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

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It was the breathless second before dawn broke over the horizon. The golden rays touched lightly upon every single thing in its view, lighting it up. And within its path stood a magnificent lion, its mane glistening brightly. It was an extraordinary sight. She stood silent and motionless watching the lion carefully. Suddenly it gave a frightening roar, which echoed to the deepest valley and the most hollow cave in the world. Alarmed birds chirped loftily and flew overhead. The lion turned and stared directly at her. It's eyes were like pools of gold, deep and swirling and cloaked in a fine rich honey colour. For some reason the lion reminded her of someone she knew. But who? They were so alike…..

It looked at her blankly as if surveying her. She started trembling.

'Do not be afraid of me, Daughter of Eve. I shall not hurt you. Isabela…. You must do what you know is right. Your desires deceive you. Be careful and vary of everything you want. It is what is best for you….. And most importantly of all, you must believe in Peter.'

'Peter?' she questioned. Peter…..Peter….. She knew him.

'Yes. You must stand firmly by him, be his shadow always and forever. Correct him when he is wrong and support him when he is right.'

The lion turned away without continuing. His face was grave and solemn. She called out.

'Wait! Who…' she hesitated. 'Who are you?'

The lion parted his mouth in what seemed to be a slight smile.

'I am…Aslan.'

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Peter rubbed his temples, his fingers lightly massaging his forehead through his shockingly ash-gold hair. He leaned back up against the high walls, absently staring around him. Fauns, centaurs and other creatures wove around him, casting at him worried frowns. Orieus went by, trotting on his four hooves, studying intently a scroll. He glanced up, narrowing his eyes.

'My lord?' Peter glanced up, trying to focus his blurry vision.

'Yes?' he asked, weaving back his rich cloak. Orieus had a wry smile on his face.

'Queen Susan requests your presence in the study. She says it is most urgent. '

'Very well. I shall join her shortly.'

'She said you must join her instantly not shortly.'

'Alright.' Peter grumbled. 'I am going.'

He walked through the large, complicated halls until he reached the elegantly designed study with its wallpapers stretching over the landscape of Narnia. It was a beautiful view showing the town centre with its exquisitely carved buildings. Susan had put her heart in designing it. Lamps were placed on the walls, lamps from Queen Swanwhite's reign. They glowed gently like stars floating over the scene of Narnia.

Susan was sitting at a large mahogany desk. She glanced up, her curls illuminated by the light.

'Peter…good you are here.' She said presently. 'I asked Lucy and Edmund to fetch Isabela. And try to act polite.'

It was as if by magic that the door opened and his two siblings walked in followed by Isabela. She glanced briefly at Peter before sitting next to Lucy who squealed like a little pixie when she saw the list Susan handed to her, smiling.

'I am glad somebody's enjoying herself.'

Peter had a hard look on his face, strained and impassive as he looked over the list. Susan's neat handwriting wove up to him. Wedding: Themes, ribbons, glitter, balloons, flowers, spray, chairs, invitations, paints, dresses…. Reception: Themes, painted lanterns, chairs, dresses….'

'Why two dresses?' Edmund asked pointedly. Susan rolled her eyes. 'And what with the themes?'

Susan snatched the paper from his, smoothing out the wrinkles.

'It means,' she began with forced emphasis. 'What colour should the wedding and reception be centred around? I thought maybe Peter and Lia would have something to offer.'

The room was quiet and every eye turned on either Peter or Isabela. Lucy cleared her throat trying to loosen the tension.

'Maybe red?'

'It's too bright.' Peter muttered. Isabela nodded, tucking a stray lock behind her ear. Lucy smiled, pleased.

'How about yellow?' Edmund asked. Susan threw a pillow straight at his face.

'Not yellow. Maybe gold and white.' Isabela said smiling. Peter nodded.

'It's fine with me.'

Edmund tried to control his smirk.

'Golden and white. It's perfect for…..' He was silenced by the horribly frightful glare Susan sent his way.

'Alright. It means everything has to revolve around the colours of gold and white. Except maybe the dresses. I want you all to look through the invitations I thought best. The top hundred.'

'Hundred?' Peter asked horrified. 'A hundred?'

'Yes.' She signalled to a faun and he walked in straining under the heavy weight of the invitations bag. Edmund jumped to his feet taking the bag from him.

'Oof!' He scrambled to his feet. 'So many?'

Peter got up.

'Su. I appreciate your efforts to make sure the wedding is to my taste but I prefer the simplest things. Whatever you like.'

'But-' Susan said. She was cut off as he walked away. She sighed, meeting Edmund eyes. 'I think it best if we all go to bed. We're all tired.'

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Susan hurried down the hallway, her skirt flying behind her. In her haste she crashed into Mr. Tumnus who too stumbled to the ground.

'Oh my! Oh my!' he muttered, brushing his fur. 'Are you alright, my queen.'

She took is outstretched hand and got to her feet, gathering the cards she was carrying.

