April stood near the edge of the cliff looking at the scenery in front of her. Narnia was beautiful everywhere, but this panorama was breathtaking. The sun was just rising giving a pink and purplish blend to the sky. The blue green ocean rolled, the waves were breaking on the rocks and cliffs below her. Dolphins jumped in the distance, she wondered if they could talk. The gulls swooped and soared overhead calling their hellos. She felt awe and peace. Awe because this was the exact spot that Aslan had met her in her dream the night before; and, peace because most of the fear and doubt, that been her recent companions, had carried away with the wind by Aslan's breath.

She knew she would struggle with the darkness when she remembered the attack, but the gut wrenching terror had faded with Aslan's promise...'I am with you always'. She believed His promises, how could she not? He had showed her this landscape and then the tiniest talking vole. He said, 'If I can sing this world into existence, and create the smallest talking beast, how much more do I care for you?' She smiled, knowing she would remember the dream always.

She was starting to feel more herself again since she had shared with Peter all of the deep dark details of her pit. He and Aslan became the ladder by which she climbed out. She supposed that talking about it was a key to healing. Sharing her utmost fears was difficult, but Peter had been patient and tender with her. She didn't deserve him, she knew that. He was a great man and an even greater King and she was grateful that he loved and cared for her so.

She touched her lips remembering the sweet kisses they had shared. Kisses made sweeter because of the days and trauma between when they had last shared them. She remembered the details from the night before with a smile on her face.

Long before they had finished talking, the sounds of the Narnian's celebration had died down and they had taken to whispering. When the words were exhausted he had gently lifted her skirt and placed his hand on her calf looking at her meaningfully.

"Now, where were we before those pesky dwarves so rudely interrupted us?"

She smiled coyly and said, "I think you were about up to here." She placed his hand a little higher.

He waggled his eyebrows at her and she laughed softly. Looking at him intently she said, "I believe we were discussing heir creation."

"Mm, yes," he replied, his eyes intense.

He slowly pushed her skirt all the way up and gently moved her legs apart. She inhaled a shaky breath and leaned back on the pillows. She felt his warm lips placing a kiss on her inner thigh.

"By the Lion, I have missed you!" he breathed.

Her fingers found a place in his hair. "Oh, Peter!"

He had wooed her tenderly and they had laughed too because of the awkwardness her ankle created. But they were connected again in all ways and she felt a contentment deep in her core.

As if her thoughts had conjured him, she felt an arm slipping around her waist. She leaned into him relishing his warmth and the strong hard muscles of his chest at her back.

"I wondered where you had snuck off to. What an exceptional sunrise and a beautiful place!" He kissed the tip of her ear.

"This is where Aslan met me in my dream," she said softly.

She heard his quick intake of breath. "For as long as I have been around Aslan, nothing He does should amaze me, but it does. I suppose that is the curse of being human, the divine surprises us always. I am grateful for the dreams He gives and those He causes to come true!"

She turned her head to smile up at him and his arm tightened. "In two days, we will be home," he said.

He turned to her and her eyes lit up. "Home! That has a wonderful sound to it!"

"Yes, it does. It has always been home to me, and now is more special because it is home to you too. I know we have been through many trials since coming here. I would do them all again to share this with you, to be with you here, in Narnia."

She turned and placed her arms around his neck. She kissed him and whispered against his lips, "Peter, you are my home!"

~~0~~

For the last two days of travel, they didn't bother with the tents. The days were too warm and sleeping under the stars next to Peter on their bedroll was joy for April. On the morning of their last traveling day she woke early, feeling a strong cramp in her lower abdomen. She groaned. Peter stirred.

"What is is love?" he murmured, nestling close to her in the cool morning air.

"I'm afraid there will not be an heir yet, My King," she said sadly.

"Oh, is it that time? I was wondering if it was coming soon. In fact, you are a bit late."

"Peter! How do you know these things?"

"Habit, my dear," he yawned then continued, "when you are charged over ruling and caring for a land of good and talking beasts you learn their culture is built around seasons, heat cycles, and bonding. You learn which animals bond with partners and which do not. Spring is always a joyous time when the young are born. Our Spring Festival was always the largest, most popular event that we hosted. It is my job to be aware of 'these things'. Especially when it is my own bonded mate's cycles and seasons." He ran his hand over her body and turned her so her back was to his stomach.

"Does heat and pressure help ease the pain?" he asked, moving his hand over her mid-section and holding it there.

"Yes," she sighed, feeling the warmth of his large strong hand seep into her body causing her to relax which did ease the pain. The warmth of his tender love and care seeped into her heart as well.

He spoke into her ear. "It is too early for us to be disappointed, my love. I am just happy that your body is settling into a normal rhythm. Let's rejoice in that."

She pressed back into his hips in response and he tightened his arm around her and spoke again. "Let's take our cue from Ararvis and just relax and enjoy the process. It will happen for us. I know it will."

