Disclaimer: I don't own Narnia or any characters you may recognize from the books or the movies, I wish I did but I don't... I also don't own the Narnian Calendar. It belongs to Elecktrum who was kind enough to let me borrow it for my story. Her own stories are awesome and you should go read them too.

Summary: Don't judge a book by its cover...or a knight by their rumors... A lesson Peridan and his family learned as they adjusted to their new life in Narnia.

A/N: This is part of my A Light in the Darkness universe. I recommend reading the main story arc (Awakening, Shadowed, and Revealed) first, but you can give this one a whirl on its own too.

Chapter Eight

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12 Mayblossom 1006

Peridan watched Tarrin race down the hall to get to the training yard on time. He smiled a little at how the boy was quickly becoming one of the boon companions of the Kings. Though Tarrin didn't always appreciate the great honor that had been done to him and their family by the General allowing him to train with the Kings, especially after the first time the General had assigned all three of them to complete the training exercise he referred to as visiting the points of the compass. Peridan thanked Aslan that Tarrin's part in the prank that accidentally landed on the General instead of the High King hadn't proven detrimental after all. He spotted Thane and Shane giggling in a corner as they tried to escape their minders again and recalled how that week he had been wondering if his sons had suddenly decided they hated him for some reason. Fortunately, Becky appeared and herded both twins right back into their room before Peridan had to chase them down himself...which tended to make Thane and Shane think it was a wonderful game of tig.

Shaking his head, Peridan continued walking through the halls of the Cair. General Oreius had given him the task of being among the Queens' guards for the afternoon, but his morning was free and he was taking advantage of the opportunity to familiarize himself further with the Cair and its people. The Centaur, Stonebrook, had been most helpful in not only allowing Raisa access to the library but also in taking the time to not only make the necessary introductions between Peridan and other key members of the court, but also in arranging for tutors for Tarrin and Raisa. Peridan enjoyed the Centaur elder's company as well, which was why he was headed toward the library in hopes of finding Stonebrook. Walking into the library, he was immediately greeted by Elwood. The Badger gave him a cursory and dismissive glance as he adjusted his spectacles, "Stonebrook is not here this morn. That Nymph who never ceases her infernal chattering or meddling dragged him off an hour ago. Don't understand why one as logical and sensible and calm as the Centaur took that Nymph as his mate. How can he stand the continual chatter? And, the meddling! Only thing worse than a chattering female is a meddling one!"

Peridan decided the best and wisest course of action was to retreat. Carefully and quietly retracing his steps, Peridan slipped back out of the library leaving Elwood to continue grumbling about the vexations of being in the company of chattering and meddling females. He had actually only met Stonebrook's wife once, but that one time had been more than enough to explain why Stonebrook never seemed bothered by Raisa's chatter. Wandering through the halls, Peridan mused about how different Narnia was from Archenland as he nodded to those he passed who would oft throw in a 'Good morn'. Archenland was a good place to live, and King Lune was a fair man and wise leader, Peridan had traveled to a number of other lands including Sisemaal and Calormen so he knew how much freer Archenland was compared to them, but somehow Narnia managed to be even more open and welcoming. As the weeks passed, Peridan could appreciate far better how the first generation of his family who escaped Jadis' purge had mourned the loss of their ancestral home in Narnia. It was different and occasionally disconcerting such as when the larger carnivores would bare their teeth in a smile, but it was also rejuvenating and captivating...the land, the people, all of it was... He could hardly describe it even in his own thoughts as anything other than in Narnia you knew, you simply knew that Narnia was truly the birthplace of their world, that it was where Aslan had sung the world into being.

Peridan was pulled from his musings by the delighted shriek of Narnia's youngest Queen, "Kat!" He looked up sharply as his hand automatically went to his sword, but saw only one other person in the hall ahead of him. A woman, probably yet another Nymph, stood with her back to him and beyond her, he could see Queen Lucy running toward her still laughing and shouting, "Kat! Oh, Kat, you're back!" He walked forward a little but stopped when Queen Lucy flung her arms around the woman in an exuberant hug, "I was beginning to wonder if you would ever come back to Cair Paravel. How was the trip? You never did say in your notes, you know. Did you see Lord Seddhan and his family? Or what about Soren? Did you visit everyone? How are they? Oh, when you were in the Seven Isles, did you see the Floating Gardens of Redhaven? Aren't they simply marvelous? Oh and how did you like Hettia? Did the ambassador exaggerate when he described his country for us at the council last year?"

