I M I R A ' S   P O V

"Can we at least spend the rest of the day together?" I ask Peter as we walk out of the dining hall. He turns to give me an apologetic look. 

"Oh, now what?" I ask exasperated. I don't mean to sound upset, but come on! 

"I've... got things to do," Peter says slowly, probably worried about how I'll react. 

Well, I'm annoyed, very annoyed. Stupid mood swings, five minutes ago I wanted to cry over him leaving. I don't want to be annoyed NOW! Okay, I'm just going to take a deep breath to calm myself down and "Can't you get someone to do it for you?" I ask, feeling the exasperation take over. 

"I've got to do this myself, you know that," he tells me patiently. 

He has been nothing but patient these last month. I don't know how he manages, I have been an emotional mess. Angry when I should be sad, crying when I should be angry, crying when I should be happy, crying when, well, all the time. Aslan knows where all this water comes from! "Yes, I know," I say, remembering he's more than just Peter, the hottie I married. 

"Hey, there's a gathering tonight at Lord Peridan's, maybe we could go," I suggest cheerfully, doing a complete 180 on my feelings. 

"You want to go, don't you?" He said with a small smile. 

"You know I do," I reply, already sensing what's gonna come next. 

"Alright, then we're going," he declares with a smile. 

And there it is. He always agrees, he's so sweet. Why is he so sweet? Oh, great, now I want to cry again. 

"Thanks," I reply, standing up on my toes to kiss his cheek. 

"But not too late, alright?" he adds. 

I hum in agreement. "Just until three," 

"Three?!!" 

"Fine, two-thirty," I'm just messing with him, we'll leave early, I'm not inconsiderate. 

He replies with one of his funny seriously looks. "Imira," 

"Alright, alright, we'll leave at two," I say, but I know I'll probably want to head back at one. Or earlier. Probably earlier just so we can spend some time alone before he has to go. Oh, I am going to miss him so much. Again with the feelings, ah! I mean, I know it's alright to have feelings and I shouldn't disregard them, but I just don't want him to feel bad for having to go. 

"There you go," he says with a smile, taking my hand. He's so sweet! Ah, okay, calm down. Calm the fuck down. Seriously, how many hormones do I have circulating in my bloodstream right now? 

"I promise next time we'll be up until the sun comes out," 

"I'm gonna hold you up to that," I warn him. And I will.  

"I know you will," he says with a hearty laugh. 

"Alright, I've got to inform Lord Peridan he's coming with me and arrange some other things. I'll see you at dinner," He starts walking away but our fingers remain intertwined until we're too far away. I stay there, looking at him leave and catch him looking back. 

"What?" he asks with a smile as he catches me staring. 

"Nothing," I shake my head at him with a smile of my own, "I'll see you at dinner,"

"Is King Peter really going to leave right before you give birth?" Lady Phoebe asks me as I hand Amelea the dress I have chosen for the night.

I nod slowly in response. "He said it was important business, I can hardly protest," I reply, leaving my wardrobe and moving on to choose the jewellery as I try to convince my overly emotional brain it's going to be alright.

"And King Edmund's leaving too?" Lady Phoebe asks again.

"He is. And Aslan knows when Queen Susan's coming back, so it's just going to be Queen Lucy and me for a while," I reply, moving on to the jewellery.

"How's young Becc?" I ask her after choosing a necklace. "I haven't seen him in over a week,"

"Oh, yes, that's because he has been misbehaving lately," Phoebe explains.

"What has he done now?" I ask with a smile, holding back a laugh while she hands Jane some clothes to put back in the wardrobe. Over these past months, Becc has been challenging his mother and testing her limits, which has resulted in him getting a lecture at least once a week.

"He came in filthy on Monday after playing in the garden and he skipped lessons, twice this week. And he's been bothering Irelea. Again, I am so sorry Amelea," Phoebe apologizes.

"Oh, that's not nice," I reply as I watch my ladies maids put my things away.

Irelea is Nick's and Amelea's youngest sister. She's a bit older than Becc, but also a lot shyer. She and her older sister, Orelea, have been taking lessons with Becc, sponsored by Henry's wealth and Nick's knightly income. It isn't much for Henry, but with so many sisters I know Nick can barely make ends meet. That's part of the reason I have employed his oldest and prettiest sister, Amelea, to be my ladies maid.

"It's not," Phoebe says. "Especially because Henry offered to pay for his lessons and he just keeps getting himself into trouble,"

"Maybe he doesn't like Henry," I suggest.

"Oh, no he adores Henry. He skipped lessons to follow him around the castle," Phoebe says, earning a laugh from all of us.

