Susan had gone to reply to a letter she had received from Rabadash in Archenland. Peter wished that that fool would leave his sister alone, or at least she would see sense instead of the huge amount of presents he kept throwing at her. Lucy was down in the Great Hall, discussing a banquet they were holding with the servants, leaving the two kings alone upstairs.
Edmund looked up from the book he was attempting to read. "Peter, something's bothering you," he said, watching his elder brother pacing the room anxiously. "Whoever this girl is, I'm sure she's no threat. From all the reports we've had, she's as confused at being here as everyone else is."
"It's not that." Peter shook his head. "Well, not that exactly. If she's from our world, then obviously she can't be a threat."
"Then what?" Edmund was becoming increasingly concerned. "What do you mean, if she's from our world? Where else could she be from?"
"I don't know." Peter sighed. "Only… look, don't tell the girls yet, okay, it might be nothing, you know how people get things wrong here."
"Of course." Edmund nodded. He leaned forward as Peter sat down opposite him at the table.
Peter took a deep breath. "Some of the reports I've been given have said that she's wearing… that she's wearing trousers, Edmund!"
Edmund frowned. "What?"
"I don't understand it. No girl from our world would wear trousers, it's just not normal!"
"So what are you suggesting then?" Edmund asked. "That she's not from our world?"
Peter shrugged in a very un-kingly manner. "I just think it's strange. Surely if she were from our world, she'd dress like us too."
"Maybe she's from a different country," Edmund suggested. "Like America or something. It doesn't mean she's necessarily from a different world just because she's dressed differently…" He looked hopefully at his brother. "You're worried aren't you?"
"No." Peter shook his head, but then had to nod miserably at the end. "I just… if she isn't from our world, I don't know what to expect. By inviting her here, by almost welcoming her in… I could be putting Narnia in danger, Ed, I could be jeopardising everything. What if she's another witch?"
"We'd know if she was," Edmund insisted. "We've come across enough evil since we came here, we're practically professionals!" He attempted to joke. It fell flat. "It'll be okay, Peter."
Peter nodded, standing up. "Yes, of course it will," he agreed. "I'm going to go and check on Susan, see what rubbish she's writing to that Rabadash now. You won't say anything, will you, Ed? Not until we know anymore."
"Don't be stupid. But it'll be fine, Peter, you'll see."