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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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?

Anne had absolute faith that she could live up to this challenge. Well - the challenge of being accepted by Narnia as a whole, not to say that marrying Caspian would be a challenge.

Thus far things had proceeded smoothly enough. Everything was planned and ordered and prepared, soon enough it was the day before the ceremony. Anne's gown had been nothing short of glamorous and beautiful. Still, she had wanted to add a personal touch of her own to it. Thus she sat in her chamber at the window, sewing small pearls into the bodice of the dress. She'd been working at it all day and didn't realize that it would be nightfall soon and she'd yet to see Caspian all day.

So many details had her mind in a blur. Typically for an English wedding her father would give her away, but obviously that would not be the case here, and Anne assumed that she would be walking to the altar alone. The menu had been prepared and the cake looked divine, from what she was told; the bakers wanted it to be a surprise, thus they wouldn't let her see it beforehand.

He remembered, from his own childhood, the traditional Telmarine weddings of his heritage--the ceremonial embellishments to armour on the groom, the tight hoods and dark colours on the bride. There had been very little joy in the quiet ceremonies he'd stood in witness of in his youngest years.

Narnian weddings were much nicer--brighter, more filled with a sense of promise and hope and love. It couldn't help but feel like something of a relief that his own marriage would begin in this far more cheerful vein.

And it was, of course, a wonderfully happy accident that the woman he'd fallen in love with came from the land the Pevensies had. Bits and scraps of their traditions had been woven in among what the Narnians considered their own, after all; it would likely fit well with what Anne might have hoped for her own celebration.

Unless, of course, she had intended not to see her groom at all the day of the festivities before the actual ceremony, because he absolutely couldn't help sneaking to find her once he'd been suited into his light armour. It gave the faintest bit of a chipper clack when he walked, moving quickly to duck in behind her and press a firm kiss to her cheek.

Anne yelped in surprise when he appeared, sticking her needle in the fabric so it didn't get lost. Then her arms were around his neck and she kissed him hard. Then she pulled back a bit and took in the visage of her love in armor.

"You look wonderful, my love," Anne smiled. "Is it time for the festivities already?"

She stepped back a bit and set her sewing on the nearest surface, carefully. Then she turned, showing her fine red gown to him, the gold trim glittering in the light. Gold and rubies adorned her throat. Anne glanced up to Caspian, looking for approval.

"Do I look all right? Is this gown appropriate? I so want everything to be perfect..."

It was absolutely wonderful to properly press his lips to hers after this stretch of a day without her. It was actually rather difficult letting her pull away, even to show off her gown.

"Of course it's perfect, Anne. You're going to be my wife-- what could possibly be imperfect?"

And, of course, how could he find her anything less than the most stunning bride?

"I thought this would be nice for the ceremonies today - my wedding gown is nearly done and no, you'll not see it before the wedding! It's bad luck," Anne smiled, stepping towards him again.

She let his words soak in for a moment. Tomorrow she would be his wife and he her husband. Anne couldn't help leaning forward and kissing him deep.

"Thought we might practice that, for tomorrow - not that you really need practice," she giggled. "So you didn't tell me, what kind of festivities are planned for tonight?"

There was never any resistance to being kissed. There was only ever genuine joy for having her lips pressed firm against his.

And there was absolutely a bit of clinging to keep her close to himself once their lips were parted again.

"Can't I tell you later?"

And couldn't they keep up the unnecessary practice a while longer instead?

Anne laughed, leaning more against him and wrapping her arms loosely around his neck as she leaned near him.

"I suppose - but if we practice too long, we'll miss the festivities altogether."

Which wasn't a total loss, but still - they were expected. Anne leaned up and kissed him again, taking his lower lip between hers as she got comfortable in his embrace.

The pleased purr on his lips was slightly muffled by pressing firmly into the kiss. He lingered in it contentedly a moment or two before shifting back, forehead resting contentedly against hers.

