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

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'Did anyone see the silvery moon with its slanting rays and the glittering stars last night at around midnight?' Edmund smirked slyly. 'I'm sure our newly wedded couple must have enjoyed such a bright night. A night fit for-'

Susan glared at him with an expression befitting a furious tiger defending her cubs and her eyes flashed dangerously. But Edmund was not one to be silenced by his elder sister's venomous looks.

'So, Peter, Lia.' Edmund leaned forwards, his expression mischievous and slightly malicious. 'Did you two have an entertaining night?'

If it hadn't been for Susan and Lucy who thumped both Peter and Isabela over the back several times, they would have either died from severe choking or from extreme embarrassment.

Isabela's cheeks felt as if they were on blazing, hot fire and she feverishly drowned goblet after goblet of water until Lucy put a gentle, restraining hand on her arm, smiling lopsidedly. Susan threw a ferocious glare at Edmund who half sank under the table. Peter however was composed enough to retort and he replied innocently.

'Well, Ed, I have to say the tableaux prepared by the Narnians for the reception were beautifully portrayed. I enjoyed them very much. Rarely have I seen so much grace. It was the only entertaining thing last night.' Peter paused thoughtfully. 'And you know what, Ed? I seem to recall that Orieus mentioned specifically that yesterday was a new moon not a silvery moon as you suggest.'

Edmund scoffed trying to redirect Peter's attention.

'Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder.'

'Don't live in a fool's paradise.' Peter shot back.

'Live and let live.' Edmund said, in his dramatic ways.

'Life is not a bed of roses.'

'It is better to shut up when you are having a conversation that is both foolish and highly stupid.' Susan said loudly, banging her spoon against the soup plate.

'I don't remember anyone saying that.'

'That's because she made it up herself, Edmund, you idiot!' Peter hit him over the head.

'Ouch! Since when did Su start teaching the subject of corporal punishment?'

'Corporal punishment is practiced in schools, Ed.' Susan sighed. 'Not castles and palaces or in a household.'

'Yes, Miss. I-Know-Everything.' Edmund mimicked Susan's voice perfectly. 'Remember they are dignitaries that is spelled d-i-g-n-i-t-a-r-i-s.'

'Wrong, as usual.' Susan said. 'Dignitaries also has an 'e' in it.'

'See what I'm talking about?' Edmund asked Isabela, setting his head on the table. 'This is the torture I am forced to go through everyday.'

'I can't say that you don't deserve it.' Isabela said dryly. Edmund mock gasped.

'You have hurt me, my lady. You have broken, no, cracked, no, shattered my heart!'

There was the sound of hooves in the doorway and soon Orieus appeared carrying with him a large number of scrolls. He had a frown on his wise face.

'My kings and queens, you must make haste and come to the Great Hall. Something grave has happened.'

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'My lord, they…they came from the east, they…..they killed my children, they abducted my young daughter…I beg you, my king… Please…. My daughter...' the man choked off, his voice muffled by the large tears that ran down his sunken cheeks.

He was young, that much Isabela, studying him from beside Peter's throne, could tell by looking at his tall, thin figure. But he seemed above fifty with his bruised eyes and bitten, gaunt skin which looked like crumbled paper.

She glanced again at her husband frightened by the intensity in his eyes. His face was covered completely with a blatant mask of white fury but he kept calm and collected, his eyes, blue as the seas flowing alongside were blank and calculating and he nodded once, briefly.

'Very well. I shall see to it immediately. Now you must go and rest.' He said not unkindly.

The man gave a scream of anguish but then stared at Peter with eyes full of hope. Thank you, thank you…. My king….'

Peter did not answer but instead signalled to Mr. Tumnus to take the man away who kept babbling and muttering about the giants.

Peter sighed and rubbed his temples soothingly before turning to his siblings who were sitting on their respective thrones.

'What do you think?'

'I believe we should investigate properly into this matter.' Susan said at once, always the voice of logic and reason. 'Something is not right. We received no threat of rebels neither insurgents nor do we have any rivals or enemies. I deem it necessary to study this controversy thoroughly before taking any action.'

