a/n: Soo sorry it's taken so incredibly long to get this Chapter up. Been kinda busy with school and work and stuff this week. But, for your patience, a nice little chapter with humor, and happiness, a bit of romance. Hopefully it doesn't drag too much, so lemme know what you think. This chapter actually got cut in half because there are a few gaps I'm workin' on filling in. But I promise in the next chapter the story will start rollin' along more (and the beginnings of some action finally !) :0D Hopefully, Chapter 5 will be up in a jiffy. Just as soon as I spare a moment to fill in those gaps, hehe... Now go forth. . . Read and review!

Queen Susan, Queen Lucy, and the faun all three seemed to make it their personal duty to show Elizabeth around the castle. Elizabeth was both delighted and surprise (for not the first nor last time in her adventure) at what she thought a strange action. She had always thought Queens and advisors would have someone else assigned to such a task. But she did very much like them. The faun she'd come to know as Mr. Tumnus had a tendency to ramble into some story or history of some kind with just about every room. But Elizabeth listened with interest none the less (as did the Queens, though they by now knew each story by heart). He seemed to know much of the castle and of Narnia in general.
In time Queen Susan and Tumnus each left to make their own personal preparations before the feat. Queen Lucy showed Elizabeth to the room she was to be staying in for the time. It was a rather large and airy room compared to anything Elizabeth was used to. It had a big bed with four tall bedposts. There was a large painting above the bed of a beautiful woman in a scarlet gown with a golden crown set upon her head. In the wall opposing the bed, a large fireplace situated itself nicely and a pair of quite comfortable looking chairs faced themselves towards it. A few other furnishings stood scattered about the room and a thick red carpet spread itself beneath most of it.
Queen Lucy parted with Elizabeth with a final farewell and Elizabeth was left to the silence of the room. She sat on the edge of the large bed, laying down the dress and slippers that Lucy had helped her pick out. With a look about her, Elizabeth tried to take in the events of her day. It all still seemed just a dream that would end at any moment. But it all felt so real.
Elizabeth faced an arched window that looked out over Narnia. Standing, she went to the window and pushed it open. She breathed in deeply of the sweet Spring air.
Outside the castle walls, trees in full bloom ran off into the distance. To the east was the ocean. Elizabeth's window faced South and she could just barely see the place where the trees ran up to the cliff and then halted suddenly as the ground fell out before them. She could just scarcely see the glisten of a distant water fall and the place where the trees parted for a stream or a river.
"Well, it is all very beautiful," she said aloud. "Best enjoy it while it lasts I suppose."
She paused, scanning the lands both tranquilly and thoughtfully .
"After all, if this isn't a dream," she said decisively, "if things do get too out of hand, I can always go back home any time I like."

The feast was to begin at sunset and already the sun grew lower in the sky. The air began to grow cooler and Elizabeth shut the window once more.
'Best get ready, I guess,' she thought to herself.
She washed up with the basin of warm water left in the room for her and then slipped on the dress. A woman came a moment later to fix Elizabeth's hair. She was another one of those beautiful, dainty women Elizabeth had seen earlier. She had long, blonde hair that fell in many tight curls and her eyes held flecks of both green and brown which reminded Elizabeth of the forest. She was a very serene and gentle lady with a bell like laughter and a soft tone.
"My name is Allíha," she'd said. "I shall assist you with whatever you need while you are staying here with us in the castle."
Elizabeth had thanked her and she continued to tidy the room (that already seemed perfectly clean to Elizabeth) and then laid out a few things she'd brought with her (a vase of fresh flowers, a change of nightclothes, a comb and a silver disk, along with a few other remnants). She talked all the while as she pulled back sections of Elizabeth's hair, weaving white and gold flowers through the strands, obviously having done this many times before. She readily answered many of Elizabeth's questions, ut when Elizabeth ventured to inquire further about what exactly the King Peter had meant for her to do, Allíha simply shook her head solemnly and said it was best to go to one of royal family themselves' about such things.
It seemed but a moment before Allíha had finished Elizabeth's hair. After making certain she could be of no further service, she wished Elizabeth a good night and again Elizabeth thanked her and she left, closing the door softly behind her.

Elizabeth looked at herself in the tall dressing mirror. She hardly recognized herself at first. The dress she wore was a very light blue with gold trim criss-crossing up the sleeves and about the waist and hem. Her chestnut hair, usually thrown back in a ponytail, was gathered about her shoulders. Her own large, green eyes stared back at her. The dress was just a bit long on her, but it sufficed still far more than anything she'd ever worn, she thought.
The one thing of hers she kept still was the thin, gold chain about her neck. A blue sapphire hung from the chain, entwined by three strands of gold. Elizabeth fingered its familiar form. It hadn't left her neck for as long as she could remember. She held it dearer than every memory. It was the only part of her past she knew was for certain. It comforted her somehow whenever she felt unsure.
Her eyes strayed to the window. Sunset had at last arrived and the twilight already crept its way into place. Elizabeth released a sigh as if exhaling some unhappy thought. Her excitement had been rekindled by the anticipation of the wonderful celebration she'd been told of. She put on the shoes Lucy had lent her (a perfect fit!) and slipped into the hallway.

