Making conversation with Prince Rabadash makes me long for the company of my dull western cousins, and I begin to wonder if they are as boring as I remember them to be. But alas, seeing as he is our guest and the winner of today's jousting, there is no possibility of escape. If only Lord Peridan had won... now he is nice to talk to. 

I glance to my left where he sits on the other side of the table, making conversation with Lucy and Mr Tumnus. They seem to be having fun, laughing and smiling. But then again, Lucy always seems to be having fun.

Music starts playing and couples begin dancing. I spot Becc Stowes dancing with Nick's youngest sister, whose name I cannot recall. They used to hate each other when they were children, funny how things turn out.

"Would you grant me the honour of having this dance?" Rabadash asks Susan with a splendid reverence. Ugh. Two more days and he shall be gone. Can't wait.

"I'd be delighted to," Susan replies and takes his hand.

Edmund moves closer.

"Mother, can we go play?" my eldest asks, Edward backing him up. Their resemblance to Peter and me amazes me every day.

"Of course, darlings. Go ahead," I smile at them and they run off to cause trouble elsewhere.

"So, what do you think, Imira? Will she say yes to him?" Edmund asks once the twins have gone.

"Oh, Aslan knows what she'll say, Edmund," I turn to face him. "When Lucy and I asked her earlier as we were getting ready, she kept going back and forth on whether she likes him or not. She thinks him handsome and brave, but beyond that, she was not very conclusive,"

"I wish she'd spare us all of this suspense and make up her mind already," Edmund says. "If it is a no what she'll give him, she might as well get it over with,"

"Perhaps she does not want to make things awkward for the remainder of his stay if she says no," I propose. "It is the only thing I can come up with that would explain her lack of an answer,"

"Or perhaps she is simply not sure," Peter counters. "You two shouldn't pressure her, she is not as decisive as you are on such matters," he turns to look at me, "And you very well know what happens when you pressure a woman to provide with an answer," he turns to Edmund, who upon hearing this turns to stare east, no doubt thinking about the one who got away. 

A servant approaches and we all turn towards him.

"The parliament has gathered, your Majesty," the satyr says, looking at Peter.

Ah, yes, the parliament. Tonight Edmund and Peter are to gather with them to get the latest reports and discuss the war.

"Excellent," Peter stands up and the satyr leaves. "Edmund?"

"Let's go," he stands up as well and I copy him. "Mmh, Imira. Make sure Rabadash keeps a healthy distance, will you?"

"I will," I glance at their direction.

"Save me a dance?" Peter asks before leaving.

"Always,"

He smiles back at me and then leaves with his brother.

I turn my sight to Susan and Rabadash. Still dancing. Hmmph.

Well, some company would be nice. I turn left to where Lucy was seated but find her chair empty. I look around the room and spot her dancing. As always, she seems to be enjoying herself so I decide not to bother her. Lord Peridan however, well, he is glaring rather obviously at Prince Rabadash. 

"Could you be less conspicuous?"

"Hmm?" he turns at the sound of my voice and then recognizes me. "Your Majesty," he starts to stand up but I stop him.

"Don't bother," I say and take Lucy's empty chair.

Mr Tumnus has gone to talk to some friends of his on the other side of the room so it is just the two of us.

"Shall I take it by the way you were glaring at our guest just now that you do not approve of him?" I ask, even though the answer is pretty obvious to my eyes.

"It is hardly my place to approve of Queen Susan's suitors," he recites what sounds like a well-practised line.

"Maybe. But your eyes betray you. You do not like him," I state. Not a question, but a fact.

He says nothing, which only reaffirms my theory.

"It is alright if I am being honest, I do not like him either," I admit to him. we can dislike him together. Should be way more fun than glaring separately.

"You do not?" He sounds surprised. I must be doing a good job at masking my emotions. A better job than him at least.

"Heavens no. The Calormen keep slaves, sacrifice people and have arranged marriages. Honestly, I do not see the appeal. No, I do not think there is much to him other than wealth, power, lands, a handsome face and a variety of well-practised cheesy verses,"

He laughs. "Isn't all that, but the cheesy verses, what matters?"

Does he really think so?

"Not for someone who is looking for love. Well, maybe the handsome face, but beauty is relative to the eye of the beholder,"

Ever since Susan confessed to me she fancied Perida, I always wondered if it was mutual. I never inquired and he never gave anything away, but his recent behaviour is leading me to believe there might be something to it.

