Chapter Thirteen: The Wedding
Two months had passed since Peter had proposed to Nellie and Sophie had been asked to let Edmund court her. The cousins were happier than they had ever been before.
"I even remember my past now, too!" she exclaimed happily to Susan and Lucy. "I live in England and am the third oldest out of five. I have a younger sister, Christine, an older sister, Joanna, and two older brothers, Christopher and Adam. I have two dogs name Buddy and Amos. Mine and Nellie's family are very close, even if we live in different countries."
"That's co cool!" said Lucy. "I always wanted a dog!"
Nellie entered the room, laughing. "Yeah, the closest thing we have here is Cadoc, and he's not much of a family pet."
"Hey, NJ." said Sophie.
Nellie gasped. "You remember?"
Sophie just beamed at her. Lucy and Susan, on the other hand, were confused.
"NJ? What does that mean?" Susan asked her.
"NJ stands for Nellie Joanna. My full name is Nellie Joanna Benson. You see, it's a name from the 1800's, and I wanted a more modern name, so everyone called me NJ."
"Wait, your middle name is Joanna and Sophie's sister's name is Joanna?" asked Lucy.
Nellie smiled. "It's our great-grandmother's name."
"We should get to bed. It is the night before your wedding, Nell." said Susan. "And your coronation."
Nellie walked down the corridor to her room. She saw someone at the end of the hallway, beyond her room. All she could see was blonde hair, and she knew it was Peter.
"Go away!" she commanded him. He turned. She covered her face. "No! Look away. Don't you know its bad luck to see the bride the night before the wedding?!"
Peter laughed. "Okay, love. See you tomorrow."
He turned and left and Nellie slipped in her room and went to bed.
The next morning, no one came to wake her up, but her body woke her up. There was a soft knock on the door.
"Come in." she said, stretching in her bed.
Susan, Lucy and Sophie came barreling in, smiles on all of their faces. They were followed by Melia and a faun named Breinne. Breinne was carrying her dress. It was a beautiful lacey white that, much to Nellie's happiness, did not have a train. Melia curled her hair and Susan applied her make up. Lucy and Breinne helped her into her dress. She slid the white shoes on and watched as the fauns helped Susan and Lucy into their dresses. Susan was her maid of honor and Lucy was her bridesmaid.
Edmund came in, dressed for the wedding. "It's time." He gestured for them to leave the room. Nellie was the last to leave. "You look beautiful, Nell. Peter's so lucky to have you."
Nellie blushed and smiled. "Thanks, Ed."
Peter stood beside Aslan in the Throne Room when Edmund came in.
"They're ready." he said. He looked to Peter. "You ready, Pete?"
Peter took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes."
Edmund nodded to the musicians. The music started and the door opened. Lucy came in, followed by Susan. Then, Peter's jaw dropped. Nellie could only be described as an angel. Her brown hair was swept up into an intricate bun, with ringlets around her face. Her dress was beautifully crafted and fit her perfectly. But all Peter could do was stare at her face. It was almost if as it emitted a white glow. Her normal hazel eyes today were a solid piercing chocolate brown. When her brown eyes met his blue eyes, she smiled a dazzling smile at him. Once she reached him, he offered her his arm and led her to Aslan.
"Dearest Narnians, today we are gathered to witness the bond of our beloved High King Peter and Nellie, Lady of Cair Paravel." He said to the crowd. "Before we begin, are there any objections to this marriage?"
The fur on Cadoc, who sat on the side, ready to guard Nellie and Peter from attackers, stood, showing that he would fight them off if they dare object. No one objected.
"Then, Peter Pevensie, do you take Nellie Benson to be your wife, to care for and protect until death do you part?"
Peter smiled at Nellie. "I do."
"And do you, Nellie Benson, take Peter Pevensie to be your husband to love and cherish as long as you both shall live?"
Nellie smiled and lovingly tightened her grip on Peter's arm. "I do."
"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Nellie laughed as Peter pulled her in to him and kissed her lovingly. The Narnians erupted into cheers.
"Lady Nellie, will you please step forward."
