Author's Note: Sorry this took awhile. But I had the worst writer's block you can imagine and on top of that, my computer decided to get a virus. So yay! -note the sarcasm- Honestly, I don't deserve all your reviews. -hugs reviewers and readers- I suggest you look up the lyrics/listen to one of the songs that are listed below, so you can get a general feel of the chapter.

Queen Emily the Wise: I'm sorry, but I can't bring Lucylita back. You can give me another character if you want though.
Taleyn01: Hmm. You've made an interesting point. She still has to break her promise. I'll fix that as soon as I can.

Inspiration: Avril Lavigne's "Fall to Pieces", Kelly Clarkson's "Miss Independent", Aly and A.J.'s "Something More", Aly and A.J.'s "Chemicals React"

Quote from Chapter: "Why are you staring at me?"

Chapter Thirty-Two: Re-Awoken Feelings

Aceline laid her hand on the glass, watching with tearful eyes as her older sister hugged her father. She couldn't say goodbye. She wouldn't say goodbye. Her father was her favorite parent (she loved her mother, but she didn't get her as William did) and now he had been ordered to fight for England. William looked at her over his eldest daughter's shoulder. His purple eyes betrayed sadness and regret. Without another thought, she left her place by the window and ran out the front door, straight into his awaiting arms.

"Please don't go," she begged, her face buried in his Royal Air Force uniform.

"I have to," he replied quietly. He bent down (he was quite a tall man) and lifted her chin up.

"You have to be brave," he told her. "You're going to be the head of the house while I'm gone. Think you can do that for me?" Aceline nodded eagerly and smiled at him.

"I'll be as brave as possible, Dad," she whispered. "As brave as a knight." The man chuckled and kissed the top of her head. He let her go and saluted her. She did likewise, feeling confident.

--------

Aceline whimpered, twisting in the sheets. She was trembling in fear. Sweat formed on her forehead as she clutched the larger hand that held her own.

"Wake up, Ace," the person whispered. "Wake up..."

--------

The news of her father's death came on a sunny day.

She hummed quietly as she set the table for lunch. Screams reached her ears and she dropped the plate that she was holding. She was out of the room before the plate made it to the floor. Her hands shook as she opened the door.

The first thing she was that a small crowd of women - they between their early twenties and late fifties - were crowded around something. She could hear their murmurings, all of them sounding demure. She could see Emilia's blonde hair through the midst of brown and black. Her sister's shoulders were trembling as she bent down. Her heart sank as she realized what was going on.

She pushed her way through the crowd, forgetting her manners in her haste. She never thought of crying as she saw the telegram in her mother's hand. She never thought of screaming as her sister fainted to the ground. She could only run back into the house, ignoring the pleas to come back. Aceline slammed the front door and pressed her back to it. She sank to the ground, wrapping her arms around her knees. She looked at the picture that rested on top of the hall table. It showed her father wearing his uniform, grinning triumphantly.

She burst into tears.

--------

She woke up crying silently. Her hand was clutched in another, larger one. Her eyes trailed up the hand, up the arm, up the shoulder, and finally settled on the face. It was Peter's, eyes closed with sleep. There were a few cuts on his face and his free hand was bandaged. His broad chest rose and fell as he slept, and she found herself wanting to sketch the High King in this peaceful state. She gently touched his arm and his eyes opened. He straightened and ran a hand through his hair.

"Ace, I'm so sorry. If I would have just believe you, you wouldn't be in this state," the youth said.

"Peter..."

"I've been a complete ass and I understand if you don't forgive me."

"Peter!" She immediately regretted yelling, for pain shot through her head. She raised her hand to her scalp and felt a stiff turban of bandages. Noticing that Peter looked ready to keep apologizing, she quickly interrupted.

"Hush up, Pete," she smiled. "You know I forgive you. Let's make it Pax." They shook hands amicably. At his touch, a familiar fluttery feeling entered her, accompanied by a flush to her cheeks.

"How long have I been out?" she asked.

"Going on two days," he answered. "You must be starved. I'll get you something to eat." He stood up and left the room. He came back five minutes later, bearing a tray that was loaded with food.

