This has to be the fastest update in over a year! And to think I have most of the next chapter already written already! Many thanks to my wonderful beta elecktrum, without which this story would be a lot worse than it is! Thanks!

Disclaimer: I am merely borrowing C. S. Lewis' charming characters and world, and will eventually return them. The only thing that is mine is the plot.

Disclaimer 2: If this story in any way resembles any other fanfiction it is by complete accident, as I go out of my way to avoid reading fanfictions that resemble mine until mine are completed. My apologies to any other great minds.

Author's note: This story is set pre-, during- and post- The Last Battle. I am a first time fanfiction writer and any reviews are appreciated.

Chapter twenty-nine: Eternity

Peter felt the wound on his side vanish and become whole and unblemished again. Sheathing their blades, he and Leona walked to stand before Aslan. Peter could feel Aslan's power still coursing through him, but lessening the closer he came to the Lion. At his side he could see Leona's armor changing back into her blue-green dress, and her hair fall out if its braids to hang loose around her shoulders.

"Well done, High King," he said, and at those words the last remnant of Aslan's power trickled out of him, leaving him just Peter again, though traces still lingered, tingling through his body and mind like fine wine.

"Well done, Guardian," Aslan said to Leona, then "Evil is no more!" This last was roared out, and the watchers around the valley roared back, cheering.

As if Aslan's declaration was a sign, the watching ranks dissolved into joyous greetings, embraces and welcomes. Edmund nearly tackled his brother, whooping in delight at the victory. King Caspian made his way to Peter and was the first of many old friends to give him a welcoming embrace, followed by King Lune of Archenland. Others came after, with people Peter was half afraid he'd never see again lining up to say hello. General Oreius came up to give him a warrior's handclasp and a warm hug. He could see Lucy crying with joy as she was hugged by Mr. Tumnus. Leona was being greeted as well, and it occurred to Peter how many people she would have encountered and befriended over the centuries of her life. Throughout the glorious period of introductions and reunions, Peter made sure to keep Leona in his line of sight, interested in who would come to greet her. He saw her burst into tears and be enveloped by a family he'd never seen before, but that he knew must be Leona's parents and siblings. Sure enough, he was quickly pulled over to the group and an overwhelmed Leona introduced him to the people she had not seen in over fifteen hundred years.

Eventually the hubbub died down and everyone started migrating their way east. Some jogged, others ran darting like deer, faster than any mortal creature could move. Most just walked, catching up on news and old jokes, or simply glorying in each other's presence. Peter and the other new arrivals did not want to be parted from Aslan, and so they walked alongside him. Many of their long-dead friends stayed with them, unwilling to part for even a moment after so long a separation.

"Where is Queen Susan?" Oreius asked. Peter wasn't surprised at the General being the first to question them about their missing sibling. Oreius and Susan had always shared a bond, almost turning into a father/daughter relationship. It started out mostly because they had the similar interest of keeping the rest of the siblings alive, but Oreius became the person Susan would go to with the things that she didn't feel comfortable talking to Peter about.

"She is still alive back in our world," Lucy said. "As far as I know at least." She turned to Aslan. "Is there a chance for Susan to join us? When it's her time of course..."

"There is always hope," the Lion told her comfortingly. "Susan will come when she has again earned her place."

Lucy smiled again and said, "Once a queen of Narnia, always a queen of Narnia..." The three Pevensies were indeed comforted by this thought and knew that while their royal sister had a hard future ahead of her, she had the strength and spirit to see her through.

"Where are we going?" Edmund asked the group at large.

"You are to be presented," Caspian replied. "If you go far enough East, you will come to the gates of the Garden. Inside that Garden is the court of King Frank and Queen Helen."

Peter looked delighted for a moment. "So, he is King here, too. I hope he still gets to be a gardener, since that's what he wanted most! I can't wait to see him again."

Caspian laughed. "As soon as I arrived in his court, King Frank asked me about you! He said that you seemed a fine, upstanding man who would make a fine, upstanding king. He is sure to want to greet you, and your other friends from your trip into the West are eagerly awaiting your arrival as well."

Leona had come up and slipped her arm into Peter's. "What happens when we reach this Garden and the court? I'm sure that Peter, Edmund and Lucy will need to establish themselves as Kings and Queen, but how does it work? I see you still wear a crown so I assume you are still a King, but of what?"

