A/N now for the chapter you have all been waiting for! Enjoy and see you at the bottom.
Chapter 21: I Love Him
"Protector Madison. Maddy." A voice said quietly. Madison opened her eyes. She was at an ocean, the dark sky glistening with stars. Her brother sitting on a wooden bench that was close to the surf. He was wearing a Narnian outfit that was sky blue. It looked almost like his King costume he wore that Halloween so many years ago. He also looked much stronger and if she hadn't already known him for her entire life she would have said that he looked like those people that you just don't want to mess around with.
"Tom!" Madison called and ran to her brother. Tom looked over at her and got up. He held his arms open, which Madison jumped in to. "I've missed you, Tom."
"I know. Sit down. We have a lot to talk about, and we can't put it off any longer," Tom said and sat his sister next to him.
"Why isn't Sassy, Eema and Aba here?" Madison asked as she looked around before settling next to him.
"We all deiced, mostly Sassy, that I'll be the best to talk to you about this," Tom said as he looked out at the surf.
"What do you need to talk to me about?" Madison asked.
"Number one, I love your hair short. The second is about the prophecy." Tom looked over at Madison who now looked uncomfortable.
"I understand that I'll fight with Peter, Susan and Lucy. Hopefully Edmund soon. I understand that I need to protect them and everything else. What's the big deal?" Madison asked with a shrug. She had always confined things to her siblings but this was one thing she was scared of to even talk about.
"Not that one. The one that deals with Peter. You're heart is spilt in two. Half of you wants to be with Peter; the other half is terrified of the other half and wants nothing to do with love. You need to decide which path to take. You can't take both," Tom stated. "So why don't we start talking about him. Why does he scare you?"
Madison was quiet for a while and kicked the soft sand. "I don't want to be hurt. You were hurt and badly. I was hurt when all of you died and left me alone. I don't want to be hurt. Not again," Madison said quietly but surely. She stared at the beach. "If I don't love anyone. I can't be hurt." She looked at her brother, his face was impassive.
"That would mean that you can't be friends with anyone and have to give up the ones you have now. You can't love our grandparents or aunts, uncles and cousins. You would be a very sad and depressed person then. I would hate for that to happen. There's more. What is it?"
"What if it isn't love? We just assume it is because the prophecy says we'll get together. What if there is no feeling between us? What do I do then?" Madison asked.
"Look deep inside your heart. What does it tell you?" Tom asked.
Madison closed her eyes and thought back. Did she love Peter? Pictures of him smiling, learning on how to wield his sword and ride a horse, making decisions, caring about his family. Putting soap into her hair. The way his eyes sparkled when he laughed or smiled. Feeling Peter's warm skin against her own. The way he comforted her. Did she love him? The way he would touch her, gentle, soft and caring. His hair shining gold in the sunshine. The smell of spice filling her nose and senses. The way he could make her feel so good. Did she love him? Yes.
"Yes, I do love him," she said once she opened her eyes. "But what if he doesn't like me? Or he doesn't want to be with me? He will be a King, Tom, beautiful princesses and ladies from other countries would fawn over him, I know it. Why would he want a me, a tomboy, an orphan and a fencer? What do I have to give him? Nothing. Tom, can you just tell me what to do? It would be so much more easier," Madison begged her brother.
"I can't make the decision. Just because it's easy doesn't make it right. Only one person can make the decision. That's you," her brother said and rumpled her short hair playfully. "Peter does not strike me as one to go after ditsy princesses who has no brains." Tom smirked as if he knew some insider's joke. "You have a lot to give him. You probably don't remember. But when we used to live in London, we visited the Pevencies every other day. You couldn't wait to play with Peter. Always jumping around in the car, it was quite annoying at times. Even when you were a few months old you use to smile whenever we mentioned his name or you saw him. We could put the two of you in a playpen with a few things to play with and you'll have a marvelous time together and never cry once. That was the only time anyone got any sleep at all, I swear. Stop giggling. Anyways, once you were able to talk and walk the two of you would play in the garden doing I don't know what. But one Halloween the two of you dressed up as a bride and groom. I think it was Eema and Mrs. Pevencies idea to be honest, but you two looked so cute. You would share you're candy and every house we went up to remarked on how cute you two looked. Some even said that the two of you should be married. Mr. Pevencie even took a picture of the two of you with your candy." Madison started to blush.