She passed through a number of passages, trying desperately to remember from which direction it was they'd first led her. However, her memory proved less reliable than she'd hoped. Every direction looked the same. She paused at a point where the hallways formed a T. With a shrug she decided to turn right, far from certain on the accuracy of her decision.
She tried to gather her skirts as she walked. At least the shoes didn't have heels, she thought thankfully to herself, but the slippers were a bit slick on the carpet.
Elizabeth had always been a bit of a klutz. Although she devoted as much of her concentration as possible to not tripping herself, it was no use. Just as she was congratulating herself for not breaking anything (or anyone) thus far, it happened.
It all occurred so quickly that she barely even knew what was going on. She somehow seemed to get herself tangled in the skirts of her dress and the floor was so slippery in this area that she tripped right over the edge of the carpet and stumbled backwards, arms flailing to catch her balance. She bumped into something hard.
"Ooph!"
The next thing she heard was a loud crash and it didn't stop there. Elizabeth turned just in time to see a beautiful suit of armor, perhaps hundreds of years old, tilting to the side. It all seemed to happen in slow motion, as Elizabeth watched helplessly. The suit clattered into the horses armor a few feet away, which clambered into the shield a couple paces before that. The antiques banged, clanked, and smashed down the hall like a row of toppling metal dominos (and every bit as loud). There wasn't a soul within ten miles that couldn't have heard that.
"Oh, cra-anberry!" Elizabeth gaped.
She clasped a hand over her mouth. Were people allowed to swear in Narnia? More importantly, she prayed they wouldn't burn her at the stakes for the horrendous crime she'd just committed in her own clumsiness. She cursed her own awkward arms and legs for their very being. But then, she realized something that she hadn't heard in her panic. . . Laughter. Someone was laughing. Elizabeth felt herself turn first deathly pale and then bright red at the horror of someone witnessing such a display.
She whirled to find a boy, around twenty, just a few paces off nearly crying with laughter.
"I'm sorry," he said, trying to contain his laughter. "Are you alright?"
He came closer. He was quite tall with dark blonde that seemed to fall perpetually into one eye. Elizabeth thought absently how annoying that must get.
"I-uh- yes," said Elizabeth, embarrassed. "But I'm afraid about every suit of armor near by would have to say differently." She frowned at the suit nearest her.
The boy gave another laugh.
"Yes," he said. "You did manage quite a trick. There are few I think who could have done it so beautifully."
Elizabeth laughed coyly.
"I was just trying to find my way to the feast everyone's going to. And then. . . ."
The boy smiled.
"Yes," he chuckled a bit sarcastically. "'And then.' It's how every disaster occurs."
"It was not a disaster," Elizabeth opposed.
She gave a look back once more.
"Alright, it was a disaster," she admitted then.
The boy laughed once more.
"Well, then we'd best get you to out of here before anyone suspects your crime," he said. "Allow me to accompany you to the Calaberith Day feast," he said offering her his arm.
"Thank you," smiled Elizabeth. "I'm Elizabeth, by the way."
"I know," the boy smiled back. "Prálin," he said. "At your service."
Here he gave a small bow.
Just then King Edmund ran in from one of the intersecting halls, as though attracted by the racket. He threw a bewildered stare.
"What the blazes?" he uttered.
He then allowed a smile.
"Blimey," he said. "Peter would have your head."
"Oh, it was all the lady's doing," said Prálin quite proudly.
"Elizabeth?" said Edmund as though noticing her for the first time. "Nice work!" he said then.
Elizabeth was a bit confused, although relieved, by such a response.
"Um, thank you," said Elizabeth, trying not to laugh. "I am sorry about the mess."
"Oh, that?" said King Edmund. "That isn't a problem. We've seen far worse things."
"Oh, really?" said Elizabeth, feeling unusually comfortable with herself. "Like what?"
"Well. . ." Edmund thought a moment. "Like the Battle of Telmar Valley, for example. That was far worse."
Elizabeth laughed aloud as did the others.

The three talked just like old friends as they made their way back through the halls and down the stairs. Almost as soon as they were outside the castle walls Elizabeth could already see the flickering of a large fire reflecting off the trees and hear the stray notes of a flute or harp caught on the wind. As they drew nearer the music grew ever louder. A large drum throbbed vigorously as the flutes piped merrily along with the violins and the harp and other strange instruments that Elizabeth had never seen before. This song was quite lively and many were dancing already. The music was so vibrant that Elizabeth could almost see it.
There was a blazing fire near the center of it all and a table filled with delicious looking foods. There were warm breads and cakes and cheeses and both hot and cold meats and some of the most luscious looking fruit you've ever seen. And the Naiads and Dryads, Fauns, Centaurs and Humans and all sorts of animals all danced and laughed together. Elizabeth had never seen such a merry place. Her heart was filled with a lightness like she thought she had never felt before.

