Thanks for the reviews! I hope you enjoy this chapter! Oh, and here are some answers to your reviews:

Rebecca (anon.): I plan to (hopefully) write more Peter/Susan stories after I'm done with this one. As for how many chapters, I'm not sure. Maybe 3-4?

Miss Apple Pie: She doesn't know yet...though she will soon

Very Good (anon.): Don't worry, she's not going to make a comeback! So you can stop going "oh no!" when you read my story, lol.

Thanks to everyone else who reviewed as well! Read and review this chapter! Thanks!

Chapter 5

"Come on, Edmund! You can do better than that!" admonished Peter, blocking his brother's sword with his own.

From her balcony, Susan watched her two brothers spar, their swords clanging loudly as they exchanged blow after blow. It had been two weeks since Peter's discovery of the Witch's army, and from that day on, the two kings had thrown themselves into their training.

Looking out past the castle walls, she stared down at row upon row of red and gold tents. Aslan's army had been spread out, temporary campsites placed all around the countryside while the troops waited for the new forts to be built. Cair Paravel was their base of operations, and thus, they had the most troops, with a head count of five thousand strong.

"Edmund, watch what you're doing!" shouted Peter, as Edmund tripped over a rock. Susan's attention was immediately brought back to her two brothers, the oldest sibling in particular. Ever since the day of their 'almost kiss,' as she called it, she had had mixed feelings about her older brother. Every time she saw him, she couldn't help but blush and think back on that day, think about how close their bodies had been and what it had felt like to hold Peter's hand in hers, the feeling of his hot breathe on her face and the rapid beating of his heart beneath her fingers.

She couldn't deny it; her feelings for Peter were more than that of a brother, but to what extent, she could not tell. Did she truly love him, or was it simply a phase that she was going through? Most importantly, did he feel the same way? 'Stop it, Susan!' she told herself. 'You can't possibly love Peter! He's your brother! B-R-O-T-H-E-R! Brother!'

"Excuse me Queen Susan, but lunch is ready," said Orion, breaking her out of her reverie.

"Thank you for telling me," she replied, getting up from her chair.

"Will Kings Peter and Edmund be joining you and Queen Lucy?" he asked.

"I'm sure Edmund will, but I can't say about Peter," she replied. Ever since the army had set up camp, the High King had been taking all his meals with them. In fact, most of his time was spent with his men, be it training in the field with them, or relaxing in front of the campfire as they sang and danced after a hard day's work.

"I suppose I shall go down and ask then," said the faun, turning to leave.

"Wait, I'll do it," said Susan. She had not seen Peter in quite a while, and now would be the perfect chance to see him.

"Are you sure, you're Highness?"

"Yes." Saying her goodbye, Susan left the balcony and exited her room. Walking down several flights of stairs, she reached the ground level and strode out into the courtyard. Greeting the guards as she passed, the queen quickly made her way onto the training grounds, calling out to her brothers as she arrived.

"Peter, Edmund!" she called. "Time for lunch!"

The two stopped their fighting and sheathed their swords. Slowly, the two walked over, smiling in greeting as they approached.

"Hello, Susan," said Peter, walking up.

Susan lightly blushed, but returned the salutation. "Hello, Peter," she said, a little shaky.

He nodded at her and turned to the youngest of the three. "Good job today, Edmund. You've definitely improved, though you still need to watch your left side more."

"I've got my shield to protect me on that said," replied Edmund, rolling his eyes.

"Yes, but it could be knocked away at any time, or you may accidentally forget it one day. Believe me when I say this, don't learn to rely completely on your shield to protect you. Trust me; I know from experience," he said, indicating to his side. Clapping his brother on the back, he nudged him in the direction of the castle and motioned for Susan to continue on. "Well, off to lunch you two. I've still got about an hour before the soldiers and I get our meals. I'll be with Oreius if anyone needs me."