Caspian bowed graciously to her. "As respect to your status as Aslan's chosen, you all will be presented at court. It gives an opportunity to meet people that you otherwise wouldn't see or think to look for. After that you can do whatever you please. As for how this place works, it's hard to explain. Think of this world as an onion with many layers, all of them connected and each one bigger than the last. For example, I live in Cair Paravel and if I want to visit my son, Rilian, I can see that he lives in Cair Pavavel in the same rooms I do, but he's not in MY Cair Paravel. It's world, inside of world, inside of world. If you want to go back to your old rooms in Cair Paravel you can, it's there waiting for you. So each King and Queen throughout the whole history of Narnia has his or her own realm just the way that they lovingly remember it. Once a King or Queen, always a King or Queen."

The group had been heading further and further West as they were speaking and seeming to cover much more ground than they would have thought possible by simply walking. But an urge to run came over Peter again.

Grinning at Caspian he said, "If that's what is awaiting us, then farther up and further in!" Then, with a challenge in his eye, he took off running to the West, Caspian at his heels and the others in their party following behind. Leona passed him, fleeter than a deer with her skirts flaring around her trim ankles. Quite pleased with the view, Peter willingly let her lead.

They passed prairies, mountains, rivers and lakes, even defying gravity to run UP a waterfall. Peter recognized some of the scenery rushing past from his adventure seeking the apple of the Tree of Life and knew that they would soon be coming to a series of impassible mountains. To his delight, here the mountains were anything but impassible. Where in Old Narnia there were sheer cliffs, here a smooth passageway cut through the mountains leading to a hidden valley in the center, like a small child protected by its larger guardians. Leona fell back to run at Peter's side and they started slowing as they reached the hill in the center of the valley on which sat the large, walled Garden. It looked to be the size of a small city park, with high walls and only one gate. They drew to a halt at the closed gates. Peter almost felt a flash of nerves at those imposing walls, but before he could start to worry, they drew open and a Mouse walked through them, a rapier at his side and a feather in his cap.

"Welcome, in the Lion's name, come further up and further in!" Reepicheep greeted them, and Lucy darted forward to embrace the Mouse. Others followed Reepicheep out through the gates from the Garden greeting them. Peter could see King Tirian being embraced by a man who could only be his father. Surrounded by old friends and new, the group slowly made their way into the Garden.

Peter stopped dead in his tracks for this was not the Garden he remembered. Instead of the beautiful orchard filled with succulent fruit, a radiant valley stretched out before his eyes like Paradise unfolded before Adam's first glance.

"It's bigger on the inside than it is on the outside," breathed Lucy at his side, but Peter almost didn't notice he was so absorbed in the beautiful view before him. Almost to himself he murmmered, "What could we ever have done to deserve something as beautiful as this?"

Edmund came to his side, and said, "I don't think it's something we did."

Reepicheep drew close to Peter's side and pointed to a glittering castle in the center of the valley. "King Frank's palace," he said. "You are expected. Come further up and further in."

Almost numb at the beauty before him Peter moved to follow the Mouse as he led the way through rich green meadows and past thundering waterfalls. This place was indeed Paradise and the idea that he would be allowed to set foot there, perhaps even take Leona and explore some of its beauty, was overwhelming. Leona slipped her hand into his and he looked down into her hazel eyes.

"Have you ever seen this place?" he asked.

She shook her head. "The farthest into Aslan's Country I ever saw was the Cliffs at the Edge of the World. But I'm glad I didn't see this before now, I'd never have been able to make myself leave."

They walked in silence, hand in hand until they reached the shining palace. Even Eustace and Jill walked in silence. The doors opened before them and they filed into the marble floored entryway. Room after room, each more welcoming and beautiful as the next met their eyes as they went deeper and deeper in. When they finally reached a set of massive golden doors Reepicheep paused. Peter noticed that the large crowd that had surrounded them since his and Leona's battle with Tash had vanished, leaving only the newcomers from England waiting in the room. Even Aslan and Prowler had left them.