'But Su-' Lucy's voice was incredulous. 'These people obviously knew what they were doing. I mean attacking the very boundary of both Narnia and Archenland. Most obviously they were prepared to enrage both us and King Lune. We have to do something.'

'No.' Edmund said sharply and all eyes turned to him. 'I think Susan's right. We do not have any knowledge of these invaders. We do not know where they came from. If they have come because their own land was conquered then we are indeed facing a severe threat because then those people would be willing to fight till death now as they have now where to go back. We do not know if they are creatures or humans or-' he threw a glance towards the doors where the man had disappeared from. 'Or giants.'

Peter nodded.

'I agree with Edmund. We have to learn more about these invaders. Besides the village attacked was more towards the Archelander side than ours. Thus we do not have much to worry about. Yet. What do you think Isabela?'

Isabela glanced up, her delicate eyebrows shooting up in alarm and surprise but she replied calmly.

'I believe that what you are saying is correct but,' she hesitated. 'There were Narnians present there if not many and so you should send some search party to scan the area and find out the relevant information.'

Peter nodded slowly and glanced around at his siblings for any other proposal or disagreement. There was none.

'Very well.' He stood up, brushing his tunic and glanced at Orieus who stood at attention nearby. 'Orieus, prepare a search party of our best spies and warriors and give them the best equipment that we have. King Edmund and I shall come shortly to the courtyard.'

'Yes, my liege.' Orieus galloped off, his hooves thudding against the marble floors.

'And so it begins again.' Edmund noted, leaning against a pillar. 'Aslan help us all.'

'He will.' Lucy said confidently, her eyes bright. 'I know he will. I have complete faith in him.'

Isabela saw Peter glancing almost blankly at the open balcony, his eyes intent and thoughtful. He met her green eyes and without a word walked off, his steps lithe and smooth followed by Edmund who waved at Lucy.

Susan sighed, touching her curls lightly.

'May Aslan be with us.'

Isabela did not reply.

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'It's beautiful, Lucy.'

Lucy laughed loftily and held up the rose coronet she was weaving with her hands and placed it gently on Isabela's head. It looked ravishing, the blood red of the roses against Isabela's night black hair and pale skin.

'Where is Susan?' Isabela asked, glancing around and noting that the Gentle Queen was not present there.

'Probably in her room, after all, the handsome prince is coming.' Lucy grinned wickedly. Isabela stared at her.

'Who is coming?' she repeated Lucy's words, dazed. Noticing her expression Lucy giggled.

'Prince Rabadash, Susan's darling, of course!'

Isabela nearly choked on her goblet of orange juice prepared by the dryads for her. That was the second time this day.

'Prince Rabadash?' she asked horrified and disgusted. 'Prince Rabadash is the handsome prince?'

Lucy looked at her curiously and nodded and then a voice issued from behind Isabela.

'Don't worry, Lia. I feel the same way about him.' Edmund said wearily. Isabela could not help but notice the dark bags which had blossomed under his coffee-colour eyes, the same as those beneath Peter's sea blue eyes.

'Oh. Can I disappear from the castle when he comes?'

Edmund chuckled but Lucy looked at her disapprovingly.

'You're the High Queen. You have to be present.'

'We'll be present for dinner.' Edmund promised winking at Isabela. 'Right now, we have some important duty in the Western Wood. It is up to you to find out what. Come, Lia!'

Lucy mock huffed but waved to them, smiling brightly.

Edmund led her to the pasture behind the castle, open and wide and running for several kilometres. There were around millions of horses grazing there and neighing loudly. Then one opened its mouth and bowing said.

'Good morning, my king and my queen.'

'Talking horses.' Edmund mouthed to the gaping young woman beside him. 'And a good morning to you, Anora.'

Another horse trotted up, shaking his mane and patting Edmund's head affectionately.

'Come on Philip, old boy. Do you know how to ride a horse?' he asked Isabela.

'No.' she said sarcastically. 'Of course not. How could I?'

Edmund rolled his eyes and sprung gracefully up on Philip, extending his hand to her.

'You can ride Anora. I'm sure she will be pleased to accompany you.'

Anora beamed and leaned forwards eagerly.

'My lady.' She bowed low to assist Isabela in climbing onto her back. Isabela did so, fingering Anora's mane gently.

