A/n:

Greetings, fellows! Thank you for checking out this story, co-written by the amazing HighQueenP and me. We've had a lot of fun times writing this, and we hope you'll have just as much fun reading it! :)

A few things to clarify before we jump into a pool of awesomeness, i.e. the story per se, let's just get the characters' ages right: Caspian is 19. Peter is 18. Susan is 16. Edmund is 15. Lucy is 13.

Finally, just a friendly reminder that this story is set post-PC.

Now, enjoy! :D

~Chronicler's POV~

Katrina panted as she dashed all the way from the back door to the front door of the florist shop that she and her elder sister, Ines, ran. It was originally their family business, but their mother passed away when the two girls were little. Not long after the saddening loss in their family, the two sisters had to come to terms with their father's death as well. Ever since then, 17-year-old Ines and 16-year-old Katrina lived with their aunt and uncle, in the town of Chippingford, Narnia.

The family business was not doing particularly well, sadly, since Miraz collected heavy tax from the commoners and the economy was not at its best. It was a common wish amongst Telmarine-Narnians, now that the rightful heir to the throne, Caspian X, had been crowned King, that effective measures could be implemented to improve the economy and overall standards of living.

"Ines!" Katrina urgently called out, pulling the door open. "You're back! Finally! You've been out all morning."

"Sorry; I know I should have left you a note explaining my absence, but I was in a hurry. Someone's throwing a birthday party, so I had emergency orders to deliver to that village, which was quite a walk away," Ines replied as she set down her basket and hat on a bench.

"You must be hungry, skipping breakfast and going a long way to the village and back. I made you lunch," Katrina carried a plate and a bowl as well as some utensils from the kitchen and carefully placed it on the dining table.

"Aw, my favorite," Ines grinned instantly, and her mood was brightened by the sight of the mouth-watering salmon and egg mayo sandwich before her eyes, accompanied by a dish of salad. As she savored the scrumptious, nutritious food, she licked her lips and commented to her sister, "Maybe you could get a job as a chef in the Telmarine Castle, if not in other popular eateries."

Flattered, Katrina beamed, but shrugged. "I'm not that good."

Ines remarked. "Oh, trust me. You have better culinary skills than you think you do."

"What about you then? I'm not going to let you just run this shop all on your own," Katrina added.

Ines sighed. "Well, I don't know. I don't think we're earning a lot anyway. We may have to seek other sources of income."

Katrina's eyes suddenly widened. "Wait, there's something I need to tell you about. I received news this morning from the mailmen that Queen Susan and Queen Lucy are going to visit our town today!"

"The Gentle and the Valiant? And they're visiting Chippingford?" Ines gasped. "This is unbelievable! What are they here for?"

"Their Majesties will be visiting for two purposes. One would be returning to our town the excess tax money that the Usurper had previously collected from us," Katrina reported, grinning in thrill.

"Katrina, that's wonderful!" Ines broke into a broad beam and was just as exhilarated as her younger sister was. "And what would the other purpose for their visit be?"

"Well, I'm not very sure, to be honest, but if what I hear is reliable news – I hope my sources are credible – then they're going to be recruiting ladies in waiting as well. Not just from our town, but from all of Narnia. I think they'll be provided with training courses so that whoever passed at the end of the course will take up the role of ladies in waiting to the noblewomen in the Telmarine Castles, and two lucky ones would be ladies in waiting to the two Queens respectively. The minimum eligible age for enrolment is 16, I hearsay, so we do qualify," Katrina explained.

"The Queens want Telmarine common women to serve as ladies in waiting to them?" Ines's jaw dropped.

"The first step to enable the two races to mix, I suppose. It appears to have been an annual tradition, but hardly any of us have heard of it because the previous rulers paid no attention to small towns like ours," Katrina analyzed. "And although the positions as handmaidens in the Queens' households may seem unnecessary, since they can manage just fine before they appointed ladies in waiting, it gives us commoners to have a chance to mingle with aristocrats. I suppose it promotes cohesion within the society."

Ines clasped her hands together. "Katrina, I simply can't believe it! Isn't that something we've been waiting for our whole lives? Can you imagine what our lives would be like if we do apply to be ladies in waiting? I know you can see it," she nudged her sister.

Katrina smiled. "I know. Stepping foot onto the grand estates of Telmarine Castle…"

"Where all the members of the social elite gather to gossip…" Ines beamed proudly as if all her dreams were coming true.

"And meet wonderful gentlemen with charming countenances," Katrina continued cheerfully.

"Who would kiss our hands," Ines grinned.

