[two: sir orion]

As the morning changed to early afternoon, Genevieve was sat by the cracked stone table with a book in her hand as she stroked Elizabeth's fur as they sat in complete silence. She had found complete peace at the table because it is where she really made a difference ten years ago when she helped the stone table crack quicker by joining the magic in her heart with the dark magic through her rings. Genevieve was contempt with her life at that moment and her birthday surely was going well and only one thing could make it better: spending the day with her best friend.

As if Aslan had heard her thought, a horse could be heard in the distance and both Genevieve and Elizabeth lifted their heads and Genevieve smiled at what she saw. Strutting towards them was Edmund and Philip who both held looks of pride as they came closer to the stone table. As Edmund dismounted Philip Genevieve closed her book after marking the page and watched as Edmund walked towards her with a smile.

There was no denying that over the years Edmund had become very handsome and that was something that Genevieve did not want to admit. She didn't want to admit that she did find Edmund attractive but she did she blamed it on her teenage hormones because he was one oft he two boys/men she actually socialised with on a daily basis, unalike the Telmarines that only visited every so often and she in no way found any of them as attractive as Edmund. Even Peter's handsome exterior couldn't compare to Edmund's in her eyes and that frightened her to the bone because she was supposed to view him as a friend, a best friend at that, and not anything more.

"You alright there Gen?" Edmund asked as he waved a hand in the young girls face who blinked and looked at her best friend who had broke out of her thoughts with a smile.

"I'm okay Ed, was just enjoying the peace before the storm." She said and Edmund chuckled as he took a seat next to her as they looked around at the scenery together in a momentary silence.

"You know Susan's only throwing this ball to throw it in my face that I need act like a woman and give up being a knight." Genevieve said as she pulled her knees up to her chest as Edmund watched her from the side as she let out a sigh.

"You know she can't dictate your life." Edmund said as he looked to his best friend who looked right back at him with a sad look.

"She's the Queen of this land Ed, it's in my best interest and listen to her." Genevieve stated and Edmund scoffed before looking at her.

"And I'm one of the King's of this land, but do you see me forcing you to do something you don't want too?"

"No but Ed this is different." Genevieve said as she took a breath and tried to hide the tears that were forming in her eyes and Ed took her hand to comfort her. "I've spent the last ten years of my life being myself and trying to forget my old life but it has come to the point now when I need to accept that I have responsibilities and I need to stop acting like a child and become a woman."

"But it's not fair, especially on your birthday." Edmund whispered and Genevieve sniffed as she lent her head on Edmund's shoulder.

"I suppose life isn't fair Ed but that's life. I wouldn't be surprised if Susan invited Telmarine soldiers to the ball later to try and find me a suitor and try and join our lands." Genevieve said and Edmund shook his head, knowing full well from Peter that Telmarines would be at the ball tonight.

"It's still unfair to you." Edmund whispered to her and she nodded as she moved closer to him as he put his arm around her so that she could sob into his chest. They both knew that it couldn't be prevented and that Genevieve would in fact go through with this for Narnia's sake because that's what she was here for: to protect Narnia.

"Do you know what my birthday wish is?" Genevieve asked as she looked at Edmund, who was still cradling her in his arms as they comforted each other.

"What?"

"That I could just freeze time and just live in this moment forever, i just don't want it to end."

"Things are going to change between us aren't they?" Edmund asked as he looked Genevieve in the eye who nodded her head at him.

"I'm afraid so. It's never going to be just us anymore. I'm going to have to change into a world of dresses and marriage and responsibility and I don't think you'll enjoy that side of me."

"I enjoy every side of you." Edmund states and smirks as Genevieve elbows him in the side as she becomes slightly flustered.

"Just promise you won't forget about me when I go through that change Ed, promise me." She pleaded to him and Edmund just looked at her with a smile.

"I could never forget you and you know that," Edmund said as he cupped her cheek slightly to make her look at him. "I'll find a way to get you out of this."

"Promise?"

"I promise you I will try." Edmund stated as he pulled her closer as they watched as the wind blew through the trees both contempt and happy in that moment to be in each other's company.

+++

As the night dawned on the castle of Cair Paravel the ballroom was filled to the brim with people and creatures of all kind who were excited to greet the Knight of Narnia on her birthday and wish her the best for her future. The four monarchs were currently sat on their thrones as they awaited Genevieve to grace the hall with her presence so that the real ball could begin.

"Your Majesties." A strong male voice said and all four turned towards a kneeling Telmarine Knight who had come to visit for this special occasion.

"Sir Orion." Susan greeted the knight and Edmund rolled his eyes as the Knight kissed her hand and then kissed Lucy's before bowing to the two kings. "I hope you had a pleasant journey."

"I did your majesty and I am honored to have been invited to such an event. I hear Lady Genevieve is fair and brilliant."

"I believe she prefers to be known as Sir Genevieve for she is a knight first by Aslan." Edmund interrupted and Orion turned towards him and bowed.

"Forgive me your majesty but I did not know the both of you were well acquainted."

"The two are very well acquainted Orion, best friends you see." Peter interrupted as Orion turned to him with a smile.

"I see. Well I do hope she isn't much longer, I would love to meet her." Orion stated and Edmund's blood boiled at the thought. He did not like this guy.

It was then the two fauns and the entrance of the hall blew on their horns and the whole ballroom went silent as they waited expectantly at the stairs for Genevieve to cascade down them.

"May I present Sir Genevieve, Knight of Narnia." One Faun said and the hall went silent again as the sound of footsteps could be heard moving swiftly down the stairs. Edmund glanced up with a smile as a shocked looking Genevieve walked into the ballroom wearing a simply blue dress, not even a gown, and a pair of navy flats. Her hair was straight but slightly platted at the back and she wore her mothers necklace and her rings. She didn't dress up at all and Edmund's smile widened. That was the Genevieve he knew.

Edmund's demeanor changed however when Sir Orion walked towards her and bowed towards her and kissed her hand in a greeting. Edmund's body froze as he watched her smile at him and take his arm as he asked her to dance. He knew Genevieve enough to know that she wasn't a very confident dancer and that she hated the ball scene but he also knew that she would do anything for Narnia because she had a need to fulfill her purpose because years on she still didn't believe she belonged here.

"You alright Ed?" Lucy asked him and Edmund nodded, not taking his eyes off of Genevieve who was dancing with Sir Orion with a fake smile on her face.

"I hate seeing her like this." Edmund said to her and Lucy followed his gaze to Genevieve and she sighed as she patted his back.

"There's no rule that says she has to marry a Telmarine Ed." Lucy said before walking away to dance with Mr. Tumnus and Edmund just watched her go with a confused look.

She was right, there was no rule that stated she had to marry a Telmarine.

But who else could she possibly marry instead?