Disclaimer- I do not own Chronicles Of Narnia. It's a bummer but we all have to deal with it.

Sorry it took forever. I have been busy. So I hope you like it!

Peter and I stayed out in the garden for as long as we dared before we thought people would start to notice the High King had gone AWOL. We walked back to the castle, hand in hand. I was about to step through the doors when Peter stopped abruptly and pulled me back to him by my hand. He wrapped me in his arms and just smiled. I couldn't help but return the same gesture. He bent and pressed one more kiss on my lips before letting me go. "May I escort you to your chamber when this craziness ends?" He asked me. I smiled a little wider.

"Of course."

He took my hand and kissed it. "Then until later, sweet Lina." With those words he gave me a little push toward the doors and told me to go in ahead of him so it wouldn't be so obvious that we had been together that whole time. I walked in timidly as several sets of eyes cast glances my way. Two pairs of those eyes belonged to Edmund along with Prince Rabadash who had, by the looks of it, managed to keep Susan glued to his side since Peter and I had left the hall. He winked at me before returning his gaze to Susan and striking up what I'm sure was to be a charming conversation that he had practiced in front of the mirror. I rolled my eyes and once again reminded myself that I had to talk to Susan. Tonight.

I looked around the room a little more until my gaze turned back to Edmund. His eyes were knowing and he wore the smallest of smirks on his face like he knew I had just been making out with his brother outside. I just stuck my tongue out at him and waved. I saw the younger of the kings chuckle ever so slightly before his expression turned to stone again. I loved that me and Edmund were friends again.

"Excuse me, Madame," A high male voice called to me. I turned to the side and saw a young boy who was only a little shorter than I standing there. He had brown shaggy hair and he wore a tunic the color of the summer sky. He wore a modest crown on his head which I knew to mean he was royalty. "I am Prince Corin of Archenland. Might I borrow your arm for the next dance, Lady...?

"Lina." I told him with a smile. He smiled back.

"Well what do you say, Lady Lina?" The young prince (who had to be younger than Lucy) asked. He extended his hand to me.

I laughed and took his outstretched fingers. "I would be honored Prince."

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The ball was still going on two hours later and I was practically falling asleep on my feet. I was currently hiding out in a corner with a goblet of sweet red wine in hand. I had danced with four knights, two fauns, and a prince along with another dance with Peter and Edmund. I was utterly exhausted. I leaned against the brick wall behind me and closed my eyes.

"How are you hanging in there?" A deep voice called out to me. I shrugged and opened my eyes to see Edmund standing in front of me shaking his head as if he found me to be amusing. I let out one lone chuckle which led to a large yawn.

"Isn't it obvious, Ed?" I asked.

He nodded and leaned against the wall next to me. "Yes, but I just thought I would ask. Looks can be deceiving."

The statement made me throw a glance in Rabadash's direction. "Yeah, I know." I pulled my eyes from the Prince and back to Edmund. "So are you closing up shop soon?" I asked. The king raised an eyebrow to me.

"I am sorry? Closing up...?" He asked, a bit confused.

I just laughed. I suppose my 'hip slang' doesn't go back to the forties. "Is the ball going to end soon?"

"Ah, yes well..." He tilted his head against the wall to look at me. "No." He teased and laughed as I groaned. Okay, so I loved Narnia but the balls? Not so much. I took another drink from the goblet I held. Edmund gave me a disapproving frown, took the goblet from my hand and placed it on the table next to us. I scoffed at him.

"Hey!"

"You have had quite enough, Lina." He told me as if I was drunk or something.

"That was only my second glass." I told him.

He shrugged. "Yeah and you are swaying on your feet already."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "I am swaying because I am about to fall to the ground out of exhaustion not because I am drunk."

Edmund smiled and flushed a slight red color. "Oh. Well sorry, I just thought-"

"I was about to bust out into hysterical laughter and start dancing like an idiot because I had to much to drink?" I cut him off.

"Something along those lines, yes." He told me.

I shook my head at him. "Well at least you are looking out for me, I guess."

The young king nodded. "That I am."

Susan came strolling up to us a moment later and grabbed for my hand. "Allie, come! Come! I do not know about you but I am tired and wish to go to bed. But I cannot sleep until you tell me about all of those knights you have managed to make fall completely in love with you!" She said in a very happy, Susan-like manner. She grabbed my hand and started yanking me away. I looked back at Edmund and shrugged. He just smiled. Susan led me over to the dais and sat me down in Peter's thrown while she sat on her own.

"So? They were all handsome, yes?" She inquired of me. I nodded. All of the men I danced with were good looking. Even the little prince was a cute boy, he and Lucy would make a wonderful match. I would have to ask Susan about that later. The queen smiled. "Did any of them catch your interest?" She asked. I froze. I wanted to tell her about Peter but would she be mad that I was kind of sort of dating her big brother? I didn't think so, that didn't seem like something Susan would do but I still was a little skeptical to tell her.

