Disclaimer: I don't own the characters

Special thanks to beta Notes from the classroom for stepping out of her usual universe to beta this story.

Year Twelve Part 2

Midsummer Day was a holiday. Tumnus didn't go to the Palace. He did not meet Lucy for their Midsummer Day tea -- she did not summon him, nor did he invite her.

It wasn't until the morning after that he returned to the Palace. He was late; he had taken a jar of sardines to Nightwing the owl in gratitude...and learned news.

Just before he reached the throne room he saw King Edmund with Lady Astrid and Mikah. Edmund was apparently late, too.

"Duty calls," said Edmund, a smile on his face, bending down to kiss Astrid. The Lady and her son had come to Cair Paravel for the wedding -- now just two weeks away.

Tumnus stopped in his tracks and fiddled with the uncomfortable blue jacket that Susan had begun making all of the royal retainers wear. It was too hot, and he was certain that the way the cut fit him made him look quite stout.

"I will see you at lunch time?" said Edmund to Astrid.

"Yes, of course," said Astrid, giving him another quick kiss.

"And I will see you later, too!" said Edmund, ruffling Mikah's hair.

Mikah rolled his eyes and said, "Yes, King....Papa!" Then he gave a mischievous smile and dashed towards the garden.

Edmund just laughed. He laughed so easily lately...

Tumnus restrained a sigh. Really, he did not want to think of Edmund's romantic and familial happiness right now.

Edmund kissed Astrid one last time and finally headed into the throne room. Tumnus waited a few moments and then headed in the same direction. As he did he passed Lady Astrid. She was standing stock still, her hand on her forehead.

"Oh, Mister Tumnus, I did not see you there," she said taking a deep breath.

Halting in his tracks Tumnus said, "Are you alright, My Lady?"

She took a deep breath again. "Yes, I believe so." Smiling and gathering her skirts she said, "I best go after Mikah. He and Orieus' niece get into so much trouble."

Tumnus waved to her as she went. He tried to look cheerful, it was difficult in his current bleak mood. With a frustrated flick of his tail he stepped into the throne room. It was the morning briefing. All the other advisers were there and had undoubtably given their reports already.

"Mister Tumnus," King Peter said good naturedly, "any news for us, or may we go about our business?"

Tumnus bowed. "I do have news, Your Majesty."

Rising from the bow he faced the monarchs. Only Lucy did not meet his gaze.

"Nightwing the owl brings news from his kin in the Lantern Wastes," said Tumnus. "The White Stag has been sighted there."

Murmurs arose through the court. It was believed that if one caught the White Stag -- caught as in physically apprehended without injury--the stag had the power to grant you a wish. Peter sat bolt upright and laughed. "Maybe I can wish for a Lady as fine as Astrid to fall in love with me."

Edmund grinned bashfully. Tumnus blinked. "I am not sure that even the White Stag has the power to move another's heart. Our hearts are our own...but it is possible he could cause a meeting to take place..."

"Well spoken!" said Peter. "Orieus, see if you can confirm these rumors of the stag!"

"Here, here," said Susan, smiling broadly and looking happier than she had in ages.

Edmund only looked thoughtful. Lucy looked as miserable as Tumnus felt. He felt no joy at the prospect of the stag either. It could not grant him what he wanted.

x x x

After the meeting in the throne room, Lucy, Tumnus and Edmund went to the library to work on their refinement of the legal code. Tumnus and Edmund began debating the finer details of property law -- should there be a default warranty period on badger barrows after sale?

"No," snapped Lucy, her tone laced with bitterness. "One more law on the books is just another law for free Narnians to forget, or misunderstand, and then you'll wind up making good badgers criminals. A warranty should be at the discretion of the seller." And then she went back to reviewing some other laws Tumnus and Edmund had drafted.

Tumnus and Edmund blinked at each other. It wasn't unusual for her to jump into their debates, but normally she did so in good sport. Now --

They both looked down at some tomes they'd pulled from the shelves and began to read.

Tumnus hoped his tasks would distract him from the heaviness in the room and in the pit of his stomach. But he read the same paragraph three times and couldn't remember a word of it. Instead, the last scenes of Midsummer Night's Eve played over and over again in his mind-- Edmund jumping off Philip the horse, racing to Tumnus, and saying, "I know Lucy went looking for you...did something happen? Is she alright?" Tumnus' words to the king had been, "She is fine. You must know...I have not...I did not...she is...fine." Edmund's hand gone had gone to Tumnus' shoulder; he looked as though he would say something, but no words ever came. He just nodded and went into Tumnus' cave. And then the two humans departed, Lucy not looking back at him even once.

