Disclaimer: I don't own Narnia or any characters you may recognize from the books or the movies, I wish I did but I don't... I also don't own the Narnian Calendar. It belongs to Elecktrum who was kind enough to let me borrow it for my story. Her own stories are awesome and you should go read them too.

Summary: The time has arrived for a Royal Wedding. A Lion & Flower story.

A/N: This story is part of my A Light in the Darkness universe and immediately follows my oneshot Stag Party. Enjoy!

A Royal Wedding

Part One

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16 Sunbend 1008

The wind blew gently across the sea, bringing the scent of salt spray and valiantly blooming flowers to Cair Paravel at the same time it brought just a hint of relief from the heat of summer. Clad in a simple shift, Thalia stood before the window, eyes closed against the mid-morning sun. Though her mother had advised her to sleep as late as possible, she had always been early to rise. Breathing out slowly, the young Beech Nymph raised her left hand studying the ring that graced her fourth finger, silver with beech leaves and flowers scrolling up the sides to cradle the slightly raised square-cut diamond. Today…today another ring would join it to symbolize her joining with Peter in marriage.

She took a deep breath then slowly let it out. Today she was marrying Peter…her Peter. The doors burst open as Vedis came skipping in, singing at the top of her lungs, "Thalia's getting married!"

Blushing, Thalia laughed and accepted her little sister's hug. Petting Vedis' straight brown hair, she planted a quick kiss on the top of the younger Nymph's head. "Where is Mother?"

"I am here." Theia swept into the room, her vibrant green dress complimenting her light green eyes and dark brown hair, which had been partially gathered into a braided coronet then the rest of her long hair was allowed to fall freely around her shoulders. Her mother's smile helped to settle Thalia's nervousness as she hugged her then stepped back, placing one slim hand against her cheek. "You did not sleep, little one. But, no one will be able to tell with such joy shining in your eyes this day, Daughter."

Thalia blushed but then a knock sounded and Vedis scampered to open them. The Queens burst into the room with the Princess Royal right behind them. "I tried to keep them away an hour longer, but they just wouldn't wait a moment more," the Princess Royal said with a half-hidden smile. She raised the basket that had been filled to bursting with flowers. "However, considering how many flowers are in this thing, their concern about not being able to fill the next seven hours sufficiently might actually be semi-accurate."

Queen Susan shook her head. "Oh, Kat, how many times must we tell you? Thalia has to be ready in six and a half hours." She turned to Thalia and hugged her. "It will be wonderful to finally call you 'sister.'"

With a nervous smile, Thalia accepted the Queen's embrace. It was most disconcerting at times to remember that she, Thalia of the Beeches, was joining herself to the Royals of Narnia through her marriage to Peter. She did not feel ready in spite of months going over what would and would not be included among her duties as Peter's wife (which in truth would be more similar to the Princess Royal's than the Queens'…something she found comforting). "Thalia, you should breathe before you pass out." Thalia blinked at Alambiel who was now supporting one arm while her mother supported the other. "Come on, take a seat and I think we better feed you first and then I shan't be able to hold these two off any longer."

Thalia smiled as the Queens bustled about helping to get Vedis ready. As her little sister was still in her saplinghood being but ten turnings, it took quite a bit for her to stand still long enough for her glossy green dress to be slid over her head. The Princess Royal simply shook her head then turned to Thalia and whispered, "Just try not to overthink what happens after the honeymoon, we're not going to throw you to the Calormenes. For now, focus on the reason you're getting married." She smiled, her blue eyes twinkling, as she added, "Peter and your love…the rest of us nutcases are just part of the package, I'm afraid"

The Queens protested as Thalia smiled. "Thank you, your highness."

"Thalia…call me Alambiel."

"Thank you…Alambiel." Thalia glanced around then shifted her half-empty plate further away. Rising, she crossed back to the window. The Cair's gates were open and people were streaming in, Narnians as well islanders who had not arrived earlier (indeed a number of the diplomats had simply arrived for Peter's birthday a week ago and then stayed to await the wedding). A cheer sounded and her eyes were drawn to the party just now passing through the gates. She caught a glimpse of blond hair at the head of the party and smiled, knowing it was Peter…her Peter. On his right was King Edmund and on his left was the General. It was difficult to tell from this distance with the crowd pressing in to greet their Kings, but she thought the Just might be limping a little.

"What are you smiling at, Thalia?" Vedis pressed in beside her then called out loudly, "She's looking at the High King again!"

"Vedis, shh!" Thalia stepped back, pulling her little sister with her, as that golden head looked up suddenly almost as though he had heard Vedis' exclamation over the crowd.

Vedis simply crossed her arms, sticking her rounded chin out stubbornly. "Why? He must like you staring at him all the time since he asked you to marry him."

She felt a blush heat her cheeks as the others, including her own mother, laughed. "Because he isn't supposed to see me until the ceremony."

