It took me a while to publish, but hey, it's a long ass chapter! (March, 9, 2020)

It was a pleasant February morning when they headed back to Cair Paravel, there wasn't much wind and the sweetest type of snow had started falling. After enjoying a lush breakfast of meat, warm bread, cheese, hot apple cider and grapes, the camp was packed up and everyone got on the move.

Narnia wasn't big on roads, considering most of its inhabitants were outdoorsy creatures with a strong knowledge of the country's geography of owners of maps, no one had ever found the need to make any. And the new Kings and Queens were no exception to this.

"It's a short trip, we'll be in the castle in a matter of hours," Peter told Imira as they started their journey.

"Do you think we'll make it for lunch?" Imira asked, she was looking forward to Cair Paravel's delicious food and comforts. She had had her fun on the outdoors now and, as much as she liked nature, winter always brought back that one nasty memory.

"Not with this snow," Peter said, looking up at the sky. It had gotten cloudier and it gave him the impression the wonderful powdery snow would soon become a heavy fall.

"Is that why it took you as long as it did to get back? Because of the now?"

"Precisely. The weather is a bit harsher in the north, but you know that. It was winter when you went to look for Firestream, wasn't it?" Peter loved hearing that story, about how Imira met a dragon and tried to defeat the witch.

"It was," Imira said, remembering how that had turned out. "Hey, did you by any chance happen to have run into a St Bernard by the name of Snowfoot on your trip north?" Snowfoot had been a crucial ally in her trip to find Firestream, had it not been for him she wouldn't have made it. When Peter told her he'd be going North she had asked he inquired about her canine friend and, if he found him, invite him over. But of course, with everything going on in her mind she had forgotten to ask when he got back.

"Snowfoot, right. No. I did ask, per your request, but a squirrel by the name of Pebblepitch informed me Snowfoot, uh... he died a few months ago,"

"What?" Another friend gone.

"He was an old chap,"

"No, he wasn't he was just..." then she remembered, "right, five years went by. Now it makes sense,"

Peter didn't know what to say so he didn't say anything. They continued riding in silence until at last Imira spoke again.

"If it wasn't for him I would have frozen to death up there, or gotten killed by that hag. He saved me, you know,"

"Which hag?"

"I didn't tell you about the hag?" Imira asked. She was sure she had mentioned it sometime.

"I believe I would remember such a thing," Peter said.

"Do you want to hear about it?"

"Yes,"

"Alright. So, I was walking through the snowy north, it was freezing, I'm telling you if Snowfoot hadn't found me I would have died up there,"

"You never told me how that happened either,"

"Didn't I?" Imira was sure she had told someone. Maybe it had been James. Or Darren. Or Maxwell. "Huh. Well long story short, it was late at night and I couldn't find a place to rest so I just kept walking, and, of course, I didn't see this rock on the path, I tripped and started sliding down the side of the mountain. I must have hit my head because the next thing I know I'm being dragged through the snow by a huge St. Bernard, Snowfoot."

"Ah,"

"Exactly. He took me to his home, gave me some warm tea and something to eat, and allowed me to spend the night. I, of course, told him of my mission and he, very bravely, offered to help,"

"That was nice of him,"

"It was. So it's the next morning, right? We are minding our business and I'm telling him about Datram and how he can return with me and live there and suddenly Snowfoot tells me something's wrong. So he goes ahead to investigate, gets caught in a trap, and ends up hanging from a tree. I rush to help him but I trigger another trap and end up on a net myself,"

"Oh, shit. What did you do?" Peter asked. By this point, almost everyone had stopped their conversations to listen in of the Queen recounting her adventures north.

"I tried to get away, of course. But it was so painful, the net was made of chains so cutting through it was impossible and moving only made it worse. Jump ahead to a few hours later and this hag has us tied up inside and is planning to turn us is to the witch,"

"She worked for her?!"

"Almost everyone did back then," Imira explains. "So she's about to use her magic or whatever it is she's got to let the witch know, and she's telling us about it, happily bragging about her plan and how the witch's gonna reward her, stupid hag, so of course I'm trying to come up with a plan or we're both going to end up dead. I figure out best chance is to change her focus from informing the witch to killing us herself because then I can fight her and at least get a shot at freedom. I mean, had the witch found out then about my plans everything would have gone to hell. So, I start to insult her and it works, she declares she's just going to kill us herself and tell the witch later,"

"They always fall for that," Peter says.

