A/N: Long time no post! Once again, my apologies for the long wait! I've had this chapter partially done for a while now but kept putting off finishing it. Anyway, I think a lot of you will like this chapter and there's a juicy lemon in it too (finally!) And thanks for the lovely review Shel Cole! You helped motivate me to finish this chapter sooner rather than later and I so appreciate the kind words!
As usual, don't own Narnia or the characters other than the OC's. Alright….here we go…
CHAPTER 12
I wake up the next morning from being dead asleep, and my mind immediately plays back the events of yesterday before I even open my eyes. I let out a content sigh, relieved by our success. I also realize how comfortable and warm I am. Well, as comfortable as this makeshift bed can be. Lying on my back, I feel Caspian's strong arm draped over my stomach and around my side. I smile when I feel a pair of lips press softly against my forehead. And then my lips. I happily kiss him back until he pulls away, and I finally open my eyes. His head is propped up under his other arm and he's looking down at me with a smile.
"Were you watching me?"
He proudly nods. "Mmmhhmm."
"So you took what I said last night to heart? About watching and protecting me all you want?"
He chuckles. "Something like that."
I look into his dark and beautiful brown eyes, ever entranced by how attractive my husband is. And for the first time, I wonder what features our child will have or who it will resemble. Since my face can never hide what I'm thinking, he's clued in right away.
"What is it?"
"I was just wondering what our child will look like. I hadn't really thought about that yet."
He looks as intrigued as I feel. "I hadn't thought of that either yet. I hope it looks like both of us."
"Me too. I hope it has my personality though," I say, but I can't keep a straight face when I'm saying it.
"Oh yah? You say that to me of all people…your husband?" He retorts playfully and throws himself back on the bed, covering his eyes with his arm. "I'm incredibly offended, your majesty."
I smile mischievously. Two can play this game. I prop myself up on my side this time so I can look down at him. "Well, since I've clearly offended you, there's obviously nothing I can do then, right?"
"Of course not," he says, playing along.
"Hmm. Not even this?" I ask, leaning over him and giving him a kiss on his forehead.
"No."
"This?" I ask again, this time placing a kiss on his lips.
"I'm sorry. You'll just have to keep trying."
This time, I just go straight for his neck. I kiss and lightly suck on the skin there the way we both like for a few moments and then work my way back up to his lips. He happily goes along with my plans, but not for very long. I feel him start to pull away and I can't help but grunt.
"I know, I know. But for everyone's safety, I think we need to get moving and farther away from this place," he says, and I can see the disappointment in his eyes. "Trust me, all I want to do is keep you here for hours," he says, reaching up and running his thumb over my bottom lip, "but we do need to go soon."
I reach up and place my hand over his wrist. "I hate it when you're right," I say, feigning sadness.
"In this case, so am I, my love," he says in reply.
Within a few minutes, we're dressed and packed up. I put on some of my armor, but not all of it. With so many of our soldiers alive still, we should be fairly safe for the return journey. We know where to go and where not to, and I'm relieved that we are way more prepared now that we know the way. The only true unpredictable element is the weather, and that we've been dealing with already. All that's left is our goodbyes.
First, I go to find Molly. She's already packed too, and just staring at the fire, trying to stay warm under a blanket.
"Good morning!" I greet cheerfully and put my hand on her shoulder as I sit down next to her.
"Hi!" she replies as happily as she can. She's putting on a brave face, but I know that it will take her a long time to digest her experience and recover emotionally from it.
"Did you find some food?"
"Yes. I've already devoured it."
"Good," I tell her, and then go get some for myself and sit back down next to her. I devour my food too after a day like yesterday.
"I meant to ask you last night if you need anything. I brought some clothes and other things for you from back home."
"Really? Thank you! You certainly thought of everything in a hurry. Before you left, I mean."
"Well, there was never a question of you coming back with us or not. I knew we'd get you back. So I made sure we were prepared."
Tears form on the rims of her eyes. "I've always known what a great king and queen you and Caspian would be. I've known your true character for a long time. But what you and these soldiers have done for me is the greatest gift I've ever received. I hope you all know how grateful I am for you. Always."
