Disclaimer: I do not own the Chronicles of Narnia or any of its characters or fictional land/lands; I am not C.S. Lewis, sadly. I only own the plot and characters not featured in the original books.

The moon was casting Ryder's silhouette across the sparkling pond as she stared into it; she waited in silence for the sound of his presence, the sound of footsteps or the quiet whisper of her name, but it remained silent. She turned to look back at the castle and jumped at the dark figure standing a few paces behind her.

"I didn't know you were there." She whispered, terrified of her own voice.

"I'm sorry; you just looked so peaceful in the moonlight I didn't want to disturb you." Edmund replied. "And the way the moonlight falls on you… it is as if you are an angel, shining in the darkness. If anyone could have seen the colour of Ryder's face they would have seen the scarlet red her cheeks had turned to.

They remained in silence for awhile afterwards. Edmund admired how elegantly Ryder stood and the way the fabric of her dress shimmered in the moon's light, how her bright eyes darkened at night but how they still seemed to shine through that darkness. Slowly, he approached her side and he too stared into the dark, deep pond; he didn't risk looking at her he just stared intensely into the dark void of water until he could not contain it any longer.

He spun to face Ryder and grabbed hold of the tops of her arms; she stared startled at Edmund for the sudden change of scene though she did not shove him off or push him away, she just looked, wide eyed, waiting for the words to come.

"Ryder… I…" Edmund groaned in annoyance for his lack of speech. He closed his eyes, still holding onto Ryder, and then opened them. Ryder was still looking at him with wide, desperate eyes as if they were saying 'Just spit it out already!'

He took a deep breath and tried to speak but words evaded him. Why is this happening to him at this moment? Usually he couldn't stop talking but the moment he wants to confess the most important thing so far in his life; he loses the capability to speak. He let out a cry of frustration and stalked off into the night. Ryder stared at his moving figure in sadness and turned to face the pond once again.

Edmund stopped in his tracks, what was he doing? He can't just walk away from this, from her. He turned and looked at her slouched figure, resting against a near tree, still shining bright in the darkness. He knew what he wanted though he had walked away from it in frustration, not at her but at himself and his inability to produce words when needed. Why was he such an idiot at times? He couldn't leave her there, in the darkness, her body so deflated and downcast, to just walk away with things left unspoken, unsaid. There would be no more passing hellos or loving glances at the table, they would be replaced by painful silences and longing stares.

Suddenly, Edmund marched over to where she stood and spun her around to face him, their body's only inches apart and his eyes staring into hers. "Ryder I think you are the most beautiful woman I have ever meet."

"Yes, I have been told that by many men before King Edmund." She swallowed, her heart beating fast, her cheeks hot, her breath once again turned shallow and short, her chest rising up and down quickly. She stared into Edmund dark eyes and he stared into her bright eyes too.

"You don't have to call me King Edmund; you have the privilege of using my first name." His hands moved down her arms to her waist and pulled her into him, closing the few inches between them. "And many men have said the same thing but I don't just think you are beautiful, I think you are probably the one woman alive who tolerates my temper, understands who I am and who isn't tainted by jealousy or selfishness; you have such a wonderful fiery spirit unlike any other."

She bit her lip slightly and stared in surprise at Edmund. Edmund then averted his eyes from hers and focused them on her delicate pink lips, biting his lip slightly too.

"Sorry Edmund." Ryder voice was no more than a whisper; her breath was shorter and more ragged.

The way her petal like lips pronounced his name was like an angel speaking it, softly and slowly as if to prolong it. Edmund looked back into her eyes and gently held her face in his hands; their eyes never leaving each others.

There had been so many times where they had been so close to kissing but were always interrupted but now no one was around to do that. They were alone, in the gardens; everyone else was enjoying themselves at the ball, and no one would noticed their absence.

So, finally when Edmund leant in and their noses brushed, their lips met too. Ryder tiptoed up and crushed her mouth to his, her hands running through his long dark hair. Edmund dropped his hands to her waist and grabbed the fabric of her dress pulling her into him. Her lips were just as they looked tender and delicate but the way she kissed him with them was passionately and wildly, as if she couldn't get enough. Edmund too kissed her with passion, he'd waited for so long, had so many opportunities and now he finally had her in his arms with those lips on his own.