"Tonight will be easy. I promise you, Anne. You'll just have to go down to the shore for a while."

Anne smiled as she looked up to meet his gaze. Nothing made her happier in the whole wide world than being in his presence. She nodded slowly.

"The shore, right. Is there a special reason for that, by the way? The sea was important to your ancestors, was it not?" Then a question occurs in the way he phrased that sentence. "Wait, am I going to the shore alone? Will you not be there with me?"

He tsked softly, fingers reaching to smooth devotedly against her cheek.

"No, I will not be there with you. Because," he continued quickly, "tonight is the Telmarine ceremony. You'll go to the shore after nightfall and wait alone. If I'm worthy of your hand, I'll be able to make it past my own guards and steal you away from where you're waiting."

Not, exactly, that any of the guards would try particularly hard to keep the young king from the woman he clearly loved.

Anne smiled as he explained - she wasn't keen on being alone but it was an exciting ceremony and she had to admit that she loved the idea of Caspian winning her.

"Telmarines do indeed have some interesting customs," she chuckled and nuzzled her nose against his. "I rather like the idea of you fighting for me. So what happens after you make it to shore and to my arms?"

"Do rest assured, Anne, that I will always fight for you."

It had been true before, of course, but it would absolutely be more true when the whole world knew how much he loved her--when they were husband and wife.

"We'll spend the night on the shore, then return to the Cair with the dawn for the Narnian wedding ceremony. As-- I've been led to understand, it will be much like what they do in England."

Anne leaned up to kiss him softly. She blushed and grew warm at the idea of spending the night with him on the beach. Such a romantic idea for the eve of their wedding, she loved it.

"I can't wait. Beneath the stars, waiting for you, my knight, my king. And I shall have the strongest embrace and sweetest kiss waiting for you."

He couldn't help at all the soft, pleased hum for having her lips pressed to his. No matter how long they were together, he was fairly certain he would never entirely overcome the joy of having her kiss him.

"I'll come for you. I swear it."

Anne smiled and pulled away just a little. She took his hand in hers and looked up to meet his gaze.

"Shall we go then? The sooner the festivities commence, the sooner sunset will come and you'll be all mine again."

He couldn't help stealing one last kiss. He couldn't help one last tight, adoring squeeze of her close and tight against himself. Letting go came, finally, with a contented sigh and a deep bow of his head.

"I'll see you again tonight, then."

Well. Maybe one more kiss before he pulled himself back toward the door. It would be difficult to stay away from her so long, but the reward would be more than worth the wait.

Anne was just as eager to kiss him and keep him close. Letting go always came reluctantly. But she giggled when he kept coming back to her.

"Until tonight, yes my love," Anne smiled and gave him one last, passionate kiss. "If we don't go now, I fear we won't go at all."

Anne ushered him to go, and made to follow after him in a moment. She would follow the directions of the maids assigned to help her to get where she needed to be for the festivities. Namely, the shore.

Thankfully, the moment he left her Caspian was swept up into preparations with his soldiers. It was more than enough of a distraction to keep him from pining completely over being away from his intended.

He didn't quite think properly of her again until he was, himself, on the far end of the shore just past nightfall. Then, standing with sword in hand and the sea beginning to glisten at his side as the stars came out, he allowed himself to think of her--hidden away somewhere along the shore, close to the cliffs and waiting in the darkness.

She would likely be able to hear him in the darkness. The call of his voice, the brief clash of swords--all moving ever slowly closer toward the cliffs until, at last, he found his way to the dark shadows she must be hidden in.

"--Anne?"

Her maids had taken Anne down to the shore. They had primped her hair and made sure that she looked stunning. A few Narnians slipped down to join Anne when the maids left. They gave her fine jewels and flowers to decorate her hair and for her to hold. Then they too left as the sound of clashing swords got closer.

When he called out to her, Anne stepped out of the shadows. She looked up to him with a smile as the moon and stars caught the jewels in her hair.

"My King."

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