I pull her in to a tight hug. We stay like this for a few minutes while she gently cries on my shoulder. "You're Molly Mayhem. You're irreplaceable." I say softly into her ear.
We both pull away from the hug when Caspian comes over to us. "It's time to say goodbye to our new friends. Come on."
I stand and take his hand in mine and we walk over to Davian, Molly following right behind us.
Davian is surrounded by his men, and they look as cheerful as we do. Even though we both have long journeys, we're all lighter and more carefree. We've come what we came to do and now we return to our lives and daily routines.
"Davian, it's been an honor," Caspian says, extending his hand and giving a warm shake of his hand.
"No, King Caspian, the honor was mine. We couldn't have done any of this without your trust in us in the first place. We were truly stronger together."
"Yes, we were. You have great soldiers. And you're a great leader."
"You're a great king. And you are welcome to visit my land anytime. We would absolutely love to have you come stay with us for a time," he says, looking around at our group. "Of course, that's after you go home for a while and recover," he continues, and we all laugh.
"We will definitely have to do that. Until then, safe travels, my friend."
"And to you. You've made a friend and ally."
"Likewise, of course," says Caspian and he gives one final long handshake to Davian.
With that, we part ways, heading in opposite directions in the forest. Over the next few hours, the happiness continues. Conversations are heard throughout our marching line. More than anything, battle stories are being tossed around, as well as mutters of longing for home. For a moment, I hang back until I find Ophelia. She's made a big decision, having decided to go live in Davian's town. The opportunity to live around people again was too great of an opportunity to pass up. And it takes a few weeks, but we finally leave her at her house. She's only come along with us to board up her house, should she ever need to return, and to take what she needs. We spend one final night camped outside by her house, and then we also say goodbye to her, our other new friend.
After we leave Ophelia at her house, we have a few restless weeks left of our journey back because we are so desperate to get home. Finding food and water are also much less exhausting, even though it continues to be cold the whole way home. It even snows a few times, but it's only small flurries that don't stick to the ground. The journey is still tiring, too. Even though we don't have a mission right now except to get home, we still push on as much as we can every day. We get up early and continue all day until dusk. Then it's the same thing every day with very little time to relax in between.
We have our first minor victory when we head back through the Narnian mountains that border the wild lands where we just were. Coming over the highest peak, we see the black Telmarine castle. It looks tiny from where we stand, but it's there. Our old home. I don't know who starts it, but the group breaks out into cheering, whistling, and laughter, and we join in right along with them. I think the way down into our homeland is the fastest we've gone the whole trip. It takes a few days to reach it, but I'm overcome with joy as we make our way to the castle. We arrive late in the morning, and Caspian has already decided we'll spend the night here to give us about one day to relax within the safety of the walls and begin to recover, besides filling up on supplies for the final few days of travel.
I know this isn't really technically our home anymore, but it's still our castle and I'm flooded with emotion now that we're here. I don't know if it's my pregnancy, but I'm beginning to feel more nostalgic even though we were just here a few months ago at the beginning of our mission. Being here feels so special because it means so much to Caspian and I and I can't help but cry.
"Hey," Caspian says comfortingly as he puts his strong arms around me. "Why are you crying?"
"I'm just so happy to be back. I know we're not all the way home yet, but it's still a part of us."
"I'm happy too. And you know what would make everything even more ok? A warm bath."
I almost squeal in delight. We head straight for our old room, which is also the room we were in before we moved to Cair Paravel. He pushes the door open and we go inside, finding it exactly like we left it.
"Hasn't changed a bit," I say.
"No, not at all," he says, and then starts putting some firewood into the fireplace. I sink onto the couch, reveling in the comfort from finally being around real furniture again. He leaves for a second, and comes back with one of the torches that must be from the hallway. He holds it down to the firewood and stokes up the flame, making sure it's burning strong enough. He finally finishes and stands, looking over at me.
"I'm going to go put this torch back then ask a servant for some warm bathwater, and then I'll be back. Don't you go anywhere," he says.