Their kissing became more passionate and quick, their hearts beating as one as they enter sweet bliss. Their lips moved rapidly together, indulging themselves in the delightful taste of each other's lips and their hands moved into each other's hair, Ryder's had fallen out of the bun and was now a tangled mess of brown hair. They were both drunk with love and desire.

Edmund pulled away first but Ryder grabbed the front of his tunic crushing their lips together again. Edmund felt his insides explode with the feeling of love and he couldn't get enough of the sweet taste of Ryder's mouth. Edmund placed his hands on either side of Ryder's face and he pried her off of his lips though he did give her long, drawn out kiss before he spoke.

"I've wanted to do that for a while now." He confessed leaning his forehead upon hers.

A smile played at her pink lips. "I have too."

After a long pause, he finally announced what had been bottled up for too long. Still holding her face in his hands her placed a gently kiss upon her lips. "Ryder I've fallen in love with you."

Her bright eyes looked at him with such love that it warm Edmund's heart. "Edmund I've fallen in love with you too." A huge grin erupted on her face and she giggled with happiness.

Edmund enveloped her in his arms and kissed her hard on her lips. They stood as one for what seemed eternity, kissing slowly but passionately, the sound of soft, sweet music playing in the distance. Edmund's tongue traced Ryder's bottom lip and Ryder's ran her hands though his hair.

After a while they pulled apart, slightly out of breathe and dishevelled, but otherwise completely loved up. Edmund took her hands in his and leaned his forehead against hers. "I know right now you feel like you could scream this to the world, I know I do, but I don't want to tell anyone yet. I want to be with you before everyone knows. And Susan will insist we get married straight away and Peter will too, and I don't want that just yet. I want you. I want to explore my relationship with you."

"I understand it'll be more fun if it's a secret." Ryder smiled and gave him a peck on the lips. "Now birthday boy, you have to get back to your party."

"Do I have to?" Edmund whined wrapping his arms around her waist and burying his head into her neck, planting soft kiss along it.

"Yes." Ryder laughed pulling herself from his embrace. She shoved him back in the direction of the castle. "I'll follow you in five minutes."

Edmund laughed then once again crushed his lips to hers. They wrapped their arms around each other and lost themselves in the moment. Fireworks and butterflies, short, shallow breaths, bruised, red lips.

When Edmund returned to the party everyone was quite exhausted from the length of the celebration but not Edmund; he bounced back into the party as if he had drunk a litre of strong coffee. He was wide awake and ready to party.

"Lucy, how about that dance you promised me?!" He shouted to his sister, who like everyone else looked like they'd been standing up for a hundred years.

"I don't think I can Edmund, I just danced with Prince Theon for the fifth time tonight." Lucy sighed.

"You promised so come on!" He grabbed hold of her hand and dragged her to the heart of the dance.

Meanwhile, Ryder was travelling back to the castle when she saw something in the corner of her eye, a movement in the bushes. She stared into the darkness but nothing moved again, and so she shrugged and carried on her walk back.

Once she was out of sight, a figure emerged from the same bushes. It was Jason and he wasn't happy. He wondered over to the place Ryder had just been standing, where Edmund had just left her. He had seen everything that had happened, every word that was said, and every kiss that was exchanged.

Jason balled his fists up and punched at a nearby tree, screaming out in pain and anger.

The days that came after his birthday were brighter for the young King. After the nights events many had pointed out the sudden change in the usually moody King's behaviour; the sudden spring in his step, the smile that played at his lips, the ring of his unfamiliar laughter. But no one could find the source for his sudden change, though there were certain rumours going about.

"I heard he proposed to Lady Jane."

"I thought it was Princess Oceana."

"No, I heard it was Princess Titiana."

It was the train of conversation for many women of Narnia, Archenland and Calormen. Telmar had yet to hear of anything because of the disappearance of Kind Sergio's niece, so they were not to know of the young, dangerous Kings sudden change.

Meanwhile, as King Edmund was the centre of gossip no one seemed to notice the attachment between a certain young Queen and a young Prince; Queen Lucy and Prince Theon of Archenland. Though it wasn't the talk of the townspeople, it was a serious situation in Cair Paravel.

"They are very sweet together." Susan argued one day.

"Yes but that does not give me any more reason to approve of this courtship." Peter sighed.

"She has come of age Pete. You can no longer think of her as a child, she is twenty and perfectly old enough to make a mature decision."

"I know she has grown into a mature young woman but is she really ready for the possibility of marriage. And is that his intention." Peter paced back and forth the length of his study. "I mean you aren't married yet, and you are twenty four. If anyone should marry it should be you."

