Chapter 5 The Ball

Lucy fussed over what Kendra was going to wear and how she would look more than herself. Kendra objected more than a fair few times through out the entire process but Lucy kept shaking her head and dismissing her friend's worries or concerns. Lucy stood back for a moment unable to stop smiling. Kendra seemed to glow in the dress Lucy had gave for her to wear. The fabric was a soft blue velvet with gold trim, the bell sleeves puffed at the shoulders framing her chest in a wonderful square shape.

"Kendra you look beautiful!" she exclaimed.

"I don't know. I feel kind of foolish in all of this. There are so many yard of fabric, and it's way too pretty." Kendra said examining herself in the floor length mirror. Lucy danced up next to her and locked arms with her.

"Nonsense, you look perfect." Susan commented from the corner of the room. She crossed and gestured for Kendra to take a seat. "Now for your hair."

Kendra fidgeted nervously as Susan took handfuls of hair and went to work. She pulled on three front strands and weaved them into a braid fixing the other side to match. Susan did this in even spaces all the way around her head. Seeing Kendra's face in the reflection of the mirror as it contorted in concern Susan let out a small laugh.

"It's not finished yet don't worry. Lucy will you hand me that gold thread over there on the dresser?"

Slowly Kendra smiled and relaxed. Susan looked up noticing the tiny locket hanging around Kendra's neck. She had seen it before but thought nothing of the trinket, at that moment however Susan figured it would make for some small talk.

"That's a very pretty locket, did your mother give that to you?" She asked taking the precut thread from Lucy.

Immediately Kendra's hand shot up to the necklace and closed around it.

"No…no it was a gift…from Brind." she stammered.

Susan stopped messing with Kendra's hair for a moment, a gift from Brind? The prospect that he had given Kendra a gift seemed logical enough. They had grown up together, and it was probably a birthday gift. However the way Kendra reacted to it and, as Susan recalled, the way she had treated the locket over the past week told Susan it was more than that. It looked old and expensive, something way beyond the price of someone of Brind's station. How was he able to afford such a gift?

Continuing to pull the individual braids back tying, them with the gold thread, Susan forced a smile to hide what she was really feeling. She shouldn't have let it bother her so. Why did it matter to her that Brind had gotten Kendra a pretty brass locket. It didn't matter. At least that was what Susan kept telling herself. After a few minutes Susan added a small silver and gold flower hair pick in the back of the bun she created with the braided pieces, "There, finished."

"Thank you so much, it looks so beautiful. Much more than I deserve."

"Come on we're going to be late!" Lucy cried adjusting her crown in the mirror. "We can't have you be late to your own party!"

And with a fit of giggles from the both of them they fled the room. Susan stayed behind for a moment double checking her outfit in the mirror; she starred at her reflection and the dark lavender dress she donned with gold and silver braided trim that matched the colors of her own crown resting on top of her head.

She wondered about the locket a bit longer suddenly chuckling to herself. It was silly of her to be so worked up over such small a thing. Taking a deep breath she strode out of her room and down the corridor. Edmund turned into the corridor with Brind shortly behind him.

Susan stopped in her tracks after doing a double take at Brind. He hardly looked like himself. She recognized the medium blue tunic as one of Peter's, but it was as if she was seeing Brind for the first time. The fancy clothing some how made him more handsome than he already was previously. He was so regal looking even though there was a slight hint of uncertainty in each step he took. When he caught Susan's eye he froze momentarily.

"Are Lucy and Kendra already in the Throne Room?" Edmund asked when they were close enough.

Susan kept her eyes on Brind as she responded, "Yes they went a head. Brind you look, very nice." she finished in an understatement.

His ears turned scarlet, "Thank you. So do you."

Edmund acted obviously to the entire situation and continued on toward the Throne Room. As he walked past them he gave a dramatic roll of his eyes and started down the staircase.

As Peter had said, the guests were limited to only a few couple dozen. Mr. and Mrs. Beaver were there, Mr. Tumnus as well as a few other friends Brind and Kendra had made since their arrival. It was a very personal party but grandly decorated. Silver and gold lined the tables and candles whose flames seemed to dance with the soft music played by a few fauns in the corner of the room.

Lucy and Kendra were speaking with Mr. Tumnus giggling away already. Peter was speaking with Orieus at his throne, while Edmund Brind and Susan moved amongst the small crowd to mingle. After a few minutes Peter stood up, signaling for the music to die down. When everyone had turned to face him he cleared his throat and spoke,

"I wanted to thank everyone who has joined us this evening. I also wanted to say how sorry I am, I know recently I haven't exactly been the most ideal person to converse with. I have treated our new friends poorly, they don't deserve it." he looked to Brind and Kendra in the crowd. "Enough about me though, all of this is for Brind and Kendra. We welcome you to Narnia."

At this everyone applauded those closet to Brind and Kendra embraced them in hugs or hand shakes. Susan took a step or two back as Brind was slowly being pushed in her direction. Ducking out of the crowd she moved for the thrones, Peter smiled wearily at her as she approached.

