` early morning wonders

[Thalia Earlshire]

Fingering the brown pouch tied to her waist, Thalia considered for a second, before letting the little ornament drop down to hang upon her belt buckle again, and looked back against the rushing Great River.

The girl had awokened early, and knowing beforeheand that her arithematic lecturer was coming today, had sneaked in to the stables, saddled her darling golden stallion Dawn, before heading out, planning to stay out as long as possible to avoid returning to her lessons.

Snaking away from lessons had always been a specialty of Thalia. The girl had never liked her lessons, and neither did she see any use for it. Why learn complicated algebra when all she needed was simple maths from day to day? Why learn geography when all she needed was a good map in her head? She never figured out, which was probably a good part of the reason why she almost never attended them.

As of then, the sun had barely touched the tips of the mountains as it rose, and standing to a side, her strong golden stallion stood grazing at the grass, as Thalia herself sat by the riverbank, legs pulled up towards her chest, as she gazed over the riverbank, watching the looming figure of Cair Paravel across the River Narnia.

And at the same time, she wondered where did she come from exactly? Her foster parents were wonderful, and Thalia loved them as well as any other child would their biological parents. But the girl really couldn't help but wonder where did she come from? Neither the Lord nor Lady Earlshire knew for sure, for all they told her was that she had turned up unconcious and dirty at the entrance to Narnia, and that was all there is too it.

It was at times like these, serene, peaceful, that Thalia's thoughts tended to dwell on the more curious side of her life, the side she never knew. For most of the time, the girl could want nothing more then to play around in the woods, or just be gallivanting around town. Her fingers dipped in the water, and then smiled lightly as the tiny fishes came up to nibble at her fingertips, her brown hazel locks dropping around her shoulders as she did so. So immersed was she in playing with the fishes, that the girl hardly noticed if anyone walked up behind her.

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[Peter Pevensie]

Peter loved everything about Narnia. However, he did favor some things over others. Particularly, one of his favorite things to do was get up just as the sun was beginning to rise. He would rush down into the hall and find himself something small to eat, an apple or other sort of fruit. Afterwards, he quickly hurry off to the stables, excitement and pride dwelling deep within him. The stable boys would usually attempt to have his horse ready, but not always could they accomplish this feat. Peter didn’t mind, of course. He’d slip into the stable and share his breakfast with the stallion before sliding onto his back. And they would be off to enjoy the sunrise as they galloped along the lands of Narnia, the most beautiful place Peter had ever seen.

On that morning, he had done just that. He’d been up early, not wasting a single moment. He’d dressed in his regular attire, sliding on a pair of riding pants along with a royal red, casual shirt. Loose fitting and showing a bit of his chest, he didn’t take time to even glance in the mirror and see if perhaps, some of his hair was sticking up in the wrong directions. He didn’t mind one bit what he looked like. Sliding his feet into his riding boots, he was racing down the stairs, rushing against the timing of the sun. He couldn’t miss a single moment of the sunrise. A young servant girl approached him as he made his way down into the great hall of Cair Paravel. Smiling at her, he declined breakfast besides a simple apple, which she gave him. Thanking her, he was out the door, running down towards the stable.

Today, seeing that he was on perfect timing, the stable boy was just beginning to get his magnificent white stallion, Magic, ready. Smiling at the boy, he took the horse from him, telling him to go off and get himself something to eat. Continuing to tack Magic, he got him completely ready to go. Leading him out into the stable yard, Peter hopped into the saddle in one graceful motion. He didn’t even need to encourage the stallion to move. Instantly once Peter was seated in the saddle, the large white stallion began at a trot. After Magic grew comfortable, he flew into a smooth canter, and eventually, the easy gallop they both enjoyed.

Peter made his way along the open fields and the lands surrounding Cair Paravel. They halted near a perfect spot, just in time to see the sun rise over the beautiful castle that Peter was able to call his home. The responsibilities he had rushed over him, and he smiled. He was High King of this wonderful land. There was not a place he would rather be. After the sun had risen, he made his way along, moving at a leisurely canter. He let Magic lead the way.

They were coming up on the Great River. Peter allowed the horse his head and Peter himself looked about the area with open, blue eyes. Taking in everything, they passed several familiar faces. They would smile and say their hellos. Peter would return the favors, smiling and returning the gestures. However, as they approached the river, Magic began to frisk up, a clear sign that another horse was most likely close by.