"When we were about to leave. You and Peter threw a huge fit about being spilt off for the night. So Eema and Aba left, I stayed behind to watch over you. We all stayed in Peter's room for the night. When you two thought I was asleep you started to talk. You talked about being married, where you would live, how many children you would have. You deiced that you would be married in a park, you would live in a two story beach house and have four children." Madison moaned, her face went to an even deep red, and she put her face in her hands. Tom chuckled, pattered her back and kept talking, "I looked at the two of you. He had his arms around your waist and you were against his chest. You two looked so adorable in the moonlight together with a blanket over the two of you. You said in a very serious voice might I add, 'I hope you will be in my life always Peter.' He responded back, 'I always will. I'll never leave your side.' You made a pledge of love to each other and the two of you kissed-"
"What?!" Madison screamed and the waves hit the shore loudly. Her face growing even more red.
Tom laughed which made Madison went even redder, "You two kissed. On the mouth, may I add. What are you blushing for? You two looked so adorable and both of you were very serious about always being there for each other and the pledge. Anyways you two fell asleep in that position. About two months later we left Finchely. You and Peter were so unhappy and throwing fits left and right. In the end the two of you hugged. I don't think our parents heard but Peter said in a very confident voice, 'I'll always be with you. I'll try to visit you as soon as possible. I love you.' You said back, 'I know. I love you to Peter. Never forget me.' When you two broke the hug you were both crying. The two of you really didn't want to be split off. I mentioned it to Eema and Aba about it a few years later. They always knew you had a soft spot for Peter. You never really got over him for a long time." The two of them were quiet for a few moments not saying anything.
Madison turned to her brother, "You never let me hang out with any of the boys. Always chasing them off. I never minded but why didn't you do that. That Halloween night when... we kissed. If I did that to some other boy you would have had a cow. Why didn't you do it with Peter?"
"Good question," Tom said and folded his arms over his chest. "Somehow I always knew that you two liked each more then friends. Also something told me to let it take its course. When you two did kiss I did want to shout but something told me to let it happen so I did. I still don't know why but I did. When we moved, I didn't want any of the boys to take Peter's place in your heart. I felt that since he was the first he should be the one. That was why I chased all the other boys away. Did you know that Sassy and Edmund were conceived in the same year and around the same time?" Tom asked Madison, she shook her head. "That is why their birthdays are so close together. I think their birthdays are two weeks away from each other. I believe they were created so the two of you wouldn't feel so blue and had something else to do and have another thing in common. That has always been my impression at least.
"That was why Grandpa wanted to see you get together with Peter. So I think your emotions for each other have always been there its just became more pronounce when you became older and the prophecy came to light," Tom shrugged. He hugged his sister and kissed her head, "I'm proud of you whatever road you choose. Keep good care of Lightning and Wind. Close you eyes." Madison closed her eyes she felt something warm on her forehead but it left as soon as it came. "Open your eyes. You will see what that was with all the others." Madison opened her eyes to see Tom starting to disappear.
"Tom! Don't go! Are you actually talking to me? Or are you just part of my imagination?" Madison asked in one breath.
"I'm in your mind but the same time I'm not. I love you Maddy." With that her brother and the ocean disappeared. Madison awoke to see herself in her cot, it was still night. She got up quietly so as to not wake up Lucy and Susan. She quietly put on a shirt and a skirt and took Lightning, Thunder and Wind with her to put on outside. Once she was fully dressed and had her weapons on she started to walk. She started to walk to the forest that had appeared earlier that day and walked to the stream that was in it.
So what do I do, she thought to herself as she walked down a path to the stream. You tell him and hope for the best. I wonder if he remembers that Halloween night? Do I?
Madison mulled over that question as she walked along the path. Soon she hit the river. She took off her sandals and waded in the cool river. When she stepped into the water and the moonlight hit her, she remembered. Memories she had pushed down because it hurt her so much. She remembered the blintzes the two of them use to eat. She remembered what had happened that Halloween.
