Author's Note: Hey peeps! Here's your update! Nice and long! Thanks for your reviews, musafa and EquestrianPunk1992!

And again, special thanks to William Shakespeare for the line 'compare thee to a summer's day' from 'Sonnet 18'.

nascar-freak

Chapter 6: Too Early for the Masquerade

Aravinia walked briskly down the hallway. She had been looking for Peter for the past few hours and had even missed breakfast to do so. Though now, she had been informed that the High King was in the library, probably working on plans to capture the last of the Witch's enforcements. Aravinia quickly came to the library door. She hissed in frustration, If he is not here, I'll- Aravinia grinned, No, I must calm down. He'll be here. She opened the door quietly and entered the large room. Morning sunlight poured through the open windows. The mahogany of the numerous bookshelves shone elegantly under the glow. Peter stood, fully dressed and busy. He was resting his hands on the reading table, which was cluttered with scrolls and parchment, quills and inkbottles, maps and geography tools. The High King cupped his chin thoughtfully in his hand. He mumbled under his breath, shook his head and sighed. Aravinia realized that she had entered the room too quietly to be heard. She knocked softly on the door and closed it behind her when Peter finally looked up, "Aravinia!" he said in surprise. Aravinia smiled, "Good morning, Peter," she said. Peter nodded, "A pleasant morning to you as well, would you be needing something?"

"Yes, please," Aravinia sighed sadly and walked over to him, "What am I to do? Surely you wouldn't allow me to stay in this castle. I am uninvited. But I would not want to turn back to Argour just yet."

Peter nodded and his heart went out to the poor princess, "Aravinia," he said, "Why don't you relax for the moment? Stay here for the ball and enjoy yourself."

Aravinia stared up at him, "Oh, that will put me to shame!" she said. Peter raised his eyebrows, "And why should it, princess?"

"You are too kind," Aravinia replied, "I am uninvited, and surely I will ruin your Christmas!"

"Not at all! As of now you are invited, and you may mingle with the Narnians,"

"You cannot be certain!"

"I am," Peter said firmly, "After the masquerade your mind will be clear and you will be able to think straight. Then you can decide on what steps you wish to take."

Aravinia pondered over Peter's words and slowly nodded, "But I have nothing wear to the ball."

Peter raised his hand, "Then I shall ask Queen Susan and Queen Lucy to take you through the village this afternoon. They can help you choose your garments. Will you favor that?"

Aravinia shook her head in awe, "My gratitude runs for a thousand leagues, You Majesty! I pray thee well!"

Peter smiled, "Well said. Now do what you might, and I'll try to find time to look for Queen Susan and Queen Lucy."

Aravinia beamed and walked silently out of the room to leave Peter to his work. When she saw that she was alone in the hall she pulled out her ruby necklace and let the jewel rest coldly on her chest, It's too early for the masquerade, she thought smugly, But already I'm wearing a mask! Aravinia let out a small laugh. Everything was going according to plan.

Susan and Lucy walked on either side of Aravinia. It was a few hours after lunch and they were looking for a decent masquerade gown for Aravinia to wear. Lucy smiled up at the Argouran, "So what would be your favorite color, Aravinia?"

Aravinia smiled back, "I like dark colors, Lucy," she said brightly. Susan and Lucy had chosen to be called by their Christian names, and Aravinia was finding it to be quite common. Susan clapped her hands delightfully, "Wonderful!" she exclaimed, "Dark colors will look beautiful on your pale skin, Aravinia!"

The Argouran bit her lip, "I don't want to impress anyone," she said. Lucy smirked, "Only Edmund," she said softly. Susan laughed and shook her head, "Lucy, there'll be none of that!" she scolded gently. Aravinia smiled as she and the queens came to small and tidy looking building near the village square. Susan opened the door and she ushered Lucy and Aravinia to enter. The party was greeted by a group of cheery Dryads. One of which glided gracefully to them, "Your Majesties!" she said. And bowed so low, that Aravinia thought she was going to kiss the floor, "How may we entertain you?" the Dryad turned to Susan, "Perhaps a new archery dress, Your Grace?"

Susan smiled, "No thank you, Dryad," she said and gestured toward Aravinia, "This is Princess Aravinia of Argour. We would like to find a suitable gown for her to wear to the Christmas masquerade."

The Dryad's eyes lit as she bowed to Aravinia, "It is an honor, Your Highness," she said, "And I know just the gown for a beautiful young woman," the Narnian led the royals to the back of the shop. They passed curtains of elegant clothes. Most of which were gowns. Very little were the riding dresses, petticoats, skirts, corsets and other casual wear. The Dryad came to stand before a blue velvet curtain. She rested her hand lightly on the fabric and said mystically, "Behold," she said and gracefully yanked the curtain open, "The masquerade gown!"