"Wait!" cried Susan, before Peter could turn and walk away. "Won't you join us, Peter? You're never in the castle anymore and you spend all your time with the soldiers these days. We never see you outside of meetings anymore, and we all miss your company."

"Yeah, c'mon Peter," agreed Edmund. "You're never around anymore, always hanging around the army and supervising them. Take a break and eat lunch with us."

Peter shook his head and replied, "I take my meals with them because they are my men, and even though I am their king, I want them to feel as if we are equals. I want them to know that I am always beside them, on and off the battlefield."

"I think you love your men more than you love your own family," joked Edmund, as he smiled softly. He didn't mean any harm by his comment, only to tease him. Peter was a great king, and he was deeply committed to his people, as they were to him.

"Of course I love my men, Edmund! They are my people, and I would go to the very ends of the earth for them," said Peter. "But do not think that I love you three any less." He reached out and gave his siblings one armed hugs, ruffling Edmund's hair affectionately and kissing Susan softly upon the cheek. "Now go, enjoy your lunch. I will join you for dinner tonight."

Edmund smiled and nodded, taking Susan by the hand as he led her into the castle. "C'mon Susan, let's leave Peter to his rations and we'll go enjoy our delicious lunch in the castle. See you later, soldier boy!" he called back.

"Bye, you two!" Peter called after them.

"Bye, Peter," said Susan softly, her hand gently fingering where he had kissed her.

Peter let out a sigh of relief as the two walked away, mentally screaming at himself for doing that. 'You're supposed to be avoiding her, you idiot!' he scolded himself. 'You're not meant to hug her and kiss her cheek!'

He scowled at his stupidity, reprimanding himself for feeling the way he did. Ever since that day in his bedroom, when he had almost kissed Susan, it had become excruciatingly painful just to stand in her very presence. He was utterly disgusted with himself for acting upon his feelings when he knew in his heart and mind that it was wrong to feel the way he did. 'Besides, Susan would never love me!' he thought. 'Not in the way I love her!'

"Ugh! And now I have to eat dinner with them!" he muttered, annoyed at himself for having promised to dine with them. "You stupid, stupid, idiot! What were you—"

"Is everything all right, you're Majesty?" asked Oreius, coming up beside him.

"Yes, of course!" Peter cried, much louder than necessary. "Why would you think that?" he asked quickly.

The centaur raised an eyebrow at the young king's behavior and answered, "You were muttering angrily and kicking the ground, sir. By the way, the entire army is watching you." He said that last part quietly, so only Peter could here him.

The king looked up in embarrassment, finally noticing the thousands of soldiers watching him. He gave small laugh and waved at them. "Nothing to see here! Return to your duties!" When they had all gone back to their tasks, he turned to face the older male. "I've spent enough time with the ground soldiers; let's check up on the archers."

Oreius silently wondered what was wrong with his king, but did not say anything. Instead, he followed Peter out into the training grounds, making their way to where the archers were practicing.

-

-

-

"Lucy, can I talk to you for a second?"

The youngest Pevensie looked up from her book, turning her attention to Susan, who nervously stood before her. Scrunching her brow in confusion, she wondered why her sister looked so anxious. "Sure, Susan. Take a seat," she said, scooting over on her bed to make room for the other queen.

"Thanks." It was quiet for a moment as the two girls sat there, Susan silently gathering her courage for what she was about to do.

"You wanted to say something?" asked Lucy, after a minute had passed.

"Yes, I-I wanted to…ask you about something, b-but I…I just don't know how!" Susan stuttered, blushing in embarrassment. "You'll think I'm revolting!"

"Its okay, Susan," comforted Lucy, patting her softly on the back. "Whatever you need to say, just say it. I will not judge you, no matter what it is."

Susan bit her lip, unsure of how to say it. "I think…no, what I mean is—wait! How…oh, by Aslan! This is hard!"

"Take your time," said Lucy, giving her an encouraging smile.

"This is something you should be asking me, not the other way around!" cried Susan, burying her head in her hands. "I'm the older one; I'm the one who's supposed to give out the answers, not asking the questions!"