"And do you think Queen Susan has found that with him? Love?" He asks.

Oh, he must like her. Why else would he ask such a question? The wine must have loosened him up. 

I shake my head. "I think not. Had she found love I believe she would have made her mind known already. She may very well be trying to convince herself it is love, but I can see it is not,"

She likes you!

He stares silently at the couple in question.

"Now, I have shared my reason for disliking him. What's yours?" I ponder. Please admit you like her. Please admit you like her.

"I do not like him," he says, peeling his eyes off them to pick up his drink.

Not a very insightful answer. A rather obvious one.

"In general, or for her?" I ask. 

"Both. He does not know her, he only fancies her because of her looks," He takes a drink.

"He has been getting to know her these past days," I say, trying to get something else from him. Some conclusive reaction that will confirm he does indeed harbour feelings for her.

So far he has shown concern for Susan and a dislike of Rabadash, but I need something more substantial if I am to go to Susan with this. I promised her I would not interfere, but there is simply something off about Prince Rabadash. And if Susan can't see it, then at least she must know if Lord Peridan does share the feelings she once claimed to have for him.

"He has been here four days, how well can he know her?" he grumbles.

"Not as well as you know her, that's for sure," I assure him.

He looks at me confused.

Okay, I think that is enough for now. He'll get suspicious if I continue.

"Let's dance, shall we? Watching people dance isn't nearly as fun,"

He humours me and we begin dancing a good distance from where Susan and Rabadash are. Far enough so it does not seem like we are stalking, but close enough that we can keep an eye on them.

"You did an excellent job earlier at the joust," I comment as we dance.

"An excellent job would have been winning," he points out.

"We all have our lapses. Won't stop me from betting in your favour the next time,"

"I thought you always bet on one of your knights," he says, confused.

"I do. But not when it comes to jousts," I admit. "I honestly do not know why anyone would best against you,"

He smiles.

"King Edmund tells me you would have had the Prince if not for his highly reflective armour,"

He clears his throat, uncomfortably. 

"I am thinking that was intentional," I confess.

"Really?" He looks... hopeful? I don't know, sometimes he's difficult to read. 

"I have asked around and all his other opponents mention the same," And by asked around I mean I have talked with Nick, who jousted against him and lost, and asked him to ask around for me. "He must have known the effect it would have on his opponents. A quite clever and nifty trick if he did it on purpose, though whether it is honourable or not, I am inclining towards the latter,"

"Hmm. I ought to include that in my book," he says.

Oh, yes, he is writing a book on knightly matters such as honour, chivalry and sports.

"Yes, your book. How is it going? Can we expect to read it soon?" I inquire.

"It is nearly finished, but now I am beginning to think I'll have to revisit some chapters,"

"Well, I for one cannot wait to read it,"

But he does not reply. Instead, he glares past me.

"What is it?" I ask, turning to see the object of his attention.

"They have stopped dancing. It looks like they are headed for the balcony,"

Oh no, they are not.

"Come on,"

I head to intercept them but run into Henry.

"Your Majesty, I was hoping we could discuss-"

"Not now," I reply rather rudely and continue on my way, hearing Lord Peridan apologize behind me. 

I grab a goblet of wine from a servant's tray and turn to face Lord Peridan.

"I'll distract him, you ask her to dance," I whisper rapidly.

"What?"

"Now laugh," I order.

He looks confused but plays along when I start laughing.

"You are so funny," I laugh and turn and accidentally run into Susan and the Prince.

"What-" he sounds annoyed but as I turn he stops himself from saying whatever was about to come out of his mouth. 

"Oh, do forgive me," I apologize to him. "I am afraid I was not looking at where I was going," 

"Not to worry," he smiles at me and I suddenly feel uncomfortable.

"Prince Rabadash, how are you enjoying this evening?" I compose myself.

"Oh, this is an excellent event," he smiles, "And the company is superb," he turns to look at Susan briefly.

Barf.

"I hear you are an excellent dancer," I compliment him, trying to give Pridan a chance to ask Susan to dance. Not just because I'd rather she dance with him, but because I promised Edmund.

"Oh, thank you very much. I have heard you are gracious a dancer as you are beautiful," he compliments me.

"Aren't you a charmer," I smile back at him. "Speaking of beauty, your armour at today's jousting was just exquisite. I am familiar with Calormen suits but I am afraid I have never seen one like it. Did you have it specially made for the occasion?" 