"Wait here, and I will announce you in turn," Reepicheep said with a smile. The Mouse turned to the golden doors and with a simple touch they opened, letting in bright sunshine, the sound of happy conversation and a smell of sweet flowers.

Jill looked rather nervous and started smoothing her skirt and playing with her hair. Eustace reached out to grab her hand then said, "Stop your fussing, you look lovely." Then seemingly embarrassed by his own daring he blushed and looked away, but didn't release her hand. Peter grinned. It seemed that his cousin had finally got his nerve!

"King Tirian of Narnia!" The last king of Narnia squared his shoulders and marched out through the doors.

"The Lord Eustace and Lady Jill!" came Reepicheep's voice from the doors, and heads held high the two walked out into the light and out of sight to the sound of joyful applause from the unseen court.

"The Lord Digory and the Lady Polly!" Even more applause came this time and murmurs of wonder at such a thing as the two children who were there for the beginning of this world finally coming home.

"King Edmund the Just and Queen Lucy the Valiant!" With a cocky grin from Edmund and a small wave from Lucy the pair passed the threshold, leaving Peter and Leona alone.

Leona started fidgeting and Peter looked at her with surprise. "Are you nervous?" he asked. "Surely you've been presented at a court before!? I should think that with all your missions you would have done this at least once before."

She nodded. "Yes, I've been presented, but never as Me. It feels odd to know that whoever is out there knows exactly who I am and welcomes me as such, instead of whoever they are suppose to think I am."

This simple statement truly brought home to Peter how much of herself Leona had given up in order to be the Guardian. Never to be known as yourself and to always know that the people around you were reacting to something or someone that wasn't quite real. It must have been like living all your life wearing a mask that no one could ever penetrate. He felt such pride in her for that sacrifice and raised her hand to his lips for a kiss.

"The High King Peter the Magnificent and Lady Leona the Guardian!"

With a deep breath, Peter tucked Leona's hand beneath his arm and the stepped into the light. There was a beautiful courtyard the size of a large meadow open to the brilliant sky before them and on either side lined all the worthy Kings, Queens, Lords and Ladies that ever graced Narnia, Archenland or Calormen. Great heroes from legends told round a campfire bowed as the pair passed, and Peter was sure they could hear the cheering all the way back at the Stable Door. With each step, Leona's confidence grew as they approached the dais up ahead. Like the dais at Cair Paravel there were four thrones, but with a higher portion in the middle, where Aslan crouched and two thrones sat empty. Peter recognized the man in one of the two filled thrones but not the woman at his side. When Peter had meet King Frank on his journey to the Garden on a quest from Aslan, the other man had been dressed simply and had proclaimed himself just a gardener. This man was far from a gardener, but Peter could still see the friend that he had made just when he had needed one the most. Frank gave Peter a wink then lifted the hand of the beautiful Queen at his side to his lips in salute to her.

They reached the dais and in unison, genuflected before Aslan in homage. At a nod from the Lion they rose then made their way to the King and Queen seated at Aslan's right side. Peter bowed and Leona swept her skirt out in an elegant curtsy, but before they could even bend down to the proper depth, Frank rose from his throne and gestured for them to rise.

"No, friends," he said with a smile. "For the titles you bear and the services done to this realm you have earned the right to bow to no one save Aslan and his father, the Emperor Over The Sea."

They rose and Peter nodded to Frank, one King to another.

"Peter," Aslan said, drawing their attention back to the Lion. "Your throne awaits." He nodded towards one of the empty thrones at his left hand.

Peter looked at Aslan in surprise. From what Caspian had said, Peter had thought that no King in Narnia was higher than any other, save King Frank who was the first king.

"It is the throne of the High King of Narnia," Aslan said, gently.

Still, Peter hesitated a moment. He did not feel worthy to be placed above these other Kings and Queens regardless of his title. He knew he had been a good king and a decent ruler, but there must be others who had done as much as he and had failed less often.

Aslan shook his mane in what could have been either amusement or exasperation. "I did not name you High King simply because you were eldest of your siblings. I knew what kind of man you were and would become. For each sleepless night you spent doing your best to make Narnia a kingdom worthy of every blessing my Father could bestow on it, I named you High King. For each time you took a violent blow in willing place of another, I named you High King. For the sacrifies you made of your own happiness, I named you High King. For each time you watered Narnian soil with your own shed blood, I named you High King. For your willingness to step down from your throne and offer it to another at my bidding, I named you High King. It was for this reason you were brought into Narnia and also why you were taken out of it may not think yourself worthy, Peter, Son of Adam, but I do."

