Tada! Here it is, and I apologize it for being so long and focused on Rose and Edmund. Anyway, if you would like to see images of everyone's dresses, the links are below. Enjoy!

/promdress19743.html Lucy's dress (without the shoulder bow)

/promdress17773.html Rose's dress (but dark purple)

/promdress706.html Jacinda's dress (but dark blue)

/qu86.html Vera's dress (but pink)

Chapter 15- Dance, Dance

The next morning dawned early for Caspian. It had taken him a long time to fall asleep—he never could when Lucy was next to him. He never wanted to take his eyes off of her, and if he fell asleep, he would have to. The same reason applied for him waking up so early, and to his surprise she was already awake.

"Good morning," she said sleepily, and Caspian brushed a lock of hair away from her eyes.

"Hello, beautiful."

"Who are you talking to?" Lucy joked. Caspian rolled his eyes and sighed.

"Araminta."

"Very clever. Speaking of her, Valdis is arriving at the castle today, isn't he?"

"I'm afraid he is. Vera said we have to greet him along with her, Rama, Nain and Jacinda."

"I do hope he's matured a bit since the last time we saw him."

"Sweetheart, we saw him about a month ago. I doubt he's changed much in that amount of time if he didn't change at all in the space of two years."

"Oh bother."

"Don't worry, I won't let him bother you."

"Good. But I'd be worried more about Rose," she said, a frown overcoming her pretty face.

"Why?"

"When Vera mentioned him she looked positively petrified. I have a feeling they may have a history."

"Like what?"

"One similar to his and mine."

"That can't be good."

"I've tried talking to her about it, but she is always so vague when he's mentioned. I think she may have told Edmund, though."

"Oh? Why do you think that?"

"Because when Valdis is mentioned he always looks at Rose. It's as if he's trying to read her reaction."

"I wonder if anything is going on between them."

"I doubt it. I wish it would, they're so similar, and I think it's so cute when they argue."

"You're such a girl."

"I am not!" Lucy said indignantly, and Caspian snickered. "Fine, be that way. But I should go back to my room before anyone else wakes up, I don't want anyone assuming the worst."

"Alright," he sighed.

"Don't look so down," Lucy chuckled. "I'll see you in about twenty minutes."

"But that's twenty minutes without you."

"I love you," she smiled.

"Good." She let go of his hand and walked back to her own room.

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"You did what?"

"I kissed her."

"I thought you never wanted to be with another woman."

"Well now I want to be. I just can't."

"But why not?"

"Because that's betraying a promise."

"Edmund, I don't think Isabelle would mind if you fell in love with another woman. She wouldn't want you to be unhappy."

"I don't go back on my promises."

"Then why did you kiss Rose to begin with?"

"She was just so…I can't even describe it."

"Tell me what happened."

"She came into my room late last night after she had bathed because she had forgotten her nightgown in my room earlier. (She had used my bathroom because Lucy was in theirs.) Anyway, she needed it because she had nothing else to sleep in and so we got to talking; it doesn't matter what we talked about. But then she asked me, what would you do if I kissed you right now? And then she practically ran out of the room. But I had to follow her because she left her nightgown in my room again and I didn't want her sleeping in her towel, she would catch cold. So when I got there I said 'to answer your question…'"

"And that's when you did it?" Edmund nodded.

"I couldn't resist. Her face was just so sad, as if she had done something unforgivably wrong. But it can't mean anything, can it?"

"Ed, you should just let yourself…"

"I can't do that."

"Then you'll have to tell her that it didn't mean anything."

"Maybe it didn't mean anything to her. Afterall, she does have a reputation for that sort of thing."

"Maybe."

"You don't think that's the case, do you?"

"No. But that's no matter. You need to talk to her. You don't want to tell her tomorrow, afterall. That sort of thing would ruin a person's Christmas."

"I suppose you're right. If I put it off things will be awkward between us, and I definitely don't want that. I don't know what I'd do if I had to go a day without teasing her."

"Good luck, Ed."

"Thanks." He exited Peter's room and to his dismay Rose was just leaving her room. "Where are you off to?" Rose jumped a foot in the air at the sound of his voice and spun around.