"You're not making any sense, Susan. Just tell me what you want to say."

"Oh, fine! Lucy…h-how do you know if you're love with someone?"

"You're in love?" cried Lucy, her face lighting up. "Oh, Susan! I'm so happy for you! Who is it?"

"I'm not in love, Lucy! I mean…I'm not sure…" she mumbled. She was so confused by her feelings, and that was why she had sought out Lucy in the first place. It had become too much for her to handle, and she needed help with dealing.

"Well, how do you feel about him?" asked the younger queen.

"I don't really know…I care him, very much so, and he's…like a brother to me, but lately, I've felt things for him that one should not feel for a brother. When I see him, my heart seems to skip a beat, and I get this weird sensation in my stomach, like its twisting into knots, but its not at all unpleasant…in fact, it is quite pleasurable. Sometimes, I find myself purposely going out of my way just to see him; even if we don't speak, just being near him is enough. And when he's not around, all I can think about is him; I dream about him night and day—and Lucy! I can't stop thinking about him!" she cried.

"Oh, Susan! You are in love!" said Lucy, smiling as she hugged her sister happily.

"But I don't want to be!" Susan said, holding her tightly as she buried her head into the crook of her little sister's neck. Tears leaked from her eyes; this was wrong! "I don't want to love him, Lucy! I can't love him!"

"We can't choose who we love, Susan," said Lucy softly, pulling away so that she could face her. "We just have to accept it, embrace it, and take from it all that we can."

Susan let out a shaky breathe and nodded her head, wiping the tears from her eyes. She gave the younger girl a small smile, who smiled back and took her hand.

"Now that we've established the fact that you're in love…care to tell me who it is?" she asked. Susan's face, already tinted pink, now turned a bright shade of red and she vigorously shook her head 'no.' Lucy sighed and said, "Well, what if I ask questions and you answer them? Then I can guess, and you can tell me if I'm right or wrong."

Susan pondered Lucy's offer and nodded her agreement. "All right, but you have to promise not to run away or anything when you find out."

"I think you're overreacting, Susan. But I promise anyway, no matter who it is, I won't run away or think badly of you. Now, how old is he?"

"Seventeen."

"Do I know him?" she asked.

"Yes, very well," Susan replied.

"I do? Is he human?"

"Yes, of course!"

Lucy gave her a confused look. "I don't know very many humans here, since we four are the only humans I know of in Narnia…tell me about him."

Susan paused; this was the moment of truth. Lucy and Peter were very close, and she'd nail him the second she started describing him. Taking a deep breathe, she began to tell her about him. "He's a very powerful king, and is loved by all in the land. He is strong, a natural born leader, who defeated a mighty witch and her army when he was only thirteen." At this statement, she saw recognition dawn on Lucy, but she continued anyway. "He's tall, blonde, and very handsome. He's the oldest of four children, and even though they are below him in status, he treats them as equals and loves them endlessly. He's a very driven individual, and wonderful to be around. You might even say that he's…magnificent."

Lucy let out a loud, girlish squeal and launched herself at her sister, hugging her tightly around the neck. "Oh, its Peter, isn't it? I'm so happy for you!"

"You…you're not disgusted with me?" asked a perplexed Susan, as she awkwardly returned the hug.

"No! Why would I?"

"Because he's our brother, Lucy! You can't love a family member! Not romantically, anyway! It's wrong!"

"It's only wrong if you're related to the person by blood," said Lucy, rolling her eyes. "And the last time I checked, that doesn't apply to you two."

"What do you mean it doesn't apply to us two?"

"Well, I'm not really supposed to know this, but I overheard Mum and Dad talking about it one day. Peter and I are the only ones that know, though he doesn't know that I know about it, and—"

"Get to the point already!" said Susan.

"Okay, okay! Don't need to get all worked up!" said Lucy, rolling her eyes. "Susan, Peter was adopted."