Chronicles of Narnia – Dissuading Susan's suitor.

By Allyson.

(A/n – C. S. Lewis owns everything to do with Narnia not me. This story was written as a birthday prezzie for my little sister.)

XXX

"I can't do it."

"Don't be ridiculous, there's no such word as can't."

"Fine. I cannot do it. And I'm not going to do it."

"Sounds more like you won't do it. I thought Kings and Knights were supposed to enjoy a challenge?"

"Nice attempt at sarcasm, Su. It won't work."

"What are you two doing?"

Susan and Edmund whirled around startled at the sound of Peter's voice. Both put on innocent expressions though it didn't escape Peter's attention that they were both trying to hide something on the table behind them.

"Nothing." "Nothing."

Peter smiled in amusement as well as frowned in suspicion. Though Edmund looked grumpy at his older brother's presence, Susan's calm expression seemed a little forced. Craning his neck a little, Peter tried to see what was on the table from his position next to the kitchen doorway.

"What brings you down here?" asked Susan, in an attempt to distract him.

"Hmm? Oh, I was thirsty so I thought I'd get a drink of water," replied Peter, though he made no move to fetch the drink.

"Well, you know where everything is," said Susan, after a pause.

Peter's frown deepened before moving to a nearby cupboard. As he turned his back he heard a clattering noise behind him and he snapped his head around again. Edmund leaned casually on the table top and gave Peter an innocent smile, which caused Peter's worry to double. Susan also remained where she stood. Eyeing both his younger siblings cautiously, Peter went to fill his cup with water, completely missing the relieved look that passed between Susan and Edmund.

"Peter! Where are you?" Lucy's voice startled her three older siblings, causing Susan to jump in fright, Edmund to yelp in surprise and shocking Peter into spilling his drink over his hand and onto the floor. "Oh, there you are!"

On entering the kitchen and seeing everyone's expression, she giggled in amusement before innocently asking, "Sorry, did I startle you?"

Edmund shot her a glare that could whither leaves in an instant.

"What do you want, Lucy?" asked Peter, kindly, before his brother could snap a scathing comment.

"You promised you'd come with me to see Mr Tumnus for lunch," she replied, smiling endearingly at her older brother.

Peter smiled back. "Of course, yes, I did," he agreed, shaking the spilt water from his hand. "Are you ready to go now?"

Lucy nodded and dashed back out of the kitchen. Peter followed at a slower pace, before turning in the doorway to eye both Susan and Edmund. Both still had not moved from in front of the table and were watching him with hawk eyes.

"Don't worry," Peter told them, as a parting shot. "I'll find out what you're up to."

Peter left the kitchen and for a moment all was quiet.

Stealthily, Edmund crossed to the doorway and checked the corridor beyond to make sure Peter had defiantly left, before closing the door behind him. Both Edmund and Susan let out identical sighs of relief.

"I told you this was a silly idea," Edmund spoke up, as he walked back to the table. "Peter almost found out."

"But he didn't," pointed out Susan, picking up the object they had been hiding from their brother. "And now that Lucy's taking him to Mr Tumnus's house we don't have to worry about him finding out."

"But I don't see why I have to do it," protested Edmund, with a worried scowl. "It's your idea. Besides, what happened to Queen Susan the Gentle? Aren't you at least supposed to be courteous to your fellow suitors?"

"I have been courteous and my very title stops me from doing this," explained Susan. "Prince Arteavious is a creep and no matter how many times I politely brush him off, he comes creeping back again. Edmund, he's a leech. Please help me."

Edmund took in her pleading expression. He reached over and gently tugged the crudely made slingshot out of his older sister's hand. "You know I'd always help my big sister," he smiled, in resignation. "But in return, I need you to promise me something."

Susan raised an eyebrow in question.

"That if Peter finds out that it was me that did this, you'll stand up for me and say it was your idea," he said, seriously, ignoring Susan's surprised laughter. "Seriously, Su. He'll be mad at me and he won't trust me again."

