Author's note: What do you guys think? I still don't own Narnia, sadly.
"Over here!" I called, waiting for him to come into view.
When he did, he walked over to where Caspian and I were located, wrapped a secure arm around my waist, and smiled at the King in front of me, who was too submerged in his own thoughts to even smile back.
"What're you two doing out here?"
"We were discussing an important matter," Caspian replied in a cold monotone.
"She just became a lady of the court and you're already dragging her into Narnian politics? Good man, Caspian!" Edmund joked, nudging me. I laughed, trying to lighten the mood around us.
"Heh, yes," Caspian stuttered.
"Well, if you wouldn't mind, I need to steal Christina away from you for the moment. The ball is about to end and I would like to share my last dance with her," Edmund said, pulling me away smoothly.
"So what was that about?"
"It was nothing. He was just asking when you and I were going to get married," I giggled, poking his nose.
"How about right now?" Edmund winked as he twirled me around and pulled me close to begin the dance. A bright smile lit up my face and I couldn't help but nuzzle closer as we danced in slow circles.
"Christina Montgomery, will you marry me?" Edmund asked.
He kept a straight face, but there was a twinkle of humor in his eyes. I kissed his cheek and nodded my head, keeping a smile off my face as well. "Edmund Pevensie, I would love nothing more than to marry you!"
He laughed and spun me around.
"So, how did Caspian look to you?" he whispered in my ear.
"He was acting really terribly and I have no idea why. He kept pushing the idea of marriage to me. Like he wanted me to be married off quickly so I was completely out of his way."
Edmund rolled his eyes as we finished dancing and bowed to one another.
"You obviously don't know boys very well."
"What makes you say that?"
"It's not you he wants out of the way," he replied.
"Then who? Peter? Because he's an awful lot of competition!"
"No, me, crazy!"
I couldn't help but laugh at his last statement. "Edmund, you're sixteen. Caspian's what….twenty one? There's no way he's jealous of you! He's got everything you've got!" He just threw his arm over my shoulder and led me to a table as the people in the room began to slowly disperse.
"Everything I have. Except you."
"How many times do I have to tell you? He doesn't want me! He wants Susan, look."
I gestured towards the refreshments table, where Susan and Caspian stood, talking and laughing with one another. "Maybe he's just settling for her, because he can't have you." Edmund then stood up, took my hand, and began to lead me towards the door that led to the grand staircase.
"And why can't he have me?" I raised both my eyebrows.
"Because…" he paused and looked behind him. Then he looked back at me, squeezed my hand and leaned just a little closer. "You're mine."
"Edmund, Christina! Did you two have a nice time?" Susan's voice rang out.
She and Caspian had been following us out of the great hall and into the foyer. A light blush painted my cheeks as I realized that Susan and Caspian had heard what Edmund had said.
"Yes, I was quite impressed with the Telmarine musicians," Edmund said, nodding at Caspian.
"They are remarkable, aren't they?" Caspian chuckled.
"What about you, Christina? Did you enjoy yourself?"
"Oh yes! It was incredible."
"And might I say, your dancing was impressive!" Edmund teased.
I playfully pushed him. "I had a great teacher!"
Susan laughed; her voice was like church bells ringing. It was beautiful. It made me squirm with jealousy. I would never be Susan. I would never be perfect. I would never be what Caspian wanted.
The four of us walked together, engaging in small talk and joking, all the way up to the corridor that all our rooms were located in. Edmund placed his hand on the small of my back and guided me to my door.
I was about to invite him into my room to talk and "chill" out when Susan called out, "Edmund, may I speak with you for a moment?"
"Someone's in trouble," I whispered, biting my lip to keep from laughing.
"In a minute, Susan, I must first bid adieu to my lovely maiden," Edmund wailed; he was obviously being sarcastic and dramatic. I laughed at his antics as he got to one knee in front of me, taking my hand and kissing it.
"Goodnight, dear Christina."
"Goodnight, Edmund."
I pulled him up, hugged him tightly, and then pushed him in the direction of his sister. Susan bid Caspian and I both goodnight, smiling. Edmund said goodnight to Caspian as he was walking away. Then, Susan's bedroom door closed and I was left alone in the hallway with Caspian.
"He seems to really love you," Caspian breathed.
At first I thought I imagined it.
"You two are very lucky."
I looked at him as he took a step towards me, probably preparing to say goodnight so he could get away from this awkward conversation.
"You already said that, you know," I informed him quietly.
"My apologies," he murmured.
"Caspian, you've been acting out of sorts all evening, are you sure you're feeling well? It's beginning to worry me a bit," I told him, seriously tempted to put my hand against his forehead and see if he had a fever. I restrained myself.
"I'm confused, Christina."
