Hello everyone, this is Chapter 8 of my beloved story 'The Call'.

Thank you all for the reviews, as I have broken the '20' barrier, that's brilliant.

Thank you to:

harrypotterfreak1234

Dark-Side-Of-Sweetness

FelipeMarcusThomas

josie95

Noel Ardnek

Avrey246

Tabbyheart

xEmmaPevensiePendragonx

The Rose of Venus

Strange Ghost Eyes

Zoa-lii

eldest fangirl

Alyss Madigan

For reviews, alerts, favourites and/or subscriptions, they mean a lot to me.

In future parts, I'll be introducing more characters (male and female) to the plot line, but I want Alena to start settling in before any action happens.

Thanks for sticking with me; I'm nearly at Chapter 10.

It will take me a while to catch up on my chapters, as I've nearly caught up in my notebook, so I need time to plan it. Moreover, this Thursday (10th) I have TWO Science GCSEs to do – Biology and Physics, on the same day!

Therefore, I will be revising a lot more and I need to catch up on my homework. (I had to do my Maths homework in tutor time on Friday, copying from a friend's book, because I forgot to do it as I was updating this story, so you should all be grateful for the update, but I really need to spend more time on the homework.)

Please enjoy this chapter, and my fellow writers, adieu.

Alexandra the Dreamer.

I do not own Narnia or any of the characters that belong to the story – they belong to C.S Lewis and no financial profit is made from this story.

Recap:

"What a prick," I muttered, not sure whom, out of Edmund or me, I was calling a prick.

"I know," a familiar, husky voice added from behind me.

I spun around and saw Edmund was leaning against the door to the balcony.

"Oh, it's you," I said lamely.

"Who else were you expecting?"

I shrugged.

"Maybe Susan or even Lucy."

We slipped into silence once more. I looked back over the courtyard, and saw that people were moving more slowly as the activities were ending.

"What I said earlier, I'm sorry about it."

"Why?" I turned to face Edmund, who was looking down. "Don't be."

Edmund did a double take, looking up at me with wide eyes.

"Pardon?"

"You heard me," I blushed, ducking behind my hair.

He didn't reply, but I heard his footsteps. Then, I felt his hand cup the underside of my chin. Gently, he lifted my face up so I was looking directly into his eyes.

"You mean...?" he trailed off.

"I like you as well," my cheeks burned even more as I bit my lip.

His brown eyes lit up as he processed my words. He pulled my closer to him gently, twisting his free hand with my own, but keeping his other under my chin. As he lowered his head, my eyes automatically closed when I felt he breath on my lips. His nose skimmed my forehead slowly, before stopping so it rested against my own. His breath set my nerves alight as he drew closer to me. At the last possible moment, his lips met mine. I stood on my tiptoes, keeping my lips attached to his. After what seemed like forever, we parted. Our foreheads touching as we stood there with our eyes closed. Edmund gently pulled away, and my eyes opened. He kept his hand on my cheek and intertwined with my own.

He pressed his lips to mine once more, and I rested my free hand on his shoulder, twisting my head to the side slightly.

We broke apart once more, and smiled, realising what he siblings would say. He brushed my cheek and I leaned into his palm. Edmund began to lean in once more, but the door burst open and the four other monarchs piled in with grins on their faces.

Lucy and Susan squealed in happiness and ran over to me, wrenching me from Edmund's grasp to choke me in a hug.

"Finally, we thought you two would never get together," Lucy said.

I looked over at Edmund and saw he had Caspian and Peter congratulating him, but in a more controlled manner.

I blushed as the two sisters fussed over me.

"So then, I take it you and Edmund will be courting?" Peter asked me, sending a stern look in my direction.

I had to force a small smile onto my face, but my eyes must have shown the fear and confusion in them, as Edmund laughed slightly, but walked over to me.

"Stop scaring her Pete," he said, hugging me.

Confusion was written clearly on my face when Peter started laughing.

"As for the question, we'll announce it tomorrow breakfast, I do believe most of the court will be there," Edmund nodded.

"Well done, chap," Peter clapped Edmund on the shoulder.

Caspian gave me a brief hug, before going back to stand with Susan, who, with Lucy, were fawning over their brother.

"Well, congratulations Alena," Peter nodded to me.

I thanked him back, and a brief silence passed.

"Oh, blast it!"

Peter suddenly swept me up in a bear hug, scaring the life out of me. As I looked over at Caspian, Edmund, Susan and Lucy, they were all shocked with Peter's reaction as well. Peter let go of me and turned to his siblings and Caspian.

"So, am I not allowed to hug me future sister-in-law?"

All four laughed, Edmund not included, as he came over to me and held my hands, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

The sister's 'awwed' at us, making me blush and press my head into Edmund's chest. He wrapped his arms around me, keeping me close to him. I threaded my arms under his, and rested my hands on his shoulders. He placed a hand on my head and pulled me even closer to him, if that were even possible.

"Come on, we all should get some sleep. Alena, you're training with Caspian tomorrow," Susan said.

She unsubtly ushered the other monarchs out of the room, leaving me in Edmund's embrace.

"Will you stay with me tonight?" I asked him, not moving my head.

He looked down at me, brushed a lock of my hair away from my face and smiled.

"Of course."

He placed a kiss on my forehead, before stepping away from me.

"I'll get changed in the bathroom, you change behind the screen," he explained.

I nodded and slowly walked over to the screen. As I stood behind it, I slipped my hair into a loose plait at the side of my head, hanging down my shoulder. I then took my time taking my lace up pumps off and placing them on the side. I spent so much time on my hair, I heard the bathroom door open and I realised Edmund was already finished. That was when I realised I had a slight problem.

"Edmund, would you help me undo my laces?" I asked him gently.

