astonished but didn't say anything. Edmund gave them one harsh look and they quickly shuffled out the door.

When they were gone, Peter looked helplessly at Edmund while surrounded by prostrate girls. Except for Susan's annoying suitors, Edmund knew his brother hated people who grappled in front of him. He was always so humble he couldn't stand being bowed to. Edmund however, shrugged and gave him a "that's-your-problem" look and made a hasty exit. He heard his brother addressing Mrs. Beaver to take the girls away to find them suitable garments and refreshments.

There were other state affairs to take care of for the day but Edmund knew Peter could handle them for the moment. Right now, he was more concerned with Susan. There had been ugly rejections in the past before, but Susan the perfect diplomat, had always handled the refusal of proposals with unfailing grace. This was the first time she had walked out on a suitor. Edmund headed for the beach where he knew Susan always took refuge when she was upset.

Halfway down the main staircase, however, he encountered Mr. Tumnus who was wearing a rather worried expression that begged attention away from his strikingly bright yellow scarf.

"I beg your pardon King Edmund, but I just saw the Duke Venustus' party leaving. I take it his suit didn't fare well."

"That's an understatement," said Edmund and didn't say anything further. He was too disturbed with the duke's insulting gift to bother to relate the tale.

"Well," said Mr. Tumnus. "Not to be a bother, but he is the 278th suitor that dear Queen Susan has rejected…"

"Was it that many already?" asked Edmund. He had stopped counting when they reached 50.

"Well yes," said Mr. Tumnus rather nervously. "It has been quite a lot and I've been meaning to speak to you or the High King about it.

"Mr. Tumnus," sighed Edmund, knowing what this was all about. "I cannot decide that for Susan. Nor will Peter."

"Oh, of course not," said Mr. Tumnus as he wiped his sweaty brow. "But I was hoping that maybe you could speak to her about it. It is rather important that she…" Mr. Tumnus let the last word hang, knowing Edmund understood.

Edmund shook his head. "Mr. Tumnus I am aware Narnia needs an heir to the throne. But we cannot force Susan to marry just because of that."

Mr. Tumnus nodded humbly. "Forgive me," he said. "It's just that, we Narnians are apprehensive, with the years going by... and dear Queen Susan reaching her 28th year soon… we cannot help it…"

Edmund kept his annoyance in check and merely nodded that he would go ahead. Mr. Tumnus let him pass.

"And could you ask someone to please get rid of the flowers," he called back to Mr. Tumnus as an after thought. "They're rather nauseating."

"But they're gifts… for Queen Susan," said the faun.

"We have far better ones in the garden," replied Edmund irritably. "When will her suitors ever get it that she has no need for these. They just end up stinking the castle." He didn't look back to see if he had offended Mr. Tumnus but went forward on his errand.

Mr. Tumnus meant well, he knew, but sometimes Edmund felt a bit vexed with him. He had been the most vocal so far in telling them that Susan should marry as soon as possible, though Edmund knew the whole kingdom had been whispering the same sentiment for years.

Edmund used to think the idea of a woman whose face could launch a thousand ships was only the stuff of myth, but now he could safely claim that his older sister was the real life Helen of Troy. She was the most sought after woman, but not solely because of her beauty. Her title as queen and all the powers attached to it was an even greater attraction. None of the four rulers of Narnia were married, thus the issue of Narnia's heir remains in question. Whoever won Susan's hand in marriage was almost certain to earn the most powerful kingdom in the world through children she would bear him.

Susan wasn't the only one in this predicament. All four of them had been sought after as potential marriage partners through the years. Edmund had had numerous experiences with queens, princesses, duchesses and other court ladies flinging themselves at his feet (three of them literally did) whenever he visited any of the neighboring kingdoms. Peter had even more offers and can chalk up about 16 outright proposals to his credit. Lucy had a fair number of offers, but most of them would immediately withdraw their suit to her and propose to Susan once they saw the older queen.

It had been rather funny at first. The four of them would have a laugh every time they had a new one. (Peter and Edmund never encouraged or sought any one but they actually kept count and pitted each other on how many ladies had swooned over them each year). However, after Susan's twenty-fifth birthday, somehow the marriage issue became a serious affair.

It was Mr. Tumnus who had first brought it to their attention. He reminded them, though he did it ever so politely, that Susan was growing old. Her child bearing years were shortening, thus it was imperative she take a husband soon and secure Narnia's throne with a child. After him, came the many hints from everyone in court—the centaurs, the dwarves, the dryads, all the rest of the talking beasts and even the mermaids. Everyone in Narnia seemed so concerned that Susan pick a husband. The clamor from their subjects had put such a strain on Susan that Edmund had to admit that this was part of the reason she favored Rabadash two years ago. Edmund knew his gentle sister had her moments of weakness. She tended to crack with pressure from people she esteemed highly, and her subjects in Narnia qualified in that area.

