The High King's Lady

The kiss was completely chaste, but it left Saedra—and Peter—breathless. When they pulled back, they looked at each other without speaking, waiting for the other to make the first move.

Saedra's lips slowly turned up into a shy smile, and the look was quickly mirrored by Peter. They both looked down and chuckled awkwardly, stepping back a tiny bit from each other. They looked back up at each other and the smiles slowly melted.

Saedra felt like she was in a daze, in a different world. She wasn't herself; she was this great Lady who had wooed the handsome King by her wits and beauty. She wasn't drenched in sweat; she was clothed in the finest fabrics in the world and smelled of perfumes.

Peter leaned down again, hesitated half-way, and then planted another kiss on her lips, this time harder and longer. His arms snuck around her waist, and she responded by inching close and gripping his upper arms.

When they needed to pull back for air, his lips hovered millimeters over hers. She could feel the warmth of his breath when he whispered, "I think five minutes has passed by now, my Lady."

She smirked, her nose brushing against his. "I think you're correct, your Majesty."

"Peter," he corrected.

Her eyes locked with his, and she repeated softly, "Peter."

When they finally gathered up the equipment and changed out of their sweaty clothing, Peter escorted Saedra down to lunch. Before they turned the corner into the dining hall, he stopped her.

"I have business to attend to, so I won't be eating with you all," he said, looking down at her and placing his palm on her hand. "But I'd like to see you again tonight, if that's okay…Saedra."

Saedra heart leapt at the sound of her naked name being uttered by his lips. "I would like that as well, your—I mean, Peter."

"How about I find you after dinner? There's something I'd like to show you."

She smiled, curious what it was. "Sounds wonderful."

He hesitantly kissed her forehead, then released her and walked away. Saedra watched his broad back for a moment, trying to make sure it all wasn't a dream. The High King of Narnia was interested in her! It was the last thing she had ever expected; it was wilder than her wildest dream.

She took in a deep breath and rounded the corner into the dining hall. The place was mostly empty, since lunch was a casual affair and people had it at different times. At the main table in front sat Rabadash, Susan, Edmund, and Rahai. Saedra went over and sat next to Edmund, smiling a greeting at all of them.

"You're awfully late!" Edmund commented. "Were you off sparring with Peter?"

"Yes, I was," she replied. Somehow, talking about it made it seem more real. "We lost track of time."

"Did you say sparring, O my Lady?" Rabadash asked, leaning over Susan.

"Yes, I did, Prince," Saedra replied, happy to no longer be trying to flirt with him. "Do you enjoy sparring?"

"Greatly," Rabadash replied. "I'm the best in my country."

"I can't wait to see your skills at the tournament tomorrow, my Prince!" Susan declared, putting her hand on his arm.

Rabadash flashed his handsome smile and locked eyes with the Queen. "And I cannot wait to show you them, my beautiful Queen."

Susan beamed at him and glanced at Saedra. Saedra smiled back pleasantly, hoping to send the message that she was happy for Susan.

"It may be hard to show off, O my esteemed Cousin, when you are competing against one of the Narnian Kings," Rahai purred with a hint of humor in her voice. Saedra was surprised to hear the Tarkheena speak without first being spoken to.

Edmund laughed. "Oh, I don't know about that!"

Rahai's ears were red and she looked pleased that Edmund was amused with her comment.

"O my Cousin," Rabadash replied smoothly, "do not underestimate the offspring of the Tisroc (may he live forever), for to do so is to invite ridicule."

Rahai didn't reply to that, just took a bite of bread demurely.

After lunch, Saedra went to her chambers to write Kung Lune. She explained in careful wording how Prince Rabadash had quickly become enamored with Susan and that the feeling was mutual. She also delicately pointed out that she was staying out of Susan's way so that tensions would not mount between Archenland and Narnia.