'Yes. Yes. I am alright. I am very sorry.'

Mr. Tumnus bowed his head sorrowfully.

'Oh no. It is I who is sorry, my queen. Shall I accompany you to your destination?'

Susan laughed, waving her slender, white hand. She nodded and began walking to Lucy's chambers followed by Mr. Tumnus who scurried behind her. She knocked on Lucy's high doors, carved especially for her by the beavers of Narnia for their beloved young queen.

Lucy opened the door and Susan did know whether to laugh or frown at her sleepy face and messed up hair. The resembled between her, Edmund and Peter was uncanny especially in the morning.

'Come in, Su.' She mumbled yawning widely. 'Lia's already here.'

Susan entered and saw Isabela's long, dark locks near the window where she was curled up, like a kitten, her face buried in the soft cushions. Susan could not help the pang of envy through her. The young girl was beautiful in a special way which left the world feeling out. Her ringlets illuminated by the rising sun appeared coppery brown and stood out against her white almost ice like face. She appeared to be around sixteen and with a shock Susan realized how little she was. She could not be older than eighteen. Such a young girl…..

She went over and shook her gently.

'Lia. Wake up.' Isabela yawned stretching out her long form.

'Good Morning, Queen Susan…'

'Just Su. And good morning to you as well.'

Isabela jumped to her feet, yanking her fingers through her long hair.

'You called for me?'

'Yes. I wanted you to try on the dress designs and the material.'

'Oh.'

Susan signalled to a youthful female centaur, Naomi. She trotted over, her curls cascading over her bronzed shoulders.

'Yes, madam. The dressmaker is here. Shall I call her in?'

Susan nodded and glanced at the invitation card she was carrying in her hand. Hesitating only slightly, she handed the card to Isabela. She looked over at Lucy and frowning saw she was asleep again.

'I chose this for the wedding.'

'Susan….it is beautiful.' She breathed fingering it lightly. 'You have such a flattering choice.'

Heat flooded Susan's cheeks. She stared at her hands as Isabela tenderly touched the card. It was hand painted by the fauns headed by Mr. Tumnus. The background was a light shade of pale white with the borders made from gold and bronze threads edged with small black designs. In the background there was a painted of Cair Paravel. And on it was written.

The Royal Monarchs, crowned by the Great Lion, Aslan, of the Empire of Narnia including the Northern and Western Marches, the Lone Islands and Lantern Waste,

Request the pleasure of your company at the wedding ceremony of

High King Peter of Narnia

And

Princess Isabela Petrova of Liriope

On: 4th February

At: 8 p.m.

At: The Great Hall, Cair Paravel.

The reception card was equally attractive. It was in gold, with exquisite black square blocks filled with inky designs. It said:

The Kings and Queens of the land of Narnia request the pleasure of your presence at the reception of

High King Peter of Narnia and Princess Isabela Petrova of Liriope

On: 4th February At: 9 p.m. At: The Royal Gardens

Susan glanced up as the dressmaker came inside followed by Naomi. She was an old faun, aged and hale but her bright eyes merry. She chuckled as she saw Isabela.

'My, my, what a beautiful girl you are! You and the High King shall make an excellent, dashing couple.'

Isabela looked away, colour flushing her pale cheeks. The dress maker circled Isabela eyeing her thoughtfully. She shifted from one foot to another, uncomfortable. She straightened up.

'I think I know what will flatter your figure the most. I shall make a dress that all shall remember for ages.'

'Okay.' Isabela said shakily, frightened by the faun's look. She exchanged a glance with Susan who had a frown on her stunning face.

'Very well. You may go now.'

The dress maker nodded and walked slowly out followed closely by Naomi. Susan glanced thoughtfully at Isabela.

'Lia. I thought that for the reception you might want a dress made by the natives of Liriope. It was….uh….suggested by my brother that you may want a traditional Liriope dress for the reception. We shall not mind nor shall the Narnians feel offended.'

Isabela was touched by Susan's simple words.

'I…..Thank you, my lady.'

'Susan.'

Susan wanted to say something else that much was clear and she glanced between the sleeping Lucy and Isabela. Clearing her throat she stepped forward.

'Lia, I wanted to apologize for my brother's harsh words. He did not mean to say so. But he himself was much burdened and depressed by the news of his arranged marriage. He told me he had apologized but I did not believe him and so…..'

Isabela's face hardened ever so slightly. She swallowed.

'Susan?' Susan looked at her intently. 'Tell me honestly, why did King Peter agree to marry me? He was not forced. He proposed on his own will. Why?'

'He was told to do so by a close friend, one who means a lot to all of us and whose opinion is regarded as law.'

'Who is he?'

Susan laughed somewhat strangely.

'Who is he? He is somebody extraordinary. I cannot express him with my words. They fall short of his description.'

It sounded eerily close to the lion in her dream. Isabela could not have described him with even a million words.

'Is his name Aslan?' she asked uncertainly. Susan started, glancing at her, her eyes narrowed.