I furrowed my eyebrows. Why would he be telling me this?
"About what?"
"How can you fall so quickly in love?"
Surprise overcame me as I stumbled back, never in a million years would I have expected that kind of response when I asked a king why he was confused.
"Pardon me?"
"I'm sorry, I overstepped my boundaries," he rushed, going to leave.
"No, no you didn't. I was just caught off-guard by that question, that's all. You don't have to go," I blabbered, unsure of how to get him to stay. "I uh…I don't really know how to answer that question…"
"May I come in for a moment?" he asked, motioning to the door.
"Sure," I agreed, opening the door and standing aside so he could enter the room.
After I was in my room as well, I closed the door and sat on the bed. Caspian grabbed the chair that faced the fire and turned it around to face the bed, then he sat down and looked me straight in the eyes.
"I am sorry I was acting so oddly this evening. I don't know what it was that came over me."
I smiled. "There's no need to apologize! I just wanted to make sure you were ok."
Before either of us could continue the conversation there was a knock on the door. I hopped up and answered it. There stood Ari and a strange man that was dressed in what looked like a servants' clothing.
"Lady Christina, my dearest apologies for disturbing you, but I am in search of King Caspian, have you perhaps seen him?" the man asked. Ari looked slightly flustered and in a hurry, but she stood by silently while the man spoke.
"I'm here, Nevin; Lady Christina and I were just discussing her first order of business as a Lady of the Court. Is someone in need of me?"
"The Great Lion Aslan requests your presence, sir."
"As he does yours, milady," Arianna told me, both of them bowing before they scurried off.
"Come on, then." Caspian muttered, grabbing my hand and pulling me through the corridors.
When we reached the final stair in the grand foyer, a deep, calming voice met our ears. "King Caspian?" Both our heads turned to see the great lion moving in our direction. I bowed my head.
"Aslan," he greeted quietly.
"The Telmarines are growing weary. There is talk of rebelling. We need to expel any chance of the people rising up against you and the court," the lion said.
"How?"
"Tomorrow, we will meet in the center of the village. Every Narnian and Telmarine, alike, will be required to attend. There you will tell them of their choice between staying in Telmar and living in peace with the Narnians, or going back to the land of their forefathers."
"The Telmarines haven't left our country in centuries."
"This does not concern Telmar. I am talking about an island. Your ancestors were pirates, and while they were sailing, they found an island, the island that transported them here."
"But where did they come from? Originally?" Caspian demanded.
Aslan nodded his head toward me.
"My world? Earth? Did they come from earth?" I wondered.
He nodded his head, looking back at Caspian. "I trust you can arrange the gathering?" He nodded his head, still trying to comprehend what he had been told. "It will be done, my king," he answered quietly.
"Very good. And Now, my dear child, you and I shall take a turn about the gardens," Aslan told me.
I cast a fleeting glance at Caspian before I followed the lion outdoors and into the moonlit garden. "You still question why you are here, child?" I nodded my head vigorously, anxiously awaiting his explanation.
"That is for you to discover in your own time."
"Alsan please, not even a hint?"
"Not even a hint, my dear."
I sighed as we rounded another rose bush and the entrance of the castle came back into sight. "You still have a question." Yet again, it was a statement, not a question. "Aslan, of all the people you could've picked to bring here, why me? I'm just….Christina. Nothing special."
"You are something special. You have talent beyond explanation, and possibilities that amaze even me."
"Really?" I asked incredulously.
"Yes, my dear. Now, I believe it is time you got some sleep. King Caspian is still in the great foyer, if you need a guide back to your chambers," he stated, winking at me as he sauntered away slowly.
"Thank you, Aslan," I whispered, darting back into the castle to catch Caspian before he disappeared, leaving me alone to fend for myself in this giant castle.
"That went fairly quick," the King commented as I fell instep beside him.
"I basically abandoned him so I could come find you."
He glanced over at me.
"Oh," I chuckled, realizing how creepy that sounded, "I just knew that, without a guide, I'd get lost in this giant castle. Then I'd be forced to curl up into the fetal position on the floor and just lay there, sucking my thumb, until someone found me."
His booming laughter almost made me scream.
It seemed so loud in the silent castle.
"Well, I am glad that you caught me," he choked out between his laughs.
I rolled my eyes and lifted my skirts as we jogged up a spiral staircase, then trudged down a familiar corridor. At the end, we turned left, and there was the hallway which housed all the royals' rooms, as well as my own.
"Goodnight, Christina. Be sure to get up early tomorrow morning, the gathering starts at nine exactly," Caspian whispered, taking hold of my hand and kissing it.
"Goodnight, Caspian," I breathed, closing my door and leaning my back against it.
Oh Caspian….