The tourney started. Lucy and Corin were spending entire days on the archery field and Lucy insisted on creating a special youth category, with lighter bows, especially for him. The young prince again was practicing many hours per day, saying, he couldn't stand the thought of being beaten by any calormenian or even narnian archer. But unfortunately he was. Apparently no one could compare to the young centaurs who seemed to be born with bows and quivers already in their hands. The river of arrows flew to the targets and they hardly ever missed.

"It is not fair, they are taller and more stable on their four legs. There should be a different category for humans." He stated bitterly.

"Now, my friend, don't be like that. They have been training this for years while you started a few weeks ago. Give yourself some time." Lucy embraced his shoulders and led out of the crowd. "Actually, I have a very important task for you." She said with a serious voice, ostentatiously looking if they were not overheard. Corin forgot his defeat instantly.

After several strategy discussions in the Sanctuary Lucy decided it would be unwise to train her future army of archers in front of the Calormenes. She wanted to wait until the guests would leave, but in the meantime she could at least select the potential members of the future troops.

"I need you to watch the shooters. To help me select the best. Not only the winners. But those, who are good, but won't get lucky at the final. You know what I mean? I want you to write me their names, so after the tourney I can gather them together and train. But this must stay only between us, do you understand? I don't want any Calormenes to know."

Corin didn't need to be asked twice, delighted by her trust and excited with a possible adventure. In the next days, Susan and Edmund were surprised seeing the young prince running around with a piece of parchment and the quill, not bothering them at all, and looking very busy.

In the meantime, queen Susan and prince Rabadash seemed to appear everywhere together. They walked through the gardens holding hands, Susan visited him on his ship in the evenings and it was only a matter of time when she turned to Peter, with shining eyes and her face reddened, to communicate that he proposed again.

"Again this week? That's news." Peter rose his eyebrow. Lucy gazed at her sister as they sat altogether in the Throne Hall, to discuss the matters of the last few weeks. Susan gave Peter a stern look.

"Things are different now." She said and that expression made Lucy look down, as the phrase Susan used disturbingly resembled her own words to Mr. Tumnus.

"He invited me to visit the Empire. He wants me to see his home. Why Lucy and I don't go there for a couple of weeks and we can see for ourselves what his family is like. Or he, among his own people.

"That's a good idea..." Started Peter, but Lucy didn't let him finish. The thought itself about the journey to Calormen startled her. She would be under a constant attention and was it even possible to create the portal being so far away from Narnia? Lucy paled on the very thought of that. Besides, she didn't like the prince and very much didn't want to see him more than it was necessary. Her concern about Susan turned into fear. She can't marry him!

"I don't think it is a good idea." They all turned to her surprised by the sharpness of her tone. "We do not know them enough to trust them. We could be kidnapped."

"He would never do that!" Susan was enraged. "How can you even think about him in this way, after everything I told you?"

"Forgive me harsh words." Lucy added quickly. She didn't want to fight with her. But how to convince Susan to stay, and, more importantly, to not marry the prince?"

"I'll go, then." Edmund said suddenly, to everybody's surprise. "I think Lucy has a point, although I wouldn't fear violence. But nevertheless, a visit from the queen and the king of Narnia will be taken differently as the arrival of two young, beautiful queens that are yet to be married. We all have heard about calormenian customs in those matters.

"Those are wise words, brother." Peter admitted. He also felt relieved, not liking the idea of this marriage at all. He felt Susan would be a lot safer with Edmund, who was an excellent diplomat. The four kings and queens left the Throne Hall in better moods, content with their conclusions.

Using an hour of peace, as they all headed to rest before the supper time (and another party with the guests), Lucy locked herself in the bedroom. She took a piece of parchment and the quill and started writing.

"Dear..." She stopped in the last moment. She almost forgot she was not supposed to write the name! It was very unlikely that someone inappropriate would read it, but still, possible. Lucy hesitated.

Dearest,

I am keeping my promise. I miss you dearly and wait for the time when I can see you again. Here...

Lucy wrote about Susan's proposal and the decision of Edmund. She also wrote about the trainings with Corin and the archery. She found it strange to write her everyday things to Jadis, but at the same time it brought her a great joy. She wondered what Jadis would say and, Lucy's breath got faster, what would she be like when they meet again.

