Just and Magnificent

Volume 2.2 – A Prince and a Promise

Volume 2 of Just and Magnificent takes place about 2 years after the events of the movie. It is AU and if you haven't figured out, contains slash and incest. Hopefully you find it handled in a way that is as pure as possible. Though I am sure if you're up to this chapter by now, you've pretty much figured out how it works in this story.
Summary: Where did Princess Pretty Eyes go during the ball? After a fluffy chapter in our last chapter, this one sets off the arc of the second volume. Peter/Ed abound, but Susan plays a major role in this chapter, which of course will tie into our heroes since this story is called Just and Magnificent after all lol.
Warnings: Slash, Incest, Love, Romance, Adventure, etc, etc, etc
Disclaimer: Only characters that are mine are the Pretty Eyes People from Shian! All the rest belong to that master of awesomeness, C.S. Lewis!

IN THE ABSENCE OF KINGS

In the absence of King Peter, Queen Susan assumed charge of Narnia. She was a more than capable leader when it was required of her. Since her role in the great battle of Cair Paravel a year earlier, she had earned even greater respect than she already held. Her inspired leadership and staunch refusal to let Cair Paravel fall is largely credited as the reason the battle was won. For if she had not been able to lead the Narnian Army to hold Cair Paravel until the arrival of King Peter with the Shian Kingdom's army, and King Edmund with the Fallen Army of Beruna, then all of Narnia would have been lost. So now it was not only a generally accepted fact that Susan was a gentle, wise, and compassionate queen. It was also a readily accepted truth that Susan was also a fearsome and courageous leader who when challenged, would rise mightily to the occasion.

One unfortunate side effect of being known as a fearless woman who could lead an army and duel with demon giants, was the uncanny decline of suitors who approached. It seemed most men, of the few that existed in this world, soon found her to be altogether intimidating. It was a small fact that had caused the queen many a somber moment of questioning her own virtues as a woman.

She was the first person to stand up and welcome Edmund home, as well as support the obvious pure love he shared with Peter. Yet she longed for a love of her own. She longed for a love who would be willing to ride the very depths of hell to be with her, as Edmund had for Peter. Yet who would take that risk with her? Who would be the king to her queen?

As she paced back and forth in the throne room, trying to word a new piece of legislation in her head, she thought back to memories of a place she could no longer name. A place much different to Narnia. A place with strange devices that rode on metal roads.

"What were they called?" Susan asked, her memory of her life before Narnia fading, "I don't remember."

And yet she could remember that in her life before Narnia, she was simply a girl. A girl who would occasionally receive the attention of a boy she liked. She couldn't remember any of their names now, but she could remember the feeling. The feeling of butterflies in her stomach when she received a card bearing her name. A card from …

"What was his name?" Susan said, becoming increasingly frustrated with her lack of memory.

"Majesty!" Oerius said riding into the throne room with an urgent gallop, "We have a request from an ally who wishes an immediate audience with you."

"Now?" Susan asked, sensing the urgency in Oerius's voice, "Who is it?"

"Prince Orrin of the Shian Kingdom."

"Eris's brother? Here in Cair Paravel?"

"Yes, Majesty. He waits at the city's southern gates with a small entourage. He carries wounded with him. He wished to speak to King Peter, but I have informed him that the high king is away on … business."

"Right." Susan smiled, "Summon Lucy to the infirmary so she may tend the wounded. Bring Prince Orrin here. I will speak with him immediately. Do you know the nature of his visit?"

"I believe it has something to do with Princess Eris's sudden departure from the Golden Ball last night. I would not like to speculate any further, Majesty."

"Very well, send him in."

Susan raised her eyebrow in contemplation as Oerius galloped away. She had the ominous feeling that Prince Orrin was not here to pay greetings to Narnia. She hoped that somehow she would be wrong, and yet she also believed that Peter's absence had jinxed her. As it had done so in the past already.

She was so busy thinking of ways she could punish Peter for riding away with Edmund, that she barely realized the presence of Prince Orrin in the throne room. When she heard the traditional horns being trumpeted to greet foreign dignitaries, royalty and friends of Narnia, she looked up to see Prince Orrin walking toward her looking as lost in thought as she was. When their eyes finally met, she forgot everything she was just thinking about.

