Peridan couldn't believe it.

He couldn't believe it as he escorted Susan to her cabin; couldn't believe it as he returned to his, and he still couldn't believe it the following morning as he went to breakfast.

It hadn't been a dream, last night had happened. And no matter what King Edmund was going to say about it today when Susan informed him (for they figured it was better he heard it from her than from the snooping eyes of the crew and members of their party), it had absolutely been worth it.

He had offered to be there with her when the news was broken in, but she had thought it best to deliver them herself.

He hadn't argued.

As he descended from the main deck with his fellow Lords for a friendly game of cards while Susan dealt with her brother over breakfast, he found himself wondering if next time he walked out he'd spot a plank and be forced to walk down it.

Nah, he was probably letting his imagination run wild. Edmund couldn't be upset enough to toss him overboard.

Could he? 

Susan did not know how Edmund would react when she told him Peridan and her were now an item, but she was certain joy wasn't going to be it.

She had debated whether or not she should wait to tell him, but she had waited so long for this to finally happen, she wasn't going to let Edmund be an obstacle to her happiness. Especially after hearing from Peridan how his friendship with Edmund had been the largest deterrent to him admitting he fancied her.

No, if Edmund had a problem then he'd simply have to deal with it because she was not about to pull a Peter and Imira and sneak around. She was too old for that nonsense.

But Susan wasn't stupid, far from it. She knew if she just said it, Edmund might go overboard. No, she'd have to play her cards just right and make him see, one way or another, that this was the best thing that could have ever happened. 

Susan had beaten him to the breakfast table, that was a surprise.

"You're all early," Edmund said by way of greeting, walking lazily to the table to claim his seat between Corin and Edward.

Susan smiled. "Or maybe you're late,"

Edmund chuckled. He reached his seat and found the bacon hot and crispy. Life was good.

"Possibly," he said, ruffling his nephew's hair before snatching a piece from the platter. "Mmm. I've just spoken to the captain," he addressed Susan. "There were strong winds all night. You'll be pleased to know there is no possibility of any ship from Tashbaan catching up to us,"

"Ah. Thank the sea gods. That's a relief," Susan sighed, glad she could now close that chapter of her life. No more unruly suitors to deal with.

"Indeed. Oh, the troubles I endure for you, sister," Edmund continued and Susan resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "I hope you'll be staying clear off suitors for a while because I just might toss the next one off the cliffs." He said, picking up a scone, cutting it in half and spreading some jam in it. "They're an awful lot of trouble and not at all worth it," he bit into it. Delicious. "Wouldn't you agree, boys?"

The princes agreed, Corin a little too eagerly, and Susan decided to change the subject. If he continued down this road she'd have to either lie or reveal she had started at a thing with Peridan last night before of the Princes. She'd rather not. 

"What are the plans for when we get home? Will you be joining Peter and Imira up North?" she asked knowing very well the questions would see the conversation through breakfast.

She was not wrong.

Breakfast finished and somehow his nephews had convinced him to join him on his trip north. As of Corin, the lad was hellbent on joining, but since he was not his blood a letter would have to be sent to King Lune first. Edmund hoped the King would say no. How was he supposed to keep track of the three of them during a war!?!

"I'll convince him, you'll see," Corin said to him. "It's a great opportunity, he'll agree,"

"We shall see, your highness," Edmund said, pushing his plate back.

"There are no giants in Archenland anymore, but my father will see the value in learning how to defeat one. It's not every day that such a chance presents itself," Corin continued.

The prince thirsted for battle, that much was obvious. "Thankfully, you are correct," Edmund said and stood up.

"Edmund, there is another matter I'd like to discuss with you," Susan said and felt the boy's eager eyes on her. "On private," she added, giving them a gentle smile.

"Come on," William jumped off his chair. "The captain said we could climb the crow's nest on the trip back again,"

The proposal was too appealing, Edward and Corin agreed and left discussing who would go first. 

Lady Aleyn entered to clear the table. Today was her turn, tomorrow, Morana's. Edmund and Susan gave her a perfunctory nod.

"So, what is it you want to discuss, sister?" Edmund asked brightly, taking a seat by the window.

Susan eyed her Lady and walked to the balcony. She did not want her overhearing.

Edmund understood at once and followed.

She walked to the corner, as far from the door as she could get, and turned to face her brother who was regarding her quizzically.

She began. "You know how you and Lady Thea were... something,"

Edmund shifted uncomfortably. Why would she wish to talk about this? "If by something you mean friends," he crossed his arms.

Friends. Sure, I can work with that, Susan thought.