…but I do have good news, oh King. It seems that High King Peter and I have struck a very close friendship, one which I feel is more promising than any we could make between myself and Prince Rabadash. With your blessing, I would like to further this relationship, for it would be advantageous to both sides…

A knock resounded on the door, and Saedra set the quill in the ink. She hid the letter and went to the door. To her shock, it was Queen Susan.

"Your Majesty!" Saedra curtseyed. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I would like to have a word with you, if I may," Susan said. Rather than looking at Saedra with dislike as she usually did before, she had a bit of friendliness on her face.

Saedra held the door open for her, and Susan stepped in. She walked elegantly over to the couches in the sitting area and sat down, gesturing for Saedra to do the same. Saedra obeyed and sat expectantly.

"I don't know exactly where to begin, your Ladyship," said Susan with slight hesitation. "The reason I want to speak to you is because my siblings all have the highest regard for you, and so I want to clear up anything that may be unsaid between us." She stopped.

"Please, your Majesty, do continue," Saedra encouraged. "I think I know what you're saying, so please go on."

Susan sighed. "Since I know you're a forward woman, I'll be forward with you. I must ask, what are your intentions regarding Prince Rabadash?"

Saedra had been expecting that question and saw no reason not to be honest. "I have no intentions for him whatsoever. I won't lie and say that I wasn't interested in him at first, but as soon as it became clear that he had eyes for no one but you, I abandoned all thoughts of him." There was no need to bring Lune into the discussion; it would only complicate matters.

"Thank you for your directness, your Ladyship," Susan said.

"No, I thank your Majesty for asking. I don't want to think that there might be any reason for bad blood between us."

Susan inclined her head pleasantly. "I feel the same way, especially since my siblings adore you so much. I didn't want my personal jealousy or protectiveness of Prince Rabadash to come in the way of being friendly with you."

Saedra smiled. "I'm honored to hear this. I hope we might get to know each other a bit better before I go home, your Majesty."

"As do I, Lady Saedra."

"Where are we going, Peter?" Saedra exclaimed. Her eyes were covered by his hands, and he was leading her from behind up a long, winding set of stairs. She knew she wasn't in the library because the stairs were much steeper and narrower, and the smell was different. Her hands were held out in front of her to steady her just in case she tripped.

He laughed. "You'll see!"

"You're terribly bad at keeping it a secret, you know!" she admonished. "I know we're climbing some sort of tower."

"Very perceptive," he chuckled. "Maybe I just love hearing you complain and be all indignant."

"That wouldn't be funny!" she exclaimed even though she was laughing.

"Yes, it would! You're awfully cute like this, trying to be in control when you have no idea what's going on."

"I just don't know what I'm going to be able to see at the top of the castle at this hour! It's already dark out."

Saedra couldn't believe she was laughing around with the High King of Narnia like they were a couple of foolish children. It was so easy to forget that he was only twenty-four years old, a year older than she was; he was still a young man behind all of the responsibilities.

Just then, the stairs stopped. Peter inched her forward and said, "Keep your eyes closed!"

He took one of his hands off of her face for a moment, and she heard the creaking of a door. He put the hand back over her eye and said, "Go straight."

"Yes, sir!" she said, inching forward again.

After a little more of this, he took his hands from her eyes and rested them on her shoulders. "Open your eyes."

She did so, and instantly knew what he wanted to show her. The night was moonless, so the land below was very dark; she was almost unable to make it out. What did stand out were the stars: bright, huge, and seemingly very close.

"By the Mane…" she breathed, looking up. Her head just happened to rest in the crook of his neck.

The stars twinkled in their dance across the sky, much brighter in Narnia than in Archenland.

"This is where I go when I can't sleep," Peter murmured into her hair. "They remind me that Aslan is watching, even when it doesn't seem like it."

Saedra was positive she had never been so happy in her life.

Ever since Susan and Saedra's chat, Susan became as gracious to Saedra as she was famed for from then on. They were by no means instant friends the way Lucy and Saedra had been, but Susan went out of her way to invite Saedra to sit with her during events like the tournament or dinner, and was obliging overall.

