A/N – and thus begins the longest chapter EVER. Enjoy.

The morning of Edmund and Sam's birthday, the three other Pevensie siblings burst into Edmund's quarters.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!"

Edmund rolled over. "5 more minutes."

There was a resounding THUNK in Sam's room. Edmund sat up. His hair was standing straight up and lines form the sheets were imprinted across his face, chest, and arms.

He ambled into Sam's room. Peter, Susan and Lucy heard a laugh, a yawn, and a muffled "Put me down!" and Edmund emerged from Sam's room carrying Sam over his shoulder. He dropped her unceremoniously onto his bed and leaned against a bedpost.

"So, we're all here and awake. Why, pray tell, are we awake at this hour.

"One, to wish you guys a happy birthday," Lucy counted off.

"Two, to give you your presents before all heck breaks loose," Peter added.

"And three, to whisk away Sam and make her gorgeous for the ball," Susan finished.

Edmund grunted. Sam voice came, "Well, you're a morning person, huh?"

Peter smirked at her. "You don't know the half of it."

Peter came forward carrying two boxes. For Edmund, it was a sword-maintenance kit. For Sam, a chain-mail shirt. Susan gave Edmund a new saddle and bridle for his horse, and emerald earrings to Sam. "To match your dress," Susan explained, grinning.

Edmund couldn't help himself. "Oh yeah? How 'bout a bracelet to match her nightgown?"

Peter and Lucy looked baffled, Susan look smug, and Sam cracked up.

"Boy, we're an odd bunch," Lucy muttered, and handed over her gifts. She gave Edmund a couple of new tunics and a dagger, and Sam got a cherry-wood jewelry box with a painted flower on the lid.

Then, as said, the girls herded Sam out, with her dress and jewelry, and Peter sank into an overstuffed chair. He looked at Edmund.

"You're mad for her, then?"

This caught Edmund off guard. He sighed. "Completely."

Peter grinned. "Don't look like the sky's falling, Ed. She likes you just as much as you do her, it's written all over her face."

"Says you."

"Says I. And for once, you ought to listen to me. Sam's a great girl, and if you don't make a move, someone else will. Probably at the ball tonight, to, because she's of age now. 18."

Edmund nodded. Peter put a hand lightly on his shoulder and left.

In Susan's room, as it was the biggest, a 24-year-old woman with long brown, naturally highlighted hair, brown gold-flecked eyes, and tan skin surveyed Sam.

In a lilting, sweet voice with a foreign accent, "Samantha, your mother would be proud to see you. You have turned into a gorgeous girl, but you don't know it!" Now her voice turned gently chiding. "You do not need to hide behind other people, girl. Be bold! Act like you know you are gorgeous."

The woman, whose name was Nicole, was from Sam's home country. When Sam's mother had died, Nicole had almost become a second mother. Now, Susan and Lucy had hired her to do Sam up for the ball. Sam was overjoyed to see Nicole again.

Sam wanted to hug her, but seeing as she'd been stripped down to a silken slip, she thought it better to smile and reply, "It's so great to see you, Nicole!"

"Greetings later," Nicole instructed, "beauty now!" Nicole et to work. She had Sam put her dress on, then laced it up the back. She made sure the sleeves fell just right, fluffed the lace around the bodice, and retied the back a little tighter.

"There! Now, you flaunt the figure your mother gave you. Now, your hair."

Nicole outdid herself. She plaited Sam's hair with threads of gold and piled it high on top of her head. A few curls fell down around her face, but Nicole left them, saying they added 'character'.

She fasted Edmund's necklace and Lucy's earrings, then looped on Sam's white sash and painted her lips a peachy pink.

"Now, darling, I have a gift for you. From your mother."

Sam gasped. Nicole held a delicate silver tiara inlaid with diamonds and emeralds. It was not a usual solid shape, with strands of silver swirled about to hold it all together. Nicole set it gently over Sam's hair and sat back, smiling.

"Now, you are no longer Sam. You are Samantha Kildorina Ankottic. You are your mother's daughter."

The annoying announcer guy was back. He stood, again, off to one side of the top of stairs, and yelled in a nasally voice the names of kings, queens, princes, and princesses, that came down. Three, in particular, besides Sam and the Pevensies, were of interest.

One was named Kathleen. She had brown curly hair, blue eyes, and fair skin. She was tall and slender, and looked quiet and shy. Her ball gown was long and the same shade of blue as her eyes.

Another was named Amber. She had pale skin, blue eyes, and blonde hair. Her dress was a shimmering pink, with gold embroidery and short sleeves. She had a calculating look about her eyes, and they swept the crowd, looking for someone.

The third, which was of great interest to one King of Narnia, was named Alexandria, call-me-Andy. She had pale, freckled skin with the looks it was easy to make her blush. Her long brown hair has loose curls in it. She looked nervous to be in front of so many people, and with the kings and queens of Narnia. Her gown was simple, lavender with ties up the back and a white sash.

Then the annoying announcer who, Sam noticed, was wearing and uncomfortable-looking purple jacket, called out the four Pevensies and Sam.

Edmund didn't even try to keep his mouth shut. This time, instead of looking nervous, Sam looked poised and proud.

"Fellow Narnians, I greet you with the greatest pleasure. My brother is turning 22, my friend, 18. What better reason to celebrate?"

A rousing cheer.

