Disclaimer: I do not own Narnia. C. S. Lewis does.

Chapter 3

Melting Sweetness

Peter scowled, stalking away from the courtyard. Anger reigned over him. How dare they?! The nerve! His sword dangled on his side and he longed to use it towards him.

'Argh! Who does he think he is anyway?' he thought furiously reaching up to tousle his golden hair.

The halls of Cair Paravel were alight with sunshine The large windows let in millions of rays of light The heavy, crimson velvet hanging were pulled back to border the edges of the window. The halls were heavily carpeted with hand embroidered carpets.

Soft pattering of feet signaled his youngest sister's arrival. Lucy smiled at him shaking her head. Her eyes were worried and Peter knew she knew how he felt Peter sighed and fell to the floor, his back against the wall. Lucy gathered up her orange skirts and sat beside him, tucking her feet in gracefully

'Peter, what happened?' she asked softly rubbing his arm. Peter frowned.

'They taunted me……..'

Lucy sighed putting her head on his shoulder.

'What about?'

'Nothing.'

Lucy grinned. 'They taunted you about nothing? What does nothing stand for in this phrase?'

Peter scowled. Lucy spoke gently.

'Peter………What did they do?'

Peter turned crimson as memories flooded back to him. Lucy looked at him expectantly.

'They told me to marry one of you.' He said ashamed and humiliated. Lucy's eyes flashed.

'What did you do?'

'He hit him.'

Peter glanced up to see Edmund standing beside him, wincing slightly. Lucy looked incredulous.

'What?!'

'A bruised eyes, two broken bones and quite a few bruises.'

'Wonderful.' Lucy said sarcastically.

'Thank you.' Edmund shrugged sitting on Peter's other side, looking at him through his dark bangs.

'I was being sarcastic.'

'So was I.'

Lucy sighed in defeat.

'Peter you know perfectly well that this could cause a war to erupt out!'

Peter flinched at her words.

'So I should have let him go on and on about my sisters?' he asked bitterly.

'Is it very hard to walk away?'

Peter stood up glaring at his innocent sister. She didn't know.

Just let it go.' He growled walking away from his siblings. Edmund and Lucy stared after him. Her eyes closed again and she lolled her head to the side o Edmund's shoulder.

Peter walked through the halls until he had no idea where he was going. He shut his eyes trying hard to forget everything that had happened.

'Ouch!' Peter opened his eyes as somebody pushed into him. The air was knocked out of him and for a few seconds he looked around confusedly. Black silk hindered his vision. He steadied himself.

'Will you watch where you are going?!' Peter stared at the girl. She could be much younger than him. Her looks were truly attractive and her features prominent and soft. He soon realized the meaning of her words and this caused him to scowl angrily. Again.

'I did not bump into you; you bumped into me, My Lady.'

'Have your elders never told you not to walk with your eyes closed?' she asked him pointedly hand crossed. Peter stared at her taken aback by her rudeness. Was it possible that she did ot know who he was?

'Excuse me?' he asked huffily, his pride seriously bruised.

'Come to think of it maybe you do not have the five senses…..' she said poking him in the cheek. Peter frowned. Who was this girl anyways?

'My Lady, do you not know who I am?'

'No I think you must be some stable boy or maybe a field hand.' She said loftily, tossing her head. His jaw dropped open.

'Who are you?!' he asked rudely. The girl smiled waving a finger at him.

'Manners, good sir, manners….'

'Do you know who I am?'

'No, who?'

'I am the High King of Narnia.' He announced, smirking. He imagined she would fall into a curtsy or apologize or even cry. She did neither. On the contrary she was smiling even more brightly.

'Oh good! I got to meet you before the meeting.'

Peter stared at her. They were standing in the same place of the hall. The sunlight was slightly less in quantity.

'At least you are young.' She wrinkled her nose. 'I thought you'd be older.'

'Really?' Peter asked sarcastically. 'Who are you?'

'Me?' the girl looked surprised. 'I'm Isabella.'

'Isabella?' Comprehension dawned on him. 'The princess of Liriope?'

Isabella frowned sharply.

'I prefer not to be told that.' She said stiffly, turning away from him. Peter winced.

'It is a pleasure to meet you My Lady.' Peter kissed her pale, soft hand.

'Peter!' Susan's voice rang along the hallway. 'There you are!'

She noticed Isabella and seeing her the latter nodded slightly. Susan let a smile grace her features.

'Princess Isabella!'

'Queen Susan, if it may not offend you I would be honored to be addressed simply as Lia or Ilea or Bella.'

'Why do you have so many names?' she inquired. 'If it is not intruding upon privacy.'

Isabella smiled and shrugged.

