I am unreservedly sorry about the abominably long wait but to make it up to you all this chapter is the longest one yet :) Just a little A/N to clarify the characters ages and birthdays since I'm not sure if they match up with previous chapters in which I may have mentioned their ages but these are their real ages at the moment

Caspian – 18 (as of this chapter :))

Peter – 17 (November 8th)

Susan – 16 (February 16th)

Edmund – 14 (April 5th)

Danika – 14 (June 12th)

Lucy – 12 (September 24th)

Ok, now that is sorted, on with the story :)

Chapter Four ~ The First Goodbye

It was the evening of August the 29th and Danika was in her chambers preparing for the celebrations that were to take place that night. It was High King Caspian's 18th birthday and tonight there was to be a grand ball at Cair Paravel to which everyone in Narnia was invited. Danika was very excited since this would be her first Narnian ball and she had heard that they were magnificent events.

Currently she was trying to tie up the laces on the dress she had bought for the occasion. It was a beautiful dress made of the softest royal blue velvet with silver lace around the hem, neckline and sleeves. She had been back to the market place with the two Queens earlier in the week, which is where she found the dress, and Susan and Lucy had insisted that she buy it. In return she helped them to find beautiful dresses as well. Danika was extremely pleased with the dress

Danika was also pleased with her hair, which half of it was done up into an elegant knot and the other half was left naturally wavy to drape down her back. To finish off her look she had simple silver earrings and an elegant silver necklace to compliment the dress and her blue eyes. Danika had to admit that she was very pleased with the way she looked since she felt that she rarely looked this pretty.

Once Danika had managed to secure herself into the dress she looked at herself once more in the long mirror on the wall and once she was satisfied that she looked acceptable, she left the room and made her way down to the great hall where the ball was being held. She no longer needed and escort since she knew her way around the castle fairly well by now, but this meant that she would have to enter the party by herself

This made Danika extremely nervous since she wasn't the most confident person and the though of everyone in the room looking at her as she was formally announced and then had to walk down the stairs…it gave her a severe case of butterflies in her stomach and she resisted the urge to turn around and run back to her room. However she knew that she was being silly and she was a princess after all and she would have to get used to this since she was getting older now. She guessed that soon there would be suitors turning up at her castle in Archenland and asking for her hand in marriage. This thought also made her nervous. She wasn't ready to grow up yet.

Before Danika had time to dwell and more on the subject, she realised that she had arrived at the great hall and was standing in front of the doors. She took a deep breath and walked inside. She had rarely seen so many people in one room in all her life. There had to be hundreds of people in the great hall if not more, and most of them were now looking at her. Danika was only vaguely aware of her name being announced, and she just about remembered to put one foot in front of the other as she started to descend the stairs. She seemed to be caught in some sort of trance, until she got about half way down the stairs and locked eyes with a boy with messy brown hair and big brown eyes.

Edmund had found the party somewhat boring to begin with. The Pevensie's had made their entrances first since Caspian was to make his grand entrance last as it was his birthday and the whole celebration was for him. He had spent the last half and hour greeting monarchs from other countries who had come to celebrate, and his friends from Narnia who he hadn't seen in months.

Edmund was just about to excuse himself to go and get a drink when he spotted a young girl standing at the top of the stairs. She was wearing a dark blue gown and had long wavy blonde hair. It wasn't until her name was announced that he realised that this was Danika. To say he was somewhat shocked would have been an understatement. He had never seen her look so… well, beautiful.

It took Edmund a while to notice how stiffly she was walking and then he realised that this was exactly the kind of social situation that she probably hated and he decided to go to her rescue. He caught her eye and made his way to the bottom of the stairs to offer her his arm as she reached him. She took it with a grateful smile and she smiled back and led her to the refreshment table and got her a drink.

"Thanks for that," said Danika with a breathless sigh, "that was once of the most mortifying things I have ever done!" Edmund gave her an amused laugh.

"Yes, I could tell. You were shaking so much I though you would trip and fall right to the bottom of the stairs, that would have been mortifying," He said with a smile, "that's why I came to your rescue."

