Chapter Two

As Alex hurried down for dinner, Susan met her. She threw a wide smile. "I hope you like Narnian food, Alex."

"I haven't tried it."

She took Alex's hand and led her into the large room where the others were waiting.

"Please be seated, Lady Alexandria." Peter said, motioning to a sear between Edmund and Lucy.

"I like plain Alexandria or Alex better." Alex smiled, seating herself.

He nodded.

"So, Alex." Susan said, handing the platter of meat to Lucy. "What did Aslan send you here for? Did he say?"

Alex thought a moment. "I am to aid you by doing whtever is set before me."

Peter's brow furrowed and he frowned. "This means trouble may be coming. Anything else?"

"No."

Peter sat back a moment, then returned to eating.

"I don't mean to worry you."

Edmund grinned. "Peter's High King. He's always worrying."

Alex was reassured so she smiled back.

"Oh, Edmund!" Lucy cried. "Have you told Alex about the ball?"

"No."

"Alex, we're having a ball next week. You can meet all of our best friends!"

"What do we do at a ball?"

"Oh, we eat, and dance, and have the grandest time." Lucy replied, animatedly.

"Oh, sure." Edmund said, sarcastically, and rolled his eyes. "Real grand."

Alex laughed. "It sounds really fun."

Edmund glared at her.

Peter chuckled. "I think you two will get along well."

"Edmund will end up falling in love with Alex." Lucy piped up, giggling.

Alex choked on her peas.

Edmund groaned. "My dear sister, your brain must be out of function for you to make up such a notion."



There was an awkward silence. Then Susan said:

"Peter, you do have the arrangements made for the ball?"

"No, Ed's gonna. Especially since we have such an honorary guest."

Alex smiled at him. "Thank you."

"You're welcome Alex." Peter stood up. "Please excuse me."

Alex also got up. "If you don't mind, I'll go to bed. I'm kinda exhausted from this whole day."

"Then go to bed, please." Susan nodded. "Do rest."

Alex hurried away to her room and slipped into a nightdress. Peter had left a stack of books, so she lit the lamp and curled up to read a novel called About Apples, Uncles and Rings.

"Alexandria!"

Alex looked up. "Come in."

Susan entered the room.

"Hello."

"I just came in to say goodnight."

"How late is it?"

"Oh, about two hours since dinner."

Alex glared at the book in her hand. "Susan, is this story true?"

"Oh, yes. Very. It is the genuine tale of the beginning of Narnia."

"What is happening in my world?"

"Nothing at all."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Well, goodnight."

"Good night Alex."

, Alex." Susan said as Alex seated herself. "Did the storm wake you up?"

"Yes. I like storms. Edmund came in for a while." Alex elbowed him. Alex stretched and climbed out of bed. She dressed and did her hair, then hurried down to breakfast.

"Hello

"Good."

Edmund pushed his hair back from his eyes. "The rest of ya'll sleep right through a storm."

The next Friday…

"We have many preparations for tonight. Ed, you have all the arrangements made?" Peter looked at his brother.

Edmund nodded.

"Alright. Susan, you help Alex get ready. Edmund, make sure part of the guard is there. At least Oreius. Lucy, you can get the ballroom ready."

"Yippee!" Lucy cried.

Susan stood up. "Are you finished, Alex?"

Alex wiped her mouth and followed.

"We both need new dresses."

"Before tonight?"

Susan led Alex to a small room where a beaver sat at a sewing machine. The animal stood and bowed.

"Mrs. Beaver, we need dresses for the ball. Can you help us?"

Mrs. Beaver looked them over. "I have your measurements, Susan, but I must get yours, Miss." She pulled a piece of string out of her apron and began to measure Alex. "How would you like it?"

"Hunter green with silver satin."

Alex didn't know what she wanted.

"I think you would look good in gold and..um, let's see…ah! Blue!"

"Alright"

"Now you go off and see about – no, wait. I just may have it." Mrs. Beaver opened a closet and pulled out a pretty blue dress. "I made this one for Lucy, but it's too big."

Alex held it up. "I think it will fit."

"Good. And Susan, you asked for green with silver last week, and I made three."

Susan selected a long flowing gown and they left. "Let's see what the others are doing."

Alex brightened at the thought. "Sure!"

After laying aside the new dresses, they rushed down to the ballroom. Lucy was overseeing the setting up of tables and Peter stood talking to a centaur.

"Where's Edmund?" Alex questioned. The two of them had gotten to be quite good friends over the past week.

"In the throne room." Lucy replied absently.

Alex picked up her skirts and hurried away. She entered through a side door and saw Edmund slouched sideways across his throne.

"Oh, Edmund!" Alex called softly.



Edmund looked up from the book he was writing in and grinned. "Hey, Alex."

"You know something?" Alex sai