"What if I had a friendship like the one you and she had?" Susan asked.

His jaw tensed but he leaned against the bannister and answered calmly. "Then I'd ask who the fellow is so I could kick him out of my castle."

"Even if it was someone you approved of?" Susan asked.

Edmund's lips formed a straight line. "Who?" he asked plainly.

"Well, you like and approve of him," Susan said, hoping to score him some points.

"Who?"

"Before I tell you, you must promise not to hurt him," she began her list of requests.

"Who?"

"And you must understand that there's nothing you can say or do about it," she said matter-of-factly.

"Who?" Edmund repeated, growing exasperated by the second.

"And you must remember that I am older than you, Ed, and that I am entitled to make my own decisions," she planted herself firmly and held her head high.

"Who is he, Susan?" he pressed, his patience draining.

"And above all," Susan continued, ignoring his tone and his looks, "you must remember that he is your friend and you must not threaten to toss him off the cliffs. Or off the ship,"

"Who–," he stopped himself. My friend? Off the ship? Someone he liked and approved of? "Oh, please don't say his name," he drew a hand to his forehead to rub his temple.

Susan braced herself and said it. "It's Lord Peridan,"

"And you said it," he said painfully.

"You must also know that I am not calling him my friend." She informed him somewhat sternly. "I love him," her voice softened, "and he loves me, he told me so last night. I just thought you should hear it first from me. Before word got around or you saw,"

Edmund just stared at her, for once, words failing him. His thoughts a secret to her, his face, unrevealing. She grew anxious.

"Well, say something," Susan demanded. His silence was unnerving her.

"If you two love each other," he said slowly, the words feeling odd when referring to her and his best friend, "how come you agreed to Prince Rabadash's invitation?"

"Because we didn't think the other reciprocated the feelings," she said, "and he didn't want to lose your friendship," she added, hoping to score him more points. "But after yesterday..." she unconsciously touched her lips.

"Oh, great," Edmund exclaimed and looked away from her, realizing what that meant.

"I wish it would have come out sooner, Ed, I really do. And I know the timing is a little off,"

He scoffed. "That's an understatement,"

"But I love him. And I want to be with him," Susan said, planting her ground.

Edmund studied her. She sounded sure of herself, more sure than he had ever heard her sound when talking about any suitor.

"Well, you've clearly made up your mind," he said. After eleven men and a lousy trip to visit the least pleasant one, he thought.

He sighed. "Very well then,"

"Very well, what?" Susan asked.

"Very well, I would like to speak with him," he said and walked back into the cabin.

Lady Aleyn had never cleared off a table so quickly in her life. She hadn't been pleased with this particular duty she had to perform while onboard, actually, she thought Queen Susan's maids ought to do it, but they had been tasked with actually washing the dishes and doing the laundry, so she hadn't complained.

She didn't like the term spying, but if she finished early and accidentally overheard something juicy while she waited to see if their Majesties required something else... well, that wasn't her fault, was it? 

She saw the king turn and she hurried to the table and picked up an empty cup. 

"Lady Aleyn," Edmund addressed her.

She schooled her features into ones of attention and respect and turned to him.

"Would you be so kind as to find Lord Peridan and inform him that his presence is required here?"

The King suspected nothing, good. "Right away, your majesty," she curtsied, picked up the basket with the dirty dishes, and left the room with the biggest piece of gossip of the decade to hunt down Lord Peridan.

"He's your friend," Susan reminded him once the door had closed, almost pleadingly, but he just regarded her absently.

"I must think," he said to her and walked back out to the cabin's balcony. 

"Come on, it wasn't that bad," Lord Iames replied, shining the apple he had saved from breakfast on his shirt's sleeve. 

"It was bloody hot!" Lord Launce took a card from the small wooden table they were all gathered around. A three of hearts. He suppressed a frown. He hadn't won a single game since they had started playing below-deck and it was beginning to annoy him. "And sandy. What's with all the sand?"

"The city is next to a desert," Lord Iames said, biting into his apple, "what did you expect?"

"Not sandstorms reaching it," Launce replied. "Who builds their capital next to a desert?"

Lord Percheval leaned against the wooden beam that supported the stairs and balanced himself in the hind legs of his stool, waiting for his turn. "It's no wonder they wear turbans,"

"And yet they have beards," Lord Peridan remarked, placing down three kings and provoking a joined rumble from the Lords. He smirked.

"My Lord Peridan," Lady Aleyn appeared, one of Susan's Ladies, and Peridan turned with the remnants of a smile still on his lips. "His Majesty wishes to speak with you,"

His smile disappeared with her words and something that resembled dread made appeared in his eyes.

