Disclaimer: I don't own them, and never will. But I DO own my own ideas…Chapter 4- Susan and Lucy
Although Lucy absolutely adored her two older brothers, there were some things that they just didn't understand. That was one of the reasons why Lucy was so thankful she also had an older sister who did understand these issues, and could help her through them. This sister was known as Queen Susan the Gentle, and she often helped out Lucy with issues her brothers just could not comprehend.
One of these issues occurred in the7th year of the Golden Age. Queen Lucy, now aged 16, was growing up to be quite beautiful, although it was her inner beauty and happiness that shone through her. However, sometimes Lucy felt wretched because of her feelings about her older sister. Susan was beautiful, rumoured to be the most beautiful woman in all the lands. Lucy was happy for sister, but she sometimes felt like a shadow; that her own beauty would never be noticed or appreciated when Susan was around. It was these thoughts that haunted Lucy on the eve of a ball for Archenland noblemen who had come to visit. As she gazed at herself in her full-length mirror, Lucy pouted at her appearance. Her hair was not staying in the style she wanted it to no matter how many times she tried, and her dress was not sitting right, making her feel awkward and uncomfortable.
A knock at the door made her turn around, to see Peter.
"What are you still doing in here, Lu? We have to be down soon, the ball is nearly starting." Lucy sighed exasperatedly.
"Oh Peter, my hair and my dress won't stay properly, and I feel so frustrated." Peter looked bemusedly at her hair and dress.
"Your hair looks normal, Lu. And your dress is fine!" But Lucy merely pouted more.
"Normal, Peter! Exactly! I don't want normal, we're going to a ball for heavens sake!"
Peter just looked more confused, before sighing.
"I don't think I quite understand… but you have to come down soon, Lu." As he turned to leave, he gave her a reassuring smile.
"If it helps, I think you look perfect." With that, he left the room.
Lucy turned back to her mirror, feeling slightly happier, but the sight of her hair once again sent her right back to where she had started.
"Oh, I do hate my hair! Why did I agree to go help the squirrels look for nuts?"
"Because that's what you do," said a soft voice behind her. Lucy spun around, startled, to see Susan standing at the entrance to her room. Susan crossed the room, coming to stand behind Lucy.
"You have a big heart, Lucy. That should be one of your most treasured traits; that you will help anybody without a second thought." Lucy couldn't help herself.
"If that's my best trait, then I want to change it! Being helpful has led me to nothing but uncontrollable hair! I want to be like you, Su. I wish I was beautiful, and everyone would love me." As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Lucy wished she could take them back, but it was too late. Susan looked rather surprised at the outburst, before shaking her head.
"You want to be loved, Lu? Don't you realise how lucky you are? Everyone loves you because of your personality already. You don't need to be beautiful, although you are growing up to be quite attractive." Susan smiled gently at Lucy before picking up a stray hairbrush resting on Lucy's table, and began running it through Lucy's hair.
"Lucy, I know that it must be hard to not hear that you're beautiful from everyone. But it's not that you aren't beautiful, it's that when people look at you, they see your inner beauty first. That's what is really important, Lucy, it's what's inside." As she put the brush back down, she leaned over Lucy's shoulder, looking at her in the mirror.
"And I must admit, sometimes I envy you for that inner beauty. People admire you because of your personality, not just because of your looks. I sometimes wish they would do that for me." Lucy's jaw dropped.
"You're jealous of me?" Susan grinned sheepishly.
"Yes, I am."
Lucy stared at herself hard through the reflection in the mirror. She began to finally appreciate what Susan had said, and as she turned to face Susan, she felt like a slight weight had been lifted away, and put at rest. She smiled at her older sister.
"Thanks, Su." Susan smiled back, before grabbing a clip and twirling it into Lucy's hair.
"And as for your hair… tada!" she announced, stepping back. Lucy turned back to the mirror to find her hair was now half up, accentuating her features and dress nicely. Susan also pulled Lucy's dress at the back, and the dress fell straight into place. Lucy gazed at Susan in awe, before wrapping her arms around her.
"Thanks, Su" she repeated happily into Susan's shoulder. Susan returned the hug gratefully, happy to know she had helped her younger sister out when she needed to.
The door opened for a third time, revealing Peter, and slightly behind him, Edmund. Peter grinned at the sight of his two favourite girls hugging each other, and knew from the identical expressions on their faces that something had been resolved. He bowed slightly to both of them, and then offered both his hands to them.
"May I have the pleasure of accompanying you both?" he asked, lowering his voice enough to make Lucy giggle at his antics.
"Oi Pete, if you accompany them both, who am I meant to accompany?" Edmund asked indignantly from behind. Peter grinned at Edmund.
"How about that woman downstairs who has been eyeing you for the past 5 minutes," he asked cheekily.
"Peter!"
And the four monarchs headed down to the ball laughing, enjoying the happiness that being together as a family brought.
A/N- I'm slightly nervous about this chapter. I think it turned out alright, better than I expected, anyway. I added in a bit of Peter and Lucy- I couldn't resist the temptation. Well, I hope I got the characters right and all… really appreciate it if you could spare a few seconds of your life to review and tell me what you thought!
By the way, for all of you who have reviewed, I thank you very much. Your reviews mean the world to me, and although I don't usually reply back, I just want you to know that they are very much appreciated and loved. So thank you!