Today was going to go by a little bit differently. Once again there was another outing, a picnic to be precise, but the events have changed. The royal messenger announced that High King Peter wanted to get the chance to know each and every one of the women in his courtship. The maidens were to draw out a number and that number was the order in which to meet High King Peter. All the women gathered around to grab their number, hoping to be the first one.

Ruby didn't do well with crowds, nor did she find it reasonable to fight over a silly number. Even her best friend, Dawn, was rushing over to get her number but after the Royal Guards intervened they had to line up in a row in order to receive their numbers. By the time the Messenger came to Ruby, she noticed that he handed her a number instead of letting her choose one. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion before she noticed her number; 100.

"I believe it is a rather good sign" Dawn said, "After what you told me last night"

"I would rather get this over with" Ruby sighed but that didn't calm her nerves, "Maybe we should switch numbers"

Dawn tucked hers behind her back, "I am number 5, I'm not waiting until 100, especially when he is expecting someone to be the last one"

"Why do you say that?" Ruby asked.

"We only get a couple of minutes with him" Dawn reminded her, "You being the last and only maiden he seemed to talk to, I think he wants to extend your time with him"

Ruby shook her head, "I don't know, or at least… I don't want to think about it"

The announcer came into the room and called out that Maiden Number Five should come with him, Dawn turned and smiled, "I will keep my hopes up for myself, but I know who he is truly looking for"

Ruby wanted to tell her to not sell herself short but instead, Dawn kissed her on the cheek and quickly ran across the room. She smiled to her dear friend's back as it disappeared with the fawn. Her heart skipped a beat but her talons were impatient as she realized how long she will have to wait.

'Maybe he did plan this whole thing out' Ruby thought to herself as she glanced down to her number.

It nearly took all day before finally the fawn with a very tired but relieved expression announced Maiden Number 100. Ruby got up with Dawn as she gripped her hands tightly.

"This is it" Dawn grinned, "I know it… you will be the High Queen Consort"

"Dawn" Ruby said in a hushed whisper, "Do not sell yourself completely short"

Dawn rolled her eyes, "Oh, please, I only talked about myself for a minute before I mentioned you and then that was all was talked about"

Ruby blinked in surprise, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I knew you would get nervous and fly away" Dawn beamed, "No need to worry, I only told him all the good stuff about you"

Ruby felt butterflies in her stomach as she realized it was finally her turn, Dawn must've sensed it as she quickly ushered her friend over to the fawn, "Now is not the time to get cold wings"

"But- But what is going to happen?" Ruby asked.

"Just a cup of tea or in your case a snack" Dawn glanced to the time, "Wow, he definitely knows how to plan things"

Ruby was practically pushed to the Messenger who smiled a thank you to Dawn before closing the door and leading her down the hall.

"Now, you will only have a couple of minutes, my dear" The fawn began, "You should know that High King Peter wants to know about you and how you would seem fit for a companion. There is no need to discuss how happy you were that he defeated the White Witch, he wants to know more about yourself. And please, do not carry on and on about yourself, there are other maidens waiting as well. And another thing-"

"But, I am the last one" Ruby showed her note, "I am number 100"

The fawn stopped and looked at the number before looking up at Ruby, "Oh. It seems you are. How lovely, well then… I hope you enjoy"

Ruby was about to ask what the Fawn meant about that before the doors opened to a quiet little room. She glanced at the Fawn who bowed deeply and waved his hand to the room as Ruby slowly walked in. There was an enchanted harp playing in the corner, the early evening light cast a bright golden glow around the room as the warm air gave her the sense of comfort. She was so enraptured by the beauty she almost didn't see High King Peter in the corner, smiling and watching her. She could tell he had a rather tiring day but seemed almost happy that it was finally ending… with her.

"Hello, my Lord" Ruby bowed awkwardly, "My name is-"

"Ruby" Peter slowly came up to her, "I remember"

Ruby nodded shyly, "Well, I didn't know where to begin with all of this"

"We can begin with a glass of wine" Peter offered, "I figured it was still too close to dinner so appetizers will have to do instead"

Peter offered up his hand to her, "Shall we?"

Ruby smiled and nodded before giving her his hand, "How was your day, My Lord?"

Peter let out an exhausting laugh, "It was definitely a long one, I am not going to lie. I really wanted to make you Maiden Number 1 but I knew I would have stayed the longest with you and not given the others a chance. It was Lucy's idea to hand you the number 100"

"But how did you know it would be me?" Ruby asked.

"You're the only one with that magnificent shade of color for wings" Peter said, "My Professor told me that Harpies of your species each have a different shade for their wings"

Peter went over to the chair and moved it out for her to sit down. She blushed deeply as she sat down and he moved it closer to the table. His thumb lightly touched the back of her arm as it sent shivers down her spine. She looked up, smiled, and nodded as Peter went to the otherside of the small table.

"Well, thankfully, your Messenger didn't mix up the wrong maiden," Ruby stated.

"Mr. Tumnus knew which one I was talking about" Peter said, "He's the one that's been spending the most time with you all"

"So he must know how exhausting it is to be in the same room with them," Ruby joked.

Peter chuckled, "He can not wait until this weekend is over, I'm sure"

Ruby let out a laugh as she remembered how tired the Fawn was even just by the end of the day. She didn't know why he was given such a task but I'm sure it was for good reason. She just hoped that Mr. Tumnus would get some sort of reward after all of this is over.

"What about you?" Ruby asked, "Most men would die to have 100 maidens wanting their hand in marriage. You must not want this weekend to never end"

"I do have to admit, I did at first" Peter brought his cup to his lips, "But that started to change when my mind only wanted to focus on one"

Ruby looked up in shock before taking a green grape and twirling it in her hands, "So soon?"

"Yes" Peter leaned in, "I was surprised as well but… I couldn't stop thinking about you"

Ruby blushed, "So Dawn was right"

"Dawn?" Peter thought for a moment before his face lifted, "Oh, yes! She was the one who brought you up, saying that you were her best friend"

Ruby nodded, "Since we were little chicks"

"She also told me that you were rather shy of this whole thing" Peter leaned back, "Did you not think you would be chosen?"

"Honestly, no" Ruby confessed, "There are many beautiful creatures in that room. Some who would be a great High Queen Consort on your arm. Others even are almost as human looking as you are. I would've thought that you would want to be with someone… more like you"

Peter looked her in the eyes and said, "I'm not looking for someone like me or someone beautiful for everyone to be jealous of, I am looking for a soulmate. Someone I hope is you. What say you? Would you accept my hand if I offered it in marriage?"