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 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.

"I know, and I shall! I...just don't want you to have any reason to regret your decision," Anne sighed. "I want to be good; I...I want to be the best Queen that I can be, you deserve only the best, after all!"

She would not say she wanted to be the best Queen Narnia had ever seen. She would not disgrace the Pevensies so. But she did want to be great. Anne wanted him to know that he'd made the right choice.

Not just Caspian, but all of Narnia. She was done being the Queen that many hated and thought little of.

The best Kings and Queens Narnia had ever seen were all long past. It wasn't the charge of the current kings and queens to do better--only to do well.

He'd done his best thus far. He could only do better with her at his side.

"If I deserve anything, Anne, I hope it's happiness with you."

Anne leaned forward and kissed him softly. Anxious now again; more anxious than she'd ever been for anything. She couldn't wait to call herself his wife.

"You deserve all the happiness in this world and any other," Anne replied.

Her fingers wrapped a bit tighter in his. "So then, my love, what do we do now?"

The kiss is lovely. The kiss keeps him smiling even as he squeezes her hand gently and settles more properly onto the bench.

"Since you've agreed, I'll tell my advisers that I've chosen a queen to rule beside me. After that, we'll announce it to the people."

Simple and easy. Well, simple and easy apart from the murmur it would likely cause in the court.

Anne giggled a bit. "Was there really any doubt that I'd agree?"

She just couldn't stop smiling with him near her. The idea that she really would be near him always just elated Anne. She had never intended to leave him but this just made things permanent, in her mind.

"Should I...go with you? Or would it be more appropriate for you to tell them on your own?"

His own smile flickered only a little. He loved her, yes, and had no doubts at all that she loved him. That hardly meant he had fully expected her to relish the thought of sitting on the throne as queen again--after her time holding the position in England with the king she had.

But she had said yes. She had wanted to give him her hand for the rest of their lives.

He squeezed her fingers gently, pulling one of her hands up to press a kiss against her knuckles. "I'll tell them. Will you think on what you'd like to say to the kingdom while I do?"

Having Caspian as her king was exceedingly different from having Henry as her king. Anne would be honored to be called his Queen, to wear his ring on her finger and be able to call him 'husband'.

She smiled, always enjoying the brush of his fingers against her, but especially loving the gallantry in his kiss against her hand.

"I will, my love. I shall instill faith in them, prove to them that I can be trusted and will serve you faithfully."

"I know you will."

He has absolute faith in it. He can't begin to doubt that her poise and grace and wonderful fire will make the entire kingdom fall in love with her just as he has.

"If the people love you, Anne, then the court will fall into line. I promise you that."

It's that faith he has in her, faith that no one else has had or expressed before, which brings her joy, makes her realize why she loves him so dearly. It's energy that she can channel and do exactly as she's told him - make the kingdom love her.

"I will do all I can to make them love me then - but it means much more to me to know that you love me."

"I do love you." There was absolutely no hesitation. There was genuine joy for being able to say it out loud and not care if anyone heard. "With all my heart, Anne. And the people will love you too-- I know it."

How could they not?

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