"I was off to the stables."

"You weren't planning on avoiding me, were you?"

"Er…"

"I'll take that as a yes," Edmund smirked, but quickly sobered. "Look, about last night…"

"Yes, um…"

"It didn't mean anything."

"Of course not."

"Just a spur of the moment kind of thing."

"Definitely. We were tired, we didn't know what we were doing."

"Exactly. So are we going to be ok?"

"Of course." Rose relaxed and smiled at him, and he took her arm.

"Good. Like I told Peter I don't know if I could go a day without teasing you."

"Always the sweetheart."

"That's me."

"Would you like to come to the stables with me?"

"I thought you were only going there to avoid me."

"Well you and Valdis. I know he's arriving today, and I don't want to see him much."

"Why ever not?" Edmund said wryly. "You don't need to hide. You'll be with me, and Caspian and Peter the entire time, not to mention Rama. We won't let anything happen."

"I'm glad to know you care so much."

"By the way, make sure you never go anywhere without one of us."

"I can defend myself you know."

"I know, but then you don't have to go through the entire process of defending yourself. He's always underestimated women, but he's scared of Peter and I. Afterall, Rabadash is his ancestor." Edmund chuckled to himself. "How glad I am I never killed the blighter, or he never would have gotten his just dessert."

"What happened to Rabadash?"

"Aslan turned him into an ass."

"So that's where Valdis gets it from," Rose said wryly. "Wait, you fought him?"

"Yes, I did." Edmund told the entire tale to her, and she looked up at him in admiration.

"I never knew you were so talented with a sword."

"I'm not as good as Peter, but I am better than Caspian."

"We'll have to have a match someday. See if I can beat you."

"I'd like to see you try."

"Oh I could beat you. I'm small—it's a great advantage with someone as tall as you."

"I could step on you and the match would be over."

"Aren't you funny. I won't take no for an answer."

"Alright then, we'll have a match. How about after Christmas?"

"It's a deal. Now if you'll excuse me, I must find Lucy."

"Why?"

"I need to talk to her about something."

"You can talk to me."

"I have been. But this isn't meant for your ears."

"Fine. But you know you can tell me anything."

"I know." Rose smiled at him and returned to her room.

"There you are!" she and Lucy said at the same time, and they began to laugh.

"So why didn't you come back last night?" Rose asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I staid with Caspian," Lucy grinned.

"Lucy!"

"Oh it wasn't like that, we just fell asleep together. He was being so sweet, and when he asked me to stay, I just couldn't leave."

"That's so romantic," Rose sighed.

"What about you? Why were you up so early?"

"Well I was going to hide, but Edmund caught me first."

"Why did you want to hide?" Rose explained the entire story to Lucy, who, at the end, hugged the younger girl.

"I'm so sorry."

"Don't be, it's not your fault. I never should have said anything. I just wish I didn't feel this way about him. I have never felt this since Valdis…"

"Since Valdis?" Lucy asked, her eyes wide. And then Rose did something Edmund had been urging her to do ever since she told him the truth. She told Lucy her entire story.

"Oh, Rose…"

"You aren't angry I didn't tell you?"

"Of course not, I can imagine how hard it must be to tell someone. I just can't believe Nain and Vera are so cruel to you. And what Valdis did, oh it's just horrid. How did you deal with it?"

"The wrong way. Everything Vera has said about me being with almost every man in the castle is true. It made me feel better about myself, though now I realize it wasn't the right way to handle it all."

"Does Edmund know this?"

"Yes, he does. That's how we became so close, and it must mean something that I can trust him after I haven't been able to trust anyone for the past three years. But I don't want to love him, not if he doesn't feel the same way."

"I'm sure he'll come around eventually. I know Edmund better than anyone, and he wouldn't have kissed you if he didn't feel anything for you." And Lucy told Rose all about Isabelle, and the vow Edmund had taken.

"Poor Edmund," she breathed. "I never would have guessed."

"No one can. But we should go down to the great hall. We've been up here for two hours, and I'm sure the others have been wondering where we are. Don't worry, we'll talk later."