Well, at least he doesn't have a problem with his mother's... friend? Lover? I'm not entirely sure what they are, and honestly, I don't even think they know themselves. He likes her, she likes him, but no one's sleeping with anybody, I'm not even sure they have shredded a kiss yet. Sure, they do live in the same home, have dinner together, attend events together but... it is all just very confusing. I'll have to ask him before dinner what his deal is because I am very curious as to what he's thinking. All he has told me is that he truly likes her and intends to take it slow. Apparently, too slow from what Phoebe tells me. "Maybe he's upset you are spending less time with him," I offer.

"Possibly," Phoebe says after thinking about it. "These past months I've been spending less time with him because..."

"Because you're spending more time here or with Lord Henry," I finish for her. "I'm sorry,"

"Oh, no no, I do not- I... he needs to get used to it," Phoebe says, both to me and to herself.

"Are the two of you going to Lord Peridan's tonight?" I ask her as we head to the main sitting room. Yes, there is more than one sitting room in our chambers. It's a big place, alright. A bath, two studies, one small meetings chamber, the main sitting room, the private sitting room, a room for our clothes, a room for our battle gear, the main vestibule, the bedroom, a terrace, there's a lot of walking involved when living in a castle.

"That's the plan," she replies as we cross my bedroom and enter the main sitting room.

"And what about you, Amelea?" I ask my ladies maid. "Are you going?"

"Me?" she asks, stopping in her tracks looking startled and confused by my question. She looks at Jane, Amy and Lily for guidance, but they just giggle to themselves and leave to do whatever it is they have to do. "I'm just a ladies maid," she replies.

"Yes but you are also the sister to a knight," I reply. "Nick's coming as well,"

"Really? Oh, I... I don't know," she says shyly. I know she's not fond of social events, but she needs to get out more.

"Come on, you're awfully responsible, unwind a little. Have some fun with us," I tell her as I Phoebe serves some tea.

"But I won't know anyone there," she replies, wrapping her arms around herself.

"You'll know me," I tell her. "And Lady Phoebe,"

"I'll be fun," Phoebe adds, singing the last word.

"But who shall I say I am when they ask? I am no one special," she says looking down at her feet. I can see we're breaking through, but the social status issue is bothering her.

"You can tell them you're Sir Nick's sister and they'll know you're special enough," I tell her. "And besides, it's not a big thing, it's just a gathering,"

She nods slowly. "But what would I wear? I have nothing for such an occasion, I'll look out of place. They'll probably think I'm just a maid," she says, giving up again.

"Well," luckily I didn't sit down. I start heading back towards my clothes and they both follow me back inside. I know just which dress to offer her, a nice indigo long-sleeved piece, one of my favourites. She's skinny, so it should fit. "No one will think you're the maid if you wear this," I say, offering the dress.

"Oh, I couldn't," she says, taking a step back.

"But you can. And you will," I say, placing the dress in her hands. "You can bring it back tomorrow, or the day after that,"

"Thank you, Your Majesty," she thanks me with a smile.

"You're very welcome. Now off you go. I'll see you and Nick later," I tell her. I'm sure Peridan won't mind if I invite her.

She curtsies, thanks me again, and leaves in a hurry with a small smile.

"That was very kind of you," Phoebe says a bit surprised once she has left as we start to head back to the main sitting room.

"Well, she's a very kind girl," I reply. That and she's single. Single and pretty. She needs to have more fun and, hey, she might just find herself a suitor. One she can marry and get a break from working. The poor girl has been working more than half her life, ever since her mother died. Oh, and her sisters... I need to find a way to help them too. Actually, I've been discussing this with Lucy and Susan and we all agree we need to do something altruistic for the Narnians. Ever since the Battle of Beruna there have been many Narnian children who lost a parent or two, and the three of us feel like we should do something about that. Susan suggested opening up a school in the lower town for the children, and since Lucy and I couldn't come up with something better, we all agreed that was going to be our project. Raising the taxes should do it, just a tiny bit, one Tree per citizen should be enough. We are still to sort many details before presenting our idea to Peter and Edmund, but I believe they will agree. We return to the main sitting room and I'm about to sit down when Jane walks in.

"Your Majesty, the Lord Henry has arrived," she informs me.

"Oh, perfect," I say, taking the tea Phoebe's offering me and drinking a quick sip. "I'll be right with him,"

"Phoebe, can I ask you something?" I ask as she helps me change into my dinner attire.

I had a very enlightening conversation with Henry after going over business, and now, it's my turn to help him out.

"Sure, ask away," she replies as she ties by dress on the back.

"What is the deal between you and Lord Henry? Are you with him?" I ask.

"Yes, I am with him. But... it's strange," she admits.

"Strange how?" I ask. Has he done something to make her uncomfortable? Because if he has then he and I need to have a chat before dinner.