They rode off, flying with the wind; it brushed tenderly against their cheeks. Isabela laughed the sound ringing around the castle. Edmund led her through the thick forest until they reached a clear cliff with the shade of three, four trees singing and dancing in the breeze. Finally they skidded to a pause and Edmund gestured for her to alight, putting a finger on his lips. Isabela complied.

They kneeled near the foot of the fruit trees glancing around. Isabela finally understood why they were here when she caught sight of the Calormen party moving through the trail beneath. Edmund jumped to his feet catching a small orange and aiming in carefully at the party. Before Isabela could have stopped him, she saw horrified the orange hitting the pompous Rabadash in the head.

He gave a scream of outrage and yelled like a child in tantrum. One of his cousins, riding alongside him looked around but another orange hit him squarely in the face. Isabela laughed and Rabadash's face shot up, in astonishment and anger.

Both she and Edmund ducked and Rabadash screamed with extreme fury, stamping his horse on the sides before the party moved along, supporting the unhappy, dark prince.

Isabela felt her sides ache from laughing and Edmund roared along with her. Soon after Philip trotted up to them, neighing disapprovingly.

'I just received a message from the High King ordering you to come back. He is not happy. Not happy at all.'

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'Prince Rabadash.' Peter greeted coolly, his expression proud but gracious, his tone was to charm. 'Welcome to Cair Paravel.'

'Thank you, my king.' Here Rabadash bowed his voice nasal. 'I am most obliged to be able to visit your beautiful home again.'

Peter nodded, inclining his head in a quick bird-like movement.

'Let me introduce you to my royal sisters, Queen Lucy and Queen Susan.'

Prince Rabadash moved forwards, taking Lucy's hand in his and kissing it lightly.

'You must be the vivacious, valiant, warrior Queen of Narnia, Her Highness Lucy.'

'That would be correct.' She said, smiling slightly before stepping next to Peter and Rabadash turned to the smiling Susan.

'And of course you must be the Queen Susan, famed for her beauty, kindness, diplomacy and compassion. Anyone would be unable to recognize you for few can even rise up to the extreme level of your beauty.'

Colour tinged Susan's white cheeks which bloomed beautifully.

'Thank you, Your Highness. I welcome you to Cair Paravel with the hope that you enjoy your stay.'

'Thank you, Madame.' He said in his Calormen accent and everybody but Peter did not notice the fact that he gad not addressed her as a queen, so charmed were they by him.

He clenched his fists and maintained a cool expression for his sister's sake. Out of the corner of his eyes he noticed Edmund making his way to the thrones with Isabela on his arm.

As they got closer Edmund leaned down and whispered something to Isabela that made her smile and Peter shot them a quizzical glance, barely tilting his head.

Rabadash's thick eyebrows shot up in surprise and his friend beside him blurted out.

'You let your wife wander around with your brother?'

Edmund's face did not turn white with anger but he did turn his full glower on the man who had spoken, his expression cold. Peter spoke icily, his voice dripping with venom.

'My brother, King Edmund, is closer to me than any person can possibly be, we are one and he is a close friend and a brother to the High Queen. I am glad that my family shares such a close relationship with Isabela, most grateful to them for being a family to her.'

The young man stuttered into silence and Rabadash shot him an annoyed glance and gave an irritated twitch of his hands.

'I beg your pardon, High King Peter but my friend suffers from occasional bouts of insaneness.' He offered.

Peter smiled tightly and extending his arm gently towards Isabela who glanced up at him before taking it gingerly. Peter did not even look at her but simply gestured to a nearby faun to prepare a meal for the guests.

'Please.' He said. 'Join us for lunch.'

Susan nodded graciously, holding up her skirts as she moved to the kitchens. As they accompanied Rabadash and his party to the Dining Room Peter whispered lightly to Isabela.

'I hope you did not take to heart Prince Rabadash's companion's words.'

She smiled teasingly.

'Are you jealous, my lord?'

A faint smile flitted over Peter's stunning features and he laughed.

'Me? Absolutely not.'

'Why is it that I don't believe you, my king?' She asked him as he pulled back a chair for her.

'Perhaps because of your stubbornness?' Peter offered mockingly before sitting down at the head of the table with a grinning Edmund at his side.

