Chapter 14: The Coronation
Tessa sat on the steps of Cair Paravel. She had finished getting ready, and was waiting for the others. Her foot bounced out of Nervous habit.
"Tess, are you okay?" She nodded, not having to look to know it was Peter. She could recognize his voice anywhere.
"Just nervous."
"Me too," He Took a seat beside her and she looked over at him with a smile.
"Nice tights, handsome," she grinned and he checked her shoulder playfully.
"You look amazing," Peter blushed and Tessa looked down at herself. She was wearing a deep sapphire gown, with silver embroidery and Her long brown hair was elegantly curled.
"Thanks," she breathed and hesitated before adding, "I meant it, when I called you handsome."
Peter sucked in a breath before he placed he hand on hers. "Tess, look at me."
She obliged, turning and seeing her own eyes reflected in his baby blue ones. Peter's eyes flicked between her eyes and her lips, and they drew closer to each other.
Lucy's sudden shouts caused them to both jump apart, both of them blushing furiously and looking anywhere but at eachother.
"We've been trying to find you!" The girl insisted and Susan smirked.
"I think we interrupted them, Lu."
They were saved from answering because as a loud bell rang, Edmund added, "It's time."
Tessa stood up very quickly and turned to Edmund.
"Do I look alright? Leave it to me to look like fool in front of the country! First impressions matter of course, I mean, what if I end up looking awful-"
"You'll be fine!" Edmund interrupted and Tessa gulped.
"Are you ready, Dear ones?" Aslan asked as he walked up behind them. Tessa relished in his presence. She had never known how much the great lion truly meant to her until he had been ripped away, and she had vowed to never take him for granted again.
There was a chorus of Yeses, and a great horn sounded. The doors to the great hall opened and the walkway was lined with Centaurs, who held their swords in front of them proudly. Tessa, Lucy, and Susan stood on the left side of Aslan, while Edmund and Peter stood on the other.
They soon reached the five thrones, and Aslan turned to them.
"Get in order, my children. The coronation will now begin." Tessa took her place between Edmund and Peter as a faun with a black scarf approached Aslan.
The great lion turned to the audience, his voice loud and deep, "To the glistening eastern sea, I give you Queen Lucy the Valiant."
The faun picked up a delicate silver crown and placed it lightly on Lucy's head. He must be Mr. Tumnus! Tessa grinned and vowed to introduce herself to the gain when the ceremony was over.
"To the great western woods, I give you King Edmund the Just." Edmund smiled widely as his crown was placed on his head.
"To the radiant southern sun, I give you Queen Susan the Gentle." She blushed, but grinned when her golden crown was placed on her head.
Then it was Tessa's turn. Her face burned and she straightened herself up with pride.
"To the glimmering night skies, I give you, High Queen Tessa, the steadfast." Aslan rumbled and Tessa nearly fell over. No one told her she was high Queen! The faun- Mr. Tumnus, Came up to and smiled shyly, carefully setting a silver crown inlaid with sapphires on her brown curls.
"To the clear northern skies, I give you High King Peter the Magnificent." Peter stood proudly as his crown was placed on his head. Aslan then turned to them.
"Once a King or Queen of Narnia, Always a King or Queen of Narnia. May your wisdom grace us until the stars rain down from the heavens."
Tessa laughed as the crowds cheered: "Long Live King Peter! Long Live King Edmund! Long Live Queen Tessa! Long Live Queen Susan! Long Live Queen Lucy!"
The great feast had been going on for an hour or so, and Tessa spotted Lucy out on the balcony with the faun. She quickly excused herself from The table and weaved in and out of the crowds. She quickened her pace when she saw Lucy on the verge of tears.
"Don't worry, We'll see him again." The faun nodded.
"How do you know?" Lucy asked.
"In time. But you mustn't press. After all.. Aslan's not a tame lion," The faun smiled.
"But he is good," Tessa nodded as she stepped onto the balcony. "You must be Mr. Tumnus?" Tessa smiled.
"Yes, your majesty." Mr. Tumnus bowed and Tessa let out a laugh.
"Please, Call me Tessa. You are a friend of Lucy's, therefore a friend of mine."
"Thank you..Tessa…" Mr. Tumnus looked perplexed and Tessa heard her name being called.
She turned around and saw Peter, just as Lucy and Mr. Tumnus left the balcony.
"Hello, King Peter the Magnificent." Tessa snorted and Peter rolled his eyes.
"It's not polite for a lady to snort, Queen Tessa the steadfast." Now it was Tessa's turn to roll her eyes.
"How about no fancy titles, Pete?"
"That sounds good," he wore a lopsided smile and suddenly blushed. "About earlier, I'm- I like you." He blurted. Tessa looked up at him in shock.
"Of course you like me, we are friends you know," she laughed at his antics but He shook his head.
"No, I mean I like you, a lot. Scratch that, I might just be in love with you."
Tessa opened her mouth and closed it. Was that why she always felt...different…when Peter was near? Why her heart beat faster, her stomach twisted? All the pieces of the puzzle fitted together and her eyes widened in shock.
"I-I think I do too…"
She had thought his grin couldn't get any wider, but she was wrong.
"Good," and with that he closed the gap between them and pressed his lips gently to hers, sharing an innocent kiss.
The hall behind them erupted into cheers and Edmund wolf-whistled.
Breaking away, Peter turned around and took a bow before extending his hand to Tessa.
"May I have this dance?"