They reached the great hall just in time to greet Valdis, much to their dismay. Both of them had been secretly hoping they'd miss him, but they had no such luck.

"Where have you been?" Peter asked them once they joined him and the others.

"We've been talking."

"Well please, stay with us today. I don't want anything er…happening to either of you, if you know what I mean."

"Yes, Peter," Lucy sighed. The doors opened and the trumpets sounded.

"Introducing Prince Valdis the second of Calormen," one of the gate men announced, and in walked the handsome prince, escorted by nine men.

"Prince Valdis, it is a pleasure to see you again," King Nain said, and bowed.

"And I am delighted to see you all as well. Ah, and the Narnians are here! What a pleasant surprise." They could tell he was lying; it was obvious Jacinda had written him about them, and it was obvious he wasn't pleased to see them. Well, atleast the Kings. "And look who's with them." He grinned maliciously at Rose, and Edmund put his arm around her waist. Valdis' eyes narrowed, but he shook it off and said, "Now where is my sister?"

"Here I am, Valdis." Everyone turned around to see Jacinda in the doorway.

"Sister, I have missed you." Lucy was surprised to see that they didn't even embrace—if she had been without one of her brothers for a month, she would have jumped into their arms at the first sight of them.

"Would you like to see your apartments, Prince?" Vera asked kindly, and he swept her a bow.

"Very much. Thankyou, Your Majesty." She lead him out of the great hall, and Rama, Nain and Jacinda followed.

"Do you think we're expected to follow?" Lucy asked.

"Maybe we should, just so we know where he will be," Caspian suggested.

"A good idea. Come, we should catch up to them." When they did they were all disheartened by the fact the path they were taking was much too similar to the one they took to their own rooms. And sure enough, they stopped at the room next to Lucy's.

"This is your room, Valdis," Vera smiled. "You're right next to Lucy and across from Caspian."

"How wonderful," Valdis grinned. "We shall have much fun, won't we?" he asked the Narnians, and they all agreed much too enthusiastically for any sensible person to believe they were being truthful.

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"Goodnight everyone, "Rose smiled. "See you in the morning."

"Night Rose, night Lu."

"I love you all," Lucy said, and kissed Caspian on the cheek. "I can't believe tomorrow is Christmas!" They all entered their respective rooms, and after Lucy had locked their door, the two girls got into bed.

"So are you excited for tomorrow?" Rose asked, and Lucy nodded.

"Oh yes, very. This is my first Christmas with Caspian as a couple. And I am excited for the ball. As much as I don't like dresses, I'm rather looking forward to wearing this one."

"It does look lovely on you," Rose agreed. "The dark red really brings out the red highlights in your hair."

"Are you looking forward to it?"

"Maybe a little. I've never actually attended the ball; I've only cleaned up for it and after it. But I'm not sure if I'll go."

"Why ever not?"

"Well, balls can be very romantic and I don't want to end up doing something I'll regret. Like telling Edmund how I feel about him, or kissing him again."

"Oh you can't let him stand in your way. You seemed perfectly fine with each other today."

"Well we were, I just…I don't know. I'll probably end up going. We have to make sure Rama doesn't drink that potion."

"Good. It wouldn't be any fun without you. I don't know what I'll do without you when we go back to Narnia."

"That will be a sad day indeed."

"Unless…unless you come back to Narnia with us."

"Oh, could I?"

"Definitely! Edmund and Caspian and Peter all love you as much as I do. From the sounds of it, your father wouldn't mind at all if you left. And I know Shaina, and Damien, and Drinian, and Rhince, and Trumpkin and the rest would like you very much."

"They are our friends at home. Shaina is Peter's fiancé, and she's with child. Damien is my dearest friend and he's trained me with the sword. Rhince and Drinian are like fathers to me, and Trumpkin…oh, dear Trumpkin. I do love him. He was our first friend in the new age of Narnia. If it weren't for him, Aslan knows what would have happened. But you must come back with us!"

"I would love to!" Rose beamed. "This is so exciting, I'm actually leaving Archenland. Thankyou so much!"

