*Amnesia is a song by the boy band 5SOS (5 Seconds Of Summer) , to which by no means do I lay any claims whatsoever. Though it is a great song, and if you're a pop lover, I'd recommend you check it out.

Chapter 6; ballgowns and apologies

Aline lay on the too large bed, ear phones in her ear as she scrolled down the vast play lists grouped in no particular order. Surprisingly the charge in the IPod, had lasted this long in fact it was on its final bar that Aline was sure this was the last she could use it, and thus she wanted to make the most of it.

Amnesia* blared into her eardrums.

I wish that I could wake up with amnesia.

If only she could.

And forget about all these stupid little things.

Oh, how she wished so?

And the way it felt, to fall asleep next to you.

Okay, so this did not relate to her in any way.

And the memories I never can escape.

At that, suddenly she felt tired of all this. Why was it that every single time, it had to centre around either love or break-up? As if life was composed of those two alone. It made no sense. She tore away the dangling cords of the ear phones from her ear, when she heard the rapping sound of a knock on the door.

"Not now, Lu." Aline groaned.

"Open the door, Aline." Corin's voice called from the other side.

She slid out of the all-too-comfortable bed, feeling much too lazy to walk the distance from her bed to the door. But the persistent knocking on the door making her change her mind.

Corin's blonde head peeked inside, taking a wide look around the room before finally resting on her. Giving her a fairly disapproving look, with a tsk-ing noise.

"Do you honestly think locking yourself up and wallowing in self pity, on such a fine sunny day is going to change anything?"

"First thing, buddy. I did not lock myself in, a fact you'd have known if you'd tried this thing called 'turning the door knob' before knocking me to deaf-dom. Second, I'm not wallowing in self pity. Seriously, am listening to music."

"Music?" Corin asked, a mildly confusing look on her features. "Don't tell me you've got the fauns playing inside there."

It was Aline's turn to seem confused. Then she remembered, almost laughing to herself as she realised that the boy actually belonged to a civilization much much older than the one she'd been in.

She held up the white cords of the ear phones. "Girl from the future, remember?"

Corin rolled his eyes, "Do I even want to know?"

"I don't think so."

"Oh, and Susan called." a grin spread up his face. "Library. 5 minutes. In which I believe I've wasted about-" he cocked his head to a side, pretending to calculate. "Jeez, Aline! Better hurry before she gets my head, you're almost out of time!"

Edmund Pevensie had gone nowhere. In fact, he'd been exactly where one was most likely to find him. His room.

But well knowing his siblings acquaintance with his erratic riding habits, he'd known they'd assume the obvious. Not that he was complaining though. He smiled to himself, at their obliviousness. Or perhaps, he was just clever enough.

"What are you smirking about, Ed?" Lucy's clear voice cut through his reverie. Ever observant, little Lucy. He mused.

"Things," he replied bluntly.

"What do you mean 'things'?" his sister prodded.

Thankfully, he was saved from replying by the creak of the doors that opened, in waltzing a certain Archen Prince, and behind him treading self consciously Narnia's recent guest.

Hiding behind the book he was reading, he could notice the hesitation in her step as her gaze swept through everyone in the room, lingering at himself for a second. Even with his face turned away from hers, he could see distaste colouring her features. He knew exactly what she was thinking, his mind going back to a few days ago, when he'd walked out, the book she was reading safe under his arm.

Suddenly he felt a wave of embarrassment hit him. Why could he not have asked a bit more subtly?

Of course, the answer came almost too quickly. He was not thinking straight. Edmund felt this urge to slam his fist down on the table as he ran through the countless other ways he could've handled the matter which would've ended preferably without her glaring daggers at him but alas no, the damage was done.

He returned her harsh stare right back at the girl now seated opposite him, doing her best to ignore the King in front of her, though occcasionally curiosity got the best of her and she'd sneak glances only to be met by the cold placid mask that concealed his feelings almost a bit too well.

Throughout the land, it was a well known fact that though the majority of Narnians had forgiven him the fault of his tender years, the King knew, it was only out of fear of Aslan for not all of them still trusted him.

Though most benign enough not to speak of it, at least not to his face, there were the others. Ones he was less fond of, who let him know, and not too subtly at that, of what they thought.

Though the Just King knew, for the sake of his family if not for himself, he had to let it go. Had to pretend as if they mattered no more. He had to let it go, just as the breath he was holding in right now.

So did it come to existance, that deep, cold mask its edges laced in dark humor. The being he rarely did know, but had grown used to over the years. An alias he'd crafted that hid the true monster beneath, or rather abridged its form.

But his anger was not directed towards her, but rather at himself. He knew it was not fair for her, nor rather just of him, what he'd done. He'd been a jerk, and he knew it. Yes, Edmund Pevensie was closed off. He was cold, dark, a mystery. But if there was one thing he was not, it was 'jerk'.

And for that, as much as he hated to admit his fault, he intended to apologise. The Just King would let nothing, nothing come in between him and the title, Aslan had entrusted him with.

Once again, the archives door flung open, and in walked his long-awaited sister, the expression on her face suggesting he was rather not going to enjoy this little family meeting.

