Disclaimer: I don't own them… I just have fun with them

Chapter 9- Susan and Edmund

Susan's shoes tapped loudly on the floor as she rushed down the hall. Everyone was hiding from her, not eager to be told off for not doing his or her respective job. When Queen Susan the Gentle was feeling pressured, she made sure everyone felt the same, even if it wasn't intentional. Once she left the corridor, a door creaked open, revealing the heads of two of the four monarchs: High King Peter and Queen Lucy. One might expect the two, with their namesakes Magnificent and Valiant, to be brave and fearless in the face of danger, but neither one was willing to take on Susan when she was like this. They exchanged a glance before stepping out of the room and heading in the opposite direction to Susan.

"Gosh, I do feel sorry for Susan. She's feeling quite worried about the upcoming visit, and seeing as she has taken all the responsibility for it..." Lucy said as they walked down a corridor.

"I know. I want to help, but I'm afraid she'll start yelling at me like she did last time," Peter replied, recalling the embarrassing incident where Susan had yelled at him in front of everyone for not putting up a banner correctly. Lucy giggled at the memory, but tried to stop after the look Peter gave her. Peter gave her a stern look before his face broke out into a smile, and he joined her laughter. The two headed towards the gardens, one of their favourite places to relax together.

Meanwhile, Queen Susan was stirring up quite a fuss in the kitchens.

"What is this? They won't eat this!"

A flustered beaver followed her around the kitchen as she checked each dish.

"Begging your pardon, your majesty. We didn't know the exact diet of the Calormenes, so we made dishes that we saw fit to-" she was cut off by Susan.

"Well, you should have come checked with me! This is a disaster! We'll be the laughing stock of the whole kingdom!" Susan's voice had become slightly hysterical as she threw up her hands in frustration. Her face was flushed red, and her hair was quite messy, having fallen out of its bun. All the animals in the kitchen shrank away from her, quite terrified at what she would say to them. They did not want to face the wrath of the Queen. Susan huffed impatiently before saying a curt "that dish there is good," then left. Everyone in the kitchens let out a massive sigh of relief before returning to work.

Susan walked rapidly down the corridor, her breathing quite quick. She felt rather guilty for losing her cool like that at the kitchens, but she feeling very stressed, and the food choice had not helped her situation. With the Calormene nobles coming today, everything had to be prefect for them to view Narnia in a good light. She turned a corner and let out a gasp as she crashed into another person. Susan fell to the floor in a most undignified manner. She raised her head to glare at the person who had knocked her over only to find herself looking straight at Edmund.

"Edmund! Watch where you're walking!" She reprimanded as she struggled to get up.

"Gosh Susan... you sound just like out etiquette teacher," Edmund replied. Edmund was not in the best mood either; his last lesson had been extremely boring, and it bothered him to no end that only he had to take lessons for the subject whereas his siblings had all gotten out of it. Susan frowned at him before trying to push past. She was stopped by Edmund hand, which grabbed her arm.

"Where are you going, Su?"

"I have to go and make sure the hall is all set up, then I have to get the decorations in order, then-" she was cut off by Edmund dragging her away.

"Edmund! What are you doing, let me go!" She tried to pull away, but Edmund refused to let go.

"You need a break, Susan," he said over his shoulder. "All this stress is no good. You just need to relax."

"Relax? Relax?!" Susan's voice was shrill. "There are 5 Calormene nobles coming to Narnia today and you want me to relax?" Edmund glanced back at her.

"Yes."

Eventually, he let go of her arm. Susan whirled around to yell at him properly, but stopped at the magnificent sight in front of her. The beach was peaceful, the waves calm and quiet, with only the faint sound of waves able to be heard. The sun shone down on the two, relaxing Susan straight away.

"See? How much better do you feel already?" Edmund's voice broke Susan out of her mesmerisation.

"I-wow," was all she could manage. After days of being copped up at Cair Paravel trying to plan the visit, Susan completely appreciated the sight in front of her. She sat down on the soft sand, and began to take off her shoes. Edmund followed, sitting down next to her. Once their shoes had been removed, the two sat in a peaceful silence. Susan broke the silence by saying; "I've been a beast these last few days, haven't I." It wasn't a question, and Edmund did not intend to lie.

"Yes, you have. But we understand it to some level; you're feeling anxious about this visit and all." Edmund said honestly, and quite bluntly.

Susan let out a sigh.

"I don't mean to come off all bossy, I'm just really worried. This visit will give the Calormenes their first impression of Narnia, and first impressions are so important…" Susan trailed off, already beginning to worry.

"First impressions are important, but they can also change." Edmund said wisely.

"A first impression is only the initial impressions. There is still time to change it if something goes wrong."

Susan stared at her brother. He fidgeted nervously under her gaze.

"What?"

"You're just… you're so different to the boy who first came to Narnia." Edmund gave her a quick look before turning to face the ocean.

"I hope you mean different in a good way?"

"Oh, of course! It just surprises me how much you have grown up, how much you've become a man." Edmund smiled lightly at her. Susan took a deep breath before continuing.

"And I think that dad would be very proud of you," she said, a bit nervous at bringing up their father. Edmund turned still, his body quite rigid. He turned to face her slowly.

"Do you… do you really think so?" Susan smiled at him.

"Of course I think so. And just so you know, the rest of us are very proud of you too," she added sincerely. Edmund gave her that special shy smile he gave sometimes. The two sat silently again for a while, enjoying the view. Finally Edmund rose.

"We should probably go, Su. The Calormene should be here soon."

Susan jumped up, feeling nervous again, but still more calm than she had been previously. The two headed back to the Cair, retelling old stories of events that had occurred in their first year of reigning in Narnia. As the two reached the entrance to Cair Paravel, they stopped at the sight in front of them.

A group of people were gathered at the entrance to Cair Paravel, being greeted by Peter and Lucy. Susan could quickly pick out the five nobles; they were the ones that were dressed the most stylish, and also in the most expensive looking clothes. She glanced down at herself and at Edmund. Both looked quite dishevelled, their clothes rumpled from sitting down, and their hand messed up from the wind, with small particles of sand meshed into each strand of hair. Despite their predicament, Susan felt the most at peace with herself that she had felt in a long time. She gave a curtesy to the nobles and their attendants before hurrying inside with Edmund to get ready for dinner. Because now Susan knew; a first impression, however awful, is never the last impression.

A/N- Well, I really shouldn't have written this story now, because I have a test tomorrow. However, this wouldn't get out of my head, so I was forced to oblige to my imagination's wishes. It's pretty long compared to my other chapters. So, please review, because I love to know your opinions on my stories. And I'd just like to thank my main reviewers: High Queen Julietta, SpangleyPony, Lady Eleanor Boleyn, and Rose and Thorn, who all make me eager to write my next chapter. Thanks, guys!