Disclaimer: I own only the character Raxie and the plotline that proceeds after Ramandu's island.
By mid-day the Dawn Treader was ready to set sail once again, to continue westward with a new passenger. Raxie slept on a palate in Lucy's cabin, giving her someone to talk to when Caspian was occupied with the daily nitpicking aspects of the ship. Lucy was glad that the maid was with her, the girl's enthusiasm contagious.
The month passed quickly, the winds driving them urgently towards Narnia in all haste, as if the very wind was eager to see the nuptials of the King and Queen of Narnia. Soon they were passing the ocean markers marking out the boundaries of the Narnian waters, entering the sheltered bay that held Cair Paravel's harbor and dock. The new palace stood in the place that the old one of her reign had stood, but it was much larger, spilling out across the cliff and down to the beach below. It also stood as tall if not taller than the old castle, with towers and spires piercing the sky at several levels, glassed in windows wining in the mid morning light. Still, as Lucy stood at the prow dressed in her finest white gown to greet her people and her fire opals draped around her neck, she thought that even as splendid as the current palace was it would never compare to the original castle that had once stood in it's place.
"You appear to be dressed for a wedding." Caspian slid next to her, draping his arm around her shoulders. He too was clothed in his best tunic and breeches made of red and gold cloth, his golden armor polished to a gleaming shine, nearly blinding in the sunlight.
"Well, depending upon your plotting and planning that I know you have been doing for the past week or so, I wouldn't put it past you to have us married the minute we stepped foot upon Narnian soil." Lucy smirked up at Caspian.
The King of Narnia flushed red, a guilty expression on his face. At that moment Lucy fell even more in love with Caspian, if that was possible.
"Queen Lucy and King Caspian, Queen and King of Narnia." Caspian smiled as he touched his forehead to hers, eyes gazing into hers. "Soon to be man and wife."
"So what are you planning?"
"You'll see." Caspian brushed a gentle kiss to her temple before moving off to help the crew.
As the Dawn Treader eased up to the dock Lucy saw a sea of faces staring back at her, a mixture of creatures, men and beasts. All of them were shouting in welcoming and joy that the King of Narnia was home at last, safe and sound. They did not know that Caspian had found himself a queen and wife on his journey and that she was Lucy, the Valiant Queen from the Old Time.
"King Caspian the Great!" The crowd screamed in joy as Caspian stepped foot upon the dock, the noise deafening. He raised his hands in a gesture for silence and the crowd quickly settled down.
"Friends, as you know I set out a year and a day ago to find the seven missing lords of Narnia. I have succeeded but I also have a surprise for you all; I have found the woman who will be my queen and my wife." Caspian's voice rang out proudly until the crowds wild cheers drowned him out in the praise they gave in the fact that their king had finally found himself a woman to stand by his side. Caspian held out his hand to Lucy who hung back, standing in the shadows of the ship, not wanting to draw attention away from Caspian. With a smile gracing her lips, Lucy took her love's hand, allowing him to pull her forward and into view of the Narnian people.
"Allow me to introduce Lucy, the once and future Queen of Narnia." Caspian raised her hand to his lips and kissed the back of her hand. The masses went utterly mad, shoving each other and cheering so loudly that Lucy was certain that once it was all over she wouldn't be able to hear again.
Finally Caspian had chosen a wife to be his queen and the bearer of his children, a woman to spend his life with and to share his power with. It just so happened that the woman he had picked was Queen Lucy the Valiant, the same Lucy who had ruled with her sister and brothers in the days of old.Crewmen fled the Dawn Treader, setting up tents and awnings, people in the crowd bustling to help the men set up for an impromptu wedding and reception. Even the priest, who rarely left the chapel at Cair Paravel was in the crowd helping to set things up.
"Caspian, how on Earth – um – Narnia did you set this up?" Lucy gasped as a chapel was raised before her eyes in a matter of minutes.
"Speaking spells." Caspian smiled. "Rynalf isn't only my valet, but a third level wizard as well."
Later that day Lucy had discovered and learned about how there were five levels of mastery, each ranking depending upon how long a person had been practicing their craft with the masters at Cair Paravel. One level was equivalent to two years of intense training.
"Human magic has come a long way since my time." Lucy accepted a large bouquet a snowy white lilies from Raxie as numerous Narnian subjects settled into the pew like benches to witness the marriage of Caspian and Lucy.
"Ahem." The priest, a small, rotund man with a gleaming bald head cleared his throat. "Are we ready to begin?"
Caspian nodded before tucking Lucy's hand into the crook of his arm, leading her down the aisle in a processional, the eyes of every Narnian subject in attendance locked onto the two of them. As they neared the priest and the raised dais Lucy felt something being dropped onto her head. Glancing up at Caspian she witnessed tow little sparrows drop a crown of newly green leaves and vines onto the top of his head, making Lucy wonder what exactly was on her head. More lilies? Or was it white roses?
"Ladies and gentleman, creatures of Narnia, may I present Aslan, the Great Lion." The little priest announced as the golden lion stepped up onto the platform, taking his place beside the little man to officiate the royal wedding. Lucy, upon reaching the dais, knelt before Aslan, a sign of loyalty and respect to the utter King of Narnia, the Ruler of All Things, the Creator, Caspian doing the same beside her. They remained kneeling before the big cat, hands clasped firmly in a show of unity.
"Friends, this day has been long in coming. The moment I knew of both Caspian and Lucy's creations, I began to plan for this day." Aslan's voice rolled over the assembled crowd. "Queen Lucy has always been of strong moral character and bravery; King Caspian has vision and a will of iron. They will balance the other well." Lucy blushed at Aslan's praise of her abilities.
"Now Lucy. Do you vow to honor and rule beside Caspian as his queen? Will you support him in times both good and bad? Will you love him until you join me in my country?" Aslan's golden brown eyes were full of tenderness and joy as he looked upon her, and Lucy basked in the warmth of his pride.
"Yes, I vow." Lucy smiled widely first at Aslan then at Caspian, truth in her voice.
"Caspian, do you vow to honor and rule beside Lucy as his king? Will you support her in times both good and bad? Will you love her until you join me in my country?"
"Yes, I vow." Caspian's voice was warm and deep, love coating his words.
"Very well." Aslan brushed a paw against Lucy's brow before touching Caspian's forehead. The priest stepped forward, a ring in each palm. The ring offered to Lucy was Caspian's wedding band made of gold with a square cut ruby bezel set into the metal.
"These rings are a tangible symbol of the vow you have made here today to each other, bear them well." The priest said solemnly.
Lucy and Caspian stood to face each other before Aslan and the gathered people of Narnia. Lucy took Caspian's left hand in hers, his skin so very warm and alive, and slipped his ring onto his ring finger with a whispered, "I love you."
Caspian then took her left hand in his, sliding a gold ring with a large brilliant cut diamond with small channel set rubies flanking onto her finger, whispering in reply,
"I love you too."
"It is done." Aslan boomed proudly and a cheer went up throughout the people. The celebrating grew louder when Caspian bent Lucy back across his arm in a romantic kiss that made the females in the crowd swoon, kissing with all the passion and love they had for each other. The cheering continued as Lucy wrapped her arms around Caspian's neck and held on for dear life as she felt her whole being melt to his will.
"Ah, Luce, I do love you." Caspian sighed as he pulled away to smile out at their subjects. A glow of happiness filled Lucy as she smiled at her people as well, eager to start her new life with Caspian.
"Now, may I present to you, King Caspian and Queen Lucy, King and Queen of Narnia." Aslan nearly roared in his pride that the two young people had joined their lives forever, a purr evident in his words.