A/N: Hello readers! Again, sorry for how late this chapter is; I was out of town for about a week which gave me little time to use my laptop, but I managed to get this done before Christmas, when I'll be quickly unavailable again. However, as it is the holidays, I have a two week vacation, which I will use to try and finish as many chapters as possible!

Chapter 6: Revelry

In no sooner than a dash, both siblings had darted for the High King's desk and started stacking all the papers they had carelessly set aside in their pursuit to discover what Peter had been keeping from them. After setting aside several large leather books, Lucy rushed to the window, and turned to face Edmund, her face struck with horror. "They're heading towards the gate, Ed!"

"I know, I know!" Edmund replied hastily, thrusting uneven pieces of parchment onto the desk.

Lucy was now pacing in place, her hair running through her golden brown locks. "We shouldn't have done this, I shouldn't have agreed to this!" she said. "If Peter ever found out—"

"He's not going to find out!" Edmund reassured, although his trembling body seemed to disagree. The reassurance was useless; Peter and Aldred were out of view now. They were in the castle.

"Never mind the papers, let's just go!" Lucy said, grabbing a handful Edmund's tunic and bolting for the door.

When the two had quietly slipped out of the High King's bedroom, Edmund quickly straightened his shirt and then brushed against the front of Lucy's dress lightly. "If Peter or Susan asks, we were by the dome, you understand?" Edmund said as the two began to walk in sync across the nearly empty hallway. "Just as long as it's in Cair and within the centaurs' sight, I think we're safe. What's wrong?" he added abruptly, as Lucy crossed her delicate arms over her chest.

"I still don't like this," she said, refusing to meet Edmund's glance. "Keeping this from Susan and especially Peter. It just feels…awry."

"Well if it's any help there's something they're not telling us," Edmund pointed out. "So in a way it's equal."

"It's still isn't right, Ed," Lucy said, playfully shoving her older brother. "I mean, who knows? Perhaps they're keeping something from our knowledge for our own good."

"No, still not a good reason," Edmund said stubbornly. "We may be the youngest but we're still monarchs and we still deserve a say in whatever it is they're keeping from us."

Lucy finally sighed, and released her arms from the tight lock she had them in. "I suppose, Ed. I suppose."

"Oh, buck up, Lu," Edmund said, wrapping his arm around his sister's shoulders. "Seeing you upset is like seeing the light die in a doe's eyes just before Peter's about to kill it."

"You're comparing me to a forest animal about to be slaughtered," Lucy said flatly.

"That came out wrong, but you know what I mean," Edmund laughed, tightening his grip. "Everything's going to be alright. You'll –"

But before Edmund could finish, a dainty, slightly taller yet almost identical figure to Lucy's right had glided, or emerged, rather, from around the corner, making Edmund yelp in surprise and Lucy jump startlingly. But it was only Susan, her dark hair woven with lilacs, her dress as shiny as the evening sky and her expression on the other end of threatening.

"Susan! You scared the life out of me!" Lucy complained, clutching her hand to her chest. "What are you doing here?"

"This is the Eastern Wing," Susan said, her face as nonchalant as ever. "My chambers are here, are they not?" she looked around her surroundings briefly before turning back to them. "And I could almost ask you the same question. What are you two doing here? It's almost a ghost town."

"We just came from the dome," Edmund said blankly. "Been spending all day there, we have."

"That's funny," Susan replied, her lips going slightly out of proportion in confusion. "I was at the gardens all day and I didn't see even a speck at the dome. I'd know because they're right next to each other. Or have you forgotten?"

Susan chastising them and acting twice her age was no more than a regular occurrence, but in his seventeen years of existence Edmund found himself without a comeback. And even worse, he found himself without explanation.

"Never you mind," Susan finally said, unfolding her arms. "You two should be down by the South Wing for the banquet. Or have you forgotten that as well?"

"Oh, Aslan," Lucy wailed, burying her head in her hands. "The banquet – I completely slipped my mind – I –"

Susan held up her hand and looked Lucy up and down, examining the causality of her dress compared to the formality of her own. "It's alright, Lu. I've got something I could lend you. Edmund, you go down to the South Wing and meet Peter before he has a heart attack."

o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o

The chatter and laughter that evening had nearly drowned out the music; not that even mattered. Aldred's homecoming had spread like wildfire, and soon, Ladies and Lords of Narnia alike had sprung from their own bases to meet the daring Sir, even if meant travelling far and wide to Cair's seas.