Emerging from a pathway that led to the river, he saw a young woman, roughly his age, playing in the water. Her horse was close by, also a stallion. Peter dismounted, and she still didn’t seem to notice his presence. Smiling, he grabbed the reins of the stallion and began to walk towards where the girl sat, fingers playing in the water. Magic stayed behind Peter perfectly, obeying his master. Stopping beside the girl, Peter smiled, speaking out, hoping not to frighten her. “Why, hello there.” Smiling, he waited for her response.

ooc; hope you don't mind me joining this ^.^

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[Thalia Earlshire]

The water was cool, crisp and clear, the nibbles of fishes ticklish against the tip of her fingers as the girl swirled her fingers in the liquid, gently leading them fishes around, a smile fixated upon her features as she did so. Animals were always naturally drawn to Thalia. She never knew the reason why, but she loved each and eveyr beast be it talking nor non-talking, and thus, never complained about her odd ability. The specialty also meant that her own stallion whom had been with her for years, was especially protective over her mistress.

Thus when Peter came up towards her, Dawn immediately swung his head up at the scent, and gave an annoyed hrrmphed, before walking up towards his mistress, nuzzling her cheek with his long satin nose, before focusing his eyes on where the High King had just emerged on his own steed, annoyed by their presence. Dawn didn't trust easily, and no one save the Earlshire Manor hands and Thalia's parents could get past his little barrier of trust, when it came to his mistress.

Feeling her stallion's little warning, Thalia retracted her hands from the water, reaching up to stroke Dawn's cheek a little, a curious look in her eyes, before she finally noticed the presence of the golden haired King. Not that she recognized him.

Sure, most, if not all ladies of the court would know the charming High King of Narnia, but apparently, not Thalia. She has never taken much notice in the going ons of the court, and probably the only one she would notice if ever she were to be confronted, would be King Caspian X. The rest, when brought in front of her without introduction, would probably be nothing more then just mere humans.

However, manners dictated her to get up, and scrambling up from where she sat on the ground, the girl dusted away the grime at the bottom of her dark brown dress, before placing a calming hand on an obviously irate Dawn, before turning to smile at the other boy, her hazel gold eyes brimming with curiosity as he spoke.

“Why, hello there.”

At that, she smiled, and cocked her head slightly forwards in a sign of acknowledgement, and then replied. "Hello. And you... are?" she asked, completely oblivious to the fact that she as speaking to the owner of the castle she was earlier admiring. The girl couldn't help but notice the striking blue eyes, but never did it once occur to her that he might be the High King. If her stepfather saw her now, Lord Earlshire would probably be at a loss of whether to laugh or to cry.

ooc;; don't mind at all.

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[Peter Pevensie]

As Peter approached, he let his light colored eyes fall across the girl. She was playing in the water, obviously with the small fish there as well. Often times he found himself just sitting somewhere, lost in his thoughts about nothing really. Narnia was a place where it was possible to do so. There was nothing more that Peter wanted to do than to simply walk about the lands that he was proud to rule over. Not only was he proud of his own responsibilities and the wonder of his kingdom, but he simply loved it in Narnia. If he were to be told he must return to London and his former life, he would have thrown quite a fit.

The girl was deep in her own reflections. However, as Peter approached, he noted the distrusted look that her stallion threw in his direction. He understood the protectiveness that the stallion held over the girl. Magic was the same way. However, Magic tended to sense the presence of someone who would be considered ‘bad’ over someone ‘good.’ Magic wasn’t quite as testy. Peter made sure he kept his distance. He did not want to upset the beautiful steed that belonged to the girl. He was quite beautiful with that golden coat.

She got to her feet and he continued to stand facing her, allowing her to speak now. For some reason, he simply knew that he was not recognized by this girl. The thought actually made him smile. It was wonderful to not be known as the High King by everyone. Of course now that Caspian had joined the force of them as king, Peter wasn’t regarded with as much as he might have been before. However, he did not mind. He was still called High King Peter, the Magnificent by many of the Narnians, and that was enough for him. And of course he would still fight to death for Narnia.

Her words brought a soft laugh from his lips. Letting his blue eyes wash over her face, the smile lingered on his lips. Since his second trip into Narnia, and now his plans to stay there, he had yet to meet a female that grasped his attention. Of course he was always being chased after by many. He was always kind, gracious, and polite. None of them had the effect that he was hoping for, though. Before, like others, was a beautiful girl, he had to admit. And there was something humorous about the fact that she had no idea who he was.