And then she felt it. Those butterflies in her stomach that so rarely visited her these days. Of all her potential suitors. Of all the people Peter had pointed out to her in balls and foreign talks. She had never met one who made her feel as light as she did now. She had only heard of Prince Orrin by name. He had never ventured to Narnia in person. She knew Princess Eris was often referred to as 'Princess Pretty Eyes', and now she knew it must be a family trait. Prince Orrin's eyes sparkled the most unusually brilliant hue of green and blue. He could have almost passed off as a twin to Eris, although with a frame unmistakably masculine. Perfectly chiseled feautures and long blonde hair was pinned up in a ponytail with a silver cylinder, the likes of which Susan had never seen before. He wore an outfit that seemed a mix of armor and formal white robes, accentuating his tall, lean and muscular frame. His strapping arms and midsection were exposed, while armor covered his chest and shoulders. Susan could not remember seeing someone who was such a perfect mix of elegance, strength, and dare she even say it; beauty.

"Prince Orrin?" Susan asked, finally regaining her composure.

It seemed he too was distracted with the vision of her. Yet he was shaken from his reverie by her words and instantly dropped to one knee with his head down. If there was one thing Susan did not like about being queen, it was the propensity of people to bow as if inferior to her. She found it tiresome and had no interest in making anyone feel inferior to anybody else.

"Queen Susan of Narnia, forgive my unannounced arrival. I am Prince Orrin, son of King Firson of the Shian Kingdom. I humbly request permission to speak with you."

Trying not to look amused with the Prince's words, Susan stepped forward and touched his shoulder. He looked up at her and she smiled back with a warm glow. She motioned for him to rise and he did so. Where just a moment ago she looked down as he knelt on one knee, she now was forced to look up to meet his eyes, for he was almost taller than Peter.

Prince Orrin took Susan's hand in his own and raised it to his lips. He kissed her hand with a gentle bow before he let go and silently stepped back. Susan could not help feeling that perhaps she would not punish Peter for leaving her in charge after all.

"I am Queen Susan the Gentle." Susan said with a gracious smile, "Unless you come with war riding behind you. Then I am not so gentle."

"I heard … tales of your beauty … but … I had no idea …" Prince Orrin said staring so intently at Susan that she could not help but blush.

"Oh … please do not regale me with false flattery." blushed an embarrassed Susan, "There is no need for such tales."

"I assure you … tales they may be, but false they certainly are not."

"I …" Susan continued to blush and turned away to try and hide her flushed smile, "I take it you are here on matters of some urgency?"

"Oh … yes, Majesty. I'm afraid I come to you in need of aid for the Shian Kingdom." Prince Orrin spoke with a tone that had quickly switched from doe eyed admirer to urgent emissary.

"What aid do you require?" Susan asked with concern, "Narnia stands ready to aid the Shian Kingdom."

"There has been an attempt on my father's life. I'm afraid our kingdom is in dark times, Queen Susan. It is impossible to know who to trust. And now Princess Eris is missing, though I believe her aide, Jesahn has swept her to safety. I believe Jesahn learned of a plot to assassinate Princess Eris at the Golden Ball."

Susan seemed no more enlightened than before Prince Orrin had started speaking. She looked at him with an 'and?' expression on her face, forcing him to continue his explanation so she may better assess it. She could sense that he was somewhat hesitant to go into detail. Perhaps he was expecting to speak to Peter, and was uncertain of the usefulness of speaking to a queen, instead of a king. Her expression made it clear to him that she would not settle for anything less than a full and open discussion. Finally, Prince Orrin continued.

"It was widely believed that King Peter would begin officially courting my sister at the Golden Ball, and that they would share the midnight dance together. It was during this dance that my sister would be struck down by an assassin and the blame centered on Narnia. Thankfully, somehow she left before this took place and from what I heard, King Peter shared the midnight dance with the fallen king. This is a double blessing for the Shian Kingdom. I cannot fully explain to you the forces that are at work, but there are those in the Shian Kingdom who wish for ourselves and Narnia to go to war. This is only to serve as a distraction to my father, so the military will be fighting away from our capital and a coup can be launched to usurp him."