FLASHBACK
"Maddy! Maddy! Are you awake?" Peter asked. Madison lifted her head from her pillow and looked at Peter. Slightly annoyed that he had woken her up from her sleep.
"Yes. Why?" Madison asked.
"Your brother is asleep. I thought we can talk together if you were up," Peter suggested.
"Sure," Madison quietly got up and into Peter's bed and slid under the covers. She cuddled up close to Peter because that was where the warmth was and for some odd reason she always felt very secure and safe in his arms. "What did you want to talk about?"
"Will you marry me?" Peter asked a lopsided grin on his face even though his tone was very serious.
"What?!" Madison yelled.
"Shh, we don't want to wake up your brother or Susan or my parents. Will you?" he asked.
"Aren't we a bit young?" Madison asked a mischievously glint in her eyes.
"Will you when were grown-up?" he asked and looked slightly worried.
"Yes, why wouldn't I? You're my best friend and I love you," Madison said seriously.
"I love you to, Maddy," Peter said and hugged her fiercely under the blankets. "Where should we have it?"
"At a beach?" Madison suggested.
"Too many people," Peter stated. "How about that park that is close to your house? Not many people go to it but it has that gazombo in it."
"Sure. Can we live by the ocean?" Madison asked.
"Yes, we can live in a two story house right on the shore. So we can go swimming when ever we want to," Peter said and threw his hands in the air.
"Shh," Madison giggled and pointed to her brother who had his back to the two. "You don't want to wake him. He will be awfully grumpy if you wake him."
"Right," Peter whispered. Madison moved herself so she was sitting in between Peter's legs and her back was against his chest. She felt him slip his hands around her waist and held her close. Madison picked up the blanket and covered the two. It faintly outlined their position. "Beach house?"
"Yes," Madison whispered happily. "How many children should we have?"
"Four. Two boys and two girls," Peter stated.
"Okay," Madison looked Peter in the face and their eyes met. Emerald green and sapphire blue glittered in the moonlight. "I hope you will always be in my life Peter," Madison said seriously as she looked into his sapphire blue orbs.
"I always will. I'll never leave your side," Peter replayed back, his voice just as serious as Madison's.
"Now I really want to grow-up," groaned Madison.
Peter stroked Madison's hair, "We could make a pledge. A pledge saying that we will always love each other. Just like in the actual wedding ceremonies."
"But what do we pledge on?" Madison asked.
"How about the moon? A full moon, just like it is tonight," Peter nodded to his open window.
"All right. I, Madison Silverberg, pledge my love to Peter Pevencie. For all time, in sickness and in health. I pledge my love to him under the full moon on Halloween," Madison said sincerely and laid her cheek on Peter's as he continued to stroke her hair.
"And I, Peter Pevencie, pledge my love to Madison Silverberg. For all time, in sickness and in health. I pledge my love to her under the full moon on Halloween," Peter said just as sincerely.
Their eyes met and the two drew closer until their lips met. It was a sweet, innocent and caring kiss but the best one in either of their entire lives. In that kiss they sealed their pledge in time and set the second prophecy into motion.
END FLASHBACK
"That was why," Madison whispered to herself and looked up at the sky. "I was hurt because we promised each other to always be there and that never happened. Tom is right. I had loved him even before the prophecy was told to us. I probably would have realized that quicker if it wasn't for the problems that kept on arising. Talk about not seeing what is right under your nose." Madison kicked some water and watched it ripple. The ripples seemed to make Peter's face but it left as soon as it came. "I know what I'm going to do. I have chosen my path. I just hope I didn't ruin our chance," Madison murmured. "He did fulfill his promise to some degree." Madison smirked and remembered the painful day they left each other.
FLASHBACK
Five year old Madison and Peter were looking down at the ground kicking the cement wishing this day wasn't happening.
"So I guess this is good-bye," Madison whispered.
"No," Peter shook his head. He hugged Madison and brought her close, Madison hugged back, both of them swaying it the wind. "This isn't good-bye. I'll see you soon. I promise we'll meet again and have fun like we do now." Madison nodded her head into Peter's shoulder, a few tears leaked from her eyes.
"I'll miss you. We were going to go to do everything together this year. Finish school together and... and..." Madison couldn't finish. Tears were flowing too much.