"And bow to us courteously," Katrina concluded. She beamed, and returned the silverware to the kitchen counter while her sister did the same with the bowl and plate. "Do make haste though. We really ought to get ready soon, since we have to meet Their Majesties and we have to look our best. If we don't, we'll never get to live our fantasy," Katrina reminded.

Ines smacked her forehead. "Right. I don't have a dress prepared. Well, will you help me with my outfit, dear sister?"

"Of course," Katrina grinned and the two went upstairs to their shared closet. "Do you want to have a look at what I'm wearing first?"

"Sure, why not?" Ines nodded, and stared, beaming heartily, at a summer dress with a belted waist along its natural waistline. Its scoop neckline could match a necklace as long as it was not made of rubies, because it wouldn't go well the garment's peachy pink color.

"So, what do you say? Yay or nay?" Katrina beamed, proud of her choice.

"Wow, good thing we're the same height, so we can always swap dresses to wear and not encounter much fitting problems," Ines shot a thumbs-up sign at her sister. "In fact, I think every noblewoman would want you as their lady in waiting, so that they could have you help them choose their dresses for parties that they'd attend on every other weekend," She grinned and patted her sister's shoulder in approval. "You are an expert, aren't you?"

"Oh, my darling, you flatter me," Katrina giggled. "As for you, my beautiful sister – let's see."

"Oh, my darling, you flatter me," Ines imitated her sister and chuckled.

Katrina laughed. "If you're searching for a magnificently trimmed dress that is full of delicate detailing then allow this long sleeve gown to be your choice!" She announced grandly.

"Hmm. Magnificent. That would be perfect for me," Ines commented.

"Not only your taste in fashion, but your taste in men as well, I'm guessing?" Katrina raised one eyebrow at her sister.

"Hmm, well," Ines drawled playfully. "I won't accept any less than someone who's magnificent, to be quite frank with you."

"Ah," Katrina remarked. "Well, I suppose it just so happens that High King Peter is dubbed 'the Magnificent'."

"Indeed. What's not to like about His Majesty? It's just a pity we won't get to meet the Kings today," Ines shrugged, though beaming.

"Oh, well, you never know. Again, we're going to enlist as ladies in waiting, now, aren't we? Should luck have it, we might get to meet His Majesty after all!" Katrina smiled. "This dress has an air of elegance and sweet modern touches, and I think this just is going to suit you so well."

Ines took a closer look at the dress and examined it in full detail. The waistband made her feel like a proper noble lady already. The slim fitting bodice was designed brought a glamorous feel to the whole ensemble. She was loving the look already. And she could not wait to meet the two Queens.

To His Royal Majesty King Caspian X of Telmar and Narnia:

I am writing on behalf of my nation to offer you our sincerest congratulations on restoring peace to Narnia. I understand that the Kings and Queens of Old have returned to Narnia, and have decided to stay. Therefore, I would like to invite the monarchs of Narnia to travel to Archenland for a visit, please it your royal person and Their Majesties, and the date and duration of the visit is subject to your convenience and discretion.

Archenland has had a frozen relationship with Narnia over the past millennium, I regret to say. However, I am eager to renew my forefathers' alliance with the four ancient monarchs, and build rapport with not only Old Narnians but with Telmarines as well. It is my wish to enable Archenlanders and all citizens of Narnia to mix and live in peace, for Archenlanders are not in favor of war, and I trust that Narnians would much rather have everlasting peace than be at war.

I look forward to your positive reply, and wish you a prosperous reign.

Regards and wishes,

Signed His Royal Majesty King Nain of Archenland

King Caspian had informed his colleagues of the Archenlander King's invitation, and the five of them were now discussing who should go to Archenland. They couldn't all go, since somebody had to stay behind to rule.

"Well, since the letter was addressed to me, I ought to go," Caspian began. "Would anyone like to join me? It'll be more fun than if I go alone, I reckon."

"I really want to go," Queen Lucy said zealously, enthusiasm evident in her voice. "It's been a whole year since I last visited Archenland."

"You mean thirteen hundred years," King Edmund replied wittily.

"I guess you can put it that way. But either way, I miss Archenland so much. I mean there's Corin and all our friends…" Lucy's voice trailed off, remembering that all the Archenlanders she befriended in the Golden Age were long gone to Aslan's Country already.

"Don't worry, Lu," Queen Susan reassured. "You'll find out soon enough what King Nain is like, and there'll be plenty of chances for us to make new friends."

"Anyone else care to join?" Caspian asked.

"Well I'm the High King," King Peter said regally, "I'm supposed to be overseeing the whole country, and I miss it too much to leave. I think I'm going to stay. I'll always have the chance to visit later on anyway. Susan?"

