It's time for Chapter 32!

Thanks to the three reviews I recieved:

Second Daughter of Eve-no comment

prem-4-Thanks! lol Glad you like it!

Myvoicerising-Um, that's explained later on.

Enjoy!

Chapter 32: Lessons

"All right everyone!" said Nerina that afternoon. "Welcome to your formal dance lesson. I know some of you, and by the time I leave I hope that we will all be good friends. Now, today we shall start with the basics, and what is more basic in dancing than finding a partner? To find our partners for these lessons, we will do it like we do in Arcadia. If all the single females could please join me in a circle. That's good. Now if the single males would please make a circle in the middle of our circle. Perfect. I will cue the music, and when it starts, I want the females to turn and walk to your right, and the males to do the same except to their left. Do not look at the other circle. When the music stops, the person across from you will be your partner."

She turned to the married couples and smiled. "We will join you in a bit. Please feel free to sit down for now." Looking back at the group she said, "Is everyone ready? Yes? All right, remember not at look at the other circle. Music please."

The musicians began and the circles moved. Around and around everyone walked, and finally the music stopped.

"Now everyone turn and see who the music brought you together with."

Peter turned and found himself looking at Nerina.

"Well hello," he said.

She smiled, then helped change a couple that consisted of a faun and a mouse.

"Is everyone paired up with someone around their height now?" she asked. "Good. So now, if you will line up, and if my partner will join me at the front of the room, we will begin."

Peter wove his way through the partners to Nerina.

"The first dance I will teach you is a basic Arcadian ball dance. Anyone who traveled with me back home four years ago might remember this one. It does involve a lift, but do not worry- we will work up to that point. Everyone face your partner. Males, you bow, and females curtsy."

Everyone did so.

"Next the male's right arm goes on the female's left hip, and her left arm rests on his arm. With your remaining arm, you hold hands. High King Peter and I will now demonstrate."

When Peter hesitated, Nerina grabbed his hands and put it on her waist, and completed the example. Peter felt awkward standing in front of everyone holding Nerina's tiny waist and with her hand in his. He remembered a time though, when she would not even say hello to him.

His trip down memory lane was halted as Nerina spoke. "Peter, can you please help me check everyone?"

"Certainly," he said.

The rest of the lesson went well, and by the end of the three hours the basic steps had been learned.

After Nerina's return and the music lessons began, the four monarchs and their friend began a new tradition for them. Every night, the five would meet in the music room and show what they were working on. Nerina and Susan sang, Lucy dance, and Edmund, with Peter's help, would act out scenes from different plays.

One night, just like any other, Nerina was taking requests. Someone would say a topic, and she would sing a song about that topic.

A topic was suggested, and she began to sing, just like she had for her whole life. She sang while playing the piano, as she had so many times before at Cair Paravel. There was nothing special about that night, that day, or even that song, but as she sang, Peter felt odd. He felt as if a blanket was falling through his body and changing him. He blinked, shook his head, and the feeling was gone, but when he looked at Nerina, it was through new eyes. Peter realized that Nerina was no longer the girl whom he and his siblings rescued so many years ago. He couldn't believe he never thought about how much she had grown. She was now a caring and attractive woman, and he couldn't believe he had never noticed how full of life and love she was. There was something different now as well, like his feelings changed, but he couldn't put his finger on it. It bothered him nevertheless, and he resolved to figure it out.

NTMNTMNTMNTM

"That was excellent!" Nerina called to her formal dance class one afternoon. "That was the final step, and so I feel that we are now ready to try the whole dance. Places! Everyone ready? Maestro, if you please?"

The music began and the couples began dancing. They twirled and swirled to the music, laughing at their mistakes and smiling with their triumphs. The well-rehearsed lift came, and Nerina placed her hands on Peter's muscular upper arms in preparation. Suddenly the word seemed to go in slow motion for the Princess. She was lifted into the air, as she had done so many times with Adelphos. Peter lifted her, as they had practiced repeatedly, but something happened to Nerina as she was up in the air. She felt as if an ocean wave was washing over her. She looked down at Peter, and felt strange. She suddenly became aware of how strong, chivalrous, and handsome he was. These feelings scared her, and she tried to shove them away, but as her feet touched the floor, she knew she had to find out what this new feeling was.

NTMNTMNTMNTM

Weeks passed, and summer came. The lessons continued and everyone made progress. Everyone that is, except Peter and Nerina, who made no progress in their efforts to figure out their strange new feelings, which they kept to themselves. Peter did not understand why he suddenly felt very protective of Nerina, and she could not comprehend why her heart sand whenever she saw him, and these feelings continued to petrify her.

The High King's twenty-third birthday came and went, and one night he went to his balcony. The moon shone brightly, and the stars winked at the castle and all of Narnia, which was quiet now.

Wait, there was a melody.

Peter looked around, startled out of his reverie. His balcony overlooked part of Cair Paravel's gardens, and he could here someone singing from within. A figure spun into view and he saw Nerina, dancing in one of her gala dresses, bathed in moonlight.

Peter forced himself not to watch her dance, and stared out toward the glittering sea.

"Hello," he heard moments later, and he looked down to see Nerina underneath his balcony, staring up at him.

"Why good evening Princess," he called. "What brings you out here so late at night?" he asked, although he already knew the answer.

"A gorgeous midsummer's night of course," she smiled. "Care to join me?"

"Why not? Just give me a minute to go downstairs and I'll-"

He stopped, for she had waved her hands, making an ice ladder down to the ground.