"I have not found the right man yet." Susan mumbled. "And anyway she is perfectly capable to marry if she loves him and he loves her. Which I am sure he does, have you not seen the way he dotes on her? The way his eyes light up when she walks into a room or when she even mumbles a word he smiles."

"That proves nothing more than a fascination in her."

"Urgh, you Peter are impossible!" Susan said angrily. "I thought you of all people would be happy, no ecstatic, for her Pete. You are her older brother; she is depending on you for this Peter. She loves him that should be proof enough."

"Love can be faked and it always ends in a disaster."

"Oh this isn't Romeo and Juliet, they aren't star crossed lovers, and you and he are not enemies." Susan argued. "They are two young people in love and you should let them be. Let them court, I'm sure Lucy can make the right decisions better than the rest of us."

"I no longer want to speak of this."

"Fine, be that way!" Susan exclaimed. "I hope Edmund can get through to you because obviously I cannot!" Susan stormed from the study slamming the door behind her.

Peter sighed and sat down on his chair. "Well thanks for assisting me Edmund."

Edmund turned from the window in which he was looking out of and focused his mind on Peter. "I'm sorry." He mumbled.

"What should I do Ed? Come on, you are Lucy's brother too."

"I think Susan has a point."

"Just because they love each other doesn't prove they are a good match."

"Of course they are a good match. You saw how they were together at my birthday and when he stayed for the next two days. This has been going on for longer than you think Pete; you have just been blind to it and so have I. It was Susan who first saw it, though she didn't say a word, and she had a right not to. I mean look how you have acted towards the slightest implication of romance between them."

"I have my reasons." Peter mumbled.

"Unknown reasons that make you look like an arse." Edmund chuckled. "It is Theon for Aslan's sake! You get on so well with him and his brothers, and you and King Randal are best buds!" He laughed again and Peter smiled.

"I guess I am being slightly irrational."

"I'm glad we agree on something!"

"But as Lucy's brother as well, I'm sure you fear for her. Love is dangerous."

Edmund looked away from his brother and turned back to the window. Love is dangerous. Is it though? Edmund thought, look at him and Ryder. The past few days they had been sneaking around, stealing kisses before breakfast and bed, sending secret glances whenever they could; they loved each other but is their love dangerous? Edmund had never thought of that. Yes, she was a Telmarine, who is related to King Sergio, who Edmund hates, who also is Sergio's missing niece, which they have concealed from him but… there was no but, there is only a so. So this means that their love is dangerous, Lucy and Theon are far from it, Edmund was treading in dangerous territory here; not only is she the missing niece of his sworn enemy, she is his true love, his only love, but that sets warning bells off in his head. This was becoming more and more like Romeo and Juliet, a romance doomed till the end, a love meant to fail, a pair of star crossed lovers.

"Don't be so ridiculous." Edmund mumbled to himself.

"What did you say Ed?"

"Nothing, I was thinking aloud."

"Well, I have to get back to business or answering King Sergio pleading letter about a search for his niece. If you have nothing more on the subject Ed, you best get back to practise."

"Oh yes, I should shouldn't I?" Edmund frowned slightly still thinking. He wondered to the door then turned around. "Oh um…there is just one last thing Peter."

"What is it Ed?" Peter looked up from the letter.

"Just as an example, say if I said I wanted to marry… umm let's say Ryder, what would you say?"

"If that were true Ed, I would have to start organising a funeral. You'd both go the same way as Romeo and Juliet, unless Sergio kills you."

"Hilarious Pete, but I mean you wouldn't object would you?" Edmund heart was ramming against his ribcage.

"Of course I would. I mean first, she is Telmarine and you hate all Telmarines. Second, you and Sergio aren't the best of friends and I'm sure if this was all true once he found out you kept Ryder hidden from him but also fell in love with her, you'd be dead before you could say Aslan. I mean seriously, the one person to be doomed for loving Ryder would be you."

Edmund chuckled but inside it felt like he had been hit with a thousand arrows. "Well, I'm lucky then aren't I?!"

Peter laughed. "Yes it was all hypothetical, so I have nothing to worry about."

"Nothing to worry about…" Edmund whispered as he closed Peter's door behind him.