"Strange as in, we are living together and he helps me take care of Becc, but he hasn't made a move to, well, to move our relationship forward," she explains.

"You mean physically, or..." Hey, Henry's a handsome man, I'm just saying.

"I mean in every way. He says we're together to people, but I don't know what I am to him? Am I just a diversion? Does he want to take this serious? What should I expect from him? What does he want from me, because he hasn't made any move and I don't know if this is going to last. Should we even keep living in his house now that I'm part of your household? I just don't know what to do or think," she rambles.

Hmm, well these are all serious, legitimate concerns. And for her to have no idea as to what Henry plans to do must be worrisome.

"Hmm, I don't know what Henry's plans are, Phoebe," I lie, "but what I do know, is that he loves you,"

"Really?" she asks wide-eyed.

"Yes," I tell her with a nervous laugh. "Whenever we're talking and you walk into the room I can see it. He can't help but divert his eyes and, just for a second, he gets this idiotic look. The look of love,"

"Really?" she asks, now more hopeful.

"Yes! And so do you," I inform her. "Honestly, you two should just get it over with and talk. Tell each other how you feel. It will all work out, I'm sure," But still, she looks conflicted.

"Look, do you love him?" I ask.

She thinks about this for a while as she walks around the table to sit on a chair. "Yes,"

"Well, he clearly loves you back. You've got nothing to be afraid of," but she still looks worried. "Would you like for me to talk with him? Let him know he should be making a move?"

"I wouldn't want him to think that I asked you to tell him," She says.

"I won't. I'll just do what I did here with you and see what he has to say," I tell Phoebe.

"Is that what's happening? Did he ask you to ask me?" she asks leaning forwards.

"I don't know," I lie, again. "If he did, he would have asked me not to tell you," I tell her.

"Oh, go on, did he? You've got to tell me!" She insists.

"You know I can't, Phoebe," I say, taking the tea Lily offers me.

"Oh, please. I told you everything," Phoebe argues.

"He's my friend," I reply.

"But I'm your friend as well,"

"Well... he was my friend first," That's true.

"But I'm a girl. Have some loyalty," she complains jokingly.

I give her a sorry, what? sort of look and she looks at me alarmed. But soon after we start laughing. "That is a filthy trick, playing the female card on me," I say, pointing a finger at her.

"I'm sorry," she appologizes, laughing.

"And just because of that, I won't tell you," I say, just to mess with her.

"What?!"

"I was going to, but now I guess you'll just have to wait," I add. Oh, this is too entertaining. I'm an awful person.

"Really?" She asks hopefully.

"Yes, really. But don't worry, I'll talk to Henry tonight," and that is not a lie. "You can go now, I'm sure Becc misses him mother,"

"That's a filthy trick, playing the mother card to get rid of me," she says, standing up.

"Oi, you started it," I say as she shakes her head with a smile, curtsies, and leaves. 

After fifteen minutes of staring out the window and wandering around the table trying, and failing, to decide what to name our child, counting how many candles are on the room, and currently staring at a very narcissistic tapestry, the doors finally open.

"...maybe not perfect, but certainly better," I hear Lucy's voice say in her customary cheerful tone.

Walking behind her enter Edmund and Peter.

"What's better?" I ask walking towards my chair.

"Hey! There you are," Peter says, sounding suspiciously happy considering he's leaving in less than twelve hours. Oh. Maybe he wants to go. I hadn't considered that. Maybe he's had enough of his pregnant, overly-emotional wife and wants a break. I sure hope not.

"Yes, and there you are," I reply as he approaches and kisses my cheek. Oh, affection in front of his siblings, alright. No need to panic then. "You're awfully cheerful,"

"That's because I have some news," he replies proudly. "Take a seat," he instructs, pulling back my chair.

Well, I'm hungry so I'm not about to object.

"So, he starts talking again once everyone is seated down, "we have been thinking and-"

"Surprising for Pete, I know," Ed interrupts just as the satyrs arrive with our food. He just can't help himself, can he? It's probably because he's sixteen and full of attitude. I normally find it charming, but right now it just registers as annoying. And apparently, Peter feels the same way because he turns to his brother looking annoyed as well. "Seriously, Edmund?" Oh, he called him Edmund, this will get serious if Ed doesn't-

"Right. I'm sorry, go on," Ed apologizes, looking down at his supper. Huh, I wasn't expecting that so soon.

"Like I was saying," Peter starts over, giving his brother a pointed look, "we were thinking and came up with an alternative to our problems,"

"If only you boys had bothered to get my opinion, I would have suggested this since the beginning," Lucy adds innocently.

"Suggested what?" I ask, suppressing a laugh before Peter can say something to darling Lucy for interrupting. These two just won't let him finish a sentence.

