The Two of Us

Kings Arrive

Alice had decided to express her opinion about last night's attack to Peter in the morning. "Peter, about last night. The attack. I-I think they're after me. They're attacking your guards to get to me." Peter could sense the worry and guilt in Alice's voice. He shook his head and rested a hand on Alice's shoulder, "Don't worry about it too much. If they're after you, my guards will protect you. I'll make sure there will always be guards outside your door from now on."

Alice smiled at Peter, thanking him, but was not pleased with his response. This made her feel as if she was a burden to his nation and guards.

Today was the day that Kings from different nations were coming to meet Queen Susan and help her find her soon-to-be-husband King. There were many Kings arriving each at different times, immediately being brought to their rooms for the mean time. Edmund and Lucy brought them to their rooms while Peter, Susan and Alice remained at the front to welcome them.

When the King from the Lone Islands arrived, Susan couldn't help but let out a quiet shriek. She tidied up her hair quickly before he exited his carriage. Like Susan had described, he was quite attractive. "King Caspian of the Lone Islands!" they announced, as Peter bowed and the two girls curtsied.

He was approaching them, eyes not leaving Alice once. Alice had seemed to attract his attention, giving Peter the ill-feeling inside. Susan was too oblivious to even notice. He bowed at them, and kissed Susan's hand before smiling intently at Alice. "Isn't he gorgeous?" Susan asked, facing Alice. Alice slowly nodded as Peter rolled his eyes, "He isn't that attractive."

Alice giggled as Susan continued to watch as Caspian left to get inside.

* * * * * Alice's Point of View * * * * *

After greeting all the Kings who came to meet with Susan, I couldn't help but admit that my legs were dying. I headed off to the library where it was quiet, the way I liked it. In there, I found Edmund sitting on his own. I walked in, sitting in one of the lounges across his chair. "Exhausted?" he asked, noticing the awkward way I was walking. I just nodded, letting out a sigh as I sat down, "I didn't think it was going to be this tiring."

"Just wait until later on. There's going to be so many things to exhaust all of us." Edmund groaned, continuing to complain about the events, "Why doesn't she just marry that Caspian guy she keeps on bragging about instead of inviting another 50 other kings?"

I shrugged, trying to defend Susan. Besides, she's my best friend! "Well, maybe she wants to get to know them all better before picking the right one. You never know what the real handsome one can be like."

Edmund sat up, fixing his gaze on me. "What are your thoughts on marrying my brother? Does he look exactly how you expected?" I think he noticed my awkward expressions. "Don't worry, Alice. I won't tell anyone. Whatever is said in the library stays in the library."

I exhaled before spitting out the truth. "I expected him to be to be so much less ...handsome." I wanted to slap myself for saying that. Edmund was smirking at me! I glared at him, giving him warnings about sharing this kind of information to anyone. I trusted Edmund, though. Even if he seems a bit different from the other Pevensies, I knew I could trust him, too.

After a while, I decided to go out for a walk. Because of last night's incident, I had started to become so much more aware of my surroundings. I took a few knives and hid them in my secret dress pocket. I had asked the dressmaker to make this addition to all my dresses.

I was walking down in the garden when I had bumped into Susan and Caspian on the way. I quickly bowed, as they bowed in return. "Caspian, this is my dear friend, Queen Alice of Valhalla." Caspian smiled, and kissed my hand, "I've heard much about you. It's nice to meet you." I simply returned the smile and curtsied before leaving the two alone again. I couldn't help but feel that this man was not the right one for Susan. Something's just not right about him.

Later today, Peter called me to join him as he wanted to go out for a ride again. I accepted his offer, as I had been longing to go for another adventure. We didn't ride as far as we did last time, but we came across this beautiful place with a waterfall and small lagoon. We got off our horses and sat back as we watched the water bounce off the rocks.

"I can't believe I've never come across this place before. I thought I had been through this whole place already." Peter said, leaning back onto a rock, "I don't know. Maybe you're my lucky charm, Alice."

I smiled in response, "I beg to differ."

Peter was calling me his lucky charm, but I don't feel that way after the incident with the cloaked men. No one had seemed to be familiar with them at all, except for me.

"It's nice to be away from the castle at time like this. I feel myself getting much more stressed in Court these days." I looked at him apologetically. It must be hard to be King of such a great land like Cair Paravel. "Maybe this can be our sanctuary."

I smiled at the thought of it. A place just for me and Peter. Our sanctuary.

"So this'll be our secret, then?" He nodded, suddenly wrapping an arm around me. "After all, it's our sanctuary."

We sat there for a while, enjoying each other's silent presence. I found myself resting my head on his shoulder, as his arm remained around my waist. This truly felt like a sanctuary. For once in my life, I had forgotten about how to stress and worry. All thanks to Peter.

At first I was so worried about meeting Peter and worried mostly about getting along with him. I feel so glad that that is now going to be the least of my worries. From how we've been acting around each other, I'm sure we can get along better than we both had expected.

I quickly sat up when I had realized I had dozed off for a while. I smiled when I saw that Peter had also fallen asleep. I know it may have sounded creepy, but I watched him sleep for a bit. I really do think highly of him. Not only because he is King, but because of his natural kindness and nobility. It was definitely something every King needed.

I quickly looked away when I saw his eyes slowly open. He stretched his arms, as I pretended to not notice.

"Oh, great. I don't believe we fell asleep here." he chuckled, running his hand through his blonde hair. "It's getting a little late. Maybe we should head back before the sky gets dark." I nodded in agreement as we both got back onto our horses, riding back to the castle. After we left the horses at the stables, we went back inside to find that the others were hanging around the ballroom. The ballroom was filled with other Kings and it was difficult to spot Edmund and Lucy.

All the Kings were lining up to have a chat with Susan. I smiled, watching as Susan bonded with one of the fairly handsome Kings. Peter and I found our way to Edmund and Lucy, who were cheekily smiling at us. Oh, how I hated the way Edmund was looking at me.

"Where were the two of you?" Edmund asked in a teasing voice, as Lucy joined in.

"Peter and Alice sitting on a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G."

Peter covered Lucy's mouth and shook his head, "Enough, Lucy." I seriously wanted to squeeze lemons out of these two. How could they be so cheeky? "So, how are the Kings?" I asked, looking around the room.

"Well, Susan lost interest in the Caspian guy were talking about earlier. Apparently, he has a thing for you, Alice." Edmund said, his facial expressions finally serious. Was he being honest? Lucy giggled, "All the Kings are going to like Alice, but Peter is going to kill all who look at her."

What Peter said in response truly shocked me.

"Well, whoever decides to steal my Queen can face me with a sword in hand."

Well, my heart was beating really fast by the time his sentence finished. Peter was also a man who was great with words. And words could not express how much I now truly adored this astounding young man.