'By the way where were you Ed?' Lucy asked, grasping her long gold dress around her. Edmund gulped down the water from the goblet he was holding in one stroke, coughing. Peter and Rabadash turned to look at him.

'I was around Lucy, in the castle.' He added. Prince Rabadash sat up as if reminded of something.

'Which reminds me, this afternoon I was attacked and my party ravaged by a horrid siege of flying oranges. Or was it pomegranates?'

Isabela met Peter's eyes and tried to fight back the smile forming on her face but he saw it and shaking his head, he turned to Rabadash.

'Well, Prince Rabadash I am certain King Edmund will deal with the flying oranges that dare to attack you.'

'Yes! Yes!' Edmund said grinning from ear to ear and failing to appear solemn. 'They will most certainly be punished. Those tiny little, unloving things that dare to attack such a big, huge prince.'

Susan shot him one of her famous glares and he shut his mouth.

'I think we should hold a ball in accordance with Prince Rabadash's arrival. Don't you think so?' she turned to Lucy and Isabela.

'Yes, Su, do so!' Lucy said excitedly. Isabela nodded half heartedly already wearied of balls and parties.

'Thank you, my queen. But I do not want you to ruin your perfect hands and feet in preparations for a ball.'

'She won't.' Edmund promised. Susan glowered at him furiously, smashing her foot against his knee. 'On second thought she might.'

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Wind whipped ferociously against her, causing her hair to alight and dance wildly to the shrieking of the wind. She could see nothing…. Feel nothing… Where was she? Where was everybody else? There was nobody, nobody there. She ran around, clawing against the wind, fighting fluttering nothingness in her fierce desire to see somebody, anybody.

She should not have spoken and as she turned around, feeling a large presence over her, she paled. Vladimar glanced down at her with some spirits waving around him. Ghosts. Bloodied, bruised ghosts. And she recognized them but one of them was missing, Lorien. They were all there. Father, mother, Dane, Ginerva and…

'JAMES!' she cried out, clutching at her throat.

'Isabela!' Somebody was shaking her, buffeting her like the wind had and then there was light. Peter's anxious, frowning face was above her, his eyes worried.

'Are you alright, Isabela?' he asked, patting her back soothingly. He had years of experience with Lucy's nightmare. 'It's alright. You are alright now, Lia. Go to sleep. You will truly get ill now. And then who will I fight with?'

He inquired his expression flowing from anxiety to amusement to worry and she hot him. He glanced at her astonished.

'Why did you hit me?' he asked surprised.

'Because you deserved it Peter Pevensie!'

'I did?' he asked. 'I can see you are fine now.'

'Of course, I'm fine!' she snapped. 'Why wouldn't I be?'

'That's it, I'm going to sleep.'

'Did I stop you?' she asked angrily hitting her head against the pillow.

'No and I wish you a good night, my queen.' He said sarcastically.

'And a good night to you, my king.'

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'Isabela, wake up!' A voice vaguely familiar hissed, shaking her. Isabela mumbled incoherently and buried her face in the pillow.

'Isabela…' the voice threatened. 'Get up now!'

'I don't want to!' Isabela protested yawning like a kitten. Peter growled with frustration.

'Isabela it's important, very, very important.' He said trying to persuade her to get up. She glanced at him in wonder, barely recognizing him, through heavily lidded eyes.

'Go away!' She threw a pillow at him.

'Isabela!'

She did not answer.

'Isabela, get up now or I will throw icy water at you, I promise.'

Isabela jolted out of bed, her long hair in tangles, her eyes wide open with alarm.

'Alright, alright… what?' Grumbling she leaned against the pillow burying her face in it.

'We've just received news from the north and it is anything but good.'

'How about excellent?' Isabela offered. Peter glared at her, his flaming eyes boring into hers and she smiled weakly.

'Bad news?'

'You have no idea. Our scouts were attacked. Now it is war.'

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And so another chapter! Thanks for waiting patiently, all of you! Thanks tons for those encouraging me to write on, it is only because of you that I continue and these reviews help me write on! Keep them coming guys and thanks again for taking out your precious time for them.

Hope you like this chapter! Reviews ( as usual ) please!

A. L. Potter