Now he was obviously upsetting her. He wanted to leave...not just this room. The palace. His official position. He was trying to do the human thing -- pretend that nothing happened, carrying on, seeing to his duties. Perhaps leaving would be best for them both. Unrequited love...a moronic idea if he ever heard of one. He stamped a hoof in frustration. Suddenly finding the uniform unbearable, he unbuttoned the scratchy thing and threw it over the back of his chair with a snort and straightened his scarf.

At that moment Lucy slammed the documents she'd been reading down on the table and raced from the room.

Tumnus rose to go after her and then fell in his chair.

"Just go," said Edmund. "I don't know what happened between you...but she needs to talk to you."

Tumnus stared at the king. Edmund looked down at the table.

Clearing his throat Edmund said, "Tumnus...You know...I betrayed you once to the White Witch..."

That was so long ago -- and Edmund had been but a boy; there was no need to relive that horrible time. "Your Majesty..."

"You know that I would never betray you again," said Edmund.

Tumnus wasn't sure what he meant. "Of course you would not," he said, just wanting to give the young man peace. Rising from the chair, he made a quick bow and departed.

x x x

Tumnus knocked at the door to Lucy's room.

"Go away," was the answer from within.

It was a tempting command. Of all the places, why did she have to go to her room? Was she lying on her bed right now, head in a pillow, tears in her eyes, and in need of comfort?

From down the corridor he heard the sound of footsteps. It was now or never. Knocking quietly he whispered, "Lucy, it's me, Tumnus."

The footsteps came closer.

"Come in," said Lucy.

Peeking quickly down the corridor to ascertain he was not seen, Tumnus slipped inside and gently closed the door. As his luck would have it, Lucy was lying on her bed, her face pressed in a pillow. Crying no doubt...he'd never been able to bear the thought of her crying.

"I left the room in a tantrum. You are right...I am a child." Her voice cracked with tears. Against his better judgement Tumnus went and sat down on the bed next to her.

"No," he said, setting his hands carefully in his lap. "I was thinking of leaving, too." Remembering something, he reached into the fold of his scarf and pulled out the hankerchief she'd given him when they first met. They'd passed it back and forth for years -- she'd given it to him when he went to the Northern Wastes. "Here," he said. "You need this more than I do.

Without turning, she took the hankerchief from his hands and patted her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Tumnus," she said, her voice breaking again. "I ruined everything."

He looked down at the hands in his lap. He knew they'd betray him if he was to touch her. And yet...she was crying. He reached over and stroked her shoulder gingerly, just below where her dress ended and exposed her smooth milky white skin. He really should get off the bed...

"I just wanted you to want me like Aramis...and the others," Lucy said.

Still stroking her shoulder, Tumnus sighed. "I could never want you in the same way."

"I'm too young, and I'm inexperienced," said Lucy. "I'm going to get old quickly and die..."

That was too distressing to contemplate. Tumnus leaned down next to her and kissed the top of her head. "Shhhhh...you're perfect, Lucy Pevensie." And she was. Beautiful, fun, brilliant -- reliable and steadfast in times of danger, and always good company -- whether at a party, for a cup of tea, when one had a nasty cold, or just for an afternoon in the library.

She took a deep breath. "Then why --"

It was time to stop playing human games dancing around the subject. This unrequited love business was really intolerable. "I could never want you like anyone else because I want you in all ways," Tumnus said.

Lucy rolled onto her side. Her face was streaked with tears, her nose swollen, her eyes red -- it made him want to lean down and take her face in his hands, kiss her, tell her anything she wanted to hear. He moved his hand up and brushed a strand of hair from her face.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

Wiping a tear from her cheek, he smiled ruefully at the impossibility of his predicament. "It means I want to marry you."

Lucy took a sharp breath. And then because she was close, and because he wasn't sure if he'd ever get another chance...he kissed her. She responded and he fell onto his side on the bed next to her.

The kiss was long and lingering, but sweet, laced with only a tinge of the passion from before.

When he broke away he said, "I could never only be your lover, Lucy. To deny what I really feel --" He kissed her forehead. "I've had enough of it. And I'd always want more." He could never trust himself not to lose control. To be only her lover denoted secrecy -- he'd give them away, he was sure of it. Or, he'd do something wrong and unforgivable. Midsummer Night's Eve he'd been too close.. . Putting a hand beneath her chin he tilted her head and kissed the salty rivulet that had been a tear.