“I’m Peter.” He paused, laughing softly again. He shook his head slightly, golden hair falling towards the one side, out of his eye sight, a rather annoying and persistent problem. He spoke again, his tone full of amusement and charm. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Ms…” Grinning, he waited for her speak her name. Now that he had given out his first name, he was unsure of whether or not she would know him. Probably not. And that made things much more interesting, and rather amusing. It was fun to not be known as the High King, for once.

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[Thalia Earlshire]

"Hush. Quiet Dawn." Thalia admonished her stomping stallion, holding the great beast's head with both her hands to silence the equine, before turning just to find him giving out a soft laugh, something which Thalia returned with a gentle smile of her own, hazel eyes watching the boy carefully.

He seemed her age, if not merely a year or two older, yet he seemed more mature, beyond the years. There was something... something Thalia couldn't exactly place with him, and wracking her brains for the thought, a small crease appeared on her forehead as she thought, yet for the life of her, the girl could not figure out what.

Still, she couldn't exactly deny the fact that he did seem rather regal, even if only cladded in simple clothes, but again, the thought never occured to her that it was a High King. Also partly because probably a part of Thalia didn't want him to be part of court? The Earlshire daughter was never regarded as part of the young ladies of court. No young lady would climb trees and run barefooted through the trees playing with village boys, and it simply wasn't done. A girl of Thalia's position was simple meant to sit at home and sip tea, waiting for a proposal to come from a respectable family and get married off to have babies.

Thalia didn't want that though. There was too much of a free spirit in her to actually sit quietly for more then an hour or two, and more often then not, the girl opted out of royal, or official functions, which would probably explain why she didn't recognize Peter.

“I’m Peter.”

Again, her head fell forward a fraction of an inch, to indicate acknowledgement, yet the name didn't ring anything for her. If he had said Pevensie, anyone would know, even Thalia. The Pevensie Sovereigns were well known for the Golden Age of Narnia, and hardly anyone would easily forget that. Peter however, was a rather common name around the area, and hardly indicated anything.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Ms…”

"Thalia. Just call me Thalia." she replied quickly, as she looked up at him, and couldn't help but give that signature cheeky grin that was expected of the impish Thalia. After the years of pranking the household staff, and playing mischief, it was only normal that Thalia had a rather cheeky, yet innocent grin. It was the only way to get her out of trouble after all.

"And why would you be up and about so early, Peter? I doubt that being awake before the sun touches the sky is considered normal for most people." Thalia couldn't resist asking, after a little lull in their conversation. Of course, Thalia had never considered herself part of 'most people', but then again, she wasn't about to mention that. Looking over towards him, her hazel brown hair fell forward to frame her matching golden brown eyes as her head turned, and the girl's orbs brimmed with her previously asked question. At the same time, she really couldn't help but notice how his locks seem to be bothering his vision, and yet how impossibly boyish they made him look, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

[Peter Pevensie]

It was almost funny the differences in the two stallions. Hers was weary of Peter and Magic, and would most willingly protect her if need arose. Magic, on the other hand, was comfortable with the situation. After a few curious looks in the direction of the other stallion, he found himself satisfied with playing in the river’s water. After taking a long, cool sip, he let his hooves bounce against the water, creating waves. He nickered lightly, obviously enjoying himself. Peter smiled as he watched his stallion. The comparison between the two was hilarious. They couldn’t be more different.

If anyone knew how it felt to be pressured into the thoughts of marriage and family, it was Peter. Everyone around him was always pressing him to meet all of the ladies, the admirers. However, he wasn’t interested. It wasn’t that he was against the idea of marriage and starting his own family there in Narnia. In fact, he hoped to one day actually do that. There wasn’t a better place in the world to begin a family than Narnia. He couldn’t imagine his own children elsewhere. However, he wanted to find love in his own manners. He was not going to be pushed into anything.

Amusement was clear on his lips when she still had not recognized him. It was quite funny. Some would possibly get angry for not being recognized. Peter was different. Everyone in Narnia was different. Personally, it would be nice to interact with someone who didn’t recognize and know him as the High King, ruler during the Golden Age of Narnia. Most of the Narnians didn’t regard him as that much different in the first place, but being totally unknown was pleasant as well.

