randomosity | [For Caspian] A Single Question, Two Little Words

[For Caspian] A Single Question, Two Little Words

Anne had adjusted rather well in her opinion. The Narnian courtiers didn't seem to resent her so much now, though the women still gave her looks whenever Caspian was seen in her company. But that suited her well enough, she didn't need to have them around anyway - she'd dealt with enough venomous women in the Tudor court to last a lifetime.

But she was spending more time in the open, particularly outside now that the weather had warmed up significantly. The threat of ocean storms had been infrequent enough that Anne often sat outside in the courtyard with a book from the vast library to read, as she was doing now.

Her fingers brushed over the pages of the book in her hand, detailing the different plants and where they could be found in Narnia. Anne found the Fire Flower to be particularly lovely, and lamented that she could not have one herself to keep forever. But she soon found herself distracted by the view of the sea just beyond.

A slow smile broke across her face as she looked to the pristine water. No enemy ships had dared return since Caspian's miraculous escape from a watery grave, for which Anne was very grateful. She could easily see why Caspian was so enamored by the ocean. It was indeed beautiful no matter the time of day or the weather.

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It was easy to drop down by Anne's side. It was easy to find, once her hands were free of the book, her fingers to lace up in his own. It was the most natural thing in the world to press his lips briefly against her cheek, with no one there to watch them.

"I wanted to ask you a question."

Had, really, for some time now. Had been flirting quietly with the idea in the months she'd been adjusting to the court--and the court had been adjusting to her.

"And I want you to promise you'll-- properly consider it."

His lips always have a way of bringing all the heat in her body to concentrate in her cheeks. Her fingers wrap eagerly around his as she turns towards him. There's no greater feeling in the world than being beside him.

But there's a question? Anne tilts her head a bit at him, curious. Her brow furrows as she contemplates what he could possibly want to ask her that she would not immediately agree to.

"Of course, Caspian," she nods slowly, almost looking concerned now. "Is everything all right?"

One hand had to immediately untangle from hers, reaching up instead to gently smooth against her cheek. Concern was, after all, the last thing he wanted from her.

"Of course it is. Everything's fine." That, surely, he could convince her to believe before he went any further with his question. "It's only-- that I want you to answer me truly. From your heart. Not-- from any sense of obligation. Do you promise?"

It was instinct to lean her head a bit to press her cheek more fully against his palm. Always that one simple gesture could melt any tension or uneasiness that plagued her. It was impossible for Anne not to smile.

"Of course, my love," Anne replied without hesitation. "Any question you could ever ask would only be answered from my heart. I promise."

Her smile always settled his heart nicely. Her easy, gentle nature in moments like this always completely reassured him.

There could be no other woman, he was fairly certain. Even if, by some cracking twist of fate, she refused him her hand, there could be no woman but Anne.

"You've read, I think, that-- two of the greatest Queens in the history of Narnia came, at one time, from England."

Anne nodded slowly.

"Yes, eh...Queens Susan and Lucy, correct?" She had indeed poured over volume after volume of Narnian history to familiarize herself with her new home.

At first she had been a little disappointed that she had not been the first from her world in this new land. But the fact that the Pevensies had come from England was of some comfort to her. She could live here, as they did, and happily so. But there had never been much doubt for the latter.

"Forgive me majesty, but what have they to do with me?"

"Susan and Lucy, yes." There was obvious affection in the way he spoke the names, and in the names he added with gentleness, "With their brothers, High King Peter and King Edmund."

The Pevensies had been an integral part of Narnian history. They had turned, amazingly, into an integral part of Caspian's own personal history. It couldn't help but please him even further to know his own dear Anne was the same sort of woman as those who had been most important to him; would probably make the same sort of Queen having grown and flourished in the same lands they had.

"It was-- easier for them, when they first arrived, than I know it has been for you." They had been fulfilling a prophecy, after all, once the battle against Jadis was won. Anne had been, in the eyes of the court, less a prophecy and more a distraction from the King picking a proper Queen. "But you've been-- getting quite a bit more settled, haven't you?"

Her eyes cast down to the floor and back up again, nodding slowly.

"Admittedly yes, it has not been easy, but I have indeed adjusted," she replied. "I know that not everyone is as pleased as you are that I am here. But as I have not simply sat around complacently, that I have taken an interest in Narnian culture and structure, I believe...well, perhaps 'I hope' is the better phrase, that I have changed at least a few minds while I have been here."

Some of the courtiers who had previously snubbed her had carried out whole conversations with her recently. Many could see that her devotion to their king was genuine, and not an act to weasel her way into a marriage bed. At least his physicians saw as much, when she had been beside him after his shipwreck.

"Even if they have not - even if the courtiers still see me as a burden or a nuisance, I am indeed happy here."

His fingers squeezed hers again, more than pleased with the response. It was wonderful to know she was happy, slow through the acceptance of the court had been in coming. It was lovely to think that their time together might be a part of her contentment here.

"You will stay, then?" He was almost entirely certain, but it surely had to be cleared properly before asking this question. "You have-- no desire to return to your own country and king?"

With a smile she squeezed his hand and lifted his fingers so that she could brush her lips against his knuckles.

"Narnia is my country now, as you are my king," she replied. "For what reason should I go elsewhere?"

She had made that decision, set it in stone when he had rescued her in France. Hence why she had thrown herself into the culture and completely immersed herself.

It never failed to make him smile, hearing her call Narnia her home. It never failed to brighten his eyes, feeling the press of her lips against his skin.