He nodded to her and placed his four remaining cards down.

"Why so pale, Peridan?" Lord Launce asked. "It's not like you're ever in trouble," he scoffed.

"Yeah. You could murder someone and the King would probably grant you a new title," Lord Perceval added with a chuckle.

"And her majesty would throw you a party to celebrate," Lord Ansoul, usually the quiet one, joined in the teasing.

Peridan shook his bead but laughed through his nose – that definitely sounded like something Susan would do – and stood from his wooden stool.

He made for the stairs, which were just beside them, but stopped on the first step and turned to his mates. "Don't look at my cards," he said, pointing a warning finger at them before taking the stairs.

"Come on, Peridan. What do you take us for?" Lord Launce said showing him a cheeky smile.

"A bunch of whoresons when it comes to cards," Peridan shouted back with a laugh, taking the steps two at a time.

"You know, that's insulting to the whores." Launce shouted back. "What have they ever done to you?" but Peridan's feet were already disappearing from his sight. 

"I think the question is what haven't they," Percheval snickered.

"You're one to speak, Percy," Ansoul chuckled.

Percy ignored the comment. 

"We're looking at his cards, right?" Iames asked after making sure Peridan was gone.

"Oh, absolutely," Launce replied. "What's he got?" 

The light blinded him and the heat hit him like the scorching breath of a blacksmith's furnace. Peridan shielded his eyes with his hand and grimaced, adverting his eyes before he went blind. 

"You kiss the queen with that mouth?" Lady Aleyn asked, her tone teasing as she looked down at him from the main deck. 

His jaw tensed and a curse crossed his mind but he held his tongue. "So you've heard," He looked up at her but she was barely more than a dark female shape. 

"Oh, I've heard," she stepped aside and allowed him to exit into the main deck. "We're on a ship, the walls are thinner than usual. But don't worry, I haven't told anyone," 

Yet, he thought. 

"What should I expect?" he asked, his eyes now almost adjusted to the brightness as he let her lead him up into the quarter deck.  

Lady Aleyn laughed. "Not a new title and a party,"  

Edmund did not know how he felt about it. Susan fancied Peridan and Peridan fancied her back. It was... strange. Strange and slightly uncomfortable. It made him feel itchy, like he needed a change of clothes.

He thought of himself as a clever and observant man, but this... Feelings for one another. Why, it makes no sense! Edmund thought. If they've had feelings for one another, then how come this is the first I'm hearing about it? Surely I would have noticed such a thing. Or have I been so absorbed in my own affairs I have dismissed that which has been staring right at me from under my nose?

No, I'm around. And when I'm not, he– Fool! He has played me for a fool! he thought, for when he wasn't around to watch out for Susan, Peridan always did. Either by Edmund's direction or Peridan's own volition.

Well, that makes sense now, Edmund thought. But still, he couldn't have fancied her all along, he's been around with other ladies in front of her. If he had fancied her then then he wouldn't have done so.

And then there's the matter of her suitors. If he fancied her all along then he would have said something to her when they showed up. Especially about Prince Rabadash. Although now that I think about it, he was rather cranky when he showed up, was he not. Hmm, that must have brought it up. Yes, this must be a recent thing. And the prospect of her marrying that brute must have made him speak up. Susan said he told her yesterday, maybe that's what made her decide not to marry Rabadash. A relieved laugh escaped him. In that case, I suppose I have to thank him. Between Peridan and Rabadash, Peridan is obviously the better man. Much better suited for Susan. His behaviour has always been exemplary, he is always courteous with her, they get along just fine, and Susan has never done something other than sing his praises. Hmm, maybe it is rather obvious now that I look back at it.

The more Edmund thought about it, the more at ease he found himself with the idea of his sister and his best friend having feelings for one another. He knew Peridan thoroughly and trusted him as much as his own brother, if not more. It had been Peridan he had gone to for female advice when he had first developed feelings for a girl and never had he been crude with his wording. He knew his treatment of women was nothing but chivalrous. All of his conquests had been willing and no woman had ever complained about him. Never had he bragged or revealed anything embarrassing of them, if anything information had had to be pried from him. And even when he did reveal something, his wording had always been vague.

