The Two of Us

Learning

Alice felt the wind in her hair. She felt free. It was like standing at the edge of a cliff. It was a feeling she hadn't been feeling for a while now. She had been cooped up in her guest room for so long, she hadn't been able to have the chance of riding. The last time she had gone riding was when she and Edmund had been running away. It was a bad kind of memory.

Her hair fell back in place as the horse came to a stop, with Charles and his horse stopping by her side. They stopped at an archery practise range, where many come to practise their archery skills. Alice had wanted to show Charles one of her skills, and decided to take him here. Not to brag, but to prove to him that she was definitely not a damsel in distress.

When they had met, Charles had rescued her from someone. She didn't want to keep that reputation forever. She had to prove herself worthy.

"You shoot?"

"Better than average." Alice said, picking up the bow and arrow, raising it up in position. Charles almost gasped when she released the arrow as it hit straight on the bullseye. Alice smiled proudly, retrieving her arrow. She turned to Charles, who was clapping.

"I am indeed impressed. I honestly didn't expect that from you, Alice, but here you are."

"Do you shoot, Charles?"

He almost laughed, walking away towards the horses. Alice took that as a no.

* * *

The two were lying in the meadow, their eyes fixed onto the dark sky above them. Alice had never seen such beautiful, bright stars before. They almost seemed unrealistic. It was like lanterns hanging from the skies above them.

"It's beautiful."

"Yes. I know." Charles replied. "Never seen anything like it?"

Alice shook her head. "I guess I never actually thought about looking up at the sky at night. I barely even go out at night, actually."

"Why is that? The night time is especially beautiful."

"I don't know... It's always dark. It can be unsafe, and I'm often afraid of it." Alice said honestly. "It's never safe at night."

She must have been referring to the incidents that have occurred in Peter's castle. It had been quite long since the last incident, but it's hard to forget when it's life threatening. She thought of the cloaked people, and the death threats. She had to be thankful they were no longer happening, but it was hard to forget when your advisor had been brutally murdered right outside your bedroom window.

"Well, I'm here now. And I think I can protect you from whatever scares you."

Alice didn't know if he was serious or not, but she decided to play along as if it were a joke. "Yes. Thank you. You must have been training since the age of ten to protect a defenceless Queen."

Charles laughed, "If that may be the case, then so be it."

Alice smiled. She hadn't felt so safe in a while. She turned to Charles, beaming at him. He was so kind. She liked him. Why was he so perfect? If it weren't for him, she wouldn't have seen the stars tonight.

"I'm so glad I've met you." The words suddenly escaped her mouth.

"Me too, Alice."

A/N: Hey! Anyone here missing Peter? Now's a good time to check out my new (kinda) Peter Pevensie one shot! I wrote it last year, but released it now. Just check it out from my profile!