Chapter Three-Sunset

It took a little over an hour to get to Cair Paravel. Thankfully, Susan was hosting a feast and no one noticed the High King and a stranger ascend to the floor that housed his majesty's private chambers.

"Here," Peter said, gingerly setting her down on the bed in a spare room down the hall from his own. "I'll go and find Lucy; she'll heal you."

He squeezed her hand before exiting.

Melanie looked around the room. It was warm and welcoming. The bed was a mahogany four poster bed, with red velvet hangings and blankets. Tiny lions were stitched in gold thread on them. A roaring fire crackled merrily in the fireplace.

Peter returned a few moments later, a younger girl following him and holding a small bottle.

"Melanie, this is my sister Lucy," Peter explained. "Her cordial will heal you."

"What's wrong, anyhow?" Lucy wanted to know.

"I…fell," Melanie replied, feeling a bit stupid.

"Where does it hurt?"

"My ribs," Melanie said.

"Oh, my," Lucy replied. She gently placed her hand on Melanie's ribs. "Does this hurt?"

"Yes. I can hardly move."

"It feels like they're broken," Lucy said, moving her hand away.

Peter flinched. "Will the cordial help her?" he asked anxiously.

"It should," Lucy answered. "You have to leave, Peter," she added.

"No," Peter said stubbornly. "I need to know if she'll be healed."

"I have to remove my shirt," Melanie said pointedly.

"Oh," Peter said, blushing. "Sorry."

He left again, still bright red.

"Boys," Melanie muttered.

"He thinks you're pretty," Lucy said. "Can you unbutton your shirt?"

"Yeah…" Melanie say up slightly, winced and unbuttoned the blouse she was wearing.

Lucy carefully leaned over her, and spilled a few drops of cordial onto Melanie's torso.

"Better?" she asked with a smile.

"Much. Thanks, Lucy. Did you say Peter thinks I'm…pretty?"

"Yes, I did. He was really concerned about you, and seeing as how you aren't related, he must think you're pretty," Lucy replied. "You should find you'll be able to move now with comfort."

Melanie twisted her upper body. "Good as new. Thanks again."

"Shall I get Peter?" Lucy inquired.

"Please. I need to apologize to him; I was pretty nasty to him earlier," Melanie responded.

Lucy left, a bit of a grin of her still-childish features.

She came back with a relived-looking Peter. "I'll let you talk," she said, leaving once more.

Peter rushed over to Melanie's bed. "Are you sure you're all right?" he asked fretfully.

"I'm fine," Melanie assured him. "Look, I'm sorry I was so rude to you earlier." She looked away from him, ashamed of how she'd behaved.

"It's OK. I promise," Peter said, cupping her face in his hands and forcing her to look at him.

"I'm just not used to boys being nice to me," Melanie admitted, meeting his gaze.

"I see," Peter said. "I'm sorry about that. If it helps, I happen to think you're the most beautiful gi-woman I've ever seen." He blushed as he said that last part, and Melanie was quite flattered.

"You're not bad yourself," Melanie replied with a smile.

"D-do you want t-t-take a walk? With m-me," Peter spluttered.

"I would love to," Melanie answered. "But can we postpone it until tomorrow? The sun is about to set and I-"

Melanie was cut off by Peter seizing her hand and pulling her off the bed.

"What the-?"

"Come on," Peter said running down the hall, up another narrow flight of stairs, down another corridor and up a spiral staircase to a tower.

"This is the best spot to watch the sunset," he said, leaning against the stone of the tower wall.

The two new friends stood side by side, shoulders touching, and watched the breathtaking sunset.

I'll leave it here for now…

Love,

Robbie