She spoke her name and he smiled. It was rather unique. Thalia. He didn’t believe he had ever heard of someone with that name before. Committing the name and her face into memory, he noted the grin on her face. It was one of complete mischief and fun. Smiling back, he spoke, this time about her name, which he was still contemplating over the fact of its uniqueness. “That’s quite a unique name.”

A slight pause in conversation came then. It wasn’t unpleasant or awkward really. Peter found it comforting. Magic continued to play with the water, making soft noises to himself. Who would have ever thought this regal stallion, so strong and determined in battle would be playing so friskily in the water? He smiled at the thought.

She spoke again and he listened, a soft smile plastered to his lips. She was right. The rest of the castle wouldn’t be up for an hour or so yet, now that the sun had risen. His siblings would be up soon, along with Caspian. The servants had been up for some time now, but that was simply because they had to get things in order before the day began. Shrugging gently, he responded to her words. “I like to be up to watch the sun rise. Especially over Cair Paravel. The day is just so beautiful in the morning, right after the sun rises.” He paused, smiling still. “One would be silly to miss it.” Magic had finished playing now and was gently and lovingly nuzzling against Peter’s back. “And what about you? Why are you up and about this early?” He smiled, waiting for her own response.

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[Thalia Earlshire]

Thalia really couldn't help her vision shifting from Peter, towards the playful white stallion by the riverbank, a little chuckle arising from the depths of her throat as she watched the stallion frolicking with the water. After all, Thalia found comfort in all type of beasts no matter the size nor species, and horses were arguably her favourite, since she herself had a stallion as one of her best friends. The light danced in her eyes, friendly and playful all mixed in to one as the stallion nickered, and if Dawn wasn't so agitated right now, Thalia would have walked over to greet the white stalion by now.

Looking back at Peter, she was sure she could detect amusement playing around his lips, but for what reason, Thalia couldn't decipher. Yet her eyes lingered upon him, returning the amusement he gave with a small smile of her own, as her hands stroked Dawn's sinew filled necked, whispering low words to her stallion, before finally releasing her hold on the equine's neck, knowing that he wouldn't try anything. Sure enough, the stallion gave one last look at Peter, before turning away to return to his previous grazing spot, completely ignoring the other equine. Giving her stallion a final look of defeat, the girl shook her head ruefully, before giving Peter an apologectic look.

"Sorry about his behavious. I sort of brought him up by hand, so his particularly picky about who approaches me." she said, her smile carrying tones of apology as she spoke.

“That’s quite a unique name.”

At that, the girl laughed softly, and then spoke. "Actually, my given name is Natalia, or so my stepfather says. But I prefer Thalia. Natalia sounds way too formal, don't you think?" she asked impishly, a little cheeky grin adorning her lips again as she turned her questioning look on Peter after she finished speaking.

“I like to be up to watch the sun rise. Especially over Cair Paravel. The day is just so beautiful in the morning, right after the sun rises. One would be silly to miss it."

Nodding at the true fact of his words, the girl turned to look back at Cair Paravel, and then at Peter, wondering if he actually ventured near the castle of the Kings and Queens often, before she spoke again. "True enough. But there are many other beauties before the sun rises, do you know that?" she asked, cocking her head at him, a little curious smile playing around her lips now she spoke.

“And what about you? Why are you up and about this early?"

Thalia smiled sheepishly at the question, and then ran her fingers through her hazel brown locks once, before looking up at Peter to reply his question. "I'm... sort of escaping certain things today." she finally said, not really sure that revealing she was running from lessons was a good idea. After all, only the lords and ladies actually had tutors coming to their mansions, did they not? For now, Thalia wasn't that sure that she wanted to reveal she was the daughter of some lord or lady. She was much content at being assumed to be a daughter of a farmer or something.

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[Peter Pevensie]

He listened to her apologize for her stallion, a gesture that was not even close to being necessary. He understood the protection that the stallion felt over her. Magic could be the same way. However, he wasn’t like that was everyone, only the ones he got a bad vibe from. He usually could be an excellent judge of character. Peter had complete trust and faith in his stallion, and he loved him dearly not only as a steed, but as a companion.

