As the two young women reach the end of the staircase, they can hear music, voices, and merry laughter already. To their left, the ballroom opens through high doors. At the thought of going in there and being seen by all those people in this dress that reveals more than it covers, Luna shudders involuntarily. It will be fine, the words from earlier echo through her mind. She realizes she needs the encouragement just as much as Lucy needed it a few moments prior. Somehow, she wishes Melian wouldn't have left the two to enter the feast by themselves - their friends are probably already mingling inside. Lucy and Luna exchange a glance, they know they have to show their best side tonight, for the alliance's sake. Silently, they agree to watch each other's back as good as they can. Then, Lucy goes ahead. She floats into the ballroom, head held high like the queen she is and always will be. Luna follows a few steps behind her as a lady-in-waiting would. The room seems to quiet down at their entrance, Luna doesn't like the whispering one bit and is tempted to just turn and leave again. The things she does for the royals!

It takes only a few moments, and Lucy and Luna are swarmed by people. Luna has to hold her own to stay close to Lucy, so there is no time to look for the kings, Eustace, Reepicheep and the others. The women are caught in conversation with a few nobles. Well, Lucy is while Luna has to stand idly and at least pretend to listen. Luna hates the eyes on her; they don't make her feel beautiful. Quite the opposite, actually. It feels as though the looks stick to her skin, crawling all over her. Suddenly, something touches her back. She freezes, immediately tensing as goose bumps run over her entire body. She lifts her shoulders slightly, looking for a way to step away. There is none, she is caught in place.

» Good evening, « a voice says next to her. Luna just knows it belongs to the same man who has his hand on her back. Yes, of course it's a man. No woman would touch another like this.

» Who is this beautiful lady without company? « The stranger asks. Luna turns her head to look at him. It's a middle-aged man, a little smaller than Luna. His face is clean-shaven, and his long hair is held back in a low ponytail. There is something in his eyes that sends another shiver down her spine. They are green and sparkle hungrily. Luna has never felt so uncomfortable in her life, dirty and like prey. If it wasn't for the good of Narnia, she would have broken his hand by now. As one can see, Luna isn't one for politics and the life of nobles is strange to her. She gulps.

» Now, my little bird, did my appearance startle you? « The man asks,

» My humble apology. « He bows his head ever so slightly, but his eyes wander over her as his hand on her back moves downward.

» I'm not without company, « she manages to say, cursing her voice for betraying her fear. Would her thoughts not seem stuck on the question what to do without attracting too much attention, she would have cursed herself for freezing in a situation like this, freezing when politics are concerned, freezing up at all. She should be able to do better!

» Oh? « The intrusive noble asks with a smirk, eyes not leaving her. Does he see right through her? Her thoughts start to race, screaming at her to do something, even if it involves breaking this cursed hand. No one has the right to touch her without her permission and no one should talk to a woman like this. Slimy, arrogant, and in such a superior demeanour.

» Indeed, she isn't, « another voice cuts in and suddenly, the hand on Luna's back is gone. She whirls around to find herself in between the noble and none other than Caspian. He grips the man's wrist tightly causing him to wince.

» My humble apology, Your Majesty, « he tries to wrench his hand out of Caspian's iron grip,

» I didn't know the lady belonged to you. « Caspian's features are like stone, not betraying a single thought, other than signalling the man to get lost. He lets go and turns his attention to Luna. The noble huffs and stumbles away with the little dignity he has left. Caspian's eyes soften as he lets his hand hover over the small of her back respectfully, not touching her, while his other gently loosens her fist. She didn't even realise she balled her hands into fists in the first place.

» Come, « with that he leads her over to where Edmund has Lucy secure between him and Drinian.