"This is horrible. Surely you know that Narnia has nothing to do with any of this?"

"I know, Majesty." Prince Orrin reassured, "But since the assassination attempt seems to have failed, the originators of the coup have stepped up their attempts to assassinate my father and intend to blame it on Narnia. They have their own army formed of the scavengers of the wildlands marching toward our capital. Our army is mobilized, but my father fears for the safety of Eris and has requested she be given asylum here in Narnia. Once we find her that is. As we speak my father is declaring Narnia a victim in the plans to overtake the Shian Kingdom. Should anything happen to the royal family, Narnia is not to be held responsible."

"This is most distressing." Susan said with unease, "Who is behind this plot to take over the Shian Kingdom?"

"Secson, my father's brother. My uncle. He planned to have my father killed and turn attention elsewhere, before he assassinated both myself and my sister, leaving him legally free to take the throne. He is a despicable man that should've been disposed of years ago, but my father will not kill his own brother. Now our entire kingdom may suffer for it."

"So you came all this way to ask for asylum for your sister, Princess Eris? What of yourself?"

"I am a warrior, not a prince." Prince Orrin said shaking off Susan's concerns, "Eris is the future ruler of Shian, not I. My place is to fight. I will return as soon as possible to my homeland. My father did ask me to request the presence of King Peter the Magnificent with a strike army to aid us. He is both respected by the virtuous and feared by the despicable. It would be a show of force and unity that my father hoped would strike fear into those who would seek to bring chaos to our kingdom. But as King Peter is not here, I will return on my own. Many of my entourage were wounded fighting off the insurgents on our way here. May I leave them in your charge until they recover?"

"Of course, Prince Orrin."

Susan paced back and forth, digesting the information Prince Orrin had given her. She understood the desperation in his voice and the fear he held for both his father and his people. She had felt that fear herself a year ago when Cair Paravel was overrun with the nameless evil. It was the Shian Kingdom who came to Narnia's aid then. Now it was time for Narnia to return the favor, Peter or no Peter.

"Prince Orrin, Narnia will aid you. I will assemble a strike army to ride with you." said Susan.

"I thought King Peter was …"

"King Peter will not be riding with the army. I will be."

"Majesty, I cannot all…" Prince Orrin began to say before Susan silenced him with a raise of her hand.

"Prince Orrin, I will be leading Narnia's strike army to aid you. Should you have a problem with this, I suggest you take it to the highest authority in Narnia." Susan said as if in thought, "And would you believe? I am the highest authority in Narnia in my brother's absence. Any more questions?"

"I …" Prince Orrin began to say before he thought better and held his tongue, "No, Majesty. Except that I guess the other tales are true after all."

"What other tales?"

"The tales about you being as brave as you are beautiful." Prince Orrin said with a small bow, "I will take my leave of you now. I will wait with my wounded until you are ready, Queen Susan the Gentle."

Susan returned the bow and summoned Oerius to her as Prince Orrin left. She held her stomach in an attempt to keep the butterflies at bay. If only Prince Orrin had represented the Shian Kingdom in place of Princess Eris, the Golden Ball would have been much different for her.

"Queen Susan, perhaps we should be thinking about that strike army?" Oerius said with a barely contained smile.

"Oh, Oerius. How dreadful of me." Susan blushed, "Am I so transparent?"

"On the contrary, Majesty, it is only because we have never seen you taken with anyone before, that it is so obvious now."

"Well, regardless of who came to ask for our aid, we owe the Shian Kingdom a debt of gratitude."

"We do, Majesty. I shall assemble a strike army for you at once. Would you like someone to send for King Peter?"

"No." Susan said sternly, "I am more than capable of handling affairs in his absence. I will entrust you with forming a strike army. However, you will not be riding with me."

"Majesty, I must come with you. It is my duty."

"Your duty is to protect the ruler of Narnia. As of this moment, I am relegating that duty to Queen Lucy. And I am asking you to remain here to protect her, and to provide her with your wise counsel. Will you do that for me?"

"Of course, Majesty. I will do as you ask." Oerius said with a small bow.

