A/n:
Notice the chapter title? I'm bringing back chapter 5 of "Always & Forever" – oh how great it feels!
There also is going to be a flashback in this chapter. Basically I'm rewriting a part from chapter 6 of "Always & Forever" in Kalyn's POV instead.
So, enjoy!
~Narrator's POV~
When the citizens of Narnia received word that their King was returning from the voyage, bringing home four of the Telmarine Lords, who would soon become council members once again, and that Caspian and Kalyn were already married, everyone was overjoyed, and celebrations and banquets were to be held.
Now Caspian was really enthralled about Kalyn's coronation ceremony. He had been anticipating it for months.
It had been agreed on that the dinner soiree would include a light feast in terms of the dishes served. There were salads, toasts, soup, vegetables, puff pastries stuffed with cheese and meat, and desserts, accompanied by light, crisp wines, sparkling ciders, and fresh fruit juices, which somehow reminded Caspian and Kalyn of the fulfilling meal they had at Ramandu's Island.
The meal would be preceded by acrobatic performances for entertainment, which included fire breathers and jugglers. And the last program on the agenda would be ballroom dancing of course.
Honestly, Kalyn was very relieved to know that both Narnians and Telmarines were willing to accept her as their Queen. As she reflected, never in her wildest dreams had she ever imagined that she would one day be crowned a Queen of Narnia. She had found everything she had been looking for. And that made her so many levels of happy.
She wondered, though, how her people would react when she announced the joyous news of her pregnancy. She sincerely hoped that bearing twins would mean doubled joy.
~Kalyn's POV~
Thankfully, Caspian and I were given some time to have sufficient rest and get rid of any sign of fatigue from the voyage. And then the preparations begin. It was somewhat like those for my wedding, but then this is a very formal occasion, and there were rules to follow. I was assigned a lady-in-waiting since I was to be Queen: Lady Letitia, a friend of Drinian's, and Doctor Cornelius seemed fond of her, which wasn't surprising since she was a well-read lady as well, and knew lots about the court formalities because she was raised in a noble family. So she was, in fact, the one who told me about the things I had to pay attention to when proceeding into the Great Hall for my coronation. It was nice to have another female friend in my company, and Letitia was a most organized person.
The first thing that I had to prepare was my gown for the ceremony. I was grateful that Cassiopeia was in my service, and with the help of a squad of professional seamstresses, a glamorous gown was made.
"The ruched high neckline bodice combines with sheer lace side panels at the waist to create a stunning silhouette, Your Majesty." Cassiopeia beamed proudly at her work of art, somehow reminding me of the way Marina smiled at the dress she and Lilliandil crafted for my wedding. Oh how I wished my friends could be at my coronation!
Frankly, I was astonished by the stunning long dress too. Had I been in Earth, this loose fitting floor length skirt would be ready for any red carpet occasion. The delicate beadwork and classic design were elegant and timeless. My outfit was so extravagant, so opulent that I began to wonder if I would be able to do it justice. Caspian reassured me, however, that "the question is whether or not the dress would be able to do you justice, my beautiful Queen."
It usually took me a short moment to click when somebody addressed me as "Your Majesty" because in all honesty I wasn't used to this form of salutation! All my life – well, at least formerly – I had been known as "Miss Waters" and though I'd had some experience in administration work and managing a firm, leading a nation was completely different and definitely no easy task, but I was glad that Caspian would be sharing responsibilities with me, and I'd be able to lift some weight off his shoulders.
"You know, it's just been half a month since we've been back from the expedition. And I hear from the seamstresses that the Narnians are beginning to call you 'the Seafarer' and 'the Navigator'." I told Caspian one day.
"Is that a good thing?" Caspian asked upon receiving the news – news to him, and not really news to me, but it was rewarding to see the citizens recognizing his accomplishments.
"It is, of course." I replied, beaming. "These honorific titles are only given to great leaders throughout Narnia's history. Like Peter the 'magnificent', Susan the 'gentle', Edmund the 'just', Lucy the 'valiant', and, well, what would they refer to me as?" I asked.
"You shall have the answer when you are crowned." Caspian replied with a slight, mysterious smirk.
~Flashback~
"I don't even need to ask where that fire-flower crown came from. Don't you know what it symbolizes?" Caleb had made it impossible for me to draw myself away from the truth. I was quite a realistic person, and took pragmatic approaches to dealing with things, but when it came to romantic relationships, I was befuddled.
"No," I shook my head tentatively, frowning dejectedly, but though I might hesitate to show it, I was actually intrigued. "I…I never thought it had any meaning." I couldn't even help it. I kept replaying the scene where I hugged Caspian and almost ended up kissing him. What was I thinking? Oh, no, I wasn't thinking at all.
"Unitus per amorem, evict fatis. It means 'united by love, conquered by fate'. It's Latin. The centaurs told me." Caleb revealed. "And you know what else they told me? Each Queen of Narnia, since Caspian I the Conqueror, had a fire-flower instilled into their crowns. The centaurs were appointed to make the crowns, so don't you dare tell me I don't know what I'm talking about."