The day after the tournament, all of the nobles went out for a horse ride to show the visitors more of inland Narnia. Saedra was riding next to Corin near the back of the procession when Peter fell back so that he was riding with them. He grinned at Saedra, then said to Corin, "Prince, Queen Susan has been asking for you."

"Oh?" Corin said eagerly. "What for?"

"Why don't you go find out?" Peter replied.

"I'll be back in a jiffy, my Lady!" Corin promised Saedra, them spurred his pony on faster.

"Let's hold back a bit," Peter said, slowing down his horse.

"What for?" Saedra asked.

"I have some people I want you to meet," he said, then jerked his head in the direction he wanted to go. "Come on."

She giggled, loving that Peter would rather spend time with her than with the others. "But what if they go looking for us?"

"They won't," he replied. "They'll know you're with me."

She followed him as he turned his horse off of the path, heading northwest on a side path.

"We'll have to gallop," he said, looking over at her as she brought her horse up next to his. "Are you able?"

She raised her eyebrows as if she was offended by the question.

Peter laughed. "Never mind!"

"Where're we headed?" she asked.

"We'll follow this path until we reach the Great River—" he started, but she cut him off by kicking her horse in the sides and galloping off. She bent forward on the horse with a wild grin on her face, then glanced back at Peter, who was trying hard to catch up with her. She leaned over to duck the branches and kicked the animal again.

"You really think you can beat the High King of Narnia in a race?" Peter called out behind her.

She ignored the taunt and urged the animal on harder. They rode and rode, until suddenly she burst out onto the gravel lining the river, Peter just behind her. She heeled her horse around triumphantly and said nonchalantly, "You were saying?"

"The road was too narrow for me to pass you!" he protested.

"The High King shouldn't need such a common thing as a road to win a race!" she teased.

"I should know better than to argue with you, Saedra!" He shook his head. "You have a tongue like a knife."

"Is that good or bad?" she asked, putting her hand on her hip.

"That depends," he said slyly.

She shook her head and asked, "Where to now?"

"You don't think I'd tell you after that?"

"Don't you want another chance to redeem yourself?"

His only reply was to kick his horse and start galloping up the side of the river.

"Cheater!" she hollered, following him.

They galloped slower than before along the side until they came to where the river became very wide and shallow. There they crossed carefully, then rode into the forest on the other side. After a good while of riding through trees, they came to another river (or maybe it was the same one) that lay low below them in a valley. There was a dam, and in the middle of the pond created by the dam was a little house poking out of the water.

"We're here," Peter said, getting off his horse. Saedra did the same curiously. He tied up their horses loosely to a tree, then came over to her and took her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers. He led her down the slope to the river and called out, "Mrs. Beaver! Mr. Beaver!"

Nothing happened at first, but then a ripple appeared in the water, and then a little brown head peeked out. The head disappeared under the water again, and the ripple continued to come towards them like a snake in the water. A moment later, a beaver was climbing onto shore, shaking the water off.

"Your Majesty!" said the Beaver. She bowed down, looking up at them with her beady eyes. "To what do we owe the great honor? We didn't know you were coming!"

"Mrs. Beaver," Peter smiled fondly, "I would like you to meet my—my friend, Lady Saedra."

"A pleasure to meet you, dearie!" Mrs. Beaver said.

"The pleasure's mine!" Saedra replied.

"I didn't know you had a lady-friend, King Peter!" she exclaimed. "Mr. Beaver will be so pleased to hear it."

Peter looked at Saedra sideways with a pleased expression on his face. "Where's Mr. Beaver?"

"Oh, he's off visiting Badger again, but he'll be severely sorry he missed your Majesty! It's awfully far from Cair Paravel. What are you doing in the area?"

"We've been giving Prince Rabadash of Calormen and Prince Corin (who came with Saedra) a tour of the mainland. Saedra and I ditched them because I wanted you to meet her," Peter explained.