I giggle. "I'll try not to," I say, then close my eyes in bliss. I can already feel the heat radiating from the fire, and it feels amazing.
He returns a few minutes later and joins me on the couch.
"You found someone?" I ask.
"Yes. They're coming right away. I think they smelled me, so they're working extra fast," he says half-jokingly because none of us smells very good after our journey.
I laugh again. "Well, we have been without a real bath for months now, so they can't really blame us. Thankfully I love you, even if you are a little smelly."
He winks at me. We talk for a few more minutes, and a few servants arrive carrying our water for us.
"It's ready your majesties," says one of the servants as they leave, shutting the door behind them.
I practically rip my clothes and armor off, and Caspian follows my lead after he locks the door behind them. He chases me naked into the bathroom and watches as I pour some of our mint soap into the water and stir it around. I'm pretty sure it's the best thing I've ever smelled. I step into the water, and it comes up to my knees, and I close my eyes in bliss. It's so hot that it's steaming, but I don't even mind the burning sensation that is already slowly dissipating as my skin gets used to the heat. I sink into the water, and already feel cleaner just by sitting in it.
"Feel good?" Says a rather amused Caspian.
"Mmmm. You have no idea. Get in here."
"Of course, my queen," he says with a wink as he climbs into the other side of the tub. For a few minutes, we just sit and soak, letting the water relax our muscles.
"I never knew a bath would feel so good," I say.
"Oh really? And how about now?" He asks as he pulls one of my legs up and starts massaging my foot and calf muscle under the warm water.
I can't help the whimper that I make. "Please don't stop. Ever."
He laughs as he continues his massage. After a couple minutes, he moves on to my other leg. When he finishes, I pout, which makes him laugh again.
"Come on. We should actually scrub up and get clean before the water gets too cold."
"Yes, I suppose you're right."
We clean our hair and our bodies of the grunge that's accumulated over the past few months. It's strange to think it's actually been that long, but a bucket of water or a stream is no real replacement for a bath. After several long minutes of deep scrubbing every inch of ourselves, we finally feel clean and we step out of the tub and grab our towels. We both start to dry off, and I look over at Caspian who definitely looks cleaner than he was, and I know that I am too. I'm still wrapped in my towel and just start to walk over towards my clothes when he pulls me close from behind.
"And where do you think you're going?"
"Well, I was going to get dressed…"
"Oh no you're not," he says, pulling my towel off. "I said I was going to lock you up in the room with me when we got back, and I meant it," he says mischievously.
"Well, you meant Cair Paravel, so technically we're not really back yet."
He lets out an exasperated grunt. "Close enough."
I turn into him, threading my hand in his hair and pulling his head down to my own. Our lips capture each other in desperation. Even though we've had considerable time together on the journey, it was different. We had to be quiet and careful, and there was always uncertainty and danger. But now we can just let go and be with each other the way we want. I waste no time pulling off his towel too, so we're both naked again. He pushes me back to the bed and I lower myself on it, with him coming right after, hovering over me. He nuzzles my neck and inhales. "You smell so good."
"Well get closer then," I say in response.
"Oh you know I will," he replies, running one of his hands down the middle of my chest and settling it on my lower stomach. "And where should I put my hands next?" He asks.
I don't even use words. Instead, I guide his hands to my breasts. His long fingers gently caress my flesh and he lightly runs his thumbs over my sensitive nipples. I can't help how heavy I'm breathing already. He continues to massage my flesh for a few moments and then he expertly takes each nipple in his mouth and teases them with his tongue. I can already feel the wetness accumulating as each sensation makes me want him more.
My hips start to buck on their own accord, so he slowly takes his trail of kisses down the whole front of my body, working his way lower. I watch him, my mouth slightly agape as he sits back and spreads my legs even further. His eyes meet mine as he sucks two of his fingers and then slowly guides them inside me. When I've adjusted to them, he moves them in and out, curling them deep within me. Then I can't help but moan when he kisses down my thigh and starts licking my clit. His ministrations are perfection and it takes everything out of me to try to hold still. It's only a few short minutes before I hit my climax. He leaves his fingers in and slowly rubs his thumb against my clit as I come down from my high.