"I haven't eaten," he said lamely, noting her wide eyes. She nodded and made room for him to sit next to her. Peter lowered himself awkwardly into the offered seat.

"What happened in Galma?" she asked. The High King thoughtfully chewed on a piece of bacon before answering.

"You were right about everything. Her parents hadn't died in Galma. In fact, Kiara was an orphan since she was eleven," he said. "When Sallowpad arrived, all of us went completely insane. Susan and Edmund started to accuse Kiara of all amounts of treason, and Lucy nearly shoved her out the window..." Here, he stopped to allow Aceline a short laugh. Then, he continued.

"Obviously, we all turned against her. It was Susan of all people who ended up killing her. Duke Ramon sent help with us. After we came, the battle only lasted ten more minutes." She nodded, feeling satisfied that Kiara was dead. The two ate quietly, knowing that there was nothing to say. She could feel his eyes on her.

"Why are you staring at me?" she said. Peter flushed and looked awkward.

"I - We were all worried about you. I - We don't know what we would have done if we lost you," he said. A moment later, he said, lightly tugging her hair, "And I like your new haircut. Even if you do look queer with shorter hair." She swatted at him and they laughed.

"Aceline!" She looked in the direction of the voice and saw an amazed and excited Edmund. He gestured at someone and the rest of the Pevensies came to sit on her bed.

"How are you feeling?" Susan asked softly.

"Pretty good," she answered. "Slight headache, but I'm all right."

"Gave us a right good scare," Edmund said, taking a bit of toast. Lucy pinched his wrist so he dropped the toast.

"Let her eat, Ed," she admonished. The Princess giggled at the disappointed look on the King's face.

"That's all right," she said, offering the toast. The King bit it happily.

"We still have some things to do," Susan said presently.

"Like what?" she asked, interested. Peter put his arm around her shoulders.

"It's a surprise," he grinned.

--------

Aceline walked up the center aisle, a lord on either side of her. She had fully recovered after two days of being woken-up. All that remained was a cut under her left eyebrow and a bruise on her right cheek. But that didn't diminish the value of the resplendent clothing she wore.

She was bare-headed, her black had the slightest waves to it, drawn back by a gold, satin ribbon. Around her neck was an intricately made gold necklace, a Christmas present from the High King from two years ago. She wore a beige gown, whose sleeves were golden from the elbow down. A brown lether belt was buckled around her waist, her sword and scabbard hanging on her left side. On her feet were beige-colored slippers. On her right, the lord wore a dazzling red tunic with the golden lion rampant on the front. On her left, the other lord wore a less intense, midnight blue tunic with a golden lion rampant.

By this time, they had reached the dais. Peter stood from his throne and walked towards them, drawing his sword as he did so. The three quickly followed suit.

"Kneel before me," he ordered. They went on bended knee. Aceline found herself looking at the boots of the High King as he stepped in front of her. He lightly tapped each of her shoulders with the sword flat.

"I give you Dame Aceline of Narnia, Knight of the Noble Order of the Table." The Princess looked quite shocked as she met Peter's blue-eyed gaze. He merely winked at her and stepped to the lord on the left. And so, that day, there were three new knights in Narnia: Dame Aceline, Sir Henry and Sir Jon.

The Narnians looked at their Princess and their High King. Everyone, from the youngest cub of the youngest bear to the tallest of the Good Giants, smiled at the sight. She dressed in gold and he dressed in forest green, looking quite the good match.

"I'm so proud of her," two choked voices said in unison. Dozens of eyes turned to look at the Lords Dar and Darrin, who were clearly trying not to cry as they looked at their friend. Artymis comforted Dar while Darrin's lover, a lovely girl named Katherine, did the same with Darrin.

There was a great banquet that day. She danced with nearly everyone, ranging from Sirs Henry and Jon to King Lune himself. There, she met the tiny Prince Corin, heir to the Archenlandian throne.

"He shall make a jolly good king, your Majesty," Lucy observed. King Lune looked down at the chubby two-year-old and chuckled.

"Aye, that he shall, Queen Lucy," he replied.

"He's darling, sir," Aceline said respectfully.