"Um... no. I didn't feel a spark with any of the foreigners." I told her as honestly as I could. That wasn't considered lying. I told the truth. I didn't want to tell Susan anything before I knew exactly what was going on with Peter and I. She sighed and shook her head. "That is too bad. I really wished we would have found you a "Prince Charming" as you so love to put it." She told me with a friendly smile. I laughed a little. Suddenly I felt I hand on my shoulder and jumped slightly.

"I am a king actually, Susan." Peter told his little sister cryptically. I looked up at him with eyes that asked what the heck he thought he was doing and he just smiled at me. I proceeded to melt into the thrown. The Gentle Queen looked from me to Peter then back to me again. All of a sudden she smiled with realization of what the high king was saying.

"That you are big brother, that you are." She said sweetly with a nod to me to show she approved.

I released a breath that I hadn't realized I had been holding. I was worried about Susan for nothing. Jeez, I need to calm down. Do some yoga or something (preferably the something over the yoga).

"Lina, would you give me the last dance of the night?" Peter asked. I looked up at him and smiled sleepily.

"If you can keep me vertical Peter, then yes." I told him through a yawn. He laughed and offered me his hand.

"I believe I can manage."

I took his hand and stood up. I got lost in Peter's eyes for a second until the distinct noise of a throat being cleared broke the spell on me. I turned away from Peter and looked to the bottom step of the dais and saw... Oh crap. Rabadash standing with his arms behind his back and looking smugger (is that even a word?) than ever before. He smiled to Susan and bowed his head to Peter before setting his eyes on me. "I do no believe we have had the chance to dance this evening Lady Lina. Would you honor me with the final one?" He asked in a silky smooth voice that was meant to be seductive but I wasn't buying it.

"Prince Rabadash, I am sorry but I have already promised High King Peter that I would-"

"Oh, don;t be silly Lina!" I heard Susan call from behind me. "You have not danced with Rabadash yet. Plus you have been monopolizing Peter all night and I haven't had the chance to snag him at all! If it is alright with you Peter, would you mind if I were a substitute for Lina?" Susan asked. I held my breath and looked at Peter. He turned his blue eyed gaze to me and bowed.

"If Lina does not mind the change of plans then I certainly do not." Peter said.

I looked over my shoulder at the waiting Rabadash and let out a sigh. I couldn't out him right here. I guess I'd have to endure a slime ball for one dance. I sighed. "Of course I don't mind. I'm sorry that I have been keeping Peter to myself all night Susan, he's all yours now." The two royals smiled at me and Peter offered his sister his arm. She gladly took it and they headed to the floor. I turned around so I was facing a very proud looking Rabadash. I felt as if I was getting smothered by his ego while being so close to him. He extended his arm for me to take but I didn't accept it. The prince raised his eyebrows at me before motioning for me to led the way to the dance floor.

It was so strange for me to be so put off and out right rude to someone but I supposed this sudden change in character was some sort of self preservation tactic. I walked a few steps ahead of him until we made it to the center of the room. I knew that I was coming off strong but I was frightened to be in his presence if I was being honest. After what happened that afternoon I didn't want to be this close to him. The prince came up to me and took up dance position. I sighed and reluctantly did the same. The music started seconds later and we were moving across the floor.

I didn't speak, I didn't look at him, heck I don't think I was even breathing. Rabadash sent off a vibe of negativity that made me scared and furious at the same time. So I was going to endure this and hope that he would not try anything stupid. Yeah, that lasted all of six seconds.

"So," Rabadash started. I kept my eyes directed at my feet as he spoke. "High King Peter is courting you?" He asked. At the mention of Peter's name, I snapped my head up to look at the Calormen Prince.

"Prince, that is none of your business." I told him as nicely as I could. I managed a small smile before looking back down at my feet.

Rabadash chuckled. "Yes, I suppose it is not." He paused. "I win, Lina."

I dared to glare up at him again. "I beg your pardon?"

A cocky, knowing smile appeared onto his face as he studied me and answered. "I remember that this morning you said that I was never going to touch you again. Well, I am touching you." He told me. His hand that rested on the my lower back pulled me a little closer to him. I tensed up and tried to slide away from him but he was much stronger than I and kept me close. My heart rate increased as the feeling of being confined. The prince smirked, he once again misread the signs I was sending him.

"Please let go of me." I asked as nicely I as I could. He just shook his head to show he wasn't going to comply to my request. Feeling more and more trapped I did what came naturally to a girl who needed to escape, I stepped down hard on his foot. He let out a small hiss of pain and his hands released me. I took a step back and tried to stifle a laugh as he jumped around on his uninjured foot.

