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 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."

Anne was always beautiful. When she was done up completely and when she was groggily waking up in the morning, she was always a vision.

It was still more than stunning to see her now, glittering in the moonlight like the sea itself before him. It absolutely stopped his heart a few seconds just to see her.

"I..."

It takes a moment to get his breath properly. It also takes a moment to kneel, a shooting pain briefly distracting him from the shallow wound he'd sustained on his side getting to her.

"...I've come to take you as my bride, my Lady."

He knew, of course, that she would accept, but it didn't stop him from having to bite back nerves.

He wouldn't have to kneel long - Anne smiled as she held her hand out to him.

"To have made it here, you have indeed proved yourself worthy to anyone who may have doubted you," Not that Anne was one of them. "You honor me by choosing me as your bride - I only hope to be truly worthy, Highness. Take me where you will, and I shall follow beside you...always"

She couldn't fight the grin on her face, nor the tears in her eyes. Anne didn't know what she'd done to have earned the love of such a caring and wonderful man as Caspian but she would thank God each day for him.

"Always."

There couldn't help but be a touch of wonder in his voice for being able to say it with absolute certainty. This isn't just a promise between themselves in the dark of his bedchambers--this is an oath they're swearing before the kingdom and Aslan Himself.

He caught her hand tight, pressing his lips firm to her fingers a moment before carefully pulling himself to his feet again. "Always by my side. That's-- amazing, isn't it?"

Anne stepped closer when he stood up again. She couldn't help blushing and smiling as he kissed her knuckles.

"Amazing because it's real, yes. But where else should I be? You are my love, all my heart and soul are yours. By your side is the only place in the world I should be."

"As my heart and soul are yours," he murmured instantly in return, arms shifting to hold her properly against himself. The armour kept him from feeling her warmth, but it still felt right to keep her close now. "And from this moment forward, Anne, the whole kingdom shall know it."

Not just whisper about it. Not just speculate over it. They'd sit side by side on the thrones of Narnia and the whole world would see their devotion.

"I love you."

In case that wasn't clear. And, in case actually saying it wasn't clear enough either, his lips fervently pressed in against hers in the semi-darkness.

Anne nodded and wrapped her arms loosely around his neck. "The whole kingdom, the whole world. Everyone will know of my love for you, of our love for each other."

She leaned up closer, her chest pressed against his as she looked up to him. Her forehead pressed against his.

"And I love you."

Then her lips were pressed just as hard against his, Anne ran her fingers through his hair and held the back of his head in a gentle grip to keep him there, keeping their kiss going. She never wanted his lips to leave hers ever again.

Nothing would come between them now. There would be no whispers to contend with or ghosts to worry about. There would only be their joined future before them, twined together. It was as thrilling to know as it was to kiss her here on the shore.

It couldn't be forever, of course. They did need to breathe. And, well, he also needs to begin tugging at the buckles holding his armour in place.

"--help me with this?"

Anne smiled as he began working the buckles. Oh, she was only too happy to help him remove his clothes on any given moment, now even more so.

"Of course, love," Anne breathed, her fingers coming up to his to help him with those buckles.

Her eyes glanced over his armor, taking in the figure of her knight, her lion, her king - her betrothed - in all his glory. Once she had all the clips dealt with, Anne glanced up with a smile.

"So then, my love, you're all mine for tonight?" Anne leaned up to plant a quick kiss on his lips.

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