"Don't be silly, Ed, Peter will trust you still," reassured Susan. "And I promise I'll take full responsibility if Peter finds out. I'll even bake a dozen chocolate biscuits just for you."

"You've got a deal," her brother replied, gathering up the pebbles from the table that Susan had dropped earlier. "When's the Prince arriving?"

"Anytime now," replied Susan, moving towards the nearest window. "We should see him ride by here before he goes looking for me."

Edmund joined her by the window and opened it a crack. He readied a pebble in the slingshot and sighted out the window. There came the sound of hooves and then the pompous form of Prince Arteavious, exuding pride and a selfish air, came riding by.

"Here he comes," hissed Susan, urgently.

With an accuracy that put Susan's archery skills to shame, Edmund let fling a pebble that snapped the Prince in his rear, but missed his horse. Susan and Edmund dissolved into laughter as the Prince shot up out of his saddle with a howl of pain. He rubbed the offending area and looked around to spot the culprit. Before he could look towards Cair Paravel's kitchen, another unseen pebble came hurtling towards him and bounced off the side of the helmet he wore, ringing his ears. Whipping his head around, in growing confusion and anger, the Prince let out another painful shout as another lightning pebble stung him in the rump again.

Susan and Edmund ducked under the window sill, attempting to stifle their laughter as they heard the Prince cursing to himself outside. They were so busy suppressing their laughter that they didn't hear the sound of horse footfalls galloping away and a new set trotting by the window.

"One last time," urged Susan, in a semi-whisper, pushing at Edmund's shoulder. "Just to make sure he goes."

"You're enjoying this far too much," replied Edmund, though he was already getting a pebble inside the sling.

"Don't let him see you!" warned Susan, tugging down on his sleeve when he made to stand up.

"But I can't see to aim if I'm crouched down," he replied.

"He'll be looking this way now," protested Susan. "He'll see you. Just aim out the window and maybe you'll get a lucky shot."

"Fine," grumbled Edmund, positioning himself so only the top of the slingshot could be seen out the window. Glancing out the window to quickly check the Prince was still outside, he ducked down again. "I hope I don't hit his horse."

Aiming blindly, Edmund pulled the pebble back as far as the loop of elastic would allow him and let go for a high velocity shot. The resulting yelp of pain caused Edmund and Susan to look at one another in surprise as the wild shot met its target and matching grins of mirth graced both their features.

"Peter! Are you alright?"

Lucy's concerned voice froze them were they still crouched below the window, hidden from sight. Susan's eyes crinkled with confusion while Edmund had an expression of growing panic. Susan placed a finger to her lips to hush Edmund when he looked like he was about to open his mouth to say something.

"I'm . . . ow . . . fine, Lucy, don't worry," Peter's voice sounded like it was being forced through gritted teeth.

"What happened?" asked Lucy.

"I don't know . . ."

Peter's voice trailed off and then it sounded like he was speaking to someone else who spoke too softly for Edmund and Susan to hear. "From the kitchen window . . ? . . . No, no, you won't get him into trouble . . . Thank you, for your help."

Susan's eyes widened in realization. One of the dyads that lived in the forest surrounding Cair Paravel must have seen Edmund and had told Peter. Looking towards her younger brother, she noticed Edmund must have come to the same conclusion.

"I knew those two were up to something." Peter's voice sounded louder than before and they heard footsteps approaching the window.

"Time to go," hissed Edmund, urgently, grabbing hold of Susan's hand.

"Quick!" whispered Susan, in agreement, allowing Edmund to pull her to her feet and run from their hiding place.

Peter got to the window just in time to see the back of Susan's skirts fly out of the room. He grinned as he found his suspicions had been correct. Looking down at the table, Peter found the abandoned slingshot from where Edmund had dropped it in his haste to leave. He grinned in fond remembrance as he thought back to a time in Finchley before the War began when it would have been he and Edmund terrorizing people with homemade slingshots. His grin widened as he heard their laughter echo down the corridor. He'd let Susan and Edmund off for now. He could always come up with a plan to get them back later.

The End.