Peter started to wipe his friend's tears away. He joked lightly while doing this, "My best friend is a baby."
"I am not a baby, Peter Andrew Pevencie," Madison scolded and lightly hit Peter in the arm. "So take that back!"
"Ow! You gave me an owie. You hit like a boy and not a baby or a girl."
"Watch it," Madison said coldly, but the effect didn't work as her mouth quirked a bit upward.
Peter gave a small smile and kissed Madison on the cheek. Madison and Peter blushed but both had on small smiles.
"Maddy, were going," Eema's voice said.
Madison and Peter slowly walked toward the front of the house, hand-in-hand. In the driveway, was Tom, Eema, Aba, Mr. Pevencie, Mrs. Pevencie, and baby Susan.
Peter quickly turned and gave his friend one last hug and whispered, "I'll always be with you. I'll try to visit you as soon as possible. I love you."
Madison nodded her head and whispered back, "I know. I love you too, Peter. Never forget me."
"Come on, Maddy into the car," Aba said.
Reluctantly the two broke apart and Madison entered the car with a sad face. Tom followed right behind. When the car pulled out of the driveway, Peter ran following it until he couldn't follow anymore and shouted, "Never forget me!" She never heard.
END FLASHBACK
Madison let a tear fall as she remembered the hurt she went through. That was why I was so emotional during full moons. It was because we left each other on a full moon and we made a pledge on the moon, Madison thought. She heard footsteps and quick as the wind she had her bow and had it knocked with an arrow. "Who's there?" Madison asked sternly and in a commanding voice.
"Wow! Didn't mean to scare you," Peter stepped out of the shadows and gave a small smile to her. "What are you doing out here at this time of night?"
Madison looked at Peter, different emotions playing across her face. In the end she put on a small smile and put Wind and the arrow back into the quiver, "Woke up, couldn't get back to sleep. So I deiced to take a walk along the stream. Is that a problem?"
"No. Just curious," Peter said and walked closer to her.
"What are you doing out here at this time of night?" Madison asked her mind was still reeling from all the memories she just remembered and the new emotion.
"I heard some noises that woke me up and I deiced to go and investigate and I found you," Peter said.
The two fell into a silence, neither saying a word. "Do you... do you... do you remember that Halloween," Madison said after a lot of mumbling.
"That Halloween," Peter said and moved his hand in a go-on motion.
"The Halloween before I left. Where I stayed over at your house with my brother," Madison said, got down to the water and splashed some on her face so she didn't have to look at Peter. He is so good looking in the moonlight, Madison thought as she splashed her face.
"Yes, I remember quite well. Why? Do you?" He asked the last part quietly as if not wanting to know the answer.
"Now I do," Madison said and got up. "What happened? Why did we never communicate to each other over the years?" Madison asked as she looked at Peter.
"I don't know," Peter admitted. "I know that I wanted to talk to you many times. But for some reason I couldn't ask my mum for your phone number to call or write you a note. At first it was because I wanted to let you settle in. I know when I was thirteen I wanted to contact you again but was afraid that you wouldn't remember me or was with someone else I guess. When I heard that your mother and sister died I wanted to go with my mum to the funeral to be there for you. Hopefully be able to talk. When I saw you, you looked so scared and lost. Unfortunately my mother told me before we left the car that I couldn't talk to anyone unless they talk to me first. So I couldn't talk to you but you didn't talk to anyone. Then we were shipped off to the Professor's house. There just never had been a good time to talk to you about it. But there were times when it seemed we were back to our childhoods together. Why do you ask?" Peter explained and looked at the stream.
Madison took a deep breath, "Just curious. I'll be honest. I forgot about you over the years. I think it was because of that promise we made. About always being at each other's side and then were shipped off to two different parts of the UK. But something always told me over the years to never fall in love with any of the boys in the town. I never did, none of them were my friends and even as a teenager I could care less about them. Maybe that was why. My self-conscious remembered that promise to be married and the pledge and wouldn't let my heart fall for anyone. But I was so out of it at the funeral. My friends were there and I never knew it. Only thing I knew was that the last of my family was gone. The ones that should have stayed safe, were gone. But to be honest I wish you did break that particular rule and gave me hug. I might not had remember who you were at the time but for someone to hug me and make me feel secure would have been nice." Madison looked up to see the full moon beaming down on them.
