Disclaimer: I do not own the Chronicles of Narnia. They belong to C. S. Lewis.

Author's Note: Finally. I apologize for taking so long to update but now my exams are over. So look in for more updates!

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'Peter Pevensie.' Susan whispered angrily, her tone on the rise. Peter sighed. 'I was appalled to be a witness to your latest conduct. It is difficult for me to believe that you could so easily forget yourself and your position. I was simply distressed to see you lack of sensitivity and half human emotions, to hear such words from you were simply horrendous. Your actions are inexcusable! I demand that you apologize to Isabela at once!'

'Why should I?' Peter asked, folding his arms. He cringed at he heard the distant roar of Aslan. Aslan. He expected more of me

'Peter! She is a guest and more importantly she lost her beloved brothers and sister-in-law. The least you can do is to be more sympathetic! You should show her hospitality not hostility.' Susan whispered ferociously. To the watchers it would seem funny to see the Gentle Queen scolding her elder brother, the High King of Narnia, who was much, much taller than her and who now had the expression of a deer caught by car headlights. She continued.

'When I heard your words I felt you had lost all good sense. Did you learn nothing about diplomacy and humane behavior?'

Peter did not reply. If Susan was angry it was best to lie low for a while until her temper had cooled. He stared down at her, looking for any opportunity or excuse to run away.

'And just so you know, the Republic begged Isabela to ascend to the throne but she abdicated in favor of King Ashkan out of pure respect for him. I was simply horrified. Simply amazed and aghast. I was horror struck and astonished to see that my teachings had no effect on you. What would Aslan have said?'

There it was. The phrase Peter had been dreading for the entire lecture.

'Susan, you do not have to taunt me about this. As a sister, you should have shown some understanding.'

'You're one to talk.' She scoffed. Peter glanced at her, expressionless. 'Oh, fine! Go and kill yourself. And see if I care!'

She moved past him, throwing him a hurt glare on the way out of the lone hall. She stopped beside the doorway, glancing at him intently for a moment. Then she shook her head and her dark head disappeared behind the doorway. Peter shivered as he felt a sudden chill and was suddenly glad that Susan was not here to see him.

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'Peter?' Edmund called, banging his hand against the doorway. He yelped as a bolt of pain. Dear Aslan, he thought, what mess have I got myself into now?

He pounded the door with his throbbing fist, throwing a tantrum outside Peter's bedroom knowing that Peter would open up. He knew Peter would.

'Go away, Ed!'

'No!' Edmund said stubbornly, folding up his arms. 'Thank you but I don't prefer Susan's lectures over your obstinacy.'

'Do you even know the meaning of the word obstinacy?' Peter's gruff voice floated to him. Edmund sighed dramatically.

'Alas! You, dear, beloved, most precious brother of mine, leave me at the mercy of our vicious and volcano like sister. I, Edmund the Just, King of Narnia, Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Table, Count of Western March and Duke of Lantern waste, shall gladly lay down my life for my brother, Peter the Magnificent, High King of Narnia, Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Lion, Count of Northern March in front of the fury of our sister, Susan the Vicious, Unfortunately Queen of Narnia, Wicked Witch of Cair Paravel-'

The door burst open with a cracking noise and Edmund saw Peter's pale, weary face in the dim, barely visible light of a lamp. He fought with a smirk that threatened to burst on his full lips and felt true pity for his brother.

'What do you want, Ed?' Peter asked grumpily, running a hand through his golden hair. Edmund marched inside Peter's bedroom, glancing around. 'ED!'

Edmund held up his hands as if accepting defeat. He spoke in a low voice.

'I just came to make sure you are alright. After Susan's harsh lecture.'

'I'm alright.' Peter muttered thickly. Edmund sat down, crossing his hands behind his head.

'Well of you are alright, I suppose I might as well go to sleep.'

Peter shot him a furious glare.

'Did Su send you to guard me or to spy on me?'

Edmund grinned, waving a hand carelessly. His shock of dark hair fell into his fair forehead.

'Maybe both.'

'Not maybe, surely.'

'Of course, brother.' Edmund became solemn and serious suddenly. 'Are you truly alright?'

Peter did not answer for a long time and Edmund seriously thought that his brother had went to sleep, standing up.

'I am alright, I suppose but…' he continued bitterly. 'I am ashamed. Aslan thought more of me. You thought more of me.'

Edmund was quiet; his face filled with sympathy for Peter whose forlorn look made him quite unhappy. Peter sat down heavily on his huge bed, his head in his hands.

'How could I? Even I could not believe myself!'

'It is good that you feel sorry and regretful for your actions, Peter.' Edmund told him. 'But moping around won't do you any good. You should know that. What is done is done. Don't dwell on it, dwell on how you will repair your mistakes. That is what is important, Peter. Don't forget that.'

'What should I do?'

'Apologize to Isabela. You hurt her terribly. '

Peter's face was masked with acid bitterness and a anger that seemed to be directed not at Isabela but at his fate.