"Well actually I'd like to stay, as much as I do like Archenland, and it's been a while. But as you know, I'd like to be more in touch with the ladies in training course. It'd be nice to get to know the trainees better if any of them are going to be my lady in waiting someday. After all, the aim of the program is to allow us to mingle with the lower class," Susan answered. "And if I'm not around, who's going to make sure you're behaving yourselves?" She eyed her mischievous brothers strictly, though they were all laughing.

"Ed?" Caspian asked.

"I'm…staying," Edmund nodded.

"You sure?" Lucy asked.

"Yeah…I'm quite sure," Edmund drawled. "Besides, it probably isn't very polite to ask for food all the time when I'm in Archenland."

"That's not a valid excuse," Caspian guffawed.

"Oh, Ed. There's no meal big enough to ever sate your appetite, am I right?" Susan teased.

"Right you are, Su," Edmund nodded, chuckling.

"Shame you can't run as fast as I can, brother," Peter commented. "You're much slower, I have to say."

"Well," Edmund said casually in a laid back manner. He was always that carefree. "You don't know what you're missing out on then, I suppose."

"You're letting your stomach rule your head!" Lucy laughed.

"Were you like this when you were this age the first time?" Caspian asked curiously.

Edmund shrugged, turning to his siblings. "Was I?"

"No different, really," Susan said, rolling her eyes.

"See? I don't know why you're still surprised I eat at all. Compared to me, it's like you only take a snack at the oddest times of the day," Edmund joked.

"Same old Ed we have here," Peter remarked, patting his brother on the back.

"Just like the good times," Edmund stretched his arms and legs. "It's so good to be back home."

With an iron step protected by leather, in an elevated coach box of a royal horse carriage sat King Caspian and Queen Lucy who were on the trip to Narnia's neighboring country, Archenland, for a short stay to rebuild international relations. Their wagon led behind them several other chaises-and-four where guards travelled in, and where baggage was also kept. Another team of coachmen were also seated in the compartments at the back, so that they could take shifts.

The travelers set out at dawn, and were scheduled to arrive by eventide the next day. Archenland was going to host a banquet for their royal guests, but given that they had traveled far, it was decided that the Narnians would be served a simpler meal upon their arrival, and a grander dinner would be in order the following day.

Caspian and Lucy had decided to bring along some gifts for Archenland's royal family. Centaurs were employed to handicraft a fine dagger as a present for King Nain of Archenland. Dwarves were miners and were assigned to collect some gemstones so that an accessory gift set could be given to Queen Dionne of Archenland. For the King's only daughter, Gilda, the Crown Princess of Archenland, a few Narnian dresses were prepared. All these were an effort to thank the Archenlanders for their warm hospitality and friendly invitation.

And soon enough, the Telmarine King and Narnian Queen had stepped onto Archenlander soil.

"It's been so long since I last visited Archenland," Lucy sighed lightly at dinner as she, upon arrival in Narnia's neighboring kingdom, told Caspian of the wondrous adventures she had during the Golden Age.

"It must have been difficult for you to readjust to life in England after spending so much time in Narnia, reigning as Queen and growing up here, but having to be a commoner and grow up all over again," Caspian nodded in understanding.

"Yes, so I'm really glad I get to stay in Narnia forever. I know that it's where I'm meant to be, and exactly where I want to be," Lucy smiled. "Even though my heart stays in Narnia, it was tough, and having to wonder if I'll ever go back to this magical land again."

"I'm pretty relieved, to be honest, that you and your siblings have decided to stay as well. I mean, I don't know how I would be able to manage a kingdom and all its territories all on my own. I do not think I am ready," Caspian shrugged.

"Well, at the end of the day, Aslan knows best. If He thinks you're ready, then all you have to do is trust Him and trust yourself, really. I mean, I was a lot younger than you when the Great Lion made me Queen. I was only 12! I didn't know anything of the challenges that was lying ahead either, but I faced it with great courage as Aslan has always taught me to, and I do believe that He will grant us the strength we need to get past the obstacles in life," Lucy advised.

"Thank you, Valiant Queen," Caspian grinned at the piece of advice he'd just been given, and realized that though Lucy was stuck in the body of a 13 year old, she really had the maturity and mindset of a full grown woman due to the extra years she spent in Narnia's Golden days. Caspian was so delighted that his four role models, ever since childhood, were going to rule by his side and guide him as he strived to become one of the greatest Kings in Narnia's history.

A/n:

Thanks for reading! :)

Perhaps at the moment it's not obvious yet why this story is named 'Chances', but as the story unfolds, you'll see. :P

In the next chapter, King Nain is going to propose a deal with Caspian. There is something Archenland intends to offer to Narnia. But what is it? And will Narnia accept the deal?

Finally, what did you think of the OCs, Ines and Katrina? Be sure to let me know in the reviews below! :D