"So everybody's here! And all on time!" Susan's smile grew wider as her eyes lingered a moment on her brother.

"Or else you'd have our heads off." Peter muttered under his breath, not meaning it to reach the ears of his royal sister, but unfortunately, it did.

"What did I hear you just say, Peter Pevensie?" the Gentle Queen questioned in a sharp voice that she'd somehow managed to make look severe with a smile still plastered on her face.

Only Susan could pull off something like that so perfectly, Aline thought a smile gracing her own.

"Nothing sister. Just expressing how excited I am for the Spring Ball. Hopefully it'll be just as-" Peter paused asif searching for the right word, "eventful, as last year."

If Susan detected sarcasm there, she hid it quite well, "Then, royal brother, am fairly sure you would like what I've planned, very well." a smug smirk spread up her lips, as Peter visibly paled. Aline wondered what had occured the last time.

"Come on Pete," Lucy chided, "You know, you did enjoy the last Christmas Ball, though."

But then, realization hit her...What did she just say?

Ball? Ball as in a dance ball? Where one is required to..dance...in a.. gown..with a..partner

"Hold on! Did you just say ball?" she questioned hoping the streak of panic in her voice was barely audible.

"Why, yes Aline! Oh, and its your first ball in Narnia!" she practically sqealed in quite an unqueenly way. "More the reason to make it the best."

Aline held up a hand a bewildered look on her face, "Woah, lets slow down a bit there. Nobody mentioned a ball! No way in Earth, Narnia and whatever magical lands exist,am I going to go to a ball. "

Susan's face hardened, her lips pursued in a line. Peter gave her a sympathising look, as Lucy amd Corin had identical smirks up their faces. Edmund looked up suddenly interest as if whatever it was, that was going on was more fascinating than the book he'd seemed engrossed in. Aline knew instantly, she was about to witness the not so graceful side of High Queen Susan the Gentle. Uh-oh, she'd time to think.

"Aline Grace Winters," the girl in question cringed. Full names were never the sign of a peaceful conversation. "You will attend the Narnian Spring Ball, as will everyone present in this room. No excuses, whatever they may be." her gaze settling on both her brothers.

"Moreover that would be the perfect oppurtunity to introduce Aline formally." Lucy said.

"But I thought you guys specifically mentioned not to reveal that fact to anyone." she tried in vain.

"It would just be a matter of time, before someone figured it out anyways. We can't keep you literally locked in the castle now, can we?" Lucy asked with a smirk.

"So that's it!" Peter concluded seeming almost too eager to get away. "The ball is on, and meeting over. Now if you'll excuse me I've got some errads to run."

"But, Peter, we haven't even begun to discuss the arrangements and whom to invite and who not.." Peter interrupted before Susan could trail on.

"That, I'm sure you could handle it on your own, and of course you've got Edmund to help in the arrangements."

The King in question looked up at the High King with a sombre expression, "What have I ever done to offend you, Pete?"

"Peter Pevensie, you're not moving a single step away from where you are standing right now! You will stay here, and you will help us in whatever it is that we require."

And with that, began the never ending conversation of who to invite and who not. The colour of the roses and the other decor. Who was responsible for the decor, invitations, and so on. Aline tuned down the chatter, retreating deep within the confines of her mind, not focusing on anything particular, but letting her mind just float in oblivion. Offering her opinion out of courtesy whenever someone asked, though actually she'd only half a ear in the conversation.

It was long after, when Lucy got tired that she dozed off right at the table, did Susan conclude the discussion. Though Aline could hear Susan's clear words before she'd left, "Oh, and Aline? Did I forget to mention you're required to wear a gown?"

"Oh great, exactly what I need right now." she muttered under her breath. "And they call her the Gentle Queen."

"Trust me," said a voice behind her that made her jump. "I've been asking myself the same question for years."

"Oh, its you," she said in a voice that seemed more of an accusation than a statement.

"Yes, it's me," he replied a grin tugging the corners of his lips.

She held her hands up, waving them in the air, "I've no books for you to snatch away this time, if that's what you're here for."

She could see a sudden spark of anger ignite his eyes, as if he didn't like being reminded, but then when she looked again, it had disappeared, exactly how it had appeared, instead a grin plastered on his face, like it had been there all the time.

"Believe me, as fun it is snatching away your books, I really do know some stuff much more exciting than that," he said.

"Spare me the specifics, please." she said, already an idea formed in her head as to what he deemed 'exciting'. "So what are you here for?" she questioned arching an eyebrow.

"Yeah, that.." he trailed, "About that day-" before he could go any further in walked Lucy, "Oh Aline, there you are," she came to an abrupt stop her eyes shifting between her brother and Aline, before going back to their normal stance, as she continued whatever it was that she'd wanted to say. But Aline could not hear what it was, the wheels in her brain clogged on a single strand of thought..

Was he going to apologise?

A/N : So yeah, I know thats quite a small chapter, but school is basically killing me.

Please, dont be ghost-readers on here, but please review/follow/favourite?

Thats the only thing that motivates me to write.

~NarnianFairy

Edited : Untouched!