Peter had found himself inseparable from Aldred, and was now laughing in joy while clutching Aldred's shoulder for support. No doubt he had finally agreed to take out the century-old rum Susan had presented to him on his last birthday, and no doubt he had more than one serving.

Susan was graciously surrounded by her ladies maids, chatting merrily with one of the ladies stationed by Narnia's northern borders about effeminate matters Edmund could only wish did not require his presence. This left Lucy, who had given her own ladies maids the rest of the evening off; she wore robes of silky midnight blue, darker than Susan's and perhaps even the night sky. Flowery crown glistening amongst a sea of faces, she glanced at Edmund briefly before returning to a dull conversation she was sharing with a Lord's son no older than himself, who had been eyeing her up and down all evening.

Edmund had spent the evening sneaking as many as three glasses of wine into his system, with two deliberately handed to him by Peter and the other poured by himself. He was unnaturally tired despite the loud surroundings and only wished Peter would finally lift a toast to Aldred so that he could return to his chambers and sleep until early midday.

As if on cue, Peter flung his tunic's cape behind his shoulders and stepped atop a kingly podium placed delicately at the very front of the ballroom, and the laughter and chatter died out slowly. Forcing his eyes open, Peter cleared his throat and smiled upon the onlookers, goblet firmly in hand. "My most gracious Sirs, Lords and Ladies," he said, and almost everybody except Susan, Lucy and himself bowed ever so low, replying with a simultaneous "Magnificent High King."

Peter smiled at the immediate reply, and continued. "You're gracious presences are most valued, and above all, most anticipated. We hope Cair's walls, gardens and seas have been most welcoming to you. But of course, it is not Cair, nor I, that bring you into the very heart of dear Narnia." He turned to Aldred's direction, and motioned for the aging night to step forward. "Narnia's dearest ally, most loyal friend and most daring hero, Sir Aldred Seethwell, my Lords and Ladies, Sir Aldred Seethwell of Narnia."

There was a unanimous uproar, and Edmund, despite his weak state, clapped ever so hard. And that was when Aldred stepped upon the podium next to Peter. "My most gracious Lords and Ladies of Narnia," he said, his voice likened to Peter's. "How very happy I am to see you're healthy, shining faces upon me. But above all, how very grateful I am indeed to gaze upon the faces of Aslan's chosen ones. Dear Lucy," he interjected, gesturing his goblet in Lucy's direction. "How overjoyed I am to see your glistening face day by day for the first time in five years. How you have changed, my child, but for the absolute better. Bless you, child. Bless."

The room clapped and unanimously shouted "Long Live Queen Lucy!" as Lucy did a little curtsy and beamed in Aldred's direction.

Aldred now turned to Edmund. "And Dear Just King," he continued, eyes full of genuine gladness. "How very anticipated I am to hear of your daring tales and adventures that will leave a legacy in dear Narnia. Although it is not your title, from what I hear of your Magnificent Brother and Gentle Sister, your lionheart will serve as inspiration to every soul in the land blessed by the Great Lion."

The crowd now cheered and shouted "Long Live King Edmund!" as Edmund cracked into a nearly teary smile, mouthing "thank you" in Aldred's direction.

And Aldred turned to Susan. "And Dear Queen Susan, the gentle, beautiful flower beneath the desert sky. How blessed I am to gaze upon your divine features for the first time in five years. And even more so to be within your most gracious and most alluring presence. How very blessed I am indeed."

"The crowd now yelled "Long Live Queen Susan!" and Edmund noticed the uneven balance of men and women cheering.

Finally, Aldred turned to Peter. "And King Peter. Dear, dear, Magnificent King Peter. Aslan's chosen one, yet the people as well. How very lucky Narnia is indeed. You lead her into her greatest age yet, I daresay, and I am ever so grateful to be a part of the ardor. Long live the High King!"

"Long Live the High King of Narnia!"

"Long Live King Peter!"

"Long Live his most Magnificent Majesty!"

