Chapter 4- The Wedding
More celebrations occurred on the night of Queen Susan and King Caspian's engagement. Not only was Susan able to stay in Narnia, but her siblings were able to stay as well. The young king and queen would be married in a few days.
All the preparations for the royal wedding had begun the following day. Nothing could be better than this moment for the happy young couple. The kingdom was working hard and diligently on all the preparations for the largest wedding that will occur in Narnian history, the wedding of King Caspian and Queen Susan the Gentle.
Susan could not believe that today was her wedding day. She still could not believe that she was in Narnia with the man she loved, and with her siblings. What a dream come true! Susan felt like she was in a dream that she never wanted to wake up from.
"Good morning, my darling." Caspian spoke as he entered Susan's chambers, with a tray of breakfast for the two of them.
"Good morning, my love." Susan said as she embraced her future husband with a kiss. Although the two got engaged a few days before, they chose to sleep in their own chambers until night of their wedding. After listening to the commandments of love spoken by Aslan, the two wanted to ensure that none of those commandments were broken.
"How thoughtful of you my love to bring me breakfast." Susan said as she sat on her bed next to Caspian.
"A queen must have a balanced meal before the most important day of her life." Caspian smiled as he placed a strawberry in Susan's mouth.
"Ummmm…you are so right my love." Susan said as she chewed the fresh strawberry. The two ate breakfast in bed, looking out the window and admiring the beautiful day.
"I still cannot believe we are getting married today, my love." Caspian said as he chewed and swallowed two hard-boiled eggs at the same time. Susan watched him as he ate like a true man. "Everything he does is just so striking to me". She thought.
"I cannot believe it either, my king." Susan said as she turned to grab Caspian and rolled on top of him. She ran her fingers through his hair and they gazed at one another. Caspian put his hands on Susan's waist, and he began kissing her. Susan deepened the kiss and they both started gasping and breathing more heavily. Caspian softly broke the kiss and ran his fingers through Susan's hair, gazing at her intensely.
"Oh my love, how I desire to make love to you right now" Caspian said as he bit his bottom lip.
"Then what are you waiting for?" teased Susan as she smirked at her love.
"Now, now my anxious queen," laughed Caspian. "We mustn't go against Aslan's commandments of love…and besides, once you get a feel of my manhood, you will never want to let me go." Caspian laughed out loud, his chest moving up and down.
"Is that so?" Susan smiled flirtatiously as she laughed with her fiancé. Caspian rolled Susan off of him and he jumped out of bed. Susan reached out to grab his bottom, but he was too fast.
"Even I am faster than the fastest archer in Narnia?" joked Caspian as he giggled in delight.
"Don't hold your breath, my king." Susan said as she threw her arms and legs around her love and they kissed once more.
"Until this evening, my love." Caspian said as he smiled and held his future wife.
"Until this evening." Susan said as she walked Caspian to the door. He turned to leave, then came back and kissed her passionately, pressing her body up against the wall. A moan escaped Susan's mouth that took her by surprise. Caspian just had that kind of effect on her.
Caspian broke the kiss and whispered in her ear "I cannot wait to make you my wife and make love to you over and over again."
Sparks shot all through Susan's body. She could not wait to marry her dream man and consummate their marriage.
"Me too, my love." Susan said breathlessly. "See you this evening."
The wedding bells rang all throughout the kingdom. All Narnians and Telmarines entered the royal cathedral and took their seats. They were moments away from witnessing the most memorable wedding in all of Narnian history.
The royal cathedral was an amazing site with 100 foot ceilings in height. The marbled grey and white pillars stood so tall and looked like they reached into the heavens. Although Susan and Caspian agreed to have a traditional Narnian wedding ceremony, Susan wanted to incorporate a few marital traditions from her world as well. The room was filled with a divine mix of four British blooms, namely the lily of the valley, sweet william, hyacinth and myrtle. It is a royal wedding tradition in Susan's world to have a sprig of myrtle, from the bush planted at Queen Victoria's home.
