And here is the next chapter. I hope you enjoy.

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Chapter 4

It was late when Peter finally made it back to his chambers. Dawn was already approaching, the soft pink wisps appearing on the horizon.

But he bypassed his bed, walking straight out onto his balcony, the soft curtains fluttering in the sea breeze.

Leaning on the stone terrace he looked out at the sunrise thoughtfully, content to muse quietly. Despite sleeping poorly the night before, he didn't feel as tired as he should. He had too many thoughts running around inside his head to consider sleep.

He wasn't alone for long though, a soft voice startling from his thoughts.

'Peter'.

Turning he found that Susan was standing in the doorway, looking ethereal in the soft light. She was still in her green dress, but had released her hair from her coiffure letting it hang gently on her shoulders.

For the second time that night his breath caught in his throat. Quickly swallowing, he smiled at her as she moved to stand alongside of him.

'Did you have a nice time tonight?' he asked her.

She nodded in reply, looking out at the cliffs below. He couldn't help but observe her, as the wind gently ruffled her hair around. A warm feeling rose in his chest at the sight and he had to physically restrain himself from moving closer to her.

She didn't seem to share his restraint though. Moving closer unexpectedly, she nudged his arms aside and leaned forward to hug him.

For a moment he forgot to breathe as her soft, warm body pressed so intimately to his.

'Ed, told me about King Marion and King Aridian looking to get us married to one of their children' she began, speaking into his chest, 'promise me that you won't let that happen? I want to get married eventually, but not to one of them'.

She was rarely this vulnerable in front of him. She had never made a request like this. He could do nothing but wrap his arms around her and pull her closer.

'Promise' he whispered into her hair, gracing it with a kiss.

He felt her stir at his gesture and pushing away slightly, she looked up at him. The sun was well on its way to peaking above the horizon and she was illuminated in the soft glow.

Her doe eyes shifted between his eyes and lips repeatedly, her tongue unconsciously peaking out to wet her own lips.

He froze as they stared silently at each other, unsure if her thoughts were going down the same path as his. He had no control over his body though as his head dipped slowly. He was consumed by her smell, her warmth and just the simple feeling of her body pressed up against his.

His lips were mere breaths from hers when he came to his senses. He reeled back, physically wrenching himself away across the terrace.

She blushed beet red, and he could feel his own face burning.

'I…I..we' he stuttered, not able to come up with suitable words to apologise to her.

She looked as if she was struggling through the same dilemma. Her mouth opening and closing, as if she were about to say something and then changing her mind repeatedly.

'You should go to bed' he said finally, his voice not as steady as he would have liked, 'It's late'.

'So should you' she countered.

She was right, he felt exhausted now.

'I know' he agreed.

Nodding, she turned and walked out of his room, turning at the last second to wish him goodnight.

That was too close. Shedding his clothing and throwing himself into his bed he shuddered. He had nearly crossed a line; nearly made a mistake he could never take back. He would never forgive himself if he allowed that to happen. Susan would never forgive him.

With a suffering sigh, he silently pleaded that his dreams tonight would not involve her. Anything but her.

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Susan's arrow thudded into the target with a deep sound that echoed in the small valley. Her shooting range was fairly sheltered and so the whoosh of the arrow releasing from the bow was amplified as she let another fly.

Frowning in irritation she put down her bow to retrieve the arrows that kept landing off-centre. She hardly ever missed her target.

As she walked her hands swiftly plaited her long hair, attempting to convince herself that hair flying in her face was the reason for her lapse in focus.

Returning to the mark with her arrows she took aim again. At the last moment before her fingers released the arrow her traitorous mind flashed back to the night before.

This time she cursed aloud as she almost missed the target entirely.

She was angry at herself for so many reasons today. When she had woken just after midday she had washed and changed into a plain comfortable dress and fled here. The range had always been her sanctuary. She was angry how she had let herself go the night before. She had been caught up in the dress, the compliments and the attention. Her vanity had been flattered and she had let it get to her head.

Through the haze of everything she had for some reason found herself going to Peter's room. Even now she couldn't explain why she had gone to him. He had acted strange the entire evening and then had shocked her with his impassioned speech about not letting her be married off.

She had been grateful and touched by his words. But that couldn't explain away the flutter she had felt when she had looked up into his eyes when she had hugged him.

She had been so sure she would be kissed at the ball. What she hadn't anticipated though was who she had wanted to kiss her.

She released another arrow as she stewed.

Her attendants had always gushed about Peter; exclaiming over how handsome he was, how strong and how desirable. She had always agreed on the handsome part, there were few that didn't find him agreeable to look at. But desirable was not an attribute she had considered before.