"Thank you, Oerius. I know she will not come to harm as long as you are here to watch over her. I will leave at once. Tell Peter I will send word once there is word to send."

The great and loyal centaur watched on as Queen Susan took her leave of the throne room. He was grateful for the companionship and trust the royal family had in him, yet he would still prefer to be at the head of the army rather than to stay behind. He sensed danger ahead for Queen Susan, and his thoughts immediately passed over to King Peter, hoping that the high king, wherever he was, would soon return.

TO WOO, DEAR KING, TO WOO

"Peter, whatever do you have in store for me?" Edmund asked as the pair rode along on Peter's trusty unicorn, "And why couldn't I bring Phillip?"

"Because then I couldn't do this." Peter said kissing the back of Edmund's neck, "Whenever I please. Now silence, my king. Don't you know, I have wooing to do?"

With a smile on his face, Peter kicked his steed into a mighty gallop. The pair had traveled for three days with no particular destination in mind. It was simply an excuse for them to be alone together. They had an entire week before they needed to return to Cair Paravel, and Peter intended to make the most of it.

Peter was grateful for Susan's leadership in his stead. He was even more grateful she insisted they spend the week away from Cair Paravel. It almost felt like a honeymoon to Peter. In fact, he wished it was. For since the moment Edmund had returned, thoughts of marriage were ever present in his mind. As Peter's destination came into sight, he swept down and pulled a lone daisy from the grass, before he swept back up again.

"It isn't exactly a white rose, but I hope it will suffice, my love." Peter smiled as he handed the small flower to Edmund.

Edmund said nothing, but his grateful smile spoke volumes. He let out a content sigh and melted back into Peter's arms as they rode to what Edmund believed was their final destination. They'd ridden south along the coastline so that now they were less than a day's ride from the southern border.

"Close your eyes, love." Peter whispered, "I have a surprise for you."

Edmund did as he was told and closed his eyes. He could smell the warm sea air and feel the afternoon sun on his face. He appreciated all these little sensations, for though he had been given his life back over a year ago, he still remembered the year before when everything was some dull lifeless shadow of an existence as the fallen king.

"You can open them now."

Edmund opened his eyes and sure enough they'd ridden to the top of a cliff that had a view of the ocean so clear that he could see past Glasswater and almost see Terebinthia. Behind him he could see as far west as Mt. Pire in Archenland, but not quite as far as the Shian Kingdom beyond it.

"I know it isn't all Narnia that you can see. But what you can see of Narnia is yours to rule with us. This is yours now, Ed. This is your dominion now. The west especially is yours to rule."

"Oh, Peter. I do not wish to hold dominion or rule over anything or anyone." Edmund sighed before he smiled, "That is a task for much greater people than I. Magnificent people. I am barely worthy to serve, let alone rule."

"Hush, Ed. I will wash away your doubt." Peter said reassuringly as he held Edmund from behind, "You have never known what was always meant to be yours. Aslan told me you were never meant to die that day at Beruna. That this would have been yours long ago if you had lived. It's time it was yours again."

"I … not yet, Peter." said a downcast Edmund, "Not yet, please. Let me be just Edmund for a little longer."

"Very well." Peter sighed, "But there will come a time when you must accept your destiny, Ed. I know you've seen things I cannot know or imagine. I know these are things you believe keep you from … being completely mine. I trust that in time you will tell me all I need to know. But you must remember that you are no longer that fallen king. You are no longer that rogue warrior fighting the fight beyond the veil. You are King Edmund the Just now. You're my Ed."

Edmund seemed to melt at Peter's words, closing his eyes and leaning back into the high king. He had lived so many different lives, and in all of them, he dreamed of this one. This new life he had with Peter. And yet his return had not been an easy one, with fear and doubt still plaguing his thoughts. He knew one day he would have to tell Peter of his adventures over the last year. He would have to tell him the price they would pay for their love. He would have to reveal his nightmares. But not yet. Today was too perfect to ruin.

"You know, Ed. For someone who returned to Cair Paravel with none other than Aslan himself, I feel a great deal of fear and doubt in you. I hope it is not me you doubt. Or us." Peter said as he jumped to the ground and helped Edmund down.

