Author's Note: A very Happy New Year to you all! May success and happiness rain down on all of you!

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

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Your Majesty,

I am having a splendid time in Narnia.

I do not want to

The kings and queens

I hope you are in good health and are having no problems in governing Liriope what with all the rebellions going on. I am well too and am having a most gratifying stay here in Narnia. The kings and queens are more than kind and have assured that I have all that I need. I heard news that Lady Sinclara was ill with an unknown disease new in these parts. I hope and pray she will be well soon and that her infection will not spread over to you, in our hour of need. My handmaiden, Sadeh, had informed me that you yourself have been plagued with severe headaches and cough. It pains me greatly to be away from you when you most need my support. I know you will not be happy by these words as you were most delighted by my request to arrange a visit to Narnia for…

Isabela angrily crumbled up the paper and threw it across the room. It buffeted over the wall and fell to the floor. Just another letter she had filled with lies and hidden secrets. Her circular handwriting stared at her from across the room. Why could she not tell everybody the truth? Why?

Part of the letter had been true. The kings and queens had been most kind and understanding. Perhaps they were already aware of Isabela's discomfort. Lucy had been the friendliest, her sweet manner often taking Isabela away from her disheartening thoughts. Edmund, with his funny comments and jokes, had also offered her companionship on more than one occasion. His drama lightened her mood greatly.

Queen Susan had been gracious and forthcoming for which she was known amongst many lands.

And Peter…..he had been aloof and indifferent, seldom talking to her and usually answering his sibling's questions with a distracted nod. That was fine with Isabela. She was used to it by now anyways.

A knock on the door interrupted her plain of thinking. At first she did not answer. But the person was persistent and soon enough a voice accompanied the knocking.

'Lia?'

She jumped, alarmed.

'King Edmund?' she called out suspiciously.

'Of course it's me! Who else? Open this door!' he grumbled. Isabela could not refrain from rolling her eyes. She opened the door, smiling slightly.

'How may I help you, Your Majesty?'

'Su's calling us to dinner. She told me to tell you to please hurry up.'

Isabela nodded and stepped out. Edmund closed the door behind her, motioning for her to walk on.

'May I ask if you are enjoying your stay, my lady?'

'It is most pleasant, King Edmund. Cair Paravel is a beautiful palace. I could not imagine a more attractive place.'

Edmund shook his head, nodding attentively.

'Indeed.' He said finally. 'Cair Paravel is admired by many.'

'Praising your own abode, my king?' Isabela asked mockingly. Edmund stopped, glancing at her wickedly.

'So you're not a walking zombie after all!' he said dramatically, holding his chest.

'I was afraid lest you are a dead ghost risen to haunt us, my beautiful Lia!'

Isabela laughed, she could not help herself. And the sound echoed around the hall. Edmund laughed too as they entered the dining room set with delicate paintings of Narnia in different seasons; summer, spring, autumn and winter. The steaming food made Isabela's stomach hunger for it.

As they began the dinner Isabela felt someone watching her. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that the snow falling down in the winter Narnia swirled around a blond haired figure on a sled pulled by two roaring polar bears. The woman was blurred and unclear but her sly expression was visible. Isabela could not help the shiver that spread through her.

She turned back only to meet Peter's raised eyebrows and attentive eyes. He caught her eye and turned away something mirroring anger and disgust spreading over his face. Isabela did not speak, her eyes never leaving her plate.

Lucy stared unhappily around the table. No one was speaking. Edmund had wisely decided to stay quiet and Susan respected Peter's wish for silence enough to not make any comments. She noticed Peter turning away from Isabela, detecting slight hints of bewildered hurt in the young girl's eyes.

Irritated and feeling annoyed she thought, must I do everything? She turned to Isabela, her mind racing.

'I trust you are enjoying your visit,' she paused hesitatingly. 'Do you mind if I call you Lia?'

'Not at all, Queen Lucy.' She replied softly. Lucy smiled brightly.

'Just Lucy.'

'Lucy.' Isabela repeated, fingering the delicious chicken nugget on her plate thoughtfully. Realizing that the entire table was awaiting her answer, she said 'Yes, yes I am….Lucy.'

Lucy beamed, pushing her hair back continuing her aimless chatter. Soon Susan joined in, talking openly. Edmund would make his occasional jokes and the mood lightened greatly. Only Peter stayed silent. Presently Lucy noticed that though Isabela had lost her guard she answered only to the point not bothering to explain her simple statements.

Peter got up, his cloak sweeping over the marble floor.

'Where are you going?' Susan asked standing up as well.

'Unlike some people who have no place to rule, I as High King of Narnia have work to do.' His voice was cold and his tone meant to insult. He glared at Isabela who stared back defiantly. Lucy could have killed herself.

