SMOKE SIGNALS

Hard-Earned Revelry

The castle's grand ballroom was more awash with color and life than Cahira had ever seen it in her life. After the coronation and the balcony appearance of the new monarchs, everyone had been invited into the castle for a celebration. Narnians and humans alike laughed and talked-some even engaged in lively dances in the middle of the room. A quartet of fauns and satyrs played a soft traditional melody on instruments she had never seen.

Cahira and the others seated at high table had long since finished their meals, and looked on at the festivities. A few seats to her right, Lucy and Susan caught her eye with surreptitious waves. Cahira leaned over Caspian to hear Lucy as she beckoned her closer.

"Me and Susan want to go dancing. Care to join us?"

"Absolutely," she beamed and stood from the table before leaning back down to her brother. "Will you grace the dance floor as well?"

He shook his head with a graceful smile as Lucy and Susan stood as well.

"Come now, Cas-we're a trio as it stands. Someone will need to dance with Susan..."

Caspian choked as he took a sip from his golden goblet. "I'll be there in a minute."

Cahira laughed and joined the other two in the center of the ballroom. Truth be told, it wasn't awkward or unwieldy at all to dance in a trio with the two of them. The music was a light jig; it suited the circling, twirling dance the three of them took up perfectly. No doubt there was a "proper" way to dance to the song, but Cahira found she didn't care. Lucy and Susan both smiled and laughed as they spun, and Cahira was happy to be with them. She didn't think she had ever known joy like she had felt that day.

True to his word, Caspian appeared behind Susan a song or two later; tapping her lightly on the shoulder and offering an open hand with a charming, practiced smile. Cahira smiled as the two took up a place in the ballroom not far.

"And then there were two," Cahira said, taking both of Lucy's hands.

The music now was more of a waltz, but the two continued to spin and laugh haphazardly. The young queen's smile could have lit the entire ballroom by itself.

"Will you dip me?" she asked, eyes wide.

"Really?"

Lucy nodded enthusiastically, and Cahira laughed.

"How low?"

"As low as you can without dropping me!"

"Your wish is my command, Your Majesty."

Cahira moved her hand to Lucy's waist, holding her other hand tight as she dipped her towards the floor to the beat of the music. The queen squealed in excitement as her hair glanced across the marble floor. After a moment, Cahira brought her back up. Her joy was infectious, her cheeks slightly pink as she laughed. Cahira couldn't help herself, a snort worked its way out of her nose. The next moment, the two girls had dissolved into peals of laughter in the middle of the ballroom.

Through tears in her eyes, Cahira could see Peter approaching the two of them, Edmund not far behind. She immediately stifled her laughter, wiping a stray tear for fear of a scolding. Lucy turned as Peter tapped her on the shoulder, cocking her head as the golden haired king whispered something in her ear. With a grin and a sideways glance at Cahira, she nodded her head and bounded away towards Edmund.

Cahira's heart rate quickened, and her palms began to sweat. Peter gave her a stiff but warm smile before extending a hand.

"May I?"

Cahira wiped her sweating hands on her dress, flashing Peter a smile she hoped didn't read as nervous beyond belief.

"Please."