On the way, Caspian cannot deny Luna looks stunning. As he saw her entering, he coughed on his drink, earning a not-so-subtle smirk from Edmund. However, he doesn't like the stares she and Lucy get. It makes him livid, and every ounce of willpower and political dignity was needed to hold him in place. Ed doesn't feel any different, his protectiveness over his sister all the stronger as Peter isn't around. Caspian shakes his head to clear his thoughts. That man stalking around Luna like a tiger around its prey was the last straw he thought he could take, his sense to protect his friends kicking in strongly. Rightly so as these people seem to think fellow living beings can belong to somebody, just like the noble man assumed Luna to be Caspian's property. He is disgusted by such behaviour and cannot – will not – tolerate it, especially not towards one of his oldest friends. She never felt confident at feasts like this where nobles come together, he remembers the first feast she ever attended, and it didn't end well. Luna is a free spirit who needs the freedom of nature and maybe a little rush from a fight. She isn't made for meaningless small talk and the intrigues of nobles. Fortunately, she is in his arms now, more or less, where he can shield her from these people. He doesn't plan to let her out of his sight for the rest of their stay here on the Lone Islands. He would even like to offer her his jacket but that must wait for there are too many prying eyes around.

» Thank you, « she whispers. He stops to look at her and smiles,

» It's my pleasure. « She fidgets with her dress, clearly uncomfortable.

» Are you alright? « He inquires.

» Honestly? « She asks, obviously uncertain if he really wants to hear it. He raises an eyebrow as if to ask if that's even a question. Luna lets out a long breath.

» I've never felt so uncomfortable in my life, « she confesses,

» So... vulnerable and- « she cuts herself off by shaking her head. She shouldn't speak so openly here. Someone could overhear and this was all for nothing. However, Caspian doesn't care for people watching them. He cares for his friend's wellbeing.

» If you don't mind me asking, « he starts,

» Why this dress then? « As her gaze falls to the floor, her cheeks flush from embarrassment. Caspian rushes to add,

» It's not- You look stunning... but if you aren't comfortable, then why- «

» It was a gift and is said to be a traditional gown, « Luna tells him, cutting off his stumbling for words,

» Lucy and I didn't want to compromise your standing. « Caspian straightens, they didn't have to do that because of him. He appreciates it, of course, and he understands their reasons. If this alliance fails because of something so small, however, he isn't so sure if he wishes an alliance at all.

» You don't have to wear anything for me, « he tells her, realizing the same moment how it sounds,

» I mean- You don't have to- If you feel uncomfortable... « he sighs, brushing a hand over his face,

» I totally should shut up. « Admitting something like this isn't easy for him. He is a king; he has to have a way with words. However, now that seems to fail him. Admitting this to Luna makes it easier. They have known each other for so long, seen the best and the worst. Yet, he still feels the heat creep up his neck. To his surprise, Luna giggles. She never giggles.

» It's alright, I understand, « she reassures him, still giggling. It surprises herself too. Giggling is something for the ladies at court. However, those thoughts vanish into thin air as his hand touches her back accidentally and their eyes meet again. For a moment, there are only the two in the room, the bustling of the feast fading in the background. The air seems to crackle between them. Memories of old feelings resurface; feelings that never died. It leaves them speechless. Their hearts beating in their ears, they stand frozen like statues.

» I- « Caspian doesn't know what to say.

» There you are, « Reepicheep interrupts the moment.

» I would advise you to stay close to us, « he continues,

» These men... It's painful to watch this dishonourable behaviour! « Luna tries to smile but she can't. His words make her aware of her surroundings once more. The stares didn't stop, only increased as she is in the king's presence, and she feels her skin prickle once again. Fear claws at her heart and as two men walk by them rather closely and she presses her back all the more to Caspian's arm. He understands and brushes gentle circles over her scarred skin. He would love to just sneak his arm around her comfortingly, but that wouldn't be appropriate. So, they join Edmund, Lucy and Drinian, who voices his doubts that an alliance will make the Lone Islands recognize Narnia as their supremacy again.

» It seems the slavers did more damage to these isles than we thought, « the captain mumbles. He is right, Caspian is aware, but his mind can't focus on that matter right now. He has a lot to think about.

I didn't create this aesthetic - it simply fits Lucy perfectly.