"Thank you, Highness." King Lune looked at the necklace on her neck. "That's quite a lovely necklace. It would make a wonderful heirloom to your eldest daughter." The girl began to giggle at the idea of even having children, turning a delicate pink as she did so.

"What's this? Are you only to have sons, Princess?" he teased.

"King Lune - " Peter began.

"No need, King Peter," he interruped. "Look at her." And the High King looked and saw that her face was crimson and that she had stopped giggling. He chuckled and made a courtly bow to her.

"Shall we dance?" he asked. She nodded, placing her hand in his.

It is said, among the Narnians, that if you took a couple and made them dance the fastest jig possible, you could find out if the couple were each other's soul mates. If they could dance it perfectly, without a single mishap, they were destined to be lovers. If they couldn't...well, you get the idea.

A lively dance was strung up, by order of King Edmund, for he wanted to see if his brother and his friend were meant to be. A few couples attempted the Lion's Roar (as the dance was called), but they usually stumbled through a step or missed a step and eventually fell to the floor.

Everyone's eyes were on High King Peter and Princess Aceline. They made quite a sight, moving so quickly that they were a blur of gold and forest green. Peter caught the girl in his arms, lifted her from the ground and spun her around, making her laugh with delight. The King grinned happily and lowered her. The spectators were marveled as they danced. Their laughter rang in the ears of the Narnians and the Archenlanders and the Galmians. Edmund found himself keeping time to the rhythmic rise and fall of the brown boots and the beige slippers. Prince Corin clapped his little hands together and laughed as they laughed. Faster and faster they went until the song finally ended (it had lasted a grand total of seven minutes, forty-five seconds) and they were left panting and red in the face. Oh, but how happy they looked!

The Great Hall erupted in applause. Aceline blushed while Peter bowed, grinning like an idiot. They resumed their seats next to King Lune, Peter's siblings and the little Prince. The sisters shared a knowing glance while the just King merely smiled. Prince Corin stretched out his arms to the Princess, who willingly enthroned him on her knee. And, it was said that she looked very much like a mother with the toddler in her lap.

"I think I shall take your suggestion, King Lune," she said, tickling the Prince under his chin.

"My suggestion, your Highness?"

"I shall give my necklace to my eldest daughter. That is, if Aslan doesn't only bless me with sons."

--------

And yet, every glorious battle has its sad parts.

The next morning, there was a black banner draped behind the thrones in the Great Hall. No one of royalty wore their crowns. Everyone stood as equals, no one either superior or inferior to another. The hall and the surroundings balconies were filled to the brim with people, their expressions pathetically tragic. Bouquets of red roses surrounded the dais, making it impossible for anyone to get off without crushing the flowers.

Peter was the only one on the dais, dressed in somber, black robes. There was a large scroll in his hands. Aceline watched as he cleared his throat and fixed his collar.

"Today, we gather together to mourn over the loss of our Narnian friends and our Archenlandian and Galmian allies. Their deaths are a tragic loss, but we are hopeful that we will join them in their eternal bliss with Aslan. When I call out the person's name, the person close to them will step up to receive their rose. Then, we shall go outside and lay them on the platform we have built." Peter unrolled the scroll and began to read the list of names. The Princess noticed that the High King's voice broke at the names of those close to him. She knew he would probably blame himself for their deaths, just as he blamed himself for everything bad that happened. Not this time, she thought firmly.

"Lucylita Temple, a warrior whose wit and courage helped us emerge victorious."

Aceline automatically stepped forward to take the flower. Everyone repeated this motion. The bouquets began to grow smaller as the crowd took the roses.

"Tynan Wolfe, a man who fought with valiance and never left anyone behind."

Her eyes snapped up from the rose she held to look at Peter in alarm. No, he's lying. He has to be lying. But Artymis went up to take the rose, tears streaming down her cheeks. She closed her eyes, pained to see her friend in such a state.

The list continued until everyone held a rose. Peter stepped down from the dais and asked for them to go outside to lay their roses. The Great Hall soon emptied as the crod went outdoors. It was a cloudy day and the weather seemed to match the people's moods. The mourning song of the merpeople drifted towards them, making it clear that they were grieving as well. There was no talking, just murmuring. Aceline had only heard a song sound so sad once in her life: at her father's funeral in...that Other Place.