Caspian stood tall and dapper, as he waited for his queen to walk down the aisle of the large royal cathedral. He wore a white satin tunic with a stand-up collar. The tunic was embroidered with exclusive brocade fabric with accents of gold trim on the collar, chest and wrists. The tunic had loose puffy sleeves that tucked in at the wrists. Caspian also wore a sleeveless gold embroidered jacket that fell to his ankles. He also wore cuffed gold and white satin breeches with tall gold boots that hung right below his knees.
Caspian had no family in Narnia. The closest family that he had were the Pevensies. Although he had some differences with Peter, he still felt that Peter was there for him in his greatest time of need. Peter and Edmund were like brothers to Caspian. He was so thrilled that they could be there to witness the most important day of his life. Peter stood alongside Caspian on the left, as his best man, and Edmund stood on Peter's left side. The three men stood together at the altar, all looking dapper as ever.
The wedding ceremony music began to play. Lucy walked down the 50 foot aisle, wearing a long spaghetti strapped gown colored in light gold and white.
A Narnian Centaur boy, a son of Glenstorm, was chosen to be the ring barrier. Caspian had grown close Glenstorm and all of his children, especially after fighting with them in the war and after most of his soldiers were lost in the war. Glenstorm has a very kind and noble heart, and was always there to offer Caspian advice when needed. Glenstorm is a noble member of the royal counsel and serves as Caspian's general advisor.
Two toddler Centaur flower girls walked down the long aisle and placed white rose petals on the runner. One of the Centaur toddler girls wore a wooden sign around her neck that read "Caspian, here comes your bride."
Caspian's eyes began to fill with tears and so did Lucy's.
"Everyone, please stand for the bride." announced the Archbishop.
The crowd stood as Queen Susan entered the royal cathedral and walked gracefully down the aisle. Susan looked like an angel sent from heaven. Most of her hair was pulled up into a bun, while a few strands of curls fell down the sides of her face and her neck. She wore a gold tiara covered with white sapphires. She wore a white laced veil that draped in front of her face that fell to her waist. Her dress was made of white satin bodice that was narrowed at the waist. The bodice incorporated floral motifs made of white lace and tulle on the sleeves and chest, in a V-neck shape. The front of the dress contained soft pleats which unfolded to the floor, forming a Victorian-style semi-bustle at the back. The back of the dress contained 58 buttons of organza with loops. The bridal train was 110 inches long.
Susan walked down the aisle holding her bridal bouquet made of white lilies. Caspian was in astonishment as he watched his love walk down the aisle so gracefully. Tears of joy fell from his eyes as he could not believe he was marrying the woman of his dreams.
Susan reached the altar and she stood there, looking up at the man she would soon me married to. Caspian took a step down and helped Susan up to the altar. Susan gave her bridal bouquet to Lucy to hold during the ceremony. Caspian took Susan's hands and tears of joy flowed down both of their faces as they turned to look each other with the greatest of love.
"Dearly beloved. We are gathered here today in holy matrimony to celebrate the wedding of Queen Susan the Gentle and King Caspian." The Archbishop spoke. "Caspian and Susan, you have chosen to be married in the sight of a generous God, Aslan. In the Spirit of this generous God, a husband and wife are to give themselves to one another. In marriage, we are seeking to bring one another into fuller life. It is of course very hard to wean ourselves away from self-centeredness. And people can dream of doing such a thing, but the hope should be that, whatever difficulties may come, we are committed to the way of generous love, the way Aslan loved the church. You have both made your decision today – "I will" – and by making this new relationship, you have aligned yourselves with the way in which life is spiritually evolving, which will lead to a creative future for the Telmarine and Narnian race."
"King Caspian X, do you take Queen Susan Pevensie to be your wedded wife, to live together according to Aslan's law in the holy estate of Matrimony? To love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, so long as you both shall live?"
"I will." answered Caspian passionately.