I smiled and pretended to act concerned. "I'm sorry! Did I step on your toes? I really am such a klutz and a terrible dancer." A little chuckle escaped my lips and I sobered right away. Rabadash looked up at me and snarled a little. The song ended and every couple in the hall halted their dancing. Rabadash pulled himself together, stood up to full height, and grabbed for my hand roughly. He brought his lips hard and gingerly to my knuckles before dropping my hand.

"I will see you tomorrow at the tournament, Lady Lina." He all but growled in his charming voice. He walked away from me and in seconds disappeared into the crowd. I took a deep sigh of relief and headed off of the dance floor. I went back to the dais and stood at the base, waiting for a friendly face to show it's self Finally, when I was about to give up hope , a sweet little voice floated to my ears. "Lina!" I turned to face little Lucy skipping up to me as her dress billowed behind her. I smiled and gave her a little wave. "I haven't seen you all night." She stated.

I shrugged. "You were busy being a hostess Lucy. Did you have fun tonight?" I asked the small queen. She smiled and nodded her head.

"I had a lot of fun! Everyone was really nice. Did you?" She questioned.

"Of course." I sort of lied. Great, more lies. "Who doesn't have fun at a Narian Ball?"

Lucy smirked. "Edmund."

I laughed and she joined me. "Yeah, well that's because your brother is a big grump." We both laughed some more until a voice interrupted.

"You're not talking about me, I hope." Peter asked. I turned to face him and shook my head.

"Never, Peter! It is impossible to call the Magnificent King a grump, right Lucy?"

The small girl giggled and nodded her head in agreement. "We were talking about how Edmund doesn't enjoy the balls." Lucy let her brother in.

Peter nodded his head to show he understood. "Ah, yes. Ed was never a people person." He explained.

"Yeah, I could have guessed that much." I said. We lapsed into silence as both Lucy and I started to yawn. I looked down at the small girl and she looked to be as tired as I felt. Peter looked from his little sister to me and shook his head.

"Alright, off to bed with both of you. Lucy, I assume you can manage to get to your room without falling asleep in the corridors?" Peter asked. Lucy smiled and nodded her head before saying goodnight to us and heading in the opposite direction of my room. I yawned once more. Peter noticed and put his hands on my shoulders. "Come on, best get you to bed before I have to carry you there."

I laughed. With a quick goodnight to Susan we were off down the corridor and toward my room. As we walked Peter's fingers managed to entwine themselves once more with mine. I quite liked the feeling of his touch and was getting used to it. Our steps were slow and even as we went in silence. Before I knew it, we made it to my room and were standing outside of the large wooden door. Peter lifted my hand that he was holding and started to stroke my knuckles with his free fingers. I just stood there like the idiot I was, not able to say or do anything but smile like a stupid teenage girl.

His eyes met mine and he graced me with a lopsided smile. He bent down and kissed my knuckles before letting my hand go. His smile widened as he leaned in and gently pressed his lips against mine. I felt the butterflies flutter around my stomach but I didn't really mind. The kiss ended all to soon and Peter took a step back to be able to take in my full face. The high king pushed one of my stray curls behind my ear and said. "I'll be here tomorrow morning to escort you to the tournament." He said.

I nodded. "That'd be perfect." I smiled one last time before turning to open the door.

I was stopped my the call of my name. "Lina?" I spun around and gave Peter a questioning look. "Would you allow me your favor for the tournament tomorrow?"

I furrowed my eyebrows. "My what?"

Peter chuckled and seem to be a little nervous. "Your favor. Um... Usually It means I fight in the tournament in your honor. It would be no inconvenience on your part I assure you, I would just need some sort of tonken from you." The wrinkle in my forehead deepened. Peter chuckled a little as he realized I still was a bit lost. "A tonken... a handkerchief or something along those lines?"

I smiled, feeling like a total idiot for being so confused by his sweet request. "Oh, of course. I would be honored, Peter." It was his turn to smile.

"Good." He nodded his head. "Good. Until tomorrow then." He bowed before turning to head back in the direction of the great hall. I stood there smiling for a while before I realized how insane I would look if someone passed by. I opened the door to my room, ran in, shut it behind me, and jumped on to my bed before thrashing around, squealing and giggling like an excited little girl. I calmed down after a moment and collapsed into the soft blankets. I had never had a guy fight for my honor before, heck I've never had a guy tell another guy to stop making fun of me... and to have a guy like Peter fighting for me? It was almost too good to be true. I wondered if Susan had someone fighting for her. I laughed at the dumb thought. I'm sure it was more around ten knights or princes instead of just one fighting for her... Rabadash. I had to talk to Susan about him! Gosh, why did I allow myself to get all giddy and forget that my best friend was dating a total creep?

I had to talk to her, but not tonight. Tomorrow for sure. For now I was too tired to even stand, let alone make it all the way to Susan's room. Heck, I wasn't sure I could even find they way there now that the castle was so dark. I'd get up early and find her... that's what I had to do. With that last thought I drifted off into a deep slumber.

Thank you for reading! =]