She had wanted him to kiss her, she had been drawn to him. She had stood in the doorway to his suite long before she had said his name and announced her presence.

He had been standing there on his balcony, looking as handsome as ever. Handsome and comforting. She had crossed the room before she had made the conscious thought, anxious to be wrapped in his arms; to feel comforted and loved. This wasn't right.

She growled aloud at that particular thought. Releasing two arrows in one go. They sailed well over the target, hitting the grass some distance past the target.

'Sue?' the voice of Edmund piped up from behind her.

Whipping round she was amazed once again at how quiet her brother was. He had always been a skilled hunter, for exactly this reason. He could creep up on a ghost.

'You're in about as good a mood as Peter' he commented, leaning casually on the training axe he rested in the grass, 'he near enough drew his sword on me at lunchon'.

'Really?' Susan asked, suppressing her anger and embarrassment at being caught exposing her emotions; emotions that would cause her and Peter no end of shame.

'Sue' he began, seemingly distracted enough himself not to question her further, 'there's something I need to talk to you about. Can we sit down for a bit?'

Surprised by Edmunds gravity she nodded and they both set down their weapons and moved to sit at the edge of the field in the taller grass.

She didn't prompt him, just waited for him to speak. He looked troubled as he absentmindedly pulled up grass and shredded it in silence.

'It's about Lucy' he began, before pausing again for a long time.

'Did you hear about Trinian and Freya?' he said abruptly changing the subject.

Susan nodded, they were Faun's that had recently requested Peter's blessing for their marriage.

'Did you know they had the same mother?' Edmund questioned further.

She hadn't known that. Trinian was part of the highest order of Narnian knights and Freya was the head of Cair Paravel's staff. The Kings & Queen's had known both of them for a very long time and Susan was happy for them.

'Apparently it's not a big issue here in Narnia' he continued, 'neither, it seems, is inter-species marriage'.

He paused again for another long moment, before shocking her with a statement.

'I saw Lucy kissing Tumnus' his face was ashen as he spoke.

'Oh' Susan breathed in surprise, she had been sure he had been about to admit something entirely different. Something that would have made her feel entirely less sinful.

'And this bothers you?' she pressed gently. He didn't reply straight away, just sitting quietly next to her. He stretched his long legs out in the grass and he ran a hand distractedly through his dark hair.

'You and Pete have always been close, haven't you' he asked rhetorically, 'in the same way Lucy and I have always been close'.

Susan nodded uncomfortably, ignoring the flare of alarm she felt in her stomach.

'After the White Witch was defeated,' he continued, his tone soft as if he were lost in the memory. 'I always felt the need to make it up to Lucy; to look out for her, to trust and believe her always and to protect her. She was so young when we were crowned, we all were. I suppose I have always looked at her like the girl she was, not the women she is. She's a women now Sue, how did I not notice?'

'In the eyes of all Narnia she's still the little girl that first came here' Susan murmured, as a blossom tree spirit fluttered past, bowing to the pair as it went.

'Not to Tumnus' Edmund bit out, 'has she said anything to you about him?'

'Only that he's a dear friend' Susan replied, reviewing recent conversations she'd had, 'she's never mentioned anything about romance with Tumnus or anyone else, actually'.

'It's just…' Edmund uttered in a pained tone, 'I don't want things to change. I want it to stay as me & Lucy and you & Peter'.

Sighing heavily, he leaned back in the grass, hands behind his head. Looking down at him Susan was struck how mature he looked. They had all grown up. She wasn't even sure when it had happened. It was almost as if yesterday morning they were children and today adults.

'If Lucy is in love with Tumnus then there is nothing really you or I can do' Susan felt forced to say.

As if summoned by magic, no sooner had Susan uttered those words, than Lucy herself appeared at the end of the training field calling over to both of them.

'Susan, Edmund. Are you coming back to the castle for supper?' she questioned with a smile as she approached the pair.

'Yes, of course' Susan agreed, 'let me just put away my bow'.

Rising from her seat in the grass she left the two alone as she made her way back to where she had been practising.

It was while she was retrieving the last two arrows she had fired that she turned hearing raised voices. Lucy and Edmund were mere metres from one another, both red in the face and shouting.

From where Susan was standing she couldn't make out the words. As she hurriedly made her way over, Lucy suddenly burst into tears. She was still some distance away but Susan could clearly see the rivulets of salty water running down Lucy's face, her expression one of utter hurt.

Lucy turned and fled moments later, Edmund staring after her, troubled, before he ran after her leaving Susan alone.

'What on earth?' Susan questioned aloud.

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I hope you all enjoyed. Stay tuned for the next chapter soon! Please review!