Author's Note: This will be from Peter's POV again in this Chapter. I haven't really had much reception for this story, which is a pity, but I'm actually really enjoying just writing it! I would love it if you could drop me a review!

Peter: 20 years old

Ceri (dwen): 18 years old

Lucy: 16 years old

P.S For this chapter, the piece of music I've chosen is "Only the beginning of the Adventure" - Harry Gregson Williams and also "When your mind's made up" from the movie soundtrack of Once.

Disclaimer: None of the characters, locations or names which you recognise belong to me! All honours and the greatest respect to CS Lewis.

Chapter 3

Early next morning, the council meeting took place. The Tisroc, Prince Rabdesh, their various advisors, myself and Lucy all came together in one of the many Council Chambers in the Tisroc's Palace.
"Your Grace" I said as Lucy and I dropped to one knee on the Tisroc's arrival in the chamber.
"Rise" he commanded; "King Peter, Queen Lucy, I welcome you to Tashbaan, though I had hoped it would be in a more festive fashion that we would have our first meeting!"
"Many happy returns on your birthday Your Grace"
"It is not for another week my Queen, but I thank you for your kind words! Now perhaps if you will all be seated, we can get this dreadful meeting over and done with!"
I glanced over at Lucy hoping for her reassurance, but she had taken her seat and was talking quietly with Prince Rabdesh. Despite the circumstances, I smiled to myself. Had my young, rebellious sister finally fallen for someone?
The meeting seemed to go on for ever; there were disagreements, heated tempers and loud voices until finally by around midday an agreement was made.
"So it has been decided then" announced one of the advisors; "a new law will be announced, banning any Narnian from being taken as a slave!"
There were murmurs of agreement from everyone and I sighed with relief. I could leave this dreadful room now, make sure Ceridwen was ok and relax.
Everyone slowly filed out of the room and I joined Lucy and Prince Rabdesh as they walked towards our wing of the Palace.
"If only you could end slavery in Calormen, Rabdesh!" she sighed and I grinned in bemusement at her informal use of his name.
"My father the Tisroc (May He live forever) would never allow it. We gain too much income as a country from slave trading and it would be a terrible loss to our economy if we did ban it!"
"But what do you-"
She was cut short as one of her handmaidens rushed up to her and whispered in her ear.
"Oh thank goodness!" she said, relief flooding her face; "Thank you!"
"What's wrong?" I questioned
"I meant to tell you" she replied sheepishly
"Tell me what?" I growled
"Perhaps I should go" stated the Prince, looking from me to Lucy
"No, please stay Your Highness" I returned; "this won't take long!"
"Ceridwen went missing last night"
"What?"
"We were having a discussion and she got upset, so she ran off and they only just found her this morning!"
"Why didn't you go after her?" I barked
"Because, well because I thought that if I were in her place, I'd just want to be left alone; I wouldn't want anyone bothering me"
"I'm going to see if she's alright" I said softly and bowed to both the Prince and my sister before walking off.
I arrived at my sister's chambers and knocked softly. When no answer came, I pushed the door- handle and walked in, scanning the room before me. What I saw made me stop in my tracks. The filthy, unkempt rag we had saved only yesterday was gone. In her place was a young woman, wearing a simple dress of dark green, with her auburn hair tumbling down her back as she sat on the balcony, gazing out at the view.
"Ceridwen" I said to her and she turned her hazel eyes flashing in the sunlight.
"Hello" she said calmly, rising from the seat she had been perching on.
"Hello" I repeated, feeling suddenly very hot and flustered; "Lucy said- would you care to accompany me on a stroll?"
She nodded briefly and I offered her my arm which she took rather hesitantly. I led her down corridors, until we finally reached the main gardens that were bathed in sunlight.
"Thank goodness we came here in the spring" I chatted; "We wouldn't have been able to enjoy the gardens if it were any warmer."
She didn't reply. Despite her calm demure, her thoughts seemed to be elsewhere, not with me.
"You look lovely" I commented.
"Thank you Your Majesty" she replied, her cheeks turning a pretty pink.
"I don't want to intrude Ceridwen, but Lucy told me you ran off last night. You shouldn't have, you-"
"I needed some time alone" she interrupted; "So much has happened in such little time, that I was finding it very difficult to take everything in!"
"I'm sorry Ceridwen, truly! We never once stopped to think that all this would be overwhelming for you!"
There was a pause; neither of us spoke, we merely continued to walk through the gardens, taking in the sights and smells around us. Finally we reached a fountain, set in a more confined area and Ceridwen sat down, perching on its edge.
I gazed at her as she sat on the fountain, tracing her finger over the water causing ripples to break out over the surface.
"Begging your pardon Your Grace" she said suddenly; "but it seems that you wish to say something"
I hesitated, suddenly at a loss at what to do. The girl in front of me intrigued me to no end, and I was desperately curious to find out more about her.
"You intrigue me Ceridwen" I answered, ignoring for the hundredth time that she insisted on calling me by my title; "Though I should not be, I am curious to find out more about you!"
"It is not the most pleasant of stories"
"And yet here I am, eager to know more!"
She pulled her hand from the water and wiped away the wetness on the fabric of her dress. Standing, she turned away from me and pulled her long hair over her shoulder.
"My father was a poor blacksmith from Archenland." she began; "He had always been intrigued by Narnia, so he travelled there, in the hopes that he would find a better life. Of course, this happened during the reign of the White Witch and he grew so poor, he was near starvation. He found work though, with the White Witch; she seemed to favour him and provided him well with a home and food. By this time though, he had met my mother, a young water naiad and she became pregnant with me. By the time you and your siblings arrived in Narnia, I was eleven years old and my mother was pregnant a second time, with Tara. My father wanted to keep us safe and so he refused to fight for any side. This went unnoticed for quite a time until two years ago, a group of dwarves arrived at our home."
With this she turned to look at me. Bitterness and anger was etched across her face and she was pulling nervously at her skirts.
"What did they do Ceridwen?" I urged.
"They slaughtered my parents" she replied; "They said they were traitors and craven and did not deserve to live. They spared my sister and me, because they said that we were not to blame for the sins of our parents. We were instructed to leave and since then, I have been travelling! I was trying to get to Tashbaan to start a new life, but I was not given the chance!"
I sat down heavily on the fountain's ledge and drew my hand over my face. I looked up at her and saw she was scrutinising me with fire in her eyes. How could I ever help to heal the wounds that had taken refuge in her heart since her childhood? I was a King, sitting in my palace, while she had been made to leave her home and watch her parents being murdered!
"Don't!" she spoke harshly, her voice bitter; "Don't you dare pity me!"
"I'm sorry Ceridwen!"
The calm façade that had covered her face cracked and tears began to slip down her cheeks. Wiping them away quickly, she gave me one last look before rushing back up to the Tisroc's Palace.