𝑵𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒂: 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝑨𝒈𝒆 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑰 (Narnia fanfic)

Part 19 |BEFORE THE PARTY|

1000, August

Thursday morning:

James, Max, Hayley, and Rebekah arrived yesterday to stay over for Peter's birthday celebrations. Sometime after they arrived I told Hayley and Rebekah about Peter and me. They were happy for me, Rebekah got super excited and wanted to tell Max, but I made her promise to keep the secret until I tell them. Reluctantly, she agreed. Hayley was happy for me but told me that I really should tell James before he finds out from someone else. Anyways, Peter's 17th birthday is tomorrow and there's going to be a ball at night and all noble people from many countries have been invited. Today there's going to be a tournament, as part of the celebrations, and the winner gets invited to the party. And everyone is just dying to go. I wish I could participate, but it's a men-only +18 tournament and I'm only 16, I'll turn 17 in about a month, so, for now, I watch like the rest. Uh, one day, one day I'll get a chance to enter one of these tournaments and show them what I can do. But for now, I'll watch and learn.

After breakfast, we head outside into town where the tournament is being held at noon. People are gathering, taking their places in the town square where everything has been set up. Knights in shining armour are registering, armour is being polished, equipment is being carried around. We are taken to our seats. Front row to the right of where the Kings and Queens will be seated. After about 10 minutes they walk in and the tournament begins after some words from the Kings and Queens. The tournament lasts for about two hours. After about four hours of excitement and half of the men who entered the competition are out. Not dead, just down. Tomorrow is the second round, where a champion will be named. We exit the town square and head back to the castle, where a banquet will be held.

Later that afternoon:

Rebekah, Hayley and I are looking at dresses to pick out which one I'll be wearing for the party.

"Oh my gosh, this one is gorgeous! You must wear this one to the ball. He won't be able to take his eyes off of you!" She tells me excitedly. They're two of three people who know I'm secretly dating Peter. The only other person that knows is Edmund, who caught us one day kissing in the garden and Peter made him promise to keep it a secret.

"You think so?" 

"Um, yeah! Peter will be so into you. You two will be the hottest couple ever!" Rebekah tells me excitedly. I have to agree with her on that, we do look pretty good together.

"Well he is pretty hot, isn't he? " I tell her giggling.

"Not you too Imira," My brother calls standing at the door fame. "Every girl attending that party will be trying to get his attention that night, I've heard it on my way here, it's ridiculous! They'll all be throwing themselves at him! Don't tell me you'll be one of them too."

"James! I won't be throwing myself at anybody! I'm not some common girl, I can control myself". Did I mention he has a bit of a temper?
"That's not what I meant," James tells me stepping closer to us. "I just don't want you to make a fool of yourself out there"
"What, so now I'm a fool!?!"
"Imira, you know what I mean! I don't want you getting your feelings hurt if he's not into you." He tells me with concern in his voice.
"I won't. So stop worrying." I tell him a little annoyed.

"Just give her a break James! She's smart, she can make her own choices," Hayley adds, annoyed at my brother's overprotectiveness. She's so independent and so not afraid of getting in him mad, unlike most people I know. They're perfect for each other.

"I know that! I just worry." He tells Hayley and then turns to me, "My sister, my responsibility. Isn't that what dad used to tell me all the time?" he tells me with a hint of sadness in his eyes.