"I didn't say anything."

"You don't have to, Ed." said Peter, putting his hands on Edmund's shoulders, "I'm quite capable of reading you, you know."

"Peter, forgive me. I wish Aslan was here now so he could breath on me and rid me once more of my doubts."

"Well … Aslan might not be here, but I am."

"I know." blushed a coy Edmund.

"And I shall do my very best …" Peter said leading Edmund along by the hand, "to remove any doubts you have."

"You don't think …" Edmund began to say before Peter instinctively kissed his forehead, "Life would have been easier for you if … we didn't feel this way? Or … I really did die?"

With each word Edmund said, Peter would kiss his neck or nibble on his ear. Instead of coming across as serious as he intended, he began to giggle under Peter's ministrations. He found his giggling rather unsettling, as he fancied himself quite the fighter now. Surely giggling was not becoming of a former fallen king and dark knight. Yet he found himself constantly feeling like a child under Peter's attentions.

"Peter!" Edmund laughed, "I'm trying to be serious."

"Oh, is that what you were being?" Peter smirked, stealing a kiss, "Do remind me when I'm supposed to listen, then. I'm awfully busy, you see. New places to kiss and what not. A king has duties, you know."

"Oh, Peter." giggled an Edmund who was trying his best not to smile, "You enchant me so. But are you not afraid of us … being together?"

"Now listen here my little doubt-bucket. Aslan is the one who made me realize that my love for you was something we could not deny. To deny it is the crime, Ed. To lie is the greater sin. Have faith, my love. There is a reason for all of this, I am sure. Perhaps only Aslan knows, but one day so might we." Peter said with an assuring tone that only a high king could muster, "This is our golden age, Ed. We should both be happy. Leave your doubts to the wind, so it may carry them away."

"I do not doubt you, Peter. And I know that doubts are not becoming of us. Yet I still have them. I fear that perhaps it would have been best if I stayed dead or if … I truly fell to my doom. You are Peter the Magnificent. High King of all Narnia. What have I done to you?"

Peter, finally unable to withstand any more of Edmund's doubt and hesitations, forced him to sit down. He placed his hand beneath Edmund's chin, forcing his eyes up. Giving the most stern and forthright look he could muster, Peter spoke;

"I will hear no more, Edmund. By Aslan's grace we are here now. Is that not enough to remove all doubts from your heart?"

Edmund remained silent, sitting like he would years ago when being scolded by Peter or some other authority. He found it altogether unsettling, for he felt too old now to be chided like a schoolboy. Yet when he looked in Peter's eyes, he found no malice or anger or disregard. On the contrary, he found understanding and affection.

"It's much harder when we're both here, isn't it?" Edmund said with a deep look of concentration, "When it isn't just a dream or a hope."

"I imagine so, Ed. But remember, we're in Narnia. We love each other. Pure and true. And in Narnia, no one can ever think less of you for that."

Edmund finally smiled as if he accepted Peter's assertion of how things would work out. If it had been anyone else, Edmund might have kept questioning or doubting. But it was difficult not to have such complete trust in Peter, because he was simply one of those people who you knew would never lead you wrong.

"No more doom and gloom, my dark knight?" Peter asked with a warm smile.

"No more." Edmund smiled, "Thank you, Peter."

Edmund shuffled closer to Peter so their crossed knees were just touching. He tentatively slid his hands over Peter's upright palms. He closed his eyes and let out a content sigh, feeling his palms brush over Peter's. Before he knew what was happening, he felt Peter's lips on his. They were not demanding or possessive, or pursuant of anything more than the gentlest angel kiss. It was almost as if Peter was trying to draw out the last vestiges of doubt within him, using this very kiss. When their lips finally parted, the smile on Edmund's face seemed to indicate there was little doubt remaining. Instead he seemed nothing less than incredibly grateful.

"Oh, Peter." Edmund gushed, "As silly as this might sound coming from me, you are the sun to my moon. You are the light that fills my darkest despairs with hope. You truly are magnificent, Peter."

Indeed now it was Peter's turn to gush. His cheeks turned a darker shade of red as a rather shy smile passed over him. And the more Peter looked at Edmund's face and realized he meant every single word he said, the more he thought he might just melt away right there.