Queen Lucy never gave the woman a chance to answer as she jumped from one question to another in a manner that reminded Peridan of Raisa while she pulled the woman along after her. Watching them disappear, Peridan decided not only did Queen Lucy know the woman, but apparently, she was also someone who had been gone for some time. Picking a different direction to continue his walk, Peridan felt confident that he would most likely be introduced to Queen Lucy's friend when he joined the Queens' guard that afternoon.

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Katerina watched Lucy in amusement as she allowed the thirteen-year-old to pull her down the halls until they reached the eastern balcony overlooking the sea that the Pevensies preferred using for breakfast whenever the weather permitted it. Lucy asked about everything and everyone without really taking a breath...she was in rare form that morn. She finally ceased talking at her when they reached the balcony just long enough to call out, "Susan! Susan, look who's finally back!"

Susan looked up from the book she had been reading and gave Katerina a warm smile before she turned to Lucy, "Lu, don't you think you should let Kat have a chance to at least sit down before you continue peppering her with questions?" The teasing glint in her eyes belied her mild scolding, which turned into another smile when Katerina mouthed her thanks as Lucy finally let go of her hand and walked over to an empty seat. Katerina poured herself some coffee before joining the two. Susan gave her a quick hug before they both took their seats, "It's good to have you back, Kat."

Katerina smiled, "You mean it's good to have me back where everyone who is so much more diplomatic than I can make sure I don't cause any permanent damage."

Lucy and Susan laughed and shook their heads in quick denial of her teasing. Lucy grinned, "That's not true, Kat, we're glad to have you back for you. Isn't that right, Susan?"

Susan nodded, "Yes, it is. Oh and Kat you should meet the new family who came to Cair Paravel last month. We can introduce you to each other at a proper tea or perhaps a dinner would be best. I'll check what else we have to do for this week since that would be rather short notice to give to Kori and the rest of the kitchen staff to prepare an entire meal fit for Humans, Centaurs, Nymphs, Fauns, and Talking Beasts. I think it would be appropriate to invite at least General Oreius, Stonebrook, Tuulea, their sons and their wives of course, Captain Ardon and Alithia, Captain Cletus and Amaryllis, Mr. Tumnus is supposed to be coming for a visit as well, oh and Sherket and Sefu with their cubs and Ptah, and Sir Rupert and Lady Felicia as well since those two seem to be getting along smashingly by all accounts. Let's see, what else?"

Katerina exchanged a knowing smile with Lucy as Susan began scribbling down names and other minute details on a blank sheet of parchment she carried for just such occasions. After experiencing everything Susan handled on a daily basis for themselves with the major peace summit hosted in Cair Paravel the year before, Katerina knew that she and Lucy both came away with a far greater appreciation for how much work Susan actually had to put into organizing and hosting the various feasts, tournaments, and other events Cair Paravel held at any given time...and she actually enjoyed doing such things. Of course, that didn't mean they weren't going to escape from helping when Susan inevitably descended into her preparation madness and commandeered most of the Cair's inhabitants into her decorating army. Allowing Susan to continue her impromptu planning, Katerina settled in with her coffee and began entertaining Lucy with the answers to all her earlier questions about her trip.

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Edmund and Peter parted ways with Tarrin with a grin and a wave before they ran to their quarters to clean up and change after training. Edmund grimaced slightly at Peter as they both fought to escape their valets fast enough that breakfast wouldn't be completely cold. His brother smirked in reply as they finally broke free and escaped to the corridor outside their quarters, "They actually weren't that bad today, Ed."

Edmund scowled, "Compared to when? They were acting like we had a major function to go to instead of just going to breakfast with the girls."

Peter shook his head, "When are you going to learn, good my brother, that there is no such thing as a minor function to our dear valets?"

Edmund frowned as he was once again forced to concede the point to Peter, "True...and it doesn't help that they're Fauns, Lion bless them."

