Months passed and Ali became more comfortable in Cair Paravel. She was used to the talking animals now, as well as the Dryads and Naiads and all other sorts of creatures. Lucy had become the little sister she had never had and always wanted, Peter was like an older brother, she could talk to Susan about anything without getting embarrassed, and Edmund was like one of her best friends.
Lucy would soon turn fourteen, and a ball was being held in honor of her upcoming birthday. Visitors from neighboring countries often arrived to give Lucy their best wishes and greetings, so the castle was always busy. Ali hardly had any time to herself, always attending to guests and helping with ball-related matters.
One day, merely four days before the ball, she finally had a spare moment to relax. She exited the castle and made her way to the stables, planning to go for a ride on her gelding, Skaling. Skaling wasn't a Talking Horse, but he was very intelligent and understanding nevertheless.
Ali was in the middle of saddling the horse when Edmund walked into the stable.
"Going somewhere?"
"Oh, no," Ali replied, not looking up. "I'm merely saddling my horse just because I have nothing better to do. You know how fun putting a 20 pound lump of leather onto a 16 hand horse is that's extremely temperamental."
Edmund grinned. "Ah, of course. I'd forgotten the pure joy of the process. Mind if I join you?"
"'Course not. Will you be taking Phillip?"
"No, he's enjoying himself out in the pasture with some of the other Talking Horses. I'll take Felix today. He hasn't been out on a ride in a while."
Once the two horses were saddled up, Ali and Edmund cantered down to the beach and drove on through the waves. The cold water felt good under the hot summer sun, and the two horses seemed to be enjoying themselves too. They tossed their heads and whinnied, galloping faster down the shoreline. They never seemed to slow, even when Ali protested and pulled hard on Skaling's reins. He ignored her and kept on going. Ali was a bit worried, but Edmund was enjoying himself thoroughly, so she just let the horse go on.
They had gone on for a while, when suddenly Skaling stopped short. Ali was caught off guard, and was thrown over the horse's head. She shrieked as she was enveloped by the ocean's salt water which stung her eyes and accidentally swallowed a bit (well, really a lot). She gagged as her head came above the small waves only to see Edmund standing on the sand, laughing hysterically.
Ali gathered up the folds of her hunting dress and stood up. "Edmund!" she shrieked. "You…why, I should just—Oh, Ed, I hate you, you little git!"
Edmund clutched his side, still laughing. "Aw, I love you too, Ali. What a sport."
Ali could feel herself turning red at his first comment, but he didn't seem to notice. She glared at him and grabbed both his wrists, throwing him into the gentle surf. He spluttered and spit out water.
"What was that for? Shouldn't you be throwing Skaling into the water? I didn't do anything!"
"Yeah, well, Skaling wasn't laughing at me, now was he?" She splashed water at him playfully and grinned.
Edmund stood up. "Oh, you're definitely going to get it now. Just wait," he called as she took off down the beach. "When you're not looking, I'll get back at you for that." He dashed after her.
"Ed," she called over her shoulder, "did I ever tell you that you run like a girl?"
"I do not! Anyway, you run like a jackrabbit with an arrow stuck in its butt."
"Say what?" Ali stopped and turned suddenly, cocking an eyebrow at the young king. "Now, if I didn't know better, I'd say that wasn't proper language for a King. Insulting a lady like that." She sniffed and raised her head in imitation of a snobbish, proper woman she had once known in her hometown.
"Excuse me? I don't believe you should be telling a King he runs like a girl. Most people would frown upon behavior like that, you know."
"Pooh! I'm not 'most people'. I don't give a fig what they would or wouldn't do."
Edmund grinned. "You're a peach, Ali."
"Oho, so now you're referring to me as a fruit? Well, I'll let you know right now that I haven't got a stem sticking out of my head and I didn't pop off a tree! So you can just shut your mouth right now before I call you a blinking pear-face."
"Pear-face! Where'd you come up with that one?"
"The brain that is inside my head. Which, I would guess, you seem to lack." Ali smiled smugly and ran back to Skaling. "Come on, Ed! I'll race you back to Cair Paravel!"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The two friends arrived back at the Castle just as the sun was setting. Its golden rays were reflected in its many glass windows as well as the glittering sea that spread out in front of it. Narnia's beauty never failed to amaze Ali, and, after she had unsaddled Skaling, she paused at the stable door to gaze out at the golden orb sinking below the glassy surface.
She felt so happy here in Narnia, yet she still felt like something wasn't right, something was missing. Underneath all her happiness and joy was a layer of foreboding despair which bubbled up mysteriously and caused her to become miserable. She hated it, and wished it would just go away, leave her alone and stop haunting her dark nights.
She jumped slightly as someone placed a hand on her shoulder. She turned and saw Edmund, who was staring out at the horizon too. A light smile danced across his face, and he seemed peaceful and content. Ali didn't want to ruin his happiness and tell him of her depression, or tell anyone for that matter. She just couldn't bring herself up to it. It was too painful, too hard.
Edmund looked down at his friend and smiled. He squeezed her damp shoulder and nodded towards the castle. "Come on; Peter and Su will be needing help planning Lu's ball."
The two were climbing the steps of the castle when there was a clattering of horse hooves and the grinding of wheels. Edmund turned and groaned. "Look who's arrived," he muttered.
Ali wheeled around, knowing all too much who he meant. And sure enough, out of the carriage jumped Princess Areese in her flowing and pouffy dress. Her golden hair flowed out from behind her and her blue eyes sparkled. She ran up to Edmund and flung her arms around his neck.
"Oh, Edmund!" she cried. "I've missed you so much! It's so good to be back in Nanria! I'll be staying for a week, you know." She pulled away from him and batted her eyelashes, smiling winningly.
Edmund looked horrified. "A…a week?"
"Oh, of course! I hardly ever see you anymore, or dear Susan. Oh, where is she? I must say hello!" She started to the doors, then stopped. "Eddy, dear, you do know you're all wet!"
Edmund smiled pleasantly, though Ali could tell he was about ready to strangle the Princess of Archenland. "Yes, I know, Areese. Thank you for pointing that out."
Areese giggled and flounced into the castle. Edmund rolled his eyes.
"Ali, please, please don't let me get near her, or I might knock her upside the head. And that won't be good for our bonds with Archenland."
Ali grinned and linked arms with him. Using the nickname he despised and imitating Areese's high voice, she said, "Of course not, Eddy, dear. You have absolutely nothing to fear. I'll keep you safe from that absolutely gorgeous and terrible princess."
Edmund snorted. "Nothing to fear. Right."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
End of chapter four. I'm not sure if there are carriages in Narnia or Archenland, but I didn't think Areese would approve of riding a horse to Narnia. So, she's got a carriage now. Hoorah. Anyway, I hope you liked it! Please review!