Peter stretched luxuriously in the early morning light. It was truly great to finally sleep in his own bed. He glanced over at April who was still asleep. He smiled as he thought of last night. After a long and intimate bath they had fed each other her birthday dessert. They reveled in having at least more of a semblance of privacy again after camping for a month with beings who contained far superior eyesight and hearing.

He sighed, being back at Cair Paravel meant a very long to-do-list and he started to mentally create one for this morning. His first, most unwelcome task, would be to visit with the dwarves in the gaol. He resolved to do that before breakfast and before the dwarves left for their work detail.

His plan became to let April sleep and leave her a note. He would have Felice help her get ready for breakfast, then he would come back to take her there. He smiled at the thought of having to carry her everywhere she needed to go. Although he knew that was completely unrealistic. They would have to come up with a way for her to travel around the castle until her ankle got stronger.

Thinking of her ankle made him remember that she had not danced, really danced, in a long time. Looking over at her half covered with the sheet he thought she had gained some weight since coming to Narnia. He liked the way she looked, softer, healthier. As an aspiring professional ballerina he knew the long hours of training and performances required her to be lean and very trim. But this new bit of weight could certainly serve their new purpose of heir creation. The thought made his smile broader and he almost woke her but knew she needed her rest. Hoisting himself out of bed and readying for the day he composed the note in his head.

He wondered at himself, at his reactions to her. His siblings would be surprised and Edmund would give him no end of grief if they knew he had, in fact, composed two poems for her. He always seemed to have the right words to say in diplomatic situations, he did most other times as well, he just hadn't made a habit of sharing his thoughts in the past. It was different with her. He just simply said what he thought about her and how he felt. He knew other men had trouble with that, he suspected Edmund did, although love did seem to change a man. Or, maybe not change, but soften the edges, causing one to grow more into what they were supposed to become. He knew his words would bring her pleasure, and that in turn made him happy as well. He left the carefully scripted parchment on his pillow.

In your bright eyes I see my future
In your eager ears I whisper my passion
In your sweet lips I taste my favorite wine
In your soft body I feel completion
In your sweet heart I fill my deep longing for love

I love every inch of you!

Felice will come by to help you and then I will carry you to breakfast. I am glad to be home with you. - Peter

~~0~~

Their first full day back in the castle was blissfully uneventful. Tomorrow they would hold court, something he had not done since being back in Narnia. He would miss Edmund greatly. Ed always had more patience and honestly, more wisdom in dealing with these cases. Edmund's knowledge of the laws had been an invaluable resource in handling local disputes among Narnians.

He would ask Tumnus and April to be there with him. Perhaps her presence would help to ease aroused tempters and ills. He suspected and hoped most would come just to be in the presence of the monarchs. So far, no humans had petitioned to become a member of their court. He hoped that would stay the norm. It was lonely, but sometimes easier if the monarchs were the only humans in close proximity. At least now he would not have to entertain tiresome and eager maidens or deal with perfumed correspondence. He was very grateful for April in that regard.

They spent a lovely and quiet evening sitting on their balcony enjoying the sunset, the singing of the merpeople, and the soft rumbling of the ocean waves crashing against the shore. April was cuddled in his lap, head on his chest, listening to his heart beat along with the other Narnian night sounds. She sighed in contentment and his arms tightened about her. It was nice just to hold her. He knew he would not be content with just that for long, but he was inclined to enjoy the peaceful mood for now.

She spoke softly, "I have not asked you since we have been here...What is it like, wanting to come back here for long and finally being in Narnia? How does it feel?"

He thought for a second, and said slowly, "It feels like home. I truly belong here, doing what I was created to do. There is such a sense of purpose for me here, people and creatures who need and want my leadership. When I am in Narnia I can do and be something special. In our world I am just a face in the crowd."

"Peter, you are something special wherever you are! You truly are magnificent, at least in my eyes!" She paused, chewing on her lip a bit, "You talked on our wedding day about birthday and Christmas presents. Being here with you, being loved so completely and fully by you is like a lifetime of birthday and Christmas presents to me. I am so thankful to Aslan for giving us this extra time to be together here of all places."

"Thank you love," he said and kissed her tenderly. No longer content just to hold her, he carried her to their bed. Her words of love and affirmation meant just as much to him as his did to her.

~~0~~

The following day was busy and tiring, but had gone better than Peter had expected. He found himself explaining multiple times in multiple ways to multiple species the idea and process of the new governmental system he was implementing. It reminded him just how much he still had to do. Now that he had received consensus from his Council and his subjects, it was time to put the system into place. There were a few challenging disputes to be settled, but overall the day had gone well. However, after dinner he was so distracted, April had carefully questioned him. It was a relief for him to voice his thoughts about the tasks and next steps that needed to be completed. As he spoke she jotted down lists and made notes. He smiled his thanks. He now had a game plan and lists to work from. He would get started first thing in the morning.

(A/N: The mention of perfumed correspondence comes from Rthstewart's, By Royal Decree and others of her stories. I loved that Peter would always cringe when he received a perfumed letter and couldn't resist adding his relief at their absence in my story.)