Instead of one platform, there were three. She began to wonder if she had led all these people to their deaths. She didn't know half of these people, but she promised herself that day (June "Greenroof" 4, 1005) that she would remember all those who perished.

A few lords and three Centaur pushed the platform in to the sea. The redness of the flowers stood out against the blueness of the ocean. The merpeople continued their song, making sure the platforms didn't tip over because of the ocean waves.

Aceline heard the sounds of the crod as they broke into groups and retreated back to Cair Paravel. Behind her, she felt the eyes of the Pevensies on her back.

"This is all my fault," someone said. She whirled around to face the High King with an angry glare.

"Don't you dare blame yourself for this, Peter Nicholas Pevensie," she hissed vehemently. He looked stunned that she had used his middle name, for that was a sure sign that she was furious.

"Aceline - "

"Don't you dare!" she exclaimed, stamping her foot. To her utter horror, she felt tears begin to slide down her cheeks. Without a moment's delay, he embraced her tightly and kissed the top of her head. Aceline sobbed into his tunic. Normally, she would never be so emotional. But with Peter, it was all right.

Presently, her sobs quieted and he offered her his handkerchief (she could never keep track of hers). She managed to look in to his blue eyes and promptly colored up. She was aware of how close their faces were...that if Peter simply lowered his head, his lips would be on hers...and then there was that expression on his face...did he want to kiss her? She grew redder at the thought and wiggled herself out of his grip.

"I - I have to see if Artymis is all right," she stammered out. "Here's your handkerchief."

"Keep it." His expression was unreadable. "I'll see you inside, Ace." He walked away, hands in his pockets and feet kicking up sand. She made a sort of sound of longing as she watched her friend walk away.

--------

"So, what's going on between you and Peter now?" Artymis asked, chuckling quietly.

"He was practically begging for you to kiss him," Keitra added.

"I'm surprised he hasn't proposed to you yet," Kendell grinned.

"Oh, stop it, the three of you," Aceline said.

The four girls were in the Princess's room, laying luxuriously on the chairs and sofas in the space. Nighttime was the only time when they didn't have to act like ladies of society. For instance, Artymis' calves were perfectly exposed while the cousins were lying on their backs, legs crossed. Aceline was stretching with her breasts straing at her neckline.

"Face it, Aceline," Keitra smiled. "He's in love with you."

"Completely!" Kendell exclaimed. "Haven't you noticed the way he stares at you? Or the way he seems to dote on you? If he's not falling for you, then I'm a rabbit!"

"You're being silly, Dellie," Aceline laughed. "As if Peter would ever fall for me!"

"Why wouldn't he?" Artymis demanded, suddenly serious."You're a great friend, loyal, brave and beautiful. What's not to like about you?" After five seconds, the girls began to tease her as she thought about it, her face burning like a brand. She finally lost her patience and whacked Artymis with the pillow. A pillow fight broke out between them and they laughed and shouted as they hit each other with the pillows. But then, out of nowhere, Peter poked his head into the room. His eyes were half-closed with sleep and his hair was messy. They immediately quieted, but Artymis, Keitra and Kendell started to giggle in near hysteria. The High King looked confused and looked towards Aceline for an answer.

"We'll quiet down, Pete," she said, smiling at him. He nodded in reply.

"Goodnight ladies," he yawned.

"Goodnight Peter," they chorused.

A few days later after this incident, Aceline found herself thinking more and more about Peter. She remained very quiet about it, for she didn't want anyone to tease her about it. Her sketches were now mostly about a young man with blond hair with his face blurred. (That was how the newest style in art was done in those days.) Beside him stood a black-haired woman also with her face blurred. They were dressed in gold and forest green, respectively both in adulthood.

Things would have gotten much more differently if Aceline would have never gotten jealous.

Yeah, I sorta left you on a cliffy there. But things are going to get a lot more interesting.

OCs Used:
Keitra Nyramis - Lady-Mystique
Kendell Carnee - airnchik 128
Artymis Wolfe - Dark Wolf Goddess of the moon