A/N: Sorry for the long delay. I've been getting ready for term and reading Deathly Hallows. Thanks for all the reviews. They're food for my soul.

Lorelei had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from lashing out at Peter. Baring her teeth in a way a babe wouldn't mistake for a smile, she choked out a hello. Jeanette just smiled in her sickenly sweet way, a light of triumph in her sea green eyes. Lorelei made no move to address Peter, and him the same towards her. Finally when the tension filled silence became too much Susan loudly cleared her throat, interrupting Lorelei's thoughts of trying out the front body flip Eli had taught her earlier on Peter and Jeanette.

"Yes, well… let's eat" Susan said. It was obvious from her stiff manner she was more than upset with Peter's choice of guest. She sat down, glaring daggers at him which he returned with a lazy smile.

As they sat down servants brought out tankards of berry cordial, plates piled high with breads, and bowls of savory pumpkin soup. Lorelei watched Jeanette grab a roll, leaning slightly closer to Peter than necessary to reach the plate. Lorelei's plate remained empty. Lucy leaned over and piled bread high on hers.

"Lori, aren't you going to eat?"

Lorelei gave Lucy a bright smile. "No Lu. I'm not quite hungry at the moment and due to present circumstances, even if I was I doubt I could keep the food down." Peter held back a chuckle as he watched Jeanette's face begin to match her fiery hair.

Dinner was a simple affair of roasted chicken and spring vegetables. Susan had tried valiantly to keep conversation going, but all Lorelei could do was murmur yes's and no's at the appropriate times. It took all of her other concentration to keep from reaching across the table and pinching Jeanette smartly on the face for her smug looks towards her direction. The most she could do was stab the chicken on her plate and pretend it was Jeanette.

When they were served strawberry sherbet, Lorelei declined trying hard not to find an excuse to throw Susan's tea in Jeanette's face. She was trying her hardest to provoke Lorelei; dropping snide and demeaning comments here and there and casually touching Peter's arm, or hand. Seeing no reason to remain any longer, Lorelei stood, thanked Susan and Lucy, and left. Susan shot Peter one last dirty look, before picking up a dosing Lucy.

"Come on Lu. Let's get you ready for bed" and without another word or glance, she left leaving Peter alone with Jeanette.

Peter sat back and waited for his surge of triumph at Lorelei's jealousy to come. Unfortunately, all he felt was irritation due to a certain redhead's constant barrage of pointless rambling. She was trying to engage him in a conversation about how she decided to wear her hair. "… I was going to plait it, but I chose to wear it up. It really shows off my graceful neck don't you think Peter?" Peter shrugged noncommittally. Apparently taking this as a sign of interest, Jeanette continued with the effort it took for her dress. Peter was beginning to really wear thin of his choice of jealousy. True Jeanette was particularly attractive, but she had no sense. Peter couldn't carry on a conversation that she understood unless it was local gossip or fashion. Any other topic and she would stare at him with a confused look on her face. "You know what Jeanette?" Peter interrupted. "It's late and I have to train some troops tomorrow," he lied. His weekend was clear. "Oh, okay," replied Jeanette disappointed that he didn't find her topic of the best summer slippers to be engaging. Maybe you could walk me to the village I'm staying at. This Narnian woods aren't safe at night."

"I happen to take frequent strolls through the woods and have yet to meet a dire fate" Peter bit out curtly. Jeanette, realising her mistake quickly stammered out an apology, but the damage was done.

"You know Jeanette; I'll give you a couple of my personal guards to escort you to your cousin's." Peter said and got up quickly, happy for an excuse to leave Jeanette. "I'll be right back." And with that he exited with haste.

Jeanette sat there angrily berating herself for her slip. The truth was she hated Narnia with its untamed woods and filthy creatures who shared tables with the royal family. Archenland would never allow something so disgraceful. If she wanted to win Peter for herself she would have to watch her comments. "Silly prince. You'll soon be mine and your little peasant girl will be all alone." Laughing quietly to herself, she didn't even snap at the guards who escorted her home.