I heard him walk over to me, before I felt his warm hands on my back. Ever so carefully, he undid the ribbons and let them loose. He then walked away and left me behind the screen in private once more. I slid the dress off and hung it over the screen. I caught Edmund's eye through the gaps at the top of the Parisian-style screen. I blushed and smiled slightly, before reaching for my nightdress. I had my bra and pants on underneath (Thank Aslan Susan let me keep them) and my pale white silk nightgown over the top. I was knee length, had short loose sleeves, a rounded neckline and an empire waist.

I stepped out from behind the screen and walked over to the bed where Edmund sat with his back towards me. He had a cream linen shirt on, and black trousers. He was sat on the edge of the bed, facing the painting of Aslan.

I crawled behind him and wrapped my arms around his shoulders. He leaned against my head and held onto my hands. We stayed like that for a while, just staring up at the painting, both of us content in each other's arms.

"Come on, Susan will have our heads if we sleep in late," Edmund said.

I shuffled under the covers and sank against the pillows. Edmund lay next to me, wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him. He planted a kiss on my neck, making me smile and lean into him.

"Good night," he whispered.

"Good night, Edmund," I replied, before giving into the blackness that was known as sleep.

I woke up to the sunlight pouring into my room. I opened my eyes a crack, and saw Lucy throwing the curtains open. I sighed quietly, and rolled over to hug Edmund. Only, Edmund wasn't there. I opened my eyes and saw the sheets empty, with a smirking Lucy standing beside the bed.

"Looking for someone?"

I looked at her blankly, unsure of what to say.

"Oh, don't worry," she grinned. "Edmund explained that you both fell asleep. Anyway, it's time for you to get ready for breakfast."

I climbed out of bed and stretched. I squinted when I faced the sun directly.

"Here's your dress," Lucy handed me a dark blue dress, with a silver underskirt and silver laces. The neckline was square and the velvet corset had intricate silver detailing on it. There were also some silver ballet shoes that fit my feet perfectly. A Dryad wove my hair, which was now past my shoulders, into a fishtail plait with silver ribbon, and finished it off with some hair strands framing my face.

"All done, my Lady," the Dryad curtseyed, before leaving the room.

"You look absolutely beautiful," Lucy, gushed, smiling at me. "Come on, Edmund won't be able to keep his eyes off you today."

Lucy led me out of the room and into the marble corridor.

"So then, you and Edmund," she began. "How long have you liked him?"

I had been preparing for this in my sleep, so I wasn't too shocked with the way she asked me.

"I thought he was cute when I first saw him, but it was, in fact, a few days ago when I realised I liked him."

She clapped her hands and squealed, causing some passing Narnians to eye their Queen with amused expressions.

"You and Edmund make a cute couple. I just knew you two would get together in the end."

I mentally grimaced at how hyperactive the young Queen had become over the subject of her brother and me. It was slightly disturbing, to tell the truth.

"How long, exactly, have you been wondering?"

"Since you first arrived in Narnia. When he watched you get dragged away, he literally couldn't take his eyes off you."

I looked down at her as she grinned up at me.

"Well then, we'd best get down to the hall," she sighed. "You and Edmund are announcing your courtship today."

I nodded, remembering and wondering what will be the reaction of the Narnians. I suddenly through about Lady Cecilia, and how she would react. It wouldn't be nice, that I was certain of. I decided to spend the rest of the journey to the Great Hall wondering how she would kill me.

As we reached the grand doors, I got to method number twelve, throwing me head first into the river.

The doors to the Great Hall swung open, allowing Lucy and I walked down the steps to reach the floor. We chatted as we made our way to the table at the far end, where my permanent seat was with the Kings and Queens. I received looks from the court as I went to sit down, and they became even stronger and intensifying when Edmund stood up, pulled my chair out and seated me.

He gave me a swift kiss on my cheek, before turning back to Peter. Edmund, however, did not let go of my hand, but kept them intertwined on the table.

"So then, Alena, I believe we're practising with swords today, with the help of the Centaur, Torin," Caspian said.

The natural talent I had when I arrived had vanished, leaving me unable to do anything involving weaponry. I was confident that Aslan did it to me, and enjoyed watching me suffer as I trained with the three Kings.

"Yes, I do hope I am able to acquire at least some skill today, the last time, when a young dwarf beat me, was just embarrassing," I nodded.

"True, however, you did nearly take my head off," I grinned at him as I fondly recalled our last training session.

Peter and Edmund nodded, before breaking the conversation. Peter stood up and turned to face the Narnians. A horn sounded, allowing the hall to go into silence to listen to their High King.

"My dear Narnians, I have a wonderful announcement to make, and I do hope you celebrate, as much as my fellow rulers did when we heard this news. My brother, King Edmund the just, and our dear friend, Lady Alena of Alcester, are courting one another," Peter spoke, a smile on his face all the time.

The hall erupted into applause, along with a few women of the court bursting into tears, at the thought of their favourite King was taken, by me.

"Before you congratulate the happy couple, I believe we are all hungry enough, so without further ado, our breakfast is served," Peter motioned for the food to be served to the celebrating court.

Well then, there you have it. Alena and Edmund have finally admitted their feelings for one another. I hope you enjoyed it, as this has become one of my favourite chapters.

Thanks to FelipeMarcusThomas for the name 'Torin' for the training Centaur. Many more names will be needed in the next chapter, as different members of the court give their wishes to Edmund and Alena after breakfast.

Moreover, I am going to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows this Friday (19th)! The day it comes out, and I am dressing as Luna Lovegood! I have a Ravenclaw badge and a wand, but I need to find a blonde wig before then, as I am a natural brunette.

Please carry on reading and enjoying.

Thanks,

Alexandra the Dreamer.