Susan had thought Rabadash was different. Unlike her other suitors, he made no offer of a bride price and had been rather creative in his courtship by singing to her songs and reciting lovely poems in the week he spent in Narnia. Some brotherly instinct had told Edmund he was no good like the others and he proved to be right in the end. After the battle in Anvard, Susan found out the reason why Rabadash didn't offer a bride price. According to Aravis, Calormen had a different custom regarding marriages. If Susan had married Rabadash, he would have demanded a dowry from Narnia for her. In essence, her brothers had to pay Rabadash to marry her—a custom she found even more insulting than being offered a bride price.

Edmund finally arrived at the edge of the beach. The sea was calm but it was a bit cold. He could tell an early winter was fast approaching. He found his sisters standing together looking out into the open sea, talking. Or at least, Lucy was talking. Susan can be more aptly described as raging. She had taken off her shoes and had thrown them aside. She was stomping on the sand as if it offended her.

"Foul! Foul!" Susan exclaimed while kicking viciously at the sand, sending clouds of it in all directions. "They're all the same! They think that if they can't win my favor they can buy me from Peter like a common whore!"

"I know it's horrid Su, but I suppose offering a bride price is just part of their tradition," Lucy comforted.

"Tradition?" Susan cried. "It has nothing to do with tradition! It's how they think. They think I'm just a commodity they can trade! None of them had ever cared for me. They see nothing but my body and my kingdom! And I hate it! I hate it!" She gave a kick at the edge of the foaming waves then watched it recede. She stared at the water for a moment then buried her face in her hands as if her reflection frightened her.

"I wish I didn't look like this. Damn cursed beauty! I hate myself sometimes."

"Oh Su, don't," said Lucy. "It's not your fault."

"Is it? Then why am I the only one they do this to? Lucy, you've had offers too, but they're not like mine. Most of your suitors are sincere enough to win your affection. They don't go around offering Peter and Edmund half-naked women when you reject them."

Lucy turned away from her and Edmund could see a moment of sadness in her face. "Not all of them."

"Oh Lucy I'm sorry. I didn't mean…"

"It's okay," replied Lucy. "I don't mind. I know men like you better."

Edmund could tell Lucy was lying. His younger sister wasn't the romantic type who dreamed of men falling at her feet but it was rather embarrassing to always be the second choice. It was even more insulting when men proposed to her then withdrew the offer in favor of her sister. Lucy had laughed it off whenever it happened, but now Edmund realized that Lucy did mind the slight.

There was a long moment of discomforting silence between his two sisters and Edmund could tell Susan was struggling to find words to relieve Lucy's feelings of embarrassment. Eventually she did so by bringing the subject back to her.

"I just wish we didn't have to marry. I know everybody means well, but sometimes I wish they'd stop hinting marriage at me. I mean Peter's older, why can't he be the one to marry? Or Edmund? It's unfair for us girls."

"I know," said Lucy, who seemed relieved to collaborate into a different track in the conversation. "Just because men can sire healthy children even if they're older, it's us who are forced to marry early."

A smile finally lit Susan's face and she put an arm around Lucy. Edmund wondered at how girls can do that. One minute they were mad as hell and the next they were calm like nothing happened. Or maybe that was just Lucy. She always had that calming effect on everyone.

"Maybe we ought to start hinting at Edmund and Peter to do just that. We shouldn't be the only ones being pressured," said Susan and Lucy's face suddenly lit like a light bulb as she broke into a smile.

Edmund decided to reveal himself and nip this conspiracy in the bud before it hatched into a full plan against him and his older brother.

"Don't even try!"

Edmund was startled. He turned around and found Peter. It was he who had taken the words right from his mouth.

Susan and Lucy faced them both with identical innocent grins.

"You know Peter, you are getting on in years," began Susan in a voice that closely resembled Mr. Tumnus.

"And the princess of so and so country is quite the beauty," continued Lucy in the same manner. "I bet you'll have beautiful children. Did anyone ever tell you that for humans being under-thirty is the ideal age for having offspring?"

"O King Edmund," Susan piped in a voice that now imitated Mrs. Beaver. "I do love to have young humans to take care of again. Lucy's grown up so fast. I rather missed the trampling of little feet around Cair Paravel. It would please me and Mr. Beaver to have some young ones to look after."

Edmund crossed his arms on his chest and glared at his sisters. "Oh stop it," he grumbled. "There is no way Peter and I are getting married anytime soon. We're having far much too fun being kings without a wife getting in the way."

"Well so am I," frowned Susan. Her face turned serious and she sat on the sand, her face to the ocean. She had her own arms folded across her chest. "I don't want to get married either, ever!"