"I did, yes," this seems to get him excited and he does not notice Susan walking away with Peridan.

Job accomplished.

"Jousting in Calormen is a slightly different affair and calls for a different costume, but I thought I would give the Narnian style a try. Besides, I believe the occasion ought to be commemorated with the appropriate armour,"

"Well, your smiths deserve a congratulation, it turned out beautifully," And it did. The work on it was marvellous. "But I do wonder, don't the gems make it heavier?"

"A hardly noticeable change," he dismisses the comment.

"And tell me, will you be fighting with a scimitar tomorrow, or are we to expect to see you using a longsword?"

"Although the longsword is a magnificent weapon, I do prefer the traditional Calormenian scimitar," 

"I must confess, I find the scimitar to be an odd blade. Would you not agree, Peridan?" I turn to my right pretending not to have noticed their disappearance. "Oh, my," I pretend to be surprised at finding no one there, "it seems our conversation bored them," I excuse them. "Dancing has always interested my Queen sister more than arms,"

"But not your majesty?" He asks.

"I'd say I have a healthy interest in both," I let him know.

"I hear your majesty fought in the battle to rid this land on the enchantress,"

Oh, he means the White Witch.

"I did,"

"Huh. It seems the reports we had of you dying years earlier at her hand were mistaken,"

What a curious thing to ask.

"Oh, but they were not. She turned me into stone five years before winter met its end,"

Now he looks truly confused.

"Then how-"

"How do I stand before you? With the arrival of the Kings and Queens," I say, glancing briefly at the thrones, "the Witch's magic weakened, allowing Aslan to return. It is he who brought me back to life and the Narnian Army lead by my husband who ultimately defeated the Witch's forces,"

It takes him a moment to digest this, but when he speaks, he changes the subject.

"And where is the High King? Ought he not be here, dancing with your Grace?"

"There is a parliament meeting tonight and I am afraid that with the giants up north, the matter could not wait. I, however, could, so..." so I am chatting with you.

"In that case, would it be too bold of me to ask if I may have this dance?"

"Just bold enough," I smirk and agree to dance with him. 

"I know you have lots to do with the war and all, but please, do not leave me again. I had to dance with Prince Rabadash," I complain as soon as Peter finds me.

"You did?" He sounds surprised but also amused.

"I did. And I do not plan to do that again," I make myself clear.

"Where is Susan?" Edmund asks.

"Dancing with Rabadash," I inform him, discretely pointing to their direction with my chin.

He needs not to be told more and off he goes to chaperone his sister. He takes his role very seriously. As seriously as Peter does looking after Lucy. They are both so sweet.

"It won't happen again," Peter reassures me. "Dance with me?"

Well, of course! I've been waiting for this all night.

I nod and smile and take his hand and let him lead.

"What did parliament say?" I inquire. 

He is such a good dancer. He is good at everything. The title does fit him indeed.

"Sir Derrick has convinced the settlements to move further south and the Marshwiggles to move further East," he informs me.

"That must have been difficult," Marshwiggles are... obstinate.

"The Ettins are still moving a lot, so we do not know where we shall meet them in battle, but we have come up with a few favourable options,"

"You must show me later,"

"I will. Negotiations are nearly finished, we should be sending out the call to arms next week," 

So soon?!

"That's good, that's-that's good timing," Oh, dear, this is really happening. "Susan ought to have made up her mind by then and whatever she chooses, Prince Rabadash will be out of our hair,"

"Indeed. Where are the boys?" he changes the subject.

"I sent them off to bed a while ago," it is nearly midnight! "Why?"

"I am thinking they should come with us," he says casually.

"To war?" Is he being serious?

"Yes," He is being serious.

"Absolutely not," I stop dancing.

"Hear me out," he says, and we start dancing once more. "There hasn't been a war in over a decade. With any luck, there won't be another for decades to come. This is their chance to learn what it means to be a King,"

"They are boys," I protest. They are my babies!

"They would not be fighting. Just watching. And learning. I would never put them in harm's way, but I do think this is the best opportunity they will have. They are only a little younger than Edmund was when we fought the White Witch,"

"Because that went so well for Edmund,"

"Again, they will not fight," he insists. "You know it is the right thing to do,"

"They are my babies,"

"They are growing up,"

"They are barely ten,"

"They won't fight," He reassures me. "They will simply watch,"

I do not like this. I do not like this one bit, I... think I understand my parents now.

"I suppose... it won't do them any harm... to watch and learn," I compromise.