Hey guys! sorry it's been so long! I'm working on a new fic for a movie I saw recently and I'm a little stumped by the stupid Mary-sue. how not to write her... even Rhianna is a little sueish and it's starting to bother me... feedback would be nice if my readers have any ideas on mary-sues! anyway, read and review!

Chapter Eighteen: Revelations

Peter walked numbly back into the ballroom, trying to battle the conflicting emotions within him. What had he done to make her so upset? Rhianna had been scared, he'd seen it in her eyes. And it was clear that she was running from something. But what?

"Peter!" Elsa swooped down on him, slipping her arm through his. "Where have you been? I've been looking everywhere for you. You look distracted; come dance, it will make you feel better." She took his shoulders and began pulling him out onto the floor, swaying slightly in time to the music.

He reached up and caught her wrists. "Forgive me, Elsa, but I just don't feel like dancing. If you don't mind, I'd like to rest for a while." He moved away.

"Wait!" Elsa stopped him with one hand on his arm, her green eyes glinting. "Don't lie to me. You're just done dancing now that your bodyguard has left. I guess she's gotten tired of watching out for you…"

She continued to talk, but Peter was no longer listening. Elsa's words had triggered a replay of his conversation with Rhianna only minutes before… Is that all I am to you! Your bodyguard! she had said. There had been anger there, and something else… hurt? Yes, hurt. Isn't that what you wanted? he'd asked. She never answered that question. Instead she had said: This wasn't supposed to happen. What wasn't supposed to happen? She hadn't answered that question either. Then it hit him. She had never met his eyes. Rhianna, who could look anyone dead in the eyes and never flinch. Rhianna, who never failed to answer him truthfully, had refused to answer the questions he posed to her. She had avoided him all night. Something had happened that she didn't expect. As his mind caught on this fact, all of Susan's words came tumbling back: She left because it's too hard to see love that she'll never know, Susan had said, she's lost everything she has ever loved and has learned to shield herself from the pain by not loving at all. Now, she was leaving again, trying to run from something she loved. But what? That was easy, she loved Susan, Edmund, and Lucy. But that wasn't enough to make her run, or else she would have left long before. His mind ran through the past few weeks, going over all his memories of her. She got this look in her eyes when she studied his face; she insisted on being there to protect him; she'd nearly given her own life to save his…Slowly, like a long-scattered jigsaw puzzle, the pieces were falling into place. She loved him. As he hit on that clear and simple statement, he felt it resonate through him and knew it was true.

"What have I done?" he murmured to himself.

"I'm sorry," Elsa paused her monologue to say, "I didn't hear you, sire. What did you say?"

He paid no attention to her, his eyes fixed on the door. "I've got to talk to her," he said aloud, breaking into a swift walk, leaving Elsa looking completely nonplussed. Once out in the empty corridor, he broke into a sprint, taking the steps two at a time. He came to the door to her rooms and turned the knob. It opened soundlessly, admitting him to a dark room. "Rhianna!" he called, moving swiftly from room to room. "No!" he growled, realizing that she must have already left. He ran out the door and down the steps again, his cape billowing behind him.

As he burst outside in the crisp night air, he gained speed, racing for the meadows, his fingers fumbling with the clasp of his cape. It released and the cape fell from his shoulders, hindering his speed no longer. In the soft light from the new moon, he could see two figures silhouetted against a grove of silver maples. Already, they were racing for the gate and the road, which lay behind him. At the speed Darkmoon was running, Peter knew he couldn't catch them, but he veered sharply in an attempt to cut them off anyway. "Rhianna! Wait!" he called. She gave no heed and Darkmoon put on an extra burst of speed. He had no choice now. "Darkmoon! IN THE NAME OF NARNIA, STOP!"

The mare screeched to a halt, nearly throwing her rider. Peter closed the distance, taking hold of Darkmoon's mane to prevent her from bolting. Then he looked up at her rider. Rhianna was staring down at him, thunderstruck. She was clothed in light tan leggings, knee-high black boots, and a navy blue tunic. Her hair had started to fall out of its bun, but to Peter, it looked better that way. "Peter! Wh-what are you doing here!" she gasped. "How did you find me?"

He was breathing hard, but managed to force the words out. "I…couldn't… let you…go." He gazed earnestly into her wide eyes. "Not now."

"Peter, I have to go. You don't understand. I… I can't stay." She was trying to make him understand. "I don't belong here, and I wouldn't be happy."

Peter looked at Darkmoon, who blinked in acknowledgement. Without warning, she bent her knees so that Rhianna was within reach. Before she could utter a word of protest, Peter pulled her off Darkmoon's back, causing her to fall into his arms. "No," he said sternly, "You're afraid you'll be too happy here." He set her back on her feet and took a step back to see her better. Defiantly, he folded his arms across his chest. "You're afraid that if you love too deeply, you'll lose that, too. Well, I have news for you, Rhianna: this love," he pointed to himself, "is not willingly pushed aside. You're not leaving tonight, Elf-Child."

Author's Note: Hope you liked this chapter! It gets a little better in the next one, but you'll all just have to wait for a little while >:) Thanks for all the reviews!