"Just hold on tightly. They're a little slippery," she laughed.

Cautiously, Peter made his way down from his second floor room to the grass. Safely on the ground, Nerina waved her hands and the ladder disappeared.

He offered her his arm and the two walked through the gardens, the smells of the flowers everywhere. A sea breeze gently caressed its way through, picking up flower pedals from the trees and making them dance around the two. Coming to an open area with a breath-taking view of the sea, they stopped.

Peter bowed. "May I have this dance, fair lady?"

Nerina curtsied and replied, "Oh Your Majesty, I'd be honored."

They danced the dance they were working on in lessons, and Nerina hummed the tune. The lift came, but when Peter set his partner back down, they froze. Nerina stopped humming, and they stood there, her hands on his arms, and his on her upper waist. They stared into each other's eyes as they caught their breath. Suddenly Peter understood his feelings, but he saw fear and confusion in Nerina's eyes. He pulled back.

"Want to take a walk?" he asked, embarrassed.

"Sure," Nerina squeaked.

Peter began to offer her his arm, stopped, and brought it back down to his side. He swallowed hard, and then offered it again, feeling Nerina's trembling hand slip into the crook of his arm. They walked silently, but stopped under a cherry blossom tree.

Peter turned to Nerina. He could not bear to keep his new discovery to himself. Everything made sense now, and he had to tell her. He swallowed hard again and spoke.

"Um, Nerina?" he asked.

"Yes?" she said quietly, looking up at him.

"Do you, um…do you feel like…well…like something has changed between us?"

"What do you mean?"

"Like, like…like we aren't normal?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Oh I don't know," Peter sighed. He looked at the moon. "Aslan help me," he prayed, and then he smiled. Now he knew what to say.

"Nerina," Peter began again, "I don't know about you, but something has changed inside me. I used to care about you as a friend, but now I feel something more. I'm sorry I can't explain it perfectly, but I know all I want is for you to be the happiest Arcadian alive, and simply knowing that you were happy would make me happy for the rest of my life."

"You sound like Adelphos," Nerina said, looking at him strangely.

"I know I do, and he is completely right in everything he says about you. I can't believe I never noticed how wonderful, amazing, and beautiful you are."

"What are you saying?" she asked, her voice shaking.

"What I'm trying to say, that is, what I am saying…is that…" he gulped, and looked into her eyes. "I love you."

Nerina's frightened eyes widened and she started to shake. Peter slowly lifted his hand to her cheek, but stopped inches away.

I would have given you all of my heart

But there's someone who's torn it apart

And he's taken just all that I have

But if you want I'll try to love again

Baby, I'll try to love again, but I know...

"May I?" he asked. Seeing her fright, his face turned red and he lowered his hand, immediately regretting everything he said. He realized he had been too hasty and outgoing. He looked at Nerina.

"You scare me," she said, her voice shaking as well.

The first cut is the deepest

Baby I know

The first cut is the deepest

But when it comes to bein' lucky, he's cursed

When it comes to lovin' me, he's worst...

"I scare you?" Peter stepped back, feeling like a centaur had kicked him. "How?"

She stepped forward, placing her own soft hand on his rough, stubble-covered face.

"You scare me, because you just made me realize something that I have been trying to figure out for a while now. You made me realize that…" She looked into his eyes and whispered, "I love you too."

I still want you by my side

Just to help me dry the tears that I've cried

And I'm sure gonna give you a try

And if you want I'll try to love again,

Baby, I'll try to love again, but I know...

They embraced, never wanting to let go.

"This is what love truly is," whispered Nerina. "With you, I feel safe. With Hunter, I felt weak and vulnerable. This feels perfect, us being together. It's like when I dance with you. When I put my arm on yours it-"

"-Feels like it belongs there," Peter finished. He pulled back. "Like a final puzzle piece."

"Yes," Nerina said contently.

The first cut is the deepest

Baby I know

The first cut is the deepest

When it comes to bein' lucky, he's cursed

When it comes to lovin' me, he's worst

Once again, Peter stepped closer, brushing a wisp of hair behind Nerina' ear. He lowered his face and whispered, "May I?" and took the smile and closed eyes as a 'yes'. As he kissed Nerina, he recalled Adelphos' letter:

Dear Peter, High King of Narnia, and Trusted Friend,

By the time you read this letter, you have no doubt heard the outcome of my confession to Nerina. I must apologize to you, for I once acted as if I wanted Nerina for myself. That was selfish of me, and now that I have matured, I realize that making Nerina happy is my first priority in life, after pleasing Aslan of course. If during her stay you develop feeling for her, which I still am oblivious to why any man would not, do not feel guilty in pursuing her. She is a wonderful woman, and will make whomever Aslan intends her to be with happy. I hope you, your siblings, and Narnia are well. Arcadia misses you all.

Your friend,

Adelphos

From her room, Lucy smiled and sighed as she looked out the window on the kissing couple. "Perfect," she said, and blew out her candle.
Song Used-The First Cut is the Deepest by Sheryl Crow

Now before everyone starts yelling at be about this new development, let me explain:

I create fanfiction when I am not satisfied with everything in the story or series, or if I have a "what if" idea. I chose the romantic interest to be between Nerina and Peter because Peter has been my favorite Narnian guy since I first read the series. I will explain more as time goes on, and I pray that you will not stop reading the story because of this.

Please review. Thanks.

Haras