Lorelei tossed and turned in her cot. It had been three days since the dinner at Cair Paravel, and while she had talked to Susan and played with Lucy, she avoided Peter like a plague. She knew she was partly to blame, but she couldn't help but feel betrayed by Peter. He knew how much she disliked Jeanette yet he had still brought the bimbo to dinner. Finally to frustrated to sleep, Lorelei decided to go for a swim at her favorite watering hole that she and Aslan had found. Thinking about Aslan brought a pang of sadness to her heart. She hadn't seen him and awhile and could have really used his help right about now. Sighing, she left her tent and made her way to her secret spot. Walking through the woods, she could see that some of the leaves were changing colours. Even though autumn was right around the bend, it was still warm. When Lorelei made it to her hole, she slipped in to the cool water with a sigh. It felt so good on her skin. She lazily swam a few laps and floated on her back.

Peter woke up soaked in sweat and a let out a strangled groan before throwing of his sheets and pacing his room. This was the third time this night he had done this. It seemed every time he fell asleep his dreams were drawn to Lorelei. Dreams that involved her stroking and kissing him, or writhing underneath him with soft groans and sighs. He let out a curse that was followed by a chuckle. It seems that where Lorelei was concerned, curses were always present. Knowing that he wouldn't be able to fall asleep, he figured a stroll through the forest would help. He slipped on a short sleeved tunic and slipped on his boots. Quietly walking down his hallway and stairs, lest he wake someone, he tiptoed out the door. Once outside, he stood still and soaked in the night. Shoving his hands in his pocket, he let his legs lead him and gave himself over to his thoughts. He know whole heartedly regretted his ploy with Jeanette. It seemed like she know believed she had rights to him. After she was there for dinner, she showed up early the next morning claiming she wanted to watch Peter train the troops. He had no choice but to call an impromptu training session which his blurry eyed troops did not find worthy of praise. And Jeanette's claim of interest was obviously false because she fell asleep after twenty minutes of watching warm-ups. She then decided that she should stay for lunch, tea, and dinner. Edmund found her constant company a good thing as Peter needed to marry, while Susan and Lucy had become deaf to his voice and went out of their way to ignore his presence. Peter would have rather had three days of companionship with Lorelei than a tart. Jeanette must have marriage on her mind because every time they were alone together, she would begin talking about strengthening the bond between their two provinces. Also she had tried to kiss Peter on several occasions. It was tiring activity keeping his sanity around her and he wished he was a berk and told her off. Unfortunately, he didn't want to hurt her. With a sigh Peter brought his attention to where his legs had taken him. He was deep in the forest where his swimming hole was. He had discovered it one day when he was trying to avoid Susan's monthly cleaning spree. Figuring a nice swim would take his mind off of his unwanted company he made his way to the water. Peter was at the edge when he could see her. Lorelei had found his whole too and must have been unable to sleep also. Peter quietly made his way closer for a better look. She was lying on her back eyes closed. Her blue gown was sticking to her skin grazing the tops of her knees, and her wet hair was spread out on the rock. Peter's mouth was suddenly dry when he realised he could make out the details of her body from her round breasts with her pert nipples to the dark triangle at the juncture of her thighs. Lorelei arched her back and Peter had to strangle in a groan. She sat up, swinging her hair to her side and wrung it with her hands.

"You might as well come out Peter. I know you're there," she said not even bothering to look in his direction.

Peter jumped and made his way to her, embarrassment written on his face.

"How long did you know I was there?"

"Well you hardly covered your footsteps and I watched you while I was lying down. It's rude to stare," she said peering up at him disapprovingly.

All he could choke out was something that sounded like sorry. Up close he could see every feature of Lorelei's body through her gown.