"They really are stupid like that. So, she comes up to me and slaps me and I am about to headbutt her but then, somehow, Snowfoot has managed to break free. He launches himself at her and wrestles her to the ground,"

"And what did you do?"

"I get up as fast as I can and manage to get to where she's keeping my weapons. I grab a dagger but when I turn back to help Snowfoot has managed to kill the hag,"

"You mean like.."

"He ripped her face, yes," Imira says.

"Ah, that must have hurt,"

"It sure sounded like it. And it was not a pretty sight. But, hey, she deserved it. I owed him my life after that,"

"He was a true hero," Peter said. "So what happened next?"

"Then we headed north and reached the mine of a group of black dwarves. They appeared to be friendly at first, so we accepted their invitation to spend the night there, but later on that night we overheard them discussing how they were going to give us up to the witch,"

"Are you serious?"

"I'm afraid so. It's like no one had an original plan," Imira complained.

"So what did you do?"

"Well, they were too many to fight against so we snuck out while they plotted and headed for the dragon's lair. I managed to convince him to help us, though it was a difficult task and, well, you know the rest. Snowfoot and I parted ways, I went to Cair, did what I had to and, trying to take a shortcut ended up getting caught by the wolves, and..." Imira trailed off. Peter knew what had happened next. Everyone did.

Peter stared sadly at her.

"Oh, don't look at me like that. The story had a happy ending," Imira said, looking at him with a happy, loving smile. "Now tell me more about your trip north,"

They rode non-stop to Cair Paravel and arrived with heavy snowfall to find no one was there to welcome them.

Imira and Peter exchanged looks.

"Perhaps they're out," she suggested, getting off the saddle in a swift movement.

"Perhaps," Peter said, getting off as well and handing the reigns to a faun.

"Eurybe, can you bring the tigers?" Imira asked the blonde.

"Right away, your Majesty," the woman replied.

"So, lunch?" Peter asked Imira.

"Yes, please. I'm freezing," She could see her breath in front of her and she could not feel her nose.

When they reached the dining hall they found everyone gathered for lunch. Edmund, Susan, Lucy and Darren were there, but so was Mr. Tumnus, Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, that feline Edmund had bothered a few years before, Lord Peridan, Lord Henry, Lady Phoebe, the Clairmants...

"I am not having lunch in front of everyone," Imira whispered as they walked in. "I am starving, haven't taken a bath in a few days and I am pregnant," Imira whispered through a smile as they approached the table.

It didn't take everyone long enough to notice them, everyone stood up at soon as they realized.

"And I'm sweaty and tired, we're having lunch upstairs," Peter whispered back.

"Brother!" Edmund spoke up. "We weren't expecting you,"

"I believe what Edmund's trying to say is, welcome back," Susan added.

"What Edmund's trying to say is, care to join us for lunch?" Ed asked.

"We already ate on the road," Peter lied, "but you enjoy yourselves,"

They headed out, closely followed by their entourage who took the liberty to grab a few edibles from the banquet table as they passed by.

"Eurybe, tell Lord Stryder to join me in an hour please," Imira said before they walked out.

"What's that about?" Peter asked her one Erybe had gone.

"I need to get caught up," Imira replied.

"Yes, and I," said Peter, "need to find out what Edmund's been up to. How about we have dinner, all together. You, me, my siblings, your cousin, all of us, a family diner, and we share our news there," he said, taking her hand.

"Oh, you mean our news. Yes, that'd be great," Imira agreed.

"Great, I'll tell my siblings," he said, wrapping an arm around her.

"Then I'll tell my cousin,"

After enjoying a hot bath, getting into a change of clean clothes and having something for lunch, Peter and Imira decided they should get all caught up on what they had missed. Peter went to look for Edmund and Imira stayed put, waiting for Lord Henry to show up.

When he did he found Imira laying on the floor next to the fireplace.

"Err, Your Majesty, everything alright?" He asked looking down at her.

"Stryder! I'm just dandy. Help me up," she held up her arms and he pulled her up. "Woh, thanks,"

Henry laughed, "What were you doing on the floor?"

"It's comfortable," Imira replied. "Now, what did I miss?"

"And what about Darren? How is he doing?" Imira asked. She had already inquired about Edmund, Lucy and Susan, and she had gotten all the updates about matters of state. She could now get down to the interesting bits; the gossip.