"I thought I was supposed to woo you, not the other way around." Peter blushed, "I dare say by jove, I better get dinner started before you woo me into a puddle."

Peter prepared their meal while Edmund began setting up their lodgings for the night. Though they were by all accounts, a couple, Edmund still insisted they sleep apart to avoid temptation. Though most nights, he'd wake up after a nightmare to find Peter holding him. Or he'd wake up in the morning to find Peter had moved his bed close enough so that they could still hold hands in their sleep, or Peter could at least touch him somehow. It was a trait that Edmund found altogether endearing.

They ate their meal in silence. It wasn't the most complicated cuisine, but neither minded. Their simple feast of fruit, cheese, bread, and a little dried out meat from a dumb beast, was more like a full course banquet because of the company. Occasionally they would catch the other staring at them, and then they would share a smile. The breeze from the sea was surprisingly warm this evening, which meant they might be able to sleep under the stars instead of inside their small tent.

Edmund found Peter staring at him a little more frequently than he could handle while eating. Yet when he was almost about to protest, he saw the faintest hint of emotion in Peter's eyes. He looked at Peter with concern, waiting for him to say something. Finally, Peter spoke;

"Forgive me, Ed. You've lived the last year knowing you're alive. I've lived the last year wondering whether I would really ever live again. And now you're here and … I feel …" Peter began to say, trying not to choke up, "I feel alive."

"Then that makes two of us."

"I will get better, Ed." Peter said with a feigned smile, "I'm just still trying to believe you're here with me again. Though I am sure I have made a complete molly of myself these last few days. This conduct is not becoming of a high king, is it?"

"I would say the opposite." Edmund said wiping Peter's tears, "I would say it becomes you quite well."

Sensing that dinner was now over, Edmund cleared their food away and sat down next to Peter. Night was almost upon them, but still the setting sun lit up the sky. Both kings sat looking out over the ocean, amazed at the incredible sight. Edmund in particular seemed quite taken by the visual spectacle.

"Have you ever seen anything so grand, Peter?"

"Yes, Ed. I believe I have." Peter said, his eyes fixed on Edmund as though nothing else existed in the world.

"Peter …" Edmund said when he realized he was the object of Peter's unwavering stare.

Peter breathed out a sigh of anxiety as he pulled a small wooden box from his satchel. It was a simple box with a few carvings, but nothing to indicate its purpose or value. When Peter finally opened the small box to reveal two stunning silver rings inside, its purpose was obvious. As if trying to summon the courage of Aslan himself, Peter took a deep breath before he spoke.

"I know this is awfully sudden, Ed. But after the last two years, I dare not waste a moment. I dare not."

For Edmund's part, he simply stared at the rings with a mixture of disbelief and almost horror. Peter began to fear the worst until the look of horror was replaced by one of pure sensation. Still laced with disbelief however. And even though Peter had not stated the intention of these rings, Edmund seemed to know just what their purpose was.

"I will do anything you ask of me, Peter." Edmund said biting back his tears, "If it is your desire to have me as your betrothed for life, then you will have me."

"No, Ed. This is not a request from a high king to a king. It is not even a request from Peter Pevensie to Edmund Pevensie. It is simply a request from one who no longer feels complete unless the other is near him." Peter said as silent tears streamed down his face, "It is a request from one who wishes to share each moment of his life with you. It is a request from one who promises to live his life to make you proud, to make you happy. I could tell you more reasons why this request is the most important I have, and will ever make in my life. But I dare not, for I fear words will soon fail m…"

Peter stumbled tearfully over his last words, but masked it quickly with a smile. He tried his best to compose himself, while still holding the box open to Edmund.

"If I say yes, does this mean an end to wooing?" Edmund asked with a sincere smile, laced with a hint of mischief, "I hope not, Peter. For I'm enjoying it far too much. Is that wicked of me?"

"No, Ed. Not at all."

"Pity." Edmund smiled, "For I do believe I play wicked rather good, don't you?"

"Ed …"

"Sorry, Peter." said a still blushing Edmund, "I'm just … trying to absorb this moment."