Susan, Lucy, and especially Aravinia, gasped in shock. Before them, on a black manikin, was a beautiful gown of deep red colored velvet. Its neckline fell just enough to drape over the chest area. The sleeves fell fluidly to the floor and opened at the wrist downward. The most striking of the design was its embroidery. Golden leaves ran around the bodice. It gave even the manikin some shape. Susan breathed, "By Aslan!" she whispered. Aravinia turned on her heel to leave when Lucy grabbed her arm, "And where do you think you're heading?" she challenged. Arivina turned to stare at the gown, "That is too beautiful, Your Majesties!" she said. Lucy smiled up at Aravinia, "Which is why it's so perfect!" she said. Susan nodded. The Dryad began to gently take the gown off of the manikin, "Men will have to compare thee to a summer's day," she said. Aravinia blushed, "Thou cannot be serious," she said as the Dryad held out the beautiful masterpiece to Aravinia.

-Cair Paravel: Peter's study-

Giovane knocked lightly on the door to Peter's study, "Peter," she called. A loud thud came from inside the room. Giovane started and balanced the tea tray she carried in her arms. The biscuits that came with it rattled out of place in their tiny plates, "Peter! Goodness, are you alright?"

"Come in!" A muffled voice came from inside. Giovane slowly opened the door and giggled when she saw Peter. He was clinging to a ladder and leaning on the giant bookshelf that held the many Narnian documents. A few feet below him were scrolls and books. Giovane guessed he dropped them, "Oh dear," she smirked and entered the room. She closed the door behind her with her foot, "I'm sorry I startled you," she said. Peter slowly stepped down the ladder, "No ado, my dear," he said sarcastically as he bent down to pick up the clutter. Giovane walked over to Peter's desk and laid down the tray, "I hope you'd like a cup of tea," she smiled and began to pour hot tea from the teapot into a small cup, "I brewed it just for thee," she finished, making a simple rhyme.

Peter smiled and walked over. He wrapped his arms around Giovane's waist and laid his head on her shoulder, "Thank you, my Lady," he said. Giovane smiled, "You're welcome," she turned around, "Where's Lucy?" she asked. Peter pulled away and walked to the bookshelf again, "I suppose she is out in the village with Susan to find a masquerade gown for Aravinia," he said as he took out a scroll to examine it, "Why do you ask?"

"I thought she wanted me to take her on a trail ride," she smiled. Peter smiled back, "Indeed she was complaining a while back that you had made a promise to her," he said. Giovane sighed and hugged herself. Peter looked up from the scroll, "What bothers you, my Lady?" he asked. Giovane shook her head, "Oh nothing," she smiled. Peter walked over to her, "I think not," he said, "I know you too well."

Giovane nodded, "It's Aravinia," she said. Peter stared at her, "What about Aravinia? Is she bothering you in any way?"

"Oh, dear no," Giovane stuttered, "Peter, you know what I'm talking about," she said. Peter stared at her blankly, "Tell me," he said gently. Giovane bit her lip, "Why did you invite her to the masquerade?" she asked slowly. Peter smiled, "Giovane," he said and kissed her cheek, "It was merely to let her clear her mind," he said and kept his lips to Giovane's ear and his hands on her waist, "She has been cast away and her father's men are after her. If I am not mistaken, like some countries, Argour tends to execute the daughter, who does not wish to marry whom her father chooses as suitor."

Giovane rested her head on Peter's shoulder, "I you mean as cleanly as your tongue, my King," she said. Peter wrapped his arms around the princess, "I do, Giovane. Be assured of that."

-The Narnian Village: The Dryad's shop-

Susan, Lucy and the Dryad smiled behind the full-length mirror they held up for Aravinia. The princess stared in awe at her reflection. Susan grinned, "You look elegant!" she breathed. Aravinia whined, "But I do not wish to impress anyone!"

Susan shook her head, "The Archenlander princes will be there,"

"And your point is?"

"That you will definitely be able to impress Prince James!"

"I do not-"

"Aravinia, you are stunning!" Susan gestured sharply to her face. Aravinia stared at her. Queen Susan the Gentle of Narnia, was supposed to be the most beautiful woman in the land and many had already ventured from far to ask for her hand in marriage. Aravinia couldn't believe that this beautiful queen would call her 'stunning'. The Dryad walked over to Aravinia. In her hand was a red mask with golden feathers at the corner of the eyes, "This will mask naught but your beauty," she smiled, "When a prince will take this off, he will fall at your feet!"

Lucy smiled, "And if you love him, and he loves you, and your father finds him right, you and your country will be at peace!"

Susan nudged her younger sister in the ribs, giving her a look that said 'Be polite!' Aravinia noticed nothing and she wore the mask. Why, it did do all but mask her beauty. Even she thought she was beautiful. Susan smiled, "Well? What shall it be, princess of Argour?"

Aravinia let out a nervous laugh, "I will be forever in your debt for this, Your Majesty!" she said. Susan laughed melodically, "It's Susan, Aravinia," she smiled. The Argouran smiled and shook her head. Why must she make much ado about a little name?

Author's Note: I am doing my best to confuse you guys and make this exciting. haha! I'll try to update soon!

Hey, look at that cute little teeny-weeny review button! I think you should press it…?