In his old life, Peter would have blushed scarlet to hear his praises spoken like that, or in his more arrogant and prideful moods thought it only his due. Now, each word the Lion spoke settled into his heart and mind, filling in the holes left by doubt and worry. He had sacrificed much for Narnia. He had shed his blood over and over protecting her. And he had made one of the hardest choices of his life when he had told, then Prince, Caspian that he had come not to take the throne, but to put him in it. For all that he was still a flawed man with all the human frailties, he was by Aslan's decree, High King of Narnia.

Leona gave his hand a comforting squeeze, slipped her hand out of his and went to stand beside Lucy. With Aslan's approving gaze and the eyes of every worthy peer to have set foot on Narnian soil since her conception watching him, the High King ascended the dais, turned to face the crowd and sat in the throne that had been meant for him from all eternity. Edmund and Lucy's visages stood out in the sea of smiling faces as the world exploded into a roar of cheering that reached to the stars.

It seemed that this meant that the formal court was adjourned as King Frank then came rushing over to embrace Peter in a back-slapping hug. "Well met, my friend," the older man said. "I'm glad to see you. You took your sweet time about coming though!" This last was said with a teasing wink, and Peter grinned back at him.

"I had things that I needed to do, people I needed to meet," Peter replied thinking of Leona. She had been standing with Lucy and Edmund, but now he could see her waiting at the foot of the dais smiling at him. He cocked his head in an invitation for her to join him, and she stepped up to his side. Lucy, Edmund and Caspian also joined them seemingly unwilling to be separated for any longer than necessary.

"So what happens now?" Peter asked Frank.

The other King shrugged. "Some people take this opportunity to do the things they never had a chance to do in life. Personally, I spend most my time in my garden when I'm not visiting friends. Others simply glory in the presence of those that they thought lost forever. The only guideline here is that you cannot want what you cannot have. It's very simple."

"The only thing in life that I regret not doing is asking Leona to marry me," Peter said, smiling down at Leona who walked beside him, hand in hand.

"I would have said yes, too," she whispered to him, squeezing his hand.

Ahead of them, Aslan snorted. "I don't see what you are waiting for, Peter. The ring is still in your pocket."

Peter stood stunned into shock. "You mean... we can do that here?"

Leona was confused as well. "But, aren't we, well... dead?"

Aslan had come to stand next to them and replied with a smile. "Do you feel dead?"

Leona looked perplexed but a feeling of disbelieving hope was showing in her face. "Yes, but still, no, not really. Does that matter? I thought marriage was only for when you were alive!"

"Marriage is the highest form of love a man and woman can share. A mortal marriage ends in death, that is true, but usually the love that they share does not. One of the first things many couples do when they are reunited after death is wed again, usually with myself marrying them," Aslan said, obviously pleased with the astounded and hopeful looks he was receiving from his two champions.

Peter turned to Leona, not willing to wait for even a moment, regardless of all eternity before them. "Do you truly think you can spend the rest of eternity loving me and letting me love you?"

Her face was all smiles as she replied, "I can't think of anything else I was planning on doing."

Slipping his hand into his pocket for the lion-headed ring he had put into his trouser pocket on that last day in England, Peter went to one knee. As High King, he had never willingly knelt to any other than Aslan and Leona understood the honor that was given her. Her small hands trembled in his larger ones.

"We have all of eternity before us, would you spend it as my bride?" Peter poised the ring on the tip of her left ring finger, looking into her eyes for permission to push it home.

Her finger moved in his hand and he watched as she slid her finger forward onto the ring. "Yes," she said simply.

Lucy and Jill shrieked with delight and started hugging Leona. Peter was so overjoyed that she had said yes, that he almost didn't feel Edmund slapping his back with a grin and an admonition of "About time!"

King Frank broke into a hearty belly laugh. "Friends!" he called out over the crowd. "It appears that we shall have a wedding! Does any here object?"