"Oh for Merlin's sake," Lorelei huffed out. Standing up, she went to a tree and snatched a robe that was hanging there. Belting it tightly around her waist, she turned back to Peter. "Is this better Peter? I would think you were too transfixed by your lovely red head to notice another." Peter reached for her hand, but she stepped back, anger etched on her face. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I am sorry about that Lore. I was a right barmy git bringing her. She won't leave me be now." If he thought that was going to get him any sympathy, he was mistaken. Lorelei's face was slowly becoming red with her anger. "Well, I'm sure that just makes you all cockahoop A/N Cockahoop meansextremely happy or pleased for you yanks) doesn't it? By the gods, Peter! You know I can't stand the sight of that beast! Why would you invite her? Did you want to make me upset?"

"Yes I did." Peter yelled, feeling his own anger grow. "I'm tired of fighting with you Lorelei. If you don't fancy me, I can find someone who will.'

"Of course I fancy you, you barmy idiot! Anyone girl in her right mind would." Lorelei yelled out.

Peter just stood there and stared at her. Lorelei turned away from him, unable to look at him anymore. "Are you happy now?" she asked in a soft voice. "I fancy you Peter. Probably have since I meet you. And it's hard for me to admit it because… well because I haven't exactly had an abundance of kindness from blokes in my life. The orphanage wasn't exactly heaven." Peter remained silent. Lorelei had never talked about where she lived before Narnia with him and when he had asked Aslan, he just answered that she would tell him when she was ready. He tentatively reached a hand out and placed it on her shoulder. When she didn't' pull away, he turned around a placed a hand underneath her chin, forcing her to look at him. Her eyes were swimming with tears and it broke his heart. "Lorelei, what happened to you before you came to Narnia" he asked gently. After staring at him for awhile, she finally broke down and told him all about Planter, and the other orphans, about her mother's death and having no family or friends to call her own. Peter just held her in his arms, feeling his anger grow at Nigel and the fellow orphans. After Lorelei finished, she pulled away from Peter and hastily wiped the tears from her eyes. She was almost sick with the certainty that he would be repulsed by her now that he knew, especially since Planter had tried to force sex on her. But Peter remained quiet. Unable to take his disgust, she schooled her features to something resembling acceptance and turned back to him. "So I completely understand if you want nothing more to do with me. I just hope we can remain mates or acquaintances at least." She stuck her hand out for him to shake. Peter stared at her and finally said, "I'm sorry Lore, but what in the bloody hell are you going on about?" "I understand if you don't want any romantic relations with me anymore. It's perfectly understandable." Peter laughed, and Lorelei narrowed her eyes in irritation. "You don't have to laugh at me Peter." "Yes I do. And here I was under the impression that you were clever. Lorelei, what happened in your past doesn't make me want you any less that it did before. If anything it makes me realise what an amazingly strong person you are. I still want you, that is if you're willing to forgive me about the whole Jeanette fiasco." Lorelei's answer was to throw her arms around Peter and hug him tightly. After they pulled back, Peter laughed. "I guess that's a yes." "You bet your crown it is Sir Peter."

Peter laughed again and gently released her. "Now to bed with you," he said, patting her softly on her bum to get her going. Lorelei let out a noise of protest before making her way to the forest. She suddenly stopped and turned around. Starring at Peter for a moment, she ran back to him and kissed him soundly on the mouth. Pulling back she stared up at him. "Goodnight Peter and thank you." Letting go, she begin walking again. "Lore!" Peter yelled out suddenly. She turned around and looked at him questionly. "Um, same time tomorrow?" he asked in a rush. Her face lit up with a smile and she gave a swift nod, before she disappeared in the woods. Peter stood rooted to his spot dwelling on his good luck before making his way back to Cair Paravel. He was in such a good mood; he didn't even notice the figure in the forest who had witnessed the whole exchange between him and Lorelei.

A/N: I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Please review. I love hearing from you guys!

wide eyed dreamer