Author's Note: So here's the second chapter. The words in italics are people's thoughts, and this chapter is told from Aravis and Emeth's perspectives. Confession time: I have no idea where I'm going with this. Please review and give me feedback and ideas on where to go next. Please. I am a desperate dryad queen.

What is going on? Emeth wondered. Shouldn't the crown price of Archenland sound like an Archenlander? Shouldn't his wife be from Archenland? Oh Tash, I have to sup with them. With a lot of effort, Emeth rose from the chair he'd been sitting in and changed into his best tunic, then washed his face and his feet. A servant girl knocked on the door and led him to a room where the rest of his party were seated, along with the royal family. Emeth had the luck to be seated next to the princess, Aravis.

She was lovely, a trait that Emeth didn't care much about. There was also something strange that made him frightened of her. While they were eating, she politely asked him questions of Calormen.

"How fares your father, the lord of Calavar?" she asked. She sounded as if it pained her to mention it.

"He is well, your Highness," he replied dutifully.

"And are you his only child?" she asked, sounding slightly anxious.

"That is a difficult question to answer, your Highness. I am the only one still living under my father's name. My brother was killed in one of the Tisroc's (may he live forever) wars. I believe I had a sister, but my father and mother do not speak of her. It is said that she brought dishonor on my family." The princess had a sharp intake of breath.

The crown prince sitting next to her jumped slightly. Emeth saw that the princess had dug her nails into his arm. The prince looked at her quizzically before shrugging. It seemed he was used to such gestures.

"And how is Rabadash Tisroc (may he live forever)?"

"He reigns in his great palace in Tashbaan. My father tells me that in his younger days he rode to battle, but he has not left Tashbaan in years." The princess seemed to be struggling not to laugh, as well as the boy who was her brother-in-law.

"Yes, he did lead charges when he was younger. Calormen is at its most peaceful with him on the throne though, is it not?"

"Yes, your Highness, it is."

"I am glad to hear of it."

Why? Why Aslan, have you sent my brother to me? I was just beginning to think of Calormen as a fond memory, and now I have to remember my father and step-mother? Aravis thought wildly to herself. Her brother was in Archenland, and he did not remember her. It was no fault of his, as he had been a child when she'd run away and 'disgraced the family honor'.

He had even told her of what her father thought of her! She had always known that what she had done would alienate her from her father forever, but to hear it spoken plainly by a boy who didn't even remember her had hurt.

She hadn't meant to squeeze Cor's arm so hard, but it had simply happened.

"Cor, I'm sorry about dinner," she said as they lay in bed that night.

"Hm?" he mumbled.

"When I dug my nails into your arm."

"Oh, it's all right. By the way, what was wrong with you? You were acting strangely ever since the Calormene's arrived. Did they bring back bad memories?"

"Yes, but not how you think. Cor, the young tarkaan is my brother." There was an long silence and Aravis pictured Cor thinking what she had just said through.

"What?"

"Emeth Tarkaan is my younger brother. I haven't seen him since he was a child, but I'm positive it's him."

"Oh."

"Oh? All you can say is oh? I just revealed that I think my younger brother whom I haven't seen in years is here and all you can say is oh?" Suddenly, all of Aravis's stress manifested itself in her anger at Cor. "You are no help whatsoever." She rolled over onto her side.

Aravis heard a sigh on her other side and suddenly felt herself wrapped in Cor's arms.

"Aravis, don't let's quarrel. I'm sorry my reaction was not to your satisfaction, but I'm tired and don't know what else to say." Aravis sighed too.

"Now I know why I married you, Shasta."

"Why?" he asked, sounding amused.

"So we could conveniently go on quarrelling and making up."

A.N: So, I'm not really pleased with this chapter. Still, feedback is appreciated. No flames, only constructive criticism.