Peter received the largest uproar, and, unlike Aldred's praise to him, Lucy and Susan, a toast from Cair's hosts; glasses of wine and rum rose in the air as well as hands, and Aldred clapped Peter on the back as he beamed upon the onlookers. Amidst the commotion, Edmund was able to flash a knowing smile at Susan, who was busy clapping her hands, yet she returned the familiar expression.

"It is my honor, my honor indeed," Peter was able to make out. When the crowd had finally died, he lifted his goblet one last time. "For Narnia! And for Aslan!"

"For Aslan!" the crowd repeated; then, in less than a trice, they continued amongst their merry chatter they had been divulged in hours previous.

Edmund paced in Peter's direction and patted his brother's back. "Not as good as last year's when Sir Terran had stopped by for a visit, but laudable nonetheless, brother."

Peter smiled and returned the pat. "Oh, Ed. Always a way with words."

"That was wonderful, Pete!" Lucy had emerged from seemingly nowhere and attacked her older brother with a bone-crushing hug. "You were great!"

"Much better than last year's with Terran," Susan interjected, appearing next to Lucy and placing a delicate hand on Peter's shoulder.

Peter turned from Susan to Edmund in mock disbelief. "Much better then with Terran? Ed seems to disagree. Seems I've started a bit of controversy!"

Susan playfully swatted his shoulder, then hugged him immediately after Lucy pulled away. "You were wonderful, Peter. Really. You deserve to enjoy the rest of the evening."

"He'd deserve to enjoy the rest of the evening anyway," Edmund said. "Been working himself nearly to death this past week. Honestly, Pete. Ease up. This is you're night."

"Aldred's actually, but I'll follow the suggestion," Peter said, ruffling Edmund's hair.

"Well if your majesties will excuse me, I'll heading out now," Susan said, mock curtsying before her siblings. "A nice walk under this starry night will brighten my night. I'll see you three later." She gestured to dainty Cedany, her closest ladies maids, and disappeared behind the banquet room's entrance door.

"I'm not tired at all," Lucy sighed right after Susan had whipped out of sight. "Which is strange, I suppose. It's been a long day."

"A long day?" Peter said confusingly, running a hand through his tawny hair. "What have you done today besides welcome Aldred to Cair?"

"Oh – oh, nothing," Lucy quickly said, pale cheeks turning rosy pink at Edmund's desperate glare. "I haven't been getting enough sleep, that's all."

Peter threw her a flabbergasted look yet again. "Then you'd be tired."

"I suppose," Lucy said. "Funny, isn't it?"

"Vaguely," Peter said, not taking his eyes off her. "And what of you, Ed? Ready to call it a night?"

"Just," Edmund said, yawning and rubbing a hand on his dark eyes. "Susan's right, though. A walk would be nice. Especially under this weather."

"Does that mean we'll see no more of you this evening?" Peter said, wrapping his arm around Lucy's delicate shoulders.

"Might as well," Edmund yawned again. "Lucy's right. We might have done nothing but meet Aldred, but it's a long day. G'night," he added at Lucy, kissing her on the forehead and then swatting Peter's arm softly.

And with that, he followed Susan's footsteps freely, desperate to catch a glance at the starry sky she had been eager about before drifting off into his long-awaited sleep. The corridor leading to the noisy banquet was as quiet as a mouse, perhaps quieter, and he happily absorbed the peacefulness. The wine had gotten to his head too quickly and he had gone through conversations with as many as fifty Lords and Ladies. Sleep, at this point, was deserved.

The nearest left marble balcony, his favorite in the entirety of Cair, was, to his delight, empty under the crisp midnight sky. With outstretched hands, he kneeled on the cold marble, smelling the fresh and salty sea air and gazing at the stars scattered beautifully across the sky. It had been empty for too long. Stars, to him, were momentous.

And as he turned on his heel to depart his much-awaited sleep, a blood-curdling cry from underneath had erupted throughout the air.

A cry he distinguished quickly as Susan's.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Sorry for letting it end on such a cryptic cliffhanger. As always, a review would be fantastic. And I can't wait to write what happens next! Merry Christmas, dear readers, and have a fantastic new year!

xx Izzy