Disclaimer: I do not own The Chronicles of Narnia and make no money from this story.

Chapter Fourteen

"Damien, you can't give up," Amira said and continued, "Look, Peter and I are going riding this afternoon. You should come with Susan."

"She'll be busy," said Damien, "Trust me."

"No, she won't," said Amira wryly. "We'll get Lucy to make her come. You get ready; I'll find Lucy."

Amira had barely finished speaking when she was out the door and away. Damien followed as quickly as he could, but Amira was already down the hall when he shouted, "Don't you think that's a bit dramatic?"

He looked at the faun standing across the hall from him. "I was only going to let her alone until the wedding planning was over. She'd be less stressed then." Damien paused and looked at the bewildered faun. "Aren't you Mr. Tumnus?" he asked.

"Yes, I believe I have that honor, sir," replied Mr. Tumnus.

Damien shut the bedroom door behind him and put his hand on Mr. Tumnus' shoulder in a companionable manner.

"Look, you have the ear of the four, don't you?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"They confide in you, don't they? King Peter and all them?"

"Well, yes, but I wouldn't do anything to betray any of their confidences."

"Of course, but it concerns my sister, you see."

"Ah," said Mr. Tumnus with a nod of his head.

"I was wondering if it would be a bit premature to send for my brother and sister-in-law. They wouldn't want to miss, well—you know, if perchance. What I mean to say is—You know, if er—"

"If your sister marries King Peter?"

"Right, that one."

"I would be pleased to send the messengers myself, sir."

"Good, right. Thanks. I'll, uh—just go then."

After lunch that afternoon, Susan and Peter met Damien and Amira at the stables where they prepared for a ride along the coast. They were ready quickly, though Susan rode out first, wishing to put some space between her and the rest of the party. She was not quick enough, however, and Damien quickly caught up with her. Peter and Amira were riding behind them, talking quietly.

"They seem to be getting on, don't they?" asked Damien.

"Yes," said Susan.

They were silent for several moments before Damien spoke again.

"There is—a particular punch that is a favorite of Amira's. The ingredients are somewhat rare, a particular type of fruit being necessary, and so we—"

Susan interrupted, saying, "I beg your pardon, Prince Damien, but I don't know why you are troubling me with this information."

"For the preparations," Damien stuttered. "For the wedding."

"I wasn't aware that my brother had pledged himself to your sister. Unless you are implying that my own brother doesn't confide in me?" Susan arched a brow.

"N-no."

"Then we shan't talk of it, shall we?" said Susan firmly.

Damien was taken aback at first, but he gathered himself together and replied, "I beg your pardon, Queen Susan, but your brother has been favoring my sister with his particular attention. I hope you don't mean to imply that your brother plays with the hopes of women."

"Certainly not!"

"Then we shan't speak of it, shall we?" said Damien archly, before urging his horse ahead.

Damien muttered to himself angrily. He had first seen Queen Susan talking to Mr. Tumnus about some sort of arrangement and it hadn't been just her looks that had caught his attention, but her air and the graceful way she moved. He had been so sure that he was looking at a true Queen—a woman of substance, of confidence—that he had immediately been attracted to her. Now he was starting to wonder if her pride would have gotten in the way even if he hadn't acted like a fop in front of her in the first place. He had done nothing to deserve her behavior—nothing of importance anyway. Who was she to—

Damien's thoughts were interrupted by a cry for help. There was a figure splashing about in the water some fifteen feet further up the coast. Damien urged his horse into a gallop toward the commotion. The rest of the party soon caught on to what was happening and followed quickly after him.

When he reached the figure, Damien discovered it was a woman of noble birth, average height and weight, who couldn't swim. He was wondering why a woman who couldn't swim would wander into the ocean in the first place when said woman stopped blubbering and began calling out to High King Peter.

"King Peter, oh!" she exclaimed. "Thank you for saving me! My goodness, I would have drowned if it weren't for you!"

The entire party had difficulty not rolling their eyes and Damien spoke up quickly.

"If you will come with me, milady," he said, "I will escort you to the palace."

"Oh but, King Peter—" she began to protest.

"You will be fine in the fully capable hands of Prince Damien, milady," said Peter stiffly.

"A prince?" asked the woman, turning her eyes to Damien.

Damien helped the woman onto his horse and began leading her back to the castle as she chattered away about how grateful she was. Susan watched them go with cold, disapproving eyes.

Prince Damien was speaking quietly to Queen Lucy.

"Of course I will make arrangements for the punch," said Queen Lucy. "Thank you for letting me know. I don't suppose you also know her favorite flower?"

Damien looked surprised. "Er—no, I don't," he said.

"Favorite color then?" asked Lucy expectantly.

"Purple," said Damien firmly and then he paused. "Perhaps green? No, she likes both, I think. Yes, purple and green," he said.

"I'll just ask Amira," said Lucy. "I'm sure they will be making the announcement soon enough and then I can ask her everything."

"Yes, of course," said Damien.

"How was your afternoon?" said Lucy with a smile.

Damien frowned. "Fine," he said. "I must go."

He left abruptly and Lucy frowned after him. She would have to ask Susan about what had happened.

Meanwhile, Peter and Amira were in the gardens where they had first met. They were having a serious discussion.

- The End -

Look for the sequel, Prince Damien's Luck.