"Let the ball begin, then, with a traditional Narnia dance. And I ask you, Edmund and Samantha, to begin."

Peter turned to look at Edmund and Sam, whose looked equally shocked, with a wide smirk.

"Remember the dance I taught you?" Edmund whispered in Sam's ear and he took her elbows and led her to the floor.

"Yeah."

"Well, we're about to do it again."

After that dance, Peter stepped off the dais and went in search of a girl to dance with. He came upon our Andy, looking nervous and overwhelmed.

"What's the matter?" he asked gently. She jumped. Peter put a hand on her arm.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's fine," she said with a sigh. "My name's Alexandria, or Andy."

"Well then, Andy, would you care to dance?"

Andy, her heart thundering in her chest, nodded and took Peter's extended hand. It was a waltz, she told herself, simple and easy. And Peter's good at heart, you know.

As they were dancing, Peter got to know her.

"You look scared."

"I don't like big crowds."

"Well, what about me? Don't I get bonus points or something?"

Andy cracked a smile for the first time that night. "Oh, I suppose," she said airily, teasing Peter. "But you could just be another boring nobleman…"

Peter, who didn't realize she was teasing, became offended. "I am not boring! What proof do you want?"

Andy laughed. "I'm teasing you, King Peter, you're not boring. It's just fun to get you riled up."

"Oh, please, spare me the 'King' business, my name is Peter."

"Ok, Your Majesty!"

"Andy!"

"Alright, alright. Peter."

"Better."

They talked the whole night. But more about them later…

After Edmund danced with Sam, he seemed to disappear. He was, in truth, trying to get up the nerve to tell her how he felt. But Sam didn't know that, and she was hurt. She was standing off to the side, looking for him, when Amber approached her.

"You have been staring for someone all night," she said kindly. Now, she thought, is my chance to separate these two lovebirds. She is but a forlorn princess of a forgotten country, I am the future ruler or Archenland! I should have Edmund beside me on my throne.

"I'm looking for Edmund," Sam said faintly.

"Ah, child, do not waste your time. Edmund is flighty, a flirt! He is done seducing you, and is now off for another girl."

Sam's chin trembled. "Cry not, child. Move on. Dance with him, that cute prince over there."

Sam nodded and went over to him, trying to get Edmund out of her mind.

A few people away, shy Kathleen heard everything. But she knew Edmund did like Sam, loved her. She'd heard him pacing outside in the courtyard, trying to put his feelings into words. She must stop this!

Just then, Edmund came back in. He saw Sam dancing and laughing with a blonde, green-eyed prince and felt jealousy stab at his heart. "Sam?" he whispered. Kathleen appeared beside him. Frantic, she explained everything. Edmund's eyes grew steadily wider, then spit fire. "I thank you deeply, my lady. But if you will excuse me, I'm going to go get my girl back."

Kathleen smiled. Her work was done. Now, she was could muster up the courage to walk to the cute, ebony-haired 20-soemthing that had been eyeing her all night.

Edmund stormed over to the blonde prince and tapped his shoulder. Putting on his fakest smile, he asked, "Mind if I cut in?"

Not one to turn down a prince, the man nodded and walked quickly away. Sam turned to him, fuming.

"Edmund Pevensie, you have no right to do that!"

Edmund wasn't fazed by her anger. "Samantha, I know what that woman said to you. Called me a flirt, and said I didn't really like you, didn't she? Well, she's wrong. On both accounts."

Sam's anger subsided. "How do you know what she said," she asked quietly.

"A friend told me. Will you come outside, just for a moment? Please?" The look in Edmund's blue eyes was so pleading, Sam had to give it.

"A moment is all."

Once outside, Edmund turned to face her. He put his hands on her shoulders.

"Samantha, I know that woman told you I didn't like you. I don't. I love you."

Sam felt her knees go weak. Edmund steadied her and put his forehead to her. His hot breath spilled over her cheek.

"The question seems to be, Sam, is do you love me?"

Sam took a deep breath and inhaled Edmund's comforting, intoxicating blend of leather, cinnamon, and cherries. Where he got all that is something I can't answer.

"Yes, Edmund. I love you more than you'd guess."

Edmund let go of her, ran up to bench, jumped off it, and let out a very un-king-like "Wah-hoo! She loves me!" Then he came back over to Sam and kissed her soundly. She swooned a bit when they come up for air.

"Best birthday ever."

Meanwhile, in a different courtyard, Peter and Andy were sitting on a bench. Andy shivered a bit and Peter found the excuse to wrap an arm around her. Chemistry pulled them together.

"Andy? I've know you for 2 hours, and you're already the most fascinating girl I've ever met."

"Aww, only fascinating? I was hoping for pretty, gorgeous, intoxicating, ect."

"Ok. Andy, the most fascinating, pretty, gorgeous, intoxicating, girl I've ever met, can I kiss you?"

"Well, since you said intoxicating…"

Peter didn't wait for a straightforward 'yes', he simply kissed her.

When they broke apart, he whispered in her ear: "The ball's not over yet, and it's not even my birthday."

A/N - YAY! This was the most exauhsting chapter yet to write, and the ball's not even over! For those who didn't see your characters, they are either in the next chap or ran out of spots. I'll giveall character credit in the next chap, b/c my mom is yelling at me to go to bed and turn of the blasted computer-her words, not mine.