Peter chuckled, "Aye, brother mine, Lion bless them. Now let's go before something else delays us from meeting our sisters and getting breakfast."

Edmund nodded fervently, "Agreed." He hoped there was toast...and coffee. He was starving and-

"Your Majesties?"

He shared an exasperated look with Peter before clearing his expression as they turned to see both Oreius and Stonebrook approaching them. "Is something wrong?"

The Centaurs exchanged a look before Oreius moved his hand slightly. Before either Edmund or Peter could say a word, their guards immediately dispersed with one of the Tigers running ahead to clear the rest of the hall until only Oreius and Stonebrook remained. Peter arched an eyebrow, "Why such measures, General?"

Edmund watched Oreius' face closely, but the Centaur gave no hint of his thoughts as Stonebrook answered, "A courier arrived from Sisemaal not even twenty minutes ago. Privacy seems wise."

They started walking again as Peter took the message and read it. Edmund started to lose his patience as his brother remained silent, "Peter, we would all appreciate hearing what news Sisemaal sends to Narnia."

Peter looked up with a slight frown, "I doubt 'appreciate' is the word you really want to use, Edmund. King Jukka has sent a trade delegation under Duke Toomas...and his nephew, the new count."

Edmund tensed a little at the mention of Duke Toomas' nephew as he recalled the character of the Duke's other nephew, the late and most unlamented Hendrik. He begged Aslan that Duke Toomas had been correct about the younger brother being of better caliber than Hendrik otherwise he doubted anyone in the Cair would tolerate it. "When is the delegation supposed to arrive?"

Peter checked the message again, "They estimated that they would arrive two to three weeks from now."

Edmund frowned then looked at Oreius and Stonebrook, "Kat didn't seem to do too badly with the Sisemaalian delegation last year, correct?"

Stonebrook gave a slight shrug, "Katerina Alambiel and the Sisemaalians did their best to avoid each other except when it was absolutely necessary to interact with each other. As far as I know, they were never left alone in the same area...or if they were left alone, Katerina Alambiel managed to control her temper enough not to leave a body count."

Edmund looked at Peter, "Maybe we should err on the side of caution and make sure there isn't any chance of Kat running into the Sisemaalian delegation?"

Peter considered for a moment before he gave a curt nod, "I think that's better than trying to keep her on one side of the Cair and the Sisemaalians on the other side. Stonebrook, Oreius, what do you think?"

Oreius nodded, "It seems better for all involved as I do not believe Katerina Alambiel would easily tolerate being around the close kin of Hendrik even if she does respect Duke Toomas." Edmund felt a shiver run down his spine at the thread of disgust and fury that entered Oreius's voice when he spat Hendrik's name. It would definitely be intolerable for their General if Hendrik's younger brother were not cut from a different cloth. However, when Oreius continued there was no hint in his voice of that previous disgust and fury. "Are you going to warn Katerina Alambiel that the delegation is coming?"

Edmund frowned in thought then he looked at Peter who nodded for him to speak. Edmund hesitated for a moment before he shook his head, "No. I don't think telling Kat would be a good thing. She might refuse to leave Cair Paravel if she knew, which would make things awkward in the very best case scenario and the worst case scenario would probably be even worse than what we can imagine."

Peter slowed his steps slightly as they had nearly reached the doors leading out to the eastern balcony, "I agree with you, but how exactly are we going to get Kat out of the Cair for the currently unknown amount of time until the delegation takes their leave without tipping her off that we're trying to get rid of her?"

Stonebrook chuckled, "Tuulea will take care of it. She will not only get Katerina Alambiel out of the Cair and keep her away as long as necessary, but she will guilt her into volunteering to accompany her on the upcoming trip."

Edmund couldn't keep the incredulity out of his voice as he stated, "I didn't think it was possible to guilt Kat into anything."

As they arrived on the balcony, Oreius muttered to them, "Tuulea can guilt anyone into anything."