"I would be heard!" a deep voice shouted from the bustle of people and a handsome, black-bearded dwarf made his way to the dais. Peter didn't recognize him, but Frank apparently did.

"My lord Drakar," Frank exclaimed. "You cannot truly object to this match?"

The dwarf snorted. "Object to the match, no. But I want to know that the High King will do right by the lady." Turning to Peter he asked, "You are High King, will you make her your Queen or simply your wife?"

Peter raised Leona's now beringed hand to his lips and kissed it, "If Aslan does not think she merits a crown of her own, she may have mine!"

Drakar grinned and turned to Aslan. "Then with your permission, Lord, I would ask the honor of crafting the Lady Leona's crown, for she has been kind and generous to my family line."

Aslan laughed. "Granted, the only reason Leona didn't arrive here crowned is because I felt that both she and Peter would prefer it this way! But it has been a long time since you last forged a crown. Do your fingers still remember their skill?"

Drakar drew himself up indignantly. "The only crowns I ever forged sit on the heads of King Frank and Queen Helen. If I could forge with such skill with such rude materials as were found in Old Narnia, just think what I could do with those found here! Still, I could use an assistant... Oi! Brickit!!" He shouted this last at the crowd and a second black dwarf came trundling to his side.

"Get your tools," Drakar barked. "We've work to do. You can remember how to forge a crown?"

Brickit looked almost insulted. "I forged four of them! You only did two! I think I have a bit more practice, but we shall work together. Oi! Edmund!"

Edmund wandered to the dwarf's side, "You bellowed, Brickit?" he said with a grin.

Brickit stared up at him and said, "You aren't the best assistant I've ever had, but you'll do. Come along, Spawn." The two dwarves wandered out of the meadow, Edmund following behind. Peter grinned at Leona, who seemed in shock that the dwarves who'd forged the six most beautiful and famous crowns in Narnia were working on one for her.

"Aslan," came a soft voice, and a faun, a dryad, and a naiad approached the dais. "We too have a boon."

"Speak," the Lion invited.

The dryad and nyad stepped forward, curtsying to Leona. "You never hesitated to risk yourself helping our people. For that, we beg permission to make your wedding dress."

Leona sank to the dais, utterly overwhelmed. Peter sat down next to her and put his arm around her. He realized how odd this must seem to be recognized for the work that she had spent centuries doing in secret.

The faun approached Peter, and bowed. "I was one of your soldiers, but before that I was a tailor. You neglected your own wounds to hold my hand as I lay dying. For that, I ask to be allowed to prepare your wedding garb."

Peter was stunned and could barely nod his head in acceptance. The line of gift-givers and well wishers didn't end with the faun. Dozens of others came approaching the dais, begging for the right to offer their tokens and assistance in return for things that Peter had always thought to be his duty as King! Leona was nearly in joyful tears by the time everyone had come to greet them.

Edmund came slipping back to Peter's side and sat down on the dais next to him. "Believe it or not, everything is nearly ready. Would now be a convenient time to wed?" Peter felt an odd sense of timelessness, because it seemed as though his brother had just left, how could he have had gotten everything prepared? Then he rememberd that time really only affected the living. Here in Real Narnia, time did what you wanted it to!

"The only thing missing is Susan and your parents," Leona said at his side. "But there isn't anything we can do about that..."

Aslan reached down and nuzzled her. "Susan will know, even if she cannot be here. As for Peter's parents, I did tell you that Real England and Real Narnia are connected. I think we can manage to get them here for something as important as this. " Leona wrapped her arms around the Lion's neck in a hug before every excited woman in the crowd from Lucy to Queen Helen chivvied her away to get ready.

The meadow was a riot of flowers, blooming in clumps in every nook and cranny. Peter stood next to Aslan in clothes that he never would have imagined before today, Edmund at his side. He knew he looked his very best and was anxious to see what the naiads and dryads would have made for his bride. Leona had been pulled away to change and get ready and he couldn't wait to see her. There was no nervousness about the success of this marriage. How could there be? Happiness here was a guarantee, and Aslan's blessing lay on every action they would do together.

The most talented singers and players who ever lived in Narnia filled the air with breathtaking music. The crowd in the meadow seemed almost to big to possibly fit, but Peter could easily make out each beloved face with his parents standing proud as anything in the very front. The music changed and a tremor of excitement ran through the ranks.