He kissed her hair and they lay cuddled close until the camp started to rouse around them. There was an air of excitement, for today, after weeks of traveling, they would arrive back at Cair Paravel.

~~0~~

She was not expecting such a welcoming reception. The grounds in front of Cair Paravel were filled with Narnians, most of whom worked in the castle or lived nearby. She turned to Peter to see if he was surprised as well and noticed his face. His eyes seemed to be searching the crowd and balconies for someone. The briefest expression of grief flashed across his features and then it was gone. Likely no one but her had noticed.

"Peter..." she said gently and moved her horse close to his. She touched his arm.

He turned to her and gave her a sad smile. "I don't know why I expected them to be here. Habit, I suppose. Lucy would have already ridden out to meet us and rode in with us. Susan always stood smiling and laughing in the stable yards. Edmund was either with her or on the library balcony. It does not seem right without them here."

In spite of herself she felt a flash of jealousy. She was envious of his history here and of the closeness he shared with his siblings. Pushing the emotions aside, she determined not to let them show. Taking his hand she intertwined their fingers and said softly and gently, "I'm here, and I am so glad to be home with you, our home!"

His eyes lit with joy. "Home..." he mused, "our home, yours and mine. It is different now, but different can be good."

Relief flooded her. He missed them and the time they spent here, but he loved her much differently. She smiled at him. He kissed her knuckles and then lifted their hands in the air.

The crowd cheered. "Welcome King Peter and Queen April!" they shouted.

April flushed then waved. Peter let go of her hand so their horses could move to the stables for some much needed rest. She was ready for some real food and a hot bath. Dismounting carefully, she looked around at the group they had traveled with for so many weeks. Most lived at the castle, but some she needed to thank and bid farewell.

She knew the dwarf would never accept her hug, so she settled with placing her hand gently on his shoulder. "Londreck, thank you for being so patient with me during those long days of travel. Your silence and stories were soothing and helped to bring light into a dark time for me. I hope that you will visit us here again when your travels bring you this way?"

"As it would please Your Majesty, it would please me," said the dwarf with a deep bow.

Peter clasped his arm and echoed April's sentiments and then they moved through the rest of the traveling party. When at last the duties were complete they turned to the stairs. April stopped at the bottom.

"I'm not sure if my ankle can handle stairs yet. It is still stiff and painful, and the crutches...how would I use them on these narrow steps?" She knew she was frowning at golden colored stone and when she felt herself being lifted quickly off the ground into strong arms she couldn't help her squeal of surprise. She felt the yard of Narnian's eyes on them and when she glanced back as he carried up the stairs into the castle she saw their smiles.

"Peter, what are we going to do about my ankle? I have to be able to move around the castle! You can't carry me everywhere."

"Rest it for a few more days and you should be able to navigate the stairs slowly..."

"I don't want to rest!" she interrupted.

He chuckled. "I think you may not have a choice, my love."

They were about to enter their rooms when Kamara the cougar rushed up and intercepted them. "Your Majesties," she said, "I have been instructed by the General to search out your rooms. We are running security sweeps all over the castle."

"Why? Is there particular cause for this concern?" Peter asked quickly.

"No sire. It is just a precaution. Also the General wishes me to be assigned to one or both of you at all times. He said it is time we start using the good beasts' superior senses to better protect you."

"I agree, friend. We have used the good beasts in the past for that purpose. We shall be pleased to be under your protection."

"Thank you, sire," said the great cat as she entered into their suite of rooms. The large feline searched each of the connected rooms, with Peter opening the doors for her and all was clear. The cat retreated to the hallway.

Peter picked up April again and entered into the bedroom. He set her gently on the bed. He moved to let go of her, but April feeling playful and a little frustrated that she would be kept in bed, while he got to roam free, didn't let go of his neck, putting him off balance and sending him onto the bed with her. Laughing she leaned over him.

"You know...you could rest with me," she said suggestively.

"Now, that is a temptation," he admitted reaching up and placing his hands on her neck and drawing her down to kiss him. They kept the embrace for a few long moments, but then Peter pulled back. "But...there are some things I need to take care of this first afternoon back at Cair. How about you rest and I will come and carry you to dinner?"

"Ugh!" she sighed and flopped over on the bed beside him, pouting.

He laughed and raised up on an elbow. "After dinner, I will carry you down and we can take a nice long bath. Does that make it any better?"

She smiled and said, "Maybe."

He laughed again and kissed her quickly on the cheek. Hopping out of the bed he disappeared into the sitting area. He came back with a stack of books.

"You could read the rest of the journals, or start on the mountain of correspondence we will have to work on tomorrow. This is not a punishment, love," he smiled.

"I know. I will try not to complain. Promise you will come back to get me?"

He winked at her and left the room. April sighed and settled in. Soon Peter was back to keep his promise and dinner was a light hearted affair with stories of their adventures. The musicians played music, but not too late since most of them were tired from the journey. Peter carried her slowly back to their rooms.