He knew Peridan; he was chivalrous, honest and fair. His moral compass was as straight and true as his sword. He knew he would never hurt his sister and that he would continue to treat her right if not better than he already did. The more he thought about it, he found the prospect of him and Susan had no reason to be displeasing. Quite the contrary. Unlike her other suitors, men whose motives were in question, men whose character was unknown, he knew Peridan. He knew him enough to have trusted him his back in battle, with important duties on several occasions, and, would you look at that, he had already trusted him with his sister on precarious situations more times than he could count and never once had he gotten a bad feeling about it. Yes. The thought did not displease him at all.

He knew then that there was only one more thought experiment he needed to perform before giving a verbal approval, an experiment he always did whenever one of Susan's suitors presented himself, and so Edmund thought: Peridan will wed Susan.

Funnily enough, he found the idea relieving. Unlike other instances, he did not get the urge to pull his brain out through his nose, scream into a void or hurl his insides. He decided right then that he had no objection to Peridan being with his sister. Peridan was to be trusted with Susan, he decided and felt a great unburdening at his decision.

Now the only question is, Edmund thought, is Susan to be trusted with Peridan?

It felt like an eternity yet when the knock came at the door it felt as if not enough time had passed.

She had watched Edmund pace and pace out in the balcony, thinking with his hands, frowning, mumbling, and... was that a chuckle she had heard?

She had absolutely no idea what was going through his mind and it worried her greatly. He couldn't forbid it, for she was free to do as she please, yet he could very well banish him from their kingdom or toss him out the balcony and into the sea.

She now knew how he had felt about her previous suitors. At first, when they'd just arrive, he would try to keep an open mind and wouldn't judge them too harshly in front of her, but as soon as she rejected them, he, his quick wit, and Imira's would run them over and critique every minuscule thing they had ever heard them say or do.

She knew Peridan was now being the object of said inspection and part of her worried for, even though she knew he was of righteous character, Peridan had been Edmund's friend long before he had been Susan's. Who knew what they talked about.

Somehow the knock reached Edmund's ears just as well as hers, and before she could rise to open the door herself, Edmund spoke.

"Enter," he said as he himself entered the cabin and closed the window doors behind him, his voice loud and firm.

At least he doesn't plan to toss him off the ship, Susan thought, and rose en par to the cabin's door handle twisting, revealing Peridan attached to the other side.

His eyes darted to her to assess her expression and he found her worry unreassuring.

"Shut the door, Peridan," Edmund said, his tone stern yet not as much as he had expected.

He looked at his friend, no, not his friend, he realized but at the King, and did as he was told.

"I have spoken with my sister," Edmund began after having instructed Peridan to sit down on the now-empty breakfast table and stopped Susan with a look from going to take a seat beside him. He had decided a healthy amount of respectful fear needed to be instilled in his friend before letting him know he had the green light to court his sister, "and she has told me everything." He was pacing in front of him, his hands firmly clasped behind his back. "I have but one question to ask of you," he said, and stopped before him to look him straight in the eye, "What are your intentions with my sister?" Edmund asked.

So straight to the point then, Peridan thought. Hmph, well I want to marry her, but that seems too soon a thing to say. "I love her," he said the undebatable truth knowing well that Edmund would spot deception in him quicker than a lion could pounce on a deer.

"Hmm," Edmund nodded, seemingly pleased with his answer, and resumed his walking just to make him sweat. "Enough to marry her?" he asked stopping by the window and regarding him curiously.

Peridan's eyes darted to Susan revealing slight worry.

Susan crossed half the distance that separated her from Peridan. "Edmund!" She chided her brother with a sharp look, finding his question both offensive and intrusive. They had been together for about twelve hours, all they had figured out was that they loved each other and didn't want to hide it. And now they were supposed to discuss it in front of her brother? What was he thinking! "You don't have to answer him," she turned Peridan, despite that part of her that desperately wanted to know.

Peridan turned his eyes back to the King and recognized the look he sported as he leaned against the wall, arms crossed, and regarded Susan. He was amused. Peridan stopped worrying.

Oh, Edmund was finding the situation most amusing, alright. It had taken everything in him not to smirk during the ordeal, but looking at a red-faced Susan, panicking about the question he had just asked, he found himself slipping. He looked back at Peridan and realized he had been made. Oh well, his friend had already sweated enough about it. He gave his friend a broader smirk and nodded to him, letting him know it was alright if he chose not to answer.

But honesty felt good and he was done with the secrecy. "Yes," Peridan answered, emboldened by Edmund's reassurance, and heard Susan gasp.

Edmund gave his friend a thumbs up before putting on his facade.

"Good," Edmund said, no trail of amusement in his voice and pushed himself off the wall. "Good," he repeated and walked to stand behind Peridan and face his sister. "Now, what about you, sister? What are your intentions with Lord Peridan?" he asked, his demeanour the exact same he had used on Peridan just moments before.