"It isn't as though I haven't thought of it," said Lucy, closing her eyes.

For a moment Tumnus' heart stopped...and then he huffed and his ears went back in vexation. "Thought about it as in the thought flickered through your mind? Or seriously considered it?"

Her eyes opened, her brow furrowed and her nose wrinkled in that charming way that made it impossible not to kiss--and he did kiss her nose, but his ears were flat back against his head in irritation.

"Don't tease a faun, Lucy. It will only get you in trouble."

Lucy's eyes narrowed. She gave Tumnus' shoulder a hard shove -- and perhaps it wasn't that forceful, but Tumnus let it knock him flat onto the bed anyway.

"You're one to talk about teasing, lying next to me in bed and kissing me," said Lucy, pinning his shoulders to the bed.

Flicking his ears he sat up, lifting her with him. "Would you prefer I get up, Your Majesty?"

"No, you don't, Mister Tumnus." She pushed him back on the bed -- he could have resisted but did not. Instead he brought up a hand and ran it through her hair.

"Why do you think I haven't seriously considered it? I have considered it!" Lucy said leaning over him. Her brows knit together. "Every man I meet I compare him to you...is he as brave..."

"Psssh," said Tumnus, rolling his eyes.

"Shush!" said Lucy. "Or as smart, fun, noble, and handsome as my Mister Tumnus!" She reached up and tentatively began to stroke one of Tumnus' ears. Her fingers were warm and soft. Tumnus closed his eyes and began to be aware of precisely the position he was in. He was lying on the bed of Queen Lucy, his arm wrapped around her, his fingers stroking her hair and she was...exploring the contours of his ear. If he was discovered he'd be drummed out of court for certain. He decided he didn't care. They were going to resolve this today...and now. Soft lips touched his cheek. Tumnus felt his blood boil with a combination of frustration and desire.

Opening one eye at her he said, "But?"

"But? You know the 'buts'; for one thing I wasn't sure you even noticed me...I mean..." Her face reddened. "I mean, in that way."

For a moment Tumnus stared at her, disbelieving. All the glances they shared -- when he'd invited her not at all innocently to lather him up at the stream at Castle Wardown. And then he remembered Edmund and the king's oblivion to the overtures of the nymphs and dryads. Sighing, Tumnus pulled her body on top of his. "But you know you were wrong on that score now?"

"Yes, I understand that..." Lucy said, her voice hitching slightly.

He pulled a leg up between hers so it was pressed against her center and ran his hands down her sides.

"...now..." she gasped.

Tumnus dropped his leg down on the bed and let his hands fall to his sides. He felt the rueful smile creep back across his features. "But I am still only a faun."

"Don't say only," she said. She dropped her forehead to his chest, and then shyly kissed the spot where her lips had landed. It was so innocent -- but his hips ground up against her body at the light touch.

"The court will have me dethroned..." Lucy said softly.

He really should get up and leave, right now. This was pointless -- she had rules to follow, silly, human rules and court rules and...Tumnus blinked. She said the word "will," not "would" or "could"..."will," that had a finality to it. Perhaps she mispoke? He brought his hands up to her hips, giving her a quizzical look and said, "I know that being a servant to the Narnian people means a lot to you...But you're very clever, Lucy...I'm sure you'll think of something. Perhaps you could say..." He looked up at the ceiling, "...that by marrying a commoner and a faun you were solidifying one of the most important relationships the throne has -- the relationship between the throne and its subjects."

He turned his eyes back to her and was rewarded with a wide mischievous smile and a full kiss on the lips that almost undid him. His arms went around her back and he pulled her to him as tightly as he dared.

Pulling away she said, "I'm the clever one?"

Tumnus licked his lips and shrugged.

Lucy swallowed. "I'm more afraid of what will happen with my siblings." She closed her eyes. "Edmund would be alright with it."

Tumnus' brow furrowed as he remembered Edmund's last words in the library. "Yes...I think you're right."

"Peter might even get used to it...he's still certain he owes you his life, Tumnus..."

"Well, that's silly," Tumnus said, never really comfortable with these sorts of statements. "I was really just trying to save my own skin."

Lucy gave him a hard look and then sat up, picked up a pillow and whacked him across the face with it. Ripping the pillow from her hands, Tumnus tossed it aside and pulled her in for another long kiss. His hands idly went to the buttons on the back of her dress.

Pulling away, Lucy sighed.