Then it's my chance to surprise him.
I sit up a little and grab his wrist, pulling his fingers out from inside me. I bring them up to my mouth and lick them clean. He stares at me with awe and as soon as I'm done, I bring his face to mine and crash my lips against his. His tongue eagerly enters my mouth and he starts to reposition himself to push me back against the bed again, but I want to do something else first. I break our kiss to push back against him so he's now lying back on the bed. I waste no time getting on my hands and knees in order to take him into my mouth. He moans as I wrap one hand around him and start licking him every way that I can. He reaches his own climax after just a few minutes. I swallow everything as he empties himself in my waiting mouth and he moans all over again.
Then I let him go and sit down on his thighs so he still has a good view of me as he continues to lie back on the bed. We smile at each other and his hands find my waist.
"You my love are perfection," he says.
"Mmmm. Likewise," I say.
He removes his hands and sits up so we're almost eye to eye, so I wrap my arms around his shoulders and move my hips closer to his. We kiss slowly, reveling in the closeness of this intimate moment. I thread my hand in his soft hair and then tilt his head to one side as I kiss down his exposed neck. He sighs loudly in my ear and I start to slowly rub my pussy against him, teasing him with my entrance. Once he's hard enough again, I lower myself onto him and we slowly and gently make love with me on top at first until he flips me over so I'm under him.
And by the time we're done a while later, we could probably use another bath.
We leave the next morning and the next week seems to go slower than all the ones before it. And the very last day, the mood is almost somber. There's nothing left to be said. Anticipation is all that's left, especially for all the men who left their families behind to come on this journey with us. Even for us, there are friends that are like family that we can't wait to see. Excitement builds as the day progresses and we get into more familiar territory. Then finally, we catch the first glimpse of our beautiful Cair Paravel and I grab Caspian's hand and look over at him with a huge smile on my face. When we're in the clearing, the sound of a horn resonates from within the castle, an auditory beacon calling us home. Our group breaks into a gallop and we press on over the bridge and through the courtyard where we are met by throngs of our people. A party ensues with music, banners, and cheering as we all dismount our horses and are immediately surrounded by the people. I want to go straight into the castle, but there are too many people. We take a few minutes and greet as many as we can, but Caspian suddenly grabs my hand and pulls me through the crowd. Glenstorm and some of our other men come along beside us and help us work our way through to the main door to the castle. As we approach, I look up and see all our friends and colleagues waiting for us on the steps right in front of the door. In fact, there are too many of my favorite people to even decide who to approach first. Thankfully, I don't have to decide, as Dr. Cornelius comes bounding up to Caspian and I.
"Oh my dear Anna!" he says into my ear as he pulls me into a tight hug. "I am so glad you are home!" Then he pulls back and hugs Caspian just as tightly. Pulling back again, he puts his hands on both our shoulders and looks back and forth between us with joy. "My dear children, are you well? I see Molly, so I know it was a success. But are you both ok? I want to know everything."
We both smile back at him enthusiastically. "We are fine, Professor. It has been quite the journey and there is much to tell. More than anything, we are glad to be back home. We can share more about the journey later this evening after we say hello to everyone," says Caspian.
"Of course, my king," he says. "Everything here is wonderful too. Nothing drastic to report."
"That's great. Thank you. And we'll definitely speak more later tonight, alright?"
Caspian and I hug him one more time before moving on to the others. Ty shrieks so loud that it echoes for a few seconds. We all laugh and embrace. Next, we greet some of our other servants and the council members. We don't spend too long talking business, but it sounds as though all is well in the land and nothing major has happened in our absence. So with that news, Caspian grabs my hand and takes me straight to our room.
I'm overwhelmed with every good emotion one can possibly feel when I enter the room. Every sound, sight, and smell is precious and is instantly comforting. And I start to cry again as I look over so much that I missed. There is no replacement for home.