"Why?"

"It's a tradition, Vedis," their mother said. "Now, since the men have returned from the stag party, we may rest assured that we need not delay the ceremony. Come over here, Vedis. I'll need you to help Queen Susan and me as we fix your sister's hair. Thalia, come away from the window, you will be able to see your betrothed later."

Obeying her mother's command and taking a seat on the dressing bench, Thalia had the sudden wish to speak with Peter once more but she knew it could and would wait. They had only just begun to work the mix of olive oil and egg yolk in to aid in detangling her hair when someone knocked at the door. Alambiel opened it and slipped out, preventing whoever was on the other side from seeing her.

Alambiel came back in, shaking her head. "It seems the stag party didn't go completely injury-free. Come on, Lucy."

Only her mother's hands on her head kept Thalia from turning to look as Queen Lucy and the Princess Royal left. She hoped it wasn't Peter. Perhaps it was because of the limp she had thought she'd seen when the Just King was walking beside his brother. Her mother and Queen Susan pinned her hair, allowing the mix to work through her tresses for an hour, then they moved into the bathroom and washed it out. The lavender-scented hair soap was built to a lather twice, ensuring the last of the mix had been washed out, and then they used a hair rinse. It was not until they were in the midst of drying Thalia's hair that Queen Lucy returned.

Thalia turned to look at her. "What happened?"

"Pierpont. And poor Remus got the worst of it, which meant Jayr and Linus had to cut the quills out, so Edmund asked me to give him the cordial so the poor dear won't be in utter misery. He didn't even scare Peirpont this time and I think Peter felt guilty about inviting Pierpont not to mention allowing him to have too much to drink again because he didn't even scowl when I used my cordial."

Queen Susan raised both eyebrows. "And Edmund was unscathed?"

"No, but he said if I tried to give him the cordial, Peter would likely concuss himself," the younger queen giggled.

Thalia ducked her head to hide her smile. "But, where is the Princess Royal?"

Queen Lucy cleared her throat, though her blue eyes still sparkled with laughter. "Well, you might have noticed that Kat wasn't quite ready for the wedding yet." Thalia nodded since the Princess Royal had been wearing a very simple tunic and skirt. "Tuulea sent Leeta to bring her back so that she can put on something more appropriate for the Princess Royal attending the High King's wedding." Queen Lucy giggled again. "Poor Kat, I think she was only caught because she was trying to see Oreius."

"They didn't even get a chance to see each other yesterday, did they?"

"No, but they are lovely together, aren't they?"

Thalia raised her eyebrows. "I think whatever doubts anyone had concerning the sincerity of their courtship were sufficiently abolished by the General's actions during the skirmish with those bandits."

Queen Susan smiled. "It was rather romantic too. He risked losing everything just to rescue Kat. Now if only he'll hurry up and propose."

They all laughed, even Vedis (though she likely did not know why they laughed), and the chatter focused on the hope for another wedding to occur soon. Thalia relaxed as the attention briefly shifted from her impending nuptials. As the others focused on brushing out her hair, the talk shifted back to the ceremony but Thalia remained relaxed, nodding and smiling as her soon-to-be sisters-in-law chattered about how beautiful the ceremony would be, especially with such a bride.

She slipped into her dress and then the freshest of the flowers were selected and woven into her nut-brown tresses. "Don't forget to leave the crown of her head bare." They all paused to look at the Princess Royal and she smiled. "It's also time for the three of us to take our places. Our escorts are waiting down the hall. See you in a bit, Thalia."

Theia stepped back to look at her and then pushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear before murmuring, "You are the most beautiful of brides, Daughter."

With a slight twinge of regret, Thalia wished that her father, Vidar, had come to Cair Paravel for the wedding. Though the old threats were gone, Vidar still refused to leave their home grove vulnerable even when Peter had offered to station his best soldiers amongst the grove to keep their trees safe so her father might attend the wedding. But still, he did not come. A rich rumble filled the air. "Nearly as beautiful as your mother was on our wedding day."

Thalia spun, her face lighting with surprised joy, and raced into her father's strong embrace. Vidar set her down and tilted her chin up, wild green eyes searching hers. "This day has come too soon for my heart's liking. Pity I had to grow somewhat tolerant of the Human."

"Vidar." Her mother's disapproving look was softened by a smile as they all knew Vidar was more fond of Peter than he would admit. She took Vedis' hand. "Come along, it is time for us to take our places while your father escorts your sister."

As Thalia placed her hand on her father's proffered arm, she whispered, "Thank you for coming, Father."

"You should thank your Hum- You should thank Peter Pevensie…he arrived at the grove four days past with a patrol to insist I have no reasonable excuse to stay away from your wedding."

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A/N: Please Read and Review! Okay, it's finally here! Peter and Thalia's wedding day adventure had officially begun (the other wedding has to wait a bit longer). Leave a review and let me know what y'all thought about this one.