"Susan..." said Tumnus guessing her thoughts. He rubbed his hands over the soft warm skin his idling fingers had exposed.

"Susan will never forgive me." Lucy looked down at Tumnus' chest. "She's had to be the mature one, the mother to us for so long -- I think her silly balls and little affairs are just her way of being the child she never got to be before."

"Having a faun in the family will diminish some of her prospects," said Tumnus, remembering the prejudice he faced on his trip abroad.

"Well, she should be glad to be rid of them!" said Lucy, giving him a quick firm kiss to his lips, then lifting herself up on her hands and pushing her hips into his. "She should find a man who loves her for who she is -- not for her crown or who her sister is married to!"

Opening the back of her dress had caused it to fall loose on her front. Tumnus had a wonderful view of her breasts. He brought his hands up, slipped the dress down a little further, and massaged the soft flesh gently. Lucy closed her eyes and let loose a soft sigh that might have pushed Tumnus right over the edge except at that moment his brain suddenly reasserted itself. "Lucy, are you saying yes?"

Opening her eyes, Lucy said, "Yes...I think so..."

Dropping his ears, Tumnus said, "You...think so? Forgive me, Lucy, I don't know what that means."

"It means...I want to," said Lucy kissing him.

It wasn't precisely yes but Tumnus' heart still leaped. He rolled over, switching their positions. He kissed Lucy's cheeks, her neck and laved his tongue in delicate circles around one nipple while he teased the other with his thumb.

Lucy moaned and her body bucked beneath his. All the heat of Midsummer Night came rushing back to Tumnus...the barrier of her skirts was all that was keeping him in check.

"It will...take time..." said Lucy her body writhing against the knee Tumnus had slipped between her legs. "Have to...oh...get Peter's permission."

Tumnus' head shot up from her breast. "Why?"

Lucy blinked and lifted herself on her elbows. "Well, he'll have to marry us, won't he?"

Tumnus tilted his head and smiled mischievously. They could resolve this now! "We could get faun married; it's delightfully easy and --"

"There's no promise to obey?" said Lucy.

Tumnus blinked. "Of course not. The vows are identical." Gently stroking her nipples again he kissed her cheek and said, "Really, it's very simple. I say to you, 'Lucy Pevensie, I, Tumnus, in the name of Aslan, take you to be my wife' and then --" He leaned down and gave one nipple a playful suck. It was so warm and pink, he couldn't resist.

"Ohhh..." Lucy sighed, "...and then?"

Tumnus brought his head up and whispered in her ear, "And then you say to me --"

There was a frantic knocking at the door. Edmund's voice came muffled through the thick wood. "Tumnus, Lucy...Susan and Peter are coming...please, let me in. Hurry!"

"...and then?" asked Lucy looking at Tumnus.

Tumnus swallowed. No time now. "It will have to wait. Quick sit up, your dress."

Tumnus hastily buttoned her up, and smoothed out her hair as best he could. "There...I'll get the door," he said, springing from the bed.

"Tumnus!" said Lucy.

He stopped in his tracks.

"Catch this!" she said hurling an enormous book at him.

He caught it in midair. "Marsh Wiggle Biology, Society and Customary Law?" Tumnas said.

"Lucy! Tumnus! Hurry up! They're almost here," said Edmund.

"Use it to cover, your...your..." Lucy frantically gestured at his waist. Tumnus looked down. Ah. Fluffing his fur he dropped the book to just below his waist with one hand and opened the door with the other.

Edmund slipped into the room. "I don't think they saw me..." His eyes fell to the book. "Marsh wiggles Mister Tumnus?"

"Ah..." said Tumnus.

"Well..." said Lucy.

At that moment Queen Susan and King Peter burst into the room.

"Lucy!" shouted Susan. She stopped short and looked at Tumnus and then at Edmund. "Whatever are you two doing here?"

"Marshwiggle property rights..." said Edmund.

"They have a very interesting way of preventing over fishing in their marshes...might be useful for the mollusk sea otter problem," said Tumnus not lifting the book.

"But..." said Susan.

"I had the book in my room," said Lucy.

"Never mind that, Sue!" said King Peter putting a hand on Susan's shoulder. "Lucy, Edmund...Mister Tumnus, the sighting of the White Stag in the Lantern Wastes has been confirmed. We're to set off immediately!"

A/N:

I promise there will be a happy ending -- to those of you know who know cannon! If you enjoyed, please leave a review...it is the only way Notes and I get paid.