Isabela opened her mouth to retort, her eyes burning with fury, Peter stalked away not bothering to listen to Susan's calls.

'Lia, please don't-' Lucy said as she heard the push of a chair.

'My Lady, please excuse me. I do not feel well enough. Thank you for your great hospitality.'

'It was a pleasure, Lady Isabela.' Susan offered. 'Shall I send for some tea?'

'No, thank you.' Isabela said lightly, forcing a smile that she felt would break her face. She walked away, pausing before the snowy picture only for a second.

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Isabela sank into the soft coverlets of her seven poster bed, her cool, simple nightgown flowing loosely around her. She punched her pillow angrily, letting loose her bottled up emotions. Why me? She thought miserably. Silently she wondered where Sadeh was? With her calm, soothing nature? Somehow she felt that the tension between Peter and her was not going to loosen up soon.

His words had stung her terribly. Liriope...Liriope..Lost..Destroyed..Destructed…

Dane, Ginerva dead…..Lorien, James….gone. Her home destroyed… And Peter thought she was responsible for that? She was glad that it had happened? Unlike some people who have no place to rule…. She had given up the throne for the wish of her people. For their betterment. She buried her nails in her palm, so deep that she could see blood forming. With a scream of pain she wrenched her hand free.

'I hate him.' She thought angrily, a lone tear sliding down her face. 'I hate him.'

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Susan rubbed her forehead, stepping through the corridor leading to Peter's room. Her cheeks were flushed and her breathing hard. She stopped before the light mahogany doors leading to Peter's room. She knocked softly, hesitating briefly.

'Go away, Ed! Or whoever you are.' Peter's voice floated to her ears.

'Peter!' she called. 'Peter. May I come in?'

'No Su.' He mumbled, his voice thick. Susan sighed. To her all her siblings were young children, Peter, Lucy, Edmund….All of them. Peter with his childish tantrums and stubbornness. Edmund with his love of pranks and jokes. And Lucy with her faith and blind love which she gave to all.

She pushed open the doors, stepping inside and briskly pulling the long, velvet curtains flowing down the window covering the entire window of Peter's room. Peter lay in his magnificent bed with golden and crimson covers. The canopy was attached to the roof with long light gold and scarlet red fabric flowing down to the four corners of his bed.

His hair was tousled badly and he was lying in the clothes he had worn the last night.

'Su!' he grumbled. Susan placed her hands on her hips, a frown on her beautiful face.

'Peter Pevensie-' she began.

'It is High King Peter the Magnificent, Lord of Cair Paravel, Emperor of Lone Island, Knight of the Most Noble Order-'

'Alright, I get it!' Susan interrupted. 'Honestly you are so annoying.'

Peter grinned up at her.

'That is my job, My Beautiful Royal Sister.'

'Well I fire you. Get up. Now.' She ordered. 'It's nearly 8. You've slept in.'

'Slept in?' Peter muttered. 'It's bloody 8 in the morning!'

She glared at him.

'I'm giving you ten minutes to report to the dining hall for breakfast, understand?'

'Report?' Peter repeated. 'What are you a commander general?'

'I said do you understand?'

'Oh he understands Su.' Edmund muttered grumpily from the doorway. 'What he and I and probably the entire world don't understand is how you were crowned Queen Susan the Gentle? Why not Queen Susan the Aggressive, Lady of Getting Up Early, Empress of the Art of Torturing Her Royal Brothers?'

Peter laughed.

'Ha. Ha. Not funny.' Susan replied crossly.

'I never said it was funny.' Edmund retorted. Susan shot him the mother of all glares. She marched out of Peter's room.

'Oh and Peter, I have to talk to you about something. Something about your lack of tact and understanding whose level I find disgusting.'

Peter sighed, his face darkening. It was going to be a long day.'

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Heidi screamed in pain and fell in a heap to the floor. Vladimar glanced at her blankly.

'You deserve this.'

'Please, stop! Stop!' she cried out again, her veins on fire. 'I beg you.'

'No.' A fresh wave of pain and agony swept over her. She screamed wildly, her hair sticking to her face. Tears pooled out of her eyes, waves upon waves of them. Vladimar seemed to enjoy her pain. He seemed to drink in her fear and shrill screams.

'You failed. Why?' Pain.

'I-I-I…I'm sorry.'

'I don't find your pathetic sorry helpful.' More pain.

'I'll do anything.'

Vladimar smiled terrifyingly. Heidi saw blood dripping from his fangs. He pushed the hair out of her face.

'I know you will, Heidi. I know you will. And this time you won't fail. Or…..' Pain erupted within her like a violent volcano.

'You get the idea.'

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I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I liked its beginning because I love it when a story starts with a letter or a special document. Anyways… Once again a very happy new year. Read and review!

A. L. Potter