"You don't look exactly happy." she commented coming up beside him. "Was all of that an act, just now?"

"Not now Su."

"It was then?" Susan scoffed, "Goodness Peter, when will you stop all of the lies?"

The music had started back up again and with all of the chatter it would be hard for anyone to over hear the conversation of theirs.

Peter took several deep breaths, a method to calm himself so he wouldn't raise his voice in front of the guests.

"How exactly was I lying to them? I meant every word."

"Wasn't exactly heartfelt was it Peter?" Susan said in a harsh whisper.

"I don't know what else you want from me? I apologized and put this all together in order to properly welcome them both and here you are setting me up as the bad guy once again." Peter said trying not draw too much attention to themselves.

"All you have managed to do Peter is save you own image." Susan said coldly.

Perhaps she was being to critically harsh on Peter for everything. The look of defeat and almost shame that he suddenly made Susan feel a stab of guilt in her side. She turned her head away watching the guest on the dance floor. Lucy and Kendra were dancing on and off with Mr. Tumnus, at one point he danced with both at the same time allowing them to twirl under each of his arms.

Susan stood there contemplating apologizing to her brother for her own behavior. He remained at her side his head turned toward the dance floor too, but she was ready to guess that he wasn't really paying attention to the guests instead lost in his own thoughts like she. And just as Susan made a move to turn to Peter Brind's voice broke her concentration.

"Excuse me, I was wondering if her majesty the Queen would like to dance?"

Susan blinked and starred at him dumbfounded for a second. She gave a quick look to Peter who ignored Brind's presence. Her eyes narrowed on Peter for a moment at his inability to acknowledge Brind for even a second. Softening her face she looked back to Brind and walked down the steps to where he stood.

"Of course I would."

They walked side by side out to the dance floor and with hesitance Brind reached out and took Susan's hand placing his other hand at her waist. Swallowing his nerves they began to sway back and forth with the music. He avoided starring into her eyes at first but they gravitated their way over. When they met he smiled at her trying not blush.

"I had no idea you knew how to dance Brind." Susan said gently, as they glided across the floor.

"Yeah, Lucy came in earlier to teach me. I guess I'm a fast learner."

Susan chuckled, "So you can learn to waltz and sword fight, but archery is out of your expertise? I suppose I'm not a good teacher."

"No, it's not that. You are a wonderful teacher."

She laughed again, "I was joking Brind."

"Oh, right." he replied with a nervous laugh. "You look very beautiful tonight you majesty."

"I thought I told you to just call me Susan."

"Right sorry your majesty." Brind made a face catching his mistake, "That was the last one I promise."

After a few moments of gliding past a giddy Lucy and a not so happy looking Kendra, Susan remembered the locket. The gift she so treasured that was given to her by Brind.

Brind noticed a suddenly change in Susan's expression and slowed down in his steps. Her eyes were unfocused looking over his shoulder at nothing as they turned. They came to halt and Brind took his hand off from Susan's waist but she would not release the grip on his hand.

"Is something wrong?"

Susan's eyes refocused on Brind. "That locket Kendra wears, she said you gave it to her? Did you?"

Brind blinked surprised at the topic. He wasn't sure what to expect when he asked her the question, but he was sure it wouldn't have had to do with Kendra or the locket. Trying not to look too alarmed he down played it the best her could.

"I did." he replied simply.

"Was it a gift for her birthday?" Susan continued.

"No. Why are you asking me this?"

"I thought that maybe you and—"

She didn't need to finish her sentence. Susan wasn't interested in just the locket, she wanted to know if he and Kendra had some sort of relationship beyond what he had described. It was absurd to him but the laugh caught in his throat seeing that she was genuinely anxious for him to speak.

"No, of course not. I found it and thought she might like it. It would look rather silly for me to wear it around. Kendra is my friend, and I think of her like a sister. Are you threatened by her?" Brind asked raising an eyebrow.

"No." Susan said all too quickly. "After all there is no reason to be."

Brind felt his face twitch a little as it automatically frowned. Susan did not this as her attention was focused on the ground. Susan was relieved to hear Brind confirm this. It was nonsense for her to be so concerned. She smiled earnestly at Brind and led him back out to the dance floor. He forced himself to smile back.

"You're really getting the hang of dancing." Susan said trying to move onto another topic. She didn't mean to come off so short and rude to Brind, and she did not wish to back track and apologize. While she should have, something in Susan kept her from doing it.

"Thank you."

"Lucy must be a good teacher." Susan muttered. They came to a stop as the song ended and a faster one began. Brind gave a sharp nod and let go of Susan's hands taking a step back away from her.

He wished he hadn't had asked if Susan felt threatened by Kendra. It was out of place of him to do so. With a bow he turned to leave her side. As he did, an arrow flew past his shoulder hitting one of the melons on food table behind him. The guests let out surprised shrieks, and panic rose as several Calormene soldiers stormed into the throne two more entering from the windows with help of grapple hooks.

Peter began shouting commands and Susan and Edmund had run off presumably to grab their weapons. Brind's head whipped around in search of Kendra, he found her huddled next to Queen Lucy off in the corner of the room behind the thrones.