Peter plopped down next to her. He took off his boots and tossed them across his shoulder, narrowly missing Edmund. Peter ignored his protest and put a comforting arm around Susan's shoulder.

"You only say that now, Su," said Peter. "But someday you'll think differently."

Susan shook her head and a look of determination crossed her face. "No, I've had enough. I just want them all to leave me alone. I'm perfectly happy where I am. I won't be the wife of anyone who thinks of me as nothing but a trophy or some piece of meat they can buy from the market."

"I won't let anyone who thinks that either," said Peter. "I'm imposing a new policy now when it comes to your suitors. If they offer a bride price, I'm showing them the door, no questions asked. They don't deserve you if they think you can be bought."

Susan smiled at him. "You're a dear, but that exactly won't stop them from coming. I want them all to stay away forever."

Edmund and Lucy followed Peter's example. They tossed away their own boots then sat down about a few feet away from their older siblings.

"Maybe we could send off a challenge to anyone who wishes to court you," suggested Edmund. "A battle to the death with Peter or me ought to frighten them off."

"That will just encourage them to come and fight you everyday. I'm sure some of them won't pass up the chance of killing you without starting a war with Narnia," said Susan morosely. "Lucy and I will end up with two dead brothers and your murderers knocking at our door, demanding to take your places on the throne."

Lucy picked up a small shell on the sand and began toying with it absently. "This world is horribly lacking in eligible gentlemen," she complained.

Edmund picked up another shell and silently agreed with his younger sister. So far, he could only count with his fingers and toes the few decent chaps he had met. Lord Peridan and his two brothers were the only official Narnian men aside from Peter and Edmund. They were former Archenlanders who decided to migrate and obtain citizenship as Narnians with their families. All three men were happily married to Susan's and Lucy's ladies-in-waiting and their small children were part of the Narnian court. Outside of Narnia, only Archenland had men who Edmund could hold in high esteem but there were no potential matches for Susan among them. King Lune, who was a widower, was far too old. His sons, Cor and Corin were too young. The other Archenland lords, Dar, Darin, Tran, Shar, Cole and Colin were either engaged or married themselves.

Susan sighed heavily and leaned her head against Peter's shoulder. "Even if there were, I don't want them. I don't want to be any man's wife. I don't want to leave Narnia."

"Then you won't," said Peter as he stroked her hair. "Nobody's going to force you to marry anyone. Not even if every last Narnian demands it. On my honor as High King, I won't let you to go." He shifted his head to stare at her and gave her a mischievous expression. "Do you remember? We did have a deal."

Susan's face brightened. "You're right, we did." She said nothing more and merely stared out into the ocean, deep in thought.

Edmund turned to look at Lucy who was wearing a confused expression that mirrored his own. Both of them asked each other silently: "What deal were they talking about?" Edmund itched to ask but Susan seemed to be lost in her own world. Peter too was looking rather solemn as he watched the foaming waves moving back and forth into the sand, while his fingers played carelessly with Susan's locks.

Edmund turned his attention back to his shell and used it to draw lines in the sand to form a railroad track. Lucy had noticed and decided to join. Silently, they began building something that resembled a train station with a lot of tunnels. Edmund was engrossed in the task for a while that he temporarily forgot about the trouble at hand. When he happened to look in the direction of his older siblings, he caught Susan whispering something to Peter.

"Would you?" Edmund heard her say when he strained his ears.

Peter looked uncertain. "But are you sure? I mean, this will be for life."

"Peter," she said gravely. "I don't want it any other way. I think after 200 something suitors I should have found somebody by now. I think I've finally realized I'll never find one because this is where I'm meant to be."

"You know I'll agree, but only if you're really sure."

"Trust me Peter, I'm sure. This isn't the first time I thought of it and I've had time to think. I've thought about it for two years since Rabadash." Edmund felt a shiver in her voice as he spoke that despicable name. She held their eldest brother's gaze intently then added in a softer tone: "You, Edmund, Lucy and the rest of Narnia are all the family I'll ever need. I know where my heart belongs to."

"Alright then," said Peter. She pulled his head down and planted a kiss between his brows before muttering a "thank you." He got up from the sand and tugged her up with him.

"Did we just miss something?" asked Lucy who had looked up when she heard Susan mention her name.

Susan made a gesture that he and Lucy should get up too. "I think I've just figured out a way to get rid of my suitors once and for all," she said.

"How?" asked Lucy.

Susan shared a sly smile with Peter before replying: "I'm getting married."

A/N: HANG ON! Before you start hitting the review button to flame, I'd like to remind everyone that this story isn't over yet. Please wait for the next and final chapter then you can have a go at me all you want. But if you're feeling generous, tell me what you think so far.