Sanura's POV

~The Next Morning~

Thankfully, the others did not question me yesterday when I entered our room; though I know they were dying to ask what grandfather wanted to talk about and why Peter would be asked to stay as well. I am still reeling from yesterday's conversation; I just cannot believe that I must marry Peter Pevensie.

"Of all the people in the world, why did it have to be him? The one person in the world in which I cannot stand." This thought I vocalize, hoping that my closest friends, my family, can help me come to terms with this absolute insanity that is this betrothal contract.

Lillian is the first to speak, "Sister? Whatever do you mean?"

"Surely the conversation last night was not about that contract, was it?" Hermione questions. There are gasps of horror around the room as I merely nod to confirm Hermione's question that it was indeed the topic of last night's conversation.

McKenzie, the ever practical one, tells me, "Well there is no use in trying to pretend as though he was the worst option available. Do try to remember that we made that chart of all the noble boys and eligible young men? Peter Pevensie rated pretty high all things considered."

"You are right, of course, it is only that we must marry in a year. And, I am to plan the whole wedding, on my own mind you, while Peter only gets to say where we are holding the ceremony. Which I find completely unfair."

"Well, that will not be too hard. Seeing as we already have the majority of the wedding planned from when we were younger. The only real question is your wedding dress. And making sure Peter picks an appropriate venue of course. Though we may be able to give him the few you liked and have him pick from there?" Hermione chimed in.

I groan, "Please I do not wish to think about such things for at least the next fortnight."

Thankfully, I get nods of agreement and looks of sympathy. I go back to thinking about what this means for the rest of our stay here at grandfather's home. I guess the first thing that needs to be done is to call a, most likely temporary, truce with the elder three Pevensie's. So, with that in mind I pull myself from my bed to get ready for the day and to find my betrothed. My nose wrinkles slightly just thinking of him in such a way.

~At Breakfast~

It took me quite some time to figure out today's outfit. As I had originally hoped to go for a ride on Moonlight, my dappled bay, after I finished breakfast and had that conversation with Peter. Unfortunately, it is dumping down the rain. So that means we are stuck inside for God only knows how long. Which also means no riding outfit, but instead a day outfit that i had not planned on. I eventually chose a simple blood red day dress; Grandfather had these made for us just before the rationing started. I noticed that the other girls are in matching dresses as mine, only the difference being the color. Lilly in an ocean blue, McKenzie in black, and Hermione in a bright and cheerful yellow. These are what we have come to say are our personal colors.

When I first entered the dining room, I noticed that the Pevensies had already taken the same seats as last night. Indeed, all our guests had done so, which is unnecessary unless it is a formal event of supper. Addressing those already seated, "Oh unless we are having supper or there is some formal event, we are allowed to sit where we like. Breakfast and lunch are casual affairs, as Grandfather is usually quite busy, and Mrs. Macready usually has tours of the house scheduled around mealtimes."

There are a few of the younger children who move to one end of the table so that the can talk a bit easier. I notice however, that the elder Pevensies did not move an inch. Nodding I take my place beside Peter allowing McKenzie to take Grandfather's seat, while James and Hermione switch so that we girls can continue our conversation that we started as we left our room.

"So, I know our plans to go riding is out of the question. However, we never did decide on what we were going to do instead." I remind the others.

"I was thinking about grabbing a book from the library and finding a nice quite place to read for a while." Hermione told us after she swallowed the food she had been eating.

I nod while Lilly and McKenzie merely rolled their eyes. McKenzie being the one to state, "That is no surprise as you had planned to find a place to let Gemstone graze as you read a few chapters of that new book you got."

I take a few bites of my breakfast, shaking my head slightly with a small smile. It is nice to have such normalcy during such uncertain times, even if it is only such a small thing. "I have yet to decide what activity I will pursue, however," here I turn to Peter, "if you have a moment after breakfast I would like to speak with you."

He only nods towards me to let me know that he heard me. Hopefully, he will actually agree to my preposition. Lilly brings me out of my thoughts saying, "Well, Mrs. Macready has a tour group scheduled for this morning at nine o'clock sharp. So, what ever it is that any of us chose to do it will need to be quiet. Otherwise, Mrs. Macready will be in a right mood!"

"Indeed, sister why don't you show the children the art room after breakfast, it is quite near that one drawing room that Mrs. Macready never shows on tours?" I ask my twin, showing just how well I know Mrs. Macready's normal tour route.

Lilly only nods her consent, as she knows why I wish to speak with Peter instead of doing so myself.

~After Breakfast~

~On the Stairs~

Third Person POV

"Thank you for taking the time to speak with me." Sanura tells Peter.

He answered, "Well I figured you wouldn't ask to speak with me if there was no reason. We don't exactly get a long."

"Yes, well that is the reason I wish to speak with you." Sanura tells him while leading the way upstairs while looking to make sure the housekeeper has not started the tour yet, as you can here people accumulating in the entrance hall, "We should find somewhere else to speak, it sounds like Mrs. Macready is about to start the tour."

He nods and asks slightly confused, "you wanted to speak about how well we get along?"

Sanura softly chuckles but still answer, "More I want to call a truce between you and the elder two of your younger siblings and my friends. This is for a few reasons, the first being that we will be under the same roof for an unknown amount of time due to the war. The second, being the betrothal contract. And the final reason, well as much as I do not care for yourself or the elder of your two siblings, I have no doubt that we will agree on the fact that Lucy is an angel and does not need to be exposed to such conflicts as we tend to normally have. And indeed, nor do any of the other young children staying with us right now."

Peter looks as though someone had struck him out of no where. Causing Sanura to have to resist the urge to laugh and remind herself that doing so would be the opposite of what she is trying to achieve. After finally arriving at a sitting room, Peter is able to give an answer to Sanura's small speech, albeit quietly.

"You are right, that is something that we can agree on. I can not speak for my siblings; however, I will promise to speak to them on the matter. As you are right, it would do us well to be civil. Might I make a proposition of my own?"

"Of course, though I can not make any promises."

"Perhaps we take an evening every week to get to know each other better. And perhaps speak on the impending marriage that awaits us next year. I don't think it very fair that you are expected to plan the entire thing barring the venue. I want your opinion on that by the way."

It is now Sanura's turn to be surprised. It takes her a couple of minutes to find the words to respond. She gestures to the spot beside her on the couch she sat down on in her shock. Peter takes the offered seat.

"Sorry, I had mentioned such to my sister and cousins this morning. It did not occur to me that you would feel the same way. However, I have known about this contract for quite some time and as such made quite a few plans. In truth, I think the only unknown that we have not discussed was about what my dress would look like." She pauses to take a breath, "As for meeting weekly, I can see the benefits of doing so. Perhaps though some of those nights we spend among our family so that everyone can get used to getting along with each other before any formal engagements need to be attended."

"I think that is an excellent idea. And if you do not mind, I would like to see the plans that you have already made and maybe, add my own ideas."

Sanura nods in agreement, "That sounds like a good idea, there are a few venues that I like but I am open to considering others."

"Ok well why don't we table this conversation for now and go join our siblings."

Peter stands up and offers her his hand to help her up. She takes it, knowing that this is only the first step. That one civil conversation is not enough to change years of hostility. But it is a start. One she hopes does not backfire in her face.