'My brothers… Please excuse me, Your Majesties.'

Peter nodded arrogantly while Susan smiled again. After Isabella had turned from the corridor Peter turned to see his sister's vibrant shining eyes.

'I knew it!' she exclaimed. 'I knew you would find someone!'

Peter ignored her and walked off however she caught up to his long strides.

'Come on Peter…..' Susan pleaded, forming a mischievous smile. 'Or I shall tell Edmund!'

Peter stopped in his tracks, his mouth hanging open.

'You wouldn't.' He said horrified.

'Watch me.' Susan ran off. Peter stood stunned, muttering to himself under his breath.

'Women are a man's curse.'

Darkness overwhelmed all else. Shadows danced over the walls, making low taunting hisses which echoed off the high walls like the musical tones of a duet……….. There was not a trace of light as if it was forced out by the evil, the greed, the selfishness. Nothing seemed right.

A small, stout man sat bowing near the corner. His expression was pitiful and his eyes nervous. His breathing was alive with fear.

'Did you get the girl?' a low, raspy voice issued from within the darkness. It sent shivers down the man's spine for he could not see the source of the voice. He hesitated.

'No, My Lord.'

There was silence. This dulcet spell was broken by the menacing voice.

'What did you say?'

'I-- I---It----My----' the man stuttered terror evident in his features.

'You simpering fool!' the voice snarled. 'You low down dumb animal!'

The man dropped his head. He was shaking. His body trembled all over and sweat ran down his forehead, tickling his ears and washing his parched throat.

'My Lord, we could not……….'

'Could not?' It was furious. The tones seemed to magnify a thousand fold. 'Could not, Roiecher?'

The man dropped down.

'My Lord, her brothers they were with her!' he spoke out. The words lolling out of his tongue. 'We dare not attack! After the many rumors….'

The voice spoke unpleasantly, his voice burning with fire.

'You, with your entourage of minotaur, could not take on three teenagers? Answer me!'

The man held up his hands.

'My Lord…………Why do you want her?'

'You ask me why I want her.' The voice repeated incredulously. 'Her? Have you not heard about her skills? About her fierceness?'

The man looked confused, his red face was relieved. The voice went on.

'Did you have nothing to say about her?

'I…….' The man looked uncertain, scared. 'I…Master she is most treasured by her brothers.'

Once again silence reigned.

'Thank you for that most vital piece of information……'

'My Lord?' the man asked. However it went on smoothly, sleekly

'However you know too much for your own good.'

The man was struck dumb.

'I'm afraid you must perish…..but you were marvelously helpful.'

The man stood up, horrified. He took steps back.

'No….no…….my family…..my wife……my daughter…….NO!'

This anguished cry rang across the room. The voice snarled again. It descended towards the cowering man. The inkiness engulfing him. He couldn't breathe. His eyes widened. His mouth opened in a soundless scream. Yet no voice came out. He slumped over as if shot, his red blood spreading over the floor.

'Most helpful,' The voice said coldly. 'Most helpful……….'

'Peter and Isabella sitting on a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G!' Edmund and Lucy collapsed into fits of laughter. Susan tried to bite back giggles but they over ruled. She joined her younger siblings on the floor. Standing nearby, Mr. Tumnus was chuckling. The sun was barely in view now. The great Eastern Sea was ablaze with different shades of red, yellow and orange. Peter groaned kicking back his boots.

'Must you sing this?'

'Uh-huh.' Lucy replied wiping tears of mirth from her eyes. The Valiant Queen was dressed in orange velvet robes and her auburn hair was pulled back from her young face.

'Shall we complete it for you?' Edmund asked breathing with difficulty. 'It isn't hard to remember.'

'NO !' Peter half shouted hastily. 'I-'

A centaur walked in, his hooves clicking.

'Sire, there is an emergency. You must come immediately.'

Their smiles vanished and they leapt up, brushing their clothes. What had happened? Peter ran out of the chambers, his sword dangling. Edmund, Susan and Lucy followed him, their expressions grim.

The court was filled with the council. The room was dark. High chairs lined both sides of the room running parallel to each other. Four thrones sat in the north beckoning to the Kings and Queens. Orieus stood next the double doors, his face serious. Even Reepicheep was disturbed, his face concentrating on who knew what. Several other Narnians were present but Peter's eyes were fixed on his General.

'What has happened?' Lucy asked worry evident in her voice. 'What is it?'

Susan frowned. Her face paled when she heard the next words. Lucy's jaw dropped and Edmund's knuckles turned white.

'Valdale has attacked Liriope. He is aided by the Northern giants.'

To be continued………

Reviews please! How'd you like it? Reviews! Thanks!

L. Potter