This is an AU-ish fanfiction, for the reason that there are three main differences from the original Narnia books – firstly, that the Pevensies never got back to Narnia after The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, secondly, that the train crash at the end of The Last Battle never happened, and finally, that during their time in Narnia, the Pevensies married and had children. I hope that makes sense. Enjoy!

This fanfiction is written for a request by fellow Narnia fan Reading Pixie. All credit for the original idea goes to them.

It was a glorious day, they sort of day that made you feel as if the world was laughing. The sun was shining on the wide Eastern Sea, and on the tall turrets of Cair Paravel, and on the face of little Prince Jacob, only son of High King Peter the Magnificent and his wife, Abigail.

Jacob hurried down the castle steps, and ran through the orchard to the path that led to the castle. Trailing behind him were his cousins, Ariel, Faelyn, Layton and Cosmo. The five children stopped suddenly on the path, looking around them with eager expressions. They were waiting for something – but what?

They didn't have long to wait. Suddenly, all five children heard it – the pounding of horse's hooves against soft earth.
"Look!" shouted Ariel, pointing in excitement.

Over the crest of the hill came the four Kings and Queens of Narnia, riding splendidly. The sight of these four sovereigns, riding side-by-side into a battle, would have been enough to make the bravest of enemy warriors turn and run in fear. But the children waiting outside the castle were too young to know about battles, and to them the Kings and Queens were only their beloved parents, aunts and uncles.

The riders wheeled their horses to a stop next to the children and swung down from the saddles. They were a splendid sight, these great rulers, just returned from a meeting with the Naiads of the river Rush. Tall, warrior-like King Peter, eldest of the four, High King over all Narnia, reaching out to ruffle his son's hair. Queen Susan, stately, graceful, a smile on her beautiful face as she bent to embrace her daughter. King Edmund, thoughtful and wise, a grin lighting up his usually solemn features as his children rushed to hug him. And golden-haired, bright-eyed Queen Lucy, laughing with her eyes and lips as she swept up her little son into her arms.
Feared and respected though these great sovereigns might be, they were still parents, and they loved their children dearly. Chattering and laughing, the little party began to make its way up to the castle, the Kings and Queens leading their horses behind them.

In the fifteen years since Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy had stumbled through the wardrobe into Narnia, they had greatly improved the country. They had driven out the all the foul creatures that had been on the side of the White Witch, and they had abolished the cruel, tyrannical "schools" that had been the norm during her rule. They had set up new schools, where one could actually enjoy learning, and they had formed new alliances with neighbouring countries, and they had proved to be kind and fair rulers, and had not cracked under the stress of leading a country, as so many rulers do.

And they had all fallen in love. Over the long years, as the Pevensies had grown, they had each found their heart in another person, a person that you would think would have little to do with a monarch.

Peter had been out riding one day near Beaversdam, when he had heard cries coming from a small peasant's cottage. Upon investigating, the King had discovered a girl being beaten by her enraged father. When Peter had intervened, the man, apparently not realizing he was speaking to the High King of Narnia, had told him to "mind his own business". That was enough for Peter. In ten seconds flat, the peasant was unconscious on the floor.
After talking to the girl a few minutes, Peter had learned that her name was Abigail Greenwood, and that she'd been her father's drudge since her mother had been killed by one on the White Witch's raiding parties. Realizing that she couldn't stay in her present location, Peter had offered Abigail sanctuary at Cair Paravel. After her initial shock upon learning that the handsome young man she'd been talking to was the High King, Abigail had accepted the offer. Over time, Abigail and Peter had grown closer together and had eventually fallen in love. Their wedding had been the biggest celebration anyone alive in Narnia could remember.

Susan had met her husband, Timothy Menamine, when he'd come to the castle to carve a dining table. He was a carpenter living in the West of Narnia, and the Kings and Queens had heard of his remarkable skill with woodcraft. Susan had met him only briefly, when she was paying him for the table, but she'd been struck by his liquid, dark eyes and shy smile. He came back many more times, to fix various tables and chairs, and soon he and Susan were seeing each other regularly. In any other country it would have caused a great scandal, a Queen daring to love a simple carpenter, but this was after all Narnia, and things were done differently there.
Susan had had dozens of suitors in the past, but none of them had ever made such an impression on her as Timothy did. After they had known each other nearly a year, Susan and Timothy were married, and all of Narnia rejoiced that their beloved Gentle queen had finally found love.