It made the question so much easier to ask, however roundabout his route to it seemed to be.

"I would-- be more than simply your king, Anne."

Obviously not knowing exactly what he might mean by that, Anne smiled as she leaned forward a bit to softly press her lips against his. She lingered in the kiss for a long moment before pulling away with a teasing smile.

"Are you not already more than just my king?" They shared a bed frequently, obviously in her mind he was more than just Caspian X, King of Narnia and Emperor of the Lone Islands, he was her lover, her savior. Caspian was a multitude of things to Anne.

He doubted there would ever be a day he wasn't eager to press his lips back against hers when she offered him a kiss. He certainly hoped that there would never come a day when she stopped offering them.

Her question couldn't help but bring a slight flush to his cheeks, even as he allowed himself a soft laugh. "I suppose I am. But-- only between the two of us. Not before the eyes of all the kingdom."

Not, at least, beyond the whispers and rumours.

Anne nodded slowly. "Very true."

But this had never really bothered Anne. If she had Caspian's love at all, she would be content in all things. Anne didn't really appreciate all the whispers and looks she got as rumor spread. But how could she combat them? To some degree they were true, after all. Besides, she would never deny her emotions and affections for him.

Anne had genuine love for Caspian; the other women felt love for the king only. Not the man beneath the crown.

There had been moments of wonder, yes, but there had never been moments of doubt with Anne. There had been no need to doubt her love.

He hoped she had never doubted his own devotion. He hoped she had contemplated the question he was asking.

"I know it's a heavy weight to ask someone to bear a crown, Anne, and I would not wish you to resent the request."

Anne's teasing stopped, suddenly realizing what he was asking - or what he could be asking. What could she possibly have done to proved worthy of such an honor, to sit at his side forever? To wear a crown akin to his own and lead a nation to which she had not been born?

"The weight of the monarchy is one I know well," she spoke slowly, her eyes focused upon him as everything else in the world faded away. "Caspian...what are you asking me?"

She wanted to be sure that she was understanding him explicitly. That she wasn't misunderstanding and thinking too highly of herself.

His hands squeezed hers tighter, the faintest bit of nerves at the corner of his smile.

"I love you, Anne." He had said it before, but it felt important to say again now. "And nothing would make me happier in this life than to have you as my wife."

It was easy to slide from the bench, to kneel before her holding her hands tight in his own.

"Marry me, Anne."

At first she wasn't certain she'd heard those words properly. The squeeze of his hands around hers kept her mind properly grounded, her eyes focusing on his as he slid to one knee. Wait...one knee...

And three words...

Anne's breath caught in her chest - she had heard that loud and clear. Her gaze fixed on his and time stopped for her. The answer was, of course, easy - but first she had to overcome the shock of the fact that he had asked her the question.

Her head nodded slowly before the smile broke across her face and the tears filled her eyes. Then everything moves faster than normal; her hands slip free of his grip to cup his jaw as she leans forward to kiss him passionately. It's a long moment before she pulls away. "Y...yes. There's no other answer except yes."

Nodding had to be a good sign. The smile had to be a good sign. The springing of tears to her eyes was more difficult to read, but the tug bringing his lips to hers was entirely clear.

That had to be a yes. That had to be something he could contentedly cling tight back to, lips laughing when hers were pulled back from his.

"You will? Really?"

Anne can't help laughing at his disbelief despite being in the same state only moments ago. She gives him another quick kiss before pressing her forehead to his and leaning back a little.

"How could my answer be anything else?"

She's happy, just being so near him that she's quiet for a moment before adding: "If you're certain you want to spend the rest of your days with me, nothing would make me happier than to oblige."

"I am-- beyond certain, Anne." His fingers shift to tangle properly up in hers again, keeping her close as he moves back up onto the bench properly beside her again. "I love you. I want-- the whole kingdom to know that."

Genuinely and completely, not from the soft whispers and quiet rumours of the King's captivation with the foreign queen.

Anne's smile couldn't be bigger. There are no reservations from either of them and it's amazing. Though the mention of informing the kingdom of their engagement couldn't make her happier, there's a concern nagging at the back of her mind.

"How...and when do you plan on telling the kingdom?" She asks softly, suddenly a little nervous. "Your courtiers have warmed up to me, yes, but...do you think they'll approve of me?"

Not that it really mattered when it came right down to it. At least not in Anne's mind. If Caspian wanted her as his wife, as she so greatly desired to be as well, then it would be done. Still, she was nervous that his advisers would try to change his mind.

He understands, of course, where her hesitance comes from. He understands why there are the faintest bit of nerves in her voice.

His hand lifts to smooth worriedly at her cheek. There's unflagging devotion in his features as he studies her eyes.

"They want me to be wed. They want Narnia to have a Queen again. Yours is the hand I've asked to hold. They can approve or not, as they will."

On instinct she tilts her face more into his touch. It's all too familiar and soothing. She loves his touch, the feeling of his fingers against her face.

His words gave her comfort, gave her strength. That he wanted her as his Queen...she wasn't worthy.

But suddenly she couldn't wait to start planning the ceremony.

"You honor me, my love," she smiled, brushing her lips against his again. "I shall make you proud, that is a promise."

"I'm certain you will," he agreed, lips still gentle against hers and curled happily up into a smile. "But you know, don't you, that I don't need you to be anything but yourself."

He'd struggled himself for so long against the weight of feeling his uncle wasn't proud of him. He hated to think Anne would ever feel even the slightest worry of the same.

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