"There you are!" said Queen Susan. "What kept you, Edmund?"
"I'm sorry, sister," said Edmund. "We were just- taking care of a few things," he said with a glance toward Elizabeth.
Elizabeth looked mortified for a small moment. For a second she thought he might spill.
"Oh, and Lady Elizabeth!" said Susan happily. "Queen Lucy was about to go and fetch you both. Come, all of you!"
Elizabeth found herself being taken by the hand into the center of it all. She laughed as the fauns and dwarves danced together, and met many new faces and became better acquainted with those familiar to her. She tasted many delicious foods and drinks that she had never before tasted and found herself forgetting completely every worry or care.

Later on, Elizabeth found herself once again in the company of Prálin. He introduced her to some of his own friends (an owl, a badger, a dwarf, and a magnificent centaur) and was able to give her a few "pointers" for staying in the castle or for further councils and such. Elizabeth sat on a small tree stomp while Prálin reclined on the lawn near her, propping himself on one arm.
"Now Dholen," he said pointing out a brown-bearded dwarf, "is usually pretty helpful if you ever need to know where you're going. He knows every inch of Narnia and the castle better than the kings and queens themselves, I think. Brangol, however," Here he motioned toward a dwarf with black hair. "has never really taken very kindly to strangers. . .or to anyone really. He doesn't mean much harm, but best not to approach him first unless you wish to receive a rude remark of some sort."
"I'll remember that," said Elizabeth.
"And also remember," said Prálin, "never to go to Paradrin first if you ever have a question." He pointed out an older badger. "He tends to ramble."
Elizabeth laughed.
"Thanks for the tip," she said.
Both lapsed into silence as they watched the swirl of colors and music and lights.
"And what about you?" said Elizabeth at length.
Prálin looked at her.
"What about me?" he asked.
"You obviously live or are staying in the castle," said Elizabeth. "And you know enough about everyone. What do you do? Where are you from?"
Prálin smiled with a nod, almost shyly.
"My father," he explained slowly, "was a royal knight. One of the King's greatest and most trusted (or so I'm told). . . And when he died, I was left to stay in the castle and am to become a knight also."
"Oh," said Elizabeth. "How old were you when he died?"
"Six, I believe."
Elizabeth nodded.
"My parents died also," she said, resting her chin on her knees.
"Really?" came Prálin.
She nodded.
"When?"
Elizabeth paused a small moment.
"I don't know," she shrugged with a shake of her head. "I can't remember. I've lived in a foster home since."
At a inquiring look from Prálin she explained the concept of a foster home.
"All I have now is this necklace," she said.
"Well, at least you have something," said Prálin with a smile. "That means there's always hope."
Elizabeth nodded once more, returning the smile.
"Yes," she said. "I guess it does."

The celebrating had been going on for hours now and didn't show much sign of wishing to stop anytime soon. Elizabeth and Queen Lucy soon found their way to one another once more. They talked long on many different things. Lucy expressed once more how delighted she was that Elizabeth could be with them and continued to discuss excitedly her plans for tomorrow.
"Although tomorrow night," said Lucy a bit sorrowfully, "there shall be another council. I fear it shall be far more disheartening than the one held today." She shook her head. "Such dark things befall such a lovely country."
At this Elizabeth couldn't help but ask.
"Why do you think all these things chose to happen now?"
"I can't be certain of all of it," Queen Lucy responded. "Only Aslan knows that. But there have been some things. . . ."
"What do you mean some things?" inquired Elizabeth
"Aslan came to the four of us," said Lucy slowly. "To my brothers and sister and I. . . He said that the time of our rein is nearing its end. Peter feared at first that this meant some grave ruin would befall our family. But Aslan comforted him and said that this wasn't so, but that the one who was to rule after us must first be found. Once they have taken their place it shall mark the end of our rein. . . And of the end of the perils that threaten Narnia. "
There was a small lapse of silence. Elizabeth didn't quite know what to say. And she wondered, who was this Aslan? She had heard his name mentioned before. The very sound of it somehow filled her with. . . peace, strength, joy, comfort. . . Everything lovely and good all combined into one single emotion.
"I am happy," said Lucy. "But yet. . . I am sad. I fear we shall have to leave Narnia when it happens. What else could it be?"
"But where would you go?" said Elizabeth.
"I don't know," Lucy replied with a shake of her head. "Archenland, perhaps. It is a somewhat harsher land, but it is near to Narnia."
"Well, I hope that you'll stay in Narnia for a very long time," said Elizabeth with a sincere smile.
"I also," said Lucy returning the smile.
"Come!" said Lucy suddenly. "You must dance with me!"
And before Elizabeth had chance to decline, Lucy had grabbed her by the hand and they were in the midst of a large circle of joviality.