Peter smirked and opened his arms, "Want one now?"
"Sure," Madison fell into the hug and did feel safe and secure. Not like a mother's hug which had a mother's love in it or some others family members hug. This one felt like a castle. No matter what you hit it with, it just can't tear down. It was safe and secure. A place of refuge when you need it the most. Madison felt Peter brush his lips against her hair and she couldn't help but shiver at his touch and smile. Maybe it could work. Maybe she could love him like she did when she was younger and as an adult. She slipped her hands up Peter's back and rested them on his shoulders. While Peter had one hand on the small of her back and the other right in between her shoulder blades. Both of them pulled each other closer, not wanting to break the hug. "Peter?"
"Yeah," he murmured.
"I have something I need to tell you," Madison said.
"What is it," he asked still not letting go of his hug. Madison drew strength from this like a Lord would do under siege.
"I still love you. Even after all these years apart. I lied to you at the watering hole and I'm sorry." Madison felt one of Peter's hand move. He picked up her chin and their lips met. It was even better then their childhood kiss. This one contained love, passion and hope. One knowing that even if they are miles apart, they will always have each other to count on. One to love and be loved, by unconditional love. They never did know how long that kiss lasted but they didn't care. They were together again and their walls stronger then ever. When they broke apart to get some air, their breathing was rugged but neither noticed.
"You have no clue on how long I have waited for you to say that again. I forgive you as well," Peter whispered into her mouth.
"Do I still have to give birth to four kids?" Madison asked with a smile, her green eyes sparkled with mirth. She felt slightly dizzy and tingly but could care less, just as long as the moment never ended.
Peter chuckled and put his forehead against hers, "No. Unless you still want to." He put another kiss on her lips. This one was quick but it told her that he would always be there for her and that he loved her.
"Then its two," Madison stated and kissed Peter back. She put all of her feelings for him in the kiss and that she would always be there for him.
"Still want to live by the ocean?" Peter asked once the kiss broke.
"Only if you want to," Madison said, both of their eyes sparkled as the sun started to rise and the moon started to make a decent and neither noticed.
"So we will still live by the ocean," Peter shrugged and kissed her again, she kissed back.
"Is that park still there?" Madison asked.
"Yeah as well as the gazebo." Madison started to laugh. "What so funny, love?" Peter asked.
"Originally you said gozombo not gazebo. I just thought that was a bit funny. Hey Peter."
"Yes milady," Peter said and Madison giggled a bit.
"Keep sweet talking I like it." Peter smiled and their lips met. At the end of the kiss, Madison felt her brain going nuts but she didn't care. She was in love, with her childhood sweetheart and that was good enough for her. "I think we should renew our pledge."
"I'm first then," Peter smiled and brushed her cheek with smooth, soft and gentle hand. He put a lock of hair behind her ear, making her blush slightly. "I, Peter Pevencie, pledge my love to Madison Silverberg. In sickness and in health, I pledge to love, care and protect her, to the ends of the universe. I pledge my love to her on the full Narnian moon." He brushed his lips against hers.
"I, Madison Silverberg, pledge my love to Peter Pevencie. In sickness and in health, I pledge to love, care and protect him, to the ends of the universe. I pledge my love to him on the full Narnian moon," Madison smiled at Peter and added, "You may kiss the bride."
Peter chuckled and kissed Madison with all his passion, with all his spirit, with all his soul, and with all his being. Madison kissed him back with same amount. What neither of them knew was that at that moment the Narnian moon left the sky and a majestic lion smiled.
Aslan then whispered to himself a prophecy only he knew about, "Once pledge renewed, forever strong their love be. Their love now a castle. A love that will be the beautifulness and dangerous love any of the worlds will ever see. But love shall prevail." Aslan roared, this one didn't wake anyone up instead it made them feel good about themselves and made their slumber more peaceful.
A/N Maddy and Peter are officially together now! This chapter was actually written at the very beginning of the story, like just a two or three chapters in. You guys love me now don't you? This should have been posted Saturday but Fanfiction had been having problems, but everything seems to be fixed now. Yeah! Please review.