A/N: I do not own anything but a few side characters. The main characters and places belong to C.S. Lewis.

Chapter 3

Tranquil hours

Aravis and Samaire had a wonderful time whilst the men were gone on the Hunt. Though most of the other women their age seemed inpatient for them to return and the closing banquet to begin. The two friends would often be seen walking the gardens of the castle laughing merrily, or else in deep conversation. Sometimes they sauntered to the lake near the western border of the gardens and sat there all day bathing their feet and chatting about live, love and woe.

Both women would have loved to go riding in the deep green pine forests that surrounded Anvar, but as long as the Hunt was held no woman was allowed near the trees.

Aravis told her friend all about her impatient discussions with the King about equal rights and equal opportunities for women in Archenland. The King seemed quite interested though still sceptical when it came to old traditions.

When the men returned from the Hunt three days later, the closing banquet was held. It was a feast, much wilder and exuberant than the opening banquet. The winning hunters were asked to tell their tale, how they found the tree and what made them believe that it was the most beautiful in all the land. Both Cor and Corin had seen the tree as well as all the other men and they both looked very pleased with themselves. Cor even dared to flash Aravis a most defying smirk that obviously told her that he had not forgotten their small fight.

"Oh that little pig," Aravis sat in her seat, sending him the most loathing glares.

"Who?" Samaire whispered.

"Cor of course!" Aravis growled and shook her head; he was such a self assured mongrel.

Since their arrival in Anvar, Cor had changed a lot. There was not much left from the shy and rather timid youngster she had met that night of flight in Calormen and in its wake was a tall self-assured, confident and rather arrogant young man. He knew that he was the next in line for the throne and above all except the king in the castle, even Corin. Though he was kind towards the servants and animals, he could not stop himself from being mean to Aravis.

Sure, she thought, it always takes two for a fight, but did he have to criticize her so often? Did he have to always point out her flaws even if it was only hints?

Aravis shook her head and felt her coal black curls bounce upon her back. Samaire had done her hair for the evening and instead of putting it up, she had let it cascade over her brown shoulders and back, only pulling back the sides with shimmering silver clips. By seeing the reflection in her mirror, Aravis had had to admit that she was not as ugly as she had always supposed. Her dark skin was unique in Archenland, no other woman in the room was from Tashbaan or its surroundings. No other woman was a Trakeena once promised to the Royal Viseer of the Emperor, May he die tomorrow, Aravis thought with a grin, no old rule could keep up with her, at last she was free and going to Narnia as well!