'Yes. Let us all make Isabela feel well. She was hurt terribly.' He said sarcastically. His face was emotionless. Edmund stared at him in disbelief.

'Yes! Peter….You can't escape her. She is going to be your wife. And that is final. Whatever you do you cannot change that. Accept it Peter! For Aslan's sake and for Susan's sanity try to mend the rift between you and Isabela. Know that she is your future and you cannot change that. Even magnificence has to bow down to the hand of destiny sometimes.'

He stood up, glancing at Peter with an impassive face.

'Put yourself in her position and maybe you will understand. And remember Peter that time favors no one. Not you, not me, no one.'

He walked swiftly out of the room, shutting the door behind him with a sorrowful look on his face.

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Isabela looked at the full moon towering over the luscious gardens of Cair Paravel, her eyes swollen, her face paler than death. The moon stood against the dramatic backdrop of the inky black night. No star was visible and the night was darkest night of the winter. A cold wind blew ruthlessly across the lawn.

Isabela shivered, feeling a chill to her bone. Her loose nightgown rippled across her thin figure looking like a billowing ghost. She did not want to go inside. Her eyes ached with the bitter tears. And at that moment she hated Peter, she hated the world and most of all she hated herself.

She coughed hollowly. The voice echoing across the empty, void gardens which loomed into forever. No one was in sight. But the cries of the wild animals floated to her through the thick canopies. She stared into the night, barely seeing her surroundings. Her vision was edged with thick black and she felt cold. So cold. In her misery she barely heard the footsteps which led up to the misty grass she was sitting on. The figure was shadowy and blended easily into its surroundings. It crept up on her, steadily and stealthily.

Something draped on Isabela's almost bare shoulders. A thick cloak of pure velvet, black as night, and soft as a kitten's fur. She glanced up and met Peter's impassive face.

'You should not sit out on a winter night. You can get ill.' He told her monotonously. Isabela tossed her locks back , hurt pride triggering fury within her.

'Not that it would hurt you, would it?' She laughed spitefully. She did not even make sense to herself. 'You would be happy if I were to get ill would you not, my king, after all what does a person like me who ahs no place to rule cannot be worried upon by the Magnificent King.'

Peter did not answer but his face was blank and unreadable.

'I am not saying it for my benefit but for you own good.'

Isabela ignored him, trying to block out the cold from her ears. Again Peter gently pulled the hood over her head. She snatched herself away.

'Lady Isabela, please return with all haste to your room. It is a harsh night and not one to be out in.'

'I can take care of myself.' She replied coldly, her tone icy.

'Of course you can, princess.' He said mockingly. And in that moment Isabela wanted to hurt him as much as he had hurt her. Her wounded pride must have shown on her face for Peter turned away, his expression blending it into the darkness. For a long time none of them said anything.

'You should go in.' Peter told her finally, his tone uncompromising.

'So should you.' She retorted. Peter laughed without humor.

'I can take care of myself.'

'Of course you can, my king.' She replied sharply. Peter stared at her momentarily not comprehending her words. No one had ever spoken to him in the way she did. He was the High King, not a constable boy. He snapped at her.

'Go inside, Lady Isabela. I think the death of the bride only a few weeks before the wedding might mar the occasion.'

'I won't die of cold' Isabela replied haughtily. Peter laughed darkly.

'I was not talking about the cold.' He said briefly. 'Good night, my lady.'

Isabela stared at his retreating back, numb with fear and apprehension. This was going to be a long night….

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'I would say it did not go well.' Edmund leaned against the painted wall, a smirk playing on his lips. Peter glared angrily at him.

'Go away, Ed. I am not in the mood to forgive.' He growled, his voice threatening.

'I can see that.' Edmund replied calmly. 'Very clearly. After your charming conversation with the beautiful Isabela. Susan would have killed you if she had been here.'

'EDMUND!'

Edmund smiled sadly, his head bowed.

'It is a pity Peter that you and Isabela are so stubborn and proud. You could have shared a great love if only you had been more compromising.'

'I was compromising. She was not.'

Edmund raised a delicate eyebrow.

'Oh really? Both of you weren't. I would not forgive you either. If I were her. You two are perfect for each other. You keep each other in check. In a way you were always meant for each other. She is a competition for you.'

Peter ignored his annoying brother.

'Your advice did not work Edmund. I am firing you. Go away.'

'That's because you did not follow my advice.' Edmund tittered lightly. 'If only you had.'

'Stop with the poetry, Edmund. I tried. I truly tried. But it was her pride which angered me.'

'And I am sure your arrogance would have angered her. It is only fair.'

Peter stared off at his bed, his thoughts far away from the present. If only you knew Ed. If only…..

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I am sorry for taking so long but I had my exams and I had to study. I completed this just an hour ago, only for you all. Keep the reviews coming guys, they really encourage me to keep going!

A. L Potter.