Nellie reluctantly left Peter's embrace and kneeled before Aslan.
"To the majestic eastern mountains, I give you High Queen Nellie, the Amiable."
Lucy walked forward and placed a beautiful blue jeweled crown on her head. Nellie stood before the Narnians. They chanted, "Long Live Queen Nellie!"
About an hour into the ball, Nellie stepped outside to be alone. Everywhere she turned, someone wanted to meet her, to shake her hand, to congratulate her.
"You alright, Nellie?" someone asked. She turned to see Edmund.
"It's just a bit overwhelming in there. I just needed some air." she said, smiling at him.
Edmund leaned on the railing of the veranda. "I know what you mean. There is this girl, the princess from Archenland, and she won't leave me alone. She has no idea that I am courting Sophie, since it is private, but she's driving me mad." His face was full of disgust. "She tells me, 'It's only right, King Edmund. Now that your brother is married, you must marry to bring allegiance between countries.'"
"That girl sounds like trouble." said Nellie.
"That's not the worst part. Because no one knows I am with Sophie, her father forced me to dance with her. Sophie saw and ran. I haven't been able to find her since." said Edmund.
Nellie but her hand on her brother-in-law's shoulder. "Don't worry, Ed. She'll understand. Do you want me to talk to her?" Ed nodded. "Then, I'll go find her."
"Thank you so much, Nell."
Nellie found Sophie sitting on a bench, her eyes red.
"Dearest Cousin, I have been looking for you!"
Sophie glared. "Did Edmund send you to tell me that he is going to court Alexandria?"
So that was her name. "No! Ed sent me to tell you that her father forced him to dance with her, and he can't get rid of her. He truly loves you, Sophie. But because you chose not to publicly announce that you are being courted by him, he is expected to dance with princesses."
Sophie smiled at her cousin. "Thank you. I had no idea. Come, let's go back."
"Where have you been? Peter's been worried sick!" snapped Susan as they rejoined the ball. At the mention of his name, Peter was at Nellie's side.
"No worries, Ed explained everything." he said, wrapping his arm around Nellie. She snuggled into him.
"Oh, where is he? I need to speak with him." Sophie said.
Peter looked at her. "I last saw him still on the veranda."
"Thanks." said Sophie and she headed for the veranda. Nellie walked in front her. As she grew close, she heard two voices talking. Edmund's and Alexandria's voices.
"No, my Lady." he said.
"Why ever not? We could bring allegiance to our great lands, my King." said Alexandria. "Then your brother and my father wouldn't have to go through that dreadfully painstaking process."
"I…I love another." he told her.
The princess laughed. "And who is this other girl?"
"Lady Sophie, Queen Nellie's cousin." he told her. Nellie smiled, he really did love Sophie.
Alexandria laughed again. "Why have her, when you can have me?"
"My lady, I…" Edmund was cut off. Sophie, not listening to their conversation, turned to the veranda. There, Nellie and Sophie saw Alexandria kissing Edmund. Edmund pushed her away and saw Sophie.
Sophie started to cry. "You bastard!"
"Sophie!" he said, stepping towards her. She pulled away from him.
She slapped him. "I loved you! I thought you loved me as well, Edmund. But don't worry; I won't stand in your way!"
Edmund looked to Nellie, and Peter, Susan and Lucy who had heard what was happening, for help. He looked back at Sophie. "Sophie, my dove, please listen to me."
"No!" she said shaking her head. "I don't wan to hear your lies, Edmund."
She took off running. "Sophie!" they all called after her.
"I'll go. Su, Lu, come!" said Nellie. The three of them took of running.
Edmund left to his room for the night and Peter rounded on Alexandria. "Do you realize what you have done?"
She shrunk back in fear. Peter was not in his king mode; he was in protective brother mode. "Please, your majesty! I had no idea!"
"You are never to go near King Edmund ever again, you hear me?" She nodded and Peter stormed away to end the ball.
Please don't hate me! I'll give you cookies! Don't worry, everything will work out… whether it is in this story or in a sequel, I won't tell you.
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XOXO Jenny