“No need to apologize. He’s just protective of you.” He smiled as he paused before going on. “He’s a very beautiful horse.” Smiling, he looked over the stallion who had moved away now, seeming to decide that Peter and Magic were no longer a threat to Thalia’s life. He began to graze again and seeing the other stallion, Magic instantly felt a need to eat as well. Dropping the reins, he knew Magic would be sensible enough to stay away from the other stallion. Moving in the opposite direction, Magic found his own patch of grass and began to graze himself.

He listened as she explained about her actual name. She asked him about the formality of her name and he pondered it for a moment, smiling all the while. After thinking over it, and deciding that yes, Natalia sounded formal, he responded to her. “Yes, it does sound a bit formal. It’s beautiful as well though.” He paused before pressing on. “Aren’t you lucky, having two unique, beautiful names. I only have boring old Peter.” He smiled, shrugging. He wasn’t too concerned about his name, he did have the nickname of being the magnificent, so he wasn’t looking to complain.

He watched her eyes look towards the castle that he happened to call his home. He too let his gaze linger to the beauty of Cair Paravel, admiring its beauty. There wasn’t a thing he wanted more than he stay in Narnia for the rest of his life. Her words brought him back from his moment of reflection and he smiled, giving her a curious look. “Oh really? Enlighten me.” He said, grinning from ear to ear.

He then waited for her response as to why she was up and about at this early hour. So, she was escaping something she didn’t want to do. How many times had he done just the same thing? Not that often, but he had before. Since his first trip into Narnia, he had changed his entire demeanor. He no longer ran away from challenges, instead he faced them full on. Narnia and becoming a king had changed him in marvelous ways. “Escaping, eh?” He paused, grinning. “Mind telling me what exactly you are escaping?” He asked before looking at the ground where she had been previously sitting. Taking it upon himself, he got down onto the ground, settling into a comfortable position. “Sit.” He said playfully, patting the ground beside him. He was enjoying the company and he was hoping she wasn’t going to run off and leave him sitting there alone.

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[Thalia Earlshire]

“He’s a very beautiful horse.”

Smiling at the praise, she looked over at Dawn, whom was grazing at the patch of grass nearby the bank, before reverting her gaze back to Peter, her smile exuding thanks before she spoke. "He is, isn't he?" she asked, slight pride pretty obvious in her tone as she spoke. "You wouldn't think he had been abandoned as a spindly little foal." she continued, and laughed lightly when Dawn looked up in curiosity and slight annoyment when the white Magic joined him at the patch of grass. Thalia had an idea that Dawn had that slight ego in his personality, but she wasn't about to scold him. Afterall, it was his vibrant personality which is one of the factors why she loved her own stallion so much.

“Yes, it does sound a bit formal. It’s beautiful as well though.”

At his compliment, Thalia really couldn't help the slight pink that stained her cheeks, but turned away to hide the blush, and instead chose to look across the rushing Narnia River.

“Aren’t you lucky, having two unique, beautiful names. I only have boring old Peter.”

"You compliment too much. I'll have too big a head by the end of the day." she chose to reply, chuckling slight as she spoke, and then turned to look at Peter when he mentioned about his own name. "Well, not exactly. There can be equally as many variations to your name too." she crossed one arm across her waist, the other rubbing her chin as she adopted the look of a deep thinker, before turning to look up at Peter. "How about... Pete, or Petey? Petey Boy?" she suggested the last one with a teasing tone in her voice, mischief dancing in her eyes as she said so.

“Oh really? Enlighten me.

"Hmmm. Things like..." she paused for a second, her mind running through the many things she had done and enjoyed when Thalia decided to run out from her house from a night, and finally placed her finger on one. "Have you tried dancing under the moonlight? Or swimming at midnight?" she asked finally, eyes turning to look at him as she said so.

“Mind telling me what exactly you are escaping?”

"Erm..." slowly, she averted her gaze away, sheepish smile fixated upon her lips as she automatically started playing with her hair, something she subconciously did when she was trying to wriggle her way out of something. "Certain... responsibilities?" Thalia finally said. Well, lessons were considered responsibilities, no? Well, sort of, in a way.

"Sit"

Turning back to look at him when he asked her to sit, slight surprise registered in her gaze when she saw him sitting on the ground, and then shrugged, smiling at him before taking a seat next to him, her legs crossing underneath her legs beneath her dress, her arms propping up on her legs. Somehow, she found herself enjoying conversing with him, despite the fact that they had just met today, and Thalia wasn't about to up and run anytime soon, at least not now.