"I'd say he's doing wonderfully, your Majesty," Henry said. They had started wondering the halls about an hour in on their conversation. "It took him a bit to get used to everything, but I helped a bit and now I'd say he's got it all sorted,"

"That's wonderful. I did try for you to get that job, you know, but James had already made up his mind," Imira said.

"Oh, it's alright. I happen to like this new job," Henry replied with a smile.

"Well, I'm happy to hear so. And speaking of happy, how are things going on with you and Lady Baldwin? Anything interesting to report?" she looked at him curiously.

"I've been teaching her son how to swordfight," Henry said.

"That's fantastic! Oh, tell her to bring him one day while we're training. I'm sure he'd like to watch," 

"I think he'd like that,"

They arrived at Prince Darren's new residence and the guards opened the doors for them.

She headed for the study, expecting him to be there, but some voices were coming from the sitting room so she started to head there. Suddenly one of the voices, a loud sort of nasal high pitched laugh, caught her attention. That's definitely not Darren, Imira thought. She turned to Henry, "Oh, please tell me that's not..."

And just as they turned the corner, Imira caught sight of her cousin kissing a familiar red-haired girl.

"Darren!" Imira exclaimed in complete surprise and shock.

"Oh, hey Imira. You're back," he said in a relaxed enthusiastic manner.

"Tell me something I don't know," she said eyeing the red-haired girl before turning back her attention to Darren.

"Oh, cousin, this is Lady Danielle. Lady Danielle, this is my cousin, Queen Imira," Darren said, clearly unaware the two girls knew each other. Imira and Danielle exchanged looks and Imira waited expectantly for the appropriate curtsy the Lady had to make.

Seeing Imira was not going to say anything unless she curtsied, Danielle performed the bow, careful not to go any lower than she had to. Imira looked down at her with a pleased smile all along.

"Lady Danielle, we meet again," Imira said, "what an unexpected surprise to find you here with my dearest cousin," she said with a fake smile.

"Your Majesty, it's a pleasure to have you back," Danielle said, forcing herself to smile at the Queen she despised the most. "I do hope his Majesty, the High King's with you,"

"Of course he is, where else would he be?" Imira replied, fighting the urge to glare. She hated when Danielle inquired about Peter.

"Oh, that's great news. Welcome back," Danielle replied condescendingly, as if the castle they were in was hers and not Imira's.

"So, how did this happen?" Imira asked Darren looking back and forth between him and Danielle.

"Funny story, it actually happened at your wedding, cousin," Darren explained.

"Really? How... how lovely," Imira did not find this lovely in the slightest.

"It really is," Danielle replied mockingly. "I suppose if you think about it, if it weren't for your majesty, this might not have happened," Danielle said.

"Funny how things work," Imira said, trying her best not to kick her out of the castle. "Well, I would love to stay and chat, but I'm afraid we've got lots of things to do, isn't that right Lord Stryder?"

"Yes, lots of things," Henry said.

"Places to go, people to see... but, I'll see you at dinner, Darren, and we'll get a chance to talk," she eyed Danielle who looked about as happy as Imira did, "properly,"

"Yes, about that, I didn't know when you'd be back so I've invited Lady Danielle to dine with us. King Edmund and the Queens said it's alright," Darren explained.

"We've all been having dinner together this month," Danielle added, much to Imira's annoyance.

"Oh," Imira was not expecting that, "I was hoping to have a family gathering," she told Darren before quickly turning to look at Danielle. "It's nothing personal, I'd just hate for you to feel uncomfortable," Imira told Danielle, hoping she'd take the hint and excuse herself out of Imira's plans. But Danielle had another idea in mind.

"Oh, don't worry, Your Majesty, I won't," Danielle replied with a smug smile.

"Well, if the Kings and Queens are fine with it, how can I say no," Imira said, truly wondering how to get rid of the red-haired annoyance.

"Perfect! Then we'll see you in a few hours," Darren said, completely oblivious to the mutual dislike the two women had for each other.

"I'll see you at seven, cousin. Let's on Henry,"

Imira and Henry left, but as soon as they were out of Darren's residence she let out an exasperated sigh.

"I hate that girl," she told Henry, who tried his best not to laugh at the Queen's reaction. "How can Darren stand to be with her? She is so annoying,"

"If you don't mind me asking, why do you dislike her so much?" Henry asked.

"Do I need a reason? I don't know, she's just so.... ugh. I can't stand her. And now she's coming to dinner?!" Imira shook her head disappointedly. "Darren has not been thinking with his head lately,"

"Or, maybe she's not as bad as you think," Imira gave him a questioning look. "Or she's awful," he added once he noted the Queen was not going to be changing her opinion anytime soon.