True, I was about to make excuses and distract him by telling him he didn't know what he was talking about and that he wasn't in his right mind, and that this conversation had come to an end because he refused to gather his senses. Of course, my plan had failed, because my heart had so desperately wanted to believe what Caleb said was true. Why didn't Caspian tell me about the symbolic meaning of the fire-flowers then? Did he not feel the same way as I did for him? Or was it because he saw me unfit and unworthy of being Queen? Did his heart belong to another? All of my doubts resurfaced, making me jittery. I shouldn't have presumed too much on the few months' time I'd spent with Caspian – I was yet another whatshername in his life.
Caleb looked me directly in the eye, making me gulp, and told me a truth I wasn't prepared to know. "I know it can be quite overwhelming, having so much information to digest. But don't you see? It's all meant to be! It's all part of this bigger plan Aslan sent us here to fulfill. You're part of the puzzle; it's ridiculous to think that you're an unimportant person in Caspian's life. And you can't just escape or run away from your fate; it's all written in the stars. Kaye-Lynn Waters, you are destined to marry Caspian X, to be the next Queen of Narnia."
As my belongings were being moved to the largest, most luxurious quarters I shared with Caspian, I had to revisit the guest rooms Caleb and I had been appointed upon our unannounced arrival in Narnia. Only now had I recalled this conversation I had with Caleb and realized how much truth there was in his words. I really wished I could tell him how foolish I felt for not believing in what he said, and for doubting myself. But I knew that he would be proud of me, and so would my parents when he would tell them of how far we'd come.
A couple of days before the coronation, Glenstorm had reported that the centaurs had finished crafting my crown and it was now up to me and Caspian to inspect it. When I first laid eyes on the tiara, I had thought it was an illusion – it glowed radiantly. As I gently tapped the gold circlet, even goggling at it as a child would at fantastical beasts in zoos, I was captivated by a fire flower bud encapsulated in the diadem that made it stand out from other precious gemstones and spinels and crystals. The beaten gold was partly enameled. I had to make sure it wasn't too heavy for me to wear.
"The fire flower," I mumbled breathlessly as I was brought down memory lane.
"Do you like it?" Caspian asked gently.
"It's wonderfully done." I beamed. "I'll still wear the wreath you gave me, though." Then I had felt Caspian stiffen, because I realized that he was still under the impression that I had not known what fire flowers symbolized to the Telmarine Kings.
"Queenship." I said, smiling. "That's what it's always meant, isn't it?" I didn't blame him for not telling me. It wouldn't change a thing about us.
"You knew?" Caspian asked, looking astounded. "When you accepted it, you knew?"
"No," I shook my head. "Shortly after, I did though. Caleb. He told me."
Caspian nodded in response. "I love you."
"I love you too," I beamed as he held my hand.
~Narrator's POV~
The Great Hall was very majestic, with an ivory roof and several columns, peacock feathers hanging from the west wall, an eastern door that looked out to the sea, where many adventures lied. There was now a designated section of the Throne Room dedicated to the Kings & Queens of Old with paintings hung high on walls depicting their valorous acts and reign. Kalyn believed that she and Caspian would be able to bring all positive changes to the Narnian Kingdom and turn a page of Telmarine history.
Now the centaurs were holding out their swords in the air, lining up, row after row, as Doctor Cornelius walked beside Kalyn on the red carpet leading to two thrones – one which Caspian sat on, the other reserved for Kalyn, the Queen to be. Arriving at the marble stairs, she stood there facing the knights and smiled nervously, but nevertheless proudly, blushing a little as Caspian gave a brief speech, mostly thanking his people for the support they have shown him over the past 4 years, not forgetting to mention the many qualities Kalyn possessed that made her a fair and worthy Queen of Narnia.
Then Caspian motioned for Kalyn to kneel as Trumpkin, swaggering towards Caspian, proudly holding an indigo velvet cushion on which Kalyn's coronet was carefully placed.
Retrieving it and holding it above her head, proclaiming in a regal, confident tone, "To the luminous stars of the heavens, I give you Queen Kaye-Lynn the Fearless. Once a Queen of Narnia, always a Queen of Narnia. May your wisdom grace us forevermore."
The coronet that was now resting on Queen Kalyn's hair seemed to have been activated by magic and was glowing with a majestic halo that only befitted the bearer herself as a Queen of Narnia. Beaming, Kalyn sat on her throne, as the knights and courtiers chanted, "long live Queen Kaye-Lynn" and the citizens' echoes could be heard from even outside the castle walls of Cair Paravel.
Taking this chance to break to the fellow Narnians the good news that their King and Queen were expecting twins, every man, woman, and child, and sentient beast rejoiced, and there had never been so much happiness in the nation.
A/n:
As you can see, things have been tied up nicely together now so we are nearing an end! Just to the second volume though, so don't fear, since we still have the third (and final) installment to come! But before that, we're going to have an epilogue. Which is going to be really interesting. I hope you enjoyed the penultimate chapter!
Please review!
