Chapter 14: First Step

"I'm going to prove it to you" I told her opening the stables door. She raised an eyebrow before stepping in and I closed it behind us. She raised her eyebrows at the rustling and whining that was going in the stables. I pulled her over and in a large stall a large painted mare was in the middle of labor. She was to wrapped up in the giving birth to notice our presence. I found a bench and pulled Aria down on it to sit with me as we watched the fowl being born.

I'd watch Aria's face as she was transfixed with what was happening before her. I smiled letting her hair wrap around a finger as I played with it. Hearing a final push and a thud I looked up to see scrawny fowl getting to its feet. His large head was going from side to side with uncertainty. He was so cute we both agreed. "I told you there were things worth smiling about" I whispered to her. She looked up at me and smiled back and nodded her head.

Aria's POV

I sat on a large pillow on the rug in front of the fire in Peter's study reading a Narnia book. Exander was still as a statue in the corner while Peter was sitting cross legged on his own pillow. The news of father were eating away at me and I knew Peter knew something was going on. The way he looked at me, how he seemed to be trying harder to make me smile and laugh. I wanted to talk to him about this. To talk to anyone about this. But he was from Narnia. I couldn't talk to him about Archland matters. The relationship between our countries was still new and I didn't want to give any information to jeopardize that.

But would Peter take that kind of advantage? I instantly knew he wouldn't. He wasn't that kind of guy let alone that kind of ruler. I sighed placing my hand over the page and looked up at Peter. He was already staring at me. Concern marring his features. "Peter if I tell you something will you keep it between us?"I questioned him. I needed comfort and I was hoping Peter would do that for me.

"Of course" he said instantly. I took a shaky deep breath. "It's no secret that my father's older Peter, and I'm worried about him. I have Maria keeping an eye on him and writing to me often about his condition." I said my hands gripping the book till the knuckles were white. "Is that what the letter today was about?" He questioned and I nodded. "How is he?" Peter questioned softly as he moved to sit next to me. "She said that he's fine. He hasn't changed really. Just that he's missing us and seems lonely." I said softly. "Do you want to go back home?" He questioned, I looked up to meet his blue eyes.

They looked so hurt at the idea of us leaving. I shook my head. "No I don't want to go back home. I'm enjoying Narnia so much and I love it here" I confessed and he smiled quite happy with my answer. "But you're still worried about him?" He questioned and I nodded. "I'm worried that he'll be leaving soon and Cor is only twelve. He'll be crowned and he's so young! He wouldn't know what to do. He'll be a great King one day but I'm worried that it's going to happen to him before he's ready. I don't want him to be forced to grow up! He's only a child Peter" I told him, I was shocked at how quick the tears came up. I tried to wipe them away quickly before Peter saw them but his arm wrapped tightly around my back pulling me into a hug. One of his hands held the back of my head keeping my face into his neck and shoulder while his other rubbed my back.

"It's okay, he'll be just fine. You're father will be just fine. And there are quite a few good Archland advisors that can help Cor out." He whispered trying to assure me. "I wish I could believe you Peter" I whispered my fingers gripping onto his fabric. "Then believe me" he said it as if it was the obvious thing to do. I smiled adjusting myself slightly so I could lean against him better. His sweet scent filling my nose. His arms staid happily wrapped around me. "How long have you been worrying about this?" Peter questioned, "since the spring festivals. Father and I got into an argument…." I started only to pause. He probably didn't want to hear this.

"What was the argument about?" He questioned, "you" my timid voice barely whispered. "Why was it about me?" He questioned, "Father was worried about how we were acting and if rumors were going to flaring up and that he was worried about what would happen to me. My future, and the boy's future." I said and he stiffened at my words. "At first I thought he meant it as an insult and I was furious with him. But…he couldn't stand anymore. He had to sit down and he sort of fell into the chair. His hands were so cold" I said softly almost chocking on the tears that were springing up.

Peter's cheek pressed into the crown of my head as he held me tightly against him. "Peter he looked so weak, so helpless" I cried into his shoulder. I didn't like seeing the man that I grew idolizing so fragile. "Shh" Peter cooed rocking me softly, his fingers running through my hair. "He'll be fine Aria" Peter assured me. I wanted him to be right. So desperately I wanted him to be right. "Do you actually believe that or are you just saying that?" I questioned him pulling myself back so I could look into his eyes. His light blue eyes smiled at me as he brushing a lock of hair behind my ear. "I do believe that" he said softly and I couldn't help but smile softly. "Thanks Peter" I smiled wiping my tears away with my sleeves quickly.

"Any time, just know that you can talk to me about this sooner all right?" He questioned and I nodded chuckling. "You had me worried about you all day" he informed me playing with the edge of my sleeve. I knew he wanted to hold my hand and I wondered why he didn't. Was he to nervous to? I mean we had kissed before but he was to scared to hold my hand?

His thumb grazed the back of my hand and I closed my eyes in the briefest pleasure his burning flesh caused before I looked up at him. The flame cast entrancing shadows across his face and eyes and I found my heart beating faster. Could he hear it? I knew I was probably blushing, my face felt hot. Peter leaned forwards slowly and I couldn't help but lean in towards him too. My eyes half closed, his hot breath hitting my face and I felt a groan of pleasure building up.

My heart almost stopped as his lips parted ever so slightly to kiss me only for the door to open. I quickly leaned back and sat up straight opening my book again and pretending to read as the door opened the rest of the way. Peter sat back quickly as he looked at the door. It was Susan. "There you two are, Mr. Tumnus said you were having dinner in here tonight?" She questioned, "Yes Susan, we were both quite tired and Aria was enjoying her book so much that we just lost track of time." Peter explained, she raised an eyebrow at Peter's explanation. "Sorry Susan, I'm just really exhausted from the day's events" Aria apologized. "It's fine, we just missed you at dinner" Susan explained stepping further towards us.

"Though if you're so tired then it would probably be best to retire early" Susan suggested, I noticed the way she glanced between Peter and I. "Yes that is a good idea" I agreed standing up. I wasn't dumb enough to raise questions with Susan about Peter and I having a private dinner. I curtsied to Peter, "goodnight High King" I smiled at him. He smiled back. "Sleep well Princess" Peter winked at me before I left with Susan. "So what really happened?" Susan questioned, "Just what he told you. It's been a really long day" I told her and she nodded. "Well then goodnight Aria" Susan said heading for her own room. "Good night Susan" I replied back and opened my bedroom door and stepped inside.

Stepping into my room I changed and went to the window. My hand resting against the window and I smiled at remembering earlier. I hadn't expected Peter to actually listen to me and give that comfort I was needing without having to ask for it. Yes I wished that would happen but I hadn't really expected it. I smiled and couldn't wish for this happening more than ever. I leaned against the window and hoped that I would get a letter from father soon saying Peter had offered courtship to me he was going to accept it on my behalf.

It would be so great to move into Cair Paravel as Peter's wife. It would hurt to be away from Archland but I would still love it. I would miss the boys, and Maria and Ronan. But maybe Maria could move into Cair Paravel once Peter and I had kids. That thought made me giggle. To have Peter's kids. Would he want kids? Of course he would. He was a doll with Lucy he'd be an amazing father. What would our children look like? Would they have Peter's blonde hair? Or my own dark? Who's eyes would they have? Would they be as handsome as Peter was? Would they have his smile?

Those thoughts plagued my dreams and I found it impossible to sleep.