'How? What? Why?' she stuttered. 'How did you know?'

'I….I….. He came to me in my dream.' She was worried that Susan would think her mad but the attractive queen only laughed delightedly.

'Yes….He often does that.'

There was silence, and then Susan said presently.

'I have some work to do. Feel free to do whatever you like, Lia. This is your home now.'

Isabela nodded trying to smile but her mouth ached from forcing herself and she only managed a half hearted wave.

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Lucy stood shading her head from the direct sunlight. She held up her hand and saw her eldest brother making his way to her.

'What are you up to, Lu?' he asked, his blond hair tousled shining with glistening motes.

'Nothing.' She said, smiling mischievously. 'I was thinking Peter-'

'You think?' Peter teased her. Lucy laughed the sound ringing around the foyer. She made to hit him but he edged away as swift as a cat.

'Peter!' she grumbled. Peter laughed, his eyes bright under his shock of light hair.

'Alright! Alright!'

'I was thinking that the Narnian New Year is just next week. It would be fun to celebrate it widely as we did last year and invite some royals from other countries. Lia would enjoy herself too. I am sure.'

Peter's smile disappeared, vanishing as if only a long lost person, a mere ghost.

'Lia, again.' He said bitterly. 'Its all about what Lia thinks right?'

'Peter…..don't say that.' Lucy whispered shocked. 'I only said that because she is my friend too,'

'But I am your brother.'

'Oh Peter.' She reached up and rubbed his arm soothingly. 'I want all of us to be happy. Lia's a part of this family too, now.'

'The wedding is after the celebrations.'

'Oh but I mean what I just said.'

'Yes. I know that very well. After all it is I who is marrying her.'

'You say that as if it were a bad thing.'

'Oh no, it isn't.' he said sarcastically. Lucy stared at him, her eyes pleading.

'Peter, think about what you are saying! Don't you realize that maybe she is feeling the same way? She too is being forced into marriage. And alongside that she lost her entire family. Can you imagine that? Losing me, Su and Ed and then being forced to marry?'

'She agreed on her own free will. I did not tie her up and force her to agree to marry me.'

'No but I feel that Aslan came to her too. I overheard her talking to Susan about it.'

'Really?' Peter asked.

'Yes. Please. Try to make her feel welcome. You are her husband after all.'

Peter stared at her.

'I'll try Lucy. For you, for you only.'

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Ioda clapped her hands with excitement and waved them around like a young, merry child. Her eyes were brighter than ever, two shining stars glistening in the night.

'My lady!' she gushed. 'How considerate the High King is!'

'Queen Susan said only her brother, she did not say specifically.' Sadeh corrected her with her silent demeanour, watching from the corner as she touched lightly Isabela's wardrobe which was only a quarter filled. Ioda did not let it go to her heart. She practically danced around.

'My lady, oh, my lady! How sweet! How charming of him!'

Isabela did not know whether to laugh or groan or to bang her head in the nearest wall. The last thought was very tempting. Ioda paused in mid air and glanced at Isabela.

'But what will you wear?'

'Clothes, of course!' Sadeh exclaimed in her lilting accent. Ioda threw a pillow at her.

'I know that!' she protested.

'Oh? You knew? What a surprise!' Sadeh said dryly. Isabela rolled her eyes.

'Stop it.' She ordered. 'I'm getting a headache.'

'But…..' she was bewildered. 'What will you wear?'

'As Sadeh said clothes.'

Ioda huffed.

'Who will make your dress?'

'My lady Isabela, my kinswoman who is a native of a village in the mountains of Liriope, can make your dress. She is blind but her work is beyond the world. She can weave magic with her fingers. Allow me to ask her to make your dress. Please, my lady!'

'Very well, Sadeh. Whatever you wish.'

'And I shall make your hair style, my lady! Only me!' Ioda said, not to be outdone.

'Alright, Ioda. Whatever you wish.' Isabela said mechanically, barely realizing what they were saying. My wedding, she repeated. I am getting married.

Ioda put her hands on her petite hips.

'My lady, do you know what we are talking about?'

'Of course, Sadeh. Whatever you wish.'

'I'm not Sadeh!' Ioda objected, throwing her hands up. 'I am Ioda!'

'I am sorry, Ioda. But I have a lot on my mind.' Isabela said blankly. 'Please let me rest for a short while. I am tired.'

'But, my lady, it is 10 a.m.!' Ioda told her. Sadeh did not speak. She stared keenly at Isabela, her eyes pitying.

'Ioda.'

'But-I-I-Oh! I shall leave you to rest, my lady.' She bowed her head and pulled the curtains back shutting out the warm sunlight. Talking lowly with Sadeh she exited the room, shutting the door behind her. Isabela fell back on her bed. She felt cold. She felt numb. The room suddenly devoid of the warm sunlight seemed colder than ice. She had never felt this lonely.

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Hmm… I finished this just after the last chapter was posted but I had to wait for a long time to update this chapter.

A. L. Potter