She teased him, "Am I getting too heavy for you? It has been a long day..."

He laughed and refused to answer her.

They acknowledged Rhinos, the night duty guard who welcomed them home. Rhinos mentioned that he would be switching to days and there would be a nocturnal good beast on duty most evenings. She wondered if there was cause for concern, but Peter did not seem worried in the least. When they entered their room it was darker than normal. She thought she heard a door softly shut somewhere close by. She looked around and saw the table set with candles.

"Peter? What...what is this?" she asked.

"Happy Birthday love!" he said joyously setting her down in front of the table.

On it, she saw her favorite dessert and looked at him in complete wonder. "Birthday?" she echoed. "How do we know...?"

"We don't," he interrupted. "I started thinking about this after our talk on the trip. Even if we have skipped it somehow, we still need to celebrate.

"You, are most magnificent!" she enthused, kissing him.

He flushed and helped her to the couch. "What is a birthday without presents?" he asked.

"I love presents!"

He handed her a rather odd shaped lumpy item covered in fabric. She uncovered it and looked at him curiously.

"It is a brace for your ankle. It might help it to heal faster. We used these constantly when we got sprains during training exercises or battles." He lifted her leg and placed the cloth and metal contraption around her lower leg and heel.

"That does feel better. Thank you Peter!" she leaned over and gave him a lingering kiss, hoping to entice him, but he pulled back. She resisted the urge to huff in exasperation.

He smiled knowingly. "Patience, my love. Don't you want your other gifts?"

At her eager nod, he laughed. "The first gift was practical. I would have given it to you anyway. There are two more. The second is from Narnia and the third is from me. Close your eyes."

She closed her eyes and felt her hand being held and something was sliding onto...her eyes flew open as he finished sliding a ring onto her right hand. What she saw took her breath away.

He smiled at her reaction and said, "This has been in the treasury since the days of King Frank and Queen Helen. We think it is a little over 1,000 years old. They say it was made from the original gold and silver ores created by the money dropped on the soil during the creation time. That is why it is so well preserved. I'm not sure which Queen wore it last. Susan and Lucy chose other ones, but I have always been intrigued by its uniqueness when my sisters would drag me to the treasury to look over the jewelry. Do you like it?"

She looked at the intertwining bands of gold and silver that stretched up and around a beautifully cut diamond. "Oh, I love it!' she said, throwing her arms around his neck. "I hardly feel worthy to wear such a treasure."

"You are a Queen of Narnia, my love. Worthiness is never a question. We are all made worthy by Aslan as His children."

"Now," he continued, "here is my gift to you. It is a bit untraditional." He brought the lamplight closer to her and showed her a book.

"Oh! I wondered where this volume was. I read through most of your journals this afternoon, but wanted to read this last one before you were brought out of Narnia."

There was a bookmark in a certain spot and he opened it to the page and started to read the text aloud. She curled up next to him and placed her head on his shoulder.

"I have had the dream again. It has plagued me for more than a few nights now. Perhaps writing about it will help to loose its power over my emotions. For fifteen years, Narnia has been my love. There has never been a woman that fit me or could fit into my life here in Narnia. Yet, this dream persists and stirs within me such a desire for a wife and a Queen that I have never felt before.

It is a dream within a dream. In the dream I am waking up after a wonderful sleep. I can see the sunlight coming through the windows of my chamber here at Cair Paravel. I can hear the ocean waves surging in the background. I reach over and pull a beautiful blond woman close to me. I kiss her good morning, because I know this is how she loves to wake up. I say, 'Good morning, my lovely queen'. Then someone knocks at the door requesting my presence. I tell them to wait, because I am reluctant to leave my Queen. When I look back at her she is smiling at me but then starts to fade away into nothing. I try to grab at her to keep her with me, but she has gone, disappeared. I am desperate and panicked, and I wake up in a sweat with the feeling that I have lost something dear. Never before have I so desperately desired to know who a woman is. I scan all of the visitors that come to the castle, but have never seen her here.

Edmund has been asking me why I am so distracted. I feel that a change is coming and I am not sure if I am letting a mere dream get the best of me or if Aslan's paws are in this. I pray that I will find her one day, and if I do that I will know and pursue her. I love Narnia with all of my heart, but I am very ready to share my life with someone as the others have."

"This was written two weeks before we followed the White Stag into the thicket. I thought of this last week while we were on the tour and you were having such a difficult time. I hoped it might serve to reaffirm your place here. You never said, but I had the sense that you might wish to leave, to go back to where...it might be easier. I wanted to remind you, well...that you were missed and loved before I ever met you."

"Oh, Peter!" she let out the breath she had been holding, "I don't know what to say, what a wonderful gift. It does help. Thank you!"

This time when she captured his lips he did not pull away. She sighed and he pulled her closer.

He whispered against her lips, "Happy birthday April, my Queen, and my love!"

A/N: Sigh...one of my favorite chapters!