"My hero," Danika replied sarcastically to which Edmund gave another laugh and stopped to look at her again. She really did look beautiful tonight and he wasn't sure if he should say so, and if he did, what would he say? This was the kind of social situation Edmund wasn't comfortable in. Unfortunately for him, Danika realised that he was staring at her.

"What's wrong?" She enquired, "Do I have something on my face?" She seemed nervous now, but Edmund smiled at her again.

"No, don't be silly," Then with some hesitation, he said "you look…perfect." Danika looked up at him slightly shocked only to see a faint blush that had crept across his cheeks and intensified the colour of his freckles. She thought he looked rather sweet when he was embarrassed.

Before Danika had time to respond, the sound of trumpets came from the top of the stairs and Caspian's arrival was announced to tumultuous applause and cheering. He made his way swiftly down the stairs and began greeting the people. When he finally made his way to the thrones at the top of the room he took his seat. And the Pevensie's took their places in the thrones next to his. Edmund left Danika at the refreshment table and promptly made his way to the top of the room to his throne when he realised that he was needed.

Caspian made a short speech and thanked everyone for coming and said how honored he was to be able to celebrate his birthday with all of them and his new family. This made Susan and Lucy quite emotional and even Peter seemed to be quite moved, but Edmund spotted Danika in the crowd and pulled a face at her which made her laugh.

Caspian then announced that the dancing was to begin and everyone started to pair off. Danika now felt quite awkward and made her way to the tables where she could sit down away from the dancing, but before she could get there she felt a hand on her arm. She gave a small smile and turned around but it wasn't who she was expecting.

"Would you care to dance?" It was a Telmarine boy, perhaps a year or two older than her, he was quite good looking and she felt she didn't have it in her power to refuse him. She gave him a sweet smile,

"Yes, that would be…nice." Danika felt stupid for saying this. Nice! Can't you think of some more descriptive adjectives? She thought to herself. Sometimes her own mind seemed to annoy her. However, the boy didn't seem phased since he took her hand and lead her to the dance floor.

Danika enjoyed dancing and the boy was a very good dancer and the music was lovely. The boy turned out to be very pleasant and they discussed many things whilst they danced. Eventually after three songs they because tired and decided to part. He thanked her for the dance and kissed her hand before he left. Once again Danika was standing in the middle of the dance floor alone and she decided to make her way back to the seating area, but she was again side tracked by another boy wanting to dance with her.

Edmund was alone at the podium where the thrones sat. Susan and Caspian had gone off together and were currently locked in a loving embrace, dancing near the side of the room, away from most of the other dancers. Peter was deep in discussion of political issues with other monarchs and Lucy had found a group of her faun friends and she was conversing and dancing with them. She looked like she was having a very good time.

Since Edmund was left on his won with little to do, he began to scan the crowd until his eyes cane to rest on a familiar face. He watched as Danika danced with many boys and just as she was about to leave the dance floor, another once would come along and divert her back to dance with him. This happened several times and Edmund found it rather amusing to watch, however, he didn't know why, but he was slightly irritated by the number of men that were watching her. He had to admit that he didn't blame them though, she did look stunning tonight.

After the fifth boy had come and gone, Edmund decided to go to her rescue again. He made his way to her through the crowd and tapped her on the shoulder. He heard her give an exasperated sigh as she turned around, but the look on her face brightened up when she saw it was him.

Danika's feet were now hurting immensely from having danced with five boys in a row, but she had trouble with saying no to people, but that didn't stop her annoyance when she felt another tap on her shoulder. She sighed loudly as she turned around, only to find that it was the one boy whom she had actually wanted to dance with.

"Oh, it's you." Danika gave him a relieved smile. Edmund laughed amusedly

"Yes, it's me, and this is the second time I have rescued you already this evening. I think that you at least owe me a dance now." Edmund gave her a smile that portrayed mock arrogance and she fought back a laugh.

"Don't you think that rescuing me from dancing by asking me to dance is slightly counter-productive?" Danika replied with a half smile and Edmund gave her a confused look.

"I meant that I was rescuing you from all the other boys in the room who want you to dance with them." He said in a quieter voice.

"Oh, well I don't have a problem with them, it's just that my feet are starting to hurt," she replied with a laugh, "Perhaps we could go outside and find somewhere to sit instead?" Edmund looked back up at her, gave her a small smile and offered her his arm again.