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[Peter Pevensie]

He smiled kindly as she spoke proudly about her stallion. Peter had always had a soft spot for any type of animal, most particularly horses. He believed they were truly magnificent and beautiful creatures. Riding was also another of his favorite things. Whipping among the scenery that was present in Narnia, it was just another of the hobbies that Peter had added to his list since first stepping into Narnia. Life was completely different there, but it was a good kind of different.

He watched her blush just slightly when he complimented her on her name. It was true, though. He wasn’t simply complimented just to compliment. It was his nature to do so. He had always been polite. However, since becoming the High King, he did his best to remain so. He wouldn’t let his ego override his good natured personality. Yes, at times he tended to get hard-headed and stubborn, but that was usually when he was butting heads with another top figure, such as Caspian. Although the two of them had worked things out now, they hadn’t always gotten along. Peter wasn’t quite used to sharing his total authority with someone else.

She spoke his thoughts about complimenting too much. Smiling, he answered back. “But it is all true.” Grinning from ear to ear, he waited for her to explain about the variations she could make within his name. This was going to be good. Looking at her with an amused smile on his lips, he waited for her to speak her different nicknames for him. There was a teasing look dancing in her eyes and he narrowed his own playfully, smiling. He laughed softly as he thought about everyone calling him Petey Boy. Shaking his head softly, he answered. “Oh, I don’t know. Peter seems to suit me. At least I think so.” He paused before adding on. “But of course you can call me whatever you want to.” He added, laughing again at the prospect of being High King Petey Boy.

He looked out into the rushing water as she went on to tell him all about the things that could be done before the sun rose in the morning. He listened to her, letting his mind ponder. Had he ever done those things? No, he hadn’t actually. But they seemed rather nice. He was usually in after the sunset, before it got too dark out. He had made many travels through the night, but never had he gone out during the dead of the night simply to enjoy himself, as he had done earlier that morning. He turned to look at her when she was finished. Honestly, he answered. “I can’t say I have. But they both seem exhilarating.” He paused, thinking about it again. “I’m most definitely going to be trying them now though.” Smiling, his words were genuine and truthful.

The conversation shifted once again to what she was escaping, being out and about this early. At her words he gave her a joking look of disbelief. He knew she could do better than that. “Responsibilities? That’s all you can give me?” Laughing, he shook his head slightly. “And I thought we were becoming friends.” Joking with her, he grinned, placing his hands on the ground behind him, allowing himself to lean back slightly and shift his weight onto his hands.

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[Thalia Earlshire]

Keeping a wary yet playful eye on his slowly narrowing gaze, the girl grinned when he laughed. "Peter suits... But mayhaps choices wouldn't be too bad, sometimes?" she said, lacing her hands behind her back as she spoke, her gaze purposely averted from Peter's so he couldn't see the dancing imp that alighted Thalia's brown eyes with the prank and mischief the girl was so well-known for around Earlshire Manor. Looking back at him when he suddenly said Thalia could call him whatever she wanted to, the girl's gaze slowly slipped upwards towards the light blue sky, a pondering look overtaking her features, before she finally let them slip back towards Peter, a good natured smirk on her face as she said. "I'll get back to you on that."

“I can’t say I have. But they both seem exhilarating.”

At that, the girl nodded, picking at the grass upon the ground she sat on at that moment, she thought carefully about her words for a second, before speaking. "Exhilarating? I guess I wouldn't use that word, since it is pretty peaceful at night." she paused, as if pondering her selection of words again, before continuing. "I would call it more... magical?" a little question mark at the end of her sentence as she perked up to gaze at Peter thoughtfully. "There is a certain unique quality at night, which gives it its magical aura. Why do you think the fauns and satyrs hold their dance rings at night?" at her last statement, a little sparkled glinted in her eyes, as Thalia smiled up at him.

“I’m most definitely going to be trying them now though.”

Looking up at him again, the girl gave a light laugh, before asking. "Not alone, I hope. I wouldn't want to wake up to see news that a certain blonde haired boy had fallen down the cliff just because he couldn't see where he was going in the dark." the girl teased lightly, her tone easy-going and non-chalant as she did so.

“Responsibilities? That’s all you can give me? And I thought we were becoming friends."