"You're welcome. And this way, since you'll be with us all the time, maybe Edmund will get it into his stubborn little—what was that?"

"I heard it too," Rose whispered, and she paled. "It sounds like someone is trying to come in."

"Thank The Lion the door is locked," Lucy whispered back, and they heard a farmiliar voice curse outside the door.

"Valdis!"

"Where's my sword," Lucy cried.

"Let me in, girls," they heard Valdis hiss. "Or I swear this won't end well. Open this door! OPEN THIS DOOR THIS INSTANCE!" They didn't budge. "Have it your way." Valdis began to pick the lock, and the girls jumped up, clinging onto each other in terror.

"Quick, through that door," Rose urged.

"But I've never opened that one, I don't know where it leads."

"So? It's probably just a closet. Come on!" They stumbled through the door, and to their surprise they found Edmund sitting on his bed. (It didn't help matters for Rose that he was shirtless.)

"What the—so that's what that door leads to." Edmund then caught sight of their faces. "What's the matter? What's wrong?"

"Valdis," Rose stammered, and Lucy ran into Edmund's arms, crying a bit.

"What happened?"

"He tried to come in our room. Infact, he's probably in there now. Oh Ed, he threatened us! And we were unarmed and oh…"

"Are you alright?" he asked, and they both nodded.

"Just a little shaken up," said Rose.

"Good. But I'm not letting you go back in there, not if he can pick the lock. You're sleeping with me tonight."

"Thankyou," Lucy breathed.

"What are big brothers for?" he asked, stroking her hair. He looked at Rose. "There's room for you in here too, you know."

"I…ok." A sense of relief washed over her when Edmund put his arm around her. She felt the warmth of his skin and the firmness of his muscles, and how she wished she never had to leave.

Later that night Edmund was still wide awake, but lying down on his bed, an arm around each of the girls. He looked at Lucy, who was snuggled in close to him with her head on his chest. He smiled—she looked so peaceful, and so small. Not unlike the little Lucy who had come into Narnia when she was eight, and Edmund was glad not all of that childish delight and innocence had left her. He then turned to Rose, who wasn't nearly as close to him. Her face was lined and worried, and he noticed she twitched and her lips moved as though she was talking. He reached out and brushed her red curls away from her face, and he couldn't help but notice she seemed to relax.

"Aslan, why do I have to feel this way?" he thought. "Why do I have to love this woman? I made a promise, I can't go back on it…oh please, please make it stop." After a few more hours of thoughts like these, he finally drifted off to sleep.

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Rose's eyes snapped open and she looked around frantically. 'Where am I?' she thought to herself. 'Oh no…Valdis…' At that moment Edmund came out of the bathroom and she relaxed.

"Merry Christmas," he said, smiling cheerfully.

"You too. Where's Lucy?"

"Getting ready."

"Getting ready? But it's…"

"Two hours after noon."

"What?"

"I didn't want to wake you," Edmund grinned. "Afterall, you didn't look like you were sleeping very well last night."

"You watched me sleep?" Rose asked, raising an eyebrow. Edmund turned away so she wouldn't see his face grow a tad bit red and said,

"No. But when someone kicks you constantly during the night, you're prone to think they aren't having a good rest."

"Touché," Rose chuckled, and slumped back down on the pillows. "Your bed is so much more comfortable than Lucy's."

"None of that," Edmund laughed as Rose pulled the covers up over her again. "We have to be downstairs in an hour, and I still have to change."

"I'll close my eyes," Rose mumbled. Edmund laughed again and went over to his bed, and lifted Rose out of it. "That isn't fair." He set her on her feet. "Fine, I'll go get ready."

"Good. I'll see you downstairs in an hour." Rose walked through the connecting door into her room and gasped. "Oh right, sorry, I forgot to warn you. Lucy said that Valdis had done a number on the room."

"Have you seen it?" Rose gaped, and Edmund shook his head. He came over and looked over her shoulder.

"By The Lion's Mane," he whistled. Furniture was overturned, clothes were strewn about, doors were open and the bedclothes were completely stripped off. "No wonder Lucy is getting ready in Peter's room."

