I was walking to the Lantern Waste for a small picnic, and to enjoy some music. When I stumbled upon a lifted tree root. “HA HA, very funny Jeral!” I yelled at the tree as it laughed. And not looking where I was going, I tripped over my drapes and fell into the arms of the passing stranger, and looking into his hood, I saw… King Edmund? I quickly righted myself, blushing like mad, and I bowed. “My majesty”, I said quickly “ I apologize, I wasn’t looking where I was going.” I stammered. My heart beat fast from the surprise. Damned Jeral, always trying to trip everyone who walks by. As if it wasn’t enough that he was a Willow.

I had noticed the stranger only moments before he fell into my arms on my way back from a rather unsuccessful hunt, “No need to apologize, stranger.” I replied, helping the other to stand back up. “And it’s quite alright, please, no need to bow.”

“I don’t believe we’ve met before and, as you clearly know me, you have me at a disadvantage.”

“Nonetheless I apologize,” Sebastian said as he kept his eyes on the ground. “I was on my way to The Lantern Waste for a picnic.” I said quietly, “Can I offer you a pastry on your way?” He said as he dug his heel into the thin layer of snow. His face still red.

“It is the perfect weather for a picnic. Then again, there are few days that aren’t in Narnia.” I tried to relieve the awkward feeling that hung in the air.

“A pastry would be lovely. Thank you… um…” I realized I still had not gathered the others name.

Sebastian lifted the lid of the picnic basket and picked out a clear bag, within it was 3 pastries, a chocolate croissant, a raspberry muffin, and a little mint cookie. The top was tied off with a small lavender ribbon.”I was saving these for a small party I am hosting this evening, but I have plenty to give out. So please take one!” he offered it out and dropped it into the Kings hand. The red subsided from his cheeks.”Oh! Forgive me, I have yet to introduce myself.” He said with a smile. “My name is Sebastian AL Byrnison, but my friends call me AL.” That is if I had any friends he thought, he was hosting the evening party in hopes of meeting a partner there, how can he attend the spring ball if he doesn’t have a partner? He continued to bow, “A pleasure to meet you in person your majesty.” He stood up quickly saying “But I really must be on my way!” and attempted to speed walk away. All the while cursing Jeral the Willlow for embarrassing him.

“Well, thank you AL and the pleasure was all mine.” I replied, taking the pastry. I hesitated, watching him leave.

I turned to make my way back to my horse, enjoying the pastry as I went. I couldn’t help but wonder if I would see him again. Perhaps at the ball. Couldn’t say balls were my favorite part of royalty, but perhaps someone to get to know or remeet would improve the nature of it.

Sebastian hurried towards Lantern Waste and enjoyed his picnic and book. Upon finishing his provisions, he ran home to ready his house for the party. He set out scented candles, and hung beautiful lanterns, strung toule and streamers between them, and set flowers at the center of the tables. He set out the tea and coffee, the cakes and other pastries he baked, and set on peeling some potatoes when the doorbell rang. Opening the door he found his first visitors. The party went on from there, AL played his flute, and they danced, sang, played games, and ate merrily. The party was almost over…

The day had been passing by mostly uneventful and my mind had seemed almost fixated on the pastry in the mundanity of it all. All through a round of chess against Susan, throughout a wander around the grounds with Peter, and all through out a ride to the near by towns as if the pastry held the key to something nagging at the back of my mind.

Something that refused to become apparent until the day had leaned quite a bit later: hadn’t the other mentioned a party of some sort? That was right. Well, that was certainly something. Perhaps I could bring something to make up for the pastry he had taken earlier. Wasn’t there a delightful tray of biscuits left over from dinner?

I rushed for the tray and hurried towards where I had run into Sebastian first, imagining I could simply ask for directions from there.

Impressively, that did work and I found myself at the entrance to the party with a tray of biscuits.

The doorbell rang. “My,” Sebastian said, “whoever could that be at such an hour?” quickly making his way over to the door, He looked through the peephole to see the one person he would have NEVER expected to arrive. ‘How did he know about the part?’ Sebastian ran to his room to ready himself, not looking as gay and messy he ran to the door. Then it hit him. He must have let slip during their run-in in the enchanted wood. Taking a deep breath, fixing his hair once more, and brushing himself down, he slowly opened the door. “King Edmund.” he said flatly with a bow. “Welcome, what brings you around my neck of the woods?”