"Of course we can." Anything to keep her away from all the ogling men Edmund thought to himself. He had no idea why but he was quite protective over Danika this evening. Perhaps it was because he had come to think of her as another sister. After all they had spent a lot of time together this summer and they had become quite close. That was it, Edmund thought, these are just brotherly instincts.

Peter and Hashim, who had been deep in discussion with several other monarchs, had both noticed the couple leaving the great hall. They turned to look at each other and gave each other knowing smiles; they were both ecstatic that Edmund and Danika had taken to each other so quickly. Their plan was coming together splendidly.

They left the party and found a secluded bench in the castle grounds and they sat down and didn't speak for a while, the just took in the silence which was nice after the loudness of the great hall. The silences between them were no longer awkward anymore since they were good friends now. The silences had become quite comfortable now since they were comfortable with each other and they knew that if one of them had something to say to the other then they would say it. Finally the desire to talk to her became too great and Edmund gave in.

"So, I guess you're leaving in a few days," Edmund was wary about this subject since he knew it would be difficult for both of them since they had grown so close this summer.

"Yes, I suppose I am," Danika said, and then looked back at him with a cheeky smile "But don't worry you won't be getting rid of me that easily, I'm sure I will come back soon." Edmund gave a small laugh and turned to look at her. He thought she looked beautiful that evening, she had always been beautiful to him.

"I'm glad." Edmund replied. He couldn't help but notice how close she was sitting to him, their faces were only inches apart. She was staring at him, her eyes were sparkling and she seemed to be moving closer. If he were to lean forward just a little more…

A loud bang followed by cheering interrupted the moment. The couple jumped apart and looked up into the sky to see that the fireworks had begun. Edmund was in a slight state of shock at what had just happened. He had never been that close to a girl before. Perhaps Susan had been right. Perhaps he was growing up after all, and he had to admit, he didn't mind very much at all.

Danika's heart seemed to be trying to jump out of her chest. Had she just nearly kissed the Just King of Narnia? Why had that happened? She and Edmund had been quite close for most of the summer but she had never thought of him in that way. She decided it would be best to avoid the situation by diverting his attention. In fact there was something about him that had her curious.

"Edmund, can I ask you something?"

"Well, you have been asking me questions all summer, why stop now?" He said jokingly. Edmund realised that he tended to use humour as a defense mechanism to stop awkward situations.

"Well there is something I have been wondering. About the first time you came to Narnia," Edmund had a good idea about where this conversation was going now and he quickly became uncomfortable, but she continued, "Well, my father told me the stories about the White Witch and, well, I was just wondering how you became…"

"A traitor?" Edmund finished in a harsh tone. This was a touchy subject for him and they had nearly gone the whole summer without bringing it up. He knew she must no about it. Everyone knew, but he'd rather that no one talked about it.

"I was going to ask how you became involved with her, actually." Danika replied in a quieter voice now. She was somewhat disturbed by his tone. She didn't realise that he would be so uncomfortable about this, after all everyone knew it wasn't really his fault, he was tricked.

"So you want to know why I deserted my family and betrayed them for her." I should have realised that she would be just like most of the other monarchs and only see me for the one biggest mistake I made in the past. She probably spent all summer trying to get close to me so she could get the inside scoop and tell all her friends, Edmund thought to himself. During their first rein, he had spent years gaining the trust of the other monarchs, he hadn't realised that the aftershock of his mistake would last so long. To some people, he was still regarded as a traitor.

"No, Edmund, I didn't mean to -" Edmund rose quickly from the bench and began to walk back towards the castle, away from her.

"Why don't you go and ask one of your friends about it. I'm sure they would be only too happy to give you the full story." He almost shouted back at her. Danika was left in a state of shock. She would never have imagined that her mild curiosity would invoke such a reaction from him. She followed his lead and made her way slowly back to the castle.

Once she got inside, she no longer had the desire to rejoin the party, Edmund would probably be in there. Perhaps it would be best if she left him alone for a while. Suddenly realizing how tired she was, she made her way up to her chambers where she changed into her nightdress. Then she climbed into her bed and blew out the candle, thinking to herself that her friendship with Edmund would probably be salvageable in the morning.