Originally the guests had simply been standing in a muddle, but at an unspoken cue a center aisle appeared with Kings, Generals and warriors on either side drawing their swords in salute. Lucy and King Tirian, Jill and Eustace, Polly and Digory each filed down the aisle in pairs of bridesmaids and groomsmen, smiling from ear to ear. After them came each of Leona's brothers and sisters. Peter barely noticed Lucy's grinning face, and it took all his self-control not to crane his neck trying to see the woman he was looking for.

An audible sigh filled the air from the guests as Leona started down the aisle. Her father had her arm in his and Prowler majestically walked on her other side. Peter stopped breathing. He had always thought she was pretty, but now he called himself ten times the fool for ever thinking her simply pretty. Her dark hair was loose and tiny flowers peeked here and there among the strands. Her white dress used simple lines, but the fabric looked as if it had been woven out of starlight. Peter could see her bare feet with every step she took and the grass almost welcomed her touch.

When she reached Aslan and Peter, her father kissed her cheek and went to stand with her mother in the crowd. Then Leona leaned down and Prowler leaned up on his back legs to nuzzle her face in a Cat's kiss. With no hesitancy, she took the last few steps to Peter's side.

"This is not going to be like a mortal wedding," Aslan began. "Because this is not like a mortal marriage. Here there is no fear, only joy; no anger, only love. Love here is never aging, never fading, utterly eternal. Just as marriage is the ultimate proof of the love between a man and a woman in life, so is it here, in True Life.

"Peter, High King, do you vow to spend all of eternity as one with this woman? To love her, take her as your wife, your helpmate and your Queen? To spend each morning waking to the sight of her face, to spend each day at her side, to spend each night in her arms?"

"I do." Peter's words rang out loud, confidant and clear.

"Leona, Guardian of all of my mortal domains, do you vow to spend all of eternity as one with this man? To love him, take him as your husband, your helpmate and your King? To spend each morning waking to the sight of his face, to spend each day at his side, to spend each night in his arms?"

Peter remembered how she had promised on their last night together in England to love him to the point where time had no meaning and beyond. When she disappeared into the night it seemed almost like empty words, but now it seemed more of a prophecy...

"I do," she said. She couldn't stop smiling, and her face glowed with such happiness it outshone the gown she wore.

"The rings," Aslan prompted. Peter had a sudden moment of panic as the only ring he had arranged already sat on Leona's finger. Edmund stepped forward and solemnly went to one knee to presenting a pillow with two newly forged rings to the Lion for inspection, then handed the more delicate ring to Peter. He grinned in thanks to his smirking brother, then slipped it on her finger saying, "With this ring, I thee wed for all eternity." Simple words, yet more than enough.

She in turn slipped Peter's ring on his finger, pledging, "With this ring, I thee wed for all eternity." Hand in hand they turned to Aslan.

"High King Peter, do you acknowledge this woman to be your wife and queen?" he asked.

"I do," Peter declaired. Aslan turned to Edmund, who presented his brother with a delicate crown nestled on a satin pillow. It was similar in design to the one Lucy wore, but in gold and more like a tiara than a circlet. His hands steady, Peter took up the crown and turned to Leona. She bowed to him and he settled the crown on her head. He took up her hand again and they turned to face Aslan.

"Eternity is before you, true love at your side, and all fears behind you!" Aslan roared. "I declare you King and Queen, husband and wife!"

Peter almost couldn't believe that this was real. With a jubilant cry he bounded to his feet and swung his wife in his arms, laughing as loud as he could. What could he ever have done to deserve this bounty? Aslan was before him, Leona was in his arms, and Narnia was spread out before him with the promise of never-ending joy.

The End.

Credits: I stole liberally (with permission) from my beta elecktrum's wonderful fic "Into the West". Any references to Peter's trip to the Garden are hers as is the friendship between King Frank and Peter. Brickit the dwarf and Edmund's skill at a forge are hers as well.

Author's note for chapter: Well, this is it. All I have left is an epilogue and this story is done. I almost can't believe it. The epilogue will be up on April 30th. Until then enjoy this last full chapter and don't forget to review!