"Let's stick with she's awful," Imira said.

The next stop was King Edmund. Imira had been meaning to gift him something for months now, but it was a special request and it had just been finished a few months ago.

"King Edmund, are you busy?" Imira asked, knocking on Edmund's opened door and stepping in without waiting for an invitation.

He rose with a smile, "Nothing that can't wait," He had finished talking with Peter a while ago and was reading a book on sailing.

"Perfect. Henry, could you... thanks,"

Her friend came in carrying a heavy-looking package. "Your Majesty," he set down a gift on the tea table making a loud noise as he did so.

"Thanks, Henry. I'll see you tomorrow," Imira said, dismissing her friend. She knew he wanted to get back to Lady Baldwin.

"Your Majesties," Henry bowed and left at once.

"Looks heavy. What is it?" Edmund inquired, looking at Imira for an explanation.

"I know it's late for a Christmas present, but it took a bit longer to make than I expected," Imira explained.

"Oh, it's for me?" Edmund asked excitedly.

"Who else would it be for? Alright, now open it. I want to see your face when you do,"

Edmund sat down on the carpet and unwrapped the gift. It was covered in a bag of thick linen and tied with some cord. He impatiently cut through the cord and took out a wooden box, beautifully carved and with golden details here and there.

"Oh, it's... it's a very nice box," Edmund told her. "Thank you, Imira,"

She rolled her eyes. "The gift's not the box, it's what's inside the box,"

"Oh. Right," he opened the expensive-looking box and inside he found the most beautiful solid gold chess set he had ever seen.

"Is this real gold?" he asked Imira a he took out a piece.

"Of course it is. Half have rubies for eyes and the other half has emeralds. And they're all Narnians. You've got your dwarves as pawns, the giants are the towers, centaurs take the role of horses, and, well, the Kings are kings," she took out the Edmund-look-a-like figure. "Isn't it wonderful?!"

"Oi, he's just like me!" Edmund said, taking the figurine from her. "This is pretty neat," He said as he kept examining the pieces. "Hey, is this supposed to be Peter?" he asked, holding up the other king figure.

"Yes, isn't it amazing?"

"It is. Now I can defeat Peter over and over again with each chess match I play, ha! This is the best gift I've ever received. Thank you Imira," he got up and hugged her.

"Oh, you're welcome, Ed. Happy late Christmas," Imira said.

"Thank you. Hey, how about a match?" He asked.

"Alright, but just one. I've got a lot of things to do and on top of that now I have to deal with dinning with Lady Danielle. Aslan's mane! I didn't even ask you. Edmund, what the hell is going on between Lady Danielle and my cousin?!"

"Oh, you've heard about that, eh?" Edmund said as he set up the game.

"Heard about it? I walked in on them kissing," Imira explained.

"Gross," Edmund played along with her.

"Exactly! What the hell is he thinking?"

"I don't think he is," Edmund said, still setting up the chess pieces.

"You're damn right he isn't," Imira said. "What does he even see in her?" she asked him.

"I mean, she isn't all that bad once you get to know her," Edmund said.

"So now you like her as well?" Imira crossed her arms and stared at him expectantly.

"I simply don't find her as annoying as I did before," Edmund explained, amused at her reaction. "I mean, she is annoying. But one you get used to it you just sort of forget about it,"

Imira scoffed. "I don't plan to spend enough time with her to get used to her,"

"Come on, give her a chance," Edmund said. "Maybe you just met her at her worst,"

"She's always at her worst," Imira complained.

Edmund gave her a look that clearly meant she should try.
"Alright! Alright, I'll give her a chance tonight. I won't make any smug commentaries and I'll try my best not to snub her, I promise," Imira compromised. "Now let's get started,"

"Are you sure you don't want to stay for dinner?" Imira asked Henry as they walked towards the grand doors. She had run into him when she went looking for Peter after losing a chess match to Edmund.

"Thank you for the invitation, your majesty, but we must get back," Henry apologized.

"Oh, alright. I guess I'll have to endure Lady Danielle alone,"

Henry chuckled, shaking his head. He couldn't understand why she disliked her so much. Sure, she was a bit annoying from time to time, but everyone could be annoying. "I'll see you tomorrow. And don't forget to tell Lady Baldwin I'll be expecting her tomorrow. I've got to speak with her,"

"I'll tell her. Goon evening, your majesty,"

The two parted ways and Imira started heading for her chambers to get changed into something appropriate for dinner, but on her way to her rooms, she ran into Lord Peridan.