Susan's pleasure disappeared at her brother's words but her shock remained. "What?" she turned to him and found his judging stare. The same he used when delivering judgment back in court.

"Well you have had, sometimes, led men along," Edmund explained. "I just want to know what your intentions with my friend are." He placed a strong hand on Peridan's shoulder. "I would hate for whatever it this is," he gestured with his other hand at the space between them before releasing Peridan, "to get in the way of my friendship with Peridan, so I'm going to ask you plainly: is this a fleeting fancy or do you love him enough to marry him?"

Neither Peridan nor Susan could believe their ears. Edmund's object of concern had switched from Susan to Peridan. Peridan almost laughed.

Susan found herself in the spotlight and, for once, she was not enjoying it. She felt Peridan's scrutinizing gaze and knew he wanted to hear her answer just as much as she had wanted to hear his.

Well, it wasn't like she hadn't thought about it. And he had already admitted it first, so why should it be embarrassing any longer? "Yes," she answered, much to Peridan's relief and joy. So much so that he was now smiling sunnily at her.

She had said it, she had actually said it. She smiled back and fought the urge to go to him and kiss him.

"Good," Edmund said and he walked around the table to stand between the two of them, his stern look replaced with an amused and pleased smile. "In that case..." 

Peridan walked down to the main deck feeling oddly weightless. He had been dismissed from the cabin and was now returning to his game of cards to a new world. He was certain his friends had looked at his hand, but he did not care. Not when that had just happened. And to think he could have been with Susan sooner if he'd only had the guts to say something. But what could have been didn't matter anymore. No, what mattered was what was going to happen. He chuckled, things couldn't have turned out more perfectly if he had found himself the White Stag and wished for them himself.

He descended slowly, giving his eyes a chance to adjust to the darkness, and heard his friends before he saw them.

Chatter, laughter, and high-pitched voices. The ladies had now joined them. Good, he thought, they bring some balance to the group. He smiled to himself. Balance, that was what Susan would bring into his life as well, joyful balance. He wondered if she would now spend time with his friends as the other ladies did. He hoped so, the idea pleased him.

He found two standing, Ladies Noleene and Morana who occasionally leaned a hand on the Lord's shoulders for support whenever they hit a particularly daunting wave; one, Lady Aleyn, he realized as she turned to smile at Ansoul had joined the game and now sat in Peridan's stool; and another, Lady Daniria, sat on Lord Percy's lap, one arm draped around his shoulder. Unremarkable since they were to be wed soon.

Ah, so Aleyn is here, Peridan thought. She has most likely already spilt the tea. Ah, no need to rub it in their faces then, they already think me a lucky bastard who gets special treatment for being closest friends with the King. He schooled his face into casual contentment and approached the circle.

Lady Morana saw him first and squeezed Launce's shoulder with a girlish smile. Peridan gave her a perfunctory nod and reached the edge of the circle, the ceiling beams low enough to allow him to casually rest his left forearm on one of them for both balance and support.

Launce looked up at her and then followed her gaze. "Ah, there he is!" he placed his three aces down winning the game without giving it much importance. "The man of the hour,"

"You cheeky bastard," Lord Iames laughed and shook his head in disbelief, overlooking his loss.

"No wonder he's smiling," Lady Daniria said, her smile the kindest.

"We thought you were dead," Lord Percy smirked, one hand on his cards, for he hadn't realized the game was over, and the other on Daniria's waist.

"I presume you told them," Peridan turned to Lady Aleyn, not entirely unamused.

"I thought you already had," Aleyn replied innocently. Peridan shook his head at her and made a mental note to return the favour.

"You and the Queen, eh?" Launce chuckled. "So, when's the funeral?" he asked.

Morana and Noleene laughed.

"Who said anything about a funeral?" Peridan replied, keen on revealing as little as possible.

"The banishment then," Launce said with a dismissive wave of his hand. Peridan, like the rest, chuckled.

"Or perhaps a walk down the plank?" Aleyn threw in much to everyone's amusement. Ansoul smiled at her.

"Oh, come on. You've got to give us something," Percy said and they all agreed with him and demanded answers.

"Very well, very well," he waved them to settle down. "I'll say that you were right," he said to his friends, "and you were wrong," he looked and pointed at Lady Aleyn somewhat triumphantly.

Confused faces stared up at him.

He saw he needed to clarify. "I am getting a new title and the Queen will throw a party to celebrate," he said, receiving a couple of gasps and a few humorous insults, and a whole lot of laughter.