"Kendra!" Brind called out racing for her. One of the soldiers reached him first locking his arm around Brind's neck and yanking him back.

"Brind no!" Kendra sobbed. She broke from Lucy's grasp and ran out with the intention of helping Brind.

A few of the centaurs and fauns who were attending the ball attempted to hold of the Calormene soldiers, withdrawing swords and daggers. But the one Calormene with the bow had the upper hand. He started to take out those who resisted one by one.

The soldier that had Brind took out his dagger and held it to Brind, he grinned evilly at Kendra as she approached. The smile was suddenly wiped from the soldier's face, replaced by shock. His grip loosened and the soldier slumped to the floor a green arrow with red feathers sticking from his back.

Susan had returned with her brothers, weapons in hand. Peter and Edmund charged into battle with the remaining Calormene. Brind tried to smile at Susan but he couldn't, not at this time. Kendra flung her arms around Brind's waist.

"Kendra." he said holding her tight to him.

Another Calormene approached yanking Kendra from Brind's grip with ease, the soldier back handed Brind and held a firm grip on Kendra's arm. She cried out in pain and terror. She was being led from the throne room.

There were only three left now including the one who was wrestling with whatever Kendra was protecting in her hands. Susan's head jerked around and she fired an arrow at her captor hitting him in the shoulder. He jerked back and only picked Kendra up and fled the Throne Room his two companions following.

"Where's Lucy?" Peter looked around not seeing her, "Lu!"

"Peter!" Lucy came out and dived into Peter's open arms, he let out a relieved breath glad to see that she was all right. He hugged her back.

"Causalities?" Peter asked looking up at Edmund.

"Four." he replied heavily glancing at the dead fauns amongst the bodies of the Calormene soldiers.

"Peter, they took Kendra!" Brind sputtered ignoring the painful sting of his cheek. He and Susan ran over. She looked to Peter wondering what his response would be. He said that he was going to turn Kendra and Brind over to them should they come.

Peter starred at Brind and Susan for a moment, his eyes lingering on Susan. Gently, he pushed Lucy away from him. "Ed, Su, Oreius and myself will go to the stables and pursue them. Brind stay here with Lucy."

While had hoped to avoid a war it seemed that it was now impossible. This sudden attack could not go unnoticed. Not to mention they made off with Kendra. The look Peter had seen in Brind's eye was something he couldn't stand, it bore so much sadness and worry. He imagined losing Lucy or any of his siblings like that.

He saw the shock and approval in Susan's eyes before she turned and began to make her way to the stable with Edmund. Peter turned to Lucy and hugged her once more.

"Lu, stay here with Brind and help those who have been wounded. We'll be back. I'll bring Kendra back. I promise." he said to Brind.

"Be careful." Lucy said.

"Peter." Brind spoke quietly his voice shaking, "Thank you."

Lucy slipped her hand into Brind's and held it reassuringly. Peter nodded

Peter jogged out of the Throne Room and headed to the stable. There, Susan and Edmund waited on top of horses with one prepared for him. He mounted the horse and looked at his brother and sister.

"Peter, I wanted to—" Susan began, but Peter shook his and cut her off.

"Not now Su. When we get back. Right now we have to save Kendra."

Oreius opened the stable doors, Peter gave two sharp kicks with the heels of feet into the horse's side and they were off speeding toward the Calormene following the tracks of their horses in the soft ground. They rode fast in pursuit of them, and it wasn't long until they could see and hear the hoof beats on the ground in front of them.

Peter shouted for Susan and Oreius to take the left side while he and Edmund rode up on the right. He heard a cry of pain and a thud; Susan must have shot one of the soldier's off his horse. Peter pushed and pushed for his horse to go faster and eventually he had worked his way up to the side of one of the Calormene soldier who held Kendra on his horse on the front of his saddle. He glanced over and withdrew his scimitar still managing to hold onto the rein with the other hand. Kendra seemed to be unconscious.

Peter ducked from the horizontal slash of the sword. He fell back glancing over his shoulder seeing that the other Calormene was nowhere to be found. Whether he escaped or Susan took care of him was anyone's guess. Peter turned his attention back to the front and swerved out of the way of a tree as they had entered the wood now. The Calormene zigzagged through the trees trying to lose Peter, but he would not give up on saving Kendra. He made a promise to Brind. And as Susan had said, Peter was not about to break his promise.

He could hear Edmund's horse not too far behind. Peter urged his horse to go faster he was almost neck and neck with the soldier now. When Peter did get back up beside the soldier, another attempt to take of his head was made. He ducked again this time though Peter grabbed the Calormene's arm throwing him off balance.

"Let go!" the Calormene shouted.

"Not a chance!" Peter replied.

Peter tugged on the Calormene's arm causing him to fall so off balance that he slid from his horse's saddle. Before he could move to release the soldier's arm though, Peter felt a hand wrap around his wrist. The ground rushed up at Peter and he was pulled from his horse.

"Peter!" He heard Edmund shout out, the next second everything went black and sound slipped away.