"I hate that man," Rose grumbled. "I mean Valdis, not Peter. I love Peter."

"I was going to say…" Edmund looked at the room again and said, "Look, would you like to get ready in here?"

"I don't want to invade on your space."

"Don't worry about it. All I have to do is throw on my clothes and I'll be out the door."

"Well that's all I have to do too."

"So grab your dress and I'll go in the bathroom."

"Thanks Ed."

"Of course." Rose quickly ran into her room, grabbed the dark purple material, and ran back to Edmund's room.

"Are you decent?" Edmund asked twenty minutes later.

"No!" Rose shouted back.

"Alright, then turn around. I'm coming out, so I'll go over to Caspian's room."

"Okay." Rose hid behind the door, and she heard Edmund leave the room. It took her forty-five minutes to finish getting changed, and when she finally left the room, only Peter was still there.

"The others already went down," he explained. "But I lost my shoes, so I told them to go on without us. You look lovely, by the way."

"So do you," Rose said, smiling at him. "Merry Christmas."

"Same to you. My Lady?" He offered her his arm, and she took it. "Lucy tells me you weren't sure if you were going to go?"

"Well I am, so it doesn't matter."

"Rose, Edmund told me what happened."

"He did?"

"Yes. And I know for a fact he has feelings for you. He's just afraid to show them."

"Lucy told me why."

"I don't even think it's because of the promise he made to Isabelle, and to himself. I think he's scared what happened will happen again."

"But that makes no sense. I'm at no risk of dying."

"He didn't think she was either."

"Maybe you're right." Rose frowned. "Did Lucy tell you what we talked about?"

"Which part?"

"The part about me going back with all of you to Narnia."

"Yes, she did. And I know I for one would love it if you did."

"Really?"

"Definitely. You should."

"I think I will."

"That's wonderful. Here we are. Would you care to dance?"

"I would love to." They swept onto the dance floor, and twirled around to a fast Gavotte. "You're a brilliant dancer."

"Really? Lucy thinks I'm awful."

"Well I'm the one dancing with you. I have never found anyone as bad as me."

"No wonder we keep stepping on each other's feet then," Peter laughed. The song ended and they went back to the sides, where they found Lucy and Caspian.

"There you are!" Lucy beamed. "Oh Rose, you look absolutely gorgeous."

"Me?" Rose laughed. "Have you looked in a mirror? You look stunning. Merry Christmas, by the way."

"Same to you," Caspian smiled. "We decided we'll meet in the sitting room tonight after the ball to exchange gifts. Does that sound alright with you?"

"That sounds lovely."

"Wonderful. Now, Lucy, I have been dying to dance with you all night and I know this is your favorite dance. May I have the honor?"

"Certainly," Lucy beamed, and he pulled her onto the dance floor.

"Now's your chance," someone whispered to Vera from across the room.

"I'm going," she whispered back to Valdis, and approached Peter.

"Peter! Would you care to dance?" Vera asked, smiling brilliantly. Rose's eyes narrowed—of course she looked positively rapturous in the pink gown she was wearing. But it was Vera—she always looked wonderful.

"I would love to." He bowed, and they walked onto the dance floor. A few men came up to Rose, asking her to dance but she declined. She was trying to find Edmund in the crowd of people; she still hadn't seen him. She walked around searching hard for atleast half an hour until she felt an arm snake around her waist.

"Hello, angel." Rose paled considerably. "You look ravishing, as always."

"Get away from me Valdis."

"Tell me, where were you last night? I tried to come in."

"Obviously you did, judging by the state of the room this morning."

"I wanted to see you desperately, angel."

"If you must know, Lucy and I were with Edmund."

"I've missed you, angel."

"I can't say the same for me."

"I think it's time we finished what we started all those years ago."

"I disagree."

"Atleast dance with me."

"I'd rather not," Rose grimaced. "I'd prefer to be alone."

"I can arrange that," Valdis whispered in her ear, tracing his finger around in circles on the small of her back. She shuttered at the touch, and glared daggers at him. "Dance with me."