Edmund wondered through the corridors for what seemed forever until, it was nearly dark out. He had passed many blurry faces but none asked him what he was doing or where he was going. Finally he found himself outside of Ryder's room, his hand on the handle, his body shaking; his breath short and ragged. Just as he was about to pull away and continue to walk, the door swung open and his Ryder stood in front of him, her usual bright blue eyes marred with worry.

"Edmund, what are you doing here?" Ryder pulled him further into her room, closing the door gently behind them. "I was just about to come look for you; Willow informed me that you'd been wondering aimlessly around the castle."

She studied his face for awhile; Edmund did not breathe a word but frowned deeply. "What's wrong?" Ryder finally asked.

Edmund shook his head and shrugged Ryder off. "Nothing is wrong."

"Don't lie to me Edmund. What is it?" Ryder frowned up at him, anger building up.

"I told you Ryder, nothing." He reached his hand towards the doorknob but Ryder slammed him hard up against her door.

"Don't you dare lie to me again Edmund, tell me what is wrong." She took a deep breath. "You've been wondering aimlessly, something's not right."

He leaned his forehead against hers and closed his eyes; he felt her hands trail up his chest and link around his neck. "I can't marry you." He finally mumbled.

"Well, I didn't expect we would. I mean for now anyway." Her eyes bore into his closed eyes and he opened his.

"I mean, never. If Peter has a problem with Lucy and Theon relationship, surely ours hasn't got a chance!"

"Don't talk such nonsense! He could change his mind."

"It's impossible! He said you being Telmarine and Sergio's niece, I'd have to go through him first and then I'm sure he'll never agree to it." Edmund sighed and paced Ryder's room.

"You're thinking too far ahead, just try staying in the here and now." She entwined her hand with his and leant her head back.

Edmund smiled and leaned down. He met her warm lips and kissed her softly; his hands resting against her hips. She moved her one hand into his hair and pulled him in closer; their bodies pressed together. Ryder's heart hammered in her chest, Edmunds hand frantically moving over her body. As they kissed, they slowly edged towards the bed.

Ryder fell back onto the bed, Edmund onto of her; their kisses becoming more passionate and quick. Her hands moved to his waist line and tugged up his tunic and his shirt along with it, revealing his hard, toned stomach. She ran her hands over his naked chest while he struggled with her corset. Ryder laughed as he sat her up and focusing his attention on untying it.

Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the door and they both jumped. They sent each other worried looks and then Ryder grabbed Edmund's discarded shirt and tunic and dragged him to her wardrobe and shoved him in.

"Stay quiet." She hissed, a smile playing at her lips. "One second." She tugged the dress back over shoulders and struggled to tie it back up.

"It's only me, Lady Ryder." Willow's voice came through the door.

"Oh, come in Willow." She pulled the door open to reveal the small, pretty maid. "I was just changing my dress, but I can't seem to tie it."

"I thought you were already wearing this, Lady Ryder?" Willow asked.

"I was but then I wanted to change into something else. But I decide I preferred this dress and now cannot tie it back up." She laughed.

"Here milady, I'll tie it for you."

After Willow had helped Ryder back in her dress, she left her alone. As soon as she was out of the room and along the corridor, Ryder yanked the wardrobe door open and pulled a still half naked Edmund out.

"That was close." He said, placing a kiss on Ryder's lips.

"Yes it was." Ryder said kissing him back. "Too close. Now I think you should go, go do kingly stuff because I think they are missing you."

"I know. I'm going to go for a ride. Do you want to join me in an hour?" Edmund asked, pulling his shirt and tunic over his head.

"I'll try. I'm meant to go see Lucy so I might be a bit longer." She smiled slightly.

"We don't want to be too obvious anyway." Edmund said giving her another kiss.

She held the door open and Edmund hurried down the long corridor and through a door, disappearing. Ryder smiled and made her way in the opposite direction, to see Lucy; they had Theon to discuss.

Authors Notes: I am so sorry. I haven't updated in I think two months and I left it on such a cliff-hanger. I did write the beginning then I went back to school, I'm in my last year, so I've been so busy and haven't given this story a second though. And that isn't far on my readers.

My next chapter will take some time but I'm determined to get it you in the next month and hopefully the chapter after that. This year is my most important, exams, coursework, projects etc. I've got to choose collage or sixth form, the subjects I'm going to take but I have to pass my exams to get into those subjects, then I've got one re-sit in January and an Science exam too, so I'm very busy but I'll really try and knuckle down and get the next few chapters done.

Review if you like it, review it if you hate it.

I appreciate the criticism or praise.