Chapter Six- The Evil That is Princess Aleutia of Archenland

Several weeks later, Melanie had grown accustomed to castle life. The court of the Pevensies was very kind to her, and Melanie had no problems with any of them. Her powers had gotten stronger as well, no doubt due to the fact that she was able to practice more.

Susan's fifteenth birthday was approaching, and she had planned a ball in celebration. As was the custom, she invited the Archenland royal family. Only the princess, Aleutia, who was Prince Lune's sister, would attend. (A/N Aleutia is pronounced A-LOO-TEE-UH. She's my other OC for this story.) Peter groaned when he heard this news.

"What's wrong with her?" Melanie wanted to know.

"She thinks too highly of herself," Peter replied.

"And she fancies Peter," Edmund added in a very audible whisper.

"Oh," Melanie said, feeling a sudden urge to punch something. If he did indeed fancy Aleutia, Melanie knew she could never let on that she was jealous.

"Shut up, Edmund," Peter grumbled, stomping from the Great Hall.

"Oh, stop worrying," Lucy said after Peter was out of earshot. "He can't stand her."

This made Melanie feel a bit better at first, but after spending a whole day brooding on the fact that she could have competition she began thinking she would never have a chance.

'He's not going to be interested in me, not when he could have a princess…'

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It was easy to understand why Peter said he disliked Princess Aleutia. She was obnoxious.

"Susan, darling!" she cried as she and her escorts arrived at Cair Paravel, where the four Pevensies and Melanie were waiting. The Archenland princess hugged Susan, then Lucy and Edmund. (Peter and Melanie were standing in the shadows)

"Aleutia," Susan regarded warmly.

"How have you been, darling?"

"Fine, thanks. I'll see your horses get to the stable and we'll have lunch, yes?"

"Perfect," Aleutia agreed, flashing a dazzlingly white smile. "Peter!" Aleutia threw her arms around him, making him wince.

"I can't breathe," he said.

"So sorry, darling…who are you?" Aleutia demanded coldly, eyeing Melanie with distaste.

"This is Lady Melanie," Peter said quickly. "She's my best friend."

Melanie gave him a grateful smile. "Hello."

"Are you from where Peter is? The other side of the Ward Robe? A Daughter of Eve?" Aleutia queried.

"Yes…I'm not from England though."

"How utterly fascinating," Aleutia said, not sounding like she cared at all. "Come, Peter, I'll allow you to be my escort to lunch."

Peter flinched, but Aleutia didn't notice. Melanie gave him a "What-Can-I-Do" look as Aleutia half-dragged the disgruntled king across the courtyard.

"Ooh, you hate her all ready, don't you?" Lucy asked knowingly.

"Too right I do," Melanie muttered irritably.

"He'll be glad when she's gone," Lucy assured her, following her siblings across the courtyard. "He always is. And Susan's party is tomorrow, and you'll be wearing that white silk dress…Peter is very fond of you, you've nothing to worry about."

'I highly doubt that, Lu,' Melanie thought as she slid between her silken sheets that evening. Aleutia had hung all over Peter for the rest of the day, not even noticing that he clearly was uncomfortable.

'Nothing to worry about indeed.'

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After tossing and turning for hours, Peter slipped out of his bed, pulled on a robe, and ascended to the tower that he and Melanie always watched the sunset from, only to find Melanie herself.

"What are you doing here, at this hour?" Peter inquired gently.

"Couldn't sleep," Melanie mumbled.

"Something on your mind?" His tone was soft, so concerned, and Melanie wanted nothing more than to run into his arms and tell him how she felt.

"I'm an insomniac," Melanie lied.

"Oh." He smiled slightly and moved to stand beside her at the window.

"It's so different here," Melanie breathed.

"Especially when you think of what humans have now," Peter agreed. "Things like cars and trains aren't even thought of in Narnia."

"They aren't needed. Nor do I think we're here to industrialize Narnia. It's perfect just how it is."

"Very true."

"A comfortable silence fell over the two teenagers as they watched the starry sky.

"My father is fighting in the war," Melanie said suddenly. "I miss him."

"My father is fighting, too," Peter replied. "He made me promise I'd look after my mother and siblings."

"It must be so nice to have siblings who love you," Melanie mused.

"Don't your brother and sisters love you?" Peter asked.

Melanie snorted. "Michael, Margaret, and Meredith could care less about me. They think it's my fault that my mother left us."

Peter gave her an odd look. "Why'd she leave?"

"She'd had enough. She didn't want me. Four children were too much, she said. One day, when I was two years old, she apparently dropped me off at day care, went home and packed her things, and drove away."

On a very sudden impulse, Peter hugged her, very tightly. "I'm sorry, Mel," he breathed. "I'm so sorry."

Melanie hugged him back, knowing he cared, and that he wanted so badly to comfort her. "I'm used to the idea. Believe me, I don't care any more."

"Of course you do," Peter said.

"My dad always said it wasn't my fault, and he gave me special treatment, another reason my brother and sisters hate me."

"It must be horrible to be the youngest. No one ever believes you, you get hand-me-downs…"

Melanie grinned, which was what Peter had been going for.

"Being the oldest must be so much better," she said sarcastically.

"It is." Not really realizing what he was doing, Peter raised his hand to the back of Melanie's head, stroking her hair. "You get to leave home first."

"Good point."

Another silence fell, an even nicer one than before, as neither had let the other go.

"Thank you," Melanie said finally. "For everything."

"You're very welcome indeed," Peter replied, reluctantly releasing her.

Their eyes met, and Peter lowered his head…their lips were two inches apart…one…

"Peter!" a shrill voice yelled.

Both Melanie and Peter jumped at this sudden intrusion. It was none other than Aleutia. Luckily, she hadn't seen them so close to kissing. She merely thought they'd talking quietly.

"Come along Peter, it's late," she said. "Good night, Lady Melody."

"It's Melanie," she corrected, but Aleutia had all ready gone, taking Melanie's knight in shining armor with her.

Grr…Peter came out a bit wimpy in this chapter where Aleutia was concerned. Nevertheless, review…the next chapter will be a bit biographical…Melanie talking to Susan and Lucy about her past…chapter eight will be about Susan's Ball.

Love,

Robbie