The Archbishop turned to Susan. "Queen Susan Pevensie, do you take King Caspian X to be your wedded husband, to live together according to Aslan's law in the holy estate of Matrimony? To love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, so long as you both shall live?
"I will." Susan said softly, smiling at Caspian.
"The rings please." The Archbishop requested. Two beautiful platinum royal wedding bands were brought by the ring bearer. The Archbishop gave Caspian Susan's wedding band.
"Caspian, please repeat after me." The Archbishop commanded. "I give you this ring as a symbol of my love, my faith in our strength together, and my covenant to learn and grow with you."
Caspian repeated the words softly as tears flowed down his face. "Susan, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love, my faith in our strength together, and my covenant to learn and grow with you." Caspian placed the platinum wedding band covered in white sapphires on Susan's finger.
"Susan, please repeat after me." The Archbishop commanded. "Caspian, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love, my faith in our strength together, and my covenant to learn and grow with you."
Susan repeated the vows, with tears flowing down her face as well. "Caspian, my love, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love, my faith in our strength together, and my covenant to learn and grow with you." Susan placed the thick platinum wedding band covered in diamonds on Caspian's large and tanned finger.
"By the power vested in me as Archbishop to the land of Narnia, I hereby pronounce you husband and wife. King Caspian, you may now kiss your queen." The Archbishop said with a warm smile.
Caspian lifted Susan's veil, looked her intensely and kissed her passionately. The kiss went on for a good while until the Archbishop cleared his throat. "Your majesty." Caspian continued kissing his bride passionately. "Your majesty!" the Archbishop said again slightly louder. Peter and Edmund looked at each other and chuckled silently. Caspian finally broke away from the kiss, feeling slightly dizzy. He and Susan smiled and looked at the crowd.
"I give to you, Mr. and Mrs. King Caspian X!" announced the Archbishop.
The crowd stood, cheered, shouted, and whistled in delight. Caspian had never heard the crowd cheer in this way before. He was the happiest man in all of Narnia. The happy couple walked down the aisle and were greeted by Aslan, Dr. Cornelius, and all of the Narnia kingdom. Lucy, Edmund and Peter followed the bride and groom during the recessional walk.
The wedding reception was indeed the celebration that made Narnian history. Two people from two different worlds were united.
After many speeches, hugs, handshakes and dinner, Susan and Caspian shared their first dance as a married couple. The lights dimmed all across the great hall and Caspian took his wife into his arms, and they glided across the dance floor.
"I cannot believe that you are still here with me and that we are married." Caspian said as he whispered in Susan's ear. "I feel as if I am dreaming." Susan laid her face into Caspian's chest.
"Me too. I love you so much Caspian. Thank you for believing in us, our love and in Aslan."
The newly married couple danced and spun around the room, embracing each other as the band played softly and Glenstorm sang "So Close" by Jon McLaughlin.
You're in my arms and all the world is calm. The music playing on for only two. So close, together and when I'm with you, so close to feeling alive. A life goes by, romantic dreams must die, so I bid my goodbye and never knew. So close, was waiting, waiting here with you and now, forever. I know all that I wanted, to hold you so close
So close, to reaching that famous happy end, almost believing this one's not pretend and now you're beside me and look how far we've come. So far, we are, so close
Interlude (music playing)
Caspian spun Susan more and more around the room and it felt like the newlyweds were dancing on clouds.
Oh how could I face the faceless days. If I should lose you now. We're so close, to reaching that famous happy end, and almost believing this one's not pretend…let's go on dreaming for we know we are… so close, so close, and still so far
The crowd cheered as Caspian and Susan bowed and returned to the royal sweethearts table.
Caspian held the chair for his new wife and she sat down. He sat down beside her and held her hand. "I love you so much, my queen." He gave her a look of need. Susan smiled back at her king.
"I love you too." she said as she reached in to kiss her king.
"Shall we continue the celebrations in the royal chambers?" Caspian asked with a flirtatious grin.
"Yes, let's." Susan responded as her cheeks turned bright red.