"There is a time to keep me waiting or to be witty. But I beg of you, now is not one of those times. My heart is in your hands."

Peter spoke with an anxious tone that was so unlike him. And still he held the box open to Edmund, just waiting for some kind of answer. He held it expectantly and as if the very world itself depended on it. The longer he waited, the more his eyes began to fill with a doubt that Edmund quickly picked up on. In an instant Edmund jumped at him, almost knocking the box out of Peter's hands.

"Yes, yes, yes, of course I will!"

Peter could barely speak as Edmund pinned him down and smothered him with kisses. And as much as he tempted himself with the rapture of the moment, he persisted in finding its definition.

"Will what, Ed?" insisted Peter, "I have to hear you say it."

"Marry you, Peter. I will marry you."

Though Edmund had him pinned, the joy inside Peter gave him strength to lift the younger king into the air. With a triumphant cry, Peter screamed in ecstasy. His eyes were filled with the happiest tears as he spun Edmund around in the air.

The two kings laughed and filled the night with their joy. Messy, wet kisses were laced with hugs of a bear. They frolicked and played as if they were still kids, and yet when their eyes met, they could never have been children.

"Oh, Ed. The stars could rain down from the heavens now and I would not care. I dare say no matter what happens in our lives, nothing can take this moment away from us." Peter said as he finally let Edmund free of his grip.

The high king picked up the wooden box with the two rings. With a smile that would not leave his face, he pulled one of the rings out. Like the proudest man in Narnia, he slid the ring onto a glowing Edmund's finger. When the ring was finally on, Edmund slipped the last one onto Peter's hand, and the pledge of their future union was made real. Peter kissed Edmund again, before pulling him into an anxious hug. Their arms slipped around one another before Peter softly whispered to the younger king.

"Consider this a promise of things to come."

A CITY OF GHOSTS

The trek to the Shian Kingdom had been a long and difficult one. The weather had not been kind to the marching Narnian army, led by Queen Susan the Gentle. Yet she had pushed the army to march hard, lest the Shian Kingdom fall to their usurpers. She rode at the head of her army, flanked by Prince Orrin of the Shian Kingdom. His eyes had been ever constant on her, and she had reached the end of her tether.

"Is there a problem, Prince Orrin?" Susan asked finally, "Your eyes, pretty as they may be, seem to be fixed to me."

"To be sure, Majesty." Prince Orrin said perplexed, "I find it awfully distracting to be in the presence of someone so illuminating. And yet for someone so gentle … you are somewhat fearsome."

"Fearsome?" Susan laughed, "Why, I do not believe I've had that title before. Well, you do not lead an army with gentle persuasion, Prince Orrin. You led them by virtue and … as logical a strategy as you can possibly muster."

"Battle is such an awful thing, Majesty. Someone so radiant should not be privy to its secrets."

"I'm afraid I am already privy, Prince Orrin." Susan said with a disarming smile, "Now I do believe we will soon be within range of your capital?"

Prince Orrin answered with a small nod before he pointed ahead. Susan had never seen the Shian Kingdom with her own eyes. This visit to its lands would be her first. She found it was not unlike Narnia, although perhaps a little more like that other place she used to call home. The place she found she had a hard time remembering the name of.

Finally the sky reaching center tower of the Shian Kingdom came into view. Susan almost gasped at the sight. As more and more of the city came into view, she realized she had never seen anything quite so spectacular before. A city made of material that seemed to glow a brilliant blue and white, laced with rock. A city comprised of rings of cylindrical buildings, with each inner ring a little higher than the one outside. The center tower was taller than anything Susan had ever seen in her life, and it was the most brilliant building in what she soon realized was a massive city.

"It's beautiful …"

"Thank you, Majesty." Prince Orrin said with a proud smile, "I hope you find it worthy of your attention. It's a pity you meet it under such difficult circumstances. Welcome to SharShian, heart of the Shian Kingdom."

The Narnian Flag Bearers rode to the head of the army, and all official protocols were brought into effect. The Narnian Army marched toward the borders of the city, and yet Susan was surprised their presence hadn't drawn the attention of anyone yet. A fact that was not lost on Prince Orrin either.

