luna | peter pevensie

chapter two

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Luna can't help but skip alongside the king. She knows she's being annoying — doing everything her mother tells her not to — but she's just so excited. "Can you really see the sea from my window?"

"Yes," King Peter smiles briefly at Luna and then averts his eyes. "Of course, we live on the cliffs, so you won't be on the seashore."

"Oh, but I can go down to the shore whenever I please, right?" Luna can just imagine swimming in the ocean, her arms guiding her further and further into the the sea. Far away from her mother and sister and whatever other qualms she has with life. "Please say yes."

"Yes, you can," King Peter chuckles. His laugh echoes off of the stone corridor walls, and Luna turns her head at the sound.

"You have a lovely laugh, Your Majesty."

Peter clears his throat and hides his smile behind his closed fist. "Thank you, but just Peter, please."

"I thought Edmund was the just one," Luna quips, giggling at her own joke. Then, upon seeing the king's quirked brow, she clears her throat and turns away. "I'll stop talking now."

"Don't," Peter says. "It's a nice change from the formality of your family."

"Oh," Luna laughs. "That's not the first time I've been told that I'm different from my family." It's the first time anyone's made it sound like a good thing, though.

She runs to her room and opens the door, leaving the King out in the corridor.

He was right about the view of the sea. On the opposite wall from the door are two floor-to-ceiling windows, both facing the open water. Luna rushes to the window seat and climbs onto the blood red cushions. She presses her palms against the glass. "Have you ever seen something so beautiful?"

Something so promising? Something that signifies beauty and freedom and all Luna has ever wanted to possess?

"I should schedule a boat ride for you and your sister," Peter comments.

Luna's fingers curl into her palms. She keeps her eyes glued to the way the waves never seem to leave their pattern of in and out, in and out. She focused on her breathing. In and out, in and out. Then she turns, smiles, gives the king what can only be an obedient nod. "For my sister, yes. Though, I'm sure she'd prefer the company of our mother instead."

Peter opens his mouth, as if he's going to argue, so Luna speaks before he can. "I'm sure you have a lot of kingly things to get up to. And I have to unpack."

"I'd be happy to help–"

Luna imagine the king's face if he saw all the odd knickknacks she carried around. Or her father's journals. Or his coat. She imagines the king relaying the information to her mother, and she feels her chest tighten all over again. "Please go, Your Majesty. I need to rest."

He pauses. His eyes flicker between confusion and worry, and he looks like he still wants to argue. But he holds his tongue. He bows politely, "I'll be seeing you then, Lady Luna."

Luna curtsies, as she's expected to do, and waits for the king to close the door behind him before her face crumbles up. The tears come before she can stop them and she hurries to her trunk. She extracts her father's coat and sits on the window seat again, face pressed against the warm fabric, mind focused on days that were once happy. She thinks of her father, and how he used to tell her about the sea. She wonders if he had known then that she'd have to see it alone; without him.

She wonders if her father had known how alike they were, and how stifling it feels to be around her mother and sister. Always second place. She's never chosen or recognized or loved. Now that her father is gone, she's truly alone, and she's holed up in a castle she can't escape from. She wouldn't even know how to.

She awakes to the sound of persistent knocking. Half-alert, she raises her head and wipes the dried tears off of her cheeks. "Come in!"

She stuffs her father's coat behind a pillow just as Queen Susan peaks her head in. "Have I awoken you? Pete said you were going to rest, but I thought I would help you get ready for tonight."

Pete, Luna thinks gleefully. What a funny name for a king. "I would appreciate that, actually. I don't go to many parties."

Susan brightens. "Well, this one is going to be exceptionally splendid! Edmund and I have been planning it for months, and now that it's finally here, I feel like everything has paid off. Many noblemen will be there," she adds, eyeing Luna. "Noblemen looking for a wife."

Luna feels her cheeks warm in embarrassment at the very thought of a man wanting her for a wife. She waves her hands, "No, no. I don't think marriage is for me."

Susan raises her eyebrows and smiles. "Edmund says the same thing. Says he's married to the adventure, and to taking care of Narnia."

Luna thinks she and Edmund would get along nicely. "I do not know what I am married to, but certainly no man would ask for my hand."

"You don't think so?" Susan picks a green gown from the armoire.

"I know so," Luna retorts, shimmying out of her dress. As Susan helps her pull on the new dress, Luna continues, "Mother says men only like certain types of women. And that I am not that type."

Luna doesn't mention that her mother said she should change herself if she ever wanted a husband that would treat her kindly. But Luna also doesn't think she would want a man who makes her change herself. She thinks she'd rather be alone.

Susan clicks her tongue in distaste. At first, Luna thinks the dress must look ugly on her, but Susan's words surprise her. "Your mother is wrong. Men are simple creatures, and I should know, since I have two for siblings."

Luna giggles.

Susan begins to plait Luna's hair. "Men just want a woman who will listen and support him. But a woman should be listened to and supported as well. It's a balance. As Queen, I do not approve of any court marriage until I can see the balance."

"That's very kind of you," Luna says, a bit shocked at the queen's blunt words.

"It's only fair," Susan says. "And it's Edmund's law, so you should be complimenting him."

"Because he's just," Luna says matter-of-factly.

"Yes," Susan nods. She steps back. "You look very beautiful, Luna. I can imagine all the handsome lords asking you for a dance."

Luna smooths down the dress and sighs. She appreciates Susan's encouragement, but she is positive no one will ask her for a dance.

Especially not if her mother has anything to say about it.

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long time no see!

wasn't sure if people were reading this but then i saw the comments and got excited!!

this story is really important to me, and i'm so excited to see where luna and peter take us <3

thanks for reading!! and please leave comments on what you liked or disliked. or what you want to see in the future !