"And I'm very glad your Majesty did!" said Mrs. Beaver. "Oh, I wish Mr. Beaver was here to meet you. Sunset is in a couple of hours, and you'll be wanting to head back so you're not riding all night. You've probably been riding since dawn!"

"We have," Peter said. "Actually, I was thinking that—if it's okay with you, Saedra—that we might just stay with the Bears tonight."

"Bears?" Saedra blurted, not liking the sound of sleeping near bears.

"Oh, they're quite nice," Mrs. Beaver assured her. "And their den is the biggest house around. High King Peter and the others often stay there when they're in the area."

Then Saedra realized that, of course, the bears were actually Talking Bears. But still, Talking did not equal Safe. She kept quiet, though. If the Four stayed with them often, they must be safe.

"Is that all right, Saedra?" Peter asked her concernedly. "I should have asked you before I brought you, but I was so used to doing that that—"

"It's fine!" she assured him. "Really!"

Peter had a Bird carry a message to his siblings telling them that they would be staying with the Bears that night so they wouldn't worry. Then Peter, Saedra, Mrs. Beaver, and their horses made their way over to Badger's to find Mr. Beaver.

When they arrived, Mr. Beaver was introduced to Saedra, and Badger made a great fuss about the High King being there, telling all of the Animals he knew. The word spread quickly, and soon there was a crowd of Animals of all kinds around Saedra and Peter chirping, purring, or barking things like, "Who is the High King's Lady?" or ""My, the High King's Lady has dark skin! Do you think she needs to stay inside more?" or "Do you think there will be a royal wedding soon?"

Saedra was amused and impressed with the way Peter remained calm among his excited subjects. He introduced her to them, and she tried to remember all of their names, though it was a hopeless task. As the sun started setting, the Animals called for a bonfire, and in the nearest clearing one was built and lit by the time the sun was gone.

The creatures placed rings of flowers around their necks and gave Saedra a crown of flowers to wear in her hair. Then they made chairs for Peter and Saedra (which were little more than piles of soft leaves) and brought them food and wine. Then after they had eaten, the Fauns started playing their flutes, and everyone started dancing around the large fire. The Naiads and Dryads and Dwarves and Centaurs danced in a circle, merry from the wine and celebrating that the High King had come to see them.

Saedra watched all of this in wonder, because she had never witnessed such a spectacle before. She leaned over towards Peter and asked, "Did you know they'd do this?"

Peter made a lopsided grin and said, "Of course!"

"Then I'm glad you didn't tell me beforehand, because I might have said no and missed it! They do this every time you come?"

"They're a little more excited because you're here, but yes, they do. It never gets old."

They smiled at each other, and Saedra turned to watch the Tree People dance some more. Suddenly remembering something Peter had said, she turned to him. "Still think I look like a Dryad?"

Peter grinned. "Aside from the fact that you lack leaves and are a bit shorter. You don't think so?"

She just laughed.

He stood up and held a hand out to her. "May I have this dance, my Lady?"

"You may, Sire," she replied, putting her hand in his and standing up. "Though I warn you, I don't know the steps. The dancing here is much different than in your court."

"Oh, it's not that different. It just seems different because we're outside and around a bonfire," Peter said, pulling her into the circle. "Just follow me."

He was right about it being similar, and soon she caught on. They danced and danced and danced, and then traded partners. She ended up dancing with countless Creatures until she was ready to faint from exhaustion.

When everyone was thoroughly tired, they all lay down and listened as Centaurs and Dwarves and Fauns told stories of old, about great Kings and noble Queens. Peter and Saedra were leaned up against a log, with his arm around her and her head resting on his shoulder. The stories were utterly captivating and inspiring, but as the night wore on, Saedra felt her eyes drooping more and more, until she was fast asleep.

She stirred only when Peter carried her over the Bear's Den, laid her on something soft, and then left her in the company of three curious Bears.