"Something is amiss." Prince Orrin said with concern, "There are no standard bearers waiting to greet us."

Not willing to march her army into what could potentially be a trap, Susan motioned for the army to stop marching. She raised her hand to the sky and Seeko the Griffon swooped down beside her. She nodded at him to track ahead and he leaped back into the air. He flew over the city ahead, disappearing from view and leaving Susan tense and uneasy. A few moments later Seeko emerged from the city and soared back towards her.

"Majesty … you must see for yourself." Seeko said circling her, "I believe it is safe."

After several anxious moments of deciding, Susan continued marching the army into the Shian capital of SharShian. Though she was certain Prince Orrin was at least a few years older than her, she did her best to reassure him as a mother would to a child. It was a gesture he seemed to greatly appreciate. They reached the outer borders of the city and it soon became frightfully obvious what Seeko had seen … or hadn't seen. For inside the borders of the city there was not a soul in sight.

"It's a ghost city." Prince Orrin said with fear evident in his still subtle expressions, "Where could everyone have gone?"

General Lero rode up alongside Susan, an equally fearful expression on the centaur's face, "I sense something unnatural is responsible for all this, Majesty. Perhaps we would be wise to retreat to camp and assess the situation from a fortified position."

Even though they still remained on the outer borders of the sapphire toned city, Susan could feel its emptiness spread much further. She had fought armies of the witch, armies of nameless evil, and none had left her quite so unsettled as this. There was no sign of either friend or foe. No sign of any struggle. No sign of life. She decided it best to heed her general's advice and try to work out a solution as best she knew how; logically.

"As you advise, General." Susan nodded, "I will need a team of trackers and scouts to scour the city for any sign of life or an explanation to what's happening here. Prince Orrin, please fall back with us. We will figure this out together."

"My people … they're all gone …" Prince Orrin said in horror, "I … I cannot feel them. Where have they gone?"

"Where is King Secson and his army?" Susan asked, trying to distract the Prince from his confusion, "Could he have done this?"

"I do not know. When I left they were marching over the Stormy Mountains. They should've been on the city by now, but … there is no trace of them. There is no trace of anyone." Prince Orrin said as he dismounted his horse, "I have no answer for any of this. There's no blood. There are no bodies. There's nothing here. It's like … they vanished. They all vanished."

The ride out of the city was even more anxious as the ride in. There was no smell of blood or battle. There was little smell at all. You could hardly believe the city had been lived in for years. The entire army was silent on the march out, as if they were leading a funeral procession. Prince Orrin was naturally the most distraught, though he did his best to mask his fear.

"Seeko, please return to Cair Paravel at your best speed." Susan instructed when they arrived back on the surrounding fields of the city, "Urgently."

"With what message, Majesty?" The mighty griffon asked as he flapped his wings, preparing to lift off.

"Take this note to the seers …" Susan said scrawling her own note, unwilling to wait for someone to be dictated to, "… and inform them of the situation. Inform Queen Lucy that I will remain here until we've figured out what is going on. Then take a team of your best trackers and find Princess Eris. Ask her to return to Cair Paravel and have Oerius provide her with a security detail. Just make sure you find her, Seeko. I know if anyone can, you can. Now go!"

The Narnian Army proceeded to march toward their future campsite, and yet the image of that empty city still haunted Susan. She stopped and looked back toward it. She still believed the city beautiful, but it's beauty seemed tainted now. For the life of her, she had no idea at all what was happening. She rode up beside Prince Orrin, and looked at him with a feared expression.

"I have seen many a fearsome sight before, Prince Orrin. Yet none has haunted me so much as this."

"Nor I, Majesty. Nor I. Where are they?"

To Be Continued


A/N: A stepping stone chapter. Setting in place events that will dictate the rest of this volume. As well as more Peter/Ed fluff lol, but you know, they deserve it so they can have at least a little break while Susan rides off to adventure. The clues in these first two chapters were a little more subtle than in the first volume, but they're there if you look hard enough. The connections and what not. And we learn what happened to Princess Pretty Eyes the night of the Golden Ball. The next chapter will be up really, really, soon, and yup, I like you liked! Thank you to everyone who read and reviewed.