Danika didn't realise how wrong she would be. The next morning at breakfast, Edmund was more hostile than ever towards her. He didn't even look at her when she entered the room, nor even when she sat down beside him. His morose attitude towards her continued for the last few days of their time together. He didn't so much as acknowledge her. Danika was somewhat heartbroken.

Fortunately for her, she had been able to spend most of her time with Lucy. The youngest Queen was so full of life and enthusiasm and she managed to keep Danika occupied for the last few days. Danika even told her what had happened, but Lucy just shrugged it off, saying that Edmund often reacted this way when people brought up that particular subject of his past, and that he would get over it soon enough.

Eventually, the summer was over and it was time for Danika and Hashim to leave. They were once again standing outside in the courtyard with the monarch of Narnia saying their goodbyes, which were somewhat tearful on the girls' parts.

"You will come back to visit us soon, won't you?" Lucy enquired of her new friend.

"I'm sure that King Hashim and Princess Danika will consent to staying with us again next summer, won't you?" Peter asked.

"We would be honored, King Peter," Hashim replied, "wouldn't we Danika." T wasn't really a question, and as much as Danika loved Narnia, she didn't think she could bear to be here with Edmund acting the way he was towards her.

"Of course, that would be wonderful." Danika replied with a slightly forced smile.

"Where is Edmund?" Enquired Susan, "Shouldn't he be down here saying his goodbyes? He can be so rude sometimes?" Caspian chuckled and put his arm around his beloved seeing how easily she was annoyed by her brother's misconduct.

"Don't worry my love, he isn't feeling well. He asked he to send his apologies, King Hashim, and he wished you a safe journey home." Caspian explained.

"Oh well, give the young King my regards, and tell him we hope he feels well soon." Hashim replied with a warm smile. Speak for yourself, Danika thought to herself. She thought that Edmund deserved everything he got after the way he acted. Although, she was quite upset to be leaving without a proper goodbye from him.

Meanwhile, Edmund was in his chambers led on his bed. He was feigning illness to get out of having to see Danika. Part of the reason was the fact that he was still angry with her. And part of the reason was that he didn't think he could bear to say goodbye to her. Despite their argument, he still cared deeply for her and it would hurt to see her leave, even if he knew it wasn't for good.

Edmund had had a lot of free time, which would usually be spent with Danika, to think about what had happened between them. He realised that perhaps he had overreacted, but she shouldn't have brought up the subject. However, he also realised that she couldn't have known how much that particular subject hurt him, no one did.

Edmund now realised that he had been a fool and he should go and apologise to her. With a start he realised that she would be getting ready to leave, if she hadn't already. He jumped off his bed and sprinted out of his chamber to hers. When he found it empty he realised they would be down at their carriage getting ready to go. He ran off again down to the courtyard. He had to tell her he was sorry before he left.

When he reached the courtyard he was horrified to see his family waving at the departed carriage that was quickly becoming a speck on the horizon. He would never catch it now, it was too late. Edmund felt a lump form in his throat. He was surprisingly upset that he hadn't got a chance to say goodbye to her, but at the same time he was angry with her for leaving so willingly without wanting to say goodbye to him. Perhaps she wouldn't have been worth it and his first instincts about her were right after all. She was just like all the others.

Danika was leaning out of the carriage window trying to get a last glimpse of Cair Paravel before it disappeared over the horizon. She didn't know what she was expecting to see. Perhaps a very sorry-looking Edmund, running out of the castle, chasing the carriage whilst bellowing that he was sorry. She might have been inclined to forgive him then. Sadly she knew this would never happen and this probably meant that whatever relationship had been forged between them over the past few months was now lost, perhaps for good.

I'm quite pleased with this chapter, I think it's my favourite one yet. Although I'm not sure about the argument, I don't think it was strong enough, but I couldn't think of anything else that would make Edmund so emotional, but I suppose it will do :) Don't forget to review and tell me what you think.

Only four more exams to go and then I will probably be able to devote all my time to finishing this story and the updates will definitely be quicker. I am going to finish it, I promise, because I already have the whole story planned out and I am already considering a sequel…that is if people want me to :)

Thanks for reading x x x