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The End Of The Line

Chapter 8

Laceys POV

"Presenting Prince Molak of Calormene!" the herald announced.

I sighed. "Are these men ever going understand I don't wish to marry?" I asked, looking towards my brother.

"Highly doubtful. But cheer up, sister. I won't let any of them near you." Erin replied with a smile.

"I couldn't ask for a better brother." I smiled before looking back at the man approaching.

I tapped her fingers impatiently as the man before us droned on and on about how he wished I would marry him so the two countries could unite as one.

'I would never put my country together with yours. Especially while it's prince is such a stuck-up, flatter-himself prig.' I thought impatiently.

Finally the man stopped talking and looked at me expectantly.

But Erin stood to his feet. "I am sorry, Prince Molak. But the queen is already engaged and cannot accept your proposal." he said.

I nearly fell out of my throne before I remembered where he was going with his speech.

"What?" the prince asked out of shock.

"Yes. She and I are engaged to be married." Erin said.

I had to fight to keep from laughing at the look on the princes face.

"But I thought you were. . . brother and sister!" he blurt out.

"Oh no. It's simply our resemblance that makes people think that." Erin said.

"You mean that I traveled all this way. . . for nothing!" the prince cried.

"As if I would have married you anyway." I thought with disgust.

"Yes, Prince Molak. My apologies." Erin said.

I stood up and placed my hand on Erin's shoulder before looking back at the prince. "We apologize for any inconvenience." I said as sweetly as I could manage.

"You're making him suffer." Erin's whispered.

I tapped my fingers on his shoulder, trying not to grin.

"Could I at least stay one night. It's been a long journey." the prince said dramatically.

Erin looked at me expectantly.

"I suppose one night wouldn't do any harm. Of course." I said to the prince.

Thankfully I caught the grin that crossed his features before he was escorted out.

"You. Are. Sleeping. In. My. Room. Tonight." Erin said once he was gone.

I nodded. "I saw that look. And I remember the last time I got that look." I shivered.

"Do all Calormenes use that same trick? Ask for a night and then sneak into the room of the woman they're after?" Erin said.

"I wouldn't doubt it." I replied.

"Oh well. You'll be in my room so there's no worries. Now come on. LoudWind wanted us to go back to the training grounds for a while." he said.

"Which means I have to go change back into a tunic and breeches. I'll meet you out there." I said.

"And maybe we can have dinner on the beach. It's something we enjoy. . . plus it would be wonderful for effect." he grinned.

"You just want to get under the princes skin." I smiled, shaking my head at him.

"No. I want to show him that he's not get the greatest woman in all of Narnia." he replied.

I snorted. "I'm going to have to watch you and other woman. You're quite the flirt."

"I'm stating the truth."

"Are not."

"Am too."

"Are not."

"Am too."

"Ahem."

Erin and I looked at Loudwind and I found myself blushing.

"Sorry, Loudwind. We'll be out ther momentarily." Erin said, a faint blush on his cheeks as well.

"We'll continue this on the training fields." I said to Erin when Loudwind had walked away.

"Even angry you don't stand a chance." he teased trying his best to tower over me.

I pushed him backwards and rolled my eyes.

"Oh that's it, you're in for it now!" he said pointing at me.

I made a sound akin to an 'EEP' before taking off down the halls, he close behind me. We passed Loudwind in the halls. I raced down the steps doing my best not trip over my skirts. I made it out to the training fields and searched around for a sword, but apparently I stopped too short.

I turned around just in time for Erin to run right into me. He landed with an 'oomph' on top of me and I had the breath taken out of me.

"Get off of me you big git!" I exclaimed.

He put his hand over my mouth. I had the urge to bite his hand but he pointed over and I could see Prince Molak watching.

"Giggle." Erin whispered.

"You have got to be kidding me." I groaned, hiding ultimate displeasure behind a sweet smile.

"Not kidding." Erin replied.

I sighed. "You owe me." I said.

"I owe you? I hate this just as much as you do."

"Yeah but you're the one who chased me then fell on top of me."

"Touche. Alright." I took a deep breathe before managing a giggle.

On the inside I was throwing up and I was sure I would later when I reflected on this. "Save it for the wedding night."

"Awww, you're no fun." he replied.

I could see he was turning a rather green color.

"I know." I said in return. He stood up and reached down to help me up.

I took his hand and once I was up he pulled me into a tight embrace. "Sorry 'bout that." he said.

"It's alright. Is he gone?" I asked.

"No." he replied.

I sighed. "This is going to be a long day." I muttered.

"He's gone! Thank the Lion! He's gone!" I exclaimed the next day at lunch.

Erin chuckled. "I'm guessing you didn't enjoy sleeping in my room."

"Oh don't get me wrong, I enjoy sleeping in your room. I just can't stand it when I have to because of visiting royals."

"Well, Aunt Susan went through the exact same thing. I know dad said Uncle Peter always made her and Aunt Lucy sleep in his room."

"Did they have to go through the act?"

"Oh yes. Many times. Where do you think I got it from. I know one time when Uncle Peter and Aunt Susan were away when a suitor came for Aunt Lucy. Mum went into hiding in their room that day so dad could pose as Aunt Lucys betrothed."

"Good to know we're not the only ones then."

Edmunds POV

"That sounds like quite the tale there, son." I laughed.

"That happened a bunch of times." Erin replied with a sigh.

"And how will did you handle the. . . woman situation?" I asked, holding back the laughter for a moment.

He heaved an even heavier sighed. "None to well. They always snuck into my room." he said.

At this I couldn't help but laugh. He was the spitting image of Peter in this moment.

There was a knock at the door and I stopped laughing.

Erin jumped off the bed and walked over to the door only to have it nearly opened in his face. And who would walk in but Susan.

Erin stumbled backwards, holding his nose. I heard a faint 'ow'.

I sighed. "Come here, son. Let me see." I said.

He climbed back up on the bed and he removed his hand only to show blood.

"That's a bad nose bleed you have there." I sighed grabbing a tissue.

"What, no welcome for me?" Susan said.

"I will once I take care of my son. You know. The one you just ran the edge of the door into causing him to have a nosebleed." I said rather coldly.

And at just the right moment, Alex and Lacey walked in. Alex stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the blood. She then turned to Susan, her eyes deadly.

Well. . . at least I wouldn't have to get onto my sister. But I hoped that Alex wouldn't actually kill her.