"We're trading places, Pete and I," Edmund informs me happily before he digs in, but Peter's not pleased. He bangs his hand on the table, clearly exasperated. He must have reached his daily dose of Edmund attitude.

"I was just about to tell her that!"

"Right, sorry," Ed apologizes again.

"So what does this mean?" I ask Peter, reaching for his hand in an attempt to calm him down.

"It means, Edmund will be sailing to the Lone Islands and I will be heading west to fight the invaders," Peter explains.

"Alright, I've got two questions," I say, holding up my hand to stop him. "Whatever happened to I'm not the Emperor?" I say, pointing a finger at Edmund. "And which Western Invaders?" I ask, looking at Peter.

"Oh, you didn't tell her?" Edmund whispers to his brother.

"No," Peter whispers back.

Hello! I am sitting right here.

"To answer your question, Imira," Edmund turns to face me sounding very mature, "we sorted it out. I'm not going to bore you with the details, but you are now looking at the new Lord Protector of Doorn," he tells me proudly.

"Ooh, that was unexpected,"

"Oh, it's just a made-up, honorary title that gives me power over the Islands whenever Peter can't make it," he explains.

"Still, it sounds neat," I add before turning my attention back to Peter. "Now, what's this about a Western Invasion and why am I only hearing about this now?"

"I just didn't want to worry you," Peter excuses himself. "There was a revolt in the northern mines," he begins to explain, "with the prisoners. They figured Firestream wasn't going to do anything about them unless you personally asked him to, probably because everyone's afraid they might get eaten if they bother him, including our guards, so, they planned a coup and escaped,"

Bloody perfect, now everyone knows I'm useless.

"The entire lot fled west where they seem to have organized and allied themselves with more runaways and western beasts. They say that's where the Witch came from so it's no surprise her surviving followers retreated there seeking refuge after the Battle of Beruna. They have been having a go testing our western border for the past week,"

"And you didn't tell me?" I ask looking at him but also at Edmund. He could have said something.

"There was nothing you could do about it," Peter explains.

Hmm, true. "But what are they even fighting for? The witch is dead, why do they even care?" I ask.

"Yes, her dying doesn't seem to change the fact that they hate us," Edmund says, eating his peas.

"They just want back what they enjoyed for a hundred years and lost during the battle," Peter says.

"So now they're back for more?" I guess.

"They're back for more," Peter agrees.

"And you're going to go fight them, I assume,"

"Yes,"

well, there's no arguing then. I cannot go and he has to go. "I think it goes without saying, but if I could, I'd go with you," I tell him.

"I know you would. But this way I'll be closer by. If you need me to come back I can return in two to three days. That's faster than a ship," he informs me.

"Faster than a ship," I agree. "So that's why you traded places," I say, piecing it all together.

"Precisely," the Kings say at the same time.

We discuss what's going to happen while they're gone over dinner. Who's going to be in charge of what, what things we need to continue, who to keep an eye on... This governing thing will leave me with little to no time to myself, which, considering everything, I think is a good thing. It'll give me less of an opportunity to worry over what Peter's up to.

"Are you sure you still want to go to that gathering?" Peter asks when I yawn after dessert. One of those big ones that leave my eyes watery. Is it just me, or does that happen to everyone else?

"No, I-" another loud yawn. This is not helping me make my case. "I want to go. Even if it's just to say hello, we'll just-" and the loudest yawn escapes me yet. NOT HELPING. "Sorry. We'll just pop by, say hello, and then come back," I say, finally able to finish my sentence. 

The next morning I make an extra effort and wake up in time to join everyone for breakfast at the dinning hall. The Kings are busy however, making plans, going over documents that need their signature before their departure. They get followed my the Lords and Masters down to the courtyard where the horses and the army awaits, asking question pertaining what is to be done, how long thay'll be gone, policies, personal requests, it's all just overwhelming. Siningh the last document that needs his approval, Peter ushers the courtiers away and turns to me and Lucy. 

"Everything should work out just fine, but if you need any extraordiany help do not question calling Susan back," he tells us. 

"Don't you worry about us, worry about you and our borders. We'll be alright," I tell him kindly. 

His stare is serious. "If I could stay, I would," he tells me a bit sadly. 

"I know you would," I say, fighting the urge to cry. "But right now you have to protect our kingdom. For us and for our child," 

He nods at me. "As soon as they are defeated I shall be back," 

"I know. Just be careful," I say, barely holding back the tears. I do not want to start weaping in front of everyone. 

"I love you," he says as he leans down to kiss me. A proper kiss, one full of passion and longing. 

"We love you too," I reply. 

And on that bitersweet note he leaves.