~Previously~

No one wanted to stay up much later. It was a big day tomorrow. But I still had one question on my mind. What was Aslan planning for the coronation?

Chapter 23 Coronation of the Kings and Queens

I was abruptly awoken with something hitting my head. Before I had time to process what I was doing, I grabbed the bow next to me, sat up, and released an arrow all within seconds of being woken up. There was a solid thud and I slowly lowered my bow, more surprised at my actions than anything. There was an arrow imbedded the door, inches away from Lucy. Susan and Lucy were both standing near the door from where they had thrown a pillow at me. They looked at me shocked and I looked down in embarrassment. There was a moment of shocked silence before they started laughing. Not the nervous kind either. The infectious, joyous kind and I found myself joining in.

"You slept with your bow?!" Susan asked between fits of laughter.

"Well you never know when someone is going to do something like that," I replied through my giggles.

"Oops," was all Lucy could say.

"Today's the coronation," I said, sobering. Lucy nodded excitedly and Susan smiled. They both seemed happy and excited about it, which was a good thing. Better than being nervous, which I didn't doubt they all were. But at least it wasn't showing.

After a few more laughs and a promise to never wake me up like that again, they both left me alone to go get ready. Originally they had wanted to have it early, but decided on having it later in the day. The party that followed would probably end up lasting the rest of the evening. But judging by the sun, the coronation was in a few hours. There would be more than enough time for me to get ready and I didn't want to get ready now. I knew it would be work for me. So I just laid back down and tried to relax. However, someone else had other plans.

Two servants—both female fauns—came into my room. Each held various items that I was to tired to worry about. They told me that they would be helping me prepare for the coronation. I knew I didn't need help, but I couldn't really argue with them. After all they were just likely doing what they were told.

Reluctantly, I climbed out of the bed and went to the wardrobe. I opened it up and looked inside trying to find the best dress for today.

However the two had other ideas and told me to sit down. One drew a bath while the other tidied up the room. It wasn't very messy, but she did send a quizzical look in my direction when she removed the arrow from the door. I simply smiled, fighting back more giggles. Their tasks complete, I was able to wash up in peace when they both left the room.

When I was finished, only one of the fauns returned. I made for the wardrobe, intending to pick out my own outfit when she instructing me to sit down. Sighing, I did as I was told and she began fussing with my hair. It was always a terrible ordeal when it was wet so I was glad we had time for it to dry.

"How would you like to do your hair?" she asked.

"Excuse me? Not to seem rude, but I was just going to leave it down like I have been," I said. I was never one for fancy things and always kept it simple.

The faun nodded but her reflection in the mirror told me she had another idea. Before I could ask her about it, we heard hooves in the hall and turned just as the door opened. The faun had returned and in her arms was a white and red dress. She held it up so I could see it better.

The core of the dress was white, but it had a dark red bodice with gold-colored trim. Parts of the skirts also had a matching red, but lacked any gold. While the sleeves were long, they were light and accentuated with a pattern similar to that on the bodice. It was pretty simple, but far fancier than any of the clothes currently in my wardrobe. I realized it must've been made for this event.

"Here," she said, "this was made especially for you." It confirmed my thoughts.

I moved behind a screen to put the dress on and the two helped me lace it up and smooth out the dress. They also handed me a pair of shoes more suitable for a party or ball. I put them on and found them surprisingly comfortable, especially since I was used to wearing boots.

By the time this process was complete, I still had over an hour before I had to be anywhere. This was why I had wanted to wait a bit. However they weren't going to let me be done that easily. Since it was more of a royal day instead of a casual day, I decided to let them do what they needed to. But I didn't particularly like the two fauns fussing over me. It would've been better for me if I didn't have any help. I felt crowded and uneasy. I wasn't used to someone else taking care of my needs.

We moved back to the vanity and I put my phoenix necklace back on as they worked on drying and brushing my hair. Though they were gentle, they still pulled and it was getting on my last nerve. I was prepared to just finish it myself when they finally announced that I was done. They had finally succeeded in partly braiding my still damp hair. They left enough out of the braid that my auburn hair neatly fell over my shoulders, managing to still give me the feel of it being down. It didn't take an hour and I spent the rest of my time carefully lounging about my room. I didn't want to ruin their hardwork and it was nice to have some quiet time alone before the coronation.

Eventually, a page was sent to escort me to the throne room. I had hoped to disappear into the back of the crowd, but someone had another idea. Instead of being out of sight, I was instructed to join the Narnians in front of the thrones. The centaurs were on the left side of the thrones holding flags and fauns were on the right. Everyone was patiently waiting for their new Kings and Queens to be crowned. I was feeling both nervous and excited but I managed to keep my nervousness to a simple wringing of my fingers.