"We are?" was her instant response, but the taunting smirk and the childish light that lingered in her eyes proved Thalia was nothing but teasing as she said so, and the girl laughed lightly, before looking towards the river again, letting her fingers drop over its bank to trail across the rushing water, her mind trying to think of an appropriate excuse, before she said, "I guess, you could call it... lessons, in a way?" she finally responded, turning her head to look back at Peter as she did so, wondering if he would take this reply she gave.

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[Peter Pevensie]

He listened to her respond that yes, Peter suited him, but choices would be nice too. And then she moved her eyes, letting them go everywhere but on him. It was amusing, once again, to him. He felt his own gaze follow her eyes, even if they weren’t directed at him. It was a bit annoying deep down, that he couldn’t tear his gaze away. It was something in the mischievous way she spoke, the teasing tone. It just had to be. Her gaze settled on his own finally, and his lips slipped into a smirk. He didn’t respond verbally, but let his own eyes slide from hers now that she looked back at him. It was his turn to admire the scenery about them.

Then, as he watched the small fish dance along the river, reflecting the sunlight, she spoke again about the night. Her words held so much emotion when she spoke of these late night activities. He could almost feel the magic in the way she described it. Closing his eyes a moment, he imagined it. Dancing along with the moonlight. Or swimming in this very river with only the moon’s reflections as a guide. He smiled softly to himself. Yes, magical was the correct word. He turned to look at her once she had finished speaking about the magical quality that night held, nodding a bit.

Before he could respond, however, she spoke again. He laughed softly when she was finished, shaking his head. Their playful banter was an exciting one. He was truthfully enjoying himself. “Just because you said that, I’m going to go off, all on my own in the dead of night.” He paused, giving her a playful look. “And if something were to happen to me, it would be all your fault.” He laughed, blue eyes looking at her, the same mischief in her eyes repeated in his own.

When she playfully questioned their whole becoming friends thing, he pretended to look offended. Turning away, he made a fake sniffle. However, he couldn’t uphold the act very long before he started to laugh softly. He didn’t even respond in words. He simply gave her a jokingly dirty look. However, she then spoke of her responsibilities. Lessons, what a bore. However, for some reason, he felt she wasn’t giving him everything. She went from one general topic to the next. Lowering himself so that he was laying back on the green grass, he looked up at the baby blue sky, allowing the sun to shine down over him. “What kind of lessons?” He asked, a smirk on his lips.

And the fact that she still didn’t know that he was the High King of Narnia was simply priceless.

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[Thalia Earlshire]

As he turned away, the girl cocked her head as she watched him, the smirk lingering in her mind, Thalia couldn't help but smile, a soft gentle smile in contrast to his good-natured smirk. Perhaps it was just the ethereal light that basked across the whole land as the sun slowly moved its way up the sky? To her, everything sort of became a softer version of its daytime self in the dawn of the day, before reality sets in.

Tearing her eyes away from where she stood looking at Peter was looking across the horizon, the girl slipped her finger back down in to the water, giggling slightly when the fishes came up again to nibble at her fingers with their harmless bites, Thalia looked back when he responded to what she said about him going out in the night.

“Just because you said that, I’m going to go off, all on my own in the dead of night.”

The girl gave a laugh, a sound much like the clear silver bell as she did so, giving Peter an amused, yet dissapproving look as she did so, her smile curving up to become a small grin as he continued telling her that if anything were to happen, it would be her fault. "Fine then. Be sure to tell me when you go out. I'll make sure I have a casket somewhere ready for you." she teased, smirking as she did so, yet the sparkle that twinkled in her eyes betrayed her own words. For Thalia would never actually let anyone walk to their death, and if that really happened, the girl would probably blame herself and never recover from the guilt.

Her eyes widened, a little flutter of shock crossing her face when she heard the slight, faux sniffle Peter did when he turned away,but let her shock melt in to a fake glare when he started to laugh, responding to the so-called dirty look with a glare of her own, and then shook her head ruefully at him, still a little ashamed that she had fallen for such a little trick like that. Afterall, for one who had done so much of the same trick herself, you would think she would recognize a trick when she saw one.

“What kind of lessons?”

At the questions, the girl look down at where he was now lying down on the grass, and then back to where her fingers were still lingering in the water where the tiny fishes nibbled at them, her mind racing a mile a minute. Unconciously, the girl bit her lip, a small sign that she was thinking as she tried to think of what to say, before finally saying, "Er... What sort of lessons do you think they are?" she averted, deliberately shooting a question back at the one who was asking, and covered her little aversion with a small impish grin of her own as she turned back to look at Peter, whom was lying down.