Edmund's wife was the fairy Belissa, one of the Fair Folk who lived in the far west of Narnia, beyond Lantern Waste. Belissa had been captured by a giant during the last years of the White Witch's reign. The giant (who, by the way was called Kragglefist) had captured her in the hope that she would use her magic to lure travellers to his castle so he could eat them. For years, he'd kept her locked up in his castle, until she'd managed to escape. Belissa had heard the story of how King Peter had rescued a peasant girl, and it had occurred to her that the Kings and Queens might also offer sanctuary to a fairy. It took her many days and nights, but at last Belissa was able to escape. Knowing that Kragglefist would be after her, she made her way to Cair Paravel as fast as she could. When she reached it, she begged shelter, which the Kings and Queens were only to happy to provide. The monarchs led a search for Kragglefist, but they never found him. Perhaps realizing that the Pevensies would be after him, the wicked giant had fled to the north, and was never seen again.
Back at the Cair, Edmund found himself increasingly drawn to the mysterious fairy. He thought her the most exquisite creature he had ever seen. Belissa, in return, was charmed by the Just king. Like his two older siblings, Edmund had found love in the most unexpected place.

Lucy's first encounter with her husband was perhaps the strangest of all. Amberline Braxton had been gathering herbs in the forest near Beaversdam when he had heard shouts coming from a nearby clearing. Running to the scene, he found Queen Lucy severely outnumbered against five Efreets who had once been part of the White Witch's army. Lucy had managed to dispatch two of the creatures, but she had been wounded in her sword-arm, and was tiring. She couldn't hold out much longer.
Amberline rushed into the conflict. He was armed with nothing more than a staff, but he had the element of surprise, and he knocked out one of the Efreets before the other two realised what was happening. Working together, Lucy and Amberline defeated the other two. After thanking Amberline profusely for saving her life, Lucy insisted that he come back to Cair Paravel for a feast. It wasn't long before she realised she was in love with him. Taking the advice she had given to Susan, Lucy just straight-up told Amberline her feelings. To her amazement, he confessed he felt the same about her. They had a quiet wedding – well, as quiet a royal wedding could be.

Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy took their horses around to the stables, the joined their children in the Great Hall. Abigail, Timothy, Belissa and Amberline gathered around them as the four monarchs settled themselves on their thrones. They loved their families dearly, but as Kings and Queens their country must be attended to.

"Well, and is there any citizen wishing to see us?" Peter asked one of the guards by the doors. The guard nodded.
"Only one, Your Majesties. The Faun Tumnus. Shall I show him in?"

"Mister Tumnus!" cried Lucy in delight. She was always happy to see her oldest Narnian friend. "Yes, show him in at once!"

The guard disappeared, and returned a moment later with Mr. Tumnus. The little faun hurried towards the thrones, practically dancing in his excitement. Lucy began to rise to greet him, but stopped when she saw his manner. This was not merely a social visit. Tumnus had news for them.

"Your Majesties!" cried Tumnus, bowing hastily. "Your Majesties, I bring great tidings from the west of Narnia."
"What is the news?" asked Edmund, leaning forward.
"A great event has passed, one that has not occurred in these parts for many a year." continued Tumnus. "Only this morning" – he paused dramatically—"only this morning, the White Stag was sighted in Lantern Waste!"

There was a moment of stunned silence, and then everyone began talking at once. They all knew the story of the mysterious White Stag, who would grant you a wish if you could catch him.

Lucy turned to her oldest brother, her eyes shining. "Oh, Peter, don't you think we should go after him?"

"But why, Lu?" Peter asked. "We have everything we need. What would we wish for?"

"Oh, not to get wishes." Lucy said impatiently. "Just to see the stag, to speak to him! They say he is the wisest creature in all Narnia, apart from Aslan."

"It would be pleasant to go hunting." spoke Susan. "We have not been for several months."

Peter turned to Abigail. "My dear, what say you? Would you be able to manage the castle in our absence?"
Abigail smiled. "Of course, Peter. After all, it is only for one day." Timothy, Belissa and Amberline voiced their agreement with her statement.

Peter rubbed his hands together. "It is settled, then. Tomorrow we hunt the White Stag. Send word to all the lords and ladies of the Court, inviting them on the hunt."

OOO

The next day dawned bright and clear. Before the sun was fully up, the four sovereigns of Narnia and their court had assembled outside the castle, ready to go hunting. Their spouses and children were farewelling them as the mounted their horses.

Peter kissed his wife and then bent to ruffle his son's hair. "Look after Narnia while we are gone, Jacob." he said teasingly. Jacob grinned up at him. "I will, Father."

Peter smiled at him, and then mounted his horse. The rest of the hunting party was ready to go, and together they turned their horses to the castle gates and trotted away. Jacob, Ariel, Faelyn, Layton and Cosmo waved and called their goodbyes after them before walking back inside the castle.

Perhaps, if they had known what was going to happen when the Kings and Queens rode out to hunt the White Stag, they would have said a longer, more profound farewell. But, after all, they had no idea of what was about to befall Narnia. How could anyone have known what would happen that fateful day? How could they?