"So do you think this dress will do?" Susan drew Edmund's attention back to the deep blue dress she was wearing. "I mean I do like the yellow one, but Lucy wants to wear yellow, even though it doesn't suit her skin tone at all!" She looked at her younger brother. "Edmund, are you even listening?"

"No," Edmund shook his head.

Susan sighed in exasperation. What was it with her two brothers? Lately they'd both been in such a daze, especially Peter. Mind you, there were no prizes for guessing what was distracting him, she thought, as she saw him walking around the walled gardens with Emma.

"Edmund, is something wrong?" she asked as patiently as she could manage. She was supposed to be greeting some guests who had arrived for the banquet tomorrow evening, but she should probably try and be at least a little supportive towards her younger brother. He was always so grave and quiet, more so even than Peter, who had a lot more responsibility that he did. Edmund had never been the same since they'd come to Narnia, and even though she was pleased that that sneaky devious little side of his had gone, if he'd only relax sometimes she'd be far happier.

Edmund hesitated before saying, "Not really, I just… do you think there's something up with Peter?"

Susan rolled her eyes. "Oh for goodness sake, Edmund! Is that what this is all about?" She shook her head. "Peter's fine, he's just…"

"Just what?" Edmund prompted her.

"He's in love." Susan shrugged.

"You really think so?" Edmund looked horrified. "With who?"

"Oh really, Ed!"

"Emma?"

"Well obviously" Susan laughed. "It was bound to happen sooner or later, and Emma's a nice girl." She took one final look in the mirror, checking her treasured crown was straight, before nodding at her appearance delightedly.

There came a knock at the door.

"Come in!" Susan called.

A servant came in. "Your majesties." He bowed. Susan wondered if she'd ever get used to this treatment. "There is a messenger downstairs who wishes to speak to you."

"Us?" Susan looked at Edmund uncertainly. "Are you sure it isn't our brother they want?"

"We have been unable to locate King Peter," the servant informed her. "He took some horses out a few minutes hence and has not been seen since."

Susan looked out the window and saw that he had indeed gone, as had Emma. "I suppose I ought to deal with this then," she said, feeling her heart sink. She was so useless at this kind of thing. "Send him up."

"He would prefer if you would come down to him, actually, Your Majesty," the servant continued.

"What kind of messenger is this exactly?" Edmund asked.

"A centaur, Your Majesty," the servant replied.

"Oh no!" Susan looked at her brother. "Maybe I'm not the best person for this job, Edmund. Maybe you should…"

Edmund nodded slowly. "Of course. I'll be right down," he said to the servant. Once the door had closed behind him, Edmund turned to his sister. "You'll have to start dealing with some of this kind of stuff soon, Su. Peter and I can't deal with it all."

"I know." Susan nodded miserably.

"And who's ever going to want a queen who can't talk the talk?" Edmund teased her gently, before leaving the room.

The centaur was waiting in the courtyard. No matter how many times Edmund saw one of these creatures, he was always in awe of their great strength and power. He recognised this one, a respectable centaur known as Thunderfoot, with a fine auburn beard and chestnut flanks.

"Your Majesty." He bowed graciously. "I come with some worrying news."

"Proceed," Edmund encouraged him.

"The stars last night told a troubling tale," Thunderfoot informed him. "They tell of evil that will come or has come or is coming as we speak. They suggest a crumbling of power, a dark force taking over."

Edmund felt a shiver run down his spine. "Can they not be more specific?" he asked.

"The stars tell it all," Thunderfoot replied. "Only we cannot always see it." He twitched suddenly. "I would suggest Your Majesties be very wary and ready for a fight."

"Is this a prophesy or merely a warning?" Edmund enquired. If it were destiny, why even bother standing up to this evil force?

"There is always the chance to change the stars, sire." The centaur gave him a knowing smile. "That is why I came so swiftly."

"Thank you." Edmund nodded gravely. "It has been most appreciated. Is there any other news?"

"Nothing of any worth." Thunderfoot shoot his head. "I shall allow Your Majesty to leave and discuss this further with your brother and sisters. It must be acted upon soon, sire, for I am sure the evil is nearly upon us, if it is not already here."

"I thank you." Edmund gave the centaur his leave and headed back up into the castle. He'd been sure there was something wrong, something didn't feel right about Narnia anymore. Now if only he could find Peter and ask his opinion on the subject…

He met his brother along the next corridor, with Emma's arm wrapped tightly around his own.

"Edmund!" Peter greeted him, smiling widely. "We've been looking for you everywhere, Susan's having to entertain the visitors all on her own!"

"There was some news I had to deal with," Edmund informed him, looking warily at Emma. Something seemed different about her, something wasn't right in her beautiful face. She was watching Peter intently, seemingly obsessively, and occasionally giving Edmund provocative glances from under her long lashes. What was it about her that was worrying Edmund so?

"News?" Peter looked business-like for the first time in days. "What sort of news?"

"I'd prefer to discuss it in private," Edmund said looking at Emma pointedly.

"Oh Ed!" Peter rolled his eyes. "Emma's as good as family now, aren't you? You can say anything in front of her."

"It's actually quite serious, Peter," Edmund said, refusing to be drawn into this. "I really think that we should go and discuss this…"

"We don't have time for these games, Edmund!" Peter sighed exasperatedly. "If it's that important, tell me now, if not, we've got important guests to entertain." He waited for his brother's reply. "Well?"

Edmund shook his head. "It doesn't matter."

"Okay, so maybe you can go and put on your best robes and we'll meet you downstairs in fifteen minutes?" Peter suggested. "See if you can find Lucy while you're up here."

Edmund looked across at Emma as they walked away, and when he looked her directly in her green eyes he instantly knew what was so wrong with her, what had changed.