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Edmund and Peter trooped in discussing a matter with Oreius and Stonebrook, though that conversation seemed cease or at least abruptly change tracks when they noticed her sitting with Susan and Lucy. As they drew nearer, Lucy beamed at her, "I'm so glad you're back, Kat." Katerina gave her an amused look but didn't mention that was only the thirty-fifth time Lucy had made that comment. Her amusement fled, however, as Lucy continued, "We were all a bit surprised when Edmund told us that you volunteered to go on the diplomatic trip to Galma, Terebinthia, the Lone Islands, the Seven Isles, and Hettia."

She closed her eyes for a moment then spoke in a very soft voice as her Irish lilt became thicker by the word, "Volunteered? Edmund told you that I volunteered?"

Lucy's blue eyes widened as she darted a glance at Edmund who was trying to shrink down in his chair, which was no longer so easy as he was a long, lean, and lanky fifteen-year-old, "Kat, you did volunteer, didn't you?"

Katerina crossed her arms and glared at Edmund, "Not if you go by the traditional definition of volunteering as a willing action of one's own free will, this was more obligated volunteering because he told each of the delegates from those islands that I would be more than happy to come in person on the next scheduled diplomatic trip."

Edmund cleared his throat, "Kat, you agreed to go of your own free will."

Katerina immediately shook her head, "Oh no, agreeing to go after I was already volunteered to go by you does not be counting as volunteering. Do any of you actually believe that I would voluntarily agree to go bobbing around in a boat on the ocean for the past three months with stops to interact with the same dignitaries I had more than enough of last year? I mean really? We are talking about me here, and I don't like bobbing around on the ocean in a boat."

Edmund sat up as he protested, "But you swim!"

Katerina rolled her eyes, ignoring the others' smiles as she countered, "I assure you, Edmund, drowning is not what worries me. Bobbing on a boat in the middle of ocean is a bad idea because Murphy loves plaguing me with his law and there are things in the ocean that like to eat people. Not going to risk it, I have enough to deal with all the land- and air-bound creatures that want to eat me. I refuse to add sea monsters, sharks, evil jellyfish, and anything else that Murphy might send my way."

Peter and Edmund looked over her head, most likely at Oreius and Stonebrook, and mouthed 'evil jellyfish' but she held up a hand to keep any of them from interrupting as she continued, "And, furthermore, I really do not enjoy or even like having to pretend to be diplomatic to individuals I can't stand. In fact, while bobbing on the thrice-accursed boat from Murphy's harbor, I decided that I will not go any diplomatic trips for at least three years. I refuse."

Edmund looked at his siblings the he looked at Oreius and Stonebrook who were still standing behind her before he finally met her gaze. "Agreed, no more diplomatic trips for at least three years. Umm, Kat, just to clarify. You were just teasing when you sent those notes about being tossed out of cities and running out bail money, right?"

She smirked as she intentionally paused before answering, "Well, I exaggerated a bit. I mean, we were only tossed out of two cities total and we were only forced to pay bail once or twice...per city. And, it wasn't always my fault. Sometimes it was Alaois and Lonn."

Edmund suddenly ran his hands through his hair, "And, part of your deal for not mentioning the difficulties in diplomatic dispatches to Cair Paravel included not returning for three years, didn't it?"

Katerina shrugged, "Well, that might have been part of the deal. It was diplomatic. I should get credit for that much and none of the damages were actually that bad." She nearly burst out laughing at the stunned looks she earned by mentioning damages, but since she didn't want to get into the details, she quickly stood, "I think now's a good time for me to go get the stuff I brought back with me."

She didn't wait for them to react as she raced back inside. She laughed softly when Ptah shook his head at her then bumped against her leg in greeting as they passed each other in the hall. It was definitely good to be back home and even more exquisite to be off that ridiculous bobbing boat. Katerina had nearly reached her quarters when two small bodies slammed into her, looking down, she raised an eyebrow at the sight of two identical little boys staring up at her. Well, she certainly hadn't seen that one coming.

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A/N: Please Read and Review! Okay, so Kat and Peridan's family haven't "officially" met...next chapter, promise. Leave a review and let me know what y'all thought about this chapter. What are your theories about how the plans to keep Kat from running to the Sisemaalians will go? And, what do you think will happen in the surprise meeting between Kat and the Twins?

A/N2: Be sure to check out my new poll for my forthcoming holiday story, tentatively titled Christmas in the Cair.