"Your Majesty, so good to have you back," he said with his charming smile. "I trust your trip went well?"

"Lord Peridan, always good to see you," she greeted him. "Yes, everything went just fine, King Peter took care of that business in the north,"

"That is good news, good news. It is very fortunate that Your Majesties came back when you did, there is a gathering this evening at Lord Clairmant's and we would be honoured if your Majesties could grace us with your presence," Peridan said.

"Oh, I ... I would love to attend, trust me, but the timing just couldn't be worst, Peridan. We have a family dinner tonight and then we need to discuss some important matters and I- we simply cannot attend,"

"Oh, but it's a party, I know you love those," he said persuasively.

"A party?" Imira asked excitedly. "Oh, but I can't. I.. I really can't,"

"I understand. Your presence will be missed though,"

"Thank you, Peridan, for the invitation,"

"You are welcome, your Majesty," he started to go, but Imira stopped him.

"King Peter and I can't go, but if a King and Queen are what you want, you should ask King Edmund and Queen Susan. I believe they'd be interested and after our diner, they'd be free,"

"Oh, they are already coming," Peridan said, surprising Imira. "I just thought you might be interested as well,"

"Maybe for the next one," Imira said. She wanted to go, but she was tired and right then all she cared about was taking care of herself and not doing anything reckless or slightly dangerous. She had had her share of that in the past and, even though she wasn't going to stop, she knew she had to take a break from all the danger-inducing activities she loved and all the late parties she couldn't stay away from. Her priorities had shifted, she now had bigger things to consider other than not wearing the same dress to a party and how much she could drink before she started acting inappropriately. "You have fun though," Imira said, "And send my regards to Thea and Roy,"

"I will," he gave her a bow and left the same way he had come from.

She made her way to her rooms and found Alcibe sitting on the floor playing with the tigers and Nick crouching next to her as servants unpacked things.

"Oh, hey, what are you both doing here? I thought you'd be wanting to rest after the trip," Imira said pleasantly surprised to find them there.

"I'm so sorry, Your Majesty, we'll go now," Nick said, urging Alcibe to get up.

"Don't worry about it. Hey, why don't you take them both for the night? I'm going to be a little busy to watch out for them," Imira said, kneeling next to Alcibe to pet one of the cubs.

"Really?" Alcibe asked. She had grown extremely fond of the small pets.

"Sure," Imira said.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Alcibe said, smiling at her and then at Nick.

"Yes, thank you," Nick echoed. "We'll go now, come on Alcibe," he urged her.

"Oh, you can stay," Imira told them, "I'm just going to get changed," she said as she headed for the bedroom doors. "Oh, take a seat. You don't have to say down there,"

As Imira tried to figure out what to wear, Nick got on his moves and started flirting with Alcibe. Unluckily for him, King Peter walked in on them about to kiss.

"Oh, hello," he said, taken aback by the couple of guards sitting on his sitting-room about to kiss surrounded by his wife's tiger pets.

"Your Majesty," Nick nearly jumped out of his body and straightened up. Alcibe turned red and wanted the earth to swallow her up.

"Care to explain yourselves?" Peter asked them. Sure, they were friends with Imira and he liked them, but by no means did that mean they could snog in his quarters!

"I'm so sorry, Your Majesty. The Queen, she said we could-"

"Peter, is that you?" Imira shouted from behind the doors before peeking out. "Hey, you're back. At last, we are going to be late for dinner," she stepped out wearing a red dress that left Peter speechless. "Well, I'd say that's your queue to leave Nick, Alcibe,"

They didn't have to be told twice, as soon as Imira finished speaking they rushed out the doors.

"They were kissing in our sofa," Peter told her.

"Really?! About time," Imira exclaimed, nodding approvingly.

"Wait, you knew they were here?" Peter asked, confused.

"Yes, I told them they could take a seat. They were entertaining the cats," Imira explained. "I've been rooting for them to get together since forever,"

"Huh, well, it seems they are," Peter said, scratching the back of his neck.

"Shall we head down now?" Imira asked him.

"Yeah, let's head down," Peter agreed.

"Oh, one little detail about tonight," Imira said.

"Yes?" He offered her his arm and she took it.

"Lady Danielle's joining us so we can't tell anyone just yet," Imira said as they walked out the doors.

"What?!"

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