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[Peter Pevensie]

His eyes slipped back to Thalia as her fingers dipped into the river once again, playing with the small fish that came to nibble on her fingers. It was how he had found her, when he rode up. Smiling, he watched from where he lay, a soft smile playing at his lips. She looked so incredibly content, playing with the fish. It was nice to just sit there and watch someone else enjoy the simple things, just the simple, little things.

This was perfect. The light from the sun was giving off the perfect tint of lighting, not too bright yet. It was that soft, glow. The one that left an aura glowing around each and every person. And that lighting, well it was exaggerated in Narnia. Compared to somewhere such as London, the beauty of the day was much, much more. Peter looked once more upwards, seeing the sun make its way into the sky, where it would stay for a good part of the day. How beautiful. He was perfectly content, just sitting there. The fact that she thought he was just a regular Narnian was peaceful too. There was no prodding or picking over the fact that he was High King Peter. Right now, he was just Peter.

Her words brought him from his gentle thoughts. Looking in her direction, he shook his head at her words, the smile playing at the corners of his lips inevitable. Of course she was kidding, that much was said not only in the way her words were phrased, but that sparkle in her eyes. He laughed softly, not responding verbally, just closing his eyes and smiling with his lips curled into a soft smirk.

He opened his eyes just in time to watch her fall into the joke, just slightly and for just a moment. He smiled widely, bright white teeth reflecting with the early sun. He snickered lightly, looking at her as she attempted to cover her little mix up. However, he had already caught it. He was quite pleased with himself. So far, she had done a lot of teasing and joking, and now, she fell for a trick of his own. His amusement level was not looking like it was going to falter anytime soon.

He watched her as he waited for her to respond. He picked up the nervous habits, the way she bit her lip and averted her gaze. She was obviously hiding something from him. He didn’t know what it was, maybe it wasn’t even important? And who was he, wanting to know her whole life story. Certainly not someone she thought she could confide in. Yes, she most certainly could, but it was also true that they had just met and he wasn’t expecting her to do so. She posed her question and he narrowed his eyes slightly. Yes, she was definitely trying to hide something from him.

Sitting up once more, he positioned himself comfortably, looking directly at her. “You know what.” He paused, watching her for any sort of reaction. “I think you’re trying to keep something from me.” He smiled, though his curiosity was ever growing. He paused, letting his expression grow serious now. “Thalia, if it’s something important, you can tell me.” He paused again, just for a second. “You know that right?” He asked, serious still. He just hoped she knew she could trust him. At a time like this, he was very, very glad she didn’t know he was the king.

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[Thalia Earlshire]

Wondering just how long would this magical ethreal light last before harsh light finally found its way to reflect against the reality of life, the girl wondered if there would anywhere more beautiful then Narnia itself. Thalia knows, she wasn't born in Narnia. She definitely wasn't a native Narnia, but the place was the only home she had ever known, and would probably be her first and last home, and Thalia could never imagine being anywhere else.

“I think you’re trying to keep something from me.”

Giving a wary, carefully calculated glance at him, the girl finally realized she had been biting her lip, and quickly released the hold her teeth had kept on her pearl pink lips, subconciously averting her glance as she did so. Well, perhaps he wouldn't guess she was the daughter of a noble, even if she did tell that she was dodging away from her daylong lessons from her tutor in the Manor?

For some odd reason, even if Thalia loved being with her parents, she didn't like being known as a noble's daughter. It gave her a sense of restriction. For once she was known as Lady Natalia Earlshire, instead of just Thalia, the girl felt as if she had to act with grace, speak with eloquence, just so she didn't shame her parents, and grace and elegence just never did suit Thalia. The girl was free spirit, and she was never one to remain trapped in elegent dresses and dignity together with well manners. Impish and playful was her true nature, and she hoped she never had to change.

“Thalia, if it’s something important, you can tell me. You know that right?"

"Er." she paused, as if contemplating her choices. What chances did she have that he wouldn't recognize her even if she did say so? "Erm. Lessons at my place, the Earlshire... House?" Fine. In all truth, it was the Earlshire Manor, a rather promnent manor in Beruna, of where her father was placed in charge of, but Thalia just changed that slight detail. It wouldn't really matter, right?

ooc;; a little short. Sorry. >.<

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