The trumpets sounded and doors open. It was time for them to be crowned. They had rehearsed this several times before, whilst I was recovering. The Pevensie slowly children walked down the aisle towards the thrones. Aslan was in between them, the girls on his right, and the boys on his left. Each had proud smile on their face and Aslan even was smiling.

At the steps, they all paused before walking up the steps and preceding to their respective thrones. Aslan waited for them to be situated in front of the thrones before He walked up the stairs and stood in the middle of the four thrones. Engraved at the top of the thrones were image that related each of the Pevensies. Lucy's was her cordial, Susan's was her horn, Peter's was his sword, and Edmund's was an image of a wand being broken. It was in that moment that I realized Edmund was always meant to confront the witch. I wouldn't have been able to stop it, no matter what I did.

"To the glistening Eastern Sea, I give you Queen Lucy, the Valiant," Aslan began, pulling me from my thoughts. I refocused my attention on what we were here for.

Lucy grinned brightly as Mr. and Mrs. Beaver came forward carrying the crowns. Mr. Beaver had the Kings' and Mrs. Beaver had the Queens'. Then I saw Mr. Tumnus follow them up, wearing a nice green scarf. I hadn't seen him since he had been captured and I was so relived just to see alive. He gently carried a sliver crown. It looked to me to have some kind of flowers on it while the crown itself was the stems. Mr. Tumnus placed it on Lucy's head.

"To the great Western Wood, King Edmund, the Just," Aslan continued as Mr. Tumnus placed a sliver crown on his head. "To the radiant Southern Sun, Queen Susan, the Gentle. And to the clear Northern Sky, I give you King Peter, the Magnificent."

Mr. Tumnus placed each of their crowns on their heads as well. Susan's crown was similar to Lucy's except it held different flowers and was gold. Peter's matched Edmund's but it was also golden rather than silver.

"Once a King or Queen of Narnia, always a King or Queen," Aslan told them. "May your wisdom grace us until the stars rain down from the heavens."

"Long Live King Peter! Long Live King Edmund! Long Live Queen Susan! Long Live Queen Lucy!" the crowd shouted and cheered.

There was a moment of loud applause and cheering as the Pevensies smiled at their people. It was a joyous day and everyone was ready to celebrate. Narnia had been without a formal ruler for so long and the Narnians were glad to see someone on the throne again. And they were glad it was them. They loved them just as much as the Pevensies loved the Narnians. However, Aslan had more planned before the celebrations could began.

"Before we all celebrate the coronation of our Kings and Queens there's one more thing," He announced, causing everyone to grow quiet and pay attention.

Aslan looked in my direction but not directly at me. I glance at the ground anyways, knowing what was going to happen. In a moment everyone's eyes would be on me and that was something I didn't like. I glanced up when the silence stretched and saw that no one was looking at me.

"There's someone else who deserves your praise. She risked her life and went against many things she believed in for Narnia's cause, for your cause. Many of you didn't even knew about this person until later. But the Kings and Queens believe that she deserves credit for all the things she has done, for the help she gave them. So," this time He did look at me," Ana, Come up here please."

Reluctantly and slowly, I did. As much as I wanted to stare at the ground, I forced myself to keep looking up. Everyone's eyes were on me and it made me want to hide. My heart was racing and my hands were shaking. If I had to give a speech, I wouldn't be able to. But once I was beside Aslan, I felt calm. A wave of peace washed over me and I was able to face the crowd head on. No fear.

"To the wonderful Lands of Narnia, I give you the Brave and Great Phoenix Warrior Archer, Ana," Aslan told to them. "Protector of Narnia and her Kings and Queens. Second to no one but their Majesties."

The cheering and applause echoed through the hall once more. I was rooted to the spot and my heart was pounding. This time it was out of excitement rather than nervousness. In Aslan's presence, all my fear, nervousness, and anxiety disappeared. As uncomfortable as I was being the center of attention, I didn't feel it in that moment.

It was time for the celebrations to begin and everyone was ready. I wanted everyone to stop looking at me and quickly moved off the platform with the thrones. They continued cheering for their newly crowned royals and I was able to disappear into the crowd. The coronation of the Kings and Queens was good, but I felt like I didn't deserve to get a title. If I did, it shouldn't have been here, publicly. Now all of Narnia knew me as the personally named Warrior and Protector by Aslan himself.

A/N: Sorry for spending so long on Ana's preparation so that the coronation happened at the end. Originally the party afterwards was going to be included but that part ended up making this chapter too long. So cut that half out and made it into the next chapter. Otherwise this chapter would've been more eventful.

P.S. If you're interested in what Ana's outfit actually looked liked, here's the set I made: https/set/5b4d2e6a87d4174b0d229e00-1590722189059