The Wars We Wage

Finally! This is the last chapter, and I hope whoever read it enjoyed it. This chapter is dedicated to all those who just love a good happily ever after.

Neo-Princess Rini

Chapter Four - And This Is Home

The blaring horns jolted her out of her reverie.

The butterflies in her stomach fluttered around just as hard as the flags that flew proudly above the castle. The gates were not yet open, but she could make out the river of wounded, battered and tired men marching straight towards the castle.

Please, Aslan, let him be alive!

The searing heat created a shimmer before everyone's eyes. The entire town had flocked to the castle grounds, some present to greet the returning army, others anxious about the condition of a loved one.

The crown on her head glinted fiercely in the sunlight, but it had begun to heat up, so she adjusted it as she craned her neck to see who was leading the somber procession. Her bulging belly made her legs hurt; she longed dearly for a comfortable chair, but she couldn't possibly sit when everyone else was standing.

That day, exactly a month ago, after their fight on the balcony, she'd awoken to find that he'd already left. On arrival for breakfast, she was grimly told that now, she was in charge. So she'd walked deep in to the palace gardens and cried bitterly.

She knew it wasn't his fault, but she hated him for leaving anyway. It was, of course, his duty. But the very prospect of him never coming back had successfully broken her wild spirit. Usually bright, cheery and witty, she'd gone into the throne room to begin with the day's proceedings, like she'd watched him do countless times, drenched in a cold sweat.

And the routine never varied. For a long month, she'd woken up every morning, hoping to see him standing over her and laughing gently. From breakfast till noon, she would listen to the troubles of his – no, their – people. At lunch, the lords would mock her, and there would be no friends to comfort her, as they had all marched off with him. Then, till bedtime, she'd brood, thinking about how their child would come into a world where his or her father would never watch him or her grow. In this morose mood, she would pull the blankets over herself, and fall deep into a world where he never left her side.

The procession was nearing then, but no one seemed to be leading it. Her heart began to thud dully in anticipation. Many of the townsfolk, Narnians and Telmarines alike, had begun to cheer on the army. The castle courtyard erupted into clapping as the army began to run towards the castle gates, which slowly began to yawn open.

Still no Caspian!

Tears filled her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. The army was nearly at the gates. She could make out a few familiar faces, and she turned to her lady-in-waiting, a kind though simple girl, who had thrown courtesy to the wind and was hooting and cheering very loudly. Her legs were aching; she could stand it no more. She moved to the gates as the army filtered in. Their numbers were few, she could tell; but the joy on each soldier's face could only mean one thing – they'd won.

But he still wasn't there.

She flashed a quick smile to each soldier, some who took her hand and kissed it gently. A familiar leopard strolled by, with no dearth of weapons on his back, and she quickly asked, "Stormhold! Where is the king?"

Stormhold casually replied, "At the back. He insisted on being the last."

And sure enough, coming into view, with a few cuts on his face, was King Caspian X, proudly winding up the parade. She ran as fast as she could as he leapt off his horse, and the two hugged each other as many a villager cheered for what seemed like an eternity.

Finally, they broke apart and he smiled. "It's kicking," he said gently.

"I know."