"No."

"I won't take no for an answer." Rose knew better than to stall any longer when his face became hard and dangerous, so she reluctantly joined him on the dance floor. A new dance started up, and she was thankful that it was a partner and corner dance, so she wouldn't be stuck dancing with Valdis the entire time.

"So how have you been, angel? Miss me?"

"Not one bit."

"I know you enjoyed yourself last time."

"Enjoyed myself? You used me, and humiliated me, and ruined what good there was in my life."

"But that night was glorious, and I am still morose we never finished what we began."

"We will never, ever, finish what we began," Rose snarled. Valdis pulled her close to him when the dance called for it, and ran his hand over the small pendant she wore down to her chest. "Don't touch me!"

"I know you like it."

"Not one bit." He was forced to let her go, and she tried to hold back the tears she wanted to let go as she gave her hand to her new corner partner. When the all too familiar dark blue eyes of Edmund Pevensie smiled at her, she practically melted. He was there—so there wasn't any chance of Valdis doing anything.

The touch of his hand on hers made her heart physically hurt in her chest. The feel of his fingers against her waist made her shiver with delight. But all too soon she was forced back to Valdis. Yet she never stopped looking at Edmund, and his eyes were on her for the rest of the dance. He witnessed Valdis' vulgar comments, and where he put his hands. He witnessed how angry Rose was, and it was all he could do from interrupting the dance and pulling her out of the line.

"I'll be waiting for you later, angel," Valdis whispered when the dance ended.

"Then you'll be waiting a long time." She stalked off, and Edmund made a quick thankyou to his partner, and ran after her.

"Are you alright?" he asked her.

"I'll be fine." She stopped and he wrapped his arms around her. "Thankyou for being there. I would have gone insane if you weren't."

"I'm glad I was there. Now come on. We still have a long time left before we can head back upstairs, and I am starved. Why don't we take some food?"

"I like that idea," she smiled.

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"And then," Rose laughed, wiping tears from her eyes, "she said 'I don't think this is the right color!' Edmund burst out laughing again and they collapsed against the wall. They had been in each other's company for the past five hours, and both of them were having a blast.

"Look, look, there's Rama! And Jacinda," Edmund whispered, and they instantly jumped up.

"Oh no, you don't think he drank the potion do you?"

"Look at his face, his eyes are kind of spacy, don't you agree?"

"I do believe you're right. Come on, let's follow them." Rose grabbed Edmund's wrist and pulled him out into the hall after Jacinda and Rama.

"It is lovely," Jacinda sighed. "I would love to get married in this very hall someday."

"Married? To who?"

"Why, to you of course. Who else?" Edmund and Rose waited with baited breath for Rama's answer.

"Then why don't we?" Jacinda smiled wickedly.

"Why don't we what, dear?"

"Get married?"

"Whatever do you mean?"

"Jacinda…" Rama said in an empty voice. "Will you marry me?"

"No!" Edmund and Rose cried together.

"Yes!" Jacinda grinned maliciously.

"Wonderful." It was obvious Rama didn't even know what he was saying.

"Why don't we get back inside so we can tell your father and my brother the good news?" They re-entered the ballroom, and Rose and Edmund looked at each other in horror.

"I thought he didn't drink!" Edmund cried.

"He doesn't! And I know him well enough to know that he would never change his mind. There's only one explanation…remember that day when Vera and I were arguing in the hall? You know, when you came out after us to listen?"

"Yes."

"I think she did side with Jacinda. I think she told her to not put the potion in a glass of wine."

"That doesn't matter. We need to fix that antidote before they get married."

"But we can't tell the others today! It will ruin their Christmas."

"Then we'll tell them first thing tomorrow morning."

"Alright, we will," Rose sighed. "Oh, how could we be so stupid to trust her?"

"I don't know," Edmund said, shaking his head. "But if we don't catch them in time…who knows what will happen. Archenland could fall to the Calormens. And that would leave Narnia without alliances." Edmund ran his hand through his dark hair. "If they get married, this world could cease to exist as we know it."

"Then we can't let that happen."

"We won't let that happen."

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