That night there was a choir of faeries singing enchanted songs and, to Lucy's delight, the tree spirits performed their dances beautifully. They invited all the guests to join them at the end and she was happy to do it. It was a different kind of dance than during the balls. Here everybody danced freely, there was no steps to learn and no rules. In the gentle light of torches, candles and stars, Lucy could move along with the music and express her new, overwhelming affection. So her dance was amazing to those watching, so much that the lords and barons and even her brothers couldn't keep their eyes off her. Peter saw the desire hidden in many eyes watching his sister. Everybody stared at her breathless and he thought that Lucy acted somehow differently that night. He often saw her dancing with faeries, but now there was an exceptional kind of sensuality in her movements. That night queen Lucy was remembered as the most beautiful of all queens in the history of Narnia. Well, maybe with one exception, but nobody would mention it out loud.

"May the sky rejoice at the brightness of Thy eyes, oh Beloved Lady," at the breakfast Rabadash welcomed Susan with his usual manner, kneeling before her and kissing her hand at least five times. Lucy and Peter exchanged amused looks. "Lady Lucy, the flowers are bowing their cupped petals ashamed by Thy beauty. May Thy day be bright eternally!" He bowed before Lucy and to her relief, he took the seat at the other side of the table. She smiled politely, avoiding Peter's eyes, as she was sure she couldn't resist laughter. Rabadash however wasn't done yet. "Thee, whose sword made the Ugly Witch tremble, joyful be your day, my Lord," this was addressed to Peter and Lucy was glad she didn't have food in her mouth yet, she would have certainly choked. She started to look forward to the part directed at Edmund, as he was the only one not mentioned yet.

"Oh, she wasn't ugly." Edmund said unexpectedly. Lucy gasped. Even Susan and Peter stared at him. The dark haired king that in his feature was as similar to Susan, as Lucy resembled Peter with her golden hair, was in a particularly good mood. Usually the mentioning of the Witch would make him frown. "She was exceptionally beautiful, the White Witch, you know." He was speaking this to Rabadash and the prince stared at him with a mixture of disbelief, respect and admiration. Lucy finally guessed why her brother was doing so. The legend of the White Witch was a famous myth in Calormen. If she was powerful enough to rule Narnia for a hundred years, how powerful must have been those, who defeated her? Of course, Rabadash knew little about Aslan, so it was Edmund and Peter, especially the first one, as the heroes. Edmund was enjoying his attention a lot. "I have been close to her," he continued, as if they were alone at the table. He switched the place to sit next to the prince. In the meantime, several pastries and cakes were served, but Lucy found it difficult to eat. She drank her tea very slowly and listened.

"I was just a boy that day. She took me to her sleigh and I set so close that I could touch her lips."

"Edmund!" To Lucy's relief, Susan reacted, as for her it must have sounded equally ridiculous.

"I think you were too young to be really thinking about her lips that day, my dear brother," Peter chuckled. Edmund reddened from anger.

"You understand nothing!" He yelled. Patronizing him at the presence of the guests made him furious and Peter knew it. "Once she enchants you, you always remember. I still see her in my dreams and in my dreams I defeat her, make her mine."

"Edmund!" Lucy shouted. Everybody at the table silenced. Those were strange words, very much unlike the king who was called The Just.

"You will not be speaking about any woman in this manner." Peter spoke coldly. "Even if it is that woman."

"Fine. I see this company lucks a sense of humor." He patted Rabadash in the arm. "Come, my friend. I show you preparations for the race. And we can talk some more."

They walked out of Dining Room, leaving an awkward silence. Lucy felt her cheeks burning and she wanted to follow her brother and hit him hard.

"Edmund never changes. As soon as he finds a good ear to brag about his combat valour, he loses his head. Please, accept my apologies, ladies, for my brother's words." He gestured at the both queens and the baronesses from the Lone Islands. "I will speak reason to him as soon as the race and tourney madness are over."

For the rest of the day Lucy avoided her brother and walked restless through the tourney fields. The Great Horse Race was prepared specially to honor the prince. Calormen was famous from their steeds and the prince brought several of them on ships. He was going to participate as well, as he considered himself the greatest rider. Queen Susan promised him to give the best possible care to his horses and she did so, looking forward to the race herself with a great excitement.

The race began in the late afternoon, when the sun was lower and the air was not so hot. Lucy took her place on the highest tribune and paid a little attention to what was happening below. The screams all around her were deafening and she realized Rabadash had won the race. Susan decorated his horse with her own scarf and put a golden medal on the happy prince's neck. Lucy excused herself as soon as the congratulations were over and said she needed to change for her evening dress.

Back in her bedroom, she took the quill and started writing another letter. She didn't intend to mention Edmund's behavior, feeling it would be more than inappropriate.